Page 54

They rolled out a damn red carpet.

I blinked as we stepped out of the car and into Alpha Stephan’s territory. There was a literal red carpet. With golden lining. Everywhere.

“Oh wow,” I muttered. “All this for little old me?”

Emery chuckled behind me. The King didn’t.

A group of men stood in front of the pack house like it was a royal event. At the center was Alpha Stephan. Tall. Sharp suit and he smiles like a sin.

Oh me likey.

He looked at me first. Not the King. Not Zach. Me.

“Welcome to our pack, Female Alpha Aegis,” he said, stepping forward and taking my hand before I even offered it. He kissed it.

Gross. But... a little flattering.

“You’re more beautiful than the stories.”

I smiled sweetly. “And you’re more dramatic than I expected.”

He laughed. “You wound me. But I like it.”

The King stepped forward. “Enough.”

Alpha Stephan turned, still smiling. “Oh. Your Majesty. I didn’t realize you’d be coming with her.”

“I wasn’t supposed to,” the King growled. “We were attacked en route.”

Stephan raised a brow. “Attacked? How unfortunate.”

The King narrowed his eyes. “Funny. It seems like someone knew we were coming.”

“I was told only Alpha Aegis would be visiting.”

“By who?” the King snapped.

Stephan smiled again. “Let’s not start pointing fingers, shall we?”

The air turned sharp. Emery shifted beside me.

I stepped in. “Well, I’m just thrilled to be here. Assassins and all. Really makes a girl feel special.”

Stephan’s smile widened. “You’re even better than I imagined.”

The King’s jaw flexed so hard I could hear his teeth grinding.

“You will house us safely,” the King said. “Until I’m certain the threat is over.”

“Of course. Anything for the beautiful Alpha Aegis.”

Oh, this was fun.

I looked at Stephan, fluttered my lashes a little too hard. “You sure know how to make a girl feel wanted, Alpha.”

He bowed slightly. “With you, it’s easy.”

The King practically radiated smoke.

“Aegis. With me. Now.”

I blinked. “What, you need help picking out socks?”

He didn’t answer. Just started walking.

I followed, grinning to myself. “Don’t wait up, Alpha. I’ll be back before you can say ‘jealous King.’”

He walked fast.

Like stompingly fast.

“Seriously,” I called behind him. “Slow down. I’m not aerodynamic.”

He didn’t laugh. Not even a twitch.

We passed two guards and a hallway of portraits. Gold frames. Velvet rugs. Rich people stuff.

When he stopped, I almost slammed into him.

“Why are we in—” My voice cut.

His name was on the door. So either Stephan was psychic... or lying through his damn teeth.

We were in his freaking room.

I turned slowly. “Um. Is this where you punish disobedient soldiers? Or...?”

He faced me, eyes darker than I’d ever seen them.

“You think this is a game?” he growled.

“No,” I said. “But it’s a little fun.”

His hand slammed against the door beside me. I jumped.

“I told you not to flirt with him.”

“You didn’t tell me squat.”

“I said stay close. I said this mission is important.”

“And I said I needed to go back,” I snapped. “You dragged me here like some trophy!”

"You didn't enjoy it.”

My chest burned. “Excuse me?”

He stepped in. Too close.

“You think I didn’t notice the way you smiled at him? The way you batted those stupid little lashes? That's not you.”

“They’re not stupid,” I mumbled.

He ignored me. “Let me make one thing very clear.”

I didn’t breathe.

He leaned in. “I will not be alive and let a single hair on your head be touched. But if any man thinks he can have you... I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”

His hand grabbed my waist. My back hit the wall.

My voice broke. “You can’t say that.”

He leaned in more. His lips brushed mine—barely.

“Promise to stay five feet away from any man who isn’t me.”

My heart slammed in my chest.

“You don’t own me.”

He didn’t move. “Promise me.”

His eyes weren’t just angry, they were desperate. Like he needed this promise more than air.

“I—”

His lips brushed the air above mine again. A warm whisper. His lips are just a breath away.

Dangerous.

Holy Moon.

“I promise!” I yelped.

He smirked. “Coward.”

I shoved him back. “You’re insane!”

I stomped toward the door, heat crawling up my neck like wildfire.

Before I left, his voice followed.

"Aegis."

"Yeah."

"Your Beta is safe.”

I froze. “How do you know?"

He turned away. “I’m the King of wolves. Just like Alphas can feel death in their pack... I can feel it across all of them.”

My mouth dried. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

I stumbled into the hallway. My hands were shaking. Every part of me wanted to go back.

Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry.

Then—

“Alpha Aegis?” Stephan appeared out of nowhere like a dramatic sitcom character.

“You okay?”

“Peachy,” I said, voice hoarse.

He stepped closer. “Do you need anything?”

“Your phone. Can I please borrow your phone? I need to call my Beta.”

He handed it to me without asking.

I called. It rang once.

“Hello?”

I nearly screamed. “Noah! Where the hell have you been?!”

“Whoa. Chill. I couldn’t talk. Beta Solice was on me like white on rice.”

“You absolute idiot—”

“Wait. Are you crying?”

“No! Shut up. Where are you now?”

“In my room. What’s going on?”

“I’ll explain later,” I muttered, glancing at Stephan.

He raised a brow.

I handed the phone back. “Thanks.”

Then—

“Five feet.”

I jumped. The King stood at the hallway’s end.

Seriously?

Stephan blinked. “What?”

I stepped back. “Apparently, I’m radioactive now.”

Stephan frowned.

I smiled. “Don’t worry, Alpha. It’s just part of my new romantic parole.”