Chapter 29

SAMANTHA

I found myself staring at my reflection for the second time during this whole process. The woman in the mirror was almost a stranger to me.

“Gosh! Sammy, you’re breathtaking,” my mother said softly as she entered the room.

“Is it too much?” I asked, uncertainty creeping into my voice.

“No way!” my mom, Cassie, and Serena all chimed in together.

“You’re the guest of honor at a grand ball,” Cassie reminded me for the umpteenth time. “There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ tonight.”

I took another look at the navy-blue satin gown that Cassie had ordered specially for me. It was an A-line cut with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves that added a touch of romance.

My hair was styled in soft curls, pinned back on one side with a couple of pearl barrettes.

“I feel like I’ve stepped out of a fairy tale,” I whispered.

“You look like a queen,” Serena said, taking my hand. “Let’s head to the ballroom stairs. It’s almost time for your grand entrance.”

I nodded, trying to keep my nerves under control. I was about to make my way down a grand staircase, into a room full of people with their eyes firmly on me. I’d never been so exposed before.

~Please don’t let me trip,~ I pleaded silently.

Emerick was waiting outside the makeshift dressing room, leaning casually against the wall. As I stepped into the hallway, he straightened up.

“Samantha Paulson, you’re a vision.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close.

Cassie swatted at him. “Hands off, Stone! She’s spent hours getting ready. No touching until we’re downstairs.”

Emerick backed off, raising his hands in submission. “All right, all right,” he muttered.

I looped my arm through his as we began to walk. Cassie shot me a warning look, but I just giggled.

“She’s a bit high-strung today,” I whispered to Emerick, still chuckling.

“You’re telling me,” he grumbled, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

As we approached the staircase, the hum of the crowd below reached my ears.

Cassie turned to face us. “Everyone else, head downstairs.

“Sam, when you hear your name announced, count to three and then walk down slowly. Remember to take your time, just like we practiced.”

Her eyes shifted to my son. “Luke, you’ll meet your mom at the bottom of the stairs for your dance. Everyone else, you know where to go, right? All right, let’s do this!”

“Ease up, Cass,” Michael muttered. “This isn’t a military operation.”

Cassie shot him a glare, and he took a step back in retreat. I couldn’t help but giggle at the sternness of my usually lighthearted friend.

I actually admired that she could take some jobs so seriously while still being such a warm and kind person in her personal life.

Emerick gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got this, kid.”

“Thanks, Em,” I replied. “See you in a bit.”

He nodded before kissing the back of my hand tenderly. I watched as he disappeared down the hallway with the others.

Part of me wanted him to share this moment with me, but I knew it was important for others to see me as an independent woman. Emerick at my side might send the wrong message about my ability to lead.

The din of the crowd softened before starting up again, then I heard the announcer’s voice echo through the doorway ahead.

“Now presenting, Alpha Samantha Paulson of the Red Claw Pack!”

~One. Two. Three.~

I stepped onto the balcony and paused at the top of the stairs, gathering my courage for the descent.

As I took the first step, I looked out over the crowd, taking in the sea of elegant dresses, sharp tuxedos, and sparkling champagne glasses.

~Cassie was right,~ I thought, ~these werewolves sure know how to dress up.~

Despite my nerves, I held my head high and kept my shoulders back. The crowd clapped politely as I neared the bottom of the staircase, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

My eyes found Luke, who was beaming back at me.

“You did great, Mom.” He offered me his arm.

I smiled. “Thanks, Lukey,” I whispered back.

We made our way to the dance floor, and I was struck by the confidence radiating from my grown-up boy. He wore a wide grin as we started to dance, and I was impressed by his natural grace.

He moved with an ease that I envied, and I was more convinced than ever that he’d learned to waltz before coming to the pack’s lands.

Then again, he’d always been a talented athlete. Maybe this was just another skill he was able to master without much effort.

As the music began to fade, applause filled the room once again. Luke turned away from me, throwing his arms up in triumph. The crowd roared in response. I couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

I scanned the room for Emerick, but before I could spot him, Aidan appeared before me.

“Alpha,” he greeted, bowing his head slightly. “King Ivar would like a word with you in private.”

“Of course,” I replied, forcing a smile onto my face. “Is he here?”

“He’s in the study,” Aidan informed me, offering his arm.

“All right,” I said hesitantly. “Why can’t we talk here? The party’s just getting started.”

“The king has other matters to attend to,” Aidan explained. “He’d like to speak with you before he leaves.”

Emerick approached as Aidan began to lead me away.

“I’ll be right back,” I assured him.

“Where are you going?” He narrowed his eyes at the stranger on my arm.

“The king wants to speak with me.”

Emerick pressed his lips into a thin line. “Jonathan and Jackson will join you.” His tone left no room for argument.

“Of course.” Aidan bowed his head agreeably.

The twins materialized from seemingly nowhere, ready to accompany me. Emerick gave a curt nod before we left the ballroom and walked down the hallway.

Aidan moved with a deliberate confidence that reminded me of a panther stalking its prey. I swallowed at the thought.

He ended up leading us to the library I’d spent so much time in a few days ago. A large figure stood with his back to us, his head bent forward as he read from a book.

His tuxedo hugged his body in a way that looked comfortable while still showing off the firm, shapely muscles underneath.

“Your Majesty,” Aidan said.

“Aidan, don’t be a—”

As King Ivar turned to face us, the world seemed to stop. My vision narrowed, and my heartbeat quickened. Something told me it had fallen into sync with his own.

I stood still, frozen in place, taking in the sight of the man before me.

Luke had been right about his Viking-like appearance. He was tall and broad, with dirty blond hair, shaved sideburns, and a well-groomed beard.

He radiated a dangerous power, and his icy blue eyes seemed to swirl with intensity.

~“Mate,”~ Ayisha’s voice sounded in my mind.

“Fuck,” King Ivar muttered.

“I knew it,” Aidan declared proudly.

I felt Jonathan and Jackson shift into defensive stances at my sides. Aidan’s body tensed up as well from his position between Ivar and me.

“Leave,” King Ivar ordered, his gaze locked with mine.

Neither of my guards moved.

“All of you,” he growled. “Leave us alone, or I’ll make you.”

I snapped out of my trance. “It’s okay,” I said to the men beside me, managing a smile in some pathetic attempt to try to reassure them.

Reluctantly, they turned to leave, and Aidan followed, casting a final smirk back at the king.

When the door clicked shut behind them, I waited for Ivar to explain what was happening. But we both remained silent, standing with stiff bodies and staring at each other.

I felt an inexplicable pull toward him, but fear kept me rooted in place. His expression was one of danger and something else I couldn’t quite identify.

Slowly, he moved toward me, and I found myself holding my breath.

Once he was beside me, he lifted my chin gently, forcing me to look up at him. In any other situation, I would have recoiled at the patronizing gesture, but now, I found myself mesmerized.

“I’ve been waiting for you my entire life,” he confessed.

I swallowed hard. “I hear it’s been a long one.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, releasing my chin and moving his hand to cup my neck. He wrapped his other arm around my waist and pulled our bodies together.

“What’s happening?” I asked, confusion clouding my thoughts.

“What do you mean?” He began to trail soft kisses along my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

I felt powerless to pull away. “Why do I feel…connected…to you?” I asked, struggling to put my feelings into words.

He pulled back to look at me. “We’re fated mates,” he stated simply.

“Fated mates are a myth,” I argued, but even as I said it, I didn’t believe my own words.

Ayisha had recognized this man as our mate immediately, and I was inexplicably drawn to him. I craved his touch, his scent, his voice…everything about him.

What else could explain such a reaction to a stranger?

“Fated mates are ~rare~,” he corrected, “but they’re very real. I think you can feel that as well as I can.”

When I didn’t respond, he gently brushed his lips against mine. The intimate touch was so unexpected that my knees nearly buckled.

~Who is this man who has such power over me?~

I tried to push him away, hoping to create some distance so I could gather my thoughts, but his arms held me in place.

“What’s wrong, little wolf?” he whispered into my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“I’m not afraid. I’m overwhelmed,” I said, and I felt him stiffen.

Finally, he let me pull away.

“I don’t understand.” I searched his face for answers. “How are ~you~, my fated mate? What does that even mean?”

“It means we’re destined to be together.”

“Okay,” I said. “But why are you so calm about this? It’s a big deal.”

~I mean, it is a big deal, right? It feels like my world is being turned upside down. How am I going to explain this to anyone? To Emerick?~

“I’ve lived a long time and learned not to fight destiny,” he said, his voice steady. “It’s best to just accept it.”

I was taken aback. What did that even mean?

“Okay…” My mind was spinning. “So, what happens now?”

He looked surprised by my question. “We’ll mate, and you’ll become the queen,” he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“What about my pack? I just became alpha. Are you going to move here to lead with me?”

“No, you’ll move to my territory in Canada. You can’t be a queen and an alpha. The call will fall to the next in line,” he explained patiently.

“No.”

“What do you mean ‘no?’” he asked, taken aback.

I pushed him away and began to pace the room. He watched me with a furrowed brow.

“If I leave, the call falls to my son. He’s only fifteen. I won’t leave him,” I stated firmly.

“Then tell him to reject the call and come with us,” he suggested casually.

“He won’t,” I argued. “And even if he did, the pack would be left without a clear leader. I won’t do that to them. Not after everything they’ve been through.”

“Samantha,” he began, his voice firm, “you’re talking about one pack versus all of werewolf-kind. There’s no comparison. Your place is with me.”

I shook my head. “I won’t leave them.”

His expression darkened as he stepped in front of me. His fists were clenched at his sides, and I could see a vein pulsing in his neck.

“I won’t beg,” he growled.

I met his gaze, staring into the swirling pools of ice and wondering how he could be so cold.

“I’m not asking you to,” I whispered.

“Is this about the male I smell on you? The beta?” he demanded.

“What? No. I—”

“If he touches you again, I’ll kill him.” His voice was filled with anger and force.

I recoiled slightly. “You can’t do that.”

“I’m the king and your mate. I can and I will.” Ivar turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

“Where are you going?” I called after him.

“Home,” he snapped without looking back. He flung open the door and stormed out.

As the door slammed shut behind him, I collapsed to my knees, a sob escaping my lips. I covered my mouth with my hand, clutching at my chest as I felt my heart shatter.

I heard others enter the room but couldn’t see them. All I could see was tears.

Hands reached for me, but I couldn’t feel them. All I could feel was pain.

“What did you do to her?!”

“You will never touch her again, Stone!”

“What’s going on?”

“Sam? Sam?!”

Then everything went dark.

End of Book 1