CHAPTER ONE

EMMA'S POV

Grinning from ear to ear, I breathed in the familiar scent of my mate as I reached for his office door. I didn't really know why, but whenever I felt his presence near me, all my worries disappeared.

I used my left hand to smooth down my hair and then tucked a few loose strands behind my ear before giving a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” came his deep voice.

Grabbing the door handle, I slowly pushed the door open and peeked my head inside, only to see Darrell sitting at his desk with his eyes locked on his laptop screen. He seemed completely immersed in whatever he was doing.

“Hey, baby,” I said softly.

His head snapped up as he heard my voice, and the moment his eyes landed on me, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

That smile. I don't know why, but it always got me, making my heart swell.

“Hey.”

I stepped fully into the room and quietly closed the door behind me.

“You busy?” I asked, smiling back.

“Yeah, a little bit,” he sighed, running a hand through his thick black hair. “But I’ll soon be done. Just need to wrap up this damn report. But I’m glad you’re here.”

“It’s okay. I can wait,” I offered gently.

Then his eyes returned to the screen, and I walked toward the visitor’s chair to take my seat. As I sat down, I was unable to take my eyes off his face—those sharp cheekbones, that perfect jawline, and the stormy gray eyes that always seemed to pierce right through me.

Then Darrell raised his gaze again, his brow arching. “And why are you sitting miles away? Are you avoiding me?”

I gave a soft smile. “Of course not. It’s just…”

“Then come here,” he said, patting his lap.

“But what if someone walks in and sees us?” I whispered, glancing nervously at the door.

“That’s for me to worry about, sweetheart,” he said with a teasing smirk. “Now come to me.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I began to fiddle with my fingers, hesitating whether I should do as he said or not.

“Or do you want me to come help you up?” he asked, rising halfway from his chair.

“No…” I said quickly, standing before he could, my cheeks burning.

As I walked over to his side, I tried to keep my blush hidden, but I knew he had already seen it.

I thought he’d let me sit beside him, but of course not. The moment I got close enough, Darrell suddenly reached out, grabbed my hand, and pulled me right onto his lap.

“Darrell!” I gasped, trying to stand up. “The door isn’t locked. What if someone walks in?”

But his arms were locked around me like steel, stopping me from standing. “Let them. Why do I have to concern myself with that?”

Knowing full well that I would not win this, I stopped resisting and let him have his way. Then his hands cupped my face, and without another word, he pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss was soft, warm, and passionate.

It would have deepened even more if I hadn’t gently pulled away.

“Seriously... someone might walk in,” I whispered again.

“So?” He raised a brow. “Are you that shy of me?”

“No, baby…” I sighed, because the truth was more complicated.

Darrell wasn’t just the Alpha of Nightshade Pack, one of the biggest and most powerful packs in America. He was also his father’s chosen successor, expected to become the next Supreme Alpha.

Being an Alpha wasn’t actually the highest title a werewolf could have. There’s also one rank above it: the Supreme Alpha.

Each country had only one Supreme Alpha, who ruled over all the Alphas and their packs within their territory. They enforced laws, kept the peace, held absolute authority, and attended meetings with other Supreme Alphas from around the world. And in America, that position currently belonged to Darrell’s father. His command was the law of all the werewolves in America.

And his bloodline has been ruling for decades.

But just because Darrell came from the best bloodline and his father was currently in the seat didn’t mean the title would be handed to him on a silver platter. There was still the Challenge, a process every future Supreme Alpha had to face. It involved trials of strength, wisdom, and finally, something like a vote from the High Council.

But still, in all of America, there was no one as strong, as supported, and as wise.....no, I would call him cunning— as cunning as Darrell Blackwood.

And maybe that’s why everyone, including me, believed he would take the seat just like his father did.

And when he did, right by his side would be me.

Apart from him being the next Alpha, Darrell was also every woman’s dream. That chiseled face of his, his sharp nose, and those intense eyes… definitely made it impossible for any girl not to fall for him and chase him around. I knew I’d hit the jackpot when fate bound us together a month ago.

We hadn’t revealed our relationship to the public, as I was scared of being hunted down by his admirers, and up till now, only my parents and his parents knew about it.

Now, we were both eagerly waiting for the next marking ceremony, which was only a month away, so that we could finally be together forever. Pack tradition required that mates could only mark each other during the official ceremony, which happened every four months. Three months had already passed, and now… we were counting down.

I couldn’t wait.

“You know I don't really like trouble. So I’m just…” I sighed heavily. “Just trying to avoid problems with all the girls who have their eyes on you,” I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want my name in anyone’s mouth.”

Darrell chuckled softly. “Since when do you care about what people think?”

“Since I started dating you,” I said, and we both chuckled.

“Really?”

“Yeah. And moreover, you know how my parents are.”

His face darkened slightly.

Yeah. My parents hated the idea of me being with him, which was ironic, considering how much my father worshipped his father. Their bond was more than Alpha and Beta, as my father respected the Supreme Alpha, Darius Blackwood, more than anyone alive.

But that respect didn’t extend to his son.

My father thought Darrell was nothing like Darius. He said I’d regret falling for someone like him and also said he’d only end up breaking my heart.

But he was wrong, because I was really happy with him.

“You’re scared of what people will say about you, and you’re also scared of your parents. And yet… you’re in love with Darrell Blackwood, the next Supreme Alpha,” he teased, raising an amused brow. “How interesting.”

Look at him bragging.

Darrell grinned, seeing my angry expression.

I rolled my eyes and wanted to stand up in anger, but he pulled me back onto his lap and suddenly tugged my tucked-in shirt free from my skirt. His warm hand slipped underneath, gliding over my stomach and slowly trailing upward.

“Darrell…” I warned, breath catching.

All anger suddenly faded away.

“I need you, angel,” he whispered, eyes dark with emotion. “If I don’t have you, I swear I’ll drop dead.”

Angel? He always called me that… his angel. He said I came into his life when everything was falling apart. That I brought light to his darkest nights. That I made him feel alive again.

He said I was the reason behind every smile he had.

And I believed him.

My cheeks burned hotter than ever… like I’d turned into a sun-ripened tomato. A shy smile tugged at my lips, but it was quickly replaced by a soft and helpless moan.

“Easy,” I whispered, trying to hide my flustered cheeks.

“You don’t like this?” he teased, pressing his thumb gently around my nipple.

“I do… it’s just that my boobs have been so sore lately, and any little touch sends my whole body into a spiral.”

He gave me a wicked grin. “Then let’s check them out.”

Before I could protest, Darrell pulled up my shirt. I turned my back to him, and he unclasped my bra. As my breasts became visible, I quickly covered them with my hand, my cheeks heating up despite the fact that he had seen me naked many times.

He turned me to face him, removed my hand from my breast, and latched onto my left nipple while his hand never left the other breast, fingers expertly teasing and twisting.

His mouth was warm and greedy, sucking as if he were a starved man who had just found his favorite food.

“Darrellllll…” I let out a soft moan, trying to keep my voice at bay.

God, I hate how much I love this.

I didn’t even realize when I placed my hand on Darrell’s head, guiding him to suck more.

“Fuck, yeah!”

“Darrell,” I called out the moment I felt him spread my legs the way I was seated on his lap.

“Still nervous?” he whispered, returning his lips to my nipples.

“No… I just… someone could walk in,” I mumbled, biting my lower lip.

“Forget everyone. Just focus on how good I make you feel,” he murmured, sliding my panties to the side and brushing his fingers over my slick, swollen clit.

“I love how you are always wet for me.”

I threw my head back as he circled his finger slowly, then faster, and my breath caught. I couldn’t trust my voice, so I just nodded, my eyes half-lidded.

Without warning, he slipped two fingers into me, curling them just right as his mouth left my breast and began kissing along my neck.

“Oh… oh… yeah.” I moaned softly, grinding into his hand.

Increasing his pace, he said, “Don’t hold back your moan.”

I didn’t trust myself well enough to speak, so I gave another nod.

“I love how your body reacts to my touch. I could fuck you all day.”

“Yes…” I moaned.

“Yes what?” He knowingly increased the pace, pumping his fingers into me as wet sounds filled the air.

“Don’t stop, baby.”

“Say it.”

“I… oh fuck… yes. I want you to fuck me hard, Darrell.”

“Beg for it.”

He’s really torturing me.

“Please,” I whispered, my lips parted, voice shaking.

“Please what?” he groaned, not relenting his pace.

“I want yo… your cock…”

Before the words could fully leave my mouth, he pressed a finger against my lips to silence me.

“I told you already, I’ll make love to you like you deserve. Taste every inch of you. Worship you until you’re breathless. And today won’t be any different.”

He gently slapped the face of my pussy and then made me stand up from his lap. He stood as well, bent me over his desk with one of his hands pinning me down and the other lifting up my skirt.

Then he used his leg to spread my legs a bit, slapped my ass lightly, and slid into me, deep and thick, filling me all at once.

His pace was slow at first.

“Hmm, yes, baby.” I moaned in pleasure as Darrell started thrusting deeper and faster.

My nails scraped against the desk, my moans echoing off the soundproof wall, not bothering if others could hear us. He went rough on me until we both came together, with him emptying his seed inside me.

But two weeks later, my little perfect world shattered like a delicate glass castle crushed underfoot, and I realized I had been living in a fantasy world I built all on my own.

My parents were right after all, and their words echoed relentlessly in my mind.

He will break your heart.

And Darrell did. He’s leaving me for good!

Now, he stood before me, not as the man who once whispered promises against my skin, but as a stranger… holding a wedding invitation in his hands.

A wedding that wasn’t mine.