Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)

“Didn’t know it was so hard to enjoy being around me.”

“When you’re like this? I’d rather be in Hell.”

The tension between us is thick. I still can’t get the image of Theo and Clarissa out of my mind. And I know she senses it every time it pops into my head. Like now, with her eyes trained up toward mine and her eyes bulging from her face. I can’t stop thinking about his hands all over her. With his musty scent and his fumbling hands.

“You’re wrong. He fucked me better than you ever could.”

“Now who’s in whose head?” I ask.

The elevator doors open, and I take Clarissa’s hand. There’s no reason to take a cab to go anywhere around here. The scent of Wolf is overwhelming. I take off with Clarissa at my side, our legs carrying us quickly from small town to small town. The snow is thick, and the roads are icy, and slowly but surely Clarissa

inches out in front of me. I watch her curiously. Picking up speed when she should be getting winded.

If we arrive at the village, and she is in front of me, it could blow everything.

“Back off. You’re running too fast.”

“What? Can’t stand a woman beating you?”

“Not when she’s trying to pose as my mate, no.”

I watch her back off, slowing her pace so I can get back out in front of her. I hate this. Enjoying the presence of a woman who’s stronger than I am. Faster than I am. Angrier than I am. An alpha without a pack attaches himself to the one female better than him.

I really am a disgrace.

“No, you’re not.”

I look over at Clarissa as our eyes connect. Her thumb rolls around on top of my skin, soothing me as we approach our final destination. We slow down as the stench of Wolf overwhelms us.

It’s hard to breathe, and the wind is harsh against our skin. The snow is kicking up, creating a wall-cloud of vicious cold separating us from the entrance into Lord Wesley’s claimed land.

“We’re here. Remember, you’re my mate.”

I can hear the alphas approaching us. Feel their electric heat vibrating through the snow. Five men approach us, vicious. With weapons hanging off their belts. I guide Clarissa behind me, and I feel her run her hands up my back. Fuck. She’s really going to fall into this role well.

But I can’t react.

It’s a sign of weakness in Lord Wesley’s world.

“Who goes?” a man asks.

“Sebastian,” I say.

“I smell a woman.”

“Sniff harder, and you’ll know she’s mine,” I say.

“Wanna bet?”

Another man emerges from the cold with the look of blood in his eyes. I feel Clarissa’s hands bear down into my back, and I want to let out a howl. She has no idea what she’s doing. No idea the

electricity coursing through my veins from her touch. I know the Wolves can smell my lust for her.

And I know what he’s about to call us out on.

“I don’t smell you on her,” he says. “Curious, for a mate.”

“I’m here to see Vlad,” I say.