Two

The dress was choking me, just like my fear was. Closing in on me, suffocating me. Being around this many Lycans at once was beyond intimidating. If I spilled my champagne on this race, they would have my head on a stick, waving it in front of my weeping mother's grave. "You should've worn something more flexible." Mikhail reprimanded. "It's your own damn fault." I scowled at him. "You're the one who told me to dress nice," "Dress nice meant dress like a hooker to you then?" he mumbled, lowering his tone as a Lycan passed by to enter the doors of the hall in front of us. I ignored him, focusing on the slew of Lycans. "By the Moon Goddess, they look like marble statues!" I hissed, locking eyes with my brother. "You have got to joking. We can't have these people going at the rogues with our fighters. What if they mistake our fighters for rogues? The pack won't feel safe, damn it!" "Then make them." he growled. "That is your job as Luna. Make them feel safe." I met his hard gaze. "Don't you dare try to use the Alpha tone on me, Mikhail. Now control yourself before we enter the hall." He wasn't the only one who needed controlling. I myself was on the brink of insanity. Lycans were cold blooded killers, especially him. Stark Xerxes. His name sent shivers down my spine, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Known to be calculating and cruel, he was declared Alpha of the Lycans- the best of the best. "We'll be fine." I muttered to myself, entering the hall filled with a race that could kill us with a flick of their wrist. It was bright. Extremely bright. Crystal chandeliers decorated the ceiling, bringing elegance to the ethereal Lycans that flecked the room. "Why exactly did we have to dress up again?" I muttered, seeing all the Lycans in Armani suits. "Because I paired the meeting to go after a Lycan's birthday." Anger rose in me. "A Lycan's birthday? I'm not here to party with my potential killer, okay? We are here to get these egotistical hounds to help us. And until that meeting occurs, I am not staying here any longer!" I whispered fiercely, catching my breath. An alarmed look flashed across Mikhail's face. "Panic attacks are not in our best interests right now, Katya." "I just need a breather." I gasped. "Their scents are making me queasy." Walking back out of the golden hall and into the night made be feel extremely comfortable. With the moonlight covering me, I felt as if I was protected by the Moon Goddess herself. Seeing as the party was going to take quite a while being as it just started, I trekked into the near by woods behind the hall, following the patches of moonlight as my path. The tree's branches seem to curl with another's, creating a gorgeous overhang. I reached up on my toes, grabbing one of the branches closest to me. I plucked a leaf, inspecting the dark green color carefully as I walked around in a circle. My body locked up when I heard the birds become silent. I wasn't alone. I lifted my head from the leaf, looking side to side from the corner of my eyes. A shadow on my left. I spun, bringing my leg up sharply only to have my ankle being held a centimeter from a rough jawline. Steel gray eyes lowered to mine. "Rotate your hips more." he muttered. It was Stark Xerxes. I was about to kick a Lycan in the face. If he didn't catch me ankle... my organs would be hanging from the trees. "Sorry," I dropped my leg, taking a deep breath to calm myself. But instead it made it worse. My pupils dilated as I took in a woodsy scent that yelled masculinity. No, oh no. "Mate?" I stepped back in horror. His eyes hardened. "Why am I not surprised...Who's pack are you from?" "I'm the Luna of the Silver Moon pack down south." The words tumbled out of my mouth. Lycans didn't have Alpha voices- and they didn't need to. Whatever a Lycan said, you went with it. He rubbed his jaw, "Luna?" "My brother runs the pack. He hasn't found his mate yet." Stark gave me a weary look. "Don't get any ideas. I'm not your mate." I felt my stomach drop. I laughed humorlessly. "Why am I not surprised?" I mocked. "Come." he held out his hand for me to hold. "I'm assuming your brother would want you back by now." As much as I tried not to, I found myself placing my hand in his own. My gut wrenched and the scenery blurred until we were at the entrance of the hall. "How did you-" I didn't need to finish. Speed is something Lycans were gifted with. Speed that rivals light itself. "Go." He held open the door for me, something I was surprised that he would do seeing as he was the superior race. I narrowed my eyes at his tall and broad, tanned build. Figuring him out in one glance wasn't something I could do unlike with most people. He had an air of mystery and obvious danger. Whispers surrounded us as we entered together. I drowned them out with my link to Mikhail. I found my mate. I don't want him. Your mate? Where are you? And what do you mean? Entrance. You'll see. And boy did he see. His eyes widened as he took in the lean mean killing machine that stood beside me. Please tell me you're joking. I'm afraid not. Stark scoured the party with hawk eyes, landing on my brother. He moved swiftly, I had to powerwalk to match his easy stride. "You are Alpha Mikhail, I presume." his voice had changed into a baritone business pitch. "Correct. Are you aware of my situation?" "I've heard rumors floating about. I'm willing to help." Mikhail seemed startled. "Um, that's great." "With a price, of course." See what I mean? We can't risk it! He ignored my warning signs. "And what would that be?" He asked cautiously. Stark's silvery eyes slid to mine. "She comes back with me. To Ireland." "Ireland?" I cried out. "You must be insane!" "Do not argue with me," he muttered, his gaze cold. "I'm not in the mood." "Well boo hoo you, get your damn panties out of a twist and name a reasonable price." "That is a reasonable price, seeing as you are my mate." "I am not yours," I snarled, stepping away from him. "Just as you are not mine. You made that very clear." Stark sighed. "You may not, but our wolves are fated by the Moon Goddess. It is against my belief to reject you." Lycans were superior for a reason, believed to be descendants of the first werewolf to exist. The Moon Goddess had blessed them with gifts that normal werewolves such as myself couldn't do anything but dream of having, thus they respected the Moon Goddess above all else. "It's not against mine." I stated boldly. Stark's eyes widened. "I reject you, Stark Xer-" It was like flying. One moment I was on my own two feet, the next I was in his arms, his mouth over mine, swallowing the words that would leave us mateless. I gasped as his large bear paws cupped my butt, pulling me closer to him so our hips were touching. Stark took advantage of the opening and slipped his tongue past my lips, tangling with my own. He parted from me, leaving my body shaking in tremors. "Don't do that ever again." I whispered quietly as the silent eyes on us grew. "Do not provoke me, then." he replied stiffly, turning to my brother. "Do we have a deal? My blood brothers and I will see to protecting your pack, but once the threat is diminished, she comes with me to Ireland." Do what is best for the pack. I reminded myself. I lifted my eyes to Mikhail, giving a slow nod. "Very well." he answered. "It is done, then?" The hall held its breath as my brother gripped my mate's forearm. "It is done." They shook once before Stark's arm fell to his side, sedated. I scowled when his silver gaze locked on my back. "What?" I muttered. "What is your name?" his voice was a degree softer, as well as his face. Like, from granite to marble softer. I blinked at his tensed appearance. "Katya. My name is Katya Michaelis." He hummed his approval before vanishing. I released a stressed breath that I never knew I was holding. I survived the meeting with Lycans. ~ "How are they?" "The twins will be fine. They just need lots of rest." I replied as Erika and Ballard, our best fighters and the twins' parents, entered the hospice room. "Oh, my babies." Erika cried out, sitting in the chair that I rose from. "Is the bastard who did this gone?" Ballard asked stiffly. I placed my hand on his shoulder, squeezing once. "I took care of him." I looked back on the two boys. "They were very brave. Especially Ryker. He shifted the moment the rogue appeared and landed a good bite on hind leg. Without that, I might've not been able to take him down." I said truthfully. "And what of my Rosemarie? Was she unscathed through this?" Erika hiccuped. "She is fine. I had Marie rush to lock herself in the pantry." "Thank goodness." Ballard breathed, sitting down beside Ryland. I left the room, surprised to run into a hard chest. My senses went on high alert, higher than the danger level for rogues. Lycan. "Sorry," I mumbled, stepping to the side so that they could pass. There were three of them, all built similarly, like swimmers with broad shoulders. "Not a problem, Luna Katya." I was shocked to be addressed that way by a Lycan. Then again, perhaps it was just because I was Stark's mate. His unwanted mate. "Could you show us to where we will be staying?" The one in the front gave me a gentle smile. Gentle? These people will tear you apart if you make one wrong move, Katya. "Of course." I spun on my heel, walking briskly out of the hospice to the lining of the woods. "Your cabins will be in these woods. They surround our packs, and we have threats coming from the north, south, east and west. Pick your post. Goodbye." I gave them a curt nod, and made my way to the car, but not before the black haired one that asked for directions grabbed my arm. "My name is Alric." his eyes twinkled with amusement over my startled appearance. "This is Draver and Jazz." Jazz was the blond one, Draver the black haired one. They all had the same eye color- all Lycans did. A burning pure silver. Another gift from the Moon Goddess. "I'm Katya." I mumbled. They already know your name, stupid. This counts as formally introducing myself, right? "Katya, eh? Isn't that Russ-" "Alric, step away from my mate." there was no tone of possessiveness, nor anger. Just a flat out command that had even me stepping back as Stark walked to us from within the woods. He gave no sign of acknowledgement to me, instead he talked with the other Lycans. "Draver, you take the south. Alric will take the west. Jazz you will cover the north and the east until Castor arrives." My brows knit in confusion. How would he be able to cover that much land? Surely he was joking. Besides, there were four of them, one for each direction. "And you?" I spoke up. "Where will your post reside?" Stark looked at me with a weary gaze. "Apparently Mikhail tasked me with the privilege of protecting you."