Kael

The woman’s hands moved slowly across my chest while I closed my eyes and tried to lose myself in the feeling.

"Trying..." That was the problem as nothing about it felt natural. Nothing about her felt right.

I leaned against the edge of the bathing tub while steam curled around us. Her fingers slid lower, deliberately seductive, practiced.

Usually, this would have worked. Usually, I would have taken what I needed and sent her away before sunrise but my wolf remained restless and agitated.

It hated this.

The woman pressed herself closer to me and whispered softly, "Relax, Alpha."

I exhaled slowly and shut my eyes tighter trying to focus and forget Selena and the stupid mate bond.

Trying hard to forget the way her scent lingered in my head every second of the day but the more I tried not to think about her... The worse it became.

Suddenly I remembered Selena glaring at me in my office earlier. Her fire, her defiance and the way her lips parted slightly whenever she got angry.

"Damn it!"

The woman kissed my neck and my wolf snarled violently inside me but I ignored it.

The woman’s hands slid lower again caressing my dick and that was when my wolf partially surged forward.

My eyes snapped open instantly, glowing faintly as I grabbed her wrists harshly. "Don’t touch me."

The words came out rougher than I intended.

The woman gasped in pain as her eyes widened in fear while my grip tightened unconsciously. "Alpha—"

"Enough." My wolf growled through me angrily.

She whimpered softly when I finally released her then she stumbled backward and rushed out of the bathing room completely naked, tears shining in her eyes.

The door slammed shut behind her and silence filled the room afterward.

I stared at the wall for one long second then punched it hard enough to crack the stone.

"Damn you," I snarled but my wolf remained unmoved.

Mate...

"I know she’s my mate." I snapped at my wolf.

Claim her!

"I’m not claiming William’s daughter." I yelled again at my wolf.

The beast inside me growled louder. ’Mine.’

I dragged both hands down my face angrily. "What exactly is wrong with you?" I muttered to myself.

For years, my wolf and I had worked perfectly together. We’ve been focused, disciplined and controlled.

Now suddenly it behaved like a rabid creature every time Selena appeared.

He wants me to claim her, to protect her and to touch her.

I clenched my jaw tightly. "I need focus," I muttered harshly. "I have a pack to run, a Council to deal with and other plans that actually matter."

’Our mate matters.’ The answer came instantly from my wolf.

I laughed bitterly. "She’s Alpha William’s daughter."

No response came immediately this time just a restless irritation because my wolf knew exactly why I refused.

Claiming Selena felt dangerously close to surrender, to weakness and to yielding something to William and I never yielded to anyone ever!

My breathing remained uneven as I leaned against the edge of the tub again as the silence stretched.

Then eventually— Defeat.

I shut my eyes slowly and imagined Selena again. The image came instantly.

Her hair loose around her shoulders, those sharp eyes glaring at me... the curve of her lips when she argued.

I exhaled shakily as my hand moved beneath the water and I started jerking off.

My wolf quieted immediately because now, at least, it imagined the right woman. Selena and only Selena.

By the time release finally hit me, guilt followed immediately afterward.

I hated myself for it. I hated how much power she already had over my mind, over my instincts and over my body.

I stood abruptly and washed myself quickly before leaving the bathing room.

Sleep did not come easily afterward and neither did peace.

—

Two days later, it was time for the Council meeting. I stood inside my chamber while two maids adjusted the dark traditional robes draped over my shoulders.

The clothing was formal. Heavy black fabric lined with silver threading representing Blackbourne pack.

I barely paid attention to them as my gaze remained fixed on the large painting hanging across the chamber wall instead.

Painting of my Father.

Even after all these years, his eyes in that painting still carried the same stern look I remembered growing up with.

Powerful, demanding and unbreakable look. I walked toward the portrait slowly after the maids finished dressing me.

For a moment, I simply stared at it quietly, then I spoke under my breath.

"Don’t worry." My voice came out calmer than expected. "I’ll make my presence mean something in that room today."

The old Alpha had spent his life trying to strengthen the Blackbourne pack. I had spent mine trying to make it untouchable and I was far from done.

One of the maids cleared her throat nervously behind me. "Alpha... your collar."

I adjusted it myself before dismissing them both. The moment they left, I reached for my dagger belt and fastened it around my waist then I headed out.

The castle hallways buzzed with movement already. Servants hurried around while warriors stationed themselves around the compound.

By the time I reached the stairs, Beta Bastien was already waiting for me.

"How many warriors are accompanying us?" he asked immediately.

"One."

He frowned. "Just One?"

"And the rider." I added.

"That’s it?" He asked again in surprise.

I descended the stairs calmly. "This is a Council meeting, not a battlefield."

"Still," Beta Bastien argued while following me. "Nightbane warriors will definitely be there."

"And?"

He sighed heavily. "You enjoy provoking people far too much."

I smirked faintly without saying a word.

Beta Bastien mindlinked someone nearby before muttering instructions to arrange the carriage as we continued toward the castle exit together.

The massive compound stretched beautifully beneath the afternoon sunlight. The Stone walkways, training grounds, barracks... the generations of Blackbourne blood had built this place.

Seven generations before me and now it belonged to me. It’s now mine to strengthen, mine to protect and mine to elevate beyond every other pack in the realm.

Just as I approached the waiting carriage, a familiar scent reached me. ’Selena.’

I looked sideways as she hurried toward us and she was looking anxious again.

Her eyes immediately found mine. "I heard about the meeting," she said quickly.

Of course servants had been gossiping already.

"You shouldn’t believe every rumor you hear," I replied dryly.

"This one is obviously true."

I remained silent as Selena stepped closer. "Please."

My wolf stirred instantly at the desperation in her voice. "What now?"

"If you speak with my father..." she began hesitantly, "...try to get information from him."

I frowned slightly. "Information about what?"

She swallowed. "I need closure."

The words sounded painfully genuine. For a second, I almost softened. Almost.

Then irritation replaced it instead. She was giving me instructions now?

"As if I don’t already have enough to worry about," I muttered coldly.

Her expression hardened immediately. "I’m serious."

"So am I." I snapped and walked past her toward the carriage.

Behind me, I mindlinked Beta Bastien privately to listen to what Selena wants.

He immediately slowed beside her while I continued walking.

The cool air outside cleared my head slightly. I paused briefly near the carriage and looked around the compound again.

Massive walls, orderly warriors and thriving structures. Everything here had taken years to build.

Years of discipline, years of sacrifice and I would not allow distractions to weaken it even if that distraction happened to be my mate.

Beta Bastien footsteps approached behind me. "What did she say?" I asked without turning.

"She wants you to question Alpha William about the vampire royalties." That caught my attention slightly and I finally looked at him.

"She thinks if he hasn’t delivered the women yet, it means he’s still delaying because of her disappearance."

Interesting.

Beta Bastien continued, "She believes learning whether he sent them already might reveal how desperate the vampires are becoming."

At first, I almost dismissed it entirely but as I stepped into the carriage, the thought settled deeper in my mind.

If Alpha William still had not delivered his yearly royalties... Then he was vulnerable and vulnerable men made mistakes.

The carriage doors shut as the rider began moving us forward. I leaned back thoughtfully as a dangerous, complicated but effective idea formed in my mind.

If Alpha William still possessed the women intended for the vampires... Then I could take them first.

Kidnap the entire batch while the vampires would blame him for the delay.

Alpha William would scramble trying to fix the disaster and while distracted— I could begin dismantling him piece by piece.

A slow smirk tugged at my mouth. It was risky but it could work beautifully.

I leaned forward slightly. "Faster," I ordered the rider.

Then I settled back again while mentally preparing myself for the Council meeting.