What was supposed to be a sacred and professional business meeting regarding the wolf tribes had turned out to be something else entirely. In fact, never before had such an event taken place.
"Dima, can you pass me the pizza?"
"Elias, you got the napkins?
"Mmmm, the beer, please, Misha."
"Berat, do you have the files with you?"
"Jonas, stop taking all the condiments."
Greek, Russian, German, Turkey, Canadian, and Japanese all came together to discuss territories, alpha matters, and pack politics. Commonly, such discussions were held in an appropriate and a rather expensive setting. But now, instead of lavish dinners, reserved seating, or a conference room, they were here.
A noisy water park.
As they discussed overdue matters, the wolf prince reluctantly admitted that such a location worked out far better than previously expected. Sure, it was noisy. The sound of human children scurrying about all but filled the air and their sensitive ears. And yes, on more than one occasion, there had been more than one or two wolves who had gotten distracted by certain human assets that passed by. But other than that, no hell had broken loose like in their usual meetings. Instead, the wolves were strangely calm, amicable, and oddly enough, enjoying themselves.
With a frown on his face, Koga decided that he too would have been enjoying himself had only a particular individual made an appearance. Instead, no such thing happened. Refusing to give up on such a thought, the wolf prince had stayed on his guard. Keeping his gaze around his surroundings, Koga begrudgingly admitted that it was probably not the brightest idea to hope for such a miracle. The water park was enormous and had several portions of park that expanded across miles. As if to make such a possibility even more different, the wolves and him currently relaxed on the outskirts of the waterpark. Such an area allowed them both the space for so many bodies and away from prying human ears.
After doing such calculations in his head, he reluctantly admitted that the probability that he would stumble across the beauty was almost nonexistent. But, as a wolf, he had worked with the worst odds, especially in the Feudal Era. With a determined smirk and unable to throw out even the smallest amount of hope, the persistent wolf continued to periodically gaze for one specific individual that all but plagued his mind without rest. Still trying to be productive, he abruptly initiated a much-needed conversation between the packs.
"No pups this year?" He asked with an expected tone. As the Alphas from all different countries shook their heads in defeat, he let out a curse under his breath.
"Our youngest in the pack is twenty-five. Still a pup by our standards, but not a newborn." Misha, the Slavic wolf, informed the group, and with it, other alphas joined in to share their numbers.
"Ours is thirty-seven," Jonas stated in a gruff voice.
Suddenly, the males in the group quieted in consideration of what would become of them at the rate, and the sensitivity of such a topic almost immediately changed the room's mood. As if unable to accept such negativity, one of the wolves spoke up.
"In other news, Koga, we hear you and Ayame may be able to produce a pup. At least one pack will be successful with an expansion of packs." The voice belonged to Elias, and Koga knew all too well what he was asking. Usually, if there was a viable female in one's pact, then the pack's Alpha had first dibs. Naturally, the other wolves had assumed.
Assumed wrong.
Nodding in complete transparency, Koga began to explain.
"She has yet to make her choice, but—" he didn't want to be disrespectful, but there were only so many ways to tell someone that they were not their chosen.
When fertility was smelled on her, the pack had gone wild. Celebrations and yips had not stopped for days. With it, Ayame had naturally expected he would choose her. After all, an alpha needed to reproduce, and she was the only fertile female in the entire pack. Unfortunately, such an assumption had made the conversation that much more awkward. Not to mention hostile. It was one thing to tell a female that they were not to his liking or someone they would not choose as their mate. It was another matter entirely to explain to them that even if they were the last and only female in their pack, he still did not want them, even with the ability to produce offspring.
Apparently, such knowledge stung.
To be fair, pain and insult had not been his intention. In fact, he had viewed Ayame as any other packmate. Yet, he would not risk picking a mate out of panic. As if hearing her voice, the redhead emerged from the pool in her scandalous and rather revealing skimpy green bikini.
"Koga is far too fascinated with an imaginary person on the phone to even notice me." Oddly enough, her voice held playfulness and sharpness all in one. As she eyed his phone with disgust, she let out a huff, and the smell of frustration radiated off her in hordes.
Not making eye contact with the she-wolf, he sighed.
Fuck.
So, apparently, others had noticed his recent attachment to his phone. Or rather, the only way to communicate to a certain woman.
"So…you are available for courting?" Berat seemed both eager and puzzled as he asked such a question to her, all but ignoring the warnings that were being thrown out to the wolf prince from Ayame. Yet, that was wolves for you. Going for what they wanted and not caring about anything else.
The beautiful redhead shrugged and rolled her eyes without what seemed like a care in the world. With narrowed eyes, Koga preyed that the she-wolf would be careful with her answer.
Yet, like always, she wasn't.
"I mean, I'm fertile, and if what you're asking is if I'm ready to settle down with a family, then sure, yeah. If anyone is interested, then let me know, and we can see what match is best." Her voice all but chirped out, but even now, Koga could not help but roll his eyes at her. Ever since his rejection, she had addressed her fertility as such, as if it was simply politics and personal attachment had no room for such matters.
But for her, maybe it was? Ayame had never been the type of wolf to put importance on romance or happily ever after. No, she was aggressive, direct, and, more importantly, she had already planned out her life before becoming a woman. Shrugging his shoulders in indifference, he allowed his pack member to navigate through any future possible matches that involved her.
"And you? You have someone?" The other Slavic wolf Dima asked abruptly while gazing questionably at the phone in Koga's hand.
Have someone?
Knowing it had only been days of their introduction, he still nodded in confirmation.
Yes, he did have someone.
Dima nodded in understanding, and just like that, he dropped the topic.
"Excuse me?" A meek voice interrupted their group, and almost instantly, over twenty wolves turned their gaze to a…fox?
But there it was, an older woman with a sleeping kit in her hands. Koga examined the woman before him with widened eyes and quietly wondered what it would feel like.
To start a family.
To find someone and know that you were lucky enough to reproduce.
Glancing at the kit and mother in human disguise, he calculated that the kit had to only be seven or eight years old based on his young age of toddlerhood. Nodding his head in her direction, he allowed the terrified fox to speak.
Typically, there were no reasons for a fox mother with a child to approach a wolf—much less a pack of them. Despite her tremors of fear, she still stood there. If nothing else, that meant that she had something profound to say.
So, he ensured the entire pack was silent and willing to listen. With such respect, she nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"I wanted to let you know the wolf pup is unsupervised—" she began, and already, he was perplexed.
Wolf pup?
Upon his puzzled look, she apologized to them.
"I did not mean any disrespect. As someone still blessed with fertility, I know how important it is to keep our children safe—especially ones that have just learned to walk. I'm not sure who he belongs to out of you but figured since there was only one female—" she was rambling, but the more she said, the more worried all the alphas became.
A pup that had just learned to walk? That meant they had been born in the last five years. Unknown to the fox before him, there was no such wolf pup out of all of their tribes. In fact, out of all the wolf tribes together, the youngest had been in their twenties. Far past infant or toddlerhood.
Which meant that, in theory, there should be no unaccounted wolf pup. Especially not one left unsupervised after how precious reproduction had become.
"Where?" This time, Ayame spoke up in a tone he had never heard before coming from her. Looking up, he noticed the distress and protectiveness in her eyes. Smiling at such a thing, he hoped she would be able to carry to term and not at the cost of her life. Because, in that very moment, the redhead very much looked like a concerned mother.
"He was right there—" the fox murmured as she pointed, and at that very second, a child wobbled into the clearing with the aura of a wolf mixed with human.
"Oh, I'm glad he has someone. Sorry to intrude." The fox mumbled with a sigh of relief as a woman figure followed the child closely. Nodding his thanks to the woman as she scurried away, he narrowed his eyes at the scene before him.
"But...she's human." Ayame broke the silence and spoke what every pack member was thinking at that very moment.
"And the wolf pup is unregistered," Misha added with furrowed brows.
There, before them, stood a brunette playing with the wolf pup that had the appearance of a human.
"Who gave birth to him?" Ayame asked under her breath, confused.
Smelling the two, Koga wrinkled his nose. Biologically, the woman beside the cub was not his mother. Yet, how was such a thing possible? Even if the mother had died in childbirth like many others, the birth would still be recorded. Despite such a tragic event, the father and the entire pack would have ensured the pup would want for nothing. But here, in front of them, was something none of the alphas could explain. Or, more importantly, the dangers of such a thing. If the child was unregistered, that meant that his parents had no pack. With no pack, vulnerability came.
"Koga, we have to figure this out!" Ayame snarled, more than likely thinking along the same lines.
She wasn't wrong.
The plan moving forward should have been simple. One of the alphas needed to offer assistance to the unregistered pup and his remaining family. All the while, try to bring the family into their pack for protection. But, how long had it been since such a thing happened? At this day in age, no one was born outside of a pack. As fertility rates lowered, the demon community had kept their ranks even closer. Now, there was no reason to not have a pack or to be undocumented.
Letting out a sigh, he nodded in agreement and, with caution, slowly approached the human woman and wolf cub. How would he do this? It was not as if he could very well ask the human. After all, the majority of their kind had already tried to ensure their destruction at any chance possible.
But this cub?
He needed help.
Trying to not drag his feet on such a delicate matter, he threw out a portion of his youki, and with it, the tiny cub instantly turned to him. Without waiting for his human caretaker to notice, he walked wobbly toward the wolf prince.
Quickly, Koga made a spur-of-the-moment decision.
And as if the child knew exactly what needed to occur, he bared his neck to him and released a low whimper with it. Briefly, the wolf prince wanted to ask the pup who had taught him how to submit at so young. Even still, for now, it would help him. Without warning and unable to be seen with human sight, he used his demonic speed to quickly nick a small mark on the pup's neck. Mirroring the behavior and making a cut on his thumb, he offered blood and protection to the cub. Just like that, the child didn't so much as cry when Koga brought their cut together. Concurrently, they merged their blood.
Then, without warning, he was back in his seat with the Alphas. Almost as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Unknown to the humans around them, multiple alphas now gazed at the pup as if trying to figure out how such a mystery befell him. More importantly, where he had come from.
"You should have taken him!" Ayame hissed in frustration the moment he returned.
Momentarily, he had debated on such action in the back of his mind. But such haste and impulsiveness would potentially expose not only his pack but also the others. With that, he had given the pup what was needed for the moment.
Protection.
Turning to the she-wolf, he scowled.
"The best we can do is implement him into a pack, and then we will figure out the rest."
He tried to be responsible. He tried to be practical. But the woman before him wouldn't hear it. The fiery redhead didn't even give herself time to consider his words and instead let out a quiet growl.
"What if something happens to him?!" She hissed lowly, directly challenging him.
"Like me kidnapping him? Yeah, you're right. That would be awful." he snapped back to her, and with it, raised the volume to ensure she knew to cease.
And she did.
Even still, she had a valid point.
The child was far too precious to be left so unsupervised.
As the conversation on pack politics continued, Koga grew more and more irritated. For the past two hours, Ayame had glared daggers at him because of his decision with the cub, all the while staring at the child longingly. But sticking to his decision, he allowed one last warning growl to the female that was testing his patience.
Just as he was about to raise his voice at her, his phone dinged.
You know, I think I may have to call you a liar. Water parks definitely spark joy.
He read the text and smirked.
The vixen was bold; he would give her that.
With such a text, he tried to envision how she would look at such an event. Would she have worn a sexy bikini or something less exposing? Briefly, he hoped for the latter as he did not know whom she was around.
Typing away a response almost immediately, he couldn't help but grin at their banter.
Oh, I see you are one to arrive fashionably late. Know this, princess, the park may spark joy, but I would spark desire, pleasure, and satisfaction.
And by god, if given a chance, he would.
Even now, he debated on the things he could do to her in such a location or the way he would have ensured that her moans were nothing short of silent.
But first, she would need to stop running away from his advances.
To his shock, she seemed ready for such a response.
Well, I'm already soaked, exhausted, and no voice left, so I guess it's the big bad wolf that is late to the party? Tell me, does that frustrate you?
Reading her words, his could swear he felt his mouth go dry, and for the first time in his life, the wild prince was left speechless. Was she...flirting with him?
Finally?
More importantly, was she purposely trying to tease him?
The damn vixen.
For now, she was lucky. Because, if she had been standing before him, he would have ensured that a lesson would have been immediately taught. Not to mention that she would have been reprimanded for such a playful mouth. Biting his lip as he let his mind wander to 'what ifs,' he gazed around the area for any hope of visibility of the goddess.
But none came.
Frustrate me? Princess, you have no idea what my frustration would do to you. So, tell me, are you in a pool or preparing to ride on a slide? Careful—know that this could provide me with vital Intel that could be used in the future.
With an added devil emoji, he hoped she would fall for his trap. He was bold, and he knew it, but the sly goddess had really not left him much choice. Not after she had magically become brave. Even now, his words and thoughts of the female made him restrain a low whine of desire in the back of his throat.
Somehow, the woman had brought him to his knees with nothing short of sheer want.
Is that jealousy, I sense? All over me riding and enjoying myself at a water park? How shameful.
She was testing him, and he knew it. But even still, he would not let their passionate game go to waste...not when she had become so bold and playful.
Curiously, he wondered what had brought on such a change.
Jealousy? Most definitely. I would be a much better ride.
With a smirk, he wondered how their conversation had come to this.
Not that he was complaining. No, absolutely not. But yet, how was it possible that he had just met her, and already, he wanted nothing short of everything from her?
He wanted to ask her about her hobbies and preferences. Her dreams. Her goals. Fuck, or even what she truly thought of him. Instead, he settled on this. There would be enough time in the future to find out about his future mate's ambitions and desires.
Why do I not doubt that? Arguing seems pointless with a wolf. I think the better question is, why are you so curious about my whereabouts?
If nothing else, the beauty caught on quick, but even still, did she not really realize the close proximity they shared? Sure, Tokyo was a large city, but it was just that. A city. One that they both resided in. In fact, their closeness in location made his beast all but purr in appreciation.
Why had he cared about her whereabouts? Did she really not think that he would be curious? Or desire to meet her face to face? If so, how wrong she was.
I'm curious to see if you are so confident with that sassy mouth of yours when I'm standing right next to you.
He waited.
Then waited some more.
And finally, her response came.
Probably not. Did you not learn anything from Little Red Riding Hood? Wolves are terrifying.
She was playing with him, and by god, if he wasn't turned the fuck on.
Even still, he let out a chuckle at her honesty. Little Red Riding Hood? Was she truly going there? He hoped so.
And will that be you, Kagome? Little Red Riding hood? Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf and the things I can do?
Glancing up at his pack, he debated on excusing himself from the meeting altogether at this point. He wasn't stupid. He knew all too well the rest of the wolves could smell not only his excitement but, more importantly, his need for the chase.
The only problem that had prevented him from accomplishing such a thing was that in order to give chase, he would need a willing participant.
One that was not currently here.
Without her, he would simply be a wolf chasing his tale.
Depends. Would the big bad wolf try to devour me?
Unexpecting such a response, his breath hitched as he took in her words, and with it, his eyes took on a tint of red momentarily. As if losing sight and control, the wolf prince urgently reigned in and fought back control from his beast. With claws digging into the picnic table, he took a shaky breath in and then out.
Yes.
Yes, he would.
With trembling fingers and claws extending, he typed out such a response.
In every sense of the word, princess.
"Koga?" The deep voice that held disbelief and alarm quickly stirred him out of his thoughts, and almost immediately, he glanced up to meet curious and shocked eyes from every member of each pack. As the tints of red disappeared from his eyes, the wolves stared at him in both understanding and awe.
"No wonder you denied your pack female. It makes sense now. Briefly, I wondered if she truly was not fertile. I see now that it is an entirely different matter altogether. Your beast has chosen?" This time, it was Jonas that spoke with a hint of astonishment and envy in his tone.
Chosen indeed.
Hell, not that he complained.
As the wolves quietly assessed such a situation, Koga stared down at his phone with his own eyes slightly widened in realization at what had just occurred. The vixen had nearly made him lose all control—in front of pack leadership, no less.
"Don't be silly. How can a beast truly know what it desires without having first laying eyes on them?" A quiet and irritable huff was heard from the pool, and with it, Ayame swam away with a frustrated sigh.
Elias was the first to respond to such an inquiry. With a nod of approval at the Eastern Prince, he let out a quiet chuckle.
"But he has. His phone."
Koga knew the wolf had meant it with good intentions. To assure Ayame that such a claim—or any claim for that matter from their beast was viable and left no room to argue. Instead, his eyes narrowed in possessiveness, and quickly, he swiped out of the app and removed her photo from nearby prying eyes.
"Calm down. We would not be so foolish. She is yours. Besides, you have offered us with a fertile and willing she-wolf."
But, with irritation at such a statement, Koga reminded himself silently that he had done no such thing.
Offered Ayame that is.
He would never have proceeded with such actions or even thought of such a possibility. Instead, she had offered herself up to be fought over. Even now, he wondered if she knew what she had done. Or if she understood the implication of such a thing. Wolves were savage, and it was not above them to fight those around them for what they wanted. Had she known how desirable and dangerous her fertility made her? Or the lengths the wolves would go to see her bearing their cubs? Yet, sniffing the air and smelling her amusement and arousal at such a statement, he quickly came to a conclusion that despite everything, she had done just that.
Shaking his head, he cursed the stupid girl for her impulsiveness and disregard for the situation or, more importantly, the chaos she would bring to his pack. Even now, the other alphas stared at her with both longing, desire, and aggression. The invisible line that the redhead was teetering on was one that soon would become dangerous. Especially if she decided to reject any of the Alphas advances. Fuck, at this rate, Ayame would either start a war between the packs or be forced through the process of superiority. Despite not wanting to take the woman as his mate, he also did not want to see her taken by all desired alphas to only then see which of their seeds took.
Staring at the lustful and comprehensive gazes of those around him, he knew that the superiority process was where this was heading. To his utter disbelief, the redhead seemed thrilled at such a notion. But, how could she possibly understand what that would entail? Had she ever witnessed such an event? The ways that such a competition proceeded? Not to mention the violence and aggression with such a competition.
That reason alone had been why such things had not taken place for hundreds of years.
Yet, here she was, all but swinging her hips and allowing them full visibility of her body as she squeezed between the pack and grabbed some food to put on a plate in her skimpy bikini.
"And, you will allow us to make a decision regarding her?" Berat asked in a curious and hungry tone, and yet, his gaze never left Ayame.
Koga gulped in hesitation.
Did the dumb wolf really know what she was signing up for?
"He will." She purred while plopping her elbows on the table, and with it, she licked her lips while maintaining her heavy and watchful gaze on Koga.
"No matter the decision?" Elias growled lowly in the back of his throat while giving Koga a knowing smirk.
Fuck.
They had already decided.
And before he could speak his concerns, Ayame once more took over.
"My only request is that you allow me a week before your decision is made." With furrowed brows, The wolf prince could not help but wonder what she was up to. After all, even time couldn't save her now. She had sworn and spoken the words in front of all alphas, and with it, any escape from such an agreement had vanished.
When all the Alphas nodded in approval, each and every wolf turned to him for the final say. Against his better judgment and trusting Ayame to know how to handle her own personal matters, he proceeded.
"I, Koga, allow the alphas at this table oversight and permission of the she-wolf of my pack, Ayame."
And with those words, he stood up from the table and excused himself for a much-needed drink, and more importantly, to clear his head.
Consent was a strange thing among wolves. For one, once provided, it could never be taken back. In this regard, wolves and humanity drastically differed. For two, consent did not have to be given verbally. I'm fact, more often than not, in the olden days, it had been given with body language. Briefly, the wolf prince contemplated such old traditions and if it was time for a change. Yet, from the looks of it, he was the only one that had felt such way.
Taking a sip of his beer, he let out a frustrated sigh.
Pulling out his phone and trying to calm his thoughts, he typed up a message.
No response, princess? Or have you simply passed out from exhaustion? Perhaps gone home?
Despite all the chaos in his life, the desire to check up on her had been nothing short of consistent. After all, he wanted to assure himself that unlike a certain she-wolf in his ranks, the raven-haired beauty that he corresponded with was safe from the dangers of the world and, more importantly.
Taking another sip, he glanced around the water park and reluctantly made his way back to the Alpha leaders. Approaching the table, he noted that everyone had seemingly remained unmoved, other than Ayame, who was once again swimming in the pool. As he prepared to sit, the sound of a notification gave him pause.
Glancing down at his phone, he swiped open the app and read the response.
Still here. Still exhausted. But at least we have more alcohol now.
Instead of his usual desire for her words, his head now shot up in alarm.
Alcohol?!
Fuck.
Closing his eyes and trying to calm his worry, Koga huffed out in irritation.
Of course, she would.
To be fair, he had tried to be patient. He had spent hours here, allowing the universe enough time for them to bump into each other. But alcohol, water, and his future mate unsupervised?
No, he would not risk such a thing.
With that thought and making a final decision, he moved around the park in all directions taking in the scent of those around him. Quietly, he tried to pinpoint with his nose where alcohol was present. With a few sniffs and locations found, he quickly began his investigation.
The first location held the strongest amount of alcohol scenting in the air. Even as he made his way towards such a location, he knew that it would more than likely not have whom he was looking for. But, he checked nonetheless. As he expected, it had consisted of a rowdy group of middle-aged men and not a single female.
The second was a mini-bar where a group of couples sat, but once again, no raven-haired beauty was present.
On and on he went.
Finally, after twenty minutes, he approached his pack and nearly making a full circle. Then, he spotted it. A small group of women, all laughing and giggling…and with it, the last remaining scent of alcohol. Unable to hold back restraint, he walked as quickly as possible towards the group. Not checking his surroundings or caring, he missed the blur of a person that also was not paying attention while dashing through the crowd.
And just like that, they collided.
"The hell—" he began while trying to retain his balance and not fall over. Instead, he heard a grumble from the ground and gazed down. Apparently, the other person had not managed such coordination. Instead, the woman was picking herself off the ground, and with it, holding a bottle of beer that seemed to have avoided its own demise.
As she pushed the hair out of her face, Koga was left speechless at the sight before him.
Could it be?
Throwing him out of his thoughts, she began to speak.
"Oh, I was gonna yell at you, but you're cute…." Her slurred tone let him know that she was most definitely intoxicated, and as she began to quietly giggle at her own announcement Koga had praised himself for his quick action.
Cute huh?
He fucking hoped so.
Hell, he didn't wish that upon his worst enemy. To be mated to someone that they weren't attracted to. Although, like wolves, it wasn't usually a problem. Most of them were naturally blessed with pretty faces. Even still, he stood there, unable to move and in sheer awe at the rather intoxicated and petite goddess before him. How was she here, now, in front of him? As if their meeting was actually an accident? As if he hadn't just run around the entire park searching for her and only to have her run into him? Oblivious to such a thing, he noted the way that her blue eyes shimmer in playfulness and her lips that now seemed to be curled in amusement.
"Kagome—you're drunk and hitting on a stranger. Stop harassing the poor man." A voice shot up behind him, and briefly, he turned to the owner. With realization, he noted that the woman that had shouted had come from the group that he had intended to approach.
Her friends?
Not allowing such an opportunity to go to waste, he reacted rather quickly to such a comment.
"She's fine. It's okay. I'm flattered—really." He responded before with a smile on his face directed at the other female. Perhaps, it would be enough. Enough to allow for their conversation to continue.
Because it was okay. And he most definitely was flattered. After all, why wouldn't his future mate find him attractive? Hell, If she wanted to bump into him for the rest of his life, then he would allow it…more importantly, he would all but guarantee it. With a smirk, he regained control of his body and, once more, gazing at the woman that had appeared both in his dreams as well as his thoughts in the last few days.
With narrow eyes, he noted the beer bottle in her hand—and the scent of alcohol coming from her. How long had they been drinking? How much had she had? Or with who? Hopefully, it was just the female group.
Taking in the rather sexy gold and black bikini that she wore did nothing to hinder his questions—or jealousy.
Formulating a plan in his head, he spoke his first words to his future mate.
"Princess...why don't you sit down and drink some water? Seems like you're intoxicated. Running in people and all. What's next? Texting on a dating app?"
Briefly, her eyes widened, and for once, Koga wished he could read minds. Was it the nickname? Had she realized? Did he give her enough clues? Or was she simply offended by such a suggestion from a stranger?
"Excuse me, what—?"
But she didn't get to finish.
"The nice man is right; let's sober you up. Sango will be getting an earful from me when we return…."Another female from their group called while giving him a thankful look and heading towards him. Yet, the woman that was approaching seemed to be laughing at his comment about the app. Did she know who he was? Had she talked about him to her friends? Plus, who was Sango? And why did her name seem familiar?
For now, he would get answers to such inquiries later. As the woman in the ponytail approached, he noted that so did others. In fact, all the wolves had stood up in fascination and were watching the interaction.
But he would deal with them later.
Holding his hand out in the air without a care in the world, he tried to let everyone know to stop their advancements. That, more than anything, he could handle this.
More importantly, he wanted to handle this.
"Listen here…" Kagome stumbled on her words, and to his shock and amusement, she began advancing towards him, all but ignoring her friend's words. Briefly, he could tell that she was trying to consider what to call him.
He raised a brow in curiosity.
Would she figure it out?
'C'mon, Princess. You're a smart girl.'
How bad he wanted her to know who he was. Even if she was intoxicated.
"...wolf." She finished with a hint of proudness but also mild hesitation. Even with not being sure if she had gotten his identity correct, her eyes held a fire that excited him.
A fire that he was sure could match his.
Impressed with his own self-control and restraint, Koga kept a straight face while his future mate all but stalked towards him.
Well, this was a first.
Never in his life had he thought he would actually enjoy being stalked or threatened. But here she was, with her heated gaze and slow steps approaching him. With amusement, he wondered what she would do. Taking a brief glance back, he noted that every pack member that was watching now had wide eyes and apprehension. Hell, even the entire fox clan stared in disbelief at the announcement of his breed.
Chuckling at the audience before him, Koga let out a hum of appreciation at such a title. In turn, letting his pack know that there was no threat.
Sure, they were all alarmed that a demon breed had been called out, and if he was honest, he would have too. But, they didn't realize who she was. Although, he figured based on his and his future mates' body language and scent, both the foxes and wolves were more than likely starting to understand in record time.
"Yes?" He asked sweetly, but now, he had the most confident grin on his face. In fact, if his tail had been visible, then he would bet it would be swaying in playfulness.
"I don't need—" she began, and he nodded encouragingly.
Oh god. Needs? She wanted to talk about needs? If that was the case, he most definitely wanted to know such a thing. More importantly, did she understand what he needed? Like the eager wolf he was, he inquired further.
"Yes, Kagome? What don't you need?" he quietly asked as, he too, began closing the distance of their bodies.
He watched as she tried to consider such a question.
"Your bullshit." She announced proudly while poking him in the chest with one finger, and with her other hand, she held up her beer to reference back to his original comment.
For a split second, Koga stared at the woman and blinked in disbelief. Then, before he could help himself, he threw his head back and let out a rare laugh.
His bullshit? All over drinking water? Apparently, his princess was not used to being told no, or put in her place.
His eyes twinkled in curiosity and excitement.
A mate that was feisty?
Yes, please.
Whatever had he done to please the gods so? With the laugh still rumbling in his chest, he picked his next words carefully.
"My apology, princess. Such was not my intention." He informed her while still unable to hold back the few remaining chuckles at her previous comment. As if not believing him, the woman poked his chest once more.
As if to make a point. But still, he didn't budge.
"Hey! It wasn't a joke—" She began, and at that moment, he grabbed her wrist in midair as she tried to poke him once more. With more restraint than he had shown in centuries, he held back the moan that wanted to surface at touching her. At the feeling of her warm skin on his.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
How the fuck did grabbing her hand make him this needy already? Still, he ignored the way his body was heating up all by simply touching her.
"You were saying, princess?"
Not a joke, huh? No, this most definitely was not.
With it, he leaned in closer to her, indicating to her that he was waiting for her to repeat herself. Apparently, his forwardness was not expected because, with wide eyes, she hesitated as his hot breath reached her. At that moment, he wondered if she would remain mute, but like always, she surprised him once again.
"That's mine." She retorted much quieter this time while keeping her gaze on their hands and addressing her hand.
Raising his brow in playfulness, he followed her lead.
"Are you positive?"
Was she? Because he was quite sure she was his, and wolves simply did not share.
"Whose else would it be?" She asked in the same quiet tone, but this time, she accompanied it with a scoff.
Now, they were whispering, but by god, he saw it for what it was.
The chase.
"Whose? How about mine? Does that work for you, princess?"
The raven-haired goddesses mouth opened slightly, and for a moment, he expected a smart-ass response. Instead, she seemed to be at a loss for words and stared up at him in confusion. Then, ever so slightly, without giving him a response, she tried to tug her hand back.
When he allowed her no such thing, she tried again.
"Can I have it back?" She whispered, all the while not breaking their gaze.
He held on.
Although, he wondered if she knew what such a request entailed. After all, she was requesting him to release her, and with it, acknowledging his claim.
"Please?"
She had whispered the please as a whine in the back of her throat and tilting her head in curiosity—and submission. Sucking in a breath of air, the wolf took a step back and released her hand. Then, another deep breath.
Holy fuck.
What the hell had just happened? More importantly, why the fuck was his world spinning? Once more, he took another deep gulp of air. Rather slowly, his vision began to settle.
"Thanks. I guess." Now, her shaky tone was filled once more with the return of her normal sass, and to his shock, he was grateful.
He wasn't sure if he could handle whatever the fuck had happened before. But banter and sass? That was easy. As the woman before him seemed to go back to her usual behavior, Koga smirked. Oh, she would most definitely keep his hands full. As he stared at her bikini top and what little it actually hid, he tried to keep himself focused.
Keep his hands full, indeed.
"Are you always this temperamental, princess?" He needed to know. Or, was this the alcohol amplifying her behavior?
"Just you, I guess." She responded back nonchalantly but with more volume than their normal whispers, all the while taking a sip from her beer.
Apparently, her group had heard their most recent comment because, one again, another woman shouted over her group.
"Kagome! Be nice! He's trying to help!" Well, at least he knew her fire didn't come from her group of friends. After all, they kept trying to simmer her down, and here she was, still going.
But trying to help?
Perhaps.
Luckily, they only heard the conversation portions that were loud. Otherwise, he had a feeling that they would have viewed him in a whole different light.
"No need, ma'am. She's alright." He informed the group with a louder tone. With a reassuring smile, he turned back to her. Then, with a lowered voice, he licked his lips.
"No need for them to intervene—right?" He let out a grin, and with it, he hoped the gods would allow her to remember this moment when she sobered up. With a flush appearing on her entire face, the tiny beauty stomped her feet in what seemed like frustration at her own body's betrayal.
Like a child.
He wanted nothing more than to laugh at her behavior. Instead, he took a whiff of her scent. For now, he needed to know and place her actual emotions. While her body language seemed to be irritated, the scent that was coming off of her was that of arousal.
To be fair, so was his.
With such a discovery, he all but heard one of the Alphas chuckles in the background with knowing. It seemed that at the point, the wolves and foxes were merely curious at the display of chase.
Or dominance.
Yet, both parties had to know that she wouldn't stand a chance. Not with him. He was, after all, an Alpha for a reason.
As if she could read his mind, she somehow had managed to compose herself, and with it, draw out some courage.
"You know, for the big…bad…" she began in a taunting tone, and he quickly flickered his gaze to his pack. He knew what she would say. Nodding his head, he let the wolves—and foxes, know that he most definitely didn't need assistance.
"Wolf—you're not so scary."
Now, their noses touched.
God, if she advanced any further towards him then he would be all too eager to teach her of proximity breaches and the things he could do with her person if she truly was so confident in his lack of scariness.
"Says the princess that's on her tippy toes? Tell me, should I be terrified?" He hummed out in amusement and curiosity.
Oh, this was rather glorious. In fact, he had to admit, she was rather better in person than in chat. When no answer came, he shook his head at his future mate.
"How about this? Why don't you sober up, and we can talk about just how terrifying the big bad wolf can be?" This time, he hoped he could convince her to at least drink some water. Instead, she gripped her beer tighter and with more possessiveness.
He laughed at her stubbornness.
She rolled her eyes at such a suggestion.
"You're not my father—you can't tell me what to do." She sang out with both sass and exhaustion in her voice.
Her father?
Yikes.
He had no desire to be such a thing.
"That would make things very awkward between us if I was, wouldn't it? He replied with both a chuckle and shake of his head.
Apparently, his intoxicated mate was just as much of a spitfire as her sober self. With her widened eyes at his implication, the woman let out a snort of disbelief.
Ahh, finally.
Some progress.
"How about some water"? This time, he handed her the bottled water without waiting for her. When she examined it in deep thought, and eyes glazing over, he lifted a brow.
Then, once more, she brought the wolf to his knees.
"Water, rest…and forever, huh?" She asked quietly, almost to herself, all the while taking a step back away from him. With it, her scent of arousal disappeared, and instead, exhaustion and sleepiness took their place. Even still, she had recited his words but just replaced some.
And as he realized such a thing, he nodded to her with understanding. It was only then, and with a gust of wind that passed, that his nose picked up just how much alcohol she had consumed. Oh, she was in for a hell of a headache in the morning. In addition, the chances of her remembering their encounter were slim. Although, this was enough for him; Their meeting. Her sass. Their chemistry.
For now.
Hell, he didn't care that they had gained an audience…and reluctantly, he reminded himself that all demons present had heard their exchange. He supposed that it wasn't such a bad thing. At least they would know of his claim.
"That's the plan, beautiful. Forever." He whispered in her ear, knowing damn well only she and the surrounding demons could hear.
Yet, with such an announcement, he took a few steps back and nodded to her friends as he began walking away. Slowly, he made his way back to his pack and preparing himself for an assault of question. Hell, maybe they could help him answer some of his own.
Such as why his future mate had no scent whatsoever. Even when it came to her race. Even now, there was not a hint of humanity or demonic aura on her.
Strange.