Page 45 of Drew

He knew she wasn’t at the house. Hopefully, he knew exactly where she was. At least she’d had the sense to tell Fredrica. If she could stall Mitch just a little, Drew could get here. She glanced at the time stamp on his message before setting the phone next to the paintbrush on the wide, flat rock.

Standing, she turned in a circle, attempting to spot him.

“Where are you, Mitch?”

Stepping out from behind a tree trunk, he advanced. “Hey, Alyssa.”

Tired of his constant presence in her life, she clenched her fists. “What do you want?”

“What I’ve always wanted. You.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want you. And I’m tired of you following me.”

When he continued to step closer, she noticed what looked like a blindfold in one hand and a length of rope in the other. “If that guy hadn’t shown up, you would have wanted me. I would have made sure of it.”

He was deranged. “Nope. And speaking of that guy, you’re on his property and have overstayed your welcome. You need to leave.”

“Not without you. Not this time.”

“Well, I’m not leaving with you.”

“I never thought you’d go willingly, even before your boyfriend.”

“His name is Drew, he’s my mate, and he’s going to kick your ass when he gets here.”

“We’ll be long gone before then,” Mitch smirked. “He’s sold you on some bullshit, Alyssa, about being his mate.”

She backed up as he got closer. “Let me guess. You think you’re my mate?”

His laugh bounced off the trees. “Fuck, no. I don’t want a mate.”

She took another step backward, the heel of her boot slipping on a bit of ice. The boots, coat, and all the clothing would need to go. She would need to shift. Her best chance at surviving this encounter was on four legs. “Then what do you want from me?”

The look in his eyes wasn’t crazy as she’d expected. No, he looked dangerous, intent on the hunt. She always thought he just wanted sex and had been afraid he’d try to rape her, but now, seeing him and knowing his true nature, she wondered if her life was at risk as well.

“He’s filled your head with lies, Alyssa.” Mitch took another step. “If he’s promised you that you’ll live forever, never age, never get sick, all for the low price of him turning you, well, he’s lied to you. You are better off staying human rather than turning into a monster, a freak of nature like him. He’s not your mate. It’s a trick.”

Freak.

The word triggered something inside her. She’d never belonged before, but now she had a lover, a pack, and a chance at happiness. Mitch was not going to fuck that up.

“I think you’ve made a mistake. Several, actually.” She backed up, dropping her coat and stepping out of her boots. “And they started with you underestimating me.”

“He’s already changed you,” he said, grasping her intent as she dropped more and more clothing. “Come with me. I can help you.”

“You’re going to help me?” She laughed. “Is that why you came with rope?”

He glanced down at the items in his hands. “I figured you’d be like every other bitch that’s always told me no. But you’re right. I’m mistaken.” He released the items, letting them sink into the snow, as his hands went to the zipper of his coat. “Your surrender will be even sweeter this way.”

His clothing was off faster than hers. She was still shifting when his body hit her. They skidded onto the frozen pond, separating as they slid along the slick surface. She was closer to the bank and got her feet under her first, but she had barely made it back to the trees before Mitch was on top of her again.

The wolf’s body slammed into her again, knocking her off her feet.

This time when she got up, he didn’t lunge right away. His tail tucked between his legs, his body lowered, and teeth bared as he growled. The sound shook Alyssa. This was no stray dog, no herbivore she was hunting. This wolf was here to win.

Alyssa felt her teeth exposed to the cold elements as a rival snarl crawled from her throat.

She hadn’t found Drew just to be dragged away.

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