Mated to My Enemy Alpha

The first thing Aria Vale noticed was the scent of the forest. Pine. Snow. Frozen earth. And beneath it all lingered the unmistakable reminder of a past she had spent six years trying to avenge. She stood beneath the skeletal branches of an ancient pine tree, staring across the frozen valley toward Shadowfang territory. Snow fell silently around her. Beyond the trees, lights glowed from the enormous stone fortress built into the mountainside. And somewhere inside it lived the man she blamed for destroying everything she had once called home. Alpha Kael Draven. Aria tightened her fingers around the small weapon concealed beneath her cloak. “Tonight,” she whispered. Her wolf stirred inside her. Danger. Aria ignored the warning. She had crossed three territories and spent two freezing nights in the mountains to reach this place. She wasn't turning around because her wolf had suddenly developed common sense. Kael Draven had taken everything from her. Her home. Her family. Her pack. Six years ago, Silvercrest had fallen while Shadowfang warriors invaded their lands. Aria still remembered smoke filling the air as she fled through the forest. She remembered her father's final command. “Run, Aria!” She had obeyed. And she had regretted leaving him behind ever since. Tonight was the beginning of her revenge. She moved through the forest. Shadowfang patrols were everywhere, exactly as she expected. Aria waited until two guards passed before slipping between the trees. Her white cloak blended with the snow. One hundred steps. Then fifty. Then twenty. She could see the fortress wall now. Her heartbeat accelerated. Almost there. A twig snapped behind her. Aria froze. “Turn around.” The male voice was deep. Calm. Dangerously calm. She slowly turned. A massive wolf stood between the trees. Black as midnight. His golden eyes fixed on her. Aria's hand moved beneath her cloak. The wolf growled. Then the transformation began. Seconds later, a tall man stood before her, quickly reaching for clothing from a pack hidden beside the tree. Shadowfang. Aria moved before he could fully prepare himself. She rushed toward him. He dodged. His hand caught her wrist. Aria twisted, drove her knee forward and broke free. “Interesting,” he muttered. She moved again. This time he caught her around the waist. Aria slammed her elbow backward. He cursed. She escaped. Then another growl echoed through the forest. And another. Aria's stomach dropped. Golden eyes appeared between the trees. Five wolves. Then seven. She had been surrounded. The man smiled. “You picked the wrong territory to enter without permission.” Aria lifted her chin. “I've survived worse.” A new voice came from behind them. “Enough.” Everything stopped. Even the wolves lowered their heads. Aria turned. A man emerged from the darkness. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Black coat. Dark hair dusted with snow. He walked through the wolves as though the entire forest belonged to him. Perhaps it did. Aria knew that face. She had seen drawings. She had heard descriptions. She had imagined confronting him countless times. But none of those imaginings had prepared her for the reality of Kael Draven. He was younger than she expected. And far more intimidating. His features were sharp and controlled, but there was something untamed beneath them. Power rolled from him. Alpha power. Aria's wolf suddenly became restless. She tightened her fists. Kael stopped several feet away. His silver-gray eyes moved over her. “Who are you?” Aria said nothing. His gaze narrowed. “You entered my territory secretly?” “Does that frighten you?” Something almost resembling amusement touched his mouth. “No.” Arrogant Alpha. Aria rushed forward. Everything happened instantly. Kael caught her wrist. She swung with her other hand. He blocked it. Aria kicked. He turned. Suddenly her back met a tree. Kael's body trapped her against it. Her breath caught. “Let me go.” “Tell me your name.” “Move.” “Your name.” Aria struggled against him. Then something changed. Her wolf went completely still. Aria stopped moving. Kael froze too. The world seemed to disappear. Snow. Forest. Guards. Everything. A strange warmth spread beneath Aria's skin. Her heartbeat changed. One beat. Two. Then faster. Kael's scent surrounded her. Pine. Winter. Something darker. Something undeniably masculine that made her body react before her mind understood why. No. Aria's wolf pushed forward. Then one word exploded through her mind. Mate. Aria's entire body went cold. No. Impossible. Anyone but him. She looked into Kael's eyes. His expression had changed too. The ruthless Alpha suddenly looked stunned. His grip loosened. “Impossible,” Aria whispered. Kael leaned closer. The bond snapped between them like an invisible chain. Heat rushed through her. Aria gasped. Kael's eyes flashed. His wolf was near the surface. She could feel it. Recognizing her. Wanting her. Her own wolf answered. Mate. “Stop,” Aria whispered. Kael stared at her. “Who are you?” This time his voice wasn't commanding. It was rough. Almost shaken. Aria swallowed. She should lie. She should run. Instead anger overwhelmed everything else. “My name is Aria Vale.” Kael went completely still. Recognition entered his eyes. “Vale?” “Yes.” His jaw tightened. Aria pushed him away. “My father was Alpha Rowan Vale of Silvercrest.” The surrounding wolves became restless. Kael didn't move. Aria's eyes burned with years of anger. “You destroyed my family.” Something unreadable crossed his face. “You believe I destroyed them?” “I know what happened.” “You know what someone wanted you to believe.” Rage exploded through her. “You expect me to trust you?” “No.” His answer came immediately. Aria hadn't expected that. Kael stepped closer. “But before you condemn me, perhaps you should discover what actually happened that night.” “I was there.” “You were a frightened girl escaping a collapsing territory.” “I remember enough.” “Apparently not.” She hated how calm he sounded. She hated his confidence. Most of all, she hated the invisible connection pulling her toward him. “I hate you,” she whispered. Kael's expression hardened. “Good.” Aria blinked. He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Because when this bond strengthens, hatred may be easier for both of us.” Her pulse jumped. She hated him for noticing. Kael stepped away. “Take her to the fortress.” Two guards approached. Aria immediately stepped backward. “No.” Kael looked at her. “You entered Shadowfang territory without permission and challenged its Alpha.” “Then let me leave.” “You can't.” “Watch me.” She turned. Kael's next words stopped her. “You won't make it beyond the eastern ridge.” Aria looked back. “Is that a threat?” “No.” For the first time, Kael looked completely serious. “It's a warning.” A distant howl ripped through the mountains. Then another answered. Not Shadowfang. Kael's warriors immediately shifted position. His Beta reached for the weapon at his side. Aria recognized that howl. Her face drained of color. Rogues. Kael looked toward the mountains. “They followed you.” Aria's stomach tightened. “No one followed me.” Kael turned back to her. “Then someone knew you were coming.” Another howl sounded. Closer. Kael stepped toward Aria. “Whatever you believe happened six years ago, someone has been lying to you.” “You still expect me to believe you?” “No.” His gaze locked with hers. “I expect you to stay long enough to discover the truth yourself.” Aria's wolf stirred violently. Kael reached toward her hand. She pulled away. His eyes flashed. “Fight with me later.” The forest erupted with howls. “Right now, Aria, stay behind me.” His body began shifting. His form expanded. White fur appeared. Aria stared in disbelief. Seconds later, an enormous snow-white wolf stood before her. Blue eyes burned beneath the moonlight. The same wolf her soul somehow already recognized. Her enemy. Her nightmare. Her mate. The white Alpha lowered his massive head and growled toward the approaching darkness. And for the first time in six years, Aria wondered whether she had been blaming the wrong man.