Page 2 of Alpha Scorned

I could stare at her, though. In fact, it was hard for me to look anywhere other than at her strong and stunning face. I swallowed. Lina had become my everything, yet in reality was my nothing at all. She had been one of the women our group of shifters had rescued from a prison run by a demon general. I’d known, even back then, that she was a potential mate for me, though I hadn’t realised until later that she was my soulmate. I hadn’t told Selina my plans for us. She’d wanted to stay and support the other women and I hadn’t wanted her in danger, so I hadn’t pushed it. I’d always intended to go back to the Canadian pack lands and claim her, but she hadn’t waited. She’d shacked up with the Alpha, Shane Dower, and become his Beta and his lover. I held my anger at bay, clenching my jaw.

Devon stilled and looked at me, then he lifted a chubby hand and placed it on my cheek, instantly stealing my anger.

“Nap, nap,” he mumbled, and he curled up against my chest, eyeing his mother from under hooded eyes, as if he was daring her to take him away.

“It’s okay, Lina. I’ll take him.” I stood and adjusted his weight. He was big for nearly two—and heavy. It would be a long way for Lina to carry him. Without giving her a chance to protest, I marched from the room, deliberately meeting Shane’s gaze and giving him a glare as I passed, Lina in tow.

I felt a pulse of warning from Connor hit me, but I ignored it. Fuck being civil. If Shane wanted to throw down with me, I was more than up for it. But I knew he wouldn’t. That fucker might not like having his nose pushed out of joint, but I knew he didn’t value Selina enough to risk losing his pack or Alpha status over her.

Keeping Devon cradled against my chest, I marched through the stone corridors of the huge Scottish castle, and up the stairs to the third floor.

“How do you know which room we’re in?” Lina asked tightly.

I halted and turned to peer down at her. Her auburn curls shone in the sunlight that filtered in the small diamond shaped windows, highlighting the reds and golds hidden in its strands. “Because I told Ember you’d like this room for Devon. It’s next to yours,”and that fucker’s…“and I had that room allocated to you…”and that fucker you’re sleeping with“...because I knew you’d love the view across the hills to the ocean.”

“Oh, I, uh…thank you… I guess.” She looked down at the floor and my heart squeezed. She looked so...unsure.

I might be pissed off, but I didn’t like seeing her uncomfortable around me. I took pity on her, and tried to be pleasant. “You told me that you loved the ocean but had only seen it once. I thought you’d like to see it every time you look out of the window.”

I heard her sharp intake of air. “You remember that?” Her words were whispered. “That was over a year ago.”

Of course I do. I remember everything you ever told me,I answered silently.

I balanced Devon in one arm. The little guy had fallen asleep against my shoulder. Careful not to jiggle him, I opened the door to the turret room. It was large and airy, and had been set up with a little junior bed in one corner, one with a small side to stop him from rolling out. It took me four strides to cross to his bed where I laid him down, mindful not to wake him.

When I was satisfied he was safe and comfortable, I leaned down and kissed his soft cheek, then straightened, turning to face my mate. I froze. The sun slanted in through the windows, glinting in Lina’s emerald gaze, and fierce want twisted my gut. I couldn’t drag my gaze from hers. She must have sensed my battle with my primal side as she shuffled back a couple of steps, swallowing hard. Her unique scent and proximity sent my wolf over the edge. He snarled and scratched at my insides, demanding that I claim what was ours. Dammit! I needed to get out of here before I lost it and slammed her up against the wall with her legs spread, just as my need insisted I do.

Growling low in my chest, I headed to the door.

“Owen!” Her voice broke on my name. “Don’t go…please? Just...stay for a while?”

Anger ripped at my chest. “And what, Lina? Make polite conversation?” Grabbing the door, I yanked it open. “No.” But before I could walk through it, I caught the sound of her dash across the room before she clamped her fingers down on my wrist. Instant heat burned through me, her touch branding me. It was too much. I spun, twisted my wrist out of her hold and grabbed her by the shoulders instead. The momentum spun us both back into the room, and I didn’t stop us until her back hit up against the wall. Nudging the door shut with my foot, I leaned in close, trapping her body flush against mine.

I stared down at her, keeping her ensnared in my gaze. “Careful, Lina. I might think you actually want me.”

Her eyes widened, her breathing deep and erratic, her breasts straining against the soft jersey of her dress. “I...I…”

“What?” I glared down at her, my own breathing becoming erratic. My wolf howled, frenzied from being this close to our mate. Her wolf didn’t surface in her eyes, but I knew mine had. His power and dominance flooded me. Her pupils dilated, her breath catching on a sharp intake. I smirked, but it wasn’t with amusement; it was with smug satisfaction that I could affect her as she did me. Shit, if she knew how much power she had over me, I’d be lost.

I’d never allowed myself to get this close to her before. I bit back a groan. Her softness felt so good trapped beneath me. Mother Wolf, the thought of her in another male’s bed filled me with white hot fury.

Her soft mouth parted, her breath panting and mingling with mine, warming my lips. “Say it, Lina.” I pushed my pelvis forward, leaving her in no doubt how much I wanted her. I huffed a bitter laugh at my own thoughts.Wanted her?Who was I kidding? I lusted after her with every fibre of my being. “Say you don’t want me.”

She moaned, fuelling my desire, and I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my hips.

“Owen…” She whispered my name. A plea to stop, or to keep going? I had no idea, but hearing my name on her lips like that broke the last bit of my self-control.

I slammed my mouth against hers, devouring her softness. I’d often thought about how I would kiss her for the first time, but it had never been like this. Anger, resentment, and pure lust fuelled this kiss; on my side, anyway. On hers? I hadn’t a clue. Right then, I didn’t care. She was mine, and I would take what was mine… I pushed my body up against the lushness of hers, forcing her lips open with my tongue and spearing the sweetness of her mouth. It wasn’t gentle or loving. No, I wanted her to know how fucking angry and hurt I was. My actions were rough, almost cruel, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Disgust coiled around my gut. She’d suffered just like this at the hands of her captors in the past. What the fuck was I doing, forcing my will on her? But, try as I might, I couldn’t pull away, and her long, lust filled moan only made me more desperate.

I released one of her arms and grabbed the other one, slamming both of her wrists above her head and holding them there with one hand. She was tall for a woman, nearly six feet, but I was a good half foot taller, and far stronger.

I invaded her mouth with my tongue, moving it like I wanted to move inside her; hard and fast, before I swept it around the inside of her mouth, exploring every part.

My wolf howled, pushing me to take more. He was right.

I let my dominance roll out from me in waves. Her moan and the compliance of her body hit me. My dick twitched, hard and aching. I rolled against her, trying to find some kind of relief.

Holy fucking hell, this was insane…I’d never lost control like this…