Page 5 of Alpha’s Hated Mate (Shifters of Clarion)

A ll day, all anyone’s been talking about in the halls is that damned party Howler House is throwing. Most of the student body is going to be there, apparently. Except Scarlets. Of course.

I don’t know why it’s pissing me off, though. After my last class, I went straight to my room and took a shower. Now, I’m lying on my bed, looking up at the ceiling, fuming. Maybe it’s just the way that Nadia went out of her way to tell me that I wasn’t invited. Like I would want to go in the first place. Fuck Nadia Vaultmore and her stupid jock friends.

There’s a knock on my door, and I look up just as Yarra peeks her head in. “Hey,” she said. “I’m so glad I caught you. A few of us were thinking of getting a few drinks at Moonlight tonight and . . .” She pauses, and I can already see her face before I look over at her. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me you’re pissed about the Midterm Bash.”

“No!” I sit up and shake my head for emphasis. “Of course not! Why would I be upset about the first big party of the year that I was specifically not invited to? It’s not like I wanted to go, anyway.”

Yarra sighs and sits down at my desk, facing me. “You know, it’s okay to admit you’re mad about being left out. What Nadia said was shitty. Who could blame you for being pissed?”

“Tell me about it.” I cross my arms . . . Honestly I’m pouting like a toddler! I uncross my arms and stand up, pacing the floor. “It’s just the fact that she’s excluding me over something I have no control over. I never asked to be a Scarlet Wolf in the first place. As a matter of fact, I never asked for any part of the deck I was dealt.”

That stung a little more than I wanted it to. It makes me stop in my tracks. All at once, I remember my life growing up in a tiny unimportant pack near Royal City. I always thought it was hilarious given the fact that I am and always will be the farthest thing from royalty, and yet I lived with my grandparents in a little cabin with a view of the Royal House in my backyard.

Being the only Scarlet in my pack, I struggled so much as a kid. I still managed to make it all the way to Moonhelm . . . and I was never even recognized for it. Meanwhile, stuck-up wolves like Nadia skip through life with her super influential pack, and everyone loves her for just existing.

“Saffron . . . ? Are you really okay?”

I look over at Yarra, who’s studying me with big worried eyes. I guess my thoughts are all over my face right now.

“No, I guess not,” I say. “Shit.”

“Hey, why don’t you come with me tonight? I’m going with Lorelai from my English class, and she’s got the first round. She invited that one Scarlet in Biology that’s always checking you out. I forget his name. Maybe instead of moping you can try having a good time with somebody instead.”

The guy she’s talking about is handsome, dark blood-red hair and hazel eyes. He’s also one of the most boring people I’ve ever met. “Pass,” I say.

“You’ll feel better if you get out and have some fun. And besides, this is what assholes like Nadia really want. For her enemies to sit around in their rooms and mope while they’re having the time of their lives. I’ll tell you what. We can even stand out in front of Shatterstone and flip them off together.”

She nudges me with her foot, and I crack a smile. “I’d rather gather Mandrakes and throw their screaming husks through the front door.” Yarra tilts her head, and I’m immediately reminded that she’s not from Clarion. I explain, “It’s a root that’s shaped like little ugly babies. They scream when you pull them out of the ground. Really, really loud. The sound has been known to drive people insane or even kill them if they’ve got weak constitutions.”

“Okay, dark ,” she says with a nervous smile. “I’m all for revenge, Saffron, but maybe not anything that involves killing or maiming?”

I sigh as I analyze Yarra’s logic. This is what Nadia wants. If she were here right now, she’d be all smiles seeing me down in the dumps because I didn’t get invited to her stupid party.

And now that I’ve thought of it that way, I realize that we just can’t have that.

I get up and walk over to my dresser. “You know something,” I tell Yarra, “you’re right. I would have more fun if I got out.”

“That’s the spirit. I’ll call Lorelai and tell her you’ll be joining us.”

I glance over my shoulder to see her pulling out her phone, and I scoff. “Don’t bother. You go on and have a blast at the bar. I am going to the Midterm Bash.”

Yarra’s eyes widen with shock. “Oh . . . oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Have you seen some of the Howler House wolves? You’re going to be surrounded by big drunk jocks that do not like you.”

I grab my leather mini skirt and low-cut, lacey blue blouse. “I’m going to be surrounded by big drunk jocks that are deathly afraid of the ‘red menace’ that is the Scarlet Wolf. I’ll be fine. I’ll be better than fine because I’m about to ruin their night. And all I have to do is show up.”

She watches as I throw off my bathrobe and start shimmying into my skirt. “Let me at least go with you,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt.”

“I’m a big girl, Yarra,” I say. “I can take care of myself.”

Her brow deepens into a frown, and I stop getting dressed to take her by the shoulders. “Look, I’ve been a fighter my entire life. Way before you got to Moonhelm. And I have a lot to fear from a lot of things in this world. But the one thing I will never be afraid of is a dumb jock doing a keg stand at a party. I promise you. I’ve got this.”

She nods, and I rush off to the bathroom to do my hair. She says, “Call me before you go to bed. Just so I know you’re okay.”

I tell her I will, but my mind is made up. I will be damned if I let Nadia fucking Vaultmore get the better of me.

I can hear them howling as I come up the walk, just under the loud music and the sound of laughing and talking. It’s the telltale sound of wolf party in full swing. I wonder what sound they’ll all make when I walk in.

I took a little extra time with my hair, curling the ends and tying it up in a big bouncy ponytail. My dark eyeshadow makes my blue eyes pop, and my blood-red lipstick matches my hair. My blouse is cut low, and my skirt is short. I can’t wait to see the horny and confused faces of those Howler jocks.

Shatterstone is one of the event halls near the center of campus, which really speaks to Nadia’s influence at Moonhelm. This is usually where the year-end graduation parties and high society charity gigs are held. I pause as I look at the hall’s giant stone doors as they buzz with the loud music inside.

They are going to collectively shit their pants.

I take a deep breath and walk up the stairs and through the doors. In the front hallway, there’s a table set up right by the doors leading into the party. Two little blonde things are sitting there with several rows of gift bags in little leather pouches. I walk right up to them and pick one up. They stop talking and stare at me like I’ve grown an extra tit.

“Excuse me,” one of them says. “Those are for guests.”

“Awesome,” I respond. “Thanks.” Then I walk right past them and into the party.

They might be shouting after me, but they’re drowned out by the loud music as soon as I walk in. The sound pulses against me and vibrates the walls behind me. Colored lights shine down on the dance floor as bodies move rhythmically to the beat. Everyone looks like they’re having a great time. Kind of disappointing that the music didn’t cut out as soon as I walked in.

I walk over to the punch bowl on the refreshment table and grab a cup. I bring it to my lips and pause. The alcohol smell is thick . It almost shuts out the odd rain smell hanging in the air . . .

“Exactly what the hell are you doing here?”

I look up, and Aydan Vaultmore is standing next to me. Of course, he’s here.

I down the punch in one swallow and say, “Brain surgery. What are you doing here?”

His jaw stiffens, and he glances around. “I don’t think you were invited. You need to leave.”

I laugh at him and pour myself another drink. “And you need to mind your own business instead of minding your sister’s.”

His blue and green eyes intensify with anger, and a warm vibration rocks through my body. Vaultmore or not, he sure is sexy when he’s mad.

“I’m not about to let you ruin her party,” he growls. “Either get out or I’ll escort you out.”

“You and what army?”

He doesn’t get the chance to answer. Right on cue, his sister stalks up. She’s wearing a cream-colored dress with ruffles at a hemline that comes down to the middle of her skinny chicken legs. She glares at us through her layers of makeup.

“What is she doing here?” she says, her fists balled up.

“Drinking,” I smirk, “and chatting with your brother. I never noticed how handsome he is. Must be adopted or something.”

Her face turns bright red, and several thick veins pop out of her forehead. The image of her head exploding flashes in my mind, and I almost laugh out loud.

She turns to Aydan and snarls through clenched teeth, “Get. Her. Out. NOW.”

She stalks off, and Aydan grabs my arm. I yank out of his grip, and he tries again. I slip away once more, and this time, I toss my drink in his face. Fury flashes in his eyes as he grabs me around my waist and lifts me off my feet, slinging me over his shoulder.

Maybe it’s the alcohol, but to my surprise, I don’t yell or struggle. Instead, I’m laughing as he carries me out. Once we’re in the night air, he sets me down on the sidewalk and says, “Now, get out of here.”

“Unless you’re planning on carrying me all the way back to my dorm, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Is that what it’s going to take?” He walks toward me, and my heart starts thrumming in my ears. His scent is heavy in my nose as he stands over me, and suddenly, all I can think about is ripping his clothes off.

I take a couple of steps back from him and start walking up the path. “Guess you better make sure I get back, then. You know us Scarlets are tricky.”

I look over my shoulder and, sure enough, he’s following.

“I should lock you in,” he says once I cross the threshold of my dorm room. I laugh at him and walk over to my bed, sitting down and leaning back on my elbows. His eyes drift down to my legs, and for a few seconds, it feels like he’s caressing me.

“It must really piss you off that you can’t keep me here,” I say, crossing my legs. “I mean, even if you could lock me in, how do you know I can’t find a way out? If I’m left to my own devices—”

“Shut up,” he growls. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work.”

Goddess, he smells so fucking good right now, and I know I have to smell good to him, too. These carnal thoughts of mine have got to be in the top tier of every bad idea I’ve ever had. There must be some psychological term for wanting to fuck your enemies. Perhaps for me, it’s some animalistic thing. Some need to tear him to shreds. After all, that’s a Scarlet’s curse. Only a Neutral can mate with me. Woe be to any other wolf who tries it.

And yet, here I am, enticing him. Practically begging him to come to his death. I reach up and undo the button on my blouse just below my cleavage, the urge to see him crack overcoming me. He’s watching me, his brow furrowing as his feet remain rooted to the floor. I undo another button.

“Stop it,” he says, his voice suddenly a low whisper. “You think I’m about to risk my life to have sex with you?”

“Are you?” Another button undone . . . and another. My blouse falls open, revealing my lacey black bra. “Only a certain kind of wolf can handle me, right? One that’s strong enough?”

I sit up and let the shirt fall down to the bed. “How awesome would it be,” I say as I slide my bra straps down my shoulders, “if you could go back and tell your little pack that you fucked a Scarlet and lived? They might make statues dedicated to you.”

He smiles, and it’s like the sun has finally peeked out from behind the clouds. My skin is suddenly warm and radiant. “I can resist you.”

“Famous last words.” I stand up and unbuckle my bra, letting it fall to the floor. His smile changes, his eyes tracing my body, running over the hills of my breasts. I know this is so wrong. All my life, I’ve been told to be careful who I mate with. The few encounters that I’ve had have only ever been with other Scarlets, and we’ve always known to stop before . . . well before things went too far.

I walk up to him, and he doesn’t move. He doesn’t pull away as I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. He kisses me back, and the air between us heats up. Little growls escape him as his hands wrap around my waist. His fingers slide up the center of my back.

My skin tingles at his touch. My body is responding to him on its own. His fangs descend and pierce my lip, sending a sweet pain through my body.

He pushes me back. At the same time, I grab him by the shirt and yank him back with me. My hands turn to claws, and I’m tearing into his shirt as he presses me against the wall, his claws ripping at my skirt. He pierces the skin of my thigh, and I smile against his lips, the sting urging me on.

“Calling me weak was a mistake, little Scarlet,” he growls.

Goddess, the low vibration in his voice alone is making me so wet. “Show me what you’ve got, big man,” I retort.

He hooks his claws into my half-torn leather skirt. He yanks hard, and the whole thing comes undone, falling to the floor in a pile of scraps. I picked a good night to go commando.

He steps back and rips off the rest of his torn shirt. I pull off his belt and undo his pants. As I reach in and take hold of his cock, I’m pleasantly surprised. I guess they grow Vaultmore men pretty big.

I start stroking him up and down slowly as he looks down into my eyes, a sort of hungry and wild energy dancing behind them. His breath is shaky as he silently devours me. Oh, this man wants me in the worst way.

I squeeze my hand tight around his shaft, and his eyes roll up as he sucks in a breath. He enjoys the moment for a second, and then his hands are around my waist. He kisses me deeply, his palms sliding down to my hips.

The next thing I know, he’s lifting me up and bracing me against the wall. He enters me, lifting my legs up and around his waist. I grab hold of his shoulders, the feeling of him inside me a mix of intense pleasure and pain. He thrusts, his cock pressing against the most sensitive spot within me.

I bite my lip in an effort to hold back my climax, but it’s almost too much. My moans come out in gasping, almost desperate sounds. I wrap my arms around his neck, my hands in his hair. His mouth is on my neck, and his fangs press against my skin as he glides down to my shoulder, flirting with the promise of claiming me. The way he’s fucking me right now, I’m almost convinced.

“Yeah,” he moans in my ear. “That pussy’s so wet.” He thrusts harder. “You want this bad, don’t you?”

I dig my claws into his neck, and he growls against my neck. He hooks his arms under my legs as he thrusts deeper. I can’t hold it back anymore, my moans getting louder, higher, rougher.

And I’m about to come . . . Oh no . . .

He leans his head into mine, and we lock eyes. I’m starting to glow with a reddish light that’s wrapping around him. My legs are shaking, and all that once, I realize how foolish this was.

“W-wait,” I manage to say. “I’m about . . . I’m gonna . . . Oh, Goddess! ”

It happens, and my body does something it’s never done before. Hot lava pulses under my skin as I implode, my skin burning like a flame, lighting up my room. My claws dig into him as my body surges and melts all at once. I close my eyes as his moans mix with mine. I don’t dare open them. This is it. What I’ve always been warned about. I’m about to kill another wolf and maybe even myself. What have I done?

His cool lips brush against my neck, and something happens. My legs are still shivering, the sensation is still there, but . . .

“That’s it, baby,” he moans in my ear, his thrust gets deeper and slower. “Let me feel it. Come all over this dick.”

I’m still going, but my body is cooling, mellowing into it like I’m slipping into a bath. I lean into his voice as he encourages me, talking me through the moment, and I settle into a warm feeling inside.

He’s . . . he’s neutralized me. I can’t believe it.

He lifts me off the wall and lays me down on my bed. He takes my arms and pins them over my head as he kisses my neck and runs his tongue down the center of my chest. My toes curl as he raises back up to my lips, thrusting deep and slow as my climax settles within me.

It’s . . . never been like this. I don’t understand it, but right now I don’t care. I want him to do it again. I lock my ankles around his waist and whisper, “Yes . . . yes, Aydan . . . yes . . .”