CHAPTER 2: THE GAME

“I love making Alpha Leo angry. Whether he likes it or not, we are now tied to this beautiful, wicked lady. I won’t lose.” – Alpha Ray.

== JANET’S POV ==

“I need to know why all of you are in my office,” Leo growled.

“I… actually, I just followed my mate.” Ray shrugged. “I caught your scent when the lights went out, and you bolted. I knew this was where you’d end up.”

“Oh, wonderful.” Frank let out a long sigh, leaning back against the wall. He stared at the ceiling as if asking the gods why they were doing this to us.

Hey, whoever is up there, why are you treating me like this? I wanted to ask the same thing.

“So, I’m guessing that like Ray, you caught my scent and a glowing tattoo appeared on your wrists. What shape is it?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

“A crescent moon,” Ray, Bill, and Neville replied in unison.

“Dammit.”

“What’s yours?” Frank asked, lighting the cigarette he had been holding in his mouth.

“A waxing gibbous.”

“So, you’re the center,” Bill muttered. “There are many types of mate bonds. Usually, when a large group are mates, they share the same tattoo. But when one person has a 'filling' tattoo that completes the tattoos of the other members, it means that person can have more than one mate.”

“Or has the right to choose one of them and reject the rest,” Leo murmured. Clearly, as an Alpha Leader, he didn't relish the idea of sharing a mate with others.

“Of course she won’t have to choose; we’re all close, aren't we?” Ray said naively.

The two Alphas and Bill fell into a pensive silence. Neville looked visibly dejected, shrinking into a dark corner of the room.

Oh, my little Omega. He didn't even think he stood a chance of being chosen.

“Janet, say something,” Leo commanded.

Of course, I wasn't going to choose anyone. Even if the men in front of me were charming as hell.

“I find this whole thing quite boring.” I stretched my arms, tilting my head to look at them with a smirk. “How about we play a game?”

“What?” Ray’s eyes widened.

“That’s right. I won’t make any decisions regarding this mate bond until at least one of you wins.”

“You must be joking—”

“Deal.” Alpha Leo thrust his hands into his pockets, his gaze challenging.

“What? Are you guys seriously going along with this?” Bill frowned.

“If you don’t like it, feel free to be the loser,” Frank shrugged, exhaling a hazy cloud of smoke.

“Neville?” I called out. The Omega boy jumped, looking up at me with shimmering eyes.

Aww, my adorable Omega…

“Um, whatever you say.”

Once I realized my boys were ready, I gave them their task. “Within the next 48 hours, I want each of you to bring me a gift that makes me the happiest at that moment.”

“Based on what criteria?” Frank raised an eyebrow.

“A smile?” Leo suggested.

You wish. If it were just a smile, it would be too easy.

“A laugh!” Ray shouted. “If you’re making demands, then so are we. I want it decided by a full-blown laugh. Your mouth has to stretch wide on both sides.”

“I—”

“Whoever agrees to these rules, raise your hand,” Leo said loudly.

My five “unofficial” mates raised their hands. Alpha Leo looked triumphant. “Done.”

I felt it wasn't fair at all, but seeing the grins on the handsome faces of these bastards, I threw in the towel.

“Fine,” I exhaled.

Alpha Leo waved a hand dismissively. “Now that that’s settled, get out of my office.”

I realized that no matter how intrigued he was by my solution, he was still incredibly irritated.

As I walked past him, he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

I tilted my head up, showing no sign of fear. “Anything else to add, Petroff?”

“A wolf who isn't chosen rarely finds another mate. A leader shouldn't share a mate with a Beta, let alone an Omega. And a great pack cannot survive without an heir,” he whispered into my ear.

“You’re a smart woman. Make your decision wisely.”

“And if I don’t?” I moved even closer to him, my hand resting on his hip.

Alpha Leo tightened his grip on my waist. “Then I will tear apart whichever unsuitable mate you chose.”

God help me, I hated how much I liked it when this Alpha threatened others because of me.

“I hate how you abuse your power,” I said, trying to push him away. But his embrace was too firm, leaving me trapped.

“You’ll hate me even more when I use my power to get the mate I want.”

“What about Ray and Frank?”

“I’m fine with them being in bed with us somewhere. Unofficial.”

Oh my god, was he really suggesting something that scandalous?

“Is it the mate bond or the wine that makes you look so delicious right now?” I asked, staring him down this time.

Leo let out a chuckle. “Perhaps you should find out how delicious I am tonight?”

Tempting. So tempting. And I loved seeing him smile. I also loved how he held me tighter and tighter. Oh, what that magic hand could do if it…

I snapped back to my senses before Leo’s lips could touch mine. Everything would fall apart the moment we got any closer.

My soft heart would only end up causing him pain.

“Ava and Rachel must be waiting for me,” I said, pushing him away. Alpha Leo immediately reverted to his grumpy self.

“Don’t they have legs?”

“They’ll be worried.” I pried his hand off my hip and touched his face. “Nah, the game has only just begun.”

“I’m going to swat your ass when I win.”

I stepped out of his office, joined my glamorous girls, and headed back to my house. My tattoo was fading—a damn sign that it had finished its job.

Which was ruining my life.

The girls and I had an exhausting night partying at my place. I was beyond annoyed when the doorbell started ringing incessantly at six in the morning.

I stomped toward the front door in a fit of rage. “I’ll have you know I’m supposed to be off after that damn Mate Bond party!”

Standing behind that door was none other than Lea Jackson, Eli’s mother.

The moment I saw her, my vision blurred. One side of my face burned with a stinging pain. By the time I regained my senses, I realized Lea had just slapped me.

I snapped my head up.

“You dare—”

I slapped her right back across the face.