Fate's Deception

Chapter 3

Christine POV

I despise Scarlett with every fibre of my being because she had taken you away from me," Christine confessed, the moonflowers reflecting in her eyes. "But who was your friend?"

I shook my head. "His name is Kohls. Kohls Marks."

"Kohls from the Moon Ridge Pack?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. "What happened between the two of you?"

My jaw clenched as I recalled my mother, my father, Scarlett, and the days when I had sworn to kill Kohls if I ever laid eyes on him again on my territory.

That man had held a grudge against me for over four years, and tomorrow would be the first time I would see him in a long time.

"We had a falling-out," I said, unwilling to delve into further details at that moment.

Christine sat up in bed, shaking her head.

"Kohls has been one of the most vocal alphas since the world learned about Lyna's betrayal of the Hebrews.

He'll be at the meeting tomorrow." She curled her knees to her chest and chewed on her inner cheek. "I'm nervous that I won't be able to calm the alpha down."

Tracing my fingers along her hip, I also sat up and pressed my lips against her mark. "Don't be nervous, my dear Christine," I assured her, feeling her relax under my touch. "Kohls won't be a problem for you.

I'll handle him. What we should be concerned about is the growing unrest among some of the warring packs."

"Unrest?" she whispered.

"Cayden informed me earlier that wolves have been displaying more feral behaviour than usual lately," I explained, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And I don't want you to get caught up in it and willingly put yourself in more danger."

"I am the leader of the Hebrews," Christine responded. "Danger comes with the territory."

"And you're my mate. Protecting you is part of my duty," I emphasized.

As I approached the podium, whispers among the alphas began to spread, their conversations with their lunas and betas revolving around me—a mere eighteen-year-old woman leading the Hebrew. Nervously, I swallowed and shifted uncomfortably, gripping the edges of the stand. "Good morning," I greeted the crowd.

A few people grunted in response, but the majority remained silent.

This was not a promising start, and I couldn't envision a positive outcome.

Scanning the room, my gaze locked with a man situated in the centre.

His eyes were a piercing, intense gold—blazing and smouldering.

With his light-brown hair swept to the side, a well-defined jaw adorned with a hint of stubble, and muscles so defined that they seemed ready to burst through his white button-up shirt, the alpha stared at me as if I were his prey, someone he desired to devour.

Throughout my speech to the men and women gathered, his gaze never wavered.

My inner wolf recognized the unfamiliar scent of pine emanating from him, swirling in the air like an invisible wave.

Something about him emanates danger, hazard, and threat.

I clenched my jaw and, for the first time that morning, turned away from his piercing stare.

I continued addressing the alphas, "And that's why you need—"

"Excuse me, Christine," the man with the golden eyes interrupted, rising to his feet and effortlessly commanding attention.

I repeated to myself that it didn't intimidate me.

Not at all.

I refused to let a man so strikingly handsome intimidate me.

Ruben glanced over his shoulder, his jaw tightening as he rolled his eyes. "Yes, Alpha..."

"Kohls," the man identified himself. "I am Alpha Kohl's Marks of the MoonRidge Pack."

Almost instantly, I pressed my lips together and drew in a quiet breath.

This was Kohls Marks, Ruben's ex-best friend and the most vocal critic of the Hebrew's trustworthiness.

A fiery hatred ignited in Ruben's eyes.

Although he had revealed to me last night his disdain for Kohls due to the rampant rumours suggesting Kohls desired to seize control of Ruben's pack, there was a deeper animosity between them, something I could sense in the air.

"Isn't it true that you betrayed Alpha Ruben by joining the Hebrew behind his back?" Kohls inquired, his tone laced with accusation.

I clenched my teeth and tightly balled my hands into fists behind the podium, determined to remain composed. "Alpha Kohls, we are not here to discuss my acceptance into the Hebrew or any personal matters," I stated, my voice steady.

"Our purpose is to address the relationship between the Hebrew and the other packs."

His smirk grew even more menacing as he nodded. "Indeed, that is precisely what I intend to do." Turning towards the assembled alphas, he extended his arms as if he were a king addressing his subjects.

"Who's to say that she wouldn't abandon the alliances she's proposing for her self-interest when the time comes?" He then shifted his attention back to me. "After all, you did leave your mate to join a group of criminals."

Ruben growled through his clenched teeth, his anger evident. "Sit down, Kohls."

I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm. "The Hebrews are not a group of criminals.

We protect packs from rogue threats, enabling alphas like you to lead your packs without added stress or problems."

He furrowed his brows, his dark feature-emphasising scepticismepoursourrr leader was instructing rogues to kill alphas."

Something about his words deeply angered me, fueling the fire within. "He is not our leader, Kohls. I am," I asserted, pushing my shoulders back with confidence. "It's Alpha Kohls," he corrected, surveying the room.

"Can we truly trust someone like her? Someone who was under Lyna's influence? Someone who lied to her mate for selfish reasons?

If she can betray her mate, she can betray us."

Realizing that I was making no headway with him and noticing Ruben on the verge of losing control, I locked my gaze with Kohls. "Let's take a break so that we can all cool down."

Kohls curled his lip slightly, taunting me. "Does the princess need a break?"

This time, Raj growled from the front, standing up and ready to fight.

I raised my hand, signalling him to stand down, and pressed my lips together tightly.

"I am a Luna and the leader of the Hebrews.

I will not tolerate disrespect, Kohls.

All I desire is peace bHebHebrews Hebrews and the other packs.

Use the break to calm down or choose to leave."

After switching off the microphone, I stepped down from the stage and exited the auditorium.

As soon as I reached the hallway, I...leaned against the wall, seeking solace in a breath of fresh air as I closed my eyes.

I couldn't understand why Kohls had such animosity towards me.

How could I gain their trust when he seemed determined to undermine me?

And why was my wolf so uneasy around him? He wasn't my mate; she shouldn't react this way.

"Damn him," I muttered to Raj as he emerged from the auditorium.

We walked down the hallway together, passing by Hebrew members whom I had instructed to handle damage control.

"Find me any information you can on Kohl's Marks.

I need to know everything.

He won't prevent me from achieving peace with the other alphas," I instructed Raj.

He nodded and hurried off towards his office. Instead of secluding myself in my own office, I decided to bask in some much-needed sunlight. I needed clarity of mind, as anger and...

Lust, my wolf interjected.

No, I was not consumed by lust.

Not.

As I turned the corner, I collided with Kohls himself.

"Christine."

"Kohls," I replied, straightening my posture. "What do you want?"

He clicked his tongue and shook his head at my defensive stance. "It's quite enticing on you."

I sneered at him. "I have a mate," I stated through gritted teeth.

"I had a mate once too," Kohls said, stepping closer to me.

I disliked the proximity between us.

It made my wolf restless and unable to remain still and silent for even a moment.

"And your dear, precious Ruben took her from me.

Wouldn't it anger you if that same woman tried to be with Ruben again, attempting to steal him away from you?"

"You're lying," I tilted my head and moved closer, staring into his captivating, yet tormenting brown eyes. "You're trying to provoke me, trying to drive a wedge between us to weaken us."

"You don't have to believe me, princess. I simply thought you deserved to know before he shatters your cold, little heart," he remarked, brushing his fingers along my forearm. "A strong woman like you deserves to be aware."

"What do you want?" I reiterated.

He won't affect me.

He won't affect me. He won't affect me.

His golden-streaked brown eyes held mischief as if he believed he had power over me as if he were the one in control.

But he had no control over me, nor my wolf.

"I want you to back off and dissolve the Hebrew," he said, stepping closer, almost trapping me against the wall. His fingers brushed against my hip.

"Perhaps I want to ensure that Ruben doesn't screw you over too." He leaned down, his lips grazing my ear. "Claim you for me."

In response, I swiftly wrapped my hand around his neck, squeezed tightly, and spun us around, pinning him against the wall. "Don't you dare speak to me like that?

I'm not someone you can push around.

I am the leader of the Hebrew, a wolf who could easily kill you if I wished."

"A dominant woman," Kohls mused, trailing his fingers up my forearm. "I've always wondered what it would be like to be with one.

To have her press me against the wall, her body against mine..." He leaned down further, his nose grazing my ear. "To make her realize that I could break her with just a brush of my fingers—"

I tightened my grip on his neck.

He was truly getting on my nerves.

"Stop it," I warned, my heart racing.

"Why? Is it arousing you?" he playfully asked. I growled, and he chuckled. "It does."

"Listen to me carefully, Kohls.

You can try to disrupt the peace between the Hebrew and the packs, but if you dare come between Ruben and me, I will tear you apart and feed you to the rogues myself."

He effortlessly shoved me against the opposite wall, overpowering me with his strength.

"You can believe that, princess," he said, trailing a finger up my neck to my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

"But when you find him and Scarlett alone in the refreshments room, you won't want to kill me.

It will be him you'll want to destroy."

I gripped his wrist and dug my claws into it, drawing blood.

He knew nothing about where Ruben was.

"I'm the only one who can help you reach your true potential.

Unlike Ruben, I'm not afraid of a woman like you—a strong, stubborn woman who goes after what she wants.

I don't get jealous of a powerful woman and leader."

My wolf remained strangely silent, and I despised it.

I pushed Kohls away, my fingers tingling.

Kohls smirked and stepped back from me. "If you settle for an ordinary life, you can stay with Ruben, who will never give you the control you desire, both inside and outside the bedroom."

"f**k you," I retorted.

He leaned close once more. "Perhaps you will, once you rid yourself of your pitiful mate," he remarked. "But for now, just know that I'm coming for you, princess."