Chapter 1 The One Night Stand

• AMELIA
• Standing in front of my father's desk in his study, I felt as though I was about to receive a death sentence.
• For a few minutes, he did not pay attention to me, even though he'd just called me to his study.
• Eventually, he looked up. His piercing blue eyed gaze met mine and I sucked in a sharp breath.
• "You're getting married in two weeks," my father said to me, returning his gaze to the document in his hand.
• "I-I...I don't understand," I said, a lump forming in my throat.
• "It's exactly as you heard. I suggest that you prepare yourself for the wedding. I have spoken to your groom," he replied and I stared at him, confusion stirring up inside of me.
• My father was a dangerous man who headed not just one of the largest werewolf packs in New York City but he was also a member of a Mafia gang.
• Usually, I wouldn't question his requests. But I couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding that had me in it's clutches.
• "What groom?" I dared to ask.
• As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. My father cleared his throat, leaning back on his seat.
• "Come in," he said and the door creaked open. My breath hitched in my throat at the sight of the newcomer. His brown eyes locked with mine for a few seconds and chills ran down my spine.
• Fabian Lancaster.
• He was my ex-boyfriend. I'd thought I'd managed to run away from him, but I was wrong.
• He was supposed to be dead.
• A smirk tugged at his lips as he strode in, shutting the door behind him.
• "Hello there, Cheesecake," he said, winking at me.
• My stomach rolled, nausea sweeping through me at the memory of that dreadful night. The night he'd assaulted me for confronting him because he'd cheated on me.
• "Dad, what's the meaning of this?" I asked, my voice cracking.
• "He's your groom," he responded blatantly and blood drained from my face.
• How could he do this to me?
• "You know everything that happened between us, so why...?" I choked out, tears filling my eyes.
• My father grunted, refusing to look me in the eye.
• "It's out of my hands now," he stated and Fabian moved towards me.
• I froze as he placed an arm around my shoulder. He leaned towards me, his lips brushing my earlobe.
• "I guess you can't run from me now," he whispered and I clenched my fists, rage simmering inside of me.
• Shrugging his arm off me, I stormed towards the door. My father's icy voice stopped me.
• "Don't do anything stupid. My reputation is on the line," he said.
• A tear rolled down my cheek as my emotions weighed down on my chest.
• All my life, I'd lived just like my father wanted me to. I'd suppressed my desires and lived like the good girl I had to be.
• "I can't marry him," I choked out, tears blurring my vision.
• Surely, he can do this one thing for me?
• I wasn't asking for much.
• "Amelia!" My father roared, slamming his hands on his desk. I flinched, more tears crawling down my cheeks.
• "Come on now, Cheesecake. Stop acting like I'm a monster. We love each other. We always have. You won't regret marrying me, I promise," Fabian said.
• "I won't marry you," I hissed and stormed out of the study.
• My legs shook as I made my way down the corridor, feeling sick.
• I'd never defied my father before. The thought of it was terrifying but I would rather die than marry Fabian.
• "Where do you think you're going?"
• Fear sank deep into my bones at the sound of Fabian's voice from behind me. Therefore I quickened my pace in a bid to flee from him but I didn't get far.
• He grabbed my hand and pinned me against the wall, his arm pressed against my throat.
• "You belong to me, don't you remember? You promised," he said and I gasped for air, black spots dancing across my vision.
• "I won't..." I choked out, desperately trying to drag air into my aching lungs.
• "You are mine, Amelia. You tried to kill me, you should grant me compensation," he whispered, planting a kiss on my forehead.
• "C... can't b..reathe..." I gasped, my fingernails digging into his arm.
• He slowly released me and I crumbled to the ground, coughing and sputtering as air rushed into my starved lungs.
• When he crouched in front of me, I leaned away from him as far as I could.
• "You should listen to your father unless you want to be responsible for your family’s downfall," he drawled.
• I glared at him, a bitter burn settling in the pit of my stomach. He brought a hand to my hair and stroked it. Then he flashed me a sarcastic smile.
• "If you truly wish to destroy your brother’s life, by all means, please defy me," he drawled and rose to his feet.
• Trembling with both fear and anger, I stared at his retreating figure until tears blurred my vision.
• ...
• A few hours later, I chugged down another shot of tequila, brushing my hair away from my face with sluggish movements. I'd been drinking for a couple of hours to escape my reality. It was only a matter of time before my father's men would show up to keep me in check.
• As if on cue, I noticed three men stepping into the bar, dressed in black suits and sunglasses.
• I recognized one of them immediately. The scar across his lips was a dead giveaway. He was one of my father's men.
• Slipping on the blonde wig I'd carried with me, I moved away from the table and hurried towards the exit with my head lowered.
• Once I was out of the bar, I took off running.
• "There she is!" I heard someone yell and I panicked. I was too drunk to think straight. Plus, my heels were too high.
• As I increased my pace, my face collided with someone's chest. I'd just bumped into a man.
• He grabbed me by the shoulders to steady me. And when I looked up at him, my breath hitched in my throat. He was devilishly handsome and he radiated a dark aura. Most of all, he was a werewolf, I could tell because I was one.
• His scent on the other hand smelled delicious. He smelled of cedarwood and Jasmine. I felt the urge to bury myself underneath his skin. It was an overwhelming feeling.
• "I'm sorry. I-I wasn't looking," I stuttered and he blinked at me, a blank expression on his face.
• "Were you being chased?" He asked, scanning me from top to bottom. I tugged at the hem of my skimpy red dress, feeling self-conscious.
• "Can you help me? I'm in a bit of trouble, right now," I breathed.
• He eyed me for a few seconds and started to walk towards the car parked a few metres away.
• "Are you getting in or not?" His raspy deep voice caressed my ears.
• I hurried after him, entering the back seat right after he was seated. The door was slammed shut, and the car began to move.
• "Do you not realize that you might have just asked for help from the wrong person?" The stranger said, and I stiffened.
• Was he teasing me? Or was he...
• "I'm serious," he deadpanned, and my blood ran cold in my veins.
• "Where are we going?" I asked, my voice trembling.
• "To a hotel," he stated, and I pressed my thighs together, my heart racing in my chest.
• I couldn't recall the last time I'd had sex. Even so, the thought of having to sleep with someone I barely knew sent a fire of rebellion racing through my veins. I could imagine the look of fury on Fabian's face if he found out that I'd slept with someone else.
• "I don't mind. Do what you will," I stated and he narrowed his grey eyes at me, reaching out to grab me by the chin.
• "You don't mind?" He demanded, his eyes blazing with such intensity, it made me feverish.
• "I don't," I breathed and his eyes grew colder. I could've sworn that his eyes turned crimson for a split second.
• "You're a con artist, aren't you?" He spat.
• Excitement grew inside of me, warmth pooling low in my belly.
• "No. I'm the woman who will spend the night in your bed," I said, and he grabbed me by the throat. I lost my balance and he fell towards me, only to break his fall halfway down.
• My wolf howled in my head and my eyes widened in recognition.
• 'Mate,' Spring, my wolf whimpered
• When my gaze met his, I saw the shock in his eyes.
• "Who are you?" He asked, furrowing his brows.
• "Call me Amelia."
• His frown deepened, his gaze sweeping down my face. His stare lingered on my lips for a few seconds.
• "We are here, sir," the driver announced and the door slid open. We both got out of the car and true to his word, we had arrived at a hotel.
• He started to walk into the lobby and I followed behind him as quickly as I could.
• Once we were in the elevator, he grabbed me by the wrist and slammed me against the wall.
• "What's your deal?" He demanded.
• "Want to know the truth? I have nowhere else to go," I slurred and his gaze grew heavier.
• The air seemed to have grown hotter. And so did my arousal.
• The elevator halted and slid open. We both stepped out and walked into an elaborate hotel room. It was the biggest I'd ever seen.
• The moment he slammed the door shut, he pulled me against his body and kissed me.