What Do You Want?

ALLIE

My lunch with James was amazing. He has surprised me. He seems a completely different person from the alpha I’d come to know.

When he kissed me, it was like nothing I’d experienced before. It was all-consuming.

My doubts about him being my mate are fading. I’m not convinced that we are meant to be together, but I’m seeing another side of him that I know I could fall in love with.

I don’t entirely trust him, not yet. He has said and done too many things that can’t be simply dismissed after one wonderful afternoon together.

I’m not sure if the person I’m seeing here won’t disappear as soon as we return to Linton and he’s surrounded by his pack again.

The kiss we shared was wonderful, and when he sucked on my neck fireworks exploded in my brain.

In that moment I was ready to go further, to give every part of myself to him, but he stopped.

The rational part of me, the part that doesn’t trust him yet, is glad he did. The other part of me, the one consumed by desire for him, is upset that he didn’t want to take things further.

The afternoon passes so quickly that I’m disappointed when he tells me it’s time to go.

He drives me back to the city, and when we arrive at my house he gets out of the car and escorts me to my front door. We share another passionate kiss, and I wonder if I’ll ever get enough of this man.

“I’ve really enjoyed today, Allie. Will you meet me for coffee tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I stutter, too overwhelmed by our kiss to say anything more.

“I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“I’d like that,” I tell him, and he gives me a big smile before walking back to his car. I stand there and watch him drive away.

The door opens behind me, and Danielle whispers, “In here, now! I want all the goss. You have been out all day with the alpha. You need to tell me ~everything~.”

I give a small sigh and walk into the house, ready for my interrogation from Danielle.

***

Once I’ve filled Danielle in on the details of my day, I decide to go for a run.

She’s preparing to host one of her amazing parties, and much as I normally enjoy them, after my day with James I want some time alone to think about my mate without interruption.

As the partygoers begin to arrive, I make my excuses and head into the forest to shift into my wolf. She surges forward and we take off running.

I try to keep her in check. I don’t want to travel as far today as we did a few nights ago. I know patrols have been increased, but I want to avoid running into any rogues this time.

We have run as far as I’m comfortable, and I’m relieved when my wolf agrees to return to the safety of our house. We turn to make our way home when I sense the presence of another wolf.

My ears prick up, and my nostrils flare at the scent of this wolf. It’s a scent I’m familiar with—I’ve met this wolf before.

Suddenly it dawns on me who it is: Ryan.

I run as fast as I can in the direction of the house.

The wolf bounds after me. I’m quick, but he’s faster.

He yips excitedly and stretches out his paws, pressing down on my back. He doesn’t use his claws, but his strength is enough to slam me to the ground.

He’s on top of me, and as much as I try to wriggle free, I’m unable to move.

He waits until I stop struggling before he transforms back to his human form.

“Shift,” he commands.

Out of curiosity, I obey. “What do you want with me?”

“To continue our conversation from the other night.”

“Conversation? I don’t remember much talking. You tried to kidnap me!”

“Kidnap is such an ugly word. I just wanted to talk to you in private,” he says with a grin. I would find him charming if I didn’t know exactly what sort of person he is.

“And instead of asking, you resorted to trying to force me to accompany you?”

“Well, if I had asked, would you have said yes?” he asks, already knowing the answer.

“Look, I’m not going to kidnap you,” he goes on without waiting for my reply. “It’s just me here. If I try to force you to come with me, you would make enough noise to bring the guards down on us.

“All I want is to spend some time with you. I’ve been searching for you for a long time, Allie. We are meant to be together.

“I’m telling you this now so you know when I come for you, and I ~will~ come for you, I won’t hurt you. You will be my queen and none of my wolves will ever harm you.”

“You’re delusional. I’m not yours; how can you say that to me? You must know we are not mates. Besides, why would you think I would want to be with you?

“I don’t know you, but all the things I’ve heard about your cruelty and brutality make you the last person I would want to be with.”

He gently touches my cheek. I don’t feel the same tingling sensation I get when James touches me, there is no burst of electricity, but it doesn’t feel unpleasant.

“No, you don’t know me, which is regrettable. If you did, I know you would come with me willingly. But now that I’ve found you, I won’t let you go.”

“You’re crazy,” I tell him. How can he think we have any future? My destiny is to be with my mate, and that isn’t Ryan.

“No, not crazy. Just determined to have what is mine. We will see each other again soon.”

With that, he shifts into his wolf and runs back into the forest.