Chapter One

​​​

ARIA

 

The car hums beneath me, its steady vibration echoing in my bones. I press my forehead to the window, the blurred outlines of trees whipping past.

​

Next to me, Don barks orders into his phone. His words fade into background noise, a symphony of authority that allows no opposition. I risk a glance his way. His profile is pointed, jaw clenched in perpetual irritation.

​

The driver keeps his eyes on the road, shoulders rigid, just like he had the day Don marked me against my will in this very back seat, ignoring my pleas and screams.

​

What the Alpha wants, the Alpha gets.

​

As second-in-command of our pack, my Beta parents have always done Alpha Don’s bidding. When his finger landed on me, they agreed without hesitation. They thought my mating with Don was the best thing that could ever happen to me. My wish to save myself for my fated mate meant nothing, and in the end, that dream died in the back seat of a car.

​

A lone tear drips from the corner of my eye, but I wipe it away before Don can see. He might get angry, or worse, he might enjoy it. Both possibilities terrify me.

​

As Luna of the Frostbite Pack, I’m supposed to be powerful, a figure of grace and leadership. It’s almost comical that I’ve technically never been more powerful, yet never felt more powerless.

​

‘’We’re here,’’ Don announces, his voice cutting through my thoughts. ‘’Remember what I told you, Arianell.’’

​

I force myself to swallow past the lump in my throat. ‘’Smile and be quiet,’’ I recite.

​

A cruel grin tugs at the corners of Don's mouth. ‘’Now that’s a good mate.’’

​

I bite back the retort lingering on my tongue. It wouldn’t do me any good. My head throbs at the memory of the last time he taught me a lesson.

​

Don trails his index finger from my forehead down to my neck, brushing aside my hair to reveal his mark. His nose scrunches up in disgust. The mating mark on my throat has begun to fade again. Don’s not my fated mate, and Silver, my wolf, keeps rejecting his mark. Without Silver’s consent, it’ll keep disappearing like a bruise. Each week, Don renews the mark. Each week, his anger toward me grows and the beatings become more brutal. I think he’s even begun to enjoy the pain the forced mark causes me.

​

Instead of renewing the mark, he huffs and storms out of the car. I exhale in relief and follow, my heels sinking into the damp gravel. Straightening my spine, I adjust the flowing fabric of my dress, careful to keep my expression neutral as I trail behind Don.

​

The Alpha Summit is an annual event that rotates between the packs, and the Frostbite Pack has no shortage of enemies here. Eyes follow us as we walk in. We weave through clusters of people, Don nodding curtly at those he deems worthy of acknowledgment. I smile on command, my cheeks aching from the forced expression, and greet the other Lunas who have accompanied their mates.

​

They look so… happy. Their laughter bubbles freely, and their eyes sparkle with contentment. Can they tell my smile is fake? Can they sense the dread that simmers beneath my polished exterior?

​

Don grips my hand. I flinch but quickly mask my pain with an even brighter smile than before. He guides me to the bar, handing me a drink.

​

‘’It’s not necessary,’’ I protest, waving him off. ‘’I’d like something non-alcoholic,’’ I say to the bartender.

​

‘’Drink!’’ Don orders, holding out the champagne flute.

​

This time, I take it. Humiliation courses through my body as I ignore the bartender and obey my mate. Don wouldn’t dare cause a scene in public if I were to refuse, but behind closed doors, the tune could change with the snap of his fingers.

​

It’s not so much the taste of alcohol I find displeasing, but Don's habit of spiking it with wolfsbane. In its raw form, wolfsbane is poison to wolves, but in tiny doses and mixed with herbs, it turns into a drug that leaves wolves high. Many packs have made this practice illegal, but far from all.

​

‘’Drink,’’ Don grumbles again before emptying his own whiskey, promptly receiving a refill afterward.

​

‘’I am,’’ I confirm, forcing a bigger gulp down this time.

​

He leans in, causing me to step back until I hit the bar. ‘’I want you willing tonight.’’

​

‘’Never,’’ Silver snarls in the back of my mind, her rage simmering just beneath the surface.

​

Before I can respond, the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack interrupts, slapping Don on the back with a hearty laugh. Relief floods me as Don redirects his attention, exchanging greetings with the man. I curtsy politely to him and his Luna.

​

‘’Glad to see you could make it, Don,’’ the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack and this year’s host says.

​

‘’Wouldn’t miss it.’’

​

The two alphas walk off, side by side, to a group of other alphas.

​

‘’Men and their pack business, huh?’’ the Luna of the Red Moon Pack says, making a tsk-sound their way while smiling at me.

​

I nod in agreement, though I couldn’t be more thrilled.

​

‘’You must be Arianell,’’ she says, her voice lilting with curiosity. ‘’You know, before sending out the invitations to this year’s Summit, I had no idea Don had mated.’’

​

‘’Our union was... recent,’’ I reply, my voice faltering.

​

‘’Well, congratulations. That’s great news.’’

​

‘’Yeah, it’s... great.’’

​

The Luna’s eyes narrow as if she senses the lie beneath my words. My cheeks flush, and I take another sip of champagne, the bitter liquid and tiny hint of wolfsbane burning my throat. She opens her mouth, but before she can interrogate me further, the crowd around us grows quiet.

​

The door to the gathering hall opens and two of the largest wolves I’ve ever seen stroll in, their presence commanding and electric. The larger of the two is Alpha Lucien of the Shadow Moon Pack. He is said to have been born under a new moon, cursing him with a completely black-furred wolf. Rumors say he goes feral like a rogue if one angers him too much.

​

Don despises him. In truth, he despises anyone tied to the Shadow Moon Pack. Our packs have fought two wars in the past, and the animosity has never fully healed. According to Don, the Shadow Moon Pack wields too much power. The irony makes me want to laugh. If power were bait, Don would swallow the hook without hesitation.

​

As impressive as the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack looks, it’s not him that draws me in. I slide along the bar and lean closer to the Luna of the Red Moon Pack. ‘’Who’s the man next to Alpha Lucien?’’ I ask her in a whisper.

​

‘’That’s Beta Kai. He’s just as vicious as Alpha Lucien, but at least he has a soft spot for any woman with a pulse.’’

​

Her words sting more than they should. I glance at the Beta again, watching as he exchanges a few words with Alpha Lucien before scanning the room. When his gaze lingers in my direction, I duck behind a column.

​

I lower my head, my chin falling to my chest before I sneak another glance at the eta. His dark blond hair catches the light, and his navy coat accentuates the powerful build of his broad shoulders and narrow waist. There’s something magnetic about him, something that makes my pulse quicken against my will.

​

My mouth waters at the sight before dropping open in a soundless gasp when a calm, woody scent with a hint of something spicy teases my nostrils. It's utterly intoxicating. And the scent is coming from the Beta.

​

Silver stirs in my head again, chanting a single word over and over in my mind.

​

Mate.

​

The word sends a jolt through me, and I lower my head. My heart pounds so loudly I’m certain everyone in the room can hear it. This can’t be happening. I’m already mated. It’s not possible to have a second mate, not even when the bond with Don is so painfully wrong. But my wolf’s pull to the Beta is undeniable.

​

The Luna of the Red Moon Pack saunters over to the guests from the Shadow Moon Pack to greet them welcome. Soon, her mate joins her. I inch further back, searching for cover which I find in a forgotten corner.

Is it really possible?

​

Could Beta Kai, the second-in-command of the Shadow Moon Pack, be my fated mate?

 

 

​Chapter Two 

​

KAI

​

The Alpha Summit. Same bullshit, different year. Alphas, Lunas, and the occasional Beta mingle under the guise of camaraderie, but it’s all a farce. The room reeks of deceit and lies. No one is here to make friends. They’re here to size up the competition, spread rumors, and forge alliances that will unravel the moment they leave.

​

The night drags on, each minute clawing toward midnight. Leaning back in my chair, I follow the antique clock on the wall behind the bar like a prisoner counting down their sentence. The drunker these wolves get, the worse they become to listen to. Nothing but empty boasts about pack strength and poorly veiled threats disguised as banter.

​

‘’Do you need me for anything, Lucien?’’ I ask.

​

My best friend and Alpha sits like a king surveying his court, his black suit immaculate, his death stare cutting through the room. The other Alphas know better than to approach us. Fear rolls off them in waves whenever the Shadow Moon Pack is around. They’re right to be afraid. We’re the biggest pack on this side of the country and we have the best warrior academy. Besides, I know what my Alpha is capable of in a fight. I’ve also seen his feral side, the red-eyed beast that surfaces every new moon. It’s not just a myth; it’s real.

​

Lucien grunts, his eyes locking on mine. ‘’Found yourself a willing victim, have you?’’

​

I smirk, glancing at the she-wolf behind the bar. She’s been eyeing me all night. ‘’What can I say? Your Beta is irresistible.’’

​

Lucien doesn’t bother hiding his disdain. ‘’Just don’t shit where you eat, Kai.’’

​

‘’Message received,’’ I reply with a mock salute. Loud and clear. Don’t mess with the wrong she-wolf, especially if she’s tied to an alpha.

​

I push off the wall and make my way to the bar, nudging the Alpha of the Frostbite Pack with a shoulder check that’s just shy of disrespectful. Alpha Don doesn’t even react, too far gone to notice or care. His bloodshot eyes glaze over as he downs whatever toxic cocktail he’s holding. It can’t just be whiskey. No doubt it’s laced with wolfsbane.

​

I’ve never understood why any wolf would willingly poison themselves for a fleeting high. Alpha Don, though, looks like he’s on the edge of passing out, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated. The Frostbite Pack deserves better than this sack of shit leading them.

​

Don mutters to himself as he staggers away, leaving a gap at the bar. Two untouched drinks wait where he stood, beads of condensation sliding down crystal. My eyes flick sideways, and then I see her.

​

A beautiful she-wolf reaching for the champagne flute, her delicate fingers curling around the stem. She slides the whiskey toward me with the kind of easy grace that grabs my attention.

​

The world stills around us as her gray eyes meet mine. They match her silvery hair that falls in loose waves, framing a heart-shaped face so striking it feels like a punch to the gut. And then she smiles. A simple, devastating curve of her lips.

​

‘’Cheers,’’ she says, raising her glass.

​

I grab the whiskey, momentarily speechless, which is something that hasn’t happened to me before. Out of the corner of my eye, the bartender marches off with a huff, but I couldn’t care less. All my focus is on the she-wolf in front of me.

​

Her lips press against the rim of the glass, and she takes a slow sip, her eyes fluttering closed as she swallows. A single drop escapes the corner of her mouth and trickles down her jaw.

​

My wolf, Alaric, stirs in my head, purring in approval. He likes her, which is another strange thing. He usually ignores all my conquests.

​

Before I can stop myself, I wipe the droplet away with my thumb and bring it to my mouth, savoring the taste. The she-wolf's eyes follow my every move, wide with a mix of fascination and shock, her cheeks ablaze.

​

She glances around the room as if checking whether anyone's watching. Once satisfied with what she sees, her expression shifts, confidence settling over her features. ‘’Do you want to get out of here?’’ she asks, her voice low, meant only for me.

​

Despite her hair hanging loose and cascading over her chest, I still see the mate mark on her throat. It’s weird-looking, though. Almost like it’s fake. Like it’s a healing bruise or has been drawn on with makeup. It’s not how a mate mark is supposed to look. I should ask. Another wolf’s mate is a big-ass no-go. It’s immoral, really. Even the thought of it is... bad.

​

But that has always been my biggest problem. I love being bad.

​

‘’Take her,’’ Alaric bellows in my head.

​

I freeze, shocked. He’s never reacted to a she-wolf like this before, never been this demanding, never been this desperate. I lean in, the space between me and the she-wolf crackling with tension. ‘’And where would you like to take me?’’

​

Her smile turns mischievous. ‘’Somewhere quieter. Somewhere less… crowded.’’

​

I should say no. I should stick to the she-wolf behind the bar. But damn, the one in front of me is tempting. Everything about her screams trouble, the kind I’m always willing to chase. My wolf practically howls in my head, urging me to follow her anywhere.

​

Despite downing the whiskey in one go, it’s impossible to miss the wolfsbane in the drink. Yikes. Still, I have no regrets. Gesturing with my arm, I say, ‘’Lead the way.’’

​

The she-wolf doesn’t wait a second. Turning on her heel, she strides toward the exit, her hips swaying in a way that makes my blood boil with desire. I follow. Obediently.

​

The corridor outside the gathering hall is dimly lit, the sounds of the Summit muffled behind closed doors. The she-wolf keeps walking, her heels clicking against the polished floor, until we reach a side door that leads out into the cool night. The scent of pine and earth fills my lungs.

​

The she-wolf twirls around and leans back against the stone wall of the building.

​

‘’I’m Beta Kai of the Shadow Moon Pack,’’ I say, stepping closer until the space between us is nearly vanquished. ‘’What’s your name, sweetheart?’’

​

She nibbles her teeth on her lower lip and her eyes narrow in thought, a wrinkle appearing between her two gray orbs. ‘’Aria,’’ she finally says, holding out a hand for me to shake.

​

I take it. ‘’Nice to meet you, Aria.’’

​

Her name rolls off my tongue like a song I didn’t know I needed to hear, and her scent is like the forest after rain—fresh and untamed.

​

It’s seducing.

​

Alaric agrees.

​

Aria steps up on the tips of her toes and brushes her soft lips against my ear. ‘’I just want to know what it feels like.’’

​

Before I can ask what she means, her mouth captures mine. The world around us fades into obscurity, replaced by the intoxicating sensation of her touch. Aria tastes of sweet nectar and forbidden desire.

​

When she attempts to pull back, I grip her jaw, preventing her retreat. I step forward and press her against the brick wall. Her body curves against mine, every inch of her molding perfectly to my form. No doubt she feels everything I have to offer, every tense muscle and every inch of the hard bulge that strains against the material of my pants.

​

Aria mewls, a soft, desperate sound that goes straight to my core, stoking the fire roaring in my chest.

​

When breathing becomes a problem, I pull back, though it takes every ounce of my self-control. We stare at each other, both panting and faces flushed. Aria’s swollen lips part as if she’s about to speak, but before she can, I grab her hand and lace our fingers together.

​

A surprised shriek escapes her as I pull her away from the packhouse and into the cover of the nearby forest. I have no plan, only a desperate need to have her alone.

​

She stumbles behind me, her heels catching on the uneven ground. I stop abruptly, turning just in time to catch her as she nearly crashes into me. Placing a hand on her waist, I steady her.

​

‘’Stupid shoes,’’ I grumble, dropping to one knee. ‘’Foot,’’ I order.

​

I don’t think I’ve ever sounded so primal in my whole life. Smooth talking is usually my game, but this she-wolf? She has my tongue and stomach tied in knots.

​

When Aria doesn’t respond, I grab the back of her ankle and lift her foot onto my thigh. Her fingers clutch at my shoulders for balance. One by one, I pull off her heels.

​

Before she can protest, I hook my arm behind her knees and lift her effortlessly, throwing her over my shoulder.

​

‘’What are you doing?’’ Aria whisper-shouts, her fists lightly pounding against my back.

​

I grin to myself, the sound of her indignation sparking a twisted satisfaction in me. ‘’Just making sure you don’t hurt yourself before I have my wicked way with you, sweetheart,’’ I reply, my tone teasing but dark with intent.

​

I don’t stop until I find the perfect spot. Soft moss creates a blanket beneath the trees, and the moon filters through the canopy above. It paints Aria’s skin in silver as I set her down on her feet. Shrugging off my military jacket, I lay it on the ground.

​

Her breath hitches as I step closer, and for a moment, we just stand there, caught in the electric current thrumming between us. Her hands find my chest, tracing the lines of muscle beneath my shirt. It feels so damn good, I can’t help but fucking purr.

​

I capture Aria's mouth, but unlike before, this time it’s different—slower, deeper, an exploration rather than an attack. My hands roam, gliding from her waist to her breasts, her body heat radiating through the thin material of her dress.

​

‘’Aria,’’ I murmur against her lips, my voice rough. ‘’This is your last chance.’’

​

‘’Last chance for what?’’ she replies just as affected.

​

‘’Tell me to stop and I will.’’ I pull back and rest my forehead against hers. ‘’Otherwise, I won’t let you go. You're mine... for tonight.’’

​

Her answer comes in the form of her fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer.

​

The world fades until there’s only her. Slowly, Aria lies down, her hair spilling over my jacket like liquid mercury. I don’t waste a second. Hovering above her, I slam my mouth down on hers in a rough and desperate kiss, swallowing her soft gasp. With my body, I pin her beneath me and twist my fingers in her smooth strands, pulling until she arches just enough to expose the delicate curve of her neck.

​

I nip at Aria's pulse point, my teeth skimming over her skin.

​

‘’You have no idea what you do to me,’’ I growl, my voice ragged.

​

Her hands are everywhere—my shoulders, my back, clawing at my dress shirt until a couple of buttons tear off. She yanks the shirt over my head. Her nails rake down my chest, leaving faint red lines that only fuel the lust blazing inside me. The moonlight spills through the treetops, illuminating the hungry look in her eyes.

​

My hands roam down her sides, finding the hem of her dress. I lift it gradually, savoring every inch of her exposed skin. When the dress is finally over Aria's head and tossed aside, I pause to take her in. She’s completely bare beneath, and the sight of her steals the air from my lungs. She’s mine. For tonight.

​

‘’Beautiful,’’ I praise.

​

The flush across Aria’s cheeks deepens. I dip low and trail kisses across her collarbone, tasting her, savoring her. She trembles beneath me, her hands gripping my hair, tugging hard enough to make me groan against her skin.

​

‘’Aria,’’ I rasp, my hands trailing lower, finding the curve of her hips, stopping just shy of her holy grail. I sniff the air. I can smell her arousal. She must be soaking wet. I don’t wait to find out. I promptly glide my fingers through her pussy lips, and as expected and to my pleasure, she is indeed drenched.

​

Aria sucks in a breath like she’s keeping a moan to herself. I won’t let her. I slap her pussy gently, claiming what’s mine.

​

She shrieks.

​

‘’That will teach you never to hold back your moans from me again.’’

​

There’s something about the way her eyes grow wide. It’s not out of fear or pain. Shock, perhaps. But something more wicked lurks in her expression.

​

Lust.

​

My little she-wolf liked it. Seems like I have a sinner on my hands. Fucking perfect. My dick grows harder in my pants, reminding me of its confinement.

​

I slide my fingers through Aria's folds again, enjoying the juices covering my fingers. I lather her clit in her wetness and she moans. I eat it up. Literally. I cover her mouth with mine, stealing every single sound from her.

​

After a while, I tear away. ‘’Say you want me,’’ I demand. I don’t know why the fuck I do it. I’ve never done it before. Women are to be enjoyed, not to be possessed. But Aria? I want to brand her so she never forgets me.

​

‘’Please,’’ she whispers. ‘’I want you, Kai.’’

​

That’s all I need. I shed the rest of my clothes in a blur and return to her, pressing our bodies together, skin against skin. I settle between Aria’s thighs, teasing her entrance, and her body responds to me, arching her back off the ground, her pussy practically inviting me inside. Aria’s gray orbs meet mine, wide and wanton, and I pause.

​

‘’Tell me if it’s too much,’’ I whisper.

​

She wraps her legs around me, planting the heels of her feet into my lower back. ‘’I don’t want gentle.’’

​

Her words are a spark to dry tinder, and I thrust into her in one smooth motion, burying myself to the hilt. She cries out and claws at my shoulders. I hold still, letting her adjust, though it takes everything in me not to move.

​

When Aria finally rocks her hips against me, urging me without words to move, I obey, my thrusts hard and unrelenting. Each thrust is an unspoken claim, a primal declaration that she’s mine. For tonight. Only for tonight. Her soft moans and pants drive me wild. I bury my face in the crook of her neck and suck on her faint mate mark.

​

Aria’s nails bite into my back as she shatters beneath me, her body trembling with her release. The sight of her coming undone, lips parted and eyes hazy with pleasure, pushes me over the edge. A guttural growl tears from my throat as I spill my seeds into her.

​

For a moment, we stay rooted in place, tangled together, our breathing harsh and uneven. After we’ve come down from our climax, I shift us so Aria is curled against my chest, her body soft and warm in my arms.

​

The forest is quiet now, the moonlight casting silvery shadows around us. I should be freaking out. I slept with a she-wolf without protection. Rookie fucking mistake. Not to mention, Aria is already mated to someone else, or at least she has been recently. I should have used my head instead of my dick and asked if her weird-looking mate mark is from rejection. I don’t need her turning into some clingy she-wolf who thinks I’m offering her a happily ever after.

​

And yet, instead of freaking out, I press a kiss to Aria’s forehead before we both drift off to sleep.

​

​

​Chapter Three

​

KAI

​

I wake to the scent of damp soil and crushed leaves still clinging to my skin, but the warmth of the body that was there when I fell asleep is no longer present.

​

Aria’s gone.

​

The thought irritates me more than it should. I wanted another round before the sun came up. My wolf, Alaric, grumbles in agreement, but I push him back.

​

With a reluctant sigh, I get up and pull my clothes back on. The Summit is over, and it’s time to leave. No doubt Lucien is already fuming, wondering where I’ve been.

​

The whiskey from last night still burns faintly in my throat as I swallow. I don’t usually indulge in spiked drinks because they dull the senses, and in our world, that can be fatal. But last night was different. Aria and the atmosphere were a temptation I couldn’t resist.

​

As I stroll through the forest, morning dew wets my boots. I shake off the memory of Aria’s soft moans and the way her body had arched under mine. I scold myself. No more thinking about a random, unimportant she-wolf.

​

Back at the packhouse, Lucien is standing in the doorway that leads from the hallway and into the celebration hall, black clothes matching his black eyes.

​

‘’Where the fuck have you been?’’ he snaps. ‘’We leave in ten,’’ he says, not waiting for me to answer his question.

​

I shrug nonchalantly. ‘’Sure. No problem, Alpha.’’

​

Lucien narrows his eyes. ‘’What have you done?’’

​

‘’I don’t know what you mean.’’

​

‘’Cut the bullshit, Kai. You look like a pup who has been caught with his dirty paws in the cookie jar. Up to no good, I’m sure.’’

​

I smirk. ‘’Let’s just say I made the most of the Summit.’’

​

Lucien rolls his eyes. ‘’What poor she-wolf did you torment this time?’’

​

‘’Not torment, Lucien. Charm and seduce and pleasure. Something you ought to try once in a while.’’ I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms. Then I uncross them when a vision appears across the room. ‘’It’s her,’’ I tell Lucien.

​

He turns around. ‘’Who?’’

​

‘’My she-wolf from last night.’’

​

‘’The redhead behind the bar?’’

​

‘’No, the one in the white summer dress, silvery-colored hair, gray eyes, and lips that know how to moan sin.’’

Lucien freezes, his jaw tightening. ‘’Please tell me this is a sick joke, Kai.’’

​

‘’No joke. Why?’’

​

Lucien points his thumb over his shoulder, his voice low and dangerous. ‘’You mean the woman with the glass of water in her hand?’’

​

‘’Yeah. Why?’’

​

Lucien grabs my arm, dragging me to the side where no one can overhear us. ‘’That’s Aria.’’

​

‘’You know her?’’

​

‘’Arianell is the Luna of the Frostbite Pack.’’

​

My smile drops. ‘’You've gotta be kidding me?’’

​

Lucien’s glare sharpens, his tone colder than the dawn air. ‘’Please tell me you didn’t sleep with her. Tell me you didn’t fuck the Luna of the Frostbite Pack, Kai.’’

​

I hesitate. ‘’I could tell you that… but we both know I’d be lying. In my defense, she didn’t tell me.’’

​

‘’Did you bother to ask?’’

​

I rub the back of my neck. ‘’We did talk, but then...’’

​

‘’Then what?’’

​

‘’Our mouths got occupied doing something else.’’

​

Lucien looks ready to kill me. ‘’Kai, if Alpha Don finds out you slept with his Luna, that’s enough to start another war between our packs. You know how trigger-happy that bastard is.’’

​

‘’Her mate mark was faint,’’ I argue. ‘’It looked weird. Like she had been rejected. Besides, what does she want with that loser anyway?’’

​

Lucien shakes his head. ‘’This isn’t a joke, Kai. Fix it. Now!’’

​

‘’Consider it done. I’ll take care of it, Alpha.’’

​

I stalk toward the she-wolf that has me in this pickle. My wolf perks up the moment I catch her scent.

​

‘’Aria,’’ I call out.

​

She stiffens and starts to turn, but I’m already there, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into a secluded alcove.

​

‘’You didn’t tell me who you were,’’ I hiss, pinning her with a glare.

​

Her eyes widen and her pupils dilate with fear. ‘’I didn’t think it mattered.’’

​

‘’Didn’t matter?’’ My voice rises, but I keep it low enough not to draw attention. ‘’You’re the Luna of the Frostbite Pack, the mate of my pack’s biggest enemy, and you didn’t think to mention it?’’

Her lips part, but no words come out.

​

‘’I thought, with your mate mark so faint, you’d been rejected,’’ I continue, my hand moving to her throat. My fingers graze the faint brand, and a wave of anger surges through me.

​

As Aria's scent surrounds me, intoxicating and maddening. Alaric moans in my head, his usual indifference replaced with something I can’t quite put into words. It’s not just lust; it’s possessiveness. He’s never cared about anyone I’ve been with before, so why now and why her? Why Don’s fucking mate of all she-wolves?

‘’I—‘’ Aria starts, but her voice falters.

​

‘’It doesn’t matter,’’ I snap, cutting her off. ‘’Don’t you dare tell Don about us. If he finds out about what happened last night, about who I am, it’ll mean war between our packs,’’ I pause when another more nausea-provoking thought strikes me. I wrap my fingers around her delicate throat. ‘’Or was this Don’s idea, huh? Sending a whore to bed me to start a war?’’

​

Aria flinches as though I’ve hit her. ‘’I’m not a… whore. And Don doesn’t know anything,’’ she stutters. ‘’All that happened between us, I did so freely and willingly.’’

​

Her steely gaze surprises me. I find myself believing her, but it wouldn’t be the first time Don has used dirty tactics to fuck with the Shadow Moon Pack.

​

‘’If I find out you've mentioned my name to your ma... to Don, I will—’’

​

‘’I won’t,’’ she says, her gray eyes shimmering with unshed tears. ‘’I’m sorry.’’

​

Her apology only irritates me further. What is she sorry for? Is she regretting last night? Or sorry that she’s planning to rat me out?

​

‘’Not a word to anyone,’’ I seethe, tightening my grip around her petite throat just enough to make her gasp. ‘’Understood?’’

​

Her gaze drops to the ground. ‘’I promise.’’

​

Aria’s submission grates on my nerves. The sight should please me, so why the fuck does it do the opposite? I release her and step back, dragging a hand through my hair in a futile attempt to calm myself.

​

For a moment, we just stand there, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. I lean in without thinking, brushing my lips against the delicate curve of Aria's neck, just above her mate mark. Her rich scent wraps around me, sweet and earthy. Alaric purrs in my head, equally drawn to her as I am.

What the hell am I doing?

​

It must be the thrill of potentially getting caught.

​

I bite down on Aria’s neck, not hard enough to be an official claim of any kind, just enough to leave a faint outline of my teeth. Her skin flushes beneath my lips, the mark fading into something that could pass for a hickey.

​

What the fuck is wrong with me!

Aria moans.

​

Her reaction stirs something primal in me I’ve never felt for any other she-wolf before. I shouldn’t feel this way. I shouldn’t want this. And yet, I can’t resist.

​

I pull back abruptly, staring at Aria with a mixture of anger and disbelief. If Lucien saw this, he’d probably rip my head off. But if Don found out, it’d mean war.

​

‘’Stay out of my way, Aria,’’ I warn, my voice colder than intended. I point my index finger at her face. ‘’Remember what I said. Not a fucking word to anyone.’’

​

I don’t wait for a response. I storm off, her scent still clinging to my skin, teasing me like a drug I didn’t ask to be addicted to.

​

This was supposed to be simple—one night, no strings, no consequences. Instead, it feels like I’ve just tied myself to a ticking time bomb, and the countdown has already begun.