Chapter 3 Act of seduction

Astrid can feel tension in the room stretching out between them, crackling like an electric energy. Suddenly she didn't find the situation so funny anymore, because now Caius was ordering her around. She couldn't believe the cheek of this new wolf, coming into herkitchen, telling her what to do with herplants. He wasn't a witch, he had no right.

And ok, it wasn't quite her kitchen but she was pretty much the only one who used it. Alpha or not, Astrid wasn't going to have a bar of it - She was a witch, damn it, and she wasn't going to be told what to do by some dog.

"I don't know who you think you are -" she got up from the table to stand in front of the tall man, hands on hips. She knew she must've been a funny site, because she was quite a bit shorter than the wolf.

"Caius," the handsome man interrupted, face wearing a smug smile that Astrid wanted to punch, "As Lachlan said, my name is Caius, and I'm in charge of security in The Underground. Which is a bit of a demotion if you ask me."

Her eyes probably look like a crazy person's, reaching comical levels of wideness. Astrid couldn't quite believe he'd called her dream job a demotion or that he'd dare to tell her what to do. She feel like saying that if the job was such an insult, he should just quite and leave it to someone better suited for it (her, obviously).

"I. Do. Not. Care." She managed to grind out, "You have been in this city all of two seconds-"

"Two months," Caius interrupted again, eyes dancing with humour, "You were in Italy, so I understand your confusion coming back here to find things changed."

Before Astrid had thought it through properly, she found myself leaning forward and clamping her hand over Caius' mouth, which seemed to genuinely take him by surprise.

"No," she shook her head slowly, as if he was a naughty child, "Stop talking," she took a moment to notice that his skin was hot to the touch. She was so close she could smell him, and he smelt good. It was frustrating as all heck, because the contact was sending delightful tremors throughout her body. Which was distracting and annoying - she suppose to be mad at this guy, not aroused.

The werewolf suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her close, his other arm coming to secure Astrid around the waist, pressing her against the long line of his hard body.

What the hell is he doing?

She realised too late that she was in trouble, and yet again her mouth had gotten her into hot water with someone she had no strength against, and no chance of actually being able to fight. It was then that she also noticed that his skin wasn't warm, no - it was searing hot. Burning through both their clothes, teasing her, tickling her in places that she'd rather not be tickled. The proximity was mortifying. He was too big, to warm, too handsome, too strong, too much.

"Listen here, little witch," Caius whispered harshly. She could see Lachlan practically about to launch himself from the chair, but Caius turned and snapped, "Do not intervene, pup."

Lachlan immediately froze and sat back down.

Caius's head turned back to me and Astrid could feel his eyes raking over her face, which was unfortunately tilted up at him. the angle of her head sending an ache through her neck. His arms were strong and she couldn't really manoeuvre herself into a more comfortable position. Astrid decided then and there that she utterly hate wolves. Their culture was all about mental and physical domination and she wasn't going to be getting out of this situation without at least a hefty dose of humiliation.

"You would do well to follow my command if you wish to live here peacefully. I am a patient man, but there are some things I won't tolerate. Lycan-ensnaring herbs in the main kitchen is one of them," Caius nodded towards the Bascillius plant sitting on the kitchen bench.

Astrid tried to wriggle from his strong grip, but all it did was further rub her against the infuriating man. it was becoming hard to ignore the pooling wetness between her legs and the sudden ache in her stomach. She could feel the hard little tips of her nipples pressing against her bra, begging for touch. Lycans had excellent smell and sense which just made all of it so much more humiliating and stressful. She could guarantee that he could feel her body's reaction, although thankfully there was no acknowledgement from him on this.

"It's non-flowering," She managed to say without screaming, "It doesn't work if it's non-flowering,"

"I don't give a damn," Caius whispered hotly into her face, his breath caressing her skin. He's was so close now, she could've kissed him, or bitten his face, and contemplated if the latter option is a viable choice at this point (although this was a terrible idea because as a general rule you didn't bite werewolves and you definitely didn't bite alphas unless you wanted to die). Caius continued his command, "move the plants now or I will put them in the bin."