Page 8 of Alpha Bride

Nolan is clearly a self-assured alpha who comes from a dynasty of alphas going back generations. But even he is rattled by the rogues amassing on his coastline, all drawn to Malik’s cult-like rule. “How has this escalated so fast?” he muses. “There was no word of this, Malik, and then all of a sudden, he’s everywhere. When we tried to run the rogues out of town, he attacked our ships. Some kind of shapeshifting dragon.”

I raise my brows. That is new information. “I didn’t realize your ships had been attacked,” I tell him. “The witches have runes that would help. It benefits all of us to maintain trade.”

At the mention of the witches, Nolan’s dark eyes dart immediately to Emily, a tiny action that raises my hackles. “I’d be interested in talking to your witches,” he says casually, “about the runes. Would Emily be available for a trip to the mainland?”

“No,” I reply smoothly, leaning back in my chair. “Emily will never be available for that.”

Something that looks a lot like amusement dances in his eyes. “Oh, I apologize, I didn’t realize you two were—”

“We have made a strategic alliance with the witches,” I tell him. “I have made an alliance with Emily in particular, but that is all.”

He chuckles, “And this means Emily is unavailable?”

I nod, willing him to drop it before I drop him. “That is right. However, if you’re less concerned about which witch helps you, we can still protect your ships.”

He laughs a full belly laugh that draws attention from around the room. “You’re right, of course,” he says. “But you can’t blame me for wanting to mix business with pleasure.”

My jaw tightens, but I school my features into a polite smile. “Of course not,” I reply, trying to ignore the biting undertone of his words.

The meeting winds down, and I’m left feeling like it’s been more of a success than I envisioned. With the new information about Malik’s reach, an alliance feels tentative but promising. If it comes to it, a friendly pack on the mainland may be of consequence, especially if we can stop more rogues from joining Malik’s forces. Nolan excuses himself to take a call, and I pointedly head in the opposite direction of Emily to grab a drink and send an update to Callum and Aiden regarding the meeting.

I’m just putting my phone away as I spot Nolan heading back in and making a beeline for Emily.You have got to be kidding me.Surely, no alpha would be so foolish.

But I soon realize it’s Emily doing the flirting. She’s touching his arm, her eyes still flickering towards me occasionally before moving away again, a smirk tugging at her soft pink lips. If she’s trying to wind me up, it’s working.

I consider trying to walk away, but my feet remain fixed in place, and a strange mixture of anger and jealousy burns hot in my chest.

Suddenly, Nolan’s eyes meet mine, and amusement flashes across his face. Before I can stop myself, I storm across the room towards them.

"Excuse me," I say, my voice low, dangerous, and completely focused on Emily. "I think you've had enough company for one night."

She laughs lightly. “Don’t be silly, Tristen. I’m simply entertaining our guests.” She smiles, an unmistakable glint in her eyes. “Besides, someone needs to talk about the runes, and I am the expert.”

“She has been very informative,” Nolan says. “Beauty and brains.”

She laughs again, and it sounds bloody musical. Deep down, I know what she’s doing, but I’m past caring. When she reaches out to touch his arm again, her eyes go to mine, and I know it’s a challenge, but I can’t stop myself. My hand moves like lightning, snatching hers away. The room falls silent as all eyes turn to us. I glance at Nolan to see if he’s going to react, but his expression is carefully schooled.

“My beta, Ryan, will see you to your ship,” I say firmly, not releasing my grip on Emily’s arm. “I need to have a conversation with my mate.”

Nolan nods, that damned smug amusement still dancing behind his otherwise neutral face. With that, I walk out of the hall with Emily, pointedly ignoring everyone in the room. Once outside, I spin around to face her. I’m not sure what I expected, but the look of defiance on her face almost takes my breath away.It takes everything in me not to kiss her then and there; she’s intoxicating.

“We have a deal,” I snarl. “You are my mate. What the fuck was that?”

She smiles, and it only makes her look even more radiant. “You said you didn’t give a damn what I do, so I thought you wouldn’t mind if I had some fun,” she pouts.

And just like that, I’m reminded of what kind of fun witches like to have. Bewitching and fucking anyone who might be useful. The thought makes my blood boil in my veins as I step closer to her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “You can’t be a whore and my luna. Get back to the fucking house.”

When I step back, I notice her mask of defiance slip slightly, but whatever emotion lies underneath is just as unreadable. Without a word, she ducks around me and walks off toward the house without even glancing backward. Anger still hums throughout my body, showing no signs of dissipating. Not trusting myself to go home, once I see her disappear into the house, I turn toward the forest, shifting as I break into a run. I’ll need to run for hours to burn off this heady mix of rage and pure desire that is coursing through my veins.

Chapter 4 - Emily

Lying in my bed, I stretch out and turn my head toward the large picture window. I can see why he picked this plot. The views are incredible. The forest spills all the way down the mountain right to the edge of town, where the house sits, but in the distance, I can catch a glimpse of the ocean through breaks in the foliage.

It really is perfect.

And if I close my eyes and take a deep breath, I can almost forget that Tristen called me a whore. Almost.

I replay the memory from the other night in my head. His look of pure disgust and rage seems more vivid each time I recall it. A small bubble of laughter almost escapes my lips, but it’s humorless. The whole thing feels deeply ironic, as the only man I’ve ever even kissed is the one calling me a whore.

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