Adea
As if on a mission, Shane scanned the room like a hawk. I had hoped maybe he had given up on his obsession with me but as he searched around the room, I knew he hadn’t. He was in search of someone and I had a feeling that someone was me. I steadied my breathing and readied myself for when he found me. I would not show weakness here or any sign of fear. Shane was like a predator and could smell fear.
His gaze froze on each Luna with brown hair and I steadied my breathing and readied myself for when he found me. The last time I had seen Shane was during the trial and the time before that had been the night of the Crescent Moon Ball.
Without meaning to, images from that night spilled into my mind. Shane’s hand on my throat, the anger on his face, and his body pressed against mine. My breath hitched as I recalled the way he’d forced himself on me, my lack of fight, and the fear that coursed through my body.
Followed by the fear of being caught with Ethan, the helplessness I felt under him, and the way he forced my submission. My mouth went dry as I watched him. As if he could feel my thoughts, my gaze, our eyes locked.
A small smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. He searched my gaze for the girl he remembered. The girl who followed his every command, the girl who obeyed him, the girl who cooked his meals, cleaned his packhouse and slaved for his family. His eyes narrowed as he waited for me to lower my eyes, to submit to him, I could feel it. I held his gaze and refused, making his eyes darken.
I would never admit it out loud but I wasn’t sure how I’d react when I saw him again. I know what I told myself, I know what I trained for, I know what I promised but you never really know until you’re faced with your abuser.
Shane dismissed my lack of submission and his eyes trailed down from my face to my neck. A growl emitted in the back of his throat as his gaze froze on my mark. Anger flashed in his eyes and had I been the same person from before, I would have dropped to my feet but I wasn’t her anymore.
The last time we spoke, I had met Ethan for the first time. A day that should have been magical was overshadowed by Shane. He put his hands on me for talking to Ethan alone. He’d accused me of being easy. He had to have seen us during the ball, he had to have known he was my mate.
What did he think was going to happen? That we wouldn’t be drawn to each other? We were going to go back to the packhouse, sleep in separate bedrooms, and only hold hands? I scoffed. I think the fuck not.
His gaze trailed lower and there were yellow flecks in his eyes. Max was pushing forward. Would he cause a scene? Or did he have a better grip on his wolf now than he did in the past? Worrying about Shane’s movements hadn’t been a concern in a very long time and I wasn’t going to pick that nasty habit back up.
I felt Ethan tense beneath my hand and I remembered to keep breathing. The room had grown silent and I was beginning to wonder when someone was going to say something. No one said a word, no one moved until Alpha Rich stood up.
“Welcome, Alpha Shane. Please, come in and have a seat,” Alpha Rich’s voice carried as he gestured towards the only available seats.
In a flash of movement, Shane was standing behind his chair, his hands gripped the back of the seat directly across from me. Ethan hadn’t moved but Leo had gone into defensive mode behind me. Shane didn’t pay him any mind. His scent was radiating off of him, the familiar smell tickled my nose.
“Welcome, Alpha Shane,” Alpha Jax said.
Ethan’s eyes darted to Alpha Jax and I could tell by the look on Odis’ face he wanted to scoff. Alpha Jax was clearly a suck-up and wanted to get on Shane’s good side. If there even was such a thing. When Odis saw me looking, he shot me a smile before quickly placing his mask of professional indifference on. I didn’t return the smile, he was still on my shit list.
Shane’s gaze remained on me while he pulled out his chair and took a seat. I didn’t recognize the other three men that came with him. They made themselves comfortable by the door. Despite their laid-back appearance, their eyes were constantly scanning the room. Devin and Liam sat on both sides of Shane, one seat remained open. I assume it was designated for his Luna had he brought one.
“Now that everyone is present and seated, the United Meeting begins now. Since we have a new Alpha in command of Half Moon, one was necessary. I would like to start off by welcoming Alpha Shane to the Alpha’s Table.”
A collection of welcomes passed around the table, none of which came from anyone in my party. Alpha suck-up and the members of his party along with at least two other packs actually clapped.
Shane didn’t bat an eye at Alpha Rich’s words. He didn’t utter a thank you and not once did he look away from me. His eyes were glued to my face. I wasn’t the only one who noticed this. Everyone around the table stared back and forth between Shane and I. By my side, Ethan’s gaze was locked on Shane and I could feel his irritation.
Sensing the thickening tension, Alpha Rich cleared his throat and I turned my gaze to him. So did the rest of the wolves in attendance. I wouldn’t give Shane any more of my attention. We may be here because of him but he didn’t deserve any of my time.