Breeding Cycle

The Kategan Alphas 1

By T. A. Grey

Chapter 1

Sarina parted her lips and sucked on the guard’s cock. Jackson closed his eyes in pleasure, his head falling back loosely. Her lips closed tightly around the velvety flesh and tongued a wet path down it. Jackson fisted her hair in two big fists.

Strong, chafed hands grabbed her naked hips, squeezed in sensual promise. Sarina’s core throbbed with arousal at the unspoken threat. The hard cock in her mouth rocked, and she felt the familiar hard nudge against her wet slit. Moaning she pushed back, begging.

“Damn, Sarina. You’re so fucking hot,” said the deep, gruff voice from behind her. Jacob had very special talents, one of which he was about to put to use. His strong hands left her hips to cover her breasts. Sure fingers tugged her nipples until she squirmed against the cock that rested against her entrance.

Jackson made sure she didn’t forget her job by thrusting home in the hot heat of her mouth. She suctioned her mouth, pulling hard on the skin of his cock. He tugged her hair in response or warning, she didn’t know which.

Jacob fit himself to her and pushed in, filling her full. He didn’t waste any time, he knew what they both wanted and pounded into her tight channel.

Sarina lost herself in the sensual fog. Salty seed leaked over her tongue, making her suck harder. Grunting at the feathery sensation, Jackson thrust his thick cock into the wet heat of her mouth with unabashed pleasure.

Her pussy constricted with the onslaught of her orgasm. Jacob growled in response and hammered into her with hard, drilling thrusts. Heat swarmed over her body, drawing her skin tight as a bowstring. He captured her hips in a tight grasp. She couldn’t escape. She had only one choice, to open her mouth and legs and take what they gave her.

And she did so, eagerly.

Each stroke, each caress sent her higher and higher until something inside her snapped. Sarina moaned over the silken cock in her mouth, the thick length in her pussy, and came in a hot rush of cream. She was flying high into a million pieces.

“I’m gonna cum in your mouth, baby,” Jackson said hoarsely as he rocked his hips and fed her his cock.

Hips rocked faster, grunts sounded above and behind her.

Jackson groaned from deep in his throat and leaned forward to kiss Jacob. That triggered some dark response in all of them. Sarina tasted the first spray of hot cum in her mouth. Her pussy quivered in pleasure as jets of cum drenched her tongue and throat.

The muscles in her sex tightened on Jackson’s cock. He thrust three more times before he shoved deep and shot his load deep into her pussy. Sarina exploded again, a scream tearing from her throat. Her sex pulsed, her thighs quivered, and a flush broke out over her body. Jackson pushed roughly against the tight constriction of her pussy, milking his orgasm from him.

Jacob slowly removed his soft cock from her mouth. She sucked the flesh back in once more making him shudder. He rubbed the slotted tip of his soft cock over her smooth lips, eliciting a groan from Jackson.

Sarina collapsed against the bed, and watched as her guardsmen embraced each other. She loved watching them together. Jackson and Jacob were mated, and they understood her situation. They broke away at the same time before coming down to her with gorgeous, happy smiles. They nuzzled her throat, kissed her cheeks, her face. She would never be with them permanently, but she was satisfied with the pleasure they gave her for now.

“Thank you both. It couldn’t have been better.” She spoke into Jackson’s strong shoulder.

“We certainly don’t mind, Princess Sarina.” Jacob grinned as he ran a hand over the curve of her ass. “But we have to go now. Back to our post before your father is back.” They stood and put their clothes back on, strapping their weapons on last.

A loud voice broke her out of her reverie.

Sarina opened her eyes and heard the slam of a door downstairs followed by her father’s growl. Shoot, shoot, shoot. She went to the mirror and brushed her bed hair. The nap she’d taken had been needed but now she was thinking she should have waited.

Three hard knocks sounded at her door. Ensuring that her outfit was straight and perfect, she lifted her chin and answered calmly.

“Enter.”

Her father opened the door. His tall frame nearly touching the top of the doorframe, and his sky blue eyes were flat with anger. Her father was an Alpha and a King in the lykaen community. The blood in their family was passed down from a long line of royalty.

She hadn’t seen him smile since her mother was alive, and that was over twelve years ago. It no longer pained her to see him like this. Now she understood it. To lose your mate, your one true partner…well, it was no wonder she hadn’t seen him smile in so long.

Coming into the room, he looked around, then sniffed the air. Big hands tightened into fists, and his expression grew angrier. She had the sudden urge to cower and hide. “You’re breeding cycle is too close. Were you not even going to tell me?” Eyes widening, she clasped her hands together. Having the breeding cycle so close was what drove her to have such vivid dreams.

“I was.”

She bowed her head, but he continued as if her answer didn’t matter. “This is your twenty-second year, Sarina. Your breeding cycle is growing more powerful every year.” He stalked to her with angry strides. “You are a female of status. You can’t just take any male, Sarina. You were stupid to let yourself get this close. Any longer and you’d be humping the butler.” He ran a hand through his long hair and took a deep breath. “Need I remind you of your status? Of your importance to the lykaen race?” Averting his angry gaze, she stared down at the dark wood floors. A blush stole over her face, betraying her shame.

At the sight, his voice softened and his features gentled. “For your safety, I’m sending you to the cabin. You will have no personal guard. We can’t risk a pregnancy by a guardsman. Right?” he said, his eyes seeing straight into her. She nodded.

“Of course. I’m sorry, father.”

“You weren’t wrong, Sarina. But something terrible could have happened if you started your breeding cycle here.” He sighed as if the world was on his shoulders. “We cannot risk you having a babe with just anyone. We are member of the Pride and it is our duty to-

To ensure the exceptional health and breeding of the Lykaen species, she finished the lecture in her head.

“To ensure the exceptional health and breeding of the Lykaen species. Until I find a suitable male of breeding this must be the way of things. Pack everything you will need for a week. You will have to stay there alone. I can’t chance leaving the guards with you. The sooner the better.”

“A week alone will actually be much appreciated father. I can use the time to finish up those books that have been stacking up,” she said pointing at her teetering stack of novels. It was a bald face lie, too.

Her father gave the closest thing to a smile she’d seen in awhile and turned to leave. Sarina had to fight to not let the tears fall.

“Be ready in an hour. Your ride will be waiting.”

Waiting until after the door closed behind him, Sarina collapsed into a chair. Her father had no clue how hard it was enduring her cycle alone. The pain. It was so excruciating she pondered offing herself the year before. She covered her face with her hands, rocking herself, until the unspent tears went away. She refused to cry over her father or her responsibilities. Shaking off her unhappiness, she forced a cool smile and packed her belongings.

Another week in tortured agony? She couldn’t wait.

* * *

Sarina sat on the edge of her temporary bed in her father’s expensive country cabin. She gripped the soft comforter as she worked to steady her breaths. Her breasts were aching, heavy, and her nipples hard points. She gasped at the softness of the comforter underneath her hands. She released it quickly, unable to stand the fantastic sensations.

Her breeding cycle was rapidly approaching. Within a few short hours, she would be in full heat. Her eyes shut in ecstasy as her pussy dampened with cream. The breeding cycle brought such unbelievable feelings to her body. Now that she was older, she understood why her father sent her miles away from any man--because she’d never wanted a cock so badly. Each year the pressure inside her grew stronger, more powerful. Her pussy begged to be filled. It was harder and harder to say no, to not go looking for a man.

Closing her eyes, Sarina forced herself to keep her mind away from men, and away from the burning need within her. She would be a slave to it soon enough.

Grabbing her night satchel, she went down to the kitchen. Each step felt like a finger was teasing the outer edge of her panties. She was panting by time she reached the end of the stairs. Walking unsteadily in her heels, she went and poured a glass of red wine. Then another.

And another.

She kicked off her heels and sauntered to the living room, feeling more in control. She turned on the TV and put in the special DVD she’d brought along.

The sofa cushions were soft against her back. A feathery, teasing sensation that made her want to roll in it. She hit play on the remote. The star of the movie, Tony, came on stage wearing absolutely nothing, and her hands strayed to her breasts. The material of her top blocked her from skin-to-skin contact, so she leaned forward to pull that and her skirt off. Sarina relaxed back into the cushions and watched as Tony started sucking the breasts of a busty blonde. It wasn’t quite deliveryman and typical slut, but it was close. More like boss and employee.

She plumped and squeezed her aching breasts and watched the blonde get on her knees to suck on Tony’s stiff cock. Sarina parted her legs, already wet and ready to go. The woman moaned and bobbed over the thick, long cock. Tony petted her breasts gently, shaping and tugging them. There was no passion in his touch, just a casual nonchalance. Sarina wanted to tell him how to really pleasure the blonde, but instead bit her lip and watched as he licked a path down to her hard nipples. He sucked the tips hard, his cheeks hollowing before massaging the oversized tits.

Sarina rubbed her own nipples in time with Tony. She moaned, her hips jerking in need. Biting her lip, she almost fast-forwarded the movie to get to what she wanted. She refused to give in though. She would hold out until Tony did.

Tony stood and positioned the blonde on a wide wooden desk. He filled her in one hard stroke, and Sarina and the blonde moaned at the same time. In that moment, she wanted to kill that acting woman. Sarina touched her skin, rubbed her soft hands over the smooth skin of her stomach, over her quivering thighs, but always stayed out of reach of her pussy. She stopped over her inner thighs and squeezed just as Tony plowed into the blonde in long, steady strokes. His muscular ass tightened and flexed as he worked his cock in and out.

Sarina rubbed around her thong. She caressed it with her fingertips and felt her wetness through the thing material. She didn’t remove the thong, though. She told herself it was because that’s how she always acted this out, but inside she knew what it really was. It was because she knew she’d dive straight for her pussy and finish the unbearable ache that was there.

Tony thrust faster, and spread the blonde’s long legs wide open. Sarina knew this part by heart. He was going to come soon, and so would she.

Pulling out of the blonde, he repositioned her to bend over the desk. He took the time to spread her cheeks wide and slap them until they turned pink, and then he plunged his cock back into her.

Sarina quickly pulled her panties down to her ankles and let her legs fall wide open. She plunged her fingers over her soft lips to smother them in her hot cream. She brushed over her clit and moaned. In quick response, her hips jumped at the sensation. Breathing unsteadily, Sarina watched as Tony pounded into the moaning porn star, grunting and groaning in his own pleasure. He still wore his tie; it slapped against his chest as he moved.

Using her left hand, she pushed two fingers inside of her, sighing at the feeling. It wasn’t nearly long enough, wide enough and they were only her fingers, but still they felt amazing. She pumped those fingers just as Tony pumped into the woman. Her right hand found her clitoris and began to rub the ultra-sensitive bud with slow, steady circles. Her pussy clenched on her thrusting fingers as if they were trying to stop them.

Tony fucked the woman harder. He wrapped a fist into her long hair and rode her as his balls slapped loudly against her wet flesh. He began grunting with each hard thrust.

“Fuuuuuck,” he said hoarsely.

Sarina wasted no time. She pushed on her clit and rubbed furiously while plunging her fingers into her creamy pussy over and over. The blonde screamed what was probably a fake orgasm and shook her head back and forth as her eyes closed. Tony slammed into her one last time, then pulled out and spreading his legs wide as he grasped his wet cock and stroked the hard flesh. Grunting, he grabbed his ball sac in a strong hand and rolled them around as the blonde moaned and shook her ass at him.

Sarina’s breath froze in her lungs as her body seized and her orgasm jolted through her body like lightning. Tony came, his come shooting hot streams onto the blonde’s raised ass. Sarina rubbed her clit hard as her body shook and shivered with her explosive climax. Her hips bucked as pleasure tore through her. It faded just as quickly, leaving her feeling exhausted.

Slowing her rubs, her eyes hooded, she watched the blonde turn around to suck some leftover come off Tony’s cock. Sarina shivered again and tried to stay her trembling legs. The movie went to the credits and Sarina collapsed loosely against the couch.

Chapter 2

Vane Kategan paced back and forth across his study. Unrest was growing in the pack. Pack members have complained that he needed to find a mate and start breeding. Easier said than done. Vane stuffed his big form into a chair and ran a rough hand through his hair.

He knew they were right. He was the Alpha. As the strongest of the pack, it was his responsibility to provide heirs in case of his death. The only problem with that was none of the women in the pack interested him. He’d dated several of them and even a few outside the pack. But still his beast refused to mate with them. And he couldn’t force such a close connection. They were all unacceptable. Irresponsible, neglectful, boring, and selfish, he, and his wolf refused to consent to his pack having a poor leader. Those with the more positive qualities either didn’t connect with him or were already taken. Besides, the women needed a strong female to influence them, and he needed a queen for both the pack and him.

Vane didn’t know what else to do. At the request of his pack, he even dated some humans. Yet none of them stirred both him and his wolf. He growled in annoyance and went to find his housekeeper. He found him lounging in a recliner in the living room.

“I’ll be going out. Call me if you need me.” Alfonse lifted his head out of the magazine he was reading and smiled.

“Sure thing, boss.” Alfonse gave a little wave before returning to his magazine. Pausing with his head out the door, Vane turned to look at his old friend.

“Is that a Martha Stewart magazine?” he asked tentatively. His friend grinned up at him.

“Sure is. There’s a chocolate mousse recipe in here that looks positively delicious.” Vane grabbed his hiking pack and left to the sound of his friend’s laughter.

The chilled night air helped to calm his nerves. He left his cabin and decided to hike across the unmarked land instead of the usual worn paths. Pack members used the paths to stay within pack territory, but he knew this land better than anyone did. It was all his. He hiked his backpack higher and let his feet guide him.

It had been too long...weeks, since he’d visited the forest. His beast relished the crescent moon and the coming full moon. He walked quickly over fallen trees, climbed deftly down the main bluff, and vaulted over sharp crags. Animals squawked and scattered as his quiet steps tapped through the forest.

Stopping for a moment under a canopy of willow trees, Vane pulled out his water bottle and took a long drink. He stilled as the breeze changed direction and brought with it a new scent. The scent was bold, earthy, and sweet. Different. Lingering, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It smelled faintly of woman, lykaen, and something else. Something too vague to capture.

Intrigued, he tracked the scent through the woods. He followed the trail until he reached the end of his property line. He hesitated, unsure whether to stray so far from the pack. He made a quick phone call to Alfonse to let him know he’d be off territory for a while. Alfonse laughed at him before telling him to get a gallon of milk on the way home.

“Funny bastard,” Vane muttered under his breath.

Twenty minutes later, Vane passed through some low brush. He swiped at a low-hanging branch and passed under it. A large, two-story cabin resided straight ahead.

The scent was more potent here. He stopped and inhaled the rich scent deep into his lungs. Something about it raised his hackles and brought his cock to life.

Vane didn’t recognize the cabin, but the size of it spoke of money. Whoever built it here, with only a bare dirt path to it, wanted to stay hidden.

Creeping silently, Vane made his way to a first-floor window. The shades were open and a soft yellow light glowed out from a lamp in the corner. The scent was thick and strong this close. He wanted to roll around in it. Hell, something was almost familiar about it.

Vane flattened himself against the log cabin. H could smell the earthy scent of cedar, but it was overpowered by something much greater. He put his ear to the panel of wood, closed his eyes, and listened. He tuned out the birds, squirrels, and crickets at his feet and focused all of his lykaen hearing on the female inside. Intrigued, he was definitely intrigued.

His eyes shot open and his cock pulsed at the sound of a distinctly feminine moan. A deep male voice groaned. Just as quickly as his cock hardened, it deflated. His hands curled into fists. Whoa. What the hell was he angry at?

Before leaving, Vane wanted to at least see the woman who carried such an alluring scent. And a sexy moan. He had just tracked her for several miles.

He peered into the window and what he saw made his cock go from soft to painfully hard.

* * *

Vane nearly exploded in his jeans like a teenage boy. The sight before him had him staring like a dumbfounded idiot.

The woman was small, curvy, and perfect. She lay sprawled on a large sofa, rubbing her little pussy with fast fingers while watching a man and woman fucking on the television.

The sight had him fighting a groan. Never in all his years had a sight taken him with such force, such lust. It was like being hit in the cock with pure sex. He watched, slack jawed, as she worked her little fingers between her legs and rubbed her little pearl. Her pussy was pink, open, and so soft looking. He licked his lips. He’d bet it tasted even better than it looked. It was all he could do not to break through the window and take her. She needed a cock. His cock.

His balls pulled up hard and tight. Sweat beaded his brow, and his cock was a constant pulsing weight in his jeans. Unconsciously, he began rubbing his crotch against the cabin. The delicious pressure had cum leaking from his cock.

Forcing himself to watch the sight of the female touching herself wasn’t hard. Vaguely he heard the voices of the actors, a woman climaxing and a man grunting. He looked away from the sexy female long enough to see the man jacking off at the blonde’s tan ass. That sight did nothing for him. Which surprised him, but then again, his real interest rested with a passionate lykaen who was desperately rubbing her wet pussy towards a climatic build up.

He watched her fingers work faster, as she panted harder and quicker, so determined to find her pleasure. He couldn’t stand it and, in a second, tore open his zipper, and was tugging on his own hard dick. He clamped his mouth shut to keep from making a sound. Damn but it was hard. He almost laughed at his own pun.

From the corner of his eye, he watched male actor hunch over the woman and squeeze his balls. The female lykaen appeared to really like this as her hips undulated in a frantic rhythm at the sight.

Vane could smell her orgasm coming. It made his own semen leak out of his cock. He pumped faster, uncaring that he was jerking off in the middle of nowhere, outside a strange female’s house. His movements became just as quick and fierce as the actors did, except his attention was all on her. The actor on TV came in a long, guttural shout, and the lykaen’s breath froze.

Vane watched, fascinated, captivated, as her hips stopped in mid-motion, and she started coming. It was like watching a volcano erupt. She bucked hard and shouted the sound making him stroke his own cock in hard, jerky movements. He ached to feel her pussy quivering around his cock. She came for endless moments, and he came with her. He came so hard that he bit down on his lip to keep from making a sound. His cock throbbed, a burning heat in his fist as streams of hot semen shot against the log cabin.

He quickly flattened himself against the wall. He couldn’t breathe worth a damn, but with restraint, he kept quiet as he put his softening cock back into his jeans. He took a moment and rested against the cool wood.

Holy shit.

Vane had never lost control like that before.

There was a reason why he rose to the top and became Alpha of his pack, and it certainly wasn’t because he was impulsive and out of control. And certainly not because he was a peeping tom.

Vane heard movement inside and stilled against the cabin as he listened. He could have just left, but something kept him there, waiting.

Chapter 3

Sarina’s eyes opened instantly alert. What was that?

She turned off the TV so she could hear better. She heard the soft hum of the refrigerator and the click of the AC turning on.

She walked around the room on light steps. Stopping at the front door, she peered through the peephole. Nothing. Straining to hear, she moved to the front cabin window and looked into the dark wooded night. Nada. Going to the window by the couch, she hesitated. Sudden apprehension filled her.

God she hated being alone like this. The forest noises always played tricks on her. Still, she went to the last window. The night was black outside. The trees thick and so close to each other they didn’t leave much room to see anything but a mesh of brown and green.

Her breath froze in her lungs. A very masculine scent wafted around her. It stunned her even as it stirred her blood.

Sarina grabbed the window and jerked it up.

“What the hell are you doing?” Gasping, Sarina looked into a pair of eyes as green as the leaves in summer. He was gorgeous. Absolutely feral. Hair the color of a raven’s feather settled and curled in a wave on his shoulders. She sniffed and smelled the lykaen in him. The unusual scent had a power to it that raised her temperature twenty degrees.

“Explain yourself now.”

Vane faced her as if he hadn’t just been jerking off. His eyes drifted down her body to land on her bare breasts. His nostrils flared. She was even more beautiful up close. Her vanilla scent was unlike anything he’d ever smelled.

"Oh!” Her hand flew to cover her naked breasts. Blushing, she looked up to meet his gaze again. His eyes were intense, but it was his body that kept distracting her. A sweat soaked shirt clung to hard round shoulders that tapered down to a hard, flat abdomen and a pair of thick powerful thighs.

“Who are you?” His voice was a deep rolling tenor. Sarina’s cheeks burning hotter. Something in the way he looked at her was possessive, feral.

“I’m,” she hesitated, wondering how much she should tell him. Lykaens rarely hurt women; to do so was a great shame on the man and his family. Even still, her father had made a point to keep males away from her. All for a good purpose though—to ensure good breeding. A normal life wasn’t in the cards for someone like her. All she had were her darkest dreams where Jacob and Jackson pleasured her endlessly. Shaking her head, she finished, “Sarina. My name is Sarina.”

Bright green eyes widened with knowledge. So he knew of her? Well of course he did. Who didn’t? She was the reclusive Princess of the Lykaens. Only allowed out with her father’s permission. Her frown deepened. It was all necessary she knew that. Not that she hadn’t wondered what it would be like to be with a man, especially a man like this one.

“And you are?” For good measure, she ducked behind the curtain to hide her naked body.

“Vane. Vane Kategan,” he answered and crossed two very muscular arms over a wide chest. He watched her wiggle behind the window and for a moment considered telling her that he’d just seen a helluva lot more than that. But he wanted to keep his teeth, so he kept his mouth shut.

She gulped at his dark look and clasped her legs together. The breeding cycle was almost in full force. She felt the minutes ticking away like a bomb. She had to get rid of him or else she might make a huge mistake.

Hungry eyes roamed over his body to take in the hard angles of his face, arms, and chest. Her gaze fell back to his mouth. He had nice lips. Just full enough she could suck on it, bite them. Her pussy ached at the sight. Her previous orgasm not even scratching the surface of her need. Already her need was growing with violent force. It won’t be long. He has to go now!

“Well, Mr. Kategan. It has been a pleasure meeting you. I must be going now, as I’m sure you must as well. Please be sure to not come around here anymore. I do not like visitors.” She made her words curt and rude. Oh what a lie that was. She wanted nothing more than to tear off his clothes and ride his cock until they both were wild in throes of climatic passion. The other half of her hated the thought of being cooped up here alone. She rose to close the window before she made some other stupid decision, but her eyes went to his again and the breath she was taking froze in her lungs.

His eyes closed as if savoring something delicious, and she watched as his nostrils flared. His hands fell into fists at his sides. Oh, shit! He can smell me! Why hadn’t she thought of that before? Christ, because I’ve been checking him out. Don’t let him catch my breeding cycle scent, she prayed.

“How about you let me in Sarina and I take care of that problem for you.” He gave her a look that said he knew exactly what was going on and was more than happy to help. So much for him not finding out.

* * *

Vane could barely restrain himself from jumping through that window. All that creamy skin couldn’t possibly be as soft as it looked-but he wanted to find out. Her breasts were another matter, she had no idea, but as she tried to hide her large breasts, they only plunged over her slender arm instead. The sight had his cock standing hard and straight in his pants. The hard orgasm he’d just had wasn’t helping him a bit.

With the window open, he could smell her unique scent better. That unique scent that was female and lykaen was all Sarina and the breeding. It was like hot vanilla, sweet and sexy. The breeding cycle was a powerful force for lykaen females. It could lure any unmated male to take her. But he planned to be the only man thrusting between those perfect thighs. Ever.

His body answered her call with a readiness that pulled his balls up tight and made his cock drip with anticipation.

Vane recognized her name too. Sarina Brunes was famous in the lykaen community. No males were allowed near her unless strictly permitted by her father. Many males had tried to meet and wed the princess, but none passed the king’s test. Hell, even Vane had considered trying to meet the princess. But with a father that controlling it seemed like bad news. Well, at least he was right about one thing. She was definitely bad news.

“You must leave now.” Frantic, she looked around, but she had no father or guard to force this perfect specimen of a lykaen male away. Oh god, if he stays I will shame my father, the Pride, and myself. He must leave. What if I got pregnant? Uh, hello, breeding cycle equals prime opportunity for pregnancy. My father would kill me. He would kill Vane.

Her expression grew pained, but still she looked more beautiful than a tropical sunset. Oh fuck, did he really just think that? A fucking sunset. Get a hold of yourself man. You’re a leader, an Alpha, not a damned poet.

Ignoring her command, he said, “I’m the Alpha of the Kategan Pack, and I’m not going anywhere.” A slow smile formed over his lips.

He knew why his words mattered. Princesses customarily only bred with an Alpha who was deemed worthy by her guardian. As alpha of a large and respected pack, he would stand a chance to win her. Although this wasn’t exactly ‘normal’ courting practice. One normally didn’t start these things by jerking off outside the intended’s window.

“Let me in.” His voice was taunting, his smile that of a predator. When she didn’t move, he leaned closer to the window. She moved just as far back from him. “I could help you.”

Vane had no idea why he was so certain, but certain he was. Sarina was his. Every cell in his body, even the beast in his soul shouted that she was his. Mate his beast howled. He and the beast were in complete agreement. He’d only been this certain a few times in his life. When he sensed his parents sudden death, the moment he became a true Alpha, and now with her. She was his. She just didn’t know it yet.

Chapter 4

Her father’s warning rang in her head. He’d already made her decision for her. Against her own body’s needs, she grabbed the window and started to shut it. He stopped it with a strong hand.

“Do you really believe this is a coincidence, Princess? I’ve been searching for my Queen. And here we are together during your breeding cycle. I found you.” The one time of year she would be fertile.

“I—” A hopeless look came over her face, and he wanted to wipe it away. “I cannot have sex.” She looked down, her face flushing.

A surge of fierce protectiveness ran through Vane. “You can’t possibly be alone during your breeding cycle. It will be excruciating. You need a male to ease you. At the very least you need someone to protect you.” He put both hands on the windowsill and leaned closer as if his mere presence could persuade her. She could smell him so much better now, and it was intoxicating.

“I’ve always dealt with my cycle alone.” A spark of anger ignited in his eyes, Sarina licked her lips thinking she should have kept her mouth shut.

“How old are you, Sarina?” he asked between tight lips.

“Twenty-two.”

His face twisted into a feral mask of anger. He wanted to plow his fist into the bastard’s face that would do this to a female. “You’ve dealt with your cycle for years without a male to ease you? That’s torture. Who did this to you?”

“He sends me here for my own protection. It’s for my own good, really. He’s not a bad man.”

“Is this what he does to his precious daughter? Sends her away, keeps her away from men so she’ll never know what a real man feels like? So that she’ll have to deal with the pain on her own for an entire week.”

Her breathing grew erratic. No one had anyone stood up for her before. She knew what her father did was unusual. Most women were not sent away, but were chosen a prided male of choice to ease the cycle—usually with lots of condoms. Safe sex meant the female could be eased without much risk for an early pregnancy.

“I am a member of the Pride. That means I must take extra care of my body,” she added weakly at his continuing glower.

The fact that he was standing up for her, made a lump grow in her chest. The sincerity in his eyes was enough to almost bring tears to hers. She pushed the tears away though, refusing to let them dampen the thrilling beat of her heart.

“No one follows the way of the Pride anymore. Those days are long dead, Princess. And he left you completely unguarded? What would happen if some stupid human found you? One whiff of those hormones and they’d be on your without asking why first.” He was angrier than he should be, but that didn’t stop him any.

“It’s better not to have guards here, and there are no humans within miles. This is a remote location.”

“Not remote enough apparently.”

Sarina swallowed and conceded his point.

“I could smell you miles away. I will stay and protect you.” He gazed at the forest behind him as if seeking out all possible threats. “And I will ease you.” His gaze pulled back to hers, and the hot promise in his eyes made her nipples pull tight and her thighs clench.

She looked so hopeful for a second that his chest expanded with anticipation. But then it was gone, and the shadowed look came back across her face. “You cannot ease me. No one can. I’m sorry.” Her voice was a whisper and so sad it nearly broke something inside him.

“Let me stay with you during your cycle, Sarina. I won’t make you do anything you don’t want.” But I’ll sure as hell try. “I can help you. I would be honored to protect you during this week, to help ease your need in any way I can.”

Sarina’s last wall of resistance crumbled under his words. Maybe it was just sentimental hope, or maybe it was all a lie, but her beast told her that his words were true. Her heart told her to let him in. And her body purred in happiness.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spine and let her arm fall to her side to reveal a pair of plump, hand-filling breasts.

He had her answer.

Chapter 5

Breathing in her alluring scent, Vane beckoned her over to him with a get-over-here nod. Sarina nibbled on her lip for a moment before moving to sit in the windowsill where he lifted her out as if she weighed nothing.

Hot, strong hands settled gently at her waist to rub tantalizing circles on the bare flesh.

“You’re beautiful. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I watched you,” Vane said darkly and stepped closer to her. Their bodies stood mere inches apart. This close she could smell his scent as if she was bathing in it. He smelled like a man who just spent hours fucking in the hot sun. It was decadent. Sarina’s blood pumped with excitement and lust as she looked at his strong chest. The muscles in his arms and chest exuded strength and status. Alphas were not wimpy men, that’s for sure. She’d never felt like this before, as if she was being pulled towards him by some invisible force.

Her body sang for him like a siren beckoning a pirate’s ship. The call was getting louder with each passing second. Soon, very soon, her cycle would start spinning in full force.

“Thank you, Vane. What did you watch exactly?” she asked breathlessly. She knew she wasn’t that beautiful, that it was probably just the hormones affecting him, but it still made her heart race. Butterflies danced in stomach at the thought that he might have seen her…before. Being with Jacob and Jackson was different. They were dream men. This though was very real.

His fingertips found her spine and trailed feather light down it. “I watched you…touch yourself with these.” He picked up her hand and sucked her fingers into his mouth. She shuddered at the sensation. A hot hand found her naked bottom and squeezed. Full, sexy lips opened and tasted her fingers.

Sarina gasped and, like courtesan, molded herself against his strong body. His tongue licked her lingering cream away. Sarina’s jaw dropped at the wet sensation. He closed his eyes, a look of pained pleasure crossing his face before popping her fingers free.

Her father’s words chose that moment to come roaring back her. She must not have a male. No male but of his choosing. She froze, doubt and fear clouding her. His eyes opened in question, but then seemed to read her thoughts.

“Forget about him. I will protect you. I swear it,” he breathed huskily into the shell of her ear. Thoughts that had only ever just been that now solidified into dark needs. A queen for his pack, children to call his own, and a wife to warm his bed. Then his life would be complete. Sarina was the one. His heart knew it; his beast knew it.

“I want to pleasure you. Over and over again.” Trailing his tongue down her neck, Vane closed his eyes and simply tasted. It was exquisite…like vanilla and honey. “Your skin tastes like warm vanilla on my tongue.” He pressed hot, open kisses over her smooth shoulders, slowly making his way down her chest.

Vane’s tongue laved the hard tip of her breast. Sarina’s hands flew to hold him there, an uncontrollable moan escaping her. He took his time enjoying the firm tip as he suckled it. It wasn’t long before his other hand set to the task of molding her other breast.

“Vane!” An urgent need pushed at her. His assuring words eased the last of her worries. She pushed the nagging roar of her father out of her mind and simply felt.

The sound of his name falling from her lips was enough to make his cock jump in his jeans. Releasing his hold on her breast, he switched to pleasure the other. He tugged the hard nipple between his lips and spoke one powerful word over her heated flesh. “Magnificent.”

He made her feel like a goddess.

Strong hands moved to clasp her bottom. Gentle at first, he grasped and massaged the sensitive flesh as his mouth continued its tortuous sucking. Sarina shuddered at the pleasure, her hips moving in a rocking motion.

The ache in her grew to a deafening pulse. So soon. The breeding cycle was coming. If she was this wet, this wild, and it hadn’t even begun then what was she in for?

“Vane.” Her teeth gnawed on her bottom lip. Her hands bunched into his long thick hair, trying to get his attention. The chance of her getting with child during her breeding cycle was very high. If she gave in to her urges, the consequences would be disastrous.

He looked up at her with the greenest eyes she’d ever seen. The smoldering look he gave her would have seared her as if she wasn’t already burning up with need.

Before she realized it, the dark, sexy giant had her backed into a nearby tree. She forgot all about what she wanted to tell him. The hard wood pressed into the naked skin of her back.

He grabbed her hand in a soft touch and pressed a hot, sweet kiss to her palm. His eyes never left hers and for some reason the simple moment touched something deep inside her. Her heart made a giant, gravity-defying leap in that moment.

Pulling her hand to his heart, he held it there.

“I am Vane Kategan, Alpha of the Kategan Pack of the Midwest. I vow on my honor as Alpha to protect, care, honor, and fight for you Princess Sarina Brunes. I ask only that you consider accepting my proposal.”

The corner of her mouth kicked up. “Your proposal of sex during my breeding cycle?”

“That is not the only thing I’m offering, lumara.”

Eyes wide and feeling greatly honored, Sarina could only stare as her heart pounded in her chest and her legs had trouble working. The hand around hers was so strong, so certain.

But what about father?

Somehow standing before this powerful lykaen gave her power. “I will consider it.”

He smiled as if he’d won some great prize. “I will take care of you from now on Sarina.” Leaning in to her, he kissed her. A soft, fleeting kissed that left her wanting more. “And when I have you, there is no going back. You will be mine.” Forever.

His dark words sent her stomach spiraling. Her beast howled insider her in glee.

“My cycle draws near, Vane.” Her low words wrapped around him like a hand over his cock. He responded with a feral growl that sent shivers over her naked flesh. It was possessive and hot. And it sent her spiraling into her breeding cycle with full force.

Chapter 6

Vane scented the moment it hit. A powerful surge of pheromones and aroused female that fogged the air. His already hard cock throbbed like a pulse. She transformed before his very eyes.

A blush stole over her face and down to her breasts. Her breathing became choppy and her eyes fluttered as her hand crept down her stomach to the thin patch of curls covering her pussy.

Vane watched transfixed as she parted her sweet folds and rubbed fingers through her creamy lips. Then her eyes shot open and with a strength and speed that only a lykaen could possess, she leaped at him.

He crashed to the grass, too surprised, and satisfied to stop the fall. Her eyes were wild as she ripped his shirt open. The torn pieces made way for a spectacularly hard, muscled chest that she wasted no time in tasting. Hot, male skin coated her tongue and tantalized her senses. He smelled amazing…like virile male and beast.

Her wet tongue trailed a hot path down past his navel and tucked under the band of his jeans. Vane groaned, his cock leaping to be touched. He needed to be inside her, needed release. He fought down the urge to flip her over, push inside her wet pussy, and take her like they both wanted. But he wanted this first time to be hers. She needed it.

In a move too fast to be seen by human eyes, Sarina tore his jeans down his legs, not bothering to pull them off completely. At the sight of his hard cock, she gasped, and licked her dry lips. Somewhere in the back of her mind where she was still logic and not a bitch in heat, she applauded that he didn’t wear anything to cover such a wonderful piece of equipment.

His cock was thick and perfect. His sac was drawn up tight to his body, shouting its need to pump semen. She moaned aloud at the sight and didn’t hesitate to drop down, open up wide, and take that hot cock into her mouth.

The hot action had Vane groaning like a dying man into the night air. His hips pushed to feed her more of his cock. He didn’t anticipate this. He wanted to ease her need, but instead she presented him with her mouth. So hot, so wet.

It has been too long for him. He chose his partners carefully, which also meant he rarely had sex. But now he realized that he was merely waiting for this moment. For this woman. She would be his queen.

His hands grasped her silken hair as she bobbed over his hard dick. Just as a boiling heat began to roll through his body, trembling in his sac, and pulsing at his rounded tip, she stopped.

“You’re killing me.” Sandpaper words over harsh breathing. Her wild gaze met his, promised a wicked release. He ground his teeth as she threw a leg over his waist and positioned her slick heat over him. He vowed that next time he’d be in control and show her just how much of an Alpha he really was. Payback was a bitch.

He held onto her firm thighs and laid back as she used his body to find her release. Her chocolate eyes glowed with the beast that prowled at the surface. She pushed his cock to his belly and rubbed her wet pussy lips over the wide length. The purr she emitted was pure beast. It made the hairs on his arms stand up, and his cock leak.

He wanted to shout. Take me! Fuck me! Frustration boiled inside, but somehow he kept it down. Instead, he rubbed her everywhere he could reach then settled at her deliciously wide hips, encouraging her rocking hips to slide faster and harder over the head of his cock and nudge her sweet, little clit.

He hit her soft pearl and she moaned, the sound so wicked Vane had to shut his eyes and focus to keep from coming right then.

The urge to lift her up and push his cock into her was so compelling he had to call upon every ounce of his strength to keep from doing so.

Let her be in control.

He didn’t want to scare her off. But with each teasing stroke, each loving caress over his chest, and each breathy gasp as she rocked herself to heaven he grew that much closer to taking over. To sliding in and pumping her full of cock and hot cum.

“Ride my cock. Now Sarina!” he demanded, his hands finding the perfect flesh of her bobbing breasts. She quivered over his cock, straining to get her release. God, she was so sexy, so beautiful above him. A sexy little nymph all for him.

“Oh!” she sang, her skin growing tight and thighs shaking with the coming release. She ignored Vane’s request and rubbed herself faster over him.

It was so much more, he was so much more than she’d ever thought possible, than she’d ever imagined. All thoughts receded from her mind.

She rode his cock hard and fast. Pussy slipping against groin, nails biting into hard chest, breaths scattering into the night.

Vane’s eyes glazed over in red. Big hands squeezed and released her hips in a pulsing rhythm. He could feel her release coming like a wave ready to crash over.

“God damn, Sarina. I’m going to explode so fucking hard.” It might have been his words, or his scorching touch, or the last bump over her clit, but she came.

The pressure in her body exploded, and she screamed into the night. Her body froze, then jerked violently as she came in rolling hot waves.

Vane didn’t stand a chance. Her pussy gushed cream over his cock and her little tremors of release milked him.

“Fuu—”

Unable to finish the word as his eyes closed in mindless pleasure, he squeezed her hips and rubbed her furiously over his cock until, shuddering, jets of hot semen splashed across his stomach. He couldn’t stop the hoarse shout that escaped him, couldn’t seem to find enough air. He wanted more of her. Wanted her pussy quivering over his cock again, but deep inside her instead.

Sarina dropped over her him, a sexy smile on her face. They fought to catch their breaths together, sweaty bodies intertwined in the best kind of embrace.

Vane wrapped two deliciously strong arms around her. When her eyes opened some minutes later, Vane felt as though he’d been hit in the gut. Her eyes adoringly traced over his features still wearing that soft, pleasured smile. Vane kissed her thoroughly unable to stand her adoring looks anymore. He’d never felt anything like that before. Pleasure like this is said only to come from lykaen mates. He tasted her lips with slow, drugging kisses.

She will be his queen.

Chapter 7

Vane lifted Sarina back through the window. Not without a few lingering touches and spanks first. They were both laughing by time he pulled himself through it.

His laughter died when he was graced with the full beautiful sight of perfect breasts. As if he hadn’t just exploded, his cock lengthened to a raging point.

Sarina’s eyes watched it grow with wide eyes. It was all he could do not to push her back on the floor and rut with her like an animal. He knew she wanted it to, her swollen pussy was begging for a cock. She needed it. The breeding cycle was meant for a woman to be penetrated and released in. Though, he was relying on the orgasms he planned to give her to help break her down and submit to him.

She looked away as he stood, tall, naked, and proud like the Alpha he was. “I’m going to grab my clothes and pack from outside and clean up. I’ll be right back.” He watched her, trying to read her response, even as proof of his pleasure slid down his chest.

“I won’t lock you out. Promise.” Her lips twitched with a smile, but her eyes locked on to his semen-covered chest. She wetted her lips.

Abruptly Vane grabbed her and pulled her off the floor. Staring into her eyes with a passion and purpose that made her heart flutter wildly he said, “That couldn’t keep me out.”

And then he kissed her hard. His tongue roamed free in the wet cavern of her mouth, and she didn’t hesitate to rub her much smaller tongue back.

He pulled away and left.

Sarina pulled back on her clothes. So this was what moving too fast felt like. She grinned. It felt great. She would just have to make sure her father didn’t find out. If I just don’t have sex, Vane can help me to bear the cycle like never before. No more constant wanting, horrible pain, and tears from being too weak to pleasure herself anymore. Vane was here and he could help.

When her stomach growled, she went to the kitchen to prepare some food. She remembered her first breeding cycle. One moment she’d been fine, just edgier than normal, and the next her body craved sex with such intensity she was forced to tears. Only her toys eased her during that week. It was miserable. She barely made it, too weak to even rub herself to orgasm. She hated every minute of it. After a while it stopped being pleasurable. She’d lived through that for three cycles, but not this year.

Things were different now. She didn’t know if he wanted her only for the hormones she was pumping out, or something else, but she hoped it was more or could be more. She chopped a piece of strawberry hard enough to make the knife stick in the cutting board. He moved things in her she’d never felt before, and her curiosity wanted to see how far things could go between them. Maybe he would be the one to break her from her father’s grasp.

Yeah, right. Stupid, Sarina. There is no future with him. Father would kill him first.

Still, a part of her hoped.

Vane returned with a pack slung over his shoulder, his chest clean, and jeans on with the zipper open. He looked good enough to eat. His feet were bare and the sight of him practically naked made her breasts grow heavy and her nipples hard.

The slow smile he gave her was sexy and all too knowing.

Chapter 8

Vane returned to find Sarina slicing some fruit. She crooked a finger at him with a sexy smile, and he came to her without hesitation, his pack landing on the floor with a thunk.

He leaned over her and pressed a soft kiss to her neck. A moment later, his teeth sank into her neck. He bit just hard enough to mark her, and her heart raced. He broke away and looked at her with an expression that dared her to question his bite.

He looked down at the fruit. “Hungry? Here, let me help you. I’ll feed you,” he said, pulling out a chair and sitting in it. He “helped her” by pulling her to sit across his lap. Sarina stifled a moan at the feel of his cock prodding her ass. The man had insatiable stamina.

He pulled the tray of fruit over and picked up a piece of sliced strawberry. Bringing the juicy slice to her lips, Vane traced her lips with the sweet morsel before pushing it in. Watching the red fruit disappear, his eyes darkened with a look so fiercely possessive, she shivered. She chewed slowly; his eyes traced the movement of her throat working.

When he picked up a slice of banana, she unconsciously moved closer to him, her hands grabbing his shoulders. The hard muscles under her hands tightened at her touch. She closed her eyes in pleasure. So strong, so utterly male.

Vane counted to ten to keep from taking her. With each delicate chew, with each soft lick off his fingertips, and each gentle push of his finger into her hot mouth his cock pulsed and throbbed like a fever. How did she make him feel like he was always on the verge of an orgasm?

He ached to have his cock replace his finger. He wanted to laugh at the thought that he was jealous of his own finger, but he couldn’t bring himself to as Sarina’s eyes closed in pleasure. He wanted to feed her by hand like this always. Wanted to capture and kill meat just to pull it apart and offer it to her tempting pink lips. He fed her more and could only watch, transfixed, as her scent grew thicker and her body softer with each bite. So fucking sexy….

As the last piece of fruit slipped past her soft lips, Vane barely managed to let her finish chewing before he was on her.

His mouth devoured hers. Tongues dueled, his aching to taste the fruit from her, hers aching to taste more of his potent masculinity. He lifted his mouth from hers only to capture it again, sliding deeper, faster into her.

One strong hand grasped her breast through the silky scrap of cloth that barely covered her. She gasped at the familiar way in which he touched her, like he’d been doing it forever. He pinched her nipple gently as he changed the angle of his kiss. She moaned and kissed him back harder, pushing her achy breast into the hand.

He groaned at her passion, tried to tell himself to take it easy, go slow, and let her be in charge. He could hurt her so easily, could be inside her so quickly. But with each wet caress of her little tongue on his, his shields shattered piece by piece.

His hand left her breast to caress the smooth expanse of her back and hips. So soft and lean, so fucking perfect. A curvaceous masterpiece that he yearned to worship.

Her mouth broke away from his to rain hot, wet kisses over his neck. With each press of her lips, each teasing lick, and hot, shallow breath, his shields cracked like dominos falling. He would take her, be inside her in a heartbeat, if he wasn’t careful.

Sarina touched him everywhere. She ran her hands over his arms and delighted in the bulges and curves of hard muscle. Her cycle was spinning fast inside her.

Soft hands traced over his back, down the slopes of muscle and broad shoulders and around to his hard chest and firm nipples. The crisp dark hairs of his chest tickled her palms. She wanted to rub her naked breasts over that hard wall just to see how it feels.

“Vane,” she whispered, her voice thick with need. Her cycle was back full force. Her pussy tightened and wetted itself for what it needed. Her scent went from delectable to absolutely luscious.

And then the last domino fell. No longer could he hold his beast at bay. It roared to the edge like a caged lion.

Chapter 9

With a dark curse, Vane lifted Sarina onto the table and tore the satin from her body. It stood no chance against his strength and wilted from her body. She gasped and spread her dangling legs open for him, baring her wet core.

Vane’s jaw slackened at the sight. When she sat up to reach for the fly of his jeans, he pushed her hands away and ordered her to lay back. If she touched him right now, he’d take her and break his vow.

Shivers racked her body. He looked dark and dangerous standing above her. Like a god of war and sex. It was as if his control had been holding on by a piece of twine supporting an anvil. It snapped fast and hard.

He grabbed a whole strawberry from the container on the table. She watched with wide, needy eyes as he traced the cold tip of the fruit over her nipple. Her nipple puckered at the cold touch. It drew drugging pulses of pleasure from deep inside her. But it wasn’t what she needed.

“Please,” she begged huskily. Her hips undulated in a sexy rhythm, beckoning him for something he promised not to give her. Vane’s jaw tightened, knew she couldn’t resist asking for what her body wanted, but that didn’t make it any easier. Sign me up for Sainthood, he thought.

His hot mouth trailed after the strawberry, found her nipple, and licked the cold away. Sarina’s hips lifted quickly off the table.

“Vane!” Shards of hot pleasure shot through her body like lightning.

His mouth found her breast and sucked in hard, wet pulls. He continued moving the strawberry, the chill of it traveling down her body had her stomach sucking in and her pussy screaming for more.

His greedy mouth moved to the other breast as the hard strawberry trailed slowly over her belly button. She moaned, her hands clasping his head to her breast as the fruit dipped then continued south.

“Please! I need you now. I can’t. I can’t wait.” She gasped, her hips rising as the strawberry passed over her short curls and dipped between her hot pussy lips. Her body tensed tighter and tighter.

Vane released her breast to give her one smoldering hot look. “You’re fucking perfect.” He growled, his eyes glowing with dark need and feral possession.

He returned to her breast and sucked hard as he flicked the strawberry faster over her swollen clit. Her hands flew to his back and held on as the pressure inside her grew to a deafening roar.

“Ah!” she shouted as he worked her little pearl faster. She moaned, her legs wrapping around his thighs. Her hips rocked, trying to find the perfect rhythm that would set her free. She chanted his name as her orgasm breached the surface like a cup teetering on the edge of spilling.

Vane’s own breaths grew shallow and loud as he sucked her nipple into his mouth. His balls were so tight it was a wonder he didn’t explode in his jeans. If he didn’t come soon though, he was afraid he might do just that.

He wanted to kill the father who did this to his daughter. He wanted to wring the bastard’s throat with his bare hands, then claim his daughter’s body with rough strokes.

Clamping onto her nipple, he flicked the tip of the strawberry harder, quicker. Sarina’s head whipped from side to side and then she squealed as her orgasm gushed through her body, his name a shout from her lips. She shook underneath him with the force of her climax; her sweet nipple popped free of his mouth, but he recaptured it quickly.

Sharp fingernails dug into his back, and Vane felt the precum leaking from his painful erection.

As the last ripples of her climax pulsed through her, Vane stood and jerked his jeans down to his thighs to release his long cock. Before Sarina’s eyes could open, he clasped her thighs and pushed them wide.

Sarina’s startled gaze flew to meet his own aroused one. Her body gloried in the male before her; it craved his seed, needed it to fulfill her breeding cycle. No, she protested, but it was weaker this time, less fight.

Vane hesitated, sweat dripped off his brow. “Will you have me within you, Sarina? Will you take my cock and seed?” He breathed as though there was no air in the room. His cock was poised, ready to enter.

A sad, pained look crossed her face.

He had his answer.

Angrily he grabbed her wrist and brought it to his aching cock. She didn’t hesitate but curled her fingers around him. She sat up and leaned her breasts into him, and trailed hot, wet kisses over his tight-lipped mouth, his cheeks, his neck as she worked his rigid cock with sure, quick strokes.

His eyelids drooped seductively, his head falling back to reveal the taut cords of his neck. He groaned as she swirled her palm around his cock head and used his own creamy wetness to pump faster. She ached to have his cock inside her, spreading her, filling her. He was bigger than the men in her dreams were. What would he feel like inside?

He cursed, his hands finding her soft thighs and rubbing a firm groove into them. He dropped his head to stare at her lips, which she wet unconsciously. His eyes lifted to hers, and the look he gave her promised his cock would fill her mouth soon. Her mouth watered, her pussy wept at the idea.

She squeezed her fist around him and pumped over the hot steel of him. Her own moans joined his as she wrung his cock to pleasure. She felt it when it came, felt it through the fine points of her fingertips.

His shoulders stiffened, and he pulsed in her hard in her hand. His cock reddened and swelled impossibly bigger, and then he shouted her name—a hoarse plea as she pumped his seed from him. He came in hot streams of white across her pussy and thighs.

His legs shook with the effort to stay up so he leaned onto the table for support. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. Her beast was more than pleased at its offering of this incredible male’s seed, even if it was on the outside. But her cycle was still active, still throbbing deep inside her for completion.

Content for now, she rubbed soothing hands over his back as he caught his breath. Lifting his head, his hair an unruly mess, he gave her a smile that curled her toes.

When his smile faded, it was like all the light left the room. His eyes grew serious. He cupped her gently by the back of the neck and brought his lips down to hers. He tasted her again and again, until her lips numbed and her tongue tired. When he pulled back his eyes were still serious, his cock hard again.

“I vowed not to take you, but I need you to relinquish me from that vow, Sarina. I need you. My beast needs you. I need to be inside you.” He pressed soft kisses over her wet lips and then the curve of her ear where he whispered huskily. “I need to come inside you.”

Her toes curled even as her “no” formed on her lips. He pulled back from her ear, his eyes darkened with anger. He didn’t blame her, but it was only their first night together and already he wanted her father dead and to be buried deep inside her body. How the hell was he supposed to last the whole week?

“I’m sorry Vane,” she whispered, pain filling her voice. “After my cycle is over, ok?” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. Her hand gently rubbed the smooth line of his cheek. His jaw tightened until it cracked, but he nodded yes even as Sarina knew she’d never be able to be with him like that.

Her virginity was more precious to her father than it was to her. At the end of her cycle, her father would be back and she’d be gone, locked away back home until someone her father approved of came around. She cringed at the thought of the older, regal Pride members. Only one was even close to her age. Conlin. She wasn’t going anywhere near that bastard.

She could never take Vane into her body no matter how mad she wanted him.

Chapter 10

Sarina slept and dreamed of a strong, lykaen male taking her body in ways and places that she’d never dreamt of before. On the bed, the floor, the grass, the shower, the table, the counter, the couch, even the roof while the moon was high in the sky. His face was always shadowed just so she couldn’t make out his features. But he touched her as if each caress might be his last. He whispered dark, sensual promises then ravished her with powerful thrusts that made her come more times than she could remember.

Sarina wasn't surprised to awaken to the familiar feel of the hot male wrapped around her back. His hard cock was awake and prodding her between closed thighs. Vane. He made her feel special, different.

Each day was harder and harder for Vane. Her stomach twisted in guilt to think she was the cause of it. If only she was stronger, or not a princess, or had a different father. If, if, if.

Each day her cycle churned, paining her, wetting her. Each day he pleasured her senseless with his mouth, his fingers, and his body until the pain faded. And although he didn’t know it, it was growing so much harder for her too. To not let him in her. To say no. After he pleasured her, he would ask her just once, his voice so painfully aroused it broke her heart: Will you let me inside you? And each time she answered the same. No. Every time he asked a piece of her lie came up to bite her in the ass.

She wanted things to be different. He asked her, well, told her, that she would be his Queen after he claimed her. After she accepted him. She would rule his pack alongside him. To be honored with such a gift made her heart tremble with something she’d never felt before, but which grew each minute she was with him.

She was falling in love. Just saying the words in her head sent spirals of giddy joy and fear through her. Like the time she jumped off the rocky cliff into the water below. Her friends all jumped before her, goaded her into jumping too. She'd been so terrified, but as she ran and jumped her body falling in empty air, her heart had pounded, and then the water sloshed over her and she was safe.

She knew it with the same certainty she knew her father would kill him if he took her during her cycle or maybe at all. He would know. He would smell Vane’s essence inside her for days after the cycle stopped.

She couldn’t stand it if anything happened to him. Not when she lit up just at the sight of him, when his hold calmed her, and his hands and mouth brought pleasures to her she’d never felt. Not even in her dreams.

Vane stirred and threw his arm around her, his cock ended up pressing hard into her ass cheek. Mmm, she moaned, unable to stop the small sound. Even though he had been sleeping, in the next second she was flipped on her back with a hot tongue sliding in her mouth.

“Good morning,” he pulled back to say, then delved back down to nuzzle the soft skin at her neck. God, she smelled so good, he thought. When he climbed on top of her, she widened her thighs, trusting him completely at his word.

He lifted up from her and looked down to watch his hard cock lying rigid on top of her wet curls. His breathing grew labored, sweat beaded his brow, and his hips started a short rhythmic thrust. A fierce expression took over his face.

“God dammit, let me inside you woman. You’ll feel so great wrapped around me, I know it.” Her eyes shuttered with hunger, but still she said no. So he tried again, feeling edgier than before, craving, no, needing to be inside her, and fisted his cock, rubbing it in tight circles over her wet clit. Her mouth, her hands, the sleek cream of her pussy, none of it was enough. She cried out below him. He needed her. He tried a different tactic.

Caging her in his arms, his voice deep with arousal he begged, “I’ll make you come so fucking hard baby. I’ll fill that pussy up so full you’ll be feeling me for a week. Let me in. Let me fuck you until we’re both lost.” By time he finished, her orgasm was so close. With the subtle rocking of his hips and her rampant hormones, it didn’t take much. Her hands clung to his shoulders, nails biting into muscle. “I’ll take care of you,” he said, rocking his hips faster, sending both of their bodies into a frenzy. “I will protect you from him. Come live with me, stay with me, be with me. I...fuck,” he groaned harshly just as her moan rippled through the air.

Her body shook as her orgasm built to a crest. He leaned down, to tease her neck with soft, punishing bites as he thrust once, twice, three more times over her. She shuddered below him, coming in waves of hot pleasure. He bit down on her shoulder, locking her in place as his cock spurted streams of hot seed onto her pussy curls and belly button.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she remembered he’s said something while climaxing. It was so hoarse she barely heard it. Now that she was lucid again, with her arms wrapped around the man who made things feel right, she realized what he said.

At that exact moment, he stiffened in her arms, raising himself to meet her eyes. His look held tenderness that she’d seen their first night together, when he’d kissed her palm. His eyes traced over her face in a tender sweep.

Mine.

“I…” she hesitated, too scared to say what she felt. How could she when she was planning to leave in two days, never to see him again. She couldn’t abandon her father. Couldn't ignore her duty to him and the Pride. No matter how much his one possessive word made her heart pound.

He stilled above her, his jaw flexing hard. Then he moved off her and left the room without a backward glance. The quiet closing of the bathroom door might as well been a slam for she jumped when it closed.

She wanted to defend her hesitation. After all, she had every right to deny him right to her. To not be his. But then why did she feel as if her heart was being wrenched out of her chest?

Chapter 11

Vane finished dressing and snatched his cell phone off the dresser. Damn if he wasn't mad. Damn if he didn't want to grab her pretty little neck and shake it. Jogging down the steps, he found her watching TV. The stiffness of her back, and the fact that she didn't meet his eyes radiated clearly the mood she was in. Well, he wasn't too happy either.

"I'm going outside to make some calls." She flinched, and the movement made him feel like an ass. Unclenching his fist, he strode to stand in front of her. Her eyes drifted downward, revealing the crescent of her black lashes. She was so beautiful it tightened something in his chest. He lifted her chin up with a finger. "Don't be sad, lumara. I'm not angry with you."

She snorted a very unladylike sound. The trembling, wet hope in her eyes wobbled, making his heart feel like it was in a vise.

"I'm not, Sarina. I am angry at this situation, not you. Not really. I just want you." He felt her breath tremble out on an uneven sigh. Unable to stand it anymore, he swooped down and captured her lips in a kiss that stole her breath away. By the time he lifted his head, her eyes were closed with need, her body straining towards his. Beautiful.

"I have to make some calls to the pack. But I can smell your heat rising. You'll need me again soon." The look that flashed over his face was one of both extreme pain and pleasure. He held her close with one hand at her neck. "I want inside you, lumara. Only my seed can ease your pain wholly. Even without your breeding cycle, can’t you see how much I need you? Just think about it." He leaned down, kissed her hard on the mouth and left.

The snapping chill in the air helped to cool him off, barely. It rained overnight and leaves weighed heavily with wet drops. Vane inhaled deeply, smelling the scent of grass mixed with rain, ozone, and mud. This was his favorite time; right after the rain had passed and the world was wiped clean again.

Moving away from the cabin, he pulled out his cell and dialed his house line.

"Kategan residence." Alfonse answered on the seventh ring.

"Don't you think you could at least make an effort to be a butler, Al?"

"But that would involve working, and I've always preferred the lazier ways myself."

Vane laughed. "How's the pack? Any word from Darien?"

Alfonse paused as if choosing his words. "There have been some complications, actually. As for Darien, he's still gone, though one of the other pack members says she saw him down at a bar about an hour away from here. She said he didn't look so good. I believe her words were, 'he looked like shit'."

Vane muttered a soft curse. His brother had suffered a serious blow when the woman he planned to mate with was killed in childbirth. The whole incident shocked everyone in the pack, especially Vane. The child wasn't his and everyone knew it. Her previous lover was willing to sleep with her, but not take responsibility for his actions. Vane grimaced remembering kicking Greg out his pack. Unworthy males would never be under his protection, but it never felt good to force pack to leave.

"You'd think he'd be over it by now. It wasn't his child, and he wasn't even with her that long. He's letting it eat at him."

"Well, Master, he probably feels responsible," Alfonse said in a duh voice.

"Perhaps. What's going on in the pack? Am I needed?" Vane cracked his knuckles, the resounding popping noise sounded harsh in the quiet forest.

"Jones and Rief have been going at it again, though that's under control, for now. Christine has been asking where you are."

Shit. That's just what he needed. He'd tried to date the flirty lykaen before and she just wasn't his type. But damn if she could take a hint. "I told her you were away on business...banging human females, of course." Vane laughed at the lie. "Nah, I just told her you were away on business. Which brings up a question. Where have you been and who are you doing?"

The older man definitely had a way with words. "I'm about five miles southeast of you. I found a cabin down here with a...female in her breeding." A heavy pause.

"Lucky bastard. Are you servicing her? Damn, I should have gone with you and called dibs. Why is she alone anyways? No woman goes unserviced during her breeding. I remember some time ago a women tried and it didn't go so well for her. Extreme pain, sleeplessness, nausea, and so on. Supposedly by the end of her cycle, she was straddling a banana because it was the closest thing she had shaped to a—

"That's enough, Al," interrupted Vane. He really didn't want the visual. He took a deep breath that did nothing to calm his raging nerves at all. "No, it's been complicated. Do you remember King Brunes? Yeah, well, it's his daughter."

"What the fuck do you think you're doing? You're fucking the King's daughter. His only daughter! The man will have you drawn, quartered, and eaten in a delicious stew with a silver spoon. He's a member of the Pride, Vane, the Pride. Nobody touches that princess unless he says so."

"Relax, Alfonse. I have not taken her body. She refuses to let me inside her. I've been helping to ease her pain. That's all." And I've asked her to mate with me, but she keeps refusing.

The relieved sigh on the other end of the line irked Vane. "Thank god. That's a lot of baggage we don't need. I highly recommend you get your ass back here now. Leave while she's still intact with her precious virginity."

"No. I want her, and I'm going to have her. I have already claimed her."

"Dammit Vane, you haven't taken her body so you can still come back. How many days are left in her cycle? If she's lucky she won't still have your scent all over her by time her Daddy comes and gets her."

"No, Alfonse. She is my mate. I can feel it."

The long uttered curse would have been funny in a different situation. "Well, then do what you have to. Though Christine is surely gonna be pissed."

"She'll deal. Call me if anything else happens. Sarina's cycle will be over soon. We only have two days left. I'll be coming home then, with her."

"So I take it I'm moving out? Fine, but I'm taking the spare two bedroom down the road."

"Fine, leach." He hung up and slid the phone into his pocket.

Vane didn't like leaving Sarina in the cabin. It made his gut tighten. Too many things could happen. But still, he had to make his rounds around the forest edge. If he could find this place by her scent alone, then others could too.

Chapter 12

Vane patrolled the forest line around the cabin using his lykaen senses. He allowed the caged beast inside him to crack the door open just enough to make his sense of smell acute, his eyes sharper, and his hearing clearer.

Vane stepped swiftly and silently across fallen limps, damp grass, and mushy leaves. As he crossed around to the back of the cabin, he caught wind of something. It was distinctly feminine, and lykaen judging from the earthy, bestial smell, and definitely not Sarina. He hunkered down low to the earth in a flash. The wind was in his favor blowing north and blocking his scent from reaching the intruder. But that might not last long and he needed to act.

Keeping his beast near the surface, he charged through the forest to the scent. His steps were fast and never made a sound. He spotted her as his legs ate up the distance between them. A redhead wearing camouflage, lying with her belly to the ground.

Vane flew at her and landed astride her back. His knees pinned hers together and his hands caught her legs as she reached for something in her belt.

"Oh, no you don't." He pulled her wrists back none too gently, wrapping them in his fist like handcuffs. "Who are you and what are you doing here," he ordered.

The woman gasped and tried to pull her arms back. "I was sent here by King Brunes. He wanted me to check on Sarina to make sure she’s fine."

Vane growled and bent down low to the woman's ear. "If he wanted to make sure she was fine, then maybe he shouldn't have sent her to deal with her breeding cycle alone."

The woman nodded a little quickly. "I know, but he makes the rules not me. I just work for him."

Vane loosened his grip on her but didn't let go. "Well she's fine."

The woman laughed a deep throaty laugh. "I saw that, and heard it too as a matter of fact. However, that doesn't changes the fact that I have to report this to him. That you are here. Who are you?"

Vane ground his teeth together. This was not how he wanted this to go down. This damn spy just ruined everything he had planned. Fuck. He briefly considered tying her up and leaving her in a closet, but he could never pull that off with Sarina. There’s no way he could hide her scent.

"I'm Vane Kategan. Alpha of the Kategan Pack. I have claimed Sarina as mine. She is my mate."

The woman hissed in a breath and scrunched her face to the side to look at him with wide eyes. "You took her during her cycle! The King will be furious; he'll kill you and her. What have you done, Kategan?" The woman was so genuinely outraged that he was momentarily taken aback.

"I have not taken her virginity. She has not permitted it…yet." The female's sigh of relief made him want to punch a tree down.

"But I will, and I haven't stopped trying. She’s going to be my mate, and I'm prepared to fight for what is mine." The woman licked her lips, her eyes getting a faraway look, then she smiled sadly.

"You would be a good mate to her then. Not everyone is so lucky. If you believe she is to be your mate then I wish you the best. But I must still tell the King. Or I will be the dead one."

Vane let the woman up. She rubbed her reddened wrists. "You tell him what you need to tell him, but she will accept my claim. And as far as I'm concerned, she is mine." With that, he turned and strode back the cabin. He didn't care if she stayed and watched them or not. But one thing was for sure, he didn't have much time left with her.

She must be his tonight. He must claim her before then or else risk the chance of losing her to her father. He slammed his fist into a tree. The sharp pain in his hand did nothing to ease the red faze of anger.

Chapter 13

Vane found Sarina curled up on the couch, her arms folded tightly around her middle. The vanilla scent of her arousal permeated the cabin like incense. His cock lengthened and hardened at the delicious scent. His hands curled into big fists at the sight of her in pain. If he could do anything to save her from it, he would. And hell, that's exactly what he wanted to do, but she wouldn't let him. Damned woman.

He wouldn't tell her about the spy. She'd only shut down, demand he leave. If she ordered him to go, he was afraid he might actually listen to her. Not because he wanted to go, but because he wanted to please her, protect her.

He had to claim her body, fully and completely. Spend himself inside her wet heat. Just the idea of it had his skin tightening in anticipation. He needed to put his claim on her. Mark her in a way that could never go away. Maybe then, she'd see that he was her mate.

Vane crouched down beside her, brushing the hair out of her face. "How bad is it?"

She smiled tremulously up at him. "Not bad, to be honest. Just some mild cramping now. Buuut, if you don't help me soon then I might just be forced to go find some of the toys I brought along."

"Oh, no you don't. You won't need those with me around, baby. Ever." He practically growled the words.

Her smile turned into a naughty grin, and then she captured his lips in a wet kiss. A moment later his hands pushed her back into the pliant cushions, his lips never left hers. Teeth pressed into the softness of her lip in a teasing bite before he dove back into her mouth. They tasted each other with slow, drugging kisses. When he raised his dark head to look down at her, she was panting.

"You're going to do something for me." Vane pushed her knees apart and slid his body in between.

"Oh am I?" Her breathless voice gave away her cool response.

He pressed his face into the curve of her neck and nodded. She heard him breathe deep and exhale a shuddering breath.

"Stand up." Sarina's stomach clenched at the tone of his voice, at the order he just gave her.

Biting her lip, she pushed past him and stood before him. Suddenly she felt awkward as he moved to sit where she had been. He was so intimidating, so sexy. An Alpha lykaen, sitting on her couch, with his knees splayed wide and his erection pressing hard against his jeans. Not every female got so lucky.

Yet, he didn't say anything. She stood, and he stared, his eyes traced over her tight shirt, down the length of her pale arms, across her hips, and down her thighs. Somehow his assessment managed to make her feel naked, and he didn't even move, didn't say a word.

Unable to stand the quiet anymore, she wrapped her arms across her stomach and asked, "Well, what do you want?" Irritation filled her voice.

His eyes slid lazily back up her body, his eyes flaring hotly at the apex of her thighs before continuing up.

"Turn around," he ordered. Sarina turned stiffly, her back ramrod straight. A minute passed. Not being able to see his face or what he was doing was torture.

"Vane what—

"No talking unless I say you can. Now lean forward." His order didn't sound much like the man she'd been sharing her body with for the last few days. He sounded like an Alpha, a man in charge, a man of authority, and it made her tingle all over.

Her heart beat like a bass drum in the quiet room. She leaned forward and stuck her ass back at him. She could feel the heat of his gaze sweeping over her backside and legs like a lover's touch. Her nipples hardened into little pleasure points. She ached to touch them and ease the pressure.

"Stand up, now. Good, go turn off the light." The tingles in her belly danced and jumped with nervous energy. She flipped the switch, encasing the room in dark. Evening set and left a soft orange glow in from the window.

When she turned back to him, a wave of apprehension stole over her. He hadn't moved from his seat, but now shadows fell over him, disguising his presence so that only the outline of a black of mass showed where he was.

“Run your hands over your body." Dark, husky words.

The light from the window illuminated her body in its soft, dim glow. Goosebumps spread over her skin. She took at step towards him, but his voice stopped her.

"Do it from there." He commanded. She obeyed. Her trembling hands cupped the wide curve of her breasts and squeezed.

"No. I said run your hands over your body, not to grab or squeeze or pinch." An edge to his voice tightened something inside her and made her breaths come a little faster.

She did as he commanded and delicately traced her hands over her stomach, hips, thighs, breasts, and neck. When he didn't tell her to stop, she continued. After a minute, the clothes in her way didn't matter. The need to have more didn't matter. Rubbing herself in front of him made her feel sexy...powerful, even though he was the one in charge.

"Now take off your shirt." His shadow moved a little in the darkness.

Sarina grabbed the bottom of her shirt and yanked it up.

"No, lift it slowly."

Licking her dry lips, she did as he commanded and lifted the material slowly over her sensitive skin. Her arousal hung thick in the air, but so did his. Whereas hers was lush vanilla, his was spicy chocolate. The material caught over her hard nipples, making her gasp at the sensation, then the shirt was floating to the ground.

Her bare breasts were presented to him like an ancient offering. A flicker of insecurity darkened her mood. She covered her breasts with her arm while trying to find his eyes in the darkness. Her breasts were large, but not perfect. They drooped some with their heavy weight, and her nipples, still hard against her arm, were wide and big.

He had feasted on her breasts before with hot, open-mouthed kisses, with hands and fingers and lips. But standing alone in the light, the nasty blackness of doubt creeping in on her, she wanted nothing more than to pull her t-shirt back on and slink away.

"Sarina, put your arm down. Let me see your breasts." She shook her head no. "Sarina, do it. Let me see them." The last was said with such husky anticipation, such dark arousal, that need flooded through her core and she dropped her arm. She heard his sharp intake of breath, and just like that, her doubts were shoved out the door. "Beautiful, just beautiful."

His words made her feel perfect and lovely. Her heart melted. God, she loved him.

"Now run your hands over your beautiful breasts. Touch them, squeeze them, pinch your nipples." His words dipped low and hoarse.

Feeling wild and sexy, she obeyed his orders like a naughty slave taking orders from her master. She cupped the large curves of her breasts and squeezed the receptive flesh. Her nipples hardened against her palms as she massaged them. She plumped, pushed, circled, and pulled.

Soon her breaths were rough, and when she bit her lip to stifle the sound, she heard it. His own loud breathing. That sound alone gave her a sexual power she'd only felt in her dreams. She leaned forward so the swell of her breasts and the valley between were visible to him. The scent of his arousal filled the room.

"Stop. I said stop! Good. Now take off your jeans." She did in quick, jerky movements, need guiding her now. They landed with a thump next to him. Her panties were the only thing keeping her from being completely naked. God, if she burned any hotter she'd combust.

Vane groaned as if in pain. "Run your hands across your body. Yes, yes, just like that." His words were slow, punctuated as she obeyed.

She traced her hands over her creamy skin. Again and again, she passed over her rounded hips and stomach, the curves of her breasts and neck, the length of her legs. With each sweep, she heard his breaths thicken, saw him fidget in the shadows.

"Come closer. Yeah, right there. Now stop. Put your leg up on the table."

Sarina was close enough now to see the shadowed features of his lips and jaw. She lifted her leg onto the coffee table. Her pink, lace thong was wet with arousal and her open leg spread her scent even more. He leaned forward and inhaled, his shadowed eyes closing in ecstasy.

"Perfect. So fucking perfect. Now rub your thighs for me. No, no, your inner thighs. Yeah." She traced her hands along the soft skin, trailing down to her knee before swooping up to the tenderest part of her inner thigh. So close to her hot sex. She couldn't stop the moan that bubbled out of her as she squeezed the soft skin.

Oh, god. She wanted to be touched so badly. She wanted him to stroke her pussy with his long fingers until she was shivering in his arms.

"Perfect." He leaned back. "Come a little closer and take off your panties. I want to see your pink pussy."

Sarina couldn't stop the moan that came out. Sliding her panties down her legs, she kicked them aside, eager for his touch, his words.

"Put your hands behind your head."

"Why?"

"No talking. Do it now, Sarina." His harsh words made her clitoris throb even as she did what he wanted. She felt like she was under arrest with her arms behind her head, but she kept them there.

He leaned forward and snagged her by the hips. She groaned at the hot feel of his hands on her. He pulled her closer to his body, his heat.

"Look straight ahead, don't look down, or I'll make you very sorry, Sarina." Her pussy quivered and she locked her eyes across the room.

And then she felt it. The hot teasing breath across her belly, going down, down. Then a thick arm curled around her waist as his hand grabbed her by the thigh and lifted her leg off the floor, opening her. The position was awkward, but he easily supported her with his arm.

And then his mouth was at the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, his tongue licking a hot path up.

"Vane," she gasped, her hips thrusting forward. He ignored her and pressed soft bites on her thigh going down to her knee where he licked behind it. She gasped again as more heat flooded her pussy.

Her nipples begged to be touched, but she dared not ask him for it. She wondered just what he'd do to make her sorry. But as his tongue trailed a wet path up her thigh, all thoughts but of need and desire fled her.

When he licked the smooth crease between her leg and sex, she whimpered. His head pulled back, and then she felt the cool stream of air on her wet folds. The airy touch made her squirm. Please, she begged silently.

Then she felt it. The hot, velvety press of his tongue against her.

"Oooh!"

Her orgasm was so close to the surface. Just a few licks. Her cunt was coated in her feminine juices, her clit swollen and begging to be touch, and her sheath aching to be filled.

But he didn't pass his tongue across her again. He dropped her foot back to the floor, grabbed her by the hips, and took a nipple into his mouth. He tongued the hard point, flicking it quicker and quicker then soothing it with a hard suctioning that brought most of her breast into his mouth.

She panted his name. He moved to the untouched nipple, making her hips rocked as much as they could in his tight grip.

"You've been very good, Sarina. I'll reward you for obeying your Alpha." A wave of cream escaped her pussy in excitement.

He sat back and positioned her just how he wanted. With her pussy in front of his face. His big hands moved to the rounded curve of her ass and held on to her just as his tongue swept through her open folds.

He didn't waste any more time.

He found her clitoris easily, and tongued her sex with quick flicks of his tongue until she fought to catch her breath above him. She pushed against his mouth. He pulled her lips into his mouth and sucked on them, then he ate at her, licking up her cream and spreading it around. Then he focused that talented tongue where she needed it.

She shouted as he found her clit and worked it like a man who enjoyed what he was doing. She squirmed against his touch, trying to get closer. Her skin grew tighter and tighter, the heat within her hotter until finally, blissfully, she erupted against his tongue in an intense explosion of heat and pleasure. She screamed, and her pussy pulsed fast and hard.

Chapter 14

Vane pulled back, his hands tightening on her hips. Sarina struggled to open her eyes after that powerful, short release. Her legs trembled, and her heart hammered in her ears. But her body was still more than ready. Instead of easing the breeding cycle's need, it only served to tip the scales further.

Her belly cramped hard and twisted like a knife inside her. She cried out, her eyes seeking out Vane's in the darkness. "It hurts."

He set her on the couch. "I know, baby. I'm going to make it better." He stood and undressed in smooth, unhurried motions that made her mouth dry.

Hard, rounded, perfectly tight muscles covered his body. Hard biceps bulged as he pushed down his jeans and stepped out of them. His chest was hard with muscle and covered in a dusting of black hair that Sarina yearned to run her hands through it. He pulled off the last of his clothes, and stood proudly as she lovingly adored his body with her eyes.

"Enough," he said, and climbed on top of her. Sarina gasped at the hard, hot feel of his body above hers and raised her hips to meet his. She loved it when they did this. He would thrust through her creamy pussy, bumping over her clit with the length of his cock, never entering her. She would come in hot shuddering waves that left him jetting white waves on her stomach and breasts.

Even though when they finished, she still ached deeply inside. The cramping pain would start after that. It wrenched hard inside her until she felt like she could barely breathe. But she kept that from him. Didn't dare let him know how much it hurt, because then he'd be inside her in a heartbeat. His protective instincts were already strong. He'd take her to save her from the pain.

His teeth found her earlobe and bit down. Goosebumps spread across her arms, and she couldn't help but brush her nipples back and forth across the crisp hairs of his chest. His strong hands traced over her body, everywhere he could reach. He didn't shy away from her neediest parts, but pinched her nipples as he sucked the sensitive skin at her neck.

"Vane!" Moaning her pleasure, Sarina brushed her fingers through his hair and fisted the thick locks.

"Spread your legs, Sarina." She started to open her legs, eager to come again, to see him come, but stopped.

"You will hold your promise to me, right Vane?" He growled at her, more beast than man, and used his powerful thighs to separate them. "Vane, tell me you won't take me!"

He settled himself against her, his cock nested atop her sleek sex, and pulled back to look at her. His eyes were dark and intense, his jaw tight, his brow furrowed.

"Let me have you, Sarina. I need you as much as you need me. Don't you understand that it pains me not to ease you, to not be with you?" She was already shaking her head no, but her eyes shined with unshed tears.

"Vane, I can't. My father..."

"Stop thinking about your father, Sarina. You are my mate. You belong to me, and I want you now, dammit. Can't you think about yourself, your needs? I will protect you." His hands clasped her cheeks as if to reassure her.

Sarina was weakening, and she knew it. She wanted to believe him, this strong, virile Alpha. But her father was incredibly powerful and dangerous. A small voice popped up, what if he could protect you? There was no doubt that he was physically strong enough. But she'd seen her father destroy people with just a few words. Was it worth the risk of pregnancy, of losing her father and his respect?

Her beast sprawled out in comfort and purred every time she thought of Vane. The thought of begetting a child with Vane didn't repel her; in fact, she found her hips rising at the idea of having their baby. Then, a sharp spasm like a knife cutting through her innards tore through her. She gasped and Vane closed his eyes in a grimace.

"Lumara, let me inside you. Please!"

Sarina blinked away the wetness in her eyes, stunned. He'd said please. He'd begged. The action, the words were so surprising that Sarina gaped openly at Vane. But a moment later, her stomach convulsed, needing the one thing that he could give her.

"I need you, Sarina. It kills me to see you in pain, kills me not to take you." He shut his eyes tightly and rested his forehead against hers, an uneven breath shuddering out. "Can't you feel how right this is? Let me inside you, lumara." He growled darkly, and captured her lips in a kiss that curled her toes.

A whisper so soft and gentle a mouse could hear it. "Yes, Vane. Yes, please."

Vane drew back from her, stunned. Then his eyes closed and he seemed to whisper a soft prayer. When his eyes opened again and found hers, Sarina grew hot at the scorching look he gave her. A look that said you are mine and about fucking time.

A hot hand found her thigh and pushed her open. He kissed a hot path down her neck and across to the other side as pulled his hips back and positioned his cock at her creamy entrance. Gone. That's what he was.

He groaned her name as his hips pushed, only the tip going in. Sarina gasped at the sensation. He stopped and looked down at her, his eyes swirling with need and something else.

Vane pushed in another inch, then another before he hit a soft, resisting barrier. He wanted to throw back his head and howl his claim on this woman. Let the world know whose mate this was. Instead, he pressed the tips of his fingers onto her soft, very wet clit and rubbed it in slow circles.

His touch was like electricity through her body, zapping her in places she'd never felt before. Her nails scored his back as her hips lifted in short, jerky movements.

"Please, Vane. Please." This time she was the commander, he was the subordinate, listening, and obeying commands, for he gripped the pillow by her head tightly in a fist and thrust.

The barrier fell without easily under his strength, and Sarina gasped. Vane held himself still, even as sweat formed over his brow and pooled down his neck. He'd never had a virgin before, didn't want to hurt her. But then she did something that surprised the hell out of him.

She pulled his lips down and kissed him with a mesh of tongue and teeth that would have made his hips rock in need, if he didn't forcedly hold still. Then, she wrapped her legs around his thighs and pulled him deeper inside. He was lost completely in her sex, her intoxicating heat.

Chapter 15

Christ, she wrapped around him so tightly. Her cunt was soft, wet, and clung to his cock like vise. The feeling was almost enough to make him come. A few strokes and he’d be done for. He had to make her come first.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Vane scrambled off Sarina at the loud knock. He stood in front her, legs open, ready to fight. The door burst open with an explosion of splintered wood.

Vane let the rage of his beast release inside him. Physically he grew bigger, taller, stronger. His senses went sharper, more focused, clearer. He could smell several of them, all lykaens, all male. Vane growled. He would protect his mate.

Five males, one dressed differently from the others marched into the cabin, Vane heard Sarina gasp and duck behind him and mutter "oh no." Vane recognized the last man. King Brunes, Sarina's father.

Sarina trembled against his back, her wet tears coating his cooling skin. He was going to plow his fist into each and every one of these cocksucker's faces for making her cry. Especially him.

"Sarina, get over here now. We're leaving. And you, who the hell are you, and what have you done to my daughter?" Her father pointed a shaking finger at Vane.

"I am Vane Kategan, Alpha of the Midwest pack of Kategans. Sarina is not leaving with you. She is mine."

The King's eyes glowed for a moment and his hands curled into pale fists. He and Vane stared at each other, locked in a visual, aggressive battle between two Alphas fighting over what they wanted.

"Sarina, I said to get over here now!" the king shouted. His men took a step forward.

"I should go," Sarina said weakly, and stepped around Vane.

Vane grabbed her by the shoulders. "You are not leaving me. You are my mate."

"You mated with this male!" the King exploded, his face turning a deep red.

"No! No, not yet. We were in the middle...What I mean is, we didn't...he didn't..." Sarina's soft voice trembled and faded away. Tears fell down her face and over her chin, wrenching Vane's heart like he was being stabbed in the heart. He grabbed her and hugged her to him.

"I will fight, King Brunes. I will fight for what is mine." The calm, deadly tone had Sarina stiffening in his arms. She started shake her head no, but Vane ignored it.

"Then at least we have that in common, Vane Kategan. Men, attack!"

"Father, wait!" Sarina shouted. The sound startled every man in the room. She took a pleading step towards her father, her arms open wide. "Please, father, I love for him. I w-would choose him as my mate. He is worthy." The last word drifted off, not be heard by anyone but Vane, as her father's roar shook the windows in the cabin.

"Kill him!"

The king's men sprang, grabbing Sarina and thrusting her behind the wall of their bodies. Vane shouted, his arm reaching out but grabbing only air. The men closed in with fists and hard booted feet.

Must get Sarina. He chanted the words over and over, even as his fist connected with a jaw, his foot with another's knee producing a loud crack. Blood was roaring in his ears. A hard fist slammed into his gut, but he didn't feel any pain. Vane punched the first man in the face and he fell heavily to the ground. The third man came at him from behind, trying to lock him in a hold, but Vane ducked and slammed his elbow into the man's face in an explosion of blood.

"Sarina!" he yelled, then cracked the last guard in the gut with three quick, hard jabs. The man groaned and collapsed to his knees. Vane sprinted out of the cabin and after Sarina.

The car door slammed shut and sped away in a cloud of gravel, dirt, and smoke. Over the gunning of the engine, he could hear her voice screaming his name.

He fell into a hard sprint, his legs eating up the distance between him and the car. But then the engine roared and the distance between them got further and further apart. Until the car whipped around the bend and sped off down the road.

Vane stopped running, his steps faltered, and he tripped over some rocks, barely managing to right himself. His breath exploded from his lungs in sharp, burning bursts of air. His heart tightened until he was sure it was bleeding in his chest.

He had failed. He had failed miserably. And now she was gone.

"Sarina," he whispered, his throat tight.

Chapter 16

Three days passed and still Sarina couldn't stop the tears from coming. The pillowcase beneath her face was wet, and she was exhausted from the whole situation.

The large mansion no longer felt like her home. She felt like an alien in a foreign world. Her father refused to speak to her. Although she got the hint that he was more than a little angry after he gave her a personal guard, installed cameras in her room, and took out the phones and internet.

She had no way to communicate with the outside world. To try to find Vane. She sighed, made herself sit upright, and pushed the shaggy hair out of her face. Oh, how she missed him. Without him, she felt as though a piece of her was missing. And it hurt missing that piece, God did it hurt.

Going to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face, Sarina looked at herself in the mirror. Dark shadows hung below her eyes, and her skin looked gaunt and pale.

She hated what she was about to go through. Hated herself for being afraid, and hated not knowing what her father might say. Stealing herself for what was to come, she left her bedroom and went to find her father. Her new ‘personal guards’ trailed behind her.

"What do you need, Lady Sarina?" asked her guard, Rener. She wanted to sigh at his question. Now when she left her own bedroom, she was questioned. She had the strongest urge to say 'my mate's cock', but refrained. Barely. To start speaking stupidly now would only hurt her chances of seeing Vane again. So she ignored him instead.

After checking his bedroom and the kitchen, she found her father seated at his desk in the library. He stiffened when she entered, though he didn't raise his eyes to meet hers.

"Father, I'd like to talk to you."

"As you wish," he replied, but continued writing.

Sarina gnashed her teeth together and went to stand before his desk. "I want you to stop this nonsense, father. Cameras? A guard? Why I ask you? I am a grown woman."

"So is that why you spread your legs like some whore to a man you hardly know? Is that what a grown woman does, Sarina?" His coarse words were like a slap to the face. Yet somehow, instead of wanting to cry she felt anger. Real, seething anger.

"Don't you dare call me a whore! I gave myself willing to Vane because he is a male of worth, and I'm his mate."

Her words must have struck a blow, because her father exploded from his seat and came around to grab her by the shoulders. He shook her with his each of his words. "You accepted his mating proposal? You accepted it!" Sarina didn't register the strange movement until her face was turned sharply to the side and her cheek was burning hot and stinging.

"You, you hit me. You hit me," she accused, her hand covering the burning pain.

The king's mouth opened and closed several times. He looked nearly as shocked as she was. Whether it was the pain in her face or the blunt refusal of her father, but something changed in her in that moment. Hardened her.

"I have accepted his mating proposal, and he has claimed my virginity. I am his now. Let me go to him. Let's stop all this insanity, father." The last word seethed with hatred, something she'd never felt towards her father.

The shock left his face, replaced by cold refusal. "Prince Conlin of the Pride has agreed to suit with you. He has already signed the marriage contract. I was in the process of choosing a wedding date for you both when you came in. How does this Saturday sound? Two days should be enough time, don’t you agree?"

Sarina took a deep breath that did nothing to calm her. "Y-you've married me off to a man I not only hate, but despise. You know how much I hate that man."

Her father smiled, and it made her stomach turn. "He has agreed to specific terms, let's just say that he'll be quite amiable to you, and provide you with heirs, of course. He is quite excited. You should be happy, proud even, of marrying such a fine man."

"Fine man. Fine man! He nearly raped my best friend Alison and beat her to within an inch of her life. You are selling me to him. How dare you."

His nostrils flared wide, and he returned to sit at his desk. "I assure you he won't lay a hand on you like that. And besides, after your act of whoring, I figured you wouldn't mind being sold off." With that hanging darkly in the air, he returned to writing. His movements were quick and jerky, the scrape of the pen across the paper loud in the otherwise silent room.

"Then I hate you, father."

* * *

Vane slammed down the shot of tequila and swore it'd be his last one.

Again.

"Take it easy with that, Vane. You know that shit doesn’t sit well with you."

Vane sneered at his brother. "Fuck off, Rome."

His younger brother didn't look fazed in the least; he merely arched a thick eyebrow. "No, fuck you. I'm trying to help. We're all here to help. But your idea is shit."

"I hardly see how going over there and claiming my woman is shit." He threw back another shot, and didn't even need to wince this time. He was getting better at this.

Already the alcohol was burning like fire through his blood. It would slow down his senses, and he'd feel it for days in his body, but it helped him right now. Help him not to feel so crazy. I failed.

"Why don't we just kidnap her?" Vane looked at his younger sister, the only female Kategan. Vera’s chin-length hair and bangs used to bother him. Each of the brothers had protested when she cut off her hair, but in time, they each realized it was still beautiful...and it suited her. The look was both serious and feminine, just like her.

"Bad move," Rome said drily. "We have no idea what kind of power he has over the local authorities or the lykaen Justicars with his political ties. He could have judges in his back pocket and Justicars on standby. We need to handle this more delicately."

Vera shrugged then turned to Vane. "Perhaps, but are you certain she's your mate, your lumara?" Vane growled, making everyone's hair stand up. "Fine, fine. Cool it, Jacob."

Vane looked around the room as if he might find another person suddenly with them. "Who the hell is Jacob?" Vane squeezed the shot glass until Vera was certain it was going to break.

Vera's eyes went wide and innocent. "Well before you flip, just know that I was always team Jacob."

"Jacob is a fictitious werewolf romance character for teenage girls," said Rome.

"Rome’s always been team Edward. I think he had a thing for one of the vamp girls. Isn’t that right?" Vera asked, a sly smile on her face.

He only shrugged making Vera pout prettily.

"Enough of this! I need to get Sarina back." Vane slumped forward in his chair, his hands covering his face.

A hard knock sounded at the door. Rome was the first to move. He sniffed on the edge of the door then turned back with a puzzled look on his face. "It's our brother."

Rome opened the door to the second eldest Kategan Alpha, Darien. "Darien, come in. It's been too long." Rome hesitated a moment before embracing his brother in bear hug. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too. I see the whole family is here," said Darien. Vera gasped in pleasure and ran to embrace him. Darien lifted her up in his arms and swung her back and forth until she was laughing so hard tears rolled down her cheeks.

After he set her down, he faced Vane. Neither of them spoke nor moved. The tension in the room rose like a fever.

"Vane," Darien acknowledged.

"Darien."

Vane didn't know what to think seeing his brother here. His brother, the same man who left the pack after his girlfriend's death, and chose to live alone. Vane hated it. The man didn't need solitude. He needed family, friends, and packmates. That was the soul of their people, what kept them together and strong.

"You look like shit," Vane said, crossing his arms.

Darien let out a brief, grunt of a laugh. "As if you look better." That seemed to ease the tension in the room, and finally the brothers crossed to each other and embraced. A tight, hard hug that held far more emotion than any words between them could have said.

"We'll get her back, Vane. We'll get her back."

Chapter 17

"Ms. Alison Bennson to see you."

"Please send her in." Sarina closed the book she'd been reading with a snap.

The sight of her closest friend was such a relief she wanted to cry. They hugged each other for long moments. Alison was the first to pull away.

"What is going on here, Sarina? I've been calling you for a week and I get either no answer or that butler Jameson always says you're unavailable. Pfft, like I believe that. You've stopped mid-shower to answer my calls before. And what is with this security?" Alison whispered quickly, sneaking a pointed look at the guard standing in the corner of the room.

Sarina wasn't even sure where to start; she just knew that it felt great to see a friendly face. She also wasn't sure if the room was bugged for audio. The thought had crept into her mind a few days ago and hadn't left since. She knew her father installed cameras in all the rooms, but sound equipment too? She had to be careful what she said around Alison.

"There's so much to say. A lot has happened since we last spoke. But I met a man...and I love him. Oh, Alison, I do. Every day without him makes my heart bleed. It's a terrible feeling, like hands are in my chest, squeezing the life out of me." Alison reached out to clasp her hands.

"Oh...my...Well that kind of explains this," she said, looking pointedly at the camera staring down at them in the corner. "Tell me about it. Tell me all that you can."

Sarina did. She recounted her tale of going through her breeding cycle with the strong and powerful Alpha, Vane Kategan, there to help her. But along the way, she'd fallen for him, realized that he was right, that her beast fully accepted his even before she ever did.

"And I then I let him claim me."

Alison gasped, eyes wide with alarm. "You did not! You're father will kill you. You had sex with this man during your breeding cycle. What were you thinking? No, no, wait. What did your father do, what did he say?" Alison was livid now, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh, it was horrible, Ali. Vane had just," Sarina looked away, a blush stealing over her cheeks. "He'd just, taken my barrier when father and his men came in. We never...finished. Father has me taking routine pregnancy tests to ensure I'm not pregnant."

Alison's mouth fell open. "He did what? The man's insane. Oh, Sarina. I'm so sorry." She grabbed her friend and held her close as sobs wracked through her body. "No wonder you look so awful," she said on short laugh. "I didn't want to say anything, but now it makes sense. I've seen this happen to others who've lost their mate. Oh, Sarina, what are you going to do?"

Sarina pulled back, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "I don't know, but I miss him so much. I can't even call him. Father won't let me go to him. I tried to leave, but they literally forced me back here and locked me in. I need to get out of here, Ali. I need to get out now." Then her eyes grew wide. "Let's go for a walk outside."

"What, um, now? Yeah, okay, sure.”

Once outside, Sarina and Alison strolled quietly for a few moments. The two guardsmen lingered behind.

"So now what," Alison said.

Sarina wrapped her elbow through her friend's and enjoyed the dewy wet grass beneath her bare feet. "I need you to help me to escape."

When Alison started to squeak out a response, Sarina pulled on her arm. "Not too loud now. And yes, you heard me. Now, I've already been thinking this over and now that you're here, the idea will work. Will you help me, Alison? I know I'm asking for a lot."

Alison looked up at her friend and smiled gently. "Of course I will help. I know you'd do the same for me. Besides, I owe you for not letting me sleep with Brett at that party three years ago." She gave an exaggerated shiver.

Sarina laughed for the first time in a week. It felt good. "Ok, here's what I need you to do..."

Chapter 18

"You're not going over there." Vera moved to block the doorway.

Vane normally would have laughed at her, but he hadn't the energy or inclination to do so. Her strength was nothing compared to his. Sure she was strong by human standards, but not by his.

"I'm just going to ask to see her and to talk to her father. That's it. Maybe the man can be reasoned with"

"Mmhmm and what happens when he says no and won't let you in the door."

"Then I'll punch the bastard in the face. Now get out of my way before I move you."

Vera sighed heavily and moved aside. "Fine, but I'll be here at the phone waiting to bail you out of jail, because that's exactly where he'll have you put."

Vane glared at her, then slammed the door behind him. Fuck this. He'd put this off for long enough, and he was going to get his woman back. Damn he missed her. Missed her smell, her smile, her soft hands on his body. Fuck.

He started his truck and spewed gravel in his wake. The drive took a little over an hour. That alone seemed to faze him. To think that his mate had been living so close all this time. Everything happens for a reason, his mother used to say. In time, he'd learned that yeah, it did. Everything was for reason and nothing was for chance.

He walked up the steps of the ridiculously huge mansion and banged on the door with his fist. He barely suppressed the urge to yell for her. When no one answered immediately, he hammered his fist again.

Finally, the door opened to reveal a thin, elderly man in a white shirt and black pants. "May I help you, sir?"

"I'm here to see Sarina."

The thin man didn't even blink. "And you are?"

"Vane Kategan. Her mate." This had the man's white eyebrows rising to his receding hairline.

"I see. One moment please," he said and closed the door. Vane paced around for the next several minutes, his heart racing, wondering if he'd finally get his woman back.

This time the door opened and two, barrel-chested guards loaded with guns and knives stepped out. Behind them was the king. Vane curled his hand into a fist to keep it from slamming into the smug man's face.

"Where's Sarina?" Vane commanded.

"Oh, my daughter's here, however, you will not be seeing her. Ever."

"She is my mate! You cannot keep her from me. She is mine." Vane growled. His beast was pacing agitated circles in its cage, circling and circling looking for a way out. The king might just give him that reason.

"No!" the king shouted. "She is mine. My daughter, my property."

Vane stiffened at the king's words. He noticed that even the guards seemed a little taken back. "Your property? You would treat your own daughter as property? What kind of father are you?"

The king laughed, and it was an empty sound. "I own her. I dictate what she does and who she doesn't do."

"I have already claimed her body. She has accepted me as her mate. Pack law says you must abide by her choosing. It’s her choice, dammit."

"I am the king. I don't need pack law to tell me what to do with my own daughter. Besides, you should know that she is to be married."

Vane's blood froze in his veins. He stared at the king's cold, blue eyes and could see the sneering truth in them. Vane wanted to hit something; he fought to bring air into his lungs.

"No, she wouldn't. You can't." His nostrils flared.

"Indeed I have. A fine man has decided that even though she's used now, he'll take her leftovers. He wasn't too happy about that. I must say it cost me extra in their marriage proposal to remedy that situation. I'd invite you to the wedding, but I'm sure you understand that someone of your...class isn't welcome."

Vane popped his neck to keep from choking the bastard. His beast raked its claws across the cage door, bending and scraping the metal until it almost opened.

"I will not allow her to be married off against her will.” Another scrape across the cage door and sparks went flying.

"Oh, she's quite willing. I assure you. She's always had a fondness for the prince."

Vane was seeing red. Prince? Prince...his mind raked through names, faces, people. There were only two last known princes. One was already married and the other...

Oh, shit. "You bastard." Vane took a hard step towards the piece of shit. The two guards stepped close together and blocked the doorway. "You're selling her to Prince Conlin. You'd sell your own daughter to an abusive, rich son of a bitch. You disgust me."

The king's empty smile fell. "Gregor, grab Sarina."

A guard at the top of the stairs disappeared down the hall. Vane opened his legs into an aggressive stance as his eyes flew to the top of the stairs. A few seconds later there was a commotion, what sounded like a piece of glass falling over, and then he saw her. The guard held her struggling body in a bear hug, trapping her arms at her sides.

Her eyes met his and her struggles increased by ten. "Vane! Vane!"

"Sarina!" he shouted, making a lunge through the door. The guards caught him and held his struggling body. They grinned down at him, laughing. "Sarina, I won't let you marry him. I will save you!" he shouted as several hard, sharp blows hammered into his skull. Then he was falling backwards, over the stairs, and down to the ground. He landed hard, his teeth chomping together.

Bright lights swirled and flashed before his eyes. He blinked, but they wouldn't go away. And then he felt someone climbing on top of him, grabbing his wrists. Vane threw the bastard off and stood in a flash. Fuck, he thought, grimacing at the two cop cars parked behind his own. Those were cop lights, and they were just pulling up.

"Goodbye, Vane Kategan." The king’s smile ate up his face.

Vane lunged for the bastard, but a guard stepped forward and caught his chin with the bottom of his boot, snapping his neck to the left.

"You motherfucker." He was an alpha, he could smell the guards’ power, and it wasn't nearly as powerful as his own was. Vane threw his fist at the guard who kicked him, and elbowed the second bastard in the nose, which exploded in a gush of blood. The cops were closing in on him.

The guards fell to their knees and Vane was about to finish them off, charge in through the door and fight his way to Sarina when bolt bolts of electricity surged through his body.

He growled as he lost control of his limbs. He fell to the ground with a loud thunk. He could only glare his hatred at the guards as the police rolled him onto his stomach and handcuffed him.

"You are under arrest for harassment, trespassing, and assault. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney...."

Vane ignored the human cop reading him his rights. All he could hear was the blood rushing through his body, his beast howling in anger. God, he was so close to her. Could smell her scent. But he could barely move his pinky after being tazered.

He was shoved into a marked car with bruising hands. He barely managed to keep his mouth shut. As the cops drove away, Vane knew he'd get her back. He was more determined than ever. He'd seen her and thank god, she didn't look hurt, just sad, and desperate. And so lovely, it hurt. He knew and understood that look. For he’d been living it this past week.

Closing his eyes, he leaned his sweaty temple on the cold window. "Sarina, I'm coming for you, my love."

Chapter 19

"Oh, Alison! It's so good to see you again. How are you? How's the family?" Sarina asked, nodding her thanks to the butler for showing her in.

"You don't look so great. Sarina, you need to be careful. Have you been eating?"

Sarina rolled her eyes at her friend. "I am as fine as I can be all things considered." She shrugged and took a seat across from Alison. "I saw Vane two days ago."

"Oh my God! What happened? What did your father do? Tell me now," Alison begged.

"It nearly broke my heart, Ali. I didn't see all of it. I was back in my room of course. But then, next thing I know, father's yelling for Gregor to get me. Then Gregor comes into my room and picks me up like I was a doll or something. I didn't know what was going on so I was fighting and kicking at him. He dragged me to the top of the stairs and then I saw Vane and he saw me and it was like electric power surging through my veins. I yelled for him, and he yelled for me. Oh, Ali, it hurts worse after seeing him again. He tried to come after me, but the guards beat him. They beat him, Ali." Sarina couldn't stop the tears from falling. Seeing Vane being hit by her father's men had put her in a rage.

"If I hadn't been so weak, so pathetic then I would have gotten away from one guard. It took two of my father's strongest guards and being tasered to keep him from me, but I saw it in his eyes, Ali, he wasn't going to stop at nothing. He was going to get me. It was all there in his eyes."

Alison hugged her friend close. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Good things are coming though, Sarina. Good things," she whispered into her hair. They pulled back and both of them were weepy. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"We are such train wrecks."

Alison nodded, snatching a tissue off the table. "Can I tell you something honestly?"

"Of course. Always."

Alison sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping forward. "I'm jealous. I wish I had what you had with Vane, you know? I know most lykaens try to find their bonding mate, but for some it doesn't happen."

"Whoa, whoa, wait. Alison what are you talking about? Are you nuts?" When her friend only looked at her, Sarina smiled. "Listen, you're going to find your mate. Why wouldn't you? And don't be ashamed of being jealous. If our situations were reversed, I'd feel the exact same way, Ali. Swear." She lifted her hand over her heart.

"Yeah, but that's what I'm trying to say. After Conlin, it’s like I can’t even bring myself to date or even to look at someone like a probable mate. The better looking he is the more I shut down. And let's face it, Sarina. I'm not that beautiful. I'm one of the few lykaens who actually has to wear glasses. I mean, what kind of a freak of nature am I?"

"Hey, now. I have trouble seeing in the dark, so does that make me a freak of nature?"

"Um, yeah, it does."

Sarina rolled her eyes. "Listen, your glasses are sexy. They're square, sleek, and black, and they make you look like a naughty librarian or something. Don't look so shocked! I mean, honestly, you never saw that about you?"

A faint blush crept up her cheeks and she shook her head.

Sarina arched an eyebrow. "Well, you will find your mate, Ali. I'm certain, ok. Certain. You are beautiful, sweet, smart, and courageous. Plus you’re the best cook in the state."

"No, I'm not. Thank you for saying so though, but I'm not. I'm too shy, too reserved, too modest, too everything except the good things. I'm terrified being here today."

"Ali, listen, terror and courage are practically the same thing. At the very least, they belong in the same boat together. I think they go hand and hand, personally. I mean think about it, if you're standing on a bridge about to bungee jump over, you definitely have courage for being up there; however, you're terrified too, terrified that something might go wrong, your cord might break, your vest might snap. But still you jump. That's you, Alison. You're a bungee jumper."

Alison opened and closed her mouth a few times. The shock on her face showed just how little she realized about herself.

Throwing her hands up over her face, Alison shrugged. "I'm so sorry, Sarina. Here I am for you today, and you end up giving me a lesson on my psychological issues. That was wrong of me to bring it up at a time like this."

"Oh my god, if I keep having to roll my eyes at you, I'm never going to see straight again. Quit apologizing. This is a hard time for both of us. So what do you say? Are you ready for a walk outside? It's nice and sunny today, almost swimsuit weather."

"Yeah, let’s go. I could use a little exercise after all that emotion." She snickered at her own joke, and Sarina smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. They left the bedroom together, the two guardsmen falling in line a few feet behind them.

Alison elbowed Sarina lightly in the side. "There's a new movie out that looks pretty good. It’s about a werewolf, vampire, love triangle movie a human female. I think it’s meant for a younger crowd, but I still want to see it."

"Sounds good to me. I'd like to go see it, but I don't think Daddy will allow me out of the house for a movie. Even if I take the ridiculous entourage with us." She glanced over her shoulder to give the guards a nasty sneer.

* * *

They walked through the back doors and were greeted with sunshine. Sarina closed her eyes for a moment and tilted her head up, basking in the soft heat.

"I can't wait for swimsuit weather," Alison said.

"I know. We're both a wee bit pale."

"Nothing wrong with pale. It's when we start looking like walking corpses that maybe we should consider tanning lotion and sunlight." Alison grinned at her friend as they settled into a comfortable stroll.

Sarina snickered, but it was forced. Her stomach was tight with nerves and her heart was beginning to race. She tried to control it though. She couldn't mess this up.

Just then, Alison fell into a coughing fit. Harsh hacking sounds fell from her throat that surely must have hurt. Alison's hand futilely covered her mouth as greater, wrecking coughs whooped from her.

"One of you, go get some water. Now!" Sarina ordered, shouldering her friend under her arm and bringing her to a bench to sit down. The guard's hesitated, looking at each other in question. The one on the left nodded and the other sprinted away towards the kitchen.

"There, there," Sarina soothed, rubbing soothing circles across Alison's back. The girl's face was turning red from her exertion. Sarina glanced back at the kitchen and glared in frustration. "Where is he already? It shouldn't take this long. Try to take deep calming breaths, Ali."

When the guard turned to look towards the kitchen, Sarina moved fast. She grabbed the heavy, decorative lawn gnome and swung it in a wide arch at the guard's head. The pipe-smoking gnome connected with skull. There was no blood and she glad for that, but adrenaline surged through her body making her faster, stronger. She swung again and slammed the gnome into his cringing face. This time she connected with his nose and a spray of blood exploded from his face. He collapsed to his knees holding his nose.

"Let's go!" Sarina hissed at Alison who'd already stood, the coughing completely stopped.

"Hey, what's going on?" Shit, it was the other guard coming back with the glass of water. He took one look at his friend and tore off after them.

Sarina and Alison ran as if the devil's hounds were chasing them. They were both pumping on pure adrenaline and lykaen strength triggered from fear. They beat around the bend of the mansion and sprinted the distance to Alison's car parked up front.

The hard, heavy rhythm of the guard's feet behind them was getting closer and closer. "Got your keys ready?" Sarina panted over the roar in her ears. Alison answered, but the roar was too loud to hear what she said, but she heard the jingling sound of keys and it was a sigh of relief to her. They nearly reached the car, just a few more feet and she could lock herself inside. She reached for the door handle as Alison ran around the front of the car to the driver's side door.

Something hard slammed into her stomach, flung her back feet after feet until she slammed back down to the earth and knocked the air out of her lungs.

"Did you really think you'd get away that easily, daughter?"

Sarina was seeing stars. She shook her head to clear them, but they were still there. Her head lolled to the side and she saw Alison slumped over by the rear tire, unmoving.

Oh, my God. Oh my God. Using her elbows, she dragged herself through the grass and across the pavement. Her legs weren't working and her stomach felt as though she'd been hit by an eighteen-wheeler.

"Alison!" she cried, but the sound barely came out above a whisper. The muscles in her stomach burned with each breath. With each slow drag across the ground, her muscles bent and contorted until she was panting and a sweat broke out over her brow. Her back felt like someone had had used it for batting practice.

"This is pathetic. Just pick the two of them up and bring them inside," the king sighed. Sarina heard the footsteps coming and told her body to move quicker, to get her friend, get in the car, and speed away. She could still do it. Just move!

But the feet stopped next to her, and rough hands pulled her up into a pair of hard arms.

"Bastard," she said, but the sound that came out was weak and pathetic. Her father came up to her, and the look on his face was so hate filled, so spiteful that Sarina shuddered.

Did he ever love me? Or was I just his property to do with as he wished. She more she thought about it, the sicker she felt. Her mother. Did she really die in a yachting accident or had she just made him this angry? She could see how close to murder he was in his eyes.

She started to ask him if he ever really loved her, but there was a loud crash and then chaos reigned down.

Sarina watched everything through wide eyes. Two men stormed from the forest. They moved almost too fast to see even by her eyes. She had no idea who they were, but they attacked viciously, precisely. In less than ten seconds, she and Alison were seated in the car. The guard’s were taken down so easily she almost laughed. Her father ran back to the house—coward.

From beside her, Alison’s eyes fluttered then blinked several times before opening. "What happened?"

"Shh," Sarina said, "look. We have help." Alison looked outside of the car to see a full on fight taking place. Hard blows were traded between the guards. Their helpers were big, muscular men. One in particular who wore his dirty blonde hair pulled back looked purely lethal. He snapped a guards wrist with a hard turn of his hand, then leaned to the side and planted a kick so hard into the guard's gut, the man spit up blood.

The blonde man turned back to the car and shouted, "Go!"

Sarina didn't wait any longer. Her hands shook so hard it took her three tries to get the keys from Alison and start the car. She threw the car into reverse and barreled down the driveway.

It wasn't until they were a safe distance away, that either one of them spoke.

"Who were those men?" Her voice was a scratchy whisper barely heard above the purr of the engine.

"I don't know, but I'm glad you're ok. I was scared shitless. They hit you, and then you weren't moving. God, Ali, I was so scared."

Alison's eyes watered and tears fell down her face. "One second I was running and the next I was being knocked to the ground. I'm sorry. I don't know why I’m crying. Everything went black like that," she said, snapping her fingers. "Where did those guys come from?"

"The forest. I must say, they had good timing though if they had come five minutes earlier it would have been better. Something did seem familiar about them, but I can't think straight. I feel like my mind's going a million miles a second." She checked the review mirror and sighed in relief when no one was behind them.

"It's probably the adrenaline," Alison said. "Maybe we should stop somewhere. A hotel or something."

Sarina bit her lip. "I don't know. I have no idea how to do any of this. I just need to get Vane. He'll protect us, both of us, Ali. I promise."

Alison nodded, her gaze falling to the quickly passing scenery. "Oh, I almost forgot. I couldn't find out where he lives exactly. No one in my family knew and none of my friends did either. But they know of him, said he's a good Alpha who leads a strong pack."

Sarina smiled softly. "Thank you. Thank you for everything. If it weren’t for you, then I wouldn’t have gotten out of there. I'd be marrying that prick Prince Conlin on Saturday." She shivered in disgust at the thought. "Oh, and your fake coughing was pure awesomeness. Really, it hurt my throat just watching you hack away."

Alison laughed but it came out strained and hoarse. "Mine too, thanks."

Sarina snickered. "What do you say we go get my man?"

"Let's."

Chapter 20

"God, I can't believe we finally made it here." Sarina sighed and tried to roll the painful knot in her neck away. After making their way back to her father’s cabin, they hid Alison's car off the road in the tree line. Hopefully no one would notice it. Sarina knew that her father's men would be looking for her, and she knew they would look for her at Vane's, but the longer she held them off her trail, the better.

Sarina and Alison trekked through the forest. Sarina didn't honestly know which way he lived, but she found a large footprint facing north and decided to try that way. If she'd come sooner, then she might have still been able to track his scent. And he smelled so good, too, like new earth and sweaty man.

Some hours later, Alison groaned next to her. "Are we there yet? My legs feel like jello."

Sarina laughed at her friend, her first real, free laugh since the whole ordeal started. It felt good, like a light was turned on inside her. "I know mine do too. But, I think we're close. I can smell it."

Alison tipped her face to the side and sniffed at the air delicately as if she was afraid she might smell something bad. "Yeah, I suppose. I smell lykaens. I guess any lykaen not working for your father or Prince Asshole would be nice. Maybe they could spare some food, too. I'm starving."

Sarina's smile faltered at the reminder of the prince. "It wasn’t your fault, Ali. None of it.”

Alison nodded quickly and looked away. The prince had really done a number on her. Her face had been so swollen after the beating he gave her it looked like a baseball was sitting on her eye.

"It was never your fault. I never even saw it coming and it’s my job to watch for assholes like him. He was just that good, Alison. I just want you to know that I love you, Ali, and I'd listen to your most gruesome tales if it would alleviate the pain."

"I know." Alison gasped and pointed excitedly at something in the distance. "Lights! I see lights. Yes! It's civilization. Let's go!" She sprinted off towards the light and Sarina followed.

It didn't take long before they broke through the dewy tree line and stood beside a cabin. The cabin wasn't nearly as large as the one her father owned, but it was a sturdy two story that looked exactly like the kind of home Vane would have. Rustic, masculine, simple.

She stopped in her tracks, surprised at her line of thinking. I've never thought poorly against father, yet in the last week, I've wished more harmful things on him than I have anyone. A part of her felt a sharp pang of guilt at disobeying her father, but another, lighter side, surged with bright happiness.

"Let's see who lives here. If we're lucky, it's your man. Can you smell him?" Alison walked along the side of the house, jumping to try to peer into the windows. She cursed her short height.

Sarina closed her eyes and gently awakened her beast, when she opened her eyes, she could smell everything. She inhaled and brought in a variety of scents and odors, the fresh smell of grass and trees blended with the wood of the cabin. The beast inside her inhaled for her, scenting a female and several males, and there underneath those scents was earthy, delicious male.

"Vane!" Sarina sprinted around the house and up the stairs to the front door, her fist banging rapidly on the door. "Vane!” She didn’t care that she was screaming. "Vane it's me!" She heard movement in the house and her stomach tightened with anticipation, her breath fell in bursts.

A moment later, the door opened to reveal a beautiful woman with chin-length hair and bangs. Sarina's heart plummeted to the floor like a brick. She stumbled back in disbelief. Hurt like she’d never felt before ripped through her heart.

The woman started forward, her hand raised, but Alison saved her. "Don't touch her!" The woman glared at her but didn't move any further.

The woman ground her teeth before speaking in a voice so husky, so sexy it hurt to hear. "I'm Vera Kategan. Vane's sister." Like soothing aloe on a burn, her words alleviated her bloody heart piece by piece.

"Oh.” God she felt dumb.

The woman lips curled into a half smile. "Come on in. Sarina is it?" At Sarina's nod, she stepped aside and waved them in.

At Sarina's questioning gaze, Vera faltered for a moment. "Oh, right, Vane. Well, he's in jail right now. Don't worry though; he shouldn't be in there too long. The charges were all, well mostly, bogus anyways. The pack lawyer is taking care of it. He's supposed to call me with news of any changes. You girls look like a hot mess. Where'd you come from anyways?" She looked around as if searching for a car.

Sarina grimaced and took a seat in front of a brick fireplace. The fire wasn't lit, but there were logs in the hearth and it smelled nice and woodsy. "I escaped from my father. He was going to marry me off to Prince Asshole—I mean Prince Conlin—on Saturday. He wouldn't allow me to see Vane. Why is he in jail? What happened?"

The woman arched a shapely eyebrow. "Your own father was going to what? Trade you, sell you?"

Sarina nodded. “Sell me. This whole thing is so crazy. I've never seen my father like this. It's as though whatever string that held me to him has snapped.” A sudden thought hit her. She had seen him like this once before. When she was twelve. The only other time she’d seen that murderous look in his eyes, towards her mother.

Vera looked contemplative then her eyes widened. "Prince Conlin, isn't he that woman-abusing piece of shit?" Sarina nodded. "I would love to take a piece out of his skin. To think that he's survived pack law. I don't know how he does it really, even with his power. With all the girls he's supposedly beaten, even if only one of them is true it should be enough to carry out pack justice."

Sarina looked sharply at Vera and cleared her throat delicately. Then turned to find her friend's face flushed red.

"Alison?"

"No, it’s fine. I dated Conlin two years ago. I thought he was so handsome. He is really, that can't be denied. We got alone really well. He made me feel so beautiful. A little bit into our relationship, he started getting weird. When I tried to break up with him, he attacked me." She laughed but the sound was bitter and hoarse.

"What's wrong with your voice?"

Sarina chuckled and retold the story of their escape including the two strange men who came in at the last second. "Wait, wait, wait. What did these men look like? Did one of them have short, black hair and the other long, blonde hair probably in a ponytail?"

"Actually, yes," Sarina’s eyes widened with surprise. Vera leaned back in her chair and crossed legs.

"Those are my brothers, Roman and Darien. I must say, I'm not surprised to hear they were out there. Vane probably ordered them to keep watch over you once he went to jail. Good thinking, too. No offense, but I'd like to spend five minutes alone with your father with nothing but a baseball bat. Don't look so surprised, I'm the vicious type, what can I say?"

The phone shrilled and Vera jumped up to get it. "Hello? Oh yeah, well, I might have some good news for you then." She winked at Sarina. "I have your girl here. Uh oh, he hung up. I guess he's on his way then." Her laugh sounded more naughty than good.

Sarina looked down at her dirty clothes. Even her shirt was torn in several places where some nasty bushes got her, and her hair was a crazy mess.

"Do you think I could use the shower?"

"Of course. Besides, this place is more yours than mine anyways." At Sarina's questioning look, Vera rolled her eyes, somehow managing to look elegant while doing it. "You're Vane's old lady now, and this is his place. I was just waiting for the call in case they needed something else. There's a shower in Vane's bedroom. Go up the stairs and it's the first door on the right. There's a spare, if you'd like to clean up too, Alison. It's straight back on the left."

Sarina was already scooting towards the stairs. "That would be wonderful, thank you." She and Alison made a dash for the bathrooms.

"By the way, if there's no conditioner or clean towels then it's not my fault!" Vera shouted.

Chapter 21

Sarina rinsed the last of the shampoo out of her hair. Vera was right. Vane didn't have any conditioner, though she couldn't say she was surprised. How the man managed to have such silky soft hair without it was a mystery she planned to find out. Her hands trembled slightly and she squeezed her hair under the hot spray of water.

God, she was so nervous, which was crazy. She wanted to see him so badly, but her body didn't care. Her stomach was tight and twisted with nerves and her heart refused to slow down. She felt like she did at her first job interview—excited and nervous.

A part of her wondered if he'd still be attracted to her without her breeding cycle. She whacked her head against the shower wall, hating herself and her doubt. It was stupid, she knew that, but it wouldn't go away. What if the pheromones made him say he wanted to bond with her? What if their beasts weren't meant for each other?

But I feel it too, remember? And she did feel it, as strongly as a magnet to a steel bar. The pull to him was inexorable, inescapable, and intoxicating.

His hands made her burn hotter than her darkest fantasy; his mouth made her wetter than any of her own foreplay ever did, and his eyes made her tremble with their sincerity and passion. There were no lies in his eyes, no half-truths, or dismissals like in her father’s. He was just Vane.

The bathroom door opened and shut, breaking her out of her thoughts. She wrapped her arm around her chest and reached for the curtain. Then she smelled him. Vane. She couldn't get to him fast enough. She half tore the curtain in her haste. He stood there in flesh and blood, all real, and just as handsome as she remembered. They simply stared at each other, drinking each other in like they were dying of thirst.

"Vane!" She leapt on to him. He caught her easily, wrapping her legs around him. They exploded at each other in hot, open-mouth kisses. Two lost lovers reunited. She pressed kisses over his face, and his hands touched her everywhere he could reach. Neither of them cared that she was drenching his clothes. Their lips caught and held each other on muffled groans. Their tongues slid wetly, thrusting and sucking as soft hands traced muscles and strong hands cupped curves.

He broke away from her mouth first and buried his head in her neck, breathing deeply then scattering hot kisses down her neck, across her lips. "Sarina, Sarina, Sarina. God, I missed you, lumara."

The lykaen term for bonding mate nearly melted her heart right there on the floor. His heartfelt words broke something inside her and made her hold him tighter to her. His ravenous mouth made a pass down her chest, found her hard, pink nipple, and sucked it into his mouth on a grunt. Sarina clasped his head to her as a hot bolt of pleasure shot straight to her core making her wet and achy. He grabbed her bottom and lifted her against the unmistakable hard length of his cock.

"Oh God!" Her head fell back as he ground himself into her heat and switched breasts to pay tribute to both nipples. "Don't stop," she panted, liquid heat filling her body.

He groaned part pain, part pleasure against her breast then pulled back to latch on to the skin at her neck. Her hips rocked, and she knew he was leaving his mark on her. Just that thought had her pussy wet with cream.

A whirl of motion, then her back was pressed against the shower wall again. Dazedly, she realized that they were back in the shower. A hand cupped her breast and squeezed as his mouth found hers again. He licked the bow of her lip then pushed his tongue inside to taste her. She felt an answering pulse deep inside her.

"I need you." His voice was hoarse and raspy, barely heard above the spray of the shower. She nodded quickly and helped him to lift his shirt up and over his head. She didn't waste any time in touching him. She spread her hands across the strong, muscled wall of his chest and relearned his body, but when she her fingers tickled above the band of his jeans he caught her hand and pushed it above her head.

"No, no time for that. I need you now, or I'm going to explode."

Vane dropped her legs to the floor and shucked his jeans down his long legs. The wet denim stuck to his legs like a glove, he cursed viciously and worked it down enough to free his cock and thighs. Picking her up again, he took her breast into his mouth like a starving man. He teased the bud at the end, biting and sucking, licking then rubbing his lips across it. "God, I love your breasts."

Glad you approve, Sarina wanted to say, but as she opened her mouth, the only thing that came out was a moan. His hand trailed over her stomach and curled over her sex. They groaned together at the sensation. He slid his fingers through her wet, soft flesh, swirled a finger over her swollen clit, then dipped inside her tight cunt.

"Fuck, you are so ready for me. Hold on to me baby, I can't wait any longer." His impatience spurred on her own excitement. She wrapped her arms around his neck and locked her ankles around his thick thighs.

He leaned into her, found her lips again as his cock prodded her hot entrance, then he opened his eyes to meet her glazed expression and drove into her. They cried out together, the tight, gripping, full, and hard sensations overwhelming.

Vane wanted to hold still, to let her adjust, she was still practically a virgin, but he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop his hips from pulling back so only the tip of his cock hung inside her before driving back again. Over and over again. He couldn't keep that up for long, her channel was creamy and fist-tight, her moans and soft gasps in his ear were doing crazy things to him. His balls were drawn up so tight it was a wonder he didn't come on the first thrust.

"Ahh! Don't stop!" she cried, and gripped the strong muscles of his back with her nails and clung to his powerful body.

Her words seemed to snap his control. He gathered her closer and thrust in hard, full thrusts. He was building her up higher, towards an unreachable peak. He pulled back before slamming back in again in a hammering, rhythmic pattern that had her squealing sexy little moans in his ear.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh!" She moaned as her orgasm quickly escalated. Her muscles quivered and tightened, preparing for the onslaught that was to come. Her skin drew up tight and her womb trembled, needing only a few more strokes to toss her over into the abyss.

Vane saw the look on her face and nearly came. He squeezed has thighs and ass hard to keep from shooting his load just then. God, why did she have to sound so sexy? He gave her what she wanted, what she needed and plunged deeper, harder, faster. Her face grew red, her cries louder and higher, until finally he slammed in and she burst apart like a firework. She screamed his name as her sex seized over his cock, gripping and pulling him, stroking his own orgasm from him.

"Mine," he growled and thrust one more time. Her muscles worked him, and he sprayed his hot cum into her channel for long, endless moments.

They fell against the shower wall together fighting to catch their breaths. Sarina tightened her arms around him, hugging him close. For the first time since she could remember, she felt good, really good. Life wasn’t perfect yet—her father was going to be furious she escaped and the Prince maybe even more so. But with Vane at her side, they seemed like such simple problems.

A hard knock sounded at the door. Sarina jumped.

Vane growled in frustration. "What?"

"You've had enough time alone. We need you both downstairs." Vane wanted to strangle his sister in that moment, even though he knew she was right. The last thing he wanted was to break away from Sarina's perfect, luscious body and have a serious discussion with his family over his mate’s crazy father.

"Coming," he yelled through the door.

"Yeah, we all heard that." Vera’s snicker could be heard through the door.

Sarina burst out laughing at Vane's serious expression. She laughed until his lips twitched and they were laughing together.

"They can hear it, but that's about as much of you as I'm willing to share, lumara."

"Ditto, luma."

Chapter 22

It didn't take them long to get dressed and return back downstairs hand in hand. At the sight of the Kategan family together, it was quite apparent they were related. They each had thick hair, dark eyebrows, high cheekbones, and the same tan skin. Vane and Sarina took a seat together.

"All right, Vane's already told us what's been happening. What we need to know next is when the marriage is set for?" It was the same man who’d yelled at them to go back at her father’s house. He had dirty blonde hair, mix of dark brown and blonde.

Sarina cleared her throat and looked at Vane. "Tomorrow."

"God dammit," cursed the other brother with dark, shorter hair. She recognized him too from her escape. He kept to the shadowy corner. She reminded herself to thank them both later for all their help. "That doesn't give us a lot of time."

Just then, the sound of a door opening had everyone turning to see Alison coming down the hallway. With her wet hair slicked back, her skin reddened from the shower, and her glasses perched on her nose, she looked fresh and very feminine. She made a quick glance at the blonde brother then quickly scooted to sit in a seat furthest from him. Sarina saw the blonde brother frown.

"Sorry I'm late." Alison looked better, but her voice was still just as wretched. Everyone in the room winced.

Vane spoke up. "I have some tea. Vera would you mind?" She rolled her eyes dramatically, somehow making the action look sophisticated and strolled into the kitchen. Bringing Sarina's hand to his thigh he continued, "Actually, I don't think you've formally met my brothers. This is Darien," he said, nodding to the dark-haired man, "and the one with the smirk is Roman, but everyone just calls him Rome."

They each exchanged hellos and nods. "And who is this?" Rome asked nodding towards Alison who looked like she was ready to bolt.

"This is Alison Bennson, a good friend of mine. Sorry her voice is hoarse, she sacrificed it to aid in my escape" Sarina smiled at her friend.

Rome came forward and held his big hand out to Alison. She blushed. For a moment, she didn't move and Rome looked curiously at her, but then she clasped his hand quickly and released it as if it burned. He tilted his head at her.

"Nice to meet you." She didn't reply, just nodded, and squirmed uncomfortably in her seat.

Sarina was dying to know what her friend thought of Vane’s brother. She hadn’t seen Alison blush at a man in years.

"Now then,” Vane continued, “back to business. The only way to negate the Prince's marriage contract is to perform the mating ritual on the next full moon."

"Which is tomorrow," said Rome.

Sarina's gut clenched in worry. Perform the mating ritual with Vane? Bind her to him permanently and be his Queen? The idea both thrilled and scared the crap out of her. She looked at his handsome face and couldn't help but wonder does he really want me? The breeding cycle exerts a tremendous amount of hormones to both the female and males in the vicinity. What if what he felt was just that? But then why did he just plaster me to the shower wall like was trying to get to it through her?

"That's what we’ll do. We wanted to bond together anyways."

"We do?" Sarina asked quietly, her voice bringing all the heads in the room to hers.

"You don't wish to bond with me, Sarina?" Something dark grew in Vane's eyes.

Hers flicked nervously to the other faces in the room. "I don't know. I mean I do, I was just wondering...um, that is, if you only felt for me because I was in my breeding cycle. I wouldn't want you to be shackled with an unwanted mate for the rest of your life."

He laughed. He actually laughed at her! Sarina frowned, and he snatched her up too fast to stop him. But then he she was in his lap and he was kissing her with long, drugging kisses.

"Sarina, I love you, lumara. Of course it wasn't just the breeding cycle. Besides, I have been around other women's cycles before and never have I felt for them what I do you. I told you, we didn’t meet by coincidence. You will be my Queen, and you will be a wonderful."

"Say it again," she said, her eyes soft and round. "Say you love me again."

He smiled widely at her, a dimple popping up in his right cheek. "I love you, Sarina. I would be the happiest, proudest Alpha if you’d mate with me."

"Yes, yes, yes! I love you." She flung her arms around his neck and pressed kisses all over his face.

Vane groaned at her teasing lips, at her words, at her soft body sitting on his. He wanted nothing more than to pull her clothes off and sit her back on top of his hard dick. Something or someone coughed not too delicately, another cleared their throat.

"Well, I for one, am not going to sit here watch my brother get naked," Vera said and handed a hot cup of tea to Alison.

"Amen to that." Darien scowled. Sarina laughed, a blush reddening her cheeks.

"We must do it tomorrow," Vane said.

"But what if her father and Prince Conlin show up?" asked Rome.

"We'll invite the Justicars," suggested Darien.

Vane thought about it. "That’s not a bad idea. Then the Prince's contract will be void by the new mating ceremony and the Justicars will be there to see the proof of bonding. He won’t be able to argue he was wronged."

"You guys alert the pack that there will be a great celebration tomorrow," Vane said to his family. "And now, I need you all to leave. I need some time with my soon-to-be Queen."

Sarina tugged on his arm. "Wait, can Alison stay here? Her car is parked off in the woods back near my father's cabin. It’s too far to walk now."

Rome crossed his arms across his chest and grinned. "She can stay with me." Vera rolled her eyes. "What? I won't bite—unless she begs."

Vera turned her back on her brother. "If you want, you can stay the night with me, or I can drive you home if you don't live too far,"

"Thank you. If you really don't mind, I'll stay with you. That's easier than me having to drive all the way back here again for the ceremony tomorrow," Alison croaked.

"Sure thing, but I have rules. No spooning and you fix your own damn food." Alison grinned and they shook on it.

"Everything's settled then. At the full moon tomorrow we'll celebrate our new Queen," said Vane. The others turned to look at Sarina with varying expressions of acceptance and happiness. A feeling of honor filled her heart and soul. Tears formed in her eyes, but she didn't mind. As everyone said their goodbyes and filed out of the house, Sarina cuddled into her man, her Alpha with a contended sigh.

This was what she'd always dreamt of.

Chapter 23

Sarina was content to lie in Vane's arms all night. The heat of his body warmed her better than any comforter ever could, and his scent was one constant stream of decadence. Even though tomorrow was probably going to be the biggest day of her life, she was able to relax in his arms, and enjoy the kiss of his lips against her hair.

Her stomach chose that quiet, peaceful moment to growl in a very unladylike way. Sarina stiffened and flushed.

Vane laughed. "A little hungry? How about I feed you then?"

Sarina couldn't help herself when she saw his grin, the laughter shining in his eyes, and kissed him fully on the mouth. He made a little oomph sound and didn’t hesitate to slide wetly inside her mouth. She met his tongue with a thrust of her own. He tore his mouth away on a curse.

"Not now, we can't." At her cute pout, he added, "Lumara, I must feed you first. Don't worry, sweetheart, I plan on taking my time with you tonight."

"You cook?” Sarina asked, following him into the kitchen.

"Well now I do. I had a butler of sorts before. His name’s Alfonse. You’ll meet him tomorrow. I had to kick him out though so it could be just us. Have a seat. This will be done in no time."

Thirty minutes later and Sarina was sinking her teeth into one of the juiciest pieces of chicken she'd ever had.

"How did you learn to do this? I mean, not to sound rude or anything. It's just that most males in my experience can't actually use anything more than the grill or microwave to cook. Yet I just watched you toss a salad, use the stove, and cut up vegetables. Even Alison would be impressed."

His laughter was like warm velvet around her. "My mother, Renee. She died when I was 22, but she made certain all her kids had certain skills."

"Like cooking?"

"Like cooking," he agreed. “Why do you say Alison would be impressed?”

“She’s a chef. She owns a successful little café just outside of downtown. That woman can cook.” They ate in silence as they finished off their plates. “What other kinds of skills did she teach you?"

He finished chewing, and she swore she saw a tinge of pink redden his cheeks. Oh, this has to be good.

"Well," she prompted when he didn't answer.

He cleared his throat and began clearing the dishes off the table. "Cello. I play the cello."

It took two tries to close her gaping mouth. She tried to picture her big Alpha sitting with a cello between his legs, his big hands holding the bow, and she giggled. She couldn't help it; once it started, it was hard to stop. He turned to glare at her but there was mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Come on. Let's go before I give you a lesson in obeying your master." She grabbed his hand and followed his long stride up the stairs.

"Would you play for me?" She didn't think, but just blurted out the question. He stopped so suddenly she bumped into him. He looked up the stairs, found some indiscriminant dot on the wall, and studied it. She touched his arm, curious.

"Vane? Are you, are you blushing?" He turned to look at her, his hard cheeks flushed, then in one smooth, quick move he snaked an arm around her neck and brought her lips to his. By the time he lifted from her, she was breathless and more than a little damp in her panties.

"Fine, but if I'm going to play for you then you have to do something for me." His eyes glinted with dark mischief.

"What?" she asked wearily, her lips still swollen from his kisses.

"You're going to get naked nice and slow while I play. And you’re going to dance for me. I want to see all that beautiful skin moving to my music."

"Oh." Now it was her turn to blush.

Vane led her down the hallway, passed his bedroom to a room filled with a wide, wooden desk, and bookshelves lined with hardbacks. A cello sat in the corner next to a music stand. It looked expensive with tawny wood, an elegant curve at the top where intricate vines were carved into the wood. The long strings dropped to the large belly of the cello where black lines arced around the strings. He obviously cared for the instrument. It was polished and looked like it could be new.

He pulled up a chair and took a seat, pulling the large instrument between his widespread thighs. Sarina bit her lip, suddenly nervous. He held the instrument with familiar hands. His strong fingers poised precisely at the top of the instrument. His other grabbed the long, bow-like instrument and held it horizontal at the belly of the cello. When he was done, he looked at her, an eyebrow cocked.

The music started and Sarina wasn't prepared for it. The melody was smooth and rich like velvet, the notes heavy and quick. They wrapped around her, filling the room with its warm tenor. His eyes closed, as he seemed to be feeling his music. His fingers poised and moved fluidly over the strings, providing different, beautiful sounds one after the other. When he opened his eyes, Sarina felt him look into her soul. There was no doubt in that moment that her beast was meant for his. That together they would make beautiful music.

His eyes trailed down her body, growing darker and hotter with each inch until finally landing on the juncture of her sex. Wet heat flooded her, readied her.

Sarina's mouth was dry as she slowly pulled her shirt up. The tempo of the song changed, grew faster, a rapid succession of beats that were smoothed into a lovely, deep stream by the bowstring. She tossed the shirt away, baring her naked breasts to him. His eyes fell to them, and grew hotter as her nipples puckered into little points. He licked his lips and she swore she could feel the pass of his tongue on them.

The sweeping tone of the notes soon had her hips rocking side to side to the throbbing beat. Of their own accord, her hands glided down her stomach, fingers toying with the metal button of her jeans. He tracked the movement like a predator. She drew down her zipper, the sound diluted over the beat of the cello. Slowly, like a practiced dancer, she shimmied her jeans down her smooth legs and stepped out of them with a thrust and sway of her body. Vane growled, the sound faint but husky.

Sarina panted, arousal making her moves languorous, her heart beat faster. Her pussy felt swollen and needy, and her breasts ached to be held. Her slip of cotton panties were the only thing separating her completely from his searing gaze.

Vane spread his legs further against the tight material of his jeans. His mate was driving him crazy. He never should have asked her to get naked while he played; he hadn't even thought it out, just asked. God she was beautiful, all smooth skin, perfect curves and planes in all the right places. Her nipples were so hard he wanted to leap across the room and latch onto the hard bud. He could smell her wet arousal from across the room, thick and vanilla. How easy it would be to push her down to the ground, spread her wide, and take her until she was trembling and shuddering below him.

Fuck yeah did he want that.

Sarina felt his darkened gaze watching every inch of her, and delighted in the power she held over him. He was so big, so strong. There was something exhilarating about controlling such a strong man. She twirled to the music and stopped with her derriere facing him.

She performed her own special dance for him then, leaning and arching, pushing and dipping all the while her hands grabbed the soft cotton panties and lowered them inch by inch. She thought she heard a growl, but it was hard to tell over the racing of her heart and the cello. Her panties slid to her thighs where she let go and let them float around her ankles.

The music stopped suddenly, the vibrating tones echoing off the walls as the last note rang. Before she had time to turn, his hands were on her. He cupping her breasts and ran a hand down her stomach to cup her wet pussy. He rubbed soft circles over her swollen lips, then pulled back to travel a hand over her thrusting ass to squeeze the rounded flesh.

Want and need were dark spiraling thoughts that clouded her mind. She panted at his roaming hands, the sound loud and ragged.

"God I need you. I can't wait." She heard the rustle of his shirt as he took it off, and the hiss--of a zipper being pulled down. Then she felt his hard, hot cock prodding her creamy entrance. He nudged in just a little. Her wet pussy closed around him. "Fuck, you're so wet. I can't wait anymore, baby. I'm going to take you." He thrust inside filling her deep on a long, agonizing groan. Her own moan followed.

The position was awkward. She was bent forward with nothing to hold on to, but she didn't care. He was inside her, filling her with his thick cock, pounding her towards the relief she craved. His hands were everywhere, holding her hips as he tunneled in and out, squeezing her breasts, and pulling her nipples as his balls slapped against her.

"Ohh!" Her sex was tightening, her skin shrinking as molten heat built to a roar inside her.

"So fucking good." She heard him groan and the sound spurred her pleasure. His hand traveled down her stomach, found her creamy cunt, and rubbed her sensitive clit in fast circles.

She exploded into a million pieces. Her sex clamped down on his tunneling cock making him thrust in short bursts through the tightened muscles. He groaned wildly, and then she felt the distinct spray of his hot cum shooting, filling her deep.

Chapter 24

Her legs shook and she would have fallen if not for him holding her upright. Their ragged breaths chopped through the air. He pulled out on a groan and scooped her up into his arms. He took her to his bedroom and set her on the bed. He came down after her, sprawling her across his chest with a satisfied nod.

"That was…" Sarina cuddled into him, rubbing her cheek across the crisp hairs of his chest.

"Fucking amazing," he supplied.

She laughed. "Yeah, something like that." Feeling naughty and more than a little bit mischievous, Sarina threw her leg over his tree trunk one and propped herself up on her elbow to smile down at him. "You know, a female must wonder about her husband's stamina when, in fact, both times he's been with her it was quick. Amazing but quick."

Eyes darkened and hands came up to clasp her bottom to him. "Oh yeah, quick?" He growled, tickling her side ferociously. Sarina howled with laughter and tried to get away from him. "Beg for mercy!"

She laughed until her sides hurt. "Mercy! Please, no more. I can't take anymore." He relented, hesitantly.

"If my speed is the problem, you have only to blame yourself."

"Uh! How so?" She couldn’t stop grinning like a fool.

He climbed on top of her and gave her a dizzying, sexy kiss that softened her body like butter. "For being so damned sexy."

"Oh," she murmured, her eyes closing as his lips and tongue found the sensitive skin at her neck and made a home there. "I wasn't, oh that feels good, I wasn't mad, you know? Just teasing." She gasped sharply as his lips found her hard nipple and danced his tongue along it. She grabbed the back of his head to let him know he wasn't going anywhere from that very perfect spot. "I love how you make me feel."

"I don't know. It seems that my manhood is in question. For my pride's sake, I'll have to show you how very wrong you are."

With that dark threat, he moved further down her body, letting his tongue lead him. Sarina's stomach tightened in response and her hands strayed from his hair down to the bedding. His lips found the delicate bone of her hips and kissed the creamy skin there. Sarina wouldn't have thought such a simple thing could cause such a riot of sensations in her body. It was as if fireworks were going off inside of her.

His big tan hands spread her thighs so he could fit his shoulders between them. Sarina watched raptly as his dark-haired head disappeared between her thighs. She could only stare at him, anticipation riding her body hard, making her mouth dry and goosebumps spread over her skin.

"You know, I've wanted to do this since I first saw you from that cabin window. You were watching that very naughty movie and your little fingers were right in this spot."

He punctuated his point by spreading her swollen lips with his tongue and licking a searing path up her cleft to flick across her clitoris with delicious precision. She gasped and squirmed below him, but he only wrapped his arms around her legs and held her down for his ministrations. He licked a flat-tongued against her creamy sex and groaned at the taste of her, pure woman with a hint of vanilla.

"Watching you made my cock so hard I ended up taking it out and jerking off right there. I came all over the cabin."

Sarina moaned and hissed in a breath of pleasure as his clever tongue found her clitoris focused on it. She had to fight to catch her breath. The simple touch was devastating. She’d never felt anything like it before. It was soft and firm, yet so incredibly intense inside her.

“Oh my god, you did? Sexiest thing ever.” His chuckle disappeared into firm licks that had her heart thudding in her chest and her body priming for orgasm. And that was on top of the image he just gave her of him stroking that sexy, hard cock of his. She pictured him stroking it, coming while watching her, and it increased her pleasure even more. She wanted to see it, to see him losing control and know that it was her that drove him to it.

"You like that don't you, baby?" he growled deeply, then plunged his tongue deep in her core, eating her creamy arousal up like a delicious dessert.

Sarina tried to form the words to tell him yes, but couldn't seem to make her lips work. Her body was tense, her mind numb with pleasure. Somehow she managed a whisper of sound.   "Please."

Vane lifted his head from her pussy, and the look he gave her held so much heat, so much passion, she was certain he was going to climb up her body and mount her for hours to come. But he didn't. Instead he closed his eyes, shaking his head a little. He hunched back down to her sex and worked her with a passionate purpose…to make her come.

Everything inside Sarina tightened as her aching body soared toward its peak. His tongue performed a miracle against her swollen clit, flicking with a touch that had her breaths struggling to come and her thighs quivering in his hold. She could do nothing to stop the tongue-lashing, and she didn't want to. She just kept seeing him pumping his hard flesh, the tip red and swollen, then shooting white semen against the cabin.

She tried to catch her breath, tried to scream as she exploded, but couldn't. Her back arched off the bed and tight pleasure tore through her. Her legs shook in his strong hold, dislodging her from his tongue, but he dove back after it and finished tonguing her until the spasms left her body and she collapsed, panting against the bed.

By sheer force of will, Sarina was able to open her eyelids. Vane crouched between her bent knees. He looked like an erotic, dark angel. His erection was dark, hard, and viciously aroused. She nibbled on her lip just looking at it. When he reached out and squeezed her thigh in a grip that was almost painful, she realized that he had said something.

"What?"

"I said, suck me."

Sarina's eyes widened as a new wave of pleasure flooded her core. The pleasure she had from just imagining him stroking himself was nothing compared to the thought of putting her mouth on him, tasting him. Even as she moved to a sit up, a wave of hesitation hit her.

"I've never done that."

Vane laughed, but it was a pained, hoarse sound. He moved to stand next to the bed, looking beautiful in the moonlit shadows that beamed over him.

"Don't tell me you're feeling shy now, lumara? Don't forget that not only have I watched you pleasure yourself—quite beautifully I'll add—while watching a porno, but I saw the bag of toys you brought with you during your breeding cycle. Now, suck my dick." She blushed and slapped his chest playfully, which only made him chuckle again. "I also recall a late-night conversation we had at your father's cabin regarding a fantasy you had with not one, but two bisexual lovers taking you at once."

Sarina hugged him and hid her red face against his neck. "I never should have told you that."

"Oh, no baby. I want to know all your fantasies. I'll never let another man touch you but, but I thought your fantasy was very," he thought about it for a moment, “imaginative, for a virgin."

“Don’t you know us virgins are the kinkiest? All those pent up, repressed desires….”

She nipped his neck and his sharp inhale reminded her of the very hard, very demanding cock that was digging into her stomach. Feeling inspired by his choice word for her, Sarina smiled wickedly up at him and ushered him to lay back on the bed with his big legs hanging off the side. He did as she pleased, a dark need in his eyes.

His cock was so hard it lined with the hard plane of his stomach. The round head was flushed red and the veins stood out proudly as she looked at it. She had never taken the time to study him when they'd been together before. During her breeding cycle, her hormones were a furious lust storm inside her, consuming her and him.

She caressed the hard, muscled strength of his thighs, loving the crisp, dark hair under her fingers as she studied his drawn up scrotum. Drawing close, she bent over him, then ran a gentle caress across his sac, surprised to learn that it was quite soft and pliable. As she rolled and learned the texture of the interesting flesh, Vane made a heartfelt groan from deep in his chest.

"If you don't do something soon, I won't be at fault for what happens."

Loving how much her touch was driving him crazy, Sarina dipped her mouth to his cock and pressed a soft, gentle kiss along the swollen head. It pulsed against her as if seeking to kiss her back for her little peck. The angle was awkward and she wasn't sure how she was supposed to fit his cock in her mouth like she'd seen in her movies. Surely her mouth couldn't open that wide. That’s why there were actors for this sort of thing.

Just as she was about to drive him crazy with her dainty tonguing licks, Vane rushed to his feet and pressed her down to her knees so that she was face level with his cock. He grabbed the heavy mass and aimed it at her lips.

"Oh."

Looking up at him and seeing his cheeks flushed the same color as his cock, Sarina wanted nothing more in that moment than to give him the same amazing pleasure he'd given her tonight and during the days of her breeding cycle. His nostrils flared as he stared down at her with intense heat. Despite the fact that she had no idea how to do this, Sarina grabbed his hard cock from him, took him in a small fist, and brought it to her wet lips.

She licked the rim, tasting his leaking cum, then traced further down to the bottom of the head. When Vane hissed in a sharp breath, she assumed that what she was doing was good.

"More," he growled, thrusting his hips a little at her mouth, seeking entrance.

Sarina answered by opening her mouth around his cock, and using her tongue as a wet guide. She took as much of his thick cock as she could in one swoop. Her mouth was full of him and she felt a strange, erotic thrill fill her. He tasted like her cream wrapped in his masculine taste. She felt naughty, sexy, and desperately wanted to have him spill himself in her mouth.

With that new goal in mind, Sarina did her best to learn how to please him. She retreated with a wet pass back up to his tip and then dipped down again until she had created a wonderful, wet glide that she could easily bow into. When his hands came up to fist in her hair, and his hips began a short, thrusting motion she knew she had him. Squeezing him in her fist, she bobbed wetly back and forth on his hard cock stopping when her lips reached her hand. Then she pulled him out all the way to flick her tongue across his red tip.

"Christ," he panted, fighting to catch air. Sarina closed her lips around him again and increased her speed, sensing his nearing release. She rubbed her tongue against his hot flesh sucking hard and pumping his cock with her fist at the same time. He groaned harshly and his thighs trembled for a moment, his cock grew bigger in her mouth. The hand in her hair pushed her closer and then the hot flood of hot cum jetted over her tongue and throat, filling her mouth. She sucked him hard coaxing his seed from him. The look of raw pleasure on his face made her moan.

When he finally pulled out of her mouth, he collapsed onto the bed to keep from falling. She followed him, straddling his chest, and pressing kisses on his neck. She bit her lip and noted that her lips felt tingly and almost numb. The taste of him was in her mouth, and at the sight of him fighting to catch his breath, she realized it was worth the numb lips.

He turned to look at her with a lazy smile. It curled her toes how much he meant to her, how much he was capable of making her feel with just that one look. She moved to roll off him, but he stopped her.

"I'm afraid we're not done yet, lumara. I still have a point to prove."

"What?" It took a second, but then remembered her joke about his quick lovemaking. "It was only a joke, luma. You really have nothing to prove."

"Perhaps.” His eyes darkened to a positively evil light. “However I find it in my best interest, and yours, to show you just how long I can pleasure you for." Then he rolled on top of her and stole the breath from her with a searing kiss that dominated her senses.

It wasn't until the glow of the rising sun that Vane finally let Sarina sleep. He'd shown her no mercy. He took her in every room and made her come twice in each. It was only after her eyes grew soft with exhaustion, and after she claimed him as the "Master of her Body" that he tucked her close to him, and let her sleep.

While she still floated between consciousness and sleep, she muttered words almost too soft to hear. Words that made his heart tighten painfully in his chest.

"I love you."

Chapter 25

Butterflies danced in Sarina's stomach, and her heart fluttered so fast she was sure the butterflies were performing a STOMP routine. And wouldn't that just be perfect on the day of her bonding? After Vera and Alison helped her to get dressed in a sky blue, lace-embroidered gown, they gave her their best wishes and left to join the rest of the waiting pack.

Oh, how she wished in this moment that she still had her mother with her. She would love to have her blessing, to have her meet the man she loved. A dark voice intruded on her happy thoughts. Did father murder mom?

God, she just wished her father was different, that he could be here, hugging her and wishing his daughter the best in life. Instead, he had tried to sell her to an abusive, horrible man that belonged in prison. A part of her hoped desperately that her father wouldn’t show up at the ceremony, but she knew her father and his deadly determination. He would still try to marry her off to the prince. She didn't know how he planned to do it, but Vane and the pack were ready for it. The Justicars were waiting in the pack. Vane said they were dressed in their plain clothes so they wouldn’t be spotted.

Taking a deep breath, the front door of the cabin opened. It was Darien, ready to lead her to Vane. Normally a parent from the father’s side would walk with her, but since that wasn't a possibility, and Vane's parents were deceased, it left only the next eldest sibling. Darien's eyes held a haunted glow to them even as he smiled down at her. She wrapped her hand around his arm and they walked together.

The night was beautiful, perfect. The moon was a full, shiny circle glowing brightly, its force keeping away the puffy clouds for just this night. The air was warm with a light breeze and the smell of rose, lilac, and lavender flowers wafted in the air as they entered the large garden. The garden was an acre in length. It held an expanse of trimmed, green grass and patterns and rows of colorful flowers, bushes, and trees.

The butler, Alfonse, came by earlier to meet her. The older man had her laughing so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. It helped to ease the knot of fear and worry inside her. He told her about this garden. About how Vane had it made with his own money for the pack. It was beautiful. Just looking at it, she could imagine children running in the field playing and squealing with laughter. Tonight the garden was filled with Vane's pack members and the Justicars. The lykaen community’s personal law and order.

Upon seeing her new pack, she took another unsteady breath as the butterflies in her stomach danced faster.

"Relax," Vane's brother said gently. "You’ll be fine." His deep voice, so much likes Vane's, but gruffer helped to ease her nerves. Darien stopped her as they reached the front of the pack. Looking across the distance, she saw Vane and instant relief coursed through her. It wasn't until that moment that she realized she was worried he wouldn't show.

Alfonse, the pack’s ceremony elder stood in the middle between her and Vane. Alfonse nodded at Vane then at her, then looked out over the pack.

"You may all bow in honor of the Alpha, Vane Kategan and his selected Queen, Sarina Brunes." Together, with fluid grace, the pack fell gently to their knees. In that moment, Sarina forgot all about her father, the Justicars, and Prince Conlin.

Her eyes watered, and she mouthed a thank you to her new pack. Several members saw it and smiled at her encouragingly. Bowing before the selected mate was a sign of complete acceptance in the pack.

"Alpha Kategan and Queen Brunes, if you wish to bond to each other, to fuse your souls and hearts as one on this very night, then please proceed to meet." Sarina let go of the breath she'd been holding as Vane confidently took a step forward, then another. Soon she did the same, and then they were standing before each other. He looked ridiculously handsome in a black suit with a white shirt and no tie. The top button was undone enough to see the tan skin of his chest. His eyes were soft and dark as he looked down at her.

"Vane Kategan do you wish for Sarina Brunes to be your truemate and Queen in the unbreakable bond?"

"I do so vow."

"And do you Sarina Brunes wish for Vane Kategan to be your truemate and Alpha in the unbreakable bond?"

"I do so vow." Sarina trembled as the elder lifted the ceremonial ribbon, made of fabric and a lock of hair from her and Vane, then sewed together. The sight of it had her lip trembling as she struggled to reign in her tears. As the elder started to place the sanctified ribbon over their clasped hands, the roar of engines cut through the air.

With cold dread, Sarina turned to see her worst nightmare. God, how could she have forgotten so easily?

Her father and the prince had just arrived.

* * *

Vane growled deep in his throat as rage quickly boiled and exploded. He pushed Sarina behind him and stalked to her father as he and the prince approached him.

"You dare to interrupt our bonding ceremony. You are truly honorless, King."

The king snarled in return and stepped into Vane's face, uncaring that the Alpha was more than ready to let his beast out and was a good foot taller.

"She is my daughter. I own her, and I'm taking her back, mutt."

Vane moved so quickly, it was blur of movement. He shoved the king back hard then followed the move with a brutal right hook that would have sent him on his ass if his guardsman hadn't caught him. Vane moved to finish the job but was stopped by a wall of muscle as a guardsman slammed into him.

Vane let the action take him to the ground, but he latched onto the guard’s chest, taking him with him. They rolled and Vane came out on top, the sounds of screams and shouts rang in his ears as he pounded his fist hard into the man's lean face, stopping only when blood coated his fist like a glove. Rage. There was only rage now.

Standing in a rush he turned to find the prince dragging Sarina by the arm towards his limo as a dozen guardsmen ambushed his pack members. His brothers swooped in and cut through the bastards with hard fists and sharp elbows.

"Sarina!" he shouted and lunged through the growing crowd, knocking people out of his way in his haste to get to her. Vane froze when he saw the glint of silver at her throat. The prince had easily just signed his death wish.

"No more, Alpha Kategan," the prince sneered. "She's coming with me. Come any closer and I'll start taking nicks out of her pretty skin."

Vane stayed frozen to the ground, an unnatural, threatening growl escaped him. The prince eyed him wearily, but continued to back up step by careful step. Vane looked at Sarina's scared eyes and gave her a reassuring look. There was no way she was leaving here, he didn't care who he had to kill to keep that promise.

"Why looky here, isn't it the little dick, Prince Conlin." Alison sauntered up to the prince with a confident stride. She stopped with laughter in her eyes and a grin on her lips. "Did you know that the prince's dick is so little that even at his hardest he's no bigger than a tube of lipstick?" She threw her head back and laughed.

The prince turned to her, his face molten with rage. "Why you fucking bitch, I'll kill you!" Vane acted quickly, taking the prince's distraction to his advantage and lunged, grabbing the prince's wrist in his hand and bending it backwards until he heard the pop of his wrist snapping. The prince howled in pain and fell to one knee. Sarina darted away and ran to her friend.

Vane twisted the wrist even further and slammed a bruising kick into the prince's chest, knocking him to the ground. The prince heaved in breaths and rolled around on the ground, holding his wrist. Vane looked around for the king and saw that his brothers holding him. He checked to make sure Sarina was safe before confronting the king.

"If you ever come near her again I will kill you. No one will be able to protect you from the hurt I'll shove up your ass. Come near my pack and I’ll rip your fucking heart out." A soft hand touched his shoulder.

Three tall, lean men came forward then wearing white shirts with a crescent moon symbol on the sleeve.

“Alpha Kategan, we shall take over from here. Thank you for calling the Justicars. Now we have proof of your claim and your bonding will be upheld by the court. King Brunes you however will be seeing us in court. As for you, Prince Conlin, any contract you made without Sarina’s consent is invalid and giving the recent ceremony your contract is also void.”

Sarina wanted to cry, but she didn’t know whether it was from happiness or because her relationship with her father would never be the same.

"I need to say something." Vane nodded at his mate and stepped to the side. He reached for her hand and clasped it.

Sarina hesitated before her father, the most imposing man she'd ever known. Darien restrained him with his arms behind his back, but still he struggled.

"I am finishing the mating ceremony with Vane tonight. I never want to see you again. I never want to hear from you again. Keep the hell away from me, this pack, and my mate or I swear what I do to you will be far worse than what he will." He looked at her, his mouth open, but then began to laugh a deep, belly cackle.

Sarina growled, and it wasn't human. Pulling back her fist she let it fly with all the rage, all the hate, and all the pain he'd caused her, not just during the past few weeks, but her whole life. Fist connected with nose and bone crunched and gave way to a spray of red blood. Sarina pulled back, panting.

"You bitch. I should have sold you long ago. I should have—

His words were cut off by Vane’s hard fist. The king slumped against Darien, unconscious. "Pile the trash back into their cars and get them the fuck out of here." Darien nodded and the others came to help.

The prince was the hardest to get rid of, his eyes seething with anger as he glared at Alison. Sarina went up to her friend whose face had gone pale as the prince was shoved into his limo.

"What? Did he say something?" Her friend nodded absently. Her eyes getting a faraway look to them.

"Whatever the bastard said, it's fine. Our pack will protect you, Alison. I promise." She hugged her friend and could feel the waves of tension riding her. "Thank you, Ali. I might be dead if it wasn't for you. You were so brave; it was like an entirely different woman. No, not true. It was just nice to see the claws come out. They are sharper than I thought."

Alison laughed and hugged her friend back. When she pulled back though her face was still stark.

"Anything for you, Sarina. Now, go finish the ceremony."

Sarina smiled brilliantly and jumped into Vane's waiting arms. They finished the ceremony and used both of their not-bloodied hands to tie the ribbon around. After the ribbon was tied, they kissed and the pack erupted in howls and cheers.

"Tell me you love me," Vane said against her ear and hugged her close.

"I love you." He made a deeply masculine, satisfied sound.

"Good, that's good, because I love you too, lumara." He kissed her again and Sarina lost herself in him.

Content

Breeding Cycle
The Kategan Alphas 1
By T. A. Grey

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25