Before I could speak, Zephyr continued. "I never desired a wife,"
His green eyes held mine, burning into them like embers. "But my pack…"
"Yes," I cut in angrily. "So I've been told. Your pack demanded it, and you listened." My words were brusque.
Zephyr tilted his head. "I don't think you understand wolf politics," he said calmly. "As Alpha, I lead, but leadership is not just about ruling with an iron fist. A pack thrives on trust, on unity. When my people speak with one voice, I must consider their will… especially when it is a constant, collective demand."
"So if they collectively demand you cut off your finger, would you do it, then?" I fired back.
He frowned. "Watch your tone."
I tried so much to keep my anger and frustration at bay, but couldn't.
"You tore me away from my family just to satisfy your people, sacrificing my freedom and happiness to appease them." I continued, inching forward. "What kind of leader… what kind of Alpha does that? A true Alpha should be strong enough to say no. To deny his people"
Zephyr leaned against a wall, arms crossed. "Your parents gave you away. They could have refused the money, but they didn't. Your anger is misplaced. If you seek someone to blame, look to them, not me."
My hands balled into fists. "You preyed on their weaknesses!" I exclaimed. "You knew our situation… that we were poor, that they were desperate. You knew they would take the offer!" My voice shook with a torrent of emotions, but mostly sadness. Sadness that he was right.
My parents could've refused the money. They could have said no, their daughter was not an animal to be bought. But they didn't.
"You could have chosen anyone. Women throw themselves at you, I'm certain of it. Women who would die to be your chosen… your mate. Why take me, someone unwilling?"
"I did not choose you," he said, with a shrug. "Alexandros and Nikolaos did."
"Then what's stopping you from setting me free? From choosing another?" I challenged.
"I don't want another."
The next words died on my tongue.
There wasn't an ounce of humor in his tone, he had sounded serious. Like he meant every word.
I gulped hard. "What do you mean you don't want another?"
Zephyr left the wall, uncrossing his arms and walking back towards me. "It means I want you," he said again. "It means I choose you. Not just to be my mate, but my wife. My queen. My Luna."
†††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††
ZEPHYR WRATH
I did not want another. Not after meeting her.
I never believed in love at first sight, until a few minutes ago... until it happened to me.
I never wanted a bride. Not until her.
The woman who was to be my wife was more beautiful than I'd imagined.
Breathtaking, even in old clothes.
Her golden hair fell to her ass in thick waves, and her eyes, grey as stormy skies, flared with anger, hatred, and challenge.
She was fierce, daring, and a rare beauty... one I couldn't believe my brothers had managed to find.
I was drawn to her in a way I couldn't understand.
It wasn't the mere mating bond that caused this pull, no, it felt beyond the cliché emotional tie that connected two wolves.
It was more.
Minutes after Lyla left, the door flew open, and my brothers, Alexandros and Nikolaos, sauntered in.
They had been the ones who finally made me accept the offer of marriage. For years, they had been on my neck, pushing the matter at every opportunity.
Alexandros, especially, the second-born, had been the most insistent.
"So, how do you like your new bride?" He asked loudly, dropping onto my couch. Alex was blessed with red hair and blue eyes like our late mother. Despite his large frame and hardened expression, he was the most compassionate.
Nikolaos, the youngest, had dark hair like mine and deep, thoughtful, dark eyes. He was the calmest of us all. He smiled before replying to Alex. "He likes her. I told you he'd like her."
Nik sat on the arm of the couch that Alex lounged on. "So, when's the wedding? Maria must be itching to plan one."
"Itching?" Alex snorted. "You've forgotten she was the biggest supporter of Zeph and Christina's union. If it were up to her, that wedding would've happened already." He stretched out on the couch, crossing his arms behind his head and one leg over the other. "She hates Lyla. I could tell when I handed her over to her."
Christina Sinclair was a family friend. The Sinclairs and the Wraths had been close for generations, their partnership strengthening the bond between our families. The Sinclairs traded in media and publicity, controlling some of the most influential news outlets, magazines, and television networks.
My family, on the other hand, dominated real estate.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, one that kept both companies flourishing for years.
The Sinclairs ensured the Wrath name remained what it was... prestigious, making our properties the most sought-after in the market, while we provided the Sinclairs with prime locations for their headquarters, studios, and other high-end media ventures.
Last year, Christina had been betrothed to me. But I ended the arrangement before it could gather attention.
She loved me, but I saw her as nothing more than a childhood friend. I felt nothing for her.
"I want her to marry me willingly," I replied. "That's going to take some time. The wedding can wait."
Alex sat up abruptly, staring at me like I'd lost my mind. "On what earth does that happen, Zeph? She despises you. Need I remind you that she had no say in this... arrangement? We didn't win her over, we bought her, plain and simple. If she had a choice, do you really think she'd pick you? Willingly? You're the monster in her story."
"She can grow to love me." I replied, pondering on it, "I know she can."
He let out a sharp laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, for fuck's sake, this isn't some slow-burn romance. It's not a marriage of convenience. All you need to do is turn her, give the pack a Luna, get her pregnant, and have a few babies. That's it."
I slipped on a T-shirt, meeting both their gazes. "Interesting. I don't see either of you fathering children yet."
I let the silence endure for a moment before adding, "Remind me... how old are you two again?" I pretended to ponder the question before turning to Alex. "Ah, yes. 103." Then to Nik. "100."
I arched a brow. "So tell me, is it not time for you both to settle down? Start families? Build the bloodline?"
Nik scoffed. "Don't turn this on us. This is about you. You're the firstborn, the Alpha. Once you take a Luna and have heirs, you'll appear more, uh... complete, as it has always been. Our family has a legacy to uphold, and no one wants a single Alpha leading for long. A mated Alpha is a stronger Alpha… an image of stability and power. That's how it's always been."
Our father had died four years ago, passing the title of Alpha to me. So far, no one had dared to challenge my leadership. They weren't ready to die.
Our pack was large, made up of multiple families that had sworn loyalty to the Wraths for generations. At the center was our immediate line... myself, my brothers Nik and Alex, but our reach extended far beyond. My uncles, Zeb, Stefan, and Andreas, led powerful packs of their own, but remained blood-bound allies. Their families weren't part of my pack, but they were family in the truest sense, the kind you call when war is near. As for the rest… some were old bloodlines who'd served the Wraths since before I was born. Others were Lycans who'd earned their place through loyalty and trust.
While the heart of the pack remained here in Aspen, Colorado, where we lived, our people were scattered across other regions as well, maintaining our presence in important territories. Some of them held leadership over smaller groups or outposts, but all ultimately answered to me. That was how it had always been.
"The people will wait," I said.
"Zephyr..."
"The people will wait," I repeated, with a tone of finality. "They're getting what they want. They just need to learn a little patience."
After a tense moment, Alex broke the silence.
"Whatever," he drawled, getting up from the couch. "I'm famished. Let's head downstairs for breakfast."
He made for the door with Nik but paused just before stepping out.
"Oh, and by the way, Christina's dropping by this morning too."
I sighed tiredly. Christina still visited from time to time, despite the rejection. Maybe she thought her presence would change my mind, but it wouldn't. I'd known her since childhood, I was used to seeing her.
"Stopping by on the morning Lyla arrives? What a coincidence," I remarked sarcastically, fixing Alex a glare.
"Hey" he whined. "Don't look at me that way, I didn't tell her anything. She probably heard whispers. You know she's in media, I'm sure she has spies of her own."
I waved him off dismissively.
"I guess it's a good thing," Nik said with a smirk, nudging Alex. "His rejected and his betrothed can get acquainted this morning. Sounds like we're in for a lovely day. Right, Alex?"
Nik looped an arm over Alex's shoulder as they left the room.
Once the door shut behind them, I exhaled deeply, two things on my mind... two women on my mind.
Christina and Lyla. One, my past. The other, my present, and possibly my future.
I got ready to head downstairs, bracing myself to face them both.