Antiope

My cheeks are hurting from all the fake smiling and if I have to clap one more time to congratulate a happy couple, I will scream. Luckily this long night is close to an end and though these nights drag well after the sunrise, as soon the Alpha King says the words, I am calling it a night. I got a long ride back home and a father to face.

I can't run tomorrow so I will be packing tonight. Running means submitting to the male catching you and there is no avoiding that commitment. Unfortunately- or not - there isn't one male here that fits my requirements to let him catch me.

"One last male to claim his mate," Alpha King stands on the high platform and demands silence.

"Finally," Maximo all but yawns.

"I am glad that my own cousin, my trusted councilor and the man that saved my life more than once is the one to close this ceremony," the King continues. "I am honored and happy that he found his mate in the Mating Hunt. Alpha Magnus, come forth."

Alpha Magnus is here? Though European packs are not part of the prerequisite studies for a Beta of the Northern Americas, I was always an overachiever so I did study some of it. And a big, bloody part of the recent history is Alpha Magnus. Being the leader of the biggest pack in Scandinavia, he singlehandedly erased the threat of the Northern Rogues and as Alpha King said, he has saved his life on multiple occasions. Rumor has it that the last of these times, Alpha Magnus got a big scar on his back, inflicted by a silver sword.

I get up to take a good look at the war hero in our midst while I still holding my last cup of beer. And as I take a sip, I choke on it. Cause there on the platform walks none other than the tall asshole that dared call me "little girl" to my face!

It figures, my logic answers. Alpha Magnus has a reputation for being overly cruel even to those trespassing by mistake in his territory by mistake. He has smothered an invasion by Russian packs in blood and there are talks of inhumane torture techniques he uses to get what he wants.

A hard and cruel man, cold as the ice that covers his territory with no sign of human emotion, just cold hard logic and ruthless response. I pity the girl that he has chosen for his mate.

"Alpha Magnus, call your mate," Alpha King asks.

Alpha Magnus turns to the people with that stone expression on his face and I see a lot flinch away from his gaze. Thankfully, he doesn't look to where I stand. Instead, he takes a deep breath and calls out.

"Antiope Everstone of the Waterend Pack," his voice resonates in the tent.

"WHAT?" I yell and all eyes turn to me.

And amongst those eyes, are his. A smirk creeps up his lips as he narrows his eyes with malice. He can't do that, he can't do that, he can't do that.

"Antiope Everstone, come forth."

"Not a fucking chance in Hell," I widen my eyes to the Alpha King.

I see the King's guards move behind him. "Fucking" and "Hell" is not the way that protocol demands you address the Alpha King.

"Young lady, come forth," the King warns me.

There's a wave of whispers spreading in the tent but I don't give a damn.

"We can make a run for it," Maximo suggests and despite all logic, I am seriously considering it.

I turn to Alpha Magnus to let him know I am not appreciating this joke one bit and that he should end it right now. All I get is his stony expression that is indecipherable.

When I still do not make any attempt to climb the stairs to him, he descends like a Norse god of war, ready to pillage cities, burn churches and rape women. Which could be like his regular Tuesday or something.

As he reaches the swarm of people, they part and keep their distances from him for fear that if they bump into him, they die. In long, confident strides he reaches me. All my instincts are telling me to flee away from the scary man. But I show no fear as I stand my ground, steel my face, and have a sip of my beer for a little bit of liquid courage.

"Are you deaf, little girl?"

"Are you stupid, big asshole?" I retort.

"That is no way to talk to your future mate," he growls.

"I'll be sure to refrain talking to him like that when I meet him."

He covers the little distance between us and grabs my arm in such force that I drop the cup I was holding. That is going to leave a bruise for a while, I know. I try to take my arm away from his grasp but so far it seems that I'd have to cut it off to break loose.

"I am your mate," his low growls makes the hair on my neck stand.

"Doesn't smell like it," I defy him. "So, if you'll excuse me," I try once more to wiggle out of it.

"Oh, I beg to differ, little girl," he sniffs me openly.

"Call me little girl one more time and I will hit you in your little boy," I threaten.

I have heard of scary laughter but I never seen one live in my life. That savage thunder that rumbles out of his mouth makes everyone around us tremble, me included. There is nothing... laughter-y in that open display of cruel amusement. When he is done, he pulls me closer to him and stares in my eyes.

"You will do as I say," he simply states.

"Dragging around a female that clearly doesn't want you and force her to mate with you? You must be desperate for a fuck," I spit in his face.

His frigid face loosens for a second and he glances down my lips. Seriously? Stupid males and their selective hearing.

"Let me go!" I demand.

"Scared, little girl?" He is taunting me.

"I said let me go!"

This time his grip is tighter, his strong fingers plowing in my flesh. His blue eyes turn black and there is a slight change on the verge of man and animal that gives me shivers. I want to scream, to fight, to free myself and flee away from that dangerous man. But before I get the chance, he leans to my ear.

"You will come and you will complete the ritual. You will follow me back to my pack and you will be a good Luna."

"Like Hell, I will. I will kill you before you get the chance!" I hiss.

"Pity. I thought that you would like to be reunited with your sister."

The blood is drained from my face. My sister? My sister is safe and away, looking for her mate like the stupid romantic she is. He is bluffing.

"My sister is safe," I call him on it.

"Definitely safe. In my prisons."

No, no, no. He is lying through his teeth to get me do his bidding.

"You see, she crossed the border without permit. I do not take kindly on that."

I freeze and almost slumber on the floor. Stupid, stupid girl. Ever since we were little she was capable of racing after a freaking butterfly across hostile territory.

"You are lying. I could tell that no woman would willing let you fuck her, but to go this far? It's not just the cold shit, is it?" I flinch. "Small dick as well?"

"Antiope!" His roar fills the tent.

He says nothing more but drags me to the platform. Absolute silence reigns in the tent as he practically carries me up the stairs and before the Alpha King.

"Magnus?" The King asks in a low voice.

"Start the ritual."

"I do hope that the safety of your subjects is not so low in your priorities, Your Majesty," I say so everyone can hear.

"Young lady..."

"I would really appreciate it if you were both," I throw a dagger look on Magnus, "to address me as Beta Everstone in the absence of my father."

It was a bold demand but according to the law. I am sure that forced mating is not something that the Alpha King would like to spread as a rumor about his reign.

"Very well, Beta Everstone. You know I personally guarantee the safety of all participants in the Mating Hunt," his voice is mellow but his eyes are warning me.

"I am glad to hear that, Your Majesty. That means I can go freely."

At these words, Magnus's grip on my gets tighter as he pulls me to his side. I want to cry out in frustration. I spent a lifetime to become strong but this man is treating me like a ragged doll and though I haven't tried, I know I am no match for him. There is no amount of training in the world to prepare me for that sheer, raw power.

"You value your sisters life so little?" He whispers in my ear.

"You are lying," I hiss.

He clicks his fingers and a man emerges with a tablet in his hands. A video is frozen there and Magnus presses play. There is no sound but I need none. That is my baby sister! She is in silver cuffs and she is crying in agony in a dark room with a single light thrown in her face.

"You bastard," I raise my hand and slap him in the face, tears running down my cheeks.

The crowd leaves a loud gasp. Men have lost their hands for less facing Alpha Magnus. But I do not give a damn. I am shaking with frustration and fury and one glance at the still image of my sister's tears is enough to make lose control.

"Max?" I call out to my wolf.

"I will tear him a new asshole!"

I feel the black in my irises spread and the subtle crackling of bones.

"Do that, and she is gone," Magnus threatens.

I believe him. It's in those cold eyes of him. He will hurt my sister. That's when fury gives way to fear. Maximo whimpers and cowers away, sympathizing with me.

"Magnus? What is going on?" The King demands.

"Just a little disagreement with my future Luna," Magnus keeps his eyes pinned in mine.

"Beta Everstone?"

I grind my teeth and I am not ashamed of the tears running down my cheeks. If my sister was trespassing, Alpha Magnus has the authority to punish her as he sees fit and not even the Alpha King can save her. Even if I plead for her case and call Magnus on his blackmail, she might be dead long before I can do anything to save her. Plus, I do not think that the King will favor an unknown girl over his favorite cousin and savior.

"Beta Everstone?" The King is growing impatient.

"I will be Alpha Magnus's mate." I declare.

Magnus smiles a wide smile and the urge to kill him comes over me once more. Not so soon, I narrow my eyes.

"All he has to do is catch me tomorrow, at the Mating Hunt."

He growls angrily. But there is nothing he can do about it. My request is within the laws. He can of course force me to drop that demand but not without looking bad. It will sound as if he is afraid.

"A fair request, little girl," he smirks.

Maybe I made a terrible mistake.