Chapter 2: Northern Beast

(Katriona)

“Just a warning, Katriona. Alpha Alexander has returned. Because of the brothers’ long-time feud, you could be targeted by him. Be careful. Once he sets his eyes on something, he would go all the way to get it. He would not be tagged as the ‘Northern Beast’ for nothing.”

Those words came from Lord Kenneth, one of the members of the Order, an organization which the King ruled to maintain the peace in the Kingdom.

Lord Kenneth let out those words when we met in the hallway after I came out of the ladies’ room.

Before this, I had only heard rumors about Alexander since no one around me, not even the royal family themselves talk about him as if he was a forbidden subject. I knew about his victories and how he mercilessly conquered several packs until the entire wolves in the North had become under his command.

I also heard that the brothers were not on good terms although what happened between them seemed to be a story which no one was allowed to tell.

But whatever was the cause of their rift, I was sure that Bradley was not the one who started it. My mate was the sweetest and the kindest man I had ever met. He was the perfect Prince Charming that’s why many of the female shifters adored him including me.

Alexander, on the other hand, was my mate’s complete opposite from the way they pick their clothes to the way they looked. Bradley usually wears formal attire while his brother was the only man here who was wearing a black leather jacket, jeans, and dirty boots. And since they were only stepbrothers, their features were different, too, although both of them were as tall as each other. They also had the same build.

Bradley had clean-cut jet-black hair. His eyes were as dark as the night and his skin was tanned while Alexander’s shoulder-length hair was ash-blonde. His eyes were blue. The brothers looked magnetic in their own ways although alpha Alexander radiated danger from head to toe.

I had never met a man as rude as him. He was oozing with jerk vibes! How dare he kiss his brother’s fiancée so passionately and look so nonchalant about it? He kissed me as if he wanted to devour me. Just thinking about it was enough to make my blood pressure rise.

But when Alexander shifted and roared, it resonated in my ears. I flinched and so did my wolf. It was as if his wolf was calling mine and to my surprise, my wolf… seemed to be responding to that call. It howled as if it wanted to come out.

Alexander’s wolf was white while Bradley’s was black. Both alphas possessed the biggest and the strongest wolves in the kingdom. That’s why both of them were candidates to the throne. They rolled and snarled at each other. This was my first time seeing Bradley this furious. And when they started attacking and biting each other, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

I staggered.

If not for the guards, their pack warriors would have fought each other, too. As for the alphas, no guards or guests could stop them.

“Bradley, please stop it!” I screamed but none of them seemed to hear me. Their wolves had completely taken over them. It was as if they were letting out a year’s worth of anger.

The pain in my chest was getting worse every second.

“That’s enough!”

The King’s voice bellowed when he appeared all of a sudden. His Majesty did what the others did not have the courage to do: he put himself between the two alphas. Only then did the brothers stop trying to kill each other.

When they shifted, both of them were gasping and bleeding, but unlike the ordinary wolves, their bruises and wounds healed in an instant as if nothing happened at all. Their betas dashed and gave them cloaks to cover themselves.

“The party is over,” the King declared. His expression darkened as he gazed at his sons. “Alexander and Bradley, I want you to fix yourselves as soon as possible and meet me at my office in ten minutes!”

Bradley glared at Alexander but the latter just grinned and waved his hand. My fiancé ran to me. His eyes softened.

“I’m sorry, babe. That must have startled you. Are you okay?” he asked in a tender voice.

I nodded. “Let’s get out of here.”

We were about to leave the balcony when Alexander called our names. I didn’t want to turn but for some reason, my body moved on its own as I glanced at him.

I caught him smiling. That smile was devastatingly lethal that despite what just happened, I still heard the guests’ sigh, especially the women.

His gaze was hard and penetrating when he said, “We will meet again, Katriona.”

My name seemed to roll in Alexander’s tongue. And there seemed to be an unspoken promise in his voice when he let out those words.

Bradley drew a sharp breath as if he was only controlling himself.

“Don’t listen to him,” he said before he held my hand and took me out of the hall.

But while we were walking away from Alexander, away from the prying crowd, I could still hear his laughter and I could feel him following me with his eyes.

“I’m really sorry about this, Katie. I will send additional guards to keep you safe from Alexander’s claws. I promise I won’t let him lay his hands on you again,” Bradley said once we reached the parking area. “I will protect you from him.”

“I saw how he looked at you, Bradley. Why does he seem to hate you so much?”

“I will tell you everything after the wedding. Do you trust me?”

“I do.”

And I meant that. I could even entrust my whole life to him. That was how much faith I have in him. Bradley finally smiled, he looked relieved.

“Thank you, babe. Right now, just know that Alexander is hell-bent on destroying me and all the things that matter to me. That's why you have to promise me that you’ll avoid him at all costs.”

I looked deep into his eyes and caressed his face. I had never seen Bradley this worried before. Still, I want to understand him. He always had reasons behind his actions. He was my hero and also the hero of many wolves here in the city.

And despite what happened, I would always feel the luckiest woman in the world for being Bradley McCain’s mate. Nothing could ever change that.

“I understand. I will wait until you can finally tell me the truth. Whatever it is, I promise I will listen. I will always be on your side, Bradley.”

His whole body tensed, but only for a while. He planted a quick kiss on my mouth. Unlike his mean brother, Bradley’s kisses were always like this: gentle and soothing.

“I know, Katie. You’re the best. I will call you after my meeting with the King. I will see you again tomorrow.”

Karl, his beta, opened the car door for me. He will be driving me home tonight. I stepped inside the limousine. And when his warriors also went in their cars, my brows furrowed.

“Isn’t this too much? Your warriors don’t have to come with us. Karl is with me. And I also have my own bodyguards. I will be fine.”

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

I sighed. After some time, I heard Bradley’s voice. “Katie?”

“Yes?”

“You are the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received from the moon goddess. I love you so much, babe.”

My eyes shone. “I love you, too.”

Bradley waved goodbye. And when Karl started driving, I saw the Northern Beast. He was still on the balcony; he was standing in the exact same spot where we left him. When our gazes locked for a brief moment, there was a mysterious glow in his eyes.

In my head, I suddenly heard his voice which had sent chills running down my spine.

And then he said, “See you soon, Katriona.”