7. Then You Shall Have It

RIVEN'S POV

I watched as she shut her eyes leaning into my touch and I loved it and I wanted to taste—feed on her. She would enjoy every bit of it as I have been told by the other girls I fed on before wiping their memory clean that it was euphoric.

I was on the verge of bending over wanting to take her neck, not even caring for logical reasoning, wondering why she was here tied up in my bed post, not caring why due to the blood haze. Then I heard her say my name like a question and I got back control a bit.

I moved away from her quickly like her touch was poison while I deeply battled my needs. For some reason my wolf was getting giddy at the thought of the bite which was weird because when I turned to my other bloodsucking half it felt dormant, but now it was like they both agreed to take this insanely beautiful female with the amazing smell. But I knew better.

This wasn't right. I could smell her arousal, it wasn't thick but it was there. Her body loved this twisted situation she was in with me but still she didn't ask to be here.

In a flash I cut off the ropes that bound her, setting her free.

She stood up and watched me with a curious gaze and it surprised me. She wasn't shocked or disgusted, she seemed interested.

And at the same time we both questioned each other.

"Why was I kidnapped?"

"Why are you here?"

I was gradually losing control and there was no time for questions. I needed to feed and Valoric had gone to hunt for some naive girl who wanted to have a wild ceremonial night. Before he comes back I could go berserk.

I see the realization in her eyes when she figured out I didn't have her brought here.

"You need to leave now." I tried keeping my voice light but it came out as an unintended growl.

She looked like she was torn with making a hard decision, looking at the door and at me.

Then a knock swallowed whatever words she had intended to say.

She looked at me with a look that told me she didn't want to be found compromised with a Lycan Prince and I understood immediately. I gestured to underneath the bed and I see her nod with understanding as she slid there, the Persian rug muffling her movements.

The knock continued but I refused to answer hoping whoever was there would give up. If it wasn't Valoric behind those doors they'd remain closed. My restraint was getting tight.

I heard rattling then a deliberate push with enhanced wolf strength. Then I came face to face with a haughty looking girl, her emerald dress rustling as she stepped into the lavishly decorated guest room. Her eyes gleamed with what I've seen a million times over from desperate girls.

"P-prince R-riven, I'm so sorry to disturb you. The door wasn't locked and I became worried." She says lowering her eyes down for the humble effect but I knew better.

Her fake stuttering and scared act couldn't fool me, "Why did you barge into my quarters?" I growled.

My wolf and my beast wanting her out because she was contaminating the sweet smell of my mate with her desperation.

"I'm sorry I know it was wrong of me," her eyes watered a little, "I just couldn't help myself but wonder how you looked like after all the rumors about you. I'm Gretchen, my father is the Gamma of Grimwell pack." She batted her lashes and stepped forward, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

A mere Gamma's daughter having this audacity, what's with Grimwell Pack and their lack of tact.

"You've seen me. Now leave." I said curtly, but she didn't take the hint.

Instead, she moved closer, her perfume cloying and overwhelming compared to the sweet scent still lingering from my mate. "Your Highness, I've heard so many stories about you being... mysterious. Dangerous. But seeing you now..." She let her gaze travel down my body appreciatively. "The rumors don't do you justice."

My jaw clenched. The girl had no sense of self-preservation.

"I've always been fascinated by powerful men," she continued, now close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from her skin. "Men who aren't afraid to take what they want." Her fingers reached out as if to touch my arm.

I stepped back sharply. "Don't."

But she mistook my warning for playing hard to get. "I know you must be lonely, traveling so much. And I'm sure the council is pressuring you to find a mate..." She bit her lower lip in what she probably thought was seductive. "I could make your stay here very... memorable."

The audacity of this girl was beyond belief. Here I was, fighting for control, and she was throwing herself at me like some common whore.

"I could show you things that might surprise you, Your Highness. I'm not like other girls - I'm not afraid of a little... intensity." Her voice dropped to what she probably thought was a sultry whisper.

As I pondered on how best to send her running, I stopped in my tracks as I perceived fresh blood. Her blood, she must have cut herself when forcing her way in.

I was slipping and it was fast, I tried mind linking with Valoric but I couldn't get a strong connection.

The girl, whatever her name is, was still speaking in her grating voice and I couldn't help but thunder, "Shut up and Get out!"

Her eyes widened in shock and I see her trying to shake off my threat and I said, "If I find you still here or lurking anywhere around me, I'll crush your bones and send them to your father as a token of his warm reception." She stuttered and ran out while I ran to the door securing it firmly.

Then I remembered the girl was still underneath my bed, she came out in a hurry, not a single fear in her eyes despite what she'd just witnessed.

"You look pale, are you ok? What can I do? What do you need me to do?" Her voice was frantic as she tried approaching.

I was slipping because I haven't fed in three days, I've been on this journey and been very careful to avoid suspicions.

I tried telling her to stay away but I was getting too weak, then she crouched down cradling my head against the soft carpet, then I heard her whisper, "Tell me what you need, stop being stubborn."

I could have smiled a bit if I was alright watching this tiny girl scold me, but I could only say, "Blood."

I saw her eyes widening in shock before I could no longer keep my eyes open but I could hear her walking around the room. I heard a clatter of what sounded like glass or metal, and then felt her by my side again. I heard what sounded like a slice of flesh, then felt her settle beside me.

“Then you shall have it.”