Chapter 4 - I came here for you.

V E R A

Cole lets out a quiet laugh as he stares back at me, his eyes scanning over me as if he's taking in every single detail.

"How could I not? You're the first female Alpha this region has seen in generations, and unlike half the males standing in this room pretending they're leaders, you actually know how to think before opening your mouth." He answers, and the compliment paired with the insult aimed at the other Alphas catches me off guard.

I hear Alaric growl sharply in response, just as a few nearby wolves shift awkwardly while Alaric glares at him furiously.

"Do not speak to her," Alaric snaps, stepping slightly in front of me to block Cole's path once again.

But Cole raises an eyebrow lazily as he turns to face Alaric.

"Or what?" He questions, his eyes moving between us briefly before a grin pulls at his mouth again.

"From what I can see... she isn't your mate." He retorts, and the comment hits Alaric immediately. I can tell by the way his expression changes. And honestly, it embarrasses me too, considering what almost happened only minutes ago before the Rogues interrupted everything...

"Why are you here?" I ask quickly before Alaric can respond, and Cole's attention returns to me fully.

"Now that's an important question," Cole responds, then, without warning, he steps around Alaric and moves closer toward me. Far too close...

"What if I told you I came here for you?" He says, towering over me effortlessly as I lift my head to look him in the eye, finding myself becoming annoyed by the confidence in his voice.

"Then I'd call you insane," I say to him, my voice quiet as I remain cautious. The Rogue King is extremely unpredictable, and letting my guard down may cost me my life. But at the same time, there's something about him I can't quite figure out... the very same thing that makes me want to speak to him...

His eyes slowly move over me from head to toe before meeting my gaze again.

"I might be worse than that, sweetheart." He says, and  I frown instantly at the nickname.

But before I can answer, his hand suddenly wraps around my waist as he pulls me to his chest.

Then, everything blurs.

The room vanishes around me so quickly that I barely manage to gasp before cold air crashes against my skin.

The next thing I know, we're deep in the forest, and he carried me all the way out here before anyone could notice or do anything...

Once we are outside, I finally realise what's going on with him and use my super strength and speed to shove him off of me, causing both of us to skid to a stop, the dirt and soil beneath me digging into my heels and ruining the bottom of my dress.

Okay, so maybe I did like the dress...

I turn back to face, a furious growl ripping through my throat as I glare back at him, feeling my anger surge within me.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" I shout, my voice echoing between the trees. 

The cold night air hits my skin while I try to catch my breath after the sudden speed shift, fury already building inside me as I glare at the man standing several feet away like he didn't just kidnap me in front of an entire hall full of wolves.

Cole looks completely relaxed as he stands up straight again, slowly making his way over to me.

"I wanted to speak to you without all the noise." He answers, his chest rising and falling slowly as he tries to casually catch his breath.

"How dare you put your hands on me?" I question, clenching my fists at my sides as I watch him draw closer and closer.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do it sooner, not with your little boyfriend getting in my way..." He answers, and I suddenly feel myself blushing, completely thrown off guard by his comment.

"He's not-..." I begin to say, but quickly stop myself from saying anything more. "I don't have to explain anything to you." I snap at him.

"You're right. I don't feel like hearing any more about him..." He answers with a bored tone just as he continues to approach me, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Hey. I'm Cole." He lets out, and I stare at him in disbelief.

This man is insane. Completely insane.

I almost laugh from pure frustration and shake my head at him.

"You think I don't know who you are?!" I snap, my voice still echoing through the forest, and I'm sure the others are already looking for us by now. But it seems he's brought me quite far from the Gala House, seeing as I can't even see it from where I'm standing.

Cole's grin widens slightly as he stares at me.

"I'm flattered." He answers, and I feel my anger surging. 

"You should be dead for pulling this stunt." I seethe, but he only seems to draw closer and closer to me.

"And yet here I am." He answers.

Okay, I already hate him.

The forest around us is quiet now, apart from distant music still echoing faintly from the gala far in the distance, and standing alone out here with the Rogue King suddenly feels like the worst possible situation I could've ended up in tonight.

I should attack him. I should shift, and I should call my warriors to follow my location...

Instead, I just stand there glaring at him while he watches me with far too much amusement.

Then he starts walking toward me again, slower this time.

"Easy there, firecracker..." He calls out. 

"Do not call me that," I answer sharply as I begin taking a step away from him.

"I think it suits you." He answers. "But since you look like you already want to kill me... I'll get this over with quickly." He says, and I narrow my eyes at him while trying to ignore the fact that his scent feels even stronger out here, away from the crowd, surrounding me the closer he gets...

"Trust me," he says casually. "You won't even feel a thing," he continues, and I freeze slightly, anxiety suddenly churning through my whole body.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, and for the first time tonight, actual fear creeps into my chest...

Every part of me is now suddenly aware that I'm alone in the forest with the most dangerous wolf in the region.

Yet despite that, I don't move.

And I honestly don't know why.

Cole keeps approaching until barely any distance remains between us, his grey eyes locked onto mine the entire time while my pulse grows faster beneath his stare.

I should step away. Instead, I stay rooted exactly where I am.

"This... " he says quietly.

Then he reaches up and takes hold of my face.

Not roughly or aggressively, his hand warm against my skin as he gently tilts my head slightly to the side, and before I can properly process what's happening, his other arm slides around my waist and pulls me hard against his chest, making my breath catch instantly...

Oh no...

He can't...

I finally realise what he's doing, and seconds before I can stop him, I feel his teeth sink into my skin...

No...

No... no... no... no...

Is he... marking me...?