Chapter2
1399 Words
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I paced my room, my heart pounding louder than it should. Eleven was nearing, and I couldn’t decide if I was excited, nervous, or simply foolish.
The gown I’d chosen lay draped over the bed—a soft blue piece that was modest yet flattering, not that I expected Don to notice or care. But his unexpected invitation, his change in demeanor... it had stirred something I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I wanted to.
A sharp knock broke my restless pacing, and Julia, my maid from the Moon Stone pack, entered without waiting for permission.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice clipped as her dark eyes scanned the gown on my bed. “You’re actually going?”
I crossed my arms, standing straighter. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Julia’s lips pressed into a thin line, her expression as judgmental as ever. “Because catching the attention of a man like him is dangerous, Jane.”
“So you all know he is dangerous and sold me off to him anyway”
“You know what they say about Alpha Don. Ruthless, cold, merciless. You don’t want to be the one standing too close when he decides to crush something—or someone.”
“He is going to be my husband”
“Stil!” She said “Don’t forget you are worth more than just your life. Don’t do anything that would cost us this alliance”
Her words stung, though I knew they shouldn’t. Julia had never pretended to care about me beyond her duties. She wasn’t here for me, not really. She was here for the alliance, to make sure everything.
I turned away, pretending to fuss with my hair in the mirror. “I’m no more important than an alliance to my father,” I said in a bitter tone “I won’t mess with your alliance deal, don’t mess with my decisions.”
Julia stepped closer. “ He cares about you. But he just has to make this deal because this alliance is our only chance. Your father made a choice to save the pack. A hard one, but the right one. And you... you need to be careful, Jane. This isn’t about you. It never was.”
Her words hit harder than I expected, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I’d known, deep down, that I was just a pawn in this game. But hearing it spoken so bluntly made it all the more real.
“I’m not an i***t, Julia,” I said quietly, trying to keep the crack out of my voice. “I know what’s at stake.”
She sighed, her expression softening just enough to make me pause. “I’m not saying this to hurt you,” she said, though her tone was still firm. “Just... don’t let yourself believe you’re anything more to him than a means to an end. You’ll only hurt yourself.” she paused “And you two better not sleep with each other yet, You know how strict our traditions are on these things”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said to her “He hates me. And that would cost us the marriage.”
“Maybe he doesn’t care for the marriage.” She said as she was halfway out of the room. “Maybe he just wants to see you down.”
I sighed and sat on my bed, I hated how much I was drawn to him—his presence, his voice, even his cold, infuriating glares. He was distant and unpredictable, but somewhere beneath his frosty exterior, I’d glimpsed something that made me stay. Something that had made my wolf restless and yearning. And that small, foolish part of me hoped to see more of it tonight.
When I reached the balcony, the sight of Don stole my breath. He stood casually, leaning against the railing, his sharp suit tailored to perfection, but it was the open collar of his shirt that made my cheeks warm. His hair, slightly tousled, gave him an effortlessly rugged charm.
“Jane,” he greeted, his voice softer than I expected. His blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
“You’re... dressed differently,” I managed, my voice unsteady.
The corner of his mouth lifted into the faintest smirk, and it was devastatingly unfair. “I thought tonight deserved something special.”
Before I could respond, he straightened, stepping closer. My heart stuttered as he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm. “I’ve made a change in plans,” he said, his tone low and intimate. “We won’t be dining here.”
I blinked, thrown off. “We won’t?”
“No.” His smirk deepened, his gaze dipping briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “We’ll be dining in my room.”
My breath hitched. The way he said it, rich with promise and something I couldn’t quite name, sent a wave of nervous energy through me. Every rational thought screamed at me to decline, to keep my distance. But his proximity, his voice, and the sheer intensity of his presence were intoxicating.
“I—”
“Trust me,” he said, cutting off my hesitation. His hand lingered at my elbow, guiding me gently but firmly. “I’ve made sure tonight will be memorable.”
My wolf stirred, eager and unhelpfully excited, while my own defenses melted faster than I’d care to admit. Against all better judgment, I found myself nodding. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
His smirk softened into something almost tender. “Good.”
He led me to his room. He opened the door to reveal a romantic setup. Candles and dinner are set up on a table near the window overlooking the mountains. The warm glow bathed the room in a soft, golden light, and the scent of roasted herbs and spices filled the air.
“This is...” I trailed off, unsure of how to put my thoughts into words.
Don turned to me, his expression unreadable but his gaze unwavering. “I wanted tonight to be different.”
The conversation flowed more easily than I’d expected. Don was still reserved, but there was a warmth in his tone tonight, a genuine effort to engage with me. And with every word, every lingering glance, the air between us grew heavier with unspoken tension.
At one point, his hand lingered on mine just a fraction too long, and my breath caught. He didn’t pull away, and neither did I.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.
I swallowed hard, my cheeks warming. “You’re... not so bad yourself.”
The smirk returned, this time tinged with something darker, something more alluring. “Is that so?”
I nodded, unable to meet his gaze for fear of giving away too much. But then his fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him.
“Jane,” he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that made my heart race. “I know I’ve been... difficult. But tonight, I want to show you that I can be more than that.”
The intensity in his eyes left me breathless, and I could barely think, let alone respond. My wolf howled in approval, and despite the warnings echoing in my mind, I found myself leaning into his touch.
“You seem nervous,” he said softly, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.
“I’m not,” I lied, the heat rising to my cheeks betraying me.
He stood still.
Then my pulse quickened when he started coming nearer, stopping just in front of me.
The light from the candles flickered, and I focused on those charming eyes.
“Jane,” he murmured, his voice low and hypnotic. “Do you know how beautiful you are right now?”
My breath hitched as his hand brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. My wolf stirred, urging me closer, but I forced myself to stay still, to remember the rules, the ceremony.
“W
e’re not supposed to...” I started, my voice faltering as his fingers trailed down my jawline.
- Writer
