Chapter 2: Sharp Claws, Soft Fur
1701 Words
Chapter 2: Sharp Claws, Soft Fur
(Victoria's POV)
I stared stiffly at the scene playing out before me. In the footage, Ethan and I were making love in the bathroom, him pressing me against the sink, hands gripping my waist, his dirty talk flowing incessantly from his lips.
At this moment, Diane standing to the side had her face twisted with anger.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she snarled, her wolf's rage emanating from her in waves.
Charles tried to explain "Mother, this isn't—"
"Silence!" Diane's hand shot out so fast I barely saw it coming.
The slap connected with my cheek with stunning force, sending me stumbling backward. Pain bloomed across my face as my head snapped to the side.
"You little w***e!" Diane spat, her wolf snarling through her words. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
I touched my cheek, feeling the heat of what would surely become a visible mark. "Mrs. Howe, please—"
"Don't you dare speak to me," she hissed, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You seduced my son when he was promised to your sister—your benefactor's daughter!"
Charles stepped between us. "Mother, calm down. This isn't Victoria's fault."
Diane shoved him aside with surprising strength. "You're both fools! Do you understand what's at stake here? I've spent years cultivating our relationship with the Stone pack!"
Her perfectly manicured nails dug into my arm as she pulled me closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I was this close to convincing the Pack Elder to transfer all pack shares and territory rights to Charles. This close!"
She released me with a disgusted shove, turning to the door where Eliza now stood, her expression unreadable. My stomach dropped at the sight of her.
"Eliza, darling," Diane's tone changed instantly, becoming syrupy sweet. "This is just a misunderstanding. Charles was merely—"
"f*****g my sister in the bathroom during our engagement party?" Eliza finished calmly. "Yes, I can see that."
I expected tears or rage, but Eliza's composure was more terrifying. She'd always been the gentle one, the peacemaker—like an Omega supposed to be.
Diane approached her, hands outstretched placatingly. "Men make mistakes, dear. It doesn't mean anything. You and Charles can still form a beautiful mate bond."
Eliza's smile was cold. "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Auntie."
"Of course it is," Diane insisted. "Charles will apologize, and you'll forgive him. That's what mates do."
"I've already found another mate," Eliza stated simply.
The ceremony hall fell silent. I stared at my adopted sister in disbelief. Quiet, submissive Eliza with another male? Impossible.
Diane recovered first. "You're lying."
"Am I?" Eliza's satisfaction radiated from her like a physical force. "Perhaps you should ask your son how he feels about that."
(Charles's POV)
Her words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf snarled inside me, bristling with rage.
"What did you just say?" I demanded, pushing past my mother to confront Eliza.
Eliza met my gaze without flinching. "You heard me. I've found someone else."
The implication that she—an Omega with barely any wolf to speak of—had been intimate with another male while I, her intended mate, had never even marked her, was too much to bear.
"You lying b***h!" I lunged forward, my claws partially extending as I raised my hand to strike her.
My wolf howled with indignation. She was mine by agreement, my property to claim or discard as I saw fit. No other male had the right to touch what belonged to me.
Before my claws could connect with her face, a powerful grip caught my wrist mid-air. The pressure was excruciating, nearly crushing the bones beneath my skin.
I turned to find myself staring into the cold, dangerous eyes of my uncle, Alpha King Ethan Howe.
"Uncle," I gasped, my wolf immediately cowering in submission. "I was just—"
"Attempting to assault a female in my presence," Ethan finished, his voice deceptively soft but laced with lethal authority.
He released my wrist with a dismissive flick that sent me stumbling backward. My wolf whined pathetically, recognizing the dominant Alpha presence that outranked me in every way.
"She betrayed our agreement," I tried to explain, rubbing my throbbing wrist. "She's been with another male!"
Ethan's expression remained impassive, but I could feel his wolf's displeasure radiating outward in waves that made mine want to bare its throat in submission.
"And who is this male?" I demanded, turning back to Eliza with a weak growl that contradicted my submissive posture. "I'll tear him apart!"
The gathered pack representatives whispered among themselves, their judgment and curiosity filling the air with tension. My reputation was crumbling before my eyes, and I needed someone to blame.
"Tell me who he is!" I insisted, my voice cracking with desperation. "Who dared to touch my intended mate?"
(Eliza's POV)
I watched Charles's pathetic display with detached amusement. The Beta who had betrayed me now stood trembling before his uncle.
Every werewolf present watched with undisguised interest. I could feel their judgment, their speculation.
Then Ethan spoke, his Alpha voice silencing even the whispers.
"I am her mate."
Three simple words that sent shockwaves through the room. Gasps echoed, followed by stunned silence.
Charles's face drained of color. "What? That's... impossible."
Everyone knew Ethan's reputation—the lone wolf King who had rejected countless females from powerful packs.
And now he was claiming me, an Omega with a weak wolf.
"Uncle, there must be some mistake," Charles stammered, his wolf practically belly-up. "I didn't know... please forgive me."
Ethan ignored him, instead turning to me with a subtle gesture—a slight tilt of his head.
I moved gracefully across the floor, feeling every stare as I joined him. His arm slipped around my waist, making my wolf purr with satisfaction.
Victoria and Diane stood frozen in shock. I couldn't resist giving them a small, triumphant smile.
"Charles," Ethan said, his tone conversational but steely, "for your disrespect toward my mate, you will be confined to the pack's punishment grounds."
Charles fell to his knees. "Alpha King, please—"
"Take him," Ethan ordered. Two security wolves immediately appeared.
Without another word, Ethan guided me toward the exit, his hand firm at the small of my back.
(Ethan's POV)
I maintained my grip until we reached the Moonshade Underground Garage. Only then did I release her, stepping back.
"That was quite bold of you," I remarked, my tone neutral.
She stood before me in her red dress, remarkably composed. There was something familiar about her beyond our earlier encounter.
"Bold is my middle name," she replied with a slight smile. "Among other attributes."
Her eyes studied my face, lingering on my glasses. "Your eyes," she said softly. "They're lighter than I expected."
I stiffened slightly. Few people commented on my eyes, damaged years ago during rehabilitation.
"A result of an old injury," I replied curtly, turning away.
My wolf was unusually interested in this female. He recognized Eliza as his mate. But thinking of the girl who helped me when I was injured and lost all consciousness years ago, I decided to suppress the urge to claim Eliza right now. I had sworn to mate her under the moon goddess, and I would honor my promise. As for Eliza, I had only helped the desperate girl out of kindness, nothing more.
I moved toward my SUV, opening the driver's door. "I trust you can find your own way home, Ms. Stone."
"After you just claimed me as your mate in front of everyone?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "That's rather cold."
My lips twitched with reluctant amusement. "I merely provided you with an escape. Don't mistake it for anything more."
Her smile widened. "And here I thought you were marking your territory after our little... encounter earlier."
The reminder of our passionate moment sent heat through my body. My wolf growled appreciatively as my gaze traveled over her curves.
I quickly regained control, sliding into the driver's seat. "Goodnight, Ms. Stone."
(Eliza's POV)
I watched as Ethan closed the car door. My wolf was confused by his behavior—claiming me publicly, yet dismissing me privately.
The powerful Alpha King had just saved me from Charles's wrath with three simple words: "I am her mate."
Something about his aloof demeanor awakened a challenge within me. I had never been ambitious—my weak wolf had made me content to remain in the background.
But suddenly, I wanted to conquer this powerful Alpha.
I started toward his car, but he was already pulling away. The SUV roared to life, leaving me standing amidst exhaust fumes.
The draft caused my dress to billow, briefly revealing the Moonlight tattoo on my thigh.
During our encounter earlier, I'd glimpsed an identical marking on Ethan's chest.
My phone rang, breaking through my thoughts.
"Sebastian," I answered.
"OH MY GOD!" Sebastian's excited voice vibrated through the speaker. "Tell me it's not true! Tell me you're not actually mated to THE Ethan Howe!"
I smiled at my childhood friend's reaction. "News travels fast."
"Are you kidding? It's all anyone can talk about!" Sebastian exclaimed. "King Ethan Howe claiming you as his mate? While your ex-fiancé and sister were caught red-handed? This is better than any reality show!"
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in months. "It's been an eventful evening."
"So... is it true?" Sebastian whispered. "Did you really... you know... with the Alpha King?"
I smirked, remembering Ethan's powerful body against mine. "Yes, we were quite... intimate."
Sebastian gasped. "I don't believe it! How? When? WHERE?"
"In this very parking garage," I replied. "Right before the engagement party."
"You're lying!" Sebastian accused, though delighted. "Eliza Stone, the good girl, had garage s*x with Ethan Howe?"
I laughed, feeling liberated. "The universe works in mysterious ways."
"Details! I need details!" Sebastian demanded. "Was he as... impressive... as they say?"
I thought about how effortlessly Ethan had dominated me. "Let's just say the rumors don't do him justice."
"Size?" Sebastian pressed shamelessly.
I smiled to myself. "I'll measure next time," I promised, ending the call to Sebastian's indignant protests.
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