Chapter 4 Dangerous desires

I never expected to see her here-of all places.

Linda.

Our eyes met, and time just froze.

"Melody?" she blinked in shock, stepping closer. "I was actually on my way to see you."

My eyes narrowed. "From Anthony's private quarters?"

She looked away, flustered. "I... I came to talk to him. About you."

My voice turned sharp. "Talk about what, exactly?"

"I asked him to reject you," Linda said softly, worry written all over her face. "I begged him to let you go. I don't want to see you suffer."

My heart melted. Sweet, foolish, brave Linda.

"Oh, my sweet cousin. Always looking out for me. But that was dangerous. What if he had hurt you?"

"I will risk anything for you," she said without hesitation. "Thiugh it didn't work. He threw me out and told me never to come back."

I sighed, not surprised. "Sounds like him."

She studied me with a quiet intensity. "Why are you here, Mel?"

"I came to confront him," I told her. "I want to understand why he's doing this. He knows I'm not his mate, I feel it. He hates me. Maybe he'll agree to call off the union."

"But how do you know he's not?" she asked. "You haven't even shifted yet."

"I just know," I replied. "There's no connection between us. Nothing.."

Linda's voice dropped, filled with fear. "Then you shouldn't marry him. If you do... your life will be hell."

"you think I don't know?" I said quietly. "That's why I have to do this."

She reached for my hand. "But I can't let you go in there alone, given how much he hates you. Let me come with you ."

"No, don't worry, I'll be fine," I said gently, squeezing her fingers. "I need to face him alone. And don't tell Grandpa, okay?"

She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Be careful."

I took a deep breath, left her behind, and walked toward the Alpha's quarters.

---

I didn't expect to feel nervous, but I did.

The guards let me through without a word. That surprised me more than anything. Maybe they were starting to see me as Luna already or maybe they just didn't care.

When I reached his private chambers, it was quiet, then I went inside, walking through the corridor, then the door at the extreme end swung open.

And there he was. Anthony. Arrogant, cold and cruel.

But it wasn't just that.

He looked surprised to see me. I took that as a win.

---

Anthony's POV

This morning was something else. I expected chaos-after all, I did shake things up last night.

My friends, Damian and Jacob, woke me up early. I knew they'd be surprised, confused even.

We sat outside my private quarters when a guard came to inform me that Enoch was waiting to see me. I made him wait a bit. I needed to compose myself-Enoch is no fool, and even though he's retired as Beta, he is still a respectable and noble man in the pack, he still runs the winery and has lots of influence.

After I returned from meeting with him, as I went back to meet my friends.

Damian chuckled, "Wow, things are moving fast. Your father-in-law has already come to see you."

"No, it's grandfather-in-law," Jacob corrected, laughing.

"I still can't believe it," Damian said, shaking his head. "You... and that wild thing? Melody?"

I chuckled darkly. "You should've seen her face last night-shocked, frozen. It was satisfying."

"You really chose her?" Jacob asked. "You know she'll never accept it."

I leaned back in my chair, sipping my wine slowly. "Exactly. That's the plan."

Damian raised an eyebrow. "What plan?"

My voice dropped, cold and serious. "I told her years ago I'd get back at her. For humiliating me over some silly fish."

"True, she made you look like a fool back then," Jacob said, laughing at the memory.

I smirked. "And now? She's mine. If she refuses me, the law will take care of her. If she accepts, I'll make her pay slowly. Either way, I still win. But I'm certain she will never accept me, willingly"

"What if-just saying-she surprises you and accepts the bond?" Damian asked.

I scoffed. "You don't know Melody like I do. She's too proud. She'd choose death first."

"Don't be too sure, that girl is wild, she might shock you" Jacob said.

A cruel grin played on my lips.

"Ok, let's make it interesting. If she accepts me willingly, I'll give each of you 1,000 pearls. But if she rejects me, you owe me 100 pearls each."

Jacob and Damian exchanged looks, then laughed. "Deal."

After they left, I walked into my room-and froze.

There she was. My fourth visitor of the morning.

She was sitting on my bed like a ghost..

I almost had a heart attack. "What are you doing here, babe? You shouldn't be here right now. Do you want people to start talking."

"Is that how you welcome your mate?" she snapped, arms folded.

"I've done nothing but love you and stand by you, supported you when she provoked you and what do I get in return? Is this how you want to pay me back?

By choosing that weakling over me? You made me believe you hated her!" she said with almost tearful eyes.

I didn't even flinch as I reassured her. "Calm down, darling. I do hate her. I'm just getting revenge. Besides, you hate her too. I'm doing this for us, Trust me."

She narrowed her eyes. "I know I hate her and want to see her in pain. But you should've let me in on your plan.

"Sorry babe, I only wanted to surprise you" I replied.

"This feels dangerous, Anthony. You're playing with the Moon Goddess." she said with a worried look

"Nothing will happen, darling," I said as I walked toward her with a cold smirk. "Relax. This will all be over in two day. Melody will be gone from our lives."

I kissed her lips, I was already aroused, since you are here already why not give daddy his breakfast as I slipped my hand into her shirt, fondling one of her breasts.

She gently brushed my hands away "No Anthony, I need to leave now before anyone sees me"

Ugggh "are you seriously going to leave me in this state" pointing to my hard d**k

"You should have thought of that when you called her mate before everyone last night" she said frowning

Ok I'm sorry, don't worry, I'll make it up to you." I said reluctantly.

She stood and left, still looking at me suspiciously and angry.

I collapsed on my bed. What a day. Enoch, then her. Four visitors already and it wasn't even noon. I grinned, thinking about last night. I was an expert at shaking things up. I knew the whole town was talking about me. Thinking about me. The whole town would be boiling by now.

My d**CK was throbbing too, I patted it, how do I calm you down...

Then I heard a sound in the hallway.

"What did she forget now?" I muttered as I got up.

I opened the door-and froze.

It was like seeing a ghost.

The last person I expected to see... was her.

Melody walking in as if she owned the place-calm, unafraid.

A crooked smirk touched my lips. "Well, well," I said, folding my arms. "Didn't think you would have the guts to come here."

Her eyes were cold like ice. " I've never been a coward." she replied coldly.

"How did you even get into my private quarters?" I asked.

"The guards let me through," she said. "Guess they are trying to get used to it. Future Luna and all."

I chuckled darkly. "Fearless. I'll give you that."

I stepped closer. She didn't move.

"You forget where you are," I murmured. "This is my house. My territory."

"I know exactly where I am," she replied. "I didn't come to play games. I want to understand why you are doing this."

My smirk faded. " So you need answers?"

"Yes. Why me?" she asked. "Why force this bond when we can't even stand each other? Why deceive everyone including my grandfather when you know that you hate me and I'm not even your mate?"

He raised an eyebrow, that infuriating smirk returning. "Swear you're not secretly thrilled to have me," he said mockingly. "You always wanted me, didn't you?

You couldn't even wait for our wedding night-see how you came running into my bedroom, I know you are wet for me."

"Don't flatter yourself," she snapped.

"I came here to end this," she said. "You don't want me. I don't want you. We're not fated. Let's reject each other and move on."

My jaw clenched. My expression darkened.

"You don't even know," I growled. "You're wolfless. You feel nothing, who told you I don't want you"

"Please I didn't come to fight or argue, just call this off" Melody said and turned to leave, her hip swaying with each step.

Then, without warning, I moved.

In a flash I grabbed and pinned her against the wall. My face was close, too close.

My breath was hot against her skin."Who told you, you can walk in and walk out of my den like you own here?" I whispered. "No fear, what if I hurt you, No one would save".

Her breath hitched, not from fear, but fury.

"For a second, I thought you'd changed," she said, her voice like steel. "But you're still the same scared little boy trying to take what isn't his."

My eyes flickered-hurt? Guilt? It vanished in a blink.

"You think I'm the villain?" I said coldly. "You're the one who turned me into this."

"You were always like this," she snapped. "No one made you cruel."

My expression darkened again.

Suddenly, I grabbed her arm and shoved her back against the wall, harder this time.

I leaned in, breathing heavily. "You think I forgot?" I growled. "You humiliated me. Left me this scar."

I pointed to the faint line on my right arm.

"I told you back then-I get what I want. And now I'll have you, nothing and no one can stop me."

She stiffened. I could feel the tension in her.

But I was stronger now.

She struggled.

But I didn't let go.

I couldn't let go

For a brief moment, something changed. My breath grew heavier. My eyes devoured her, no longer with hatred, but something more dangerous... hunger. Desire

Her scent was maddening. Her lips were parted, breath quick, cheeks flushed. And she was beautiful.

My body was pressed against her's, her chest rising and fall

ing, I can feel her hard nipples pressing against my body.

I hated her.

But my body wanted her and I couldn't control myself.

And I had no idea if I was going to let her walk away untouched.

How does one manage revenge and desire?