Chapter 3
"What offer?" I asked.
"That you marry me," Liam said.
I faked absolute shock. "What?!"
Liam sat on the edge of the bed, looking at me seriously. "Elena, I know this is sudden. But you have to understand that your reputation took a hit after last night.
"It is not your fault. But in wolf society, a female betrayed by her intended mate rarely finds a good match."
"As for me," he paused. "My engagement to Chloe was just a verbal agreement. She broke trust first, and the Silver Moon Pack needs a way to save face.
"Instead of both packs looking foolish, an alliance makes perfect sense. It is the best choice for you, for me, and for our families."
I lowered my eyes to hide my triumph.
Everything was going exactly according to my plan.
"But..." I feigned hesitation. "Liam, you care about Chloe. I do not want to..."
"I do not care about her." Liam cut me off, his voice firm. "I was only good to Chloe out of pack duty. She betrayed us, and I feel absolutely nothing for her now."
"But you." He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You are smart, brave, and independent. Being with you would never be a burden."
He leaned in, his warm breath fanning my face. "Besides, I can feel it. We have a connection. You feel it too, right?"
It was the primal pull between wolves. The perfect match of pheromones and the deep resonance of our souls.
My heart rate spiked.
Damn it. I only meant to use him. How did this happen?
"I... I need time to think." I turned my head away.
Liam chuckled. It was a wicked, knowing sound. "That is fine. I can wait. But..."
"But what?"
"But I am a very eligible bachelor, Elena." He leaned right by my ear, his voice low and raspy. "You better decide quickly, or someone else will snatch me up. Do not say I did not warn you."
With that, he gently bit my earlobe.
A shiver wrecked through my body, and my face flushed hot.
Liam stood up and smoothed his shirt, instantly regaining his aristocratic grace. "Get some rest. I will have dinner sent up later."
He walked to the door and stopped, glancing back. "Oh, and Elena."
"Yes?" I replied.
"Welcome to the Silver Moon Pack." He gave me a quick wink. "My future wife."
The door clicked shut. I pressed a hand to my chest. My heart was hammering wildly.
Liam was far more dangerous than I thought.
He was not just brilliant. He knew exactly how to seduce.
How did I never notice how incredibly sexy he was in my old life?
*****
Downstairs, the negotiations dragged on.
When I changed clothes and headed down, I heard Gavin's mother, Victoria, pleading with my father.
"John, Elena and Gavin had a prior agreement. Even after what happened, we can fix this as long as she accepts Chloe," Victoria said.
"Fix this?" my dad roared. "The Blackwood Pack humiliated my daughter at her own engagement party. Now you expect her to accept this insulting arrangement? Keep dreaming!"
I walked down the stairs. Every eye in the room locked onto me.
Gavin saw me, a complicated mix of emotions flashing in his eyes.
He stood up and took a step forward. "Elena, I..."
"Stop right there," I said coldly. "Gavin Blackwood, as of this moment, our engagement is over."
"And another thing." I turned my glare to Victoria. "Mrs. Blackwood, I want you off Silver Moon territory right now. Traitors are not welcome here."
Victoria turned pale with rage. "Elena! Do you know what you are saying? You are destroying the alliance between our packs!"
"An alliance?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Your son destroyed it. He publicly marked my cousin at our engagement ceremony. I want no part of a union like that."
At that moment, Liam's father, Marcus, spoke up. "That is enough, Victoria. The Blackwoods disrespected us first. Do not blame the Silver Moon Pack for withdrawing our hospitality.
"Elena is right. It is time for you to leave."
Victoria opened her mouth to argue, but her husband, Robert, grabbed her arm. "Let it go. We already lost."
He gave me a long, heavy look. "I am sorry, Elena. We failed to raise him right."
With that, he dragged Victoria and Gavin toward the door.
Gavin stopped at the threshold and glared back at me. "You will regret this, Elena."
I smiled. "You are the only one who will regret this."
Right before the door closed, I caught a flash of pure, toxic hatred in his eyes.
Perfect.
This was only the beginning.