It felt as if all of the air had been sucked out of the room. I’d never seen him before, but I didn’t need an introduction. I knew who he was. From the light scar at the corner of his brow and the green of his eyes, I knew instantly who he was. The man that had just entered the Meeting Hall was Ethan of the Crimson pack. His broad shoulders, muscular chest, brown tousled hair and piercing green eyes made it clear. My future King had arrived. Seeing him, I knew why we were called to the Meeting Hall. We were here to welcome Alpha Ethan.
He towered over his men by at least two feet. He wore a white dress shirt that hung loosely. His shirt did little to hide the muscles beneath it. He was tall, his long legs gave an impressive stance. He paired his ensemble with black shiny boots.
Ethan was mouthwatering and I knew every woman who sat in this hall today would agree. Just glancing around, I saw the jealous glares shoot all across the room. I knew any one of them would happily volunteer to spend the night in his bedchamber. If I hadn’t been forced by my father into giving him my hand, I would have admitted that it wouldn’t be so bad having him for a mate.
However, that wasn’t the case. I knew he wasn’t my mate. The Goddess wouldn’t have been cruel enough to force my own mate on me. She got to choose my mate, not Alpha Eduard. Ethan hadn’t seen me yet, and I had a few more moments to steal glances. His nose was sharp and his lips full.
Are you kind?
Are you cruel?
What kind of Alpha are you?
What kind of a man are you?
What do you get out of being here?
What do you get out of this betrothal?
He scanned the room, seeking out a target. His eyes stopped when he found me. His Beta and Gamma were on his heel as he confidently strode down the aisle where I was seated at the front. There was something in the way he regarded me that reminded me of the way my father looked at his women. I suppressed the urge to cower into my seat and dispelled the shiver that had already begun to run up my spine.
Ethan came to a stop before the elevated stage where we sat. His eyes never left me as he lifted a foot and stepped onto the platform. I held his eyes as he rose onto the stage. My heart was racing and my ears were pounding as he stood in front of me. I tried not to crane my neck to look up at him. He stared down at me hungrily as I made sure I kept my expression neutral. I would not let him see that I was bothered. I would not be swayed by his handsome looks.
“Greetings to Alpha Eduard of the Clear Mountain pack.”
Ethan didn’t look away from me as he spoke to my father. He kept me in his sights, never blinking. I felt naked, as if he’d undressed me with his eyes. He stared through me and I felt seen, but not in a good way. I felt exposed, if I weren’t careful he would find every fear I had and use it to control me if I didn’t obey him. His frame was intimidating and cast a shadow over me. My mouth went dry and fear pricked the corners of my mind.
“Greetings Alpha Ethan. Welcome to my home. Thank you for taking such a long journey. This is my daughter, Adealine Biscoff. Does she please you?” Father asked.
Ethan’s eyes swept over my face and trailed down over my chest and waist. A smile spread across his face as he turned to my father.
“I am extremely pleased,” Ethan said. “Your daughter is as beautiful as the rumors say.”
“Does she fit your expectations?” Father asked. Ethan mulled the question for a few seconds.
“She has birthing hips, I have no qualms of her giving me an heir,” Ethan answered.
My stomach churned and I tasted something bitter. My gaze jumped to the back of the room and locked on Shane. If looks could kill, Ethan and everyone else in this room would be on the ground. His obsidian eyes threw daggers into Ethan’s back.
My father and Ethan were talking about me like cattle. I was used to my father treating me like one, but to do it to my face in front of others, lit a fire low in my belly. Recognition flashed in Ethan’s eyes as he saw my anger. I clench my jaw and fail to hide the anger from my eyes. I set him with a look telling him exactly what I think about his words. I want nothing more than to stand to my feet and slap him across the face.
“Come,” Father calls, gesturing to the seat at his side. “Have a seat.”
Ethan ignores him. This man is dangerous, extremely dangerous. He’s at least six years older than me. The only thing I knew about him other than the fact that he was my intended, was that he had taken over his pack at a young age.
He offers me his hand and I stare at it. It’s the last thing I want to touch. I don’t want to accept him or anything from him for that matter. My father’s words echo through my mind, and I know that this will be my defining moment. My words, my actions will have repercussions. Whatever I do right now, will come back to haunt me. Taking a deep breath, I steel my resolve, and push off the armrests.
I have no other choice.
“Good afternoon, Alpha,” I greet.
I take his outstretched hand and his fingers wrap around mine. His touch felt wrong-clammy, his grip too tight, and I fought the urge to pull my hand away. His eyes darken and a chilling smile takes the corners of his lips. It felt as if he was testing me, and by biting my tongue, and playing nice, I’d passed. The urge to scream and slap him grew stronger as he pulled my hand up to his lips. It took everything I had not to pull my hand away as his lips pressed against it. His tongue darts out and licks my flesh. My body freezes but I keep the shock and disgust from my features as I stare at him.
“I finally get to meet the ever-elusive daughter of the Clear Mountain pack,” Ethan purred as he stared into my soul. He straightens his back, and I do my best to keep a neutral smile on my lips. His arrogance is still firmly in place on his face.
“Charmed,” I lied.