CHAPTER 3: MY WOLF WANTS HER 2

Zane

This is not the way, Kris. You’d scare her off.

He knows I’m right, but I can feel his frustration. He retreats, for now, though I’m not sure how long he’ll stay in check. I’ve never desired another woman since Lina. But this one… I take in her beauty—long blonde hair falling over her shoulders, blue eyes locked onto mine, a straight nose, and lips painted a deep red, lush and inviting. She’s undeniably stunning, and I’m more than turned on. Kris would waste no time devouring her if I let him.

My eyes drift down to her neck, exposed and tempting, the top of her breasts peeking out from her off-shoulder gown. My hands twitch, aching to touch her, to claim what they want.

But then, I hear it—her heart, pounding too fast. My gaze snaps back to her face. She looks uneasy.

“You’re nervous,” I growl, my voice full of control.

Kris is wrong. She’s too soft, like a marshmallow. No way she can be my mate. She’d never survive in my world.

She gasps, her pulse quickening even more. “You make me nervous,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

I tilt my head, studying her intently. “Do you know who I am?”

She nods, her voice soft. “Zane Christopher. Successful artist. Owner of this gallery. It’s hard not to know who you are.”

Her voice is sweet, almost melodic, pulling me in. My eyes fall back to her lips, imagining what it would be like to kiss her. Kris keeps pushing, urging me to claim her, to take what’s mine. But she’s weak, too fragile for my world. A human could never handle me. One touch, and I’d break her. One thrust, and she’d collapse.

I try to reason with Kris. She’s weak. She can’t be worthy of an Alpha. She would be a distraction, a liability. I live a dangerous life with enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. She’d die like Lina did, and Lina was strong. This human wouldn’t stand a chance. Still, I can’t ignore the pull I feel toward her.

I circle her slowly, my eyes tracing her curves, drinking in her scent. I stop behind her, letting my fingers graze her skin, just at the top of her breast. I lower my head, my breath warm against her neck. Her pulse spikes again.

“Why do I make you nervous?” I ask, my voice low, dangerous, my breath teasing her ear.

“You’re too close,” she mutters, her voice shaky as she feels the hardness of my body pressing against hers.

I smirk, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her tighter against me. “Would you rather I be closer?” I breathe into her ear, feeling the tremble in her body. “Answer my question.”

She hesitates, swallowing hard. “I feel something I’ve never felt before,” she whispers, her eyes meeting mine.

Is she feeling the same pull? Does she want me as much as I want her?

I grip her even tighter, and she lets out a soft moan. I can smell the desire radiating from her. She wants me. I feel a desperate urge to claim her right here, right now. The scent of her hunger for pleasure fills my senses, making it almost unbearable.

“Feel what?” I demand again, curiosity and dominance driving my tone.

She looks into my eyes, her voice trembling as she chokes out, “Desire. I desire you… and I don’t know why.” Her words are shaky but honest.

Yes, she feels it too. She knows she belongs to me, even if her human mind can’t fully grasp it yet. But I can’t claim her, not now. She’s too fragile. She’d never survive it.

I turn to face her fully, my cold eyes looking into hers. I cup her chin, pulling her closer, my breath grazing her ear as I whisper, “I want to taste you.”

Her heart races, faster and louder, and I wait, watching her closely, waiting for her to give in, to say yes. But before she can respond, a cough interrupts us. Magdalena.

I turn sharply, irritated by the intrusion, and see the look on her face. She has information. Stepping away from the woman in red, I ask coldly, “What do you have?”

Magdalena hesitates, then leans in, speaking softly enough so only I can hear. “Alpha Zane, she’s not just any human. She’s a wolf hunter. She’s Augustine’s daughter. Katarina Penn.”

My blood runs cold. Augustine’s daughter—the man who murdered Lina. Rage stirs quietly inside, but I bury it deep. How could I have desired her? How could Kris want her as a mate? It’s impossible. She’s the daughter of the man I’ve vowed to destroy.

“Alpha Zane,” Magdalena urges cautiously. “Let me handle this. You should return to your guests.”

I shake my head, my voice hard. “No. Leave us.” I have other plans for her now. Katarina’s fate is sealed in my hands.

Magdalena hesitates but wisely leaves without protest. She wouldn’t dare question me. I turn back to Katarina, the woman who now stands as both my temptation and my enemy. Her heart is racing. She knows something’s off.

I stare into her blue eyes, forcing myself to see not innocence in her face and eyes, but betrayal. There will be no mercy for her. If I can’t have Augustine yet, she will pay in his place. I will make her suffer for his crime in the most excruciating way.

“Come with me,” I command, grabbing her hand, feeling its warmth as I lead her to somewhere more secluded. She smiles, unaware of the dark storm brewing inside me, oblivious to the dangerous choice I’m about to make.

Kris stirs, pushing me to claim her, to make her mine. But my heart clenches, torn between two urges: kill her or take her. Katarina, the daughter of the man who destroyed my life, and the woman who ignites a fire in my soul. Could she be my second-chance mate?

It’s impossible. The daughter of the man who took my mate can’t be my second chance.

Kris wants to mate her. I want to kill her.

What will it be?

Her eyes meet mine, wide, trusting. And in that moment, I still can’t decide—destroy her, or make her mine forever.