Six

If he could still perceive his scent on her, he must be a very powerful Alpha. It would take a very strong Alpha to detect a scent from a mark that has been erased already. Echabod had mentioned that fragments of a dominant scent could linger for days before finally fading.

She gulped, her mind scrambling for the perfect excuse.

Should she play dumb? If she acted clueless enough, he might drop the matter.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice him stepping closer until his scent hit her, snapping her attention back to him. She flinched, staring up at him questioningly. His gaze was fixed on her neck.

She instinctively tried to step back, then stopped herself. There was no visible mark on her neck anymore. Moving now would only make her seem suspicious. There was nothing to worry about since she had no mark.

Swallowing hard, Ashley tried to remain composed, but his presence made it difficult. His scent wrapped around her, strong and familiar, and her body temperature began to rise. Flashes of that night surfaced uninvited. She clenched her fists at her sides, silently urging herself to calm down.

Why was she still letting him affect her after he humiliated her? He might be her mate, but he was a jerk. Falling for him would only lead to pain.

Dane lifted his head and let his gaze travel across her face. A small frown settled there as he looked at her…almost disappointed. The expression unsettled her more than anger would have.

Just as she was about to step back, he moved away first.

Relief rushed through her. She exhaled quietly, thanking the goddess.

“Is Alpha Dane here in search of a particular woman?” She asked, trying to ease the tension hanging between them.

“Yes.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. His tone was indifferent, distant even and it offended her. He wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was uninterested in her.

“Why? Did you mark someone recently?” She asked, partly because she wanted to hear him say it.

“I have a fiancée.”

She stilled.

So it was true, just as his subordinate had said. Foolish of her to think it might have been her. He didn’t even consider their arranged marriage as anything meaningful.

Deep down, she felt both disappointed and furious that it wasn’t her he had been looking for. But she quickly buried the feeling. It didn’t matter anymore. He was a liar. A womanizer. Not worth her peace of mind.

She didn’t care if refusing him would affect her pack. She would marry anyone else, anyone but him.

“Concerning our marriage, I have a proposal,” he began.

Ashley lifted her head, ready to speak, but he continued, “Let’s sign a one-year contract and go our separate ways afterward.”

The proposal completely caught her off guard. She swallowed back a scoff, her expression hardening into a frown. It was the arrogance in his tone that unsettled her most, as though he were offering her a favor.

Who did he think he was?

“Alpha Dane, I have no idea what type of women you sleep with or work with every day, but I hope you remember I am not one of them. I am not interested in marrying you, and I hope you maintain that stance as well,” she said firmly.

His brow lifted slightly in surprise.

Ashley knew he hadn’t expected her rejection, and that small victory lifted her mood.

“You are not interested in our marriage? Does your father know?” He asked.

“He will once I tell him,” she replied, her tone sharp and decisive.

“You do realize this marriage isn’t only about you,” Dane said evenly. “Our pack’s alliance depends on it. Refusing means violating an established tradition. If your pack withdraws first, there will be consequences.”

Ashley hesitated, her shoulders lowering slightly as she absorbed his words. She had always known the marriage was arranged before they were even born, but no one had told her there were penalties attached.

Was he telling the truth? Or was this just another lie to trap her?

He was a skilled liar. And though he did not outrightly deny his status, he lied when he took advantage of her despite being engaged to another. She couldn’t trust him.

“My answer remains the same, Alpha Dane,” she said at last, straightening her back. “If you will excuse me.”

She turned and walked away without waiting for his response.

Dane watched her retreat, a faint, amused sound leaving his lips. Interesting. It seemed he wasn’t the only one unwilling to accept this union. Still, her outright rejection intrigued him. He was prepared to compromise for his pack, yet she had boldly refused.

Was there someone else?

A lover, perhaps?

—

“Father!”

Ashley’s voice rang through the side hall as she pushed the doors open. Several pack members were seated around her father, deep in discussion.

Alpha Barton looked up in confusion as she approached. Rising to his feet, he met her halfway. “You are done speaking with him already? That was quicker than I expected. Did something happen?”

“I am not going to marry him,” she declared.

The room fell silent. Every head turned toward her in shock.

Her father’s expression darkened. He glanced at the others. “We will continue this meeting later.”

The members understood immediately and began filing out, casting curious glances at Ashley as they left. Soon, the hall was empty.

“You have to marry him, Ash,” her father said once they were alone. His voice was firm, strained. “That was our agreement. Do you remember our deal?”

“I know,” she replied quickly. “I understand, Father…but it can’t be him. I will marry anyone else. Anyone. I promise. Just not him.” Her voice softened, desperation seeping through. “I can’t.”

“You don’t understand,” Alpha Barton said, his tone rising despite himself. “This isn’t a marriage you or I can simply cancel. At first, I considered finding another way to secure our cooperation but that is no longer possible. Both packs have formally agreed. If this marriage fails, it must be them who break it, not us.”

He paused, the weight of his next words heavy.

“Our pack is struggling, Ashley. I have been pretending otherwise. We are in desperate need of support. This alliance will strengthen us…your marriage will strengthen us. It has to work.”

Frustration burned in her chest.

“But Father, if I marry him…”

A knock interrupted her.

“Come in,” Alpha Barton called.

The door opened, revealing his Beta.

“Alpha Barton. Lady Ashley.” The Beta bowed slightly, his gaze shifting between them.

“What is it?” Her father asked impatiently.

“Alpha Rowan and his Luna request Lady Ashley’s presence. They wish to formally greet her.”

Ashley let out a sharp scoff, anger surging through her veins.

“Tell them no,” she said coldly.

Without waiting for a response, she turned and stormed out of the hall, frustrated, furious, and feeling more trapped than ever.