|chapter 2|

|Cain|

I crouch low behind the trees, watching her sit at the edge of the lake, her body seeming to project the glow from the overhanging moon. The same thought that struck me the first time I noticed her during my visit to the pack strikes me yet again at this moment.

She’s beautiful. Even in the darkness of the night, I can tell that she truly is. She has a magical look about her, like the fairies in old fables told to little pups, with her shining golden hair that appears to radiate the moonlight. She has an air of grace and poise about her lithe frame, although her plain clothes don't reflect her status as the Alpha's heir. I watch her, noticing how relaxed she appears, like the lake before her. Her scent hits me like a punch to the lungs—warm and intoxicating; it floods my senses with the unmistakable pull of a mate bond.

The sensation catches me off-guard—even though I'd avoided getting to know as little as her name in order to avoid the inevitable attraction the mating bond would try to force between us—and I nearly forget why I'm here. Nearly. But I'm reminded of it when I spot a shadow moving in my peripheral vision until the familiar haggard form of the rogue comes into view. I'd hired him to scare the female, just enough to send her running into my arms so I could play the part of a hero and sweep her off her feet.

However, now, I watch in horror as the disgusting mutt goes against my orders and instead lunges for her, slamming her to the ground. Her scream slices through the quiet night, making a prickle of unease skitter down my spine.

“Damn it to the moon,” I hiss, stepping out of my hiding place to put an end to this debacle but the rogue doesn't stop and the girl screams again as he sinks his fangs into her shoulder, making the scent of blood permeate the air. I curse underneath my breath. This wasn't the fucking plan.

Before I can go help, the she-wolf manages to free herself of the rogue then scampers into the woods. She seems to have further enraged him because his bloodlust hangs heavily in the night air as I follow them, my own anger piquing at the bastard having disrupted my plans.

Though, I daresay he's succeeded in turning what should have been mere pretense into harsh reality, meaning I'll now be forced to slay him—and that thought sets my wolf afire with savage enthusiasm because he longs to rend asunder to anyone who'd dared to harm his mate.

By the time I reach them, my beast is howling for blood and it's a damn struggle to keep him under control. The rogue barely registers my presence, so busy with the girl, before I grab him by the scruff and toss him to the ground, my claws sinking into his throat. He gurgles, thrashing beneath me, but I don't ease off him until his body stills, the life drained out of him.

Then, I turn my attention to the girl who's seated a few feet away, trembling violently with her wide eyes trained on the dead rogue as she clutches her bleeding shoulder. Carefully, I wipe the blood off my hands before approaching her. She flinches in fear but I raise my hands, showing her I mean no harm as I kneel beside her.

“Are you alright?” I ask softly, my tone laced with concern. My question appears to be the final push to break her because she lets out a gasping breath and starts to cry.

Ugh, fuck. This wasn't part of the plan either.

“Easy now, milady.” I murmur, scooting closer to her. “You're safe now. The rogue is conquered and he shan't harm you again, I vow it.”

“H-He almo— I thought I was g-go-going to die,” she stutters, her body trembling from the force of her sobs. And although I only find her reaction to be a nuisance, my wolf forces me into comforting her and mending the havoc I've wrought.

So begrudgingly, I embrace her, cradling her body against mine while repressing the urge to voice the one word my wolf won't stop growling repeatedly in my head. “Mate.”

The next few minutes are spent pacifying the lass, although truth be told, I’d rather have spent the time elsewhere, had that thrice-damned rogue not seen fit to ruin my plan. Still, there’s a silver lining: saving her life and doing so in earnest, is bound to stir her heart in my favor. But more than that, her sire—the Alpha himself, shall no doubt bend over backward to appreciate the gallant who has spared his cherished heiress. The thought, alone, brings a triumphant smirk to my face.

Mayhap, the rogue hadn't been a complete waste of flesh after all.

After what feels like an age, the girl quietens, and I mark the precise moment she realizes that she isn't being cradled by a common werewolf. She nuzzles her face into my chest to take an audible whiff of my scent before releasing a moan that echoes from deep within her throat. Despite fighting to remain unaffected, the sound stirs my loins and makes my wolf preen in pride.

She raises her head to me and a smug satisfaction fills me at the look of surprise and awe displaying on her face. “Mate,” she whispers, hands fisting my shirt. “You’re my mate.”

“I am,” I say, a wicked smile curving my lips. “And you're mine.”

She looks even more smitten by my words. Perfect. Things are proceeding even better than I planned. Being the mate of the Alpha's heir would certainly set the stage to getting all I want—power, prestige, maybe even a pack of my own to rule over. I could finally abandon this lowly Beta position I hold in my current pack. Then I would attain the power I truly deserve.

Gunnar, my pack's Alpha, is nothing but a weak, soft-hearted fool who relies more on his council of elders than on me. He’s too merciful, undeserving of the power he holds. I should be the one leading and not him. The only reason he wears that title is because he was born into Alpha bloodline, while I was born a fucking Beta. Such is the cruelty of the bitch named Fate but I refuse to play by her rules. Especially not after a golden opportunity has been dropped onto my lap in the form of this oblivious she-wolf. Now, all I need to do is play this right.

“How do you feel now, beautiful?” I ask, feigning concern since I know her injuries would be healed by now.

The girl finally looks away, blushing. “Beautiful?” she whispers, shoulders hunching forward like she doesn't believe me. An insecure she-wolf? My smirk widens at the thought of preying on even more of her weakness. I just need to beguile her with some half-assed compliments and she'll be eating out of the palm of my hand.

I reach out and gently lift her chin, subjecting her to the force of my blinding smile. “Let me remedy that: how do you feel now, gorgeous? I'd be damn blind not to notice…” I trail off, wordlessly asking for her name.

“Talitha,” she answers.

I let her name roll off my tongue sensually, feeling smug when she shivers. “A name as beautiful as its bearer. Befitting for the Alpha's beloved heir, isn't it?”

Talitha frowns for a minute then shakes her head. “No, I'm not—”

“Shhh,” I interrupt, closing the distance between our faces. “Yes, you are, darling. Your beauty is out of this world, and as your mate, you should trust my judgement, yes?” I ask with as much sweetness as possible while my fingers languidly trace her jaw until her breath hitches. My acting skills are truly applaudable. This is all so easy I’m almost bored… almost.

Talitha stares at me for a moment before nodding and giving me a smile that causes my attention to stray towards her lips. “You haven't told me your name,” she mutters and I blink, dragging my gaze back to her shy one.

“Pardon my manners, sweetheart.” I wink. “Can’t help but be distracted by your beauty. I'm Cain.”

She bites her bottom lip, the action distracting me yet again. “Thank you for saving me Cain. A-and I think you're handsome as well.” I almost snort at her words. Of course, I am.

“You know, I'm so glad I decided to take a stroll in the woods tonight. Else I wouldn't have been here to save you from that fucking rogue and wouldn't have met you like this. You have no idea how over the moon I am right now, darling.” I whisper, my eyes keen on her every reaction. “I’ve been waiting for you all my life—been dreaming about this day, yet now that it's finally here, I scarce believe it real. You’re far lovelier than I ever dared imagine, sweet thing.”

Her eyes well with tears and I can see the flower of hope blossoming in them. I can almost imagine all the thoughts and fantasies running through her at this moment. She wants to trust my words, wants to believe that someone like me would choose her, that someone like her could ever satisfy me. Truly, she's right to think that because she's only the key to my ascent; a stepping stone, nothing more. Her worth lies not in love, but in what she might grant me.

There's no way under the fucking moon I'd settle for Talitha—beauty or not, mate or not. But that doesn't mean I can't have some fun with her until my plans are achieved.

“Really?” She asks softly, voice hinting excitement and slight disbelief. “Well, I-I’ve been waiting for you too. I never thought this day would come but now that it has, I'm so happy. And you exceed my expectations too, Cain.”

I lean in, drawing near till our lips are but a breath away. “I know we just met, but I've waited an age for this and I can't bear to wait another moment. I want you, sweetling. Goddess help me, I want you sorely.”

Talitha shivers from my words, her pupils dilating as her breaths quicken. She’s teetering on the edge now, so close to giving in. “Cain, I've…I've n-never lain with a man before,” she whispers, her voice so fragile and raw.

Well, fuck. A virgin.

I should've expected this. While the idea of being the first to take her pleases my wolf to no end, her inexperience is going to be a hassle for me because I'll be forced to go slow and to take my time with her. Fuck that.

I force a smile. “You’ve naught to fear, my dove,” I croon, taking her hand and placing it on my chest. “I’ll guide you. Let me show you how it ought to be.”

Closing the remaining distance between us, I take her lips in a light kiss—a test of how far I can push her. She doesn't draw back; instead, she leans into it, her lips parting hesitantly against mine. I press harder into the kiss, my hands sliding to her waist, drawing her tighter against me. Talitha's fingers curl into my shirt, and I feel a surge of satisfaction. She’s falling deeper into my snare with every word and every touch.

She draws back suddenly, gasping and looking up at me with an innocence that would’ve made any other man's heart ache. To me, it’s no more than a tool, a means to an end. I’m so close to sealing this bond, so close to securing what I've been after.

“Cain… I–I want you too but I don't know what to do,” she stutters, her voice laced with desire and vulnerability. Now, the final piece of the puzzle is set. Perfect.

I grin in triumph, letting my thumb brush along her bottom lip. “You don't have to do anything at all, dove. Let me take the reins. All you have to do is feel.”

Talitha nods, her trust wholly given. I lower her to the soft earth beneath us, deep within the forest’s hush. A bed would have been kinder, more fitting for her first time, but I'm not moved by kindness. This is the path she’s chosen, and she shall walk it on moss and soil.

Every touch, every kiss is calculated and meant to draw her further into my snare. I murmur sweet nothings, words that probably mean everything to her but will be mere dust to me by dawn. Talitha responds with fervor, her innocence clear in every tentative touch, every muffled moan.

The bond strengthens as we lay together, binding our bodies and half of our souls because there's no way I'll be marking her and risk further entangling us.

When it’s all done, she snuggles into me, her head against my chest, eyes closed, and expression sated. Something stirs within me—pride, perhaps. I've succeeded. This Alpha's daughter, this woman of standing, is mine now, my first chess piece in this game I’d designed.

“Cain.” Talitha mutters sleepily, her guards now completely down. “I think… I think I'm in love with you.” Then her breath evens out against my chest as she drifts off to sleep. I chuckle to myself. Of course, she is.