[Lennox’s POV]
Loud music echoed around the bar as I sat alone in a booth that was covered perfectly by the shadows, so I could see but not be seen. Despite hating being in places like this, I couldn’t avoid it, not if I wanted to find him.
Alphonze LeBeau, current alpha of the Caelum pack. The strongest alpha of his time and the one man who could help me recover what was always meant to be mine. And if he didn’t want to help me, well, I had ways of making him agree.
So far, he hadn’t arrived, even though I was assured he would. If I was wasting time here, I was going to have to kill my informant when I got back. After asking multiple times, she insisted that he would be here and that I just needed to be patient.
"Trixie," I growled. "If your information was wrong, I’ll beat you black and blue."
Trixie was a genius hacker. Nothing was off-limits to her. Because of this, I had her help me track down Alphonze by finding a few emails that insisted that he would be meeting with a few of his buddies this evening to discuss an upcoming mission.
"You doubting me?" Trixie’s bubbly voice chirped through the earpiece I was currently wearing. "Don’t worry, he’ll be there soon enough."
"Yeah, yeah."
Lifting my fingers, I cut the connection so that I didn’t have an irritating pest in my ear. I was already annoyed over the fact that I had wasted two hours sitting around pretending to drink my cosmopolitan while disgusting drunks came up and attempted to flirt and chat me up.
‘For the power.’ My wolf, Selena, whispered. ‘Remember our purpose.’
‘As if I would forget.’ I scoffed.
For the last six years, I have lived for nothing more than revenge. I grew stronger and made all the connections I needed to achieve my goal, and I had no intention of failing now.
Letting out a groan, I got to my feet and stretched before making my way back to the bar to order another drink. Maybe he was here and I just didn’t see him. I could hope, right?
"Hey, cutie."
A shiver rushed through me at the husky voice that was too fucking close to me. Something about it seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on it.
"Too close," I murmured, fighting the urge to attack. "Take a few steps back, please."
"That’s cute." He chuckled. "You’re trying to act tough."
That was it. Clenching my fist, I whirled around ready to strike, but stopped when I laid eyes on the person standing behind me.
"You…" I gasped, my eyes growing wide. "You’re…"
"So you remember me?" He smirked. "What a coincidence to run into you again, little runaway."
"Coincidence." I repeated, trying to collect my racing thoughts.
I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but this guy's proximity was doing something to me. His warmth and even his essence were sending waves of delight through me. Was it because he was technically a hero to me? I wasn’t sure, but it was slightly unnerving.
"I need to go." I said, working to put my mask of indifference back in place. "If you would excuse me."
"You’re just going to leave like that?" He asked, wrapping a hand around my wrist, sending shocks of pleasure through me. "But we just met again."
Well, when he said it like that... No... I couldn’t lose focus on the reason I was here.
"Sorry, but I’m kind of busy."
"Doing what?" He asked conversationally. "You’ve been sitting alone in that booth for over an hour now."
"You spying on me?"
"I wouldn’t call it spying." He countered, leaning in close enough for his breath to tickle my skin. "I’d call it admiring."
Rolling my eyes, I attempted to peek over the man’s shoulder at the bar around us. If he caused me to lose my chance, I was going to lose my shit.
"You seem anxious."
"You don’t say?"
Of course, I was anxious. I had planned this encounter for a year, and if it didn’t go as it should, all my plans would be ruined.
"Come on, sweetheart." He murmured, leaning in closer so that our bodies were almost touching. "Let me buy you a drink."
Opening my mouth, I prepared to deny his offer, but stopped as my wolf began to stir. What the hell? Why would she react to this strange man?
"You aren’t saying no." He smirked, reaching out and grabbing my hand.
My eyes grew wide as our skin touched and an electric shock rushed through me. Seriously, who was this guy?
"I said..."
No other words managed to escape me as Selena came to life and began to whimper. With each insistent push she gave me.
‘What is wrong with you?’ I demanded, unable to handle it anymore.
‘He feels different.’ She whined, not hiding her need to get closer to him. ‘Can’t you feel it?’
Could I feel it? Of course, I could feel it! But I couldn’t give in to this draw, not if I wanted to get Alphonze. From what I heard, Stacy, my stepsister, had taken a liking to him and was currently trying to claim him as her own.
Since his mate died a few years back, he no longer had an interest in love and simply wanted a woman who could help him create a strong heir by his side. Though Stacy was technically considered the beta heir, she didn't possess the abilities like I did. In terms of strength, I was much stronger and had a more superior bloodline, so I was the better choice between us.
"Are you alright?"
Snapping out of my daze, I found myself getting lost in the man’s deep hazel gaze. Fuck, he was dangerous, and if I continued to stay here I wasn’t going to be able to control myself.
"I have a strange man trying to convince me to have a drink with him." I pointed out, trying to pretend to be unbothered. "Would any woman who was alone be alright after that?"
Frowning, the man considered my words, but quickly bounced back.
"I’m Silas," he smirked. "Now that you have a name, I’m not so strange, right?"
Not so strange? Narrowing my gaze, I just remained silent. Dammit, he was a persistent bastard.
"He’s arrived."
Tensing, I tried to not jump a foot in the air due to Trixie’s sudden appearance in my ear. Fuck, about gave me a heart attack.
Peeking over Silas’ shoulder, I began to look around until my eyes finally found him.
Alphonze…
He was making his way into the bar surrounded by two large men who I could only assume were his delta and Gamma.
"Hello? Lennox?" Trixie continued when I remained silent.
"Excuse me!" I yelped, "Bathroom."
Yanking my hand free, I attempted to make my way around Silas, only to stumble and find myself plummeting face first towards the ground.
"Careful!"
Gasping, I found a large, well-toned arm wrapping around my waist and stopping me. However, instead of releasing me once I was upright again, he pulled me to him, leaning in close to my ear.
"He isn’t good enough for you." He whispered, sending fire racing through my very veins. "And he won't be able to help you achieve what you're trying to achieve."
"And you can?" I demanded, pulling away.
"Sure," he responded easily. "Under one condition."
"Condition?" I repeated, frowning.
"That's right, sweetheart."
Remaining silent, I considered what Silas was saying. I wasn't sure if I should even allow him to go any further, but it was a little unnerving that he seemed to know what I came here to do. Maybe I could hear him out.
"I'm listening." I said slowly, bracing myself. "What's that condition?"
"It's pretty simple." He beamed, causing my heart to constrict painfully. "All you have to do is pretend to be my fiance. What do you say?"
