Charles’ breath quickened, and his movements became more urgent. “I’m close,” he gasped in my ear, his voice breaking between moans. My own pleasure surged, and I couldn’t hold back the scream that tore from my throat. A wave of electric tingles swept through me, my temples throbbed, and the world around me faded into white…
Every pore on my body felt wide open, heat radiating from me in waves. It was surreal, as if I were in a dream, feeling everything but grasping none of it…
I could hardly believe it—I had married this man, the infamous Alpha of the Black Valley Pack, Charles McLean, and I had just slept with him.
But there was no love between us. We weren’t fated mates.
Since his first shift at eighteen, Charles McLean had never found his fated mate. And after one engagement after another, each of his fiancées had died under mysterious circumstances. Rumor had it that he wore a mask to conceal his hideous face and that he was a cruel, violent man who would kill without hesitation. People whispered that he had murdered his previous fiancées.
His last fiancée—my sister—was terrified of him. Horrified by the stories, she had vehemently refused to marry him. And just before the wedding, she found her fated mate. So, without warning or preparation, I was forced to take her place, pushed into marrying Charles in her stead, to stand as his wife in name only and the unacknowledged Luna of the Black Valley Pack…

A Substituted Bride But A Fated Luna

"Who gave you permission to lay a finger on Selena?!" I roared, sweeping every glass and bottle off the table.


"Alpha, it wasn't intentional... I only thought getting close to her would be—"


Quinn’s voice trembled. "My right... right index finger."


"Then go down and pull out that fingernail." I emptied a glass of whiskey, watching him as he visibly shrank back.


"Quinn, remember: someone like Penelope suits you better. Don't waste your energy on what you can't have. Selena is mine, and only mine."


There was a heavy thud as Quinn fell to his knees behind me. "Alpha, your words are burned into my mind!"


Feeling the sting of anger ease, I turned and helped him to his feet.


"Get up. Despite today's mistake, you accomplished something crucial: you pushed Selena into choosing war. Our plan advances because of you."


"Alpha, it's my honor," he replied, gripping my hand.


142 The Origin of Vengeance