Far to the right, I can hear Levi’s growl echo in the silence. My mother snaps something at him, and he stills. I don’t turn to look. One glance at his face and I’ll come apart.

  Jadick tucks me in close, smiling at them. Then at me.

  I try to look away, but he snags my chin, drawing my face up to his. “Now’s the time to fulfill your bargain, Mac.” He murmurs the words through a display of teeth. A smile, a snarl—there’s no difference.

  His voice drops to a silky whisper as he strokes my hair. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about wanting Levi to live.”

  Bastard.

  I lock gazes with him, and his smile deepens. “Kiss me, Mac. And don’t forget to make them believe you.”

  He’s breaking people with this show he’s forcing me to put on—and he knows it.

  Refusing is futile. It’s also not an option.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Gregario and Burnett standing like sentries against the wall. To everyone else, they probably look like they’re here to protect Jadick from anyone crazy enough to try to hurt him.

  I know better.

  They’re here to punish me if I refuse to play this game. Not to mention where my mother stands ready to end Levi if I refuse this.

  I don’t think, and I damn sure don’t let myself look at Levi. Before I can think of any more reasons not to, I kiss Jadick.

  Jadick’s mouth is soft on mine at first, and I tell myself it’s harmless enough. But then I remember his words. “Make them believe it.” And I know I need to do more than a chaste peck.

  Bile rises in my throat as I let my lips part. Jadick’s reaction is instant. A growl rips from deep in his throat, and he crushes his mouth to mine. Passion then obsession then domination—I feel it all wash over him in an instant. His hands grip my shoulders then slide around to encircle my waist, pulling me flush against him.

  The crowd goes wild.

  Through the roaring in my ears, it’s impossible to tell if they’re cheering for or against this. Jadick doesn’t seem to know either. Or he doesn’t care. His attention is solely on me.

  I feel his arousal immediately and have to brace myself to keep from pulling away.

  Maybe if I pretend it’s Levi—

  Jadick’s tongue shoves into my mouth, taking what I’m only offering begrudgingly. His kiss is not a request. And I meet his demands with just enough compliance to hopefully save my own life.

  “Sell it, Mac,” he whispers between kisses.

  So, I do.

  Wrapping my arms around him, I let my hand slide up the back of his neck and tangle in his hair. He plunders my mouth, clearly enjoying our performance and the audience who watches.

  It’s disgusting.

  I’m disgusting.

  By the time I pull away, we’re both panting, and Jadick’s slacks are tented.

  My stomach rolls with nausea.

  There’s a strange sort of settling in my gut. Like a cord snapping free. My eyes fill with tears as I realize that must be what was left of my mate bond with Levi.

  Gone.

  Our rejection complete.

  Through teary eyes, I catch sight of Jadick, wondering if he felt it too. He smiles stunningly for the crowd, his gaze sweeping over, over, over—until it lands squarely on Levi.

  Before I can stop myself, I look over.

  Levi’s stare is a stinging slap, his dark eyes raging with betrayal. Jadick’s arms still firmly around me are all that keep me from staggering back at the force of it. I try to breathe, but no air fills my lungs.

  Even when he rejected me all those years ago, he never looked at me with such hate. I’ve just destroyed him—by setting him free. The look he wears says he wants to kill Jadick where he stands, but more than that, I think he might just kill me too, given the chance.

  And all I want is to let him.

  “My fiancé and I have one last announcement.” Jadick turns back to the crowd, apparently satisfied with the damage he’s done to my true mate.

  I struggle to focus, but it’s all I can do to remain upright. My knees threaten to buckle. I didn’t think it would be this hard. Or hurt this much. Is this how Levi felt when he rejected me?

  “Mac and I are not fated mates, but we’re choosing each other for the good of the pack—and the strength of our future children. I think choice is important. Especially when it comes to one’s mate.”

  This is it.

  The thing that will make it all worthwhile.

  “In the interest of choice and the strength that comes with it, there is one law that I must stand behind as we forge a new peace between our newly re-united peoples.”

  My blood goes cold at his unexpected words.

  This isn’t part of the plan. I stare up at him, horror mounting.

  His smile slips, his expression hard and calculated as he says, “Romantics are hereby outlawed. Those of you who’ve chosen your fated have twenty-four hours to either reject one another or leave pack lands forever. After that, your choice will be labeled a crime, and you will be punished accordingly.”

  Gasps sound.

  My knees buckle. Jadick doesn’t spare me a glance, only hoists me up so I won’t collapse. The picture of love and affection to anyone watching.

  “Our enemies will be looking to exploit our vulnerabilities. And I will not lead a weakling pack into their own demise. There will be no fated mates in the Black Moon Pack. Not while I’m your alpha.”

  The Jades react immediately. Cries of dissent mix with curses and threats.

  The Black Moon pack members aren’t much calmer, though some of them seem to be happy about Jadick’s decision.

  I stare at Jadick, stunned.

  The realization of what he’s done—what he’s used me for—is a sickening blow to what’s left of my pride. He’s just condemned the pack to another lifetime of pain and misery. Not only that, he’s forced me into rejecting my true love. My fated mate. And I’ve just sealed that rejection with a kiss.

  The story concludes in book 3, To Keep A Wolf, Available now!

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Heather Hildenbrand lives in coastal Virginia where she writes paranormal and urban fantasy romance with lots of kissing & killing. Her most frequent hobbies are truck camping with her goldendoodle, talking to her plants, and avoiding killer slugs.

  You can find out more about Heather and her books at www.heatherhildenbrand.com.

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  ALSO BY HEATHER HILDENBRAND

  To Hunt A Wolf

  To Kiss A Wolf

  To Keep A Wolf

  Midnight Cursed

  Midnight Hunted

  Midnight Bound

  Wolf Cursed

  Wolf Captive

  Wolf Chosen

  Wolf Revealed

  A Witch’s Call

  A Witch’s Destiny

  A Witch’s Fate

  A Witch’s Soul

  A Witch’s Prophecy

  A Witch’s Hope

  Twisted Tides

  The Girl Who Cried Werewolf

  The Girl Who Cried Captive

  The Girl Who Cried War

  The Winter Witch

  The Spring Witch

  A Witch’s Heart

  Midnight Mate

  Goddess Ascending

  Goddess Claiming

  Goddess Forging

  Kiss of Death

  Knock Em Dead

  Death’s Door

  Dead to Rights

  Dead End

  The Girl Who Called The Stars

  The Girl Who Ruled The Stars

  Alpha Games

  Alpha Trials

  Alpha Chosen

  Dirty Blood

  Cold Blood

  Blood Bond

  Blood Rule

  Broken Blood

  One Hour: bonus novella

  Imitation

  Deviation

  Generation

  Guarded by the Alpha

  Alpha Undercover

  Mated to the Wilde Bear

  The Bear’s Fated Mate

  Protected By the Bear

  The Badge and the Bear

  Tragic Ink: A Havenwood Falls story

  Contemporary Romance

  Risking My Heart

  Betting My Heart

  O Face

  Heather also writes contemporary romcom under the name Moxie Rose. Find out more about her books at moxierosebooks.com.

  Quarantine Crush

  Corporate Crush

 

 

  Heather Hildenbrand, To Kiss A Wolf (Black Moon Pack Book 2)

 

 

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