Chapter 2 DANE I didnt bother to turn around and look at my maniptive , murderous mate .


    Id finally f * cked her .


    It was all shed been begging me for three years .


    Shed never pull her ws out of me now .


    The sex had been incredible .


    Better than Id imagined .


    And Goddess , had I dreamed about touching her over the years .


    All that perfect skin , all that softness .


    And those huge , gorgeous lc eyes , soft as her scent .


    I hated her for it ..


    I had fought myself tooth and w over the years to keep from touching her .


    To remind myself what she had done .


    What she was part of .


    I could never forget the day I first met her .


    Back then , I was twenty one .


    As the Alphas heir , I was the leader of the warriors who Chapter 2 2/7 patrolled Blue Ridge packnd the deep woods and mountains .


    of Georgia just south of the Tennessee state line .


    I paced the top of an overgrown wall near the edge of Blue Ridgend in my wolf form .


    The sound from the woods came .


    Like someone stumbling , lost and sick .


    I scented blood and silver .


    Then I heard her .


    Help … please … She sounded weak and sad , like she didnt expect anyone would ever save her .


    I trotted through the forest , searching for her , pulled like a ma .


    There was a new scent along with the metallic tang of silver and copper lcs .


    I came around a tree and found her .


    Though the moon was dim , shed fallen in a puddle of light .


    Her long , silvery hair was matted and tangled .


    Her white gown was shredded so that most of her body was visible .


    Streaks of blood covered her body .


    From her scent , she was a wolf .


    One whod been poisoned with silver and then beaten to within an inch of her life .


    I shifted into a man and knelt by her side .


    She flinched and whimpered , but bit the sound back , trying to be strong .


    The moment I smoothed her hair back from her face , my wolf howled wildly .


    There was something between me and this girl .


    A connection .


    I thought I heard her wolf ….


    Chapter 2 3/7 But then it was gone .


    A wisp of smoke blown away on the wind .


    I must have imagined it .


    I put my hand in hers .


    Shh .


    Tell me your name .


    She shivered and wept , but gripped my har desperate strength .


    I its … Ann … My wolf … h a hard , t feel her ! I lifted her in my arms and stood .


    Our pack has healers .


    Ill take you to them .


    She looked up at me with big , bright eyes .


    N no ! Theyre going to … t they … She passed out .


    There was so much silver in her , I could see it turning the delicate veins in her pale hands ck .


    If I didnt act , she would die .


    So , I turned my back on my post .


    I walked away and left a hole in Blue Ridges defenses .


    We were so strong ; I didnt think anyone would daree against us .


    I hadnt counted on our enemy , the Reeds .


    I didnt realize that this girl was their daughter , Ann .


    Chapter 2 I didnt know she was part of it .


    4/7 Not until Blue Ridge was burning .


    Not until my parents and at quarter of my pack were dead .


    Not until her father , Waylon Reed , forced us to kneel across from each other beneath the closed eye of ! a silver ribbon around our wrists like the n .


    demanded .


    Don and tied ceremony With ws to the throat of my grandfather , who was the Alphat of our pack , and my little sister myst remaining family the Reeds forced me to marry their daughter .


    The fallen dream .


    Complicit , conniving , maniptive Ann Reed .


    The reason my family was dead .


    Staring into her strange eyes a pale shade of lc I took her as my wife .


    My mate .


    And I swore to destroy them all .


    Broken Forest .


    The Reeds .


    Especially her .


    My wolf paced restlessly in my mind , pulling me back to reality .


    Today , my control snapped .


    I thought once would be enough .


    That Id get my fill of her sweetness .


    But I was wrong .


    Something about the way her fingers dug into .


    Chapter 2 my back when I imed her .


    Something about the way she called my name .


    It wrapped around my heart .


    So f * cking dangerous .


    Just as dangerous as the first time I caught the scent of blood and silver .


    I shook myself .


    My control was iron .


    She had to have visited some hag in the woods .


    Spiked my drink .


    5/7 Im … Im serious , she said .


    This is torture for both of us .


    Cutting our soul bond would just sever our connection .


    Wed still be mated in the eyes of the Council , even if it doesnt mean anything .


    Even though I wasnt looking at her , I could feel the tension radiating off her body .


    Even though I didnt give a sh* t about her , something about her words made unease wash over me .


    Ann Reed was mine .


    We were bound together in suffering forever because of what shed done .


    Because of what the Council ruled .


    The Council a group of the oldest , most powerful Alphas and Lunas that ruled wolves all over the world had dered our marriage necessary to keep the peace in the region .


    I never epted the decree .


    But I was patient .


    I was still going to kill her for what shed done to my pack .


    One day .


    Id wipe Broken Forest off the map .


    Chapter 2 6/7 I finished straightening my tie and turned to face her .


    She had the ribbon clenched in her hands .


    How cute of her to bring a prop .


    It probably wasnt even a convincing fake .


    I grabbed her chin with one hand and let my ws cut into her skin deep enough to draw blood .


    Like poppies ( She whimpered .


    She was so vulnerable .


    So d * mn helpless .


    My wolf wanted to im her again .


    To bury myself in that softness .


    If I didnt know she was manipting me … I might actually want her .


    Want to protect her , like I did that first night , when I thought Id felt something between us .


    I might develop cracks in my armor for her .


    But she was the reason my parents were dead .


    She was the reason I could never be with the woman I loved .


    She was the cause of all my weakness .


    All my grief .


    The Reeds arent getting anything from me , no matter how many empty threats you make .


    Could I be married to someone I wasnt soul bonded to ? No wolf would want to live that way .


    To my surprise , she jerked from my grasp , even though it left a cut .


    She wiped the blood dripping down her chin and shoved the thick silver ribbon in my face .


    Chapter 2 7/7 It glimmered with magic .


    When I grasped it , I could feel the power in it that connected us .


    The ribbon was real .


    I snatched it from her hand and stood to my fu ..


    neight .


    Youve taken your little game too far , I sneered .


    You think Id fall for this ? If I cut this ribbon , my connection to her would snap .


    I wouldnt be able to sense her anymore .


    What if she ran from me ? Then again , if we cut it , I wouldnt have to feel what she felt anymore .


    At first , Id thrived on her despair .


    It meant we despaired together .


    Lately , it just made me sick .


    Every time I hurt her feelings , I was the one whod swallowed poison .


    You could be free , she coaxed .


    You could … be with Evelyn .