Page 4 of Forced Wolf Bride

"We were going to hand you straight off to Diego, but now that I've had a good look at you, I think we might hang onto you for a while. Maybe have some fun," he says, his disgusting breath hot against my face. "And if you behave, we might just let you go. Or not."

I feel a surge of anger and disgust at his words. I'm not some toy to be played with; I'm a shifter. I remind myself that I'm a strong, independent woman. I refuse to let them break me.

"You can try," I spit out, trying to sound tough.

His grin widens, and he reaches out to grab me. I raise my hands, ready to fight, but the door bursts open and a deep voice booms through the room.

"What the hell is going on here, Marcus?"

I turn to see a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway. He's muscular and ruggedly handsome, with dark, silver-flecked hair and piercing green eyes. He's the most powerful shifter I've ever seen. And he's looking right at me.

"Diego," one of the men stammers, bowing his head. "We were just... taking care of a little problem."

Diego's eyes flicker to me, and I feel a shiver run through me as our eyes connect. I had no idea Silverstar’s enemy looked like this. My brain almost short-circuits, and my wolf whimpers as I try to reconcile the stories I've heard about Diego with the man currently taking my breath away.

I find myself unable to tear my eyes away from him as his gaze lingers on me, pure hunger in his eyes.

Chapter 3 - Diego

My heart seems to stop beating altogether as I take in the scene before me. When I got word Marcus and some of his buddies had dragged in some kidnapped women they thought might do for my mate, I simply rolled my eyes. Trust those idiots to think finding the perfect mate was as simple as picking one up like they're at the supermarket.

I immediately stormed over to the outbuildings where Marcus and his friends hang out. He runs the local auto shop, and they have a makeshift bar out back. I know exactly where they'd head when they returned.

So far, so predictable.

However, what I wasn't expecting was my reaction to the scene unfolding in front of me as I flung open the metal door.

Marcus has some woman cornered. I can't see her face, but my eyes immediately land on her legs—endless, curvy, and barely covered by a scrap of dirty material.

"What the hell is going on here, Marcus?" I bark.

Marcus spins around, and that's when I see her properly for the first time. Her auburn hair is falling in messy curls all around her, concealing part of her face, but her beauty is unmistakable. Her eyes are wild and angry, but as our gaze locks, there's something else there. Shock? Recognition?

Whatever it is, it's only a flash, and then the indignation returns to her face as she tries to jump away from Marcus.

"We've got a live one here, Diego. I was just about to send word to you." Marcus holds his hands out defensively as he speaks.

"He's lying. That's not what he said," the woman says, her voice loud and clear. I can smell her fear from here, but she's obviously determined not to show it.

I know Marcus is lying. I wouldn't trust him on any given day, and I'm no fool. He had a half-naked woman backed into a corner when I came in, and I don't think he was about to give her up. Even for his alpha.

The day is coming when I have to either get Marcus in line once and for all or get rid of him. But right now, I can't think of anything but the proud, strong, and half-naked woman with her back against the wall.

She's still staring at me, peering around Marcus's large frame, her eyes never leaving mine. I'm used to less dominant wolves looking to me for the next move or trying to figure out their fate, but I don't think that's what she's doing. I see it now. Behind the fear and obvious rage, there's heat.

Heat that I know is reflected in my own gaze.

I don't even need to look at Marcus to feel his eyes on me. He's defiant even when caught, which is not good at all.

"Out. All of you." I growl, watching the woman as her eyes widen. "Head to the hall. Zack will meet you there."

The men begin to shuffle out, but Marcus remains. "And what are we doing in the hall, Diego?" he finally asks.

Without hesitation, I answer, "Having a mating ceremony, obviously."

I hear the woman gasp, but ignore her for now.

Finally, my eyes leave the woman just long enough to level my alpha gaze at Marcus. As usual, he lowers his head immediately. He can talk the talk, but deep down, his wolf knows his place.

---