Chapter Five

V: You Can't Reject Me Twice

Knox's POV

I could feel my father and brother's gazes boring into my skull, but I will explain things to them later. Shock was also evident in Alyssa's face, but her face also shows how much she detested the idea of marrying me.

I was originally planning on choosing a wife for my stupid brother, but when I saw Alyssa's face—her ever so feisty eyes that looked at me straight in the eyes when she rejected me—I changed my mind. Why not use this opportunity to make her life a living hell? She will regret losing a man like me.

"Isn't that right? I thought..." Alpha Vladimir skeptically said, his eyes shifting from me to Lance and I cut him off before he could run his mouth.

"The food is ready, Vladimir. I can't wait to get to know my future wife." I stated, sending a tight-lipped smile in Alyssa's way and daringly held her waist, feeling her body stiffening under my touch.

"Right, let's take this inside, Vladimir." My father agreed, motioning us to enter the restaurant. He sent me a look after Vladimir and his wife entered, and I felt that familiar pull at the back of my mind. I opened the link and heard his voice a second later.

'What are you playing at? I thought Lance would marry her?' He asked in an amused tone, interested yet skeptical about the change of plan. After all, I am now the Alpha, and marrying Alyssa will make her my Luna, not that it matters anyway.

'I changed my mind, Dad. I realize that it's time I marry and give the pack what they want.' I responded with a shrug, and I saw Alyssa looking between us, knowing we were talking through our minds.

'I was not born yesterday, boy. I could tell you have something up your sleeve, but if that is true, then you know I will be the first to be happy. It's time you find someone to lead alongside you. Alyssa seems to be a great choice.' He gave Alyssa a quick glance and nodded. He couldn't be more wrong.

After Alyssa rejected me years ago, I haven't chosen another mate and I only had short flings here and there. My pack, especially my family, has been bugging me to choose a Luna instead because I have yet to find my mate—or so they thought.

'Let's continue this later, Dad.' I replied and closed the link, motioning for them to enter first.

Before walking inside, Lance threw me a confused look and his eyes shifted to Alyssa, his eyes showing interest and admiration, making my eyebrows raise. When everyone's gone, Alyssa pushed me away from her, glaring at me with hateful eyes.

"What are you planning, huh? Me marrying you? Have you gone crazy?" She hissed at me in a low voice to prevent the others from hearing us.

"Why? We already went beyond that, so I thought why not?" I smirked at her, stepping closer and she stepped back. We played tango until her back pressed against the wall. "Are you afraid that you will fall for me?"

Her nose flared and I just know she's already imagining how she will kill me. "What makes you think I will agree to this?"

We were so close to each other that I could smell her wonderful scent; a scent that doesn't belong to a spitfire woman like her. Unlike her personality, she has a sweet scent. A mixture of strawberry, vanilla and... cotton. If that even makes sense.

I scoffed, my fingers hovering, tracing and feeling her curves even without me actually touching her. "Do you really have a choice? I reckon it's your family who needs me and not the other way around," I leaned closer so I could whisper the next words in her ear. "You can't possibly reject me twice, Alyssa. You need me."

Alyssa breathed heavily, gritting her teeth in anger. I thought she would punch me for sure, but she surprised me when she stepped on my foot, her sharp heel digging into my leather-shoe covered foot, making me grunt in pain.

"I guess people don't really change. You became worse." She spat before leaving me jumping on one foot to another.

The pain soon faded and I fixed my composure. "I could say the same to you." I muttered to myself and followed her inside, plastering a smile on my face before sitting beside her.

There was a dark cloud looming above us, but everyone's too busy talking to realize it. Words left our mouths, words of flattery, lies and an attempt to impress one another. I have known Vladimir and his family for years, although their pack, Red Moon, lived in another state, and I know he's offering his daughter like a lamb to save his own reputation. To save his pack from sinking to the bottom.

'His attempt to impress us is really pathetic.' Lance said through our link and I couldn't agree more. 'What happened, brother? I thought I was her fiancè? Why is she now marrying you?'

'I realized she doesn't suit you at all. I will find another one for you. Don't even think for a second that you are saved.' I replied nonchalantly while sipping my wine.

'Bullshīt and you know it.'

'Stop questioning my decision.' I spat angrily, glaring at him from a distance and he gave me a shrug.

'What a shame. I didn't know she's prettier in person. I wouldn't mind marrying her.' Lance said, and again, my eyebrow shot to the roof. For some reason, that doesn’t sit well with me.

I was about to reply, but Lance closed the link and Vladimir's attention shifted to me. "I heard you and my dear daughter went to the same university, Alpha Knox. Did you know each other?"

"No."

"Yes."

Alyssa and I responded at the same time and it was no surprise that she quickly denied me. Our answers gained everyone's attention and everyone's eyes were on us, waiting for some explanation.

"Yes, we knew each other but we weren't really close enough." I said, beating Alyssa from answering first. I glanced at her and she widened her eyes at me. "But to be honest, she had caught my attention, so when I saw her again, I knew I wanted to marry her."

Lies. The words I spewed were nothing but lies, but seeing her face made it all worth it. Oh, it's just starting, Alyssa Graham. By the time I'm done with you, you would be crawling on your knees, begging me to love you.

"Awe, that is so romantic." Vladimir's new wife gushed and I smiled at her.

For added effect and to annoy the already fuming Omega beside me, I held her hand in mine. "I promise to take care of your daughter. She will be my Luna, my Queen. She will be treated the way she... deserves."

Without breaking eye contact with her, I pressed a kiss on the back of her hand, hiding the evil smile on my face.

"I promise."

And I mean it. If she thinks her life with her controlling father is hard enough, she needs to prepare for what's coming for her.