Pulling the plain black dress over my body, I hear the clinking of the ice against the glass. He takes a slow sip of his whiskey, observing me with cautious eyes. He's reclined back in the chair, legs parted slightly, bringing his drink to his lips now and then as he regards me.

I'm trying very hard to mask the nervous energy I have, but I'm sure he can smell the zesty scent coming from my body.

Pinning my hair up in a high manicure bun, leaving my flawless, unmated neck on full display. I decide to wear the diamonds I received from Elliot a long time ago, the first and last gift of jewelry any male has bought me. I admire them in the light, turning my head from side to side, smiling at the memory.

He's watching my every move, sitting there like a predator observing his prey with hawk-like eyes. I grab my drink and swing it back, trying to ease my nerves, then take a calming breath.

After applying the last of my makeup, I sit on the edge of the bed to do up the straps on my heels.

Jumping slightly when he bends down on his knees at the foot of the bed and grabs my shoe in one hand, then places it on my foot. As he leans in to do up the strap, he places a single kiss on my inner thigh, smelling me deeply.

Closing my eyes at the contact of his lips. He repeats the process with the other sandal, kissing all the way down to the arch of my foot.

"What are you doing?" I whisper out, trying to create distance between us.

He won't have any of that. Instead, he pulls me closer to him, my butt at the edge of the bed, the dress hiked up to my ass. His hand on either side of my hips, bringing my body against his.

"You look beautiful; I just wanted to tell you that."

Blushing with the compliment. Butterflies flutter in my stomach with the way he looks: his fitted dark grey pants, the crisp white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled slightly at the ends. He's clean shaven, hair still slightly damp from his recent shower, and it curls at the back of his head.

Nuzzling into my neck, he presses feather light kisses between my neck and collarbone. I angle my head away to give him better access to me.

"You do things to me," he whispers, nipping at my neck. I can smell his spiciness, but there's something else there, another emotion I'm trying to taste, yet he's hiding it well.

"I want you to remember something, even though you bear no mark of mine." The tip of his finger presses where his mark should be. "You are mine." His lips crash against mine in ownership. He takes control as I try to pull myself away from him. It's a harsh kiss, and he bites my lower lip in possession.

He places his fingers on my chin, holding my head in place, so his eyes meet mine. "You will behave yourself tonight, Meela. Do not embarrass yourself or me."

With those words, he ruins the magic that I felt, the spell broken.

Shoving him away, I get up, downing the last drops of my whiskey. As I exit through the door, I raise my hand in the air and shoot him the finger. He growls at me, and I race down the stairs, not stopping until I'm in front of Alpha Steven and my Elliot.

"Meela!" Alpha Steve's arms spread open, inviting me for a hug. Without thought, I bury my face in his chest. "You've grown since the last time I've seen you."

Hugging him close, letting his familiar scent sooth my nervousness.

Pulling back to look at him, saying, "You look older." I wink, and he pats my shoulder.

"Hey, I could still pass as your good looking older brother."

"Yeah, if a blind man was looking." I love the way we fall back into our easy banter, always joking with one another whenever he would visit with Elliot in the Southern Pack.

Turning to face Elliot, I don't see the boy I use to know. I see this grown male in his form fitting light grey suit. What used to be long curly, unruly hair is now a closely shaved head and a well-trimmed beard. He's filled out, gangly limbs turned into a fit, lean, strong form and even with the suit you can tell he has a muscular shape. His green eyes take in my appearance from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head. He's got a look of desire on him, I can tell from the way his tongue darts out to wet his lips and his changing eye color.

His eyes flick to my unmated neck, then up to his diamonds and a smile spreads across his face. The Northerner doesn't miss our exchange, the way Elliot pulls me in for a hug or the way his cheek presses firmly into mine, like long lost lovers. I'll smell like him tonight.

As he pulls back, his eyes are a light jade. "You're breathtaking, Lala. I've missed you." He uses my nickname from our childhood.

Pulled back suddenly by a firm grip on my elbow, I have to restrain a growl that I want to send the Northerner's way.

Elliot sizes him up and down but remains calm. "Alpha Grey, thank you for allowing us to meet with you."

The Northerner just nods, and in a show of disrespect, he turns his body away from Elliot. "Alpha Steve, come let's discuss this pressing business you have with me."

Looking at the three males, I'm struck by how similar yet very different they are. Alpha Steve has a maturity about him, a calmness to him, but still exudes a fierce strength. The Northerner is on the edge of his prime, aggressive, quick tempered. Elliot is just past his juvenile years, taking a step into adulthood.

We all make our way to the study, with Elliot and me sneaking sideways looks at one another.

I love the study with it's polished wooden floors in a tiger oak pattern, a fireplace with a deeply carved mantle, and warm burgundy paint on the walls. Overstuffed chairs and couches are placed around his desk. It's the large stained glass window that I love the most, as it lets a kaleidoscope of colors bathe the room in warm light.

Sitting down on the furniture with the northerner at the big oak, richly carved desk, drinks are poured by Thomas. He looks at me, and I mouth the word, "please." I get a smirk when he hands me the glass of firewater, the ice clinking against the side of the glass.

The door opens suddenly, and a beautiful she-wolf enters. She has a very generous mouth with deep dimples and light blue eyes that match her dress perfectly. Black hair cascades loose and effortlessly over her shoulders. She has a narrow waist and full chest.

She's a prize, a rarity.

"Victoria." The Northerner looks surprised, almost flustered. I catch Alpha Steve giving Elliot a sly smirk.

I see him embrace her in the Old Way, but they hold each other a little longer than is decent. I clear my throat, smiling at them. "Victoria, it's nice to see you again." The Northerner says with a rush of breath.

This is Elliot's older sister, a true born Alpha Female. The first female Alpha ever allowed to live. Just like an Alpha Male, you can't help but be drawn by her power, seduced by her strength, bow down and tuck tail, exposing your neck.

The only flaw she has is being born female.

Walking over to me, she wraps me in her arms, her cheek pressing against mine. "I'm sorry." It's just a breath of air whispered out.

Sitting back down, I take another sip of whiskey, letting the burn slide down my throat, into my belly, calming my trepidation.

Alpha Steve reclines in his chair, looking the northerner directly in the eye. "We've come to take the Southern Tribute."

Both Thomas and the Northerner laugh at this like it's some joke.

Stern, Thomas's reply is instant. "We will never give up land, ever."

"We don't want your land; we want your other tribute." The Alpha's eyes fall on me.

A savage roar from the Northerner echoes in the study. "You come on my soil and speak words of war to me!" The Northerner slams his fist down on the desk, cracking the wood.

Alpha Steve just looks on amused without any signs of aggression.

"We have a trade that I think will benefit your pack and mine. Please sit, and we'll discuss this like gentlemen."

"Go on." Still seething with anger, the northerner takes his seat.

"It's come to our attention that your mate is not marked or mated, is that correct?" He eyes the northerner up and down. Assessing him.

"Correct," my Alpha says.

"So, my conclusion is your wolf must find her defective for this to happen."

Oh, he's good. Instead of acknowledging the Northerner for his fortitude, he's turning it around, making me somehow unworthy.

"I plan on giving you the land your father forfeited to us because of your indiscretion with my daughter."

I look at the Northerner. His jaw is clamped tight, and he's raging mad. This must've been the incident that was hushed up. I just knew something shameful had happened with Victoria but didn't know all the details.

The Northerner must have deflowered the princess and, in retribution, her father demanded land to be given. I almost laughed out loud. That must have been a very terrible time in his life, having to relinquish pack land for his mistake.

No wonder he's insane with his talk of the pack before family, him always putting everyone else's needs before his own.

He's trying to make up for past failures.

"Also, due to your indiscretion, the Western Alpha decided to reject her on the basis of Victoria having no virtue. Since Victoria is of alpha blood, only an Alpha mate can tame her wolf. That leaves only....you. Victoria will be the strong Luna your pack requires. The two of you will lead it with the strength it requires. Also, you can't deny the bond that affects the two of you."

Choking on the ice cube, I was sucking on, spitting it across the room. "What about me?"

Elliot turns to me with blazing green eyes. "You'll become my Luna."

I feel like I'm in the middle of a soap opera and I'm the main character.