He was standing there and watching his mate with his mouth opened.No, it couldn’t be! It was some kind of a joke!Yet that was her...

a Luna that belonged to another Alpha...

At first, Gideon feltas if his heart was broken.

She did not wait for him.

His mate, the one and onlywoman chosen for him by the Moon goddess, did not wait for him...She got married, became someone else in Luna and even let this man put amark on her neck.He had many flings, but he never even considered marking a woman other thanhis mate.

He was ready to never meet her, but he always knew one thing – if hewould ever place his mark on someone, it would be his mate.Pain washed over him quickly and although Reid next to him was constantlytelling him something, all his attention was on Riannon Thorn.He repeated her name and it brought him to his senses.

He remembered theirphone conversation.

She wanted to divorce her husband.

Their marriage wasover.This brought a little smile to his lips, yet it wasn’t making him particularly happy.“Gideon,” his Beta had to smack his arm to get him out of his daze, “What thehell, man?”“What?” the lycan king didn’t even spare his friend a glance.“Should I call the Luna? You came here to speak to her, right?” Reid looked athim with his eyebrows knitted.“I want to watch her a bit first,” Gideon couldn’t take his eyes off his beautifulmate.

But he did not like what he saw.

She was surrounded by men, men withhungry lustful eyes.

And he could sense that each of them wanted to claim her

now that they had a chance again.

Everybody knew that her marriage was inruins.

And no one wanted to miss that chance.“Who is her husband?” a spark of interest appeared inside his mind against hiswill.“That guy over there,” Reid did not have any problem locating the jerk whosemark hismate was wearing, meaning that he did his own research already.

That guy nevershowed that he cared but Gideon knew that he never forgot the ‘favour’ Riannondid for him.

He wanted to pay her back properly in one way or the other.The guy he pointed at was good looking.

And Gideon did not like to admit it.

Theprick looked like a true Alpha, tall and handsome.

When he was sayingsomething, people around him were laughing or nodding at once.

Meaning thathe had some weight.But a tiny redhead was glued to his hand.

She leaned towards him all the timeand he so-called mate.

The one he brought into Riannon’s house.It was good and bad.

Good, because he was doing Gideon a favour.

And bad,because he was hurting the Luna.He looked back where he left her, but his mate was not there.

It didn’t take himlong tofind her though as all the men that were surrounding her before looked in onedirection – the dancefloor.

The girl was dancing with another handsome guy whohad his hands on her and was pressing her way too close for Gideon’s liking.He didn’t even notice how another feral growl escaped him.“What is wrong with you today?” Reid looked at his Alpha in shock.“Bring her in,” the lycan king commanded, “Now!”

His Beta left and suddenly he felt uncomfortable.

His wolf was howling inside andhe tried to shut him up as fast as he could because he needed to think straight.He sat in the chair that was provided for him.

But immediately felt stupid andstood up.

He felt her getting closer and closer and in the end decided to haveanother drink, walking to the table with beverages.

But then it occurred to himthat it might not look good in her eyes and he discarded the idea.“My king,” Reid cleared his throat and he turned to face him and the woman whowas haunting his dreams for the past few days.

She was beautiful, there was nodenying it.

Her piercing blue eyes were studying him with interest.

And she hadgood taste, looking regal in her wine red dress.

There was a huge diamond ringon her finger.

But the worst thing of all was the mark that was poking out rightnext to the expensive diamond necklace.What was he to do now?Riannon tried really hard to control herself.

She was still shocked that lycansarrived and still couldn’t believe that the arrogant Lycan King summoned her.Suddenly she was regretting the things she said when they spoke last.

What if hewanted to punish her? Make an example out of her?“My king,” she forced a smile, bowing politely.“Luna Thorn,” he acknowledged her, realising one very important thing.

She wasstill giving him no reaction.

While all he wanted to do was to grab her in his armsand growl “MINE”, letting everyone here know who she belonged to.

How the helldid that happen? Why didn’t he feel it? Was it the mark on her neck? But herhusband didn’t have any trouble sensing his mate.So why couldn’t Riannon do the same? What happened?“Please, take a seat,” he motioned for her to choose any and she walked to oneof the chairs with her back straight and head held high.

He loved the way shemoved.

Ria was sitting elegantly under the heavy gaze of the king and felt...

awkward.His heavy gaze was at her at all times, and she felt as if he expected somethingfrom her.

Was it an apology for shouting at him over the phone? Her cheeksflushed slightly at the memory, but she was not going to say sorry.

She meantevery word she said and she was too tired to look for excuses.“I am not going to apologise,” she warned him at once and his lips parted inshock.

Maybe it was the wrong move after all.“I am not asking you to,” he said after a pause and now she was the one gaping.“Then to what do lowe the pleasure?” she tried to sound as formal as possible,her hands on her knees.For a second there Gideon contemplated simply telling her everything andgetting to the bottom of things.

She was his and he needed her to know that.Then again, he did not want her scared.

She was already in a horrible situation,and he did not want to cause her any distress.

But he desperately needed to getcloser to her, to get some answers.“Your fiery speech made an impression on me,” he smirked, making her swallownervously, “I have to say that some of the things you said were correct.”After these words, he received a curious gaze from her.

Now wary, not scared,not pretend.

This was something.“Just some?” she arched her brow and he chuckled at that.

She was also funny.“Let’s not get carried away,” he walked to the armchair opposite of her and satdown, “This is your chance to change everything, Riannon.

Tell me everythingfrom the very beginning...”