CONT

We were in sixth grade when Atlas found Hunter in my room, the both of us doing homework, and he declared that Hunter belonged to him. No matter how much anyone tried to talk him out of saying that or stalking Hunter or all the crazy things he did when it came to Hunter, Atlas couldn't be dissuaded. He had decided then and not even I could talk him out of it. Hunter was undoubtedly shocked and maybe freaked out by the obvious obsession the Alpha's son had with him and his refusals to abide by the same social rules everyone else did when it came to his privacy and his personal space, but Atlas eventually wore him out and he had accepted his fate as Atlas' fixation. Everyone was convinced they would be fated mates. No one was as shocked as I was when Atlas announced his bond with Kristin.

After a while of whispered conversation, Atlas and Hunter wondered off together, leaving me with Fletcher who was still clinging onto me. Guests were starting to arrive and I grabbed a flute of alcohol which I threw back into my throat even as Fletcher dragged me across the room to greet and make small talk with the guests.

Fletcher was good at that part and thankfully steered all conversations away from curiosity about me and my reasons for leaving the pack. I on the other hand was anxious and feeling weirdly claustrophobic as more and more supernatural folk walked into the room.

Lanthe and Jason, the guest of honors finally arrived in a grand entrance, both of them looking as stunning and strikingly powerful as had grown to be expected of them, but they weren't the ones who took my breath. Every part of my body froze when Aleksander strutted into the room behind them, her arm in Marlakee's. Even though my veins pulsed in jealousy and anger at him touching her and all the eyes which like mine had become entrapped on her, my heart and my other much lower regions pulsed in awe and desire at her alluring and dark beauty which was especially bewitching that night.

Her long hair had been dyed black and on her, it somehow looked as enchanting as the unusual white. It fell in curled tresses braided into waterfall braids and hung like a thick curtain at waist level. She had no visible makeup on her face but her lashes looked even more impossibly long and her lips were even redder and looked even fuller. Her dress was a black wrap type, tied at the front into a fancy butterfly knot. It was simple, by all means, but the way it shaped her body and highlighted her bust and her hips was almost sensual in a way before ending just before her knees. Her legs, fuck, I was almost salivating at her slim, long and shapely legs, which were encased in black, strappy high heels and probably had the power to sink more ships than Helen of Troy's entire body could. I could barely drag my eyes away from her before I became really uncomfortable.

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They walked into the room and she and Malarkee separated as Lanthe seemingly introduced Aleks to the Madeline, the Fae Queen. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she smiled and charmed all the people within Madeline's group until they were all smiling as they watched her talk and listen. Her hands were elegant with the black nail polish and the way she picked up a flute of champagne and drank it so regally, you could have sworn she was royalty. She seemed to be in her zone.

Her eyes, like a magnet, met mine from across the room and even though the room was dimly lit and her face had the expressionless look she seemed to have mastered, I could feel the heat in her stare and I could imagine the thoughts running through her head. I resisted the pull to her but it was not easy. All the reckless want I had been feeling a few weeks ago was gone and replaced by fear. The power she had over me was astounding.

“….kas!” Fletcher's voice said, pulling me away from the pool of green eyes. I shook off my thoughts as I refocused on Fletcher who glared at me before excusing herself from the group I had not noticed and pulled me to the side.

“If you actually want people to believe we’re going to get married, can you stop eye fucking another woman for a second and at least pretend to respect you fiancée!” she hissed in a voice low enough for only me to hear. I stared at her angry face in shock.

“We're not getting married, Fletcher we’re getting bonded and everyone knows that….”

“I know. I know. But….still, Leukas….my dad…..fuck.” she frowned as she looked at her watch. “I have to go to the bathroom for a while, we'll talk later.” She said absently before walking away from me, leaving me confused and worried by her erratic behavior.

“Is it me or is Fletcher acting strange.” Hunter's voice appeared from behind me. If even Hunter was noticing it, I was beginning to worry.