Chapter 13 Pretty Little Games
~Sage~
I barely slept after Keith left me in my room. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his hands on my skin, his mouth against mine. The ache between my legs had dulled to a persistent throb, but it was still there.
I think we might be mates…
I could still hear his voice saying that to me. How possible was that? I'm his father's bride, so how could I be the mate of my husband's son?
The moon goddess must be having a blast up there, looking down at the confusion that I was facing.
Could the mate bond between the reason why I couldn't seem to stop thinking about him? Is it the reason why I feel this insatiable immoral hunger whenever I see him or hear his voice?
A sigh escaped my lips as I turned over on my back. If only my wolf isn't taking her sweet time to come.
Maybe I could go the easier way…let him bite me and taste my blood.
But the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that Keith is truly my fated mate.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. 6 AM.
Breakfast in the main dining hall at 7. Don't be late. -King Damon.
Great. Just what I needed. A meal with my alpha king husband while my body still hummed from almost sleeping with his son.
I dragged myself to the shower, letting cold water shock some sense back into me. The fancy bathroom had every modern luxury – rainfall showerhead, heated floors, a mirror that showed the weather forecast. Rich werewolves apparently lived just like rich humans, only with better healing abilities.
I picked the most conservative outfit I could find in the closet they'd filled for me. Black jeans, a cream sweater. Nothing that screamed 'I dry humped your son last night and begged him to fuck me.'
The dining hall was mostly empty when I arrived. It was just King Damon at the head of a ridiculously long table, scrolling through a tablet while he ate.
"Sage." He didn't look up. "Sit."
I took the chair he indicated, three seats down from him. Close enough to talk, far enough that he couldn't randomly grab me.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, finally meeting my eyes.
"Fine."
"The guards said you weren't in your room last night when they did their rounds."
My heart stopped. "I went for a walk. Couldn't sleep."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
He studied me for a long moment, then went back to his tablet. "I've decided that we'll have a welcome ceremony for you in three days. The marking ceremony will be done a week after. The pack needs time to prepare."
That gives me more time to prepare for an excuse or exit or whatever I can use as a getaway from this ridiculous bonding.
"I've arranged for Natalie to show you around today," he continued. "She's one of our top warriors. You should get familiar with the palace grounds."
Before I could respond, the dining hall doors burst open. A girl strutted in like she owned the place. No, not a girl – a woman. Probably my age but carrying herself with the confidence of someone much older.
She was stunning. Long red hair that fell in perfect waves, legs for days in designer jeans, and a smile that probably stopped traffic. She looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine, if magazines featured werewolf warriors.
"Alpha King," she purred, bowing slightly. Then her green eyes landed on me. "You must be Sage."
"Natalie," King Damon said. "Right on time."
She slid into the seat next to mine, her perfume overwhelming. Something expensive and French.
"I'm so excited to spend the day with you," she said, but her tone suggested the opposite. "Keith and I usually train together in the mornings, but he asked me to babysit you instead."
Babysit. Nice.
"Speaking of Keith," the King said, and I noticed Natalie immediately perked up. "Where is my son?"
"He's in the gym. Been there since 4 AM apparently." She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "He gets so intense when he's working out. All sweaty and focused."
I stabbed my eggs harder than necessary.
"Well," the King stood. "I'll leave you ladies to get acquainted."
The second he left, Natalie's fake smile dropped.
"So. You're the newest bride."
"Last I checked."
She laughed, but it wasn't friendly. "God, this is hilarious. I hear you're still untouched? A virgin? The King actually thinks he can mate with you. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
"Enlighten me."
She leaned back, assessing me. "You know what happens during a marking? He'll bite you. Right here." She touched the spot where my neck met my shoulder. "His teeth will tear through skin and muscle. The pain is... indescribable. Most wolfless people don't survive it."
My stomach churned, but I kept my face neutral. "The King seems confident I will."
"You realize you're the sixth bride he has taken since the death of his late queen." She examined her perfect manicure. "His other brides before you wake up with bruises all over their bodies."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Consider it a friendly warning." She stood, stretching like a cat. "Come on. Let me show you around your new prison."
We started with the east wing. Natalie pointed out rooms with the enthusiasm of someone reading a grocery list. Library. Music room. Another dining hall.
"This is Keith's wing," she said as we entered a hallway with dark wood floors. She seemed to brighten. "I spend a lot of time here."
"I bet you do."
She smirked. "Jealous already? You haven't even been marked yet."
"Why would I be jealous?"
"Oh, honey." She stopped at a door and knocked. "You'll see."
"Come in," Keith's voice called.
She pushed open the door to reveal a state-of-the-art home gym. Keith was doing pull-ups, shirtless, his back muscles rippling with each movement. He dropped to the floor when he saw us, grabbing a towel.
"Natalie. What are you doing here?"
"Giving Sage the tour, as requested." She practically skipped over to him, running a hand along his arm. "You're tense. We should spar later, work out some of that... tension."
His eyes found mine over her head. Something flashed in them – annoyance? Apology?
"Maybe later," he said, stepping away from her touch.
"You two know each other well?" I asked, proud of how casual I sounded.
"Oh yes," Natalie answered for him. "Keith and I have been... close for years. Haven't we?"
Keith's jaw tightened. "We grew up together."
"Is that what we're calling it?" She laughed, that tinkling sound again. "Remember that time in the lake? During the full moon gathering? You were so—"
"Natalie." His voice carried a warning.
She pouted. Actually pouted. "Fine. Keep your secrets." She turned to me. "Keith's always been the mysterious type. It's part of his charm."
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. I glanced at it.
"Everything okay?" Natalie asked, trying to see my screen.
"Just checking the time. Should we continue the tour?"
"Actually," Keith said, pulling on a shirt. "I'll take over from here. Father wanted you to check the perimeter, Nat. Something about rogues spotted near the border."
Her face fell. "But—"
"Alpha's orders."
She glared at me like this was somehow my fault, then stormed out, making sure to brush against Keith as she passed.
The door closed and we were alone. The air immediately felt charged.
"Your girlfriend seems nice," I said.
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Could've fooled me."
He moved closer, and I caught his scent – sweat and soap and something uniquely him. My body responded instantly, that ache flaring back to life.
"Sage—"
"Don't." I stepped back. "Just don't. I can't think when you're that close."
"The heat's getting worse? It's been almost a day. Do you still feel urges that much?"
"It's manageable."
"Liar." He moved closer again, backing me against the wall. "I can smell how much you "Before I could answer, we heard footsteps in the hall. Keith immediately stepped back, grabbing weights off a rack.
The door opened. King Damon stood there, looking between us with calculating eyes.
"Son. Sage. How's the tour going?"
"Educational," I said.
"Good." His smile was all teeth. "Oh, Sage. I've moved the welcome ceremony to tomorrow night. The pack is eager to celebrate."
"That's... soon."
"No point waiting. I have to introduce her as my bride as soon as possible. She has to get started on pack issues."
Keith's knuckles went white around the weights. "Of course."
"Excellent. Carry on."
He left, and Keith immediately turned to me. “It's dangerous.”
I frowned, not sure I understood what he was trying to say.
“There's nothing dangerous about a party, Keith.”
He exhaled in frustration and held my shoulders, speaking as if he was talking to a baby.
“You're still on heat, Sage. Your andro-attractant will attract all the male, unmated wolves in attendance. It'll be a disaster."
I hadn't thought about that. The alpha king couldn't perceive the attractant because he wasn't my fated mate, neither was he unmated. But if other male werewolves perceive it on the day of my welcome ceremony…
“What should I do?” I gasped, realising the severity of the situation. “It's not like I can stop it.”
Keith looked like he was battling within himself. His eyes kept on changing shades as he gazed at me. Then he took my hand and brought it to his lips.
“I'll help you. Meet me at the garden by midnight.”