I froze in place, my mouth suddenly dry. The man scowled at me after squeezing the omega’s hand as if to ask her to stay before she pulled away.
“I’m so sorry miss! I will get back to work right away!” The omega blushed and scurried away as fast as she could.
I stood paralyzed as I watched the couples interaction. It sickened me to see so much love and passion exude from the man’s eyes as he watched the young she-wolf slip away from his grasp.
My heart ached, but for reasons I couldn’t explain. I didn’t have my wolf yet, so how could he be my mate? We can’t tell until they emerge, and he certainly didn’t jump for joy at my presence.
So why did I suddenly have such strong and angry feelings towards this man?
The man was tall, towering over me in an intimidating stature as he approached and stood in front of me. He was more attractive than I initially gave him credit for now that I was standing toe-to-toe with the gloriously sexy wolf. His arms and chest clearly showed his strength with muscles so built and developed, I doubted he had any issues with the ladies. That thought annoyed me.
How could I be this attracted to someone I just met in one hand, but so fucking nervous all in the same moment?
Was he going to do something to me for interrupting his intimate session?
My heart began beating so fast, I’m sure he could hear how nervous he was making me.
He inhaled a deep breath of my scent before growling and clutching his fists into balls at his sides. He quickly exhaled before storming off towards the front of the packhouse looking indifferent and unphased by our encounter.
I was so confused! How could I be sensing such a strong scent, one that is supposed to present AFTER I shift for the first time and gain my wolf, but I didn’t have my wolf yet?
And if he WAS my mate, and he is clearly older than eighteen, why didn’t he scent that I was his mate? He didn’t look bothered by my presence for even a millisecond other than when he showed how upset he was that I interrupted him.
I quickly shook the stunned expression off my face, collecting my thoughts and nerves and went back to the front of the packhouse to head back upstairs for a moment of reprieve. If this was a sliver of a taste of what is to come, living here with both packs under one roof, I was in for a more tumultuous and bumpy ride than I had initially expected.
I still had my mind-link open, since they had arrived, even though I was yet to meet this Alpha heir I was betrothed to mate, so it was no surprise when my mom came through.
‘Honey, don’t you think it would be polite to come visit with Luna Mercury right now? She will be your mother-in-law and you will have to live under her until you and her son mate and mark each other.’
Dammit…I groaned. She was right. No matter what my life would be like over there, this woman may be my only saving grace and safe haven if worst came to worst. I needed to ensure that she would support me if I ever needed the help.
I turned around after only climbing the first few steps and headed straight for the lounge where I knew my mom would be enjoying a cocktail with the visiting Luna while they waited for the Alpha’s to finish up business.
‘Yes mom…you are right. I’m headed there now.’
After walking into the room and gracefully sitting next to my mother to be a cordial and hospitable host, I struck up a conversation with the Luna’s about the upcoming Lunar Festival.
Every pack is excited about the festival and they celebrate it differently in each pack. Luna Mercury explained some of the subtle differences between how we celebrate it and how they do. Just then, Alpha Donovan and Alpha Mercury emerged from Alpha Donovan’s office, both holding a glass of scotch in their hands as they patted each other on the backs bellowing loudly.
“Awe, I see the women have been getting along in our absence!” Alpha Mercury came up to sit next to his mate and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.
Alpha Donovan stood leaning up against the bar, nursing his glass with a huge smirk on his face, clearly happy about something.
“Oh yes dear! We were just talking about the upcoming Lunar Festival and what we do differently from each other’s pack to celebrate,” Luna Mercury sweetly explained to the Alphas.
Just then, I began to smell that fresh baked chocolate chip cookie smell growing stronger. Less than a minute later, I turned towards the smell to see the tall, dark, and brooding man from earlier casually leaning up against the door frame to the lounge with his hands shoved in his pockets.
How long had he been there before I scented him? Why was he even here eavesdropping on what is clearly a private and privileged conversation?
“Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to introduce you to my son, your future mate, Weston Mercury…WESTON…where did that little bastard go now?! WESTON!” Alpha Mercury growled and grumbled as he stood with his back to the mysterious man quietly leaning against the doorframe. He started turning to look around for his elusive son.
“Yes, father…I’m right here,” He stated in a rather bored tone as he meandered a little further into the lounge. The place looks more like a small, quaint bar than it does a lounge. Maybe that was putting him off…wait…did he just…he is…my. future…MATE!?
Alpha Donovan and my mom stood to greet and shake hands with the future alpha heir. “I look forward to the alliance we will be forging through the union of our daughter to you, son!” Alpha Donovan jovially shook Weston’s hand as he looked on at them both smiling; the picture of happiness.He walked over to me as I stood at my seat to greet him with a polite, prim and proper curtsey and bow, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Weston.”He smirked at me, kissing the top of my hand as he lifted me from my bowing state, “The pleasure is mine.”We stood there for a moment, silent, just staring at each other. Neither of us had any hint of an expression that would give away how we felt about the other and this predicament. If anything, we both looked indifferent and unmoved by one another. Inside I was seething with anger and jealousy, now realizing, it’s for good reason. Was I going to have to live with an unfaithful mate the rest of my life? What was it about him that got under my skin so much
The years have beaten him down; Anyone can tell from the look in his tired eyes.With another deep sigh he answers, “This is how you save your home, Vi, but we have to take it back when the right time comes. Promise me, when the time comes, you will come to my side and help me get back your pack, Vi, promise me! I’ll do everything in my power to bring you back to where you belong!” I would do whatever it took to help my cousin take back my rightful packlands from Alpha DICKovan. When the time was right.“I promise.”“You know you’re going to miss your own mating ceremony if we stay on the phone together much longer, right?” He chuckled, “You need to get some rest. You sound exhausted, Vi.”I knew. I was avoiding everything. I had to face the music of my impending reality.“Speak for yourself!” I attempted a playful laugh. “You’re the one sporting bags under your eyes darker than a vampire’s soul!” I teased, extracting a sweet laugh from Leaf before I began frowning, thinking about
Scrunching my brows, curious as to what he wants to speak to me about privately, I sit back in my seat next to him to hear him out. I’m sure he has some explanation for me about why he was kissing an omega. Weston handsomely smiled that golden boy toothsome smile, waving to everyone as they left the room. Once the door shut, signaling that we were finally alone, Weston turned to me, an indifferent expression still plastered across his face giving nothing away. I started, “So…you want to spill the beans as to what you wanted to speak to me about privately?” “I am a very direct person, Violet. I don’t fault myself for it; and I certainly am not going to apologize for it,” Weston began with an air of arrogance in his attitude.He leaned in close and stated in a sharp authoritative tone, “Here’s what’s going to happen now, Petal,” he spits out a shitty excuse for a pet name bitterly.“You are going to decline our generous offer and formally reject me in front of our Alphas. I’m going
I woke up the next morning with dried tears and puffy red eyes. I didn’t even care. I really wished I could talk to Leaf right now, but my shitty stepfather wouldn’t allow him back on pack grounds.What’s worse; Leaf’s phone conversations were still under Alpha Dickovan’s surveillance with the excuse that he needs to continue to “mentor” Leaf. More like MONITOR him so he can make sure Leaf doesn’t turn around and attack him! Because of this, I couldn’t even call to confide in Leaf unless I didn’t care if my stepfather knew what we were talking about. I was so glad Leaf called me last night. If he hadn’t, I don’t think I would be able to make it through today. Good thing, we don’t really care what the Alpha hears from our conversations these days since we have learned not to talk about the deep and really serious stuff over the phone.That creeper clearly has trust issues with the level of control he insists on maintaining at all times around here. I was in a haze and wanted to hid
Then, I felt his teeth elongate. I had no time to brace myself before he mercilessly thrust his canines into my neck, thoroughly marking me as his. Forever. Chosen mates sever the mate bond between their fated mates when they are marked by their chosen mate, which is supposed to be painful. Some described it as a painful burn that feels like it's searing you from the inside out.I expected an uncontrollable amount of pain, especially since he wasn’t my fated mate, or at least I wasn’t sure, but only the sharp instant pain from when he broke my skin was felt. This sharp pain was followed by a flood of warmth that coursed through my entire body and hit me straight in my core. Why didn’t I feel that burning pain that is said to follow after chosen mates mark each other?Everyone clapped in jubilation as I shook the conflicting feelings out of mind.“And now for the Luna’s mark!” Could I do this? Would I be able to make my wolf’s canines come out long enough for me to mark him? My he
With impatience laced in his voice he stated, “Luna Violet, the caravan is ready to leave and we are now behind schedule due to your tardiness. Alpha Weston has ordered me to tell you that we must leave now.” I closed my mouth and nodded to the beta before glancing up into Leaf’s eyes with a frown and dread plastered on my face. “Stay positive Vi! You never know - you might love your new pack! You only get out what you put in to something, so put everything you have into being the best Luna and I know you will be happy and the pack will fall in love with you! They’d be crazy not to!” Leaf hurriedly explained before giving me one last hug. His words were always so comforting and encouraging. He has always been an optimist, even when there was hardly anything positive about a situation, Leaf would find that sliver of something to be positive about. I released him from the hug I was trying to make last forever. In his arms, I felt safe, like no one and nothing could get to me in my
Weston's POV I don’t like Violet. I detest her. This 18-year-old girl blindly accepted this arranged marriage without any say in her own future. When I asked her to refuse this marriage, she answered, "I don't know." Because of her weakness and lack of determination, I lost my freedom. My mother and father are unwilling to see reason. They keep telling me that I had my fairy tale with my fated mate. Now it was time to think of the pack. I ALWAYS think of the pack. It was time I thought of myself for once. I made a promise and I intend to keep it, no matter what anyone thinks! I can’t betray Morana. I promised my Luna that I would take care of her sister until the day I died, and that’s what I’m going to do! I will keep the last promise I made to my mate before she was stolen from me too soon. Azazel, my wolf, didn’t really WANT Morana, but would do anything for our mate, even if it meant mating her to protect her. It took us a while to come around after Cate had passed. We lo
Violet’s POV “Wake up! Wake up!” I heard a deep loud growl pierce my veil of slumber. After the haze of sleep slid away from me, I jolted up, wide awake, “I’m up!” When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t prepared for the sight before me. I thought I was still in my pack…in my bed. That was sadly no longer true and my mind hadn’t caught up with my reality standing in front of me. Sam, Weston’s beta, was standing over my naked body. I was laying by the lake I had found last night. Last night…everything began to flood back to me and the momentary relaxed state I had been in as I awoke, disappeared, leaving a sickening and gut-wrenching pain in my stomach. A knot that made me nauseated. After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I looked up to Sam, before attempting to stand up. He was mind-linking with some. Likely Weston to tell him they found me. A few minutes passed and another wolf approached us to pass off a pair of jersey knit shorts and a large male’s shirt, likely clothes that had bee