Chapter 7

Shemika was slung over his shoulder, her body swaying with each of his strides. She twisted and turned, straining to get a glimpse of her surroundings. From her limited view, she could see the ground was vibrant and green, a stark contrast to the barren soil of her own compound.

The man carrying her ushered her into a large structure. It reminded her of the community center back home, where Dancescu resided. Soon, they were standing in what she guessed was the main assembly hall.

“Sir,” the man holding her began. He paused before continuing. “We found a rogue she-wolf on the compound grounds.”

An older, gentle voice responded. “Well, put her down, Nikandr. All I can see is her backside. Which is quite nice,” he added as an afterthought.

Nikandr carefully set her on her feet, ensuring she was steady before releasing her. He then took a step back.

She turned to face their alpha.

He was significantly older than Alpha Dancescu. His age was evident in the lines around his eyes and mouth. He seemed kinder, softer, but she could see past his façade. There was a darkness lurking in his eyes, a darkness she’d seen in almost all male wolves.

Shemika knew better than to show aggression toward an alpha, even if he wasn’t hers. So, she flashed him her most radiant smile.

His eyes widened as she smiled, revealing her flawless teeth. “You are a beautiful one, aren’t you?” he said, sounding awestruck. “What’s your name?”

“Shemika Loren,” she responded cheerfully, though it was all an act. She had no idea what was going to happen next, but she knew a bad attitude wouldn’t help her cause.

His smile broadened. “How did you end up in our territory, Shemika?”

“I was helping my friend gather ingredients for…” She decided not to mention her friend was a witch. “Her dinner, and I lost track of where I was. I didn’t mean to trespass.” She laughed, attempting to play the part of a clueless blonde, despite her dark roots.

He leaned back in his chair. “A woman is always welcome. Only men trespass,” he said, his tone light and playful.

~Gross~. “I’ll just head back to—”

“You understand I can’t let you leave, right?” he interrupted, smirking.

She kept smiling, even as her heart pounded in her chest. Why was she so nervous? It wasn’t like she had anything to go back to. She didn’t care about her mother or Dancescu. Ylenia had made it clear she didn’t care about her. Colette and Sorin were too wrapped up in each other to notice her absence.

She could make this work. This alpha seemed too old to force her into his bed. She could manipulate him and live the life she’d always dreamed of.

“Well, of course,” she chirped, stepping closer to him. She maneuvered around the men who tried to block her path to their alpha. “You need to keep the she-wolves around. We’re an endangered species.”

His eyes widened as she approached, his gaze lingering on her scantily clad body. “That’s true. We only have six females of breeding age in our pack…” He paused, then added, “Seven, including you.”

“What’s your name? You’re my new alpha,” she purred.

“My name is Lyosha,” he replied.

Shemika flashed him a dazzling smile and tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder. “So, where will I be staying?” she asked, her tone light and cheerful.

“Well, even though you’re being very cooperative, I can’t fully trust you yet. So, you’ll stay in the main community building,” he gestured to the building around them. “My men will keep an eye on you.”

She nodded. “Of course, and if I like my room?” she asked cautiously.

He smiled. “You can keep it, but it’s not really a room. It’s more like a studio apartment.”

Her own studio apartment? She could hardly contain her excitement. “I’d like to see my room and then get a tour of your compound.”

He nodded. “Of course, Shemika. Anything for my new she-wolf.” He signaled to Nikandr, who moved to take Shemika’s arm. He led her out of the room and down the building’s long corridors.

She had to admit, there was a whole new group of men to toy with. Nikandr had a straight, sharp nose and shoulder-length caramel-colored hair. He was moderately attractive. Most men were attractive to Shemika, but they lacked something. They were so…~blah~.

“Do you have a mate, little wolf?” Nikandr asked, making small talk.

She shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders. “No, but you could already tell that by my scent,” she replied.

He nodded. “I know you aren’t mated, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a mate.”

That was true, but it was unusually chivalrous for a male wolf. It made her suspicious. “I don’t have a mate, no.”

“A lot of men will be happy with your arrival,” he said, a twinkle in his eye.

“I’m guessing that includes ~you~, Nikandr?” she asked, smirking.

He smiled shyly, a stark contrast to the man she’d met in the woods. The man who’d looked her up and down and tried to stroke her hair. “I can’t deny that a new pretty face is exciting news.”

He led her down a long, lavishly decorated hallway, far more extravagant than anything in her own pack. He gave her a brief rundown of the building, pointing out the mess hall where the entire pack ate dinner together.

She nodded, trying to pay attention to what he was saying. But then she saw him. A tall figure, intimidatingly so. Broader than any other man she’d ever seen.

As he drew closer, her heart pounded harder. His hair was long and choppy, pitch black. His eyes were just as dark and menacing, underscored by deep circles. His nose was harsh, with a straight bridge that had clearly been broken multiple times.

Her gaze landed on his lips. They were full, lush. Perfectly shaped. His chin was strong and covered in stubble. There was a large scar on the left side of his face, as if he’d been attacked by another wolf when he was too young to heal properly as a lycan should.

He didn’t even glance at her as he passed by. Even after he was out of sight, her heart continued to race. She’d caught a whiff of his scent. Rosemary and mint. It was intoxicating. She wanted to follow him.

“Who was that?” she finally asked Nikandr, interrupting him.

He blinked a few times, a look of confusion crossing his face. “Who?”

“The…the man,” she said.

“What man?” he asked again.

“Th-the man…” She gestured to her cheek, tracing a circle around the left side of her face.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands as he realized who she was talking about. “You mean Caturix. He’s our pack’s…enforcer, I guess. I don’t think he has an official title.”

~Caturix~.