　　"Mated?To me?"She knew her mouth was hanging open in shock.Darting a glance across the room,she saw Kane staring at her blandly,his hands behind his back.If her expression offended him,he didn't show it.She looked at her father,blinking to hold back the tears that threatened to fall."But...What about Bryan?"
　　"I'm aware you've had your eye on him,but this is for the good of the pack.We need strong alliances so that we can guard against the human threat.And,allied packs allow access between territories and increase the area in which we have to roam."He stopped speaking and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder."I know this is a surprise,but don't worry.Kane is a good man.He'll make you a fine mate."
　　Elise had no idea when she came home that day that she'd end up mated to a complete stranger.A new Alpha and the need for an alliance between packs have made her a pawn Excerpt:She lay beside him,staring blankly at the ceiling.The deed was done.They were mated.It didn't matter that she had no love for him nor he for her.Political alliances were more important than feelings...

Mated To The Lycan King

　　Elise spent most of her drive to work thinking about Kane.His childhood explained a lot about him now as an adult.As Helen had pointed out,not having a stable home or a real pack while growing up,made him fiercely protective and loyal of what he had now.And his consideration of her as a new member of the pack made sense too.How many times had he experienced that awkwardness,moving somewhere new and trying to fit in?Then there was his speech about‘moments of great disappointment'.She kept coming back to that,but it could have any number of meanings.At one time,she thought it might have referred to Marla,or it could be about his brother turning on him,but now she wondered if it was his mother leaving him behind,or possibly even his whole childhood.


CHAPTER 39