Adan As I witnessed her straining under the weight of my Alpha timbre, standing her ground against me, I knew she was my Mate... my Queen. Only a woman of such strength could be mine. Yes, this was her, the woman I’d been waiting for all my life, yet she was refusing to submit to me, her Alpha. “Mark my words, Brenna. You will submit to me before the Blood Moon and become my Mate,” I growled as I yanked her hair back, now sitting in the seat next to me, wearing only my white Armani dress shirt. She had shredded her clothes with her foolish stunt, trying to run. I had just enough time to strip before morphing into my wolf and narrowly catching her. But I didn’t care if I had to chase her all night; she was coming with me. She was mine. “Like hell I will!” she growled, folding her arms across her chest. I was surprised that the humans were able to hold onto her. She was stronger than any other she-wolf I had ever encountered and much less willing to submit. But I like that in her. O
Adan Sitting in the car in front of the castle, I looked over at Brenna, one corner of my lips curling into a smile. “So, are you coming peacefully, or do I have to carry you?” Brenna scoffed. “Let me make one thing clear: I’m not sleeping in your room tonight.” “No, you’ll have your own private quarters, but you’re welcome in my room anytime you like.” I chuckled, enjoying teasing her a bit more than I should. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, you’ll be under lock and key.” “So, I’ll be your prisoner,” she said flatly, understanding. “No, you’re my Mate.” I let out a deep breath. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, then yes, you’ll be my prisoner. But the sooner you prove yourself, the sooner the locks will be removed.” “Oh, no! I’m no one’s prisoner!” Brenna tried to open her door, but it was locked... and I had the controls. I sighed, looking out the window. My guards were standing on the wide circular porch, waiting. “Brenna, we can do this the easy way or th
Brenna That man is so infuriating! Why does he think he can order me around? Keep me under lock and key? Sure, he paid for me, but that doesn’t mean that he owns me. Slavery has been outlawed in the United States for a long time. But then I realized that slavery still happens, or else the auction where he bought me wouldn’t have happened. As a wolf, I rarely grew tired, but I was mentally exhausted. So, maybe a shower wouldn’t be so bad. Then I would try and get some sleep. I had no desire to have dinner with the brute. I wanted nothing from him but my freedom. But as I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, I knew that was a lie. My wolf wanted to claim him, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to claim him, too. The pull was strong, even though I didn’t want it to be. I didn’t want to desire him, to claim him as mine. As the hot water rushed over me, I leaned against the shower wall, wanting it to wash away the memories, but they would never go away. Tears ra
Adan When I woke, Brenna was still sleeping. So, I slid out of bed and headed into my suite, then showered and dressed in a dress shirt and slacks, knowing there was a lot to do before she woke. When I was ready, I headed into the hallway, but no guards were posted outside Brenna’s door. Rage filled me as I headed back inside and pulled out my cell phone. “Alpha?” Mason answered on the first ring. “Post guards outside of Brenna’s door immediately.” I let out a deep breath. “And make sure she has two guards posted on her around the clock.” “Aye,” he replied. “Is there anything else?” “Yes, see that Brenna’s breakfast is sent to her room immediately, and I shall dine with her.” “Very well, Alpha!” Mason’s voice was much too cheerful to be my Underboss. “Let me just say, Adan, that I am so pleased you finally chose a Mate—” “Enough.” I didn’t have to answer to him, nor did I want to. “I’m glad you ended up going to the Auction, after all,” he continued without taking heed to my wo
Brenna As I splashed water on my face, I heard Adan speak with someone outside my door. I sighed, wondering what he was up to. But I couldn’t get the last night out of my head. He had come to me, comforting me in my time of need, but he had shown me a world I had never known was possible. It was strange. This morning I had been asleep, dreaming of when I was little, playing cars with my brother at the Compound. Then I felt Adan watching me. In my dream, I looked over at him, and he smiled, watching me as he leaned against the door frame between our rooms. But somehow, I knew it wasn’t a dream. Even though he said nothing, I felt his pull, as if he were calling to me, as if he needed me this time. When I pulled myself out of my dream, I turned over and there he was, watching me, smiling as he leaned against the doorframe of our adjoining rooms, just as he was in my dream. Pulling a fluffy towel off the rack, I dried my face, and ran a brush through my hair that was lying on the coun
Brenna “Why?” I looked down at the omelet Adan had slipped onto my plate. “You’ll forgive me, but I don’t want to be poked and prodded anymore.” “That’s fair.” He took a calming breath. “Magenta is the Pack Witch and our Healer. She’s only coming to check you out to make sure you’re not malnourished or in need of medical care.” He slipped an omelet onto his plate, too. “Magenta is kind and will see to your needs.” I picked at the omelet on my plate. “Thank you.” “Brenna….” He took my hand. “Did I force myself upon you in any way last night?” My head snapped up. “No! In fact, I was the one who pulled you to me. Remember?” He nodded, smiling. “Brenna, I just wanted to make sure. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m not the brute you may think me to be. Just give it time.” He looked longingly into my eyes. “Give me time.” Then he raised my hand to his lips, kissed it, and released it. He smiled as he motioned toward the table. “Come! Enjoy! Take what you like. Do not be shy.” I
Brenna I huffed. “And I have no say in the matter?” “No,” he said matter-of-factly. I pushed away from the table and pointed toward our adjoining door. “Then get out!” He stared at me in disbelief as if I were the last crazy woman on Earth. “What? I am the Alpha of this Pack, and you will not order me—” “I said, Get… Out!” I yelled, stomping my foot. “Get out!” Quicker than I would have thought possible, he pushed me against the wall, his body against mine, causing my breath to quicken, bringing back memories of the night before. “You, My Queen, will not give me orders. Ever.” He bit his lower lip and then released it. “You will do well to remember that. Although I’m resisting the urge to make you submit to me as your Mate and Alpha right this moment doesn’t mean I won’t do it.” I squared my shoulders, looking directly into his eyes. “I’m not afraid of you, Adan.” “Good, I don’t want you afraid... but you should be.” Then he released me roughly and walked out, slamming the door
Brenna Knock, knock, knock! The sound came from the door in my room. “That would be Magenta.” Adan stood and reached for my hand. “Come. I want to have Magenta check you over to make sure you’re well. Also, Asana, my designer, will send some clothes for you tonight but will come tomorrow for your wardrobe, your hair, and the like after you’ve rested.” I nodded, suddenly too tired to put up a fight. But the gruff, sexy Alpha surprised me by pulling me to his chest and wrapping his arms around me. “Fear not, dear Brenna. You are with me now, and I’ll keep you safe.” “Thank you.” Although I could take care of myself, I wasn’t so stupid as to think that I could go it alone without protection. In our world, one needed a Pack for protection. Even in the human world, a Mafia Princess wouldn’t last a day without the protection of her Family. And even though he doesn’t know it yet, after last night and this morning, I couldn’t leave him if I tried. Adan kissed the top of my head and took