The Designated Mate novel Chapter 52

"If not for that reason, think about the red flag this will raise for your uncle. How long do you think it would take for word to spread through the packs that a Lycan went after a Beta because of his mate, who also happens to be that Beta's daughter? The gossip mill will have a hay day with that one and it will get to your uncle's pack in no time. Besides, the day I left I remember the conversation my father and Alpha Rhymes were having," I began, a lump forming in my throat thinking about how he's going to take the news I was about to deliver. "The whole reason they were trying to mate me off and gain power for both packs was because of your uncle. He's taking over small packs at such a fast rate, that by now he could take on a pack like my old one with no issue. He's trying to overthrow The Council and change our way of life as we know it," I stressed, watching the way his face contorted into one of anger.

"Then I'll kill two birds with one stone," he growled as a malicious smile took over his face. I gulped, more confused than I'd ever been by his response. What the hell does he mean by that?

"Knox-" I started, but he immediately cut me off.

"Let's sleep, Flower," he insisted before pecking my forehead and lips before twisting to turn off his lamp. It was only once the room was cloaked in darkness did I let my thoughts run rampant, trying to figure out just what the hell he was up to.

Knox's POV

I wandered the woods, my usually blank mind trying to figure out why I felt the need to spy in on the induction ceremony that was set to take place in a few minutes.

Being part of the pack meant I heard and saw everything. I knew we had a new arrival who was fleeing their old pack, but I didn't care enough to find out why. I preferred to stay in the comfort of the forest. I haven't attended a single ceremony since coming to the pack because, quite frankly, I just didn't fucking care; but there was something different this time and my inability to pinpoint why was going to drive me goddamn crazy.

There was no way I was going to change back to my skin side, go all the way to my cottage to get dressed then walk all the way back to the ceremony grounds, find a seat, and be stared at like a zoo animal the entire time by my fellow "pack members" just to figure out why I was feeling this way. That was not fucking happening. My next best option was to just watch from the shadows and use my wolf's advanced hearing to listen in.

When Alpha Aaron asked, "Do you swear to do all things with the packs best interest in mind, never acting selfishly for your own personal gain?" I listened intently while watching her body language like a hawk.

"Yes," she stated with a passionate nod of her head. The conviction in her voice left no doubt in anyone's mind, mine included, that she was speaking truthfully.

There was nothing sexier than loyalty and honesty.

I watched the rest of the ceremony silently, my eyes never moving from her delicious looking body. I was like a drug addict and she was my fix. I'd never even spoken two words to her and I was already hooked. I was so focused on her that I hadn't caught her name when Alpha Aaron said it earlier. I shook my head and forced myself to focus on the words Alpha Aaron was saying, my hackles going up and a growl threatening to release from my wolf's throat as I realized it was time for the blood exchange. Logically, I knew this was necessary and wasn't meant to hurt her, but my irrational side was on alert and demanding I step forward before they told her to cut herself.