Chapter 1

"I, Charlotte Jane Attwood of the Crimson Moon Pack, reject you, Knox and Kane Maddox, as my mates and sever my bond to you both and your pack!" I recited, my eyes dancing with my unspoken pain seeing my mates entwined together with a female! A female who was not me!

Shaking my head of the tears I felt threatening to fall from my icy hues. I straightened and waited for them to accept my rejection! But the words that left their lips left me stunned.

"I, Knox Maddox and Alpha to the Crimson moon pack refuse to accept your rejection!" He snarled, slipping from the bed, naked and unashamed to step into me, the female sprawled out on the bed forgotten. Kane was quick on his heels, the pair caging me in a wall of muscle and testosterone.

"You belong to us, Lottie! I, Kane Maddox, Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack, refuse to accept your rejection."

"Ours!" Knox repeated anger swimming in his baby blues.

***

Follow the story of Charlotte, Knox and Kane as they try to find their footing in a cruel world filled with betrayal, heartbreak and secret obsessions that threaten to destroy the bonds of brotherhood and love!

Chapter 0001

Lotties POV:

"So, who is coming tomorrow?" I asked my best friend Lilly, who was twirling in the mirror, the expensive satin of her wedding dress swishing around her ankles, so absorbed in her reflection that she was only half listening to me. Tomorrow was her big day, and ever the perfectionist, she just had to check everything still fit perfectly.

"Umm, the usual: our pack, Daddy's business partner, bordering packs, and their alphas. It's only a small gathering." She mumbled, brushing her hands over her tiny waist.

"Small." I nodded sarcastically; we clearly had a very different understanding of what small meant, but as the daughter of the ruthless Alpha of the Crimson Moon packs, I guess this was small.

"You know your mating ceremony will be just like this!" Sage chuckled, watching Lilly through my eyes.

"Not a chance!" I barked, looking over at Lilly and her lavish dress, fake lashes and tan. I loved her and her confidence, but I was definitely more subtle than Lilly, never one to bask in the limelight but hide in the back! So this sort of opulence wasn't for me.

"Your dad and Alpha Leigh won't accept any less than an extravagant ceremony! You are screwed, as they won't allow you a low-key event! You are the Beta's daughter. You must represent the pack; you know Mike will want all this too! Frills and all!" Sage teased, making me groan, shutting her out. I looked at Lilly warmly, smiling at her; she was truly beautiful!

"You look beautiful, Lilly, very skinny," I added, knowing it was what she wanted to hear, but the truth was she did! She was the kind of girl that would look beautiful in a garbage bag.

"You think?" She asked; seeing how her lip twisted into a smile, I knew she was satisfied with my answer.

"Yes!" I stated firmly. Clapping giddily, she gasped, running to the dressing table; she returned with a box, placing it in my lap.

"I got you a gift to thank you; I know I have been a bridzillar the last few months preparing for the wedding." Taken back, I glanced between her and the beautifully styled box in my lap. Running my hand over the pretty pink ribbon, I look at her, remembering why I love her so much! She may be spoiled, a damned princess and an insane drama queen, but she never ceased to make me feel special and appreciated!

"You shouldn't have." A polite smile painted my lips.

"Oh shh." She grinned happily, tapping the box she stood; carefully, she stripped out of her wedding dress, unashamedly walking around in nothing but a white lace thong.

"Lilly!" I squealed, averting my eyes. "What if someone walks in!" I laughed.

"Then I will have my brothers spoon their eyes out!" She winked, groaning at the mention of her brothers.

"Not all of us have brothers to protect our reputation." I laughed, shaking my head nervously. Looking at the box and then back to Lilly, admiring her enthusiasm. I wish I had an ounce of her confidence!

"Go try it on; Mike will die when he sees you in it!" She laughed, pulling me to my feet, nodding for me to open the box. Rolling her eyes, she ushered me into one of the fitting rooms to try it on.

"Prude!" She laughed! "And once Mike sees you, I am pretty sure he will fight the damned devil for you!"

"Wait, what?" I asked nervously as she pushed me into the fitting room, winking at me as she closed the door. "Lilly, what have you done?" I groaned, but curiosity was getting the better of me.

"You will thank me later when he can't keep his hands off you!" She laughed. "I have a matching one!" Excitement chased the fear down my spine; Lilly had incredible taste, so whatever was in the box I knew would be mouth-wateringly beautiful.

"Be rude not to take a look." Sage, my sassy wolf, teased as I toyed with the ribbon. "You know she won't give up till you at least take a look!" She added, and she, of course, was right! Lilly was a force to be reckoned with; as the youngest child of the Alpha, she had learned quickly how to wrap him and her brothers around her finger; she wasn't used to hearing the word no!

Biting my lip, I pulled the ribbon, sucking in a breath, seeing the racy lingerie staring back at me challengingly, silently daring me to be bold.

"Oh, My God!" I moaned, shaking my head! "I can't wear this!" I laughed, feeling the blush spread across my cheeks.

Fifteen minutes later, I stood up on the podium, Lilly staring at me proudly.

"Fuck! I'd totally do you if I weren't getting married tomorrow!" Lilly winked, circling me. "I don't understand why you don't see how hot you are!" She groaned.

Looking in the mirror finally, I sucked in a breath; my pearly white hair cascaded across my shoulders and down to my hips; it always reminded me of spun silver; Mike always told me it made me look angelic, which was ironic given what Lilly had dressed me in.

My slim figure was encased in an icy blue crotchless cami suspender set that left nothing to the imagination. A lace embroidered halter neck with mesh panels barely covering my nipples ran down my body in a slim V, which seemed pointless considering it was crotchless!

"Seriously, it's like wearing a piece of dental floss!" I groaned, ignoring Lilly's giggles. Wriggling in distaste, the crotchless thong angrily plunged into my ass from behind the suspender straps attached to silky soft stockings. "How do girls wear this shit? It hurts!" I whined.

"No pain, no gain, Lottie! It's the price we pay to be beautiful!" Lilly grinned, slapping my bare ass cheek before walking to grab my summer dress and flip-flops from the fitting room, holding them out to me with a wink.

"Go, show Mike!" she grinned knowingly. "You can tell me all about it later!" She giggled mischievously. With a final look in the mirror, I admitted she was right. It did look good! Sexy even! Rolling my lip between my teeth, I blushed, deciding to take her advice; Mike and I had not had much alone time lately; he was always working, Alpha Leigh had been keeping him busy with safety preparations for tomorrow.

"Well, this was an excellent way to get his attention." Sage cackled as I slipped my dress over Lilly’s gift.

Getting to the apartment I shared with Mike didn't take long; my father had insisted we stay close to the pack house; being the Crimson Moons beta, he, like Lilly, was used to getting his way.

Seizing my keys from my bag, I froze, hearing the muffled sound of talking from behind our apartment door. Mike was home!

"Is he watching porn?" Sage laughed, hearing the barely audible moans from within the apartment walls. Concentrating on the sounds coming from the other side of the door, I laughed, hearing the distinct sound of mattress springs, breathy moans and...

"Mike ! Don't stop! Oh my god, Mike harder!" A female panted as the familiar sound of a headboard pounding a wall fluttered up to my ears. MY headboard! Swallowing the bile that assaulted my throat, I quietly entered the apartment, numbly stumbling to our bedroom; the closer I got, the more I understood.

"As you wish, baby girl!" MY boyfriend moaned as the squeaking got quicker, more desperate.

"Baby girl!" Sage roared, "THAT is our pet name!"

"Fuck I am gonna cum." Mike grunted urgently.

"The fuck you are!" I roared, opening the door with a bang.

"Shit!" Mike’s panicked voice spluttered as I flicked the light on.

"Hey honey, I'm home!" I mocked, locking eyes with the guy I loved, who was balls deep in a female... a female who wasn't me!

Chapter 0002

Lottie POV

"I didn't think you would be back till later?" Mike dares to say, looking at me like I had grown two heads and was somehow in the wrong.

"Clearly!" I mutter, walking over to the closet, grabbing my overnight bag and aggressively shoving things into it.

"Baby girl...Come on..." He has the audacity to sound hurt; glancing into the mirror, I lock my eyes on him, Sage shining in my icy hues.

"I am sorry, who are you talking to ... Me? Or Her?" Seeing the puzzled look on his face, I continued. "Just two seconds ago, I heard you call her 'baby girl'." I spat, knowing I was being petty over the pet name, but given that I had just walked in on him banging some chick in our bed, I felt I had earned the right to be a little childish!

"No, you are mistaken." He shakes off. Spinning around, I glare at him.

"Is he seriously trying to make ME feel like I am going insane!" I mutter to Sage.

"I always said the fucker was stupid!" Sage laughed bitterly. "Want me to bite his dick off?" She asks casually, making me smile, despite the trauma rippling through my body; although Mike and I were not fated mates, I do... love him! And this betrayal stings.

"As you wish, BABY GIRL!" I yelled, repeating what I had heard him say not two minutes ago, to the whore in his bed... Our bed!

"It's not what it looks like, I promise."

"Oh?" I roll my blue eyes and look at the she-wolf pulling the sheet around herself sheepishly. "Did he slip and accidentally land in your vagina?" Seeing her try to slip from the bed, I shook my head. "Stay! He is ALL yours!" I dismissed, returning to throwing the first things I could grab into my travel bag.

"Charlotte, come on." Mike pushed, getting from the bed, naked and unashamed. "Work has been tough lately, and well..." Before he finished the sentence, I knew he would make this my fault somehow, just like I knew I would punch him in the face in the next thirty seconds.

"You have put a little weight on, and you never dress up for me anymore." His body was flush against my back. My body tightened at the irony, given the blue lace I had on under my dress, grabbing my make-up and ramming it brutally with my other things. Zipping my bag with shaky hands, I tried to remain calm as he continued. "You could try a little harder to entice me. I wouldn't have to look elsewhere then."

Spinning around in his hold, I pulled my fist back and, with no warning, plunged it into his eye; satisfaction washed over me hearing the fragile bone in his nose break, blood splattered my dress; looking down at it in astonishment, I laughed in disbelief. Mike's curses and groans were barely audible over the sound of my blood rushing through my body.

"Yeah, we are done." I declare my mind made up; Sage's growl as Mike tried to pull my elbow cemented that statement.

"Babygirl..." He uttered, regretting it the second my eyes glared with the cold blue of Sage, who seized control and, before I could gasp, had delivered her own source of justice. Knocking Mike out cold, his body hurtled back and dropped to the floor, his limp body resembling a pretzel all limbs and bruised ego.

"When he wakes up, you tell him to stay away from Lottie!" Sage growled at the quivering she-wolf, who was nodding, frozen by fear.

---

"Another?" I requested, tapping the rim of my empty glass; the handsome bartender looked between Lilly and I, concern washing over his face. Apparently, our father's made him nervous.

"I just caught my boyfriend shagging someone else; I think another drink is needed, don't you!" I asked, arching a brow, ignoring Lilly's sigh. Seeing him reluctantly fill my glass, a smirk pulled at the corners of my lips.

"Thank you!" I hiccupped, taking the drink with a smirk in Lilly's direction, the pair of us bursting into girlish giggles as he walked off, shaking his head unimpressed. Lilly had picked me up the second I left my apartment, handing me tissues and letting me get my anger out; I had spent the last few hours getting a little tipsy, dancing and trying to forget my heartbreak. But seeing Lilly look down at her phone with a frown, I knew the night was over.

"Charlotte, I have to sleep." She only used my full name when she was trying to be serious, "I have to look my best tomorrow." She grinned, pulling me up from my chair. "Come on, let's go home."

"I can't... I .. Can't go.. back there... HE.. is there!" I slurred, spinning around on wobbly legs; I eyed her helplessly, dramatically throwing my hands in the air. "Can I stay at yours, please!" Laughing, she nodded, pushing me towards the door.

"Yeah, but I swear if you snore, I will kill you!" She laughed, pushing me to the exit.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up at the pack house; Lilly paid the driver and pushed me through the doors to the pack house with a groan.

"I will grab water; you go on up!" She laughed, waving me up the stairs as she disappeared into the kitchen. I felt like it took forever to get to her bedroom; pushing the door open, I paused, looking around the room.

"I don't think I have ever seen this room THIS tidy." I laughed, pulling my dress over my head, groaning, realizing I had left my bag downstairs. I threw my dress aside, smoothing my hands over the soft fabric of the lingerie Lilly had brought me before walking around the room. Picking up a photo frame with a picture of Lilly's older brother standing proudly with his arm around his dad, smiling into the camera, without a care. It was his graduation day. I remember it well. He made me call him master all day.

"Jackass!" I groaned, turning the frame around, not wanting his eyes on me while I slept, or at all!

"Looks like this lingerie will be getting some action tonight!" I laughed bitterly while looking in the full-length mirror, thinking about how different this night could have been. Mike's cruel words about my weight were eating at what little confidence I had. Lilly's brothers had made my life hell growing up until they left for training a few years back, so I was used to being the but of jokes, taunted and teased, but coming from Mike, it hurt.

Sucking in a breath, I froze, the sound of running water finally hitting my ears. I had left Lilly downstairs, had she slipped in while I walked around her room?

Pushing the door to the ensuite open, I froze, my feet rooted to the spot; through the glass panel of the shower, Lilly's brother stood, hand pressed up against the marbled tiled wall, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, his body ripped with even more muscles then he left with. Tattoos wound the whole of his body, trailing my eyes across them giddily; I tensed seeing his tattooed hand gripping his thick steeled rod, easily 9 inches of heaven.

Sucking in a breath, my eyes locked on his dick as he pumped his hand around it, pleasuring himself in what I knew was meant to be a private moment.

"Either join me or get out!" He rasped, looking over his shoulders at me; the second our eyes met, I felt like I had been sucker punched, knocking me to my knees, the floor disappearing from under me; somewhere in the distance, I heard Knox's panicked scream, it was genuine concern, not laughter, I was hearing from him. Why? Confusion bled through me wildly, just before everything went black.

Chapter 0003

Lotties POV

Distant memories of the annual pack ball danced across my vision; Lilly and I were expected to go as we had come of age; we had both expected the twins to try to sabotage the whole evening! But they hadn't! They seemed as uninterested in our plans as they were in their daily chores! Lilly and I had assumed it was because our fathers had insisted we attend, and they outranked the twins! Something we knew grated on the boys!

The guy I had been crushing on at school had asked me to be his date; I was beyond excited! I had gone all out and had my hair, nails and make-up done. I had worked overtime to save up for a dress, I had spent a small fortune, and for once, I felt beautiful!

He treated me like royalty, something I was not used to, given how the twins liked to control everything Lilly I did behind the walls of the pack house, but the twins had not said anything about me going with the young male wolf; I thought they had finally allowed me some freedom. We danced and laughed, and I thought he would kiss me! I never wanted the night to end; it had been perfect until I found the twins laughing about how desperate and pathetic I was and how they couldn't believe I had actually thought HE would like ME! It turned out the twins had paid the male to take me out; even in my newfound freedom, they had seized power and kept me under their guardianship!

Unable to watch anymore, I turned to leave only to see other classmates recording me, laughing at me and my tears. It didn't take long for it to be uploaded to social media and sent around school, making me a laughingstock! I had never understood why they were so obsessed with what I did! I got that they protected Lilly, but I was not kin! And this behavior was unwarranted!

I tried to speak to my father about it, but since my mother had died, he had checked out, leaving Luna Louise to raise me; his only care was the pack and keeping it safe! And I could hardly go to her and moan that her precious sons were making my life hell! So I had no choice but to put up and shut up! Only when they left at 16 did things get easier; I finally knew peace, friendship, and fun! And somewhere in between, I met Mike.

Opening my eyes slowly, the memories faded only to be replaced by the concerned face of Knox, staring down at me with such warmth my stomach flipped. His fingers traced my cheek as relief spread over his features.

"Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me!" I seethed, slapping it away aggressively, my eyes narrowing on the ice blue hues of Knox, forcing myself to ignore the flicker of hurt that slipped across his face.

"Hush, baby, let me check you over. You hit your head hard." He cooed, and my eyes widened in disbelief at the sincerity in his tone.

"Get your STI-riddled hand off of me before I break it the fuck off!" Snapping my mouth closed, feeling the light touch of his fingers on my lips.

"You have a filthy mouth, do you know that!" His brows knitted together as he looked my face over, his gaze locking on my lips; his tongue ran over his lips needily, making me uncomfortable. "I should teach you a lesson!" He mused a smirk split his face, seeing the shock wash over mine.

"You're disgusting!" I spat, pushing myself up, looking around confused, seeing I was not on the floor but instead laid out carefully on the bed, Knox beside me. He had apparently swept me up and taken care of me, but I could not think why for the life of me. Shoving him aside, I attempted to climb over him. But his hands gripped my waist, locking me mid-stride over his torso.

"I have to admit, you have changed a lot!" A grin slowly slipped across his face, his fingers trailing up the soft fabric of my new lingerie. Lingerie meant for Mike. "Not the whiny brat I left behind, huh" Shoving his chest hard, my long ice-blonde hair slipped free, framing my face in a wall of glowing white.

"You look like an angel!" He whispered breathlessly. Looking at him with disgust, my eyes trailed over his strong jaw, slightly stubbled with dark blonde hair that trailed down his neck, his chest covered in dark tattoos that swirled under where my fingers laid on a hard wall of muscle. His hands gripped my waist, trying to lower me onto him, my legs parting further to accommodate his large chest.

I didn't want to admit that he had changed, too; he had grown into a gorgeous male.

"And buffed up!" Sage added to my inner thoughts, bringing me back to reality. Ignoring her lude comment with a groan, my hands covered his that were rubbing up my sides.

"Seriously, stop touching me!" Pushing his hands off me with a snort, "Dick!" I grunted.

"Hmmm, yeah, I have a dick... wanna see?" He taunted, his hands returning to my hip with supernatural speed.

"YES, I wanna see!" Sage purred excitedly.

"Seriously! Do you remember all the shit he put us through" I snapped, trying to pull away from his grasp as he slid me down his body rolling me against a thickness I was not expecting?

"God's", A gasp escaped my lips, feeling his solid length rub against my core.

"Fuck!" Knox moaned, his fingers digging painfully into my sides as he held me in place, his hips rolling up to graze against my soaked slit. Apparently, my pussy was as big of a slut as Sage!

"Crotchless!" He smirked up at me. "Not so innocent, it seems!"

"UGH!" I growled, trying to lift off of him, but his fingers dug painfully into my hip, forcing me along his cock again, making me cry out as my pussy clenched needily, loving the sensation of pain mixing with pleasure.

"Deny it all you want!" He whispered, "But I can feel how wet you are already!" He taunted, proving his point by thrusting his hips against me again, sending another burst of pleasure rippling through my body, bathing my features in a lustful glow.

"YOU?!" I scoffed, "Why would I want someone who spent years making me feel like nothing!" I hissed through my teeth, seething. The pain that instantly washed over his face had my stomach yearning to soothe the guilt I observed eating at his brows. But as quick as it appeared, it vanished, his usual cheekiness mask in place.

"Well, Give me an hour; I promise I'll make you feel like the queen you are!" He breathed

"Let me make this crystal clear for you, Knox! I do not want you!"

"Liar, liar, bums on fire!", Sage snipped, making me wince. "You wanna kiss him; you wanna touch him; you wanna ride him!" She taunted me in a loop in my head.

"Fuck off!" I roared at her.

"No one's gonna know! Just do it! Or I will!" Sage stated all playfulness was gone.

"Really? Sage seems game!" He grinned slyly, licking his lips

"The scent she's giving off.. says otherwise!" Driving his hips up to meet my core, a purr erupted from my lips as Sage fought for control.

"She's a slut!" I announced, angry at Sage's betrayal!

"Mmm, My slut?" He beamed, his hands sliding up my back, twisting in my long blonde hair to pull my head back, the other gripping tighter on my hips as he ran his solid length along my soaked pussy lips; it was millimeters from my core, it would take a simple thrust of his hips to bury it inside me, but he was waiting for me to give him the green light.

"Like he had ever given a shit what I wanted before!" I snarled at Sage, who was still fighting me for control! Fuck the pair of them! Thinking I was so easy to manipulate.

"Bold of you to assume I will give into you that easily!" I declared, mimicking the same cocky smirk he had just worn.

"Beg me, Knox!" I challenged!

Chapter 0004

Lottie POV

"Beg?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing on me; I could see the inner fight between Knox and his wolf. He was a son of an Alpha. He had probably never begged for anything, let alone a female! But if he wanted me like he claimed to, he would beg!

"Yes, Beg! Or let go of me." I declared with a newfound boldness. I was so over being weak and vulnerable, done being pushed around by those around me, and that included Mike and the damn twins! Arching a brow, I waited for him to finish whatever internal torment he was going through while he made his mind up. His hands released my hips. Evidently, he refused to dance to my tune.

"Now, look at what you've done!" Sage whined, making me smirk. All I had done was show him I wasn't one of his groupies that hung off his every word.

"If there is one thing tonight has taught me, it's that men always want what they can not have!" I snipped, shutting her out.

"You are so damn perfect, but I won't beg!" He maintained. I watched with fascination as his eyes trailed down over the lace that wrapped my body, lingering hungrily on my breasts. For once, he looked weak! The desire in his gaze filled me with a new sense of power; it had been such a long time since I felt this heat, and it was scrambling my brain.

"There, that wasn't so hard, was it!" I laughed, rising onto my knees, an idea quickly springing to my mind. Years I had put up with his taunts, teasing and humiliation. It was time to return that favor.

"Do it, I dare ya!" Sage encouraged.

Trailing my hands down over the soft fabric that covered my breasts, I slipped the straps off my shoulders, letting the delicate lace slide down, my boobs bouncing free. The hiss that left Knox's lips as his hands balled into the blanket had me grinning triumphantly.

Running my hands down my flat stomach, across my hips, I leaned back onto his legs with one hand for support, the other trailing between my thighs, sliding my fingers between my drenched folds, coating my finger in my arousal.

"Lottie", I heard Knox growl as I rolled my lips between my teeth, letting the bottom one spring free.

As quick as a flash, his hands gripped my ass, rolling me onto my back; he followed, settling in between my thighs, his large form pushing them almost uncomfortably apart to accommodate him. I could feel his enormous member pressing against my stomach, causing me to suck in a dramatic breath.

"Shit, what have I started, Sage!" I whimpered, my eyes locked on a set of baby blues that stole all air from my lungs, his stubbornness replaced with an unsettling hunger.

His head dipped to my nipples, his tongue pushing through his bruised lips from where he had been biting so hard. Slapping him hard across the face, I smirked, seeing the shocked look slide across his features, but the smirk slipped from my face seeing his eyes darken, his lips curl and growl rip from his chest. Determined to stand my ground, I tightened my eyes on him, slowly lifting a brow.

"No! Beg!" I taunted; seeing his eyes darken to the black of his wolf, I knew I had either pushed him too far or broken his resolve.

"Please", He huffed, licking his lips as his eyes trailed down my throat to my chest.

"Told you!" I squealed to Sage!

"No!" I chuckled. "You can do better than that!" Pouting, I ran my finger that seconds ago was soaked in my honey over his bottom lip. "Maybe you don't want to taste me after all!" I announced, chewing the inside of my lip.

"Please, Charlotte. Let me kiss your pretty nipples; let me suck them into my mouth and lick them until they are hard against my tongue, begging to be bitten and marked by my teeth. Let me make you feel every inch the Queen you are!"

Shit!

"Fuck, I will beg too! Let him do it! Please!" Sage wailed in my head, but she needn't! I hated myself for it, but I wanted it. I wanted him, and given the look on his face, he bloody well knew it!

Prick!

Nodding, I watched as he did just that, his lips pressed to my nipples in turn, sucking and licking them until they ached for more than the softness he offered. My moans filled the room as his teeth clamped down on my bud, his hands coming up to twist and pull at the other.

Gripping his hand in mine, I tutted at him; even when drowning in lust, I refused to let him take control of the situation!

"I said you could use your mouth; I said nothing about your hands!" I scolded him, his lips tugging into a tight frown, but he obeyed, dropping his hand to the side of my head.

Returning his attention to my nipple, he slowly teased the sensitive skin until I was a hot, panting mess! I was desperate for more; we both knew it, and judging by how his dick was throbbing and pulsing against my stomach, I knew he was too.

"Char??" I heard Lilly call from the hallway. "Where the fuck did she go?" She moaned as she walked past Knox's room; the fact she didn't even think to check in here told me everything and brought me back to the startling realisation that I had fucked up! I was lying on my best friend's brother's bed, between his legs, with his mouth clamped down around my nipple. My other breasts already had countless love bites and teeth marks aggressively painted across my skin.

"Get off!" I growled, pushing Knox off; my lust turned to hate quickly.

"This shouldn't have happened!" I spat accusingly at him, but I knew I had been a willing participant, and if Lilly hadn't interrupted, I hate to think just how willing of a participant I would have been!

"Come on, it's fine!" He laughed as I scrambled out from under him, pulling my straps back in place while searching for my dress and pulling it on.

"Where is that blood from?" Knox growled, making me jump; looking down at my blood-stained dress, I frowned- I liked this dress! How had I not noticed Mike's blood all over it?

"None of your damn business!" I huffed, grabbing my shoes and glaring at him one last time.

"THIS never happened!" I snapped, slipping from the room as quietly as I entered, tiptoeing down the hall to Lilly's room. Seeing she was still roaming the corridors looking for me, I took the opportunity to slip into the shower. Desperate to wash the embarrassment off me.

"That's not all you smell of!" Sage announced as she rubbed up against the walls of my mind like a cat rubbing up a tree. "You smell of him... Of Knox!"

"What?" I gasped, inhaling sharply, hoping the smell of the strawberry and lime shower gel would erase not just his smell but the memories too!However, all I could smell was the heavenly scent of Knox and his damn arousal!

"Fuck!" I groaned, scrubbing myself raw, until I heard Lilly return.

"Where the fuck have you been?" She snapped as she pulled herself up on the counter in the bathroom, watching me skeptically. Making a split-second decision, I decided to lie!

"I got lost and ended up in your brother Knox's room! I didn't realize he was back!" I started sucking down a breath, groaning, smelling Knox STILL.

"A little heads up would have been good!" I moaned, shooting her an irritated half-smile.

"You thought they would miss my big day?" She laughed, rolling her eyes! "They got back this evening."

"No shit!" I sighed, giving her a 'you think' look as I bull shited her with another lie; Sage and I were both disappointed at how easily the lie left my lips.

"He was hooking up with some chick; I had to hide and wait for them to fall asleep before I could leave!" I fibbed, hoping it would explain why I was covered in the unmistakable scent of Knox, sex and shame!

"Oh my god! Char! You poor thing! He is such a whore! Do you want some bleach for your eyes?" She belly laughed, bending down to get the tub bottle from her cupboard. "That explains the stench!" she giggled, throwing a flannel at me.

Giggling with my best friend on the night of her mating ceremony should have been the highlight of my night, but instead, I was left with an uneasy feeling eating at my stomach, something telling me my life was about to get a hell of a lot more complicated! And there was nothing I could do about it!

Chapter 0005

Lottie POV

"Get your lazy ass up!" Lilly demanded, her shrill voice making me groan; flopping onto my stomach, I pulled her pillow over my head, hoping to silence her.

"No!" I grumbled, images of Knox and I last night still floating around my head, making my thighs ache, and pussy clench deliciously. I could deny it as much as I like, but no male has ever had me feeling as alive as Knox! It pissed me off beyond belief that the male that had managed to ignite such a fire in my core was so bloody undesirable!

"Char! Come on!" Lilly groaned, pulling the sheet off me; the cold air assaulting my body had my nipples hardening further against the soft fabric of Lilly's Pj's. "It's my big day! I need my best friend at my side!" She complained, but the edge to her tone told me she was not about to give up any time soon.

"Fine! I am up!" I grumbled, throwing the pillow in the direction Lilly's voice came from while pulling myself up. Smelling strong coffee, I smiled sleepily over at Lilly, the last remnants of my dream and her sexy brother slowly fading from my mind as I took the coffee she handed me.

"Are you ok? You're very flush! You're not getting sick, are you?" She puffed, taking a step back as if I had the plague.

"I dunno, sleeping with your best friend's brother is kinda sick!" Sage grinned, teasing me.

"I didn't sleep with Knox!" I huffed, sipping my coffee and ignoring my melodramatic best friend and pain-in-the-ass wolf.

"I can't get sick today, Char!" Lilly moaned, watching me as she handed me a mirror to show me how red-faced I was, dropping it on the bed, not needing to look to know I was blushing.

"It's just from a bad dream!" I assured her, hoping to drink the rest of my coffee in peace.

"Well, you aren't lying! You were terribly... bad... in those dreams! Very bad indeed! I mean the way you spread your legs and let him nuzzle that handsome face between them!" Sage whispered seductively in my mind.

"Charlotte! Are you ok? You're shaking?" Lilly inhaled, taking the coffee cup from my hands before I dropped it. Her hand pressed to my forehead sympathetically. "Charlotte?"

"Do you think he will be as skilled with his tongue as you imagine him to be?" Sage continued, making me blush further. "Lord knows he was good with his.."

"Enough!" I screamed at my wolf, cutting our link off so I could focus and calm my trembling hands and racing heart. The concern on Lilly's face startled me back to reality.

"I am ok! Honestly!"I muttered, shaking my head at the images Sage had interjected into my mind on a loop.

"You haven't caught one of those human bugs, have you?" Lilly's face was pulled into a mask of distress.

"I should tell her! In the 18 years we have been friends, I have never lied to her! I don't feel right doing so now!" I stated guiltily to Sage, only to remember I had cut her off- and for good reason too!

I knew exactly what she would say on the matter, too: Dick, dick and more dick!

It seemed since we left Knox's room, it was all she could think of! And a certain male's dick in particular.

Sucking down my breath, seeing Lilly's frantic eyes searching my face needily. Today was her big day! She had been dreaming of this day for as long as I had known her, finding her mate, making it official and making her family and pack proud.

It was what Lilly had been bred for!

I, on the other hand, needed more! I needed the rawest form of love, trust and security, all of which was something Knox could not offer me! The thought cemented what I already knew; It was a one-off! Despite how glorious his dick felt rubbing up against me. Sighing, I softened my features, ignoring the aching between my thighs.

"I think the last 24 hours have caught up with me, seeing Mike and that trollop in my bed! That's all!" I expressed lying to her face for the second time in a few hours.

"I'm sorry, Char; he really is a piece of shit! Want me to ask Knox and Kane to give him a good hiding." Shaking my head dramatically with a nervous laugh, I gripped her hands and pulled her onto the bed, ignoring her protests.

"NO!" It's embarrassing enough that I caught them having sex in my bed; I don't want the whole pack talking about it!" I groaned, grabbing the pillow and throwing it at her with an arched brow. "And it's not like your brothers don't like a good gossip as much as the next or are short of bedfellows for pillow talk!" I admitted rolling my eyes at the jealousy eating at me.

"Hmmm, yeah, I understand that!" She chuckled, throwing the pillow back at me as she got back off the bed, holding her hand out to pull me up.

"But if he becomes a bother! I will tell them! I know you think they don't care about you, Charlotte, but they see you as a little sister! They won't stand for his bullshit!" She expressed, looking at me in the mirror as she fixed her hair. I could feel her eyes stalking my features, hoping I was taking note.

"Lord, I hope they don't see you as a sister! Not sure how I feel about incest!" Sage grunted, working her way through the barrier I had put up. "Although... I am up for calling Knox Daddy if you are?" She added with a wiggle of those thick brows of hers.

"Way to lower the tone, sage!" I huffed, ignoring her like before as I helped Lilly prepare for her big day!

Two hours later, we were making our way through an empty pack house; Alpha Leigh had seen to it that no one would see his daughter until the ceremony, so not a single person remained in the pack house but Lilly and I.

"Are you not nervous?" I asked; standing at the back doors, I squeezed her hand. She looked beautiful! But then Lilly always did; her Alexander Mcqueen wedding dress was fit for royalty, which was accurate given that Lilly was mated to the heir to the Meadow Pack, with their ancient ties to royalty among the Lycan community. Lilly would bring power and title to her and our pack through this ceremony.

"No, just excited!" She whispered, pushing the doors open to peek out at the beautifully decorated garden with its subtle nod to the pack's colours: white and blue tulips lined the cobbled path, and above, suspended like bunting, hung the stunning white and blue jasmine vines that I know Luna had shipped especially for today, wanting to show respect to her daughters intended but more so the Luna of The Meadow pack, word had it they were her favourite flower. No expense had been spared for today! Everything was perfect and precise! Like Lilly!,

"Wow, it's stunning." I gushed as the door heaved open, and Alpha Leigh stepped in, his eyes falling on his daughter and blurring with tears instantly in a way only a proud father could.

"Told you, you looked beautiful!" I grinned, nudging Lilly's hip with mine seeing him try not to cry at the sight of his daughter in her ceremonial dress.

"You like Daddy?" She screeched, turning slowly to show him what his money had brought. It was an exquisite dress, floor length, made with the softest of silk-like her bridesmaids; it had a deep V cut out the front down to her navel, the area had been filled with lace, the pack's crest embroidered onto it in the staple deep blue. The back was open, showing off her beautiful tanned skin, lines of crystals again in the staple blue running across her shoulder, attaching at each shoulder to hold her dress in place, it was a very contemporary dress, and she pulled it off perfectly but definitely a little low cut for my tastes, but it screamed Lilly!

"You look like a princess!" He gushed, straightening no doubt in an attempt to control his emotions; his eyes scanned me with a warm smile, looking at my dress with a chuckle.

"I half expected you to turn up in yoga pants and a hoodie Charlotte!" He teased with an affectionate wink. He was right, of course; I lived in training and gym clothes. When your Father was the Beta, you tended to spend the majority of your time training.

"Daddy!" Lilly scolded, "Don't encourage her! It took me weeks to bribe her into the dress!" She scoffed, popping her hip out, giving me a firm stare.

"Ooo, Bribe? What is it costing me, huh!" He chuckled, pulling his pouting daughter to his side and looking at her one last time!

"Her firstborn child is being called Charlotte!" I grinned up at him, satisfied with myself.

"And if it's a boy?" He laughed, shaking his head at our antics.

"Still, Charlotte!" I giggled playfully, seeing Alpha roll his eyes and turn back to his daughter with pride.

"Charlotte, can you excuse us a moment, I would like a minute with my baby before...." He whispered, his voice cutting off as his eyes locked on his daughter with such love.

"She will always be your baby girl!" I whispered, leaning up on my tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my alphas cheek; he was like a second father to me and seeing him so overwhelmed at the sight of Lilly was very out of character for him, even behind closed doors he always seemed to favour the twins.

Winking at my best friend before slipping out the doors and into a solid form and familiar scent, I groaned audibly; even Sage was finally waking up, sensing the danger.

Chapter 0006

Lottie POV

"What are you doing here!" I questioned, trying to keep my tone neutral, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing my upset. Allowing my eyes to roam over a dark blue pin-stripped tailored suit that barely fit the muscular form of Mike. His dark eyes trained on me, his lips pulled into a scowl as he looked down my body, his lips twisting in distaste.

"Nice to see you too, baby girl!" He sighed, having just referred to Lilly as 'baby girl' to her father; hearing it slip from Mike's lips felt wrong, but I couldn't be bothered to argue with him about his pet name for me now, not when Alpha and Lilly are on the other side of the door.

"Lottie?" He huffed, waiting for me to say something, but I had nothing to say, trying to hide his frustration by running a hand through his dark hair

"When he does that, he looks like he has just gotten out of bed!" I whispered to Sage, who was watching Mike cautiously through my eyes.

"He probably has!" She sighed memories of walking in on him and another dancing across my mind. "She's probably still there!" She added to drive her point home.

"I missed you last night." He tried again, clearly trying to engage me in conversation.

"I wish I could say the same!" I grunted, annoyed at myself for acknowledging him, I crossed my hands across my chest. A part of me wished he would turn and leave me alone, go back to the she-wolf he had allowed to keep him company last night, but the stupid, naive part of me wanted to cling to him and ask him to fight for me!

"Your father sent me to find you!" He grinned a pearly smile that had my stomach fluttering; I hadn't told my father about the breakup, so he meant well, I assured myself.

"I can make my own way to the ceremony." I snapped, lowering my eyes from Mike's face; the displeasure washing across his face made me feel self-conscious enough without another dig slipping past his lips.

"Lottie!" He tried as I pulled my elbows closer, hugging them around myself, his cruel remark about my weight last night still raw, even if I hadn't let him know it had hurt me.

"You took forever!" He stated. "Probably putting all that slap on your face!" Pulling on my elbow, he half dragged me down the beautifully styled pathway towards the old church grounds at the back of the property.

"You're hurting me!" I winced, a burn rising to my cheeks at the mention of my make-up! "Do I look that bad?" I moaned softly.

"Yes!" He sneered, not even looking at me.

"No! You look beautiful!" Sage interjected, lending me some of her strength to try and pull my arm back from his iron-tight grip.

"You don't even have time to change! The guests have all arrived!" He grumbled, ignoring me and shoving me forward so hard I slipped on one of the petals lining the old cobbled path. "Fuck sake, Lottie, you always have to show me up!" He hissed, looking down at me with contempt.

"Get up then!" He snarled, his eyes lingering on the deep V neckline that barely held my boobs in place; Lilly had picked the dress; like her wedding dress, it wasn't my style, but this wasn't my day! It was hers! Left speechless, I sat on the floor, looking up at my so-called mate, feeling the cold stone through the thin fabric.

"I can't believe you, today is an important day for the pack, and you turn up dressed like... that! Representing me! Are you trying to destroy my reputation?" He snarled, shoving his hand out and grabbing my elbow again, yanking me up by it painfully and shoving me forward.

"You look like a whore!" He growled from behind me, shaking his head angrily; I could feel Sage's anger rising, and as much as I was grateful she had my back, now wasn't the time to cause a scene. It was Lilly's big day and an important day for the pack; with the Meadow pack all in attendance, along with all surrounding Alphas, it was a huge event in our world. The last thing Alpha Leigh needed now was his Beta’s daughter causing a scene.

"Well, you'd know all about whores!" I seethed quietly, spinning to face my so-called mate, "How many whores have you had in our bed?" I scoffed, looking at him with pity but unable to stop.

"Tell me did they fake it like I did? They must have because there is no way your .. little.. friend could have satisfied them! Lord knows it never did me!" I blurted out angrily, narrowing my eyes at him challengingly. The darkening in his iris had my heart skipping a beat, and not for the right reason. He was pissed!

"That's your problem, Charlotte; you have never known your damn place." He grinned manically, taking a step toward me before I had a chance to react; his hands scrambling to my wrists that I had crossed across my chest, gripping them in a solid vice, he pulled me non to gently into an alcove of the garden, hidden by the white Jasmine vines.

"But that's ok; I will teach you now!" He breathed into my ear as he slammed my chest against the stone wall, knocking the air from my lungs and leaving me unable to cry out even if I wanted to. Gripping my hands again, he yanked them above my head, holding them together with one of his large hands.

"I really did miss you last night!" He groaned, rolling his hips against me, pressing himself up against my back, his body flush with mine. Feeling the hardness of his dick against my back, I sucked down what little air I could manage and stilled, knowing from experience with Mike there was no use fighting; it would end bloody and with him getting his way regardless!

"So you're going to give in?" Sage moaned. "Fuck this!" Pushing against my attempts to silence her, I felt a tear slip free and rain down my face.

"He is bigger, stronger and quicker than us!" I whispered to her, trying to calm my almost feral wolf.

"AND!" She screamed at me, making me wince and not from Mike's roaming hands travelling down my side.

"If we try to fight him now, he will be more brutal with us, and this is Lilly's day! I refuse to let this bastard ruin it for her!" I snapped, feeling relieved as Sage backed down slightly. She loved Lilly as much as I did, and we both knew all hell would break loose if we appeared at this ceremony with any marks or bruises.

"So you're just gonna let him.. what? Fuck you!" She asked, disgust rattling through her as Mike kneed our legs open, his hand grasping the hem of my dress and lifting it up my legs.

I couldn't answer! Because I didn't know! I didn't want this! To be taken against my will, what girl would! Yet.. he was all I knew! This was all I knew! And in his fucked up way, this was how he showed me he cared! Loved me even!

"This isn't love!" I heard Sage grumble, shutting herself off from what we both knew was coming.

Mike's hot breath fanned against my neck, his lips trailing up to my ear, where he sunk his teeth into the soft flesh of my lobe; blood trickled down my neck making me whimper from the pain and fear. Finding myself praying it would not touch my dress, THAT Lilly would notice!

"Nothing smart to say now, huh?" Mike whispered into my ear, I didn't need to look at him to know he was smirking smugly down at me, but from his position, I imagined it looked like he was indeed teaching me a lesson, and perhaps he was! But not the lesson he thought!

"I can smell your arousal!" He moaned into my ear huskily. Despite my compromising position, my sex was throbbing, desperate for attention! I wanted to scream at Mike, to tell him the wetness between my thighs wasn't for him but leftover remnants of my time with Knox last night.

However, even I knew that would only prove his point! That I was a whore! So I kept quiet, instead focusing on the feeling of his hands gripping my burning flesh, the sensations rippling through my body as his hard cock rubbed up against me.

"You're enjoying this?" Sage spat disgusted at me. Shame tore through me at the realisation that I was!

"I don't know!" I admitted although I knew a part of me liked the feeling of being helpless, vulnerable and at his mercy!

"You were right; I know a thing or two about whores!" He grinned, pressing his hips into my ass harder, his hand on my wrist tightening as if wrongly expecting me to fight whatever move he was about to make. Gripping the hrm of my dress again, he lifted it onto my hips, baring my ass to him, my pussy only covered by the tiny nude thong I was wearing.

"And I know that you, Lottie, will always be MY whore!" Sucking in a breath, hearing the familiar sound of his zipper, I knew what was coming and as much as I hated to admit it!

I wanted it!