Conrad Anders II

Hayley

I froze momentarily unsure of what to do. Should I scream for help at this point or just turn around and sprint for the guard. I really couldn't either even if I wanted to. I was completely paralyzed with fear and awe, and only managed to regain myself when Conrad spoke.

"Good evening, my lady, how are you feeling tonight?" His voice was soft, nothing like I had imagined it would be. He took a step closer to my stiffened body and I felt his warmth wash over my body. His cologne engulfed me, but I was quick enough to regain control of my body and back away.

"I..I'm great." I stammered, unsure if I should even be answering his questions. It made sense why Ethan and Damian had disappeared all of a sudden. Perhaps they had sensed Conrad's presence and were currently searching for him. If that was the case, wasn't it better for me to scream for help?

"No, don't make any foolish moves." I cautioned myself. I was no match for an Alpha's strength. This man could snap my neck in a second if he wanted to, there wouldn't even be enough time to scream for help.

As though he had read my mind, the smile on his face broadened. His hands rose from his side and reached out to me, however his actions were halted by a familiar voice.

"You'd do well to keep your hands off her." Damian cautioned before Conrad could touch me. Without wasting a second, he pulled me into his embrace and kept sealed safely against his chest. "You've got a lot nerve showing up here, Conrad."

Conrad threw his hands air in a submissive gesture after Ethan appeared as well. Despite being in the midst of his enemies, the smirk on his face refused to disappear, and his attitude remained as cocky as it used to.

"I heard news that you've finally found a mate, and I couldn't help but notice that I'd not been invited to your mating ceremony. Sorry if I crossed my boundaries, but you know curiosity is like a drug, you don't know when it gets to your head." Conrad answered.

"Should I throw him out or call the guards to have him arrested?" Ethan asked. He was the most angry out of the three men around, and I had no idea why he was that way.

"No Ethan, we'll give him the benefit of leaving on his own, and I'd advise you take this opportunity while you still have it." Damian replied before finally pulling his eyes off Conrad. He turned to me, and although he seemed angry that I wasn't being guarded like he had instructed, he was more relieved to see that I was okay.

"It was nice meeting you Hayley. I hope you find happiness with your new husband." Conrad concluded before turning towards the exit. He seemed unnaturally calm for someone in enemies territory, and above all he was cocky as well. He was strong, probably on the same level of strength as Damian. How his strength would definitely falter against the two men. So why, why was he so calm?

"Are you alright, Hayley?" Damian asked as he held me even tighter. I could feel his heartbeat, and for the first time I came to realize that someone was genuinely scared for my safety. This man was the most powerful man, and he was scared for me? Was I dreaming?

"I..I'm okay.." I stammered before wiping the tears that threatened to drop my from my eyes. I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me, especially not now.

"And the guard I assigned to you? Did he leave you alone to go and have some alcohol?!" The change in his tone was swift and scary at the same time. His bloodlust was palpable, and I could tell without needing to ask that he might execute the guard if I didn't speak up soon.

"No, I asked him to leave me for a second. I needed to use the restroom, it's none of his fault." I clarified, and only did the intoxicating bloodlust in the air mellow down a bit. He held me even tighter before finally turning towards Ethan. "Tighten security around the premises, and have more guards patrolling the gates until everything is over. We can't afford to have that bastard sneaking in once again."

With a nod, Ethan immediately left to carry out his duties. In the same second, Damian scooped me up from the floor as though I was weightless. Reflexively, I had wrapped my hand around his neck and had buried my face in his chest to keep him from seeing my burning cheeks. I couldn't see his face, but I was certain he was laughing at me. I've had no real experience with romance, and it made things difficult for me when dealing with these kinds of moments.

"You'll stay with me for tonight." Damian announced the moment he got to his room. My face had remained buried so long that I had no idea when we reached his room. It was my first being inside it, and although it was a perfectly fine room, it didn't match my expectations. I thought it would look like a temple, but it looked relatively simple for the room of the Alpha.

I nodded shyly to his words before finally settling down quietly on his bed. "I'm sorry I got caught up with Conrad, I know you two don't like each other." I apologized, and all Damian could do was laugh. It was unexpected, and couldn't understand how these men were so causal when it came to their enemies. Conrad would likely had been arrested and detained but every other pack, but somehow he had left with just a warning.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, besides I'm not the one who's mad about that bastard's appearance." Damian replied, and only then did I remember Ethan's expression. He seemed angrier than the rest, and that was genuinely the expression I had expected from Damian as well, wasn't Conrad after his throne?

"Ethan? What happened between him and Conrad?" I inquired in an almost hushed tone. I hadn't been around for more than two days, yet I was being nosey about everyone's life. But at the same time I wanted to know everyone, after all I was going to spend the rest of my life with these people.

"The former Alpha, Maxwell Anders was responsible for his wife and child's death,"

My jaw dropped the moment I heard those words, and just immediately, Damian concluded that I had heard enough. And he was right, I didn't want to hear anything beyond that. I didn't want to ruin my mood any further, especially not on our mating night.

"You should have a bath, I'll call the maids to get prepare you some food." Damian reached for my chin and took it in his hand. He lifted it only inches to his own face, and with a smile he whispered in my ear. "You've become my wife from this moment on, and when I return, I'd be more than happy to teach you the duties of a wife."