Page 37 of The Romance Rivalry

Eighteen fated mates

BORN TO RULE

By Aiden Jeon

Chapter One

Rion had no idea why he was back here again.

As a Sigma, a loner without a pack, it wasn’t a good idea to be sniffing around where others were gathered. They might get

the wrong idea. Rion had no interest in attacking them; he’d be a fool to do so this outnumbered. And neither had he any interest

in joining them.

He was here for one reason alone: her.

He’d heard of female Alphas leading on their own, though they were rare. He wondered why she hadn’t mated. If there was something wrong with her or if it was by choice. If the latter, she had chosen a difficult path. She wasn’t safe alone, neither from outside dangers nor possibly even within.

He first stumbled upon her while she was caring for an injured hunter in her group. She spoke kind words, telling the wolf

he’d lived a brave and full life as she stayed by his side until he passed. Her senses were probably distracted, as she hadn’t

even noticed Rion’s approach. She’d need to be more careful. Rion stayed close enough to her to keep any and all dangers at

bay that day.

Since that day, everything about her had fascinated Rion. He felt oddly drawn to her. Being a loner for most his life, this

pull was new to him, and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.

“We’ll start plans to move north in the next few weeks,” she said, standing in front of her pack. “Joriah, keep close track of the stars to help us decide the right time to begin the journey. Simna, you’re assigned to help prepare the younger cubs for their first trek. Please advise the mothers if there are any special needs. Our scouts have sent word that it will be an especially dangerous road for us this year.” Her voice grew louder, stronger. “I will take on anyone who dares attack our pack. But it’s best if we stay on guard as much as possible and let nothing take us by surprise.”

She sounded tired. And though her head was held high and her voice radiated authority, Rion had watched her enough times to

notice the small signs. Her hind legs bent slightly, her coat not as radiant as he’d seen it before. She carried the weight

of the entire pack on her shoulders. She did not want to let them down in any way. Even if it took everything out of her.

It wasn’t just that she had more to prove to others as a single female Alpha. It was to prove to herself and her pack that

she could take care of them all. She wouldn’t show them any weakness.

Rion felt a burst of pride within him.

He should leave before anyone noticed him. But he wanted just one more look at the stunning wolf, her jet-black fur taking

on a blue undertone in the moonlight. She was a sight to behold. She took his breath away.

“You, what are you doing there?”

Shit, looks like Rion had outstayed his welcome.

He looked over his flank, and there stood three patrol wolves. They weren’t small. But Rion was massive and could take down

three fairly easily if attacked. But these were her wolves. Hurting them meant hurting her. He wouldn’t, couldn’t do that.

“I’m, I’m looking for a pack to join,” he said. What the fuck just came out of his mouth? This had not been his plan when

he arrived here tonight. Shit, even coming this way wasn’t part of his plan. He just couldn’t help himself. Damn her.

One of the wolves narrowed his yellow eyes, sniffing the air to sense any danger coming from Rion. He wouldn’t smell any.

Rion meant them no harm.

“Come with us. We’re taking you to see the Alpha,” the other said.

Rion’s mouth was suddenly dry, his paws stuck to the ground where he stood. They were taking him to meet her. What should

he say? Should he tell her that her fur was pretty and that he liked her smile? You idiot, she’s not one to be wooed by lame compliments . Should he confess his kill count and try to impress her with his warrior skills? You don’t want to be recruited to her army, you want to be recruited to her den. Rion felt a sensation where his knot would form and he needed to be careful to not totally embarrass himself with an audience.

He followed the wolves as they led him through the pack meeting, past the curious and wary glances of the others. When they

stopped in front of the fire, he leaned back on his haunches and bowed his head.

“Stand and reveal yourself and your intentions. Who are you and why have you come? Are you here to fight me, to try to overthrow

me, to take my pack?” There was a slight shake to her voice, but he doubted anyone noticed.

He noticed, of course. He noticed everything about her.

They all revered her. Rion just wanted to be near her.

He thought about how she must constantly have to be on high alert, her nerves on edge. It made Rion wonder if she hadn’t mated because she couldn’t trust anyone. He would make sure she grew to trust him.

Rion stood, sticking out his chest maybe a little more than necessary. But he’d been told it was his best feature. That, and

his smile. He could flash some fang and probably have her begging for more. He lifted his eyes and met hers. Her narrowed

gaze widened briefly in surprise, but she quickly masked it.

She felt it too.

The pull.

Mine.

“My name is Rion. I am a Sigma. I was abandoned by my parents when I was young and lost from my pack. I’m a keen hunter, a

strong fighter, and can be of great use,” he said. His résumé didn’t sound too bad, not bad at all.

“Sigmas usually only join a pack to find a mate and start their own,” she says. “Is that your intention?”

“I haven’t been part of a pack for as long as I can remember. So I’d need you to teach me how. But I’m willing. And as far as mating goes...” He took one unthreatening step forward and then another. This was his chance, maybe his only one. He wasn’t going to waste it. He lowered his voice so that only she could hear. “I’m here to mate... with you.”

To her credit, she didn’t flinch. She didn’t even blink. He waited.

And then she threw back her head... and laughed.

When she finally calmed herself down and let out one last lingering chuckle, she stepped right up into Rion’s space. “You?

Mate with me?”

Okay, no lies, she was intimidating. Rion could see why she was the Alpha. But he found that sexy as hell. He swallowed. “Yes.”

She leaned back and looked him over, head to tail, assessing him.

“I’m not one to be mated with. But we have many others who would be suitable and attractive to you, I’m sure. Welcome to the

pack, Sigma Rion. I am Aura, your Alpha.”

Aura.

Rion’s heart fluttered at the mere mention of her name.

He hadn’t intended to join a pack. He hadn’t planned to profess feelings for Aura on this night. But what’s done was done. Aura might not be willing to mate with him now. But he’d make her see that they were meant to be together. And soon enough... she would.