"Don't you think that is inappropriate?" Kenneth asked his Luna from the doorway of their bedroom. "Not at all. It is a joyous occasion," Mandy said as she applied burgundy lipstick and stood up. She brushed the wrinkles out of her blue sweater dress as she looked herself over in the mirror before approaching him with a slight smile. "You should change. That suit is so depressing.""The suit is proper attire for the custom. You shouldn't take this much glee in her suffering," Kenneth responded, causing Mandy to frown. Mandy scoffed and said, "Don't try to act like you care about the little brat now. Don't be a hypocrite. You could care less and this arrangement will benefit the both of us.""At least make it believable in front of the Hunters," Kenneth reasoned. Mandy rolled her eyes. Of course she would behave. What kind of idiot did he take her for?"Come. You wouldn't want to keep Lily waiting," Mandy said condescendingly. Again, Kenneth didn't respond and followed Mandy to
There were gasps and murmurs from the audience, as no female in history has willingly rejected their mate. It was such a scandalous affair as both sets of parents wanted to keep it hushed that Matthew had been cheating, which was partly why the rejection ceremony was happening. Lily wasn't having any of it. Appearances be damned. They wanted to embarrass her publicly, so she wanted everyone to know the truth."I… Matthew Hunter, the first-born son of Kenneth Hunter…accept your rejection," Matthew managed to say. As soon as the words left his mouth, he could feel their mate bond fully snap. Baldur howled in anguish within him as his bond with Dina snapped away even though he refused to accept the rejection. Lily fought the urge to collapse there on the stage. She welcomed the pain, embraced it as this was nothing compared to the anguish she felt over the betrayal. "I wish Matthew and Brandy well with their upcoming mating ceremony," Lily finally said. She turned to leave but was st
Fear. Betrayal. Sadness. This was not what he expected. 'Am I in the right room?' Garrett thought as he entered the room slowly. Rumors were that Lily was no better than her sister Brandy that she too had stepped out on the mate bond. It made Garrett's skin crawl as he realized he had no choice but to be tied to this woman. So, he was shocked to feel how apprehensive she was towards him. A woman like that would be afraid of him. She would be excited to see him. He half expected to be pounced on. However, the reality was that he was faced with a she-wolf that did not want anything to do with him."What have I said about involving me in your affairs?" Garrett growled into his phone after his father told him of the alliance with the Blue Creek Pack. "You already have what you wanted. Leave me out of it." "Do you really think you have a say in anything pup? You are still on my terf. You will do as I command you to," Alpha Jack responded nonchalantly which caused Garrett to becom
"I don't need money. My father needs money," Lily muttered under her breath. "What did you say?" Garrett asked. He clearly heard her and was surprised by her brazenness. "Nothing," Lily replied weakly.Lily wanted to tell him no, tell him that he was ruining her life, and tell him that she did not need money. It was her family. She had never experienced something so shameful as her experiences before tonight. Lily wanted to reject him, but where would that leave her and her family? "I wanted to apologize for what my brother did to you. I don't know why my parents agreed to this," Garrett remarked in a light tone.He had no desire at all for her to be embarrassed in such a manner. Garrett just wanted to know if she was untouched. He knew a thorough physical examination occurred but it was so easy for results to be fabricated. Smelling her, confirmed for him that there was no question. Lily was untouch.When Lily recalled being poked and prodded by the pack doctor and the pity s
Lily stared at the reporter. Her facial expression changed from shock to anger as she lost her composure. "How dare you say something so horrid? Do you have no morals?" Lily asked. "The same could be asked of you. It is a valid question," the reporter sneered. He was positive that he had finally caught Lily in a lie. He'd make a fortune from his article."You must be behind on the news," Lily explained calmly. "Even though I am under no obligation to explain anything to you, I will tell you why they will accept me." She paused for dramatic tension before willing herself to say, "Garrett is my second chance mate."The reporters all gasped in amazement. A second chance mate was uncommon. It meant that the individual had been truly blessed by the Goddess and that the rejection of the previous mate bond was valid."That… that is impossible. Someone like you could never have a second chance mate and you don't hold a mate mark either, you…"the reporter responded, still reeling from his
Lily allowed Adam to lead her through the villa to the dining room. She couldn't stop herself from trembling. So much had happened in a matter of days. Lily didn't understand how she hadn't collapsed into tears yet. 'Because we are strong. That's why. Don't think about anything else,' Dina said.Lily sat at the table, where delicate dishes had been laid, and candles lit, looking like a candlelit dinner. Her stomach growled loudly, but she was not at all interested. How could she eat when this man had literally bought her from her father? She couldn't just sit here and act like everything was okay.'Yes, you actually can,' Dina said.'I was fine when it was my choice to screw over Matthew, but that was before I learned that my father was going to use us as a sacrificial lamb. This is different. This wolf can do whatever he wants with us because he paid for us. Aren't you upset about that?' Lily exclaimed.'Of course, I am, but this is our life now. We might as well make the most of
Lily had been feeling unsettled and disturbed on the way home. She hated the way she acted when Garrett had only shown her kindness. It made her feel even worse.Her family needed at least tens of millions of dollars, and if she could get the money from Garrett without doing anything, this debt would prey on her conscience for the rest of her life.Adam's words echoed in her mind: "Mr. Hunter is a man of his word."Garrett was an honest man, then what about her?She agreed to be his mate, and she agreed to this deal, so she didn't have the right to go back on her word. Besides, he didn't need his pack holding a grudge against her or her family. A pack feud would be bloody and unnecessary deaths would happen."What the hell do you think you're doing coming back here?!" Mandy exclaimed at Lily, who walked past her as she entered their home."Hello, mother," Lily said curtly before walking up the steps to the front doors of the pack house. She could see Brandy approaching her with i
Garrett didn't believe that she could bear it for a long period of time. Berric growled within him and began scolding him. 'What is wrong with you? You didn't get permission!''We need to know if she is revolted by our touch,' Garrett responded.'Your mind games are going to bite us in the ass,' Berric retorted.Lily felt humiliated, not because of his brazen actions but because of the trace of irony in his voice. She held firm and stared back at him with her head held high."You can believe what you want. You can check on me yourself to see if I am pure. Just like you, Alpha Garrett, I mean what I say!""What did you call me?" Garrett asked.He stopped his movements, squinting at her with a trace of displeasure. Was she mocking him?"Alpha Garrett!" She pretended to be bold, saying, "You're my future husband. Even though you are the second born son, you are still an Alpha. Should I not refer to you by your proper name?"Garrett could not help but laugh when he heard this self-