My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance by Moonlight Muse

22. My Refusal

HUNTER

It had been a few days since the wedding, and I knew more than ever that my decision had been absolutely correct. Charlene was the perfect Luna, wife, and mate.

Not only was her heart beautiful, but so was she. A perfect bonus, because I craved her. One night was not enough for me. That first night, I had made love to her twice before forcing myself to stop, it was her first time and i knew she would be in pain.

The very next day, I had awoken to her having run me a bath and had my clothes out ready for me. I told her she didn‘t need to do that stuff for me, I had Omegas for such tasks, but she made it clear she wanted to be the only one taking care of me.

I nearly smirked, it was almost as if she meant something else... but I wasn‘t suré... I planned to tease her a little and see if my innocent princess would indeed get jealous. I wanted her to be possessive of me, to show me that she wanted me all for herself. Ah, it was pleasant to have someone by my side, and although I wanted to simply bed her day and night, duty called. As promised, the following day we had planned and mapped our journey. Some of my scouts had returned, and we had managed to assess what was going on. There was something odd at work, Theoden had invited most Packs for a special event in a few weeks, to show what he had to offer as their new king.

The invitation, which of course I didn‘t get, looked fairly simple, but I didn‘t trust it, nor did I trust Theoden. There was never anything straightforward with him, and as much as my mother claimed to fall in love with him, I believed it was just the bond that had pulled her to him. The mate bond blinded you to logic, it‘s why I always knew I‘d choose my own mate, to love her without the bond. That was true love. Not a bond that makes you feel something for someone no matter how dark or twisted they were. 1

We had left last night, splitting into five armies. Each was assigned a different job, the only problem was I didn‘t want Theoden to catch whiff of what was going on. I myself was part of the smallest group, and we were going to head to Alpha Romeo‘s Pack. He was one of Andres‘s closest and I intended to get him on–board for the take–back. He didn‘t know we were coming, but he had expressed his concern in his letter since his pack was heavily watched, we just needed to make sure no one saw us meeting him.

We had travelled all morning and had now set up camp for the night. I had thirty men with me, along with those from the Silver Storm Pack. It had been difficult for Raiden but he had left his brother at my pack, I assured him he would remain safe. Charlene was of course with us, although I didn‘t want her anywhere near the battle, but she had pleaded to come with me. There would be a battle and it would inevitably take place no matter how much we didn‘t want war, because it was already upon us... For the sake of my mother, I avoided Theoden, but I despised him. If it hadn‘t been for his selfishness, she might still be alive today. For Theon as well… just how I had promised her. I needed to get him to see the truth before it was too late. I knew there was good in him, because he was her son. I would hold onto that and take the role I needed to as his elder brother. If he‘s in the wrong, then I will show him the right way, one way, or another.

I came out of my reverie, watching Ryan prodding at the rabbits we were cooking, and I

glanced over at the Gamma. Charlene‘s father and brother… She had told me about it on the second day of our marriage, although she said he didn‘t know she didn‘t want to keep anything from me. I loved how she trusted me, but I also worried about her trusting others far too quickly. 1 Well, she had nothing to worry about, I was here to make sure she was safe and around those who could be trusted as much as possible. She was currently inside our tent whilst Raiden was with the horses, checking some of the supplies. We were travelling mostly on foot or in wolf–form, but we had some horses for luggage, and for some of the men when they needed a break.

“So why haven‘t you marked her?” Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

I guess it was true, half–siblings were definitely not alike...

This man was nothing like his sister. “That‘s not really your business now, is it Sanchez?” I raised my eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes.

“Na, it isn‘t, but it is weird. She isn‘t your fated mate, so you marking her has nothing to do with you going to war and maybe getting killed.” “I like how you don‘t really care if I do die... but me not marking her is something I personally do not wish to do, until after the war.” “Why?”

He sure didn‘t take a hint.

He looked at me pointedly, and the urge to knock him over the head appealed greatly to me. “She‘s young. If I do end up fucking dead, I don‘t want her to be held back by my goddamn mark” I growled lowly, trying to control my anger. I saw Raiden and Grayson turn to look at

me.

There, I fucking said it.

at me in surprise, before he realised

showed up, no one could remove the mark I leave on her neck. I didn‘t want her life to end there, she had the right to choose a new

I was done with this conversation and was about to storm off for a walk, when I saw her

the bastard sitting there poking the fucking rabbits, entirely unbothered, before I turned back to Charlene

I called after

riverbed, her heart thumping as she clutched her clothes to her chest. I closed the gap between us and wrapped

waist, trying to calm her anger. Ah

did not mean it

you I don‘t like you talking about dying. This war is scary enough, without me

hold and turned to look up

temporary... You said that if my fated mate came, you would not let him take me... but why do I think deep down… that if he did show up, you would let me

my mind. Me screaming

had a child... I would make sure she took that child with her… because no child deserved to be without their mother. I wouldn‘t

by the fact that she had left me. A question, I refused to dwell on.

turned away from her my own emotions overwhelming me, and

Mark me.”

deserve to do so? If she is ever marked over mine... the pain that came with it... almost like

first proposed to her, how can she suddenly be ready in a mere few

my arms, weaving my hand into

sure?” I asked

when I promised myself to you, I

her deeply. I don‘t know

condition.” I whispered, pulling away from those plump lips

condition?” She

jerked

you on the seventh day of our

eyes widened as she looked through the trees back towards the faint fire

hue of red. My smirk only grew as

realised you bathed with your husband.

eyes widened, and I chuckled

said a bath!” She yelped, her heart

you expect me to bathe with you and

in alarm, running her fingers through her hair, her

her was indeed incredibly

near the water for the next half an hour‘ I commanded my men through the