LEON

The stench of wine and lust filled the air. I hated parties like this.

Fake laughter. Desperate women. Wolves groveling for attention.

But politics demanded presence. Carl was a fool, but I needed the alliance with his pack to buy time. War is brewing, and tonight's masquerade party stands as a smokescreen for negotiation.

Still, nothing prepared me for that scent.

I had smelt it through the air as I walked into the building earlier. It was a sharp, sweet blend of rain, and jasmine. It hit me so suddenly, that I nearly staggered.

But I quickly dismissed it. I once had a scent like that. A scent that drove me crazy anytime I was near her. Near my late wife.

But now even with the large number of people in this hall, I could still perceive the scent. It was intoxicating, and my veins were popping out onto the surface of my skin.

I looked around sharply.

Who the hell…?

My lycan snarled, clawing beneath my skin. Find her.

But find who? The hall was crowded with half-naked women and masked servants scurrying around like mice.

I tried to ignore it, sipping my wine, eyes lazily scanning the room. Then I saw her.

A masked girl—clearly a servant—walking with a tray of wine glasses. She didn’t walk like a servant, though. There was a stiffness to her spine, a pride in her step she couldn't quite hide, no matter how hard she tried to blend in.

Then her scent hit me again. Stronger now. It’s her.

Something inside me snapped into place—no, it roared into place. Like the stars had been misaligned my whole life until that very second.

I stood.

"That one," I said quietly to the Beta beside me. He followed my gaze and frowned.

“A servant, my king?”

“Bring her up,” I growled. “Now.”

As I looked at her after I exchanged words with my Beta, I felt a strange sensation of heat fill my body.

I took off the buttons off my shirt, revealing my chest. Everyone on the high table stared at me in admiration, and confusion.

I smiled slightly, allowing them to stare some more. But it didn't help. I could still feel the strange heat sensation coursing through my veins.

The feeling intensified as I stared at her, causing my mind to be filled with thoughts that ignited the desire in me.

With every step she took, walking towards me or rather the high table, the feeling inside of me surfaced on my skin, burning through me.

Who is this woman, and what is she doing to me?

She finally got to the table, and placed the wine glasses in front of each person on the table.

Carl took his wine glass without acknowledging her.

She got to me, and her hands trembled. I couldn't tell if she was feeling the same way I was or she was just scared of me.

I could see the goosebumps on her skin, and could hear her heart beating as fast as a horse.

She placed the glass in front of me, and I reached for it.

But our fingers brushed.

It was just a second—barely a touch—but it felt like a spark exploded through me.

My breath hitched.

She froze too.

Her eyes shot up to mine, wide and startled. Those eyes… silver, fierce, wounded.

I stared, unable to look away.

And just like that…My Lycan snapped. Mate.

The word slammed into me like a thunderbolt.

I stared at her harder, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. My late wife… the only person I thought I’d ever bond with… but now….

This woman. This servant. She couldn’t be my mate, my second chance mate. She shouldn’t be.

But my lycan didn’t care. He growled inside me, clawing at my chest, wanting to break free and claim her.

I tried to fight it. To reason with it. But the scent…her scent…was flooding every part of me. I could taste her on the air. I could feel her heat as if she were already in my arms.

She stepped back quickly, lowering her eyes. I saw her lips tremble. She was trying to stay calm, but I could hear the shake in her breathing.

She felt it too.

Even if she didn’t understand it…she felt it.

I clenched my jaw, trying to think clearly. I thought about it, again and again. I finally came to a conclusion.

I must have her, not as a mate. But she is mine.

“Stop,” I ordered, as she walked away. She stopped, and turned around.

“Come closer,” I couldn't even recognize my own voice.

“Come closer,” I said again, slower this time.

She hesitated. Just for a second. Her eyes flicked toward Carl, then to the Beta beside me. She looked nervous. But she obeyed.

One step. Two steps. Then she stood just in front of me….close enough that I could feel the warmth of her skin, close enough to hear her unsteady breaths.

She kept her gaze down as she stood close to me.

My fingers twitched at my side. My wolf growled in frustration. She was right here…so close…but still hiding behind her mask, behind fear.

I reached out slowly and lifted her chin with two fingers. Her skin was soft. Fragile. Like snow that might melt if I touched her too hard.

Our eyes met again.

And everything stopped.

The noise of the party. The lights. The crowd. It all disappeared.

There was only her.

Only this strange, impossible pull between us.

She opened her mouth, like she wanted to say something… but then she closed it.

“I want her,” I said instantly, facing Carl.

“What?” he asked, shifting his attention to me, and I heard her gasp beside me.

“This woman,” I pointed to her. “I want her as a gift. To honor our alliance,” I said, and he laughed hysterically.

“She is just a servant,” he said, sipping from his wine. “There are a lot more desirable women with good standing, and positions in the pack.”

“I want her, and no one else,” I said, and he went quiet. “Do we have a deal?”

He looked at the woman beside me, and scoffed. “I can't stop you from taking what you want, she is a nobody. You can have her,” he said, and I felt her body go stiff.

She didn't speak, she didn't scream like most women will do. Instead she stared at me both, scared, and unafraid at the same time.

Who is this woman, and what are you doing to me?