Page 17 of The Dancer

By the time I have finished my coffee, he has made us a delicious breakfast. Again, he lifts me, carrying me to a seat at the table and serving me a massive plate full of food.

“Elias, I’ll never be able to finish all this food!”

“Eat as much as you want. Or if you want, I can make you something else.” He stands, ready to go back to cooking.

“Sit with me,” I say. “I’m sure whatever you made will be delicious.”

I watch pride fill him, his entire posture straightening a bit more. It’s a massive thing with fated mates, especially males. They’re like cavemen. It makes them happy to feed their mates, even more so when their mate enjoys the meal.

I don’t have to act like I am enjoying the food because it is bloody delicious. I moan at the first bite before swallowing and taking another. Elias watches me eat, only starting with his meal once I am finished with mine.

A peaceful silence descends in the kitchen. I don’t know what thoughts are running through his mind, but I can only guess he is thinking back on my heat by the self-assured smirk on his face. As am I. I don’t remember much, but I do know the sex was amazing. I may have to rethink my stance on not only Alphas but pack life as well. It seems I may have been judging everyone harshly for the faults of a few.

The silence is broken by someone kicking down the kitchen door. A shriek burst forth from me before I could even attempt to keep quiet. Elias is beside me instantly, pulling me close to his massive body, trying to reassure me with his presence.

A man steps inside, glaring at Elias before directing his attention to me. The world around me goes silent, and I can’t hear anything except my heart beating in my ears.

I assess the man openly—dark hair, icy blue eyes, and asimilar large build to Elias but taller. I didn’t think anyone was more impressive than the Alpha at my side, but I was clearly wrong. The vacancy in his gaze sets my skin crawling as he glares at me.

“Who the fuck are you?” Elias demands, his voice carrying the weight of his Alpha status.

The man chuckles darkly, never taking his gaze off me. I feel exposed and raw under his scrutiny.

“Why are you here?” I ask softly, not even aware the words are slipping from between my lips.

“My name is Warren, and I am the Alpha of the Northridge Pack. Aldus Smith was the previous Alpha, and you are his last living offspring. I have been looking for you.” He glares at me, and I want to hide behind Elias.

My blood runs ice cold at the mention of the father I never knew. My mother only told me about him to make sure I avoided him and his godforsaken pack at all costs.

“I never knew my father. And I don’t care to know him now,” I say, ensuring I keep my voice even.

“And you have no authority in my territory, pack, or home,” Elias adds with a glare of his own.

“But I do,” Warren says, gazing at the angry Alpha beside me for the first time. “You see, Quinn was promised to me at birth, but her bitch of a mother stole her away.”

Chapter Sixteen

Elias

My gut clenches at the words of this stranger. Quinn is mine, and no one will take her from me. My wolf roars in the back of my mind, clawing at me, trying to surge forward and rip this bastard limb from limb. But I need to keep my head. I know the type of shifters that belong to the Northridge pack. They are all on the cusp of being fully fucking feral. It’s no wonder my mate’s mother stole her away and hid her from them.

I wouldn’t wish that kind of life on anyone, least of all my beautiful Quinn.

“She is my mate,” I state, trying to remain calm and keep a grip on my damn beast as he rails against talking to this asshole. “Fated by the Goddess and bearing my mark.”

He laughs. The fucking prick actually laughs in my fucking face.

“Do you really think I give a flying fuck about your mating or the fact you have defiled my property?” he questions with a raised brow. “I will take what is mine. I will replace your scent with mine, and I will fuck her so hard that even if there is any chance of your offspring growing inside her, I will rutt it right out of her body!” he ends with a roar.

Quinn gasps beside me, wrapping herself more tightly around me. It is the only thing currently keeping my wolf in check. If he bursts free now, she could be hurt, and neither of us wants that.

“I’ll rip your fucking throat out before you lay a hand on her.”

“You can try.” He smirks.

“Don’t I have a say in this?” my mate asks, her head tilted back as she stares at me with her pleading gaze.

“No,” Warren replies. “Your father made a blood vow, andyou will honor it, or I will burn the world to ash.”

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