Tasting The Enemy

Elaine POV

A large strawberry milkshake appeared in front of me and a ginger drink in front of my friend. Quin longed to go to the bar but neither of us was old enough to drink and Dale was strict. If you weren’t twenty-one you couldn’t sit in the bar.

Quin asked and leaned forward. “There’s your brother guess who he’s with.”

Nik sat at the bar with a bulky man with snow-white hair twisted into two braids that ran down his neck. At least he stopped braiding his beard. Neel handled a jug of beer while my brother cradled a bottle.

I sunk into my seat. My engagement party was in two days! We hadn’t spoken, but thanks to Opal I gave Neel the benefit of the doubt but that didn’t stop the dread of getting married at eighteen.

“Don’t do that,” Quin snapped.

“Do what?”

“Hide. Neel’s a powerful Alpha and you’re lucky to be paired with him.”

“Quin, we don’t know each other and you know I have plans.”

She rolled her eyes. “Doctor? You’re an Alpha’s daughter you don’t need to go through all that shit.”

My eyes turned to saucers. She knew I’d always wanted to help people. Because of my curse being a doctor feels like healing for me. I know there isn’t a cure for my curse so this was the next best thing.

“I’m not going to sit around and be his plaything for the rest of myself or my Father’s puppet.”

She sipped her ginger drink. “Think about it. You’re going to be ruler of an entire pack, stinking rich, practically royalty and you want to spend years of your life studying? Were you dropped on your head as a baby?”

I sighed and glanced at my brother and Neel. They laughed with their friends but didn’t notice us.

“It doesn’t work that way. Alpha’s could decide not to let their Lunas leave the house or use them as baby-making machines.”

“Whatever, are you coming to Dominik Rodger’s party tonight?”

“I have work to do, Quin, next time.”

Quin sighed, annoyance rolling off her.

Neel was seven years older than me like Nik. He had a reputation of being a man-whore. I groaned and picked up my milkshake. Neel wouldn’t ruin my day.

***

A hard knock came at my door that evening.

“Come in, Avena,” I sighed, shutting my book.

She offered me a small smile. Which was rare for her. “You have a visitor.”

I climbed off my head. “Is it Opal?”

Though, she wouldn’t need to be announced and Avena never announced anyone unless it was to the Alpha.

“Umm,” she stepped aside.

“Hello gorgeous,” Neel said, stepping into my room.

I backed up, my heart slammed forward and my words turned to gibberish.

“Alpha Neel’s staying for dinner,” Avena said quickly before scurrying out of my room and shutting the door.

Traitor!

He was larger than I thought. I felt like a mouse.

“I couldn’t wait to see you.” He stalked forward.

I backed up and stumbled. “Um… Really?”

The corner of his mouth raised. His teeth were stained from all the beer he drank. His blond beard covered his jaw and entire chin. His arms were as hairy as his head and his hands reached out to grab me. I darted to the window bed, my mistake because there was nowhere to run from there.

“Since I saw you at the Autumn moon festival.”

“That was six months ago,” I gasped.

“Since then I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

He collapsed on the bench. He reached out and locked my face in his palm.

“You’re more beautiful now. I had to wait until you were legal and then I had to wait until our engagement day.” He stroked my bottom lip with his thumb.

I leaned back, my heart threatening to jump out of my throat.

Dad’s had this planned for over six months? And the entire family knew about it.

“So you wanted this?” He wasn’t caught blind, he was in on this.

“Of course I did.” His brows dipped. “I’m going to be the envy of a thousand packs.”

He shifted forward and grabbed my thigh.

“You smell like honeysuckle and vanilla.” His face travelled too quickly and found my neck I leaned back before his lips made contact with my skin.

“That’s my conditioner,” I winced.

He inched closer. “And you’re an Alpha wolf. Could this get any better?”

Obviously, he wasn’t told my wolf, Dove, was dormant except for when the full moon was around.

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to face him. “It does. You’re a perfect virgin … I don’t know how long I can hold myself back.”

I jumped out of his roll, climbed over my bed to the other side and sighed. Neel rolled his shoulders back and leaned forward. He crossed his fingers and glared at me.

“Neel, I forgot I have a party to go to.”

“A party, huh?” He leaned back and folded his meaty arms over his chest.

I offered him a sweet smile. “At a friend’s house and I’m running late. If you don’t mind, we’ll catch up later.” I batted my lashes for extra effect.

Neel got up and met me at the door. He leaned close and our noses bumped. I smelt the alcohol on his breath and cigarettes on his clothes.

“I’ll see you soon, princess. We’ll do more than talk.”

I swallowed.

“I promise.” He walked out.