Chapter 2

Alvara's Point of View

Eugene had brought them here in hopes of trade. Alpha Stefan had dealt with them previously and only ever sang their praise. That was years ago, but nothing had prepared me for who had walked through our garden's gates. Four tall men, all with smiles that could seduce any woman. The Alpha radiated confidence, even more than Eugene. The other three, well they weren't far off. We needed this deal to go well, to see it through to the end. Angelique had given me the seventh degree. Nothing I hadn't heard already. Don't look at them too long. Keep your head down and your voice silent. Always stay close to Eugene and never question his authority. The words went down bitterly, but I had done just that. Until the Gamma had asked me how long Eugene and I were wed for.

Dread had settled into me the moment the words had left his thin lips. But it was the statement he made afterwards that got to me the most. Women of lower class always wanted an Alpha and that was the end of it. Your fairytale had come true and there was nothing more for you to do except produce heirs, obey and play the obedient house wife. No one tells you about the days where getting up in the morning was close to impossible. Or the days where everyone's opinion counted except for your own. Your clothes were chosen for you and the words you were to say was written down by someone else. When last had someone asked me something simply because they wanted my honest reply?

"We have arrived, Luna." Jackson declared and jumped from the car. I nodded absentmindedly and waited for the door to open.

I slid from my seat as a burly man stepped forward. The head master was in his late fifties with grey hair and a nasty smile. What was nastier was the way he licked his lips when he spotted me. Plastering on my most pleasant smile, I walked towards him, keenly aware of the Beta and Gamma hot on my heels. The sentinels had followed us in their own car, keeping a healthy distance off. Eugene had said they were here to protect me, but I knew otherwise. They were sent with to ensure I was kept in line.

"Luna Alvara, it is so nice to see you again. Has Alpha Eugene sent you to help with the children again?" The ruddy old man asked, his eyes widening slightly as he took in my exposed collarbones. A shiver ran down my spine and I knew I had goosebumps dotting my back. Then a warm presence almost made me sigh in relief.

"I am afraid not. We are here to asses the standing of your school and then propose what upgrades my pack can grant you. I am Ozias, Beta of Eiecrunt pack." The Beta intercepted and I nearly thanked him for getting this old bag away from me.

The head master's eyes darkened when he took in Ozias. There was a clear difference between the two men. Ozias was stocky, but not short, with his golden hair shining in the sunlight. The head master was a weasel in human skin, not even a wolf. I smiled at his assistant, forcing joy into my eyes.

"Alpha Ciaran has granted Ozias full power regarding which upgrades are needed and funded. We are happy to comply with these regulations. Ozias and Maverick will hold our children's best interest at heart, thus we wish to not interrupt any schooling taking place." I explained. The head master's eyes narrowed at me and I realize what I had done. I hadn't placed their titles before their names when I spoke, only a curtesy given to people you could call your friends. My smile remained pleasant, but my heartbeat sped up by a few beats. He will most definitely tell Eugene about this small transgression.

"May we proceed? It is drawing close to lunch time and Alpha Eugene had promised us an impressive meal." Maverick joked, stepping forward a bit. The head master's gaze flicked towards the auburn haired man, then back towards me. A clear dismissal. From here on out, my mouth should be shut and my eyes downward cast. I was a glorified puppet to these men and I had no hope of ever changing that fact.

"If you can follow me, please,"

We followed the man all through the school whilst he told us the rich history of Half-Moon primary. There was well over 1000 children in attendance, ranging from six years old to thirteen. Even as he droned on, I could feel eyes burning into my back. Ozias walked beside the head master, but Maverick had chosen to lag behind me instead. My sentinels weren't far behind him. Maverick's gaze left me feeling exposed, but not uncomfortable. It was the same gaze as Eugene's, yet less criticizing and more intense. I refused to look behind me, knowing that he would simply smile at me for catching him in the act.

"Half-Moon is home to just over 37 000 people, most of whom work on the mines in the surrounding areas. Working hours for parents are from five in the morning until six at night, thus we take our after school care very seriously as well." The balding man droned on, his head tilted towards Ozias.

I couldn't deny that Ozias had sex appeal dripping from his very being. His legs were toned and it showed through his navy slacks. Shoulders were broad and arm muscles strained against his white button down. In my younger years, I would have thrown myself at him. Now? Now I wanted nothing more than to hide and pray I died of cancer soon. Eugene did that to me, but the anger over my loss of self had subsided years ago. I no longer even grew angry when he forced himself on me.

"What do you think, Alvara?" I hadn't paid attention. I should have. But he had just used my name, not my title. Eugene was going to have a fit later on today. Hopefully this deal wouldn't bear the brunt of his fury. Goddess knew our pack needed all the help we could get.

"I am sorry, I was watching the children and didn't pay much attention." I lied and the head master nodded along with me. He had no clue. Ozias' eyes narrowed and I felt Maverick stir behind me. Had they heard the lie within my voice?

"Don't worry, dear Luna. Our pack adores you for all the attention you give to the children. I was saying that education starts with the teacher. If we provide them with more stimulating courses, our children will pick the fruit of our labor, don't you agree?" Conniving little snake. He wanted more money to go into the teachers' salary and less money for the actual children. I couldn't argue. Couldn't even contest it. I nodded and it seemed to satisfy him. Ozias smiled in reply, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. They both turned forward and kept walking.

A light breeze fanned my back and I stiffened. He was close. So close. Maverick had slipped closer to me, his breath fanning my ear as he leaned in. I nearly tipped my head backwards for him to get closer. Something stirred inside of me at the thought and it took everything I was to cull the feeling.

"Do you kiss your mother with that sinful mouth of yours? Lying to one of your pack mates like that." He purred and my eyes grew to slits. There was something about this long haired man that just tickled me in the wrong places. Or the right ones.

"I can't kiss the dead." I said flatly and kept walking, leaving him behind. I could feel his gaze settling between my shoulders again, as if I was the world's most complicated puzzle and he just had to try and piece me out.

Before I could catch up with Ozias and the head master, Maverick clamped his hand around my wrist and tugged me into an open door. Darkness greeted me as we entered and I let out a small yelp. A rough hand pressed my wrists together as another cradled one side of my face. His breath fanned over my mouth as I drank in his pine and rope scent. He was close. Too close.

"I knew there was bite in there somewhere." He leaned in an whispered in my ear. Shivering into his touch, I melted from his gruff voice scraping my eardrums. Something melted between my legs and I knew he would catch a whiff of it if I didn't get out now.

"Alpha Eugene won't be pleased if someone reports this back to him." I reply and press against his might. Maverick didn't move, instead he grazed his teeth across my jaw. My shiver was not out of fear.

"You even smell like her." He mumbled, breathing deep.

"What are you-"

The door flung open and Ozias' face pops into view. The scowl told me everything. The whimper in my chest grew and died before Ozias tugged Maverick off of me. His blue eyes flashed violently before shoving Maverick out of the closet.

"Have you lost all reason? They will notice her absence and you will pay dearly for touching her. Ciaran can only clean up so many of your messes." Ozias growled.

"She is driving me insane. You can't say you haven't noticed the resemblance. She is temptation incarnate." Maverick hissed and rightened something within his pants. I tried to avert my eyes and dampened my blush.

"I don't care. We can't jeopardize this trade. Now keep it in your pants."

"Tell me, do you honestly think that Ciaran sent us here out of the goodness of his heart? No. We both know that he sees it as well. He just can't take what he wants."