Gleb
When the beast that lives in your soul takes command of your body, only it decides where you go—to the light, or into the dark.(c) Kamila Dani
I shove a hand against the heavy doors. The celebration is in full swing, the newlyweds are accepting congratulations, and I head straight for them.
“Congratulations.” I shake the groom’s hand.
“Thank you! It’s such a pleasure to see you at our celebration,” the bride throws in her two cents.
I pull a tight smile and nod in return.
My gaze sweeps across the large, bright hall, searching for the people I came here for. If not for the minister, I wouldn’t have set foot in this place, but strong connections and reliable partners are always useful.
“Gleb, in the corner by the balcony exit,” Yura prompts.
“I’m going.” I clap the guy on the shoulder. On the way over, I loosen my bow tie. I honestly have no idea why I even put it on.
“Please accept my congratulations, Mr. Minister,” I cut brazenly into the conversation between the two men. The bride’s father isn’t just a minister—he’s a wallet. That’s exactly why I’m here tonight.
“Thank you.” He extends his hand. “A pleasure, Gleb, a real pleasure that such an important man could spare us a little of his attention.” He smiles slyly.
Old wolf.
“And I’m delighted you decided to celebrate your daughter’s wedding in my city. Truly beyond words.” Everything is falling right into my hands. I don’t even have to leave the city limits.
“You have a wonderful city.” He turns to me, forgetting all about his older companion. “And you’re so young and promising.”
Yes, my city is in order. From day one, no one has dared break my laws. And if someone doesn’t like the rules, no one’s forcing them to stay.
When my father gifted me the city—after first taking it from the previous alpha—the place was such a disaster that for the first few months I could barely speak normally. I shouted like a madman all the time. But now one look is enough for everyone to understand everything.
The conversation lasts no more than two minutes, then we shake hands. One wolf understands another before half a sentence is spoken.
We don’t have hostility with humans. They even hold important positions sometimes. But I prefer my own kind.
I turn back toward my assistant, and on the way my взгляд snags on a blonde standing by the buffet table.
A slim little figure in a white dress, the sheen of her skin nearly blinding, and even from here I can catch her scent. Sweet strawberry.
“Nice wedding,” I say, sizing the woman up.
“Uh-huh.” She stuffs a tartlet into her mouth and immediately turns away.
“Dance with me?” I hate dancing, but I want to know whether or not I want her for the night.
“Sorry.” At last she turns to face me. “I don’t dance.” Playing hard to get.
I understand. Pretty, and she knows exactly how to push men’s buttons.
Her softly full lips slowly stretch into a charming smile.
Beautiful. And tonight she’ll definitely be in my bed.
No one refuses an alpha.
Especially not blondes. All they know how to do is flirt. Especially natural ones. I see right through women.
“I’m not asking,” I mutter. “You probably didn’t recognize me.” I hold out my hand. “Gleb Vakhatov.”
The girl drops her gaze to my hand, then lifts wide-open eyes to mine.
“And?” She crosses her arms over her chest. I step closer, trying to catch whether she’s human or wolf.
She steps back.
Hellfire rips through my ribs. I clench my jaw so I don’t bark at her—I don’t want to scare her. She could be human.
“No one refuses me,” I say with a dark chuckle.
“I will.” She winks and turns to walk away.
I grab her by the forearm—and the beast snaps its eyes open at once.
“What the hell?!” I seize the creature by the throat with my other hand. I don’t give a damn who’s watching. “How did you get into my city?” A stray! A filthy creature! How did she get here?
No, impossible! No one. No one would dare break my rule. Or I’ll take their head off.
“Alpha, take your claws off me,” she rasps, staring straight into my eyes. Rings around her pupils flare with white light.
A stray. She dared come into my city and break the law. To hell with everything. She’ll pay for this insolence.
“Don’t like it? Uncomfortable?” I’m ready to throw her out the window right now. “Well, I don’t like that some piece of trash dared come here.”
“I don’t care!” Her gray eyes spear right through me, and she covers my hand with hers. With ease, she jerks it away and twists it so hard I want to howl from the pain.
“What is it, alpha?” She smiles. “Not comfortable?” I can feel her heartbeat. Steady, not even quickened by fear. “Listen”—she rises onto her toes to reach my ear—“don’t make a scene. I’ll just congratulate a friend and leave. No one will understand a thing. The main thing is, be a good boy.”
She shoves me away, and the next second she vanishes like smoke.
“Bitch! You’ll pay for that!”
