Stolen by the Alpha Wolf: Shifter Romance (Accidental Theft Book 1) (5 page)

The
door slammed open. Chilly air swirled into his cosy cabin along with one pissed
shifter. Gage’s face was contorted in rage, his hands were fisted at his sides.
Even though Ward doubted the male would hurt the vampire, he still moved to put
himself between Gage and the female.

Aside
from dropping the knife and turning to face Gage, Stephany remained silent and outwardly
calm.

“What
the fuck, Ward?” Gage growled, his teeth were sharp points. If the male became
any angrier, he would start to sprout fur. Tearing towards them, he stopped
almost chest to chest with Ward. The shifter’s gaze held his for a few long
beats before moving over his shoulder to the vampire behind him.

Ward
couldn’t stop the low growl that tore from his throat as Gage’s eyes narrowed
on the female.

“She
can’t be here. It’s too risky.” Gage snarled, his canines long and gleaming.

Ward
shoved the other male, managing to get the big SOB to take a step backwards. “I
will deal with it,” he snarled back.

“I
will not risk…all that we have worked for…I refuse.”

“Calm
the fuck down.” Ward tried not to snarl in retaliation. Someone had to keep a
clear head through all of this.

“Fuck
you!” Gage’s eyes were glowing, his shirt stretched across his chest. If Ward
were willing to risk glancing down, he was sure he would find claws at the ends
of the other male’s fingers. Gage was so angry that he was in a semi shift. The
problem was that Ward could understand the reasons behind the anger and
underlying fear. If Stephany found out…moreover, if the vampire kings were to
find out their plans…they could be in real trouble. “I will deal with this,
Ward. You seem to have lost your mind.”

“I
said that I would handle it and I will. Trust me to do what is necessary. This
is my call…I don’t want to fight with you, Gage.”

The
other male visibly bristled. “You brought the enemy into our midst. A human
female is one thing, this”—his eyes moved back to Stephany, glowing brighter as
they landed on her—“is something else entirely.” His lip curled in a silent
snarl. “I will take the vampire.”

A
hissing sound erupted from behind him. Ward glanced back. Great, judging from
her red eyes and long canines, the female’s fight instincts were kicking in.
Another deafening hiss sounded as she advanced.

Ward
snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her into his back. It was the best he
could do and still keep Gage at his front. Her hands shoved at his back but he
held tight.

“Leave.
I’ve got this.” He tried to sound as calm as possible.

“Bull
fucking shit, Ward.”

“You’re
the one that’s making her act like this. I refuse to let you take her. You will
bleed before that happens.”

“She’s
a bloodsucker, Ward. This is how they are.” Although his frame was still tense
and his eyes were narrow, he had calmed enough to rationalize with.

“She’s
a female in my care. Hayden took her by accident and I will see that she is
returned. In the meantime, she will stay by my side at all times.”

“What
if she finds out?”

“She
won’t,” he growled.

“And
if she does?” Gage didn’t give him a chance to answer. “If she does, she dies
and by your hand.”

Stephany
stopped trying to get away from him. Instead, she pushed herself against him,
her hot breath fanning his back. She seemed to sense that she didn’t stand a
chance against this fierce shifter. That Ward was her only chance for survival.
She might be tougher than a human female but she was no match for a shifter
male in his prime.

“I
won’t kill a female…vampire or otherwise.”

“Give
her to me then. I will take care of it.”

Ward
grit his teeth to keep from snarling. “You would have innocent blood on your
hands?”

“I’ll
take her to the canyon and leave her to find her way back to civilization…”

“It
would be kinder to cut her heart out right now. Good luck trying.” His arm
tightened around the female at his back. It was irrational but he would kill
this male if he had to.

“If
she stays and finds out.” He spoke through clenched teeth. “She dies. You have
taken ownership so it will be by your hand. Do we have an agreement?” Gage’s
eyes darkened.

Ward
felt his skin tighten as his wolf attempted to erupt. His gums tingled and his
hands turned to claws at his side. “You have no authority over me.” His voice
had turned gravelly. His beast fought for dominance, it wanted to hurt Gage but
that would put the female in danger.

“Hand
her over or accept responsibility.”

“I
have taken ownership of this female. She will not find out, if she does I will
take her as my mate.”

Gage’s
jaw dropped open for a second, then he roared, his face twisted in rage. “What?
You would dare bring a bloodsucker into the pack. Are you out of your fucking
mind?”

Ward
punched him. It felt good to feel Gage’s nose snap under his fist. The big male
looked momentarily dazed. “What was that for?” He used the back of his hand to
wipe away a trickle of blood.

“Calm
down. I don’t plan on taking a vampire as a mate. It’s to prove to you how
serious I am about her never knowing our secrets.”

“Those
bastard kings can’t find out. You know she would tell them.”

“I
know.”

“Are
you sure you know what you’re doing?” Gage’s canines had retracted, his shirt
hung normally on his shoulders.

“I’ve
got this.” Ward noticed that Rushe was standing in the doorway.

“Fine.
Don’t fuck this up.”

“You
said that like I’m known for fucking up.”

Gage
shook his head, his lips twitched. “Don’t start now.”

“I
don’t plan to.”

Gage
nodded once, turned and walked out. Rushe closed the door. Ward turned,
expecting to find a quivering female in need of comfort. A few kind words,
maybe even a hug. The sight before him though made him take a momentary step
back.

Her
eyes may have been red before, but not like this. Her irises looked like they
were bleeding. No wonder she’d dropped the blade earlier, the claws at the ends
of her fingers put the paring knife to shame. Her eyes narrowed even more,
zoning in on him. She hissed, her canines long and deadly. Stephany looked down
at the claws on the ends of her hands, the ones that were covered in blood.
From the light sting on his back, he knew that it was his blood.

She
swallowed hard, and licked her lips before tearing her gaze from the crimson
rivulets on the ends of her fingers. Squeezing her hands into fists, she pulled
them behind her back. “Run,” her red eyes pleaded as she spoke.

“Do
you need blood?”

She
closed her eyes, squeezing them tight and shook her head. “I said to run.”

“I’m
not going anywhere. Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll help you.”

“Too
late.” She hissed again. When her eyes opened, they held a predatory gleam. It
wasn’t his imagination when they settled on the pulse at the base of his neck.
“I’m in hunt mode.” She took a step towards him and he had to fight to stand
his ground. Crazy, she was tall for a female but no match for him. Vampire or
not.

“If
you need blood, you can take from me.”

“I
intend to.” Stephany looked up at him through thick lashes. In that moment, her
hungry stare turned sensual. Yet still as deadly as the sharpest blade. Damned
if his body didn’t respond. She shoved at his chest and he stumbled in the
direction of the bed.

“Know
that I don’t want this.” She said as she advanced on him.

“You
don’t have to do this if—”

“I
don’t have a choice.” She closed the rest of the space between them and slid
her hands onto his chest. He sucked in a deep breath, amazed at how her scent
had intensified. Buttery vanilla and sweet, lemony frosting. His mouth was on
the verge of drooling when she shoved him again. He stumbled back, barely
keeping his footing.

“If
you want me on the bed that badly, all you have to do is ask.”

“Let’s
get something straight, wolf, I don’t want you.” Her eyes said otherwise as she
stalked towards him using one hand to push him. This time he was ready, and
although he could’ve broadened his stance and held his ground, he allowed her
to push him so that he landed with his back on the soft mattress. She straddled
him, long lean thighs on either side of his hips. His cock strained against his
zipper.

Down
boy.

His
dick refused to listen. Vampire or no, it wanted and it wanted bad. He would’ve
thought that red eyes and claws would be enough to turn a male off, but Ward
was a wolf after all and she kept flashing him the longest most delectable
canines he’d ever seen on a female.

“I
don’t want to hurt you.” Even when she was out of control, she was controlled.
It didn’t make any sense, yet it was true. “You can’t hurt me, honey.”

“Oh,
yes I can. Lie still or suffer the consequences.” She grabbed a hold of his arm,
turning it so that his wrist was exposed. He so longed to know what exactly
those consequences would be.

There
was a sharp pinch as her canines breached his skin. Stephany made a tortured
sound dropping his arm. Her gaze settled on his neck. “So thirsty.” Stephany
leaned in, her pebbled nipples slid over his chest as her mouth locked on his
neck. There was another pinch and she sucked deeply. His hips rolled forward in
time with her draw. The female made a sound of utter rapture, or maybe it was
him that made the noise?

Fuck.

He
felt his eyes roll to the back of his skull. It felt like her lips were wrapped
around his cock instead of on his neck, like each pull was a long languid suck
from the base to tip. His hips found a steady rhythm in time with her mouth. He
fought the urge to pull her against him, to bury himself inside her heat. Instead
of pulling her closer, he grabbed a hold of the sheets.

Stephany
moaned.

Ward
tasted divine.

So
good that her brain fogged over and shivers raced up and down her spine. He
tasted forbidden although she couldn’t remember why.
Didn’t want to.

Her
breasts felt heavy against his chest. Her nipples stiffened to the point of
pain. Her skin felt too tight. Her body flushed. A deep seated hunger awoke in
her, making her clit throb and her womb clench. She needed to ease the ache.
Needed to…her core met with hard male.

Yes.

She
whimpered, her desire kicking up a few hundred notches as she slid herself
against him.

More.

Rolling
her hips, she sought the friction that would ease the need. Gods be damned, she
needed to cum more than she needed to take her next breath. Her clothing felt
scratchy against her skin. One final pull had her mouth filling with his
delicious blood. Ward made the most sensual growling noise. It increased her
need, her desire.

She
rubbed her aching core against his hard cock, making a sound of frustration at
the layers of clothing that separated them. She needed to feel him inside her,
needed to ride him until she found completion. Stephany tore away from his
neck, sitting so that she could pull her shirt over her head. The worst of her
need for blood slaked. His eyes dropped to her breasts. They weren’t very big
and for the briefest second she thought to cover her chest. To stop this
insanity. His intense green eyes flared with desire. His hands closed on her
hips. She leaned back down, wanting to taste his mouth. Wanting all he had to
give. It had been many years since she had burned with desire this fierce. So
long. Too long. Even though she knew it was wrong she moved closer, her eyes
zoning in on his lips.

“I
don’t think this is a good idea.” He said as his calloused fingers moved from
her hips to cup her face.

Ignoring
him, she pressed herself more firmly against his chest loving how the
smattering of hair she had seen earlier abraded against her nipples shooting zings
of desire to her core.

He
held her in place, “As much as I would love to turn you around and rut you till
you scream my name, you don’t want this.”

The
wolf was right, yet he was also very wrong. She hadn’t wanted this. By blood,
she shouldn’t want it, yet she really, really did. “I do.” A breathless whisper
just inches from his mouth.

“I
think my blood went straight to your head.” He smiled. “I’m a wolf, honey, I only
possess so much will power. You really need to get off me and get dressed
before I…do something we’ll both regret.”

Her
blood ran cold. For just a moment she’d forgotten the very reason she had
chosen to stay celibate. She had accidentally mated Lance all those years ago.
Even though they had never lived together as mates, it didn’t change the bond
they had shared. Lance had died trying to save her, his body barely cold in his
grave and already she was shamelessly throwing herself at another male. The
horror of what she was doing rose up in her, she’d attacked Ward, had
practically raped him.

Thank
the gods he hadn’t wanted her back. That flare of desire she thought she had
seen must just have been her imagination. Most males she knew would rut with a
female if she made herself available. Ward wasn’t like that and she could count
herself lucky.

Stephany
scrambled off him, her arms clutched across her chest. Ward snagged her shirt
and handed it to her. His abs ribbed as he moved to a sitting position. She
noticed the major bulge in his pants as she grabbed the shirt, turning her back
to him so that she could put it back on. Stupid, since he’d already seen her.

Her
eyes burned, but she refused to cry.

Not
happening.

“About
that rabbit stew.”

“I’m
not hungry,” she blurted.

Ward
laughed. The rich, warm sound almost made her want to smile.
Almost.
“Well
some of us haven’t eaten yet and besides, I said I would make a decent cook out
of you and I plan on making good on my promise.”

It
was the last thing she felt like doing. She sensed his presence behind her.
Stephany squeezed her eyes shut wishing that the ground would just open up
already and swallow her whole. Instead, by some sick twist of fate she would be
forced to spend the next few days with this male. The worst part was, in her
haste to rut with him, she hadn’t drunk her fill before pulling away. The
chances were good that she would need to take blood from him again before he
let her go.

Stephany
suppressed a sigh. She turned to face the wolf. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Ward
held up his hands. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I
should’ve warned you or…something. I really shouldn’t have…never mind…” She
shook her head.

“Is
it always like that?

“Like
what?” It would be best if she played dumb.

He
arched an eyebrow. “That explosive, intense? Like the best foreplay I’ve ever
had.”

Stephany
had the urge to gasp and grin all at the same time, but chose the best option
instead…she suppressed both. “Not always.” Vampires drank from each other all
the time without jumping each other’s bones. She must be attracted to him on
some level…even though he was a wolf and she had sworn off males. This was why
she preferred to drink from a safe source…Xavier. Tried, tested…no feelings of
lust.

“Not
always? When does it happen then?” He threw her a lop-sided grin that told her
he knew exactly why it had happened. Made her want to stomp on his feet and
claw out his sexy eyes.
Wait just a minute
…the wolf was so not sexy. He
might be really big and seriously stacked, and maybe he had an evocative grin
and a deep commanding voice, but that didn’t make him sexy dammit.

“I
was in hunt mode. Not thinking clearly. It won’t happen again.”

Ward
looked thoughtful for a few seconds. “Actually, it was nice to see you let loose
a little.” He lifted his eyebrows and pursed his lips. They were full, soft
looking…edible. Ughhh…not going there.

If
she had been human, her cheeks would’ve flushed. “Yeah right, like you enjoyed
my trying to jump you like that.” She could’ve slapped herself. The ground
still refused to open.

Those
sexy green eyes of his turned stormy as they slid down the length of her.
“Let’s get something straight, you can jump my bones any time you like. Just
not when you’re in some blood crazed state.”

“I’m
a vampire.” She flashed him her fangs as proof.

Ward
locked his jaw, turning his eyes on her. “I told you not to flash your canines
at me, yet you keep insisting—”

“Fangs.
I’m not a wolf. I don’t have canines.”

He
threw her a tight smile that had her belly doing a somersault. “Fangs,
canines.” He shrugged his big shoulders. “Flash them one more time and I’ll
take you up on the offer.”

By
blood, the wolf did want her. The desire in his eyes had been real. The feral
gleam was there right now. That uncomfortable throb between her legs told her
that the feelings were mutual and not just blood induced. No way, no how. This
wasn’t happening. She didn’t like the female she became when she was in the
throes of rutting. The all out, let loose, let ‘er rip female that had mated
Lance by accident all those years ago. She detested that part of herself. His
nostrils flared.

“You
promised to teach me how to make stew.” She turned towards the counter. Wolves
and vampires did not mix. It would become her mantra for the rest of her stay.

****

A
not so subtle change of subject. Her arousal permeated the small space. Her
scent drove him crazy. By now his dick would have an indent from his zipper.
Her tight nipples speared the fabric of the t-shirt making it hard for him to
think straight. Only because he could clearly remember exactly how her breasts
had looked. They reminded him of succulent peaches, the smaller juicy kind,
they were tipped with the pinkest plumpest nipples. His mouth watered for a
taste.

She
looked at him from over her shoulder. “How many carrots should I cut?”

“One
more should do it.” He cleared his throat, his voice had that gravelly edge
which only happened when he was feeling ultra-aggressive or ultra horny.

His
dick throbbed.

“I
thought you were hungry.” Her voice quivered ever so slightly, telling him she
was just as affected as he was.

For
you.
“I am.”  He turned on the gas, the stove
lighting after two clicks. Almost immediately, a delicious smell circled
through the cabin as the butter melted and the onion began to fry. It helped to
mask her mouth-watering scent, made all the more tantalizing by her arousal.

He
set to work cutting the rabbit into small portions, removing the meat from the
bone. He added the meat to the onions, tossing in some herbs and spices
followed by three cups of water as well. Next, he helped Stephany cut the
remaining vegetables. He noted that she had done a much better job with the
carrots and that she kept glancing at what he was doing so that she could mimic
the action. Even her potato squares were actually half decent. “Put everything
into the pot.” He walked to the sink and washed his hands.

“All
of it?”

“That’s
how you make a stew. Throw a whole lot of different stuff into a pot and cook
slowly for an hour or two.”

“That
long? I thought you were hungry. What will you eat in the meanwhile?”

Stephany
must’ve caught his look that told her exactly what he’d like to eat, because
she bit on her bottom lip for a fraction of a second.

His
eyes locked on the movement. “The apples looked really good.” He reached past
her and picked one up, biting into the juicy flesh with a crunch.

“I
thought wolves only ate meat.”

He
shrugged. “A myth.” He winked. Stephany rolled her eyes at him.

“What
are we going to do while we wait?” Her eyes flashed with panic as she realized
how he might take her question and she was right. The image of this sexy
vampire’s head thrown back in utter ecstasy as he feasted on her pussy took
residence in his mind. Once the image arrived, it moved in, kicked back, and
settled in to stay.

It
was going to be a long ass night.

Her
expression quickly turned passive. It made him almost doubt the panic from a
second or two ago. “How long have you been the alpha?” She arched a perfect
brow as she sat back down on the sofa. Once again drawing those long, lean
limbs underneath her. She leaned back on the soft rest and he had to work hard
to keep from dropping his eyes as her chest thrust forward.

“Too
long. The wars have taken their toll on all the species, shifters included.
Many of the elders were lost in battle, my father died too young.”

“You
were made alpha as a young wolf?”

He
nodded. “When most my age were out howling at the moon and rutting anything
with fur, I was forced into the alpha position.”

Her
eyes widened. “Were you opposed? I’ve heard that although being alpha is a
birth right to the wolves, your position can be contested.”

Ward
tensed. “What else do the vampires know about our kind?” He took a seat on the
sofa opposite hers.

Her
startling blue eyes narrowed. “Not much. Relax. We can’t possibly know your
well-guarded secrets you keep referring to.”

He
forced himself to smile. “You are right, just like with any of the species,
alphas can be opposed and leadership contested. Just like with your
kings
”—he
growled the word, not liking to compare himself with those dickhead rulers—“alphas
have superior strength and ability. I was young, but I was also filled with
pain and rage. My father had taught me well. I harnessed my emotion and
retained leadership. I made some stupid mistakes, still do.” Trusting those
blasted elves had been beyond stupid, somewhere in the realm of idiotic. “My
mother still lives, and she was and still is a big help to me. I so should’ve
listened to her. Hounds, she’s always right.” Ward’s gaze moved to the dying
fire. He tossed in a few logs and stoked the embers.

When
he turned back to the female, she was smiling. “It takes a strong male to admit
that he was wrong.”

He
shrugged. “She was against my taking the human female. Against a few other
things as well, but I won’t get into all that.” His mom was against their
alliance with the elves. Against this whole war with the vampires period. She
believed that there were better ways of dealing with the inter species
disagreements, but on that count she was dead wrong. The only known form of
communication the vampire royalty seemed to understand was violence.

“The
human would not have agreed to the mating.” Stephany shook her head.

“Oh
yes, she would have.”

Her
eyes turned stormy as they darkened up a whole lot. “You would have forced her?”

“I
thought we had this conversation already and that I made myself clear. I would
never have forced her,” he folded his arms across his chest. “There would’ve
been no need for force. In the end, the human female would’ve begged for me to
take her.”