Page 24 of Alpha Marked

The world came crashing back down around her.

The music blared in her ears, and the odor of bodies and alcohol permeated her nose once more. She scanned his bodyguards frantically, who now knelt and bowed their heads to her. Except Vanessa, who gaped at the Lycan male like he'd lost his damn mind.

All she'd wanted was a night of possibly decent sex and to curl up in bed and fall asleep, but instead, she had a massive Lycan proclaiming her as his. Again. Only not so violently this time. And this time, her wolf agreed.

She looked to Bianca and Zeke for help. But heads bowed, they couldn't see her.

What the hell? Why were they acting like that?

Voices sounded outside the backroom, and all the men sprang to their feet. The Lycan moved her behind him, shielding her. And all hell broke loose.

River didn't know the newcomers or how they'd gotten into the VIP room, but the Lycan in front of her roared and lashed out. He swung wildly, hitting one shifter after the next. Flashes of light blinded her as dozens of cameras clicked off. She couldn't take it. The rage. The violence. It all flooded back.

His fangs on her neck. His blood splashing her as she stabbed him. The look in his eyes as Cherry yanked him off her.

Zeke and the other bodyguards jumped on the Lycan Alpha to restrain him. Vanessa shoved River out of the way.

Terrified, River clutched Bianca's hand and dragged her backward. They banged into the rear wall, and a panel creaked behind her. River shoved it open to a secret passage and raced down it.

"River, stop. Where are we going?" Bianca asked.

But River didn't stop. Something inside her told her to run. Not her wolf, who howled in pain, but the other part of her. The human part. The part that wanted to continue with her simple life and not become a breeding bitch to a monster. A hot, ripped monster. But still, a monster.

They reached the end of the passage, and River shoved open a small door leading down to the alley. River raced down the steps with Bianca stumbling behind.

"River. Stop. Stop." Bianca pulled on her arm as they reached the sidewalk in front of the club. "I need to find Zeke."

River couldn't think.

Bite.

Couldn't breathe.

Blood.

She needed to run.

Stab. Stab. Stab.

Her wolf growled and snarled to be let out. To go back. To find him.

My Alpha.

River's soul cleaved in two as her wolf fought her for control. She couldn't take it. She tore off her heels and handed them to Bianca.

"River, wait. Where are you going?" she called. "You have to go back. I think he's your mate."

Exactly.

River's claws extended, as did her fangs. She ripped the slit on her dress higher, turned and ran.

It couldn't have happened. Not to her. Not again. She couldn't be his mate. It wasn't possible.

His beautiful eyes floated back into view, and River howled as she ran. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Not again, she prayed to the Wolf Goddess.Please don't mate me to a Lycan. Not again.

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