41

ALEXANDER

Alina was put on this earth to torture me and to humble me.

The second she stepped out of the house, the world faded. My focus snapped to her and her alone. Then she smiled. That half smile she always gives. Shy, uncertain, like she’s still asking for permission to be happy. A hesitant curve that should mean nothing.

But it never fails to make my dick hard. That much I’m sure of.

I’ve been trying to keep my hands off her. Honestly, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Because the moment I push the line even a little, I know I’ll cross it completely. I’ll do something I can’t undo.

Still, she loves to torment me. What the hell was she wearing? That little outfit wasn’t made for modesty. A low growl worked up my throat the second I moved closer and caught her scent, light vanilla overlaid on something that was purely her. Earthy. Clean. Addictive.

I leaned in and inhaled her again, the groan slipping out before I could stop it.

“Did you wear that just to torture me?” I whispered in her ear.

She shivered. I liked that. A lot.

“No,” she said, voice soft, that sweetness spilling over me like the most pleasurable brand of agony.

“You sure?” I asked, grinning slightly as she nodded, so damn earnestly, too. “Let’s go then.”

I had asked her to come with me for a run along the trail. She hadn’t done anything physical since arriving, and it had been just over a month.

I didn’t know what kind of training she’d had back at the camp. But here, everyone trained. Men, women, didn’t matter. Every pack member should know how to fight, how to defend themselves. Not that anyone would dare attack my territory, but still being ready was law.

The spot I liked to run, to think, to be alone, was tucked behind the pack house. That’s where I led her now.

I noticed her sleeves were short. With the breeze rolling in, she’d be cold. I had my shirt, if she needed it. The girl always glued to her side, Lisa, had thought ahead and brought a jacket. Good. She was earning a few points with me.

They walked a little behind us, along with Isiah. He’s a cousin, technically, my mother’s side. A little too rebellious for his own good. His father dumped him here, hoping he’d learn discipline. He’d finished training school just a few weeks ago and was now stuck here, working with the others. He may be blood, but he wasn’t getting any favors from me.

Always scowling, always sulking. But the kid had potential if he’d just stop stirring up shit and focus.

I’d asked him to bring food in case Alina got tired. So now he was walking behind us with a picnic basket in hand, looking like someone punched his pride. I nearly pulled my phone out to snap a picture. His father would love this.

“Do you usually go for runs in your camp?” I asked her, even though every time I brought up that place, a dangerous itch settled under my skin. That place deserved to be wiped off the map.

They stole so much from her. Her instincts, her identity. They forced her to suppress the Lycan in her, to act like one of them.

If I didn’t kill every last one of them. I would have destroyed them all for her.

“Mostly during full moons,” she said after clearing her throat.

She wasn’t meeting my gaze again. She did that a lot, averting her eyes. But she wasn’t afraid the way she used to be. Ever since that night at the dining table, she’d started opening up. Slowly, cautiously. But it was something.

I never knew I’d crave having someone meet my gaze without fear. That kind of change? I liked it more than I wanted to admit.

“Of course,” I muttered.

They made her one of them. It’ll take time to undo it all to remind her of what she really is. But I’ll be the one to teach her. Every part.

“Do you prefer running in your wolf form or human?”

“Human.” She answered quickly.

I smiled. Exactly what I expected.

Shifting wasn’t easy especially for young females who hadn’t grown up doing it regularly.

“How far can you go?” She looked up at me, surprised by the question. I cocked a brow. “Come on, I won’t laugh.”

That earned me a little snicker, one that pulled a smile out of me. Damn it. Me. Smiling.

“Not very far,” she said, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I found that adorable.

Another thing that shouldn’t affect me, but did.

“Can you go around the house twice?”

She turned to glance at the property. When her eyes met mine again, there was something flickering a mix of heat and defiance.

“With the right motivation.”

I laughed. A full, deep laugh that rumbled out of my chest.

“And what would be the right motivation?”

“Maybe… running for my life.”

“A hint of danger, hmm?” I mused, eyes narrowing as she nodded. “Should I scare you a bit, then?”

She shook her head quickly, which only made me laugh more.

“It wouldn’t be that bad.”

I reached out and caught her hand, bringing both of us to a stop. I turned her so she stood in front of me, took her hands in mine. She looked up, her eyes steady now. Clear. Not guarded the way they used to be.

She was letting me in, piece by piece. And I liked that more than I should.

“It’s just me,” I said quietly. “In the end, it’ll only ever be me.”

She nodded, though the doubt in her posture lingered. I smirked and let the subject slide, choosing something lighter.

“Do you know anything about roleplay?” I tilted my head, studying her reaction.

She blinked like I’d just spoken another language.

“It’s mostly used in sex,” I added, watching her eyes go wide. I chuckled. “Not where I’m going with this, although, wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

She shivered when my thumb traced slow, teasing circles along her palm.

“Roleplay just means pretending,” I said, voice dipping low. “Now… I could pretend to be a monster.” I leaned in, brushing her bottom lip with my thumb, voice lowering to a dark whisper.

“And you’d be the innocent angel who caught my eye.”

Her breathing changed, ragged, uneven. Her eyes darkened just a shade.

“You’d fight it. They always do. You’d run.” My voice edged with a growl, and her body shuddered.

“But someone should’ve warned you… monsters love the chase. And when I catch you?” I smiled. “I’ll devour every last shred of your innocence until there’s nothing left of you. And all you are is my plaything.”