Chapter 3

I knew that Liliana greatly admired her Alpha, yet I still couldn't understand how an adult man could propose marriage to a woman without at least a shred of attraction or pure love involved. Even if Liliana found logic in his reasons, I couldn't shake the idea that this Ulysses was arrogant and selfish. Arranged marriages had been extinct for centuries, and if some unions were already difficult to maintain even when love existed between the couple, then a relationship like that would never work in this day and age.

In truth, all of this reinforced my theory that men didn't know what love was, and I’d bet they would continue that way for many more centuries. Fortunately, some common sense had appeared in one of them. Liliana just needed time to free herself from this somewhat surreal situation, and I was going to help her, without a doubt.

Looking around, I noticed there were no strange movements in the forest, despite feeling that something or someone was watching me. That was normal; I had reached the outskirts of the wolf city, and besides, with the sense of smell they possessed, they logically should have found me by now. Taking a deep breath, I tried not to be startled by the chill running down my spine. It would be dark soon, and I didn't want to be there alone for the whole night.

A few seconds after that thought, a low growl interrupted the silence of the forest. Holding my breath, I turned slowly and immediately met the intense gaze of a majestic-looking animal. I just hoped it wasn't a "simple" animal, truly. For a moment, my body froze—were there dangerous creatures on the borders of a pack’s territory, too? I was frightened now; how could I distinguish a normal wolf from a werewolf?

The animal stared at my face for a second, but then it analyzed my body with a very human appraisal, which made me sigh with relief instantly. Looking around, I waited for others to appear; after all, a wolf rarely walked alone. True to my guess, several wolves slowly emerged, closing a circle around me and making it impossible for me to flee—which, in fact, I would never have tried to do anyway.

Assuming a haughty posture, I stared fixedly at the first animal that had confronted me. Even appearing surprised for a moment, the wolf stopped growling and moved toward me. Within seconds, the creature shifted into a human being: an attractive, completely naked man. Holding my breath, I immediately felt lightheaded—not because of what had happened, as I had already seen Liliana shift several times, but because of the well-toned body that was now right before my eyes.

"You don't seem as surprised as I am," the man’s voice sounded a bit confused. "We expected to find Liliana." Bernardo was Ulysses’ Beta, his Alpha’s right-hand man, ready to do anything to serve and protect him. "Why are you wearing her clothes?"

"Liliana?" Shaking my head, I declared firmly and fearlessly to my opponent. "I don't know what you're talking about." Sporting an innocent expression, I glanced down at my body. "These clothes are mine."

"No, they aren't!" Bernardo inhaled toward the human, then sniffed the air again. "It seems the girls think they are smarter than us," he declared, laughing to the wolves accompanying him. With a single nod, three of the wolves ran in the opposite direction. "But I don’t know to what extent your plan worked." With a lopsided smile, Bernardo grabbed the arm of the young woman in front of him, dragging her along, but with care not to hurt her.

"Where are you taking me?" I gasped immediately when I was grabbed firmly by the arm. The man's gaze at that moment was so intense that it made me hold my breath.

"You’re going to have to give some explanations." Bernardo felt the fear rising in the young woman, so he smiled, immediately releasing her arm and just signaling for her to walk in front of him.

"What explanations?" I questioned, curious. Was he Liliana’s Alpha? He was actually a handsome man; his short, dark hair and very expressive light brown eyes gave him a rebellious, attractive air.

"Why weren't you scared with so many wolves around you?" Bernardo questioned, still surprised by the human's reaction to his presence. "Not a hint of fear!" He declared, sniffing near her again. "And how is it that I don’t smell your scent, but Liliana’s?"

"My scent I can explain!" I flashed my teeth in a grin. "My perfume ran out, as did my clean laundry..." Biting my lip, I looked away from the face of the attractive man who, at that moment, seemed amused, analyzing me intensely. Clearing my throat, I added confidently, "So, Liliana had to lend me hers."

"I hope you aren't this funny with our Alpha..." Bernardo shook his head, a huge smile appearing on his lips. "I bet he won't be in the mood to laugh when you appear before him."

"Is that so?!" Clearing my throat, I became a bit apprehensive; after all, this nice man wasn't the pack leader. Taking a deep breath, I moved slower, studying the face of the man beside me, and made an effort so my gaze wouldn't drift lower as I added, "I wasn't afraid because I already knew about your existence."

"Really?" Bernardo asked, surprised as he veered slightly off the path. Quickly grabbing a t-shirt and jeans from behind a tree, he began to get dressed. "How long have you known we exist?" Bernardo looked at the girl with curiosity. Had Liliana told her what she was without warning her Alpha?

"Does it matter?" I felt a bit embarrassed by so many questions, especially when the man dressed without any inhibition in front of me; he actually seemed proud to be appreciated. I turned my head and bit my lip, declaring, "I can only say that I admire you all a lot." Letting out a sigh, I watched the other wolves that were following us; they were also getting dressed, never taking their eyes off me. It seemed there were some backpacks with clothes available nearby.

"Seriously!" Bernardo smiled lopsidedly, showing his disbelief.

"Of course!" I affirmed, meeting his eyes this time more confidently. "You are very special beings; you deserve all my respect."

"Do you know you are contradicting yourself?" Bernardo sighed. That girl seemed very direct, yet pure in her convictions. "By making us believe you were Liliana, you disrespected my Alpha and, consequently, the pack."

"I’m not disrespecting anyone," I faced the man with perplexity. "Especially since none of you even know me."

"I’m absolutely certain [that I know you]!" Crossing my arms over my chest, I faced him in defiance. "When I was attacked, she defended me; she didn't run away, and she could have." I said, annoyed. "I also don't agree with what you want to do; I don't think it's fair."

"Alright..." Bernardo was surprised by the determined way the human defended a female of his race, yet he declared firmly, "But that is a pack matter."

"It may be, but Liliana saved my life," I declared, calmer when I noticed the apprehension on the man's face. "For her, I will do whatever is necessary; you just have to ask."

"Were you attacked by one of us?" Bernardo asked, concerned.

"By a wolf? No!" Shaking my head in denial, I sighed as I declared, "It was just a brute who thought he would get lucky that night."

"I understand your loyalty to Liliana," Bernardo declared, frustrated. "But she shouldn't involve a human girl in our affairs."

"Why not? Now it’s my turn to return what she did for me," I declared with a hard voice and haughtiness. "Saving her from a marriage she doesn't want, especially to someone arrogant who must think he’s living in the eighteenth century."

"I’m actually afraid of your meeting," Bernardo sighed deeply.

"What meeting?" I questioned, a bit confused.

"Your sharp tongue..." Bernardo gently grabbed the girl's arm again, heading toward the edge of the forest, adding with an amused smile, "...and my Alpha's temper."

Upon hearing his words, all my confidence and determination immediately sank into the back of my soul. My stomach contracted at the sight of the first house in the pack settlement, and at that moment, I knew there was no turning back. It was time to face the Big Bad Wolf... literally.