Charles's POV
"Your mate? Dominic's Luna?" Joseph, my Beta, let out a low snicker that grated against my nerves.
"You find this amusing?" I kept my eyes fixed on the weathered pages of the ancient tome spread before me, refusing to acknowledge his smirk.
"How can I not? Our nephew's chosen woman turns out to be your destined mate." His chuckle filled the silence of my office.
I shook my head and tried to concentrate on the cryptic symbols dancing across the parchment. But my thoughts kept circling back to her. That fierce little woman who had turned my world upside down.
The memory of her lips against mine sent fire through my veins. Every instinct I possessed screamed at me to return to her, to claim what the Maw Goddess had marked as mine. Her boldness still left me reeling. The way she had climbed onto my lap without permission, kissing me like she owned me.
Such audacity should have earned her punishment.
Yet when I imagined discipline, my mind didn't conjure dungeons or chains. Instead, I saw silk sheets, flushed skin, and the sweet sounds of surrender. I saw her beneath me, crying out my name as I showed her exactly who she belonged to.
I forced those dangerous thoughts away and focused on Joseph's questioning stare.
"Do you believe Dominic's story? That she simply fell down those stairs?" Joseph's expression grew serious as he noticed my darkening mood.
"If that bastard laid a hand on her, I'll tear his spine from his body." The words came out as a growl, and my wolf purred with savage satisfaction.
I should have acted the moment I saw her broken body in that pool of crimson. The sight had nearly driven me to madness.
"Think about this logically," Joseph said carefully. "You need an heir, Charl. The elders won't stop pressuring you. If Dominic is mistreating Sandy, convince her to reject him. She could give you a child and solve your succession problem."
"You want me to use her?" I raised an eyebrow and fixed him with a deadly stare. The thought of manipulating that brave little fighter made rage burn in my chest.
"She'd be safer with you. You'd never harm her, Charl." Joseph's voice softened with genuine concern.
"Never harm her?" I laughed bitterly. "Have you forgotten what I am? What lives inside me?"
His gaze dropped to the floor. He had no answer because we both knew the truth. I was a monster wearing a man's face, cursed by sins I never committed but forced to bear.
I returned to the ancient text, scanning symbols that had tormented me for years. Countless books, endless research, yet the cure remained elusive. The Maw Goddess seemed determined to let me suffer alone for eternity, paying for my ancestors' crimes.
My chest tightened as I remembered Sandy's radiant smile when she offered to reject Dominic for me. She had no idea what she was asking for, what kind of man she thought she could rely on. Her trust would be her downfall.
"Tell her the truth about your curse. Explain what you need from her. She'll understand, Charl." Joseph's quiet words broke through my brooding.
"No woman deserves the nightmare I'd bring to her life. She'll find happiness with Dominic. He can offer her things I never could." The admission tasted like ash in my mouth.
Joseph slumped in his chair and glared at me with obvious frustration. "Maybe this information will change your stubborn mind."
"What information?" My attention snapped to him.
A lazy smile crossed Joseph's face. "Dominic brought his mistress to the Council meeting instead of Sandy. Word is, she's his fated mate and he plans to make her Luna soon. Where does that leave your little fighter?"
A vicious growl rumbled from my chest. "Does he forget he's ruling her pack as well?"
"Apparently not. He stole everything from her and now couldn't care less about her fate." Joseph shrugged with practiced indifference.
I slammed the book shut, the sound echoing through my office like a gunshot. The desk trembled under my grip as I rose and leaned forward.
"Bring that worthless nephew of mine here. Now. We need to have words." And maybe I'd snap his neck and bury him where no one would find the body.
"Gladly." Joseph chuckled and stood.
My nostrils flared. That arrogant fool was attempting to steal another pack without my permission or Sandy's consent. The disrespect was unforgivable.
As if summoned by my thoughts, jasmine flooded my senses. My mouth watered and every muscle in my body went taut. She was close, and my wolf was going wild with need.
If I wasn't cursed, I could have made her a queen. Given her everything her heart desired and more.
The door cracked open and her face appeared. When our eyes met, she blessed me with a smile so brilliant it made my heart race like I was some inexperienced boy.
"Knock." I frowned, masking the effect she had on me.
Her nose wrinkled at my cold tone. She closed the door, pounded on it loudly, then opened it again with theatrical flair.
"Happy now, mate?" That radiant smile returned.
My lips almost curved upward, but I maintained control. My wolf was howling inside my skull, desperate to break free and claim her against my desk until she screamed my name.
But she deserved better than my darkness.
"What do you want?" I waited for her to come closer.
She took the hint, shut the door properly, and approached my desk. My gaze traveled over her white dress, lingering on her pale legs and that tempting mouth. Heat crept up my neck as I caught myself staring at her lips.
"A deal." Sandy stopped on the opposite side of my desk.
I had an overwhelming urge to sweep everything off the surface and pull her into my arms, but I forced myself to meet her eyes. "What kind of deal?"
"I heard something fascinating." She clapped her hands together excitedly, making me suspicious.
"You should—"
"I heard the Elders are pressuring you for an heir."
Her eyes sparkled like starlight, but when her words registered, mine narrowed dangerously.
"This is where you take the hint and leave." My voice came out as a rasp.
"But I like you too much for that. Since I've seen you, I can't think of anyone else, so I'm going to—"
I moved before rational thought could stop me. My hand wrapped gently around her throat as I leaned closer, drawn to her pink lips like a moth to flame.
"Don't play games with me, little one." My gaze dropped to her tongue as it darted across her bottom lip.
My shirt stretched tight across my straining muscles.
"I can give you a child, Alpha King. A child born from your mate will be powerful and healthy." She breathed the words, trembling under my touch.
My head grew foggy feeling her pulse flutter beneath my palm. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
"In return, make me your mate and get my pack back from Dominic." Her hands reached for my shirt.
I released her and stepped back. "Sounds like a poor bargain. You want me to steal my nephew's Luna, destroy family relationships, and wage war for you in exchange for what? One child?" The temptation was overwhelming. I could see her beneath me, crying out in pleasure, but I forced the images away.
She stepped closer and gripped my collar, making my lips twitch with amusement. This fearless little woman never failed to surprise me.
"I'm offering my loyalty, my devotion, a child, and myself. It's hardly a loss for you, Charles. We could even draft a contract. Put everything in writing so if I don't give you an heir within a year, you can discard me." Her voice turned seductive.
"A contract?" I gripped her waist and pulled her against my chest. "Why don't you give me a preview of what you're offering first?"
Her next move left me completely stunned.