An Alpha's Claim (4 page)

She extended her arm a little farther but couldn’t feel anything. A warm hand grabbed onto Regine’s and she felt the soft fabric of the towel against her fingers. Had Regine been anywhere but on pack land, she would’ve had a set of tiger claws extended. She knew whoever was present wasn’t a danger. A random stranger wandering around Nathan’s property wasn’t possible. “Thanks,” she said while whipping her eyes. Once they were dry she found herself staring directly into the green orbs of the man who irked her nerves but set her very body on fire.

Nathan watched in mild amusement as Regine wrapped the towel around herself. In a house filled with shifters who practically walked around naked, she was always quick to cover herself in his presence. Nathan knew her shyness might be due to Regine being raised outside of pack life, but he hoped it was due to her attraction to him.

“Did you need something?”

Nathan was surprised that he didn’t detect anger in her voice or see it in her eyes. As was his habit, he focused on Regine’s bare shoulders, looking for any trace of a claim but again found nothing. He was confused and relieved at the same time. Any unmarked were fair game to one another.

Why would Anik be stupid enough to leave a female like Regine unmarked? Especially when a male like himself was nearby? Nathan was sure that his desire for Regine hadn’t gone unnoticed, even though he’d denied it to himself.

A million more questions went through Nathan’s mind, causing him to recall his father’s words about mating. “A mate will have you asking yourself questions that challenge everything you knew, who you think you are, and most of all, your legacy.”

Never intending to take a mate, Nathan had ignored his father’s words. Now they came flooding back.

Nathan was bewitched and had been from the moment he set eyes on Regine. There wasn’t a day that went by where he didn’t think about tasting her soft, dark chocolate skin. It infuriated him to know that Anik got to do so. That was why Nathan always had him patrolling whenever Regine stayed at the compound.

“Nathan, did you need something?” Regine asked again but her voice seemed to hold genuine concern.

Instead of answering he reached for the towel and pulled it away, revealing a body that was meant to be worshipped. “Turn around,” he whispered in a soft command. He was surprised when she did so without complaint.

Grabbing the other end the towel, he took a step closer. Nathan brought the towel on top of her shoulders and slid it down Regine’s back. He let the towel do its job, overjoyed at how close he was to her. Had it been earlier in the day Nathan wouldn’t risk such a public display of affection. However, he found it oddly soothing to do this. Regine seemed to as well because she leaned into the towel when it moved down her waist. Slowly, he slid lower, drying her legs.

Nathan gently patted her arms and stomach before moving to Regine’s breasts. His ears perked up at her uneven breaths as the towel massaged them in a slow methodical motion.

“Thank you,” she said and turned back to him.

Nathan could see the desire in her chestnut-brown eyes and pulled her closer to him. The towel had fallen, leaving no barrier between them…not that Nathan wanted one. He didn’t understand why Regine was allowing him to be this close. Maybe it was the power of the moon. Maybe she was finally ready to let their first meeting go. Nathan simply didn’t care. All that mattered at that moment was them.

The heat from their bodies rose steadily. On instinct he lowered his head and made contact with Regine’s lips. A chill of excitement went through Nathan’s spine. His hold tightened around her when she slid her tongue into his mouth. What possessed him to do this, Nathan didn’t know. But Regine was finally his and would remain so.

The scent of her arousal was driving him crazy. He could hear her soft moans and felt his claws begin to extend. His wolf took full control. Tearing away his lips, Nathan made a small cut on her shoulder. The light gasp from Regine made him hesitate but it was only for a moment. He placed his mouth over the small wound and lapped up every drop of blood. Regine’s breaths came faster but he wasn’t willing to let her go until his wolf was satisfied. Pulling her even closer, he removed his mouth from her shoulder and licked his lips before leaving light kisses across her neck. The taste of her blood sent an intense rush through him. Regine bent her head back and Nathan kissed his way up to her lips again. She moaned lightly before shoving him away. Nathan could feel everything Regine was feeling: arousal, confusion, happiness, and anger. All of the emotions seem to jump out of her and go straight into him.

“What did you just do, Nathan?” Regine asked before pushing him away. This was an unexpected turn of events. A simple thank-you kiss turned into a partial claim. She remembered one of the women explaining the entire process. It was completed once both mates have tasted each other’s blood and a connection was created between both shifters.

“I did what Anik wouldn’t. I’ve taken you as my mate.”

“I am no one’s mate, Nathan; not Anik’s and not yours. You had no right,” Regine spoke in a menacing tone as her entire body began to shudder.

“Why not?” Nathan asked.

Regine stepped forward showing no fear because truly, she had none. “Because I don’t date Alphas,” she replied boldly.

Nathan laughed. “That’s good because I never understood the logic in dating.”

Nathan’s tone would’ve shocked her had she not been so angry. Her mark began to throb with a weird intensity so she applied pressure to it.

“What makes you think that’s what I want?”

The fact that Nathan thought he could lay claim to her was the only thing running through her mind.

“So you’d rather claim someone who hasn’t chosen to claim you despite you claiming him?” Nathan asked.

Regine blinked suddenly realizing that while Anik hadn’t spoken about his mating, it hadn’t gone unnoticed. The mark on his right shoulder melded into his skin, leaving a light trace, but Regine hadn’t realize that others saw it. She still had much to learn about pack life. If their pack Alpha saw it then others did as well.
Why didn’t anyone say something if they saw it?
That was still no reason for Nathan’s harsh treatment toward the man.

“Okay, let’s get something straight. Your jealousy has indisputably clouded your better judgment. Anik is one of the most loyal members of this pack. Whoever I choose to claim is no concern of yours. Nor is it a concern for any of the other male members of this pack. All you need to know right now is that I am not yours,” Regine said almost regretfully.

The slight flicker in Nathan’s eye gave her pause.

“You don’t accept my claim?” His tone that was intimidating but held a bit of despair.

“No I don’t.”

His hard stare didn’t change but the color in his eyes darkened. Nathan caressed her face and it was all she could do not to flinch. It felt as if he was coming to terms with Regine’s decision. He smoothed his thumb over her lips before letting it fall to his side. Nathan said nothing as he turned away. Regine’s eyes followed as he shifted into his wolf form and ran into the night.

A deep regret flowed through her. Regine tried her best to ignore it but it continued to nag at her. Maybe she could’ve handled the situation better. Looking at the path Nathan took she considered following him but figured a full night’s rest would be a better decision.

Nathan didn’t know how long he ran but he finally came to a halt when the scent of humans reached his nose. There were only two: a man and a woman. Curiosity made Nathan move closer to the young couple. The man was on his knee and held something up to the woman.

“Yes! Yes! I’ll marry you,” the woman screamed and kissed the man.

Nathan turned away in both disgust and envy. Disgust because it didn’t take a wedding to become one’s true mate. The mating scar on the shoulder solidified everything. It was the closest thing to marriage his pack had. Once a claim was made, it was forever. One-sided claims were extremely rare but Nathan never thought he’d experience it. When he took in her blood there was no trace of Anik or any other male. Regine seemed to call to him without realizing it.

Nathan felt everything Regine was feeling at that very moment he claimed her. He sensed anger, desire, and confusion. However, confusion overpowered all of her emotions. Perhaps Regine wasn’t as upset by the claim as he first thought. Maybe Regine’s confusion was because she had feelings for him. If she did, there was still a chance to fix things.