CHAPTER 4: SEDUCING THE ALPHA

Katarina

I follow Alpha Zane, my heart racing, unsure if he knows the truth or if he’s about to make his move—right here, right now. His grip on my wrist is firm, not hurting me, but strong enough to remind me that he’s in control. Zane. The man I’ve come to kill. His words keep echoing in my head: I want to taste you. My whole body goes numb. I feel this pull toward him, and I can’t even explain why. There’s something about him—something that makes him irresistible.

Focus, Katarina. You have a mission. My Dad’s warning plays in my mind: Hesitate, and you’re dead. Kill him before he kills you.

Alpha Zane leads me into a dark, elegant room filled with paintings. It’s beautiful, and my eyes move from one canvas to the next, admiring the depth in each one. They all seem to carry some hidden meaning. I glance at him. His hands are now in his pockets, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking as his cold gaze stays fixed on me.

The nervousness creeps back in. Moments ago, it felt like he was smitten by me, like he couldn’t wait to touch me. Now, he’s distant, not even trying to get close. Did something change? Does he know? I stare at one of the paintings, but my mind is spinning, replaying what that woman outside had whispered to him. Who is she? Why was he standing so close to her? Not that I care if he has someone, or do I?

Stay focused, I remind myself. My father’s life depends on it—mine too. If Zane figures out who I really am, Dad said there’s no way I’d survive. I need to get close enough to strike. But he’s just standing there, staring at me, making me more uncomfortable with each second that passes. If he’s not going to make a move, then I will. I recall Dad’s lessons on seduction as I take a step closer.

“You’re such a talented artist,” I say with a smile, hoping to charm him, but his expression doesn’t soften. He’s unphased.

“I know,” he replies, his voice cold and distant.

That wasn’t enough. I need to do more. I reach out, letting my fingers slide over his shirt, feeling the firm muscles beneath the fine fabric of his suit. His eyes are locked on mine, searching, and I can feel my nerves rising. I take a deep breath, trying to muster more confidence, staring into his eyes, using every ounce of seduction I have. I grip the fabric of his suit, attempting to pull him closer, but he doesn’t budge. He just watches me, his gaze making my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

He smirks. “What’s your name?” he asks, his voice hard and probing.

“Katty,” I answer immediately. Crap! I should’ve given him a fake name. Now he could easily find out who I really am. Katarina, you have to act now. My eyes stay locked with his dark, intense gaze.

“Katty,” he repeats, and there’s something about the way he says it that sends a chill down my spine. “It takes a lot to move a man like me,” he whispers in my ear. I force a smile, hoping it hides my growing embarrassment.

“And what will it take to move a handsome man like you?” I try to sound seductive, pushing forward. “You probably have every lady in the city gushing after you,” I add, my voice soft, as I keep my hands on his chest, feeling the strength beneath his suit. He allows it.

He smirks again. “A woman willing to do what I want,” he says coldly, his dark eyes not breaking away from mine.

Do whatever he wants, my Dad’s voice plays in my mind. “I want to do what you want,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. Was that the right move? I can’t be sure, but I need to get deeper into his world, into his head, so he lowers his guard. My hand tightens around my gold purse, prepared for the moment I’ll need to pull out the silver dagger hidden inside.

His eyes don’t leave mine, growing darker, more intense. I can’t shake the thought of his lips, his touch, his strong body pressed against mine. No, Katarina. Snap out of it!

I remind myself why I’m here. You’re here to kill him. If you don’t, he’ll finish what he started with Dad. But why does he seem more like a lover than an enemy right now? Every instinct tells me to strike, yet something in me is pulled to him, deeper than I’ve ever felt before. The tension between us is undeniable, and all of Dad’s careful instructions seem to be slipping away. I came to seduce him, but it’s starting to feel like he’s the one seducing me. The way his eyes linger makes me question everything. Does he want me as much as I want him? My plan is working—he’s drawn in. But now, why does it feel like I’m the one caught in this game?

“You’re beautiful,” he says, his eyes drinking me in. “I make it my business to know everyone in my city.” His face hardens, his voice turning cold again. “Why have I never seen you before?”

I smile, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as they flush red. He likes me. The plan is working. “Do you remember every beautiful woman you’ve met?” I ask, trying to sound playful, but the way his gaze pierces me sends a shiver down my spine.

Katarina, make something up. But what if he knows I’m lying? My mind races. He’s a wolf, not a mind reader. “Well…I’ve only been in Wolf Creek for a couple of days,” I say, deciding the truth might be the safest route.

“Why did you come tonight?” he asks, and I feel the nervousness creeping back in.

“I love art, and you’re the biggest thing in Wolf Creek,” I say with a grin, hoping he buys it. “Figured I’d be here.”

His gaze doesn’t soften. It searches mine, like he’s trying to uncover something deeper. “And my invite…how did you get it?”

Wait… is he suspicious? My heart beats faster, and I try to keep calm, fighting off the nervousness creeping up on me. If he knows, I need to be ready to protect myself. My grip tightens around my purse, my fingers ready to pull out the silver dagger. If I back away, it’ll confirm his suspicions, so I stay put, praying my reflexes will be quicker than whatever move he makes. I stare into his eyes, trying to gauge whether he knows the truth. For a moment, it feels like he does—like he sees through me. But then again, if he really knew who I was, I’d be dead by now. He wouldn’t be toying with me like this.

“A friend of a friend,” I say with a chuckle, trying to mask my fear.

He chuckles too, and for a split second, I breathe easier. “Well, I thank your friend for bringing the most gorgeous woman alive to me.”

I blush. Yes. He’s back to playing along. He doesn’t know who I am. He’s into me—that much is clear. I stay on guard, though, unsure if another tricky question is coming. I handled this one. I can handle anything. Katarina, you’ve got this. Find the right moment and take him out. Remember, you have a boyfriend. You can’t fall for him.

“Why are you here, Katty… with me?” he asks, and my heart skips a beat. My eyes widen as I hesitate, trying to find the right words. I know that whatever I say next could make or break this moment.

“I keep asking myself the same question… why am I here?” I say softly, resting my forehead against his chest, breathing in his scent. I hope this will work, that it will throw him off.

“I ask myself the same thing,” he replies, and relief washes over me. He bought it. He likes me. But why do I feel so happy about that? Am I starting to like him too?

He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. “Give me an answer,” he whispers, his voice sending shivers down my spine. His lips stay dangerously near mine. “I told you I wanted to taste you,” he repeats, his tone filled with desire.

I feel lost in him, like we’re connected in a way I can’t explain. My body wants to give in, surrender everything to him as if we’re meant to be. My knees weaken, and my chest tightens with the sheer intensity of the moment. I know I’m losing focus, but I can’t stop myself. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice trembling with need. Then his lips crash against mine, and I’m kissing him back before I can stop myself.

Keep your eyes on the prize, Katarina. Don’t get distracted. I came here to kill him, not fall for him. But as his kiss deepens, hot and demanding, I feel myself sinking into him. His arms pull me closer, and my body presses against his, responding against my will. My mind screams for control, but my body is betraying me.

This is your moment. My fingers slip into my purse, finding the dagger. Do it now, Katarina. Dad’s voice echoes in my mind. If you hesitate, you’re dead. Kill him before he kills you. My hand tightens around the dagger’s handle. One clean strike, and it’ll be over. I lift it slowly, careful not to draw attention.

But then his lips leave mine and trail down my neck, and my heart races uncontrollably. I hesitate. His arms tighten around me, and just as I prepare to stab him, I freeze.

The plan pounds in my head, but my body refuses to move. His touch, his heat, everything is consuming me. I don’t know whether to run or give in. I can’t run. I can’t give in.

Suddenly, I feel something sharp. I gasp, my body jerking as his teeth sink into my neck, the pain and pleasure overwhelming me. I scream, my mind going blank as a rush of sensations floods my body. When he pulls out his teeth, his glowing red eyes lock on mine with dark satisfaction.

I tremble in terror as I see him now in his werewolf form, though he hasn’t fully transformed into a wolf. His eyes burn red, his fingers have turned to claws, his face is covered in hair, and his ears are no longer human. His twisted smile reveals the wolf teeth that just marked me. I freeze, unable to move.

“You’re mine now, Katarina Penn,” Alpha Zane growls, his voice filled with hatred.

My eyes widen. He knew all along. My pulse races, and I feel the cold metal of the dagger still in my hand. I tighten my grip, knowing I only have seconds left. Do it now, or it’s over. I have one choice left: drive the dagger into his heart or surrender completely.