Page 18 of Kidnapped By the Wolf

I’m not sure if she’s asking because she’s genuinely curious or if she’s still sizing me up.

I left the knife out on purpose yesterday to see what Cassie would do. I was impressed that she managed to cut herself loose, but she walked right out the front door of my cabin without eventryingto kill me.

Whatever heinous shit her father’s done, Cassie isn’t like him. When given the chance, her first instinct was to run — not to slit my throat.

I bring Cassie a cup of coffee, and she cracks a smile. Her eyes flutter closed as she takes a deep whiff, groaning softly at the smell. The sound makes me instantly hard, and I turn away before she notices.

Damn. Whatisit about this woman?

My wolf gives an impatient chuff, and I start cracking eggs to distract myself from the gorgeous human on my couch.

“What’s next on the agenda?” she asks. “Are we going to shoot my proof-of-life video while we have good light?”

Her tone is dry, but the question hits me like a punch to the gut.

It doesn’t matter that my wolf wants Cassie. To her, I’m just the piece of shit alpha holding her hostage — no better than her father.

“I thought we’d have breakfast,” I say. “You must be hungry.”

The toast pops up, and I busy myself with aggressively spreading each piece with butter and jam. Once the eggs are cooked, I plate the food and carry it over to the table. Cassie’s is piled with more bacon and sausage than any human could reasonably consume, but my wolf is insistent that we get as much food in her as possible.

I take my seat at the head of the table and motion for her to join me. Cassie stiffens, hesitating, but then her stomach snarls loudly in protest.

I wait for her to sit down before digging into my food. Cassie stares down at her own breakfast but doesn’t pick up her fork.

“What’s wrong?” I growl, feeling frustrated. Does she think I poisoned the food?

Her throat bobs as she looks down at her meal, and when she finally meets my gaze, I don’t think I’m imagining the raw emotion in her eyes. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

She gestures down at the eggs and toast, her stomach growling louder.

“You need to eat.”

Cassie immediately tamps down her emotions, narrowing her eyes. “Do you feedallyour hostages a hot breakfast?”

“Yes.” Not wanting to scarf my breakfast down like an animal, I set my fork down and wipe my mouth with a napkin. “But in the interest of full disclosure, you’re my very first one.”

“I’m flattered.”

Cassie’s expression is anything but, and I have to fight the urge to laugh.

“So, what’s your big plan?” she asks. “Are you going to start cutting off toes and mailing them to my father one by one?”

Irritation flares hot in my gut, and my wolf gives a low snarl. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t know what it is about this woman, but she sure knows how to push my buttons.

I need to regain control of the situation.

“How about this . . .” I begin, resting my elbows on the table and steepling my fingers. “How about you eat some breakfast and I’ll tell you?”

My belligerent little human tosses me a suspicious glare but obediently takes a bite of bacon.

Good girl.

I see it when the salty taste of the meat registers in her hungry brain. Her animal instincts kick into gear, and she immediately starts shoveling forkfuls of food into her mouth.

There’s something intensely satisfying about watching her eat. My wolf is finally content, while the man is anything but. Watching Cassie take dainty bites of bacon and lick her lips makes me want to lickherall over.

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