Page 37 of Ruled By The Alpha

Until now.

But as his tasty morsel slipped farther from his grasp, rising far too fast toward the jagged rocks above, there was no denying that this chilling discomfort was now a sensation he knew all too well.

She could not be hurt.

“Slow your breathing. Concentrate.” He called out the same tactics he used when he fought.

She rose higher, spiraling too fast.

He’d never reach her in time.

He tried anyway, sprinting toward the rocky wall, his heart battering against his ribs.

He’d tied the binds so tight. Been so sure she was secure.

Except now she was beyond his reach—and in danger. When he’d promised her she’d be safe.

He had never suffered such a setback. Made such a devastating miscalculation. He could not lose her. Could not have her hurt.

“You will listen. Now.” He growled low and deep as he climbed, the commanding sound an elemental, primal part of his being he hadn’t even realized existed until he’d found her.

Even better, the female answered, slowing her rate of ascent as she did so, calling back to him in a sensual purr that wound through every part of him, piercing his soul as easily as his fangs had once torn flesh, ripping away the old him and exposing something new and shiny beneath.

That sound. He would be content to listen to it always. To set the beating of his heart to its rhythm forever.

Except even as she slowed the rate of her rise, she was still less than an arm’s length from slamming into the hard rock.

“Stop!” What was the word she had used? “Please!” His roar, louder than even the crash of the waterfall, bounded off the cave walls.

And for once, finally, she listened.

Her body ceased its headlong rush, just as the top of her head brushed the jagged ceiling rocks.

He let out a heavy breath. That had been too close.

Never before had a quarry eluded him. Now, the one he wanted most had done so twice.

“Come.” He’d reached the top of the cave wall, but she was too far away to grab her like he had before. Even leaping would be risky. He waved her toward him instead.

Her gaze narrowed. “So you can strap me down again?”

“No.”

Suspicion simmered in her stare.

“I will not strap you down again.” He gave her the truth. “I will shackle you with something stronger—and then I will fuck your slippery, tight hole with my tongue again. You will scream for me once more.”

She swooped downward for a heartbeat before righting herself again. “I can be more than just prey.”

This time her body remained as if she was standing, silver and pink curls dancing around her face and streaming through the air. A sign her control and power was increasing.

She looked… magnificent. More delicious than any of the edible flowers in his lair.

Of course, she was more than prey. She was his.

His hunger grew. “Tiny creature, you will come to me now.”

She hissed at him. “I have a name.”

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