CHAPTER SIX

In my nine years at the front, I abstained from masturbating. The one woman in my life was Sasha. We grew close as she prepared our meals, though I never loved her, nor did I hate her. She was a decent, beautiful woman, and not a murderer. Sasha would never kill, even in self-defense. But now, I must cast her aside to focus on my marriage to Lara.

Lara could be innocent or guilty. My doubts began when I saw a sack she'd hidden for an escape. I need to be with her to avenge Max. I'll "nail her and kill her just the way she killed you." I keep her in a dark passage, not far from me, but not in my room where Max's picture stares at me from the wall.

I need to marry her soon, to crown her Luna. With the merging party a few days away, the marriage should happen before the packs merge. "We'll celebrate our victory," I think, "five years is a long time away, and winning the war is a reason to celebrate." Part of me feels terrible marrying a woman who might have killed my brother, but another part feels happy about it. We are mates—I felt the bond when we were together. I've already taken her virginity and marked her, so I can reject her later. This is my victory, not my loss.

Waking up in the middle of the night to pee, I thought of Lara and was instantly filled with a desire for her. I saw her sleeping innocently through her door. "She didn't run away like she planned with Max," I thought, rolling my eyes. I had deliberately left the back door open to test her, but she didn't use it. Does this mean she's innocent? A few more tests will tell.

"The marriage ceremony is today, so get ready," I told her the moment she woke up. "Today?" she questioned. "Who are you to question Alpha Jerry? I said the marriage is today, no more questions," I bellowed. Her confusion was clear on her face, but I didn't care. "The designer will bring your clothes," I said before slamming the door shut.

Eveline looked furious. I couldn't understand why she was so mad. Her sister was marrying the Alpha, and she should have been happy, especially since I could have condemned Lara to death. "Smile, Eveline, your sister is about to marry the Alpha," I said, patting her back, but she knocked my hand away. "I am disappointed in you," she sneered. Both she and Henry were upset, and I understood their perspective. An Alpha marrying a murderer is a bad omen for the pack, but they need to calm down. I am Alpha Jerry, the greatest of all Alphas, and I'm not just brave; I'm smart. Max's murderer must be exposed at any cost.

"Henry, smile. This is a wedding, not a funeral," I urged. He faked a smile to obey me. "Now that's better," I applauded his forced grin. The priest arrived, but my wife-to-be was nowhere to be found. "She wouldn't dare disappear." I rushed to her room, but she wasn't there. I searched everywhere, but there was no sign of her. "She thinks she can mess with me," I roared. "You shouldn't have challenged me, Lara."

"We're waiting for the bride," the priest said, which made me even more anxious. "Forgive me, Max, I had your killer and I let her escape," I wept, but I vowed to find her and rip her skin off this time. As I paced, trying to come up with an excuse for the priest, I saw her. She was covered in wounds. I pulled her aside. "You'll pray for death, but even death will be far from you," I warned. "Can't you see the wounds on my body?" she asked, touching them.

I didn't care how she got the wounds; it was probably a failed escape attempt. "The priest can't wait, but the wounds can." I was about to drag her to the hall, but something felt wrong. She was wounded and needed care. I didn't want to be kind, but something pushed me to show her love against my will. "Let me see the wounds," I demanded. They were deep, especially the ones on her back. I looked into her eyes, expecting an explanation, but she avoided my gaze.

"The priest shouldn't be kept waiting," she said. There is something about this woman, something I have yet to discover. The fact that she can endure such pain is strange.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared. Guilt immediately washed over me. "Oh, dear Max, I promise your killer will pay," I muttered.

"You may kiss the bride before we proceed with crowning her Luna," the priest added. "Shit! He shouldn't be kissing this murderer, and not in public!" Henry shouted. His outburst intensified my guilt, but I was convinced this was the only way to find out if she was Max's killer. I gave Lara a brief kiss on the lips. It was short, but it gave me a massive erection. I remembered our time last night—she was the sweetest I'd ever had. Her body was perfect, from her wet, tight core to her firm breasts and curvy backside.

"You agreed to marry him? How desperate," Eveline sneered. I knew this was wrong, but they had to trust my plan. There will be a time when her guilt will be exposed.

"And now she is the Luna of the Silver Pack," the elders announced to the cheering crowd. Henry and Eveline remained silent. "Go to your sister and make her feel good," I told Lara, my focus on Henry. "Only dissolving this marriage will make Eveline feel good," she replied, her gaze fixed on her sister. This was odd; I had a great relationship with my own brother. I needed to be careful with Lara.

That night, after the guests were gone, I ordered her, "Take your clothes off immediately." I chose to be rough, not polite. "Max was just like this that night. Please be nice to me," she pleaded. The audacity to remind me of my brother's death. "Is that why you killed him?" I asked, twisting her hands. "My clothes are off. Have your way. I want to mourn him my way tonight," she said, not even trying to break free.

I bent her over and thrust into her already wet core. She moaned so loudly I had to cover her mouth. I expected her to be mourning Max, not moaning my name. "Oh god, Jerry, go harder," she cried. "I'll go harder, but first, tell me why you killed him," I said, spanking her backside. "I already told you everything, but if you go harder, I'll tell you more," she said, wrapping her thighs around me. I shoved her hands away. "I am Alpha Jerry; I can satisfy any woman and make her confess the truth." I increased the thrusts, going so hard I was sure I bruised her. After I came, I pushed her away, fighting the urge to kiss and caress her.

"You'll be spending the night in my bed, but only this night." I thought she'd be happy, but she refused. "No, I'd rather be alone in my dark passage. I want to mourn him starting tonight."

I swear, I love her. I love her nerve, her confidence, and her courage. She's the woman I've been looking for all these years, but she came to me in the worst way—as a potential murderer and my brother's widow.

Just then, Sasha's face appeared in my mind. "You promised to come for me," I swore I heard her say. Promises made out of pity and gratitude for her food and the sex she offered. I regretted making those promises; now I felt indebted to her.

"The wounds," I thought. "Lara still hasn't said how she got them." I marveled at her strength, remembering she endured the pain and still gave me what I wanted. I opened the passage door and saw her praying to the moon goddess to accept her husband's soul. The story says she never loved him and was forced to marry me, yet she was praying for him. I hadn't even done that for my brother or my parents. This supposed killer was doing it for her husband. I had to join her; it was for my dear brother Max. "May his soul rest in the bosom of the goddess, and may the universe expose his killer," she prayed. "This is fake," I thought. "I won't fall for it."

"You shouldn't have joined me," she said politely after opening her eyes. "Why not, Lara? Max was my brother, and I was the one who loved him more." I had to remind her. "Will you do it for the three weeks needed?" she asked.