It’s hot. Too hot.
Alicia felt slightly smothered from the overbearing heat. She reached out to remove the blanket, frowning slightly at how different it felt. Unlike the thin, worn blanket she was used to, the material was soft and thick, like a duvet. Still groggy, Alicia tossed it back, feeling a little relieved, exposing her back. Yet she was still overly hot.
Blinking through her sleepiness, Alicia halted her stretch, and her heart burst in her chest at the naked stranger she was clinging to! With her leg wrapped around his, half her body folded onto his solid eight-pack, hand resting on his chest.
Who was he? Where was she?!
The smoking-hot stranger with a killer body and looks pulled her closer to him. Wait, his arm was wrapped around her waist. And now her head was resting on his chest again. The steady beat of his heart was comforting, and boy, he was nice to look at both his strong jawline, black tousled locks that brushed against the top of his head, and not to mention his defined body. Her eyes dropped and sprung wider at the extensive outline of his groin underneath black boxers.
He was… really well-endowed. Having this man beside her made her mouth suddenly incredibly dry. At least he wasn’t completely naked. Alicia flicked down at her body and gasped. But I am!
She scrambled off the man, finally coming back to her senses. So, what if it felt nice to be cuddled like this! She didn’t know him!
The sexy stranger shifted again, this time his eyes opening, landing on Alicia immediately. With a relaxed smile that made her heart almost stop and forget how to breathe, he propped himself up on his elbow and hand. “Good morning,” he greeted, his voice husky with sleep.
Alicia clutched at the duvet, holding it to her chest, even though she wanted to melt right there from the sound of his voice and the picture of ease and sexiness he conveyed. For some reason, it made the panic within her sizzle out, though she was still cautious.
“Morning,” she replied, internally cursing herself at how breathless she sounded. Pushing her thoughts and embarrassment aside, she let her eyes wander from the piece of art in front of her and stray to the bedroom they were currently in.
There was nothing revealing any personal touches, no picture frames other than some modern art on the wall. Upon closer inspection, she realised it wasn't his residence at all but rather a hotel room. A sleek phone rested on the bedside table, accompanied by a pamphlet containing the room service contact information.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but what happened?”
She almost grimaced at that. It was quite obvious what happened- if their naked bodies and the slight throbbing between her thighs were anything to go by.
Alicia’s eyes flicked back to his when he didn’t respond. “Last night, you were in a car accident. I came to help and discovered you were tied up.” Slowly, her memory returned with flashes of her meeting this man.
He was so vicious. Yet, she didn’t feel anything about those kidnappers. Those men that she’d been handed to by her fath- by beta Fred.
“I took you back here, and I assume you know the rest…”
Oh my goddess! I asked him to stay! I asked Rowan to stay!
More memories of the previous night played out in her mind. Some causing her cheeks to flush at how confident she acted. Now, with the morning sunlight filtering through the sheer white curtains at the other end of the large bedroom, that confidence hid with the darkness of last night and was replaced with shame.
“Hey.” Alicia almost gasped at his tender touch, steering her chin to look at him again. “Don’t be ashamed. Unless you’re embarrassed by me-”
“No!” Alicia blurted out immediately. “Me embarrassed of you?!” She wanted to laugh hysterically at that. If anything, it should be the other way around. It was all too apparent that this man was an alpha and she was a weak omega.
He smirked, deep blue eyes sizzling as he stared at her and dropped his hand back to his side. Clearing her throat, and restraining herself from waving her hand in front of her heated cheeks, Alicia held her hand out towards him. “Why don’t we start again? I’m Alicia Meyer.”
Rowan arched his eyebrow at her hand, another smirk forming on those sexy lips, lips that dominated her own last night, lips that had been between her thighs… Oh shit. Alicia’s gaze flicked back up to meet his, inhaling quietly after forgetting to breathe again, especially with the knowing expression on his face, as though he knew exactly where her thoughts had turned to. His eyes had darkened, causing her body to heat. Under his gaze, she tried not to squirm from the intensity and the commanding presence that only an alpha could emanate.
“Little late for that, Alicia.” Rowan’s gaze flicked down to her other hand, still clutching the duvet to her chest, but he didn’t comment further on it and followed her lead.
His hand pretty much enveloped hers, his fingers long- fingers that had been inside of her- his hands large and making hers feel tiny in comparison. The warmth of his hand and the feel of callouses reminded her of how softly he touched her.
Pulling her hand back, she ignored the racing beat of her heart. “Thank you for saving me yesterday. I honestly don’t know where I will be today.” Her thoughts darkened to what her alpha wanted her to become and how beta Fred drugged her and allowed those men to take her away.
“Tell me what happened.” Rowan’s icy voice snapped her out of the betrayal and heartache washing over her again.
Alicia’s stare was caught in Rowan’s again. She was unable to look away from the dominant alpha, who seemed willing to hear her story.
Rowan listened to Alicia’s explanation of the events that happened the previous day, the more she spoke the fiercer his expression grew. Alicia was almost compelled to stop but anytime she hesitated, Rowan waved her on to continue. The more she spoke, the colder she felt, realising just how little everyone thought of her.She’d always been able to brush it off, persevere because there was always an end goal, always a light at the end of the tunnel. Now she wasn’t so sure. They’d literally kidnapped her and was going to send her off to some other Alpha to breed pups from.By the time Alicia finished, she was determined to face this head-on. “Anyway…” She trailed off, trying to brush off everything that happened to her, looking away from Rowan, who could see straight through her façade. “I need to return to my pack, and… and I need to speak to the Alpha King. Yes, maybe he can help with how I’ve been mistreated in the pack.” Her anger grew again as she glared at the bed sheets.Rowan la
Straightening her shoulders, Alicia strolled towards the steps, stopping when she felt everybody staring at her. Well, she did look like a mess. But it felt different this time.“Back already?” A woman she recognised but didn’t know folded her arms, leaning against one of the pillars of the mansion, looking Alicia up and down with disdain as she blew out a puff of smoke from her cigarette. “Being a breeder wasn’t what you expected?”How did this woman know she was meant to be someone’s breeder? Didn’t Alpha and Luna want to keep what happened quiet? If gossip spreads about how they forcibly took the beta's daughter, no matter how unwanted she was, to another alpha and became his breeder, it could tarnish Alpha Valko and Luna Fiona's reputation and that of the Blue Crescent pack.“Hey, I’m sure I can keep up with your slutty ways,” a man snickered behind her. She spun around, wide-eyed, shocked at his disgusting gesture, hand grabbing his groin over his jeans.“Excuse me?!” Her hands c
Gasps erupted in the living room, including Alicia’s, as she turned to look up at Rowan. He glared at Darci, who shrunk away and paled. Tom, on the other hand, glared straight back at his uncle, his gaze flicking between Alicia and Rowan, shrugging out of Darci’s hold. His face was taut with anger.When did these two meet? Why was she so… comfortable around him?! Leaning into him like that! It sickened and enraged him more! Didn’t Alicia love him? And already she was clinging onto someone else, not just anyone else but his uncle!Insults and names tingled on Tom’s tongue, ready to lash out, but this was Rowan Sharp, Alpha of the deadliest pack, Bloody Claw! He’d grown so powerful that Tom overheard his dad and grandad discussing the matter in urgency.“You cannot be serious,” Beta Fred was the first to respond to the shocking news that those in the living room still stared at them in disbelief.Alpha Valko also spoke, but Alicia’s mind was reeling over the news Rowan had shared. Her b
All eyes fell on Alicia in the pack house, the weight of their stares pushing one foot behind the other. The hesitancy transformed into a rush as she abruptly turned and fled, her steps brisk, ignoring Tom's call out to her. Other than her ex-boyfriend, nobody tried to stop her from leaving the pack house. Yet they also allowed her to leave without touching her or trying to send her off as a breeder.Rowan’s threat worked. Of course, it worked; Alicia just hoped it would last until he returned. Would he really return? She was anxious all of a sudden, worried that her mate didn’t want to deal with such family drama. Other than their night together, Rowan seemed quite closed off, a no-nonsense guy, certainly much older and mature than, well… He didn’t act like a complete douche like everyone else in that mansion!And he sure as hell wasn’t the oldest there.Alicia stopped on the steps, her breath leaving her in a rush. She watched as she saw Rowan’s town car driving away along the long
Before Alicia could make it halfway across the driveway and to the front door, the sound of an engine roaring and purring as Darci’s sports car swerved into the driveway, almost hitting Alicia in the process. She jumped back, alarmed at her sister’s aggressive behaviour. Darci slammed the door shut and marched towards her, somehow quite speedy in those heels.“Stay away from my fiancé!” She shrieked, eyes wide. “You homewrecker!”Me? A homewrecker?!Alicia stared at her like she was nuts. Perhaps she was? There was something utterly wrong with her sister. Maybe she was on something? Her eyes were so bright, and she was so sure about herself as though she’d been in a relationship with Tom this entire time and she was the other woman.“Stay away from Tom!”Erm…. Tom was following me?“You will not ruin our relationship!” Darci continued while Tom watched, his mouth slightly agape as he looked between the sisters. Alicia was pretty sure his balls were growing smaller the longer he stood
Flinging the door open, Rowan stormed into his office, unbuttoning his suit jacket before flopping down into the leather chair behind his desk. Unlike his brother’s packhouse, Rowan’s was warm and comforting, with slabs of stone, woodwork, and wooden floors that harmonised perfectly with the surrounding mountains. The whole packhouse had a rustic charm, and his office space, where he spent most of his time besides training, was precisely how he liked it.With a high vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows behind the desk overlooking the mountains and serene lake, a spot he frequently stared at while he was lost in his thoughts. The opulent desk was in the centre of the room, rich and dark, intricately carved, commanding attention to anyone entering the room. The leather chair was large, big enough to fit his broad frame. Adjacent to it stood a grand fireplace, and before the desk, plush leather armchairs sat.Opposite the fireplace stood a well-st
The following day, Rowan watched his warriors train on the field. Their grunts and gasps for breath along with the scent of their sweat and blood whirled around with the chilly breeze. The Alpha stood there, muscular arms crossed, wearing nothing but a black vest and tracksuit bottoms, expression stern. Droplets of sweat kissed his shoulders from where he’d trained and fought earlier, a good workout with his Gamma and aiding with demonstrations to the younger warriors.Rowan didn’t sleep well. All night, he’d been tossing and turning in his overly large bed, his body craving a particular silver-haired blonde. Even after washing away her scent, he couldn’t calm his beast or his racing heart. Mates shouldn’t be apart, and now he knew why. He was anxious about Alicia.When dawn broke out, the birds waking with the early morning rays, Rowan gave up on trying to sleep and was one of the first up, besides his men on patrol, and began working out, needing to get rid of his pent-up energy, po
Rowan grabbed the stripper’s wrists before her hands could touch his neck where they’d been aimed. “Alpha,” he growled. “Now get off.”Cherry gasped, her cheeks flushing as Rowan lifted her with one hand wrapped around both wrists and plopped her down on the sofa beside him. “My Alpha,” she breathed, her arousal and perfume nauseating Rowan.Voss gave him a sharp look, and the Alpha sighed. He wasn’t a dick to women, but he didn’t want to be touched. “I’ll pay for your time, but I do not need a lap dance or anything else for that matter,” Rowan clipped, finally putting his phone away in the inside pocket of his jacket.Cherry leaned towards him, pushing her breasts together so they almost spilt from her bra, a finger running down his shirt. “Are you sure? I don’t mind. For you, I’d dance for free, Alpha.”“We’re here on business,” Rowan replied, ignoring her advances. “I’ve been told you know something about Blue Crescent.”At the mention of Alpha Valko’s pack, Cherry stilled, though
Hiding in the bushes, the night had finally come when they were putting their plan in motion. Alicia felt like a thief in the night, especially since she finally got her clothes back. All of them black, a great camouflage for the middle of the peaceful night that was about to turn blood red.Alicia’s hair was hidden beneath the hood as she stared at the palace from a distance. Alpine had finally returned to her, and the first thing her wolf scolded Alicia about was Talon.‘He’s up to no good, child,’ she warned. Alicia needed no warning, however, because she didn’t trust Talon anyway.Alicia only trusted in the plan. They needed the vampires for numbers and power to overthrow the Crown.With Alpine’s return, Alicia’s werewolf healing had improved, along with her strength and speed. The scarring on Alicia’s neck was now minimal and would soon be fully healed. Her strength was replenished.Rowan didn’t intend to use Alicia, but if the royal pack was still too powerful against his packs
The plan to overthrow the throne within a few days was a little too optimistic. Alicia, Rowan and Lamia ended up staying at the vampires lair while they organised it. Although she’d been warned by Talon and her husband, Alicia did roam around the warehouse unguarded.Many vampires sneered and snickered, believing Alicia was acting naïve. But Alicia was protected by Talon as his guest and anyone that lost themselves to their vampiric urges, Alicia took out. Those who sneered ended up nodding respectfully at the future Luna Queen.“What is this?” Alicia asked as Hailey waltzed into the room carrying hangers of clothes.“Lord Talon requests you cover up,” Hailey explained, dipping her head respectfully at Rowan who lowered the phone from his ear, frowning at the clothes being put up in the empty wardrobe.Rowan clicked his tongue. “Did he forget to buy me clothes?”Hailey pursed her lips. “I-I could ask, Mr-”“You’re scaring her,” Alicia scolded her mate, smacking him playfully on the ar
“Now that’s sorted, why don’t we have a drink?” Talon’s eyes glinted as they looked at Alicia, the innuendo clear.Rowan stood. “Like we said before, there isn’t much time.” He reached down to take Alicia’s hand, but Talon’s words stopped them.“We still need to make a plan. Will you accept my hospitality or continue to be rude and dismissive, especially now that you have got what you came here to get?” Talon’s voice was frosty, and goosebumps rose on Alicia’s flesh.Rowan scoffed. He could see Talon eyeing up Alicia from out of the corner of his eye or whenever he didn’t think Rowan was looking. The vampire either lusted after her or wanted her blood.Obviously, he would have neither.“We can swap numbers and go through our plans over the phone. We can return to the pack-”“Once things are resolved here.” Lamia stepped forward, interrupting her son and placing a hand on his arm, giving him a look.Rowan was about to argue, but Lamia spoke again, quietly, only meant for him. “The Quee
Talon stared at Alicia for a beat, the growing silence tense until he burst into a laugh. His head threw back, revealing his sharp fangs in his enjoyment. Those around them relaxed, and the barman, who had paused his actions, returned to drying the glass.Alicia released a quiet breath, unaware she’d been holding it since she’d refused to tell him her name twice. She didn’t know where it came from, but the slight thrill under Talon’s gaze made her feel guilty.Alicia had seen many good-looking and powerful men, but none compared to Rowan. Now, in a matter of seconds, standing before this vampire, she’d felt almost entranced by his presence. Was it a vampire thing?No, otherwise, Alicia would have felt the same way as the others she’d seen so far. This only meant that she found Talon attractive and that she couldn’t accept, especially when her mate was right here.“Very well,” Talon smirked, his dazzling eyes twinkling as he continued to watch Alicia. “I was only asking out of manners,
There was no plan. They just turned up at Talon’s front door.Technically, it was a gate. The Vampire Lord didn’t live in an old manor or some sort of suave penthouse like Alicia was expecting. Instead, the car Rowan managed to rent stopped in front of a closed gate before a warehouse.The entire estate had many warehouses and lorries to the side, and behind it, there were many fields. Vineyards, Alicia realised. This was a winery.“This is definitely the right place?” Alicia questioned, looking to the back seat where Lamia had been resting against the black-tinted window.“I told you we were hiding in plain sight.” Lamia shrugged. “Let me speak to them.”Lamia exited the door and went to the speaker by the gate, pressing on the buzzer and waving at the CCTV.“Lamia?! Is that you?!” A woman’s voice crackled through. “Quick, tell Talon!”Rowan and Alicia glanced at each other.“Are you going to let us in, or will I turn to ash first?” Lamia jested.Silence followed her question before
Although Lamia’s story had been full of pain and betrayal, she still needed time to accept the death of her ex-lover. The vampiress left to take a walk leaving Alicia and Rowan to talk.“Did Tom do anything to you?” Rowan got straight to the point. “I could smell him all over you… You can tell me. I know you were imprisoned and-”Alicia cupped her husband’s face. “He did not r*pe me. I was tortured and humiliated…” She wouldn’t tell Rowan about Tom’s groping. There was no point. “If I stayed any longer he would have… I know he would. Void… the man who’d been torturing me managed to get him away from me before he could do anything.”“That piece of sh*t!” Rowan growled, his voice rumbling with his rage. His fierce eyes returned to Alicia, softening as he tugged her into him so they could cuddle on the bed.“I’m sorry I wasn’t there-”“You don’t need to be. It’s not your fault he is… disgusting.” Alicia shivered, remembering the humiliation of the silver collar, crawling around and weari
Lamia released the dead rabbit to the ground in the forest and wiped her face. She strolled by the river to wash the remnants of the blood from her hands. There was only so many humans she could drink from every other week, ensuring they didn’t remember what happened and the bite mark healed over.So today, Lamia had to drink from animals to keep her cravings at bay. She sighed while splashing her face, her thoughts already turning to the comforts of her luxurious home. She’d already spent a week away from it.While Lamia was preoccupied with her thoughts, cupping the water in the river for a final time, something smacked into her hand. Lamia’s head whipped to the side, her hands withdrawing from the body in the body. The fresh blood and sound of a weak heartbeat forced her to run to where the body floated to, and grabbed the man before he fell down the cascading water of the waterfall.Lamia fell back with the huge man collapsing atop her. She pushed him off her, but the taste of his
Vibrations rumbled along Alicia’s body. At first it felt like a dream. She was flying, with the wind flowing through her hair.Then the fog around her mind gradually faded, and the vibrations grew stronger until she felt herself bouncing and he head jolting every few seconds. It wasn’t comfortable yet she couldn’t open her heavy eyelids.It lasted for a while. It was like she was falling asleep and jolting awake nonstop. A horrid feeling, and one she couldn’t get out of.At long last, the movement stopped but she heard Rowan’s hushed voice with another. Rowan who she thought had been dead. Rowan who had been almost lifeless upon finding him in the hay.Alicia jolted up, wide awake, heart racing as she flailed in a panic, and searched the dark room for him. The bond tugged at her heartstrings as a light pooled into the room where Rowan walked through the door. The moment he saw her sitting up, Rowan rushed forward, the door slamming shut behind him, casting them in darkness once more.
Lamia and Alicia ran from the cells only to bump into Void. Lamia didn’t think twice before smacking the side of her hand into the back of his head. The giant collapsed instantly.“Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want to be the one to hurt him?” Lamia turned back to face Alicia. “I know he tortured you, but time is precious.”Lamia actually looked apologetic for attacking the man before Alicia. She shook her head with a chuckle. “No, no. I never had any problems with Void.”“Void?” Lamia’s voice deepened, a frown tugging between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “You didn’t have an issue with a man who tortured you?”Alicia shrugged. She already knew how messed up it was, so to avoid her mother-in-law’s questioning and accurately worried gaze, Alicia added, “He was following orders.”Lamia’s lips flattened into a straight line. She didn’t believe Alicia. Still, she answered, “Alright.” Like that she turned, removed the keys from Void’s belt and began putting them in the lock of the silver collar