ARTEMISIA

He can't be my mate. His scent would have overpowered everyone else's easily and signaled me that he was near.

I chew at my thumbnail while my thoughts keep running wild about the fact that all of this just doesn't make any sense.

Also, how bothersome it would be to have a Blackwood as my mate.

So, why am I disappointed?

Joining the applause that drags me out of my train of thought, I beam as my brother and his mate step onto the stage. They look so excited and anxious at the same time at what is about to happen that it makes me feel butterflies. The best thing out of all is that it seems like they are happy to finally be able to see each other again the most. Even if in such moments the memory of my rejection hurts the most, I'm glad that the feelings of happiness that I feel for my family overpowers me.

Automatically, my eyes wander over the crowd to find the Alpha Blackwood already looking at me. My eyes snap back to the stage and I gulp.

So embarrassing.

As he is standing rather close by, I guess that the mystery of the mouthwatering scent that I'm smelling is resolved.

Goddess, why me?

The coronation goes by quite dragging as I can't seem to concentrate on the ceremony. I bounce on my heels as my insides won't stop tingling because I keep sneaking peeks to look at Blackwood, finding him already looking at me.

Oh, God, maybe he feels that my wolf is dormant.

As the elder finishes the ritual, and my brother goes to take his Luna's hand, a collective gasp rises. I clench onto Zaccaria, and he puts his arm around my wrist to stabilize me on my feet, even though he must feel the uncomfortable feeling of our bond to our parents as leaders being strapped from us before our links to our new Alpha and Luna click into place.

As another round of applause disrupts the air, I try to push through the crowd after my brothers to get to Giorgio and Diana to congratulate myself with them. But the people are just too aggressively trying to get there first that I get separated from my brothers and, as I seem not to be able to move any further, choose to step out to the side, waiting for everyone just to calm down after they had their chance to see the beautiful pair.

I take a deep breath and smile at a waiter who brings me a glass of champagne before my nostrils get assaulted by a scent that I had hoped not to smell again.

And just when I'm without my brothers.

How practical.

"Hey, beautiful."

Taking a sip from my champagne flute, I act annoyed while hoping that he will get the hint.

Even if he never does.

"Alpha Riccardo, good evening."

"Come on, Missy." He chuckles, trying to get closer to me. "No need to be so formal. After all we have been through."

I look over the crowd with my tongue pressed to my teeth, trying to spot my brothers, but all I find is a certain someone staring at me.

"If we were talking about what we have been through, it's Dr. Guerrieri for you."

I tear my eyes from Alpha Blackwood to look at Riccardo, who is grinning at me like a moron.

And I regret it immediately.

"Come back in with me. Let's talk."

I push out a single laugh, trying to keep my voice down. "You are not really trying to hit on me while your wife is at home, pregnant with your third baby, Rick!"

"You always think too much. Missy, come on." As he grabs my wrist, I snatch it out of his hold maybe a little too aggressively.

"Don't you dare touch me!"

"Why are you acting so ha-" Riccardo is just about to open his mouth the wrong way as he gets interrupted by a deep baritone.

"Missy, is everything alright?"

I have to keep myself from physically shuddering as I turn around to look at the disrupter wide-eyed.

What did he just call me?

Blinking repeatedly as I am still recovering from his voice traveling through me like honey, I put up a smile and shake my head.

"Yeah. Everything is just alright."

Alpha Blackwood clenches his jaw, his gaze moving onto Riccardo. "Where is your wife, Alpha?"

I nearly choke on my spit as Riccardo's face pales, and he starts to stutter like an idiot. The way he pronounced his title mockingly, making me feel malicious joy.

"She wasn't feeling well, so she stayed at home."

Alpha Blackwood clicks his tongue, totally uninterested in what Riccardo just said, and leans in slightly to talk to me.

"Didn't you want to congratulate your brother? I guess we could get to him now."

A shiver runs down my spine as his eyes capture my gaze entirely, making me lose the sense of time and place for a second. Just as I see him lift an eyebrow I finally get my brain to start working again.

I jerk up slightly to look over the crowd and don't see how we are going to make it as my brother is still closed in tightly by his admirers, but still choose to go with his rescue offer.

"Oh, great let's go. Bye, Rick."

He nods his head at Riccardo with his signature frown, before saying, "See you around, Richard."

I stifle a laugh as I pass the lawn to find an open space where we can get through, but there is no avail.

Alpha Blackwood just follows me leisurely and seems to watch me without wanting to help me.

"His name isn't Richard."

"Really? I don't pay much attention to names."

"But you called me Missy."

He shrugs nonchalantly. "He was practically screaming it all over the field. Didn't like how uncomfortable he made you look."

I let my shoulders slump and turn around to look at him with a smile. "Thank you!"

Seeing the corner of his lips twitch, has butterflies erupting in my stomach even though I don't get the smile.

I'm such an idiot.

"Doesn't seem like we will be getting anywhere near my brother." I sigh sadly and purse my lips.

"Yeah." He states frowning, staring towards the crowd, and I'm actually surprised that he is still around.

"Well, can't be helped," I say, turning around to face him. "Have you already had a tour of the grounds?"

My heart beats into my throat as I wait for him to crush my invitation like it would be appropriate for the lowlife, he must be thinking that I am.

"That would be lovely, thank you."

"Oh," I say, taken aback. "Nice, come with me then."

Trying to put up a non-awkward smile, I start walking out through a gap in the rose bushes.

"Be careful. They have nasty thorns." I realize how stupid it must sound to say that to the strongest Alpha in the range of miles even before I hear him chuckle.

Well, at least he doesn't take it as an insult.

We walk back to the pack house more or less silently. The silence is only disrupted by me commenting on the garden or the house. As we reach the front yard of my home, I gesture along the paths splitting in front of us.

"This way you reach the back of the house." I look up at him, expecting his gaze to be directed to the house, only to find him looking at me.

And as the massive flirt I am, I blush terribly while I stutter, "Erm… There is like a garden with high bushes designed as a… well… like a… around a set of fountains…"

I remember my brother telling me how he saw Alpha Blackwood punish a warrior for having stuttered in front of him when he had visited the Blood Fang Pack territory. So, I'm a bit frozen at seeing a slight smile on his lips.

"And over there would be the lake."

I clear my throat, trying to shake off the feeling of his eyes burning into my skin. "There are a few benches and flowers and a playground for the kids."

Oh, Goddess. Shut up!

"It's nice there."

I press my lips together as I avoid his gaze to look at the path that leads to the lake.

This is so embarrassing.

"Show me then."

"Huh?" My eyes dart up to his, and he makes a small gesture with his head.

"Show me." He says, his deep baritone making my heart skip a beat.

Goddess, I've been engaged. When did I get back to act like a lovesick teenager?

"Sure. This way, if you please, Alpha Blackwood."

As I walk in front of him on the dirt path, I concentrate on not tripping over my dress with my high heels as I feel his overwhelming presence following me closely. Reached the lake, and I let go of my skirt to turn around to him. "Tadaaan," I say a bit too enthusiastically.

"You really like it here, do you?"

I nod, making him chuckle.

Again, I find myself drawn to him as I think of how I could listen to him chuckling for hours.

Oh, no! Am I crushing on our tormentor's Alpha?

We walk to a bench a few steps away from us and stare at the lake silently. I push down the urge to say something just to end the silence as it will definitely be embarrassing. Thinking about how it's not awkward at all and how much I feel at ease with him, has me worrying. I bite the nail of my thumb thinking about the last time I felt like this in the company of a man. But seeing all the horrible dates I had after breaking up with Riccardo, there is really no surprise.

Oh, Goddess! He isn't my mate, is he?