She was bouncing with excitement, a whirlwind of energy that was new to me. My wolf had never felt such exhilaration before. The alpha caught Drew's gaze fixed on me and remarked, "Felicity is now working part-time as a chef," which piqued my mate's interest. "But why are you serving?" Luna inquired. "I heard we were short on waitstaff with all the guests we have," I replied nonchalantly. She chuckled softly, but I could still sense Drew's eyes on me. When I turned to meet his gaze, he flashed a smile that sent a jolt through me.
As I continued my tasks, his eyes tracked my every move. It was undeniably Drew, though if his mother hadn’t called him by name while asking about the food, I might not have recognized him. He had transformed so much since he left; we were just kids back then, but now he was impressively built, with a strong jawline and glossy brunette hair. Jane was clearly smitten, but I wasn’t interested in him. The thought of him being our mate unsettled me.
Jane chimed in, sensing my thoughts. "So, you’re planning to reject him?" she asked, hitting the nail on the head. Yes, I intended to reject him. I had no fondness for him, especially considering our past interactions. He could still be insufferable, even if I felt an inexplicable pull toward him.
After finishing my serving duties, I made my way out of the dining area to change when suddenly his scent enveloped me, teasing my senses. He seized my arm and led me to a secluded spot. "Can you please just leave me alone?" I snapped. He looked at me intently and said, "Why does my future Luna ignore me?" I scoffed at the term. "What does that even mean?" I knew what it implied, but I had already resolved to reject him, and Jane was vehemently opposed to that idea. He pulled me closer, our faces inches apart, and the proximity stirred something deep within me. I felt an overwhelming urge for him to kiss me. What was I thinking? His breath brushed against my skin as he murmured, "You are my mate." Seriously? "Well then, mate, I reject you."
He simply chuckles, as if he thinks I’m joking. What’s so amusing about this? “I’m dead serious,” I insist, but he just smiles. “Well, duckling, I can sense your arousal.” Damn it, I’ve been feeling this way ever since he pressed me against him, and I despise it. “Don’t overthink it,” I tell him. He releases me and steps back, leaving me confused. What is he up to? He removes his collar, just like he did years ago, and I gasp—the bite mark is still there, untouched by time. He notices my shock and says, “Sorry, love, you’ve already marked me; you can’t reject me.”
No! This can’t be happening, it can’t be real. What have I done? Despair washes over me, but Jane is practically buzzing with excitement. “You can’t reject our mate; you’ve marked him already. No wonder I felt such a strong pull toward him.” Seriously, can you please quiet down? “So you see, Felicity,” he steps closer again, “you are mine forever, just as I am yours.” He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
Is this the insufferable Drew? Don’t be deceived; he was once like this years ago before he changed. I yank my hand away from his. “Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it, but please don’t tell your parents just yet. I need time to process this.” He nods and replies, “You better hurry; my patience is wearing thin.” I’m about to respond when he suddenly kisses me, catching me off guard. But the most shocking part was I kiss him back, as if I’ve been starving for him. My fangs itch with the desire to mark him again, but I have to hold back. If I let Jane take control, we might end up losing our virginity tonight, and I’m not ready for that. He breaks the kiss, and I gasp for air, feeling my cheeks flush. He chuckles, but I can see the struggle in his eyes as he fights to maintain control. Then, without warning, he leaves me and walked away, more like runs away.
Alpha Kendrick was granted entry, striding in with an air of authority as he followed the butler. As he surveyed his surroundings, he realized that the crimson pack was everything he had heard, igniting a deep-seated jealousy within him. The fact that he was now a subordinate to Alpha Altair infuriated him; he despised everything about the situation and would not hesitate to eliminate both Altair and his so-called mate if given the opportunity.A large door swung open, and Alpha Kendrick was ushered inside. At the center of the room stood an elegantly arranged table with chairs, where Alpha Altair occupied the head seat, while a delicate figure sat with her back to Kendrick.Upon entering, Kendrick's posture shifted dramatically; the confidence he had exuded moments before was replaced by a demeanor more befitting one of Alpha Altair's servants. "Greetings, Alpha Altair," he said with forced politeness.Altair merely hummed in response, a slight smile gracing his lips. "I believe I a
The following morning, Maya awoke to a sharp pain in her back, acutely aware of a body pressed against her. Without needing to turn, she recognized who it was. The previous night had been intense; he had taken her with a primal fervor. Initially gentle, his demeanor had shifted as the hours passed, becoming increasingly aggressive. Despite the discomfort she now felt, she couldn't deny the enjoyment she had experienced. "Are you awake?" he murmured, kissing her ear. "Yes," she replied, her voice sluggish. He chuckled and sat up, tousling his hair. Her stomach growled, prompting him to turn and laugh. "Stop laughing," she said, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. The night’s activities had left her ravenous. He rose from the bed and lifted her as they made their way to the bath. In a nearby forest, Reece surveyed the area, spotting a house that appeared in disarray. As he explored, he stumbled upon something that made him recoil; the remains of what seemed to be a long-
She was immersed in pristine waters, embellished with the most exquisite fragrance, and dressed in a delicate nightgown, preparing to spend the evening with her partner.For Maya, this all felt so soon; she was still navigating the depths of her grief. Although months had passed, the ache lingered, refusing to fade.Then she recalled his words after they had marked each other: "You have a new family now." Those words brought tears to her eyes as she admired her reflection in the mirror, her hand instinctively reaching to touch the mark he had left on her.She had not anticipated the bite would evoke such pleasure; initially painful, it soon transformed into a tingling sensation in her stomach. She couldn't quite identify that feeling, but it was one she enjoyed.A maid knocked on the door, announcing, "The alpha is on his way." The other maid, who had been preparing her for the evening, quickly bowed their head and exited, leaving Maya alone.
"I don't want you," she snapped, her frustration evident. He merely smiled, which only fueled her anger further. "You will reject me right now," she insisted once more.He stepped closer, prompting her to retreat slightly while keeping their eyes locked. "Shift for me," he commanded.As he observed her, a chuckle escaped him; he finally understood why Alpha Kendrick had acted as he did, though it did not excuse his treatment of her family."And why should I do that? If I do, will you reject me?" she inquired, a glimmer of hope flickering within her. He regarded her with a blank expression. "I don't believe I will, even though I once thought I might. Your wolf has surfaced, and mine is relentless in its desire to claim you," he replied with a calm demeanor.She shook her head defiantly. "No, I don't want this." He reached out to gently touch her face, causing her to flinch at the contact. Her heart raced in her chest. "See, you feel it too. I under
She had been living here for six months, and her experience had been nothing short of tumultuous. Although she wished for a different reality, she found herself immersed in lessons on etiquette.The situation began to unfold two weeks after her arrival. Initially resistant, she soon realized there was no one to confide in; she often thought about how much easier it would be if Alpha Altair were present.To her surprise, she found herself longing for his company, as she struggled to communicate with the pack members. Unsure of how to navigate her new environment, she simply complied with whatever instructions were given to her.Now, six months later, she was left wondering when he would arrive to reject her, as she felt she had reached her breaking point.One afternoon after class, she wandered into the garden, a new habit she had developed. The flowers were in full bloom, and this serene space provided her with an unexpected sense of tranquility, allowing her to momentarily forget her
This was precisely what he desired as he gradually approached Alpha Kendrick. Initially unable to move, Alpha Kendrick eventually summoned his strength and asked, "What could my pack have done to warrant this?" He pretended to be unaware of the situation.However, Alpha Altair remained silent, standing directly in front of Kendrick. As Kendrick took a step back, Alpha Altair's expression was blank, Alpha Kendrick realizing that he had underestimated the danger he was in says, "I thought you were joking when you claimed she was your mate," he attempted to clarify.At that moment, he was drenched in cold sweat. "Please spare me and my people," he begged. "Did you spare my mate and her family?" were the words that escaped Alpha Altair's lips as he glanced toward the chaos, with Alpha Kendrick's gaze following suit.What he witnessed made it clear that the man before him was indeed gruesome, as he saw the warriors of the Crimson Pack emerging from the turmoil, catching his pack off guard