Page 2 of My Hexed Honeymoon (The Bridgewater Pack #2)
CHAPTER TWO
Yeah, that tracks.
I’ve been alpha of the Bridgewater Pack for less than two hours and fucking vampires are traipsing through my forest.
While I’d love to claim that challenging Conall for the alpha position was completely altruistic, the truth is, I’ve craved the power and control that comes along with the position.
Especially once he began dating the human, a big no-no in our world, whether you ask our pack members or the Grand Werewolf Council.
But I’d also seen the bond between him and Kerrigan. And it was the type of love that left my best friend willing to move mountains.
Willing to submit to me to secure a future with the veterinarian.
That type of love was all well and good for others, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I’d rather be completely in control of my senses and emotions, thank-you-very-much.
What I hadn’t expected was for the mantle that came along with being alpha to slam into me like a freight train. It hit harder than Conall, harder than our training sessions, harder than anything I’ve ever experienced in my life.
The weight of everything that’s suddenly become my responsibility presses into my spine, coiling chains around my chest like they mean to drag me under.
The safety of my pack rests on me now, and as I stare at the enshrouded witch I’ve just bound myself to, all I can think about is how much I already regret marrying Natalia Burroughs.
It’s nothing more than a means to an end; An alliance forged for my people.
If I didn’t know better—if I didn’t hate her on instinct after what she and her kind had done—I might’ve thought she was beautiful.
Might have let my gaze linger on the white netting covering the golden curls that tumble over her shoulders and the defiant way her chin tilted up during the vows, as if daring me to be the one who said no.
But I do know better, and I’ll never let myself forget that not only did she and her mother kidnap Kerrigan and threaten our entire pack, but witches also murdered my family.
Conall’s too. Back when we were barely old enough to understand what death meant, and the harsh reality left us with eternal scars.
The only reason we survived the brutal attack was because we hid. I’ve spent every day since regretting that I wasn’t stronger. Thinking that I should’ve fought despite being outmatched and outnumbered. Wishing I could’ve done something—anything.
Now I’ve sworn a supernatural oath to one of the deceitful creatures who enacted my family’s murder, and my stomach churns at the idea of living with her, too.
But the moment I said “I will,” ancient magic snapped our bond into place. Talia had given a sharp inhale, obviously feeling it too.
That damn thread pulls extra taut, insisting I protect what’s mine even though I don’t want her to be.
A low growl emanates from my throat, a sound echoed by several members of my pack as the hair on the back of my neck bristles.
Seizing my new bride by the hand, I march us back down the aisle, opposite the way Talia came. We stride all the way to the end, where Conall stands tall, muscles coiled and ready to pounce.
We both tuck our women behind us at the same time, and I’m too focused on the vampires that’ve crested the hill and are sweeping across the meadow to resent the fact that I’ve referred to a witch as my woman.
Dozens of figures step from the trees, all dressed in dark elegance. As if they’re attending a gothic ball, not a wedding they haven’t been invited to. They approach, their movements too smooth and effortless.
We’ve got them outnumbered, but not by much, and only if we can truly count on the witches.
I’ll never count on a fucking witch.
“That’s far enough,” I say, authority ringing through my voice, and that’s a fun new trick that must come with the title. Despite being forced to marry a woman I despise, it’s good to be top dog.
Here’s hoping I’m not about to lose it in a battle against the vampires.
A singular figure paces ahead of the rest of the crowd, a rankling smile curving the androgynous vampire’s lips as they survey the ceremony. “We come not as enemies but to negotiate.”
Silence stretches out in the space between us, and Conall catches my eye, as if I need the reminder this is all on me now.
Every muscle in my body locks, my teeth clicking together as I clench them in place and step forward.
On instinct, I sweep out an arm behind me, ensuring Talia’s still shielded away.
Yep, just instinct and a magical bond that’ll never go away. No reason to read any more into it.
“And it looks as if congratulations are in order,” they add with a nod toward the petal-strewn aisle that leads to the altar.
I crank my glare to extra heated. “You weren’t invited.”
“Yes, that’s why we didn’t RSVP. Incredibly rude, I know.” White teeth flash between those blood-red lips, the corner of a fang causing mine to elongate in my own mouth. “But we’ve been searching for a witch who can navigate the astral plane for a while.”
My eyebrows lower, and they only scrunch further as I notice the vampire’s gaze pinned on my bride.
Slinging an arm around her shoulders, I tuck her next to me and peer down at her face, a silent question in my eyes. What the hell are they talking about?
Talia’s jaw sets, her eyes narrowing with the obvious hatred she has for me. Her return look either says I don’t know or bite me, werewolf, and little does she know that if this goes badly, I’ll rip her limb from limb, mate bond or not.
“We can stay through the celebration,” says the pangender vampire acting as leader or at least messenger, “or we’re happy to pose our offer now and let you get on with it.”
I want to wipe the smug grin from their face, acting like they’re accommodating us while trespassing on our territory.
“It’ll only take a few minutes, and as long as we can strike a bargain…” Their silken voice turns steely, both fangs fully showing now. “Well, it’ll save us all from a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.”
Great. A few hours into being alpha and mere minutes after vowing myself to a woman I loathe, I find out that when it comes to our problems, marriage is just the tip of the iceberg.