Chapter 3

• Camellia's POV
• The door clicked shut behind me. Cedarwood and iron tang hit my nostrils.
• What kind of body wash was that?
• I sniffed deeper, craving more of his scent.
• Then it hit me – that aggressive, intoxicating musk only a prime Alpha could emit.
• The rock-hard muscles under my fingertips tensed.
• A calloused hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me away from the warmth I desperately wanted to explore.
• My blood roared when that velvet baritone rumbled, "Hold up. Who the hell are you?"
• He stubbed out his cigarette.
• Moonlight caught the glint of his eyes as he spread my arms, scanning me head to toe.
• His gaze lingered on my curves.
• A low whistle made me shiver.
• "Damn, you're easy on the eyes. Wrong room?"
• I wriggled, trying to break free from his grip. I sidestepped and tripped him with my leg, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
• He landed with a thud, looking up at me in surprise.
• In the faint moonlight, I could just make out a vague smile on his face.
• I gasped and covered my mouth. "S-sorry! Didn't mean to—"
• My words slurred. I blinked a few times.
• I was drunk.
• I giggled, then hummed and shook my head.
• My hairpins loosened, and my hair cascaded down my back.
• Propped on one elbow, he laughed.
• "Most entertaining crash landing I've ever seen." His palm slid up my thigh.
• My neck gland throbbed. Lyra howled in my skull – it was the signal of a true mate.
• But this silhouette was human. Moonlight haloed his disheveled head.
• What the actual hell?
• My true mate was some random human rent boy?
• Whiskey fogged my brain. Lyra growled, pushing my trembling fingers to yank down my lace strap.
• Since the temporary marking, Esmond never made me burn like this.
• The full moon turned my wolf's hunger into molten need.
• His golden eyes narrowed to slits as my bra clasp snapped – predator's gaze. Those were not human eyes.
• Then it hit me – the pleasant cedar scent might not be from body wash.
• "Wait—" My protest drowned in his pine storm.
• When he pinned me against the wall, Alpha dominance crushed my lungs.
• Lyra howled approval. My knees hit granite thighs as his rough palm slid under my red minidress.
• The roughness of his palm made my heart skip a beat, my pulse racing wildly.
• I ran my fingers through my hair and licked my lips.
• Lyra was just beneath the surface, urging me to act, to feel everything.
• "You're shaking," he purred against my ear, fangs grazing skin.
• The temporary bond mark flared white-hot.
• His fiery touch lingered on my skin, leaving trails of heat wherever he touched, making my body grow weaker.
• I tried to push him away, but he easily sensed my movement and pinned my hands above my head.
• "Let... go..."
• His laugh vibrated through me. "Cut the act, gorgeous."
• In the dark, sensations exploded.
• Pain-pleasure waves crested as something warm dripped onto my collarbone.
• Moonlight revealed emerald wolf eyes.
• Lyra went feral – damn full moon madness.
• "Mark me!" I clawed his back.
• He tossed me onto the mattress.
• The mattress was soft. I didn't feel any pain, but the fall made my head even dizzier.
• A tall figure loomed over me.
• My clothes were quickly stripped away. We were both almost naked.
• His hot skin met mine.
• If Esmond could cheat, why couldn't I claim my true mate?
• At least this burning body was proving its desire in the most primal way.
• His fingers closed around my throat, forcing my gaze up.
• Moonlight showed our tangled reflection – my scarlet dress around his hips, his golden strands smeared with my lipstick.
• Then I saw his face.
• "Lionel." The name tore from me.
• He was not some escort. He was Esmond's uncle, the youngest son of Alpha Drogo and Luna Chelsea.