The moon hung low in the ink-black sky, casting an eerie glow over the dense forest. Lennon, an Alpha werewolf, stood at the edge of his territory, his senses on high alert.
He could feel the tension in the air, a palpable energy that spoke of impending conflict.
Across the clearing, a men stared back at him, his eyes smoldering with resentment and envy.
This rivalry had burned for generations, a feud that neither side seemed willing to forget. His jealousy was understandable; Lennon's pack was stronger, his leadership unquestioned.
As the wind rustled through the trees, carrying scents of earth and pine, Lennon's nostrils flared. He was alone, surrounded by the darkness and the looming threat of the rival wolves.
But he didn't back down. This was his pack, his responsibility, and he would defend it at all costs.
Today was meant to be his wedding day, a day when he was supposed to unite his pack with that of his father's choosing. The human world saw a wife as a symbol of stability, an assurance to investors that his family was strong and dependable.
But he had rejected that idea, refusing to marry the woman his father had arranged for him.
His thoughts were jumbled as he recalled driving away from the ceremony, the weight of tradition heavy on his shoulders. He had fled to the outskirts of town, seeking solace in the wilderness.
His solitude was interrupted when his car was stopped abruptly, the driveway blocked by the wolves.
Growls rumbled in his chest as they closed in, twenty against one. Lennon's muscles coiled, his fangs bared in a silent challenge. The fight was fierce, a clash of fangs and fur. He fought with every ounce of strength, a wild determination in his eyes.
As he fought 20 members of the pack, only one thing was on his mind - he has to be strong.
It was easy to lose here, and his pack's reputation depended on him winning. He fought the 20 intruders, and finally escaped.
Tired and hurt, he walked around till he saw a building. It seemed like a hospital, but he couldn't be sure. He managed his way into the building, noting that it was a high-class sanatorium.
Just as he walked around inside, a scent caught his attention. This scent was unlike anything he had ever smelled before. It triggered something very primal in him.
He tracked the smell down to a room, and saw a woman inside. Before he even knew what he was doing, he burst into the room and pinned her down.
***
In the dimly lit hospital room, Rita Masefield was a landmine of emotions. What was supposed to be her wedding day ended up being the worst day of her life.
This wasn't a marriage for love, but an arranged marriage her stepmother had set up for her. She dutifully did what was asked of her, only to be left at the altar by the groom.
When the opportunity to cover for her coworker Diana came up, Rita jumped at it. At least being at the hospital, away from everybody's judging and pity was better.
Her stepmother and stepsisters would just see this as another reason to ridicule her and show her how much better they were than her.
She was so lost in her thoughts that when the door flew open, it took a second to register. Before she knew what was happening she was in the arms of a wounded man. She instantly recognized him.
Lennon Marcellus, the man who left her at the altar.
As his lips met hers in a flurry, she wondered if she should stop him. After all, he left her at the altar. But she wanted him to feel the shame and embarrassment he felt.
Their lips met in a hurry, the kiss so harsh that she felt it all the way to her bones. His hands clawed at her clothes, as if he couldn't get them off any faster. She quickly pulled up his shirt as he pushed down her pants and then his.
This wasn't love making, this was plain and simple sex. As their bodies met, a moan escaped her lips. He moved in her with frenzy, something she had never experienced before in her life. Sex was never this intense with anyone she had been with before. She screamed as she came, and he followed right after.
A couple of minutes later, he seemed to have come to his senses while she was still panting and catching her breath.
"What's your name?" he asked.
Just as she opened her mouth to answer, something changed in him. He got off of her, took his clothes and ran out the same way he had come in. Fast and in a hurry.
Rita knew she wanted to humiliate him, but right now she felt the pain and humiliation more. As much as she would love to go home and wallow in her misery, she has to finish this shift.
***
The next day, as Rita was leaving the hospital she ran into Diana.
"Rita!" Diana exclaimed, "Thank you so much for covering for me."
"Hey, no problem," Rita mumbled, not wanting to relive the previous night and left for home in a hurry.
As Rita left, Diana went to her office, secretly happy that Rita didn't ask why she needed to cover for her. Just as she settled down in the office, the director of the hospital knocked at her door and called her to the ward.
"Hello," a man's voice greeted her as she entered the ward.
Diana instantly recognized him. Lennon Marcellus, the billionaire who all girls wanted to marry.
Before she could get another word in, he spoke again. "I wanted to know if you were the one who treated me last night."
Diana instantly connected the dots. It was obviously Rita who treated him, but he didn't know that. And he didn't need to know that.
"Yes," she nodded.
Something changed in Lennon's face, and it hardened. "Thank you. I would like to offer you anything in exchange for last night, even marriage if you want."
