Danica’s POV
The grand hall buzzed with energy as Alpha Kendrick arrived, his presence commanding attention.
Everyone knew who he was, Alpha Nicholas’s childhood friend, a man of power, arrogance, and insatiable hunger for dominance. He was not only notorious for his strength but also for his love of collecting women like trophies.
I stood behind Alpha Nicholas, alongside Simon, our stances poised as we watched the two Alphas greet each other.
“Kendrick,” Nicholas said, extending his hand. “It’s been a long time.”
Kendrick clasped his hand with a smirk. “Too long, brother. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”
Nicholas chuckled, though there was no warmth in his eyes. “Not at all. You know how things have been.”
Kendrick nodded as he took his seat, his golden eyes sweeping the room, assessing everything and everyone. He was always looking for something, or someone.
Nicholas and Kendrick launched into a discussion about politics, the conversation laced with strategies and power plays. I kept my head bowed, silently listening, hoping to remain invisible.
But then Nicholas spoke my name.
“Danica.”
I stiffened.
I took a step forward, lowering my head in submission. “Yes, Alpha.”
Nicholas leaned back in his chair. “Go to my Beta’s quarters and bring him to me immediately.”
I nodded, ready to escape the suffocating presence of Alpha Kendrick.
But before I could take a step, Kendrick’s voice cut through the air.
“Why don’t you let the other warriors handle that?” He leaned forward, eyes fixed on me. “I have a proposal for her.”
My breath hitched.
I felt his gaze drilling into me, assessing me, claiming me. He rose from his chair, taking a step toward me. Before I could react, Nicholas shot to his feet, stepping between Kendrick and me. His voice was low, controlled, but filled with warning.
“Danica is not one of those women you get to play with, Kendrick. Stay away from her.”
Kendrick’s smirk only widened. He wasn’t the type to be easily deterred.
“Oh?” he mused, his gaze flickering between Nicholas and me. “And why is that?”
He took another step forward, and that was when it happened.
The moment our eyes locked, a strange sensation shot through me, deep, intense, undeniable.
A mate bond. I almost gasped. Kendrick’s golden eyes darkened as his wolf rumbled inside him.
His voice was deep, certain, claiming.
“Mate.”
A heavy silence blanketed the room.
I took a step back, shaking my head in disbelief. No. No.
This couldn’t be happening.
Nicholas’s entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched, his fists tightened, his breathing came out harsh. He turned to me, his eyes searching, pleading, denying.
“No,” he muttered under his breath. His hands trembled at his sides. He turned back to Kendrick. “That can’t be possible.”
Kendrick raised a brow. “And why not?” His voice was laced with amusement, curiosity.
Nicholas said nothing.
Kendrick stepped closer. “The fact that I can feel our bond means that this beautiful woman here is unclaimed.” He paused, his smirk deepening. “So, I’ll take her.”
Panic shot through me.
I opened my mouth to protest, to say anything, but before I could utter a word, Nicholas’s voice thundered through the hall.
“You can’t!”
The room fell deathly silent. All eyes turned to him.
Nicholas’s fists clenched at his sides. His body tensed with something raw, something possessive. And then, in a voice so firm, so absolute, that it sent shockwaves through the room, he spoke the words that no one expected.
“She’s mine.”