Alpha Torrin’s aura is lighter and more open than Damian’s.
I sit across from him with his mahogany desk separating us.
"I was told about everything that happened while I was gone," he begins. "I’m sure you already know the consequences we’ll face if we don’t surrender you to the Dunebourne Pack. But I’m willing to take the risk if you give a convincing reason why I should side with you and not with them."
I swallow hard to steady my voice. "Lance Grant was my mate. I caught him cheating on with soone I thought was my friend on the day of our wedding." However, my voice cracks a little. "I don’t wanna marry him anymore. But he and his parents won’t accept that."
Alpha Torrin narrows his eyes with suspicion flickering in them. "What does a non-Dunebourne Oga have that Alpha Philip and Luna Lavinia can’t let go of the idea of wanting her as their daughter-in-law?"
I look away, trying not to fidget as my mind races for an alibi.
But just like Damian, he doesn’t press further. Instead, he leans back and changes the subject. "You know what? We had a good hunt today, so there’ll be a feast tonight. Why don’t you join us?"
"Will the Dunebourne wolves be there?" I ask cautiously.
"They already left, except for Alpha Lance. But they’ll return tomorrow to hear my decision," he replies.
Perfect! I have an ample amount of ti to strategize my escape!
"I’ll think about it," I say and start to rise.
Then,...
His hand gently catches mine, making stop.
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and my heart thuds faster than normal.
"I just wanna know if your wounds have been treated properly?" he asks.
"Yes. Thanks to Damian," I answer, flustered.
A faint look of disappointnt crosses his face before he releases my hand.
"Are you not hungry? It’ll be a few hours before the feast. You can join for a snack if you want," he adds, almost shyly.
My stomach growls in betrayal. I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning. "Sure."
A breath of relief escapes him, as if he’s not expecting my response. Then he smiles at again.
He guides toward a gazebo just outside his study, through a sliding glass door. After talking to an Oga on his phone, two of them arrive carrying trays of food and drinks for us.
Before I can even lift my utensils, Alpha Torrin reaches across the table and takes my plate. I blink in confusion as he starts slicing the steak into neat, thin pieces, before returning it to .
He chuckles softly when he notices that I’m gawking at him.
"I’m sorry for not asking permission," he says. "My dad used to do that for when he was still alive. When my mom beca depressed after he passed, I started doing it for her too every al, that it becos an automatic gesture of mine when I’m having a al with soone..."
He pauses, as if the next word stings his tongue.
"No, it’s fine. It’s just that no one’s ever done that for before. And I didn’t expect it would be you," I reply, before shoving the at into my mouth to distract the awkwardness.
The atmosphere turns serious when he suddenly asks, "By the way, the Dunebourne wolves are currently looking for a woman nad Harper. At first, they didn’t believe when I said it was just you, Alpha Lance, and another woman nad Aiko I found near the lake."
My chest tightens.
I hope Harper is safe sowhere where they can never find her. But fear gnaws at too. What if she isn’t?
To stop him from making talk about myself and Harper, I steer the topic towards himself. "How are you related to Damian?"
"He’s one of my most trusted Betas, and my cousin too. My late father and his, Chief Beta Atticus, were identical twins. My father was born a few minutes earlier, so he beca the heir to our grandfather’s Main Alpha title." He pauses, then gives a teasing look. "Why did you ask? Do you... like Damian?"
Before I can deny it, a sharp knock echoes through the door. Then enters Damian himself.
He gives a long side glance with his usual nonchalant face as he walks towards Alpha Torrin.
"The council would like to talk to you about Ms. Harleigh Hale now," he says with a grave tone.
Alpha Torrin’s easy expression hardens. "Understood."
He then gives one last look, before striding toward the door while Damian follows him out.
They’ll surely convince Alpha Torrin to hand over to the Dunebourne Pack to avoid conflict, which ans I must leave now.
The mansion is crawling with Frostveil wolves. Ogas clean and serve while Gammas guard every hall and corner. Their eyes follow like hawks, and I have to count every breath I take just to stay calm.
When I approach the main door, a Gamma towers over . He grabs my arm roughly and drags up the stairs.
"Don’t make things more complicated for us!" he snarls, shoving into the guest room, before slamming the door closed.
As I pace the room to ponder my strategy, the door suddenly creaks open.
My blood runs cold when Lance forces his way inside and locks the door.
His hazel eyes gleam with sothing dark.
"What are you doing here?!" I hiss, stepping back.
He closes the distance between us in seconds, grabbing roughly and pulling against his chest. His breath is hot against my ear.
"Tell ," he softly growls through gritted teeth, "How do those silver-haired n perform in bed?"
Jealousy. It’s typical for a male wolf to feel threatened when another male wolf cos near his so-called mate. But I’m not his mate anymore! The fact that my rejection didn’t even weaken or hurt him only proves his bond with was never strong.
"Let go," I warn, pushing against his chest.
Instead, he shoves onto the bed, stripping off his clothes, then tearing at mine. His grip pins my arms above my head as his mouth moves down my n.ipples, sucking them hard.
"NO!" I scream, thrashing beneath him.
When he forces my legs apart, my wolf finally takes over.
I break free and slash at him with my claws.
Lance shifts too, but instead of retaliating, he’s just dodging my attacks.
When my anger wanes a little, I stop, panting heavily. "Get out before I dirty my innocent paws with your unworthy life!"
"I will. But rember this, you’re mine. You can never be anyone else’s," he replies.
How dare he demand loyalty when he never gave his own!
He picks up his torn clothes with his mouth and leaves.
I shift back into my human form and lock the door, my body shaking from disgust.
For a couple of hours, I can’t think straight, let alone plan my escape until another knock cos to the door.
"Leave," I say weakly. "I’d rather not be disturbed."
A woman’s voice answers from the other side, "Alpha Torrin asked to bring these to you for tonight’s feast."
Hesitantly, I open the door and take the boxes the Oga is carrying.
Inside the first box lies a white, form-fitting dress with white fur coat. The second holds a pair of white high-heeled boots, and the third gleams with sapphire-stoned jewelry.
I don’t wanna go. But I realize that it might be my best chance to escape since everyone will be distracted at the feast.
Quickly, I take a shower and get dressed.
My bruises and cuts from the earlier fight are visible on my legs and arms. They clash against the elegance of my outfit, but I don’t feel sha, only power and pride.
With my chin lifted and shoulders squared, I walk toward the banquet hall.
Eyes turn to , while whispers follow .
Damian’s nonchalant face becos soft, while Alpha Torrin’s normally warm expression hardens as he gazes at my cuts and bruises. Both of them step forward at the sa ti. But Damian stops to give way to Alpha Torrin. He looks down to his boots as Alpha Torrin reaches .
"Can I have your first dance?" Alpha Torrin asks.
I take his hand, ignoring Lance, who glares from the corner with burning jealousy.
His movents are gentle and smooth, easing the tension in my body. And for a fleeting mont, I forget my fear and pain.
Through my peripheral vision, I catch Damian stealing quick glances at .
When the music fades, reality returns like a cold wind.
I wanna ask Alpha Torrin about his conversation with his council, or to beg him to save from the Dunebourne Pack again.
But,...
My words curl back to my throat when the moon reaches its full shape and glow on the starless sky..
My wolf wildly and joyfully howls within . I gasp, clutching my chest.
anwhile, Alpha Torrin stiffens, and so does Damian, both of them gawking at .
The crowd shifts their glances at us, sensing it too: the powerful pull between the three of us.
Then,...
A voice from the crowd murmurs, "The bond of fated mates.
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