Cruz's Salvation

“No. Our arrangement had been made to bring two packs together who long fought.” Adric tapped her nose with his finger and smiled. “And, look, you were born from the arrangement. I grew to love your mother, appreciate her, and we were happy before her death. You’ll find the same happiness with Milo.”

“But…” Kiara had to stop this from happening. She just didn’t know how. “But…”

Adric stood, peering down upon her. “I know you’re confused right now, and we’re not going to rush anything. Get to know Milo. We’ll arrange for the moon ceremony to bond you in a week’s time.” He gave a firm, unyielding nod. “That will allow enough time for you to grow comfortable with him before you must…”

Kiara’s cheeks burned at the mention of sex in front of her father. To ensure the mate bond, the exchange needed to happen. Before she had a chance to become more horrified, Milo stepped in behind Adric. “I have given my word to be gentle with her and allow her a week to grow accustomed to me. You have nothing to worry of.”

Now, Adric flushed. “Y-y-es,” he stumbled, looking away from Kiara. “Well…I…all right. I’ll leave you two now to get to know one another.” He glanced back to Kiara, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “I only want what is best for you, Kiara. You know that, don’t you?”

Tears glittered in her eyes at the travesty, yet she couldn’t fault her father. He loved her enough to find her happiness, even if he had been mistaken what her reasons were behind her sorrow.

Kiara’s gaze stayed glued on her father, not wanting to acknowledge Milo. A finger on her chin forced her to do otherwise and as she looked back. Milo now knelt where her father had been. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No,” Kiara responded.

Milo smiled, a damned self-righteous grin. “I’m glad to hear it, because you have nothing to fear. I want to make you happy, do you understand?” He ran his knuckles across her cheek, and Kiara’s blood ran cold.

Yes, she did understand, but she didn’t want Milo. She wanted Cruz to touch her. Sweat formed on her body as she stared into Milo’s eyes, her hands got clammy, and panic coursed through her. No, she couldn’t agree to belong to him. Jumping up, pushing him away, she shouted, “No, I cannot accept you. I’m sorry.”

Milo gave her a measured look, his eyes wide with shock. “Why?”

“What is wrong, Kiara? Milo is a fine werewolf.” Adric looked Milo over, examining him. “The women in the pack told me they found him handsome.” Glancing back to Kiara, he gave her a hard look. “Why do you not approve of him?”

Kiara wanted to tell him, blurt the truth all out so he understood why she couldn’t agree, but words failed her now. Tears made her vision blurry. “I cannot say why; I just don’t want him,” she shouted. “I need to get out of here.” She ran for the door, but her father’s grip on her wrist stopped her.

“Kiara?” Her father’s Alpha-deep tone commanded her to stop, but also held a note of confusion.

“No, I can’t do this. I have to go. I have to leave.” She pulled with all her might to get her hand out of her father’s tight hold. “Let me go.”

Adric studied her for a moment, and sighed before he let go. As she ran from the house, all she heard behind her was her father’s quiet words. “Do not worry; she’s young and frightened. We’ll give her some time and she’ll accept you.”

No, she almost screamed back to them. I’ll never accept him. Running fast, she slammed into the front door, threw it open, and shifted, shredding her clothes around her as her paws hit the ground. She did

n’t want Milo. What would happen to Cruz? Her heart belonged to him. He had to have an answer to keep this from happening, and she prayed to the moon above that he did.

Chapter Three

Deep in the forest, Cruz paced back and forth in his simple log cabin. He’d bought this piece of land in the woods months ago and built his home, not only to live closer to Kiara, but to provide him with a locked basement, which gave him a safe haven for when he rested during the day hours. Secluded from the outside world, he doubted a mortal would stray so far to discover his location.

A brush of wind sounded loud outside the front door before it opened to his friend Devon, who stood with concern tightening his face and narrowing his dark blue eyes. “What’s going on?”

Cruz understood the harshness of his tone. Nowadays, life had become too complicated, and they contacted each other only when something went astray. But time apart held no meaning to them; their friendship and brotherhood of the blood had been forged long ago. They’d fought a war together as mortals, died together at the teeth of scavengers, and now, lived as immortals. Cruz closed the distance between them and offered his hand. “Thank you for coming.”

Devon shook his hand before he approached the couch and plopped down into the soft seat. “Not a problem, my friend. Bethany is at home, resting.”

“Your troubles are all sorted out?” Devon had problems of his own as of late, and if Cruz’s heart wasn’t so bothered, he’d never had contacted him. Right now, he needed a friend and had to let off some steam.

Devon nodded, his lips quirking in happiness. “It’s been all dealt with. Permanently.” Devon’s smiled hardened, and for a moment, his eyes glinted red at the implied violence of his statement.

Cruz might have indulged and asked more about his friend’s past situation, since he suspected it was one hell of a fine story if his expression said anything. But as long as Devon had his woman, nothing else much mattered. Besides, selfishness resided in Cruz’s heart too strong to wonder about anything else but himself. “Glad to hear you’ve found peace, my friend.”

“So, do you plan on continuing with the small talk, or are you going tell me what’s going on?” Devon asked, examining Cruz.

He sighed, sat down beside him on the couch, and ran his hands over his face. “I think I’m going mad.”

“Head over heels in love, are you?” Devon laughed.

Lowering his head, Cruz nodded. “It’s coming to a point where if I don’t find a solution, I’m going to lose my mind. I cannot be without Kiara any longer. I’m tormented. The hiding away, the sneaking around. I want her here, with me.”