by Marian Tee
“It’s not like that, dammit.” He hadn’t meant to shout, but he did anyway. Fuck. He was sure there were still guards outside her room, and that meant they heard every word. He hated making a scene. The Moretti pack was already involved in too many scenes as it was. His pack didn’t need one fucking more.
“Then what is it about?” Calys was shouting, too, and her body shook with each word.
The question hung in the air, but Alejandro knew he would not be able to answer it. She might not have any problems letting him see how much control he had over her, but Alejandro knew he would not be able to do the same for her.
This smacked too much of the same shit that his older brother went through with his own human wife, and Alejandro didn’t want that. He had known Calys for two days. Two goddamn days, and the connection between them was already too strong and powerful. Alejandro could only imagine how much stronger their feelings would grow once they’ve known each other longer. How much more would he want his little kitty if her body also belonged to him? How hard would he fall if he became her consort?
“I can only be your Cavaliere, little kitty. Take it as you will.”
The sound of a door slamming made him look up, but it was the scent of unshed tears that was his answer.
Chapter Ten
CALYS
Tension filled the throne room of our keep when the iron doors were pulled open by the stewards and Pasquale strode in. Of average height, he was one of the few shifters who did not seem to have ever experienced bloodlust. Ever since we were kids, Pasquale had always stood apart. When we played battle games, he had always opted to stay behind, preferring to strategize rather than charging into a fight.
Maybe this was destiny, I told myself. I was his exact opposite. Actually, he was the exact opposite of Alejandro Moretti, too. He could serve as a calming influence over me in a way that the Moretti prince could never do.
Pasquale was formally attired, and it made me flush in realization that I was once again vastly underdressed. Even Alejandro, despite not having any change of clothes with him, looked more authoritative than I was.
The thought of Alejandro had me biting my lip, but I valiantly resisted the urge to look at him. He had insisted on being with me during this meeting. He had made his demand in front of all the other Adelardi pack warriors, and not one of them had blinked. In fact, they were already treating him like my right hand, like my Cavaliere. The ease with which he took command of my men made me foolishly want to cry. Couldn’t he see how it would be if he was my consort instead?
I came to my feet and walked towards Pasquale, meeting him halfway. “Thank you for coming so quickly,” I told him with a smile as I offered my hand to shake. But instead of shaking it, Pasquale brought it to his lips, making me start in surprise.
Behind me, I could literally feel Alejandro’s cold deadly gaze sharpening towards us. I could feel his Lyccan half bristling, like a wolf ready to attack.
When he released my hand, he murmured, “Thank you for the privilege of your prompt response, princess.” His dark brown eyes moved to Alejandro. “Is he Stefano’s replacement?”
“No.” I softened my answer with another smile, but I was determined not to entertain questions I did not like answering. He was not my consort yet. I didn’t owe him any answers.
“Your father and Stefano? Are they well?”
“They have been called away on pack business. I expect them to return within the week.” Adelardi pack business was nobody’s business but us Adelardis. “Shall we proceed to the dining hall and have refreshments served while we talk?”
Pasquale was silent for a moment before he answered, “If it does not displease you, princess, I would prefer we talk about my proposal in a straightforward manner. I have stated everything in the missive I sent to your father. Have you read it?”
“Stefan has passed the missive to me, yes.”
“And do you approve?”
“I have certain conditions that I hope you will agree to, but other than that, yes, your proposal to merge our packs in one shared leadership between us is to my liking.”
Pasquale gestured for me to continue. “State your conditions then. If they are not unreasonable, I will gladly agree to them.”
Looking at him and no one else, I said, “The first is that I will have Alejandro Moretti as my Cavaliere, and I shall maintain his services even after we are married.”
Pasquale’s tone sharpened as he asked, “Why would you need a Cavaliere when you already have me?”
“He is apparently the only one who can…talk sense to me when I have one of my dark fits.” Like all other panthers, Pasquale knew what I was. But unlike the others, he at least had not called me “The Human Monster” to my face.
“And why is that?”
“The reason does not matter to me. He has already proven on two occasions that he is able to control me even in one of my dark fits. Such skills are of vital importance as in time, it may allow me to use my own skills for the good of the pack.”
“I will not lie to you, princess. I don’t like you having a Cavaliere. It’s sure to cause talk. But that can be handled…” For a moment, Pasquale’s disdain for Alejandro showed on his face. “I know the likes of him. Being a younger son, he has no place in the Morettis. I suppose he thinks ingratiating himself to you will give him a chance to achieve a higher pack position.”
I knew that wasn’t true. Whatever Alejandro Moretti was, he wasn’t like that. But I hardened my heart. Even though I knew it was wrong, I just couldn’t make myself speak. I wanted him to hurt…as much as he had hurt me.
Pasquale was visibly pleased when I did not protest his insinuations. He practically strutted as he came close to Alejandro, forcing me to turn around. Alejandro’s gaze was inscrutable, his face bland, but there was a muscle ticking in his jaw. It was obvious Pasquale’s words had hit a raw spot.
“Do you swear you will serve my princess faithfully, Cavaliere?” He smirked. “Or should I call you dog?”
My head whipped around. “Pasquale!” I was aghast at the term. It was the lowest insult one could give to a werewolf. Crap, crap, crap. This had totally backfired on me. I wanted him to be in pain, but I didn’t want him humiliated this way.
“Alejandro—” The rest of my words died at his look. I knew then and there he believed Pasquale and that he hated me for it. But more than that, there was pain in his eyes that broke my heart. One day in the near future, I would find out just what that term meant to Alejandro, and it would break my heart all over again.
In that moment, I didn’t care about how much he had hurt me by refusing to be my consort. All I wanted was to heal the pain. “Alejandro…”
But he cut me off. Without looking at me, Alejandro murmured to Pasquale, “I will be faithful for as long as the princess requires my services.”
Pasquale left a few minutes later, claiming a prior engagement he had to attend to. When the doors closed behind Pasquale and the guards left Alejandro and me alone, I tried to work up the courage to apologize to him. I was miserable and upset. I hadn’t meant for that to happen. I never wanted him to be called a dog. He would believe me, right? Surely he knew that I would never want him to suffer so because I…
My head shot up, my face paling.
I loved him.
Oh God, I loved him. I couldn’t understand how such a powerful emotion could come into being in so short a time, but it had happened. I loved him. I loved him with all my heart.
“Princess?”
“Yes?”
And that was my only warning. In moments, he had me up against the wall, and I didn’t even think of refusing his kiss. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, feeling like this was the best place I could ever be in my life. He kissed me hard, and I kissed him back just as fiercely.
When he pulled away, I opened my mouth to tell him I was sorry, to tell him that I would break my promise to take Pasquale as a consort. I wanted to tell him that I loved him, but all
the words died at the cold look in his eyes.
“I will fight your battles with you, princess, and for you. I will lead your army and make them the mightiest in the land. Your foes shall rue the day they ever crossed swords with you. Every shifter shall know that you are my princess, and I am your Cavaliere, sworn to obey your every word.”
I held my breath, knowing that there was more.
“But when we are alone, princess, it will be the other way around. When we are alone, I shall be your master and you will be my slave, sworn to obey my every word.” His smile was feral. “If I want you to take me in your mouth, you’re going to take it and you’re going to ask me how many times I want to come in your mouth. If I want to fuck you like a dog, you’re going to let me—”
“Why are you talking to me like this?” I cried out.
“Can’t I fuck you like a dog? After all, that’s what you really think of me, don’t you? That’s why you thought I’d make a good Cavaliere.”
“No, it’s not—”
“Don’t bother lying,” Alejandro snapped. A bitter smile slashed his lips. “There’s no shame in speaking the truth. After all, warriors like you and me…we don’t lie, do we?”
I couldn’t answer. How ironic that it was when he was telling the truth, I realized I was wrong. Warriors lied – and they could lie to themselves the way I had done.
I was soon to secure my inheritance as pack leader, and I had the strongest warrior at my side. It was everything I had dreamed of, but my future had never seemed bleaker, knowing that Alejandro now hated me as much as I loved him.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I never…” My voice trailed off. He would never believe me now. I should have spoken up earlier, but I hadn’t. And now I had to pay the price for lying. I knew I wasn’t the only one at fault, but that didn’t matter. He had hurt me, and I had lashed back only to realize too late that by hurting him, I would only hurt myself more.
“I’m just so sorry.” It was the only thing I could say.
“I’m sure you are, little kitty.” His voice was softly mocking. “But I will make you sorrier in the next few days. Be assured of it.”
THE END OF BOOK 1
Book 2 - WOLF GAMES is now available!
The Art of Claiming an Alpha Trilogy
Book 1: Wolf Fight
Book 2: Wolf Games
Book 3: Wolf Kisses
Other Books Set in The World of Moretti Werewolves
The Werewolf Prince and I
A Royal Heartbreak
Suit & Fangs
Don't forget to check out the newest from Marian Tee: ENSNARED (New Adult College Vampire Romance), the prequel to Beholden, which is a love story about a Master vampire and his human pet. It's FREE if you have Kindle Unlimited or just $.99 on Amazon!
Sneak Peek:
My Master sat on one of the leather couches. When I started for the armchair next to him, he shook his head.
“Where do you want me to sit?”
He patted his lap.
My eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
I couldn’t help it. I demanded again, “Are you really serious?”
“Oh dear.” The words had me whirling around and I saw Madame Lavinia on the doorway, a look of dismay on her kind face. “You should never question your Master, young Zari. That is one of the most sacred rules for human pets.”
“Umm…” I could feel my Master’s smile stretching to a smirk behind me.
“If your Master wants you to sit on his lap, you should be grateful for such a sign of affection. It only means he cherishes your company.”
“Err…”
Her hands made a flapping wave towards Alexandru’s direction, as if silently urging me to do as he asked.
Slowly, I turned around to face my Master.
As expected, he was smiling ever so beautifully…and ever so slyly.
Ensnared is available now
Other Books by Marian Tee
Standalones
The Rockstar I’ve Loved for So Long
That One Time
His Fair Lady
Greek Billionaire Romance Serials - A young schoolteacher innocently dreams of falling for a Greek billionaire, but the one she meets only wants her as a mistress.
The Art of Catching a Greek Billionaire (FREE!)
The Art of Trusting a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Loving a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Forgiving a Greek Billionaire
The Art of Wedding a Greek Billionaire
Heart Racer: BIKER Romance Series
Leandro & Bobby’s Story (2 parts) – A young billionaire biker chooses a snarky do-gooder to be his pretend girlfriend.
Heart Racer (FREE!)
Driven by Love
Helios & MJ’s Story (3 parts) - Even though he's commitment-phobic, the aloof president of a billion-dollar bike racing club finds himself jealous of the "secret crush" of a tomboyish camera-wielding first-year student.
Swish
Burn
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About the Author
Marian Tee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of steamy romantic comedies from the Philippines. She is a frustrated mangaka, is addicted to horror movies, and loves all things Japanese.
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Table of Contents
WOLF FIGHT, Book 1: The Art of Claiming an Alpha
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Other Books by Marian Tee
About the Author