My Snow Princess

The Bet

It's been a week since I got to experience the heaven that was Aniu's body. Since returning to the Imperial pack, she's done everything she can to avoid me. She's given me every excuse for why we shouldn't be together, but she's yet to learn that I don't give up that easily. My best friends have always told me I'm bullheaded and I'm glad for that now because a less determined man wouldn't be able to wrangle Aniu.

I've found ways to trap her into talking to me but she always finds ways to slip away.

I'm walking through the training grounds when I'm surprised to hear my girl's angelic laugh. I follow the sound to where she sits with Josie and Kara. Her long, almost white hair, looks like a halo in the light. Her head tilts back as she laughs and my canines lower a bit at the sight of the elegant exposed column of her neck. God, how I wish I could mark her right now, audience or not.

I'm jolted out of my trance when a hand falls on my shoulder and the voice of Killian says, "Stalking is creepy."

"F-ck off man. Not all of us can have a mate who accepts us so easily," I say, shaking his hand off my shoulder. I meant to sound like I was joking, but it came out kind of sad.

"Sorry man, you're right. Let me make it up to you," he says, and before I know if he's pulling me towards the girls.

I see Aniu tense up when she notices us approaching, and I can't help the hurt I feel. I remind myself of the look in her eyes when I took off my shirt and it gives me the strength to continue walking. I will do anything to see that look of desire in her eyes again.

When we reach the table, Killian says, "Hey Aniu, would you be willing to help Kara with training today?"

I'm a little confused. Why drag me here to send Aniu away?

"Yes," she says, and she hops up so fast, eager to get away.

"Great. She's teaching the female warriors techniques to use against larger, stronger opponents. It's hard for her to demonstrate and teach at the same time. You can spar with Colt while she points out techniques. Make sure not to go easy on Colt. He's been lazy these last few weeks while we were in the North," he says, then sucker punches me in the gut.

I would be mad at him, but he just bought me an hour or two with Aniu and there will be lots of physical contact. I don't care that it's fighting, that's like foreplay for a girl as talented as Aniu. I feel the predator in me rise to the surface and I look at Aniu to see her excitement at the challenge. She's imagining me on my back, I'm sure of it.

Damn it, Killian. He knows what he's doing. I'll happily owe him for this.

Kara leads us to the training grounds where the female warriors are waiting. She starts her instruction while Aniu and our begin stretching on the side.

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you," I say, trying to get a rise out of her.

"Sure, but I won't go easy on you, so you might want to have the doctor on standby," she says confidently. She didn't rise to my bait and something about that is so hot. I can't help but take pleasure in all the Beta qualities she displays and staying calm when prodded is vital.

"I'll keep that in mind. But all joking aside, are you any good? How much training have you received?" I ask. I'm suddenly worried that, like Josie, she's been given no formal training. All I know was that she was expected to dedicate her life to her brother's service, but I don't know exactly what that entailed.

"The North isn't for the weak. I'm trained." Her answer is short and to the point. It gives me no clue as to how well she fights though.

Kara is still explaining all the techniques to watch for when we spar, so I figure I should ask some hard questions while Aniu can't escape.

"So when will you give me a chance at being your mate? I felt it that night. You want me," I ask.

She rolls her eyes and looks at me like I'm an i***t. "Of course, I want my mate but it's not that simple."

"I want to be mated to you, so it seems to me that it is that simple," I reply.

"It's too dangerous," she huffs, annoyed that she's repeating herself for the millionth time.

"You've said that before, but I'm still waiting for a better explanation," I say, using a more serious tone.

"This isn't the right time for this," she counters, looking pointedly at all the girls in the training group.

"How about we make a bet? If I win, I want some one-on-one time with you, a date, so you can properly explain the danger. I don't want to dance around this anymore," I offer, trying to find a way to spin this to my advantage. I need more than a few stolen moments with her so I can uncover the truth.

"Fine. What's the bet. It's not exactly like we can fight for real to see who would win," she says, a mischievous smile trying to break free. God, I love this girl already.

"How about most hits to the back?" I offer.

"Hm, interesting," she says, mulling it over. "I'm in. If I win, I want no strings s*x, and you promise to keep our bond a secret from anyone who doesn't already know."

Aniu confidently offers her hand to shake, and her confidence has me a little worried. I grab her hand in mine and feel tingles race up my arm. I don't know if I want to win or lose. I want the truth but I want s*x too.

Kara calls her over and I remind myself that I'm the Beta of the strongest pack in North America. I conveniently don't think about the fact that the universe has chosen her as my equal. Maybe she's all talk, and like Killian, my mate can't fight.

We take our fighting stances and I know right away that was wishful thinking. I'm about to be put through my paces.