Throughout the dance, the Beta never looked once at his mom or his own people because he danced for me like we were alone. And every time his eyes met mine, I jolted at their crimson pupils. They were intense and as unusual as the rest of him, stark against his milky skin. I loved that they matched my shadows. Already, I felt like he fitted. He didn’t look like any of the Betas who I’d seen in the Wilds.
Were the Betas from the Kingdom of the Gods different?
The Beta prince danced to the head table. It was weird to have him so close and see how much smaller he was to Moon. He was delicate but still powerful.
Moon stiffened, whilst his gaze shuttered. Yet he didn’t look away from the dance. The only time that the Beta had stumbled was when he’d noticed Moon, but he’d quickly ignored him, focusing on me with a passion that made me crave to pull him closer.
How could a dance be so sexy when the Beta wasn’t showing even a single inch of skin? Even his hands were covered in long kid skin gloves up to his elbows. Yet it was more erotic than a lap dance.
At last, the Beta spun so quickly that he became no more than a blur, before catching himself on the table and crawling on top of it towards me. I shoved my chair back because somehow, I’d become the hunted.
The Beta’s red eyes blazed with such desire, as he ran his tongue over his lower lip, that I squeaked. He gracefully swung himself off the table, before dropping into a panting prostrate at my feet, caressing my boots with his crossed hands. The curve of his back was prettier than most guys’ faces. In the silence, I stared down at him, paralyzed.
This was the type of sketchy stuff that had been left out of my witch training. Like how I greeted my Charm after that sort of performance.
The Beta peeked at me, for the first time looking uncertain. Then he slithered up and onto my lap, as if it he’d practiced the move (and I’d had a feeling that he had). When I rested my arms around his waist, he felt hard, warm, and…
What in the witching universe was I doing?
When I glanced across at the Gods, I caught the prince’s mom’s eye. In that unguarded moment, her mouth was tight and her gaze anxious. Of course it freaking was because she was sending off her son to be a slave of the most terrifying witch. The enemy, as Moon had pointed out.
Guilt washed through me, extinguishing the flush of sexy thoughts from the dance that had stopped me from thinking clearly. If I didn’t take these Charms, then I might spark a war, but could I truly take them in this way now that I honestly understood what I was doing?
When I’d first arrived in Oxford, I’d trusted Stella about the way things were done — and the danger of the wolves — but now I’d got to know Moon, I couldn’t think like that anymore. These princes shouldn’t be paying for the mistakes of their parents who’d fought the Wolf Wars, and it was their ancestors who were guilty of the true crimes that led to the wars. Stella had told me that I needed a Charm to work my powers as a Wolf Charmer fully. Well, I had my Charm in Moon. Taking these Charms from the other kingdoms sounded more like punishment than justice. Plus, it frightened me how much I did crave this gorgeous Beta and how my crimson called me to control more wolves… That couldn’t be good, right?
If splitting up families is what made a Wolf Charmer, then I didn’t want it. I’d lost my parents; I couldn’t make anyone else lose theirs.
Claiming and biting Moon, attempting to save Mischief and Ramiel…it made me realize that being a Wolf Charmer was as much about protecting pack, as controlling wolves, even if I didn’t understand where the new instinct had come from. I couldn’t be the reason that even more homes fell empty or broken. I didn’t know much about being a witch, but I wasn’t a dickhead.
The Beta blinked his crimson eyes, and his long eyelashes curved onto his cheeks. His lips glimmered, and I longed to lick off the lip gloss that smelled of rich chocolate. My tongue flicked out, and the Beta wet his lips, leaning closer.
Giving up gorgeous princes was harder than it looked, go figure.
I shook my head, drawing back. The Beta bit his lip in confusion, whilst trying to wind closer.
“Please,” he murmured, soft and with a musically lilting Welsh accent, “I can be whatever you wish, see.”
“Seriously, I’m sorry because your dance was freaking amazing and you’ve no idea how much I want you,” I whispered. “But I don’t know whether you want to be my Charm, which makes this kind of wrong, so…” I gently lifted the Beta’s arms away from my neck, and his eyes widened in alarm. Then I yelled for dramatic effect, “Thanks for the Tribute, but you can take him home again. I’m the new Wolf Charmer and I’ve decided to do things my way.”
Yep, that sounded the sort of thing that a leader would say. Only, the sudden and uncomfortable silence that settled over the hall wasn’t encouraging. Neither was the way that Moon tugged on my dress.
“Take it back,” Moon hissed. His anguished gaze shot to the Beta who was looking to Moon like he could save him. They knew each other, and I’d have a sworn on a mage’s dick that they loved each other too. If I hadn’t been tingling with dread at the fear in their eyes, it’d have been hot. “You can’t mean to reject him…? Don’t you understand what the punishment will be?”
I froze. “The assholes are going to punish me?” I pulled my mom’s cape around me. “Spanking is only okay in play, right?”
Moon raised his eyebrow. “Good to know.”
Rhona waved Morag back from the corner, whilst her gaze danced with cruelty. “Fur and fangs, we shan’t punish you, furless. Rather the prince who you reject as worthless.” I startled, clutching Beta tighter in response to the threat. He snuggled closer, trembling. I never wanted to let the pretty Beta go. “By the moon, because of your refusal, he now belongs to my pack.”
Holy hell, I hadn’t meant for that to happen.
I glanced at the Queen of the Gods, waiting for her to argue or fight, but although her expression was pinched, she only stared straight ahead, whilst her hands clenched in her lap.
I scowled, but before I could open my mouth to take back my refusal because there was no way that the Wilds were claiming this Beta’s angelic beauty after the way that they’d been watching him like they wanted to devour him, Morag snatched him out of my arms. I hollered, and he struggled, but Rhona shoved me off the bench and pinned me against the wall.
“You made your choice, single skin.” Rhona patted my cheek. “I would’ve rejected his Beta hide too. Now you get to enjoy the orgy.”
My crimson shadows whipped out, as I growled, knocking Rhona slamming into the table. I desperately scanned the hall for the Beta, but the Wilds were whooping and cheering in an excited mob, and he was lost somewhere in the middle.
Moon rose to his feet. I hadn’t imagined that he could tower like that but on him it was a good look. Except, his fury was directed at me.
“Why on earth are the Wilds stealing the prince? I was only trying to give him more choice than we were given.” I couldn’t help the shudder as I glanced at the bite on Moon’s neck. Nope, still not regretting the Claim. “What on earth is happening?”
“You’re happening,” Moon snarled, and I shrank back at the Beta’s whimper from the midst of the throng. “And you know why, Crimson? Because you think everything’s cocktails, fairy tales, and the bastard human world still. This is the Wilds with brutal outlaws, where only the most ancient wolf rules count. And if you don’t save the Beta Prince…” Moon leapt over the table towards the fray of Alphas, before holding his hand out to me. I sprang over the table next him, clutching his hand just for a moment. “…And take him as your Charm, then you may as well just stick my backside into the wardrobe again because I won’t be your Charm, no matter that I’m your Wolf Bitten.”
My crimson whipped out in fury at Moon’s rebellion but also in distress at the Beta’s terrified whines. I shoved through the Alphas, who circled Beta like he was the delicious platter at a feast.
“Unhand him! It’s you who are unworthy to touch…�
� The English, aristocratic growl was cut off by the sound of a smack loud enough to make me flinch.
When I looked to the back of the hall, I noticed that the tall, hot Omega from the kingdom of the Alphas had been restrained with his arms twisted high behind his back, whilst a female Alpha with a black bun struck him across the face again. Yet I flinched more than he did; his chin remain tilted up, as he stared towards the Beta. So, it looked like he knew…and loved…my Beta too.
I flushed. How had he become my Beta already…?
The tall Omega’s courage called to my shadows, until they reached out, just once, to stroke down his bruised cheek in comfort. He jerked away in shock, before raising one haughty eyebrow in acknowledgment and nodding towards the Beta. Yet no matter how I grabbed at shoulders, dragged on elbows, or kicked at shins, I couldn’t beat my way through the Alphas. And it was my fault. I didn’t plan on ever sticking Moon back into the wardrobe though, so I was saving the Beta. Yet taking on Lyall was one thing, but taking on a whole pack of wolves…?
My heart thundered, and my pulse pounded. I choked one Alpha, throwing her away from the circle, before punching another in the back.
Rip — I stilled at the sudden sound of clothing being torn and the cheer from the Alphas.
Holy hell, they were stripping the Beta and they weren’t even bothering with the buttons.
“Wolf Charmer,” the Beta called, desperate and pleading, “why are you letting them touch what’s yours to Claim?”
At the Beta’s words, my eyes blazed crimson like the prince’s. My shadows burst out, catching every Wild Alpha in its embrace and sticking them to the hall’s ceiling in its web.
I panted, shuddering with the effort. Spider Man had nothing on this witch. Yet I’d never surged with such power, before I’d ventured into the Wilds…and had my Charms threatened. Was it the fear of the wolves or the need to protect the wolves who belonged to me that had made my magic so much more dangerous?
The Alphas howled and struggled, but I ignored them, as I dropped to my knees next to the Beta who lay on his back in his slashed top and tights. He’d almost been exposed publicly. Yet I also swallowed, quivering at the tempting peeks of his alabaster skin.
I brushed the hair back from the Beta’s face, tracing over a bruise beneath his eye. In turn, he raised his gloved hand to my cheek, and I shuddered at the tenderness with which he pressed it closer in a private greeting. His gaze met mine with a boldness that I hadn’t expected, considering I’d rejected him.
I smiled at the Beta. “Prince of the Gods,” because when a guy was in torn clothes at your mercy a bit of formality never hurt, “I messed up before, but here’s what I meant: Would you like to be my Charm?”
The Beta’s smile was wickedly naughty, as his tongue poked between his teeth. “I’d like to be yours. Let me please you.”
When the tip of his little finger touched me through his torn glove, I jolted, gasping. I could sense the Beta…all of him…his desires, needs, and the pulsing hardness of his dick…but all to please me. At the same time, my own pleasures and desires spiraled through me, and I knew that he could sense them, in fact that he was reading them. It was more intimate than any screw that I’d ever had and yet only the tip of his finger was touching my cheek.
What would it feel like to be touched…in other places…by him?
I wrenched backwards. “Hey, what’s with the sexy mind connection? Seriously, the dickhead Alphas haven’t set you a good example, but there’s a thing called asking permission.”
The Beta cringed backwards. “I’d d-didn’t mean to, see. They tore my gloves. Punish me but please still Claim me. Want me, please.”
Above me, Rhona snorted. “Silence, lest you be flayed, Beta. Begging won’t save your hide because you’re in my pack now.”
Oh, yeah, the Beta and I still had an audience. I glanced around at the delegates from the Gods and Alphas who stood tensely on either side and then up at the Wilds, who hung from the ceiling.
“All those stuck in webs doing fly impressions…? You’re out of the discussion.” I gently turned the Beta’s hand and kissed his palm. What magic did he have that could connect us? Whatever he used, happened when our skin…or at least our hands…touched. Is that why he wore gloves? The Beta pulled himself to his knees with a dancer’s grace and a devil’s sinfulness. “Welcome to my pack.”
The Beta’s shoulders slumped with relief, as he smiled with a bright joy. I hated to wipe off that look, but Stella had taught me what came next. If it couldn’t be on his palm then…
I fidgeted. “Okay, the next part is less fun, and I’m sorry, but where do you want me to brand you with WCH?”
The Beta pouted. “Is nowhere an option?”
I spluttered with laugher. So, he was feisty too. “In a world where I make the rules, rather than my asshole ancestors.”
“Straight onto the branding, is it? Not even a welcome kiss first?”
I grinned, kissing the tip of the Beta’s nose, which he wrinkled in mock annoyance. “Aw, disappointed? Wait until we’re not surrounded by wolves who want to rip out our throats or screw us. Either of those two bad things.”
The Beta nodded, before leaning forward to lick down my nose with such a sensual wriggle that even though I meeped, I could honestly get used to it. “We’ll wait on the shag then, and if you’re branding me, you should at least know the nickname that I’m allowed.”
I nodded: I understood from Moon just what a gift the Beta was offering me.
“Most Alphas call me Be, but my dad named me Amadeus. You can call me Amadeus, if it pleases you…?” Amadeus’ voice had dropped even lower, as he ducked his head.
Had he allowed anyone else to know his name or call him by it?
“I can’t imagine anything about you that wouldn’t please me, Amadeus.” I tilted his chin back up, so that he’d meet my eye.
The way Amadeus looked at me with dazzling thanks and surprised respect, reminded me of how Moon had in the REJECT cell.
And yep, the feeling of having someone look at me like that was definitely addictive.
Amadeus cocked his head. “I guess the brand means that my sexy little body is always yours then…?”
I didn’t miss his hopefulness or the responding twitch in my shadows.
Amadeus hesitated one moment longer, before rolling onto his front and working down his tights on one side, revealing a perfect pale ass. I stared at him in shock, blushing.
Amadeus glanced at me over his shoulder with a teasing smile. “Stamp it on my sweet behind: Property of WCH.”
My throat was suddenly too dry. He was joking, right?
At a sudden growl, I looked up into the molten gold glare of the aristocratic Omega from the Kingdom of the Alphas who was now bent over a table with his arms twisted behind his back.
Maybe he thought that the Beta’s ass was his?
My hand hovered over the soft skin of Amadeus’ ass. “Last chance,” I warned.
Amadeus rested his head on his crossed arms. “Carry on, you. I’m giving you that permission you were ranting about.”
I rolled my eyes as I lowered my hand. My crimson power heated, branding the letters onto Amadeus, but more controlled than when it’d branded Moon’s palm. Amadeus keened and panted but he didn’t move. When I could pull my hand back and my powers had cooled, the brand was throbbing and sore but perfectly outlined: WCH.
Amadeus was mine and the other Alphas couldn’t steal or hurt him again.
Amadeus threw himself into my arms, curling himself around me like he had before as if he needed as much contact as possible. I stroked up and down his back, hitching his tights up carefully because I didn’t want the other wolves to stare at his nakedness…or the brand.
I wasn’t possessive, simply protective. I’d had no one to look out for in America, where I’d been the joke at every prom or charity ball, but now I was here to look out for the princes.
“Aye, comfort the wee Beta, whilst the truth i
s that you’re no more than a girl, pretending to be her ma. You Hunt to prove your worth, but you’ll never be truly worthy,” Rhona sneered.
I couldn’t help the flinch. Did the queen hate me simply because I was a witch and my mom’s daughter…or because I couldn’t hide that I didn’t fit into my role? Was she using that weakness against me like everyone had in East Hampton?
Yet I’d sworn after I’d left the hell of my High School that I’d never let anyone bully me simply because I was different ever again.
Here in England, it was like walking back into a classroom as the new kid, but this time, I didn’t have to hide my magic.
I glared up at the queen who was stuck to the roof. “I’m not sure that I can show off my powers much more to impress you without, say, burning you all alive…” I swished my mom’s cape because that’d made them all tremble before. “But if that’s what it takes to graduate…”
The Alphas howled in terror.
Rhona thrashed in my web of shadows, whilst she yelled, “By my hide, you swagger like you own us, as all Wolf Charmers do. Yet even though you can control us in your crimson, you can’t even control your Omega.”
I rolled my eyes. “You need to work on your trash talk because my Omega is right here…”
I shoved myself up, twirling around. Except, Moon wasn’t behind me, beside the head table, or even with the other delegates.
He wasn’t inside Wild Hall at all.
My hands clenched, whilst my eyes burned. The crimson pulled away from the wolves to cocoon me in comfort, and they fell like screaming tears from the roof.
I’d been abandoned on my wedding day in the middle of Wolf Kingdom by Moon. I’d Claimed my Beta prince, but I’d lost my Omega one.
Shaking, I pulled on the Charm to boil Moon’s blood, whilst Amadeus knelt at my feet, begging me to stop and the Alphas circled.
Why had I trusted the wolves’ beauty and forgotten their danger?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
In a coppery stench of blood magic, Stella’s spell spat Amadeus and me out onto the satin sheets of the four-poster in my bedroom on either side of a startled…and naked…Mischief.
Only Perfect Omegas: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance Series (Rebel Werewolves Book 1) Page 14
