SKIN

The very word I detest most. 

Mate.

Why is the goddess playing silly games? As if my first mate wasn't shitty enough...

I'm standing outside the king's chambers now, in the middle of the night, clenching my hands in distaste. 

Mate.

This entire thing just became a lot more complicated than it should have. Could my wolf bear the brunt of his death- or worse, my betrayal?

Did it matter? Of course not.

I think back to the day I was presented to the king. A week ago. 

Not long after our eyes locked, he recovered from the momentary shock. I didn't know what I expected him to do but it had made me feel bitter.

He had crouched to the ground where I was knelt and leaned close to my ear. Close enough that I felt his abnormally cool breath on my skin.

"You shall not speak a word of this."

He didn't say more. He didn't say less.

That was all he had told me and then retreated to his throne. I had been baffled; stung a little.

This was not rejection but it definitely felt like one.

It brought back the horrible memories of Alpha Brook's rejection. In a way, my previous rejection made me instantly hate the Alpha king, Grey. 

After that encounter, I barely saw him. 

During the days, I'd spend my time in the harem, listening to the women gossip about trivial things and snacking on berries. We were not allowed outside the harem unless supervised by a soldier or the house matron.

Only the higher ranked concubines or wives could have freedom.

The rest of us had to rot in here waiting for that pervert of a man to call on one.

Funny enough, the majority of the women in this harem were all gifts. Grey did not have a soft spot for women apparently.

However, his aloofness was getting on my nerves. I had to start the mission early enough. 

It's for this exact reason, I sneaked out of my quarters; dodging guards and squeezing through corners. 

I need to get closer to the king. 

Now I'm outside his quarters, panting softly but determined.

The plan is pretty simple. Use the mate bond attraction on him, seduce him for this night and get closer until the time of the Blood moon.

Waiting around in the harem is not getting me anywhere. 

Only this method looked better.

I inhale deeply and gather courage. The night's wind is cool and soft; the moon's silver light kisses my skin.

Like the trained assassin I am, I jump through the hedges surrounding his quarters and carefully climb into his bedchamber through the window.

When my legs touch the cold wooden floor boards, I sigh gently.

I made it.

The room is silent and dark. In the middle of the chamber, is a huge bed framed with sheer curtains.

I can't see much because of the dark. Only one lantern burns in the corner. I bite the corner of my lips and my heart begins to race. This is dangerous...

The White Crow...

Killer of rogues...

I swallow my fear. I had to do this. When I joined the Akari League, this was what I agreed to do.

Like a slithering serpent, I move, keeping to the shadows as I near his bed. I can't make out his form because of the curtains.

It doesn't matter anyway. 

He wouldn't be able to resist his mate. Thinking of it now; this wretched mate bond made my job a little easier.

I tiptoe over to his bed and draw the curtains apart. There he lay; the beautiful monster he was.

His skin looked a deathly pale and his white hair sprawled over the red sheets. 

Like snow on a pool of blood. Beautiful.

My wolf was crying for him within-begging for him to mark me. 

Of course I wouldn't go that far. I couldn't imagine how horrible his death would feel then. 

I let out a slight sigh and climb the bed. He doesn't seem to be aware of his surroundings; still very much deep in sleep.

Could the infamous White Crow be this easy to sneak on?

He answers my question at this moment; shooting out a hand to grab my neck. 

The pressure is so great that one more bit of force will be enough to snap my head right off.

His eyes open and the golden of his meets the green of mine. I can hardly breathe and I'm clawing at his thick arm. His skin is oddly cold to touch.

He doesn't say a word when he realizes it's me. Instead he forcefully draws me closer to him and pulls my hair back, exposing my neck.

Against the sensitive skin, he whispers; "what are you doing here, little wolf?" 

My breath is seizing but not from fear- from horrible, unwanted excitement. My wolf is itching directly under my skin, welcoming his invasive touch.

"I-I...uhm..."

With force, he grabs my neck again and makes me look him in the eye. There's not a spec of mercy in his gaze.

I realize it now.

He could kill me here if he wanted to and he would not feel a thing.

My heart plunges into my stomach. What was I thinking?!

Alpha Grey grabs my chin with his cold fingers and I watch him eye my lips.

"I can kill you right now, girl. This is an offense..."

He looks away from my lips, makes contact with my eyes. I want to melt into the bed and never reform.

"Alpha I..."

I don't get a chance to speak. He crashes his lips on mine and my entire body freezes. Yes? Did I like this?

The plan was working then?

I recover from my shock, feeling my body heat up in response to his touch. He sighs over my lips and draws my hair back violently.

I cry aloud but then he flips me over, getting on top of me. His lips meet my collarbone but then he pauses and trails back up my neck and stops at my ear.

"If you ever come to my chambers like this again, I will skin you alive."