Five

Aria’s POV

“Smile, Sister. You’re finally getting married!” Ivy has been on my case since dawn.

It was D-Day for Alpha Jacob Locke to visit my Father for a formal introduction. Ivy’s mother had forced the maids to work all night. They cleaned the house until it was literally sparkling. They’ve cooked all kinds of dishes. They’re redecorating the house. It was like some Deity was visiting.

I don’t get it. Father was also an Alpha. Why was he going through all this trouble for another Alpha?

But then again, I get it. Alpha Jacob Locke wasn’t your regular kind of Alpha. He was the richest and most feared in the werewolf world. Worse, he had a reputation for being such a womanizer.

He had a mate but also hundreds of concubines. Rumors had it that he had never laid eyes on some of them since he married them. They’re just in some storeroom in his house rotting away.

Probably why Father was trying to sell me off to him. So I can rot away forever and everyone would forget I ever existed. This was worse than being disowned. This was a worse fate than being Jaxon’s mistress. Anything was a better choice right now than this.

“You know what, Sister?” Ivy bent closer to me. The maid helping with my make-up had to step back. “You’re one lucky girl. Not only is Alpha Jacob fucking rich. He’s also very handsome. The rumors say he’s got such mesmerizing facial features.”

“He also has countless concubines,” I bit out mournfully.

“Aww, don’t worry about it. You’ll just join the count. Maybe if you’re lucky, he’ll recognize you and make you his favorite concubine. But we both know the chances of that happening are almost nonexistent. You’re fat as a pig. You’re definitely not his taste.”

My heart clenched so tight, I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. And when I finally did, tears came rushing down my face.

“Oh, Miss Aria. You shouldn’t do that. You’ll ruin your make-up.” The maid sighed in distress.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, quickly drying off my tears. Ivy’s smug smile was clear as day.

“Carry on,” she giggled, flipped her hair dramatically, and catwalked out of the room.

I held in the remainder of my tears and allowed the maid to finish with the makeup. She was finally done and had a big smile on her face.

“You look stunning, Miss Aria.”

I really do. God, I’m beautiful. Too beautiful to be locked away all my life. I really need to run away from this. I can’t let Father do this to me.

The rippling sounds outside made my heart almost jump out of my skin.

“What’s that noise?” I asked nervously.

“I think Alpha Jacob has arrived,” the maid explained. “I should give you some privacy before it’s time for you to come downstairs. Good luck, Miss Aria.”

She bowed and left my room.

A million thoughts ran through my head at once. But they all zeroed down to the fact that I didn’t want to be here.

I needed to leave. Go far away from here.

With that thought, I opened my door and checked the hallway. Fortunately, it was quiet.

I tiptoed through the quiet hallway, eager to get away from here. But somehow I collided into a wall with full force that almost knocked me down.

Except, strong manly hands caught me with ease.

I gasped at the face of the man who’d caught me.

Piercing hazel eyes. Curled brown hair that gave him an edgy look. And goddess, he’s mesmerizingly handsome.

But something about him made my toes curl. Something about him aroused goosebumps on my skin. An exact effect the man from the woods gave me.

“Going somewhere?” The deep, velvety voice asked, making me shudder.

ALPHA JACOB’S pov

Three nights gone and there were still no words from that Alpha. What’s his name again?

Right. Alpha Richie, of Westwood Packs.

After that night in the woods with his daughter, my life has never been the same. It turned upside down in the best and worst way possible.

The best way possible because I’ve finally met my fated mate. I’ve waited for over two decades and it was beginning to feel like I’d never meet her.

And fuck it, she’s so beautiful. A cutie patootie. With cheeks so rosy and perfect. I shouldn’t have deflowered her that night.

But I was in my beast form. The only thing that functions when I’m in that form is my rogue drive and my high libido.

So I did what I did to her, in those woods, in that tent. Waking up the next morning, she was gone. I was back to my normal form.

I was determined to find her. I need her. So I described her to my men and within an hour, they brought all the information I needed about her.

Aria Thompson. The first daughter of Alpha Richie, from Westwood Pack. She was in a relationship with my nephew but for some reason, they broke up.

I didn’t bother finding out why they broke up. I was just glad they did. So now, there’s no man in her life and I was free to come sweep her off her feet.

I sent words to her father about my interest in his daughter. But the old man never replied. The wait almost killed me. It was just three days but it felt like a fucking year.

I was tempted to break into this house and come take her. But then he finally gave me some feedback. A positive feedback. And now, a week later, I’m here in his house and she’s in my arms.

“No…” she stuttered. She was lying. Clearly, it looked like she was trying to run away. From what?

She was staring at me so intently. Like she recognized me. But I know she didn’t. The man she met that night looked nothing like the one standing in front of her. That was my dark secret and my curse.

“Who…are you?” she mumbled out. God, she looked prettier than ever. Seeing her again was making my heart bang really hard against my chest. No other woman has ever made me feel this way. Not even my chosen mate.

“Jacob Locke,” I said, holding her firmly.

Her eyes widened. And then the next second she jerked out of my hold. Her confused expression morphed into a scowl.

“Don’t you dare touch me.” She spat out, running her hands through her arms.

Her cold reaction sent a pang of pain through my heart.

She hates me?