TORRIN'S POV:
Cassandra and I have only met twice. The first time was when the betrothal agreement was made, she was just five, and I was ten. The second time was only a few days ago, when she arrived here unannounced, acting as though the years between us never existed.
But right now, it isn't her that fills my mind, it's Harleigh: Her anger and pain, her refusal to speak to me or look at me. And worst of all, the thought that she might reject my claim over her is tearing my heart apart.
Suddenly,...
My head starts to ache. Flashes of memories from wolves I've fought in the past blur with my own memories, desperately trying to erase them.
It's getting worse by the day. I'm afraid I'll completely succumb to it if this keeps on going.
Then,...
The sharp sound of the telephone cuts through the fog in my mind.
The voice of the Alpha Lance of the Dunebourne Pack echoes through the loudspeaker.
-["Just because you successfully stole the Shadowfang wolves from us doesn't mean we're done with you! Watch your borders, 'cause we're gonna take our revenge very soon!"]-
Silence follows, broken only by his rough breathing. But when he speaks again, his tone shifts.
-["How's Harleigh? Is she looking for me? Is she being treated well there?"]-
When I remain silent, he becomes furious again.
-["I know you're there! Answer me, a.sshole! Don't you dare hurt Harleigh!"]-
The audacity of him to say that after everything he did to her is insane.
"Thanks for the heads-up," I say coldly. "Tell your lapdogs the Frostveil wolves are ready to feed you some dirt again."
I end the call immediately when the sharp pain amplifies through my skull.
I clutch my head as the memories twist again, flooding in like poison.
But I try to appear alright when knocks come to the door.
Damian rushes in and helps me to the couch. "Have you taken your medicine?"
"I think I need something stronger. The last one the pack doctor gave me barely works," I mutter.
He frowns. "I told you not to overdo it when we fought the Dunebourne wolves. But you didn't listen."
"If I hadn't used my power, we'd have lost. I couldn't let that happen, coz I didn't want to fail Harleigh. I'd do anything to save Harper, even if it means losing myself," I counter weakly.
The pounding in my head eases slightly, just in time for the telephone to ring again.
Damian answers it and turns on the loudspeaker.
-["This is Alpha Conrad of the Crimsonbane Pack. Have I reached Alpha Torrin of the Frostveil Pack?"]-
"Go on, he's listening," Damian says.
-["I expect your wedding with my daughter to happen within this week. If you refuse, either I'll wed her to Beta Atticus, and my loyalty will be to him, not you… or, I'll allied with the Duenbourne Pack. Think about the implication of that."]-
Damian stiffens beside me, trying to look unaffected, but the flicker of worry peeks in his eyes.
How many more threats will come my way for today?
"By the way, I came here to let you know our intel confirmed the Dunebourne Pack are gathering allies against us. Though many have already declined because of their betrayal when they saved and hid Harleigh and her sister during the Ambush of the Shadowfang Pack, a few packs are considering it. They still fear the Shadowfang bloodline. What should we do?" Damian says.
"Protect Harleigh and Harper, of course. They're our responsibilities now," I answer.
"That's because you claimed Harleigh. If she rejects you, will you abandon her so you can save our pack?" Damian's voice is filled with both accusations.
I already made my promise to Harleigh. Whatever her decision will be, I'll protect her until the very end for as long as she lets me. But I'm not obligated to tell Damian that.
Damian grows desperate and urgent. "While you still have time to save the pack, save it! Let me take care of Harleigh myself. I'll bring her somewhere far from here. We'll also bring Harper with us."
Anger surges through me.
I get up from the couch and grab his collar. "You're not the one to decide that. If you love Harleigh as much as I do, then show it to her. I've never restricted you from doing so. Let her decide for herself. If she comes with you by her own will, then I won't interfere."
I let go of his collar sharply.
Damian's eyes suddenly flash with something darker. "Fine. If everything gets out of control and you're unable to capitalize your special power to defend our pack, then don't expect me to take orders from you ever again. I'll take matters into my own hands instead."
My shoulders slump, while Damian strides out of the room.
I guess getting a threat from my most trusted council member only shows how incompetent I am as a leader.
Can my pack hold against the possible joined forces of the Dunebourne and Crimsonbane Packs?
What frightens me more is how much of my pack's loyalty will remain to me if Uncle Atticus attempts to seize my title again?
I ascend the stairs, hoping a short nap will help clear my head and silence the storm of others' memories that are messing with mine.
But,...
When I open the door to my bedroom, Cassandra is already there, uninvitedly waiting.
My jaw tightens, but I try not to sound rude to avoid arguments. "If there's something you need to discuss with me, you can meet me in my study room, not here."
Cassandra smiles faintly, her eyes filled with thirst as her hands provocatively trace down her curves. "I've patiently saved my v.irginity for you. I want you to claim it now. It's all yours."
When I don't budge, she teasingly adds, "Or do you want your old uncle to own this masterpiece instead?"
Slowly, she lets her silk robe fall from her shoulders to the floor, revealing her n.aked body.
"I've spent a lot of money on the best surgeons to achieve this perfection. I hope you like it," she purrs.
My wolf growls inside me, furiously insulted, as if I'd fall for this cheap trick.
When Cassandra steps closer to touch me, I shove her away. She accidentally stumbles onto the bed. But instead of rage, she lets out a low, seductive laugh and spreads her legs as wide as she can.
"Don't be so rough. It's my first time."
Then,...
A sharp gasp echoes through the half-open door.
Horror grips me like a vice to see Harleigh standing outside, her face is pale and her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Harleigh, no! Let me explain!" I rush forward, but she turns and runs.
Cassandra's voice calling my name fades behind me.
About a kilometer from the mansion, I find Harleigh sitting on an icy log, her face buried in her hands, and her shoulders trembling.
"On the day of my wedding, I saw Lance and his fated mate making love. That memory, I hate remembering, came back the moment I saw you and Cassandra earlier. If you want to make love with her even though she's not your fated mate, then go. She's your betrothed anyway."
I sit beside her, my breath forming clouds in the cold air. "There's no mate-bond between me and her. I'ill never ever touch her."
She shakes her head. "It's because your bond with her was never given a chance to develop. But now that she's here…"
"Even if she stays here for a year or a decade, there'll be no mate-bond connection between us. She's not a mate that I've chosen myself, unlike Lance with you," I interrupt, then add with total resolve, "I won't marry her."
"Are you kidding me? You're putting yourself and your pack at risk again." Harleigh reaches up, her palm warm against my cheek. "Fulfill your betrothal agreement with her. I promise I won't reject you. I'll stay by your side to protect you from those who will try to betray you."
I lean in to Harleigh for a kiss when exaggerated claps echo behind us, forcing us to stand up and look.
Cassandra stands a few feet away, wrapped in the same silk robe, unbothered by the cold.
"Glad you accepted my offer," she says to Harleigh, smiling wickedly.
"What offer?" I ask, glaring.
"She'll be your mistress, so your wolf won't get weak," Cassandra answers.
"No!" I snarl. "I won't treat her like that!"
Cassandra's face darkens. "If you don't want both of us at the same time, then you have to choose: me or her?"
My wolf growls within me, furious at my silence.
Meanwhile, Harleigh slips her hand into mine and forces a trembling smile.
"It's alright. I'm willing to reduce myself to just that. It's nothing compared to all you've gone through for me and my sister. I can't let you and your pack suffer any more than you already did."
My heart sinks when tears, she's trying so hard to fight back, fall down from her eyes.
I squeeze her hand.
Then,...
I turn to Cassandra and declare with my whole chest out, "I choose Harleigh, and only Harleigh."