Chapter 2

RYAN'S POV

Shit. Fucking shit. The moment she said it, my whole body turned rigid. My eyes narrowed, my jaw clenched, and my wolf, Braxton, went absolutely fucking feral inside of me. He was growling, snarling, clawing at my insides, desperate to mark her right then and there. I couldn't even concentrate fully on what was been said, I'm busy trying to stop my wolf from jumping on her.

But I kept myself still. I couldn't blink, couldn't think, couldn't. fucking. breathe.

All I could do was stare at her, my mind racing, my wolf howling. She wanted me to mark her just like that? What the actual fuck?

I was completely thrown off by her demand. I thought we were here to just matchmake and then get to know more of each other like this date thing required?

I was used to being in control, being the one who made the demands. And now this woman, this fucking woman, had the audacity to demand something like that from me? My eyes were about bulging but I willed them to stop because once they did, I was certain they would pop right out of their sockets. My wolf was going crazy, demanding that I give in, that I mark her as mine right then and there. But my rational mind was telling me to be cautious, to assess the situation before making any hasty decisions.

But my wolf didn't care about any fucking rationality. He fucking wanted her. And he wanted her now.

My wolf, Braxton, was going insane inside my head, his voice a vicious snarl that reverberated through my skull. “Mark her! Mark her now! She’s ours! ” he howled.

I clenched my teeth, grinding them together as my jaw tightened with irritation.

I sucked in a breath, trying to rein in my temper. “Shut up, Braxton. Now is not the right time. ”

But Braxton wouldn’t let it go. “What are you?  You’re an Alpha. You can get everything you want instantly. You take what’s yours. And that girl is yours.”

I felt a searing rage flare up in me. Braxton was beginning to claw to get out, and I struggled to keep it at bay.

“I said no, Braxton. ” My voice was a growl. “I won’t mark her. Now fuck off.” I clenched my fists tighter, my fingernails digging into the palms of my hands.

“Why are you so stubborn like a mule?" Braxton growled. “You know you want her too just like I do, you just won't admit it.”

“I said no! End of discussion!”

Braxton huffed, unrelenting, making my control almost slip off. “You know, you're missing out on a prime opportunity. She's gorgeous, she's feisty, she's perfect for you.”

“Not happening!" I snapped back.

"Fine! Be that way!” Then Braxton went silent.

I shifted slightly on my chair, trying to act like the tension building inside of me was nothing.

I watched her expression, taking note of the way her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes darting back and forth like she was nervous about my answer. She was fucking cute, I couldn't deny that. And there was this crazy urge to lean in, to smooth out those frown lines and run my fingers over those soft, pink, kissable lips. But I clenched my fists on my lap, fighting off the temptation. I wasn't going to do anything stupid.  

 “Uhm, is everything alright?” she asked, her voice almost a squeak. Heavens, even her voice was fucking soothing. I wanted to make her keep talking, to watch her lips move as she spoke.

It had been the same the first time I'd laid eyes on her, back when she'd been wearing that skin-tight black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. My breath had slowed, my wolf growling in my ear, urging me to approach her. But I'd resisted. I knew I couldn't crowd her space.

My foolish wolf, Braxton, had insisted that she was our destined mate, but that was ridiculous. It had to be. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to be mine. And I wasn't going to let anyone else have her. Braxton was right.

There was something about this mystery woman that I couldn't quite place my finger on. I took in her almond green eyes, framed by thick coal-black lashes, and they were mesmerizing the very second they had met my gaze, and it had felt like every ounce of blood in my body had rushed to my cock.

Lust had blasted through me with an alarming force, leaving me a little shaken. Something that had never happened before.

I wanted to lap at that smooth olive skin of hers. Wanted to cup those high, perky breasts in my hands. Wanted to wrap that inky hair around my fist while I ate at that full mouth. And my wolf was urging me on. And finally I gave in. Braxton yipped.

I leaned forward, my eyes locking on hers, my voice raspy. “Everything is alright, Isabella. But you need to understand something. If you want me to mark you, you’re mine. You’re mine in every way possible. I will not share you with anyone.”

She swallowed and tucked an imaginary strand of hair behind her ears and that made my lips twitch in amusement. So cute.

“Let's firstly dive into getting to know more about each other. Especially you, my lady." I tapped my chin.

Her avoidance of my gaze didn't go unnoticed. She crossed her arms over her chest, a silent signal that she was putting up walls, and I leaned back, propping my jaw on my palm as I studied her. Her heart was racing, her eyelashes fluttering, and it was clear that she was hiding something. But then again, maybe we were both keeping secrets.

"Of course we would..." she trailed off, the words hanging in the air. "So what will happen now. Mark me, or leave me.”

As she spoke, she moved closer to me. A charming fragrance penetrated my nose, my body, and spread to my internal organs. Then, her hand gently covered mine. I felt her fingers brushing against my skin, causing a shudder.

It only takes a moment for reason to collapse.

"Follow me," I held her hand in reverse and pulled her towards the exit of the venue.

~ ~ ~

“Where are we going?” Isabella asked as we settled in the booked Uber, her breath fogging the window as she stared out into the night. I could feel the tension emanating from her body.

“Somewhere peaceful. Trust me,” I replied. I turned my attention to my phone, my fingers flying over the keyboard.

The car’s wheels crunched over gravel as we wound down the winding road. Finally, the driver announced, “We’re here,” he said, pulling the car to a stop in front of a tall, imposing building.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet, handing the driver a wad of bills. Isabella slipped out of the car, her eyes darting from one corner to another, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

I joined her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. She stiffened slightly beneath my touch, but I ignored it, leaning in close to her ear. “Relax. You’re safe with me.”

I began to lead her down the path to the intended direction. Finally, we stopped at the edge of a shimmering lake, its surface reflecting the moonlight like a silver mirror.

I pulled my hands away from her, watching as her gaze swept across the lake, a gasp escaping her lips. “You like it?” I asked, slipping my hands into my pockets, my voice amused.

Her eyes were wide, her smile a sight I’d never seen before.

“This… this is so beautiful,” she murmured, her voice like a song in the night.

For a moment, my heart melted at the sight, her beauty stealing my breath away. But then I remembered myself, my heart hardening in my chest. This was business, nothing more.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice distant. “It’s beautiful.” I turned away from her. “Are you still sure you want me to mark you?" I turned to face her, and yet again my stupid heart skipped a bit. Heavens! This woman's so beautiful.

My stupid eyes strays going over to stare at her tits, my cock twitches, stupid fantasies of mounting on her to instantly milk those nipples engulfed me and I looked away immediately.

“Yes," she breathed out, tucking some strands of her flowing hair behind her ears and there again, there was this sudden urge to do it for her instead but I clenched my fists tighter, not trusting myself.

Perhaps it was my stupid wolf that was creating these fantasies. My wolf desperately needed this woman.

I stepped behind her, my shadow stretching out over hers, my height towering over her like a looming mountain. She was tiny, delicate. But something stirred within me, a primal urge to protect this mystery woman, to keep her safe from the world.

She shivered, whether from the night air or my presence, I couldn’t tell. I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around her, to pull her close and shield her from the cold. This was business, I reminded myself again, nothing more.

“Are you scared?" Against my better judgment, I press a kiss to the nape of her delicate neck, my hand wraps around her petite ribcage, tugging her back against my chest. This feeling that I have with her right now is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I want to crack my own chest open and pull

her inside.

“No." She shakes her head vehemently.

My hands gripped her waist, my fingers digging into the flesh as I lifted her towards the boulder on the lake.

Fuck. Yes.

I didn't hesitate in sucking on her neck, dragging my tongue up the slender column, and thrusting back and forth into the cradle of her thighs, making her feel how hard and ready I was for her. I wanted to pierce her throat… ached to do just that. I wanted my scent in her bloodstream, wanted her to be fully mine. Pulling back was hard as hell, but I managed and breathed in deeply.

I forced myself to pull back to look down at her body, letting my gaze move up and down her slender form, memorizing every part of her. I wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck, pulled her forward, and lowered my head so I could run my lips along her throat again, my wolf

needing to be at this particular part of her body, because I was salivating to mark her.

 I let her feel my canines, how long and sharp they were. It turned me on to hear her gasp from the sensation. Her flesh was sweet, addicting. Everything about her was mine.

With a deafening roar, my canines pierced her, causing her to cry out. Strangely I began to feel a surge of possessiveness, a jolt of energy coursing through my body. It was like a veil had been lifted, a part of me that had been hidden suddenly awakened.

I could feel her heartbeat, her breath, the heat of her blood mingling with mine. It was as if our souls were entwined, our beings intertwined in a way I couldn't begin to comprehend.

Nothing made sense anymore. Except her.

~ ~ ~

We were silent for a moment, the only sound was our breathing. I pulled her closer to me, draping my body over hers, and inhaled her scent. She smelled like fucking Jasmine, and I wanted to devour her. But I stopped myself.

 Instead, I rubbed soothing circles on her back, content to just hold her for now.

My conscience gnawed at me, though. I wanted to tell her the truth, to reveal my true identity.

 She felt special, different from all the other women I'd been with, and I knew that I couldn't keep up the pretense for long. But before I could speak, my phone rang, shattering the silence. I cursed under my breath, apologizing to Isabella as I answered the call.

She slowly began to pull away from me and I had to fight the urge to snarl at her. To tell her not to.

“What?” I snapped into the phone, my patience already wearing thin.

“Alpha, I'm sorry to bother you, but we found the illegal weapon smuggler we've been investigating. He just showed up,” my Beta, Alan, said on the other end of the line.

Fuck. My blood boiled. That idiot had decided to show up now, of all times. I hung up the call and turned to Isabella, who was staring at me with concern in her eyes.

“I'm sorry, something came up. I have to go,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice even. I didn't want to let on how much I hated having to leave her. Braxton was already growling, not wanting to be separated from our mate. But we had to go.

I didn't look at her expression as I straightened my clothes.

Whatever she was feeling, I didn't want to see it. It would only make it harder for me to leave. Even my wolf right now wasn't helping matter either, he kept growling until I had to shut him off angrily.