All Chapters of The Alpha’s Temporary Mark: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

For a while now, the two families had been at each other's throats over the terms of the mating ceremony.Although Kade had initially been willing to compromise again and again for Selena, he couldn't keep up with her family's insatiable greed.The pack borders had been unstable, and he didn't want his own mating ceremony to be so extravagant. Besides, he needed more time to handle pack affairs.But Selena showed no consideration for his situation. She hounded him relentlessly like a crazed she-wolf, giving him no room to breathe.Over time, Kade's patience had gradually worn thin.The sweet, gentle Selena he remembered seemed to have vanished.Even when he was intimate with Selena, his mind would always wander; my image would appear, unbidden, in his mind.Kade hated this loss of control, but he refused to admit it, afraid to look too deeply, choosing instead to numb himself through avoidance.It wasn't until the explosive joy he felt seeing that test report that he began to realize w

After a few seconds of silence, Kade's voice came through the mental link, laced with false gentleness. "Be good. Wait for me at the clinic."After cutting the link, Kade turned to face Ryan."Organize the grandest mating ceremony for me," he said slowly, "one that will capture the attention of the entire werewolf alliance.""Alpha?" Ryan looked at him in disbelief. "Weren't you just...""The grander, the better," Kade interrupted, his smile turning sinister. "Money is no object. I want to make her the most beautiful Luna in history."Kade shoved his hands in his pockets. "Since she loves to act so much, I'll build her the most magnificent stage imaginable. We wouldn't want to waste her talent."Alarm bells went off in Ryan's head, but he nodded and went to carry out the orders.For the next two weeks, the Black Moon Pack was a frenzy of preparations.The finest silks, the most magnificent jewelry, the most lavish banquets.Kade truly seemed like an Alpha lost in love, unconditionally

"Did you hear? The Black Moon Pack's mating ceremony was a total disaster.""A disaster is an understatement. That Selena was disgraced in front of every pack. It was a total humiliation!""The things on that memory crystal... tsk, tsk. I need to bleach my eyes."I stopped my training movements, the warriors' chatter reaching me clearly.I sheathed my combat knife and walked silently toward the weapons rack.The Black Moon Pack's affairs were no longer my concern. I'd barely slept, having worked on our pack's battle plans all night.Now that I was relaxing, a wave of exhaustion hit me.I leaned against a piece of training equipment and took a sip of an energy drink.Suddenly, a few warriors pushed open the door and came in.Maybe because my spot was secluded and blocked by some large equipment, the warriors who came in didn't notice me and started chatting."That Black Moon Pack ceremony went from the event of the century to the joke of the century.""You're not kidding. The Alpha bail

I struggled to my feet, leaning against the wall. The wolfsbane was sapping my strength.I heard a few muffled laughs. By the time I pushed open the stall door, they were gone, leaving only an empty bucket tossed carelessly on the floor.My fingers tightened as I picked up a pearl necklace from the wet floor.Surprisingly, my heart was calm.Leaving the restroom, I hugged the wall and moved slowly, looking for a place to sit and rest.There was no way I could return to the banquet looking like this. My only option was to message the Silver Crest elder, explain the situation, and ask if I could leave early.A low male voice drifted from around the corner. "Alright, sweetheart, I know...""Don't be difficult. Be good, and I'll spend time with you when I get back."I froze.It was Jasper's voice, gentle as if he were coaxing a child, his tone laced with affection."I promise, I'll be back as soon as this trip is over, hmm?"He wore a well-tailored, dark combat uniform, the rolled-up sleev

The words were barely out before Jasper cut himself off, annoyed.Hearing me belittle myself with such feigned indifference had triggered his Alpha's protective instincts.I sat frozen, speechless."I'm sorry."His Alpha's low rumble was solemn and serious.It was my turn to be flustered. I waved my hands frantically. "No, no... it's not...""I never knew how much hate you endured because of those rumors."The expression on my face froze."I never explained because... I enjoyed the feeling of our names being linked together.""It felt like it connected us, making me feel special to you in a way other Alphas weren't.""I left you a letter before I went to the other continent for training, but you never..."An urgent communicator alert interrupted him.It was the pack clinic.I couldn't care about anything else. I answered the call immediately.After listening to the healer on the other end, I remained in the same position long after the call ended, my fingertips trembling slightly."Wha