Captured By 2 Alphas (Werewolf)

My face is red with embarrassment and ignorance. Apparently,

everyone has known about my fate except for me. But that ends

now.

After rushing past the door of the Alpha's house without a

single trace of hesitation, I head for the stairs where I know his

office is. I'm marching my way down the hallway when angry

voices stop me dead in my tracks.

"That idiot is on the loose! How am I suppose to takeover when

he's out there just waiting for someone to pounce on?" I recognize

the whiny yet still smug voice of the celebrated prick, Nathan

Swelter.

Since I need to talk to him anyway, sticking around by the partially

open door wouldn't be that wrong, would it? I've never exactly

been against eavesdropping before, so what's the difference now?

That's my reasoning as I creep closer to the door and press my ear

against the wall, letting the gift of heightened hearing do it's job.

"He's less likely to bother us if there are two leaders. You have a

Luna picked out, correct?" I recognize the voice of Alpha Andre,

speaking in a composed tone.

"I want Adrienne," he responds almost immediately, causing me to

physically restrain the gag squirming to escape my throat. At the

mention of my name, I feel the color drain from my face. "She's the

one and I'm tired of waiting for both her and my title."

A deep hum reaches my ears, what the Alpha always does when

he's considering something. "Then wait no longer. I'll have the

wedding moved up to Thursday. Since there's no mate bond to

bind you, vows will work just as well. Plus, you'll have more time to

get acquainted with her. Maybe even-"

"There's not going to be a wedding," I announce, seething after

barging through the door on impulse. There's no way I can stand

out there and silently listen to my future being decided for me. Not

anymore. I'm sick of being a ghost in my own life.

Two pairs of eyes turn on me. One is Nathan's-- a light blue that

pairs nicely with neatly combed black hair. The other pair are a

darker blue and belong to his father, whose once inky black hair is

now peppered with grey. Evidence of the stress that comes

attached to the title.

"Excuse me?" Alpha Andre stands up from his leather office chair.

He has squared shoulders and a tall stature that would be hard to

beat. One thing is for certain, and it's that he's used to looking

down on people, not vice versa. He shoots me that disappointing

gaze that he's mastered over the years, making even the most

arrogant of wolves ashamed of themselves.

I swallow, fighting to keep my attitude under control. Too many

times I've mouthed off to him and seen the consequences. But

keeping this new leaf turned over is proving to be quite

challenging.

"I'm not marrying him or anyone else," I seethe again, planting my

feet firmly in place. He can't possibly think that he can force me

into this. Can he? He's held control over me my entire life, but

surely there's a line he won't cross. There has to be.

To my right, Nathan lets out a frustrated moan.

"Why can't you just cooperate for once?" He whines at me. "I

thought we were past this. I can give you everything you want! Who

turns down the title of Luna?" He looks to his father for help with

pleading yet demanding eyes.

He's never grown up. He still reminds me of that same child who

threatened to throw a tantrum if he didn't get his dessert. Or the

one who threatened to have my fingers cut off if I tried to play with

a toy he'd forgotten he even had.

"You can't give me shit or you wouldn't have treated me like it my

whole life," I shoot back, feeling a growl starting to rumble deep in

my chest. He's always thought of himself as royalty and everyone

else peasants. But in my eyes, a king without a crown isn't a king

at all.

Alpha Andre snarls at me for my backlash. "Watch your damn

tongue." He then turns to his son, confidence thick in the air

around him. "She'll do whatever I say." He sits back down in his

chair, leaning back and watching me with a calculating look. One

that reminds me of a beady eyed snake in the grass.

"Won't you Adrienne?" He asks in that sickly sweet, ominous voice.

I hate that voice, that tone. I hate it with all of my being and I

always have. It makes me sick. Sicker than imagining a future with

Nathan.

I clench my jaw tightly, my hands curling into fists. "And if I don't?"

He tilts his head down and smiles darkly, clasping his hands

loosely together. "Then you'll be locked up again. You wouldn't

want that, would you? I'd think it gets awful lonely down there."

My blood turns to ice and suddenly I feel cold. Chilled to the bone.

It's as if I can already feel the frigid stone against my skin and the

silence ringing in my ears.

I hide my fear and scoff, skeptical and taken aback. There's no

way I can go back there, not to that hellhole. Though if he's

serious about this, then I'm more screwed than the missing ones

in his head. Though that's an easy accomplishment.

"You wouldn't." I force my words to come out as a challenge, yet

on the inside I feel like breaking down, dropping to my knees, and

begging to keep my freedom.

He smiles again, his eyes sparkling with a twisted amusement. "Oh

but I would."

He enjoys this. I know he does.

I find myself staring down at my shoes. Heat rushes to my cheeks

at the fact that he can bend me so easily with one simple threat.

This can't be happening...

"The wedding is Thursday," the Alpha's words are like a cold

bucket of reality, reassuring me that this isn't a nightmare. "That

should be enough time. Now go on. I believe you have ceremony

to prepare for."

Go figure . Forced into an engagement and I'm still the one who has

to cater the party I don't want.

My feet move mechanically towards the door, more than ready to

leave. But not without knocking a potted plant off a nearby table

first. The sound of the clay shattering on the floor is amplified by

the thick silence of the room.

"Bitch," I mumble under my breath.

"What was that?" Nathan snaps. It surprises me that he doesn't let

his daddy handle this for him, too.

I start to prepare a sarcastically sweet response, but instead I

decide to voice my true feelings. There's no longer a reason to

keep my mouth shut.

I whirl around on my heel to face him. My eyes lock with his,

shooting daggers dripping with venom.

"Bitch. That's what I said," I snap, loud and clear, "You're a fucking

bitch and I hope and pray that one day comes when your rotting

and bloated body is found floating in the river, eyeless because the

fish have already picked them out."

It feels as though my skin is on fire and my lungs ache for air. I

mean every single word of what I say and my tone is more than

laced with hatred; it's seeping it. Pure and livid hatred.

I don't wait to see if he's going to patronize me further or if his

father is going to throw me back underground for not holding my

tongue. I slam the door behind me with enough force and intent

that a loud crack through the wood streaks across it.

Instead of going back to prepare for the party like I'd been told, I

head straight to one of the many smalls cabins in the village and

into my bedroom, which is similar to a loft.

Fairy lights hang around the tops of the dark grey walls. The room

is flooded with natural lighting from the giant window that my bed

is sidled up against. I plop down on it, burying myself in the

sheets.

Just forget it. Forget everything.

Forgetting is always easier. Except this time, I can't push the

dreadful thoughts away.

The wedding is Thursday. That leaves me with four days. Four

days left of freedom. Four days left to figure out how to save

myself.

Suddenly, in a random thought, I remember what Nathan said

before I barged in.

" That maniac is on the loose! How am I suppose to takeover when

he's out there just waiting for someone to pounce on?"

What maniac was he talking about? And what does that have to do

with him needing a Luna before he becomes the Alpha?

The sun is starting to sink down, casting a dim light over the bare

trees and white sparkling mountains. The air is cold, invigorating.

I walk along a snow dusted path leading out of our little village

and into the woods nearby. Large trees, somehow still full with

leaves, form a circle around the clearing.

Aimee is standing against the shadowy tree line. A group of girls,

none of which I've ever bothered to have a conversation with, are

surrounding her. Their voices are low, kept in hushed tones that

only signal one thing: gossip.

I perk my ears, listening in.

"I hear he's ruthless. A monster who's wolf is three times the size

of any other Alpha," a petite, bleach blonde- Mya- whispers, her

eyes wide for emphasis.

Her brunette friend shudders before giving her input. "They say

he's an absolute beast. He goes out commits mass murder

whenever he feels like it!" Suddenly she lowers her voice even

more and it turns shaky, "God, what if he comes here? Who knows

where the hell he is right now."

They all exchange wide eyed glances, looking to gauge each

other's reactions.

Who the hell are they talking about? And why are they so jittery?

As I approach, a stick snaps under my heel. All of them jump,

including Aimee who has seemed fearless for as long as I've

known her. Mya even lets out a choked scream.

All of their eyes turn on me as if I were the devil come to claim

their souls. Their faces ghostly pale and their mouths are agape.

"Goddamn it, you can't do that!" Mya shrieks at me, her face

turning into an accusatory stare. Something about her tone cuts

right through me.

I narrow my eyes and push my lips into a snarky pucker. "If you're

so scared then why don't you go choke on something besides

fear?"

She sucks in a sharp breath, taken aback. Maybe it was a bit too

far, but I can't say that I'm sorry. Nathan has already frayed my

nerves for the day. Mya's mouth gapes like a fish out of water as

she tries to find her words.

"You know what, fuck you," she spits before storming off. The

other four girls follow her off, scowling at me at they go.

I brush it off and turn my attention back to my best friend. Aimee

remains standing with her back towards the trees.

"What was that all about?" I ask, walking up to her and pointing a

thumb back at the group.

She isn't phased by the little scene she just saw between me and

Mya. At one point she tried to teach me how to keep my inner

thoughts inside. Needless to say, she never did succeed. Now she

doesn't even pay attention to my lack of a filter as she raises an

eyebrow, her forehead wrinkling.

"You haven't heard?"

I shake my head, furrowing my brow. I need to know what's going

on. People gossip all the time, but never like this. Never with such

fear.

"They call him the Exiled Alpha," she pauses in order to look up at

the sky as it grows increasingly darker. "Shit, I have to go. I'm

already running late."

Her sentences are rushed as she bends down to grab the strap of

a purple backpack and heave it onto her back.

"Wait! What do you mean Exiled-"

Before I can finish she reaches out and grabs me firmly by the

shoulders, looking me dead in the eye with such intensity that I

feel paralyzed.

"Listen to me Adrienne," she squeezes my shoulders, speaking

firmly, "I don't have time to explain right now, but just- don't go

off into the woods by yourself. I know you like to, but don't. Stay

near the pack. You understand?"

I catch a chill running up my spine; one that's not caused by the

cold. I can only think one thing in that moment, and it's what the

fuck is out there?

I don't understand. I have no idea what she's talking about, only

that whatever it is is dangerous. But I nod anyway.

This seems to be good enough for her because the next thing I

know, she's pulling me into a hug.

"Stay safe, bitch," she says beside my ear. So much for her

seriousness.

She lets me go and steps away. When she does she's wearing one

of her signature ornery grins. Usually that gesture would comfort

me, seeing her back to normal instead of spewing warnings at me.

But it doesn't. Because her smile is half forced.

"Sorry I can't stay for the party. Looks like you'll get Nathan all to

yourself," she teases sarcastically.

A pang of anger shocks my stomach and I open my mouth with

intent of spitting profanities at her. But I bite my tongue as

realization hits me.

She doesn't know.

She doesn't know about the blackmailed engagement or wedding.

If she did, she would have told me. I know she would've. And she

would've kicked Nathan's ass, regardless of the consequences.

I force an empty smile back to her, not quite as convincing as her

own.

Let her have her fun, I think, My problems aren't hers.

"Yeah whatever," I call back as she gets farther and farther away,

"Just don't get aids."

She turns around just brief enough to stick her tongue out at me in

a playful sneer.

I let out a heavy sigh when I turn around and start walking back.

There are a couple people bustling about, a lot of them carrying

various ribbons or decorations.

I walk past all of the working wolves, heading back to my room.

If Nathan or Andre either one expect me to prepare for the party of

my own demise, then they're out of their minds. What could they

possibly do to me? Sentence me to a lifetime of misery?

Oh wait...

• • •

It's been three days since Aimee left. Three days that I've been

locked in my room, trying anything to keep my mind off reality.

The only time any part of me left the room is when I stuck my head

out the window to smoke, not wanting the smell to stick to the

walls. The little glass ashtray on my desk is full and two empty

cigarette packs lay in the trash can.

At least four times a day, one of the lower ranking members, a

maid or a servant, would bring me food. My only guess is that this

is Nathan's way of trying to suck up. Feigning sweetness in hopes

that I won't act out during the ceremony.

What he doesn't know though, is that his pathetic attempt to win

me over is in vain. I won't bend for that asshole no matter how

much food he sends to me.

I hadn't even realized I was letting myself drift to sleep until a

knock on the door stirs me awake.

Each time food was delivered, someone called out to me after

knocking. No voice follows this one.

Now what is it? Let me guess, I have to plan the bridal shower?

They knock again, this time louder.

"I'm coming," I growl, untangling myself from the sheets. I stumble

my way over to the door and open it.

Nathan is standing there, hands in his pockets and a polite smile

on his face. "Well hey there, sleepy head," he chirps. His tone is so

nice that I can almost feel the bile rising in my throat. "The party's

starting in half an hour. So look your best. It is in our honor after

all."

I narrow my eyes and step back, looking him up and down. "Who

the hell are you?"

He laughs, as if that were the funniest thing he'd ever heard. A

cheerful sound, but also a fake one. "I just came to remind you,"

he says with in overly friendly tone before turning business-like,

"Now do something with your hair, put on something expensive,

and meet downstairs in ten minutes."

I don't move. Instead I stand like a statue, keeping my skeptical

stare focused on him.

"Okay, look. As my chosen Luna, you have to have a look that

makes everyone jealous of you on sight. Of course they'll already

do that as long as you're on my arm, but still. I expect you to act

like a perfect sweetheart, and if not... there will be consequences."

And just like that, the act is up. His conceited and bossy attitude is

back in full swing, along with that pulsing vein in his neck. It

always makes an appearance when he doesn't get his way.

I continue staring at him with dead eyes, knowing it would

eventually make that nerve of his crack. If he intends to try and

control my life- which he does- then he'll at least have to give

me his reasoning.

"Why am I your chosen Luna?" I ask, suspicious. It doesn't make

sense to me. We don't get along anymore, so why would he want

to marry me? Against my will at that.

He smirks, meeting my eyes with a devious gleam of his own.

"You're mouthy, Adrienne Gage. A sharp tongue and a clever head.

That's what people can't see until it's already too late."

He moves closer, lifting my chin with his thumb. With less than an

inch between our cheeks, his hot breath fans over my ear as he

speaks in a low whisper. "And I can't forget those grey eyes...

They're so cold. So unpredictable. So... unreadable."

He swipes his thumb across my jaw as he steps away, turning and

leaving just like that. "Remember," he calls, his voice echoing in

the dark hallway, "Ten minutes."

My fingers raise to touch where he did. I rub the skin until it starts

to burn. I'm quite certain I've rubbed it raw with my palm, yet it

still doesn't feel clean.

So that's his reason.

He plans to use me as his pawn.

But I'll be damned if I help him win whatever chess game he thinks

he's playing.

With Alpha Andre's threat in mind, I close the door and get to work

on myself reluctantly. If only I had a fashion savvy best friend like

all the movies portray, then this would be a lot easier.

The cruel thing is is that I do; except she's miles away, partying

her ass off in another pack.

At least one of us is having a good time.

I comb through my long hair, letting it hang down my back.

Working against the clock, I throw on a pair of dark jeans, leather

boots, a white t-shirt, and a black jacket. He said to wear

something expensive, but this event can be called a high class

cook out at best.

Technically, it's a bonding ceremony, which is the equivalent of a

wedding to humans except without all of the elegance, fancy

clothes, and decor.

Just like Nathan said, I find him waiting for me in the living room

of the pack house. He stops his pacing in order to look me over

from head to toe.

"How much did that cost?"

"Enough," I answer as I walk past him.

"Is it designer?" He asks, coming up beside me.

"It is for tonight."

He makes a disapproving grunt. "We'll go shopping later. You look

good though."

I stop dead in my tracks, stiffening.

Did he... Did he just compliment me?

He offers me his arm, as if nothing out of ordinary had just

happened. "Wouldn't wanna be late."

I wipe the petrification off my face and force myself to take the

arm he's offering. It's an internal fight to keep myself from pulling

away from him. Something about having any sort of contact with

him seems wrong and stomach-churningly unappealing.

When we walk up to the open forested area that the party is set up

in, everyone's eyes turn on us. The urge to shrink down and out of

their sight is crippling, but there's nowhere to go. Plus I have too

much pride to even attempt to hide against Nathan's side. Public

shame can only go so far and that would be on an entirely new

level.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is the latest gossip of the

pack. The oh so beloved Nathan Swelter- soon to be Alpha of the

Visari pack- is claiming a mate who isn't his.

He leads us past a towering bonfire whose flames reach high into

the dark sky and to a long table set on a wooden platform which

acts as a makeshift stage. There are four seats at the table, all at

one side so that the occupants would all face the crowd.

Alpha Andre and his Luna, Nathan's mother, sit together at one

end. I break away from Nathan and go past them, planting myself

at the furthest end, as far away from them as I can be. To my

misfortune, Nathan sits down next to me, far closer than I'd prefer.

No more than half a minute passes before he places his hand on

my knee and starts tugging at my leg. I shoot him a burning glare

so heated that he should burst into flames on the spot.

"Seriously?!" I snap, keeping it at a whisper.

He growls lowly, leaning closer. "You're mine now. Show it."

I clench my canines together so hard that my jaw aches. I roll my

eyes and huff before throwing away my dignity and following his

orders, lifting my legs so that they're in his lap.

It's a Visarian display of ownership. While sitting, the female would

position herself so that the back of her thighs touch the top of the

male's, though her butt stays in her own seat. In intimate cases,

only between true mates, the male would wrap his arm around the

female, her head resting on his shoulder.

However, that's not the case for us.

I put my thighs on top of his, but other than that, I keep as much

distance as possible. It wouldn't be hard for someone to figure out

that we're not mates. The stiff body language, the tense and

mechanical movements, and not to mention my obvious

disgruntlement; it's enough to make any spectator cringe with

second hand embarrassment.

And of course, there's plenty of them to do so. Practically the

entire pack is staring at us from below, unblinking. Despite the cold

winter air, my face is on fire.

"Act natural," Nathan scolds in my ear.

"Maybe if I weren't being blackmailed I could," I hiss back.

Alpha Andre stands up, clearing his throat and sending us both a

scolding look. He then slaps on a pleasant smile and faces

forward to address the pack.

"Wolves of Visari, may I introduce to you to your soon to be Alpha

and Luna," he announces, making a grand gesture towards us.

His speech goes on after that. Most of it, if not all of it, is him

rambling on about Nathan's childhood and his meager yet

exaggerated achievements.

Not a single thing is said about me. It's almost like he completely

forgot that I could've been considered his daughter at one point.

I'm not surprised though.

Nearly half an hour of empty words and transparent compliments

later, he concludes his speech with something along the lines of

"may he reign long and prosper with this pack."

Applause bursts from the crowd when Alpha Andre sits back

down. Although I tuned out the majority of his speech, I highly

doubt the applause is sincere.

When the clapping starts to fade, a single hand in the middle of the

sea of people pops up.

"Nathan and Adrienne aren't mates. What happens when she finds

her mate? Will Nathan then find a new Luna?"

I perk up upon hearing my name. But Nathan opens his mouth

first.

"There will be no other Luna," he answers. My brow furrows when I

realize his tone is almost... defensive? Who knew he was such a

good actor.

He continues, and slowly the defensiveness dissipates into

professionalism. "I chose Adrienne. The ceremony will bind us.

And if her mate has a problem with it, he can either get over it or

take it up with me."

I shiver. There's something about talking about my hypothetical

mate that seems unnatural. Wrong even, and I don't like it.

There were no more questions after that. I was beyond thankful.

The sooner this torture is over, the better.

Pack members begin passing out the food, giving me the dreadful

cue to talk to the Alpha's asshole-ish offspring.

"When did you turn into plastic?" I ask him.

He looks at me, confused. "What?"

"You're fake, Nathan. Just like your little declaration of caring

about me."

His gaze hardens and his jaw tightens, like I've hit a nerve. That's

good though. Because I'd sever it if I could.

"I'd watch your fucking attitude if I were you," he warns

dismissively.

I glance down at his palm resting right above my neck, then back

up to him. "And I'd watch your hand if I were you, " I growl, my

teeth turning to canines.

Various dishes are sat down in front of me, all of them fresh and

steaming. But none of them are bribing enough to make me stay.

"Where are you going?" Nathan asks as I abruptly stand up, having

not even touched my a single morsel of food.

I mumble a bitter retort, one I'm sure he can hear, "For a walk, get

off my back."

I don't look back, not even after hearing the rattling of silverware

when a palm slams down on the table. Growling follows, low and

provoked.

I guess now we both know what it's like to be inconvenienced by

someone else.

"Let her go," Alpha Andre orders. I can just imagine him grabbing

his son's wrist and pulling him back down before he can even get

up. He's controlling like that. Except this time, I'm thankful for it.