Thirteen

DEVIN

Valentine. A feisty creature she was. It was cruel for the goddess to give something so precious to me. In truth, my wolf believed it was only previous because it was unattainable. That alone seemed to excite it. I had found out two years ago. I was at the ripe age of twenty-two and seething with unbridled rage to avenge my parent. Valentine's parent had played their parts to make sure the late rulers of the Crow never returned and it was only fair to do the same. My brother and I were not aware they had a daughter. I doubted anyone knew excluding those closest to them. Valentine had been the Monarch pack's well-kept secret. I had blood on my hands when I stumbled upon her. Her parent's blood was on my hands and judging by the horrified look she had on her face when I bumped into her, she knew I was their killer. She was a loose end. A part of me knew it was only right to take away her suffering by ensuring she ended up with her parents but I couldn't bring myself to do it. She was beautiful. I only meant to try to pacify her. All I wanted was for that look on her face to disappear. I wanted to see a smile. She had backtracked when I tried to reach out to her. I stopped too. It was not the blood on my hands that stopped me. Neither was it the way she looked at me. A foreign scent had stopped me dead in my tracks and beckoned to me like the call of the Sirens. My wolf seemed to be conditioned to the sensation as it instantly screamed mate. Pure testosterone flooded my body and by the goddess, the only thing I wanted to do right at that moment was take her and make her mine. That scent was sweet. It smelled like it belonged to me. My wolf screamed the word repeatedly into my soul and for a moment, I dared to bask in it. The rude awakening was when her delicate lips opened.

"I don't want to be your mate," She begged. "Reject me and finish what you came here to do."

My rational mind knew it only made sense for her to say it but it did not make me feel any better. And what did I do about it? I turned my back on her that night while she screamed that I reject or kill her! The hate in her eyes was crystal clear. Never had I believed I would have to see those eyes again. Especially not today.

"Luna Valentine, the Alpha is back." A beta from the Monarch pack informed his mistress. I heard her mutter a 'let him in' even though her thoughts spoke differently as the door to the feast table was opened for me.

She choked on the rare steak she was swallowing once our eyes met. My cock grew uncomfortably hard just watching her try to gasp for air. The things I wanted to do to her... But now wasn't the time. There would never be a us. There could never be a us. I did my best to compose as I walked up to an empty chair. The table was a huge one but I found comfort sitting closer to Valentine.

"I thought Alpha Jason would be the one to finish the deal he started," Valentine commented, trying her best to pretend the new arrangement did not bother her.

"Well," I began, turning in Valentine's direction. She was beautiful as ever. Her hair was dark as night and it contrasted beautifully with her chestnut brown eyes. "If Sofiane gets his retribution. What do you think will go through my brother's mind when he finds his property has been snatched, Valentine?" I did not wait for her answer even if she easily put the pieces together. "He will want his pound of flesh," I said. "And finding Sofiane would be more than torture for him so you know what Jason would do? He would take it out on the Monarch. Your pack will be left a shell of what it was when my brother is done. So, be a little appreciative that I am here to finish this."

I felt her probe into my mind. She was looking for something against me. No! It was more of looking for a reason why I would be doing this. It was infuriating why she would doubt my intentions. I was only trying to help her.

"And I know most of you in this room believe I am trying to manipulate you into signing off your pack's freedom to the Crow pack but is that really a chance you want to take?" I inquired, eye fucking Valentine and hating that my imagination was the only thing I could use to get under her skin.

"Alpha Devin," An Elder seated afar off spoke. He had a black button-up so tight, it seemed to be killing him faster than his advanced age, and the smug look he put on informed me this shit face was sure to get on my bad side. "We appreciate your concern but selling our packs off is not a joking matter. We implore that the Crow gives us a little more time."

What whooshed through Valentine's mind made me boil hot. The Elders. Her own council were the ones who connived with Sofiane. It would have sounded like a noble cause if they were not doing it for selfish reasons. You would think they were doing this for their pack's pride but no. It was to keep their high ranks. The same ranks that would be crushed to dust if the Monarch merged with my pack.

I glared at the fool. "Well, time is what you don't have. Life, I am sure you agree is a better gift compared to the weak status you hold as an independent pack at the moment."

It worked like a charm. The cronies were pissed but they could not do anything about it. I returned my attention to Valentine who was purposefully avoiding my gaze. I could sense she did not want to sell her pack out. Especially not to me. There was little I could do. Leaving her pack be when we already had our attention on it would cause tongues to wag and questions about the Crow's strength would begin to fly around. Not to mention once they realized why I did it, Valentine would be targeted. I did not want that. Unless... An idea suddenly hit me in the head and it was just crazy enough to work.

"You know Valentine," I sent. "The Monarch's legacy can be preserved. You are my mate after all. It isn't far-fetched that our packs would have to merge once I mark you."

Valentine rolled her eyes like it was the most repulsing thing she had heard. Hate was a feeling that rivaled love. The fact that she was willing to sacrifice her people and her family's legacy rather than be my Luna was prosperous.

"I would rather die Devin."

She turned her face back toward me with tremendous effort and said with almost gritted teeth. Even using the telepathic bond we shared seemed to repulse her.

"I have read that Lunas who are not accepting of their Alphas most times slit their own throat to ward off succumbing to the Mate bond."

She looked at me like I was the most disgusting thing to walk the Earth. She was fighting a real battle with herself. On one hand, she wanted to put me straight but keeping her secret from everyone remained a priority, but on the other, she wanted to hop past the table and kiss me. Lucky me, I guessed. With the Heat moon approaching, It was the only way her body could react this way. She still hated my entire being but her wolf on the other hand was ready to worship the ground I walked on. Her mind was indeed a scrambled mess and the second she figured I could see right through her conflicting thoughts, she stood up.

"Excuse me." She told the room before practically running off.

There was an exchange and of course the banter of how weak and disappointing Valentine was compared to her bastard parents. I could not take it. Not when I was trying so hard to be morally upright. Maybe that was a lie. The truth was I loved this shirt and it would be a shame to stain it with the blood of imbeciles and my mind was only focused on Valentine. So I followed her.

"Valentine, wait up," I called, running after her before I eventually managed to hold her still. She was crying and

the moment she saw my face, she reacted with violence.

"Leave me you sick fuck!" She said furiously, struggling to free herself from my arms. "I don’t need anybody. Especially not the bastard that killed my parents!"

It stung but I deserved it. Seeing Valentine hurt and broken brought out every strong protective urge in me. I felt my wolf take over and as always, it was prepared to something unbelievably stupid. Like mark Valentine against her will.