9 Chapter 9 Shirt
Victoria
The ceremony was over, the guests long gone. In the sprawling castle that was now my home- my prison disguised as luxury–only Leo and I remained. My heart hammered against my ribcage as he led me through the main residence, his hand occasionally brushing against the small of my back, sending unwelcome shivers up my spine.
“This will be your home now,” Leo said, his deep voice echoing through the marble hallway. “Our territory extends beyond what you can see from any window, but this is the heart of it all.”
I nodded numbly, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my wedding dress. This wasn’t how I’d imagined my life would turn out–sold by my step–brother to pay his debts, married to an Alpha I barely knew, expected to be the perfect Luna to a pack that would likely reject my mixed blood.
“You’re quiet, Leo observed, his hazel eyes studying me with an intensity that made me feel exposed. “Most new Lunas can’t stop asking questions.”
“Most new Lunas probably weren’t bartered away like cattle,” I muttered before I could stop myself.
Instead of the anger I expected, a hint of amusement crossed his face. “Fair point. But you’re not cattle, Victoria. You’re my Luna now, whether either of us planned it this way or not.”
We climbed a grand staircase that seemed to reach toward the heavens. My legs felt like lead with each step, the reality of my situation growing heavier on my shoulders.
“This wing belongs to us,” Leo explained as we reached the second floor. “My office, our private quarters, and…” he paused, pushing open a mahogany door, “your personal space.”
I stepped into a room that took my breath away–not because of its opulence, though it was certainly lavish, but because I recognized my things. My books were arranged on a shelf. My clothes hung in the open closet. Even the small wooden box
here I kept my mother’s necklace sat on the vanity.
“You had my things moved?” I whispered, torn between feeling violated and relieved to have something familiar.
“I had Tiny arrange it,” Leo confirmed, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest. “I thought it might help you adjust.”
I ran my fingers over the spines of my books, swallowing the lump in my throat. “And where will you…” I couldn’t finish the question, my cheeks burning with embarrassment,
Leo’s expression softened slightly. “I have my own room
ected to yours through that door,” he pointed to a door I hadn’t noticed before. “But it will remain closed tonight, if that’s what you’re worried about, I understand you need time,”
Relief washed over me, though I tried not to show it too obviously. “Thank you,” I managed.
9 Chapter 9 Shirt
“Don’t mistake patience for weakness, little wolf,” his voice dropped an octave, “I’m giving you time to adjust, but make no mistake–you are mine now!”
The possessiveness in his voice should have repulsed me, but something primal inside responded to it. I hated that part of myself–the part that recognized him as my Alpha despite my human half fighting against it.
“I’ll leave you to settle in,” Leo said, pushing away from the doorframe. “Meet me in my study in an hour. We have things to discuss.”
The study was intimidating–walls lined with books, a massive desk dominating the space, and the scent of Leo everywhere.
Leo was reviewing documents when I entered, his brow furrowed in concentration. He glanced up, those penetrating eyes cataloging everything about me–from my changed clothes to my nervous posture.
“Sit,” he gestured to the chair across from him.
I complied, folding my hands in my lap to hide their trembling. “You wanted to talk?”
He set aside his papers
giving me his full attention. “As my Luna, there are expectations. I need to know you understand what they are.”
I
“I’m not sure I do,” I admitted. “My mother died when I was young, and Enzo wasn’t exactly forthcoming with wolf culture lessons.”
Something dark flashed across Leo’s face at the mention of my step–brother. “Alpha Enzo is lucky I allowed him to leave my territory alive after what he did to you.”
“You mean after he sold me to you?” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice.
“Is that what you think happened?” Leo leaned forward, his forearms resting on the desk. “That I bought you like merchandise?”
“Didn’t you?” I challenged, finding a spark of courage. “To settle his gambling debts?”
Leo’s jaw tightened. “I claimed what was mine. There’s a difference.”
“I’m not a possession,” I said firmly, though my voice wavered slightly.
“No, you’re not, he agreed, surprising me. “You’re my Luna. And what I expect from loyalty, respect, and trust. In return, you’ll have my protection, my resources, and my fidelity.”
you is
I blinked, caught off guard by his blunt words.“And what about… intimacy?” The word felt foreign on my tongue, Jike I had no right to speak it.
A slow, knowing smile curved Leo’s lips, his golden eyes glinting with mischief.“Worried about that, hmm?” His voice was a low purr, as if he could feel the heat creeping up my neck.
I said quickly, clutching at the thought like a lifeline. “I need time before… before we-”
a rumble that coiled
“Before I claim you fully?” he finished for me, his tone dropping
9 Chapter 9 Shirt
through my chest and lower, making my insides tighten.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I only want it when I truly-
“When you truly want me,” he cut in, taking a deliberate step closer. His fingers tilted my chin up until I had no choice but to meet his eyes. “When you come to my bed, little Luna, it will be because you’re begging to be there, not because I forced you.”
The absolute confidence in his voice sparked irritation in me, even as my heart raced.“And if I never want to?” I challenged, lifting my chin a fraction higher.
Leo’s laugh rolled out, rich and deep, like warm honey with a bite of whiskey.“Your wolf might be sleeping, Victoria,” he murmured, brushing a knuckle along my collarbone in a feather–light caress that sent a shiver down my spine. “But she’s there. And she knows exactly who I am to her.”
The memory slammed into me like a wave–Devil’s Lair, that shadowed room, the heat of his body over mine, the sound of my own voice calling his name as if he were the only man in the world.
“You’re… too confident,” I muttered, trying to hide the traitorous flush burning my cheeks.
“Maybe,” he said, his gaze darkening with dangerous patience. His fingers traced the back of my “Maybe,” he said, his gaze darkening hand, slow and deliberate. still hear you calling me the best you ever had. And I
But I can remember that little tip you gave me.”
My breath hitched.“T–That was a joke,” I
joke,” I stammered.
“A joke?” His mouth ghosted close my ear,
ear, voice low enough to curl against my skin like
smoke. “Three thousand dollars is a very memorable joke, sweetheart.”
1 tried to pull back, but he caught my wrist–not roughly, just enough to remind me that I was
his.
“But,” Leo said, his voice dropping into something colder, more commanding, “I have conditions.” My pulse leapt. “Conditions?”
“You’re going to abandon certain… habits,” he said, eyes narrowing with that Alpha sharpness that both thrilled and infuriated me. “Running away. Lying.”
I froze, my stomach twisting. “You… know?”
“I know about the escape attempts from Enzo’s house,” he said calmly, yet the warning in his tone was unmistakable, “That ends now.”
I felt exposed. “How do you know about that?”
“I make it my business to know everything about what’s mine,” Leo said simply. “Including the fact that Enzo kept you locked up for most of your life. That he stole your inheritance. That your mixed blood has prevented your wolf from fully emerging.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. “You had me investigated.”
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“Of course I did,” he said, not a hint of remorse in his voice. “And what I found made me want to
tear him apart even more.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because killing him would have complicated our union legally. And because I wanted you to have a choice about his fate.”
The casual way he said it sent a chill down my spine. Not a promise, not a threat–just a simple statement of fact, as if murdering someone was as commonplace as getting coffee. He turned away, fingers working at the buttons of his vest, effectively closing the subject.
“I’m going to shower. Change out of the dress into your pajamas.”
I watched, frozen in place, as he removed a gun from behind his back and placed it in the bedside drawer with practiced ease. The metallic gleam caught the light before disappearing into the drawer.
“Ah…” I hesitated, the reality of our situation suddenly crashing down around me.
Leo glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised expectantly. “You’re sleeping in the same bed as me. It’s not negotiable.”
My heart stuttered. I hadn’t even voiced my concern yet, and he was already laying down the law.
“It’s not that,” I explained, wrapping my arms protectively around myself, suddenly feeling vulnerable in my wedding gown. “I don’t have anything suitable to wear for a wedding night.” The corner of his mouth lifted in what might have been amusement–the closest thing to a genuine smile I’d seen from him all day. Without a word, he disappeared into the walk–in closet, emerging moments later with a simple black shirt that he handed to me.
“Wear this.”
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