Chapter 2: A Game Plan

Maeve

His eyes mirrored the same confusion and shock I felt. His long legs clad in heavy boots took a powerful stride, and walked towards me.

He’s tall.

Very taller than my 5’9ft, his multi layered robes swing in accordance with his movement, they outline his muscular and strong arms.

He’s broad, even under those robes, I can’t deny that I would crush under his weight.

His brown eyes flashed with green, his jaw clenched, fighting the control of his wolf’s power. His face was carved like jade, paired with brown shoulder-length hair.

He’s handsome. Breathtakingly handsome.

Why was he here?

I can count my fingers on the number of times I’ve been able to catch a glimpse of him from afar. Probably during an important gathering or celebrations when all the packs gathered together.

Unless you’re family or someone of importance, you don’t get to see the alpha up close, and now he’s my mate.

Alpha Kael Crestmoon, the alpha of Crest Wolf pack and my father’s friend.

“You’re my mate.” His growl, voice laced with confusion and desire.

Desires he tried so much to hide by standing a few feet from me.

My wolf was getting restless, pushing for more to submit, to allow my mate to claim me.

Of all the expectations I’ve had in mind, not in my wildest dreams would I have thought of him.

His smooth face still carries the look of his youth, even at his eighties he still looked like someone in his forties.

His eyes displayed a pained and sorrowful expression, his hand reached out as if to touch my face but he snatched it away just as I began to lean into it.

Before I could even breathe or express my confusion, the hand came back with force, wrapping possessively around my waist, dragging me to himself.

I gasped, shocked, looking up at him.

Green had completely taken over his human brown eyes.

My body shivered, and I swallowed.

This is his wolf.

“Mine,” he roared into my ear, “Always mine.”

His hot breath fanned my neck, I found myself leaning into him.

His muscular chest pressed against my breast.

My wolf sighed softly, desire pooled in my belly.

“Yours.” I replied, my hands wrapped around his strong shoulders, his soft hair graced my arms.

I sighed, I could get used to this, I smiled.

My smile vanished as he pushed me away, I quickly grip the railings for support before I would fall and embarrass myself.

My wolf whined, feeling sad and confused as l am.

His now brown eyes flashed with anger and fury, his jaw clenched, his steps retreating.

“This… is wrong…” he rasped, pain clouding his eyes again. “This can’t…. It can’t happen.”

I snorted, staring at him in disbelief. “Can’t happen?”

“This is a joke, it has to be some kind of joke.” He said more firmly this time.

“You take the moon goddess for a clown? You called what she designed a joke?” My breath hitched, I sniffled, tightened my hands on the rails.

How could this be?

We were supposed to be consumed by love for one another.

“Alpha,” my father called as he stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him.

He bowed to the alpha and turned to me. “You might not remember alpha, this is my daughter Maeve.”

The alpha’s eyes widened briefly, realizing my identity.

Would he change his mind now that he knew?

“Bow to the alpha, princess.” My father tugged my hand, whispering. “Bow your head.”

Like a lifeless creature, I bowed my head, all the while my mind was in chaos.

“You’ve raised a beautiful daughter, dear friend.” He commented but kept his focus on my father.

“I wasn’t expecting you to come around, but seeing you, I’m honored.” My father moved on to join the alpha. “Would you like to come inside, there's a lot of food and drinks?”

“No beta Austin,” Alpha Kael replied. “I don’t plan on staying, I was just passing through and I remembered you talking about her birthday so I decided to wish my friend’s daughter in person.”

“Ahh, I’m honored.” My father beamed.

Alpha Kael jerked his head to the side and a guard came running out from the dark.

A sword hung loosely on his waist as he walked over with a small box in his hand.

How many of them were out there?

How much have they seen or heard?

My heart pounded with fear, humiliation burned down my soul.

He collected the box and the guard disappeared into the dark again.

“Here Maeve,” he whispered my name in a way that melted my heart.

I barely stop myself from moaning out.

“Happy birthday, I hope your wishes come to pass.”

I collected the gift, forcing a smile on my face for my father’s sake.

If only he knew what my wishes were.

Him.

He was my greatest wish and it already came to pass.

My father walked off with the alpha but I remained where I stood.

The crowded air inside is not what I need right now.

I stared at the box, curious of what could be inside.

Would I like it?

Not able to hold myself back, I opened the box to reveal a glittering ruby stoned hair pin.

My favorite color. It’s beautiful.

A flower-like design sits at the top of the pin, designed with small and big ruby stones and two red beads hanging on its sides, swinging left and right as I turn it.

I love it.

A smile tugged the corner of my lips, a new sense of purpose filled me.

If alpha Kael thinks it’s enough to stop me with those words then he’s in for a big surprise.

I’ve looked forward to this day all my life and he thinks he can cut off my dreams like that.

I won’t sit and watch him do it. I’ll take matters into my own hands and seduce him if I must.

Yes, it’s now a game of seduction.

I’ll seduce alpha Kael, he will acknowledge our bond and claim me like he’s meant to.

I smiled triumphantly at myself, the earlier bitterness and pain washing away.

For the first time I didn’t hold on to the night but instead looked forward to seeing the next morning.