ALIA
I´ve been sitting in the car for the last 13 hours and my ass was already complaining. We only had pit stops and to buy some food along the way. I could feel my body ready to give up anytime. I might be a wolf but I never had the endurance my brother and his warriors have.
All I wanted right now, was my bed.
Why did I agree to this? This would be the last time I would travel this far.
I snickered at my own thoughts, I said that as well on the way to the Claiming and it was only 8 hours from our territory. And yet here I was, traveling further.
To get me out of my misery, I tried to enjoy the scenery before my eyes.
This place wasn´t bad. The city looked beautiful. Caspian told me this was neutral territory and after this area would be the Black Shadow Pack territory but this city was still looked after by their Alpha. Most of the businesses around the city were owned by their pack.
After another 30 minutes, we finally reached the reserved area. The border.
And the moment we stepped in at the border of the Black Shadow Pack´s territory, I knew something was already off. My wolf, Sky was agitated. She was usually calm but her behavior right now was something I was not used to. She could sense something but she wasn´t telling me.
My intuition was proven right the moment we passed by a crowd of warriors on our way to the pack house. One of them was the man who carried my mate to the infirmary on the day of the Claiming.
My heart thudded loudly as my hands coiled at the edge of the leather seat, gripping it tightly. There was only one explanation for this.
Oh, Goddess! Out of the hundred packs around this country, why did I end up on his territory?
I took calming breaths and closed my eyes, letting possible scenarios play in my head. I needed to prepare myself in case he showed up in front of me. There´s no way I would let him know how much he affected me.
I would be lying if I say that the thought of seeing him does not excite me. It does. But it must be the mate bond pull. Nothing else.
"Are you okay?" I snapped my eyes open and tilted my head to look at my brother, he was driving the car.
"I´m okay. I´m just tired from the driving." I smiled at him weakly. He knew I hated traveling so I was not worried he would think something was wrong.
"We´ll be there in a few minutes. And then you can rest before the ceremony." He smiled back at me.
I nodded. "Thank Goddess," I replied in a low voice.
"Alia," He called my attention just as I was about to close my eyes again. "Try to be more sociable. I know you don´t let anyone easily on your circle but the Luna of this pack has the same age as yours. I bet you will get along."
"I´ll try. You know I´m not good at making new friends." I smiled at him, I could feel my cheeks start to turn red.
"I think we´ve just arrived," Caspian announced, and at the exact moment, I turned my gaze back to the front of the car and my world suddenly stopped.
We approached the Black Shadow´s packhouse, and standing in front of it was my mate.
Oh, Goddess! I despised him but instead of being repulsed by his presence, the sight of him brought tingles down to my core.
Focus Alia!
But how could I? My wolf Sky whimpered in my head. She was in a lovestruck haze at the sight of our mate.
He was in dress-down clothes compared to the first time I saw him. He was sporting regular jeans and a shirt with a black bomber jacket, and yet, he looked amazingly perfect that I couldn´t keep myself from staring at him.
I didn´t know I let out a deep sigh until my brother chuckled beside me. "Relief huh? You can rest soon. Come on, Alpha Jacob is waiting."
Only then did I realize that my mate was standing beside another man.
He must be Alpha Jacob. I could feel his aura even if I was still inside the car. The Alpha was good looking and any woman would be lucky to be mated with him but I think my mate was better looking. Way, way better looking! And way, yummier!
Stop Alia! You want nothing to do with this man, right?
My wolf Sky snarked at my thoughts. She wanted me to acknowledge the bond with our mate, knowing he was not able to claim the Alpha Female at the arena. But I don´t want to hear any of it.
I rolled my eyes at her. We would never be a rebound, Sky. So stop it!
And before I could have more conversation with my wolf, I decided to step out of the car, masking my real emotions as I walked towards them.
My eyes focused on the Alpha in front of me, blurring out everyone and making sure I don´t fall on my feet knowing how clumsy I could be.
"My name is Alia, Alpha Jacob," I smiled, something that doesn´t reach my eyes as I laid out my hand in front of the Alpha, expecting him to kiss the back of my palm as I usually experienced from the other Alphas. My eyes did not move away from his face.
I saw the Alpha´s jaw tighten before he reached for my hand. But instead of what I expected, he covered my hand with both of his and bobbed his head at me.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Alia." He smiled warmly and let go of my hand before tilting his head towards my mate. "My Beta, Beta Gavin."
He was introducing him to me.
Gavin.
I clamped my legs together discretely and squinted my eyes as I eyed my mate for a few seconds before turning my attention back to the Alpha.
His name made my core throb and if I keep looking at him, I swear my arousal would be potent and that was the last thing I wanted right now. I needed to get away from him.
"I know the ceremony won´t start until later, do you mind if I ask for a place where I can rest?" I asked the Alpha with a cold tone, face void of emotions.
I wanted to pat myself for doing such a good job at hiding how I feel. I could even sense my brother flinched on his spot. It looked like he doesn´t approve of my behavior.
"Of course, my Beta would show..." The Alpha started in a friendly tone but I cut his words.
"I would rather be assisted by someone else, not your Beta."
No way I would go anywhere with him, even if my body was dying to touch him.
Yes, I wanted to run my fingers on his jaw. He shaved his face and I could see his perfect features clearly.
Yes, I saw it even if I just looked at him for a few seconds. And Goddess, help me! Stop my arousal now.
The Alpha nodded and turned to the man behind him. He was the man who smiled at me at the infirmary. Would he remember me? I hoped not.
"Show Lady Alia her room on the 2nd floor, guest wing." The Alpha instructed him.
The man simply nodded in response and before anyone could add more, I excused myself and followed after him.
Not once did I look back. But I could feel eyes boring into my back.
Why did I even agree to come here?
My heart and my mind were in turmoil.
I don´t know for how long I could keep the walls I built for him because just the sight of him was making my knees weak.
I needed to get out of here.
"I saw you at the Claiming if I´m not mistaken." The man who was guiding me towards my room started to talk. He was now walking beside me.
"Yes. I was there." I answered in a soft low voice.
"I didn´t know Alpha Caspian had a chosen." He said respectfully.
I chuckled and raised my brow at him, giving him a real smile. "Alpha Caspian is my brother. It would be horrible to be mated with him."
His eyes widen while he scratched his head. "Sorry, I didn´t know he has a sister. We were there a few months back and I never saw you around."
It might come as a surprise for him but it was nothing unusual for me. I never really put my hand in my brother´s or the pack´s business. I tend to stay away from it.
"I was just there. Probably hiding in my room. And Caspian never forced me to meet people he has business with." I said nonchalantly to which he just nodded his head.
When we finally reached the room assigned for me, he stopped in front of a door and turned to face me. "We are here now. The key is on the bedside table. Only the Alpha and the Luna have the extra key, you don´t need to worry about intruders."
"I see. Good to know. Thank you." I smiled at him and turned the doorknob, opening the room.
"See you around, Lady Alia. By the way, my name is Matteo. I´m usually around if the Alpha Jacob and Beta Gavin are not here. Just let me know if you need anything."
I nodded and went inside the room, closing it slowly before leaning my back against it.
Beta Gavin. His name suited him. Gavin.
GAVIN The party at the Pavillion was already in full blast. Everyone was ready for the Union and Luna Ceremony tonight. Everyone but me. My eyes were searching for something or someone. But I couldn´t find her. I took one last look at the ballroom and checked if everything were in place before I had to go and pick up Alpha Jake. It was then when my eyes caught her. She entered the ballroom in her brother´s arm and I felt my whole world suddenly become smaller. Everyone disappeared and all I saw was her. She wore an old rose cocktail dress just cut a little shorter below her knees. She had her blonde hair down, letting it flow naturally. She was an epitome of beauty and I found myself following her every movement until Gamma Aaron nudged my arm, putting me back to reality. "Look at that female! Smitten, aren´t we? Not bad! Look at those hips?" He licked his lips as his eyes followed Alia as she swayed seductively across th
ALIA My eyes scanned the ballroom, but I couldn't find him. I couldn't smell him either. Where was he? I saw Alpha Jacob gracefully walk and ascend the stage. Caspian told me that any moment now, his Luna would come and the ceremony would start. I couldn't care less. I just wanted to see where Gavin was. Wasn't he supposed to be standing beside his Alpha? And then the room went into full silence. My gaze wandered and came to rest on the female who walked through the double doors. Everyone that stood by the door bowed their heads, and I could hear them acknowledging her as Luna. And my heart stopped. Luna? She's Alpha Jacob's Luna? She was the same female I saw at the arena. The same female my mate wanted to claim. What kind of sickening joke was this? How did she end up with Alpha Jacob and how could my mate stay in this pack knowing the female he wanted would be claimed by his Alpha? No wonder he was nowhere in s
She hated me. And the last thing I wanted was for her to hate me more. "Put me down!" She screamed my ears off again. "I said put me down!!! You sick bastard!" I ignored her, letting her arms flail around me, and just walked straight to my room on the 3rd floor. It was a good thing that Jake and Clair would take the biggest suite on the 4th floor starting tonight so this floor was free for me. No guest was on the guest wing as well, so my little mate could scream all she wants and nobody would hear her. Of course, I was exaggerating. My room was soundproof, nobody would hear her but I just needed to think of something else to keep my mind occupied because her fucking sex was just a few inches away from my nose and she smelled fucking nice, mouth-watering, all I wanted was to dip my face into her p***y. So many things I wanted to do with her. The last four days were a living hell. I couldn´t even imagine jerking off but ever sin
ALIA. "If I behave, can I come to the kitchen with you?" Why did I ask that? I had no idea. A moment ago, I was scared of him. His eyes were fully black, and the way he growled and jumped at me was something I wasn’t used to. But despite that, I didn’t want to be far from him right now, and the thought of another male coming near me scared me more. Regardless of how much I hated him, I felt safer around him for some reason. "Okay, but if you try to run..." "I won’t. I have nowhere to go. Do you think I want to be ravished by hungry, unmated wolves out there?" My voice croaked. I stood up and put my arms together. "Tie me up if you don't want to believe me." He shook his head and opened his door. "I trust you, even if you don’t trust me. Come now." I sighed in relief as I stepped out after him. We walked in silence until we reached the kitchen. I sat on the stool behind the counter and watched him prepare a sandwich. I would have volunteered to help, but seeing him gracefully m
"It hurts. I´m burning... Will I die?" She asked from behind the door. "No. I won't let that happen. Open the door, let me help you." It took a while before I heard the door click. I immediately stood up from my position and saw my mate standing behind it, with her tear-stricken face. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes were puffy and her lips were still swollen. She was a big mess but she was my fucking mess, and she still looked fucking sexy. Shit! She was in pain and all I could think was how fuckable she looked like right now. She rushed into my arms and buried her face into my chest, hands clutching on my shirt. I wrapped my arms around her and placed soft kisses on the crown of her head, embracing her tightly. "You´ll be fine. You´ll be okay." I cooed her but I think I was convincing myself more. I think my action just fueled her heat. She raised on her toes and flung her arms into my neck as she started kissing my collarbo
ALIA I squinted my eyes as the sun's rays touched my face through the window. I groaned and flipped to my stomach, wanting more time for sleep when my mind was invaded by my brother. 'Come on, Alia! I've been trying to wake you up for an hour now. We need to get going. Get up!' I could hear the panic in his voice, which was unusual. Something was wrong. 'Coming.' I replied and rose from my bed, only to stop when I realized I wasn't in my room. Memories of last night came flooding back, and I suddenly felt the need to sit down. Oh, Goddess! What have I done? Did he... did he? I looked down at my body and saw I was wearing Gavin's shirt. I lifted the shirt and looked at my sex. I didn't have any underwear. Did he take my virginity? I couldn't remember. All I remember was him touching me and then... Oh my Goddess, he actually went down on me. I could feel my face burning and my core getting wet again. Shit! I ran to the bathroom a
ALIA Now that I knew how it felt to be in his arms, I don´t think I could ever go back and just disregard him. It has only been two days and I already missed him. I kept waking up in the middle of the night, sweaty and wet from having dreams of him. Not just ordinary dreams, I dreamed about our intimate moment in his room. I had no idea if that was a blessing or a curse. But I couldn´t seem to get away from him and his memories. I know I should move on, but how could I when every time I close my eyes I see him. Damn this mate bond? When would I ever be free? "Alia! Earth to Alia!" Carrie´s high-pitched voice snapped me out of my thoughts. We were currently lounging in the kitchen, eating ice creams and cookies this afternoon. "What?" I asked, licking the spoon for any remnants of ice cream on it. "I asked if you would go to the bar tomorrow night. Daniella is coming and of course, some of the guys." She gave me her signature pout
ALIA I rose from my bed as soon as my eyes flipped open. I don't usually wake up early, but then today was different. The Beta would be eating breakfast with my brother and his Beta and Gamma, so I might as well join them. After a quick shower, I slipped on a spaghetti strap cream dress and a white cardigan, pulling my hair up into a clean ponytail. I kept my face bare of anything and just put on my sandals and rushed downstairs, towards the kitchen. I smelled him even before I reached the dining area. At least he was there, so all my efforts won't be wasted. But before I could reach him, I tried sniffing the air again, hoping that Carrie wasn't around to get his attention. Well, lucky day, I didn't smell her at all. She might still be sleeping. "Whoah! The princess went down from her tower and decided to grace us with her presence for breakfast! What an honor!" Gamma Carlos stood up from his seat and bowed down in my direction while I rolled my eyes