Chapter 2 - I don't Need a Mate

Blaze POV

I watched with detached amusement as the trembling half-breed fainted right into my arms.

She was certainly an intriguing little thing, despite her lack of wolf.

I wondered idly how long it would take to break that fiery spirit of hers.

Cradling her unconscious form, I carried her over to the luxurious bed and dumped her unceremoniously onto the silk sheets.

"You two, have one of the maids watch over her," I growled to the guards lurking in the hallway. "I don't want any...incidents tonight."

Leaving the wolfless girl to her fate for now, I strode out of the bedroom, already putting her out of my mind.

I had much more entertaining prospects for the evening than dealing with my new "breeder."

I'll leave her for tomorrow!

A slow, predatory smile curved my lips as I made my way to the den where my pack's finest beauties would be waiting.

The shadowy club was thick with smoke and the thrum of pounding bass.

"Hello Alpha!" A sweet voice called tracing get hand in my chest.

I nodded walking in the clad she-wolves writhed on the dance floor as I entered, tumbler of whiskey in hand.

I was immediately swarmed by a bevy of females, all vying for my attention with pouty lips and wandering hands.

I chuckled darkly, allowing myself to be steered towards one of the plush couches. Within minutes, I was surrounded by a half-dozen stunning omegas, all but draped over me.

My harem! Why would I need a mate?

Slender fingers stroked along my chest and muscular thighs as they competed shamelessly for my favor.

"Now, now, ladies..." I purred, leaning back against the cushions. "There's enough of me to go around tonight."

Raucous laughter rang out from the den as drinks were poured and clothes began to drop to the floor...

The next morning, I emerged from my rowdy den in a foul mood.

My head pounded from a savage whiskey hangover and my muscles ached deliciously from the nightlong exertions.

Ignoring the tangled pile of she-wolves still sleeping it off, I stalked down the hallway towards my room, demanding a fresh set of clothes from the maids.

I didn't even spare a glance for the slight figure curled up in my bed as I strode into the bathroom, the pounding spray of the shower providing a temporary escape.

As the steaming water sluiced over my aching muscles, I allowed my mind to drift back to the events of a couple nights ago.

Alpha Lucas Blackwood had come groveling to make a deal - his own daughter in exchange for an alliance between our packs.

The sniveling fool was so desperate to join forces with my powerful Shadow Pack that he was willing to barter away his only offspring like a piece of shit.

I remembered the smug satisfaction on Blackwood's face as he laid out his terms. "This is my greatest sacrifice to you, Alpha Blaze. An offering of my most prized resource - my daughter Selena. She'll provide you the heir you require to continue your bloodline."

He made it sound like he was doing me a generous favor. As if I should be grateful to take his Wolfless halfling daughter off his hands.

I'll admit, at first I was insulted by his shameless attempt to pawn off his unwanted omega to be my ally.

But the more I considered it, the more pragmatic advantages became apparent. Having a fertile young woman give me a heir is not bad, I can have someone as an heir even without mate.

And her status as a hybrid, an outcast could actually work in my favor - she'd have no leverage and would be utterly reliant on me and I don't want a mate.

So, I agreed to Blackwood's terms, but not without extracting a few concessions of my own first. "Very well, wolf," I had growled across the negotiating table. "I'll take the girl to satisfy the blooddebt and seal our pact. But she is to be my property, my conquest to claim how I see fit. I don't mate for life with inadequate hybrid."

A muscle had ticked in the other Alpha's jaw, but he was in no position to argue. He simply gave a tight nod. "Understood. My Selena's...capabilities are yours to do with as you will." He added .

"Just make Sure she get me a heir that's what I require from her fertile womb."

I felt no guilt over the bartering, despite Blackwood's clear disgust at referring to his daughter as nothing more than a broodmare.

Selena was less than nothing in the world we lived in - a halfling, and a wolfless one at that.

Powerless and frankly quite disposable in the brutal hierarchy of werewolf society.

If the little modest flower thought she was being brought here as some beloved mate and mother of my offspring, she was in for a rude awakening.

I would put her to use creating the heir required to continue my legacy, whenever I saw fit. But she would also dutifully serve all my other needs - hostess, plaything, punching bag if the mood struck.

I expected no less than her total submission and obedience. Any resistance or defiance would be swiftly quashed through whatever means were required to break her spirit.

And if she proved too weak or willful to accept her place...well, things tended to get messy for those who pushed me too far.

As I toweled off and began dressing for the day, I felt a sense of dark anticipation replace my earlier foul mood.

"You. Girl. Get up and go work in the kitchen, you think you're my mate or something? You're nothing but my slave! One to give me an heir," I barked gruffly."

She startled awake at my harsh voice, clutching the sheets around her trembling form.

Her eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and...something else I couldn't quite identify.

"Well? Are you deaf as well as wolfless?" I demanded when she didn't immediately move.

She flinched but lifted her chin in a small show of defiance. "I...I don't know what you expect of me," she said, her voice small but firm.

I rolled my eyes at her pathetic attempt at standing up to me.

As if she had any choice in obeying. In three strides I crossed the room and gripped her jaw roughly, forcing her to meet my piercing stare.

"What did you expect to do in the kitchen, girl? You are mine to do with as I please. I own you. Or did you think your father sold you to me for companionship?" I sneered.

She let out a choked sound of dismay but said nothing more. I released her chin with a disdainful sneer.

"Now get out of the room while you can walk," I ordered, turning on my heel without waiting for an answer.

How dare she think to defy me, even for a moment?

She would learn her place soon enough - as they all did eventually...

...

I made my way down to my study, the lavish wood-paneled room where I oversaw most of my illegal business dealings for the Shadow Pack.

Stacks of files and ledgers littered the heavy oak desk, awaiting my review.

I had just settled into the plush leather chair and poured myself a much-needed few fingers of scotch when a sharp knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," I called out gruffly, not looking up from the pile of paperwork.

The door creaked open and I caught the unmistakable fragrance of feminine omega in the air.

Glancing up, I saw it surprised to hear say she's Lucas real child?

Who is the girl back there then?