Becoming the Alpha by Ivy Sinclair Page A

claimed lives on both sides.”
    That was something I did know. There wasn’t any love lost between the two clans, but I had always chalked it up to bears and lions not getting along. Even though myth and legend would say that lions were the ultimate kings of the animal realm, in reality it was the grizzly that held the upper hand. That had never sat well with the lions. I knew that there had been a few brawls along their shared border that had ended in bloodshed. The feud was long-standing and ran deep.
    “It was Markus’s sincerest wish that during this Summit we find a way to put the scars of the past behind us and truly all come together as one. After long conversations with Paul Reddon, the Loper alpha, I am pleased to say that we have at long last agreed on terms that end the feud once and for all.”
    The crowd erupted in applause and hollers of delight. I started clapping as well because it seemed appropriate, but I saw the look on Lukas’s face as his eyes darted between me and Doc Walden. I felt a pit of dread form in the pit of my stomach as Doc Walden put up his arms to wave for everyone to quiet down.
    “So it is with great pleasure to say it is my honor to introduce you to Lukas Kasper, the Greyelf Grizzly clan’s alpha along with his intended mate, Vivian Reddon from the Loper Clan. Come on up here, sweetheart.”
    It felt as if my heart dropped into my stomach as I watched a curvy blond with legs a mile long step onto the stage and approach Lukas with a wide smile. Doc Walden stepped back from the podium clapping and gesturing for Lukas to join him. I couldn’t believe it.
    It all hit me then. Marilee told me that the council had chosen the alpha’s mate and there wouldn’t be any way that he’d be able to refuse. Lukas had known the council had arranged for his mate, but he never told me it was a deal that had been done to end the blood feud between his clan and their most hated enemy.
    I stared at him with tears forming in my eyes. He stepped to the podium and the gorgeous Vivian Reddon joined him. He kissed her on the cheek, and then she smiled and waved the crowd. They looked sickeningly perfect together. Lukas didn’t look at me as he moved to the microphone.
    He told me that he wanted to be with me, but he was the alpha. I had told him that taking on the job meant he’d have to accept the responsibility that came with it. That responsibility apparently came in the form of a six-foot blond goddess who had the ability to phase into a lioness.
    I felt sick.
    “Friends, welcome to Greyelf.” Lukas’s voice boomed through the microphone. It was even and unemotional.
    I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t watch it happen. I turned and began to shove my way back through the crowd. I refused to cry until I was outside the tent. I blocked out his voice. I had to forget him. I had to forget everything because the vision of the future that he had built up for me that afternoon had been quashed to nothing.
    At the last minute, I remembered to veer toward the slit at the back of the tent. There was no way I could face my dad or the assembled paparazzi outside the tent. I had no words to explain how stupid I was to think that anything could ever be different between me and Lukas.
    I stumbled out of the tent and was grateful to see that the security guards must have stepped inside. I kicked my heels off and ran into the tree line of woods so that I was out of sight of any prying eyes. I felt the huge push of a sob building in my core, and I put my hand against my stomach in a useless attempt to stop it.
    I took as many deep breaths as my dress would allow. Although I tried to block it out, the reel of Lukas kissing Vivian’s cheek played over and over again in my mind. My senses had dulled, and I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I never heard any indication that I was no longer alone.
    As the hand slipped over my mouth, I felt an arm roughly circle my waist. I was trapped.
    “You sure about this?”