Dora's POV
I awoke slowly, aware first of dull soreness in my neck. Blinking up at an unfamiliar ceiling, it took me a moment to get my bearings. I was in a luxurious bedroom filled with morning sunlight. "For a brief, confused moment I wondered if I had died and somehow ended up in heaven."Gingerly I sat up, pressing a hand to my tender neck. Flashes of memory returned - the fangs, the chase through the rainy city streets, and King's handsome but terrifying face as he pinned me down, his teeth at my throat..."Blast!"I bolted from the bed and rushed to the bathroom, afraid of what I would see in the mirror. Bandages were taped to the side of my neck over two small mm puncture marks - bite marks. King's bite. It all came rushing back. How he had bitten me in some bizarre possessive gesture before I mercifully passed out in the SUV. Revulsion and anger churned in my gut. I had been kidnapped by that gang leader who insisted I was his "mate". I was halfway to the door, ready to find a way out of this place, when it opened to admit an elderly woman. She wore a nurse's uniform and carried a small medical bag. Surprise flickered over her face when she saw me. "You're awake! We were beginning to worry." Her voice was kind as she guided me back to sit on the bed. Carefully she examined the bandages on my neck, applying a salve before taping on fresh gauze. "You've been asleep nearly a full day," she informed me. "The alpha bite can be quite traumatic if you're unprepared. But a bit of rest will put you right as rain again."I just stared at her. She spoke so casually about this bizarre attack I had suffered. And she kept calling King 'alpha' as if it were a title. "What...what's going to happen to me?" I finally managed to ask in a shaky voice.The nurse blinked as though the question confused her. "Why, you'll take your place in the pack, of course. As alpha female and Luna, bonded to King. It's a great honor!"With that alarming statement she patted my hand, gathered her things, and bustled out, leaving me reeling. 'Honor?' I had not asked for or wanted any of this. As her words sank in, cold horror trickled down my spine.I was well and truly trapped here unless I took matters into my own hands. A fierce determination to escape ignited within me. I rifled through the armoire and dresser, pulling on jeans, boots and a dark shirt that would help me blend into the shadows. I rushed to the door first, only to find it locked. Gritting my teeth in frustration, I tried the windows next with no better luck. It seemed I was in some wing of a sprawling mansion, surrounded by a dense forest. The only unlocked window was the small one in the bathroom, overlooking a perilous three story drop. It would have to do. I tore the silky bed sheets into long strips, knotting them together. But I had only finished half the makeshift rope when a knock at the door made me freeze. I hastily shoved the evidence under the bed before calling, "Come in."It was the nurse again, carrying a tray of food. Her eyes narrowed, taking in my changed clothes and the disarray of torn curtains and bedding. "Redecorating, are we?" Her tone was light but held an edge of suspicion. I forced a smile. "I was restless. Don't worry, I'll clean up the mess." I hoped I sounded sufficiently contrite. The nurse nodded slowly, still eyeing me. To distract her, I sat and ate ravenously. She remained, making conversation about the mansion and its inhabitants, until I had cleaned my plate. I hoped I had allayed her wariness. As soon as she left I resumed tearing fabric for my rope. By the time darkness fell, I had a rope that would reach the ground below the bathroom window. My heart pounded. It was now or never. I had just climbed over the sill and began my descent when an angry snarl froze me in place. I looked down to see the monstrous black wolf from the city park pacing below, gray eyes fixed on me. "How did he find me so quickly?"Despair washed over me at having my escape thwarted, but I reluctantly began to climb back up. The wolf would surely rip me apart if I set foot outside.I had nearly reached the window again when the makeshift rope shifted and my left hand lost its grip."Help…!"I cried as I plummeted down, certain I was falling to my death. But instead of hitting the ground, I landed in a pair of muscular arms. Blinking up, I found myself cradled against King's broad chest, his expression murderous. I had never seen anything so simultaneously dangerous and handsome. "I can explain," I began desperately. But King simply tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of flour and carried me into the mansion. "Save it!" He growled, silencing me.Struggling accomplished nothing against his preternatural strength. He brought me to some kind of medical clinic and dropped me on the exam table. Before I could react, he jabbed a syringe into my arm.I yelped, more in outrage than pain. "What are you doing?" King's smile was all teeth. "A tracking chip. You'll not escape me again.""That's barbaric!" I shouted, but King just laughed. "The time for games is over. You're mine now - the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us." His eyes glinted with anticipation. Still, I refused to surrender my free will. I had to play along and watch for another chance to get away. King's thumb brushed my lower lip in a tender gesture at odds with his uncompromising words. "You cannot flee your own skin. The goddess has recognized me as your mate. The sooner you accept our bond, the easier this will be."I jerked my head away, glaring at him. "I'll never willingly be your prisoner, no matter what tricks you use to control me."King sighed. "Still so defiant. But even after rejecting me, the bond still exists." He left me alone then to grapple with his ominous predictions. Exhaustion overcame me and I slipped into an uneasy sleep plagued by dreams of running wild and free beneath the moon chased by furry beasts.Dora's POVI paced around the luxurious bedroom, scratching angrily at the tiny tracker chip under my skin. "This insidious device is like a ticking time bomb," I muttered. "Escape is impossible now." Despair overwhelmed me.Until a gentle knock on the door caught my attention as the nurse entered with a meal tray. "Time to eat," she said cheerfully. "Get out!" I screamed, throwing a pillow at her, my voice growing hoarse. "I won't eat anything in this gilded prison!" The food tray crashed to the floor as she fled from the room. Ignoring the mess, I tore at the elegant bed linens and smashed a vase against the wall in rage. My tantrum didn't go unnoticed as Mary, the maid soon came rushing into the room. "Ms Dora, please calm down," she implored, her eyes welling with tears as she cleaned the mess left by the nurse.I watched from the other side of the room trying my best to keep my tears in. "Ms Dora...""Leave me alone!" I threw another pillow at her as well, scaring the little m
Dora's POVI awoke the next morning feeling refreshed after a full night's rest. "Sunny days are signs of a great day." I smiled, stretching out the knots in my bones.The knot of despair in my chest had loosened overnight. "Perhaps today I would find the perfect opportunity to regain my freedom if I persevered."I rushed into the bathroom and quickly washed up. And for the first time ever since I arrived, I allowed myself to enjoy the luxurious bath. "Good morning, Luna." Mary chirped the moment I stepped back into the room. I bit back my scoff and grunted a reply."Morning Mary, how was your night?" I said instead, then scolded myself for asking. I watched with dismay as the girl's eye widened in surprise. "I'm alright ma'am! Thanks. I brought your breakfast. I don't know what you like so I made everything."I glanced at the table by the window. She made everything indeed. Eggs bacon, sandwiches to pancakes.I shook my head. "I don't need those, I'm not hungry." I wasn't, all tha
Dora's POVI thrashed around desperately as King's strong arms wrapped around me from behind. He had caught me while I was searching the dark alley for my lost necklace. "Let me go!" I cried out, trying to break free from his grip. But it was useless against his muscular frame.King spun me around to face him, his eyes flashing with anger. "Just what do you think you're doing out here? Planning another escape attempt?" he growled."No, I was looking for my necklace!" I insisted, close to tears now. That necklace meant everything to me. It was the last gift my mom gave me before she passed away. Losing it felt like losing a piece of her. But King didn't seem moved by my explanation. "Don't lie to me. You know you're not allowed to wander off on your own," he said gruffly. Before I could protest further, he began dragging me back towards the sleek black car idling nearby. Derek sat in the driver's seat, one hand casually draped over the steering wheel. He glanced up when King shoved m
Dora's POVKing stalked out of Mon Beau, fuming. How dare she continue moping over some worthless old trinket when he had just lavished her with the finest riches? Derek scrambled to gather up the mountain of glossy shopping bags and escort me back to the car. I kept my eyes downcast, too afraid to meet King's furious gaze.As we drove back towards the mansion, my stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl. I hadn't eaten anything since that morning. King's anger transformed to concern in an instant. "You must be famished, pet. We'll stop for dinner right away.""Oh, no that's not necessary!" I protested weakly, but King would have none of it. "Nonsense. Only the finest dining experience for my queen," he declared. Before I could object further, he had directed Derek to pull up in front of Le Lys Blanc, the most elite five-star restaurant in the city.I balked as we entered the grand foyer with its soaring ceilings, massive crystal chandeliers, and ornate gilded details. The patro
Brittany's POV"That little rat Dora is going to pay for this!" How dare she show up flaunting lavish jewels and an arrogant alpha, acting like she was better than me? Me - Brittany Woods - the most popular and envied girl in school! And then she had the audacity to assault me in the bathroom when I tried claiming what was meant to be mine. That necklace should have been mine! I seethed as Jake's beta drove us away from the restaurant, my wrist still stinging from where Dora had slapped it away. "Don't worry babe, I'll make her regret laying a hand on you," Jake growled. But he was just talking big. He couldn't even retaliate while King had beaten him effortlessly in that bathroom brawl over a measly orphan. No, I would have to take matters into my own hands. A sinister plan started forming in my mind, bringing a smirk to my face. King's weakness was clearly his new little pet, Dora. And I knew exactly how to exploit that vulnerability.I had Jake book me the next flight to Miami.
King's POVI tugged at my tie harshly, slamming the door loudly behind me as I stormed into my grandfather's cabin, fists clenched tightly. The short drive over had done nothing to calm my simmering frustration after getting his dreadful text during the meeting.As previous Alpha of the Silver fang, Wolfgang still commanded immense respect. Once a month, he demanded my presence for a status report on pack affairs and to critique my leadership. I both loved and loathed these visits. His advice was invaluable but Wolfgang rarely minced words or spared my feelings. My stomach twisted into anxious knots as I walked inside without knocking. Grandfather sat waiting in his study, expression grim. "Sit," he commanded, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.I sat silently, claws digging into the leather arms. He regarded me with piercing eyes. "I believe you know why I've summoned you here tonight, King." "I found my mate, as you've heard," I bit out. "Or have the elders already twis
King's POV I trudged through the forest towards the pack house, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders. The first rays of dawn were just breaking through the trees as I shifted back into my human form, shivering slightly in the morning chill. Derek was there waiting, holding out a pile of clothes. "Rough night, boss?" he asked, taking in my disheveled and tired state.I just grunted in response as I pulled on the t-shirt and sweatpants, too drained for conversation. "Don't tell me you were out all night searching for that girl's necklace," Derek said, falling into step beside me. "You know she rejected you, right? No need to go simping over an ungrateful brat."I rounded on him with a snarl, fist clenched. "Watch yourself! That's my mate you're talking about."Derek held his hands up in mock surrender, though his eyes glinted with humor. "Yeah, yeah, I know. The 'destined bond' and all that jazz. I'm just saying, most guys would take the hint if a chick slapped them across the face and
Dora's POV I picked at my breakfast, still dazed from the whirlwind of events over the past few days. My fingers went instinctively to the moonstone pendant now hanging safely around my neck again. I clutched it tightly, drawing comfort from the solid reality of it against my skin.That small act of kindness on King's part had left me conflicted and confused. After days of fearing him as my captor, knowing he had personally searched the streets all night just to recover my lost memento stirred some softer feelings. Gratitude, and perhaps something more dangerous. "Tell me about it!" A shrill came from behind me, followed by the clatter of dishes startling me from my thoughts. I glanced up to see people entering the dining hall in small groups, chatting amiably as they filled the long tables around me with plates of food. My first morning allowed out of my room, and I had no idea what to expect. None of these people paid me much attention, aside from a curious glance here and there.