Chapter 0304

Seraphina

I slid into the booth, my body heavy with exhaustion. A waiter appeared instantly, placing a glass of wine before me. It had been too long since I last visited this place. My eyes scanned the room, half expecting Julian to walk through the door. This was where we first met.

He wouldn't be coming tonight. The thought twisted like a knife in my chest. I gave him everything. I built him up from nothing. This was how he repaid me. The bar was overflowing with Wolves and Lycans. Far more than I felt comfortable with.

"Busy tonight?" The waiter attempted conversation. He quickly retreated when my sharp glare made my desire for solitude clear.

The rich, red wine burned down my throat. I released a heavy, frustrated sigh. All my carefully laid plans were crumbling around me.

I never minded being alone before Julian. He carved a path straight into my heart. I was free to move and act as I pleased. My only responsibility was to myself. Then he had to walk through those damn doors.

My fingers brushed against the mark on my neck. I jerked my jacket collar higher. I had surrendered to him. I broke my most important vow. Now I have no idea what's happening to him.

Are they drugging him? Have they found a way to block our mental link? I can feel him clinging on. That's the only thing I know for certain. Is he locked in a dungeon, starving to death?

So many questions with no answers. I despise being kept in the dark.

The waiter placed another glass of red wine on my table. "I didn't order this, you idiot!"

Annoyance flashed in the wolf's eyes, but his face remained neutral. He nodded toward a man at the bar. Another Lycan. "It's from him." "Take it back to him." I pushed the glass away, but the waiter had already vanished. I straightened my back, hearing a faint crack. I finished my wine, ready to leave. The Lycan from the bar stepped in front of me. "Hey. You look like you're heading to Obsidian Howl. Mind if I tag along?" His voice was a low, tempting rasp. But it was his scent that truly called to me. Leather and tobacco.

A dry laugh escaped me. I shook my head, trying to ignore the pull of his aroma. "I'm not going there." Not yet, anyway. I needed a better strategy if she was gathering every Lycan she could find.

"Aren't you curious about the female Alpha?" His sage green eyes, speckled with blue, studied me intently.

I snorted. "I've already met her. She's not impressive."

He ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. "Why not?"

"Why do you care?"

He slid into my booth, trapping me. His scent of leather and tobacco hit me with overwhelming force. It stole the breath from my lungs. This was inevitable with so many Lycans gathering. But I was already claimed. Any move from him could destroy me.

"My whole life, I've heard stories. Stories about an Alpha like no other. We never knew when she would appear. Not until we felt that call." His husky voice sent a shiver straight down my spine. I fought to maintain my composure. It didn't matter that he was my fated mate. I was mated to Julian. I had given myself to Julian completely. I would get him back.

"You believe that nonsense."

He nodded slowly. "Don't you?"

I let out another derisive snort. He slid the glass of wine he'd sent over across the table until it stopped right in front of me.

"Not a fan of the Alpha concept?"

"No. Not her, at any rate."

He raised an eyebrow at me, then nodded. "I still want to meet her."

"You'd be wasting your time." I took a large gulp of the wine. I didn't want it to confirm my desire for him. I just needed the throbbing in my head to stop.

He smirked. The blue flecks in his eyes seemed to glow brighter. "Does she not like you?"

"It's more complicated than that."

"Right." He suddenly grabbed my chin, forcing my face toward his.

"Don't." I shoved his hand away.

"Too public?" He mused.

I yanked my jacket aside, revealing the claim mark on my collarbone. His eyes darkened instantly. "You let another man claim you!" He growled, the sound low and dangerous.