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“That’s my girl,” he says proudly before kissing my head and walking out the door, leaving me standing stunned in my quiet room.
He is coming today. Since I couldn’t sleep last night, I packed all my stuff that I would need to take with me and tried to mentally prepare myself for this. Who am I kidding? Nothing could possibly prepare me for Alpha Shield.
It is true that I have heard stories of his seriously good looks but as far as I knew, he didn’t give any woman the time of day. Why is he looking for a mate now? Why do I care? If he truly is a monster, I will take him down, or die trying.
I give up trying to sleep and start the shower before standing under the spray where no one can hear my muffled cries.
At least I wasn’t leaving behind any friends or a mother who would be heartbroken at my departure. No, the only one who will miss me is my dad, and maybe my “uncles,” but I’m sure they will be happy enough not to have their asses handed to them by me again.
Maybe my mom would have loved me if I liked to do all the things she did. Or even if I enjoyed one of the things she liked to do, but we did nothing together. Part of that was my fault though. When I was younger, she always asked me to come shopping with her or the spa to get our nails done, but I never wanted to.
The only time we ever did anything was when I would need to go shopping for new clothes, but those trips always ended up in a fight about one thing or another. She finally stopped asking and would just bring me whatever she picked out for me.
I got a lot of my features from her. We are the same height and are both lean, but still blessed with the right curves. We have the same hair texture but mine is a soft brown, and I have hazel eyes next to her blue ones.
Ove the years, I have gotten many compliments on my looks, but it wasn’t a blessing to me. It was a curse. If I were ugly, maybe I wouldn’t be forced into this. It’s not that my picture has been passed around, but the rumors spread. News definitely would have gotten out about the grotesque Alaskan Alpha’s daughter. Then maybe I could have had my own life.
Apparently, the sweats and combat boots that consist of my main attire didn’t get spread around to help me out. I downplayed my looks as much as I could, but with the benefits of being a werewolf I never had to worry about acne or scars or getting fat. All werewolves are beautiful in their own unique ways, but there are some, like my mother, who stand out above the rest.
I wish my mom and I could have been closer, but I will never be like her. I won’t ever agree with arranged marriages. I’m sure some work out, but what about for the rest of us? My simple-minded mother would never understand.
As for my dad, he taught me all about pack politics. Everything I know about our kind, I learned from him or my uncles. We had a lot in common. We like the same food and both prefer our wolf form to our human form, and love to fight.
Sure, he was gone a lot for work, but he always made time for me when he was home.
Now I would have nobody. I almost hoped that Darien would be someone I could fall in love with and that my life really would start with him and wherever he is taking me.
That hope is what inspires me to wear something other than sweats. Today, I chose to wear my nice jeans with a teal hooded jacket but I keep the boots. And if it turns out Darian really is the monster that I believe him to be, I can at least trick him into thinking I’m just a pretty bimbo before making my move. I guess it can’t hurt to hope for the best though. Unfortunately, I don’t think I inherited my dad’s optimism.
I walk downstairs to find Charlie and Niko in the entryway. Any silly thoughts I had about this being a start to my happily ever after, are shattered at the words “He’s here”.
The minute he stepped out of his hummer, I hated him. Maybe it was even before he stepped out. He’s wearing jeans, a thick leather jacket, and a smug smile that reads asshole all over it. I want to punch that grin right off his face.
In due time, I try to wipe the glare from my face and force a fake smile.
“Alpha Shield,” my dad greets him with a handshake.
“Pleasure to finally meet you, Alpha Wilder” he shakes my father’s hand.
“Thank you for making the long trip. I hope it wasn’t too unpleasant. Please, come meet my daughter, Ari.” The man takes my hand and kisses it before I can stop him.
My inner wolf growls. What happens if our wolves don’t want to make nice? My parents may not love each other, but it is obvious that their wolves accepted each other.
Our wolves are an extension of our human-selves but their thoughts and needs aren’t quite so complex. Rather than love, they seek strength, power, submissiveness, or loyalty, depending on the personality of the wolf. I could definitely sense power from him, but something about him was putting my wolf on edge. Or maybe it is just my strong feelings that are feeding her attitude towards him.
“It is lovely meeting you, my beauty,” he purrs, causing my stomach to roll in disgust. Sure, he is handsome with a strong build, though he looks older than I thought he would. There’s something about him that is sending creepy crawlies down my spine.
I glance at my father who simply shrugs at me. He’s clueless. Whoever said this guy was hot, definitely does not share my taste in men.
He’s definitely not ugly. His features are dark with eyebrows that make his light blue eyes pop. Plus, he’s a decent height, with broad shoulders. He could be handsome, but he looks a little rough around the edges for someone I believed to be only in his late twenties. Maybe the stress of all his conquests at such a young age have aged him, or he’s just one of those unlucky men who don’t age well.
Two expressionless men flank Darien just as Charlie and Niko accompanied us for safety. I try not to be surprised that mom isn’t here. I guess she couldn’t even spare a few moments to say goodbye to her only daughter.
“I would invite you to stay for lunch, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep the wolf under control. You are taking my only daughter after all,” my dad laughs at his own ridiculous offer.
“Understood. She will be well taken care of. We have a long trip ahead of us anyways. I look forward to doing business with you,” Darien says before they shake hands again, and my uncles start loading my stuff up. I only packed two bags since we are taking a plane back to somewhere in the United States. We know his territory, but not exactly where he resides.
It finally dawns on me that this is actually happening. I don’t know what I was thinking would happen. Was I expecting dad to not like him and tell him no and that the deal was off? Did I expect a hole to open up in the ground and swallow Darien and his cronies?
Fuck! This is really happening!
My body shakes involuntarily and I’m suddenly in Niko’s arms. I didn’t see him come in for a hug, but I could tell it was him just by his familiar scent of spicy cologne and coffee.
“Shh. It will be okay. Just be yourself, sweetie,” he tries to calm me but how could I possibly be calm? I have no idea where I am going, nor do I know anything about the people around me aside from the fact that Darien is a cold-blooded murderer who is greedy for territory.
Charlie hugs me next, telling me to make sure to keep in touch and visit soon.
Dad is up next but just gives a quick hug and swift kiss on the cheek. He says nothing, but I know it is only because he would break down if he did. I know because I am on the verge of doing the same thing. I’m allowed to cry, but if he falls apart, it would show a great weakness to Darien and his companions. I won’t show him my tears either. No one gets to see this girl cry.
It took me until now to realize that if I run away and break this deal, the pact between the two territories would probably be null and void, leaving my pack vulnerable to Canada. When I imagined how I would be sent away to another pack, there was never any imminent danger in the scenario. I might actually have to try to make this work for my family’s sake.
Dazed and defeated by my new revelation, I subconsciously let the Alpha take my hand in his elbow and lead m
e to the car.
I look back once more at the only three people I considered my family, wishing I had tried harder to be a part of their pack, but it was too late now. I give a weak smile as I try to memorize every detail about them before stepping into Darien’s Hummer, and into my new life.
Chapter 4
Darien
It was weeks ago when we started hearing from the other packs. Due to too many dominance games, Alphas never talked to other Alphas over the phone. Therefore, their advisers and mine, the eldest, or most educated in the pack, are the ones who do all of the talking.
The Canada pack appears to be making a move, which we have suspected for some time, but we were hoping that those suspicions were just nonsense.
Whether it is true or not, our territory borders to theirs, along with a couple other packs, but I don’t want to risk us being the territory they try to take.
Rumor is that they are going after the Alaska pack, which makes sense since they had taken part of Canada. However, if they take over Alaska, they will triple my packs size.
We have grown significantly from where we started, but we are still new, and therefore seen as weak to some. Regardless of how much we have grown, I don’t think we are ready for a war with a pack as large as Canada’s. We are too spread out and vulnerable to counter an attack.
Over the past couple years, I have had countless packs offer me their top eligible female, in order to unite my pack with theirs, but have turned them down. There was no immediate threat at the time, and I don’t want a mate. Not then, and not now.
However, when the Alpha King of Alaska said he was looking for a pack to unite with, there was no way that I was going to let that chance pass. Their territory borders ours, and between our numbers and theirs, only a fool would mess with our packs and territory.
For some reason though, the Alpha of Alaska seemed to believe we were doing them a favor. To me, I saw it as equal, if not them doing us a favor. We have a lot of territory now, but the number of wolves in that territory is not as dense as the amount in Alaska. Not all wolves remained after we took out their leaders. Some fled to other packs, while others tried to retaliate, and lost their lives along with their Alpha. We just recently took a new territory so we are still figuring out our numbers.
My advisors took advantage of the situation and asked if they had an eligible royal to be married while I was away dealing with new pack members. When they told me that they asked for such a request, I blew a fuse.
We argued back and forth, but in the end, I knew they were right. Mating to the Alpha’s daughter from the Alaska pack would make a stronger pact between us. Everyone would be much less nervous all around with a woman to seal the deal.
It doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want a wife. Taking a mate is the furthest thing from my mind right now. I don’t need that distraction, but I can’t deny that it’s a good move for this deal to work.
Refusing them at this point would be a sign of disrespect, and then we would never join forces. There was nothing I could do about it except suck it up and deal with it. As long as she stays out of my way, how bad could having a woman by my side possibly be?
Then I remember the stories I have heard about Alpha Wilder’s wife. Sure, she plays the part, but when he is gone, she does nothing but throw parties and spend his money. She actually believes herself to be Queen of the pack. I’m sure the apple doesn’t fall far from the queen tree herself.
I had immediately started asking around about what others might know about Alpha Wilder’s daughter. I had to know what my advisors have gotten me into.
The Alpha offered to have her sent on a flight next week, but something about that didn’t seem right to me. Typically, dealings like this are done in person. I would go get her like a man should do. Besides, this way I can meet the man that I will be joining forces with in person, if only for a couple of minutes.
Now that we are almost there, I am ready to turn the plane around and call the whole deal off. If Canada decides to attack, so be it. I don’t need some royal, high and mighty, spoiled brat, coming into our territory, especially as my mate. I am doing things just fine on my own. Sure, it would be nice to have some release every now and then, but not with the price tag attached to it.
Being an Alpha for over six years now, I should have already taken a mate, but I have been busy straightening out things in my pack, and increasing our territory so that what happened before would never happen again.
I feel wrong leaving my territory and pack for so long, but I told them to be on alert while I’m away. Together, they will be fine for a couple of days. Traveling to Alaska is no quick journey, which is why Alpha Wilder had offered to fly his daughter to me versus typical protocol. Staying and resting won’t be possible, so we will be traveling back as soon as we pick the girl up.
My two right-hand men and I had landed in Anchorage not too long ago where we boarded for our next flight to a city called Kotzebue. From there, we will be renting a Hummer as they recommended due to the snow and icy roads.
Being in northern territory, we are used to the ice and snow, but I’m sure that here in Alaska, it is a whole other world. Us wolves don’t mind the cold, but I don’t think I could live in it every day for the rest of my life. So far, the scenery has been something else though.
Minutes later, the plane lands a bit harsher than I am used to, and I realize it is due to the snow-powdered runway. Back home they would have just cancelled the flight, but it’s a whole new playing field up here. These pilots do this almost every day.
I am less than an hour from meeting the girl I will have to spend the rest of my life with, and I am suddenly feeling queasy. Maybe she won’t be that bad. Maybe I wouldn’t even notice her presence. And then I remember that royal women always make their presence known in a pack. Shit.
Our pack doesn’t need that right now. We are still building up from nothing, so we don’t need someone coming in and causing drama and wasting all of my and the pack’s funds on whatever they want.
There are definitely going to have to be some rules. If I have to put her in her place, I will. After everything I have done, I will not tolerate a self-righteous brat just because she thinks she is royalty. I’m “royal” born as well, but I don’t think of myself as a King.
I don’t remember exiting the plane or getting in the large SUV, but here I am in the backseat, dreading what will happen about 30 minutes from now.
Shoving down my poor attitude, I prepare to be on my best behavior and put on a good face for the Alpha. I need to show them that I am confident and capable of keeping her safe. However, nothing could have prepared us for the surprise that awaits us.
We pull up to the spot the Alpha directed me to meet him and his daughter. We had agreed on only two wolves each, aside from his daughter. So why on earth are there a dozen men waiting for us here? Fuck. I don’t even see the female. Did we walk into a trap? Was this all some set up to take me out?
My men become uneasy beside me. If this is a trap, their deaths will be on my hands. We slowly step out of the truck, prepared to shift if anyone makes a move towards us.
“Why is there another Alpha on my territory?” Alpha Wilder practically growls at us, or at least I assume that is who spoke.
Is he mad? He must have lost his damn mind. The other Alpha’s hostility triggers my dominant side. My wolf tries to take over but I force him back.
“What are you talking about? I am Alpha Darien. We were supposed to meet today to receive your daughter. And the deal was that you were only supposed to have two extra wolves,” I growl right back. I may be in his territory, but I will not show weakness.
“Alpha Darien was already here over half an hour ago and left with my daughter,” anger fuels his words and I can see his canines sharpen. What does he mean she already left? Does that mean someone posed as me and took her? How could someone have even known that we were meeting today?
“I’m sorry Alpha Wilder, but I am Alpha
Darien Shield. Someone else took your daughter, sir,” I stare him straight in the eye.
The anger remains on his face but slowly changes into confusion and disbelief as he hears the conviction in my words. Werewolves can sense when someone is lying and he now knows that I am not. And then his anger returns tenfold. Shit.
Ari
Almost an hour or so has passed since we left my home. Well, the only place I really knew as home anyways. I don’t think it ever really felt like home until the moment I was removed from it. I tried to never let myself hold that attachment, and for this reason exactly. I didn’t want to be sad about leaving. I need to be strong and prepared for whatever comes next.
We should have reached the airport a long time ago, especially with how insanely fast the driver has been zooming through the mild snowstorm.
“I thought we were going to the airport in Kotzebue,” I question suspiciously. Had dad given me the wrong details?
No one answers, putting me even more on edge. What the fuck is going on? The whole car ride has been quiet, and the tension in the air is suffocating me. Darien punches buttons on his phone, and continues to ignore me.
“Someone please tell me what the hell is going on!” I demand.
“We are taking a different route back, princess,” the Alpha finally answers me through gritted teeth. My fists clench in my lap.
“Don’t call me princess.”
Darien laughs at my threatening tone.
“Oh, I am going to enjoy you, princess,” he says the word slowly for effect. I am about to sock him square in the jaw, when suddenly the car stops. “It won’t be long now. Our ride will be here soon.”
We all exit the vehicle and I have to fight the urge to shift and take off. I need to accept this as my life now in order to unite our packs and provide safety for everyone. Mostly I am just doing this for my dad. However, if he continues to call me that stupid term of endearment, deal’s off.