Chapter Six

Troy’s POV

Troy watched the house disappear in his rearview mirror as he drove away from the Willowby house. Her father was a typical former Beta and her mother seemed genuine, caring and warm. He smiled as he thought about Reese’s reaction when she first saw him on the porch.

“Call Drake,” Troy said as he drove towards the territory border. His parents would return after they’d made copies of the contract which he’d already signed. and met with the sitting Alpha.

The phone rang over the car speakers and Drake’s voice filled the interior. “Is it a done deal? Was she swooning at the sight of the mighty Troy Madden? Did she slip down her seat in want?”

Troy laughed loudly. “Don’t be an idiot. She doesn’t want to marry me.”

“Hmm, she’s a smart girl.”

Troy chuckled again. “Woman. She’s a smart woman.”

“You didn’t tell her the real reason you asked for this arranged marriage, did you?”

“Nope and I’m not going to. You’d like her actually. She’s feisty and witty and very nice to look at.”

“So, I take it your man-whore days are behind you?” Drake’s voice had become softer at the end because that part of his life wasn't something he liked to talk about and only a few of his pack members knew exactly where he'd been and what he'd been doing.

“Fucking Justin and his big mouth.”

“So, Reese Willowby will become Mrs Madden in a weeks’ time and never know you saved her from Justic Michaels and his perverted ways,” Drake said evenly.

“Yeah, listen, I’m heading back now but I’m thinking of making a detour. I need a fucking drink after last night.”

“Sure, man. Call me if you need me to haul your sorry ass back to the house,” Drake said with a laugh and Troy pressed the red button on his steering wheel to end the call. He was glad now that his father had agreed to have the meeting with Alpha Victor in his stead.

Troy answered the call from his father and he knew that he was on speaker phone. “Alpha Victor, my apologies for not appearing in person but unfortunately I have to get back to my territory. How are the rogue sightings in your territory?”

“We have a similar problem, Alpha Troy, but I understand Alpha duties. I’ll conduct the meeting with former Alpha Travis and hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement to vanquish these rogues from our lands permanently.”

Troy’s hand tightened around the steering wheel. “Of course, Alpha Victor. I’ll report back to King Maximilian once you’re meeting is concluded.”

“Of course. I would also like to discuss a possible marriage alliance between our two packs. You are aware that I have a daughter of age and I know your mate has disappeared,” Victor said.

“I’m sorry to inform you that I’m already engaged, Alpha Victor. I’m sure your daughter will find her mate soon and that the marriage from that will benefit both packs,” Troy said as diplomatically as he could and ended the call.

Troy sped down the single lane road and left the White Moon Pack territory behind him. Reese might not like him now, but she’d get to know the real him. Things weren't always as they seemed and there weren't many things he regretted.

Troy sat down at the bar and ordered a bourbon on the rocks. He smiled to himself when he thought back to the previous night. He could still remember the scent of her arousal. He’d wanted to start things right, get to know her and get her to actually like him for him, not for who people thought he was. He hadn’t been able to resist.

He really hadn’t intended to like her as much as he did and now he could actually see himself building a life with her, prophecy or not. She was a beautiful woman and he couldn’t believe that anyone would reject someone like her.

His loss was Troy’s gain and he intended to sweep her off her feet. He wasn't an angel or inexperienced but Reese’s innocence had drawn him in. The look on her face when she tried to convince him she slept around in order for him to walk away had been priceless.

She didn’t realize that he could see the lies in her eyes. Life with her would be interesting to say the least. He needed her by his side and not as his enemy. He could give her a good life and their bond would grow once he’d marked her.

She was stuck with him now, whether she liked it or not. It was either him or Justin Michaels and he couldn’t do that to her. He’d been livid when he found out her father was actively looking for a husband for her and had agreed to talks with the Michaels family. Everything he’d heard about Reese told him that she’d be a good fit. Being with her last night had just emphasized it.

There was something about her that drew him to her more than just her looks. He liked that she said exactly what was on her mind, that she didn’t play games and for the first time in his life, a woman wasn’t falling at his feet.

“Well, well, would you ladies look at this. Alpha Troy Madden gracing us with his presence.”

Troy gritted his teeth. Justin was the last person he wanted to run into especially after the previous night. He shuddered to think what would have happened if he hadn’t followed Reese to the club and intervened when Justin made his move.

“Still playing the same old game, huh, Justin?”

Justin’s smile was sloppy, showing his inebriated state. He smelled like whiskey, like he’d bathed in it. He had an arm around each woman’s shoulder and they both looked wasted. It left a sour taste in Troy’s mouth as he watched Justin whisper something to them and both women laughed.

“Troy, wait up my man!” Troy had stood up from the bar, suddenly not wanting to be there anymore.

“What do you want, Justin?”

Justin burped and straightened himself to his feet as he sauntered over to Troy. “Come on, man, we used to be friends. Are you seriously going to let one chick’s pussy come between us?”

“You think that’s what this is about? How about the fact that you drugged my mate and had sex with her half unconscious body. It’s about the fact that you bragged about it and then told people she seduced you. It’s about the fact that you thought I’d be okay with it and the fact that she ran away because she couldn’t stand to be in the same territory as you!”

Troy hadn’t realized that his eyes had darkened in his anger and his wolf was struggling to push to the forefront completely. Troy managed to keep him at bay for the time being but Justin was testing even his limits of control.

“Well, maybe I’ll just befriend Reese Willowby then, she might taste just as nice as Amber did,” Justin said with a glint of malice in his eyes.

Troy blinked and realized he was straddling Justin, he was unconscious and blood poured from his broken nose, his mouth and his split cheek. The two women were screaming as Troy stood up and flexed his hand, a hand he’d broken.

“Nobody will ever hurt Reese again, least of all you. She’s my fiancé now.”

Nobody made a move as Troy walked over Justin and out of the bar. He know that Justin’s parents would demand a meeting with him. They thought because they were rich that they also held power. Nobody held power over him.