Chapter 2

• Jason’s POV
• Her body trembled beneath me, skin flushed and glistening with sweat. I kept my rhythm steady, watching as Cicilia's eyes rolled back, her perfectly manicured nails digging half-moons into my shoulders. The sharp pain only heightened my focus.
• "Oh goddess, yes!" she cried out, her back arching off the silk sheets. "Alpha... Jason... fuck!" Her walls clenched around me as she climaxed, but I maintained my control. Years of discipline made it second nature.
• "Nobody..." she gasped between shudders, "nobody fucks me like you do. Your cock is magical, I swear." Her hands traced down my chest, trying to pull me closer. "Let me feel you finish inside me, Alpha."
• I pulled out instead, ignoring her whimper of protest. "You know that's not happening, Cicilia."
• She pouted, still spread across my bed like an offering. The morning light streaming through my windows caught the sheen of sweat on her skin, highlighting curves that would drive most men wild. But I'd learned long ago not to let physical attraction cloud my judgment.
• "Just once," she purred, reaching for me again. "I'm on the pill. What's the worst that could happen?"
• "A pregnancy claim that would force a mating bond." I grabbed my pants from the floor, already scanning for my phone. "We had an agreement. No strings, no complications."
• "But we're so good together." She sat up, letting the sheet fall away from her breasts. A cheap trick that might work on my brother. "I could be such a good Luna for you, Jason. I know how to handle pack politics, how to host gatherings. I've been training for this my whole life."
• "That's exactly why it won't work." I buttoned my shirt, not bothering to look at her. "You want the position more than the person."
• "That's not fair!" She scrambled off the bed, grabbing her scattered clothes. "Three months we've been doing this. Don't tell me you feel nothing."
• "I feel exactly what we agreed to feel - physical pleasure, nothing more." I checked my watch. Alpha Wendel would be arriving soon. "You should go. I have meetings."
• "You're impossible!" She yanked her dress on, not bothering with the underwear she'd worn here. "One of these days, you'll realize what you're missing."
• "Cicilia." My voice dropped lower, letting a hint of Alpha command seep through. "Don't make me regret our arrangement."
• She froze, then huffed out a breath. "Fine. But don't come crawling back when you're lonely tonight."
• The door slammed behind her with enough force to rattle the frames on my wall. I sighed, reaching for my phone. One message from James about some party he was heading to - deleted without reading - and three from Derrick about the morning's schedule.
• "Tell me Alpha Wendel hasn't arrived yet," I said when Derrick answered my call.
• My beta's laugh rumbled through the speaker. "Relax, boss. He's still twenty minutes out. Though I should warn you - your latest conquest is downstairs telling anyone who'll listen about your 'upcoming mating ceremony.'"
• I groaned, heading for my private bathroom. "Why do they always do this?"
• "Maybe because you're too good in bed?" Derrick's amusement was clear. "I mean, that's the rumor around the pack. The mighty Jason Stone, bringing women to their knees with his magical-"
• "Finish that sentence and you're on border patrol for a month."
• "You wouldn't dare. Who else would handle your paperwork?"
• "I hate that you're right." I stepped into the shower, letting hot water soothe muscles tense from more than just the morning's activities. "Any other disasters I should know about?"
• "Well, your brother called the pack house three times looking for you."
• "Of course he did. Whatever it is can wait. Make sure the conference room is ready for Wendel. His Luna recognition ceremony is important."
• "Already done. Coffee's brewing, papers are prepared, and I even got those fancy pastries you pretend not to like."
• I smiled despite myself. This was why Derrick was irreplaceable - not just as a beta, but as a friend. "What would I do without you?"
• "Probably starve to death at your desk buried under pack treaties." There was a pause. "Speaking of which... Jason, you know I respect you as my Alpha, but as your friend - maybe Cicilia has a point. Not about her specifically, but you need someone. The pack needs a Luna."
• "The pack needs stability and strong leadership. I’m not the only Alpha they should look to blame. James is out galavanting with hookers, I’m drowning in paperwork because my twin brother decided to abandon his duty as Alpha. He was never like this. All it took was a girl in a yellow dress. I refuse to fall for the same. Romance complicates things." I shut off the water, reaching for a towel. "After what it did to James, one failed mate bond and he turned into a walking disaster. I want none of it"
• "Not everyone is your brother. And not every mate bond fails."
• "Can we not have this conversation again?" I pulled on my suit, checking my reflection. "I have a pack to run and treaties to maintain. Romance isn't a priority."
• "Sure, boss. Whatever you say." Derrick's tone made it clear he wasn't convinced. "Conference room whenever you're ready. Though fair warning - Cicilia's still in the lobby, looking like she's planning to intercept you."
• "Back entrance it is." I grabbed my phone and briefcase. "And Derrick? Thanks."
• "For the pastries or the friendship?"
• "Both. Now get back to work before I remember I'm supposed to be an intimidating Alpha."
• His laughter followed me as I hung up.
• Alpha Wendel was already waiting in my office when I arrived, a nervous energy radiating off him. Young Alphas often got this way around me - a mix of respect and fear that came with my position as Head Alpha of the Northern Territories.
• "The paperwork seems to be in order," I said, scanning through the documents. Luna recognition ceremonies were usually straightforward, but they required careful attention. One wrong word could lead to political complications down the line.
• "Thank you for making time for this, Head Alpha." Wendel shifted in his seat, trying and failing to appear casual. "I know it's just formality, but having your signature means a lot. Legitimacy and all that."
• I nodded, turning another page. "Marriage is an important step for any Alpha. Your pack will be stronger for it."
• "About that..." Wendel let out a laugh that seemed slightly forced. "Funny story, actually. I was supposed to marry someone else today."
• My pen paused mid-signature. "Oh?"
• "Yeah, some boring arrangement from years ago. But then I met my true mate this morning." He grinned, apparently oblivious to my sudden stillness. "The goddess works in mysterious ways, right? Better to let the other one fuck off than settle for less than-"
• My phone buzzed, cutting through the tension I doubt Wendel even noticed. I ignored it.
• It buzzed again. And again.
• "For fuck's sake," I muttered, finally answering. "What is it, James?"
• "Jason! I really fucked up! I hit someone - a woman in a wedding dress. She's bleeding everywhere! I think she's a wolf like us, I can smell it, but-"
• My jaw clenched so hard I heard my teeth crack. Of course. Of fucking course my brother would manage to hit someone on his way to whatever party he was heading to this time. "Take her to Michael's clinic," I ordered, already standing. "She can't go to a human hospital if she's one of us. I'll meet you there."
• I ended the call and turned to the startled Alpha waiting across my desk. "I apologize, but there's an emergency. My beta will finish processing your paperwork."
• Alone in my office, I pressed my fingers to my temples, feeling a headache building. "What the hell did my brother get himself into now?"
• The smell of blood and wedding flowers haunted me as I grabbed my keys. Something about this felt different. Important. Like the goddess herself was finally cashing in on all my carefully maintained control.
• I just didn't know why.