Chapter 2: Torn Between Love, Duty and Desire

Leo’s POV

I returned from my date with my mate and immediately had to take a cold shower. These days my hormones were playing tricks on me—I felt constantly on edge, always wanting her, and it was getting harder to compose myself around Lexy.

"Just three more days, and she'll be ours," my wolf, Orion, murmured.

He was right. Only three days left. Still, I was restless, tossing and turning all night, imagining Lexy's plump lips, her small perky breasts, and those beautiful emerald eyes always looking at me with love and adoration.

Morning came with a sharp mindlink from my dad: "I need you in my study. Now."

As always, straight to business. He was known as a ruthless and strong Alpha, but he always put the pack first.

I dressed quickly in jeans and a white T-shirt and, still half-asleep, went to meet my dad.

He was already in a suit, buried in paperwork.

"Hi, Leo," he muttered without looking up from the documents.

"Good morning, Dad. What's so urgent this early?" I asked, running a hand through my blond hair.

"The Alpha of the High Mountain Pack will arrive soon with his daughter," he said sternly.

"So, do you want me to greet them and give them a tour?" I asked, surprised, since that was usually the Beta's duty.

"Yes and no," he replied, pausing as though searching for the right words. Then he dropped a bomb: "I want Mirabel to be your chosen mate."

"What?" I shouted in disbelief.

"Mirabel is Alpha Caleb's only daughter, his heir. The union would double our lands and pack numbers. I won't even get into the financial benefits—their pack is far wealthier than ours. Plus, Mirabel is beautiful and has been trained her entire life to be Luna. I'm not accepting 'no' as an answer. I've already agreed."

Orion roared furiously in my head.

"I already have a fated mate!"

"Don't growl at me, pup!" my dad snapped, his voice rising. "A fated mate? That wolfless outcast girl? Do you really think she can be Luna? She's useless!"

"I believe in the Moon Goddess's choice," I said firmly, standing my ground.

"You also believed in fairy tales when you were five," he shot back. "Now you're an adult, about to be Alpha in three days. You have a pack and responsibilities. Think about the pack, not your feelings. I'm not telling you to reject your fated mate. Keep her, pay for her art school, let her paint, give her pups—but make Mirabel your Luna. She'll bring you respect, power, and strong heirs."

"But that's wrong. I can't do that to Lexy," I said, frustration rising in my chest.

"Grow up, or I won't hand over the pack to you!" my dad roared, slamming his fist on the table.

His eyes glazed over with a mindlink.

"They've arrived. Let's go. And no stunts."

We walked to the living room of the pack house. The Beta couple had already greeted our guests, and the Omegas were serving refreshments.

I greeted Alpha Caleb, a tall, broad-shouldered man in his forties, but my eyes locked on Mirabel.

She was tall, with an hourglass figure, wearing a short blue bodycon dress that clung to every curve. She wasn't wearing a bra, and her large breasts stood firm, her nipples visible through the fabric. Her long brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and her vivid blue eyes watched me with curiosity and interest. She was sipping tea, nibbling on a pastry.

When she noticed me, she licked a bit of cream from her finger—slowly, deliberately, her gaze never leaving mine. My eyes darted to her plump lips, still glistening with cream, and I cursed inwardly when I felt myself stir. Orion growled in my mind. Stupid hormones. I forced myself to get it together.

"Leo, this is Mirabel. I'd like you two to get to know each other," my dad said, gesturing for me to step closer.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll get along just fine," Mirabel purred.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mirabel. I'd love to chat later, but I have training now," I muttered, noticing my dad's displeased glare before I turned and walked out.

I shifted into Orion and ran, pounding my paws against the ground as fast as I could, trying to clear my head. The cool wind rushed through my fur, and slowly my nerves began to settle.

After the run, warm water streaming over my body relaxed me, and an idea popped into my mind. What if Mirabel, not I, decided to cancel the agreement? I just needed to give her the cold shoulder and scare her away.

I dried myself and left the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy towel.

My eyes widened when I saw Mirabel lying on my bed. She sat up, swinging her legs, but not before I caught a glimpse that she wasn't wearing any panties.

"Leo, your dad asked us to get familiar with each other, so I came to chat," she purred, slowly moving toward me, swaying her hips.

"I'll come to the lounge once I'm dressed. Wait for me there," I said sternly.

Mirabel slid her hand across my chest, moving dangerously low with a seductive smile. My heart started pounding. I wanted her gone, but her touch felt maddeningly good.

Step back, I told myself. Think of Lexy. I reached for her face in my mind—her shy smile, her paint-stained hands—and hated how fast the image slipped away.

"Oh, Leo," she pouted, her hand gripping my growing erection, "but I can feel that you don't want me to leave."

"KICK HER OUT NOW!" Orion screamed in my head.

Mirabel sank to her knees, and in one swift motion, my towel was gone.

"I want to taste you, Alpha," she whispered seductively, licking the tip of my cock.

I shuddered in pleasure as her tongue swirled along my full length.

Orion clawed at me, trying to take control, but I blocked him. This was my last chance to stop—say her name, push her away, walk out. I didn't. I couldn't fight the desire; my mind was clouded. It was my first time, and the pleasure was overwhelming. Mirabel slowly took all of me into her mouth, sucking like her life depended on it.

I was lost in the sensation. I grabbed her hair, thrusting into her mouth, fast and deep, hitting her throat. She gagged but didn't pull away. I roared and spilled my load into her mouth.

Mirabel smiled, triumphant, pushing me onto the bed. "I need you. I want to feel your big cock inside me."

I was hard again, dizzy with scent, sweat, and arousal. Lexy's face haunted me, yet I didn't pull away. Not from this. Not from the temptation of power, pleasure, and control.

She hiked her dress, hips swaying like a promise. "I'm so wet… ready for you, Alpha. Please…"

I spanked her and entered her in one swift, hard motion.

And in that moment, I knew: I hadn't just betrayed Lexy. I'd given in to lust, desire, and greed. I was doomed—and I wanted it.