by Piper Stone
“You’ll figure it out. You have time.”
Time. In truth, I wasn’t certain I believed that we had over thirty years to take care of the problem. I’d seen tissue degradation in handling the tests that were occurring at a faster rate than I’d been led to believe. I certainly wasn’t ready to publicize that little gem.
“I still think you’re hiding something up your sleeve,” he said in an amused tone, his gorgeous brown eyes sparkling in the dim lighting.
Shrugging, I realized I’d been carrying the burden by myself for months, trying to find the answers. “Can you keep a secret?”
“I think you know I can. You found the cure for polio?” he teased.
I gave him the same look I’d been giving him for years, finally rolling my eyes. “That was so yesterday.”
He laughed. “Please don’t tell me you’re doing something illegal.”
“Hell, no,” I quipped, although I was skirting the regulations of the science facility that I worked at just a smidgeon. “You know the protection of the Breeds is important to me.”
“Absolutely, which is one of the reasons I adore you.” When I didn’t laugh, he narrowed his eyes. “What have you done?”
“I’m working on something to help the Breeds.”
“Seriously, you’re not trying to get yourself into trouble, are you?”
I thought about what I was saying, feeling more uncomfortable than ever. The last thing I needed was anyone to overhear what we were talking about. “Maybe when I get closer to making some headway, I’ll give you a few details.”
“Uh-huh. I see how you are. Tossing out crumbs then making me wait. Or beg.”
When he gave me his infamous puppy dog look, I couldn’t help but smile, a portion of the tension slipping away. “I’m glad I came.”
“Me too.”
“But...”
It was his turn to be coy, the little boy grin on his face bursting at the seams. “Well, I have some news and a question.”
“O-kay. Don’t make me wait,” I purred as I winked.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d be my best man. Well, not man exactly but person. Yes, that’s it. Would you be my best person?”
“What in the hell are you asking me?”
“Jesus, Raven. You do need to get out of the lab more. I’m getting married. Would you be by my side when I marry the love of my life?”
While I was absolutely thrilled for him, I realized that a tiny piece of me had just been ripped away. I was also forced to face the fact everyone had a life of some kind except for me.
Be kind. Be a nice girl.
“I am so thrilled for you. Oh, my God. I don’t even know who she is. You’ve been keeping her a secret!”
“Not on purpose, silly. I’ve been asking you to have a drink with me for four weeks. So, is that a yes or do I need to look for another best friend?”
“Yes, you silly man. Of course I’ll be your best... person.”
As we toasted, Daniel grinned from ear to ear as he expounded on the amazing woman. I found myself tuning out. I was a horrible friend.
That was when I was forced to realize that I was one lonely girl. No wonder I’d concocted my own personal rugged man to fulfill my fantasies. Maybe it was time to consider a dating service.
Oh, hell, no. I wasn’t that kind of girl.
* * *
Darkness.
It wasn’t even eight-thirty and the darkness was overwhelming, but I felt refreshed. The time spent with Daniel had done me a world of good. He’d been so excited, beaming like a little kid. While weddings were certainly not what I’d heard they used to be, they were still revered, marriage thought of highly. Sadly, very few people bothered any longer.
As I held my hand in front of the scanner of my home, I wasn’t even entirely certain what a best man was supposed to do. At least I had a couple of months to find out. I tossed my bag onto the floor as the automatic lights came on, exhaustion settling in. Daniel was right that given the unrest within Philadelphia, carrying a weapon was a good idea.
There’d been too many horrific reports of attacks in and around the city during the last few months in particular.
Even the governor of our great state didn’t seem to take the dissidents seriously, acting as if the Breeds were lucky to remain allowed to hold down jobs and walk freely in our cities. While I’d never met the man, I couldn’t stand what he stood for. I had a bad feeling that the clashes would come to a head at some point, innocent people losing their lives.
The moment I walked into the kitchen, a series of prickles danced along my forearms, a fluttering of butterflies in my stomach. Stopping short, I cautiously turned around, half expecting to see my mystery man standing in the doorway.
There was no such thing, just an overactive imagination. Still, after grabbing a bottle of water, I made certain the security system was on before heading to find the single laser gun I owned, the only weapon I’d saved from my time spent with another organization.
As I walked into the bedroom, I was surprised how cold it felt in the room tonight. Maybe the loneliness was following me, tossing the feeling of suffocation my way. I lowered the lights until they were little more than a candle’s glow, hoping for the comforting feeling the room usually gave me. When it didn’t happen, I cursed under my breath. I was on edge, just as much as I’d been all day. Huffing, I kicked off my shoes then walked toward the closet.
Then I felt him.
Him.
The man.
The beast.
The presence larger than life.
I sucked in my breath, the scent of him instantly intoxicating. Thrown, I waited for a few seconds, praying that I was simply hearing things.
“Ggggrrr...”
Fuck.
Shivers ripped through every inch of my body even as the tingling continued. I was clammy, yet quivering, the electricity in my body soaring.
He was here.
And he would take me exactly as he had before.
Brutally.
When I turned around, his silhouette remained in the shadows, the light flickering as if it would over a romantic dinner. Only his visit had nothing to do with romance. He was here to fuck me.
“Raven,” he said quietly, so much so that I wasn’t entirely certain he even spoke the single word.
“I’m going to ask you again. Who the hell are you?” I managed, still trying to remember where I’d placed the gun. My God, I had no idea and the only other means of protection were the sharp knives in the kitchen.
“Your master.”
Master? Wait a minute. The asshole actually thought he was going to be my master. Oh, no. “You need to leave right now, or I’ll call law enforcement.”
“You won’t do that. Will you? Your hunger is too significant, the kind of desire that kept you awake last night, the burning need leaving you aching this morning. Didn’t you hunger to have my cock thrusting in and out, taking you like the savage you know me to be?”
This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real. As his exotic scent filtered into my nostrils, there was no way to continue denying his existence.
I backed away, attempting to reach for my personal telescan. I had no problem turning this bastard in.
Except he’s right. You crave him.
You hunger for his rough touch, his thick cock.
Bile formed in my throat as my little voice taunted me. As he took a single step further into the light, I was mesmerized by his incredible physique; dark hair cresting over his broad shoulders, every muscle sculpted into stone-chiseled perfection. He was huge, much taller than the majority of humans and his cock was a thing of beauty.
Fully engorged.
Throbbing.
Leaking pre-cum.
My nipples ached, my pussy clenching and releasing several times as I gazed at the beast, unable to catch my breath. The desire rushing through me was entirely different than before, as if I wouldn’t be able to resist him.
As if
I’d been swept up into the fantasy.
“Just stay away from me,” I managed, although the words were clipped, breathless.
When he released a low and husky growl, the sound reverberated over me, every cell in my body exploding.
He was beautiful in every way, powerful and dominant. While I should be terrified, I was drawn to him in a manner that couldn’t be explained. There was something enigmatic about him, an aura of superiority that matched his prowess.
Alpha.
The word played over and over again in my mind. Every Breed had an alpha leader, a single beast who ruled whatever group of animals they came from. There were so many rumors about them, stories that had been turned into legends over the years.
“You are mine. Mine to fuck. Mine to taste. Mine.”
His words jarred me out of the vivid images, forcing me back to some level of reality. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you need to leave right now. This is your last warning.”
He chuckled in a deep tone as he inched even closer, allowing me to see his eyes. My God, they were a vivid shade of emerald green, golden irises that couldn’t be human.
“Come to me, Raven.”
“Not a chance.” When I backed up again, I hit the closet door, the slight thudding forcing me to jump. Even though I knew I had very little chance to get away from him, I darted out to the side, racing toward the door. If I could just get outside, I had a chance to get away. Every emotion was overwhelmed, my senses on overload. I had to get away. I had to...
Wanton desire collided with my need for self-preservation, my entire world spinning the second he touched me.
He managed to snag my wrist, yanking me against the heat of his body. Nothing seemed real, yet at that moment, everything seemed exactly as it should. My breath was stolen, my skin tingling. When he leaned in, his massive body almost oppressive, he blew across the side of my face and goosebumps popped along every inch of my skin. No. No! As his fingers dug into me, I closed my eyes, trying to will the beast away.
When he pressed his cock against me, every cell and muscle exploded with a surreal amount of electricity, my heartrate soaring. I could almost read his thoughts, his filthy desires.
Feast.
Fuck.
Own.
“You will not run from me again or you will be punished. Do you understand?” His tone was rich and deep, the thunderous bass only fueling the quivers dancing in my pussy.
His words also created a rumble in my chest, my heart racing as my pulse ticked into overdrive. I was drawn to him in inexplicable ways, my entire body electrified from his touch alone.
No. This couldn’t happen. This wasn’t happening. I had to fight him.
After taking several deep breaths, I punched him hard in the gut, the move shocking him enough he lost his grip, if only for a few precious seconds. When I stumbled backwards, gasping for air and daring to take a look over my shoulder, I could see the frustration increasing on his face. There was no doubt he would take me.
Taste me.
Use me.
And a part of me wanted nothing more. I was sickened at the thought, but my body refused to cooperate. It was as if his presence had paralyzed me, further increasing my desire, a hunger like nothing I’d ever known. Using every ounce of strength as well as what was left of my mental stability, I managed to flee into the living room, attempting to formulate a plan of attack.
I could feel his presence directly behind me.
There was no way he was letting me go.
I lunged toward the kitchen, knocking over one of the chairs in my effort to flee.
Go to him. He is your master.
The ridiculous words played out like a song in my head, my inner voice now high pitched, echoing in my ears.
The beast thundered into the kitchen, remaining the doorway, his heavy breathing filtering into my ears.
“There is nowhere you can run,” he growled.
I turned around slowly, gazing at him in the darkness. The way his massive form was silhouetted in the slender strip of moonlight streaming in through the window only added to the ominous feel. Once again, I was paralyzed, unable to take another step.
Taking two long strides, he reached out, wrapping his massive hand around my arm and very slowly pulling me toward him. As he towered over me, his eyes penetrating mine, I could swear I caught a glimpse of his beast clawing at the surface, longing to break free of its chains.
“Ra-ven...” he hissed, a single growl erupting from his throat.
“What is your name?” I asked, attempting to be as defiant as possible. How could I be so drawn to this man, a pool of wetness forming between my legs? How could I long for a stranger? A brute? A monster? Shuddering, I tipped my head, my pulse racing.
His expression seductive, he lowered his head ever so slowly, as if time were standing still. When his nostrils flared, a deep rumble coming from his chest, I knew he was prepared to devour me. “I am darkness to your light,” he answered before capturing my mouth, dragging me onto my toes.
I was forced to palm his chest, my body swaying back and forth. When he slid his hand down my back, cupping my bottom, he ground his hips against me. There was no doubt what he wanted.
All of me.
Every. Single. Inch.
He kept his lips pressed against mine, taking his time to slowly force them to open, his control almost shocking. His darkness was overwhelming, his command not to be questioned.
As he thrust his tongue inside, I slammed both hands against him, trying to break the connection. Yet the feel of his throbbing cock pressing into my belly was almost too much to bear. I was lightheaded, unable to think or breathe, my nerves on edge as the electricity continued to soar. The scent of him was exotic; timber and spices, the earth and the sea. But the taste of him was enthralling, instantly intoxicating me.
Everything about him was overpowering, pulling my senses into an early state of bliss. His tongue dominating mine, he drank from me as if nothing else would quench his thirst. I was powerless to get out of his grasp, no longer able to feel my legs. Everything became a blur as the kiss continued, becoming more passionate than any I’d ever experienced. How could any man have this kind of hold over me?
The rational woman in me screamed to try to get away, to break whatever insane hold he had over me, but another part of me wanted nothing more than to fall deeper into his commands.
When he finally broke the kiss, brushing his lips across mine, his breathing was scattered.
But his words were dark and dangerous, a product of his beast.
“You will be punished.”
As he yanked me toward the counter, I was overcome with confusion, unable to pull away from his draw. When he rolled his fingers down my spine, a part of me broke free from the trance.
I scrambled to try to get away, only to be yanked toward the edge.
Fight. Fight. Fight.
The mantra reverberated in my mind the entire time he ripped at my clothes, tearing them away as if they were nothing but a slight hindrance. As the cool air wafted across my naked skin, he fisted my hair and shoved his body against mine. While everything about this was shocking, I fell into a dreamlike state, concentrating on my breathing. I remained on fire, the flames licking at my insides, the electricity shared between us crackling like a live wire.
“You are one very bad girl. Do you know what happens to disobedient women?” he asked in a hushed voice.
I could hear him rustling through my things, searching for something. I tried once again to get out of his grasp until my body was finally exhausted, my breathing scattered.
“What do you want from me?” I whispered, fighting to make certain the words were even coherent.
“You know exactly what I want, Raven. And what will be. I’ve come to claim you.”
As something hard was smacked against my bottom, my breath was stolen. Nothing could have prepared me for the sharp pain, the warmth rushing into my bottom. Gasping, I thre
w my arms over the counter, searching in the darkness for anything that would allow me to defend myself.
The beast smacked me again and again, moving from one side to the other in rapid motions. The entire world as I’d known it didn’t seem to exist any longer as the round of discipline continued. He’d found a wooden spatula. The bastard was spanking me with one of my own utensils. I remained floored, incapable of processing what the hell I was supposed to do.
“You will learn to obey me,” he snarled before rubbing his hand across my bottom, only adding to the dancing shivers, fueling the combustible heat shared between us.
He gave me another round of hard cracks, the horrible whacking sound mixing with the hammering of my heart. I finally rested my face against the counter, fighting to squelch the burning desire that was ready to erupt. What the hell was going on? Why couldn’t I fight him in any manner?
The beast spanked me long and hard, the pain shifting to anguish before another unsettling feeling washed over me. The agony had morphed into something dark and delicious.
As well as damning.
He’d thrust me into a moment of raw ecstasy, my pussy clenching and releasing over and over again until an orgasm threatened to burst into my system.
“Oh, God. Oh. Oh.” My strangled words filtered into the air and within seconds, he did the unthinkable.
He shoved several fingers past my swollen folds, thrusting with enough power that I was pitched against the edge of the counter.
“I will bring you great pleasure, but you must learn to obey me.”
His breath tingled every molecule, the words stinging almost as much as the rough spanking. Everything remained surreal as he flexed his fingers open, driving in delicious, even strokes, taking me to new heights of pleasure. I closed my eyes, the pleasure building.
Just when there was no holding back the intense climax, he withdrew his fingers, once again bringing his palm down against my bottom.
Panting, I slapped my hands against the counter, the pressure building, my pussy quivering. When the orgasm rushed into me, I pushed up from the surface, moans slipping past my lips.
