The third limo pulls forward, ceasing outside chatter. I hope this next car has men closer to my age, not that I’m against older men. It’s just that we have to mate, so I should be attracted to them. Right?
Don’t think about it. Just wait until you meet all the contestants, Justin encourages me, always the voice of reason. Licking my parched lips, I take a deep breath and smile at the next man exiting the car. Excitement accelerates my heart rate.
He took the bait. He’s here. My smile falters for a moment, giving the appearance that I’m disappointed or worried, before I plaster on a fake greeting. I notice my brothers stand taller. Images race through their minds. Joe steps a little closer to me. I wait for Anders to lose his shit and ruin my plan, but he remains still, his features stoic, guarded. He’s in lead guard mode. He doesn’t make a scene.
“Alpha Marcus Greystone, Howlite Pack, Territory Six of the Luna Solar Territory,” Holden announces. I haven’t been home in the LS for a few years, but I received word that he is now the Alpha. He killed his own father in a challenge to become Alpha of his pack. It’s been almost eight years since I last saw him. I remember him being an asshole, but I’ve heard that he has become so much worse. His territory suffered first under his father and still more under him.
He runs a hand through his dark brown medium-length hair. I study him as he gets closer. He’s bigger than I remember. His white, toothy smile looks genuine, but I find cruelty laced beneath it. He wants to punish me. His gray eyes assess me—first my face and then down my body. When his gaze finally returns to mine, his smile widens, as if he approves.
“Alpha Princess.” He takes my hand, bows slightly, and kisses it.
I close my eyes briefly, restraining the disgust that threatens to quiver up my spine.
“You are so beautiful. It takes my breath away.”
I open my eyes to find him so close to my face. I want to push him away. Instead, I widen my smile and stay rooted in place. “Alpha Greystone, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I hold his gaze, direct, unintimidated.
“Meet me?” He pauses for a moment, calculating what to say next.
I move to pull my hand back, dismissing him, but he squeezes my hand, forcing my fingers together until it hurts. His eyes darken, and he squeezes my hand harder. My bones grind together, cracking under the pressure of his grip. I continue to stare him in the face, still smiling.
Eyes narrowing in challenge, he hums. “I seem to recall that we met before. I’m hurt, Alpha Princess, that you could so easily forget me. I look forward to correcting that,” he warns. Before I can respond, he jerks me close, embracing me in a hug. He whispers, “I’m going to enjoy this game, Princess. You’re mine, and I always get what I want.” He kisses my cheek and releases me abruptly.
I stumble back a step. Tipping my chin, I reply, “Like I said, Alpha Greystone, it is so nice to meet you.”
His eyes roam over my body one last time before he looks me in the eyes. “I look forward to getting to know you, Alpha Princess.” He turns toward my family. Anders steps slightly in front of my father, being the first to greet Marcus. I watch his interaction, ready to intervene if he decides to attack my parents.
Joe’s hand rests on my back.Are you okay?he asks through our mind link.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I turn my head in time to see Marcus walk into the main entrance. “Perfectly fine.” I rub the back of my injured hand. His words replay in my mind.
“I’m hurt, Alpha Princess, that you could so easily forget me.”
I didn’t forget you, Marcus Greystone, and you will never own me.
Chapter 6
I Own You
JESSICA
Eight Years Ago
The Night of the Guard Ball
The music is loud. Colored lights interchange between red, blue, yellow, and green. We all sway our bodies in time to the music. The newly graduated guards whoop and holler, waving their arms in the air.
The twins are on stage, along with Charlie who looks like he is sitting on top of the world standing next to Sammy Kane, the winner of the contestSo You Think You Can Sing, as they harmonize along with The Kittens to a song he and I wrote together. I can’t believe Draco Music Industries helped Charlie and I pull this together. It feels surreal.
That’s when it hits me. I just sang in front of a large group of people. Isang. Not very long ago, I sat in a clinic bed blind and unable to speak. Now, I can speak and sing. For the first time since I returned home a few days ago, it dawns on me that I have everything I desperately wanted—a family, a home, and friends. Aside from the scars, I no longer look like a broken victim.
I throw my hands up in the air, pumping my arms and swaying my hips to the beat of the music, laughing as everyone joins me in my crazy dance of freedom.
The music changes. Strobe lights from the stage start to flash. My body turns cold, and for a fleeting moment, I am transported back to the dark hours of this morning. My skin burns at the memory of Boris’s rough groping. A flash of the strobe light flickers in my vision, reminding me of the look of disgust and cruelty on his face as he pointed the gun at Shadow and me, right before I…
My insides twist into knots, and my knees wobble. I struggle to breathe. Emily and Sixes dance with Elijah. Darwin and Stan, the recently graduated recruits, face the stage. No one sees the panic attack threatening to erupt within me. Without a word, I sneak off for some much-needed air. I want to hide—embarrassed by the growing anxiety filling my chest. I choose the darkest corner of the balcony, just outside the ballroom. I grip the railing and force myself to take slow, deep breaths.I killed him. I killed Boris.
“I’m surprised your boyfriend left you alone.”
