Page 32 of The Alpha’s Heir

Huh. I’d expected her to argue more.

Justus thankfully knew the drill, though he did pout as he looked out the window. “I can’t believe they’re making me do this.”

Curse science, I was going to kill him myself.

“We’re here.” Staff Sgt. Marcus came to a stop, laughing through my earpiece as he spoke. “Are we going to need backup?”

10

Meg

This isn’t natural. My wolf huffed.

She wasn’t talking about the fluorescent lights that seemed to pulse with an aura above, or the constant sensation of being watched—though neither of those were natural—and I had to agree with her.

Having my own mate actively trying to force me into another man’s arms felt… gross.

If he were a wolf shifter, we wouldn’t be here right now. Forget the gods and duty to the rest of the world, he’d have already staked his claim. Or at least any other wolf would’ve. But he was a human, and he could barely look at me—except for when he was telling Justus how to behave.

“You better pay her a compliment when she comes out,” Roman spoke under his breath, as if I wouldn’t be able to hear him telling Justus how to woo his own intended bride.

They sure didn’t make males here like they did back home or in the romance books.

He’s human. He doesn’t understand. My wolf growled with frustration.

Had Dad struggled this much when he met Mom? I knew she hadn’t understood the mating bond either and it’d taken time. She was also great at shutting off her feelings to take care of others.

Maybe that’s what I needed to do to survive this. I’d just ignore the ache in my chest pulling me toward Roman. Trish had done it for years, and she hadn’t died. This wasn’t about me anyway. I was nothing more than a sacrifice for the greater good.

That had to be the point.

I didn’t need Morrigan to tell me she’d intended this all along. A sacrifice. My happiness and future bond in exchange for the suffering I’d live with at marrying my mate’s best friend.

I thought of my family, of my pack, and my sisters, remembering the true reason I was here.

I could do this.

It feels like a bad idea, my wolf whined.

Do you have a better one that doesn’t involve kidnapping Roman and running off into hiding while the gods seek revenge for being woken up?

My wolf was silent as I zipped the side of the slinky dress. I turned to look at myself in the mirror, pulling my hair from the tie so it fell over my shoulders.

Damn. I looked good. The dark green silky material hugged my hips and waist, making my natural curves more prominent. I didn’t much like my muscular shoulders, but the cut of the top softened them and did wonders for my cleavage.

The assistant who’d picked this out had a good eye. Aunt Coral would love this dress. It’d look good on Trish too. I bet she’d want to steal it.

Thinking of them again brought a sad smile to my face, but it strengthened my resolve.

For them.

I stepped outside the dressing room.

Roman’s eyes went to me first. It was almost comical to see his expression darken, and it woke the inner beast in me, but I told her to stay sleeping.

My mate didn’t want us, remember?

Justus paused mid-conversation, slowly turning toward me. I expected some crude remark, but he only let out a low whistle.