How could the fates be so cruel towards me? I’ve led a good life. I try to do well by others. What could I havepossiblydone to deserve this?
“Tell me your name,” the Alpha demands.
The order angers me immensely because he has absolutely no right to demandanythingfrom me. It’s because of his species that both my parents are dead, and humans are back to living in the Middle Ages. Even being in his presence is sickening.
Thankfully, the lust clears up with my thoughts.
I stare at the Alpha as he stares at me, growing more disgusted by the second at the sight of him. Instead of answering him—as I’m sure everyone always jumps to do—I say flatly, “You haven’t answered my question.”
He appears momentarily shocked at my nerve, but it is quickly replaced by intense scrutiny. “I think you’ve guessed the answer to that. Unless, of course, you’re a simpleton.”
Battling with the urge to take my knife out of my pocket and bury it in his chest, I grit my teeth and glare at him. I’m far too outnumbered for an assassination attempt, and besides, I doubt I’d get very far.
Before I can say anything, another one of the males steps forward. He has an air of authority surrounding him that’s similar to the Alpha’s, but not quite as powerful. I catalogue him as the potential Beta.
His deep-brown eyes flare along with his nostrils, and then hepushes past me, entering my house without a word.
I leap in front of him, all of my protective instincts jumping into overdrive. “Get out of my house,” I growl.
His eyes darken with anger as he stares at me. “I know you’re merely a human, but even you should know better than to get between a shifter and their mate.”
Dear fucking gods,Leisel. He can’t possibly be talking about anyone else.How could this be?Both of us, fated to abhorrent perversions of nature?
“Not another step,” I say, my voice bordering on hysterical as I think of my little sister. The fates must truly despise us both to pair me with an Alpha, and a nine-year-oldchildwith a Beta.
Because the entire universe seems to despise me, at that moment, I hear Leisel’s door opening, followed by her tentative voice behind me. “Sierra?”
Before the Beta can take another step or make another sound, I’m in front of my little sister, shielding her with my body. I feel the anxiety coming off of her as one of her small hands grasps mine.
“This town is not under the jurisdiction of any mythics,” I say through clenched teeth as the Alpha also steps into my home uninvited. “You have no right to invade my home. Get out.”
The Alpha looks delighted by my spine, disregarding my words altogether. “Sierra,” he says, testing my name. I suppress a shiver of pleasure the sound causes to race up my spine. “I’m Alpha Camden Kent.”
“And I’m bored,” I fire back. “Get. Out.”
When neither of them moves, I glance over my shoulder at Leisel. “Go to your room, sweet girl. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Knowing this isn’t the time to argue, she promptly rushes back into her room, shutting the door behind her.
I press a hand to my forehead, recent events causing an overwhelming headache. My only potential way out of this situation would be to declare duelum—a law that allows humans the chance to battle their way out of having to mate. When a human declares duelum, they’re paired with a member from their mate’s pack or clan or coven and the two have a duel. If the human wins, which has only happened a handful of times, they’re free. If they lose, which is almost always, they’ll be bound to a monster for the rest of their lives.
Leisel, however, is too young to take the path of duelum. According to mythic laws, shifters can’t mate with humans under the age of eighteen. So, at least she’s somewhat safe for the time being.
I, however, am an entirely different story. If I lose the duel, I belong to the pack. I could win it with ease if I used my powers, but revealing them is not the wise thing to do. If the Alpha finds out that I’m a very rare type of witch, with an even rarer ability, he’ll view me asfarmore of an asset than simply being his mate, and then he might never stop searching for a way to keep me.
Trying to shore myself up, I remember the tens of thousands of hours of hard labor I’ve put into the farm—labor that’s given me above-average strength. And then, there are the vague memories of the fighting lessons Dad used to give me. Even if I don’t utilize my powers, I have better chances than most humans would in a duel with a shifter.
Hands landing on my arms abruptly draw me out of my thoughts. I jerk back from Camden’s grasp and glare at him. “Don’t touch me.”
His eyebrows hit his hairline with surprise at my aggression, and then he lets out a low, dark chuckle. “My beautiful little mate. Don’t make this difficult. I’ve waited plenty long for you—I’ll wait no longer.”
Squaring my shoulders, I look him in the eye. “Your people have ruined countless human lives. You’ve caused more death, pain, anddespair than even the worst of our dictators and tyrants did throughout our history. If you think there isanychance that I’ll ever be a compliantlittle mate, think again. Duelum.”
Chapter Four
Shock flares on Camden’s features at my rant, followed by a blazing anger. Before I can blink, he has me in the firm, unbreakable cage of his arms. They wrap around my waist with a steel grip, and the warmth of his skin against mine draws a gasp from my lips.
Glaring at me, he addresses his Beta. “Wyatt, go check on your mate.”
