I burst into the room, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind me with a resounding thud. My breath comes in ragged gasps as I pace the length of the room, my heart pounding against my ribs as if it wants to break free from its confines.
I collapse onto the edge of the plush bed, burying my face in my hands as a tumult of emotions swirls within me. My wolf stirs restlessly, its presence a constant thrum beneath my skin, urging me to seek out our mate and claim her as our own.
And oh, how badly I want to heed that primal call. I've dreamed of finding my true mate, wondered what kind of woman fate would choose to bind me to for eternity. And now, standing on the precipice of that long-awaited moment, I find myself both exhilarated and terrified by the prospect.
As the Alpha Prime, I've always commanded respect and instilled fear in those around me. But beneath that veneer of authority lies a longing for connection, for someone who sees beyond the title and into the depths of my soul.
Sure, I've had acquaintances and allies, but true companionship has always eluded me, the weight of my responsibilities creating an unbridgeable chasm between me and those around me.
But now, with Ember, it feels different. From the moment our eyes met, there was a spark—a recognition that transcended mere words or gestures. She is everything I never knew I needed, a fierce and independent spirit who challenges me in ways I never imagined.
I remember as I stood there, watching Ember in action, a surge of admiration swept through me. There was an undeniable grace to her movements, a fierce determination that burned brightly in her eyes as she confronted the rogue vampires. In that moment, I thought she was everything I had ever dreamed of in a mate—strong, brave, and unyielding in the face of danger.
But it was when our eyes met, when I saw the fire blazing in her gaze, that I knew with absolute certainty that I was lost. There was something about the way she stared me down, her expression a mixture of fury and defiance, that stirred something deep within me. It was as if in that fleeting moment, she had laid bare the raw essence of her being, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her spirit.
I glanced down at my torn shirt, remnants of the her ruthless claws slashing across my chest, the poor fabric couldn't handle it. A wry chuckle escaped my lips as I realized just how long it had been since I had shed blood, mine not another's. But there was no denying the rush of exhilaration that coursed through my veins, the adrenaline still coursing through my body.
With a decisive nod, I peeled off the torn shirt, discarding it on the floor as I made my way to the bathroom. The warm spray of the shower beckoned to me, promising to wash away the remnants of the fight and soothe the aches and bruises that lingered from the encounter.
As the water cascaded over me, I closed my eyes and let myself relax for the first time since the chaos had erupted. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, one thing was abundantly clear: Ember. She was mine, I know she'll fight me every step of the way and I look forward to every second.
*
A few hours later, there's a soft knock on our door. Nate and I exchange a look; he's lounging comfortably on the bed next to me, his eyes half-closed in contentment. With a sigh, I rise and make my way to the door.
"Hello," I greet, opening the door to find a female wolf standing there. Her expression is one of pure disdain, her gaze sweeping over me with thinly veiled contempt. I don't recognize her, but her attitude grates on my nerves immediately.
"The Alpha Prime invites you for dinner," she says curtly, her eyes raking over my form as if assessing my worth. I return the favor, taking in her appearance with equal disinterest.
"Give me a minute," I reply with fake sweetness, before promptly shutting the door in her face.
Nate stirs, opening one eye from the comfort of the bed. "What's going on?" he asks, his voice groggy from his brief nap.
"Up you go," I tell him, rummaging through my bag for something presentable to wear. "The Alpha Prime wants to see us for dinner."
"Alpha Prime?" Nate's tone shifts to one of hushed urgency as he quickly sits up.
"I had my suspicions," I admit, finding an old but serviceable dress. "I mean, look at how grand this place is." I shimmy into the dress, smoothing out the wrinkles as best I can.
"Yeah, think Kellan and Tristan work for the Prime?" Nate says, now buttoning his faded dress shirt. I glance at his attire, noting the worn fabric and the need for an upgrade. We both need a wardrobe upgrade.
"Might be," I reply, running a hand through my unruly red hair in the bathroom mirror. Despite my efforts, the fiery strands refuse to cooperate. I give up, resigning myself to the wild look.
Looking at my reflection, I can't help but feel a pang of satisfaction. Gone are the days when I loathed my appearance, trapped in an unhappy engagement to Jake. Now, in a simple yet alluring dress, I see a woman comfortable in her own skin. The dress, adorned with delicate floral patterns, accentuates my curves in all the right ways, despite my futile attempts to contain them, I mean look at the breasts spilling out.
"Whoa, what are you trying to do? Seduce the Alpha Prime?" Nate's teasing voice interrupts my thoughts as he joins me in the bathroom. I roll my eyes at his jest.
"I have a mate, remember?" I retort, struggling once again with my rebellious hair.
"Wow, well looking like that, not for long. What if the Prime fancies you, and your mate is killed because we both know wolves are possessive creatures and he'd die for attacking the Prime," Nate says dramatically, playing along with his overactive imagination.
"Don't you have an overactive imagination," I chuckle, shaking my head at his antics. We leave the bathroom behind, bracing ourselves to face the awaiting miss bitch face.
As we follow her to the dining room, my eyes widen at the sight of the grandeur before us. The room is adorned with the largest and longest table I've ever seen, stretching across the expanse of the space. It's a testament to the power and influence wielded by the Alpha Prime.
"Take your seats; he'll be in soon," miss bitch face instructs before leaving us alone in the impressive dining room. We comply, settling into our seats with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, unsure of what the evening holds in store for us.
"What's with her?" Nate asks as soon as she leaves, his tone laced with curiosity.
"I don't know, honestly," I reply with a shrug, equally puzzled by miss bitch face's demeanor. We make our way to the end of the table, choosing seats next to each other on the left side. The head chair remains conspicuously empty, undoubtedly reserved for the Alpha Prime.
As we settle into our seats, I can't shake the feeling of being watched. The grandeur of the dining room and the weight of the impending meeting with the Alpha Prime loom over us, casting a sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension.