•𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑳𝑬𝑵 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵•【√】

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇɪɢʜᴛᴇᴇɴ

I look at the dress that is hanging on the door of my closet and I rub my hands together awkwardly. It is a simple, long blood red dress, with long flowing sleeves adorned with colorful designs at the hem, the same ones it has around the elegant neckline. Per my request, I got a pair of red ballerinas to match. I need to be ready and meet Jinyoung downstairs in half an hour.

To say that last night dinner and today’s breakfast were awkward would be the understatement of the century. I didn’t even dare look at him but I could feel that he had no problem looking at me all the time.

I thought I was all logic and mind, my wolf with me on this path. No extravagant emotions, no passionate stupidity, just a goal-driven Beta. But with Jinyoung... it is getting hard to listen to my logic. And mind you, my logic has a strong case. He is the asshole that forced me here, has Jihee captive and is treating all this as a game. Still, my body has an opinion of its own and it’s that of protesting my ascetic ways and demanding release. Preferably with that attractive mate waiting downstairs.

“Goddess, give me strength!” I pray and put on the dress.

I gather half my hair in a series of elaborate braids like I do every day when I train to keep my hair off my face but I do not bother with make-up. I slip the ballerinas on and I get out of my room. I hear him pace downstairs and I bite my lips in agony. When I am at the top of the stairs, he looks up and his jaw drops.

I try, I really try to keep a straight face but to see a powerful Alpha look upon me like that, is a sight that brings a smile on my lips. I dare a look in his eyes but the flood of emotion I see there makes me focus on the steps. This is a fucking dangerous game we are playing.

“Emery,” his voice is slightly trembling when I reach the bottom of the stairs.

“Jinyoung,” I reply looking over his shoulder.

"My fire cracker, Emery. You look breathtaking.”

I turn to him and stare with a raised eyebrow and I cross my arms over my chest.

“What?” He demands.

“I am waiting for you to suffocate.”

I see he too struggles to keep a straight face and a strict look but his full lips lift in a smirk and his eyes form light lines. Damn it! I swear for the millionth time. It would all be so much fucking easier if he was any less handsome than he is.

“You would like that, wouldn’t you?” Jinyoung towers over me.

“You got no idea.”

“Oh, I think I do.”

He then makes for the door and stops to look back at me when he opens it. I take in a deep breath. I am going out there as the Luna of this pack, ready to oversee the appointment of my Gaurd. I don’t want that, my whole being revolts to the idea but he has promised that I’d see Jihee after this.

“Come!” Jinyoung commands and he extends his hand to me.

If that smug asshole thinks I am going out there hand-in-hand as if we are some happy couple, then he is a bigger fool than I ever thought. I straighten my back and I take wide, decisive steps out to the corridor to the pack-house, completely ignoring his hand.

The moment the door on the other side opens, four guards fall on our sides and Jinyoung touches me lightly to lead me to his right and out of the house. I want to slap his hand and remind him that he needs to ask my permission to touch me but the thought of him on top of me, his strong chest rubbing on my breasts makes me wonder if bringing up body contact is a good idea. So, I follow his lead.