Primal
1505 Words
Xavier POV
I stared at the invitation in my hand, studying it carefully, my Beta studying me closely.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, since you've seen them?" his tone was neutral.
I glanced at him sharply. "Yes and no" I muttered, leaning back in my chair. "I'm surprised he sent me this" I nodded at the invitation "Do you think it's his way of trying to declare that he's won? Smug bastard" I muttered.
"What are you intending to do? If they do get married" My beta's voice trailed off...not wanting to finish the sentence, but I already knew the implications of what would happen if Theodore Trace and Alyssa Jones got married to each other. I knew the implications well. I would lose the one chance I had, of being able to claim my mate.
"I'll lose her" I murmured, as my beta sighed. "Forever. There won't be any second chances."
"Why not just claim her in the first place?" he asked incredulously. "Why step back and let your stepbrother" he wrinkled his nose "have what is technically yours? Considering the history you have with each other, I wouldn't have thought you would hesitate to claim her."
I sighed. "There are difficulties," I said, glancing up at him as he frowned, "For instance, I did not anticipate my mate being a human," I added with a low growl, "never mind that she would happen to be my stepbrother's fiancée. She knows nothing of our world" I said gloomily, "and I can't just kidnap her and bring her here. She doesn't even know about Theodore", I added, "he's kept her completely in the dark. The bastard plans on springing it on her after they are married. I have a feeling he's going to mark her without telling her what it means."
"His way of getting revenge on you? Does he know that she's your mate?" he asked knowingly.
I drummed my fingers on the desk. "I think he suspects. That one meeting between us, the chemistry, it was undeniable. All I had to do was look directly into her eyes, and I was blown away. My wolf wanted her. More than wanted her. I think I might have even let out a little growl before I could get ahold of myself. I don't think I did a very good job of hiding who she was to me and Theodore picked up on it. They were already dating by then" I said, scowling, "but it wasn't long after that when they magically became engaged."
"If she feels the mate bond, you know she's attracted to you" my beta folded his arms across his chest and regarded me steadily "and it's only going to get stronger. She's probably already feeling some of the effects. Dreams, for starters."
"I know" I snapped "I'm not exactly going to let her walk down that aisle" I snarled, "give me some credit. I just have to find a way to persuade her to change her mind."
"Change her mind" my beta scoffed, "it's not like she's changing her mind about a dress or something small, Xavier. Don't forget this will affect the entire pack as well when she becomes Luna. Are you planning on keeping her in the dark forever? It would be cruel to break it to her after marking her."
"I wouldn't do that" I growled. "I wouldn't mark her without informing her of the consequences!"
But my words rang hollow. Marking her wouldn't just make her mine, but it would also change her in ways she would never have imagined. It was selfish of me to do something so horrible to her, but my wolf wanted it. He was practically salivating at the mouth at the mere thought of it I struggled to keep him back.
"I never took you for a coward, Xavier" his words stung.
"I'm not a coward" I snarled, jumping to my feet and slamming my hand on the table. "How dare you speak to me, your Alpha, like that?"
"You stepped back and let somebody you despise put hands on your mate."
I blinked. Halted in my tracks. I stared at him, the blood draining out of my face. He was right, no matter how much I wanted to protest or deny it. He curled his lip. "You might think that standing back was the right thing to do or that she's not ready for our world", he spread his hands out "but I don't think you're giving her enough credit. Alyssa is smart" he continued as I nodded quietly, "capable, generous, clever, compassionate. All the traits a good Luna should possess. Just because she's human doesn't mean that she won't be able to lead this pack. I think you're more frightened that you'll hurt her."
I looked away. "A human is more vulnerable, not able to defend themselves" I muttered.
"So you'll protect her" he countered, narrowing his eyes. "Being human can be a challenge in this world, yes" he admitted lowly, "but it's not a death sentence, contrary to what you believe. She's not made of glass" he pointed out with a smug expression.
"I know that. She's one of the strongest women I know" I argued, my voice rising. "Don't you think I've kept tabs on her? Her bastard father has made an agreement with Theodore. Theodore will save her family company so long as she agrees to marry him. My stepbrother has thought of everything". My eyes darkened with anger.
"You mean he's considered all the possibilities and ensured she has no choice. He really hates you" my beta said, glancing out the window, "to go to this much trouble to try and ruin you. If she goes through with the wedding, she'll have no choice but to reject you after he marks her and that rejection could..."
"Weaken me, possibly kill me, depending on the strength of it," I concluded.
He nodded grimly.
"I could take a chosen mate" I considered.
"You could. That's what Theodore is primarily doing, instead of finding his fated one, but does your wolf want that, now that he knows who his fated mate is?" my beta raised a brow.
"No" I exhaled, "he doesn't. He wants Alyssa. I want Alyssa" I admitted.
"You can't deny the mate bond,, Xavier. The moon goddess gives us our mate for a reason. Human or not, Alyssa was destined for you. Your stepbrother knows that, and it's not stopping him from trying to deny you."
I looked at my beta. "Call Jordan."
He looked at me questioningly. "I can't just go into battle without some sort of proof. If Alyssa is going to be persuaded to leave that bastard, then I'm going to need everything I can get my hands on. She needs to know exactly what kind of man she's about to marry, and I need to be able to offer something more to her. Something far more appealing."
"Why not just tell her the truth?" my beta sounded exasperated with me.
"Tell her that werewolves exist and that she's my fated mate? She'll think I'm insane" I shook my head. "No, she has to be introduced to that life slowly, carefully. I don't want her to be overwhelmed by the pack or be afraid of me."
It would kill me if she was afraid of me. My wolf whined at the thought. We wanted our mate to love the both of us, but right now, I had to keep the dangerous side of me hidden from her. Just until she was ready. Then she could meet the both of us.
"What are you proposing to do then? Snatch her up while she's walking down the aisle?" my beta was sarcastic now.
I glared at him. "No, I'm proposing to give Alyssa what she really wants."
"Wait" my beta unfurled his arms and straightened up. "You don't mean you're going to..."
I grinned "Precisely. I'm going to offer her a marriage with conditions that will satisfy her. The benefits of a contract marriage. I do not doubt after she discovers what kind of lying, cheating bastard Theodore really is, that will be enough to persuade her to marry me. I'll tell her I need an heir, provide monetary compensation and add a few more tantalizing options, and dangle it in front of her."
"How can you be so sure that she'll take it?"
"The mate bond. She can try to resist it, try to ignore it, but like you said, it's impossible. She'll be drawn to me, even if she doesn't want to be. She'll take the contract marriage, just to be close to me. Then I can start to improve the bond, get her to trust me, and introduce her to the pack properly."
It was the perfect plan.
My beta did not look convinced. He sighed "This is either going to work extraordinarily well in your favor or go down like a sinking ship" he warned, picking up his cell phone.
- Writer
