Goddess, he’s gone insane! He’s going to get himself killed!
Alexia, along with the whole ballroom full of guests, gasped and reacted accordingly to the livid lawyer’s announcement. It was indeed a worthy proclamation since it was loud enough to reach even those outside who were cooling themselves off in the balconies and gardens.
Alex’s father was first to break the silence among those sitting at their table, “Mate? That’s ridiculous. My daughter has never mentioned one to me, Abner. I swear it.”
The younger Alpha sneered as a reply. He then took a step nearer his challenger, realizing to his distaste that he was shorter and less athletically built than the man in front of him, “Interesting… Your mate, you say? And a Gamma from a rival pack, no less. That is rich… no, it’s hilarious…”
M recognized the look of insecurity that Abner used to measure him from head to toe. The bastard even tried to lower his voice to match his natural rumbling tone, to no avail of course. To counter, he proudly showcased his sonorous vocals by raising his volume a couple of decibels for his reply.
“Yes, it’s hilarious… It’s absolutely laughable that you dare ignore the Moon Goddess’ call for our mates and, instead, choose one for your own without any consideration for this woman’s own choice. That just proves how FULL YOU ARE OF YOURSELF!”
MA’HERON, do you even realize what you JUST SAID?
I know EXACTLY what I said, LYON!
You’re only saying that BECAUSE YOU’RE DRUNK!
“Why don’t we just settle this in a more diplomatic way, Gamma Ma’Heron? I got your name right, correct? Can I call you Ma’He?” Abner crooned with a slight smile.
“NO! You may NOT!” M snarled.
“Well, Ma’He, the fastest solution to this is for you to reject her now. So, what can I offer you to do that, I wonder…”
IDIOT, you just gave away your weakness…
It is NOT a weakness, Lyon! Now stay silent if you have nothing good to say!
“What about money, Ma’He? Hmmm?”
Ma’Heron clamped his jaw tightly, fighting the urge to tell this hateful man that he loathed to be called by that name. However, he decided not to give his newfound enemy the satisfaction of such a reaction from him.
“How much do you want, huh, Ma’He? Of course, you have to realize she isn’t really worth much except in the looks department…”
M bristled at what he was now hearing, even more than when his childhood nickname is being mentioned repeatedly. He lowered his pitch until he sounded like rumbling thunder…
“How DARE you even suggest that SHE HAS A PRICE TAG!”
“Then what about shares with one of the biggest human computer companies in the country? Or a position in the said corporation? I can easily offer you a Beta position too since mine just died protecting me from a flubbed assassination last month.”
The Gamma growled out his words, “You have absolutely NOTHING that will even TEMPT ME to reject her. NOT EVEN THE THREAT OF DEATH WILL CONVINCE ME TO LEAVE HER WITH YOU!”
M, THIS IS SO UNLIKE YOU! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
Correction Wolf… What have I done! And I’m seeing this to the bitter end…
M then brushed off the horrified yells of his wolf and the astonished look of the very delectable woman beside him. He also ignored the throbbing bulge between his legs due to Alexia being in such close proximity for the last ten minutes, along with the chance of holding her… touching her… breathing her amazingly arousing scent continuously…
For a moment, he lost control of his oh so precious focus and self-control as his mind started to envision a life with this surprisingly desirable she-wolf whose smooth soft hand he’s still holding. Waking up to her beside him… her warm, supple body in his arms… her sultry voice whispering seductive suggestions into his ear… his mouth on her bouncy bosom… his full length entering her silky moistness…
Then the visions disappeared as his rival walked straight up to him. As the hated man’s chest hit his, he felt a small but sharp stinging pain on his right bicep…
BAM!
A hard metal object hit the back of his head and everything in front of him reeled like a runaway carousel ride.
“MA’HERON! NOOOOO! HOW DARE YOU HURT HIM! STOP IT!”
He could hear Alexia screaming in panic and anger as he felt more solid hits colliding with his body. M also heard other yells, with a mixture of consternation, fear, and surprise all around as he tried his best to stay on his feet.
“What is the meaning of this Alpha! He is the Gamma of another pack and…”
“And he is a trespasser and needs to be dealt with as such, Elder Melo!”
“I don’t like your tone, Abner! Desist this instant or this might end up as a full-scale war between your packs! If you want to answer this Gamma’s challenge, then do it the proper way!”
Through his suddenly blurring vision and muffled hearing, M recognized the voices of the elders, all demanding to be heard and for Abner to listen to reason. He can also hear Alpha Arnout van der Meer loudly ordering his daughter to calm down while berating her about being such an emotional and hysterical female.
What he could not hear, to his bewilderment and concern, is the voice of his wolf.
Lyon… LYON! What is happening? WHERE ARE YOU?! WE NEED TO MERGE NOW!!!
Nothing. Complete silence in his head.
Meanwhile, his body continued to get punished with forceful, explosive hits. He had tried to defend himself but his movements seemed slower, his senses suddenly dulled and his arms and legs hardly responded properly. He really did feel like a puppet without its strings…
WHAM!
An extremely powerful and painful hit behind his knees finally felled him, and he dropped like a newly cut tree onto the ballroom’s creamy, gray-streaked marble tiles. He heard Alexia’s frightened scream join his cry of pain… Then darkness engulfed him completely.