Take Me (47 page)

“Well?” Impatience laced his words with a fist.

She swallowed, wishing she had more time to analyze this. He was so strange.

“Tell me who you are first.” This could be a lieutenant, the alpha’s brother, or any number of people though she had a feeling she knew. Only certain man packed the kind of power an alpha did.

“Gavin MacKellen, alpha of the northwestern pack of lykaens. I hold allegiance to none but my people.”

“You’re a new alpha.” She’d been right.

Their lykaen species didn’t shapeshift as movies and books made them out to, but they did have some unique traits. They were strong, stronger than vampires, but not as fast. They outlived humans but could be killed any number of ways. In other words, they weren’t infallible.

They followed a hierarchy of strength just like pack animals. The connection between pack members was said to put human relationships to shame. Though, that also meant there was always one man that led them, protected them, and loved them. He was their alpha, a position obtained by battling the strongest men in the pack. Gavin had won that position.

Alicia’s pack was from Arizona, one of the southwest packs but even she had heard about the goings on in the Oregon territories. The previous alpha, Joseph Harrington was an older alpha that mated with a young woman who didn’t much care for him. She left him and fell in love with a vampire. The alpha went after her as they were wont to do and he died by the vampire leaving the northwester pack without an alpha. In stepped Gavin MacKellen.

“Yeah. I answered your questions, now answer mine. Are you mated?”
She answered honestly. “No.”

He sighed and she sensed the agitation mixed with relief in the sound. “Do you know why you’re here?”

Her back slammed ramrod straight. “You’re looking for a whore. I won’t be it.”

“You disrespect me to suggest I would.” He paused, clothes rustling as he moved. “I’m looking to mate.”

A mate. Someone to share love and responsibilities with to have children with. The mystery man wanted that. That seemed odd to her though she didn’t know why.

“Why?”

“Are you asking me why I want a mate?”

She bit her lip. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Why does anyone mate? I want it for the same reasons as anyone.”

True. Then why did she bother to ask him in the first place? She had to stop and think about it. Maybe because so far with him he’d put tape over her mouth, tied her up, tossed her into a dark room and forced her to have this weird conversation with only the light from the dimmest lamp in the world.

“Why all the,” she waved to indicate the room, “theatrics then? Can’t you just seek out a mate like everyone else does? You know, by dating.”

She expected his answer so when it didn’t come she couldn’t help but frown and shift in her seat. This man was beyond ridiculous.

“When is the last time you were with a man?”

Her body jerked. “Excuse me?”

He sighed, the sound thick not with impatience but caution. “I won’t repeat myself, Alicia Clarkson.”

She froze at the sound of her name even as a part of her understood that he had to know her name. The tone of his voice had changed though, the grating sound becoming a growl.

She answered as soon as she collected herself. “Seven months ago. No six. Yeah, six months, I think.”

“Were you sleeping with him?”

She bit the inside of her cheek, jaw flaring as a blush covered her face. “I don’t see what this as to do with–”

“Just answer the question,” he said in that slow, measure voice. He sounded like someone who didn’t waste words but chose them with care.

“Yes.” Why that admission embarrassed her when she knew there was no shame in what she’d done annoyed her.

“You make clothes.”

She nodded since he already knew this.

“Do you sell it?”

Another nod.

“How?”

This was all too surreal. Now he wanted to know about her job? Losing patience, she snapped. “I sell online. I have my own little e-store. I don’t do as well as I’d like but I’m fine with where I’m at. I get by.”

He didn’t say anything for a while. Alicia fidgeted with the ropes by wiggling her wrists which seemed to make them itch more.

Then he spoke and every inch of her stiffened. Even her heart skipped a beat. “What do you look for…in a man?”

“What?” she said, her voice as soft as a whisper. He sounded curious, maybe even a little embarrassed.

“Answer the question, please.”

She shook her head sending locks of hair snapping across her cheek. She came to a stand, teetered, then widened her stance to steady herself. “No, I’m done with this. I won’t play your little games anymore. You either explain what this is about or untie me. Actually untie me and show me the door. I’ve been ready to leave since I got here.”

He stood and she took an abrupt step back. Was it because she feared him—damn right.

“Turn around.”

“Like hell.”

She could hear him sucking in a mighty breath, perhaps trying for patience, but she didn’t feel bad that he suffered. Not when she was the one tied up.

“Turn around so I can untie you.”

Biting her lip, she debated his words. He could by lying. “Promise that’s all you want?”

He grunted some sound of agreement.

She was loathed to give him her back but she did, slowly. Better to show him her back than to keep the ropes on for god knows how long. He grabbed the rope binding her wrists and her heart jumped with fear. He could kill her; hurt her in so many ways.

“Stare straight ahead.”

Naturally, she tried to look over her shoulder but he grabbed the back of her head and turned it to face forward before she could catch a glimpse.

“Don’t.” A warning.

It became difficult to breathe. This close, she caught his scent. It was fresh and masculine smelled of something rugged and outdoors. The lykaen in her rolled onto its back and stretched, content. Whoa. Reel it in, Alicia.

She jumped at the sound of his voice so close to her ear. Was he leaning towards her? His had a gravelly, coarse voice, deep as a bass singers. He held the rope hostage as he spoke. “I’m searching for my mate, not lookin’ for no whore. I want you to stay here while we get to know each other. That means I’m gonna have some questions you’ll need to answer. You got that?”

Not really. “Yeah,” she said instead since she didn’t see any other options.

Another grunt of approval, then she heard the metal swish of a switchblade coming out. She wiggled, tugging to get her arms free as fear rode her.

“Please don’t hurt me.” She hung her head, arms trembling in his grasp.

“Stay still. I don’t wanna nick you.”

Like that her fear passed. The blade passed through the ropes with ease and her shoulders sagged with relief. The itchy, cursed rope fell away. She smiled at the tiny pleasure of being free.

“You’ll sleep down the hall. I’ll have Jakob show you the room.”

Fingers touched her forearms, strong and direct. They began to rub in circles, dipping into her muscle to massage it. She had to bite her lip to stifle a soft moan. She hadn’t even realized how tight her muscles had become until he touched her. He worked her cramped muscles until they were loose and warm, then he did the same to her hands. His thumb dipped into her palm and rubbed in slow circles shooting pleasure through her nerves. She was biting her lip so hard she could feel it swelling.

His touch left in an instant.

Rubbing her arms at the sudden chill, Alicia turned back only to find he’d retreated back to the shadows.

“I’ll send Jakob up.”

She didn’t mean to ask it but the words flew from her lips. “Why won’t you let me see your face?”

He opened the door, stepping into the hallway. She was so certain he wouldn’t answer her that she fiddled with her reddened wrists to hide her eyes.

But then he did answer and his words couldn’t have shocked her more than if he proclaimed himself as Zeus ruler of the gods.

“I don’t want you to see my face ‘cause I’m an ugly son of a bitch and you’re too pretty to be lookin’ at that.”

She gaped as he quietly shut the door behind him.

About the Author

I love to write the kind of stories that will keep you up late at night and make your heart pound. It’s my goal in writing to make each new book better, more exciting, more action-packed, not only to test myself as a writer but to keep thrilling you. I’m always trying to push the boundaries with my imagination, and yours, to create something new and different.

If you’re a fan of paranormal romance novels then you’ll love my Bellum Sisters Trilogy. This isn’t your typical romance story, so be prepared for a kick of heat and tons of action. The Bellum Sisters Trilogy has received excellent reviews from paranormal bloggers and two of the three books are Top Picks from Night Owl Reviews.

Now, if you like shorter books with quite a bit of heat, humor, and action then I’d recommend the Kategan Alphas series. This erotic series features the sexy Kategan family and all the lucky men and women who get to meet them and complete their lives.

Visit my website to learn more about me and my books at www.tagrey.com.