PROLOUGE

VALENTINA

I took a step back when he stepped forward, a few more steps and I backed myself to the wall. It was just us, no Teira or Jayme then why was I so damn adamant on leaving the room.

“Why do you fight me Lora?!” Lucean asked, his hot breath warming down my neck and I shivered when I felt the arrival of goosebumps.

“We can’t…” I said, daring to look at his face and the low candle light did close to nothing to illuminate his golden eyes so all I saw was his twin brother, Ryker and my skin crawled with disgust.

“Can’t?” He scoffed, his hands caressing down my arms so I bit my tongue, the pain reminding me of what was really at stake. “I know you can feel it Valentina. This bond!”

‘My pack’

‘My people’

‘The usurper I longed to kill, the Alpha who ended the lives of my parents, kidnapped my sisters and looked exactly like him!’

Lucean pressed me harder to the wall and that’s when I snapped.

“YOU TALK ABOUT A BOND LUCEAN?! THEN HOW ABOUT THE BOND I SHARE WITH MY SISTER? WITH MY PEOPLE? WITH MY HOME, MY PACK AND THE LIFE YOUR TWIN BROTHER STOLE FROM ME?” I pushed him away, the shock on his face not flitting this time as he held his eyes wide, lips slightly parted.

Though I knew he was not the one who had ruined my life it was still illogical to fall in love with someone who shared blood and was identical to the Alpha who did it.

I looked away from him when he won’t stop staring at me.

“We’ll fight him together Valentina…”

I gasped, my eyes flicking to his, searching for the lie I thought hid behind his words. But I saw no lie, just clarity.

“You’re willing to betray your own brother?” I whispered to him, not knowing if he was crazy or just the best liar I’d ever come across.

“I told you Valentina… your fight is my fight.” He closed the small distance I had put between us, his hand stroking stray strands of hair from my face and I hated the feeling of warmth that cascaded in me when his lips met my forehead.

At this point I would have most likely submitted to his show of affection, that little part of me that secretly enjoyed his scent and danced when his hands brushed against mine almost winning over but someone pushed open the door. Lucean backed away from me and I let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Jayme stepped in. The Beta’s eyes flicking from my face to Lucean who now looked clearly annoyed.

“Emergency meeting Alpha.” Jayme said and I knew that was my opportunity to flee Lucean’s bedroom, taking light steps and brushing past Jayme.

Lucean’s eyes on my back as I left.