The Dungeon

“So, you will do anything to save your miserable life? Give me anything I ask for?” I drawled, relaxing on the couch.

Alexi was no on his hands and knees, face almost into the carpet.

“Name it and it is yours.”  He was sobbing.

“Daddy?”

My head whipped around to the sound of that melodious voice; my senses hit with a scent so intoxicating I felt drunk with it. Sweet like cherry wine and hibiscus flowers. My wolf howled in my head. I couldn’t believe it. Mate!

The girl ran past Ricci, stopping short in front of Alexi. Breathtakingly beautiful. I sat frozen, staring at her.  She bent down on her knees next to her father, her blonde hair cascading across her shoulders. 

“Daddy, what happened? Who are these men?” She looked up at me her grey eyes clashing with mine. It was like being hit by lightning.

Sal grabbed her and I snarled at him. “Leave her.” I stood up. Nobody touches what is mine.

“Who the fuck are you?” she barked at me.

Her mother got past Ricci and rushed towards her family.

“Your father owes me and now I know what I want.” I smirked back at her.

“Please, Nico…” Vulpe began pleading, noticing how I watched his daughter.

I ignored him.

“What is your name?” I asked the blonde goddess.

“Darina, go. Run!” her mother screeched at her. She clutched her husband’s narrow shoulders.

For a moment I saw the realization flash over her face, her eyes went wide with shock, those rosy lips parted making the heat rush to my loins.  

Before she could make a move, I had her over my shoulder. Her fists collided with my back.

“Put me down, you… you animal!” she screamed, clawed and kicked me, but I held her fast. She was no match for my strength. My wolf purred at her closeness.

No one could know she was my mate. Trust the damn moon goddess to saddle me with a helpless human mate! Just my fucking luck. But I would keep her safe. She was mine and no one would take her from me.

The mother grabbed my legs, crying and cursing me. I pushed her away.

“I’ll get the money. Please Nico, don’t take my Darina! Please!” Alexi sobbed.

I had enough of his pathetic crying. I had my prize. Ricco held Alexi’s squirming wife. She had more guts than the sniveling Fox. I respected that.

“She will not be hurt.” I told the mother. I nodded to Ricco to release her. Sal followed me out of the house. Darina still struggled, her voice hoarse from yelling.

“Quiet down!” I growled at her, using my Alpha voice. Not that it had any effect on her, mostly because she was human, but she was defiant. I smirked; it would be a pleasure to tame my little wild mate.

Shoving her into the Rolls proved to be troublesome. She kicked me where the sun doesn’t shine. It hurt like a bitch, but I gritted my teeth and grabbed her delicate ankles. I could so easily snap her bones, but of course, I would never hurt her.

“You can make this easy, Darina or I will be forced to tie you up. Your choice.” I tightened my grip just enough for her to feel my strength.

“What do you want from me?” she yelled in my face.

I laughed. “What do you think?”

That shut her up. She glowered at me with all the disgust showing in her face.

“If you touch me, I’ll kill myself.” She spat at me.

I shrugged. “We’ll see about that.”

Sal and Ricco got in and we pulled away, heading for my home.

***

She sat as far away from me as she possibly could. Being human, she didn’t feel the mate bond. I had to hold it together. As much as I wanted to take her and make her mine, mark her and mate her, I couldn’t. Forcing myself on her was not an option – I was no rapist.

Women were plentiful, they would sometimes throw themselves at me, hungry for power and what I could give them. I have taken my fair share of them, I’m no angel. But they meant nothing to me. Until now.

But this posed a problem for me. I have many enemies and having a mate, or a woman would mean I have a weakness. My mentor taught me early on what to expect if your enemy got hold of your one weakness. They would show no mercy. He showed me firsthand by taking his rival’s wife and kids. He sold them on the slave market. I did not like what he did, but I understood it for what it was, defeating the opposition. In our business you couldn’t be soft. It would get you killed.

I didn’t intend to be killed. Reject her? I would rather cut off my own hand. She will be my slave and nothing more, according to everyone around me. She will hate me, and that’s fine by me. My wolf disagreed strongly, but I ignored him. She couldn’t love us. We were the monster under the bed, the creature in the closet. How could she possibly love us?

“Who are you? Why does my father owe you money?” she asked, glaring daggers at me. She held her arms close to her chest, leaning against the passenger door, making sure no part of her body touched mine.

“I am Don Necolai Russo Lupei, the Red Wolf, but you can call me Master.” I said, meeting her eyes with a cold stare.

“Fuck you!” she blurted out. “I am not your slave.”

I laughed, lighting a cigarette, blowing smoke out the window. “Keep telling yourself that, Darina. I owe you now. You cost me a shitload of money. And you have your father to thank for that.” I watched her pinch her lips together.

“It’s illegal! You can’t just take people. My parents will go to the police.”

I inhaled, blowing out a lazy smoke ring. “Don’t bet on it, fetita (baby girl). Your father knows better than that.” Hopefully he learnt his lesson. No one crosses the Red Wolf. “He took what is mine and I took what’s his. Fair trade, not so?”

“You are a monster.” Darina snarled at me. She wasn’t wrong.

“Would you rather have let me kill your parents?” I asked.

She turned her head away to stare out at the passing scenery. I smiled to myself. The love for her parents will keep her in line. That was her weakness and I intended to exploit it.

***

We arrived at my mansion. The large wrought iron gates opened, and the armed guards waved us through. I watched Darina’s face as the Rolls approached the house. She tried to hide her amazement by turning her whole body away from me.

To say my mansion was impressive would be an understatement. I bought the estate on auction. It was an 18^th century English manor house centered on sprawling grounds with formal gardens, stables for my horses and of course, let us not forget, my own personal dungeon.

Ricco stopped the Rolls in the driveway and opened the door for me. Darina refused to get out. I went around to the other side and pulled her out by her arm.

“Stop acting like a spoilt child!” I growled at her. She pulled away from me. “Darina, you could make it easy for yourself. But if you continue to disrespect me, you will face the consequences.” I warned her.

She squared her jaw, glaring at me, daring me with her grey eyes. I sighed.

“Sal, take her to the dungeon. Lock her up.” I said, turning to my Capo. My wolf howled because I was letting another male touch our mate. I had to grit my teeth, for it wasn’t easy seeing him hauling her away like some baggage. I promised my wolf I would make it up to him.

Saddling up my horse, a black stallion called Demon, I gave him free reign. Feeling the wind in my face, the scent of horse and earth in my nostrils was almost as freeing as letting my wolf free. Which I couldn’t precisely do with everyone around me. This was the next best thing. Demon was a beautiful beast, wild and spirited, not bending to anyone’s will but mine. He was all mine, like Darina will be soon.