Chapter 4

Ava POV

I watched him walk off the stage, trying to convince myself that the reason I was suddenly out of breath was that so many people packed together made the room hot and not because Arthur had looked straight at me when he'd spoken about having found his bride.

Damn. I could barely hear myself think from how loud my heart was beating through my ears.

Marriage? To Arthur?

I hadn't even thought about getting married to anyone, talk more of an Alpha. I didn't want to. Fuck no. Getting married would prevent me from having the one thing I wanted most; a cure.

"He likes you."

I turned to Jennifer, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the smirk playing on her lips.

“You like this, don't you? I bet it was your plan all along. Bringing me here, introducing me to him. You wanted him to pick an interest in me."

She didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. "And? Why is that such a bad thing?"

"Are you serious?" I was livid.

She sighed. "Sweetheart, you're twenty-three. Most young werewolves are married by this age. I'm not going to sit by watching an opportunity such as this pass you by. You deserve to be a Beta."

Was she even listening to me?

"Mom, I don't think you're hearing me. I don't want to get married. I don't. Not now, not ever."

"Are you sure about that?"

The deep voice halted me. I shut my eyes and let out a deep breath, wishing I was anywhere other than here, anywhere I wouldn't have a hard time saying no to a man I just met. Opening my eyes to fix Jennifer with a glare, I spun around to face him.

"Positive."

"Here." He handed me a glass of wine. "I think you need a drink."

I took it from him, grateful I had something to do with my hand's asides from fidgeting. There was a hint of embarrassment somewhere inside me that he'd heard my conversation with Jennifer. I told myself there was no need to feel ashamed since he had been the one to eavesdrop. But at the same time, we hadn't exactly been speaking in hushed tones.

The wine ran through my throat and into my body and I felt myself relaxing.

"How do you feel?" Arthur asked me.

I loved the way his eyes focused on me like I was the only woman in the room. I loved how he made my heart beat fast like it was in time.

"Better."

Suddenly, I wanted to touch him; I wanted him to touch me. Everything I'd said to Jennifer felt like it was eons ago when I didn't know Arthur. It was almost like I could see into his soul and I saw myself.

Why hadn't I noticed the little scar below his lower lip? Why hadn't I looked closely enough to see it? Why had I told myself he was bad news for the past two weeks? For the life of me, I couldn't remember. And most importantly, why did I suddenly want him so urgently?

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Arthur POV

Somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew it was wrong. Especially when the hardness in her gaze began to relax and give way to fondness. I should've been ashamed of myself. I should've been, but I wasn't. I cleared my throat and gave her a smile. "Do you want to get out of here now?"

She nodded. "Yes, please."

I looked to Jennifer for permission and she nodded with a small smile.

I tried not to show too much enthusiasm at her reply, trying to focus on getting her away from the crowd. If I'd cared too much about them, I would've sent them all out. Ava held my hand firmly like she was scared I'd disappear if she didn't. Whatever Amelia concocted was obviously strong as fuck because Ava clung to me like a second skin.

"Hmm. Who is the pretty lady?"

Christ. At the foot of the long stairway that led to the landing, I rolled my eyes at Oliver’s smug expression, almost walking past. But I knew him and what he could do. And I didn't want anything to ruin what I'd planned with Ava.

"Get out of my way, Oliver or I'll move you myself."

"I'd like to see you try." His eyes shone a dark yellow, letting me know that he was ready for a challenge. "Is she the one you've chosen?"

At any other time or place, I might've humored him, showed him who was Alpha, and might probably have added one or two bloodied lessons in there but I just did not have the time, especially when Ava’s grip on my hand tightened.

I kept my gaze on Oliver , glaring at him. At the sight of my red eyes, he cowered and took a few steps back. Whatever Oliver said, he knew he couldn't beat me if we went head-on. That was the beauty of being the Alpha. The Moon Goddess blessed every Alpha with a generous amount of strength, and lucky you if your lineage was special. The thing was, mine was.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." I said through clenched teeth. Nothing was going to ruin the time I'd planned to spend with Ava, not when I'd gone as far as using a love potion.

Oliver moved to the side, placing his body flat against the wooden length of the stairwell.

Still holding Ava, I led her up the staircase quietly, through the large hallway, and then into my room.

For some reason, I didn't feel the need to talk. Knowing that she was there, by my side, was enough. Even if it wasn't real.

I could feel my wolf's agitation, excitement, and some other emotion I couldn't put a finger on. I knew I'd found my mate; I was only worried my mate wouldn't want me.

"Who was that? He seemed frightening." Ava asked, walking into my room. It was spacious and I noticed she took her time moving from one spot to another, her eyes taking in the environment.

"My father's illegitimate son."

Oliver knew how to ruin my day with just his fucking face. One of these days, I was going to kill him.

"So, your half-brother?" She looked at me.

"He's not my brother."

"Sounds like there's a bit of bad blood between you two."

That was putting it mildly but I refrained from saying so. But I didn't want to talk about Oliver. I wanted to talk about something else.

"Come here," I said to her, liking the way her brown eyes danced in anticipation. I could feel the sizzle in the air and something told me she could feel it too. "I want to kiss you."

She bit her lip and I almost groaned. In a couple of days, weeks, or even years when the potion wore off, she would be pissed as hell. But now that I had her attention, I was going to enjoy every second of it.

When she was only just a few steps away, I leaned forward and grabbed her with so much force that we almost toppled over. She gasped at our collision, holding onto me for support.

Oh, but I wanted her. I craved her touch, her sigh, her taste.

"My heart is beating really fast." She murmured into my chest.

"Why?"

"Because of you."

My heart began to beat really fast as well. How ironic was it that men cowered before me but a woman who was innocent and meek made me cower before her.

I'd never experienced this kind of pull before where I was completely helpless yet I knew that if we mated like I wanted to, it would be worse.

"Do I make you nervous?" I asked her.

Ava raised her head to look up at me. I wanted to believe that the affection swirling in her eyes was real, but they weren't. I put them there.

"Nervous isn't the exact word. Excitement, more like." Her lips were moving and all I could think were dirty thoughts. "When are you going to kiss me?"

Thank she'd asked. I didn't want to seem

presumptuous. "Now."

I pressed her lips to hers, only barely suppressing the growl that rose from within my wolf. My hands gripped her waist sharply and I almost used my full strength to lift her up.

Ava made a sound at the back of her throat. I bit her lip, requesting entrance. She opened with a gasp and I tasted blood from where I had bitten her.

Our tongues met and danced with a rhythm, one that wasn't similar to me. It should've scared me, the length I had gone and would go for her, especially given the fact that two hours ago, I hadn't known her. But instead, all I felt was elation at having found my mate, a feat I had deemed impossible.

She pulled away still holding my gaze, her lips red and swollen. I watched her with a painful erection as she walked away from me and headed for my bed. When she turned her head to meet my eyes, I could see the teasing in her gaze. She stopped halfway, completely turned her body to me, and chuckled.

"What's so amusing?" I asked.

She reached behind her and pulled on something and her dress immediately fell to the floor.

"I was imagining what your expression would look like if I did that."

In all my years on earth, I'd seen so many naked women. It was not a lack for me. Ava wasn't even naked. She had on black lingerie. But I could see the gentle swell of her breast and the delicate curve of her hips and it turned me on beyond reason.

My chest felt heavy and I was trying so hard not to growl.

"Are you disappointed?" I asked.

"With you looking at me like that? Of course, not."

I had to possess her. If I didn't, I couldn't think straight. I wanted her. I wanted to run my hands over her body, feel every inch, every corner. I wanted the only name on her lips to be mine. Nobody else's.

"Ava, come here."

She bit her lower lip, a smile playing on her lips.

Damn. Was she actually a minx and the potion only increased it by tenfold?

"If you want me, you're going to have to come to get me."