Moonlit Desires

Chapter Two

An overwhelming rush of mingling scents awoke Victoria, and she stirred beneath navy blue covers. The sun kissed her skin through the window, a warm embrace that fully roused her from slumber. Groggy, Victoria attempted to recollect a way she had ended up in her room. She recalled none.

Inhaling sharply, Victoria recognized a flurry of identities at once. The group seemed too large to just be company, and from the hushed tones of people chattering downstairs, it was clear that the pack had been summoned for a meeting. Her temper smoldered. Why had no one made an effort to tell her?

She ripped the covers away and bolted upright. When a chilly draft tickled her bare skin, memories of the night before overtook her. The encounter with Gabriel, the foul odor of the stranger's urine; it all came back in a dizzying rush, and Victoria stumbled to the bathroom, bent gagging over the toilet. Bile rolled up her throat and threatened to spill over. She surrendered, emptying the contents of her stomach into the porcelain's mocking glare.

Victoria flung herself down onto the bathroom floor, her eyes burning with the fumes of her sick. Her throat burned. The tears of discomfort burst into tears of desperation and loneliness. Not only were her parents rushing her into Mating, Victoria had to cope with the burden of a stalker. To make things more distressing, nobody had taken the liberty to ask her if she felt comfortable attending the impromptu meeting—even though it was obviously because of the previous night's events. They'd probably decided that she'd been too traumatized to discuss such a 'serious' topic, and that she needed rest to recover from the incident.

The thought alone enraged her. As daughter of the pack's Alpha, she should have been granted certain rights, certain respect that guaranteed her a specific place by her parents' sides long ago. Instead, it seemed she was still being considered a pup—impetuous and completely useless. Hackles twitching, Victoria bared her fangs and tore a splintered gash along her bathroom door with unsheathed claws. Her abandonment of an already weak composure had her longing to unleash her fury on someone who needed it. She hoped that Mother Earth would give her a chance to rip the next suitor to cross her path to shreds before someone pried her away.

XXXX

After having showered and taken her time to begin the day, Victoria bounded down the stairs with a melodic hum in her throat. Her goal to completely disregard any notion of the meeting spiraled into a flaming disaster as she rounded the corner. She'd expected to see that the pack had already dispersed, but Victoria found herself facing a room full of silent, almost accusatory stares.

Her mother, Brandi, beckoned her with a small wave of her hand. Victoria journeyed slowly across the room, the hair on her arms prickling with unease. Lucan snapped at her suggestively and smacked her backside as she passed, and Victoria spun around, her clawed hand poised inches from his face.

"Don't touch me Lucan. You have no right." Her nostrils flared at his audacity, especially before the whole pack.

Lucan stood and towered over her. His full lips twisted into a leer. "What are you going to do about it, whelp?"

Her palm fired across his cheek, and several males whistled. Irritation burned from females like smoke from smoldering green leaves.

"Sit down, Victoria," her father barked. "This is neither the time nor the place."

She snarled at her opponent. "You're not worth my time." She turned.

Lucan sat back down, his gaze trailing over her. "I have plenty of it to wait," he murmured.

Victoria paused briefly and prepared to turn and strike him again, but the expression she spotted on her father's face convinced her to fold herself neatly beside her mother. They exchanged glances, and Brandi stroked her daughter's hair reassuringly. Victoria growled to herself, her pride wounded and her attention disconnected.

For the next half hour, Victoria half-listened to her father preach about the pack's status, and the situation involving a group of rogue werewolves terrorizing adjacent packs. She always hated this subject. The idea of the pack's destruction frightened her to her wit's end. And Victoria was in no mood to share the scent of her fear with the rest of her kind's population. She sniffed.

The prickle of unease coursed through her, and she found herself catching Quinton's eye. He flashed her a smile and winked, his cerulean gaze understanding and light. Quinton inclined his head inconspicuously, and she raised an eyebrow. He tried again, pointing with his eyes and a tilt of his head.

What? She mouthed at him.

Quinton rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. If he tried to make things more obvious, he'd be standing up and pointing straight at the dude.

"This untimely occurrence involving neighboring areas and the situation with Victoria has left us to conclude one thing: this threat is evident. Gabriel has recently returned from a last minute sojourn and was able to retrieve some information." Her father inclined his head. "You said this…stranger could not be identified by any packs adjacent to this area?"

All attention turned to the dark, brooding figure in the far corner. Gabriel licked his lips and refortified his stance upon the wall with his shoulder, crossing both his arms and his ankles. Victoria's lip curled immediately at his nonchalant attitude.

"Yes. That's correct. From what I've been able to assume, the others figure that he is either a scout or a loner."

Gabriel's searing gaze raked across Victoria's face briefly, and continued. "The Outsider's invasive attempt to claim you daughter proves to be a threat to us, whether he's one character or the other."

Lucan sneered. "Any male who tries to get in your way to Mating with the Alpha's daughter first is a threat."

Victoria felt a swell of pride warm her breast. Even while she loathed the sight of males fighting for her approval, it showed her that she was worth fighting for. That she was desirable and strong.

A low growl reverberated from Gabriel's chest. "There is no competition."

The bubble of pride burst as though it had been punctured by a needle. Such arrogance was the crux of this whole problem. It not only affected her relationship with males, but also with the females. Such hatred spread among them—at least, with whispers and angry glances her way.

She could feel it, even now, with their accusing stares and baring of their teeth. Their accusations were obvious; she, the Alpha male's daughter, was in the way of their own chances to Mate. She'd grabbed the attention of most males, and now their only option was to sit around and wait until she'd finally been ensnared by a suitor.

"That's enough!" her father shouted. "This meeting was not meant for petty battles in hopes of earning my daughter's approval." His usually calm gaze flared orange. "Now get out. It seems this meeting has failed to serve the purpose that it was intended for."

Victoria slipped a hand across her face, utterly humiliated. Hushed grumbles and the stirrings of newly-concocted gossip flared. She rubbed her fingertips against her temples, wishing that she'd just remained upstairs. The thought was so ideal that Victoria rose and prepared to escape with the departing group.

"Get back here Victoria." Her father snapped. "Gabriel, Lucan, Kisten, sit down. Now."

Her lip puffed out in an attempt to plead with her father, but he simply pointed to the large sofa the three men already occupied. Victoria blushed as she turned to oblige. Somehow, the three had managed to separate themselves so equally that she'd be forced to sit between two of them. All sets of eyes were intent upon her, challenging her to share their company and, ultimately, somehow satisfy them in knowing that she'd chosen them over someone else.

The decision was tough, seeing as she would be forced to sit next to Gabriel either way. Lucan's eyes danced with malicious laughter, and Kisten simply crossed his arms. Victoria didn't know Kisten well; he mostly kept to himself, or at least, he was one of few males who decided not to take on the challenge of pursuing her. She didn't quite understand the point of him having to be in this confrontation. The thought unnerved her in this already awkward moment, and she finally resolved to settle between Lucan and Gabriel.

Lucan slid a hand over her thigh, and Victoria slapped it away. Gabriel bared his teeth at Lucan before he let out a territorial growl. Victoria bristled.

"Would you knock it off? I'm not interested in either of you, so go point your disgusting erections somewhere else!"

Her father narrowed his eyes. "That's enough, Victoria. This is just as difficult for them as it is for you."

Victoria shook her head. Men found enjoyment in the challenge of pursuing a woman, and this woman was tired of being snapped at. But, knowing she could do nothing to change her current situation, Victoria crossed her arms and shifted restlessly between the two opponents.

"Yes, daddy," she spat.

Vincent sighed. "I don't know what's going on with you lately, Victoria, but you know the rules. They have a right to ask for your hand until you find a male to Mate with. Having said that, Lucan, you disgraced her by this disgusting show you put on earlier. We were in the middle of an important meeting.

"And you, Gabriel," he continued, "I know seeing others fight for her upsets you. You should have let the comment slide."

Gabriel crossed his muscular arms and shifted, his big thigh rippling against her through his jeans. "Usually I would have, Vincent. But to see others treat her so disrespectfully insults my ability to protect her."

Livid, Victoria flared her nostrils. So he didn't consider the incident in the woods being disrespectful? On top of that, it wasn't his job to protect her. Victoria was smart enough not to say anything.

"Then by all means, be insulted. Just don't instigate a fight that you know is inevitable if Victoria doesn't find a Mate soon." Vincent inclined his head. "You two can see yourselves out."

As they stood up, Lucan and Gabriel shot each other a heated glance before striding to the door. The door slammed as Lucan stepped out, and the house grew deathly quiet. To her horror, Victoria's nerves escalated. She peeked toward Kisten out of the corner of her eye only to find him observing her carefully.

"Victoria, I realize last night might have been traumatizing for you," her father began. "Gabriel certainly added stress to the situation, and I apologize on his behalf. He explained the situation, and he feels ashamed at what he's done. Forgive and forget."

She looked down. "It's not that simple, Father." Her feelings toward him was a culmination of years of him pursuing her. It was the way he talked about sex like it was nothing, the way that he made such advances to which she didn't know how to respond.

"I understand," he replied simply. Her father observed her for a moment, then sighed. "Now Victoria, do you know why Kisten is still here?"

Victoria bit her lip. "I have no idea."

He nodded. "Just like Gabriel, he was out in the woods at the time. He watched the Outsider mark your clothes before you emerged into the clearing. Had Kisten not been there to take you home, Victoria, you could possibly be miles away and captured by that stranger."

Victoria's mouth dropped open. She had assumed it was Gabriel who had found her. She was completely wrong…and sort of glad that it had been that way.

She turned back to Kisten stiffly. He ran a hand through his hair and shot a glance at her father. It was a glance searching for approval, for permission. A sudden likeness for him erupted in her stomach, and she bit her lip. "Wow, Kisten. I don't really know what to say."

He turned to her suddenly and beamed, his white teeth gleaming brilliantly. Victoria found herself blushing, confused at how she could have overlooked him. Kisten leaned forward and brushed a string of hair from her shoulder, keeping his honeyed gaze locked on her face. His scent permeated her nostrils, caught against her clothes and whispered promises of pleasure.

"How about saying yes to dinner next Friday night?" he murmured, his voice low and seductive.

Victoria stole a glance at her father, only to find he'd inconspicuously slipped out of the room. Her breath quickened. She hadn't been on a date in forever, in fear of the consequences that her actions might stir. Should she accept? Victoria took a deep breath.

"Dinner wouldn't hurt."

Kisten's smile faded. "I don't want you to accept out of appreciation, Victoria," he murmured.

She drew back. "Appreciation never crossed my mind." Victoria flushed. She'd just admitted to being attracted to him.

He laughed. "What a relief."

Still pink, Victoria stood and coughed. "Thank you, Kisten. I guess…um…I'll see you later." With a nervous glance, Victoria turned away and made her way to anywhere but the same room as Kisten. Act normally, she told herself. Try not to make a scene.

Kisten leaned back in the couch as the Alpha's daughter retreated from him, watching the way she moved. She walked like a queen, graceful and confident. He liked the way her hips swayed back and forth gently, the way her body looked through her clothes. Possessiveness already burned in his chest. Gabriel and Lucan had no chance. He would ensnare her easily. All he needed was time. And he had plenty of it.

———————————————————————————————————— As of the month of November, I give my thanks to:

dreamercrys- for being the first to comment my story

lonely kerl- because you're a pretty amazing friend for supporting my writing

winterwonderland- for commenting at least once on almost all of my stories

pandacutie1313, twist their emotions, stephanie king, canislupus7, nopotofgold, autumsprite, blackrose1991, ceilo and gaia, songs-from-the-heart, cookie jar, , silly-girl15, just4smiles, heather.y, xhianglian, duchess treacle, euroweasley, kar00, dragonette12, .., crazyblondewoman

- for stumbling upon my work and giving me great feedback