The Rogue Lycan Princess

SHADOW

"What's wrong, Shadow?" Kent, my adopted father, asked who had raised me since I was eight. His thick brows squished together. Concern filled his hazel eyes.

"I don't know. I think I sense something." My wolf anxiously stirred and became restless. I gulped a glass of water.

I barely escaped from the savages who killed my father's entire pack. Because of the mixed mating, they ended up dead, and I ended up in a shelter with homeless humans. That was how Kent found me, gave me a home, and raised me as his own.

When I turned ten, Kent noticed something was different about me. I told him everything, how my parents died. At first, he thought it was a trauma that I'd seen things. When I reached puberty, he saw me change for the first time. Since then, he explored my kind.

We were about to meet the investor, and I couldn't screw this up. We traveled all the way from California for this meeting, only to be ruined because I felt something odd.

"I'll be fine alone. Go ahead. Get some air."

"I'm fine." I've already learned to mask my scent, but I could be reckless sometimes and tested my limit. Or probably just my luck, and there was a huge chance I would run out.

I joined a pack once in college, but the Alpha turned out to be more interested in finding a bedmate, his whore, than ruling his pack.

When Kent put my choices on the table, let me join a pack again or be with humans and work as one of them. I chose the alter I refused to join again.

I had been a rogue for years. And I'd rather be a rogue than join another pack ruled by a useless or raging homicidal maniac Alpha and get killed.

I learned my lesson. The last thing I wanted was to be controlled by an arrogant asshole alpha.

I believed in finding a mate, though- a lifetime partner, a soulmate in the human world, but at this moment, I was happy with how my life had been.

If my parents were alive, they would be proud of me, standing on my own, and soon, I would be working at Kent's company, Cornelius Marks & Co. Finance.

My wolf was happy hunting rabbits and raccoons on Kent's vast acre of property. I couldn't be selfish with her, and she was also a part of me, so we ran every weekend. I let her feel the dirt and mud under her paws. I let her smell the earth and taste the blood in her mouth as she chunked the rabbit.

She was happy, but deep inside, I knew she wanted more. She wanted to be in a pack where she could run and hunt with other wolves.

All of a sudden, the hair at the back of my neck stood up. My heart pumped so hard. I could feel my spine tingling as heat rushed through my body, and my wolf began purring.

"Calm down. Your eyes are about to glow." Kent reached for my hand, which I had already formed into a fist. He squeezed it. He knew when I was about to shift. He'd helped me through my first shift no matter how terrified he was.

As a human, I felt how much he loved me and never let me suffer alone through that tough time. He'd watched me as my bone deformed and cracked in my body until hair spread in my skin, my face formed a snout, my claws came out, and fangs erupted from my gums until I fully shifted and was able to talk to my wolf for the first time.

"Something is wrong." In my confused brain and restless wolf, I smelled someone's scent despite smelling these humans- their sweats, cologne, aftershave, and the arousal of that woman at the corner. Still, something distinct of that particular smell- something enticing and more.

Breathing deeply, I closed my eyes and inwardly talked to my wolf. Calm down, or you won't run for a month.

The most alluring, delicious scent became more distinct. As a hybrid of a Lycan and a witch, I had super senses ten times more than a regular werewolf. Since my father was an Alpha, I had superior strength and control of my mind.

"I'm sorry, Kent." I opened my eyes. I knew they were glowing. My half-witch gene made my gray eyes gleam silver and violet.

I could feel my claws and fangs coming out, and I'd never lost control over it since that incident almost killed Kent. I learned how to restrain my emotions, but something was wrong-a danger was coming my way.

With my weak knees, I rose from the seat and hurried out of the hotel cafe to get some air. I took the elevator to the rooftop since I was in uncharted territory in New York, and if the hush-hush was right, a big pack led by a feared Alpha was in this city.

Instead of running out, I went to the rooftop. I knew there were packs everywhere. I couldn't risk stumbling upon any kind because of my circumstances- a rogue. And there was no place safe for me. They would hunt me down.

Being in a pack was an advantage. You grew strong together and protected each other, but I could feel those savages who killed my parents were still out there. I couldn't risk my life, my freedom, and Kent. I owed him my life.

I inhaled deeply as I tried to calm down and take control.

"What was that for?" I asked my wolf.

"He smells something interesting." She was even purring.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop it, or I will shut you off."

As that Alpha shifted to a man after killing my helpless mother, the image of him flashed back to me. I could never forget the murderous look in his eyes and the distinct scar on his right face.

When a mate died, the other half was considered dead too. I watched how life was taken away from my father as he watched my mother's lifeless, shredded body. At that moment, I didn't want to have a mate. I didn't want to be helpless and weak. I couldn't endure the intense agony of losing the love of my life. At the same time, my wolf needed him, if he was even somewhere out there waiting for me.

"Are you okay?"

I growled. "Do you really have to ask me? You feel everything I feel, dumb wolf."

"We're gonna be fine, Shadow."

"Shut up. I need internal peace for a moment." I closed my eyes again for several seconds. Then, a smell of crisp dew of the grass in fall, a hint of sandalwood, and terpenes of fresh pine wafting through the air - that scent definitely belonged to a male- a strong male. And if my fear was correct. There was a werewolf in the city right now, closer to where I was.

I went back in the elevator. My anxiousness brewed back as I watched the floor number descend, but I got it under control. One thing was clear to me from the very beginning- the animal in me could still be feral. I didn't want anyone to get hurt when I uncontrollably and unwillingly transformed in front of humans under stress or fear or when she was provoked.

Maybe it was time to join a pack, but for a rogue longer than anyone, the Alpha wouldn't make it easy for me, and I would be an Omega-the lowest rank in the pack.

The elevator slid open in the lobby. I went back to the cafe, but the table Kent and I last occupied was already empty. I couldn't help but sniff and heave the air filtering various scents, from cologne to human smell and the strong aroma of coffee and sugar, but that distinct, alluring scent still lingered in the cafe.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked myself.

Kent must have taken my bag after the meeting. Either the meeting was abrupt and didn't go well, or they sealed the deal quickly.

The scent-he was definitely a werewolf, a strong werewolf, had a rank in the pack- an Alpha, but who was he?

I walked out of the cafe and decided to go back to my hotel room to change. I was wearing a pretty white corporate dress, but I also enjoyed being comfy in shirts, jeans, and my pajamas at home.

"I can't wait to run," I told myself, more likely to my wolf. She gave me a purr in approval.

As I reached the lobby, I felt the hair at the back of my neck standing on end. A human nose wouldn't notice the faint scent, but being a Lycan, I quickly followed it to the revolving door as it became stronger.

Heart slamming, I stopped and saw a man standing behind the glass wall. He was about six feet and a few inches tall. His stance possessed authority and absolute control- he used to bark around orders, and his men followed without questions because they respected and feared him. He had broad shoulders and strong arms through his stretched dark gray, well-tailored Italian suit. And I could tell just by looking at it. It cost him a thousand dollars. And I bet he looked handsome, as well.

I swallowed hard, keeping my eyes deliberately on his back, out of dirty thoughts where wasn't the right time and place, but his pants snugged around his powerful sculpted thighs.

I wanted to study him, whoever this man was, that caught my attention. I wanted to study him dressed and naked but cut abruptly short when the man turned around as if he sensed someone was ogling him.

Holy shit.

As I met the man's gaze, I gulped and froze like a wet cat. Those eyes were silver gray. I took it back-he wasn't handsome. He was gorgeous, so insane, it should be illegal. He was too surreal for his own good.

I ignored my inner voice telling me to talk to him because I knew that moment. I let my curiosity lead me to a dangerous end- it just killed the wet cat.

His thick, dark eyebrows suddenly met together, and his eyes became dark, deadly, and freezing cold as if he had a displeasure of catching me ogling him.

"Oh, no."

CALIFF

My wolves of hunters and scouts streamed through the land, giving them enough time to scout the perimeters of our territory for dangers and threats. Though assigned to border patrol, they wouldn't take chances when their Alpha was going out on the run.

"You're clear, Alpha," Kairo, one of the scouts, said through our pack link. That was how we communicated when in our wolf form or emergency.

Running always helped me think. Since that rogue saw me two days ago, my wolf has been agitated and restless. There was just something different about her. I ordered my Delta, Lorcan, and one of my hunters to find that woman. I doubted it was a coincidence that I was there in that hotel, and she was there too. I always trusted my instinct when protecting my pack and our alliances.

Our enemy packs had been very clever lately. I admitted that. Their members left the pack when on a spy mission and acted to join another pack to get information and study their weaknesses. I had done that in my late teens.

In our world, claws, fangs, and magic were dangerous, and threats were always out there. No matter how strong our pack was, we always expected the inevitable.

Racing past my hunters, I headed straight to the forest and turned off our link. The roughened pads of my paws charged over the log as the wind blew through my dark fur.

I ran as much as my body could take it. It was good for my stubborn wolf and my mind. I stopped at the rocky cliff overlooking the river and lush green trees. I shifted to human form.

Our disadvantage of being a werewolf was that our clothes would shed to pieces as we shifted, and we transformed back into two-legged naked humans.

"Alpha," Kairo came behind, offering me my clothes. His family had been a pack member since he was just a pup. When he was trained enough to fight, he took over the position from his father two years ago.

"Thank you." I put them on quickly. "Any news?"

"They're back," he replied in excitement. "They have the package."

My head snapped to him as I recalled those misty gray eyes to almost purple staring back at me in shock. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Let's go." I pivoted on my heel.

We came back to the compound from our run. My Beta and best friend, Duke, strode in my direction with a satisfying grin.

"So it's true then." I entered the pack house, where everyone greeted me. This had been Stone for many generations. We had houses provided for pack members who couldn't afford one and cabins at our perimeters for scouts and border patrols.

"Yes, Cal. And she stinks." He followed up with a laugh.

No, she didn't.

She tried masking her scent, but I still sniffed it, whiffing in the air. No one could do that unless she had practice, which made it more interesting.

"Are you sure she's the one?"

"Yeah. Hundred percent sure. She's still knocked out. Lorcan might have gone overboard with the dose when she fought back. But something else happened before they got into her."

My eyebrows knitted. My protective nature clawed out. "What happened?"

"There were other werewolves with her." So, my suspicions were correct. "I thought she was a rogue. And she is a rogue. Her smell doesn't lie."

"Let me prove my suspicion. We'll wait until she wakes up. In the meantime, let me take a shower."

"Sure. I'll be waiting in the command room."

I took two steps at a time upstairs and went through the hallway. My room was in the corner. I had my pad in the city during business meetings, but I stayed at the compound most of the time as the Alpha to Night Stalker Pack.

I took a quick shower, which never happened-the pit of my stomach fluttered as I watched myself in the mirror. I shut my eyes closed, and her face, her eyes came rushing back into my head. Her misty gray eyes widened in surprise as they locked mine. Her smell was a fresh rain, intense jasmine in spring, and a touch of vanilla. But no one should know that.

After I put on a new set of clothes, I went to the command room where Duke was monitoring the woman in our solitary confinement underground of one of our buildings.

"She just woke up," he informed.

It was her. From her corporate dress, she was now wearing workout clothes and a hoodie but showed enough a bit of the round of her breasts. Her hourglass figure but had curves in all sorts of my wild fantasies. Confused and shocked, she got up quickly from the iron bed, looked around, and promptly thought she was in a government laboratory for an experiment because of the white walls and lighting.

"Turn the speaker on." As soon as Duke turned it on, her voice echoed. My wolf almost purred.

"Hello? Where am I? Can someone talk to me?" There was panic in her voice, but I sensed a strong and commanding tone.

"Ask her what's her name."

"What's your name?" Duke asked through a microphone.

Her eyes, the same misty gray that kept me restless at night, widened. "Hey. I need to talk to someone who has authority. Where am I? Why am I here? You got the wrong guy, sir. Let me out of here!"

"Answer my question. What's your name?"

"I'm Shadow Hawks, asshole. If you're so brave kidnapping an innocent woman, show your fucking face so you can taste who I really am." She looked around to find a camera but could only see a two-way mirror, which she just raised her middle finger.

Duke chuckled. "She's feisty."

And I liked my woman, strong and feisty. I shook that thought off. A rogue? What the fuck!

"I'm going in." I walked out of the room.

"It's not a good idea, Cal."

"Don't question my authority." My voice came strong and stern.

"My apology, Alpha. I didn't mean it like that, but she's a rogue."

"I know. I want to know what she knows. She wants to speak with someone who has a fucking authority. Then she gets it."

"Alpha." Kindra met us outside the confinement room as Duke wrapped his arms around his mate and kissed her on the lips. She was our pack nurse and good at her job.

"What's the status?" I ignored their PDA.

"I was able to check her vitals before she woke up. She's stable."

"Open the door."

She pressed the code, and the door unlocked. I pushed it open. My chest hammered, just like when I felt threats and danger close, but this time, it was different. Her scent was stronger and alluring, making my head spin.

There were days when I felt like the most powerful Alpha in the world because I took control. I nurtured fear in my members. I earned respect from everyone, and I purposely ensured my words were my command. And one of those days was today.

I inwardly growled, ignoring the newfound raw hunger surging through me and the growing restlessness of my wolf as I stepped inside. Letting my self-control rule, I blocked out her intoxicating smell and irresistible presence.

She froze in her place the moment she sensed me, but she remained tough in her stance. As our gazes locked, I saw fear. I also saw defiance, and she had the audacity to look me in the eye for someone rogue like herself.

"You wanna talk to the authority? Here I am, but you don't talk until I tell you."

"Wow." She shrugged off with a chuckle. Her full lips, though pure carnal, spread into a mocky grin. Her bushy eyebrow arched. "Should I vow, Your Majesty? Tell you what. Let me go, and I won't keep grudges."

"That's unfortunate because you're not getting out of here alive." I showed no emotions even if my wolf had been bugging me, and my stomach had twisted in knots since I walked in. What was with this woman that had my senses heightened?

She gulped, showing a little frailty, and I whiffed a stench of fear in the air, but that was all. She became feisty again. Her eyes narrowed, almost glowing into silvery. Interesting. "Then go ahead. Be my guest."

"What were you doing in that hotel?"

"What do you do in the hotel? Pickup whores?"

"Answer my damn questions." I roared. My voice made her gasp. "If you want your head intact for the last five seconds, answer my questions. Do you understand me?"

She sighed shakily as she stepped back and sat on the bed. "I was there with my adopted father. He would be worried if he didn't hear from me in a few hours. Can we make this fast? I need to get back to LA."

"Don't fucking lie."

She lifted her gaze, locking with mine. "I'm not lying. Do you want a polygraph? Go ahead. Or if you have Lasso of Truth, please, feel free."

"Don't waste my time. What pack are you from?"

Her eyes narrowed. Her face reddened in anger. "Are you kidding me? You can't sniff a-"

"Answer the fucking question, or I will walk out, and you won't get another chance. Do you know what's that for?" I pointed at the sprinkler. "The water from that system is filled with wolfsbane, and you do such things that I don't like." I pointed up. "The iron bars with silver plating will be dropped and cage you until your skin burns. So trade carefully, rogue."

"I told you, I was there with my adopted father. You can see it on the CCTV if you don't believe me. We were there for a business meeting." You've got to be fucking kidding me. I just proved everything right. The intel was correct.

"Then why were you with other werewolves."

Her brows furrowed. "You mean your pack members who kidnapped me? I mean, what did I do wrong? Do you always kidnap werewolves, particularly women, because you can?"

I snorted. "You mean, my men, saving your life from those who tried to kidnap you?"

Her frown deepened as she shook her head. "Why would someone kidnap me?"

"Good question. I want you to answer that." I crossed my arms over my chest. "And lower your fucking voice when you talk to me."

"I've been rogue since those savages murdered my parents. I joined a pack once in college, but he wanted a whore instead of a pack member, so I left. I have no interest in becoming one, an Alpha's slave." She snorted. "No offense."

"When someone says no offense, that's what she exactly means. Here's what I can offer you to prolong your worthless life. Be my pack member-"

"Let me guess. I will be omega. No thanks. Hard pass." She just rolled her eyes. Unfuckingbelievable.

"Then you just punched your ticket." I walked out of the room. The door locked behind me.

"Fine out everything about her," I told Duke.

"Consider it done."

"Shadow. Pretty name for a pretty lady," Kindra commented.

If I was being honest, she was indeed pretty and had the body of a goddess, but her attitude was as stinks as the rogue wolf.

"What are you gonna do about her?"

I looked at him. "No one will come to see her unless I say so. No food. No water. Turn the lights off. She will spill everything in no time if she still values her life and her adopted father."

"What if she won't say anything, or she's telling the truth?" Kindra asked.

"If she doesn't submit, I'll burn her alive."

SHADOW

One moment, I was in the elevator for a run, and the next thing I knew, I was drugged and found myself locked up in a solitary by the most arrogant, feral, and ruthless Alpha I had ever met. My last Alpha had no match to this son of a bitch, and I still didn't know his name.

I felt like I'd been in this four-corner room for eternity. I lost track of time when I didn't see the sun or moon but darkness.

The Alpha was true to his word. I was left without food and water to starve me to death and no lights. It wasn't a problem, though. A werewolf could see clearly in the dark but not in a human form. And Kent trained me to control hardship and stress, but not against this man. He went beyond what I had prepared for.

I knew that Alphas were the last people you disrespected because their words were their rules, but his men took me forcibly, and I would be damned if they could force me to do what they desired.

Something about him made me want to bend the rules, get down on my knees, and submit to him. Maybe it was his voice, his command, or his unapologetic power oozing in his aura. And I must admit, he was more gorgeous up close, uptight, and dominant, which had me wondering if he was the kind who let his women kneel before him and do as he pleased before he took them to bed.

I started to feel the hunger. My mouth was parched. I felt dizzy as I tried to sit up. I also couldn't help but think of Kent. He must be worried, searching for me.

I blew a deep breath before I stood up, ignoring the room spinning around me. My knees were shaky, and my breathing was shallow, but I managed to reach the door and bang it.

Moments later, the lights went on.

"Can I talk to anyone? I want to make sure Kent is safe. Please?" That was my first mistake, telling them my weakness and letting them know about my human adopted father, but it was too late to take it back. They already knew.

I leaned against the door and dragged myself on the cold, tiled floor. I could have just wolfed out and shown them what I was, but that was not an option.

They couldn't know. No one should.

"Are you ready to answer questions?" It was the Beta talking.

"I answered your questions. I want to make sure Kent is safe. He's human. He has nothing to do with the world we live in." I licked my dry lips, dragging my breath.

"Then we can't help you."

"Is killing me softly will satisfy your Alpha? He could just snap my neck and be done with it. Then he can use this room for another rogue he wishes to torture because I'm telling you, I won't submit to him. I won't be forced to do what I don't believe in."

The door unlocked and pushed me forward, leaving me no choice but to sit down. I didn't have to lift my gaze to see who just walked in. I felt his powerful presence and his annoying but delicious scent. Somehow, he gave me a little bit of his strength. And it just pissed me off.

"You will change your mind when you see this." A mocking sneer was in place. His shiny, expensive shoes were the first thing I saw, and then the picture he dropped.

Swallowing hard, I picked it up with my shaky fingers since the white side was the one facing. My sight instantly blurred as the picture revealed. "No! No, no, no! What did you do?" My harsh tone was accusatory, and I had no intention of being sorry for it.

How did I stand up? I didn't know, but my heart and body were filled with anger and rage, fueling me with enough strength. My eyes narrowed as I saw red. No matter how weak I was, I could still feel my wolf coming out. My fangs ached. My claws grew.

"Calm your wolf down, or you will get your wish in an instant." He didn't even move or flinch. He just met my glare because I was challenging him.

I drew a draggy breath despite my rage. I wanted to claw his eyes out and his handsome face, but I needed to know that truth.

"You hurt the only person I care about most in this world. For an alpha, that's even low. You wanna kill me, do it," I said through clenched teeth.

"I thought that image would motivate you, but I didn't do it. I wouldn't hurt a human if he didn't do anything wrong to me and my clan," he said in a forbidding tone. Clan? How many were they exactly?

"Who did this? Who would hurt him? This is not the work of a human." I saw the patches, probably claw marks, on his chest. Kent was attacked, and they intended to show their true nature to a human, which was against the Werewolf Council.

"You are right. Who would hurt him? The people after you? And if they found out my men knocked them down three days ago, they would come after my pack. Tell me, who are they, Shadow?"

I slightly shook my head. "I've been telling you that I don't have any idea. I walked out of that life a long time ago. It just happened I was with Kent in that hotel, and you were there as well." I wiped my tears. I was not a crier, but I felt terrible for the only family I had left.

"Do you think your old pack will come after you?"

"If they did, they should have done it long ago. I don't have any idea who would hurt him." I met his gaze. He had no remorse. I couldn't see humane in those icy gray eyes, or this was his way of intimidating a poor, helpless rogue to make him submit. "Please, just let me go. I wanna bring him home and take care of him."

"No." One word- just one word made my world crumble.

"What do you want from me then?" My tone was stern, but I didn't give a shit right now.

"Who are those people?"

"I was tranquilized before I could even see their faces. I was in the elevator, about to go out for a run, before we left town. Do you think I wouldn't tell you to be with Kent if I knew something? I would do anything for him. You should know that."

"Let's say I believe you. I will take care of Kent, but the payment is you will stay here until you pay your debt." Tempting.

"How long would that be? How can I be so sure you would keep the end of the bargain."

"I'm an Alpha of Night Stalker Pack, Shadow. I don't break my words."

I gulped, diverting my gaze. Everything made sense now.

"Alpha Califf." I thought I mentioned his name. I only heard about him through my old pack, and he was ruthless, heartless, and torn a wolf apart without a blink.

"You've heard about me." His voice toned down, which was calming.

"Yeah. In my old pack, Black Arrow."

"That motherfucker is your alpha?" His voice was harsh and filled with disgust.

I met his gaze as anger filled my chest. His jaw locked hard. "Unfortunately, yes. Keane Locke."

"I want you to identify the sketches of the men who grabbed you."

"What is it for me?" I was still negotiating even if I had no hope of winning this.

"For Kent."

"I wanna be out of here."

"No."

"Out of this hellhole? And I want to eat." I thought I saw his upper lip curve up, or it was just me hallucinating with hunger.

He took a step forward, closing our gap. It had me gasping as his scent made my skin burn, made me crave his sweet touch, and I'd never felt this physical urge before, and he did, fisting my hair at the back of my head and giving it a hard yank as he cast me a disgusted look. "You will behave and follow my order and respect me just like everyone in my pack."

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"You will be under supervision. One wrong move, and you will be back here with silver bars."

"Got it the first time."

He groaned before he let my hair go and swore under his breath.

"Follow me." He took me to the huge kitchen, like the one in the hotel where his omegas were preparing food.

"Come here."

I followed him past through busy cooks. "I'm starving. I could barely walk straight and keep up."

"Sit." He didn't have to bark orders. I was grateful he let me out.

I sat down before the long wood table. He sat to my left and handed me the sketches.

I only recognized one. "I went to college with him. He and his mate recruited me."

"Name, Shadow."

"Jag Powell." As soon as the bread basket was placed on the table, I grabbed two pieces and took a huge bite. "He's a scout." I talked even though my mouth was full. I was so hungry and thirsty.

The next thing placed on the table was a plate of grilled chicken. I didn't give a damn even if I sat next to the most powerful Alpha. I had to eat. He didn't care, though. So I picked one thigh, and the guy from the kitchen placed a plate for me.

"I want water," I told the man, and he just looked at me.

"Give her water and fruits," Alpha Califf said.

"Yes, Alpha," he said before he left.

"Slow down."

"I've been there down for three days without food. Sorry, but I'm starving."

"So Jag Powell is from Black Arrow?"

"Yeah. He was one of the men who grabbed me?" I looked like shit, probably with sauce all around my lips, but I had no time to be pretty in front of the handsome Alpha.

"Yes."

"Was that picture you showed me real?" I was referring to Kent's picture in the hospital bed with bruises and patches on his chest.

"Yes. He had claw marks on his chest. Powell and the rest probably tortured him to give up your location, but they didn't kill him to send a message to you. The question is why Locke wants you back."

"I asked the same thing the moment I saw Jag's picture. I honestly have no clue." I finished two pieces of bread. I bit another piece of lamb rib. As werewolves, we had strong appetites and consumed loads of carbs to burn up during shifting.

"Think, Shadow. You need to give me something."

"Or you will leave my only family to be slaughtered by those dogs? I get it, but I couldn't think of anything. Ask me again after an hour or tomorrow."

"Is Keane your mate? Did you reject him?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Fuck no, but I would be glad to reject him if he was."

"Language,"

"My apology," I said with an eye-rolling.

"Were you two sleeping together?"

"It's none of your freaking business, but no. We didn't get to that point. The reason why I left was because he wanted to sleep with me. He may have been my Alpha at that time, but I still believed in finding my mate, and he was a useless alpha. He was only good at ordering people around but was reckless, greedy, brutal, arrogant, and only cared for himself." I chugged down a glass of water. Damn, it felt good. "Unless he changed. What's your deal with him, anyway?"

"He almost killed my men."

My jaw dropped. "Well, shit. So we have a common enemy, after all. An enemy of my enemy is my friend. Isn't that what they say?"

"Who killed your parents?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."