Between Instinct and Love

The Beginning

Kira

The war began because my Alpha wanted the resources of the Riverplate Pack. Although the attack had caught them by surprise and cost several wolves their lives, we were quickly driven out of their territory. The final battle took place in the clearing of the Redmoon Pack, and it was catastrophic.

On one hand, I felt the agony of watching my Alpha and my father, who was also the Beta, die. But that was only because of the bond. The moment they took their last breaths, a sense of relief washed over everyone in the pack. I could feel it, and now, I was the one with the most power.

As soon as the Riverplate Alpha killed our Alpha, I dropped to my knees, exposed my neck, and shouted as loudly as I could:

“Everyone from the Redmoon Pack, kneel before our new Alpha!”

The rush of power I felt when I realized they had obeyed me was surreal. I knew my people deserved a better fate than the one my father and the Alpha had forced upon us.

Then I sensed the Riverplate Alpha shift back into his human form and approach me.

“Get up!”

I obeyed and met his gaze. His eyes were still dark with the fury of battle.

“With your permission, I would like to join your pack. As the person currently in charge of Redmoon, I hereby surrender my authority to you.”

He stared at me in disbelief, but then he pulled a knife from my waistband and cut his own palm before cutting mine.

“I, Alpha Kane of the Riverplate Pack, accept you all!”

We pressed our hands together, and I immediately felt his authority settle over me. I knelt again and exposed my neck.

“I order everyone to return to their rooms and remain there until either I or my Beta gives them permission to leave.”

I stood up, and just as I was about to turn away, he called out to me.

“I need to talk to you.”

I nodded.

We walked toward the soldiers who were escorting him.

“Tell me, why did you do that?”

“Our pack has been tortured by my father and Alpha Grey. We were forced into this battle, and most of our people aren't trained or healthy enough to fight,” I answered calmly. “If you look around, you'll see that everyone is malnourished. I believe you'll discover that the pack was already on the verge of collapse. I simply freed everyone all at once. All I ask is that you don't blame or punish innocent people.”

He looked at me and nodded, but said nothing more.

I was considering asking to be excused when I caught the scent of my mate.

Of all the possible times!

His scent was intoxicating. He smelled like someone who had just stepped out of a shower, with plenty of soap. How could anyone smell like that while covered in blood?

I looked at the man standing in front of me.

The Beta.

I thought his name was... Samuel? Simon? No, I'd seen it in a document once. I was sure it started with Sh...

Shade.

I looked at him, and my entire body broke out in goosebumps. It was as if I'd never seen a man in my life. I wanted to smile at him, hug him, kiss him, but he turned his face away almost immediately and pretended he didn't recognize me.

It hurt, and my wolf retreated into herself, saddened.

“Kane, we've covered the entire territory. Everything's clear. What do we do now?”

His voice was deep, stirring a desire in me that I had no wish to feel. So I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze to the ground. I needed to get out of there.

“The pack has surrendered and is already under my command. The Beta's daughter...”

The Alpha looked at me, waiting for me to say something.

“Kira,” I replied without lifting my head.

“Kira, she has surrendered and says everyone is willing to cooperate, correct?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“We'll organize the merger, but I want you to stay here for a few days and oversee everything in the pack while I get ours organized.”

“Yes, Kane,” Shade replied.

I dug my fingernails into my palm. I couldn't afford to get aroused or look like a lunatic in front of everyone. I needed to keep myself under control.

What a wonderful time to find my mate! And him of all people...

“Kira, you may leave. Please show Shade around the house and follow whatever instructions he gives you.”

I nodded, still keeping my head down.

Kane seemed to communicate with his Beta through their mind link before heading toward the forest. I remained there with Shade and the warriors assigned to protect him.

“Please, follow me.”

I turned without looking at them and walked toward the packhouse.

Everyone remained silent, and as soon as we entered, I began explaining the layout.

“There are a few rooms with private bathrooms downstairs. Nobody uses them, so feel free to stay there,” I said, pointing toward the corridors. “Upstairs, you'll find the office and the former Alpha's and Beta's bedrooms. Would you like to see them?”

I asked without looking at Shade. I knew he was watching me, and it made my skin prickle. But if he hadn't said anything to me by that point, either he wanted to speak privately or he simply didn't want me. And I couldn't blame him. My father and the Alpha had committed countless atrocities throughout their lives, and surely Shade had no desire to associate himself with someone who shared their blood.

“Let's go!” he replied curtly before heading up the stairs.

I followed him, unable to help noticing his ass, his thighs, and his arms. He was still filthy, but there was something so masculine and wild about him! I shook my head. The mate bond was getting in the way.

“Where's the office?”

“This door,” I said, pointing.

He walked in without looking at me and headed straight for the computer.

“Do you know the password?”

“Uh... I think so.”

He glared at me.

“Do you know it or not?” he asked irritably.

“I can try. I've only seen him type it in once.”

I approached the desk. Shade was standing, and I had to squeeze past him to sit in the chair. I ended up brushing against his arm. A powerful shiver ran through my body, but I sat down without saying a word.

I was breathing deeply, and I knew he could smell my arousal.

How embarrassing! This is so fucking embarrassing!

I was practically melting, and he couldn't even bring himself to look at me.

“I think it was something like Androme... The name of a constellation...”

“Andromeda. It's a galaxy,” he replied coldly.

My face burned with embarrassment, but I focused on typing, and the screen unlocked.

“Where does he keep the financial records and the residents' files?”

“I don't know,” I said quietly, expecting another rude response.

“How can you be such an incompetent Beta?”

His words caught me off guard. He barely knew anything about my story, yet he was treating me like that.

The Moon Goddess certainly didn't mess around when it came to pairing incompatible mates.

But I wouldn't let him humiliate me. I'd spent my entire life being humiliated in every way imaginable, and I refused to accept a mate who treated me like that.

So I stood up angrily and faced him. He had struck a nerve, hitting what little remained of my pride.

“Look me in the eyes,” I said firmly.

He met my gaze. We were only inches apart, and his eyes were growing darker. I knew the bond was affecting him too, but I would stand my ground.

“I know this isn't the best situation for us to get to know each other. I know my pack attacked yours first, and I know I'm the daughter of a damned Beta. But I'm a person who refuses to be treated this way. If you don't like it, punish me. But I won't accept having a mate who treats me like this.”

I spat out every word while staring straight at him, showing not the slightest hint of regret.

“And another thing: if you don't want me as your mate, then reject me!”

I finished the last sentence, furious. I knew I didn't want that, but my pride wouldn't allow me to tolerate such disrespect from someone who was supposed to love me.

Love.

A strange feeling I'd never learned to recognize, but I knew it was anything but this.

Shade stared at me for a few more moments, and I caught the scent of his arousal. He really did like the way I'd stood up to him, but instead of acting on it, he simply grabbed me by the throat and spoke through clenched teeth.

“The next time you challenge me, you'll be thrown into the dungeon!”

I laughed.

Yes, I actually started laughing while he held me by the throat, and I couldn't stop. The punishment he'd threatened me with sounded almost delightful, considering all the torture I'd endured at my father's hands whenever he decided I needed to be punished.

“You think I'm joking?!” he demanded angrily. He clearly didn't like being challenged.

“I...”

I looked at his face and realized that we would never get anywhere like this. I wouldn't accept being treated that way.

I'd always believed mates were supposed to love and care for each other. That was what I'd seen in the couples who stood up for one another against the Alpha's daily mistreatment. They would never do something like that to their own mates.

“I, Kira Hill, reject you, Sha—”

His eyes widened, and he pulled me into a kiss.

Our lips met in a kiss charged with hatred, but also with a thousand other sensations. He felt them too, I was certain, because every one of my senses was on fire, and my entire body seemed to be bubbling over. I could feel the electricity of his touch. The sparks were so intense that my body went weak.

Then he released my throat and turned toward the window. He braced both arms against the frame and lowered his head.

“Go to your room.”

I didn't answer. I simply walked out, dazed and lightheaded.

I didn't know what to feel.