Page 25 of Red's Beast

“Don’t play dumb, baby. It’s time that the entire pack knows what we have been discussing,” he says with a sly grin as he reaches out to stroke my cheek with a single fingertip.

My jaw drops open as I try to find words to reject him, but I fail miserably.

“See, she is so excited that I have robbed her of words. You’ll have to excuse my mate to be. All of this has been a lot to take in and plan.” He looks around the pack, seeing their approval, before turning his attention to me. “She’s exhausted, but will only be more so after our mating.”

Several of the pack laugh, but I’m still trying to figure out how I can do this without ruining my chances of ever taking over the pack.

If I deny him, then I’ll never be able to take what is rightfully mine. I have to remember what grandmother told me.

I need them on my side.

But I don’t have to say a word as Ophelia comes up from the back of the crowd, her face as red as an apple.

“Your what? What did you just say, Corbin?”

The crowd shifts their gaze from me to her and frowns as they take her in. It’s definitely not a good look.

Nigel steps in front of her before she reaches us, blocking her from coming any closer.

“So, it’s settled. Corbin will mate with Lillian and join the old bloodline with new.” He stops when he hears Ophelia scream with rage. “Take her away to cool off. She has known for a long time that they weren’t fated mates.”

As Nigel’s gaze lowers and meets mine, the smile returns. “I approve of your pairing. You are a wonderful choice for my son.”

Nigel suddenly moves again, reaching up to pat Corbin on the shoulder, before turning to face the crowd.

I still don’t know what to say to get out of this without making myself out to be the villain.

“We have three weeks to prepare for the ceremony,” Nigel announces to the pack. “Please make haste and prepare.”

The pack disperses, and once everyone is out of earshot, I turn toward Corbin. “What have you done?”

He reaches up with one hand to ruffle his messy blonde locks before leaning closer to me with a smirk planted firmly on his lips. “I told you that I would love ruining you.”

“But you don’t want me, Corbin. Why are you really doing this?”

Corbin quickly leans away, his gaze darting toward the pack, before finally landing on me again. “You can fight me and never get the pack behind you. Don’t think I don’t know what your thoughts are. Your face is too easy to read. An alpha in hiding will eventually rise and want to take over the pack.”

“So you are doing this to stop me from ever becoming alpha?”

He shrugs. “Maybe. But my family is loved by this pack and those who supported your grandfather have died or changed sides. You have no choice but to fall in line, Lillian.”

“I could still gather support. There are people who will support the old bloodline.”

Corbin’s smirk widens into a full grin. “Do you really believe that? They love my father.”

I blink a few times as I try to figure out if he really believes that or not, but after a few seconds pass, I realize he doesn’t have a clue. He truly believes their fear is love for his father. “Your plan is going to fail.”

He scoffs. “Who will make it fail? You want to save the pack from my family? Why not mate into it and keep me in line?”

I stand there for a moment, debating on what to say. It is something that has crossed my mind, but I’m not sure this is how I’m supposed to do it.

Suddenly, his fingertips caress my cheek, catching my attention. When I glance up, his face is mere inches from mine and he’s staring at my lips.

“I look forward to you becoming my mate. Long may we rule.”

As he walks away, I’m left speechless. He doesn’t want me. Not truly. The only reason he is doing this is because he wants my power and he worries that I’ll take support away from his family.

But what if he is right, and no one supports the old alpha line? What if he knows more than I do?

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