The Future Alpha's Wicked Plan and His Mate's Payback

Slowly, he leaned in, his face so close I could feel the coldness of his minty breath. We were alone on the second floor of the coffee shop. So, I guess it's the quiet intimacy of the space giving Edward the confidence to close the distance between us.

"Caroline," He began. "It's been almost a year since we started seeing each other. In all that time, my feelings for you have only grown stronger, but my intentions have never changed. I intend to give you the love that you deserve. I intend to treat you right." He paused, his gaze flickering to my lips before he gently licked his own, a subtle gesture that made me crave the touch of his mouth on mine. "You know what they say—that you can truly understand your feelings for someone with a kiss. If, in that moment, everything else fades away and it feels like the world stops spinning, then it's love."

"Then kiss me, right now," I whispered, my heart racing.

With deliberate tenderness, he cupped my face in his hands, his thumb tracing my lips before he pulled me closer. When his lips finally pressed against mine, time seemed to slow. Just as he said, the world stopped spinning, and all that existed was us.

I smiled and breathed deeply once the kiss ended, "I guess I'm in love."

The next day arrived, but the memories of yesterday lingered, playing over and over in my mind. I had officially opened my heart to love Edward Tudor, and now, he was my boyfriend. Letting him into my life felt like the best decision I had ever made.

I was still lost in daydreams when a knock on my door pulled me back to reality. "Come in, it's open," I called.

A maid stepped inside, bowing her head slightly. "Young Lady Caroline, the Alpha has asked you to come to his room. He said there is something very important he needs to discuss with you."

Uneasiness had quickly settled over me as I nodded and followed the maid down the halls toward my father's bedroom. My nerves were on the edge, and as we walk, I was trying to guess what this was about.

When I entered the Alpha's room, I greeted him quietly and sat on one of the couches. He wasted no time, cutting straight to the point. "Do you have something to confess, Caroline? Something about your fated mate?"

My heart jumped. "What do you mean, Father?"

He adjusted his sitting position, his eyes scrutinizing my every movement. "One of the mansion guards saw you at a local coffee shop yesterday. He reported that you were with someone—a man, specifically. So I'll ask again, Caroline, do you have something to confess?"

I swallowed hard. Despite the nerves, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to introduce Edward to my father. So, I gathered my courage and I began telling him everything about Edward—his background, how we met, my feelings for him, how he treated me as a lady, and our relationship.

As I spoke, I kept my head down, afraid of how my father would react to the wolf I had chosen. But when I finally glanced up, I saw nothing but understanding in his eyes. Perhaps it was his perspective as an Alpha, a leader who believed in treating everyone in the pack equally. His belief had always been the same, and it's to give someone a chance before casting judgment. I admired him for that.

Eventually, Alpha Gregory told me he was willing to meet Edward in person. Not only that, but he was also open to putting Edward through Alpha training to see if he had what it takes to become the next leader of Green Valley.

It didn't take long for Edward to meet my father, and after a few weeks, the training began. Edward threw himself into every task, determined to prove something. And, in such a short time, he exceeded expectations. He's completing the challenges efficiently and with unwavering determination. I could see the growing respect in my father's eyes and the quiet admiration as Edward pushed beyond what was asked of him.

With every day that passed, a feeling took root in me, a sense that this journey was leading to something meaningful. And if Edward were to ascend as this pack's next Alpha, I knew he would be more than deserving of it.

Edward's Point of View

After the intense Alpha training, I headed straight back to my small, cramped house. Once inside, I tossed my things to the floor and slumped onto the old couch, exhausted. I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the flame instantly flickering in the dim room.

The heat inside this house was unbearable, and every muscle in my body ached from the day's demands. Frustration boiled inside me as I took off my shirt, letting it fall carelessly beside me.

Damn it.

I'm Caroline's boyfriend, her future mate and the next Alpha of this pack. So why in the hell won't they let me live in the kingdom already? I'm tired of being in this pathetic house. I want comfort. I deserve it.

It doesn't matter.

A few more years, and everything they own will be mine—the Windsor properties, let alone this pack. A few more years, and I'll be the Alpha. Then, no one will tell me where to live or what to do. No one will control me anymore.

I inhaled deeply, letting the cigarette smoke deep in my lungs before releasing it in a slow exhale. "Damn it, Caroline," I muttered, equally annoyed and satisfied. "I won't ever let you go..."