LOVING THE MADMAN

Haunted by Blue Eyes

I let out a frustrated breath, trying to collect myself. “There’s nothing to reconsider, Alpha Beerbrooke.” I ventured in a calmer tone. “I don’t want you.”

Nigel’s men shifted uncomfortably, clearing their throats and exchanging glances.

The Alpha's smile dropped.

He released yet another short, incredulous laugh. “I beg your pardon?”

“I believe you heard our sister, Alpha,” Dorian replied. He was composed as always, but there was a warning in his voice. “She’s not interested.”

Nigel stared at me for a long while, his eyes hard with anger.

I didn’t look away, no matter how my stomach twisted. His gaze was suffocating, and with each second I spent staring into his eyes, I felt violated.

“Women grovel at my feet,” he said, like it was an achievement. “They fight to share my bed.”

Nigel adjusted his sleeves slowly, but the veins straining along his forearms told me he was keeping his temper in check.

“I come here, like a gentleman. I ask for your hand, and you turn me down, just like that?” He released another laugh. “You won’t even look at the gifts I brought. You won’t even consider what I offer.”

He glanced around the table, looking at each of us with disdain.

“Your family is insulting.”

“Insulting?” My mother replied with a frown. “You come into our home, make a claim on our daughter without discussion, and we’re insulting?”

“You’re making this sound more complicated than it is. All I want is the chance to take your daughter as my mate.” Nigel replied. “Our packs already share the same region. Why make this sound difficult?” He attempted to downplay things with a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“She doesn’t want you as her mate,” my father said. “That should be simple enough to understand.”

Nigel went still, then turned to face me directly. “Is that so, Princess?”

I rolled my eyes inwardly. “I believe I’ve already made my position perfectly clear.”

He exhaled slowly, muttering something under his breath I couldn’t hear.

“Well, this has been a waste of time,” he announced, rising to his feet. His men stood too. “And resources… as well as a disappointment.”

His voice was cold as he raked a hand through his hair.

“I’ll take my leave,” Nigel said. “But understand that your family has lost my trust and support. Peace is all that binds us now; beyond that, we share nothing.”

He stepped away from the table. “And when the day comes that you need my help…” His brows drew together in a frown. “I’ll spit in your face, just as you’ve done now.”

“Oh, please,” Slade interrupted with a scoff. “All she did was refuse you. You’re the one turning this into a saga. Don’t tell me your ego’s that fragile.”

Robin let out a short laugh. “Clearly, he’s never learned to take rejection.” He glanced at Dorian, smirking. “Must think he’s the grand prize in the market. That would explain the confidence to announce his claim on our little sister like it was already decided.”

Dorian and Ares snickered.

Nigel gritted his teeth. “Enjoy your laughter while it lasts, PaleMoons.”

He glared at me again before turning and walking out, his men hurrying after him.

I looked down at my plate, no longer feeling hungry. My words, as simple and harmless as they'd seemed earlier, now felt like they had caused trouble I didn’t intend.

And I could only hope they hadn’t.

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TROY

I’d grown used to the stares long ago.

Everywhere I went, people looked, some stealing a second glance, others shamelessly gawking.

At first I used to find it uncomfortable, but when one was blessed with a physique like mine—6’4, broad-shouldered, and built like an athlete on steroids—attention was inevitable.

Women looked at me with dreamy or lustful eyes.

Men with envy.

I ignored them all.

Even riding the escalator up toward my usual boutique, I felt the eyes of both genders on me.

“Mr. Ryder, welcome,” Phoebe, the sales assistant, greeted warmly as I sauntered inside.

I nodded in response, moving straight to the rack with my size.

Extra-large. Black.

While checking through the neatly hung shirts, a pair of voices floated toward me from a few aisles down.

The first woman wore a platinum-blonde wig, almost Athena’s shade, but far from the real thing. Late twenties, skintight dress, lots of jewelry.

The other woman stood closely beside her, speaking in hushed tones.

“You think he’s one of them?”

“I don’t know. He looks the part.”

“If he is, he can probably hear us. Don’t wolves have enhanced hearing?”

“They do. Which is why we should shut up.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s so hot. I want to f**k him. Always wanted to try a wolf. Heard they’re amazing in bed.”

“What if he’s not a wolf?”

“Oh, he’s definitely a wolf, Sia. Look at that build. Might even be a Lycan. I’m going to talk to him.”

“You can't be serious.”

“I am. Watch me. And wish me luck.”

I kept browsing, running my hands over a sleeveless vest, when the sound of heels drew closer, and a few seconds later, platinum-blonde herself was standing in front of me.

“Hello, hot stuff.” She purred seductively, sizing me up. “I’m Lexi.”

She was bold. Most women took one look at my face and decided I wasn’t even worth the approach.

“Troy,” I replied flatly, moving to the next rack.

“Couldn’t help but notice you from where I was standing,” she went on, her eyes running over my chest before dropping lower.

“It's not every day one gets to see men like you walk into a place like this. I’d hate to miss my chance.”

Her manicured fingers toyed with a lock of her hair.

“You single Troy?” She asked with a seductive smile, inclining her head. “You know what? I really don't care if you've got a girlfriend.”

She inched closer. “What do I need to do to get your number before you leave? I have a feeling you’d be… memorable.”

I could use the distraction. Maybe what I needed was a quick lay or something else to get Athena out of my system.

Lexi was available, and she didn’t look like the type who wanted anything beyond s*x.

I watched her for a moment, then hung the tees back on the rack and tipped my head toward the restroom.

Her eyes lit up in surprise before she smiled.

I didn’t wait for her to follow before turning to leave. By the time I reached the bathroom, I could hear her coming behind me. She slipped inside as I checked the cubicles to ensure they were unoccupied.

They were.

So, I locked the main door and turned to face her.

Lexi’s eyes ran over me like she was already undressing me in her head.

But instead of her face, my mind conjured the image of someone else.

Someone with crystal-blue eyes that drove me insane, framed by silver hair.

Athena’s eyes.

Ah, s**t.

I instantly grew hard.

“So… what do you…”

“Get on your knees,” I gruffed, cutting her off as I unbuckled my belt.

Lexi dropped to her knees immediately, reaching for my fly.

When she took me into her mouth, I tipped my head back and closed my eyes.

Another flash of blue eyes and silver hair.

“…kiss me, Troy,” Athena’s voice whispered in my mind.

My body reacted before I could fight it.

I grew harder and thicker, and Lexi gagged around me.

Fisting her hair, I thrust into her mouth without mercy.

My grip on the wig tightened until I felt the strands start to tear, but I didn’t loosen it.

Every feel of her mouth over me, every suck and lick of her tongue, and every constriction of her throat around my c**k drew me deeper into a fantasy where she wasn’t Lexi at all.

She was the silver-haired princess.

In place of Lexi’s caramel-brown eyes, I saw those innocent blues, brimming with tears of pleasure, staring up at me with sole devotion, like I alone was the only thing in the world worth worshipping.

Eyes that belonged to a woman who lived to please me… and only me.

“f**k,” I grunted.

After a few more strokes of her talented mouth, my release drew close.

With a final grunt, I spilled into her mouth.

Lexi didn’t pull away, swallowing it all greedily until I was empty.

My release had been so intense, it left me slightly breathless, and it took a moment to get myself together.

Once I did, I slid out of her mouth and tucked myself back into my jeans.

Lexi wiped her lips with the back of her hand, then got off her knees, looking up at me. Her mascara had run, smudging dark around her eyes, but there was a proud smirk gracing her lips.

I dug into my pocket and handed her a small, black card. It had my number.

“Text me the cost of the wig.”

She ran a finger over the slight tear, smiling impishly as she took it from me. “Let’s do this again sometime, big guy.”

I didn’t answer, even as she turned toward the mirror to fix her hair and clean off the shine from her lips before strutting out.

My eyes landed on my reflection in the mirror, and I swore under my breath.

I was in trouble. Big trouble.

And the root of it was a f*****g princess… with blue eyes.

Fucking hell.