The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Book 2 The Alpha’s Forbidden Bride – Episode 22

~EDEN~

Archer looked at James with bored eyes. I was surprised that he didn’t seem intimidated by James whatsoever whereas everyone else around here didn’t even dare to come close him. “And why must I do that?” Archer asked.

I could feel the anger radiating off James’s body in great waves and feared that tonight may end with a dangerous fight between the two of them.

“Because if you don’t I’ll f*****g kill yo-,”

“James!” Austin called behind of us. “We can settle this nicely, there is no need to bring attention to ourselves.”

James wasn’t hearing it, however. His eyes were growing darker by the second and if looks could kill, Archer would be dead by now. I knew deep down that I wanted to make James jealous but I never expected this kind of reaction from him. He looked extremely pissed and dangerous. But for some reason, Archer still looked extremely relaxed.

I slowly stepped back from him, not wanting to cause any trouble. James’s hand on my shoulder tightened as he pulled my body back against his. I gasped at the surprise of being pressed up so tightly against him. I didn’t think it was possible to fit so perfectly into someone’s arms until now. Sparks were shooting off all over my body and I had to press my lips together to keep from moaning out loud.

My own body embarrassed me to the point that my cheeks grew extremely hot.

Archer looked at us with new hidden interest in his eyes. “I didn’t realize Eden was already called for . . . You should do a better job at showing it or someone might take her from right under your nose.”

I was confused by his words, was he implying that James and I were in a relationship? Clearly, he didn’t see him with that Clara girl earlier tonight. She was always leaning up against him or holding onto his arms like he would slip away if she didn’t stay close. I was surprised Archer here completely ignored her, instead he felt as though James and I had something.

That would mean that I wasn’t the only one who saw something between us. This left me to believe that James and his family as well as mine were clearly keeping the truth about us from me.

“Eden!” Lucy called out to me as she approached us. She gently took me from James who looked reluctant to let me go. “Let’s take you back to the limo, the guys will have a little talk and then they will come join us.”

I narrowed my eyes, it surely sounded like they didn’t want me to hear the conversation between Archer and James.

Once more, I was left completely lost in this situation.

When would someone finally decide to tell me the truth?

I couldn’t stay in the dark like this, I had to do something to get it out from them.

. . . . . .

~JAMES~

“Who are you?” I demanded. “I’ve never seen your face around here before.”

He lifted a brow and his lips curled. “Archer Blackner.”

His words surprised me just as much as it irritated the hell out of me.

A Blackner?

Austin and Lucas looked just as confused as I did. He wasn’t there earlier today.

Was he really one of them? He didn’t share a close resemblance to the brothers we’d seen. If he was indeed one of them however, I was in serious trouble. I didn’t think Gideon would be happy to find out that I’d threatened to murder his son. This could ruin everything we’d worked so hard to plan!

“Judging by your expressions, I’m guessing you’ve already made some sort of deal with my father. . . And it’s recent.”

My jaw clenched and judging by the grin on his face, I was positive that he could already tell by our reactions that he was right.

“No worries men.” He said suddenly. “I’m not my father’s favorite since my mother is not the woman he was in love with. Therefore, whether I tell him about this incident or not, you’re pretty much safe. Not that I’ll waste my time running my mouth over something this petty.”

His words surprised me. I didn’t know Gideon had a son from another woman other than his dead mate. Not that I knew that much about the Blackners.

As if reading my mind, Archer started to speak again. “He doesn’t talk about me often. In fact, he often says that I’m an embarrassment to him. You see, I never once agreed with his silly rule of being with someone that wasn’t your mate. We’re werewolves, it’s in our b***d. That’s not something you could stop even if you wanted to. Obviously, no one saw it my way. Therefore, he’s banished me from home. I am to stay out until I bring home a woman that isn’t my mate and show him that I’m willing to be with her. That’s the only time he’ll let me return.”

I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t expected him to be so open about something like this. Now that he’d said it, I realized how miserable the young man actually looked.

If he hadn’t just been dancing with my mate, I would have felt sorry for him. But the memories were still fresh in my mind and my wolf still wanted to rip him into a million pieces.

He raised his beer in his hand. “You’re lucky that it was me tonight. If it was any of my other brothers, things would’ve been a lot crazier around here.”

I believed every word. We met them; they did seem like the type to take things to the extreme if they were ever disrespected.

“Let’s just go.” Austin said as Lucas nodded in agreement. “We have more important things to study.”

I knew that he was right. Even though Archer had said that his father wouldn’t care about any of this, I wasn’t willing to take that chance knowing that I needed them in order to get Eden away from the council.

Without another word, I stormed out the club with only one person in mind. I found her standing outside the limo with worried eyes.

“Eden is coming with me.” I told my brothers as I gripped her arm and guided her straight to my Jeep.

“Get in.”

She folded her arms stubbornly. “Why should I?”

The bitterness in her voice bothered me and I seriously wanted it to go away.

“Eden.” I growled impatiently. “Get inside the Jeep.”

She scowled at me. I’d never seen this side of her before and I was still trying to get used to it. When I’d seen her leave with Archer tonight, it was one of the most difficult things I’d ever had to see. I was surprised I didn’t burn down the entire club with my raging anger.

“You expect me to get in the Jeep with you when you’ve been ignoring me since the day I woke up with no memory of my past life?” she demanded while looking at me like I’d completely lost it.

Her words struck at me, I didn’t want to do that to her. I never did. All I ever wanted was to keep her safe.

“Eden,” I whispered. “Please, just get in the Jeep.”

“No.” She snapped. “Not until you explain to me why I feel this deep connection with you.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

“I can’t talk about this here.” I pressed, we were out in the open and anyone could hear our conversation if they really wanted to. “Your life is more important to me than anything else, that’s all that you need to know.”

“You make it sound like my life is in danger.”

I looked away from her, unable to look her in her eyes.

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “It’s in danger, isn’t it?”

I shook my head, I couldn’t scare her. The doctor had informed us of what could happen if she was hit with too much information all at once.

“Just get in the Jeep Eden.” I told her. “Get in and I’ll tell you everything that you want to know.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously but thankfully she finally decided to listen to me. I watched as she lifted her a*s into the air, the short dress barely hid anything from me and I g*****d out loud at the sight.

f*****g hell!

I took a deep breath and got in through the driver’s side, reminding myself that I had to keep my hands to myself no matter what.

“Start talking.” She insisted as soon as I pulled out the parking lot.

“Not here.” I said again. “When we’re home, I’ll tell you.”

I could feel her angry glare even though I was staring straight ahead at the roadway.

“Are you serious?” she demanded. “I should have never left with you. Instead, I should have stayed with Archer; he at least was honest with me and actually looked like he wanted to be near me.”

Her words were the last straw. Every last bit of control I had left completely slipped away and was out the window within a second.

. . . . . . . . . .

~EDEN~

All of a sudden, the Jeep made a loud screeching sound as it came to a stop.

My eyes widened as I turned to James. “Are you craz—,”

I didn’t get to finish as he gripped my waist with one hand and pulled me into his lap.

I gasped, my heart threatening to explode in my chest. He remained silent as he searched my eyes, his hot breath fanning my cheeks.

I hated this. I hated that my body reacted this way to someone that didn’t want me. It was simply unfair!

“You honestly think that Archer is the one that really wants you?” he hissed, hurt and anger deep in his eyes.

He was angry? That was ridiculous. Why was he angry about something that was clearly the truth?

Before I could respond, he pulled the Jeep back onto the road. “I’ll show you who really wants you!”

My eyes widened as the Jeep started to move again with me still in his arms.

I tried to move away but he wouldn’t let me move even an inch. His eyes were deep and dark as he focused on the road, determination in his face. I didn’t know how long we were driving for but the vehicle eventually came to a stop.

I looked around us to see that we were deep in the woods.

Why did he take me here? I should be scared but I wasn’t, not even close.

He stepped out the Jeep with me still in his arms. As soon as my feet touched the ground, he jammed me back up against the door.

“Do you know what happened here Eden?” he demanded. “Right against this Jeep . . . in this same exact spot.”

I couldn’t speak, not when he was looking at me with so much hunger in his gaze.

“I’ll show you.” He growled.

His hand gripped both of my legs and lifted them until they were wrapped tightly around him.

Before I had a chance to recover from being in such a compromising position, he cupped my cheeks in his hand and covered my mouth with his.