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 filled with warmth and familiarity. The temptation to reciprocate, to let my hands find solace around her waist, is overpowering. Yet, with a deliberate act of will, I forcibly retract my hands, fully aware that surrendering to the allure of that touch would only make things more difficult.
"I missed you, baby," she whispers, planting a tender kiss on my cheek. I shut my eyes briefly, a soft, involuntary moan escaping my throat. How can I reject someone so perfectly meant for me?
Alice's hands shift, enveloping my neck, and she leans in for a kiss. Swiftly, I turn my face away, denying the warmth of her lips against mine.
"Alice," I say, my hand gently resting on her arm as I pull her away, her confusion evident in her gaze.
"Is something wrong, baby?" she inquires, scanning my face with concern.
"Nothing is wrong," I assure her, a heavy sigh escaping me as I lock eyes with my mate.
"I need to reject you," I confess, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Alice freezes against me, her eyes widening in shock.
"I'm sorry," I add a pang in my chest at witnessing her hurt, yet knowing I have no choice.
"It's because of Hannah, isn't it? You're rejecting me because of her," she says, her voice breaking, tears welling up in her eyes.
I maintain silence, reluctant to inflict more pain. Alice has already suffered enough because of Hannah, and there's no need for her to carry the burden of being the reason why she can't be with me. The unspoken truth lingers between us, a heavy cloud of sorrow enveloping our shared gaze.
“What did she say about me? I can swear to you they are all lies. She just wishes to steal you from me; that’s why she will make up things and say I did them to her.” Now she was crying, full tears rolling down her cheeks. My heart clenches in my chest. I hate seeing her like this. My hands itch to clean her tears, but I force them to remain, tightening my grip on her arm. It wouldn’t do us any good if I was consoling her affectedly before rejecting her.
"What did she say about me? I can swear to you they are all lies; she just wishes to steal you from me. That's why she will make up things and say I did them to her," Alice pleads, tears streaming down her cheeks. A painful knot tightens in my chest at the sight of her distress. I resist the urge to wipe away her tears, maintaining a firm grip on her arm. Consoling her would only complicate the impending rejection.
"No, this was all my decision, and Hannah didn't say anything horrible about you," I assert.
"Then why?" Alice demands, fresh tears cascading down her face.
"I can't go into details, but just know it has more to do with taking responsibility as the firstborn and future heir of my pack."
"So, I was right. It's because of her. You are marrying her for the pack. I can't believe this," Alice pulls away, running her hands through her hair, shaking her head. Fuck! This is the last thing I wanted.
I move toward her to offer comfort, reaching for her arm, but Alice turns back around to face me before I can make contact.
"Hasn't she stolen enough from me? Is it my fault I'm just the adopted daughter of the Alpha and not a real one? Tell me, Alex, is it fair for me, who loves you, to get pushed to the side like this?" she implores, her voice laden with hurt. I find myself speechless, grappling with the inability to offer solace in this moment.
She sniffles and continues, "It's alright, I understand. The universe favors her more than me, and I also understand why you are doing this. You are the future heir, and it's your responsibility to put the pack first." The resignation in her voice echoes through the space, leaving a bitter taste of heartbreak lingering in the air.
She inhales deeply, locking eyes with me. "Do it."
"Alice..." I falter, a conflict between what I want to do and what I must do.
"Now, please," she pleads, her voice cracking, tears welling in her eyes. I gaze at her, desperately longing to pull her close and reassure her, but I know better than to do that right now.
With a heavy exhale, I meet her eyes and part my lips to speak the words that will sever our connection.
"I, Alex Stone, future Alpha of the Sky Pack, reject Alice Kinsely as my mate and future Luna."
"I accept," she utters, turning away abruptly, collapsing to the ground in a torrent of sobs. My heart constricts painfully, and my wolf howls in agony. I clench my fists, grappling with the aftermath of rejecting a mate. I couldn't fathom the depth of pain Alice was experiencing at this very moment.
A futile urge to touch her washes over me, but I restrain myself, sending a quick mind link to my brothers to come to be with her. I steal one last glance at her, the image etching itself into my memory, before turning away and retracing my steps to the ballroom. This must be the worst day of my life. In this moment, I yearn for the night to end, putting an end to the torment that shadows what was meant to be a joyous occasion.
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
The following morning, I make my way to M Corp, a company I've long dreamed of working for. Renowned as the most prestigious financial group on downtown Seattle, landing a job here would be a dream come true. As I approach the skyscraper that houses M Corp, I'm immediately struck by its grandeur. The towering structure looms overhead, its sleek glass facade reflecting the morning sunlight. The entrance is adorned with polished marble, and the revolving doors beckon me inside with a sense of anticipation. As I step through the entrance, I'm greeted by the hustle and bustle of the lobby, where professionals in sharp suits and bustling interns mingle amidst the impressive architecture. The atmosphere is charged with energy, and I can't help but feel a surge of excitement as I envision myself working in such a prestigious environment.I walk over to the receptionist and inquire which room the interview is holding. She directs me to the 10th floor, and I step out of the elevator once I rea