Aliana
“Thank you for releasing me from the bedroom,” I said, ensuring every bit of scathing sarcasm made it into my overly enunciated words.
“You see? We can be perfectly in sync together,” he said, patting my hand. The one he had yet to release.
How is he the King of all Alphas? I asked Zira.
It isn’t a democracy, Zira snarked.
True.
At the centre of the compound, stalls had been set up that hadn’t been there when I was transported to and from the cells. A crowd had gathered around them.
“It’s our market. Members grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs. When there’s an excess, they come here to sell it,” he said, guiding me towards the stalls.
Whispers began, and I caught snippets.
Alpha King. Luna. Thieving father. Mating ceremony.
Women sent him heated looks, but when I glanced at Sorin, he was busy feeling up apples. I glared at the three of them before dragging a finger across my throat. Their reaction was so amusing that I stabbed two fingers towards my own eyes before turning the motion back on them.
I chortled when their eyes widened and they turned to flee.
It wasn’t until I realised most of the people around us looked about ready to wet themselves that I turned—and found Sorin glowering at everyone.
? ? ?
He cupped my cheeks and lowered his head to kiss my forehead. I saw the regret in him, but determination followed and wiped it all away. The Alpha King didn’t have it in him to apologise for what he was about to do.
You could tell him what you really think, Zira drawled.
Shush. I enjoy tormenting this man.
“I’ll be up later,” he murmured, pushing me back.
I gasped and clutched my chest as if I’d taken a physical blow. He rushed back into the room to inspect me.
You’re so evil, Zira chuckled.
“Just go, Sorin,” I whispered, staring morosely at the floor.
He hesitated, turned, and shut the door behind him. The lock clicked, and his footsteps faded down the hallway.
I was desperate for a nap. I hadn’t walked that much in a very long time. His confinement was a reprieve. I didn’t need to see, talk to, or acknowledge anyone.
You made him feel bad for no reason, Zira said.
I yawned and stretched before kicking off my shoes. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows and across the bed. It took me seconds to settle and even less time to drift off.
? ? ?
There was a strange sensation in me when I woke to his scent all around.
It took a few moments to name it: contentment, threaded with sorrow.
For all his faults, Sorin was a good pack leader, and he had the potential to be a good mate.
Waking to his scent made me happy. Finding the room empty dampened it.
Then there was my mother.
My father had funded his mistress and her child, but not his own mate’s medical care. He was not a man of honour.
Which brought me back to Sorin the Terrible.
He was terrible, arrogant, and a complete and utter whorebag with a body count that would take decades for psychologists to study.
His mouth and his actions were at war with each other.
But every time he was with me, I had his undivided attention. And I could see tenderness in his eyes. In his wolf’s eyes.
Zira sighed. He is so big and sexy. I want to take a bite of that black furry ass.
I slapped a hand over my face and dragged it down with a moan. But I knew how she felt. Sometimes, when I saw the snake curled around Sorin’s neck, I wanted to sink my teeth into it. The negative space on his body was reserved for his mate—me.
Us, Zira corrected.
I’d kept men at bay all my life. And I was tempted.
But the size difference. It would be like threading a banana through a needlepoint.
The lock turned, and I was about to feign sleep when I saw Ember.
I sat up with a smile. She looked wary.
It was time to get her to fill me in on the gossip.
? ? ?
Since Ember had left me his schedule, I knew he had a security run for suspected rogues in the area. The lawless often snatched women and pups from packs, or ransacked properties for valuables. They attacked in groups, and where there weren’t fatalities, there were casualties.
“Did Ember help you put all your shopping away?” Sorin asked when I didn’t look at him.
With great status came a greater wardrobe. Sorin owned an enormous collection of clothing for every aspect of his position. He’d got carried away, and I’d gone from three dresses to a wardrobe that gave me anxiety just looking at it.
“Yes,” I said, staring at the ceiling.
Ember had told me all about the Crescent Blood Moon pack and their involvement in Sorin’s parents’ demise. I rolled to my side, only to be confronted by Sorin’s bare chest. He moved closer until he lay beside me, cradling me against him.
“I will agree to the mating ceremony if you agree to my prenuptial agreement,” I murmured.
He stilled. Then he gripped my chin, raising my head until our eyes met.
“What are your terms?”
He was either offended or suspicious, but this was for my protection.
“If you willingly break the sanctity of our bond with another woman, you relinquish all claim to me and to any children born of our union. You will never seek custody, contact, or reconciliation.”
He remained silent as he mulled over my words.
“Is that all?”
I nodded, and he relaxed.
“Done. I’ll have my lawyer draw up the papers.”
“You would agree to my terms?”
“If I desecrated our bond, I wouldn’t deserve you or our pups. That will never happen.”
He sounded so sincere. But I needed it signed, sealed and notarised.
He had one day left to deliver.