Chapter 8: No Choice but to Comply

ELAINE

“So, you two have reached a decision?” Alpha Martell questioned, his gaze filled with skepticism. I didn’t really care what he thought.

“Yes,” Connor and I responded together.

I had my reservations, but Connor seemed set on this agreement, regardless of my doubts.

“We’ve agreed, but that doesn’t mean we’ll follow your orders,” Connor grumbled. “We’re the new king and queen of the pack. You’re not the alpha anymore.”

I watched Connor closely. His blatant disrespect towards his father was punishable, but he wasn’t wrong. Alpha Martell was no longer the pack’s king, so his son’s insolence didn’t matter to the others here.

“Connor,” Alpha Martell growled, his face half-shifted.

“You’re not the alpha anymore. I’m taking over, and after the ceremony, Elaine and I will lead the pack without interference,” Connor declared firmly.

I sighed and stepped forward, hoping to diffuse the tension.

“Alpha Martell, it’s our responsibility. We have duties to fulfill. If you could start preparing for the ceremony, we’d appreciate it.” I offered a smile.

Alpha Martell glanced between Connor and me before sighing and standing up. His long robe trailed behind him as he turned away.

“Choose your betas,” Alpha Martell instructed over his shoulder. “Give their files to my beta, and we’ll announce them at the ceremony. I’ll let you know when the ceremony date is set.”

I nodded while Connor scoffed. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Connor’s shirt and pulled him along.

“Can you let go?” Connor snapped, pulling away from me.

“Shut up!” I commanded.

Connor growled and pushed me against the wall. The wooden wall cracked under the force, and our eyes locked in a frosty stare.

“Stop fucking bossing me around,” he muttered. I watched him silently. “Let’s go to my place to get my stuff, then yours.”

Connor pushed past me and started walking away. I didn’t move until we both felt the burning sensation in our wrists.

He glanced over his shoulder, glaring at me as he clenched his jaw. I smirked and started following him.

***

The ride was silent.

I felt like I’d been caught in a shitstorm for the past few days. I had to tolerate his presence, even though I didn’t want to share the same air with him.

Even bathing didn’t offer any privacy. His constant proximity was becoming too much.

“Should we try shifting?” I asked, hoping to break the silence.

“Weren’t you against it?” Connor asked, his eyes on the road. “I don’t mind shifting in front of everyone.”

“I’ll have to shift during the ceremony, right?” I asked.

The thought of revealing my wolf to everyone was both terrifying and exciting.

I’d felt like an outcast because I was different. But knowing I wasn’t alone in my difference brought me some comfort, even if it seemed ridiculous to Connor.

I waited for Connor to respond. His jaw was clenched, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel. He glanced at me.

I looked away, biting my lip.

I knew the signs of discomfort, and Connor was showing them all. His gaze was filled with pity and disgust… It reminded me of my father’s eyes.

Our time was running out. Everyone would know we were lycans once they saw us shift. The supposedly extinct race of monsters that were revered as gods had never truly disappeared.

I wondered what our parents would think when they saw us that night.

***

I stared at the two-story house. Or was it a mansion?

“Let’s go in,” Connor mumbled.

He couldn’t be serious. This was where he lived?

I followed him in silence, taking in our surroundings.

I knew Connor was independent, but I hadn’t expected him to live so far from the pack, let alone in a mansion big enough for a family of ten.

“My room is upstairs,” Connor pointed. I nodded and followed him.

I was taken aback by the opulence of the place.

Connor’s house was a testament to luxury, from the black marble floors to the high glass ceilings, the expensive Italian furniture, and the famous paintings.

I thought the exterior of the mansion was impressive, but the interior was on another level.

We climbed the stairs to a room with double doors at the end of the hallway.

Connor opened the door, and I was stunned by the extravagant space that looked more like a city penthouse than a bedroom.

I noticed the large flat-screen TV playing an action movie on mute.

I turned to take in the rest of the room and my eyes landed on the four-poster bed with black silk sheets in the center.

A strange ache between my legs made me clench involuntarily.

I didn’t understand why my body was reacting this way, but the sight of the bed made me wonder what it would feel like to lie naked on it, waiting for Connor to join me.

I cleared my throat, blinking a few times. What was wrong with me?

Embarrassed, I shook my head and walked over to where Connor was packing his bags. I looked around awkwardly until I spotted a stool near the bed.

I needed to stay away from it. If Connor saw me now, he’d know I was having inappropriate thoughts. Instead, I watched as he tossed a few items into the black bags.

Mostly gear, books, and some clothes. But the room felt empty and cold. It didn’t feel like a home.

“You know there’s a library in the castle, right?” I pointed out, hoping for a reaction, but he ignored me.

It wasn’t long before Connor announced he was ready.

“You have everything?” I asked, frowning at the four bags piled on the bed.

“Yes, let’s go to your place now,” Connor said without looking at me.

I reached out to grab a bag, but Connor growled, making me jump. I quickly pulled my hands back, letting him lug his stuff out of the room on his own.

How was I supposed to handle this guy every day?

I sighed and trailed after him to the car.

My house was a half-hour drive from his. Even though we were part of the same pack, my house was closer to the borders, where my dad and brothers spent most of their time.

I waved excitedly when I saw my brothers waiting at the entrance, their eyes immediately dropping to the guy next to me.

“You okay?” Jyn asked, giving me a once-over.

“Yeah, I’m going to go pack,” I said, brushing past everyone. Regulus started listing off what I should bring as Blaze hurried upstairs to help. “Where are Quillon and Arye?”

“They’re getting some stuff together for you,” Regulus replied. I nodded and pushed open the door to my bedroom, which smelled like roses.

Thankfully, Blaze was already organizing my things just the way I liked them.

“I’m going to grab my clothes.” I headed for the closet, aware of Connor standing a few feet from the door, watching me.

“You better not touch her,” Jyn warned as he came over. I frowned. “If you hurt my sister, I won’t forgive you. Got it?”

“You think I want to touch that? I wish she wouldn’t even look at me.” Connor glared at Jyn.

I shook my head and bit my cheek. I needed to hurry before these two started fighting.

When I came back into the room with my clothes, Jyn and Connor looked ready to tear each other apart.

“Help me pack these,” I told Blaze, who nodded. I turned to Connor and Jyn, who were both avoiding my gaze. “Enough, you two. Help me pack.”

Connor jerked his head toward me as Jyn rolled his eyes but complied. Without another word, Jyn started helping while Connor sat on the bed, just staring at my room.

He could take a nap for all I cared.

“How much longer?” Connor grumbled.

I glanced at him. What was his rush? It’s not like we had anything urgent to do back at the castle.

“Almost done,” I replied curtly and went back to packing.

I had a lot to bring, now that I was moving into the castle, and since Connor would be with me most of the time. I knew he wouldn’t want to waste time coming back to the house for stuff.

A knock on the door made everyone stop.

“Sorin.” I smiled, feeling butterflies in my stomach. Sorin was Connor’s older brother and the only wolf in the pack I had a crush on.

“Hey, I brought something for you.” Sorin smiled, greeting everyone. My brothers quickly moved to him as I continued packing my bathroom stuff.

I closed my suitcase with a smile and set it on the wooden floor.

“Let me,” Sorin offered, his breath tickling my face. I blushed.

Sorin’s amber eyes were warm as they met mine, making my heart race.

I’d always hoped that one day Sorin would be my mate. It was a crazy thought, but I’d held onto that hope.

But now, with these shackles, I was stuck with Connor. And once we mated, my hope would be crushed.

I forced a smile and looked away from Sorin. I hated this. Couldn’t I choose my own mate?

“You okay?” Jyn asked, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. I managed a smile for Sorin.

“Elaine.”

I shook my head at Jyn’s worried tone. All my brothers knew about my feelings for Sorin, and so did Sorin. The feeling was mutual.

As we left, I took one last look at my room. With a soft smile, I closed the door.

***

“I need your work info and anything else important. Give it to Beta Erick tomorrow,” I said, loading my stuff into the jeep. “If you need anything, just mind-link me, okay?”

“Elaine, I’ll be fine,” Regulus laughed.

Earlier, I’d asked Regulus to be my beta, and he’d happily agreed.

I chose him over my other brothers like Jyn because he was smart, deadly, and knew his way around the castle.

He also met all the requirements for a beta, which made everyone else jealous.

“Elaine, take care. I’ll see you before the ceremony,” Jyn said, squeezing my shoulder.

“I know. If anything happens, I’ll call you guys.” I smiled and got into the car. Jyn looked worried, but the others smiled back. “Jyn, trust me.”

“I’ll meet you guys back at the castle,” Sorin said quickly. I gave him a soft smile. “Want anything special for a snack?”

“Chocolate cream cake?” I laughed.

“Your favorite. Sure, why not?” Sorin smiled and kissed my cheek.

I felt a sharp gaze boring into me. I ignored it and waved goodbye to my brothers.

Jyn gave me a tight smile as Connor sped away from my home.

Now it was time to head back to the castle and start making changes. Hopefully, Connor wouldn’t dare oppose me, because if he did, all hell would break loose.