Ann swept her hair from her face and peered at him across the table.
“I’m not sure it’s anything that you could help with, Adam. Although I appreciate the sentiment. There isn’t anything I need to be here for tomorrow evening is there?” Adam frowned slightly as he thought and narrowed his eyes slightly.
“As long as you return here tomorrow night then you are free to do as you please. It’s only the ceremonies this afternoon to officially bind us and welcomes you into the pack, after that, you are free to do as you please.”
Ann nodded thoughtfully.
“Okay. I have to attend my step-sister’s engagement announcement tomorrow, that’s all.”
“The step-sister you don’t get on with at all?” Adam asked with a hint of bewilderment.
“The very same. If she thinks she’s getting her filthy hands on my mother’s jewelry, she has another thing coming.” Ann hissed, a look of dark determination on her face.
Ann had returned to her room shortly after breakfast, having eaten very little despite Adam’s insistence.
She was in the process of being pampered and preened before the official ceremonies began. The stylists employed at the pack had made a selection of outfits for her to wear during the day for each ceremony and had instructions to find her something impressive for tomorrow’s engagement party as well.
Ann suspected that word had gotten around the pack that not only did the feared Alpha appear to be putty in her hands, but that she was also of royal blood. Everyone seemed to be working insanely hard to try to meet her expectations and seemed to be going above and beyond what was necessary.
She was offered freshly made snacks and a huge array of drinks and the next omega that approached her c*oc*ked her head curiously and attempted to strike up a conversation.
“Is all this really necessary?”
“All what Luna?” She replied with a little frown.
“All of this…” Ann gestured wildly to the hive of activity in her room in a little disbelief.
The omega chuckled and placed yet another drink in her hand.
“Of course, it is Luna! What sort of pack doesn’t care for its leaders? This is to prove that we can take care of you well and see to your needs, whatever they may be.”
Ann frowned.
“It’s really not necessary, I can take care of myself you know? If I need a drink or something to eat then I’m more than capable of seeing to that myself. I’m sure you all have better things to be doing than taking care of the whims of your Luna.”
The omega looked horrified at her words.
“Not at all, Luna! This is our job! Once you are mated and marked, you’ll be a*s*signed a personal chef and a*s*sistants to ensure that all of your needs are taken care of. This way, the only thing you have to worry about is the upbringing of all those pups you’ll produce and the traditional Luna duties.” She grinned brightly.
It was Ann’s turn to look horrified. If they had their way, they would turn her into a glorified breeder. Was in her contract? Had she missed something hidden in the small print that required her to produce pups every year?
“There’s no need to look so scared, Luna. You’ll be well taken care of here. The little princes and princesses you produce will be adored by all. Despite his reputation, Alpha Nocturne is a good Alpha, he takes care of us well.” She smiled gently.
Ann nodded d*um*bly. She was really going to have to check the contract over and perhaps ask Adam if she had agreed to those terms. She definitely didn’t remember agreeing to them…
‘We were drunk though.’ Maeve offered unhelpfully. ‘Oh god, Maeve. I don’t think I’m ready for pups just yet.’ Ann replied, an edge of panic in her voice.
‘I’m more than ready…I can’t wait to have all those little wagging tails and chubby bellies running around our legs.’ Maeve answered wistfully.
‘You won’t have to carry them!’
‘You and I do share the same body you know…we share exactly the same feelings and sensations…’ Maeve grumbled.
‘Well, yes, but you aren’t going to have to push them out, are you?’
‘Don’t be silly. Of course, I’ll help in childbirth. Just think Ann, we’ll get to play with them and show them off!’ Maeve answered happily. ‘We’ll have many strong pups that will be the envy of all who see them!’
Ann scowled in response and suddenly found herself focusing on a different omega than was there in front of her previously.
“Do you not like these, Luna?” The woman asked, a hint of trepidation on her face.
Ann was confused momentarily as she took in the material of the dresses held up before her.
“Oh! I’m sorry… I wasn’t paying attention. I was..”
“No need to explain, Luna, we understand. It’s a stressful day for all of us so I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.” The omega answered as relief washed over her face and the tension seemed to be lifted from her body.
“We were just wondering which dress you preferred for the Elder’s binding ceremony, that’s all…we couldn’t decide between these and we’re still learning about your tastes…” her words trailed off apologetically.
Ann smiled rea*s*suringly at her and cast her eyes across the dresses on offer. She selected an elegant-looking ivory c*oc*ktail-style dress encrusted with diamonds around the outline of the bust and along the straps.
The ceremony would be essentially a wedding, without the extravagance of the royal treasury, and officiated by the elders of this pack, and not the King himself.
Ann didn’t care though. This wedding suited her needs as much as it did Alpha Nocturne’s and she intended to not only meet the expectations dutifully but surp@ssthem if possible.
If it served to piss her step-sister off in the meantime, then that would only make the whole arrangement more satisfying.
Ann grinned to herself as the omega’s finished their work on her hair and makeup and waited patiently for the knock on her door to signal the start of the day’s lengthy events.
The planned ceremonies had gone off without a hitch. The pack had welcomed her warmly and the Elders approved of her bloodline, conducting the binding ceremony and formal linking with the pack to loud cheers from all involved.
After all, Ann was of Royal lineage and the official union with their Alpha elevated the Dark Moon Pack’s status greatly. Now they were second in power and strength to only the Alpha King himself. It would be something loudly talked about to anyone that would listen.
It also meant that their Alpha may one day have the chance to rule as the Alpha King as Ann was the eldest daughter and the current heir. She met all of the required qualifications for that a Luna Queen.
As Ann and Adam bid farewell to their guests Ann smiled to herself.
Adam turned to look at her and felt the breath almost leave his lungs. His heart beat faster in his chest as he suddenly realized that this woman would be by his side through everything for as long as the contract existed.
Looking at her in the soft light of the ballroom, her delicate beauty that was brightened by her smile seemed to take his breath away. He had the sudden urge to take her in his arms and kiss her, but for once in his life, he was nervous about doing so.
She wasn’t his mate, it was a business arrangement. Nothing more. He wasn’t supposed to have been moved by her. As he battled with his inner turmoil, Ann glanced across at him and caught his eye.
“Adam, is everything okay?” Ann said frowning as she noticed his complex expression. He frowned and nodded curtly.
“We should retire for the evening. It’s late.” He answered hoarsely, avoiding her eyes deliberately as he took hold of her hand and pulled her along behind him.
Ann was too stunned to react at that moment and instead followed hurriedly behind him, her feet moving quickly as she tried desperately to keep up in the ridiculous heels that she had been persuaded to wear. “Adam… wait…” She protested weakly as Maeve sniggered inside her.
‘I know exactly where this is going…?’
‘What? What do you mean?’
‘Our little Alpha is a little hot under the collar.” She sniggered, ‘It looks like you’re going to get your promised wedding night after all.” Maeve continued gleefully.
Ann’s eyes widened with the realization of what exactly might lay in store for her and her breath quickened as the anxiety hit.
‘Relax, it’s perfectly natural. Besides, it’s about time we got some action. Saving yourself for your mate was a stupid idea as it turned out. We could have been having fun this entire time.’ Maeve grumbled.
‘How can you say that?! Maeve, what if we get a second chance mate?! He’ll be so angry if he finds out we slept with another…’
‘And if we don’t? Seriously, Ann, get a grip.” Maeve scoffed, ‘The chances of finding your fated mate are low enough as it is, and when it comes to a second chance mate? Even less hope of that happening.’
‘But if there’s still a chance…’
‘There is absolutely no chance that I am letting us remain celibate for the rest of our lives. There’s little chance of that happening when our heat hits anyway so isn’t it better for us to find a reliable male to pair with?’ Ann bit her lip as she mulled over Maeve’s words. She had a point. Until now, she hadn’t had to deal with her heat but that wouldn’t last forever.
Even if she remained celibate it was common for the heats to start naturally anyway and if you weren’t careful, you would end up mated by the strongest male following a furious fight between those attracted by your scent.
Ann grimaced at the thought. It was always messy.
‘Okay, you have a good point. We’ll see where it goes, but I won’t initiate anything and I won’t allow him to mark me. What if his true mate appears? She would be devastated…’
She felt Maeve roll her eyes despairingly.
‘I think it’s about time you started living for yourself… for us. Alpha Nocturne is a big boy, he can make his own decisions and is perfectly capable of facing the consequences of his actions. Live a little, Ann. Enjoy yourself for once.’
Ann’s heart felt heavy. She was definitely attracted to Adam, any woman would be crazy not to be. Rich, powerful, handsome… what wasn’t there to like? But she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling inside her, as if there was something more that she should know. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t grasp the reason why.
They paused briefly in front of Adam’s bedroom door and he pushed it open quickly.
“Your room?” Ann said nervously, with a slight tremor in her voice.
“We agreed already.” He answered gruffly without sparing her even a single glance as he opened the door and pulled her inside.
He slammed the door shut behind them and Ann flinched, startled by the sudden noise and the drastic change in his temperament.
Before she knew what was happening, she found herself being pushed roughly back against the door.
A small squeak of surprise escaped her lips as Adam’s body slammed against her own, their bodies pressed tightly together against the hard surface behind her.
Adam stared hungrily at her, his eyes almost completely black as he growled softly and traced her jawline lightly with his finger.
Ann shuddered involuntarily, a delicious chill running down her spine as his intense gaze seemed to devour her soul.
Without saying a word, his lips were suddenly pressed against hers, his lips f0rcefully prising her mouth open as his tongue sought entry into her mouth.
Ann’s eyes stared fixedly ahead as she tried desperately to process what was happening to her at this moment.
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