ALEX
The walk back is shrouded in a heavy, suffocating silence, the unspoken tension hanging thick between us. As I trail behind Hannah, I become an unnoticed shadow, my steps echoing the distance that has grown. Our return to the room where our parents await is met with an oppressive stillness, a palpable discomfort that lingers in the air. Dad, his face etched with anger, shatters the quietude as soon as we enter.
"Where were you? We were worried sick," he demands, the visible distress etched on his face.
"With my mate," I retort, meeting his gaze defiantly.
"The sooner you reject her, the better for you," Dad advises sharply.
"I will never reject her. Alice is my mate, and if I become Alpha, she'll be my Luna, not Hannah," I declare, casting a disdainful glance at Hannah, who wears a pained expression that goes unnoticed by me.
"Alice can't be Luna; that position belongs to Hannah!" Dad insists, his voice raised.
"No, it doesn't," I argue back.
"As the eldest son, you should be willing to marry Hannah for the pack. I don't recall raising a capricious heir!" he admonishes, his frustration boiling over.
"Maybe you did, maybe you fucking did," I retort sharply, the weight of my words causing gasps to fill the room. Dad's eyes widen in disbelief, attempting to find words, but Mom intervenes in a soft, pleading tone.
"Alex," she calls out, reaching out to me, but I step away, out of her reach.
"I get why you're against this marriage, but it's a done deal now. Instead of resisting, why not give Heisley a chance? I've heard she's a genuinely nice girl," she suggests, and I turn my head in shock, astonished that she could speak positively about Hannah. The same girl who makes my mate's life a living hell.
"A nice girl?" I question, raising an eyebrow at my mother.
"Yes, despite the stories, I choose not to believe them," she replies calmly.
"You don't believe them?" I ask, incredulous.
"No, I don't."
I stare at my mother in disbelief. After all the tales we've heard about Hannah, it seems impossible for her to hold such a perspective.
"Why?" I press.
"I just do," she says, casually shrugging her shoulders.
"You just do?" I query, arching a skeptical brow, and she nods. I scrutinize my mother, sensing that something is amiss. There's an uneasy feeling about this alliance with Hannah.
"Is there something I should know?" I ask, locking eyes with my parents, my curiosity pushing me to uncover what they might be hiding.
My father's eyes widen at my question, and I observe his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows hard. My mother diverts her gaze away from me, connecting eyes with my father. They exchange a silent conversation, speaking volumes without uttering a word. I knew it – this marriage holds more significance than just uniting two packs. There's a hidden reason why Hannah is the chosen one for me.
"I know you dislike her, but do you truly despise her enough to snatch her mate away?" I question, gazing into her eyes, searching for any sign that my words have struck a chord. She remains silent, and I sense her contemplating my words deeply. I believe I've reached her when she pulls away and walks over to my parents. A small smile plays on my lips; if I can't halt this marriage, perhaps she can.
"I appreciate your consideration, but I truly believe my sister would be a better fit as Alex's Luna," Hannah states, and my mom's eyes shoot to mine, glaring with clear irritation that I managed to persuade Hannah to reject them.
My dad begins to respond to her when a sharp slap echoes through the room. I gasp as I witness Hannah's face bears the imprint of her father's hand.
"Useless child! You couldn't even take responsibility for the pack and form the alliance we need. What kind of alpha's daughter are you?" Her father bellows, seething with anger. Hannah, hands on her cheeks, gazes at her father in complete shock.
My parents exchange uncomfortable glances, wearing the same shocked expressions. I sense my mother's disapproval as she shakes her head, moving toward them.
"Why don't we continue this discussion another time?" my mom suggests to Alpha Henry, Hannah's father.
"That seems like a good idea," Luna Sharon adds, approaching her mate and daughter. She grabs Hannah's hand in a tight grip. "Goodnight, everyone."
With that, she pulls Hannah out of the room, her mate following closely behind. The door closes, leaving the lingering tension of the unexpected events in the room.
I let out a heavy sigh, running my hand through my hair. The image of Hannah's father striking her lingered in my mind. It's unbelievable that he would hit his own daughter. This surprises me, especially considering Alice has mentioned how much he adores her. I'm genuinely shocked he would raise his hand against her. Or could it be that Alice was lying? Hannah's mom, too, pulled her out of the room rather roughly, and she didn't seem surprised to witness her husband striking their precious daughter. However, Alice wouldn't lie to me. She wouldn’t.
“You must reject Alice tomorrow,” my dad declares, jolting me from my thoughts.
"What?" I stare at him, incredulous. Hannah had just been physically assaulted, and instead of reconsidering, my dad is pushing for me to reject Alice the next day. It's beyond comprehension.
"Tomorrow we're announcing your engagement to Hannah to the world," he states, as if it's a matter of fact.
"You're joking," I protest, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.
"Prepare for your engagement photo shoot with Hannah first thing tomorrow morning," he instructs before leaving the room with my mom, leaving me alone.
I collapse onto the couch, a sense of defeat washing over me. The reality of this forced marriage, the assault on Hannah, and the pressure from my parents leave me feeling trapped.
"No! You can't accept it. You must fight," Eden, my wolf, urges.
"What choice do I have?" I respond, sinking deeper into the couch. "My parents are determined to make this marriage work, whether I like it or not."
"Still, we can't just reject Alice as they want. She would be crushed."
"Don't you think I know that?" I snap, frustration and emotion lacing my voice. I run my palm across my face, shoulders slumping. "To make matters worse, they're threatening to take my inheritance. Do I really have a choice here, Eden? Do I?" The weight of the impending decision hangs heavily in the air, leaving me grappling with the harsh reality of my circumstances.
Eden remains silent, understanding the gravity of our situation. In that moment, my brothers enter the room, their expressions revealing that they've overheard our entire conversation from the next room.
"Are you really going to do it?" Lorenzo asks, his gaze fixed on me as I sit on the couch.
"At this point, I don't think what I want matters to our parents, so yes," I admit,
Cameron sighs, his frustration evident. "I can't believe our parents are doing this. They know the importance of being with your mate but still choose to make you suffer like this for the pack."
I stand, placing a reassuring hand on Cameron's shoulder. "It's okay, Cameron. What's done is done. Alice will still have both of you even if I reject her," I assure Lorenzo, attempting to ease the worry etched on his face.
"Still..." Lorenzo starts, but I give him a tight-lipped smile and move toward the door. Before stepping out, I address them.
"Please be there once I'm done," I request, leaving the room and making my way to the ballroom to find Alice. Eden urges me to reconsider, disagreeing with my decision, but I ignore him. I tell myself that my pack needs this alliance, and as the firstborn, I should bear the burden of losing my mate for them. Hopefully, I have the heart to carry out what I've decided.
I lean against a tree, arms crossed, positioned a few feet away from the pack house where the ballroom is located, waiting for Alice. Our pack house, nestled in the heart of the woods, is surrounded by tall trees, emphasizing our close connection to nature as werewolves. Although the night is young, I couldn't care less for its beauty. My mood is so sour that I can't even appreciate the starry night sky, with the moon shining brightly. I sent an omega to call her. My gaze fixates on a solitary stone beneath my feet, the minutes ticking away with excruciating slowness. The relentless howls of my wolf echo in my mind, a storm of conflicting emotions urging me to reconsider my decision with every passing moment of Alice's impending arrival. I truly wish I could, but the past hour has shown me I couldn't.I thrust myself away from the tree as the unmistakable scent of Alice wafts through the air. As she materializes before me, she wastes no time, throwing her arms around me in a gesture f
HANNAHWith a gentle thud, I close the car door, my eyes lifting to behold the grandeur of the Sky Packhouse. The sheer magnificence of the colossal mansion, designed to house thousands of werewolves, stands as a testament to the power of the pack. Werewolves move purposefully in and out, already bustling with activity in the early hours. As I turn around, the car purrs to life behind me, and I watch my parents drive away without a farewell. A pang of hurt clenches my heart.The memory of last night's conversation with my mom about the impending photo shoot with Alex and the forced marriage resurfaces. The tears well up as I ponder if they couldn't see the pain this loveless marriage would inflict. I understand the duty to my pack, but sacrificing my happiness seems an exorbitant price to pay. The realization that my parents don't perceive it that way stings deeply.Releasing a breath, I shake my head, deciding to proceed with what brought me here. As I approach, I step inside the gra
Staring at Alex, I'm rocked to the core by the revelation that Poppy has just voiced. His recent rejection of Alice leaves only one conclusion: I am his second mate. The weight of that realization settles over me like a heavy shroud. Me? His second chance, mate. It's a concept I struggle to wrap my mind around, disbelief mingling with the years of longing for the day I would finally meet my mate. And yet, here he stands before me, the very man I've yearned for. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Poppy tells me she can still sense the raw pain of his recent rejection. My heart aches for him, empathy flooding my being.In that fleeting moment, Alex slowly unwraps his arms from around my waist, creating a physical distance between us. I maintain my gaze, my eyes betraying the pity and compassion swirling within me.Running my eyes over his form, I take in the sight of the white vest he wears, its fabric clinging to his muscular arms and offering a tantalizing glimpse of what lies bene
I lock eyes with Alex, feeling the slow burn of lust igniting within me as his hands rest on my waist. My heart races with anticipation, wondering what will unfold next. But just as I'm lost in the moment, Poppy, in control of my body, moves slowly and deliberately, guiding Alex's hand to my breast.A shiver runs down my spine as a soft moan escapes my lips. My eyes widen in shock at my own behavior, the realization of what's happening sinking in with each passing second."Poppy, stop this instant," I whisper-yell, my voice trembling with a mix of arousal and apprehension as I struggle against the overpowering urge to surrender to Alex's touch. The fire he ignites within me is undeniable, and I'm torn between the intoxicating pleasure and the need to resist.But Poppy refuses to relent, her voice echoing in my mind with persistence."No, Hannah. You have longed for this day for so long," she insists, her words a reminder of the desires that have simmered beneath the surface for far to
Awakening in the late afternoon, I find myself bathed in the soft, golden light filtering through the curtains. I reach out for Alex, expecting to feel his warmth beside me, but my hand meets empty air. Opening my eyes, I sit up and scan the room, my heart sinking as I realize he's gone. There's no trace of him, not even a lingering scent. I run my hand through my hair with a sigh, a pang of hurt gnawing at me despite my efforts to brush it aside. After all, I know we are mates, but not a couple.Throwing the covers off my body, I make my way to the bathroom, eager to freshen up before I leave. With each step, I feel an ache between my legs, and a blush creeps up my cheeks as memories of this morning flood my mind. Alex had surprised me with his skills. I hadn't anticipated his roughness, nor did I expect to enjoy it as much as I did. But in that moment of shared intimacy, I discovered a new aspect of myself, a side that craved the intensity and passion he offered. With Alex, it seems
“You thought this is what I wanted?” Alex barks, his voice slicing through the tense silence like a blade.“Yes. I tried to tell you the dress wasn’t appropriate, but you threatened to come in and put it on for me, so I had to wear it,” I explain, hoping that he sees I didn’t choose this dress on purpose.Alex releases a dark chuckle that sends shivers down my spine before he speaks again. “So, you're telling me my pack arranged for you to wear this fucking excuse of a dress?” His voice takes on a different tone, filled with a mix of frustration and curiosity.I nod, too frightened to utter a word, my heart pounding in my chest as I navigate the unpredictable shifts in his demeanor."Maybe the clerk made a mistake. I don’t know," I add after a pregnant pause, hoping to diffuse the tension. Alex lifts a brow, tilting his head slightly as he stares at me intently. I nod once again, silently pleading for him to believe me and let me go. As much as I enjoy our closeness, his shifting mood
ALEX“Stay here,” I instruct Haisley before stepping out to meet the person who knocked.“I’m so sorry, sir. I just realized we asked Miss Haisley to go into the wrong dressing room,” the clerk explains apologetically.“What do you mean?” I ask, feeling confused.“Miss Haisley’s dress is actually in fitting room 5, not 1,” she clarifies.“Oh,” I respond, understanding the situation. Does that mean I was wrong in my assumption?“Yes, you were,” Eden interjects in my mind. “The poor girl was innocent, and you punished her.”“Getting face-fucked isn’t really a punishment, in my defense,” I retort.“Because she was trembling with need?” Eden counters, his tone tinged with sarcasm.“Yes,” I admit.Eden rolls his eyes in response.“What do you think about her?” I ask, changing the subject.“I feel the connection, but it was a lot to take after just losing one mate,” Eden responds.“Same way I feel,” I agree.“I doubt. Your dick has been in her pussy and mouth in the last hours,” Eden counte
My hand trembles slightly, the grip on my fork loosening as I digest Luna Marley's words. I had always imagined if I ever moved out of the pack house and get myself place in the human world, I would be on my own, not with a husband. I am not saying I wasn’t expecting I would move in with Alex, but not before we get married. "I know it might be a lot, but we thought to give you guys a real chance to know one another before you get married," Luna Marley explains, her words pulling me from my thoughts. "I see," I murmur, offering her a tight-lipped smile as I turn my gaze towards Alex once more. I expect him to object, but he remains silent, his attention fixed on his plate as though everything is alright. Releasing a deep sigh, I return my focus to my meal, the food suddenly tasting bland and unappetizing. I will speak to him later about talking to his parents. I am not ready to live with him yet. I have accepted to marry him but not live with him yet. I continue to eat in silence, m