Feral Instincts

Blue eyes surveyed every blemish on Rafael’s gravestone; they took in the color, the chips and texture of it. Then, Eero went somewhere far away, deep into the depths of his mind where memories were stored. So far away that he hadn’t felt the beginning of the storm that was rolling in. Droplets began slow and sporadic and then the roar of thunder seemed to shake the earth and the skies unleashed their tears.

Eero still stood in front of his fathers grave. The memory of being scolded by him for getting into a fight with the one of the High Alpha’s sons came to mind. He remembered his father being so angry as he helped Eero wash the blood from his face. Then, the man broke the tense silence, meeting Eero’s blue gaze with is own. He could see the slow smile that had pulled onto his lips when he asked how bad the kid looked. How it managed to tug a smile out of Eero too.

Water now streamed down Eero’s face, collecting in his dark lashes and dripping from the tips of his now ink-colored hair. The Alpha turned his head slightly, eyes landing on his mothers grave which sat smaller, but still beside Rafael’s and for a moment, he wondered if they met again. Wherever it was that awaited them all.

Mallory’s touch drew Eero out of his thoughts enough for him to feel the way his clothes clung to his body. Her cold hands slid around him and he absently draped his arm around her. The presence of anyone else in the graveyard was gone. He didn’t feel a soul aside from Mallory and that realization alone caused the Alpha to squeeze the huntress tighter against him. He brushed the tip of his nose against her hair, inhaling her sweet scent in a content sigh. Her body shivered against him and Eero withdrew from her to drape his jacket around her. Though it was wet, he still radiated enough heat for it to be warmer than her dress.

“I wouldn’t want to catch a cold,” he quipped playfully, nudging her back toward the estate.

* * *

Water pooled on the marble floors where Mallory and Eero stood when they reentered the manor. Servants were bustling around the ballroom, tending to the aftermath of the ceremony. Eero guided her from the ballroom and into the large corridors.

“About what Soairse said,” he stole a glance in Mallory’s direction, attempting to scope out the sort of reaction bringing up those words again would. Though he admitted to her that he imprinted on her, he never really explained what that meant or how it worked. How it wasn’t something that he had any sort of control over. It was almost as if the Gods drew paths in the sand and laid two marbles to rest on each end. Willing them to meet at some point in their journey. Destined. Mates. “There’s a lot that I would like to explain to you—” he didn’t get the chance to finish as they moved past the threshold of the hall and the sitting area.

“She’s not the only person you need to start explaining to.” Tahtia’s voice cut through the air like a knife as she stood in front of the fireplace, arms crossed over her chest. The others crowded the room as well, only they weren’t in such an extravagant pose.

“Come on, T,” Regis muttered, raking a hand through his blonde strands. “I thought we agreed not to come off like a bitch,”

“Watch it, you insufferable oaf,” Tahtia snapped at him and he returned a quirky smile that only seemed to fuel her wrath.

Azalea, though it was obvious she had drunk nearly half the wine collection at the bar, attempted to sit up straight, raising her pointer finger. “Okay, so, I know I am the last person to talk, but you two? You’ve just been banging behind our backs?”

Thomas blinked several times at his mate before grabbing her hand and lowering it. He cleared his throat and glanced over the others wearily before returning his attention to Eero and Mallory. “I think what everyone is trying to say is that we are confused by. . . whatever it is going on between you two and how it is affecting our plans.” his eyes flickered to Mallory.

Eero stiffened. Their plans—in other words, them using Mallory to take down the hunters, gain revenge for his father and destroy the witch who doomed their kind in the first place. How things had gotten so off course. How their relationship had shifted. He hadn’t realized it happening, but now that he did, he wasn’t sure what parts of their plans still stood root anymore.

“The plans have changed.” He finally said, his voice dark and commanding. Protective.

“She’s gotten into his head,” Tahtia sneered, eyes darting to Mallory where she settled her glare.

“She saved my life.” Eero’s voice grew colder and Tahtia snapped an appalled look back to her Alpha.

“We don’t know anything about her. She lied to us about being a witch, who knows what else she’s lied about. She could be using you, but you’re too blind getting your dick—”

Blue eyes now glowed a gold that would put the sun to shame and his canines lengthened as he let out a deep snarl from his chest. Tahtia’s head jerked back and her spine straightened. Eero took a step toward her and she seemed to shrink in on herself at the movement. “Say one more fucking word, Tahtia.” the words rang through the room, slipping free from his gritted teeth. Everyone fell silent, their eyes drinking him in with a mixture of expressions.

“What happened at the Harvest Moon Ball?” It was Regis cutting through the tension. Eero turned to look over his shoulder at the Omega, his brows lowering in confusion. “Right before we left. I saw something change.”

The night flashed through Eero’s mind and he realized that was the night he imprinted on her. Seeing her dancing with his friend. Seeing her in the hands of another man. It drew out those feelings he tried so hard to drown and then he imprinted, possibly damning the both of them in the process.

“Eero?” Azalea’s voice felt far away and then Eero turned to look at Mallory, his stormy eyes softening slightly.

“I imprinted on Mallory.”

The room fell dangerously silent and he kept his eyes on Mallory.

“So, yes. I suppose she did get into my head.” his eyes flickered toward Tahtia who remained still. “Because somewhere along the way, she became all that I can think about. And I will not apologize for that.”

Everyone fell silent once more, letting the realization of what had been said settle upon them.

“Plans have changed,” Thomas said after a while of more silence. His tone showed that he knew rather well the importance of the situation. It would be one thing if they were fooling around for the pleasure of it, but another being that they were far more intertwined, in a way that only wolves knew how to be. Deeply. 

Azalea nodded beside her mate, appearing far more sober now. Regis was the next to bow his head and then all eyes landed on Tahtia. Something in her gray eyes gleamed as they shifted between the two of them and she clenched her jaw.

“If we all get killed,” she finally said, dropping her arms to her sides. “I’m haunting you all in the afterlife.”

“Don’t worry Tahtia, you won’t die, Hell wouldn’t want you, they’d likely send you back.” Regis offered, and Azalea snorted out a laugh from across the room. Even Eero’s lips pulled into a smirk and he shook his head, his hand moving to rest on Mallory’s back.

“If we could talk more about this in the morning,” Eero finally said, gesturing to their still-soaked clothes, leading Mallory out of the room, his shoulders slumping once they were alone again.

The sound of the thunder from outside could be heard through the walls as he walked Mallory to her bedroom. They slipped inside soundlessly and Eero leaned against her closed door, surveying her. Flashes from the lightning in the windows lit up his features every now and then as a million words raced through his mind and then his eyes dropped to his arm where he knew beneath his clothes sat that black ring from the bond. It was hard to describe the imprint, but if she could feel it. Maybe she would understand better how sacred it truly was.

Eero moved across the room to help Mallory with her zipper and as he stood behind her, he reached out to grab her hand, pausing her actions. “I want to show you something,” he said to her lowly and let her spin around to look at him. Once he could see her face and meet her eyes, he slowly reached down the bond, following the bridge that connected them to each other through blood and magic and when he reached her side, he waited for her to react to feeling him through the bond. Then he sent over all that he wanted her to know.

Starting from the moment he imprinted. How he felt like he was dying and like he had never actually lived before all at once. All the adrenaline and burning desire that coursed through him. It was all targeted on solely her. He wanted her to feel that it wasn’t just his mind that wanted her. It was every last inch of him. His body. His soul. His blood flowed not for him, each breath he took was not for him. Nothing was for him anymore but for her. Eero let every feeling flow into her and lifted her hand to his heart.

“I know it’s not supposed to be possible, but when it comes to you and me? When has impossible ever stopped us?”

Mallory and Eero had lain in the grassy glade after their joining for what felt like hours, but in reality had barely even been half of one. Time seemed to escape the pair as they kissed unhurriedly, lazily feeling one another’s bare bodies as if they had all of the time in the world to spend wrapped up in one another. The night air was filled with their quiet chatter and soft laughs, and Mallory didn’t think a male had ever coaxed so many smiles from her the way that Eero had. The two of them hadn’t wanted their moment of secrecy to end just yet, had refused to pop the blissful little bubble they were living in until the position of the moon above them gave signal that Eero’s people would be expecting him back inside soon, to lead the ceremony that’d brought them all here.

With wistful sighs they’d dipped back into the sparkling waters of the fountain once more, rinsing away the dried sweat and sex that’d coated their skin before slipping back into their clothes. Eero had zipped her back into her dress, and Mallory’s fingers nimbly re-did the buttons on his dress shirt, pressing kisses in a trail of up his chest with each button she secured.  Donning their formal attire hardly hid the evidence of what they’d just spent the last hour doing - Mallory’s hair falling from it’s intricate twists and Eero’s collar crumpled, she’d at least made an attempt to smooth down his messied onyx hair before they entered the grand ballroom.

Eero had returned the favor, a chesire smirk on his lips as he’d free’d her hair from the long pins that’d been holding it in place. Mallory’s pink lips fell open in a pouty 'o', feeling the once styled updo falling into loose auburn waves down her back. “Rude boy.” She’d chided, though not without affection as she pinched his thigh. She made a mental note of his preference, storing that tiny piece of revealed information away for another time.

Curling her finger’s around Eero’s bicep, Mallory allowed the Alpha to lead her back into the ballroom. The music felt too loud and assaulting after spending so long in the tranquility of the garden, and she’d almost flinched away from it entirely. Mallory had been about to comment on the feeling when she felt that familiar heaviness settle across the Alpha, shoulder’s sagging just slightly and eyes becoming weary.

It had been a shocking difference compared to the excitement and clarity that had shown in those blue hues only a few minutes ago, when he’d been alone with Mallory in the garden. She’d have done anything to help him shoulder the weight he constantly carried, Mallory realized - not that he’d let her. No, the Alpha rivaled even her stubbornness.

Mallory turned her eyes up to her companion as a question began to rumble from between those perfect lips, though her gaze was drawn to where his sat as the words escaped him. Thomas, staring them down from across the room like they were a couple of criminals who’d been caught red handed. Mal supposed that wasn’t too far from the truth, but she didn’t have it in her to feel ashamed of what she’d shared with the Alpha this night.

Mallory couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips, turning her mischievous gaze up to Eero as she whispered a teasing “I think we’re in trouble,” into his ear, referencing the Beta’s accusing look before he’d been drug away by his half-drunk and overtly cheerful mate.

Eero clearing his throat was the only warning Mallory’d been given before the pretty blonde Eero had been flirting with earlier was back at their sides, smiling warmly and introducing herself as an old friend. Mallory tried to keep her facial expression passively pleasant, but even she was all too aware of the territorial warning that’d flashed through her eyes as her grip tightened on Eero’s arm. “Mallory.” She returned, her tone a tad icier than she had intended it to be.

The blonde’s words hadn’t escaped her though, and her eyes darted back to Eero quickly at the expression she’d used. Mates. Soairse had called her the Alpha’s mate, and acted as if she’d suspected so from the very beginning. Something about the term, the meaning behind and the weight of such a label made her want to run again. She’d just barely begun to wrap her mind around Eero’s imprinting on her, was finally coming to terms with the idea that maybe because of this weird wolfy claim he’d made that they could be something other than enemies… but mates? Hunters didn’t have mates, they freely chose who they loved and when it happened, and when they wanted to solidify their relationship into something more binding they took one another as husband and wife. And while the term “mate” didn’t take a rocket scientist to dissect it, something about it felt too final, too permanent, too out of her control.

“Mate?” She questioned tightly down the bond, but ultimately dropped the subject as she felt Eero’s unease as he surveyed the waiting crowd. They would talk about this later Mallory vowed silently to herself, for now they just needed to make it through the night.

Mallory offered Eero her stability, projecting all of the comfort and warmth that she could muster into him as she curled her fingers around his own, giving them a reassuring squeeze as he led her towards the trays of bone colored candles. She hadn’t been ignorant to the shocked faces of Eero’s inner circle as they caught sight of smell of them, registering what had occurred between them with equal parts shock and outrage. Mallory registered each expression, knowing that ultimately they would have to address their friends and explain themselves, but not wanting to bridge that gap just yet.

The huntress left Eero with a brush of her finger’s against his lower spine, drifting back into the crowd as the Alpha lead his people the short way from the Estate to the manicured graveyard. Regis was at her back the moment she’d left the Alpha’s side, his hand on her back and guiding her forward as he stooped to hiss in her ear. “You smell like sex.” He accused, though his tone was playful. “And you smell like him.” The blonde continued, nodding towards Eero’s back as they continued to follow him down the sloping hill. “I wonder what that could mean?” Mallory rolled her eyes dramatically, though a hint of a smile ghosted her lips. She remained silent, not a confirmation or denial.

“Good,” Regis finished as the crowd began to slow as they entered the cemetery. “He needed to get laid after all of this time, he was starting to get a bit moodier than usual.” Mallory swatted the omega’s leg with her hand, hushing his playful remarks as Eero turned to address the crowd that’d begun to disperse throughout the small cemetery, people searching for the graves of their loved ones.

All eyes zeroed in on the Alpha as he began to speak, and his proclamation made her chest tighten with pride. Even more, the evidence of his people’s love and loyalty to him was almost overwhelming as the night began to shine with the flicker of their raised flames, their agreeance to stand with the son of the late Alpha enough ring her eyes in silver as tears threatened to spill over her lids.

One by one, wolves and fae and shifters alike sat their shining candles on the tops of gravestones, whispering prayers and well wishes to their loved ones who had been called back to the Gods beyond this earth. Eero had turned to face his father’s grave and Mallory wanted nothing more than to go to him, go to him and hold him through the grief she could feel radiating down their shared bond. But she hadn’t wanted to interrupt his time with his father so she’d silently watched him from afar, even as minutes ticked by and the crowd began to disperse, even as thunder cracked and rain began to pour from the sky.

It almost felt like even the heavens were weeping for them, for their grief and their mourning.

Time passed and eventually the rain had driven the final few patrons from the graveyard, all aside from Eero who still leaned over his father’s grave and Mallory who watched him from afar. Her hair was drenched and sticking to her face in dark strands, her dress wholly water logged and body shivering against the chill of the cool autumn air mixed with the rain. She approached the Alpha slowly, her fingers brushing against the curve of his back to alert him to her nearness before she slid her arm to curl around his waist tightly, her cheek pressed into the side of his chest. “You’ll catch a cold in this rain, Eero.” She murmured softly, urging the man to head back into the warmth of the Estate where she knew their friends would be waiting for them - but even then, if he’d wanted to stand here in the rain until the sun rose, Mallory would stand with him.

Eero hooked a thumb into the waistband of his boxers, one brow jutting upward as she ordered that he get entirely naked. The small smile toying at her lips as she waited for him to oblige was enough for him to shove the last bit of fabric off. The alpha lifted his gaze to meet Mallory’s but her eyes seemed to be busy elsewhere. He watched as her stare trailed over him in a slow sweeping motion and the corner of his lips tugged into a sinful smirk of satisfaction in knowing how much of an effect he seemed to have on her.

When she finally found her voice again, Eero stepped toward her slowly, freeing her from the confines of her dress. He watched as the soft fabric fell to her feet, unveiling her body in the process. Her skin looked smooth as glass beneath the luminous glow of the moon. The restraint that he had to call upon was otherworldly as he slowly took in the dip of her spine, down to the curve of her hips. As Mallory began moving forward, his body was automatic to follow her, like a tether being pulled taut between them, where she went, he did too.

Once in the water, Mallory had yet to turn around. He could practically see the gears working inside that brilliant mind of hers. Thanks to the bond, he knew how she could become trapped up there, with her own thoughts. So, he reached out his hand, fingertips brushing her back, breaking through her reverie. When she turned to face him, his arms encircled her waist as she reached to touch him. His eyes then closed against her touch and a faint grin formed against his lips.

“This makes sense.” he opened his eyes and drew her in closer. “Because now I know why I’ve spent so long keeping this—” One hand slipped free from the water to hold her palm hard against his chest, right above his thumping heart. “So far away from everyone I have ever known. . . I was waiting for you.” the last sentence was just a whisper and as her eyes flickered between his own, registering his words, it took hardly another second before Mallory was leaning forward, capturing his lips in a kiss so strong, it could shatter buildings.

The feel of her body—her skin against his own was unlike anything he had ever felt before. No matter who he had been with in the past, or even the moments that he shared with Mallory that led up to this very moment. None of them compared to what he felt right now. This wasn’t driven by anger or lust, it was something so much deeper. It opened up a part of Eero that until now, he had assumed was nonexistent. The Alpha’s hands roamed over her while their lips moved as though they’d been searching the galaxy for each other.

A rumbled growl of content slid free from him when Mallory went off on her own accord, her lips wandering from his own. Eero couldn’t help but tilt his head back, his ebony hair a tousled mess from the assault of her fingers. Though he knew Mallory wasn’t aware, the act of biting another was considered extremely intimate between the wolves. Much like the hickies that were being peppered against his chest, each nip and bite she gave him caused his muscles to tense with an animalistic hold, another growl, and the two of them were moving, water spilling down their bodies as he let her guide him back to the grassy landscape.

Now moving as one, their bodies flowed together, and when Eero went down, so did she. He stared up at her as she lowered herself into his lap, his hands brushing against the tops of her thighs, moving upward to the bend of her warm hips. His fingers dug into the plush skin of her ass, hauling her further into him. The Alpha’s lips had curved against hers, against the words she breathlessly murmured against his. “Then have me, Little Red,” he whispered against her mouth and their kiss deepened, becoming a heated onslaught of swollen lips. This was what he’d been missing. What he was searching for all this time. What he needed. Her.

He could feel the predator that thrived within him begging to be let off its leash as he felt her fingers grasping him firmly. His grip on her tightened and he met her gaze, his eyes filled with a burning need. The smell of her wrapped around him and Eero let the thrum of her heart thud against his palm before he took her hips, lifting her to hover above his length. Her core had been slick with a hot desire that pooled between her legs and he felt every bit of it while inserting himself at her entrance. Though he was careful as he dwelled deeper inside of her, it took every ounce of self-control he had to do so. The hunger that was swelling within him was enough to have him see stars. Such longing—utter need—surely couldn’t be possible, yet he was feeling it all. Every bit of it as he soaked her in. Her taste. Scent. Feel. He collected it all and stored it deep, and then he was fully seated in her.

His head bowed, his nose brushing the crook of her neck as he began tasting other parts of her body, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin, down her shoulder and collarbone with precision. A wave of pleasure crashed down over him as they moved in tandem, connecting and thrusting. She was tight around him, and her slickness only grew as he went, in and out, her walls constricting around him, making him suck harder against the skin above her nipple. A deep groan slipped through him and he drew back to look at her fully, at the way she exposed her neck to him, how she held him and rode him under the moonlight, an aura of ecstasy surrounding her. His bedroom eyes drank her in and when she tried to announce her undoing, Eero was one step ahead, his pace quickening, driving his length harder. Her breasts bounced with each thrust and the Alpha took his bottom lip between his teeth as he admired her, just the sight of her was enough to send him over the edge. But he wanted to go with her.

So he did.

Bodies glowing with sweat, Eero rested his hands against Mallory’s back, holding her tightly to him as she rested her head against his shoulder, her body quivering as waves of pleasure surged through them both. His stomach clenched with his release, his lips pressing softly to the curve of her neck, a smirk forming against his lips after hearing the round of words that just exploded from her. Hearing her pray to the gods like that after being fucked by him was more than satisfying.

“What a foul little mouth,” Eero purred against her skin, inhaling the sweet floral scent of her. When she drew back to give him a look, he just took her face in his hands, tugging her lips back to his.

* * *

The two of them were back at the entrance to the ballroom, the lights from within illuminating them. Their lips were red and swollen. Mallory’s hair was beginning to fall out of its updo and Eero’s hair was a tousled mess, his collar rumpled. He didn’t bother putting his tie back on. As they stood in front of the doors, Eero knew that it was obvious what had just happened between them. Between their appearance and their scent, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure it out.

He glanced toward Mallory, an impish grin on his face and he reached over, removing her hair from its fastens. “I like it better down anyway,” he said softly, letting her hair fall into waves around her shoulders. He studied her for a long moment. How someone could be so devastatingly beautiful, he wasn’t sure how that was possible.

Finally, he shoved open the door, the music enveloping the pair once again. It felt so loud and assaulting now. After the quiet, intimate moment they shared, this was the last place that he wanted to be. Suddenly the stress of his position and the company that they had slowly fell back down onto his shoulders and Eero found his body tensing, returning to how it usually felt when he wasn’t graced by raw moments with Mallory.

“Do you want a drink—” he asked, but the words were cut off when he made eye contact with Thomas who had just about taken a drink from his cup, only to stop mid-sip.

The look in the Beta’s eyes was enough to make Eero’s shoulders sag slightly. A look that clearly asked: Did you do what I think you did? The Alpha held his stare until Thomas shifted his eyes to land on Mallory at his side. He studied her for a long moment before Azalea approached him from the crowd, a smile on her face as she tugged his arm, luring him away.

Eero turned to Mallory, his lips parting to speak, only to catch Soairse approaching the pair from behind Mallory. His jaw tensed at the astonishing timing everything seemed to have. The Alpha only had enough time to clear his throat when Soairse was coming to a stop beside them, a smile on her face as she surveyed them.

“I thought you had a smell to you, Eero,” the blonde said, extending a hand to Mallory. “Men just don’t seem to show off their mates the way they used to,” she shot Eero a judgemental look. She had smelt the difference in him even before what transpired in the garden. His thoughts went to his pack. All the subtle glances and awkward silences. “I’m Soairse, an old family friend of his,” she explained and then turned back to Eero expectantly. “Speaking of family, I think they’re waiting for you to start,” she nodded toward the crowd of bodies moving to collect their candles for the lighting ceremony.

Eero watched them, his throat suddenly becoming tight, his mouth dry.

A small hand wrapped around his own and he looked down to find Mallory’s fingers lacing through his. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, wanting nothing more than to lean down and kiss her. Eero squeezed her hand gently and still holding her hand, he led her toward the white candles. As the two of them moved through the crowd together, Eero didn’t fail to glimpse the faces of his packmates as they passed by. Regis’ jaw was nearly to the floor, and Azalea couldn’t stop blinking as if she was maybe going mad. Thomas’ lips were pursed, but his head nodded in respect. Tahtia’s face had probably been the most entertaining. He had caught the exact moment that the wolf inhaled her Alpha’s scent, eyes widening and mouth opening. She instantly turned to the others, her mouth moving rampantly.

Mallory and Eero reached the individually placed candles set on black metal trays. Atop each tray was a small match and striking paper. Staring down at the candle, Eero came to realize this would be the first time he would outwardly acknowledge the death of his father. It would be the first time he’d truly taken to mourn and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to. Not in front of all these people.

Everyone seemed to stare at him now. Everyone had their candles ready and he could remember a time when he was younger. His first grave ceremony. His father led the people out to the graveyard and told the people of the loss of his wife. The look on his face. As if he were somewhere else entirely as he spoke.

The feeling of Mallory seemed to ground him, and even though everything inside of him wanted him to walk out of the room, he instead started toward the large glass doors that would lead everyone outside. The crowd followed the short distance to the graveyard.

The site was well-kept, and the grass was freshly cut for the event. Here and there, the gravestones leaned together like old friends. A crisp autumn breeze rustled the leaves that were beginning to collect on some of the graves. Eero still had his back to everyone, his eyes trailing through the graves until it landed on his father's. His gravestone was the largest, reading: High Alpha of Vedona. He wasn’t sure if his legs were able to move. The only time he’d come to the grave was for his funeral. 

Forcing himself forward, Eero came to a stop before the gravestone, slowly setting the handle down atop it. When he turned to look over everyone, his eyes came to rest on Mallory, a look crossing his expression, one that would assure her that he meant what he said about forgiving her.

“I’d just like to thank you all for attending this year's ceremony, and for accepting Rafael’s son back into Vedona like this.” Eero glanced back at his father's grave. “I don’t know if I could ever be half the man that he was or half the leader.” his words trailed off for a moment, his fingers rolling the match between them. “But I owe it to him to try. If you will have me, of course.”

Gasps seemed to flutter through the crowd and he could feel his pack as they all stiffened, looking at each other. Nahmir and Ahren’s eyes glinted beneath the moon, their expressions like stone.

“I stand with you, son of Rafael. High Alpha of Vedona, Eero Adrastos.” a woman stepped forward and struck her match, lighting her candle. She held it into the air and others glanced around. Eero blinked at the action, trying to comprehend the respect being tossed his way. And then, one by one, more stepped forward, matches striking and lighting their candles which were raised to the sky before him. The Alpha drank them in, and when all the candles burned before him, he lit his own.

“I will not let you down,” he said to them. To his pack. To Mallory. And to his father.

“Eero, I don’t want to hurt you.” Mallory warned, putting another small step of distance between herself and the approaching Alpha. Cerulean hues ringed in white darted between the man before her and the electricity dancing across her skin in jagged little ripples, debating which one were more dangerous. “I’m serious.” Mallory repeated, though Eero had been undeterred. The alpha had been completely unfazed by the electricity she wielded without her consent, hadn’t seemed to care about it or the danger at all as his lips found her mouth a second time. That wrathful jealousy she’d been filled with faded away like morning dew at the feel of him.

He didn’t know just how willing Mallory was to bend to his touch, how much she wanted to arch into him at the feel of his palms against her ribs, how she likely would have followed him anywhere if he’d just asked. It was obvious just how ignorant the wolf was to Mallory’s infatuation with him as he snatched her up with lethal precision, tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her deeper into the well manicured gardens despite her squeals of protest and wriggling, using only the silver moonlight to guide him.

Mallory yowled once as a firm pinch shot a streak of razor sharp pain through her ass cheek, the spot aching terribly even after Eero had tried to soothe it away with a gentle pat against her buttock. And although she was quite contrary to being tamed, the pinch had done it’s job in getting her to stop squirming in the Alpha’s grip.

The huntress huffed in annoyance at the man’s jovial comment about his flirting, rolling her eyes dramatically despite knowing that he couldn’t see her. She’d have been more upset if she hadn’t recognized that tone he only seldom used, the one that meant he wanted to play. “Only if you want them to fry,” Mallory returned in that same voice, pressing her electric charged palms firmly against his back for emphasis.

Eero was chuckling deeply as he righted her on her feet and spun her to face a large ornate fountain at the center of a sparkling pond, two swans bowing their heads in acknowledgment before seamlessly cutting further into the water as if trying to give them privacy. His warm breath at her ear felt like silk on her skin, and the sensuous brush of his knuckles against her exposed spine nearly had her bowing into the touch. She shivered, goosebumps dotting her skin each place the cool night air licked over her skin.

“Eero, I’m not wearing anything under this,” Mallory protested softly,  turning to face him only to find the wolf already half undressed. Eero’s eyes simmered at the confession, the challenge and devilish intent in his expression abundantly clear as a smirk stretched across his lips. Mal rolled her eyes once, tracking his every movement as he stripped the clothes off of that strong body all the way down to his underwear. “Those too,” Mal requested softly, mirroring his own mischievous expression with one of her own.

Mallory waited until Eero had agreed and slipped out of his boxers, kicking them aside with the rest of his clothes before she allowed herself to survey him fully. She didn’t bother to hide the trail of her eyes as she took in every single hard, sleek muscle of him. He looked like he’d been sculpted by the Gods. She clenched her thighs together at the sight, that dark smile growing on the man’s lips as he bathed in her stare.

Swallowing hard, Mallory turned to offer him her back. “My zipper, please,” She requested, stilling as she felt the warmth of him at her back, his heavy grip slowly dragging the zipper of her dress free until it sagged around her. She slipped her arms free of the sleeves, taking a single breath to steady her nerves before dropping the fabric and letting it pool around her feet.

She wore moonlight like lingerie, the silver sheen of the moon and stars dripping over her like silk as she waded into the clear water. At some point during their trek to the fountain Mallory had felt her magic simmer away once she’d gotten a handle on her emotions, something she was abundantly thankful for as she felt the water shifting with Eero’s movements as he came towards her. One bad flare and she could’ve electrocuted every living being touching the water.

Mallory couldn’t pinpoint what exactly caused her sudden nerves in the Alpha’s presence, why her breath caught each time he got too near. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen her completely bare before, no, Mallory feared the reason was anything but physical. Until this night Mallory had been able to fend off her growing feelings for the wolf by rationalizing that what he’d suggested, that they’d been fated for each other, wasn’t possible. But after seeing him under the hand and gaze of another woman, Mal wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

His touch against the small of her back broke her from her thoughts, and Mallory turned to face the larger man. Her chin tilted up as she drank him in, fingers rising to caress his jaw while her gaze found his eyes. “I’m so confused.” She admitted on a whisper, the hand that’d been on his jaw sliding back into his hair as the other came to rest against his bare chest. “None of this makes any sense to me, but I want you so badly it almost hurts.” Was this what Eero had been feeling all of these weeks? Was this what it had been like for him? This torture?

She wouldn’t withhold herself from him for another moment, she vowed. Just this once, just this once they could succumb to every carnal desire and she wouldn’t worry about the consequences that followed. Mallory kissed him fiercely, so hungry it was as if she’d been starving before finding him. Her hands went around his neck, pulling him closer and crushing her body against him. Her hands roved across his back, tugging at his hair, grasping his waist, as if she couldn’t touch enough of him at once. He’d met each of her searing kisses with his own, unable to get enough, unable to touch and feel enough of one another.

“We belong to each other.” The huntress repeated breathlessly against Eero’s lips. Mallory dove headfirst into that feeling that’d begun to overwhelm her from the moment she’d spotted him with the blonde woman from before, into the feeling that she knew had been slowly blooming inside of her since the moment they’d met. A worryless, yearning kind of possession filled her. Mallory let the feeling creep inside of her, let it grow with each movement of his lips and every brush of his tongue against her own until the emotion swallowed her whole.

She broke away from his lips to lave kisses down his throat, kissing and sucking and licking each spot tenderly before moving to the next. She’d been careful not to leave a mark anywhere above his collar, not willing to subject him to the inquisition that would surely follow if the Alpha went back inside from a ‘walk in the garden’ with hickeys dotting his neck. But as her lips reached the spot just below his collarbone, Mallory figured it was fair game. She sucked hard, nipping the sensitive skin with her teeth before immediately soothing away the hurt with a gentle caress of her lips. That one, she knew, would definitely leave a mark.

Good, she thought, let another woman try to slip beneath his shirt and find him already marked by her.

She kissed his cheeks, his neck, and finally his lips. She pulled him through the rippling water, through the ever-darkening world as she made her way to the edge of the water. Even his rough palm felt abrasive against her too-sensitive skin as she laced her hand through his, those callouses scraping as they closed around her fingers in a tight grip. She wanted them scraping all over her. His hand was solid and unmovable around her own as they passed through the low lying mists. Step after step they moved to the edge of the water, the muscles of Eero’s broad back shifting like silk beneath his skin. And lower, the sleek, powerful cut of his thighs, his sculpted ass… she wanted to devour him.

Together they found a plush spot of grass a few feet away from the glassy pond to settle in. The party was distant enough that Mallory trusted that no one would venture this far out into the gardens, and the thrum of the music could just barely be heard amongst the chirping of the crickets. She’d waited until Eero had taken a seat in the grass to follow him down, sliding onto his lap to face him. She bracketed his face between her palms, thumbs leisurely brushing across the high peaks of his cheekbones as if they had all of the time in the world.

Mallory kissed him once, this time deep and thorough, unhurried and intent as her hips lazily rolled against his own, her eyes fluttering shut at the friction. “I want this with you,” She breathed, breaking apart just long enough to get out the words. “I want this, whatever this is, for as long as we can have it.”

The kiss that followed had begun gentle, he’d kissed her carefully, in a way that made heat begin pounding a steady rhythm in her core, between her legs. But quickly, their kisses became feverish. It was a claiming, wild and unchecked… it was an unleashing. The taste of him, the heat of him, the demanding stroke of his tongue tongue against her own - it was everything she’d ever wanted and more. It felt like home.

Her hands shot into his hair, fingers tangling in the ebony locks as she crushed herself to him. Her pert pink nipples had peaked against the cool October breeze, and the sharp unexpected friction of their graze against Eero’s hard chest had her rolling her hips into him again.

“Eero,” She breathed, his name a plea on her tongue as she reached to find the heavy heat of him and closing her hand around it, tilting him upwards and wetting him with her arousal. Mallory took his hand, guiding it to her heart and placed it there, half over the curve of her breast. She met his hooded gaze as she spoke the words that’d been rising up in her with every breath. “I want you.” She murmured affectionately, caressing his cheek for emphasis.

Mallory wouldn’t tell him that this would be the first time she was with a man fully, in this way, of her own accord and consent. That it was the first time she’d been intimate with someone to this degree since the time she’d been taken on the forest floor as a girl. She hadn’t wanted the memory of that vile man or what he’d done to her to taint the new memories she was forming with Eero. Her virginity, or at least what she considered it to be, was a gift freely given to the man before her, and she hadn’t wanted him to treat her like a porcelain doll because it. No, she hadn’t wanted the Alpha to treat her any differently because of that knowledge - she’d wanted things to occur just as they were, candidly.

Mal wasn’t a fool, she wasn’t ignorant to the fact that the wolf had full, unfiltered access to her mind whenever he wanted it and would find out that she’d concealed this little detail from him eventually - but she would worry about that later. For now, she just needed him here with her.

At the first nudge of him she’d surged forward to claim his mouth, a gasp slipping free of her. Mallory drug her tongue over his teeth, swallowing his moans as his hips rolled in gentle thrusts and he pushed in, and in, and in. And when Eero was finally seated to the hilt, when he’d paused to let her adjust to the fullness of him, she’d thought she might combust right then and there.

He’d groaned as she sunk onto him, and the sound hit her somewhere ancient and savage. She couldn’t get enough of him, couldn’t feel enough of his hands ravaging her exposed skin or his lips on her neck, couldn’t get enough of those low rumbling groans and sharp need-filled noises coming from his throat. Their instant frantic fucking had nearly been enough to get her over the edge of her building orgasm.

“Eero, I’m going to-“ Her words floated on a gasp, unable to finish her sentence as her head fell back at the euphoria of him filling her, moving in her. She could hardly believe she’d been denying herself this kind of pleasure for so long. Beyond words, she moved her hips up and down along his length, legs beginning to quiver in anticipation of the orgasm she was on the brink of, urging him deeper, harder.

Eero obliged her.

Mallory groaned, gripping the man’s arm hard, her nails digging into the muscles beneath - muscles that shifted and rolled as they moved to grip her hips, effortlessly shifting her along his cock at a pace she couldn’t keep up with. It had only taken one, two, three pumps of him before she’d met her crescendo, her forehead falling to rest on his shoulder as a sharp cry left her mouth, followed by several panted curse words and pleas to the Gods.

A grunt of annoyance rasped from Mallory’s lips as the Alpha drew her flush against his chest, arms crossed over her front as he held her fists in place. The warm airy breath of his words sizzled caressed the crest of her ear, a splattering of goosebumps immediately springing to her skin in response. “Fuck. You.” She breathed irritably, sliding one her legs behind his own and lurching all of her weight to one side as she tossed him with her hip, yanking hard on the hands that held her own to flip him onto his back. Mallory followed his body down to the mats, straddling his hips and barring her forearm against his throat in a pin. A look of smug satisfaction slid over her features as she panted a breathy “I win, again.”

Mallory tried to ignore how comfortably Eero’s hips settled between her legs, tried to ignore the sudden heat racing through her as she felt his rough hands slide along her legs to grip the backs of her thighs. If she hadn’t already been so red-faced from their sparing she would have been blushing. Blue eyes darted between his burning gaze and those plump pink lips that were curved into a cheeky grin that she knew meant he was up to no good.

But before Mal could make any reckless decisions that she’d surely regret, she was distracted by a clearing throat from near by, her head whipping in the direction of Thomas who was staring them down with his arms crossed over his chest just like he always was when Eero and Mallory spent time together. The Beta had become their dutiful shadow these past several weeks and Mallory felt vaguely like they were a couple of teenagers who needed chaperoning, which perhaps was true considering this wasn’t the first time Thomas had interrupted the two of them in a compromising position. Over time the hostility between Eero and Mallory had become nonexistent, leaving only their quiet affection for one another and what had become an unyielding friendship. And when things strayed into dangerous territory, when their gazes lingered a little too long and their touches wandered a bit too far, Thomas was always there to break apart the growing tension and separate them.

Mallory wasn’t a fool, and had begun to suspect Eero was letting her win some of their matches just to feel her weight on him, just to have her this close to conceal his indelicate touches. Though Mal couldn’t blame him, because she’d been doing the exact same.

Mallory knew the Beta wasn’t acting out of malevolence and was just trying to look out for his closest friend and Alpha, but that didn’t stop Mal was rolling her eyes dramatically as she peeled herself away from Eero, offering his friend a humorously hissed “Buzzkill,” As she strode past the man and into the grand estate.

* * * * *

Mallory sprung to her feet as a few light knocks sounded from her door, calling for who she knew was Eero to let himself in. She greeted him with a bubbly grin and a giggle despite the fact that it looked as if he were moments away from drooling all over the carpet, throwing her arms around his neck affectionately as she pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. “How lovely,” She cheered, releasing the Alpha from her embrace. “Now both of my dates are here.” Mal said, reaching her hand back towards a very guilty looking Regis and Azalea sitting on the rug at the foot of her bed, a mostly empty bottle of champagne and three drained glasses sitting amongst them.

“It was her idea!” Regis proclaimed at the same time that Azalea insisted “It was his idea, I swear!”

In reality, It had been Az’s idea to pre-game the Grave Ceremony and she’d simply roped Regis in along the way, though she’d never admit that under the stare of her Alpha. The three of them had spent the last hour or so together sprawled across Mallory’s bedroom floor, sipping too-strong champagne and helping each other get ready for the ball. Thomas had declined the invitation to join and Eero hadn’t been invited because the two wolves had insisted that he and Mallory were “too broody” when they were around each other, and Regis had been sure that Eero would never have approved of them getting tipsy before an event where the High Alphas may make an appearance. Tahtia and Mal could still hardly be in the same room as one another without tearing into each other, so she had obviously been excluded from their festivities.

Mallory ignored the wolves completely, her sole focus on the dark haired man standing before her. He was like something out of a dream in his dark suit, that raven black hair combed back neatly and his face clean shaven. “You look handsome, Eero.” She beamed, fiddling with the skirts of her midnight blue gown. The entire bodice was sheer and fitted, a few carefully placed appliqués the only things keeping her breasts from being entirely exposed. The sleeves were billowing and sheer as well, coming to gather at her wrists, and the skirt was full and made of a tulle like fabric, a single slit giving a peak of one leg when she walked. Her auburn hair had been twisted back into an intricate knot at the base of her skull with a few curls left free to frame her face, and her makeup had been simple, a smoky wing coming off each eyelid being the boldest thing about it.

The last time Mallory had attended one of these events she’d been painted as a seductress, the perfect picture of sex incarnate. But today she felt more like a queen, beautiful and elegant and graceful.

Together the three of them joined the others already waiting in the lobby before heading to the large ballroom that was already teaming with bodies and spilling beautiful music. Namir and Ahren were seated on their thrones on the grand dais, causing Mallory’s gut to clench with anxiety. But simultaneously, she couldn’t deny the relief that washed through her to see the other thrones empty, the remaining two High Alpha’s deciding not to leave their home territories to attend one of Vadona’s ceremonies.

The next thing that Mallory noted was the several species of supernatural that were in attendance at tonight’s ball, her eyebrows raising as she took in a pair of fae passing by, the delicate points of their ears making her pause. Wolves, the fae of numerous shapes and sizes, even a man with patches of scales along his forearms whom she knew to be a dragon-shifter all mingled and danced about the ballroom. Something sharp twisted in her chest as she took in all of the people of Vadona coming together to mourn their dead, regardless of their species.

Maybe it was because Mallory was more than a little tipsy and she’d always been an emotional drunk, but she had to blink away the tears that had wanted to spring to her eyes at the sight, reaching over the grab Eero’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze instead.

Mallory didn’t linger on the sadness that had taken her by suprise, instead turning bright eyes up to her taller companion and offering the man a grin that was so broad it was almost painful, her dimples creating craters at either corner of her mouth. “Dance with me?” She’d pleaded, coaxing him onto the already crowded dance floor with the hand that she still held.

He’d obliged her. Not once, not twice, but three dances in a row he had held her against him, spun her across the floor, and arched her into dip after dip. Mal had smiled so much that her cheeks ached, and though she knew he’d never admit it, she suspected that Eero had been enjoying himself just as much.

They’d been interrupted before their next dance by another male figure coming to stand behind Mallory, a possessive hand placed on her shoulder. She hadn’t time to move away before a voice that she recognized all too well froze her in place, panicked eyes glancing to Eero’s furious gaze and willing him to calm down.

“You won’t keep your little pet all to yourself all night, will you Eero?” Ahren purred, making a show of squeezing Mallory’s shoulder in his grip. “Surely you’ll let one us poor bastards have a turn with her,” She could feel his grin without turning to see it with her own eyes. “Just a dance, of course.” He corrected without a hint of remorse.

“I’m okay, don’t make a scene,” Mallory whispered through Eero’s mind, sending a gentle caress of reassurance down that shared link between them. “You’ll just provoke him if you argue.” She urged silently. The last time Mal had danced with another man Eero had nearly torn his throat out, and he couldn’t try that again, not with a High Alpha and not in such a public setting.

Turning out of Ahren’s grip, Mallory spun to face the High Alpha. His skin was it’s usual shade of porcelain and his long hair was pin straight and neatly combed, those blood red eyes zeroed in on her face.  “A dance would be lovely,” Mallory agreed, offering the man her hand.

Ahren lead her a few paces away before pulling her flush to his chest, one hand settling low on her back while the other gripped the hand she’d offered him. They took slow, lilting steps as they began their leisurely dance. “You are a visionin that dress, little witch.” Ahren whispered lowly against her ear. His words made her shiver, but not in the same way she shivered when Eero whispered those sweet nothings in her ear, no, this time she had shivered against the disgust settling deep in her gut.

“Why are you here?” Mallory dared ask, stealing a glance from over the man’s shoulder to find Eero propped against one of the large white pillars. He looked unbothered, chatting quietly with another guest while sipping a glass of something she could only guess was his favorite bourbon. But Mallory knew better than to think he wasn’t watching them too, listening to every word they whispered, knew that Ahren knew all of this too and would likely try to goad the Alpha into another altercation.

“I wanted to keep an eye on you after the last time we met.” He admitted, twirling Mallory once before drawing her back to him. “I am… curious to learn about your abilities. I suppose it makes sense why Eero has kept you hidden away from the rest of us all of this time.” He murmured lowly, his hand skimming along her back. “I can’t blame him for wanting to keep you all to himself, but I suspect that you can do so much more than that little glimmer you showed me before, and I intend to find out.”

Regis was there a moment later, a charming smile forced onto his lips as he slid between herself and Ahren. “You’ll have to forgive me Ahren,” He bit out politely, “But I can’t wait another moment to dance with our guest.”

Ahren nodded his approval, bowing once and offering Mal a parting smirk before disappearing into the crowd. Regis released a heavy sigh as he pulled Mallory into the next dance with little effort, mostly just swaying back and forth. “Eero-“ She began quickly, eyes scanning the crowd from over Regis’ shoulder for her friend. “Is fine.” He cut her off, abruptly ending the conversation.

Mallory spent the next hour sipping champagne from waiter’s trays, chatting with Azalea when she wasn’t wrapped up in her mate, and apathetically dancing with the men who’d been brave enough to approach the Alpha’s favored guest and ask for her hand. The dragon-shifter she’d spotted earlier, a high fae with a heavy accent that she didn't recognize, and Russ had been the only ones daring enough to ask her to dance - and that was just fine, Mallory supposed, she was tired of dancing anyways. She’d wanted to find Eero, to demand why he’d been shutting her out each time she tried to reach for his mind from across the room.

But, as her eye’s found the Alpha in the same spot she’d found him each of the other several times she’d looked for him over the past hour, anger flared to life inside of her like something white-hot and scalding. It was clear why he'd been shutting her out of his mind, he clearly hadn't wanted Mallory privy to the thoughts he was having about the pretty woman shamelessly flirting with him. He’d been speaking to the same beautiful woman for over half an hour, first lounging on one of the ornate settees lining the room, then sharing a dance, and now leaned back against a pillar sipping his drink and smiling at her in a way she’d rarely seen him look at anyone before.

The woman was like something from a magazine, all long legs and sharp features with a shoulder length platinum blonde bob. Her smile was wide and bright as she laughed over something the Alpha had said, and she leaned forward to grip his bicep in her perfectly manicured hand. Their closeness made it abundantly clear that they were familiar with each other, and Mallory hadn’t even realized that she was moving towards them until she was within earshot of their conversation, could hear the girl enthusiastically recounting old stories of the two of them as teenagers.

Rage hit her deep in the gut at the thought of the other woman - at her history with him, her stunning appearance, at her closeness to him. Mallory had never reckoned herself to be a jealous person, but maybe jealously wasn’t the right word to describe the feelings racing through her. Mallory’s wasn’t jealous, she was territorial. Because jealousy was when you wanted something that wasn’t your’s, but territorial was protecting what already belonged to you.

And god damn it, Eero was her’s. She knew it, he knew it, and probably everyone else who knew them knew it. Maybe it had always been that way between them, but for Mallory the feeling was so fresh that it left her feeling raw.

“Eero,” She greeted tightly, offering the blonde woman a polite flash of a smile. “Walk with me?” She asked, though she didn’t wait for an answer nor give him a chance to decline before she was grabbing his hand and tugging him along behind her. She led them to the garden in a tense silence, finally releasing a breath along with his hand once the patio doors were firmly shut behind them. The quiet chirping of insects and the soft lilt of the distant music through the glass the only sound around them as they stared at one another.

“Who’s your friend?” She finally asked, arms crossed over her chest. Gods, did she sound as sour as she thought she did? Mallory began down the cobblestone path between the floral bushes at a leisurely pace, desperately trying to get a grip on herself and knowing that Eero would follow.

The air was warm and mild, and a cool breeze kissed it’s way across her exposed skin as they strolled along the garden path in silence for a few long moments. The sky had shifted into a deep periwinkle, and the clouds were filled with a light pink that was beginning to dim. Slowly, like a shimmering disk too rich and clear to be described, the moon slipped over the horizon and lined everything in violet. It was like seeing the world put the rest, and the two of them were the sole witnesses.

The lighting ceremony would begin soon, Mallory knew. Eero would be expected to go back inside, to light a candle for his father and lead the masses to the graveyard.

But still, her blood raced and she had to clench her hands into the tulle of her skirt to keep from reaching for him. Her throat bobbed, heart fluttering so quickly it felt as if she’d had a hummingbird living in her chest.

His skin glowed with that golden tan he’d acquired from hours of training out in the late summer sun. And his eyes - not merely blue with that icy sheen, but every hue and variation that could be imagined, as though every drop of water in the ocean had bled into one shade. This was the Alpha she’d come to know - devastatingly handsome, captivating, and powerful beyond belief.

Finally, Mallory whirled to face him. “I can’t watch you be with other women like that.” Her words were rushed and he voice felt raw from holding back everything she’d wanted to say to him. “I am so jealous, Eero, and I know I have no right to be because we’re just friends, but Gods Eero I could have killed her when I saw the way she looked at you, was touching you.” The admittance had felt like a sin, but she couldn’t stop herself, not now. “You’ve said it before,” She breathed, cheeks flushed and eyes wide. “You are mine. We belong to each other, Eero. And I don’t know why, or how, or what we’re supposed to do about any of this, but I do know that I can’t just stand by and watch another woman shamelessly flirt with you and not want to rip her head off.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she reached to touch the contours of his cheek bone. His cool skin bit into her fingertips, and the hint of stubble on his jaw slipped against her smooth skin. Mallory lifted her other hand and gently grasped the back of his neck. She pulled lightly, overcome with the need to touch him, to feel him in that intimate way that only they shared, to have his lips on her’s.

With a gentle tug at the back of his neck to bring him to her level, Mallory rose on her tiptoes and kissed the man like her life depended on it. She kissed him like she were drowning and he were her only source of air, like he were her lifeline out of the depths of darkness she’d found herself in. She felt her skin come alive with magic, florescent white electricity that matched the ring around her irises crackling along her skin like she were a living bolt of lightning. When her lips made contact with his again a small zap transferred between them, leading her to gasp out a quiet apology against his lips. But she couldn’t stop, couldn’t stop kissing him, feeling him under her touch despite the small shock she’d felt when her hand moved against the back of his neck. Her kiss was hard and demanding, and she didn’t stop until her head had begun to swim from a lack of air. He felt so warm and familiar, felt solid and safe, and it made Mallory want cling to his neck and bury her face in the warm crook of his neck and never let go.

But she did. She let him go, taking a wobbling step back as her fingers skimmed across her still tingling lips, fluorescent eyes wide. “I’m sorry,” She gasped squeezing her eyes closed for a long moment in an attempt to make the magic leave her and stop holding her body hostage. “I’m sorry,” She repeated staring back at him now, unsure if she was apologizing for her proclamations and her kiss, or for the tiny zaps of electricity she’d forced him to endure. “Im sorry, I- I don’t know what’s happening, or how to make it stop.”

Again, it’d been a double edged statement. Because she truly didn’t know how the make the magic stop, or how to stop loving him.

A content rumble of appreciation purred from Mallory’s chest as Eero’s steady grip on her shoulders began to work away the tension from her muscles, her head sagging in relief for a brief moment as her shoulders relaxed. She probably would have moaned out loud at the euphoric feeling had she not been making a conscious effort not to do so. Mal wasn’t ignorant to the curious glances the pair of them were receiving from the pack, and she hadn’t wanted to give them another reason to stare or ask questions that she didn’t have the answer to.

Regis had tried, once, to pry information out of her after she’d come downstairs smelling faintly of the Alpha. He’d narrowed his eyes at her, asking if she’d been with Eero. Her answer had been an innocent confirmation, that she had come from his room. Regis, unpleased with the lack of details corrected his question to ask if she had been with him, his tone suddenly much more suggestive. Mallory had answered with a scowl and a sharp whack of the wooden spoon she’d been holding, telling the omega that no she hadn’t been with Eero like that, and that he needed to stop being a snoop.

Though admittedly, that had been weeks ago, and Mallory and Eero’s relationship had developed since then.

Still, it hadn’t been something Mallory wanted to dwell on. Their relationship, or lack thereof, was no one’s business besides their own. Mallory had begun to loathe the general lack of privacy that came with living amongst a pack of wolves, but on that same not had come to appreciate the familial love they shared for one another. Despite having made friends with a few of the wolves, Mallory wasn’t used to always having someone around to pry into her private affairs, and it often left her on edge.

Mallory had been an only child, but she imagined that this had to be what having siblings felt like.

Mallory tried to ignore the curious glances from the wolves around them, turning her eyes downward as she continued to pick at her lunch and soak in the quiet affection of Eero’s tender touch along her neck and shoulders. It was an oddly intimate gesture, Mallory thought, something she hadn’t considered until she’d felt the weight of Thomas and Azalea’s stares. They’d always saved these gentle moments for private, and it was a strangely vulnerable feeling to have the pack watch them share anything aside from hostility towards one another.

The huntress perked up at the sound of Regis’ praise, a quick smile flashing across her face. “Next time it’ll be you I’m making cry,” She dared, only to receive a raised middle finger from the blonde omega and a surprised laugh from the happy could sprawled across the couch.

Eero’s hot breath tickled her cheek as he leaning down to chastise her quietly, earning an eye roll and a crinkle of her nose as her head fell back to look at him. “You make me feel good.” She returned, this time her voice a velvet caress through his mind.

They were interrupted by a very exuberant Regis returning to the sitting room, waving a bottle of amber colored liquor in the air and insisting everyone partake. Mallory was confused by the sudden shift of energy in the room, albeit game to see where the evening would take them. Even the normally even-tempered Thomas had risen from his seat, chugging back a few healthy swallows of the cheap whiskey in challenge when Eero had tried to leave. Mallory had been moments from chiming in, insisting that Eero stay and have fun with them when a sudden heaviness exploded through her chest. It was like a ton of bricks had been dropped on her, and she was filled with so much anguish and sadness that it felt like she were choking on it.

But it wasn’t her own sadness she was feeling, Mallory quickly realized. It was his. Sapphire eyes darted to Eero, drinking in the easy facade of indifference that he wore so well. But Mallory wasn’t fooled, she had felt the searing pain of realization in him before he’d buried it below the surface.

* * * * *

They had drank, laughed, recounted old stories, and drank some more for what had to have been hours. The sun was setting through the large bay windows across the room, and Mallory had joined the rest of the pack on the floor in front of the crackling fireplace where they lay sprawled on an assortment of cushions and blankets.

Everyone was sufficiently drunk, even the Alpha who had hardly spoken, but offered quiet smiles and laughed along with the others every now and again. Mallory and Regis sat shoulder to shoulder, leaning against one another - Mal was pretty sure that they were basically holding each other up with their weight. It had been so nice to feel her friend’s warmth again, and Mal was so deeply appreciative of his friendship that it made her heart feel like it would burst.

Drunkenly, Mallory had outright asked the blonde what had made him start liking her again after a week of cold hostility. Without missing a beat Regis had told her that if Eero didn’t have a problem with her after finding out she was a witch, then he didn’t see why anyone else should have a problem with her either. Mallory hadn’t had the heart to admit to Regis that Eero’s forgiveness had been a much more complex matter, tangled with feelings and a proclaimed imprint. Instead, she’d just reached over to squeeze his hand affectionately, moving the conversation on to brighter things.

Tahtia and Mallory had been passing back and forth a bottle of tequila for some time now, perhaps the friendliest gesture the two had ever shared. Mallory took another swig, nose crinkling as the clear liquid burned its way down her throat before settling in her gut. She stole another glance over to Eero who was now sprawled on his back, one hand still clutching his bourbon, as the group laughed over Thomas and Azalea’s hidden romance before they’d come clean about their mating.

Eero had made an effort to laugh as well, but Mallory could still feel that sinking heaviness in his chest. It had been Azalea who had filled her in on the significance of the day and why they’d been so dutiful in trying to distract Eero, leaning over to whisper in Mal’s ear when she caught her staring at the glum Alpha earlier in the evening. Mallory had been crushed by the realization that she had played a part, however small, in Eero’s despair.

Taking a final glug of the tequila for courage, Mallory finally stood on shaky legs. Between the copious amount of alcohol she had consumed and the still throbbing wound on her thigh, Mal wasn’t nearly as stable as she would have liked to be. Still, she extended a hand down to the Alpha as she spoke. “Want to go for a walk?” She offered, eyes expectant. She had things that she needed to get off her chest.

* * * * * *

The gardens had always been one of Mallory’s favorite spots on the Estate and it had become a place she sought out for tranquility, and she hoped that maybe it could be that for Eero too. She’d spent many sleepless nights wandering the cobblestone paths through the expansive garden, just as she did now, her arm curled through the Alpha’s as they moseyed through the rose bushes in silence.

Finally, Mallory couldn’t take it anymore. She couldn’t stand another moment of silence or to feel his sadness seeping down their shared bond. She paused, unsure how exactly to address what was on her mind. “Eero,” She began, pausing once more before crushing the Alpha in a fierce hug. Her arms curled around his waist in an iron grip, her cheek pressed so tightly to his his muscled chest that she could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “I know what today is for you,” She admitted, keeping him trapped in her tight embrace for a few moments longer.

Mallory took a deep, shuddering breath, taking a step back so she could look up at him. “I know it’s been a year since you lost your father, and I want to - need to apologize to you for the part that I played in taking him from you.” Mallory’s father had kept her away from the action during the days that had let up to Rafael’s death, but Mallory had been responsible for the scouting, and had reported the late Alpha’s movements to her father until they’d had the wolf trapped. A deep guilt echoed through her at the thought.

“There is no excuse for what I was a part of, but- but I need you to know that I have spent these past few months trying to re-wire everything that I have ever known.” She was drunk, and she was rambling and tripping over her words, but she couldn’t stop. “I spent my entire life thinking that you were all monsters, and evil, and that the most merciful thing I could do for this earth was to help eliminate your kind from existence. But, but, I don’t think any of that is true anymore.” She tried to remember to breath, rubbing at the tears that’d begun to pool in her eyes. “Because I met you and your friends, and you are good, Eero. You, and Regis, and Az, and the rest of them are some of the best people I have ever met, and I can’t believe how I ever spent any time at all thinking that you were a monster.”

Mallory took another shuddering breath, her heart galloping in her chest as she reached for his hand. “I am ashamed to have ever been so close minded, so removed from reality that I believed whatever was put in front of me. But I know better now, and I just hope that you can forgive me for the person that I used to be.”

Mallory’s lips twitched into a smirk as she watched the Alpha remove his sunglasses, pleased that he’d taken the bait as he approached the ring. She wasn’t ignorant to the quiet murmuring that had ticked up and the suspicious glances of the other wolves as Eero came close, their chests nearly touching as he brushed a sweat-matted tendril of auburn hair away from her face and tucking it behind her ear. The touch had been so sweet, so gentle - but his words were pure male arrogance.

Adrenaline coursed through her as she watched the ebony haired man phase into his beast form, a tricolored wolf of varying hues of tans and blacks and reds, and eyes so gold they looked like they held the sun. He was beautiful, even as an animal.

She hated him for it.

Mallory rolled her neck, twirling the cane through her hands while she stretched her muscles. The huntress pivoted as the Alpha circled her, keeping the wolf in her vision while she spun the wooden spear as if she hadn’t a care in the world, despite the snarling wolf in front of her.

Her eyes narrowed at the sound of Eero’s voice in her head, the first time either of them had braved using that shared connection since their fight a week ago. “Let’s make this worth my time then, shall we?” Mal said aloud, lunging for him without a moment of hesitation.

Mallory reveled in the quiet gasps and whispered commentary as she caught the Alpha off-balance right at the start, sending him skidding through the dirt. She stalked towards him, smiling at the promise of a good fight as he rose back to his feet and launched towards her with a snarl.

Good, Mallory thought, let them finally have it out.

Their bodies were a blur of skin and fur and teeth, swinging weapons and striking paws as the two unleashed themselves on one another. She could feel Eero’s growing irritation through the bond as he took another crack from the dull end of Mallory’s spear, could sense his frustration at Mallory’s stamina, her lasting longer than anyone expected her to in a fight against the Alpha.

Mallory mirrored his anger as she felt herself beginning to slow, her breaths coming harder and faster than they had before. It’d been so long since she’d trained and it was becoming clear that the huntress had lost her edge. She was gassed, her energy nearly burnt after going two rounds in the ring before taking on the Alpha.

She knew this because she’d seen Eero’s next strike coming, had felt the quick calculation he had made when she swung her cane for him and still hadn’t been able to dodge it. The wolf barreled into her legs and Mallory went to the ground, rolling and springing back to her feet before he could make the finishing blow - but it hadn’t been without sacrifice, her cane flung to the other end of the arena far from her reach.

In a heartbeat Mallory had slung the bow from her shoulder and knocked an arrow. She hated the way her muscles quivered from fatigue as she drew back the string and put the wolf in her sights. But she hadn’t been quick enough, because Eero was phasing back into his human form the moment she’d released the arrow, snatching it from the air only millimeters from his face.

Mallory cursed, not bothering with stringing another arrow as the Alpha approached her on two legs this time. Instead, she planted her feet in the dirt, her stance defensive and strong. She knew that this would be the end, her body too tired to keep up with him for much longer, but she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Hand to hand combat had never been Mallory’s strong suit. She was fast and she was smart, but Mallory was also rather petite and often struggled to get much power behind her fists without the weight to throw behind it. Eero took her to the earth with ease, the two of them tumbling across the sparring ring throwing blows and spitting curses at one another until Eero had finally managed to pin her, bow drawn and aimed at her chest.

Anger flared in her chest like white hot lightning, and for a split second her eyes had flashed with that molten ring of magic as she stared up at him. With a blink the witch-mark was gone, just two narrowed sapphire eyes glaring up at the Alpha.

“Fuck you,” Mallory seethed, shoving his outreached hand away from her as she stood to her feet. She collected her discarded cane as they approached the water station in silence, brooding and pouting over her loss despite Eero’s attempts at a playful nudge. Regis joined them a moment later, pushing a paper cup of water into her hand. She flashed the blonde a smile that’d been reserved solely for him, for her friend. It was nice to feel his warmth again after a week of being iced out.

But then there had been Eero, ruining her short found joy by yanking at her hair like a schoolboy before turning his back to her. Mallory spun, whipping the end of her wooden cane through the air. It made connection with the back out Eero’s head with a loud crack - she was careful not to swing hard enough to injure him, but just enough to get her point across.

The wicked grin on her face was nothing short of devious as the Alpha turned back to face her. He looked angry, but for a change Mallory’s eyes glimmered with glee. ‘Play with me’ her expression seemed to beckon as she took a tentative step backwards, muscles tensed and ready to spring into action the moment he made a move.

Mallory let out a squeal of equal parts excitement and terror as Eero finally gave chase, turning on her heel and bolting back to the grassy area of the courtyard. Like before, the two of them went to the ground in a pile of limbs, flipping repeatedly and wrestling with one another as they each grappled for a hold on the other. Between the grunts of exertion and gasps for air were squeals of laughter and rumbling chuckles, and instead of a scowl there had been a grin on Mallory’s face when she finally forced Eero into a pin.

“I win.” She said in a breathy whisper, her knee pressing into Eero's groin and forearm barred against his throat. But despite declaring herself the winner, it hadn’t felt like much of a fight. His gentle touch, his cushioning her fall when they’d went to the ground, their shared laughter, his hands comfortably resting on her waist all definitely didn’t feel like a fight.

* * * * * * * * *

Mallory and Eero had went their separate ways after rolling through the grass with one another, only stealing occasional glances from across the courtyard. They’d finished out the last hour or so of training in separate areas, Eero going to do his weight training and Mal running through agility work with Devon before sparring with Regis. The omega and huntress had called their duel a draw after Regis had knocked into Mallory’s already injured thigh, earning a pained yelp as she went to the ground. Simultaneously she’d struck him across the face so hard with her cane that he’d also fallen, seeing stars for the next several seconds. They’d apologized, laughing as they helped one another off the ground and back into their home.

It was lunch time when Mallory trotted back downstairs to the rest of the pack, a small limp evident from the angry looking wound on her thigh. Her hair was still damp from her shower and she’d changed into comfortable clothes - a pair of sweatpants material shorts and a threadbare t-shirt. The pack had been eating their lunch in the living room, everyone seeming much more relaxed after a morning of working out their frustrations and exercising away the tension that had grown between them over the last week.

Things were almost back to normal around the Estate. Mallory was thankful.

Mal plopped to the floor in front of the armchair Eero had been lounging in, nudging his legs apart so she could lean back between them. Maybe this would be their cease-fire, Mallory thought, maybe they’d just needed a good fight to work through everything and they could finally go back to their friendship... if that's what they were going to call it.

The huntress crossed her legs to balance her plate in her lap, reaching behind her to feel for Eero’s hands and bringing them to rest on her shoulders. “I’m sore.” She whined, waiting for him to get the hint and massage the soreness from her muscles.

“I haven’t trained in a long time.” Mallory said from around a bite of carrot sticks. “Not since before, well, everything.” She figured that she didn’t need to reminisce on the time that Eero had planned to kill her and stolen her from the woods, but she did sometimes forget how very long ago that had been. “I’m out of practice.” She admitted with a small laugh, tilting her head back to pass Eero an amused glance.

Eero couldn’t get their conversation out of his head that morning. Mallory’s unwavering denial of the imprint had been one thing, but after arguing with her on the matter, he had begun to wonder if it was real or not. And if it was? Why her? She drove him utterly insane and at the end of the day, he was pretty sure that what she said was right. They couldn’t work together, there was nothing about them that worked. One minute they were a hot mess of limbs and skin and the next they were trying to tear each other's heads clean from their shoulders. He didn’t know a lot about love, but he wasn’t sure that what they had could be considered. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Oddly enough, the more time that the two of them spent apart, the easier it was for him to shove the imprint down into the deepest parts of himself. He could ignore it enough to get through the day, but the moment he saw her — whether they came across each other in the hallway or on the way to the kitchen — it was like a slap across the face. As if the Gods were laughing in his face for thinking he could possibly ignore something so sacred and engrained. He would see her and it was like wild vines erupted from inside of him, reaching and intertwining with her own. He was utterly drawn to her, no matter what he did or how hard he tried to bury that feeling, it always found the surface when he saw her.

Unfortunately, like Eero always did. He hid his true emotions when the going got tough behind anger. It kept everyone at arm's length when he was angry, and with Mallory, that was what he needed.

* * *

The Alpha stood just outside the sparring circle of the arena, clad in a black compression shirt that clung to his muscles, a pair of shorts, and a pair of sunglasses shielded his eyes. Above their head were blue skies, sparse clouds, and a blistering heat that radiated from the high noon sun. Eero had slid his hands into the pockets of his shorts as he waited for Mallory to join them for training. He had just about assumed she wasn’t going to make an appearance when he heard the scuff of her shoes as she approached his side.

Eero shot Mallory a sidelong glance, feeling the tension radiating off of her. Then she opened her mouth, not looking at him. He had to admit that he didn’t expect her to ask that, and his brows rose slightly in response — mostly due to her choice in tone with him.

“Avoiding you?” he let out a harsh laugh. “That’s rich coming from you, Mallory.” Eero returned his attention toward the ring in the grass patch where Russ approached in his wolf form. As if sensing the tensity, Regis stepped in, stealing away Mallory’s attention. 

All around them, there were several other guards of the estate stopping to watch, as well as young recruits for the Legion of Vedona. As Mallory and Russ took each other on, many who walked by found themselves firmly planting their feet for the free entertainment and curiosity. Eero was just as fixated on the two at the center of the ring. The Alpha watched as Russ relied on his strength alone against the huntress and behind his shades, his eyes showed that he knew exactly who was going to win this battle. Despite the rippling muscle beneath his grey pelt, Mallory was quicker on her feet, making it easier for her to anticipate his next moves. The fight was short-lived, but the huntress didn’t escape unscathed. Eero’s hand had curled into a fist at the sight of Russ’ claws digging into her thigh, but he forced himself to remain still on the sidelines.

Once Russ was out of the ring, Eero nodded his chin to the next participant. Though most wolves were heavily muscled and large, it wasn’t always the case. There were wolves like Devon who were slender and lean. She was swift on her feet, and more precise than the brutish males. She was a more worthy opponent for Mallory, and that was only further proved when the two of them began their dance about the ring.

“Devon is too fast,” Regis spoke up beside Eero as he too watched, he even winced for Mallory when Devon sent her straight to the dirt. They could hear the breath being forced from her lungs from where they stood.

“Mallory is faster,” Eero murmured, and just as the words left his lips, Mallory’s arms were moving with blurred movements as she dodged a swipe while knocking back an arrow and sending it spiraling into Devon’s ribs, then another sprung free, hitting Devon’s cheek. Regis let out a low whistle as the second fight ceased, naming Mallory undefeated. The Alpha could feel the adrenaline that was coursing through her veins and the confidence boost that followed after it like a high.

When she turned on her heel, her face flushed from the activity, and he could see a daring sparkle in her eyes. He knew it was only a matter of time before the sarcasm was oozing from her and his own lips mirrored her devilish smirk. “You want a challenge?”  Eero asked as he slid off his sunglasses, handing them to Regis who blinked at him. Heads from the bystanders snapped in the Alpha’s direction, gaping at him as he stepped into the arena. Long strides carried him toward Mallory at the center of it.

Eero came to a stop before her and a strand of hair that was freed from her braid clung to her cheek by sweat. Reaching out, he moved the hair back out of her face, his eyes shifting from blue to shimmering gold. “Show me what you can really do, Little Red,” he whispered into the space between them before his body rippled and he shifted.

The Alpha landed on all fours, his paws thundering against the earth. Shaking out his multi-toned coat, Eero’s glowing eyes locked onto Mallory as he slowly stalked around her, making her pivot to keep her vision on him. Low vibrating growls crackled out of his chest, his ivory fangs baring, causing his muzzle to wrinkle as his lips drew back over the rest of his teeth. People around them were beginning to whisper to one another, shocked to see such a pair in the sparring ring. 

“I’ll try my best to go easy on you,” Eero said down the bond and that seemed to be enough of a push to set her off. The two of them quickly collided and Eero couldn’t help the satisfaction that snaked through him to get such a reaction out of her.

Mallory was light on her feet as she lunged for him her dull spear clutched in her hands. When she went for a strike, Eero didn’t dodge the swipe, but instead had his jaws snapping in the direction of the spear, nearly crunching the cane in half if she had been just slightly slower in her movements. When it came the Alpha’s time to strike, Mallory had been one step ahead, using his momentum against him which sent him skidding, his claws digging into the earth, dust clouding behind him. A snarl tore free from him and the two of them were a blur of white fangs and slashing weapons.

Every swing of her arms was made with precision and the force that drove her was strong. Most of her movements were blurred as they sparred, and the occasional whip of the spear had knocked Eero back. Sweat dripped down the side of Mallory’s face and Eero could see the determination radiating in her eyes as she glared at him, advancing once more. Eero ducked beneath the swipe of her cane, waiting for her footing to loosen before he barrelled into her legs, sending her to the ground. She landed this time with a bit more grace than with Devon, able to somersault back to her feet. Her cane had gone flying across the arena, leaving her with only the bow and quiver to aid her. 

Though Mallory was quick on her feet, strong, and smart, there was still the unexpected in every battle. And Eero had the size and speed in his wolf form, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t equally as skilled as a human. 

Mallory had the bow knocked with an arrow in a matter of seconds and her breathing was heavy as she took aim. Eero’s eyes narrowed at the huntress and as her fingertips loosened on the string, his body rippled once more and he was shifting back to his human form, his hand moving as soon as it was free from the transition. The arrow's tip stopped just before making contact with the center of the Alpha’s eyes as his fingers clamped around it, stopping it mid-air. 

His attention went past the tip of the arrow toward Mallory who stared at him and then he was moving. When he reached Mallory, he was able to take her to the ground after dodging a couple of blows from her elbows and fists as she still grasped her bow. The two of them tumbled across the arena, a cloud of dust from the dirt rising into the air and then he had her pinned beneath him, legs on either side of her. 

Eero smirked down at the huntress as she examined him and he watched as she realized that he was now holding onto her bow, an arrow aimed directly down at her.

“Gotcha,” he breathed, his chest rising and falling as he took in the disbelief smeared across her face.

The Alpha slowly rose, tossing the bow and arrow to the side as he reached down to help her up. When she rejected his hand, it only made his smirk grow. “Now who’s being a dick?” he nudged her as they walked toward the water station. The crowd had begun dispersing from the training ring and Regis joined them.

“You’re a tough little shit,” the blonde encouraged Mallory, shaking his head.

“Just not tough enough,” Eero grabbed Mallory’s braid and gave it a tug before walking off to weight train instead.

A slow, dangerous smile crept onto Eero’s lips as he eyed Mallory while she fidgeted beneath his finger. “What’s that saying again?” The Alpha acted as though he needed to think about it for a moment before clicking his tongue at her, his voice taunting. “No pain. . .no gain?”

Regardless of his advances, the huntress had put her foot down, making space between them as she side-stepped toward the opposite side of the shower. The action made his dimples apparent as he bowed his head in amusement, his dark strands falling in soft damp waves over his forehead.

There was something utterly delicious about the way she dodged him when he could smell the thick desire drenching her entire being. Seeing those fleeting glints of hunger shining in her eyes made the deepest parts of him thrum in response. Eero could remember a brief interaction between them within the large oak at the center of the estate foyer. A time before his imprint. There had been a craving for her then. It had been something that he chalked up to a moment of weakness and a great lack of clarity. This, however, was nothing like that day. 

When a wolf imprints on another, it is not something that is taken lightly. Imprinting was far from an option and often would happen without even the imprinter's consent, and once it happens their entire world collapses and is rebuilt entirely around that person. Emotions were far more heightened than just regular devotion. The things that he was feeling toward Mallory were logic-defying. She was the one that held his complete undivided attention—not anything else. She had become his focus. And he knew that he would defy anyone for her—do anything for her. There wasn’t a single nerve ending in his body that didn’t reach out to her, straining to cling to any piece of her that he could touch.

“When you have me?” He didn’t bother hiding the lust in his words. 

The Alpha turned to look toward Mallory when he heard the smack of her wet clothes on the floor of the bathroom. Deep pools of glacial blue landed on her mesmeric figure, drinking up the delicate curves of her now-exposed body. His teeth had already captured his bottom lip, digging in hard to keep the possessive growl deep inside of himself. The throbbing of his cock had turned tantalizingly painful. He had never wanted someone more in his life—never enough to make his arousal feel so punishing. As she rose her hands to scrub her hair, his lips parted, the beast inside of him threatening to have its way with her. Wanting nothing more than to shove her against the walls of the shower and take her from behind. As if on cue, his eyes dropped back down to that perfectly round ass he wanted so desperately to sink his teeth into.

As if sensing his heavy gaze, Mallory turned toward him, eyes following his own and he wasn’t the least bit trying to hide the way his eyes raked back up her body when she turned, hovering a moment longer than necessary at the sight of her breasts. A carnal desire flooded the man and he had never felt more starved for a woman. Eero parted his lips to advance further, but she was lowering her gaze, hushing him swiftly. He followed her lingering eyes down toward his length which was hard as steel thanks to all that was her.

What the Alpha hadn’t anticipated from Mallory was her lowering herself onto her knees before him. His jaw had clenched hard at the ravenous sight of her looking up at him, her hands slowly finding their way onto his thighs. His chest rose and fell deeply, the look in his eyes darkening with a wild thirst that only she could satisfy, and his voice came out in a fervid growl. “Mallory—” Her name broke off into a groan as she moved her hand, her fingers wrapping around his cock. The feel of her skin on him was a delicious burn and every nerve ending in his length pulsated beneath her touch leaving him hungry for more. As if feeling that desire, Mallory stroked down his shaft with a firm grip around him, making him unintentionally press back into the shower wall, his hands gripping the edge of the built-in ledge. Then came that smile that tugged against her full pink lips. His eyes flickered between blue and gold at the sight of it and his heartbeat quickened. Another stroke and he was swallowing roughly.

How he liked it? There were a variety of answers to such a question, but judging by that nefarious little glint in her eyes, he had a hunch that she knew exactly what she was doing— innocence be damned. He liked it however it had to be to have her hands specifically wrapped around him. When she brought her hand up and down his cock, she seemed to test a selection of different speeds and grip on him. Her fingers were just tight enough to make him squeeze through her grip with each pump of her hand, his head was tipped back, a curse slipping from between gritted teeth before he was saying, “I think you do.” His voice reverberated through his chest anomalistically. Any pain that once rode through him in waves was placed on the back burner as pure, sublime heat licked up over his skin.

Seeming satisfied with her hand's work, Mallory leaned into him, her mouth coming up to his erection. He untipped his head to better look at her, just in time for her tongue to slide out and across his cock. The groan that escaped him was deep, utterly entranced by her teasing gestures, that tongue expertly lathering him entirely before wrapping around him as her mouth closed around him.

His abs clenched in response to the ecstasy pouring over him like thick, hot wax when she began sucking him down. Eero could feel the head of his cock knock against the back of her throat and something feral roused inside of him as he raised his hand to grab a handful of her auburn hair. Despite the size of his length, Mallory didn’t back down, continuing to swallow him down with each dip of her head. The feel of her tongue gliding up and down the underside of him was bliss, making him throb against the walls of her mouth.

“Your mouth feels so fucking good, Mallory,” he said her name like it was a prayer—-utter devotion lining each syllable. Eero’s fingers curled tighter in her hair, and though the cords of his arms were protruding, he refused to let himself go completely with her; refused to give in to the need to fuck her mouth at the rate he wanted to. Even so, each time he filled her pretty little mouth, she seemed to willingly take more and more of his length which only made the pleasure increase at an alarming rate, he savored every feeling that exploded inside of him.

It was only a matter of time before Eero could feel that pleasure reaching its absolute peak and despite the water filling her eyes, he could see the appetite gleaming in her gaze as she stared up at him. A girl who liked to satisfy. That simple look and the feel of her encouraging grip on his leg was enough for him to unleash himself. His cock pulsed harder as it grazed the back of her throat once more and he was releasing his seed along her tongue, his throat exposed to her as he leaned his head back once more, eyes closing against the raining sensation of his orgasm.

When Mallory removed her mouth from him with an audible pop, he looked down at her with a haze glazing his eyes. He slowly tugged her hair back, tilting her face to look up at him. With his free hand, he ran his thumb along her bottom lip slowly, admiring her. “You are going to be my undoing, Little Red,” he said lowly, released her hair, and softly ran his fingertips down the back of her neck, his eyes lowered to glimpse at her breasts and the pathway down to her navel then back up. 

She was. She was going to burn every inch of him like a wildfire and he couldn’t wait to feel the flames swallow him whole.

* * *

It had been a week since Eero had gotten into a fight with Ahren, the pack learned of Mallory’s hidden magic and descendants, and since the Alpha and Huntress had given each other the time of day for any sort of scenarios such as their shower or piano fiascos. In fact, if he didn’t know any better, Eero would have confidently said that Mallory was avoiding him entirely. Part of him wondered if she regretted getting this close to him, or maybe it was her inner conflict with him admitting to her that he had imprinted on her. They still hadn’t spoken about that confession. There had been too much going on since his journey of healing.

Thomas and Regis were able to give him intel on the High Alphas after Ahren was exposed to Mallory’s secrets as well. As far as they could tell, it seemed as if the High Alphas were all but ignorant of the nature of Mallory’s gifts. None of it made any sense to the pack seeing as they knew that Ahren of all people would be the first to run home to his inner circle and express what he’d seen. So why they weren’t making any advances? It was an eerie feeling, but it had been convenient for the pack when considering the state that Eero had been in over the past few days.

As for the relationship of the pack as a whole, things had become rather rocky. Tahtia was her usual icy self toward Mallory, but the rest of them were still trying to figure out where the new information placed them all. Regis had suffered most of all, being that he had grown a companionship with Red, the Omega was often at war with himself when it came to her. Regardless of all the tension clinging to everyone, they were under Eero’s orders to let him deal with Mallory’s lineage for the time being. It got them to settle a bit, but it didn’t change that Mallory was —as she so neatly put it— a biological enemy to their species.

* * *

Eero was back to relatively normal health. The occasional soreness still lingered in his muscles and tissue, but overall, he had returned to his feet. The Alpha now adorned scars along his bicep and along his left ribcage. A small scar even ran through the tail of his right eyebrow thanks to Ahren’s claws. Unfortunately, the scars from a High Alpha weren’t the type to fade with the healing process. 

Standing in front of one of the bay windows of the dimly lit dining room, Eero had slid his hands into his pockets, blue pools surveying the grounds of the estate. He was always on high alert since the incident with Ahren and Mallory, refusing to believe that the man would be willing to keep his mouth shut about such a thing. It was impossible and felt like a trap waiting to be triggered.

The rest of the pack and Mallory were gathered in the dining room as well. Their dinner had been spread across the long stretch of table at the center of the room beneath sparkling chandeliers. Several wine glasses and old vintage bottles of alcohol were scattered about it. It would have been a feast of sorts to most, but the wolves had a larger appetite than most and were able to drink at a higher volume, but Eero had little appetite, aside from the glass of whiskey that sat nearly empty on the window ledge.

It was raining out, and droplets were collecting against the glass. Storm clouds clung to the sky, blocking out any sign of the setting sun while draining the world of its vibrancy, leaving it a mere black-and-white photo in comparison.

“If they were going to come, they would have done it by now,” Tahtia said, leaning against the back of her chair to look at Eero from where she sat, wine glass hanging in one hand.

“I haven’t seen him this tense since, well, you know,” Regis mumbled beneath his breath, though Eero heard the words rather clearly.

Only moving to grab his drink, Eero leaned lazily against the window, raising the glass to his lips. “She needs training. Real training,” he said before taking a swallow of the amber liquid.

Thomas blinked, glancing at Mallory and then back to Eero’s. “You want us to train her?”

“I’m sorry, you want us to train our enemy how to properly kill us?” Tahtia almost stood from her seat, slamming down her wine glass almost hard enough to shatter.

Eero’s fingers curled tighter around his own glass, knuckles turning white with annoyance. Azalea noticed and shifted a warning glare toward Tahtia. Her expression softened as she turned back to Eero, careful about her choice of words. “No offense Mal,” Azalea glanced at the auburn-haired beauty before continuing. “But, Tahtia does have a point. If we train her how to take us on, aren’t we just putting ourselves in more danger?”

Finally, he turned around. “She is still the only leverage we have left over the Witch and the Huntsman, and if the High Alphas decide they want her dead, she will be dead, do I make myself clear?”

The pack fell silent, eyes lowering slightly as he surveyed them all, an Alpha’s dominance in his gaze.

“When do we start?” Regis piped up.

“Tomorrow.” Eero shifted his attention to Mallory, his eyes holding hers briefly. “Be ready,” he said, and he stalked out of the room.

Mallory swallowed hard, trying desperately to avoid the loaded stare of Eero Adrastos. Ocean eyes tracked her every movement, an adoration and longing that she wasn’t used to shining in his gaze as he observed her silent task of washing him. “Stop looking at me like that.” Mallory demanded softly, a light smile tugging at her lips as she finally yielded and met his gaze. He only looked amused, not at all ashamed of being caught staring.

She watched as he stood, bringing himself to his full height in one steady push of his strong legs. He caught her face, a palm cupping her cheek as his thumb swiped against the freckled skin, washing away some stain that she couldn’t see. She was probably filthy, Mal realized, remembering for the first time that she too was covered in blood and grime from the battle between the Alphas. She hadn’t left Eero’s side for a moment once he’d been settled in his room, and as dirty as the man was Mal was sure that she was likely no better.

Despite the fact that Mal assumed she probably looked like a drowning rat with her wet hair in her face and soaked clothes, Eero was dragging that molten gaze of his down her body in appreciation. She clicked her tongue in warning, amusement flashing across his features as he finally turned his back to her as if in surrender.

He towered over her, enough that she’d had to rise onto her tiptoes in order to reach the tallest parts of him. She didn’t let herself admire the view of him from behind for long, the perfectly sculpted ass, the muscles and strength of him. She washed him in silence, taking special care over the particularly angry looking lacerations. But even with her careful touch, the Alpha was growling in pain, his muscles rolling underneath his silken skin.

The huntress watched as Eero braced his hands against the tile of the shower wall, his head hanging as she finished soaping his back. A pang reverberated through her chest, and Mallory was reminded that despite his best effort to conceal just how much pain he was truly in, that Eero had been lethally wounded in his fight, and he needed to rest.

“Okay, you’re all finished.” Mal murmured, guiding the man’s larger frame back to the marble seat he’d occupied before. “We’ll get you back to bed soon.”

Mallory moved to step out of the shower, intentions to grab their towels on her mind when a hand snapped out, snaring her wrist and tugging her back under the warm spray. When she turned she found Eero standing, his grip on her tight enough to ache as he snatched her closer. Their bare skin was nearly flush as he pressed into her, his face angling down to meet hers as he whispered those snarky little words.

“I don’t remember that being part of the job description.” She whispered in reply, mildly dumbfounded. Mallory had barely had time to finish her sentence before the Alpha was unleashing himself on her. He’d kissed her like he was a drowning man, and she were his only source for air. His kiss was demanding and dominant, claiming her mouth over and over again. His tongue demanded entrance and damn her weak will, she succumbed.

Mallory felt herself going loose and tight in all the right places all at once. Despite her brain realizing that this was a bad idea and could very easily go too far, her body reacted the complete opposite. She bowed towards him, rising on her tiptoes to curl an arm around his neck and holding him to her tightly. Her lips moved against his with just as much fervor, and she was turning desperate for his touch. She turned molten in his grip, a small whimper slipping between her lips as his kiss left her breathless. Her head was still spinning when he finally drew away, his good arm still caught around her waist and pressing them impossibly close as he whispered to her.

Her heart pounded in her chest so hard that she could hear it in her ears, and she fought for an ounce of reasonability or rational thought to return to her kiss-addled mind. She knew what she wanted to say - she wanted to tell him that she wanted him to kiss her until she couldn’t think of anything else, and how after that she’d wanted him to fuck her so senseless that she wouldn’t be able to move for hours.

But alas, he was injured, and there would be none of that for them tonight.

“Eero please,” She bartered, her voice not nearly as stable as she’d hoped it to be. “You’re hurt. And once the medicine wears off you won’t be able to move without total agony.” She sighed, fingers brushing along the curve of his jaw affectionately. “It can wait until you’re well again, hm?”

And though her words were telling him no, Mallory’s body continued to betray her. She arched towards him, towards the feeling of those calloused fingers scraping across her stomach as they hooked into the waistband of her shorts. Mallory clenched her teeth, panting through her nose as she dared to meet his gaze.

Damn him. The challenge was written all over his face, his eyes flicking between her mouth and her eyes as he waited for her to succumb to his seduction.

But she wouldn’t - not today, she vowed. Mallory put space between them, dancing to the opposite side of the massive shower. “I need to wash.” She said flatly, dismissing the conversation as she glanced over her shoulder to pass Eero an amused smile at his frustration. “Besides, when I have you, Eero, I want all of you - not some oxy riddled half assed fuck.”

Mallory glanced down at herself, realizing what a poor job her thin sport bra and spandex were doing at keeping her concealed. They clung to her like a second layer of skin, leaving little to the imagination with her peaked nipples pushing through the fabric. A pang of nervousness twisted in her gut at the thought of stripping down in front of the Alpha, but she tried to remind herself that he’d literally had his face between her legs only a few nights ago and hadn’t seemed phased.

Her heart beat ticked up a few paces as she pulled the sorry excuse for a bra over her head, wiggling her hips as she shimmied out of the wet spandex that was trying to cling to her next. Her clothes landed on the tile outside of the shower with a wet slap, drowning out the sound of her anxious swallow. Using Eero’s shampoos and soaps Mallory took her time as she sudsed and rinsed all of the grime from the battle away, a quiet sigh of contentment slipping out of her once she finally felt clean, soaking in the warm spray of the shower for a few more long moments.

When Mallory finally turned to face the Alpha again she noted that his gaze had grown even heavier, blue eyes looking like he were at war with himself beneath his hooded lids. The yearning on his face was enough to stop her breath. His lips parted as if he were readying himself to speak, to bargain with her once more - but Mallory cut him off, not wanting to hear it. Because she was sure that this time she would cave, her will would crumble and she’d end up letting him fuck her right here and now, and she’d watch in horror an hour from now when his medicine wore off and he wouldn’t be able to move for the pain again. No, she decided, she wouldn’t risk if health and wellbeing for some quick gratification.

“Hush Eero,” She murmured, letting her eyes drop to the hardened length of him for the first time. His cock was enormous. Magnificent, and hard, and absolutely enormous. She swallowed once, attempting to conceal the uncertainty in her eyes as suddenly every plan she’d had required reassessment. There was no way he’d fit entirely in her mouth - hell, she wasn’t sure that he’d fit in her body.

Regardless, Mallory sank to her knees before him, looking up to meet his gaze through thick black lashes. “Just let me make you feel good, okay?” She said softly, her hands sliding around to grip the backs of his powerful thighs. A bargain of her own; he would get off and hopefully stay satiated until he was well, she would do all the work so he needn’t strain his already ailing body, and she would feel good about bringing him some comfort.

Plus, she’d be lying if she said her mouth didn’t water at the sight of him.

Her movements were tentative at first as she brought her fingers to him, stroking down the thick, long shaft. The skin was so soft, like satin or velvet, yet he was hard as iron beneath. She savored the feel of his shudder as she brushed the pad of her thumb over the head.

Mallory wrapped her hand around his cock, her fingers barely able to reach around him completely.She pumped him once in a long, luxurious stroke. Her eyes flitted back up to his, a cheshire smile curling her lips to find the Alpha looking totally entranced. “I don’t know how you like it.” She admitted softly, innocently. Mallory tightened her grip, allowing her nails to skim the sensitive underside of his cock as she pumped him again, then several more times as she adjusted pressure based on his reactions.

Finally, Mallory brought her mouth to him, licking across his broad head and lapping up the small bead of moisture that’d already gathered there. She licked down the length of him in one long motion, peppering kisses back up his shaft until she’d reached the head and then repeating the sequence on the other side, eventually wrapping her mouth around him and sliding him between her lips.

He filled her mouth and was bobbing against the back of her throat quicker than anticipated, tears springing to her eyes at the sudden pressure against the back of her throat. Mallory wasn’t deterred, glancing down to realize that there was still enough of him that she’d need to add her hand. Mal slid back up his cock nearly to the tip before hollowing her cheeks and sucking him into her mouth again, her hand working in tandem this time.

Mallory repeated the motion several times, occasionally pausing to swirl her tongue over his head or down his length before resuming. She stopped once, having to catch her breath and wipe the stray spittle from the corner of her mouth while she worked him up and down with her hands, twisting her fist each time it glided over his tip.

She was sucking him again in a matter of moments, eager to please him, happy to bring him this momentary satisfaction after he’d gone through something so brutal. Which was why as they neared the end and the large tip of his cock bobbed into the back of her throat with more force each time, causing her eyes to water and a couple of small gags, she didn’t stop him. Instead, she looked back up at him with watery eyes, her fingers flexing against the back of his thigh in encouragement.

Eero would have been lying if he were to say that he didn’t wish that some part of what Mallory was saying to him held any truth. That he was just delirious and confused. But he knew better than that. The things that he was feeling inside were not typical— especially not for him. He didn’t feel these sort of emotions for anyone, in fact, he outright refused to feel them until Mallory arrived in his life.

The first day he’d met her things weren’t right. He had grabbed her by the face after stepping into the cell they locked her in. At the time, Eero just ignored that invisible pull, he ignored the way her scent seemed to invade him entirely. How terrified it made him feel when he loosened his grip on her, as if considering mercy on her.

They came a long way since that day. Eero’s gaze loomed over the huntress who sat perched on his lap now, and unlike that first day, her scent didn’t only want him to grant her mercy, but it wanted him to grant her the entire universe. A thick, sickening desire was brewing inside of him, and the most horrifying part of it all was that within the walls of his flesh and bone, his inner wolf was howling out to Mallory. A wolf in love with the moon, and each night it cried out for a love it would never touch. Because even imprinted, Mallory couldn’t possibly be his.

We are enemies on a biological level.

Her words echoed through him and by the time his lips were parting to argue, she was leaning into him. Eero’s throat bobbed at the action and over the sweat, dirt and blood, he was graced by her pheremones; comforting was the best way to describe the delicate aroma she radiated. When her lips brushed against his, he could feel the beast inside of him stirring, as if pacing against its frustration.

Blue pools surveyed Mallory for a moment, feeling the brush of her fingertips as she held a pill to his lips. Debating on if he wanted to battle her right now, Eero was silent and eventually his lips parted, letting her drop the pill onto his tongue.

* * *

An amused snort escaped Eero, his movements far less agile than normal as he braced some of his weight against Mallory who was herding him into the bathroom for a shower. As soon as they reached the brightly lit room, steam seemed to cling to him and he slid his arm free from Mallory, leaning himself against the cold counter. His brows rose as Mallory kneeled before him, ordering that he remove his breifs.

“This isn’t how I imagined getting naked for you, Red.” Eero murmured as she tossed his clothes to the otherside of the room. He didn’t fail to catch the slight twitch of her lips at his comment, but any entertainment he felt was quickly diminished by the pain that shot through his entire torso when he began moving into the shower. As if being torn back open, each movement sent a searing burn through his puckered wounds, and the heat of the water was a blessing and a curse. The pelting of the water first had Eero tensing his entire body, his eyes shutting momentarily as he fought through the aching long enough for the heat of the water to slowly become a comfort to his body.

When his eyes reopened, he found that Mallory was partly undressed and coming to step back into the shower with him. The Alpha stared at her closely. She was in no better shape then he was when it came to cleanliness. That thought alerted him to the fact that she must not have left his side for a second while he was in and out. His blood still clung to her in various parts of her body. Eero almost didn’t notice when she grabbed for the soap, coming to kneel in front of him. His brows furrowed and he just looked at her for a long moment. The last thing he expected from her was for her to clean him. He’d assumed helping him into the shower was the extent of her generosity, but this—

He found himself nodding anyway, his eyes never leaving her face as she began lathering her hands in his shampoo. Notes of Irish Spring were quick to envelope the room, clinging to the humidity that the shower created around them. Her fingers raked the suds through his raven-colored strands. A woodbase, fresh bergamot, and citrus replaced the metallic stench. Part of Eero seemed to melt beneath her touch and his lids grew heavier — more relaxed. When their eyes met, he studied the depth of those blue hues, finding himself drowning in them entirely only to resubmerge at the sound of her voice.

“This,” he said lowly as her fingers slowly ran down his temples through his hair, “Feels okay.”

Her swallow could be heard even beneath the pounding water droplets and his gaze never lifted from her face. He watched as she tried to avoid that heavy look in his eyes, busying herself with washing down his neck, shoulders and chest. Even as her hands brushed over his wounds, he didn’t wince. Instead, he remained utterly lost in all that was her. She removed his arm from its sling and he could see the concentration that she had for every tender movement she made. He took a mental note of what that concentration looked like on her face. The slightly furrowed brows, the pursing of those full lips and the empathy shining in her eyes. Her hair was now as wet as his own and the lighter auburn strands were a dark red-velvet now. Wavy soaked strands stuck to her neck and cheeks and then her eyes flickered back up to him and lingered there. He didn’t feel any shame for his stare. She was too painfully beautiful to look away from.

Meeting her gaze, he nodded slightly to her question. Slowly, Eero rose himself from his seated position, towering over Mallory, droplets cascading down her chin as she tipped her head back to look up at him. Eero watched one of those droplets run through a streak of blood on her face, staining the water red as it dripped off her chin.

Reaching his hand out, the Alpha cupped Mallory’s face in his hand, searching her eyes and with a smooth motion of his thumb, he brushed away that blood. Once it was gone, he let his eyes wander down the expanse of her body, scanning what she wore. A slight flash of amusement twinkled in his gaze, her sports bra hardly did anything to conceal her flesh, especially now that it was drenched. When he rose his eyes back to hers, he could see the warning look in her eyes. No funny business.

Eero’s jaw muscles feathered slightly and then he turned his back to her, letting her continue washing him. Occasionally, his muscles would roll beneath his tanned flesh, attempting to expel the pain that shot through him when she would clean the injuries. One of lacerations had been particularly tender and when the pads of her fingers ran over them, even the featherlight touch was enough to make a growl rumble from his chest. Once she was finished with his back, he turned back around. Just as she was about to step out of the shower, Eero’s good hand snapped out, grabbing around her wrist to stop her.

She looked at him like he was crazy and for some reason, that only fueled his intentions. With a tug, he drew her back inside the shower. Closing the small distance between them, he tilted his head down, his lips nearly pressing against her own.

“Aren’t you supposed to kiss me better?” though his words were playful, his tone was low and serious and the moment their eyes met, he let his hand hook around her waist, drawing her in, capturing her mouth with his own.

Any pain that tried to rise as her skin met his own was dutifully ignored. The pain could not compete with the sensations that were now intertwining with it. Her lips met his and it felt like the world had exploded into shards of molten light. His grip tightened against her hip, pulling her into him, pressing himself into her. His heart seemed to scream out for hers and he recognized the pull of her constellations, the bond between them seemingly set aflame. He didn't care. His hungry mouth melded into hers, the agony forgotten. The tip of his tongue brushed her lips, insistant. When she parted to let him in, the welcoming was overwhelming, her taste dancing across his tongue like a forbidden fruit.

“Your heart is pounding, Mallory,” he whispered against her lips when he drew back. “Do you want me to stop?” his eyes searched her own. A knowing look glimmering in them.

The thrumming beat of her heart could be felt against his body and when he looked down between them, he could tell just by the new scent that swirled around them what her answer wanted to be, regardless of what would come springing from her lips. When she insisted a bit shakily that they should probably stop, he nodded slightly, taking in her words as his fingertips slid beneath the waistband of her spandex. “If that’s what you want.” he said finally, removing his finger slowly, letting the tip of it skim the skin of her stomach. His gaze flickered between her lips and eyes, a slow smirk forming on his lips as he watched her. Challenge burning in his eyes when she just stood there.

Mallory’s pulse feathered in her throat under the gentle brush of Eero’s fingers. And though the Alpha’s touch was tender, his words were anything but. He’d spoken of how he’d wished to kill her, how good it would feel to avenge his father’s death and leave Hodge Sinclair to feel the same pain he’d dealt Eero those few years ago, how even now he thought killing her would probably be for the best - but he couldn’t.

Adrenaline flooded her veins at the statement, her muscles clenching tight in anticipation of a fight… but for whatever macabre reason, Mal trusted that it wouldn’t come to that. She trusted that despite the fact that his eyes glowed golden and his fingers gripped her throat that he wouldn’t hurt her, even with his newfound knowledge of her lineage.

It was an uncanny, gut-twisting realization that she trusted a wolf with her life.

Yet it was the Alpha’s next words that truly left her gut wrenching in an uncomfortable feeling. His mate, he had explained to her. He had imprinted on her and she was his mate, the two of them connected on a molecular level for the rest of their lives.

There was only one problem… that fact that is was physically impossible for a wolf to imprint on a witch.

Mallory hadn’t had time to process his words or even begin to formulate a response to the earth-shattering news before Eero was reaching over, grunting and grimacing in pain as he took her by the waist and tugged her onto his lap, that same proprietary touch he’d always used with her. “Eero, please-“ She attempted as anguish flicked across the wolf’s face at the sudden movement, moving to shoo his hands away so he wouldn’t strain himself. But he was unrelenting, planting her firmly against his hips with a bare leg folded on either side of him.

The velvet caress of his voice boomed through her mind, but she was shaking her head in protest before he could even finish his statement. “Even if it were possible,” Mal began hesitantly, curling her fingers around his hand where he gripped her. “They’ll never trust me again. The pack - you didn’t see the way they looked at me after everything went down, Eero. They wanted to put me in chains. They’ll never understand who I am or trust that I wouldn’t hurt you.” Her voice cracked, her heart aching at the memory of even Regis’ hesitation around her after their weeks of friendship.

“But it’s not possible.” She whispered, her hands moving to cup his face. “We’re not even the same species, Eero. We are enemies on a biological level.” Her thumbs brushed across the angular peaks of his cheek bones before her fingers slid back into his hair, tilting his face up to meet her eyes. “I think that we’re attracted to each other - that much I will admit, and I think that you almost died, and I think that you’re hurt and hopped up on pain killers right now, and I think you might be confusing whatever this is between us with something more.”

He was already opening his mouth to respond, to argue no doubt, but Mallory hushed him with chaste brush of her lips against his own - not quite a kiss, but the whisper of one. “Can we talk about this when you’re well again, please?” The huntress murmured, not giving him much of a choice as she leaned forward, pressing their chests together as she reached for small dish of pills on the nightstand. “For the pain.” She informed him quietly, pressing one of the tiny white pills against his lips until he’d allowed it in and swallowed.

* * *

Mallory slid from Eero’s lap, stretching out each of her limbs the moment her bare feet hit the cool wooden floor. “Let’s get you into the shower, hm?” Mallory hummed pleasantly, putting on a brave face despite the heaviness of the conversation they’d shared. She tossed the Alpha a smile from over her shoulder, trotting into his attached bathroom and cranking the water to a temperature that had the room filling with steam in no time at all. “You’re starting to stink.”

After the medicine Eero would have a short burst of time where his body wouldn’t be in excruciating pain, only mildly painful, so Mal figured that they’d better take advantage of it versus wallowing in their own filth for another handful of days. With a mild amount of coaxing and only having to pause to breath through the pain a handful of time, Mal managed to help Eero from the bed and onto his feet where they moved across the room at a snail’s pace, his arm pulled across Mallory’s shoulders so she could help to support his weight. Eero’s list of injuries from the battle with Ahren was a long one; several broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and broken arm, and more gouges and lacerations than Mallory could count - but mercifully his lower half had been relatively unscathed, so he’d been able to walk.

That was good, because despite Mallory’s slightly improved strength compared to a regular human, she was still sure that she wouldn’t have been able to carry the much larger man.

“No funny business, just washing up.” The words were both a threat and an assurance on her part, paired with a light hearted grin as she propped the dark haired man against the sink. “Lose ‘em, Alpha.” The huntress smirked, kneeling to tug his briefs from around his hips and all the way to his ankles, waiting as he slowly stepped each foot out of them before she tossed them into the corner of the bathroom.

She’d tried to ignore his grunts of discomfort and furrowed brows as she assisted Eero to the corner seat carved out of the marble of his shower, but as she watched his chest rise and fall with quick, pained breaths Mallory couldn’t help but frown deeply. “I’m sorry,” She sighed, touching his cheek gently. “This might have been too much too soon.” Not only could she see the pain all over his face, she could feel it explode through his mind each time he moved as well.

Leaving him briefly to strip out of her t-shirt, Mal returned to the shower wearing the small spandex shorts and thin sportsbra she’d worn under her t-shirt. It was a relief to see his breathing deepen, become easier as the warm water pounded into him.

She couldn’t explain why she did it, but she grabbed the bottle of shampoo and the block of citrus and sea scented soap from the nook in the tiles and knelt before him. “I’m going to clean you off,” She said quietly. “If that’s all right.”

She waited for his nod of approval before she poured the shampoo into her hands and laced her fingers into his hair. The thick strands were heavy with dirt and dried blood, so she scrubbed gently with her nails, tipping his head back into the stream to rinse it. Their eyes met as his head tipped back, their two ocean-colored gazes mingling in silent understanding. “It’ll be okay, eventually.” She whispered, throat tight.

She removed her hands from his hair and picked up the bar of soap. Having somehow forgotten the fact that the man before her was naked - utterly naked - she was taken aback as she let her eyes scan across his body for the first time, surveying his wounds in their totality. A pang struck in her chest, but she tried not to linger on it as she began lathering his neck, his powerful shoulders, his muscled arms.

Her touch was feather-light as she slowly removed the sling that’d kept Eero’s broken arm cradled against his chest for the past day. “Don’t move it.” She murmured pressing the palm of his injured hand against his chest in the same position the sling had held it in, lathering even the most tender parts of him with a gentle touch.

He was just watching her with a raw openness, more intimate than any touch of his lips on her neck. Like he indeed saw everything she was and had been and might yet become, all magic and differences aside. It made her skin tingle with goosebumps.

“You’ll have to stand so I can get your back.” She murmured softly. “Do you think you can do that?”

Friends. The word felt so raw as it slipped out between Mallory’s lips. Friends was a rather airy word for describing the relationship that the two of them had molded between eachother over the weeks spent together. Though, with everything that he was processing in that moment, Eero decided to keep his mouth shut regarding such a thing. Still, as the huntress continued, the Alpha couldn’t help but mull over the words she said to him. How despite all odds, she did care for him. The thought made his skill crawl, but not for the reason that it should have.

Is that what they were doing? Caring for each other? Part of him wanted to let the bubbling laughter slip from his chest, but he couldn’t. Eero was a lot of things, but he wasn’t usually a liar. In fact, he was usually the opposite. Completely unapologetic for his thoughts and feelings. At least until he met Mallory he was.

Eero hadn’t muttered a word, letting Mallory explain herself further. Answers were a necessity after the napalm that was just dropped on him. Of her magic. Of her bloodline. As she explained who she was a descendant of, the bricks began falling into place, creating a rather evident image for him to gawk at in his mind.

It was when she had to use their bond to share the deeper parts of her explanations that Eero’s muscles constricted. Not only could he feel the power she had to emit during the more intense portions of her life, but he could feel all the emotions that led up to that power. The terror that tore through her when a man had her face down against the forest floor. That glimpse through the bond had been cut short and Eero knew why without having to witness the rest. Anger seemed to ignite in the deepest parts of him, burning through all the other emotions that were offered to him by his body. The emotion sat inside of him. Festering.

Every word Mallory spoke sunk into Eero and he remained utterly silent, relaying what he’d been told. The silence must have become too much for Mallory to bear, because he could hear her heart rate quicken and her breathing falter. Then she was begging him to say something.

Thanks to the bond, he knew she wasn’t lying to him. With each memory she’d shared with him, he found that she truly didn’t have the access to her powers like her originally thought. Yes, she lied about her roots and Celeste, but he was no fool to expect anything else from someone placed in her position, and at the end of the day, whether it was her intention or not, she was laying out her truths to him here and now. And because he wasn’t a liar. He would too.

Finally, the wolf shifted his gaze to Mallory, those blue pools surveying her for a long silent moment before he rose his good arm — the one marked by their bond with the black band. “This happened because you didn’t feel like you could trust me— rightfully so.” he paused, eyes scanning the tattoo with thoughts running through his mind. “There’s nothing about either of our bloodlines that could be deemed compatible.”

Eero lifted his eyes back up to hers, his deep gaze flickered down toward her lips and then after a moment of lingering, they rose back up. As long as they were sharing their truths, he let the words fall from his lips before they sank back to the depths of himself. “I think the minute I decided to keep you, I knew something wasn’t right. I had exactly what I’d been reaching for in my clutches.” his good hand rose, his fingers wrapping around her throat, his gaze flickering between blue and gold as if at war with himself. “I could have killed you. I could have brought down the same agony your father brought down on me when he murdered my father.” his voice was low and far away, and though his fingers wrapped around her neck, they didn’t squeeze.

Slowly, Eero rose his fingers up along her jaw, forcing her to face him further. He was glaring now, eyes settling on the golden wolf that resided within him. It wasn’t because he was angry at her, but because he was angry with himself. With what he’d done. What his soul had decided it wanted—needed. And how he couldn’t disagree.

“I should probably kill you now.” his voice was only a whisper and he noted the shift in her emotions at the sound of his words. “But I can’t.”

Eero let loose of her throat, instead letting his fingertips run lazily along her collarbone. “Because as long as I fucking live, I will be so deeply intertwined with you, Mallory, and there isn’t a damn thing, not this tattoo, or bond, not anything that can change that.”

The imprint seemed to burn through him, branding him with every emotion that he felt for her. A sickening possession for her seemed to awaken and he knew that it didn’t matter what she told him, or if she was a descendant of his greatest enemy. She was his.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen, with anyone, ever. I made sure not to let anyone in and I’d been doing a damn good job at it, but then you. . .” Eero wanted to pace the room, and being stuck against the pain that wrecked havoc on his body wasn’t ideal. “Wolves mate for life and when they choose their mate, it isn’t something that just happens. It’s like their souls somehow merge into one, as if the Gods decided to mend a torn image with its missing half. And it only happens once. So, as long as we’re telling our truths. . .”

Leaning his head against the headboard, Eero’s lips slowly smirked, as if in disbelief of his own words.

“I imprinted on you, Mallory.” he let those words sink in before adding, a wicked glint in his eyes. Admitting the words out loud only seemed to heighten to emotions coursing through his veins and despite the pain that erupted in every part of his body, Eero was reaching over, wincing as he grabbed Mallory by her waist, tugging her into his lap, facing him. Sharp pains stabbed through him, throbbing until they settled and he grabbed hold of her hand, pressing it hard against his chest— directly above his heart that thumped heavily.

“And whether you like it or not.”

His voice shifted toward the bond, forming inside her mind. “You are mine.”

Mallory hadn’t left Eero’s side for even a second, refusing to let the injured alpha out of her sight despite the fact that he was amongst trusted friends. The issue was that those friends no longer trusted her, and she feared that the moment she was away from him that they wouldn’t allow her back in. She hadn’t even left to shower the blood off of her skin or grab a change of her own clothes - instead settling for shucking off her dirt and blood caked t-shirt and trading it out for one that she’d stolen from one of Eero’s dresser drawers.

Regis had scoffed at the action, demanding that she “stop snooping,” and stay out of the Alpha’s personal items - Mal simply offered the blonde wolf a view of her middle finger.

After piling her red locks into a messy bun at the top of her head, Mallory resumed her post at the head of Eero’s bed. Anxious energy pulsed through her, and in an effort to keep her hands busy she continually combed through the Alpha’s dark head of hair with her fingers, alternating between that and brushing circles over the exposed skin of his good arm.

It was a pitiful sight, and it made her heart ache to see such a powerful man lay so bloodied and broken. His body was littered with wounds and bruising, one arm strapped across his chest in a sling, and despite her best efforts to clean him up with a warm rag he was still covered in blood.

Eero slept, swimming in and out of consciousness for over 24 hours. Mallory dozed quietly at his side when she could, but the huntress hadn’t gotten more than a couple consecutive hours of rest before she’d jerk awake. Any noise he made, any twitch of his muscles or shifting of his weight had Mallory’s senses screaming awake to check on him. Once the healers were confident that he would survive the night, they’d been pumping him full of routine morphine every few hours to keep him comfortable. He’d been ungodly hot for the past several hours, and Mal couldn’t decide if it was a fever or just the amped up healing process of the wolves.

Mallory had just barely fallen back asleep, tucked into Eero’s warm side with her knees pulled tightly to her chest when she sensed the subtle shift of his arm followed by a sharp intake of breath and a deep rumble of dissatisfaction from his chest. Mal was awake in an instant, eyes alert as she propped herself up on an elbow to assess him.

“Eero, you’re awake.” She breathed, noting his eyes fully open for the first time in what felt like an eternity. “How are you feeling? Are you-“ She was cut off by the gentle caress of his touch across her jaw, his thumb trailing over her lips affectionately as he shushed her frantic questions. Her lips twitched slightly, and Mallory had to fight the urge for tears of pure relief to appear as he assured her that he was okay, his voice thick with sleep. Her blue gaze never left his face.

That is, until Regis cleared his throat from across the room, reminding them that he was still present.

Eero’s hand dropped from her face, much to Mallory’s disappointment. But this was how it had always been between the two of them - they’d shared so many intimate moments, stolen touches and near kisses during the privacy of their time alone - but never in front of an audience. No, when there was a witness present the two had never dared to show any kind of affection towards the other.

“This can wait until he’s well.” Mallory snapped, her once-gentle gaze turning to an icy glare as she directed her attention to the omega. He continued, so Mallory tried once more. “Regis. I said it can wait.” She warned, her tone holding an unspoken threat.

* * *

Mallory watched Regis break the news to Eero with a quiet rage written all over her features. It wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to tell him - she knew his finding out would be inevitable, it was just that she’d wanted to wait until he was well enough to have a reaction to it without reinjuring himself. His body couldn’t withstand another fight right now. Hell, Mallory scarcely thought his body could handle getting out of bed, let alone trying to pick a fight with her in his current state.

Still, Mallory shifted away from the wolf just incase his knee-jerk reaction was to try and kill her, propping herself against his headboard instead. “Easy!” She’d hissed as he’d tried to sit up, reaching a hand out to support his back while he adjusted his position. Mother-henning wasn’t one of Mallory’s strong suits.

The huntress watched as Regis begrudgingly left the room, holding her breath in anticipation for Eero’s next move. She’d been pleasantly surprised by his icy stare and demanding questions considering she’d been expecting him to try and strangle her.

Still, his request for an explanation annoyed her, earning an eyeroll and a squint in response. “What?” She asked. “Are we just going to pretend that despite all odds, we’ve haven’t become friends these past few weeks?” Mallory scoffed, arms crossing over her chest defiantly. “I didn’t let you die out there because I care about you, Eero, as if that weren’t obvious.”

Mallory heaved a sigh, adrenaline pumping through her chest as she waited for the other shoe to drop. It was a wonder Eero hadn’t torn her head off already.

“I’d like to explain, if you’ll let me.”

* * *

Mallory spent the next hour or so explaining the complexity of her family life back home, how her powers worked, and why she hadn’t said anything sooner. She’d explained how Celeste, the great witch, was her paternal grandmother and how her son, the original huntsman, was her father. Mal explained that Celeste’s magic had slowed their aging and how they’d taken several names over the years to shield their magic, how witches as a species had nearly died out completely, remaining alive only by a handful of dormant lines who most of which were like Mal and couldn’t accurately channel their magic.

Mallory had a harder time explaining how she wasn’t able to control her magic, how it seemed to show up during times of intense distress but rarely when she actually needed it. Instead, she’d allowed him glimpses of her few memories with magic through their shared bond: a young child having a temper tantrum, eyes ringed in that fluorescent white as she released a scream that left every glass surface within a mile shattering; a teenaged Mal training for combat with her father, a thin wooden cane striking her exposed skin each time she made a wrong move until her eyes glowed white and the rod disintegrated into ash, leaving a raw, blistering burn across her father’s palm where he’d been holding it; finally, a slightly older teenage Mallory arguing with a boy. He’d reached out to grab at her waist for the millionth time when her blue eyes flared white and his hand crumpled into a distorted shape, the bones snapping at her silent command.

“But it’s unpredictable.” Mallory explained with a heavy sigh, digging the heels of her hands into her eyes. “I can’t summon it, and I never know when I’ll be able to access it.” She offered the Alpha a sad smile. “Believe me, there’s been many times I wished for it, but it’s out of my control.” She offered him another glimpse of a memory, this time a barely teenaged Mallory’s face being held against the dirt of the forest floor, the heavy breath of a man over her - yet her eyes remained their stormy blue, no sign of magic in sight. With a blink, she cut the memory off, not yet willing to share the full detail of the night she’d been taken advantage of with anyone else. "And I couldn't use it they day you took me from that trail, despite genuinely believing that I was about to die." She finished.

“My point is - yes I’m a witch and yes I have magic, but it’s not like I can actually do anything with it. It was dumb luck that I could access it with Ahren.”

She waited a beat, breathing mildly unsteady as she waited for a reply from the Alpha, which he hadn’t offered.

“Say something, Eero.”

In that moment, Eero wasn’t entirely sure what hurt worse. Hearing the sound of utter terror belting out from Mallory’s small stature as she let out his name in a blood-curdling scream, or the freight train of a wolf that struck him in the seconds following it.

Long incisors buried themselves beneath Eero’s pelt and into the flesh beneath. Part of his throat felt like it was being kinked shut, cutting off the snarl that tried to escape him, and a metallic taste soaked into his tongue. When Ahren began tearing those razor sharp teeth through his skin, head shaking violently with him in his clutches, Eero couldn’t help the yelp that whistled out of him, but as soon as he began thrashing, his claws digging into Ahren’s face, his hold released, sending Eero thudding to the ground, slamming his shoulder while his own blood coated the black, white, and brown of his coat.

His muscles burned with pain, but it did nothing to stop Eero— his adrenaline taking over. The large wolf shoved himself back to his feet, Ahren snapping his jaws which dripped with blood. Eero’s golden eyes burned with fury, and he wasted no time lunging for the ebony wolf, tackling him to the ground.

Two large beasts collided in the dirt, their bodies becoming a blur of claws and fangs as deep growls filled the air in a sickening melody. Eero managed to clamp his mouth around one of Ahren’s legs, his jaws crunching down on the bone. Ahren let out a grotesque sound, using his hind legs to kick Eero off, the air from his lungs being swept away with the force as his body soared, causing him to land on his ribs against one of the large boulders decorating the estate. The rock cracked down the middle and Eero slumped to the ground, still heaving for air.

The others were anxious to jump in, but just as Eero warned them to do, they created a barricade around Mallory with their bodies, and even though he could hear all of their voices going off in his head, he ignored them. He wanted Ahren for himself, whether he lost or not, the last thing he wanted was for the bastard to think he needed his pack to fight an unfair battle — regardless of if the battle was already leaning in Ahren’s favor to begin with.

Now, as Eero lay slumped against the boulder, his chest rising and falling erratically from the pain coursing through him, there was no part of him with any regrets, and that fact sat there shining in his eyes as he stared down Ahren who was approaching visciously, a slight limp in his steps. A crackling snarl was bubbling from the larger wolf.

“I bet Raphael is rolling in his grave at the sight of his prodigy son about to die in his home city.”

The sound of his fathers name on Ahren’s mouth did something to Eero. Something inside of him seemed to stir to life. That sleeping agony followed by blinding rage when it came to his fathers memory had been just fuel enough to get Eero back to his feet. He was able to ignore the sharp stabs of pain that erupted in his side— in his chest and neck — and with whatever he could muster of his strength, he stood before Ahren who held laughter in those red eyes. When Ahren struck again, Eero was quick to snap his teeth in his face, forcing him to draw back, but just as quickly as he doged the snap, he was thrusting himself back out, sending a hard blow to Eero’s shoulder. Eero swatted a large paw out, his claws making contact across Ahren’s eyes causing him to shake free. A loud crack had filled Eero’s ears at the time of the hit and any pressure he was able to settle on the leg had disappeared, leaving him limping and pouring blood on the floral decorations, the grass, the gravel and anywhere else it flung while they thrashed against each other.

He wasn’t going to win this fight. He knew that in his bones, but he couldn’t stop. It wasn’t in him. As long as he still had three legs to stand on, that was what he was going to do.

Ahren began stalking around Eero’s nearly crumpled figure and his golden eyes followed him as he did. This would be the one, he knew. With the amount of blood he was loosing, he wasn’t sure he’d be conscious for it, but nevertheless, this would be the final blow. Ahren had wound himself up with all the energy he could will, body lurching off the ground toward Eero when he was cut off mid dive, his body crumpling to the ground in front of Eero.

* * *

All he could comprehend was the flashing of images. Like he was somewhere one minute, and he’d blink and be somewhere else entirely. The sound of Ahren’s whines had filled his ears, but he didn’t see what caused them. Blink. Then Mallory was crouching over him, his wolf form gone as he lay on the floor. Blink. She was cursing at him and he could vaguely remember the overwhelming feeling of wanting to smirk up at her. Blink. Suddenly he was indoors and he felt it all.

Several faces were looming above Eero, his vision blurry and half-squinted against the lights shining down on him. As he surveyed the faces, he found there was only one that managed to gain his attention. She was glaring at him, a splotch of blood staining her cheek. Blinking at the auburn haired fire-ball, Eero slowly registered what she was saying down at him. Despite her colorful choice of words, she had her hands running through his hair and he could feel the tremble in her touch. She was scared.

Though his mouth felt devestatingly dry, his lips curved into the most nefarious grin. She was still a blur, but he could see her face enough for his words to be entertaining when he said them, “Be careful, Little Red, that almost sounded like concern.” The sharp jab of a needle embedding stitches into his chest caused his nose to crinkle with distaste and he threw the healers a sharp look. Usually his wounds would have healed closed enough, but with the venom that laced a High Alpha’s saliva, stitches were greatly needed for the slowed healing process.

Every prick they jabbed into his raw, festering skin made him grimace, his muscles tightening, but the restructuring of his bones and cleaning of his wounds made his stomach twist against the amount of pain that littered his body.

Mallory, who had yet to leave his side, must have noticed the look on his face and she was reaching for the glass decanter full of his favorite bourbon. Eero glanced between her and the bourbon, and an unhealthy amount of desire was reaching for her. Still, he didn’t deny her offer for the drink and took rather large swallows of the burning liquid. Once he took the last swallow, he forced his eyes closed, forcing himself to a place far away from the pain of them prodding at his body. Instead, he trained his attention on the feeling of Mallory’s fingers as they brushed through his hair, over and over, until the world went dark again.

* * *

Eero woke the next day laying in his bedroom. His head pounded terribly, and when he looked down at his aching body, he found he was still covered in blood. He’d been cut out of his shirt to get to the worst of his injuries and though his wounds had been cleaned, the rest of him was still a smeared mess. While taking himself in, he was also quick to realized that he was not alone in his bed.

Turning slowly, Eero’s icy iris’ surveyed the female with her slender arm snaked around him gently, her eyes shut as her head used his shoulder as a pillow, her legs tucked up against her reminding him of a small child. Blinking once, Eero went to reach an arm up to touch her but was brutally awakened by the pain that shot through it, a growl rumbling from him, causing Mallory to stir beside him.

It seemed that as soon as she was fully alert, the questions of concern flung from her mouth. Eero used his good hand this time to capture Mallory’s jaw, sliding his thumb over her lips. “Shh, I’m fine.” he murmured, slowly removing his finger when someone cleared their throat in the corner of his room causing him to drop his hand all together in surprise to find Regis lounging in one of the chairs in his room.

“Is that really necessary?” Eero arched a brow at the blonde who was staring at Mallory, then flickered his gaze back to Eero. There was something unreadable in the Omega’s gaze and it didn’t sit right in the pit of his gut.

“We need to talk.” Regis finally said, despite the look that crossed Mallory’s expression.

* * *

He could feel the color drain from his face as they explained what happened. How he got out alive against Ahren, but it was the last thing that he expected to hear and suddenly his body had run cold.

Mallory was a Witch. Not only was she the most notorious huntsmen’s daughter, but she was a descendant of the Witch who wanted their kind destroyed and wiped clean from the planet and she knew she had abilities since the beginning. It felt like the tables were completely turned and everything that Eero thought he knew was a lie. This whole time she could have been playing them, leading them in the direction of their demise. Who was to say she wasn’t still?

But she saved him. She gave up her identity and she saved him. If she wanted to bring them to extinction, then why not continue pretending? Why not let him die?

Questions swirled in his mind and he hadn’t realized how utterly quiet he’d become until Regis spoke up again.

“Eero,” he said, standing at the foot of the bed now, as though ready to take on Mallory if needed.

“Get out.” Eero said and disbelief covered the Omega’s face.

“Me?”

“Now.”

Regis glanced at Mallory and then took the words whether he agreed with them or understood them and walked out of his room, shutting the door behind him.

Eero didn’t meet Mallory’s eyes, still trying to comprehend all the information given to him.

“You could have let me die back there.” He still didn’t look at her. “But you didn’t. Why?” the last part was a demand and slowly, his eyes shifted toward her, dark and unreadable.

Mallory was on her feet, fists clenched at her sides in a matter of moments. A pouting, nervous Regis she could handle, but the outright disrespect and attitude of Tahtia was going to push her over the edge. Sometimes Mallory thought that the wolves forgot that she wasn’t just a frail little human, she was a hunter who’d been trained to kill wolves for the entirety of her life. That old, simmering disdain bubbled in her chest as Tahtia continued to spout off her nonsense.

Mal felt the power, the pure dominance rolling off of Eero well before she ever saw him. A part of her wanted to shoo him away, to remind him that she didn’t need him to fight her battles for her - but another, bigger, part of her quietly reveled in the fact that all it took was someone taking the wrong tone with her for a six foot, two hundred pound man of pure, rock solid muscle to come and tear their head off. She hid her smirk with a scowl, not wanting to reveal just how much she liked Eero taking her side.

She watched the Alpha tear into the smallest member of his pack with a quiet satisfaction, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Regis attempted to look anywhere besides his Alpha and Tahtia, making himself very busy with his muffin and coffee. Even Az and Thomas had come to watch the show, trying and failing not to gawk.

Mal waited until Eero had demanded the simpering girl to apologize before stepping towards her cooly. “If you ever speak to me like that again, you sniveling little bitch, then I will put another arrow in your ribs.” She smirked, fondly remembering the first time she’d wounded the wolf. “And this time, I’ll aim to kill.” The russet haired girl finished snidely, retreating to her seat across from Regis as a very exasperated Eero began barking at them to scatter, despite his whispered reassurances down their bond.

Regis waited until the front door had clicked shut and the estate echoed in silence before leaning towards Mallory, a frown on his face. “That was uncalled for, Red.” He scolded.

“She was uncalled for!” Mal argued back.

Their conversation didn’t get a chance to progress before Mallory was yanking a pair of unlaced canvas sneakers onto her bare feet, her stomach twisting terribly. Regis, alerted by her sudden change in demeanor stood as well. “What is it?” He prodded, looking around the room for any hidden threats.

“I don’t know.” Mallory responded breathlessly, jerking the shoe onto her second foot. “Something is wrong with Eero, I-“ She shook her head, confused and unable to articulate what exactly she was feeling aside from a deep sense of unease, and a gut feeling that the man connected to her was in trouble.

She hadn’t needed to finish her sentence. A moment after she’d expressed that something was wrong with Eero, a deep snarl could be heard from the front of the Manor. The pack responded in record time, shoving out of the door and shifting to the beast that lived within them in the blink of an eye. Mallory was the last out the door, mouth agape as she watched Regis take a swan dive off of the front porch, twisting in the air as his body transformed and he landed on four paws. Thomas hadn’t even made it fully out of the house before he’d forced his body to shift, desperate to get to his Alpha and provide back-up, his back paws had left deep gouges in the marble floor inside the doorway from his claws as he’d charged out of the house. Azalea wasn’t far behind, and even Tahtia, subscribing to that wild sense of loyalty that wolves lived by had appeared in a matter of moments.

Mallory stood, mouth agape and unsure how exactly to help as she watched a raven colored wolf who was larger than even Eero’s humongous beast circle the Alpha, both of their teeth bared and snarling at one another. The pack, much to her frustration, stayed several feet away from their Alpha and the larger black wolf. It was clear that they were obeying some command she hadn’t heard, the ears pinned against their skulls and teeth angrily gnashing as they waited for a piece of the action.

Eero averted his laser focus for half a second, golden eyes darting up to Mallory as she stepped off the front stoop, mouth open in horror as she realized what was about to happen.

“EERO!”

His name left her lips on the wind of a soul-shattering scream, but she’d been too late. The High Alpha had taken Eero’s moment of distraction as an opportunity to make a killing blow, his jaws latching around Eero’s exposed throat as he gave it a violent jerk. A yelp sounded as Eero twisted away, deflecting the majority of the attack to his chest instead of his throat. It’d given him an opportunity to fight back, and despite his clear injury and slowing speed, Eero gave the black wolf hell.

Like watching a car accident in slow motion, Mallory wasn’t able to look away from the chaos, taking a tentative step towards the fray. As if on instinct, the pack had fallen into place around Mallory’s human form, hell bent on protecting her if they couldn’t protect their Alpha.

“Do something!” Mallory demanded of them, voice shrill in panic as she watched Eero take another devastating blow to the ribs. He was losing, not for a lack of trying, but he couldn’t sustain that level of fight with his injuries, not for much longer. Azalea glanced at Mallory with a look that almost seemed apologetic, as if expressing that they wanted to intercede just as much as she wanted them to. But they wouldn’t - couldn’t deny the outright order of their Alpha to stay back, even if he was fighting a losing battle.

Thomas whined once, paws digging into the earth anxiously as they all watched a brutal strike land against Eero’s shoulder and he began to limp. It was clear that the fight was nearing it’s finale as the black wolf began to circle Eero once more, as if it was savoring the last living moments of it’s prey before it took his life.

Mallory was going crazy, a feral instinct to do something, anything, to protect her friend driving her mad. Her hands shook, watching as the black wolf circled Eero slowly, haunches crouching as he prepared to make his final attack, before her hands clenched into fists.

The black wolf had just leapt for the killing blow, its dagger-like fangs barely making contact with Eero’s pelt when Mallory let out a near-feral cry, her hands clenching so tightly at her sides that her fingernails pierced her own skin, causing her palms to bleed. The black beast twisted in agony, yowling loudly as it writhed on the ground, yapping and pawing at an invisible threat for several long moments. It wasn’t until the unexplainable agony eased and Ahren managed a glance at Mallory that things became clear.

Mallory stood, fists at her sides dripping scarlet blood, her normally deep blue eyes were ringed with a fluorescent white that left them quite literally glowing, and a single nostril had began to drip scarlet as well. The glowing eyes, a beacon of magic as many called them, were the tell-tale sign of a witch.

A species that was, as far an anyone knew, long extinct.

Mallory released her breath, fingers unfurling and eyes returning to their normal ocean-blue as Ahren made himself scarce, scared for his life in the presence of what he could only assume was an ancient witch. “Fuck.” The auburn-haired girl breathed, the signature migraine she’d always gotten after channeling her magic already beginning to pound.

A quick glance at their surroundings revealed every one of the pack members back in their human forms, mouths agape and eyes wide in something like confusion and outright fear. Which was fair, Mallory thought. It was fair for them to hate her, to fear her for keeping something like this hidden from them.

But there wasn’t time for any of that right now.

Eero still lay on the ground, arms tight around himself as he moaned something incomprehensible in pain, slipping in and out of consciousness. Blood poured from his wounds, and it was difficult to tell where his blood began and Ahren’s ended. Mallory was at his side in an instant, eyes frantic and hands shaking as she shoved her palms over the worst of his wounds in a poor attempt at stopping the bleeding. "What were you thinking!?" She hissed.

The others sprung into action a beat later, lifting their Alpha with gentle hands and rushing him back into the Manor and to his bedroom. Russ and Quinn, two of the wolves that’d been on guard when the pack had first arrived from Idris took positions at the door, swearing on their lives that not another soul would enter or exit the Estate until the Alpha was awake.

“You fucking idiot.” Mallory breathed in exasperation, wiping the blood coating her paltms on her shirt before brushing a hand through his sweat dampened hair. A whole host of healers and tenders had poured into the Alpha’s bedroom the moment Regis and Thomas had him laid on the bed, and they tended to his wounds with a shocking level of efficiency. His wounds were gruesome, bad enough to have killed a regular wolf, the healers told them. And even with his supernatural ability to heal, Eero would be out of commission for several days at minimum. “A High Alpha, Eero. You picked a fight with a High Alpha on our front lawn.” She wasn’t sure when she’d started thinking of the Estate as her home too, but somehow calling it their’s just felt right.

Eero seemed mostly conscious, which was both a relieving and distressing sight. Relieving because it meant he was still alive, distressing because she could see the agony frozen on his face as the healers expertly stitched his skin, reset the fracture in his arm, and disinfected his wounds. “Here.” Mallory said gently, despite the quiver in her voice as she snagged a conveniently located bottle of bourbon from the Alpha’s bedside table. “Drink this. For the pain.” She encouraged, popping the cork and tipping the bottle against his lips until he’d managed a few healthy swigs.

Mallory didn’t leave Eero's side, not even for a moment. She’d sat at the head of his bed in her bloodied clothes, gently running her fingers through his ebony curls over and over again until the last of the healers had left the room. She thanked them on their way out, leaving her to soak in the unrelenting stares and silent questions of the pack.

They wanted an explanation. Mal didn’t have it in her to give one right now.

Tahtia was the first to speak, turning to her fellow wolves instead of Mallory. “She should be in the dungeons right now!” The female seethed, pointing an accusatory finger in Mallory’s direction.

“And do you want to be the one to explain why she’s in chains when Eero is well enough to notice?” Thomas argued, exasperation written all over his features.

It was Regis’ gaze who broke her the most, the silent disappointment and betrayal in his eyes enough to make her want to speak. “I’m sorry.” She offered quietly.

Tahtia was quick to return to her attack. "So we're just going to let a WITCH who's been lying to us for Gods even knows how long sit up her and snuggle with our UNCONSIOUS Alpha?! We don't know what she's capable of!"

Azalea was next, casting Mal a sad look. “We can’t let you stay in here with him, Mal.” She explained.

And while Mallory understood why they might see her as a threat now, that same feral instinct she’d felt when she’d woken her long dormant magic on Eero’s behalf stirred in her once again, leaving her to bare her teeth at the wolves. “I’d like to see you make me leave.” She dared.

Regis intervened, raising a hand in an attempt to call a cease fire. “I’ll stay with them.” He volunteered, glancing at his pack mates. “We can take turns keeping an eye on her until Eero is well.”

A shocked laugh escaped her, looking at the wolves like they were the stupidest people she’d ever seen. “I just outed myself to you all and the High Alpha’s, mind you, to save his life. Why in the fuck would I try to hurt him after doing all of that?” Mallory growled, a protective hand placed on the Alpha’s shoulder.

They would have to tear her cold, dead body away from him.

A sinful grin formed along Eero’s lips as he sauntered off down the hall, Mallory’s retorted words echoing after him.

Once the Alpha was in the confinement of his bedroom, he headed straight for the attached bathroom, turning the knobs of his shower to a scoldingly hot temperature. Steam quickly began filling the room, fogging up the large wall-length mirror atop the marble countertops that lined the room. Eero undressed the rest of the way, stepping beneath the stream. Water pelted the skin of his muscled back and over his ebony strands of hair. Reaching up, Eero closed his sea-colored eyes, fingers driving through his soaked locks when a vivid image was being shot down the bond to him.

His lips parted slightly at what he was greeted by and chills ignited throughout his entire body with that same familiar fervor she always seemed to drag out of him. Between his legs, Eero’s cock was quick to show its appreciation for the images that flashed through his mind. Hard as a rock, the Alpha tightened his fingers through his own hair, the sight of Mallory on her knees for him, those large blue eyes staring up at him while he felt the back of her throat. . .

Swallowing roughly, the images only continued, fulfilling their duty of making Eero feel further deprived of what he desired. Just the sight of her naked, wet body was utterly devastating. A low groan escaped him, his free hand wrapping around his considerable length. He was growing rather tired of his hand in place of what he’d tasted last night.

Her angelic voice followed after everything and Eero growled down the bond at her. “You’re not being a very good girl, Little Red, I’d hate to have to punish you.” his voice was deep and ravenous.

Once refreshed in more ways than one, Eero dressed in dark worn jeans, and a cotton white t-shirt, drawing an open black and white flannel over it, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was still damp, naturally creating soft waves of the darkest raven-colored hair. Without so much as a once-over of himself, the Alpha slipped out of his bedroom, black boots echoing against the marble floors.

* * *

After last night and with Eero being on constant edge all the time, Tahtia was beginning to grow rather annoyed with their situation with the huntress. Mallory had always gotten under the short wolf's skin since they’d met— an arrow to her ribs —but at least back then, there was the comfort of knowing that she wasn’t going to be around for very long. Now? It seemed they’d never get rid of her. Especially after that stupid stunt, she pulled with Eero and the bond magic.

Maybe that was what made it so entirely impossible for the dark pixie-cut Omega to bite her tongue when she overheard Mallory’s conversation with Regis who seemed to befriend the huntress. Another thing to annoy Tahtia profusely. How many of them could possibly befriend their enemy like that? It was bad enough that their Alpha had to pretend to be interested in her, but to do so willingly?

“I’m sorry. Did you really think you were anything but a toy to him?” Tahtia barked out an amused laugh.

“T—” Regis began, but Tahtia’s sage-colored eyes kept glaring at Mallory, ignoring him as she continued shamelessly.

“You don’t actually believe that he could possibly feel anything for you? Everyone knows that after your daddy dearest decided to slaughter his father in cold-blood Eero hasn’t opened his heart to anyone, but least of all you. I bet you every time he looks at you, all he can see is his dead dad. You’re lucky you’re even considered a toy—”

Power seemed to fill the entire room. Tahtia could barely get the last of her rant out when a loud, echoing snarl tore through the room, making every hair on her body stand straight, goosebumps dotting her flesh as an intense fear consumed her.

* * *

He could feel it down the bond before he could hear any voices coming from the common room of the estate. Like a bowling ball being dropped onto his stomach, crushing him, he felt like his heart skipped a beat, a rain cloud hanging over his head, but it wasn’t his emotions that he was feeling. It was Mallory’s.

His steps quickened, leading him to where Mallory, Regis, and Tahtia were gathered. Eero’s hearing picked up the nasty tone of Tahtia who was ripping into Mallory and by the time he crossed the threshold into the room, his canines were already bared and a threatening snarl ripped out of his throat. His eyes, once so blue, had changed gold, showing evidence of the wolf he was, and how close it was to coming out.

Regis’ head snapped in his direction, along with Tahtia’s who looked as though she may wet herself right then and there. Eero’s gold eyes burned through the short Omega, the cords of his neck and arms protruding with the rage he was experiencing. For the audacity that Tahtia had to speak for him in any circumstance, but especially to Mallory.

“Eero— I—”

The Alpha’s legs continued to carry him, those long strides bringing him directly in front of Tahtia. He towered over her, and the fury that burned in his expression was almost inebriating.

“You do not speak on my behalf. I am your fucking Alpha, and the next time you stuff my name into that Gods dammed mouth of yours, I will have your tongue ripped out, do you understand?” she just gaped up at him, too horrified to even blink, but he wasn’t having any of it. “I said: Do. You. Understand?” his voice was louder this time, sharper and she flinched before nodding, her swallow audible. “Good. Now apologize.”

Tahtia had tears threatening to burn her eyes, but Eero didn’t care. His instinctual priority was to keep Mallory protected. Whether it be from a physical threat or verbal, he wasn’t going to let anyone treat her like that. Not while he was around.

“I’m–I’m sorry.” she stuttered out and the tension in the air was thick.

“Now, make yourself busy.” he snapped and Tahtia was quick to flee the room. The gold still shined in Eero’s eyes as he shifted them toward Mallory and Regis who were staring at him with wide eyes. When he turned toward the kitchen, he found Thomas and Azalea standing in the doorway, blinking quietly, obviously showing up when they heard the commotion.

“Is there a problem?” Eero snapped at them all and they were quick to avert their gazes from him. A heavy sigh escaped him, his shoulders sagging and his eyes shifted back to blue, his canines retracting back to normal, though his anger still lingered. Finally, his eyes fixed on Mallory’s with a look that said: ‘I will protect you’.

“You are many things Mallory, but my toy is not one of them,” he said down the bond before taking his tension-filled body, turning on his heel, and stalking out of the estate entrance for some fresh air.

As soon as his boots hit the gravel, he felt like he was going to tear out his fucking hair. Between his anger toward Tahtia and the feelings that were emitting from him for Mallory, he was going to lose it entirely.

A low chuckle stole Eero from his reverie and he was turning to find Ahren approaching. Eero glared in his direction, but Ahren put his hands up, rolling his eyes.

“You can barely keep your pack together,” Ahren rose a brow. “Vedona won’t be any easier.”

“I’m not here for Vedona,” Eero snapped and Ahren crossed his arms, disbelief in his gaze.

“You mean to tell me, you’d rather return to that forest devastation you called a home?” he laughs.

“Why are you here, Ahren?” Eero redirected the conversation, growing annoyed.

The High Alpha drew his attention to one of the plants growing along the pathway of the estate, hand reaching to caress the tall flowers that reached for the sky absently. “I was just thinking to myself last night, about your arrival here and your concern for the apparent return of the witch.” Eero felt his gut tighten but didn’t make a sound as he continued. “Then came the constant begging question of what you’re really doing with that girl you keep around. If you’re telling the truth about the witch. . .” Ahren’s gaze lingers for a long while on Eero whose jaw clenched, eyes cold as the urge to protect Mallory intensified.

“She’s not just any human. Is she, Adrastos?”

The words were enough, but the smirk that found the dark-haired male's face sent him over the edge and the wolf that slept inside of him was awakened.

Eero’s entire body rippled, the bones shifting at an incredible speed as his body morphed into the beast he kept within. Ahren was barely a second behind, his own body contorting into his wolf form, a large jet-black canine taking his place.

The High Alpha wasn’t much bigger than Eero, but his deep crimson-colored eyes were enough evidence of the immense amount of strength his rank possessed over Eero’s. He didn’t care though, he’d take Ahren to hell with him if he had to.

Angry growls bounced off one another as the wolves circled each other, their fur bristling with rage and their large fangs dripping with saliva as they bared them, black lips curling back over the daggers. Eero’s claws dug into the earth beneath him, his muscles rippling throughout his body beneath his multi-toned fur. It didn’t take long before the others were stepping out of the estate, their forms taking place. Eero snapped his jaws at his pack to stay back, but they didn’t stop snarling as they did as they were told, ears flattening angrily against their skulls. It was when his golden gaze landed on Mallory that he was taken off guard, and Ahren lunged for Eero’s throat.

Mallory awoke the following morning feeling equal parts pleased with herself and absolutely mortified as she recounted the events of the previous night. One moment Eero and herself had been screaming at each other, blood boiling and ready to tear each others throats out - but the next, the most powerful man she’d ever met was on his knees for her, his face between her legs and coaxing the most toe-curling, hallucination inducing, mind numbing orgasm she’d ever had out of her.

Mallory’s toes curled at the memory, a small smile playing at her lips despite the privacy of her bedroom. She wasn’t sure how she’d garnered the will power to walk away from him after he’d so expertly gotten her off when all she wanted to do was have the rest of him, to feel him sink into her right there on that piano - but she’d torn away, a cool uncaring facade painted across her features as she returned to her bedroom on legs that felt like jelly, and promptly put herself to bed before the Alpha could tempt her back into his.

Despite the fun that they were having, despite Mal’s every fantasy being filled with Eero’s face after last night, there was a hard line drawn between the Huntress and Alpha. There was a tiny, tiny part of Mallory that was still holding out hope that her father and the hunters would come for her and bring her back home with them. But her father was a deeply traditional man, and his hatred for for the wolves ran incredibly deep.

While her father might believe her story of being kidnapped and held hostage by the wolves and welcome her back into his home after her rescue, he’d be disgusted to learn that she’d befriended the beasts. And even worse, if he ever learned that she slept with a wolf, the Alpha at that, he might very well kill her instead of facing the shame that his only child would bring him.

Thus, Mallory had drawn the line at intimacy. Last night had been a momentary lapse of judgement, a moment of weakness in falling prey to the Alpha’s advances after an evening of touching and pretending. But that’s all it could ever be for the huntress - a mistake that she’d live the rest of her life trying to hide, if her Father ever came for her. Her friendship with Eero was shameful enough, she couldn’t risk being his lover too.

Mallory’s hair was still half-wet from her shower when she finally left her room that morning, feeling refreshed and with a new resolve on her and the Alpha’s relationship. She’d changed back into a pair of comfortable clothes, still sleepy from her late night. Clad in a too-big t-shirt she’d borrowed from Regis several nights ago, a small pair of spandex shorts, and bare feet, she padded down the long stretch of hallway between her bedroom and the grand stairwell, desperate for some caffeine and something to satiate her growling stomach.

That is, until she spotted Eero approaching her from the opposite end of the hall. She paused briefly, keenly aware of every movement, every breath that she took as the Alpha neared her. She didn’t bother to hide her assessing blue gaze as it dipped along his torso, appreciating the chiseled abdomen and small trail of hair that sunk below the band of his shorts. “What? I can’t appreciate a good view when it’s right in front of me?” She feigned innocence, though her eyes glimmered with that same devilish intent as it had the previous night. Still sporting a layer of sweat from whatever it was that he did in the mornings to stay in such incredible shape - Eero looked like he’d been sculpted from the Gods themselves.

He was so close to her now that she had to crane her neck back to look up at him, that same possessive sheen to his gaze as he watched her whilst twirling a strand of her auburn air around his pointer finger. As if she couldn’t help herself, couldn’t deny the outright need to touch him when he was so close to her, Mallory drug a single finger down the middle of his torso, her nail just barely digging into the skin as it slowed at the elastic waist of his basketball shorts.

The sensual, velvet brush of his voice dripped through her mind like honey, taunting her to join him in his shower as he continued moving down the hall. Mallory sighed wistfully, as if she’d even been considering, before moving on as well. “Not even in your dreams, Mutt.” She called to him from over her shoulder, laughing as she finally descended the stairs.

Though the line Mallory had unofficial drawn prevented her from messing around with the Alpha physically, she wagered that there wasn’t any harm in fucking with him mentally. Vaguely, she heard the water kick on from his private bath and waited a few moments until she was sure he’d be under the spray before painting the mental image of what it could’ve looked like if the huntress had agreed to join him the shower, nudging it across that mental bridge into his own consciousness. She imagined the way they would have undressed each other, unhurried and lazy with their movements so early in the morning. She imagined the way she’d follow him under the stream of warm water, dousing both of them thoroughly until she’d sink to her knees before him, eagerly repaying the favor of last night. She imagined how his hands would feel in her hair, solidly guiding her head as she licked up and down his cock, how she would gag and sputter when he’d grow impatient with her antics and fuck her mouth instead. Finally, she imaged how it would feel to have his fingers digging into her thighs again, this time to lift them around his waist while he poised himself directly outside her entrance, propping her against the shower wall for leverage before burying himself in her to the hilt.

Mallory knew the image she was creating in her own mind must have bloomed into focus in Eero’s as well by the sudden wave of heat she sensed down their shared bond, a light, airy laugh from herself quickly following. “Thinking of me?” She taunted down the privacy of their bond.

The strong aroma of coffee and baked goods overwhelmed her senses as she finally approached the kitchen, greeting the estate’s chef with a polite “Good morning, Antoine.” And a kind smile as she poured herself a mug of steaming coffee, not bothering with cream or sugar as the chef nudged a platter of fresh muffins towards her. She selected one, grinning in appreciation at the large, dark skinned man who cooked their meals for them. “You spoil me, thank you again.” She cooed, gripping the man’s arm once in a friendly goodbye before slipping into the sitting room.

“Maybe if I start smiling and batting my eyes at the chef every morning he’ll start making my favorite kind of muffin too.” Complained the blonde-haired Omega. Antoine had been on a lemon-blueberry kick lately, as Mal had mentioned it was her favorite once in passing. Regis preferred chocolate chip, which had become scarce. It was an argument the two had had many, many times.

“Oh, don’t be jealous, Reg.” Mallory cooed, dropping onto the loveseat beside him as she bit into her muffin. As if she’d been been doused in poison and was physically burning the man by her proximity, he’d jumped up, switching to an armchair across the room.

Mallory narrowed her eyes, washing down the muffin with a swig of coffee before speaking. “What was that about?” She drilled, her glare assessing the omega from across the room. He’d simply shrugged, trying to make himself look very busy by stuffing his own muffin into his face with as much fervor as he could muster.

Regis was the first person Mallory befriended upon meeting the wolves, despite the fact that he might’ve been the one to loathe her the most upon first meeting. Once they’d gotten past the initial warring of their species, the two had been fast friends, and Mallory spent much of her free time with the blonde wolf. Sharing a couch and watching a movie over snacks, debating over whatever obscure scenario he’d come up with (i.e, would you rather have lobster claws for hands, or a fish head but with your body? Mal had argued lobster claws, Regis had demanded that fish head were the only right answer), and generally just enjoying one another’s company. So, to have him suddenly behave as if the huntress was toxic sludge was a dramatic jump.

“If you’re angry with me about last night-“

“I’m not.” He cut her off, pinning her with the most serious gaze she’d ever seen the usually nonchalant man offer. “I’m not mad at you, Mal.”

“Then why are you avoiding me all of a sudden?” She pressed.

Regis let out an exasperated sigh, finishing another bite of his muffin. “I don’t know. I can’t really explain other than, wolf-code is weird, and I prefer my balls actually attached to my body.”

Mallory squinted in frustration and confusion, so Regis continued. “Eero doesn’t play nicely with others sometimes, and I’m not going to make a habit of playing with his favorite toy and pissing him off to the point that he castrates me, which felt like a pretty big possibility last night.” The blonde attempted a small laugh, hoping to defuse the tension in the room.

“Oh, so I’m just one of Eero’s toys now? Is that what you all think of me?” Mallory demanded, her tempter flaring and cheeks flushing red with anger.

The huntress was wriggling beneath Eero’s burning stare and callused hands, and the sweet melodic sounds that she was emitting only heightened the growing arousal in his own pants. The Alpha lowered his other knee, putting himself comfortably between her quivering thighs and although she was still making those expected snarky comments, he was barely hearing them, his hearing becoming selective as his deep sea-blue eyes surveyed the juices that slid down the curves of her ass and onto the piano. All he could think about was how they would taste and how badly he wanted to wanted to dip his tongue into her.

So he did.

Starting at the source of her slickness, Eero planted his tongue against her entrance and proceeded to drag it upward, lapping up her flavor which nearly had a groan of pleasure thundering out of his throat. Mallory beat him to it, her stomach tightening as she let out a loud moan, his tongue moving expertly around the bundle of nerves at the peak of her sex. He could feel it throbbing against his tongue, like it had a mind of its own. Rather satisfied with himself, his lips curved into a lazy smile against her. She was quick to scold his low laughter, but it was made rather obvious that she hadn’t had enough of him yet, those long, slender fingers of hers tangled into his ebony locks.

Bringing her closer to feast upon, Eero tugged her toward him, draping her leg over his shoulder. Wrapping his hands beneath and around her thighs, his fingers dug into her flesh as he spread her apart. The leg over his shoulder seemed to dig into his back, as if trying anything in its power to shove him further into her. Such a hungry little thing, he thought to himself. He could relate to that.

Her scent was intoxicating and became stronger each time he managed to make her core expel more of its delectable sap. The Alpha closed his lips around her clit, sucking and scraping his teeth softly along the sensitive bud. Her hips tried desperately to buck up against his mouth and he couldn’t help but smirk knowing that she would give anything to fuck his face in that moment. The bucking soon would turn into her stomach rising and falling frantically, that heel of her stiletto digging even harder into his muscles. He would drive her to the brink of insanity and when it was almost all too consuming, his tongue would abandon that sweet spot, busying itself just long enough for her to have to reingage all of that built up momentum. The image of pure sexual frustration.

She would beg for him. He’d make sure of that.

His dark taunting continued until Mallory was panting beneath him, her thighs hard as rocks as all of the muscles in them restricted, causing them to shake in his tight grip. Then it happened. The sound of his name in her mouth with that moaning tone made a deep lustfilled growl vibrate from him. When she tugged his hair, his eyes closed, soaking in how good it felt. How she was melting into desperation in the palm of his hands.

“Mmm. . .” the Alpha groaned when her next set of words took place in his mind. Anything. He liked the sound of that.

Satisfied with her begging and bargaining, Eero ended his game and hitting home. The male began devouring every inch of her, gaze flickering toward her hand as it clamped over her own mouth. Delight glittered in his heavy-lidded eyes at the sight and then all attention was back on his dinner, his tongue driving deep inside of her entrance, gliding against her tight walls, sampling her thoroughly. More low growls tore from the Alpha as he ravaged her with his mouth. Back at her clit, he worked those circles and the grip he had on keeping her hips down against the piano faded, his fingers digging harder into her thighs, enough to leave bruising, but Mallory didn’t seem to mind. She was too busy enjoying the new found freedom of her hips as she ground them into him. Eero’s balls tightened, and his cock felt like it was ready to explode with pleasure just tasting her — hearing her moan and scream.

As soon as his tongue was back inside of her, he felt her walls tighten around him and she bursted with flavor. The huntress went feral beneath his face and he couldn’t help but watch as her eyes rolled back into her head and her fingers curled tighter into his hair. Her orgasm coated his tongue and he drank her up like he was stranded in the desert and she was the first body of water he’d seen in weeks.

When her body ceased its writhing, Eero licked up her entire core and when he drew back from her sex, licking his lips with a satisfied smile. A disoriented looking Mallory surveyed his face, slowly moving herself off the piano. He watched with mild entertainment gleaming in his eyes, wondering if she was smart to try walking so soon. Her legs shook slightly before stabilizing and Eero was rather impressed as he watched her approach him, stealing away his jacket for herself before bidding him a farewell, those long sexy legs carrying her off toward the door and back into the corridor.

Taking his bottom lip between his teeth, Eero couldn’t help but smirk faintly after her. He was no fool to Mallory and her little games. Always the type to deny. The Alpha rose a hand to his tousled hair, raking his fingers through the mess. Dropping that hand to his tie, he loosened his, glancing down at his erection. Something he’d have to take care of. It wouldn’t be hard with Mallory’s scent still clinging to him like cologne.

Eero had retired to his bedroom for the rest of the night, his mind still reeling from not only the High Alpha’s suspicions, but his new found problem. His imprint on Mallory. Something that could never be changed. It only ever happened once, and it has never happened with with a huntress.

* * *

It was early enough in the morning that the sun had began began rising. The sky was just dimly lit up enough to make the stars fade. Eero was out in the training arena, his shirt laying across one of the workout benches while he focused his energy on the punching bag. The bag was larger than a usual one, made to withstand a wolfs strength. The Alpha slammed his fists against the solid structure until a voice sounded behind him.

“You have to be surpassing some sort of world record for being angry this early in the morning.” Azalea said, arms crossed over her chest as she watched Eero.

Sweat coated his body and his chest rose and fell heavily. He lowered his fists to his sides and glanced behind her to see if she came alone. It seemed she did.

“Why are you awake?” Eero asked, but she ignored him.

“Where did you and Mallory disappear to after the ball? What the hell even happened yesterday? I heard you reemed Regis— that’s not like you at all, Eero.” Concern wove into her features.

Although they were all valid questions, Eero wasn’t sure if he could give a solid answer to her. Not yet at aleast. Not when he was still trying to register it all himself. Besides, he had a bad feeling that if word got around that he imprinted on Mallory, he would have more judgement from his pack members than he was ready for.

“Mallory got on my nerves,” it wasn’t a complete lie. “So I had a---conversation with her.” As if he could really call eating the female out in a dark room a “conversation”. The memory of her beneath him, those thighs that he was sure were marked with bruises from his fingers and his mouth, he had to force those thoughts away before they interfered with his scent in front of Azalea. “The High Alpha’s haven’t been entirely honest with us,” he steered the conversation away. “The event was just a way for them to see what our angle is, especially with bringing Mallory here, and I think our plan to deflect that was successful, but some of the members are still extremely warry of us— of me. And if I’m being honest myself, I don’t think they want me to take back my place here at Vedona.”

“Of course they don’t,” Azalea frowned. “It’s the biggest piece of land in this region and your father was the head of even the High Alpha’s, that would make the same true of you if you were to accept the offer.” she paused. “I think you should, Eero.”

Eero’s eyes darkened and he stared at her for a long moment. “No.” his voice held firm. He didn’t belong in Vedona. There was no way imaginable that he could ever try to fill the shoes left by his father here. He was already struggling to do so with his pack.

“I know you don’t believe it, but you are a leader, Eero,” Az said quietly, and when he made no means to respond, she sighed, nodding once before walking back into the estate. The sun was rising behind him now and it seemed that even the training arena couldn’t take the mountain of stress of his shoulders.

Tossing his shirt over his shoulder, Eero started for the entrance doors for a shower.

Upon reentering the estate, the Alpha had run into Regis who was on his way for a cup of coffee. The Omega stiffened at the sight of Eero, halting his steps completely. Eero looked the male over before reaching out to grab hold of his shoulder. He gave it a firm squeeze and Regis gave a nod of his head in understanding before continuing on his way to the kitchen.

Eero watched after him, and when he turned to head for his room once more, he came face to face with Mallory. Staring at the russet-haired beauty before him, Eero didn’t fail to see that sparkle in her eye when they made eye contact. Nor did he fail to see the way her eyes darted over the expanse of his exposed torso.

Taking a couple slow steps to close the space between them, he reached out, taking one of the waves of her hair, twirling it around his index finger with ease. “Like what you see, Little Red?” he whispered, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary before letting her hair fall from his touch to her shoulder.

His lips twitched into a half-smirk and he stepped around her, sending his next set of words down the privacy of their bond. “Feel free to join.” his dark, delicious laughter echoed after them and he continuing to his shower.

The shift that was taking over his mind, body, and soul felt like a building that was on the verge of collapsing in on itself and his emotions went haywire as a result. In the back of Eero’s mind, he knew. That suspicious and in-tune part of him knew what was happening to him, but he would fight against it tooth and nail until it was no longer possible. The option would not be his own, but a deeper more celestial part of his soul had found what it was unconsciously looking for since the day he was born. Like the invisible roots to an ancient tree, reaching and tangling into the earth, latching and searching for a source of nutrients for survival — all wolves had them. Eero just refused to let his roots extend any further than arms reach.

Until now.

As his veins seemed to expand and the blood inside rose to a boiling point, the Alpha stared daggers into Regis and Mallory’s backs as she hooked her arm through the Omega’s and began walking with him toward the exit of the ballroom. Eero’s chest heaved, not only at the comment she made out loud but the one she shot down the bond not a moment later.

All he saw was red now and his pack members were not ignorant of it. Thomas stepped toward his Alpha, eyeing him with careful precision as they moved out of the ballroom. Once they made it through the threshold and the heavy doors swung shut behind them, Thomas reached out a hand, nearly placing it on Eero’s shoulder when he spun on him, eyes shooting a warning glare not to go there. Thomas stiffened and Azalea came up to his side, grabbing his hand, eyes filled with anger and confusion at Eero’s sudden coldness.

Eero didn’t waste any time as turned back around to find Regis and Mallory didn’t stop for a second glance back as they moved through the large corridor. Clenching his jaw, Eero started after them again, the others staying back ways away after seeing the uniquely fragile mood he was in. His long strides carried him around the corner they rounded and the rest felt like a blur, his movements swift and clear-cut. Eero had Regis pinned to the wall, blind rage clouding any judgment he should have had. A snarl tore free from the Alpha and Regis submitted, head turning slightly away from his bared teeth, his eyes holding his own long enough for something in the Omega to register. Something that hadn’t even registered to Eero yet.

As if a silent conversation had been said through body language, Eero let go of Regis and without so much as a glance toward Mallory, he stormed down the hall by himself the rest of the way to the North end of the large estate.

Feeling the burning glare of Mallory’s eyes on him, Eero shifted his storm-filled gaze to meet hers shamelessly. “What,” he snapped. “Now you don’t like playing with the Alpha anymore?” his tone was purposeful — a taunt. The sound of the other's footfalls approaching entered Eero’s ears and without a second thought, he was moving toward Mallory, herding her backward. Every step he took closer, she’d take one step back as he anticipated and once she was near to the wall — or in this case, the door he was leading her to, he reached behind her for the knob, shoving it open. His other hand was gripping her waist to keep her from crashing to the floor by the motion. A quick spin had the door closing behind them, trapping the two of them in the privacy of a dark instrumental practice room.

Blue eyes glinted against the moonlight that cast through the large bay windows. Eero had yet to take his eyes off of her, and his pulse throbbed against his chest, and in the cords of his neck. She was still staring at him like he was some sort of monster, but it only seemed to fuel him. Like she was his prey, he stalked up to her, one hand grabbing her throat, but he didn’t squeeze like he knew she anticipated. Instead, he slowly tilted her chin up, looking over her features for a long moment, assessing her. As his eyes lingered over her face, the final piece fell into place and for a minute, he swore his heart stopped altogether, and all the boiling fires that ignited inside of him were doused, leaving him cold as ice. Something close to infatuation swelled inside of him as he stared at Mallory, and the scowl that was still marking his face nearly faltered. Nearly.

“I told you, Mallory. You are playing a dangerous game.” he finally said to her, hand still clutching beneath her chin. His dark glittering eyes were far from forgiving, but something new sat in them. A glimmer of possession. His entire being seemed to bow down to her and that feeling was unlike anything he had ever felt before. “A dangerous game with a dangerous man.” he paused for a moment, his thumb stroking the soft skin of her neck before he let go and in an instant, he was grabbing Mallory by her hips.

Behind them was a large grand piano that he took complete advantage of. Lifting Mallory off her feet, Eero plopped her down onto the black dust-covered lid of it. He stepped forward, positioning himself between her legs.

“And now the game has gone too fucking far,” he said suddenly, eyes glaring down at her. His hands had drifted to her thighs, and there, he did squeeze. “And there is no going back, do you understand?” Of course, she didn’t. How could she? So, he explained.

“I don’t want to see another man's hands on you— I won’t see another man's hands on you.” Following suit to his words, his hands rose up her thighs, gripping her so that he could tug her closer against him, desire swelling inside of him once more. It pooled between his legs, making him throb once more for her. “Because if I do, I’ll have no choice but to show them what is fucking mine.” his voice rang out in a low growl, his eyes darkening with lust. Grabbing hold of her dress, the Alpha found the slit in it and tore it open wider, stopping it just below her navel. Peeling back the satin, his eyes narrowed in on the ruby-colored lingerie. Lined with lace and sheer as tissue, the wolf found himself capturing his bottom lip in his teeth, biting down hard to keep himself from going absolutely feral.

The desire that he was feeling. That thirst— the need to have her was all-consuming. Reaching out, he splayed his palm against her stomach, tenderly shoving her down so that she was laying on the lid of the piano. He then brought himself down to his knee before her, fingertips gliding across the waistband of her lacey coverage. “I also don’t take kindly to your tone with me earlier, Little Red.” his tone held a slight edge to it, fingers tracing the lace all the way down and around her inner thigh, his lips twitching at a hint of a smirk at the evidence of her arousal gleaming near the edges. “It would probably be foolish of me to give in to your little fantasies of me on my knees. I don’t like to reward bad behavior.” her reaction only made his smirk grow, his fingers drawing a tormenting invisible line down her core, feeling the dampness through the lingerie as he did.

“But as I said, I quite like it when you beg.” his words were a dangerous purr and then he slowly peeled the fabric away from her body, thumb brushing across the bud of her sex. “What do you think, Mallory?” the Alpha knew it was over for him, but did she?

It wasn’t every day a lone Alpha imprinted on the huntress daughter of his pack's greatest enemy.

Mallory disguised her frustration with an amused smile as Eero Adrastos so easily thwarted her attempt at humiliation and instead ended up with a handful of her ass and a concealed hard-on. The huntress tutted her lips once, curling her fingers around his protruding bicep as he moved them to the dance floor after his crude albeit amusing comment of his appreciation of her begging.

“I’d quite like to see you beg.” Mallory returned, challenge dripping from her voice that traveled between that shared link to their minds.

“On your knees, perhaps.” Mal mused, faux innocence shrouding her tone.

“Between my legs.”

Satisfaction radiated from the auburn haired beauty as she watched the smooth strides of the Alpha hiccup slightly at her words, his throat bobbing in response to her bold statement. Her sapphire eyes twinkled with amusement, with playfulness despite the warning glare he’d passed her at her antics.

She didn’t care that she was playing a dangerous game, as he’d warned her just moments ago. Because if this were to be a game of wills, judging by the constant flitting of Eero’s gaze to her lips, Mallory was fairly confident that it wouldn’t be her resolve to break first.

“And I’m winning.” The Huntress returned, a lips curled into a smug smirk.

Goosebumps traveled down the length of her exposed spine at his touch, a trail forming across each plain of skin he ran those calloused fingers along. The two settled in an opening at the center of the dance floor and his once gentle grip turned firm, solidly guiding. She could feel the strength of his hands against her flesh, not really rough, but not exactly gentle either as he lead them into their first dance.

And as the violins began their sweeping song, a beckoning back-and-forth, Eero moved as if his very breath were timed to the music. Mallory went with him, and it was clear that he knew the dance’s nuances and exact notes, as he flawlessly guided her through the steps. There was no doubt that Eero had been trained in the formal styles of dance during his childhood, and he didn’t let the Mallory’s shock at his precision go unnoticed. “I didn’t expect you to be so good.” She admitted aloud, a little breathlessly as the melodies and countermelodies battled into a crescendo. Mallory, to her credit, at least kept up.

Mal held his eyes throughout each step, let him feel her supple body, how pliant it was as she arched into a cluster of notes. His hand tightened on her, fingers digging into the groove of her spine, and she let a small smile rise to her red-painted lips.

Mallory was still savoring the firm grip of his hands along her body when Eero flung her outwards in an exaggerated twirl, hardly giving her time to recover before ripping her back to him, an arm already stretched behind her to catch her in a dramatically low dip. A handful of bystanders who’d been watching were already clapping at their performance as Eero righted her on her feet.

Regis had appeared only a moment later, gracefully cutting in and directly Eero back towards the High Alpha’s as he assumed the role of Mallory’s dance partner for the time being.

“I’ve been waiting to steal you away for myself all night, Red.” The omega chirped playfully, snagging them each a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray to quickly down before leading her into the next waltz. “You look absolutely sinful” As conversations between Mallory and Regis typically went, the huntress spent the majority of it laughing. The two quietly jabbered back and forth while they danced, though Mallory couldn’t help her gaze from continually darting to Eero and the other High Alphas, whose faces were pinched and hands waved whilst they argued.

“Is everything okay?” Mal tried tentatively, but was dutifully ignored.

Regis, in an attempt at copying Eero’s dramatic twirl during the previous dance, flung Mallory out from his side but fumbled the return, yanking her rather ungracefully back to him in the middle of a spin. The pair had ended with Mallory’s back pulled flush against the Omega’s chest, his hands crossed across the small of her waist as they combusted into a fit of laughter.

Mallory felt Eero’s temper flare well before she ever saw him. His anger was almost palpable, seeping from that shared ribbon of consciousness that connected their minds. A quick survey of the room revealed the Alpha tearing towards them, a hint of color to his cheeks and pupils blown wide in rage as he approached them.

The song began to come to a close, as if the orchestra could sense the impending doom and didn’t care to provide the soundtrack to whatever catastrophe was about to occur. Regis extended his arm, allowing Mallory one more giggle fueled twirl before their dance came to an end. Much to her surprise, it wasn’t Regis’ arms that she ended up in as the dance reached it’s finale, but Eero’s firm grip as he snatched her away from his Omega.

“Come to ruin my fun already?” Mallory tried, her tone begging Eero to play with her again, to go back to their fun little game of cat and mouse. Instead, she was met with the tension filled stare down between Regis and Eero. The two held each others gaze for what felt like an eternity before Regis finally averted his eyes, glancing to Mallory for a brief moment before looking back to his Alpha. The rage rolling off of Eero was still prevalent, and in that moment Mallory realized she was no longer watching a dynamic between two friends, but instead the wild heirarchy between an Alpha and his Omega.

Eero radiated pure dominance, daring someone, anyone to challenge him.

Mal took the bait.

“Oh, enough with your brooding.” Mallory huffed with a calculating squint, linking her arm through Regis’ as she steered them towards the doors. "Go have your cock-fight somewhere else, the rest of us would like to enjoy our night." From the corner of her eye, Mal could see the Tahtia, Thomas, and Azalea flanking them from either side of the room, all equally eager to get their Alpha out of the room before he exploded in front of everyone.

Eero’s eyes met her own blue hues for the briefest moment before he left his pack to stroll between the great white pillars, to the throne that was his by blood and sacrifice and might. Mallory’s own blood sang at the sight of him stepping into his rightful place, at the power that thrummed from him and the sheer magnificence of the man settling into his throne for the first time.

Gone was the man who had calmed her from a night terror, there was no sign of the boy who’d splashed with her in the pond, or even the beloved Alpha she’d seen in the streets of Vedona. The full impact of him threatened to sweep her away.

Here was the Big Bad Wolf she’d been warned of.

Eero Adrastos smiled at her. It was a polished smile full of gleaming white teeth, and reeked of court trained charm. Sprawled across the throne, he had his chin propped by a hand, the picture of male arrogance. The man she saw now wasn’t the same man she’d grown a friendship with these past weeks of travel and living amongst his pack, nor was it same war-hardened beast who’d stolen her away in the night and locked her away in his home. No, this man looked every bit the young spoiled bachelor with too much power that the other Alpha’s thought him to be.

For the briefest moment, even Mallory wondered if this was who he’d always been, and she’d just had blinders on for all this time.

Mallory waited at the foot of the dias for her invitation, her eyes lowered in submission. She felt his gaze while Eero drug his eyes over her, and Mal couldn’t help but wonder if it wasn’t entirely for show when they glazed a bit. With a curled finger, the Alpha beckoned her to him. Mallory responded with a trained shy smile, her feet carrying her up the few steps and across the short distance to the Alpha.

And with a tug at her waist, he’d perched her on his lap.

Mallory lowered her eyes, her kohl darkened lashes tickling her cheeks. He clicked his tongue in approval, his lips brushing against that oh-so-sensitive spot just below her ear. How he’d managed to learn her weaknesses so quickly, Mal would never know. The act earned a small whimper from the girl, the redness on her cheeks springing forward at the noise. She knew that everyone noticed the track of his fingers, the predatory angle of his head as he whispered “good girl,” in her ear.

His hand slid higher up her thigh, finding the skin near her exposed to hip to fixate on, the proprietary touch of a male who knew that he owned somebody body and soul. Mallory knew that this was coming, that to play these games was the only way their story would be convincing enough for the High Alpha’s to decide that Mal truly was of no importance and to stop their snooping. Yet she hadn’t expected it to feel so real, hadn’t expected their hostility towards one another to fade away so soon and leave room for temptation to take root.

But still, Mallory leaned into his touch, leaned back into his hard, warm body. She was pressed so snugly against him that she could feel the deep rumble of his voice as he at last addressed the rest of the court, all of the people who’d stopped their milling about to watch them, and instructed them to resume the festivities as if he’d just taken notice that they’d even paused.

And while the music resumed and the dancing started once again, Mallory was well aware that people were still watching. Even as they ate and drank, even as some flitted about the room dancing with ever changing partners, people were watching. She sat on his lap, his own personal plaything, his every touch visible to them… and yet it might as well have only been the two of them.

A dull roaring began to fill her ears, drowning out everything but that touch on the inside of her leg as he found a new area of exposed skin to explore. Mallory’s breath hitched as he moved his fingers along the inside of her thigh, reaching higher and higher with each long, luxurious sweep of his fingers across her sensitive skin. And the scent of him - citrus and sea and musk, damn him. The huntress' legs fell wider open of their own accord, her head dropping back to expose her neck as she rested it against his broad shoulder. A sweet sigh escaped her, eyes fluttering shut at the sensations racing through her.

Mal knew he noticed, had felt that shift from a playful game of roleplay to true arousal, and couldn’t deny the icy shroud of embarrassment that sleuthed over her at the thought.

If only her father could see her now, Mallory thought, the whore of an Alpha - the Alpha of a pack that they’d been warring with for generations… Hodge Sinclair would quite literally have a stroke. But a small part of Mal knew that was why she had agreed to this stupid plan in the first place, because she agreed that it could temporarily ensure her safety, but also because she knew that word would also likely get back to her father, and he’d be so enraged that he would come for her.

But, sitting on the Alpha’s lap with his fingers inching dangerously high up her thigh, Mallory wondered if that was even something that she wanted anymore.

As if the bastard wolf could read her mind, Eero’s voice whispered through her mind with a taunt - and if she wasn’t mistaken, even his deep vibrato sounded huskier than it normally did. The corners of her mouth ticked upward in amusement as she turned sparkling eyes back to him. Her mouth didn’t open as she returned a snarky comment of her own.

“Just because my body enjoys your groping doesn’t mean that I actually do. It’s a natural, physical response.”

Mallory drug a hand down Eero’s thigh, feeling the warrior’s strength hidden there beneath his slacks. The need to touch him, to feel him was overwhelming, and she drug her hand back up in a long, idle stroke. It was there that the back of her knuckles brushed against the hardened length of him barely concealed by his pants. With a quirk of her eyebrow, Mallory couldn’t deny the slightest smirk as she rotated to face him, her arms draped lazily over his shoulders as her fingers toyed at the curl of hair at the nape of his neck.

“You certainly don’t feel angry with me anymore.” She laughed down that mental bridge, the satisfaction written all over her face at their shared compromise.

And to drive the final nail in the coffin, Mallory drug a slow finger down the Alpha’s chest, her bottom lip rolling out into a faux pout. “You don’t plan to make me your pretty little ornament all night, do you?” She spoke aloud, her finger tracing back up his chest, dragging lightly along his jaw and across his lips. “You’ll dance with me, won’t you?” She feigned innocence. “Please, Alpha?” She begged.

Yes, let him stand up with his erection in front of the High Alphas, in front of his friends and his pack. If Eero wanted to play the game of temptation and embarrassment, then Mallory would ensure that she’d win.

The Alpha’s nimble fingers grazed the ebony band that was inked into his skin. Sun rays cast through the holes of the tree tops that swayed back and forth. The light gleamed off of Eero’s golden skin while he assessed the marking —attempting to make something of it. Though he had reeled himself back from his fit of pure chaotic rage toward the girl, it didn’t change the fact that he now had to bear a tattoo created and bound by magic. Magic that tied him to someone who was supposed to be a sworn enemy.

In the forest, only the sound of nature could be heard around him. The singing of birds, and the rustling of pine needles and leaves as smaller creatures roamed through them. Eero excused himself from the house hours ago, shifting into the wolf that sat just beneath his flesh as he tried to exhaust the adrenaline that was still thrumming through his veins from all that happened between himself and Mallory in such a short amount of time. Mostly, he wanted to know what it would mean for him now. How it actually connected them. Sure, he knew minor details of such a thing, but never had he needed to delve deeper into any of the information that he now wished he had.

Regis asked him earlier if he felt any different. He didn’t. Until all of the anger and turmoil inside of him simmered. Then he felt it. That. . . place? A place that he had never been before. Not a physical place, but almost mental. Like there was some sort of invisible bridge of untouched world inside of him now. He didn’t bother toying with where that bridge led to. Just the idea was enough to make his insides churn with irritation.

After a while longer of contemplation and — in all honesty — avoidance, Eero’s body was once again transformed into the multi-toned wolf standing at nearly six feet on all fours. Wide paws left imprints as he sprung himself into a run, fur bristling against the wind he created. Unfortunately, he wasn’t allowed to ignore people or anything for that matter today. The Harvest Moon Event was approaching quickly and as the returning son and now Alpha of Vadona, the option of not showing up was non-negotiable. As much as Eero didn’t like events such as this one, he wouldn’t have minded being forced to go so much if it wasn’t for the fact that Mallory would not only have to be there but would be the star of the show in a way that now, with things how they were between them, he wasn’t sure would go well.

Eero shifted swiftly as he approached the estate and when he entered through the foyer, Tahtia was quick to jump on his heels. If he was still in his wolf form, his hackles would have risen in annoyance.

“Uhm? Where have you been?” she tsked, hands busy with fastening glistening silver clips into her waves of dark hair. “You smell like dirt, you’re not dressed, and there are already guests beginning to arrive on the south end of the estate.”

The Alpha barely glanced over a broad shoulder at her incessant carping. Instead of responding to her, he continued moving across the polished floors toward the staircase. Tahtia released a low growl, but someone else caught her attention thankfully. She began snapping her fingers at Regis, making the male turn to her with a raised eyebrow.

“I know you’re not snapping at me,” he muttered with little amusement and Tahtia pointed toward Eero. “Make sure he finds his suit, go,” she shoved Regis into step with Eero who rolled his eyes, moving toward his bedroom.

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t need you to dress me,” Eero said, throwing a hardened look at Regis who was still walking beside him down the corridor.

“I know that asshole,” Regis growled, glancing over his shoulder. “But if I go back that way, she’ll find something to yell at me about next and I already saw the rant she gave Thomas about his tie.” the Omega explained, and that actually managed to make the Alpha’s lips twitch into a faint smirk of understanding.

“For someone so short, she sure knows how to tower over all of us when it counts,” Eero commented and Regis snorted in agreement before patting his back and continuing down the hall, leaving Eero to change for the event.

* * *

Eero ran his hands along the smooth lapels of his black suit, the only splash of color being the deep crimson tie. He couldn’t remember the last time that he wore a suit. It had always just been sneakers and jeans. Deep blue hues found themselves in the body-length mirror across the room, a strand of inky damp hair falling over his brow with the movement. Knowing what the High Alphas expected of him and his return had been a heavy weight across his shoulders, but now with having to protect Mallory on top of it all — it was like any and all plans that he once had were flipped upside down and right was wrong or maybe wrong was right.

After a while of hesitation, the Alpha stepped out of his room and into the hall, heading to meet with the pack waiting downstairs. He could hear their murmuring voices as he approached and his eyes scanned each of them. Tahtia was dressed in a sage green floor-length tulle dress with low-shoulder sweeping sleeves. Standing beside her was Azalea, her dress was a ruched, pastel pink one-shoulder. Both Regis and Thomas cleaned up well, hair slicked back, dark suits and ties. For a pack that rarely saw the outside of a forest, they managed to look presentable.

“You both look beautiful,” Eero nodded to the girls who smiled. At least until Regis opened his mouth.

“We thought so,” he said with a grin, arm wrapping around Thomas’ shoulders.

“You’re rather handsome yourself, Alpha,” Azalea said while rolling her eyes at the other two males.

“One of us had to —” Eero began, but noticed all of their eyes were focused behind him, staring up at the staircase from which he came. Turning on his heel, his blue gaze landed on who they were fixating on as she slowly descended the steps.

Mallory’s curvesome figure was adorned in the darkest shade of black. The exposing dress clung to the more ample parts of her body while expertly showcasing the parts that left little to the imagination. Each step down that she took seemed to cast a glimmer of light reflecting from the satin, like stars against the night sky. His eyes followed the cascade of her auburn curls which bounced lightly with each movement, once they reached her feet, they went right back up as if swallowing her whole. Eero found her eyes meeting his own and he was clenching his jaw so tightly, he was sure his teeth would break under the pressure.

Warmth. It seemed to flood through his entire body, from head to toe, it rained over him like a relentless bout of lava and it caused his cheeks to flush and his limbs suddenly felt like they were tingling with a strong vibration. A vibration that was almost shoving at his back, forcing him in her direction. Though he was rather alarmed by the things that were happening to his body, he couldn’t tear his eyes off her. He only finally blinked when she paused for a moment, still holding his gaze. Then, her velvety voice entered his ears. Only her lips did not move and her voice seemed much closer than where she stood.

“You’re not still angry with me, are you?”

Eero’s eyes studied her for a moment while he registered what happened. Realization spread through him. That feeling that he had before with the bridge and that place between, it was the mark on his arm. Their bond. He heard of mind-speak with such magic, but never did he think he would experience such a thing in his lifetime. It was different from connecting with his pack in their wolf form. This was more intimate. Private. Like there was a world that only belonged to them and he could. . . feel her through it.

Once she continued to move, his throat bobbed softly, her scent filling his nose like a thick cloud. The scent made his insides stir to life. Regis’ whistle beside them snapped him out of the trance he felt he was in, but instead of responding to him, his eyes remained on Mallory who now stood beside him.

“I haven’t decided yet.” The words were sent right back down the bond from which her own had come. He really hadn’t decided. She violated his trust. His future. He should have been pissed beyond belief. He had been. But for some reason, one that he couldn’t pinpoint, he couldn’t stay full of rage. He couldn’t look at her right now and fight with her like the night she tattooed him.

Realizing that they were now considered stalling, Eero glanced over his pack once and took a step forward. The step that would lead them into the literal wolf's den.

When the pack entered the grand ballroom, the orchestra that could be heard outside of the doors seemed to explode with sound, now giving way to each instrument being used. Eero led the group across the polished flooring. All around them, chandeliers glittered above their heads, and lights illuminated the vast expanse of the room. Many mingling bodies littered the dancefloor and around the large dias which separated them all from the high ranks such as the High Alphas and Eero.

All of the thrones were occupied by the High Alphas already. Kenji and Namir were seated to the far right while Estella and Ahren were seated to the left. Eero’s throne was in between them. Dark crimson eyes found the pack immediately, as well as those in the crowd. Hushed whispers began floating about the room, Eero ignored them all, keeping his face neutral — nearly bored — as he stepped onto the dais. Most eyes were on him now, he could feel them burning into his body, but he refused to succumb to the pressure it caused, forcing his legs forward until he smoothly found his spot at the last throne. Kenji sneered at the sight of him, turning his gaze away while the others turned their attention toward Mallory.

The rest of the pack slowly spread out, taking their places around the thrones quietly and Eero’s eyes locked onto Mallory who was now exposed to the entire crowd atop the dias in front of the thrones. All at once, the orchestra slowed to a stop and everyone's attention was on them.

“Don’t be shy,” Eero curled a finger at her, his voice low and alluring. When she began stepping toward him, he waited for her to come up to his throne before casually drawing her down onto his lap. His lips brushed against the skin beneath her ear and he whispered to her, knowing the others could pick it up with their enhanced hearing. “Good girl.”

Namir blinked once at the action, almost as though she hadn’t expected it at all. As if she was wondering all along what his game plan would be, like she didn’t believe a word he said in the meeting and now it was all coming to smack her in the face. Kenji and Ahren weren’t the least bit impressed, their glares blatantly obvious. Estella on the other hand didn’t look at them, she kept her eyes anywhere else, whether it was disgust or embarrassment, he wasn’t sure. Didn’t care actually. Their plan was working.

“It’s a pleasure, Adrastos, to all of us, having you back in the city of Vedona.” Namir said, cutting through the tension clinging to the air.

Eero offered her a dark smirk, his fingertips dancing up along Mallory’s spine slowly, as though he didn’t have a care in the world aside from his precious pet perched in his lap. “The pleasure is mine,” he said absently, those dark blue depths sinking into Mallory entirely. His free hand found the open slit of her dress, just along her hip, his thumb stroked the skin there, slow and steady circles. Finally, he rose his eyes to stare at all those who eyed him with confusion, awe, suspicion, and excitement.

“Please, don’t stop the celebration on my watch. Drink. Play.” his hand on her back waved the orchestra to resume playing and as if on command, they did. Sound remerged from the instruments and singer and the crowd suddenly became full of chatter once more — he could only assume it was chatter of his return, but nonetheless, they were at least distracted.

“Only children play with their food,” Ahren muttered finally, his anger still visible.

Eero shot him a sharp look. “If your food tasted this delicious,” his hand was shifting, rising up her inner thigh now. He could feel the shiver that reverberated throughout her body and his eyes shifted to her briefly. It wasn’t the shiver that caught his attention, but the new aroma that shrouded her. Part of him found true delight in it. “you’d play with it too,” the Alpha smiled devilishly causing Ahren to release a low growling noise.

“You’re both acting like children,” Estella piped up with a hiss.

“If you’re jealous, Estella, I’m sure my lap has room for one more.” Eero shot and Estella’s nose crinkled before she rose to her feet and removed herself from the dias.

Reaching down the bond, Eero spoke to Mallory in a hushed tone, despite the privacy it provided them. “You’re doing an awful lot of fidgeting, Red.” on that note, his hand rose further, watching her body's reaction with amusement. “Something wrong?” Her scent was stronger now, and he knew it wasn’t her normal scent. It was arousal. The same arousal that was threatening to press against the fabric of his dress pants with each inhale he took of it.

Breakfast was delicious, the service was incredible, and Mallory had left the little cafe sufficiently satisfied. Despite his protest, Eero had agreed to humor Mallory and show her a bit more of the tiny village on their way out of the town. The constant stares and grimaces being passed their direction was clearly making the Alpha uncomfortable. She couldn’t blame him, Mallory thought silently, she’d grown up suffering a similar fate. Being the only daughter of the great Huntsman had basically made her royalty around the compound her family had shared with the other hunters, and she knew all too well the prickly feeling that’d occur over one’s skin when subject to so many people tracking their every movement. It was an eery feeling, sympathizing with the wolf.. something she would’ve never expected to happen in all of her days.

Despite is clear uncomfortableness, Eero had agreed to stop and purchase a few treats for the house from some of the street vendors at Mallory’s request. It would be good for morale, she’d convinced him. They all knew how much os a disaster tomorrow’s ball could turn into if things went sideways, so they’d all agreed to enjoy today to the best of their abilities. Mallory too. Tomorrow they would all have a role to play: the intimidating new Alpha, taking charge of his late father’s wayward pack and whipping them back into obedience, the Alpha’s plaything and pet, and his ruthless guards. Tomorrow they would camouflage their true selves for the sake of putting on a good show for the High Alpha’s whilst they lingered in Vadona, tomorrow they would be wicked and cruel and seducing.

But today would be theirs. Today they wouldn’t train, or hold meetings, or stress about a single thing. Today was about playing and loving and just enjoying each other’s presence. Today was to remind themselves who they truly were, even in a place that felt foreign, and even when they had to wear a mask.

By the time the pair had fallen back into step with one another on the long gravel path back to the estate Mallory carried a canvas tote on her shoulder with all of their newly acquired goodies: a loaf of fresh herb bread, some seasonal fruit, and a small tin of homemade pastries. Mallory was pretty sure that the Alpha had purchased the goods simply hush her excited jabbering her, but she’d appreciated the gesture none the less.

They’d started their journey back to the Alpha’s home with the sun high in the sky, the warm rays beating down on them from overhead. The two of them had meandered side by side along the packed dirt path in amicable silence for the majority of their journey, just soaking up the pleasant weather. The weather of Vadona was such a stark different from the snowy alps they’d traveled through with their sub zero temperatures and frosty winds, Mallory was just thankful to be somewhere that she couldn’t see her breath. No, the bubbling brooks and rainbow scaled fish at her feet were much more pleasant scenery than those snow covered alps.

Mallory turned sparkling eyes up to the wolf as he broke their silence, a playful expression cresting her lips. “Charm? Is that what the wolves call it?” She said with a click of her tongue, blue eyes leaving the Alpha’s face and turning back to observe the stream. “We must have different definitions.” Mal finished, a sarcastic lilt to her words.

It was Eero’s words that followed that truly shocked the huntress, cleaving a small laugh from her chest as she turned to face him once more. The biggest shock of them all though was that wild grin he wore. For maybe the first time in all of these weeks Mallory had spent with him, Eero was smiling at her. Not some sarcastic smirk or the kind of polite twitch of the lips one offered in passing, but a true smile.

He was devastatingly handsome.

She’d always known that the Alpha was good looking, but here in the sunlight illuminating his tan skin, all of the night-colored hair askew from the number of times he’d impatiently pushed a hand through it while Mallory had shopped, crushing blue eyes twinkling with mischief and straight, white, teeth on full display thanks to those plush lips stretching into a bold grin, Mallory was rendered speechless. Eero had projected himself as cruel and uncaring, but in this moment there was no denying the warmth that radiated in him. He looked more alive than Mallory had ever seen him.

Mallory hadn’t been able to halt the rush of heat that barreled into her cheeks, so instead she’d turned back away from the male, meandering off the path as she followed the bubbling stream towards the larger body of water it trickled from, knowing that Eero would be shortly behind. He’d never let her wander too far from his sight, not even at the estate. He’d become her near constant shadow. Sure, she'd been freed from her shackles and allowed to wander around at will - but always with careful eyes to watch her. Even when Eero had been busy, she'd notice Regis insisting on keeping her company.

“Excitement?” Mallory feigned confusion, tossing a playful glance over her shoulder to the Alpha. “You mistake me, Eero,” She purred with a click of her tongue, finally turning to face him as she neared the edge of a glittering pool of silver, right at the base of one of those gorgeous falls of water coming from the side of the mountain. “That was disappointment for you, friend. Two whole years? How lonely for you.” Mallory feigned a disappointed pout, though it was amusement that twinkled through her eyes.

Friend. That’s what she’d called him… is that what they were now? After so much time hating one another, fight and screaming, and being held captive - was this a friendship they were forming. Mallory couldn’t quite be sure, and admitted how obscene it seemed after all they’d been through. But she couldn’t linger on the thought, not with the way he was crushing her with his gaze, and certainly not with her self control on the brink of dissolving as the memory of their previous night slipped from the box she’d locked it away in and into her consciousness.

“You must’ve had to take so many cold showers,” Mallory mused, finally raising her eyes to meet his burning gaze. “Maybe you need another, if you imagine that I am so vested in your private affairs?” The girl suggested, a wicked smile on her lips as she threw all of her minuscule weight into one powerful shove, knocking the Alpha off balance and right into the awaiting water.

Playful eyes glittered across the table at him which were answered with the faintest of smiles curling at his lips. It had been the best mood he had seen her in, their relationship growing with each passing day. A very unlikely relationship. Still, in the back of his mind, he could feel part of himself warning him not to continue - telling him he was treading on dangerous ground. Yet here he sat. Having breakfast with his enemy and he couldn’t find it in himself to feel anything but content as her gaze beckoned up to join her in her newfound joy. After last night's events, he wasn’t sure he could trust himself the way he used to. Not around her.

“I prefer to say I’m just that charming,” he shot back, an impish glint in his eyes as he leaned back in his chair. Then, as their food was presented, her next words caused him to snort, eyes narrowing.

“Watch your tongue, Little Red,” his words came out taunting and matched her playful tone as he brought his steaming coffee to his lips.

As the two dug into their breakfast, Eero found the food had tasted exactly as he remembered. Everything was always homemade and freshly prepared. The waffles were fluffy and full of sweet enriching flavor.

When he was a boy he could recall making compliments to Nadia, often expressing that she could run a far more extravagant restaurant and that if he one day became a High Alpha, he would build one for her, the only payment needed being that she cook for him every now and then. Now, as he sat back in the seat he used to warm as a child, he still felt the same as he had then.

His reverie on the topic had quickly been dismissed as Mallory leaned against the table to draw nearer to him, a piece of bacon between her fingers as she smiled and asked about Azalea’s previous words in the estate.

Eero swallowed a drink of coffee before he could choke on it and he set the mug down, eyeing the girl sitting before him at her sudden curiosity regarding his sleeping arrangements. A glint of mischief twinkled in his eyes.

“Hmm, that’s hardly any of your business,” he began, reaching over he snatched the bacon from her grasp, taking a bite of it before smiling and nodding Nadia over to pay their tab.

As the pair bid their farewells to Nadia and stepped out of the cafe, Eero took in their surroundings while falling into step with Mallory. Several eyes fell upon them, not only filling with the shock of the Alpha's return to the village he'd refused to claim but they were trained on the human who walked alongside him. When any of them caught Eero's gaze, they were quick to avert their own. Slipping his hands deep into his pockets, he directed Mallory back toward the estate, not wanting to tread any further onto unfamiliar territory while things were still so unaddressed.

It was stressful. His return to Vadona. There were glimpses of light in it all of course. Seeing the few familiar faces that didn't fill him with dread. All of the nostalgia that came with it, no matter how sorrowful they could feel, they were still memories he'd hung onto. With the beauty of the city, there was also devastation looming around every corner.

The High Alphas had been betrayed by his father's rejection as well as his own. Rejecting something that was known to be so honorable could have sent them away packless if it wasn't for Azalea, Thomas, Tahtia, and Regis refusing to leave their side. Most of them were from crumbling families, or lone wolves themselves before becoming a member of Dii Lunae.

Stealing a glance at Mallory, Eero briefly pondered what had come over him last night. Where those emotions had flooded in from. He wondered why when he looked at her, he couldn't bring himself to hate her for what her father had done. He was supposed to take a life for a life, and now he was going off the deep end, not knowing how to swim. A voice he didn't recognize echoed in his mind. How could I possibly kill you? It asked quietly and he shifted his eyes to the gravel beneath his boots as they came across the stream again on their way back to the mansion.

"My charm must work on you too," he said, eyes focused on fish gulping at the bubbles in the stream. "With your peaked interest in my private affairs," his lips pulled at a grin. "Was that excitement I heard in your voice earlier?" he now looked at her, one eyebrow raised.

Tilting her face up to the sun, Mallory soaked in the radiant warmth of the sunshine as she followed Eero onto the grand front porch of his estate. There was still a dampness to the air from the previous nights flash storm that kept the temperature from rising to an uncomfortable high, keeping the day warm but not sweltering. Blue eyes slid to her companion as he explained his plan to introduce her to Vadona on his rare day off, earning a silent nod as they walked.

“I can’t imagine it gets much better than this,” She admitted, gesturing to the scene before them. The massive estate had been planted on a rolling field of luscious grass and greenery just off of the base of a great mountain. Bubbling brooks streamed from a waterfall that fell from the side of the rocky expanse, creating a small pond at its base before splitting off into it’s streams. The sound of running water and wildlife filled their silence, another testament to the beauty of the Alpha’s land.

But, as if the higher powers had heard her speak and wanted to make her eat her words, they’d finally entered the village proper. It rivaled the land’s beauty, but in a very different way. Where the grounds had been a place of contemplative silence and serenity, the village was bustling with life. Children ran through the streets shouting and playing, people bustled from vendor to vendor, their stalls lining parts of the streets as they shouted about the goods they had to sell, drawing in more patrons.

Mallory had grown up in a home where the doors were dead bolted and the windows nailed shut, the constant fear of an attack like a living thing inside of her - but not here, no such fear lingered through the people of Vadona. Townhomes lined the streets, their doors and windows propped open to welcome the warm breeze and neighbors shouting greetings to neighbors. The safety and comfortability these people felt in their home was something totally foreign to Mallory, and she’d been left without words at the sight.

The auburn haired girl hadn’t missed the lingering stairs the two of them had received as they made their way through the small town, but if it’d bothered Eero, he’d never shown it. He never said a word, not even as people turned to whisper about the new Alpha’s sudden return to his home after so many years away.

Ducking into the small restaurant Eero had directed her to, Mallory was immediately greeted by the slack jawed gaze of a woman at the front counter. No - not her, she realized, the woman had been looking at Eero with an expression of equal parts shock and affection. She watched their exchange silently, gut twisting as the woman mentioned the late Alpha and his son’s resemblance of him.

Spending time amongst the wolves, seeing how they interacted with one another and how she’d been protected despite being their enemy - Mallory had a hard time remembering why they were fighting this stupid war to begin with. War with the wolves was all Mallory had ever known back home, but now she couldn’t help but question if she’d been making a mistake for all of those years. So much death and pain had been caused by their hands, and for what? A blood feud from decades before Mallory had even been born?

Seeing the way Eero and the woman spoke his father made her question if it’d ever been worth it. It’d seemed inevitable, a necessary evil, at one point in her life… but now she wasn’t so sure.