The Alpha King is Addicted to Me

(Briana POV)

It’s chaos all around me. 

Members from both packs are down and the sheer volume of blood being shed is alarming. 

The primary thought in my head is to get to Raul’s side. He’s my mate, the man I love, and I have to help him. And because he’s our Alpha, he’s being targeted by a large contingent of werewolves from the other pack.

I’m far smaller than the other werewolf, but I’m fast and I’m very well trained. 

“Bria!” he shouts at me and his voice is like a beacon, pulling me towards him. “There are too many, you can’t fight them alone! You have to run!”

Instead of following his orders, I cross the final few feet between us and make my way to his side. 

“If you die, I die, I won’t accept anything in-between,” I tell him resolutely, anxiously scanning his body to see which of his injuries are the most pressing.

“Go,” he whispers again, but there’s no real command in his tone. He knows me too well. I’m very happy-go-lucky most of the time, but I have a stubborn streak a mile deep when it comes to the ones I love, and he’s right at the top of that list.

A howl of pain explodes from my lips when an arrow hits me in the side.

I stumble to the ground.

“Bria!” Raul croaks, pain lacing his words. “No-no-no-no-no. Why didn’t you run?” he asks hopelessly. 

I struggle to my feet again. I’m his Beta and I will not allow one stupid arrow to keep me from protecting him.

“Please stop, Bria,” Raul begs. “Save your strength. You have to survive this. As soon as we make it out of here, I’m making you my Luna. I will never want anyone else. Please stay with me. Please, Bria.” 

But the darkness is encroaching on my vision. 

I’m warm and snug in this cocoon of velvety night. Raul’s love is my guiding star and I drift aimlessly, clinging to the bright strand of light. Trusting in it to carry me in the right direction.

***

A smile touches the corners of my lips when I force my eyes apart and meet Raul’s glacier blue gaze. I should have known he wouldn’t leave my side. 

Warmth spreads through my chest when I recall his words on the battlefield. 

It takes me far too long to realize that his expression is forbidding and his eyes are cold. 

His hair is also different. It curls in the nape of his neck and around his ears, reaching all the way down to his shoulders. 

It was short just yesterday. Am I dreaming? 

I blink my sticky eyes a few more times trying to see him better, then my heart slams in my chest with painful intensity. 

There’s a woman next to him. 

Small and beautiful, holding his hand possessively and watching me with her head cocked to the side. As if she’s sizing me up. 

“Who is she?” I ask hoarsely and Raul’s lips settle into a hard line. 

“You are no longer my mate,” he tells me flatly, his shoulders stiff, “You’ve been in a coma for a year, Briana. During that time our mating bond severed…”

It’s not possible, I stare at him in horror. 

But try as I might, I can’t feel the bond. He’s right, our link’s been severed. 

“...I was fortunate enough to find my second chance mate after you abandoned me.” he continued.

What? Does he see my recovery period as abandonment? 

He doesn’t give me any time to regroup, plowing on mercilessly. “Valerie is the daughter of the Alpha of the Stormwind pack. I’m making her my Luna tomorrow. Our bond has been a double blessing, not only healing my heart, but offering a path to peace between our packs. We met when I went to speak to her father to discuss a ceasefire and it was clear immediately that there’s a connection between us.”

The woman, Valerie, is still watching me carefully. I have to wonder whether she expects me to attack her.

She doesn’t look like a warrior, she looks like a princess. Perfect and pretty. 

Not what I would have thought of as Raul’s type at all, but maybe I’m the one who isn’t his type, if he’s able to cast me aside so easily while I’m still alive.

“You don’t have to leave the pack if you agree to behave and not cause any trouble during the ceremony tomorrow. Valerie is my mate now and she will be Luna, for my sake and the pack’s. You can live a quiet life amongst us and still be a warrior for our pack. Provided you agree to respect your Alpha and his Luna.” 

Ice encases each word from Raul’s mouth and I shiver from the blast of freezing air.