The Vampire Lord's Bride

I cross my arms over my chest and say, "I really hate your pack." I absolutely detest small packs or packets with little to no development. I detest seeing woods right outside my window when I first wake up. And I can't help but be incredibly irritated that I even have to be here as I sit before the Black Blood Pack's Alpha.

Alex mutters, "And I really hate girls that complain," banging his whiskey glass against the tiny glass table separating us. Helena, who is standing next to me, flinches a little, but I don't since I won't be scared of him.

Helena admonishes, "Temper, temper," as she spins her finger through a silver hairlock. Her silver eyes sparkle eternally.

No, I want to murder her. Alex yells as he fixes his eyes on Helena. Helena turns her head to look at Alex, her lips pursed in thought.

"Slow down. She reminds him that Ava is really helpful to the team, and he begins to calm down and take a sip of his whiskey. As he shoves everything down his neck, his blonde hair falls backward. I can only sigh impatiently.

I get up because I'm done with this nonsense.

I finished the task. I glance at Helena and say, "Now, I want my freedom." She doesn't even look at me; instead, she concentrates on the hair strand in her hands. This infuriates me. The question "Are you deaf?"

Once more, she ignores me, so I move quickly when I take my blade out of my jeans and point it at her. I'm stopped before I can strike her in the eyes. I feel myself collapsing to the ground as a headache that shatters every square inch of my skull spreads through me and makes me experience anguish that I didn't know was even possible. They are staring at me with such intensity. I'm screaming because it never ends.

When she finally stops, I'm still screaming.

She says in a low voice, "Try that again, and next time, I'll blow your brains out," and I roll over on the ground, cursing witches, especially the one in front of me.

The promise of my independence, which I've been dreaming of for six years, was what this silver-haired witch used to entice me into her and this sicko Alpha's cunning grasps.

"We did not agree to this," I scream in frustration as my hair falls out everywhere, the strands tumbling down like never-ending waterfalls. "I finished the task, Helena. I followed your instructions exactly, both of you! I now desire what is mine.

Oh, quiet down. I want nothing more than to plunge my knife into Alex's throat as he screams at me. This scumbag. But even if I were quick enough to actually cut open his throat, I have no doubt Helena would put an immediate end to me. She is strong; I will grant her that. I also require her. The only one who can genuinely assist me is her.

"Since you nearly wrecked everything, the deal is off," Alex yells once again as he scatters the glass across the room. It instantly smashes and makes a loud noise.

"You guys said you would," I protest, becoming furious but unable to stand up since the effects of what Helena had just done a few seconds earlier have left me feeling lightheaded.

As he reclines back in his chair and laughs, Alex crosses his legs. He makes fun of me. I desire his death. I want him dead.

Since the first day I met him, I have never liked him. He is a lovely devil who, in my opinion, belongs in hell alone.

"There will be consequences if you don't give me what I want!" My cheeks begin to heat up as I caution, still furious. Alex never stops giggling and having fun.

What's your plan of action? Tell the Assassins to report me. I tensed up as I heard him laugh more and saw Helena's grin deepen. I shouldn't have put my faith in these two. A witch had my trust! The witch! You stupid, brave fool, Ava, you trusted a witch. You can see that they would do anything to possess you. Their leader is searching hard for his cherished little favorite. What benefits would I receive if I reported you? Or even better, I believe Maks would be quite eager to possess the greatest assassin in his pack's history.

I close my eyes as the treachery slowly but surely sets in, like a needle prick.

I'm helpless.

You have your life to lose, Ava; I don't. Don't test me. I choked as his words really hit home.

I was forced to join the Assassins when I was seventeen. The Assassins are a bandit group of seductive murderesses who are paid to seduce senior members of my pack, the Shadow Night Pack, and other packs in order to either murder or kidnap them. We are infamous and hazardous. In fact, Maks, the Alpha of our pack, has issued a "kill on sight" order to anyone who, by an extremely unlikely accident, discovers an assassin.

I never intended to follow them. I never chose this life, like many others, but when the Assassins pick you, that's it. I became an assassin after being picked at the age of seventeen. I am the greatest assassin who has ever lived, in addition to being an assassin. I've never missed a kill or a target, and up until lately, no one could stand in my way.

My teachers always advised the girls to look up to me. the person who was most revered within a murderous organization. However, the desire to escape the life I was compelled to live only grew stronger with each murder I committed. I detested being in charge, being made to perform tasks I didn't particularly enjoy, and seducing men who I found repulsive. Seductive assassination is entertaining, but I prefer to carry it out on my terms rather than those set by a group that won't even permit me to take a breath. I did everything I could to get out, but nothing was successful.

Up until the day Helena and I met.

She showed up where I was meant to finish-a restaurant-and informed me that she was in possession of the key to my release. In every pack I wanted to go in, she would give me a whole other persona. A different identity, a different existence, and a different appearance. I only had to entice an Alpha whom both she and her other Alpha companion intended to severely hurt.

When he dumped her, she was rejected, but when he injured Alex's sister, it infuriated him. I was supposedly going to be the key to getting the pair's revenge.

So I concurred. I've spent years of my life charming guys, so it wouldn't be difficult to seduce one more. or so I believed. Alpha Axel was as rigid as a pencil. He simply wasn't a man who would budge. The first man who refused to fall into my trap, no matter how carefully I attempted to set it up, For that, I despise him.

In the end, I failed to seduce him, but the job was completed nonetheless, and Alex was enraged. He wanted Axel to sleep with me. This was probably done to further inflame his sister's animosity toward Axel. Since then, there has been no sign of my release or Helena fulfilling her end of the bargain, and all I want is to slay this odd but iconic couple. I didn't come here to be tricked by two nasty chess players; I didn't give up my life as the greatest assassin ever. BeforeI ever have to endure that kind of humiliation, I'll murder both of them in cold blood.

I firmly state, "I want my freedom; that was our agreement," before standing up. My long hair is a disaster; it falls wild below my ass and gets everywhere when I stand up, threatening to obstruct my eyesight. This long woman's rapid growth is intolerable; I abhor her. I yanked her away.

I look at Helena, also known as Isadora, and she doesn't seem upset. "Our deal was that you take Axel to your bed and get him to whisper sweet nothings into your ear, and Isadora over there will grant you your heart's desire," I say. You couldn't even get Axel to your door; forget about your bed! I'm interested in the group of clowns in that organization if you're the finest the Assassins have to offer.

"I don't know why he didn't fall for me," you say. I debate while feeling the sting of rejection, which is a concept that I find to be the most alien.

"You have a task to do! You stumbled. Isadora is no longer required to take any action on your behalf. Isadora won't keep up her end of the bargain if you don't keep up yours. Deal over, plain and easy," he says, crossing his legs in response. He then fills his glass with more whiskey and raises it in the air while saying, "Cheers."

My foot strikes the hardwood as I kick it.

You're welcome to stay in my small pack as long as you don't annoy me, but just so you don't go around saying Isadora and I were mean to you,

My mouth is gaping. Is he currently shitting on me?

He goes on: It's referred to as little pack hospitality. You large-pack people surely think this idea is strange.

Helena laughs. Are they making fun of me?

I turn to gaze at Helena after saying, "Fuck you," to Alex. It's "Fuck you both!"

I storm out of the room, slamming the door to my bedroom behind me, and they both laugh as if I were some horrible joke. I take off my boots and scream angrily into my pillow. I really despise Axel. To acquire all I've ever wanted, I only needed one night with the moron, but he messed that up. What should I do at this point? He was the first person to reject me in my entire life. That seriously bruised my pride.

I get out of bed, but because I sat on my hair, I unintentionally fall back into it. I cry out. I can't stand how long it is. I neglected to cut it because of the recent difficulties I've had. I detest how quickly it is growing. It's not enjoyable to manage hair that occasionally grows longer than your arms or that is as thick as wool. I often feel buried beneath it since it's so thick. It is the biggest nightmare to brush it. I find the entire workout to be unbearable.

I will wait for a pair of scissors to materialize as I stare at my long, straight, silky black hair. This hair was adored by the Assassins. It was supposedly my best-kept secret. I am opposed. In actuality, it's a physical liability, but for some reason that I will never understand, men seem to adore it.

Yet another reason to despise this sh*t.

I get up and walk over to the window. The sun is out and blazing brightly behind the trees at lunchtime. I detest compact packets very much. I despise these woods. Even if they make me want to shift and let loose my black wolf, I'm not in the mood right now.

I'm already annoyed when there's a knock on my door.

The question, "What is it?" Mason, Alex's beta, or, more accurately, goon, receives my yells, but all he does is toss me a newspaper and walk away.

I pick it up because I know how it's laid out. I took this newspaper out of my pack.

"ALPHA MAKS'S ADDRESS GIVES US HOPE THAT OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE ASSASSINS WILL YEILD AMAZING RESULTS SOON." I roll my eyes and push back my hair. What has that idiot Alpha to say right now? Every month, he conjures up some trite speech about how our pack is gradually defeating the assassins and that everyone should hold onto hope because Maks is making every effort to get rid of us.

Breaking news: He is not. Right now, the Assassins are more powerful than ever.

It's just a marketing ploy to keep people from criticizing him. Not that anyone would, considering how weak my pack members are and how Maks has the potential to be more lethal than all of the assassins together. He has even the Assassins running for cover. We all abide by the unspoken rule that getting caught by Maks is preferable to dying. In all honesty, there are those days when I'm unsure of who is worse: Maks, my Alpha, or the Assassins, my organization. Both are brutal evils in equal measure.

He's undoubtedly delivering his customary spiel about doing everything in his power to combat crime and violence.

The text causes my eyes to widen, and I have to read it aloud several times before I can begin to think. I cringe as I sit down. When I reread the newspaper's fine print, my fingers were still trembling.

"The Assassin Rose has been discovered thanks to the assistance of a fellow Alpha. She is exceedingly deadly and highly competent. I swear to you all that if somebody manages to murder her or capture her, you will receive a hefty prize from me. Alpha Maks.

I glare at my newspaper photo and wish they had at least picked a better image of me. I appear to have eye bags in this photo, for the love of the moon. I have no eye bags. I have perfect skin! I sigh as I realize that is utterly irrelevant.

I absolutely detest Alpha Maks.

I reread the article and noticed how my face jumps out on the first page with my big blue eyes, full red lips, and overflowing hair. How exactly did they obtain this image? I sigh once more as I put the newspaper down next to me. Now I'm truly in trouble.

If the Assassins didn't want me dead before, they most definitely do now; that much is obvious.

I sigh again for a long time, bending forward and letting my hair fall forward. I ignore it because I'm too stressed to be upset, but I can't help but keep looking at my gold ring and noticing the italicized "R." Even though it appears more like an "A" than an "R" from the side.

You are given a new name when you enlist in the Assassins. I was inducted into the Assassins as Ava, even though my real name is Rose. Your given name's first letter is used to give you a new name that, in the eyes of the person doing the renaming at the time, is ideal. Because of my jet-black hair, Ava was picked for me. I actually really liked it, so I've been Ava ever since.

For me, Rose has always seemed too innocent, elegant, aristocratic, and lovely. Yes, that is exactly who I used to be, but I've changed since then.

Nevertheless, I was aware that using my real name to lure Axel was a bad idea, but Alex persisted, and look at me now-my true identity is prominently displayed on the first page of my pack's newspaper by my Alpha, as desired!

The newspaper is thrown at the wall.

Anyone who can catch me will receive a lot from Maks! According to him, he will "reward them beyond their wildest expectations." Now I'm in trouble. Anyone who sees me would want my blood because my face is plastered across that newspaper, along with my distinctive long black hair and blue eyes. The Assassins would also never accept or want me back because I had transgressed their most crucial unwritten rule by revealing my identity.

Fortunately, this newspaper was just distributed within my pack, but I can only imagine how long it would take for it to be distributed among all packets. I can't go back to the Shadow Night pack right now. Even though there are assassins everywhere and a bunch of them are out for my blood, I didn't intend to join them. But how on earth did I become sucked into this miserable pack? It's so full of woods that none of the other wolves even recognize it as a pack. It seems as though modern civilization is nowhere to be seen.

I must take action.

I tugged at my hair, as if begging her to talk to me and provide me with solutions. When I go to sleep, my hair's silky smoothness is still a sensation in my hands.

~*~*~

My hair was pulled back into a single braided high ponytail that flowed effortlessly down my back. The red silk nightgown also gave me more self-assurance. I was prepared for what I would do. I knew how to do it well, and it was the only thing I could do.

I walked into the kitchen and asked Alex, who was buttering his bread in the middle of the night, "Hungry?"

"Since we were young, my sister and I had a habit. We get up in the middle of the night to eat," he remarked with a smile that seemed to be celebrating fond memories. I had to hold back from sneering at him. I had assumed that his misdeeds against everyone were what kept him awake at night, but it's wonderful to be reminded once again just how cruel he truly is.

I reached over and snatched the bread from the dish.

I lean against the marble island and lift my gaze sensually through my hooded eyelashes as Alex glances up at me. I carefully pulled back a stray hair from my eyes while also making sure that my chest was dipped just enough to reveal just enough of my chest to pique a man's interest without preventing him from letting his imagination go wild.

Alex immediately quits buttering his toast. I carefully lick my lips as I take a small bite. Alex stepped up to me. Our shoulders nearly met, so I moved just enough to curve my chest in his direction. My braid fell naturally against the table as I tilted my head. I take another piece of the bread while maintaining a little grin, and my eyes are still visible through my eyelashes.

Alex gazed down at me, his eyes twinkling. "That's mine," he said in a low, teasing voice.

I said, "I know," while putting my right palm on his chest and taking another bite.

Alex glances at me from my hand. I bit my bottom lip and straightened my posture to match his. I put the bread down and lightly tapped his chest with my fingernail. His eyes are on my lips as I breach his personal space, while mine are fixed on him. My left hand locates his neck and slowly draws a long line from the base of his neck to behind one of his ears. He begins to quiver a little, and I give him a tiny smile while cocking my head back to show him my long neck. Our room is filled with the perfume I applied there.

The question "What are you doing?" He asks me while lowering his gaze to focus on my chest. I stepped nearer. We weren't touching each other all that much, just enough to mingle our odors and breathes and give the impression that we were.

My lips slide to his earlobe, and I give him a quick kiss before whispering, "Some," stopping to draw little circles behind his ear with my polished red nail, "Thing," and suddenly Alex's hands are on my hips and he's lifting me onto the marbled kitchen island. He can stay between my legs because they are split. My red lace underwear is nearly visible since my dress has fully ridden up above my thigh. I can still use my nails to lightly tease the back of his neck because of how loosely my hands are around his neck.

When he stares down at me, his sparkling eyes are filled with light as he follows his glance from my eyes to my lips, to my cleavage, and ultimately to my exposed thighs. Then, as he leans forward, he angles my back so that it is arched against the table. Alex's hand started at my neck and hurried down the chasm between my breasts, stopping only when he grabbed hold of my hips.

I keep waiting for him to act, but he doesn't until I lift my neck to gaze for a while. He grabs me in an instant, places his lips on my neck, and I smile. My stomach begins to startle as the lick touches my skin, a thrilling sensation that I have definitely missed. He nips at my neck, and I expose more of it to him while enjoying the disconcerting sensation. One of my weak points has always been my neck.

When I moan, he seizes me by the hair and brings my lips to his. Finally, we kiss. I make an effort to answer it, despite how hasty and clumsy it is. He held onto my hips tightly, forcing them to arch abruptly. I'm hoping he won't treat me like my prior partner did.

Then, without warning, he started to back off. His lips abruptly retreated from mine. His hands, which had been gripping my hips earlier, found the table and caught me instead. His head dropped, and he laughed before I could respond.

I couldn't understand the laugh, which caused my cheeks to heat up abruptly in the kitchen.

Through his laugh, he said, "You are good." I'll give it to you. You're fine.

"Pardon me?" I gently exclaimed as I straightened my posture.

"You're incredibly hot, and I'm sure you know how to get a man excited. I lost all sense of reason for a split second because I was so enthralled by you. I'm lucky because I have incredible self-control." I had to tighten my fists to resist hitting Alex because of his smug smile. Instead, despite being an Assassin, I sat there struggling for years to do something else: control my tongue.

He said mockingly, "I just wish you showed this much determination for Axel," and I had to fight to keep my face from moving. "Ava, I'm not a moron. You resemble me exactly. You always look for some sort of gain in everything you do. Your mind functions in that way. Just like mine, I know that this little show you just put on-which, I'll admit, almost got you in my bed-has a hidden agenda.

And, believe it or not, I never engage in sexual activity with a person if I stand to gain nothing from it. Although it's hot, sex isn't really my cup of tea.

most likely because you're bad at it.

"You're only concerned that I'll jab a blade into your jaw, I guess. I eventually said, tracing another circle on the base of his neck, "I promise I won't. He twitched his eyes before shoving my hand away. "Alex, don't act like you don't want me. I leaned backwards on the island, enjoying the cool sensation against my skin and accidentally lowering the cleavage of my boobs. "I know that you want me," I said. Alex also lowered his sight. "Right here, right now, on this table, you want me."

His body reacts even though he doesn't. There is no other explanation for how his pupils dilate than passion. He almost touches me, but stops himself before he can reach out and touch me.

Before my finger reaches my mouth, it follows the contour of my breast and the length of my neck. His gaze never wavered as it followed my movements.

I almost mutter, "I can see that you want me," never taking my eyes off of his. Why are you holding yourself back now? A murmur comes from the base of his neck as I move my foot to brush against his leg.

"Alpha, why are you going against what you want?"

saying, "Stop it!" The lights are turned on after the speech echoes across the kitchen. When Alex and I turn around, Helena is there with brown hair this time, gray eyes, and a frown. She now appears as Isadora, a perpetually ominous dark Ness in my life.

Are you an idiot, Alex? Isadora yells in pain. Helena, or Isadora, has two distinct personalities. When they indoctrinate you into their witch world-or whatever grotesque name they may give it-the witches also choose a new name for you, just like the assassins did. Isadora was assigned Helena. Each personality also has a different look. Helena, the witch, has silvery eyes and hair, as opposed to a wolf that is more like a normal dog. Isadora presents herself as a young woman with brown hair and gray eyes.

Alex instantly pulls away from me and shakes his head as if to expel the lust that was undoubtedly devouring him. That hag is really annoying. Ava is merely engaging in the seduction for which she trained for years. Avoid being a fool! What other motivation could she possibly have to fuck you? No less on a table?"

Alex begins to defend himself: "I know, I just," but Isadora cuts him off.

"She entered your mind. Her role is that.

I squinted my eyes.

It's called being horny, guys. Relax, it's only sex; none of us are virgins around here, I doubt. I lay down against the marble since I was in the mood to have fun. She's right, I guess. Because my life is in danger and he can still save it by persuading little Miss Spoiler Alert over here, I merely wanted to entice Alex to wager my freedom.

She rolls her eyes and says, "And I was born yesterday," before approaching us. "So you read about Maks's bounty in the newspaper, and now you want to have fun with Alex? I definitely buy that, yeah."

I'm at a loss for what to do as I watch Alex, whose expression appears to have dimmed from his lusty high. Should I confess to my scheme, which may have succeeded if this gloom had not come? Ness Should I just pretend to be innocent if Isadora doesn't interrupt? Well, the Assassins tell you that defeat should only be tolerated in the event of death; therefore, I chose to remain silent.

Alex tells Isadora, "She's good," and I secretly grin. Absolutely, I am. You pompous snob, I'm not the greatest for nothing!

"Exactly. With a malicious smile, Isadora tells Alex, "I told you she'd be great for the job. I sat up, not liking the sudden change in the air. The question is, "Do you believe now?"

Alex countered, "She couldn't seduce Axel."

But didn't she almost get you down on your knees for her? If I hadn't interrupted earlier, then

"What's happening?" I interrupt because I don't like how confused they both make me feel as I stare at the duo.

You desire your independence; are you sure? So we thought we'd give you another shot. We have another task for you; if you finish it successfully, I'll grant your wish. Isadora makes a commitment, and I stare at her with my eyes narrowed because my mind is going in a scary direction.

The position is "What's the job?" Despite my hesitations, I ask.

"We want you to woo another Alpha," they said. Storm is his name.

I asked "Who is he?" Looking from Isadora to Alex, I questioned Although not in a big way, the name did sound familiar. Why do you guys want me to woo him, exactly?

Alex said, stepping back so he could lean his back against the refrigerator. "He has something I want," he added.

"Who is he?" I posed the query once more.

Isadora responded, "The Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack," and my eyes widened in a mixture of amazement and confusion. I rose from the patterned table.

I concluded, "You guys are clowns," and prepared to leave this shitshow.

Blue Moon Pack's alpha dog the pack of Blue Moon? I'm not sure if either of these two are mentally sane at this point; are they crazy or just high? I couldn't previously testify for it, but I can now say with certainty that these hoodlums are indeed insane. Psychos!

The question, "Isadora, are you on crack?" I made a serious inquiry since I couldn't control my thoughts.

She softly implored, "Hear us out," and I could tell that even she was aware of how ridiculous she sounded. "You were unable to entice Axel. You made that mistake, and that's the only reason I didn't fulfill my promise to release you. Two very strong men are now pursuing you, along with the rest of your pack. You just cannot hide here indefinitely, and you are aware of this. You cannot live with Alex and me forever."

She was accurate. Simply put, I wasn't into this pack. It was by no means opulent, and it reminded me of the little towns that encircled some of my pack. I simply could not tolerate the uninteresting lifestyle that this pack offered. I wanted to go out and have a good time, get drunk and high, hook up with random people, go shopping, do some adventure sports, get a manicure, and spend a lot of money on shoes I don't need. I just want to live, but shifting, cooking, and training are how they see life in this pack and every other fucking small-sized pack I've had the misfortune to visit.

Although training is enjoyable, what am I gaining by kicking this individual in the posterior? A rousing "job well done" and a pat on the back? What complete nonsense! I need my endless cocktail service and shopping spree. Additionally, I detest how everyone in these Small Packs is connected through someone else. In essence, everyone is acquainted. If I don't know someone, you can bet your bottom dollar that one of my friends does. This makes it extremely difficult to commit murder and have one-night stands.

According to the pack system, packs were categorized into three groups primarily on the basis of population density and landmass. We had large-sized packs, Middle-Sized Packs, and Small-Sized Packs based on these requirements. There were a total of fifteen packs (or, at least, there were until Alex over here pulled a fast one with the aid of this witch Isadora and made a new pack right in front of everyone's eyes). There are now a total of sixteen packs, and each has its own alphabet and way of life.

I cherish my pack. Although my Alpha, Maks, is a jerk, the success of my pack, the Shadow Night pack, is undoubtedly due to his family. The only larger pack after Alpha Maddox's Goldstone pack was this one, which was a Large-Sized pack.

So what are the connections between what you just mentioned and Alpha Storm? Isadora looked at Alex as I inquired.

Isadora said, "You want your freedom; Ava and Alex desire a certain heirloom, if you will.

As I looked at her, I squinted. The question, "And what do you want?"

She remained silent for some time. My brain starts to spin when she says it.

She crosses her arms over her chest emphatically as she states, "For you to seduce Storm in order for Alex to get the heirloom," and Alex just stands there and looks at us blankly.

I slapped my forehead. She is insane. Even I am unable to get close to this Alpha Storm, or whoever he may be. He is from the group that the moon touched. Everyone in my pack basically makes fun of the Blue Moon pack. It's the pack that none of us would choose to enter, even for a moment. That group is crazy. They are powered by a special type of mooncoke. Their use of codes makes them seem so alien to me that I feel asphyxiated just thinking about them.

They raise the bar for romantic relationships and that silly bond. They thrive on morality, and I've heard that in that pack, you may get whipped for as little as baring your ankles. To begin with, mate ties are stupid. In my whole life, I've only known a small percentage of people who genuinely found their soul mates, and even fewer of those same people stayed with them once the sex got dull. I assumed it became dull because if it hadn't, they wouldn't have left their supposedly gifted partner.

My parents were lovers, but they quarreled constantly, so how can a pack expect to feed me, Ava, nonsense about a soul partner you were given by the moon? I say, eff this life! Come into a relationship with someone who is more satisfying than just a manipulative connection. We reject this mate link, which is perhaps another quality of my pack that I admire. In my pack, some individuals even go so far as to wear unique ornaments that witches have cursed in order to keep them from finding their partner.

My ring, the gold one on my second finger with my initial "R" etched on it, is one of those pieces of jewelry that I wear. However, I don't wear it because I'm particularly concerned about a partner; rather, I do it because it is against the rules for an assassin to ever remove the ring, which we call the Assassin's ring. Even one of our five commitments includes it. The fifth pledge is made. They certainly can't take the chance of one of us discovering our partners while they are trying to lure someone else, can they?

Regardless, why the fuck would their leader even look at me, much less allow me to get close enough to him to really seduce him, given how dedicated the blue moon pack is to the mate connection, the moon, justice, and living moral lives in the wait of their mate? Even the best, and there isn't one with this Alpha Storm, knows when to give up. I may be the best, but even the best know when to throw in the towel.

He leads the Blue Moon pack as the Alpha. I debated. The more I considered this, the more certain I became that this was not just a terrible idea but a truly awful one. Since I loved life so much, the only thing I could successfully seduce would be my own death. Even though it can be annoying at times, I would still rather be battling and alive than forgotten and dead.

Isadora said, "He's a man, Ava. My braid flipped to the side as I giggled.

Someone once said, "A man who has received the moon's blessing and purification." If the rumors were accurate, Alpha Storm wasn't your typical man or wolf.

Isadora insisted, her lips clenching as her gaze grew agitated. "A male, no less," she said.

"If your intention is to kill me, then just go ahead and do it. Don't leave it up to an Alpha, who, for all I know, might even be merciless in the name of the moon, to decide how my life will turn out. I mean, his pack members are so engrossed in weird customs that I wouldn't be surprised if this Storm ruled with an iron fist like Maks!" I became enraged when Alex suddenly started laughing. When I gave him an enraged stare, my eyes felt like the blade I had stashed at the side of my underwear. Alex, no. I will not consent to being sold off to different Alphas in order to carry out your final intentions. Storm came next after Axel. Who will follow me in defense of my freedom? Maks? Maddox? Is Maks Axel's brother? I'm sorry, but I have to withdraw from this.

Isadora grinned after Alex kept laughing. Alex's cheeks were crimson from laughing so hard as he spoke.

"You dumb girl, you obviously don't know Storm! Like a child, he is How is it even fair to compare him to Maks? If Storm were the day and Maks the night, they are such stark opposites that they are beyond comparison.

When asked, "And what would you be?" I replied in a sarcastic manner.

I shook my head in confusion as he remarked, "The dark Ness that befalls them during a never-ending storm called Ava," grinning at Isadora. Alex has honestly lost it at this point. I just regretted being associated with these folks in the first place. Life was at least somewhat manageable and predictable when I was an assassin, but these days it seems as though everything is continually spiraling out of control.

"What Alex is trying to say is," Isadora glared at Alex. "We agree to work with you on one more deal. Your liberation for Storm's relic"

What is this heirloom, and why do you even desire it? I inquired in an effort to establish the truth first.

It was Alex who responded, his lips curving upward and his eyes gleaming with desire. "It's a moonstone," he said. It's a stunning blue moonstone with incredible abilities, baby girl. Once more, this sounds like witchcraft. Witchcraft is not something I enjoy. Witchcraft is very messy and seldom turns out well.

Why don't you just ask Isadora to use her strange magic to summon this stone from somewhere else? Why do you feel the need to involve me in this? I provide a more practical answer.

Isadora responded, "I can't do that." That stone is the only one in existence. Legend has it that it was given to the first Alpha of that pack some hundred years ago as a gift from the moon and has since only ever belonged to that Alpha family, namely the Alpha and any Alpha who has come after him. The abilities that have brainwashed every Alpha wolf since the beginning of time are also claimed to be contained in that stone. Although I'm not sure if it's genuine, I do believe the legend.

Why do you desire it, then? Unable to accept this outlandish tale, I inquire.

Isadora says, "It is said to have powers," and something other than avarice may be seen glittering in her gray eyes.

"What kinds of powers?" I continue.

Alex says, "Immortality," before opening the refrigerator and removing a can of beer.

I raise my fingers to my lips and laugh. "That isn't real. The gold of idiots I genuinely believed you were wiser than this.

"You have your beliefs, and I have mine," he repeats, his tone cruel. "All I need is for you to bring me that stone. When I hold the stone in my hands, we may debate who is right."

So you two really want me to put my life in danger by luring an Alpha in order to grab a stone that you two think would grant you immortality?

"Exactly bingo!" Cheerfully, Alex held the beer in the air before lowering it to his lips. "You shouldn't have too much trouble doing that."

What will occur after that, then? Not just one Alpha will follow me. Let me have two. I scream. I guess these individuals like to play poker with my life a lot.

Alex said, "No one will come after you, Ava," and I slumped against the marble.

Also, why is that? I queried.

My eyebrows furrow as I gaze from Alex to Isadora and back to Alex. "Because once you do your job properly, there won't be any more Alphas," I say. I do, however, rely on Isadora to make things plain.

"What does he mean?" I inquired about her.

When she continues, "Once you deliver us the blue moonstone, we will harvest its power to immortalize Alex, and once that is done, we will destroy the stone, thereby destroying every Alpha in existence," her eyes turn silver and gleam forever.