Ally

Lorcan couldn’t stop the smile on his lips as he looked at Amelia. It had been years since he last saw her, and now that he had finally spoken to her again, he knew without a doubt that Amelia was his fated mate.

The floral scent coming from Amelia blended with the cold air, surrounding Lorcan as if he were wrapped in fresh flowers. Her body was calling out to his, urging him to step closer to her.

“Lorcan, remember—she’s still the chosen mate of your brother, Alpha Lucas,” commented Hunter, Lorcan’s wolf.

Lorcan stopped walking and smiled even wider. He knew that already—that was the very reason he hadn’t dared approach Amelia before. But now, Amelia’s anger toward Lucas outweighed everything else, and whatever the reason for it was, Lorcan found himself favoring that fact.

“There’s nothing wrong with talking to her and getting close. She was mine from the beginning anyway—not Lucas’s,” Lorcan replied through their mind link. Hunter didn’t comment further, because Lorcan wasn’t wrong.

They were Amelia’s true mates, not Lucas. They were her fated mates—not him.

“How are you, Amelia?” Lorcan asked as he leaned against the tree Amelia had been kicking earlier in anger. His arms were crossed over his broad chest as his shoulder rested against the trunk, his gaze fixed on her.

Lorcan was wearing a navy blue formal shirt and black denim pants. His large frame was outlined by the shirt, its first three buttons left undone.

Amelia looked away, knowing Lorcan was just teasing her again. He loved provoking her—finding amusement in her irritated expression.

“Do I look like I’m doing well to you?” Amelia asked sarcastically, avoiding his gaze for reasons she couldn’t explain. His smile made her knees weak, and even just his scent raised the temperature of her entire body.

She felt like falling into Lorcan’s arms—like hugging him and burying her face in his broad chest. She didn’t know why, but ever since earlier, she’d been craving the man standing before her.

Maybe this was how it was supposed to feel when you finally met your fated mate. When they first met, she had been pregnant with Lucas’s child, so she’d managed to suppress Lorcan’s alluring scent because of the bond she shared with Lucas.

“Hahaha, you’re still as sharp-tongued as ever. Why do you only show those horns to me?” Lorcan teased, leaning closer to Amelia’s face, making her flinch.

Amelia froze, as if turned to stone by how close their faces were. Even though her wolf hadn’t awakened yet, she could feel its joy at seeing their fated mate.

So this was what it felt like—to see and talk to your fated mate. It made you feel like the happiest being in the world, knowing you’d be happy by their side.

But this wasn’t what Amelia wanted right now. There was too much she still needed to deal with, and she refused to become foolish again by giving in to her emotions.

“Because you’re a demon too!” Amelia said, forcing herself to resist the temptation her fated mate stirred in her. Now she understood why Lucas had fallen for Olivia despite having a chosen mate—this was the feeling that only a fated mate could give.

“Hahaha, I’m a demon? That’s old news. At least I don’t hide it unlike you who loves pretending to be an angel,” Lorcan replied before straightening up.

Amelia held herself back from snapping at him. She knew she needed his help. As difficult as it was—and no matter how much it trampled her pride—she needed Lorcan’s trust if she wanted to be accepted into the Nightraven pack, even temporarily.

“I’m not pretending. I just ran out of patience with them, so I started growing horns,” Amelia said as she turned her back on him, once again reminded of the problems she faced.

She knew the upcoming rejection ceremony wouldn’t be easy. Lucas didn’t want to let her go. He was deliberately pushing her to her limits, forcing her into cruelty through his decisions.

“Hahaha, I saw everything that happened earlier,” Lorcan said, making Amelia turn back toward him. Their eyes met again, and she felt it—that same pull drawing her toward him.

“You’re funny. Do you really think Lucas would just let you escape that easily? Especially when he hasn’t gotten what he wants from you yet,” Lorcan commented, making Amelia frown.

“What is it that he wants? I’m just an omega—what else could I give him besides my love?” Amelia asked, her frustration nearly breaking her into tears.

“Your body. You’re still pure, aren’t you? No one has marked you yet. As long as he hasn’t had you and hasn’t grown tired of you, he won’t let you go,” Lorcan explained, his eyes never leaving Amelia’s green ones.

“I know Lucas—he’s my brother. He’s no different from Alpha Luthor or Lucien,” Lorcan added.

Amelia had always known this but had chosen to turn a blind eye because she truly loved Lucas back then. Now that she understood what was really happening, everything became painfully clear.

Before, she hadn’t believed Lorcan. Now, she knew he was telling the truth.

She thought of all the times she had judged Lorcan unfairly just because he was the black sheep of the West family.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lorcan asked, confused by the sadness and pity in Amelia’s eyes.

“I’m sorry for judging you so quickly,” Amelia said, causing Lorcan to frown even more.

“What are you talking about?” Lorcan snapped, irritated. He hated being pitied, especially when Amelia was in a far worse situation than he was.

“Nothing. I just wanted to say sorry. Is that so bad?” Amelia retorted, making Lorcan laugh at how quickly her mood changed.

“Hahaha!” Lorcan burst out laughing, startling Amelia. It was the first time she’d ever seen him laugh so loudly.

His sharp eyes were closed as he clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably.

“Are you crazy? Hahaha! You change moods so fast,” Lorcan teased. Amelia smiled at him softly.

Seeing that gentle smile made Lorcan stop laughing, suddenly embarrassed.

“Tsk, why are you smiling like that? I seriously don’t know what to do with you,” Lorcan muttered, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away. He could never hide his weakness whenever Amelia smiled at him—that had always been his downfall.

This was the first time Amelia had seen this side of Lorcan. Before, her vision would darken whenever he approached, but now after speaking with him—her heart felt strangely lighter.

She remembered Mia’s advice. In truth, Lorcan could be her ally. They shared the same enemy, and she knew how much Lorcan hated the West family. He could be useful in her plans.

“Alpha Lorcan.”

Lorcan looked at her and saw a blazing determination in her eyes—something he’d never seen in the once-weak and innocent Amelia.

“Do you want to be my ally?” Amelia asked, bracing herself to be mocked.

“What do I get in return for being your ally?” Lorcan asked seriously, catching her off guard.

“Anything you want. Even my body—if that’s what it takes—just so I can leave the Crescent Moon pack and get revenge on those who looked down on me,” Amelia said. She was willing to pay any price—even making a deal with her mortal enemy.

“Hah. Even if I take your body right now?” Lorcan tested her, knowing how conservative she was.

“I can’t give you my body until I’ve carried out my revenge,” Amelia replied firmly as she stepped closer. She grabbed the collar of Lorcan’s shirt and pulled him toward her.

“But I can prove that I’m serious about this contract,” she whispered into his ear before pressing her lips against his.

Lorcan’s eyes widened as Amelia’s soft lips met his. He could feel how nervous she was—the tremble of her hands, the tight shut of her eyes.

He smiled, pulled away, and ruffled her hair playfully.

“Next time you kiss me, try doing better. I can feel how nervous you are. You’re an omega—not a rabbit standing in front of a rabid wolf,” Lorcan said before walking away.

Amelia stood there, speechless, watching him leave. She couldn’t explain it, but it felt like Lorcan was protecting her. The gentle pat on her head made her heart flutter.

She touched her lips, knowing the kiss had been brief and forced but for some reason, she wanted more.

“Is this really what it feels like to meet your fated mate?” Amelia murmured, her heart racing and cheeks burning.

“Amelia! Sorry it took me so long to catch up—”

Mia froze when she saw Amelia standing there, looking as if she were floating on cloud nine. The scent of an alpha lingered thickly in the air.

“Amelia? What happened?” Mia asked, snapping her back to reality.

“Ah—n-nothing, Mia,” Amelia lied, unable to hide her flushed cheeks.

“Hmmm… really?” Mia teased but didn’t press further.

“Come on, I have so much to tell you. Let’s hurry,” Mia said, and Amelia followed. Her thoughts still lost in the memory of Lorcan’s kiss.