I won’t be able to sway him. He’s always been about duty first.
Peppermint, camphor, and juniper berries flood the immediate area. His pheromones flare.
“Easy, Cad.” Kirk steps forward.
Kirk places a hand on Cadoc’s shoulder. His brown skin contrasts with the pale blue tunic Cadoc
poured his bulky frame into.
Former healer for the pack, Kirk’s always had a soothing presence. His cinnamon, clove, and bitter orange aroma is warm and inviting.
He’s suffered greatly with the strange sickness that refuses to budge. When he failed to save Alpha’s wife, he stepped down and became something of a hermit.
His brown eyes are full of kindness. “The Rite has been started. There’s nothing we can do, but ride it out.”
“Please.” My lower lip trembles. Life is closing around me.
“There’s nothing I can do, Ylva.” Kirk smooths back my braids. “Let me help you through this.”
“What being owned in the eyes of the pack by four strangers?” I snarl.
Kirk grunts. “When we come together, we won’t let it be like that.” His thick black brows dip and his plush full lips curve down.
Kirk’s diamond-shaped face has a wider triangular jaw that clenches and releases. I see the battle waging in his dark eyes. “I will do everything in my power to help make this easier on you.”
A burning sensation on my wrist startles me. I look down and see the backward z that’s Eihwaz rune representing trustworthiness.
“You made an official vow to me,” I remind him.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to bring my mate comfort. This might not have been our choice,
but we get to decide how it progresses,” Kirk says.
This is a plan I can get behind. “Okay.”
“You’ve got her. I’m going to keep the young pups from ripping each other apart,” Cadoc commands before shifting and bounding off.
How could Alpha pair me with my childhood bully? The spoiled heir has always taken great pleasure in tormenting me.
Bo never let me forget I’m lacking. Everything about him has always annoyed me, including the fact that his scent smells like a decadent candy: licorice, spiced honey, and vanilla.
How can I ever trust him enough to form a mating bond?
Leaning into Kirk’s warmth, I allow him to lead me back toward the den of wolves waiting to see a show. If I can’t get Alpha to change his mind, I’ll fight for every single concession I can in the negotiation.
The four may be slated to become my mates, but I won’t lie down and show my belly.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“If you ever hurt her again, it’ll be the last thing you ever do.” Fell’s actions remind me of the boy I’d
once loved.
“Oh, little Fell has found his balls again since his weirdo girlfriend returned?” Bo’s voice is mocking.
Cadoc stands between them as they throw insults at each other.
“That weirdo is about to be your mate. You might want to learn how to hold your tongue,
Jensen.” Kirk escorts me into the clearing where two of my future mates are ready to rip each other’s throats out.
“And I bet you love that, don’t you?” Bo leers. “You got a fit enough body. I can learn to ignore the rest of your unpleasant traits.”
I’m not sure how to process the backhanded compliment. With one sentence, I’m ready to strangle him.
“Sounds like you plan to spend the rest of our lives with your hand for company.” Curling
my fingers under my thumb, I stroke the air.
“You can’t be serious.” Bo crosses his arms. “I’m the catch here.”
“Not from where I stand. For mature women, looks aren’t everything when it comes to the wolf
you’re spending the rest of your life with. Remember, I’m fortunate enough to have three other
men to choose from. You seem to forget that we’re all in this together. That makes us equals.
Unlike the other she-wolves around here, I won’t get on my knees to suck your prick because
