Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

VENITA POV~

“We need to talk,” my brother said as soon as I opened the door to him.

I stretched, a yawn parting my mouth. “Isn’t it too early to be having a conversation?”

He looked at me, and a look crossed over his face. “This is really important.”

Today was the day after my twenty-third birthday, and having found no mate yet, my brother was determined to secure an alliance through mating with some other powerful pack to keep our pack strong.

The last time, I had fought him really hard on this, and with Lilith’s support, I had won. Only, that victory was one of my biggest losses.

If I wanted to be able to fight a woman in power, then I needed to have power as well, some kind of backing that could protect me from her wicked schemes. Plus, this would mean that I never get to go on that trip with her one year later where I fall for Jerome’s charms and have my whole life pulled out from underneath my feet.

With a sigh, I plopped down on my bed. “Have a seat.” I tapped the space beside me.

Rogen offered me a barely-there smile before he lowered himself onto the spot beside me.

“What has you so guilt-faced?” I asked him.

“This is…” he paused. “I want you to know that this decision is for both our good.”

He was looking at me expectantly, so I frowned and urged him on with my eyes.

“I’ve decided that you should get mated. To the Alpha of a different pack. Preferably, one that holds power and can cover us politically.”

My mind moved through all the different Alphas that had yet to find their mates, and I made a mental list to pick the one that suited my plans the best. Preferably, it should be one that had a lot of power, but was still close enough that my visits to Bloodied-Fang would not be considered odd.

I nodded, acting like I was being thoughtful. “I just turned twenty-three,” I said.

“I know. That makes the timing even more essential.”

A sigh parted my lips. “Fine.”

He turned to me, a shocked look on his face. “What? You’re agreeing just like that?”

I smiled at him. “The pack belongs to both of us. I can do my fair share of caring for it, at least.”

He took my hands in his. “You have no idea how much this means to me.” Then he pulled me into a hug.

I relished the feel of it, but then the memory of his betrayal speared a path through my chest and I pulled back.

“Thank you,” he said earnestly. “The Alpha of Devil Siege would be duly informed and then we can plan the ceremony for the next full moon which is just three days away.”

My brain skids to a halt and every single thought in my head dies a swift death. What the hell? I had had the opportunity to choose the last time. What changed?

“What do you mean the Alpha of Devil Siege?” I asked.

Rogen looked at me, confusion on his face. “I thought you said yes to this?”

“You didn’t give me all the details. I thought I had the ability to choose, at least.”

He shook his head. “No, Veni. The Alpha of Devil Siege is the strongest alliance we can possibly have right now, especially with Claw Forge joining forces with Fire-Fur.”

I got off the bed and started to pace. This was so not going the way I remembered it.

“I can’t mate with the Alpha of Demon Siege. No one knows what he looks like. For all we know, he’s a century old wolf with a fetish for owning young wolves. And worse, he is by known far and wide as the deadliest Alpha in the whole country.”

“That’s exactly why we have to choose him.” Rogen intoned. “You’ve already given me your word, Veni. Don’t go back on it.”

*******

“Are you nervous?” Lilith asked as she wrapped my hair into a loose bun, clipping it with a claw-clip that was shaped like an actual claw.

Staying friends with her despite the knowledge of her betrayal that I carried around like a trophy was by far the hardest part of my being back here. That was aside the fact that I was now here on a mission that I had to carry to term without giving off a single clue.

“I am.” I replied, meeting her eyes in the mirror and flashing a nervous smile.

She smiled at me in return, all nice and friendly. If I hadn’t personally lived through her betrayal, I would seriously doubt that she was capable of hurting me.

Her fingers smoothed my hair down. “You have nothing to worry about, Veni. Rogen would do all that he can to protect you. If the Alpha of Devil Siege even dares to mistreat you, the deal is off.”

I had to stop myself from scoffing. Just like he had protected me when his mate had accused me, right?

With a nod, I signaled that I believed her. I, in fact, didn’t.

“Let’s do this, future Luna,” she cheered.

The walk down the isle made me nervous. This wasn’t what I had hoped for when I agreed to be a part of this, but I had to see it through regardless.

My soon-to-be mate had his back to me. Broad shoulders that sat beneath a perfectly tailored suit, and legs that were long and powerful. I swallowed, slightly intimidated by the amount of power this man carried.

Then he turned around.

My eyes widened, shock keeping me frozen. What the hell? This was…

“Cassian,” I whispered. It wasn’t a question.

But how?

The smile he flashed at me was knowing. He remembered me well enough and was here for me. He knew.

“Hello, Mate.”