Madison looked at Dante inquiringly. "You haven't forgotten, have you?""No, Madison." He rolled his eyes. "We are due in a few hours so there is still time." His eyes took in her clothes. "Thank goodness you are already dressed. No last-minute touches to your makeup, I hope? That means we can leave on time," Dante teased. Maddox chuckled, his frame vibrating. My eyes narrowed. Were Dante and Madison going out on a date? It was annoying that they were talking about going somewhere without taking any notice of me. Dante and I were mates after all. Even though I disliked and would not accept him as my mate, wasn't I somehow entitled to a little information about his activities since he knew all about mine? They were talking about it right in front of me after all and it would be courteous to at least give me a hint. Dante pointed at her plate. "Eat up Maddy. You have been talking so much, you have barely touched your food."Maddy, he had called her. Somehow the sound of that name on

Dante's POV I watched her leave, a half smile on my face. I loved watching every nuance of her expression- her surprise, irritation, and anger. Right now, anger took center stage as she stomped into the shopping mall. The doorman gave her a look of surprise as she walked- stiff-legged- past him. If I knew anything about her, the staff of the mall were in for more of such surprises. Hell, she had shocked the hell out of me the very first time I saw her. She slammed the glass door so hard I was worried for a moment that it would shatter into a million pieces. Wincing, I braced myself and heard nothing. Then, I remembered. The type of glass most places like this had was tempered glass- strong and durable. I smiled wryly. Strong and durable were words that aptly described Allison. She was like no other woman I had known. Others would kill to shop in a place like this. With the way she dressed, her personality, and her strong dislike of her room decor, I knew she hated shopping. Madison

For a few hours, I was able to shut all my problems out- all thoughts of Dante, Madison, the shopping spree, and my planned escape. It felt good to be free of the burden of responsibility for a while, even though the freedom was short-lived. My wolf reveled in the feeling. I did not come across any big game in the woods. I made a mental note to myself to try again at a later date when I got the opportunity to run in the woods again. If I got the opportunity. There was no way of knowing how Dante would react to all this. Speaking of Dante, it was probably time for me to get back. I was startled to see that the sun was sitting lower in the sky, casting its setting rays over everything. Reluctantly I stopped running, concentrating on finding the way back to Dante's pack. I picked up the scent of a trail, a shortcut leading there. I followed the trail at a run but I went at a much slower pace. I somehow wished I could remain in the words a little longer. In a shorter time than I thought

Fight with him? That was not what I was expecting him to say when he called me back. He had to be kidding but as I glanced at him, I realized he actually looked serious. That meant he had been close enough to hear his guards' offer to spar with me. I could have obliged the guard, but definitely not Dante. The last thing I wanted right now was to be physically close to him in any context whatsoever. Also, how could he act so unconcerned? It was as though he did not remember what had happened between us a few days ago. "Fight with you?" I snorted, my eyes traveling over him. "I will do no such thing. Besides, I am already done with my exercise routine for today."I pushed open the door when Dante's warm hand encircled mine. I shivered involuntarily, my face working. Still facing the door, I struggled to school my expression before turning."Let go," I said grimly.His hand tightening on my wrist, he slowly but inexorably pulled me closer. My grip on the doorknob slackened as one, two

CHAPTER 20Allison's POV The blade passed a few inches from his face, he drew his head back and swatted it away with his palm. It fell to the floor with a metallic chink. I let out a breath I was not aware I had been holding, somewhat stunned by the depth of anger I felt. Dante brought out the worst in me. Every second I spent in his pack, I could feel myself losing more control. I had not meant to do what I just did, but I just had to vent somehow. I was not totally crazy though. Having seen Dante fight and observed his quick reflexes, I was a hundred percent certain that he would catch the dagger- and he had. At least my sense of judgment was accurate and I had not inadvertently killed this pack's Alpha- yet. I guessed that situation would probably change at any time judging by the smirk on his face. He lifted a brow in that annoying way he had and I knew he would make one of his usual caustic remarks. The most annoying part of all of this was that the object of my anger did not