Chapter three

Dante

“She's our Mate. She's our Mate and you rejected her!”

I could sense Liam unease as it made me hot and hard as rock at the thought of her in my head.

I can't deny the fact that she was alluring. Her innocent eyes…

“You knew she looked innocent, yet you denied us a Mate.”

“Liam..” I called, feeling repulsive at myself for the silly thought going right on in my head at the thought of her. “She's an enemy. I can't have someone like her wrapped around me. Besides, we loved and cherished Lilia, right?”

I need not always remind him that my heart beats for one person. The only one who had stood by my side all through my darkest time.

She allowed me healed using her body. She gave me everything, and there's no way in hell I'm choosing a pawn over her.

I knew exactly what was going on.

My Uncle Damien, the acclaimed Alpha of Dynamic Pack had sent her, Jane, into my life, wrapped in beauty and allure.

I could practically see the strings he was pulling, watching as she weaved her web around me.

But I wouldn’t be caught so easily. She would play her part as his pawn, and I would use her until she shattered. Then, when she was broken, I'd dispose of her.

But then I couldn't shake it away. She was my Mate.

Was he aware? Was that reason he chose her, because somehow he found out she was it? The only piece of me I had searched earnestly for before Lilia came to the picture?

He must have known it all. Knew that I would have to fight everything in me to not fuck her senseless.

I hated myself at the thought of that.

So there's what I needed to do, make her leave on her own Accord.

My eyes darted to the door, and I called for one of the guards' standing guides, another tool from my uncle.

“Get me Annsverita.” I groaned, finally subduing my restless wolf who wanted nothing more but to bond with her. He doesn't want to accept the fact that I rejected her.

The guard bowed, and left for the exit.

My wedding with her was supposed to be tonight, but I had sent Kelvin to tell Uncle and his clowns of elders that I won't be available for a wedding.

Uncle had pretended to care. I knew what he was attempting. He wants to get rid of me fully using a wife as the bait.

A smirk cut across my lips as I nodded.. I had unravelled his plot right before he ascended the throne meant for me, and never for once did I hide my disgust.

While I waited, another guard walked in. “Beta Dave is at the door.”

Beta Dave.

That man had given his son the highest rank in the Pack, while he acclaimed the position of the Alpha.

“Let him in.” I waved, my eyes glued to the door.

Almost immediately, Dave and Jerald strolled in with their usual smug smiles. They had their motives, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that they came here to provoke me, like always.

“She’s an alluring beauty, I was told,” Dave, my cousin, said, clearly enjoying the tension. “With hair so beautiful and eyes so captivating, I can’t help but believe if that’s how sweet she would be.”

His words made my stomach churned, but I didn’t flinch. Instead, I met his gaze with a cold, unwavering stare.

“Since she’s your spy,” I said, my voice as hard as stone, “why don’t you take her with you to find out.”

Dave’s smile didn’t falter, but I could see the anger bubbling beneath the surface. The way he loved to challenge me, push me to the edge—it was clear this conversation was exactly what he wanted.

“Spy?” he repeated, feigning innocence. “What are you talking about, cousin brother?”

“Is there a word you call it that I'm not aware of?” I asked, then pushed my eyes back on the file I was signing on.

I dipped the pen into the ink and placed it on the part I would sign.

Despite being deprived of my position ten years ago when my parents died in a carriage accident, one I knew so evidently was orchestrated by no other person but Damian, my father's younger brother, I made a name for myself in dynamic pack as the richest young man across all Packs.

“I am not aware of what you mean.” He replied.

Jerald, His right hand man remained standing by the door, like a silent observer, his eyes flickering between us.

“Why are you here?” I asked coldy, already tired of the games.

His smirk flattened as he raised his eyes to stare at me in the eye. “Father said you’re planning to delay your wedding to her...” Dave continued, leaning forward, enjoying the game he was playing.

“I’ll not have you and Damian choose for me,” I snapped back, my voice sharp.

“Why are you making an enmity out of…” I cut him short.

“Tell your father he better abscond that chair now, while I’m still weak.”

Dave feigned a look of surprise, his face twisted in mock outrage. “You’re attempting to revolt against your alpha?” he asked, his voice dripping with venom.

“Alpha…” I let the word hissed out. “I see.”

“No one is taking the title from you. You know pretty well you can't use your legs, there's no way the pack would let a cripple rule them.”

He was mocking me again.

“Use the door.” I let out gently, my voice extremely calm yet full of venom.

A light smirk cut across his gaze. “Fine.” He said standing up. “Just know you have to marry her, Father said tonight, and no other day.”

And without waiting for my response, he left with Jerald.

The room felt emptier now, but I wasn’t done.

“You called for me Master.”

I have never let anyone call me Prince. It's a shame to my family's dignity.

I turned to Annsverita when she entered, her gaze steady and unflinching as she bowed low. “What are your orders, sir?” she asked, her voice clipped.

“Jane,” I said, my tone harsh. “Treat her like a slave. She will do all the domestic chores—cooking, cleaning. And she’ll attend to Lilian, too. Understood?”

Annsverita nodded, already plotting the instructions in her mind. Good. That was exactly how I wanted it. Let her serve me like the tool she was.

Speaking of Lilian, I called for her next. She entered with her usual sultry demeanor, but I could tell there was something in her eyes today, a hint of jealousy, perhaps. It was obvious she had seen the writing on the wall, her place in my life growing uncertain with Jane’s arrival.

“You're getting married tonight.” She let out, hurt in her eyes. “What…”

“I’m not leaving you for her,” I said, my voice low, though I knew my words wouldn’t fully ease her mind. “You’re the one in my heart, Lilian.”

She swallowed the hurt in her expression and nodded silently. But I saw it, her disappointment, her resentment.

“You're not going to leave me?” She asked, her voice breaking, wrecking me.

“Never..” I hushed, my erection hardened beneath my legs.

“Mate Dante. Mate, not her.”

I ignored and dismissed the guards with a quick flick of my wrist, gesturing for the door to be left ajar as Lilian came closer. She hesitated for a moment, and I could see her mind working, but she didn’t say a word.

Pushed myself off the chair, supporting them with the table. No one knew, not Lilian, that I was healing.

I wanted her to be surprised. She followed my move and knew instantly what I wanted.

“You won't leave me.” She murmured.

I leaned in, pressing my lips against hers, letting my desires overtake me. The heat between us ignited. I had little patience for anything else.

I pushed my hands into her hair, pulling her in while she wrapped her arms around my neck.

She moaned, her lips parted a little, giving me the time to slide my tongue in her mouth.

Just when I'm delving into ecstasy, I heard footsteps. Not parting my lips away from Lilian, I opened my eyes to see her.

Jane.

She stood frozen, eyes wide, her face flushing red with shock and pain. I saw her avert her gaze quickly, as if to avoid witnessing something she shouldn’t, and without much thought, disappeared.

Good.

I had wanted her to watch. I wanted her to know she had no place here.

I smirked, even as a growl of protest rumbled from Liam, my wolf. The mate bond between us flared, hot and sharp. I fought it down, suppressing the pull with everything I had.

“She's no Mate of ours, Friend. We only have one, and it's Lilian.”