Claimed by my Alpha Prince on Christmas Eve

PROTECTION

ANDRIAN

I couldn’t get my eyes off the up and down movement of her throat, as she sipped her glass of champagne. Sloshed shoulders were lined with tension. We hadn’t even spent twenty four hours together, and my father was already putting up one of his shows.

Typical of him to exert dominance, and remind me he was the source. Goddamit! I was doing just fine in New York. Coming back here was out of respect for my mother. I stumbled on a worn out letter stuck in the pages of her diary while I was in my study.

My late mother was an avid reader. She read any, and everything. Now that I was thinking about it, mother must’ve sought peace in each page of that book after she gave up her career as a lawyer. My father failed to see that mother was already gone before the incident that tore our family apart.

While he was trying to be the best Alpha King to Aragon pack, mother was fading away in silence. The event was the last straw on the camel’s back. Anger, resentment, and another weird emotion pulled twit in my chest.

After what happened with my mother. My father and I drifted apart. Of course we did, after he blamed me for the death of his wife. Heck! I couldn’t believe he played the good guy’s card.

Despite the deep animosity that ran deep between my father and I for years, he never failed to remind me that I would one day take over Aragon as the Alpha King. Still, that didn’t wipe off the dentin his records.

I thought I lost the right to the throne when his second chance mate gave him a child. He was in his twenties, probably partying on a yacht. Sebastian Navarro’s news always made the frontline of the Aragon blog, and intranet.

I snaked my hands around Sloane's waist, and pulled her close to me, when my wolf picked up an approaching figure. The skin beneath my suit scorched as heat seeped in.

She gasped, “What are you—” She barely got the words out of her mouth, when Uncle Fernando joined us, grinning from ear to ear.

“Así que es verdad que mi sobrino tiene un amante.” So, it’s true my nephew has a lover now. He said in his thick Spanish accent. The old man, about sixty in the book, with a wolf who aged about three-fifty was my father’s friend, but was closest to what I could refer to as family.

He stretched his hands in a handshake. “I’m sure your mother would be at peace,” He stated. Fernando turned to face Sloane, as he took her hands in his. He let out a solemn sigh, and placed a sit kiss against her hand. “It’s good to have you here, Sloane Sinclair,” he said.

My eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “You know who she is?”

He gave me a nod, whilst his eyes were on her. “No importa. Un compañero destinado es un compañero destinado.” It doesn’t matter. A mate is a mate.

That’s strange. Yet, it wasn’t surprising. Uncle Fernando was the direct opposite of my father. Free spirited, and welcoming. Then, he cackled. “I’m sure your father is throwing a fit about this,”

Translation: Alpha King Navarro would never give his blessing to the child betrayer. Even worse, she’s not a full Alpha blood.

“He sure did.”

“I hope you enjoy your stay here,” he said with a smile, to match the one in her face, gave Sloane's hand a small squeeze and walked away to interact with other guest.

“He’s the only one who’s been nice since I got here.” Sloane quipped.

My lips thinned. “What about me? I’m freaking doing you a favor,”

She grimaced, and somehow, I found it cute, and insanely sensual. For f**k sake! She didn’t react that way to get the stirring in my chest. “You’re so insufferable. You drafted this plan only because you need someone who’ll help you get your throne,”

Interesting.

“I’m helping you get your father out,”

She rolled her eyes. “Technically, you’re not helping me get my father out. You’re only looking for a way to stall me,”

A mischievous glint filled my eyes. I released her waist from my grip, as I traced my hands over the bare skin on her hands. My action earned me the tiniest gasp, that was killed by chugging champagne down her throat.

“Trust me Sloane, if I wanted to stall you. There are ninety nine ways to do that, and you’d come crawling to me,”

Her eyes twitched.

“Did I strike a nerve?” I asked.

“I want to go back home,”

“I hate to go back and forth with you,” I said. “You belong to Aragon. Except you’re a rogue, you’re not expected to be outside your pack,”

Sloane held gazes with me, and I lost track of time staring at the gorgeousness of her eyes.

Mi Vida.

I hated that Sloane couldn’t pick up my scent. I wasn’t going to give her time. More than enough time.

“I don’t know what a right is,”

“More reason you should stick with me,”

“Acting like you can’t get enough of each other wouldn’t convince me you two are mates,” Alpha Navarro’s voice sliced through the tension cracking between us.

My jaw clenched. “I don’t care what you think about us,”

“Hm.” The old man grunted. His eyes turned fierce when he stared at Sloane. “Sticking by my son would only delay your punishment,”

She bowed. I could feel her entire body slightly trembling under the weight of father’s scrutiny.

“Fern picked up her scent. And he’s going to mark her,” my heart pulled taut at my statement. I ignored the ghost expression on Sloane’s face. “Father, you know me well enough to know I don’t go back on my words,”

And I meant every bit of words I said. I was going to hold on to Sloane till she’s able to channel the energy of her wolf, and pick up my scent.

“Luna, we have to head back to our suite,” I said, slipped out of my jacket, and placed it over her shoulders as I let her out, oblivious to the stare from others.