Chapter 4

But it didn’t go the way I had pictured.

I had arrived late to the location—the clearing just in front of the pack house—decked in the best outfit I owned if the hand-me-down could be called that.

Dark jeans that fit perfectly over a red chiffon wrap-round blouse. I had given up the brown top, the color too dull to attract attention, and decided on a vivid red.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, my eyes had searched him, finding him seated in the front with the alpha and other highly placed wolves.

They were all conversing in low tones when someone said something funny, and he burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking at every move. My eyes narrowed, my fingers twitching as I observed him.

Maybe he wasn’t laughing as hard as I had imagined, but it was difficult seeing him so happy when he had stood me up.

A fierce wave of jealousy came over me as I watched the reaction, my fist tightening even more as I continued to stare. Only I should bring out such character in him.

“Raya!” A voice yelled, and I turned to see Thalia furiously waving me over to the seat she had saved for me. I glanced back at my mate, who was still oblivious to my stares, or he was just good at pretending I didn’t exist.

I was only seconds from matching here and sitting beside him, especially as the alpha’s daughter was getting too comfortable with him, but it would only cause trouble.

Giving him another once-over, I made my way to where Thalia was, and I sat in the empty seat.

“I saved a seat for you.” She announced, panting like she had just won a marathon, and I smiled. Thalia was trouble wrapped in pretty brown eyes and flawless skin. Her sharp tongue was only tolerated because of her charm.

I dumped myself on the seat provided, my glare still on the man that had decided I didn't exist. My wolf, the quiet one inside me, had been trying to reassure me, but I refused to be reasonable.

I had pretty much tuned out all that our alpha was saying, even when he introduced the guest. My fury was already rising inside, bubbling like a large pot of stew cooking, and it was just a little left before it completely tipped over.

If my mate wasn’t going to give me attention, I was going to march over there and kiss him before declaring that we are mates.

“Geez, Raya, you have been eyeing that alpha like a smoked piece of meat. I am surprised he hasn’t combusted already.” Thalia chirped beside me, wriggling her brows, and I gasped.

“Thalia!” I slapped her shoulders, flushing hard. “I wasn’t staring at him; I was only trying to listen to what the alpha was saying.”

“Girl, I don’t have heightened senses for a reason, and you are my friend. I know, so spill.”

I thought over it for a moment. Thalia had been my best friend since I was born, the only one who truly understood my plight, and it was only right that she know.

Yet, there was a little moment where everything seemed to be distrusting. My mate—I didn’t even know his name—had not yet said anything about me, even though he had expressed his pleasure in seeing me; he had stood me up twice and barely acknowledged me.

I wasn’t going to claim someone that hadn’t yet laid claim to me.

“He is just—” I began, wanting to give a vague response to my reaction to the man, merely dismissing it as a crush, but the air suddenly stilled around me.

My eyes swiped across to him just in time to see him rising from his seat, his eyes locking on me, and I inhaled sharply.

He was such a crowd puller, that mate of mine. His rising up had caused a stir among the people, both men and women alike. They leaned forward, as if pulled by gravity, but I was no better.

I stared at him like he was indeed a piece of meat, only I wanted to hump this particular one.

“I am Micah Draven, the alpha of the Grimhowl pack,” he began, his voice ringing loud and clear, and I nodded.

“Micah, Micah.” I tested his name on my lips, loving the way it fits on my tongue. “Micah,” just perfect for moaning.

His eyes cut to mine, as if reading my thoughts, and I would have sworn he winked at me, but his gaze was gone from mine before I could process it, and he continued talking.

“We are a closed pack, yet our search for the one fated for us has taken us across the world, and at last, it has brought us here. I am pleased to say our mission has been richly rewarded.”

My breath hitched, my fingers worrying the fabric of my top. Was he truly doing what I think he was doing?

Was he truly going to announce our joining before everyone gathered here? My stomach knotted as I imagined the stunned faces that would follow Micah’s words.

He didn’t even keep me guessing for long, because his mouth opened, announcing me to the world and to anyone that cares to listen, all with a smile on his face.

“Ryan, please.” He beckoned unto me, but I was already standing up before the words finished leaving his lips, enchanted by this fellow.

I glided through the crowd, ignoring the murmurs that arose as I passed, and I finally stood beside him.

Micah gently wrapped his hands around mine, completely enveloping them, and my lips parted as a sharp jolt crawled up my spine. The electricity pulsed between us, crackling bigger and bigger until it consumed us whole.

He angled his head towards me, his lips slowly revealing in a smile, and I rewarded him with a wide one of my own.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I would like to present Ryan Everhart, my mate.”