This chapter is rated R. If that's not ok with you, you can skip it.

I couldn't take my eyes off of Czar He was dancing with a female royal. She had on earrings and a ring made with Ardenite. The target was the ring but it seemed to take forever for Czar to slip it off her fingers.

" Ow!" Cayden groaned. I'd stepped on his foot. Again.

" I'm sorry." I said. " But you insisted on dancing with me and you know I can't waltz."

Cayden grinned and sighed in mock resignment.

" It's a small price to pay for dancing with you." He drew me a little closer than was necessary. I struggled not to sigh. It seemed Cayden couldn't take no for an answer.

The waltz was coming to end. Czar would lose this chance it seemed. If we weren't able to get an Ardenite tonight, our plans would be delayed indefinitely.

Suddenly, Czar gave me a direct look and my heart thudded. He had the ring. He had done his part and now I had to do mine. We had decided that it would be too dangerous for Czar to hold on to the ring. If the royal noticed it was missing, he could be searched. If he was found with it, it would lead to a very painful end for him. The plan was to pass it to me and I would hold on to it.

I steered Cayden towards Czar and the woman. Cayden raised an eyebrow.

" So now you want to dance?" He asked surprised.

" I might as well try." I said, distracted.

We were so close. I saw Czar subtly extend his left hand and then -

" Mind if I cut in?" Someone asked.

The exchange was so fast that I was left feeling disoriented. One second I was about to get the ring from Czar, the next I was being twirled away from him, in the arms of a stranger.

" Yes." I said angrily and tried to pull out of his arms but his grip around my waist was tight and only got tighter as I struggled against him.

I looked up at the man. He was tall! with big broad shoulders. I could feel the muscles beneath his clothes where my hand lay on his arm. His jaw was strong and chiseled and ...he was incredibly handsome.

The most striking thing about him were his eyes, emerald green and bright in the candlelight. No human could have eyes this bright. He was either a Fae or a Werewolf. The Fae people were usually on the effeminate side. Judging from his build, he was most definitely a Werewolf.

I shrank away from him at this realization and he pulled me even closer. I didn't care if people saw, I wanted to be rid of him but his hold on me was too strong to fight and he steered us perfectly in accordance to the dance ...away from the ring.

" Let me go." I demanded, my voice ice.

He raised an eyebrow.

" Are you worried about your lover?" I could hear the cockiness in his voice. He was definitely a Werewolf.

" Lover?" I asked momentarily confused and then realized he was talking about Cayden. I didn't care enough to correct him. I just wanted out of his arms.

He twirled me around by a hand and I tried to use that to escape him, but I was dragged back. I slammed into his chest, breathless.

I looked up at him, letting him see the fire in my eyes.

" You're fiesty." He murmured looking pleased.

" You're irritating!" I said. " Unhand me!"

He was taken aback by my outburst. People were beginning to stare but I didn't care.

" What pack are you from?" He demanded, his arrogant voice so commanding that I almost found myself answering.

He had to be an Alpha ...or a head warrior. They were the only members of a pack who could exude this much arrogance.

I scoffed at him and he narrowed his admittedly brilliant eyes at me.

" You're not from a pack, are you?" He asked but I was done with this.

I looked around for Czar. Maybe there was a chance I could still get the ring. But I didn't see him anywhere and as hard as I tried, I couldn't steer this tower of a man in any direction.

" Answer me." He said. He didn't shout. He said it quietly, arresting my eyes. Those words sent endless familiar shivers spiraling around my body and for a few seconds, I couldn't look away.

He was an Alpha. He had to be. Only an Alpha could have this kind of effect on someone who wasn't even a member of his pack.

I dragged my eyes away and mumbled, " No."

Then I saw Czar. He was at the other end of the ballroom. He sublty shook his head and I understood what he meant. It was too risky to hold on to the ring. He was going to slip it back on.

No!

The waltz ended and I tried once again to disentangle myself from his hold. He held on for a few seconds longer before he released me, letting me know that I was only out because he let me.

Crestfallen at the loss of the ring, I turned to find my way back to my group.

" Might I suggest we go out for some fresh air?" He asked.

Oh so he was being polite now? I turned to tell him just what he could do with his suggestion, but something caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks.

Cut into the shape of a crescent moon and pinned to his tunic was an Ardenite.

This man was a royal.

〰️〰️〰️

The moon wasn't full that night. Regardless, it stood high and proud against the black sky.

The light it offered was dim but our path was lit by several fire flies filled lamps. They cast a dull glow on the flowers and trees in the garden. Usually, the intoxicating mix of scents the flowers gave off would have been enough to soothe my frayed nerves, but not tonight.

I could still hear the music from the ballroom where another waltz had begun. But I was in a garden with a man I didn't know, alone.

His presence was overwhelming. It made me nervous. I wanted so badly to turn and bolt back to the crowd but I had to get that Ardenite. It was small but it was a start ...if only I could get it.

" What kind of tree is this?" I asked in an attempt to make conversation. He hadn't said a word since we left. It was unnerving.

" This is the Fidem tree from a province in the Fae kingdom" He said, the lowness of his voice made my heartbeat accelerate.

" Mmmmm" I murmured. Say something, I silently urged. Why was he so quiet? How was I supposed to get the crystal when he was standing so far away. I needed to take things into my own hands.

I turned to face him, heart beating wildly. How does one seduce a wolf? I didn't know how, didn't want to know but I had to if I was to get that crystal. I had no experience with seduction but I had to get close enough to touch him to get it...

...and I could think of only one way.

〰️〰️〰️

Rhydians pov,

She was nervous, that much was clear to him.

What wasn't clear though was why he found her nervousness, her innocence ...alluring. It confused him. He despised jittery women yet here he was, enjoying her innocence.

When she had turned to leave, he had felt ...panic. He had been unwilling to even lose sight of her, to see her go back to the man she had been with earlier.

He had wanted her as far away from him and every male in the ballroom which was why he had brought her to the garden. She had made it clear that she wanted to be away from him and so it had come as a surprise when she had agreed to come along. It was a welcome surprise though. He felt a strange sense of possessiveness over her.

She looked up at him with those giant blue eyes and he felt his crotch tighten. His wolf growled with need. He let out a small breath in an attempt to calm it. As much as he craved her, he wanted to stretch out his time with her ...but damn it she was making it impossible.

Her teeth bit down on her plump lower lip and he swore, startling her. He took a step in her direction and she shrank back, eyes even wider than before.

Enough of this.

" I am not a man of many words." Rhydian informed moving even closer. She looked like a cornered animal, eager to bolt away but this time, she stayed put and soon he was standing in front of her, looking down at her. " I don't plan to start now."

She bit that lip again and looked undecided. Then suddenly, she looked up at him, eyes bright with traces of tears ...was she ...crying?

Standing on her tippy toes, she placed her arms around his neck and whispered,

" I don't want you to."

That was all the invitation he needed.

He cupped her face and brought his lips down on hers hard, urgent. Time seemed to stop as his lips melted into hers. For a second, her lips remained closed to him, then she opened up welcoming his tongue. He invaded and explored, revelling in the delicious taste of her.

He bit on her lower lip, something he had been eager to do since he first saw her. The feel of it was like coal to the fire between his legs. His wolf was fully aroused.

Her fingers entangled in his hair, pulling him even closer. He backed her into the Fidem tree. He could feel the curve of her full breast against his chest. The feel of her breast ...it was maddening. He thrust his pelvis against her thigh so she could feel him, letting her know just what she was doing to him.

Rhydian felt a strong need for her. It was inexplicable. His wolf noted her scent. Lavender, airy and subtle but it made his wolf half senseless with desire forcing him to intensify the kiss. He gladly obliged.

She sighed into his mouth. It drove him wild with the need for more ...for her, but he pulled back. He wanted to look at her, at those gorgeous blue eyes and see if the uncertainty was still there. All he saw was her need and he was more than willing to supply.

He claimed her lips again.

〰️〰️〰️

Deven,

I forgot. When his lips touched mine, I forgot.

I forgot the hate, I forgot the revulsion, I forgot the uncertainty ...the fear. All I could dwell on was the warmth of his body as he crushed himself against me. It was ...exhilarating.

I could feel something hard pressed against my stomach. It made my toes curl. He backed me up against the tree continuing his assault on my lips. I returned his kiss fervently.

I had never done anything remotely close to this before. It was thrilling, mind-blowing, especially when his fingers moved, tracing the curve of my waist. His fingers went higher, caressing my breast. My knees buckled beneath me. His touch sent pleasurable jolts down ...there.

When his lips left mine, I screamed inwardly, unwilling for him to stop his assault. He placed fluttering kisses on my jaw, my cheek, exploring, moving to my neck. He showered it with kisses. I grabbed his arm, afraid I would fall with how faint he was making me feel.

Then he pulled back again to look at me, his green eyes darkened with desire. I swallowed hard at the passion I saw in the depths of his eyes. The need.

Come back, I begged with my eyes. Still holding my gaze, his fingers moved to the low neckline of my dress. He pulled it down and I shivered. It wasn't just the nights breeze making me shiver. When his fingers touched my bare sensitive skin, I felt tingling sensation down there again. Down there ...it felt ...warm and wet ...and incredibly heavy.

The top of my breast was exposed and he cupped one, fondling it roughly, claiming my lips again. I slipped my hand underneath his shirt. I could feel the thumping of his chest underneath all that muscle. But then his hands grabbed mine and pulled them out, pinning them above my head.

I struggled against his hold, eager to touch him again but I was powerless against his strength. I surrendered and let him continue his assault. His breath was ragged against my lips.

Pulling one of my breast free, he tugged on my nipple. I moaned, delirious with pleasure. The heat between my legs was unbearable.

I was supposed to do something ... something about ....some ...thing? But I couldn't remember and I didn't care to.

He brought his head lower and the feel of his hot tongue on my breast almost sent me flying over the edge.

" Do you like that?" He asked looking up at me. His voice dangerously low. I couldn't help but nod.

He released my hands letting them fall to my sides. Then he grabbed my waist, pushing my pelvis against his hardened groin. I could feel it pulsing against me.

Oh goodness ...the feel of it ...the feel of him! It did things to me. Delicious things that I had never felt before.

" You're driving me insane." He growled against my lips ... growled.

Good goddess!

With all the force I could manage, I pushed him away. Caught unawares, he stumbled back, surprise evident in his eyes.

" What -?" He began

" Get away from me!!" I screamed, tugging hurriedly on my dress.

Oh Deven! A Werewolf. A fucking Werewolf. How desperate, how needy was I to let myself go that far with a creature I despised.

He was still looking at me. I dared not look at his face as I rushed past. I had to get away. I could feel the tears threatning and I was determined not to cry in front of him.

Luckily, he didn't follow. I found an empty place in the garden and sank to the grass carpeted ground. The tears flowed freely although I didn't make a sound.

My heart was heavy with ...shame ... because I had enjoyed it. I had wanted more and I had forgotten the reason why I had let him kiss me in the first place.

The Ardenite was gone and both times, it was my fault.

" Mother." I whispered looking up at the moon. " Forgive me."