His gaze was fixed on me, and I could sense the desire radiating from him; it felt as if he wanted to consume me entirely. "Where were you?" I interrupted his reverie. "There was an issue at the border; I went with my father," he explained. I nodded, asking, "Is it resolved?" "I don't think so, Felicity. It's the rogue from the east," he continued. "They've been involved in illegal activities. You might not be aware, but there's a dangerous drug they sell that can be lethal in large doses. That's actually why I returned; my father can't manage it alone."

I had heard some whispers about it; while it hadn't spread widely through the pack, a few wolves had succumbed to this dangerous substance. "Were you able to apprehend them?" I asked. "Yes, we caught two, but the others got away. I'm afraid I killed one," he stated matter-of-factly. There was no hint of remorse in his voice. He is a fighter, a warrior, and the future alpha of the Crimson Pack; his responsibilities come first. I couldn't believe that my Drew had finally grown into a man.

"That's enough of that," he states, stepping closer while I instinctively take a step back. "What are you doing?" I ask as he continues to advance, and I retreat further. Suddenly, he grips my waist and pulls me toward him, his face mere inches from mine, his warm breath brushing against my skin. I notice his eyes turning a deep crimson, as red as blood. "I can't wait to devour you, Felicity," he says. I swallow hard, responding, "When you say it like that, I feel like prey in your grasp." He laughs softly, "You may not realize it, but I am the one who is prey, while you are the predator." With that, he kisses me.

His tongue plunges into my mouth as I yield to him, exploring every corner as if relishing a sumptuous feast. I can't control my body's reaction; he possesses me entirely, his grip tightening as I feel his groin pressing against my stomach.

Soft sounds escape our lips, and I crave him just as intensely as he craves me. However, for Drew, the mating ceremony is the moment he will finally take my innocence, and I eagerly anticipate that day.

He gently laid me down on the bed, breaking our kiss, his lips still flushed from the intensity of the moment. "You're beautiful, Felicity," he said. I wanted to tell him he should see himself, but the words eluded me. In these moments, I wished he could read my thoughts. He tilted his head again and captured my lips in another kiss. This man, who was once my adversary, had unexpectedly become my mate.

In a shadowy alley, a figure cloaked in dark blue stood silently, clutching a white bag filled with a potent drug known as Drain. This substance, aptly named, would gradually drive a person to madness with continuous use. Like many drugs, it offered a euphoric escape, only to slowly destroy the user. It was a means to eliminate an entire pack of consumers, leaving even the wolves vulnerable to its effects.

"I'll need two more bags by Friday," a young man with glossy blonde hair said to the figure in the dark blue cloak. This young man was one of the few foolish enough to indulge in it, oblivious to the harm it could inflict. He would take anything to feel powerful, to experience that high. "One at a time, pup; that's how it's sold," the cloaked man replied to the eager blonde.

The blonde man picked up the bag and handed a bundle of cash to the cloaked figure. The cloaked man replied, "I recognize you as a friend of the one who murdered and imprisoned my associates. However, since you are a customer, I will let this slide. Drew and I have unfinished business; he has been seeking revenge for something that occurred twelve years ago, something he cannot seem to forget." This statement intrigued the blonde man, prompting him to inquire, "What is this matter you refer to?" The cloaked man, however, remained silent, turning away and departing.