Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)

“You’re not going to like it.”

“Try me.”

A growl rises up my throat as my eyes lock onto Clarissa’s.

“If you walk into that den of Wolves, and you’re unmated, they’ll pounce. Lord Wesley’s an alpha, and his son is as well. If you’ve been bred to mate with any species, then I have to assume you’re always bred to mate with an alpha. And if you're not attached to an alpha already, you’re fre

e to be claimed by them.”

I watch Clarissa’s shoulders slump as my words swirl through her mind.

“The only way you can come with me safely is if you pose as my mate,” I say.

“Told you you weren’t going to like it.”

Chapter 18

~ Clarissa

I’m growing tired of planes. Jetting around the world and landing on continents Kyle and I always spoke of traveling to together.

He promised me I would see the world. That as long as he existed in my life, I would see all of the wonders of every single continent.

I had no idea it would be while I am avenging his death.

Yes, this is for all of us. Keeping all of us safe from a betrayal in the highest offices of the Primal. But for me, this would always be personal. They are responsible for taking the love of my life away. They are responsible for turning the happiest night of my life into my worst nightmare. They are responsible for leaving my husband behind with no face, no skin, and barely any organs to keep his heart pumping.

Kyle died in agony.

And I will make sure they all die the same way.

I stare at the clouds passing us by as we jet from Egypt to Russia. It seems like a lifetime ago that Kyle was murdered, but it has only been a month. I lean my head against the window and sigh, thinking about all the times Kyle spoke of going to Russia.

He always teased me. Saying he would take me in the middle of the winter just to be snowed in with me. We would pack out the kitchen and buy up all the alcohol and wrap ourselves up in blankets and watch the snow fall for days.

I blink away the tears along with the memory as I heave a heavy sigh.

The plane is creaking as we hit turbulence crossing the barrier into Russia. It’s like the country senses our arrival. Senses us coming to rip it to shreds. I am ready. Ready to pose as whatever I need to be to get the answers I’m seeking. Though part of me is battling the idea of posing as Sebastian’s mate, I know it’s the only way to be safe in the country. To keep me in this mission so I can keep finding the answers I seek.

And if acting like his mate gets me closer to avenging mine, then so be it.

“How are you feeling?”

I look over and watch Toshi drop down into the seat next to me.

“Do you ever make a sound when you’re walking?” I ask.

“No. And if you try, you probably won’t either,” he says with a grin.

“Yeah. One more attribute to add to the running list.”

“Are you sure this is smart? Posing as Sebastian’s mate and going into a den of alphas?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“You do,” he says. “You could stay behind with me. Let Sebastian go gather what we need and come back to report.”

“I haven’t sat anything out now, and I won’t start simply because you’re jealous.”