Page 142 of Mated to the Wolves

“Bottoms up.” My lips part, and the brown liquid burns its way down my throat and settles in my belly.

“There’s a good pup. It’s past time you learned your place. I haven’t held this position by ignoring potential threats. People are looking to you as if you’re the messiah. I can’t have that. You act under my commands as an extension of my will.” He smiles. “And nothing more. You’re going to have a front-row seat for the destruction of the mates who forgot their place. Cadoc should’ve known better than to leave my enforcers. I’ll let you keep the two mates loyal to me, so everyone wins.”

How many times has he done this to others? A dark outline stands behind him. I blink, and it disappears. What the hell did he do to me? How can I tell the others I’m not okay?

“Time to return and let the others know about our adjustments.” I follow him out of the room, a passenger in my body under his spell.

Screaming in my head, I fight against the mental lethargy that keeps me complacent.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Alpha raises his hand and the conversations around us come to an end.

“We have a concerning issue to resolve. Our dear Ylva has been taken advantage of.”

“Ylva?” Cadoc steps forward. An enforcer steps between us.

“Magic has been used to gain her favor,” the Alpha announces.

“Princess,” Bo growls.

Shaking, I wrestle against the magic that’s silenced me. The mark on my arm itches. My skin stings.

Energy surges toward me through the link with my mates. My internal temperature spikes and I breathe faster. My sternum itches and heats. Electricity flows between my breasts.

“What’s happening?” Someone cries.

The light flickers and the spell wanes.

“No. That’s not true.” I regain control.

Alpha’s eyes round before he schools his expression from the others.

“Anrik. You’ve fed me false information.” His power flares, sending others skittering away from the wolf on his knees. When you get on the bad side of the Alpha you become a puppet humiliated and controlled in front of the pack.

“Is this what I can expect from your son, Alphonse?”

The lead enforcer Looks flabbergasted, puffing air and stuttering.

“N-no. I’m sorry, Alpha.” Alphonse drops his head, red-faced, and trembling. His hands are fists at his side.

I hope whatever power grab he planned on fails spectacularity.

“I challenge him.” Cadoc’s eyes lock briefly with the Alpha’s. “If Anrik wants my mate so badly, that he’s willing to disparage my clan, he can fight me for the chance to be considered.”

“Know this. The only way I’ll be parted from her is death.” Bo lends his support backing Cadoc.

“We’ll settle this properly after dinner,” Alpha insists.

His dark gaze follows my every step as I return to my clan’s side.

“Are you okay?” Kirk mouths.

“No, but I will be,” I mouth.

With all eyes and ears on us, I can’t share what happened.

“To the dining room. Our warriors need fuel.”

Masterfully playing the director of ceremonies, the Alpha ushers us to the dining room, always keeping us within earshot. Did I resist his command?

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