Hunted: A Claiming Novella (The Claiming)

by T. A. Grey

  Bravely lifting her chin she said, “Then talk.”

  His eyebrows rose just a hair, as if he wasn’t used to being ordered to do anything. He pulled his arms behind him. The action opened his chest to her and made her realize just how built he was. His shoulders were wide and filled out his shirt well, while his chest tapered to a more slender waist.

  “We are in a situation that cannot be changed. Were you notified of the rights of ownership given to me?”

  Chloe ground her teeth and seethed inside. The word ‘ownership’ while referring to her made her want to hit him. Yet all she could do was stare at his eyes. This man and his eyes were unlike anything she’d ever encountered before. Icy blue like the sky, glittering and bright.

  “I’m quite aware,” she said, peering at the wide double door. It looked heavy. Would she even be able to pull it open?

  Nerves had her feeling twitchy, like bugs were crawling up her arms and legs. She rubbed at them and took uneven breaths.

  “Since your rights have been given to me, stipulations must be made.” He took a step forward and she flinched, unable to help herself. He either didn’t notice her reaction or didn’t care, because he ignored her and went to the corner of the room where the biggest desk she’d ever seen was situated. It was bigger than the bathroom of her first apartment and much cleaner.

  “You are not to leave the compound under any circumstance without strict permission from me. You are not to be outside these walls at night. There will be no trips, no friends visiting, and absolutely no bothering me, my quarters, my things, my guards, or my work in any way.”

  Chloe stifled the sharp retort that was on her tongue and made a dash for the double doors. Her hand touched the brass handle, pulled down on it, then started to yank it open when a big hand slammed against the door an inch above her hand. She gave a startled scream and spun around, nearly losing the towel. He was standing not even a foot away.

  Although he might as well have been on the far side of the room, for she couldn’t even feel a hint of heat from his body. Well of course, she thought coldly, the man was a cold-hearted killer. Sure, he fought on the right side of things, if there was such a thing, but his eyes were those of a man who’d seen terrible things for far too long. No one could ever remain unjaded after that.

  She hadn’t realized she was staring into his eyes—eyes the color of the lightest of skies—until he blinked and shattered the look.

  “You know what I say is true, Ms. Bellum. Do not fight this or you will only make trouble for yourself. If you are aware of what your father has done upon his death, though I am still unsure why he made such a decision, then you know you are under my exclusive care. I am your Protector now.”

  Being so near him was like standing next to your executioner. An executioner who could take her, use her, share her in the worst of ways and nothing the law did could help her. Because she was his.

  “I am not yours. I will never be yours.” She gulped at his unblinking stare. “Commander,” she added somewhat nicely. If she couldn’t take the bull by the horn, then maybe she could coax it to lie down while she found a way out of here…and maybe a shirt.

  His brow furrowed and she swore that he seemed closer to her, though she hadn’t seen him take a step. Was this a vampire trick or her imagination?

  “This situation is one that neither of us seems to want.” For some reason, the fact that he didn’t want her miffed her. Just a little.

  “Then let me go.” He didn’t shake his head, but she sensed the refusal in him.

  Impossible. I am sealed by a debt of honor to your father. I will uphold it, no matter how complicated this matter is. The rules I mentioned before still stand and will never change.”

  He had a mouth that if wasn’t pulled into that tight line might be kissable, even lickable. Dang, Chloe. What’s wrong with you? Checking out the captor? She was crazy.

  Honestly, who upholds any of that old school stuff anyway? No one. My Papa didn’t even pay into the whole patriarchal thing. Seriously, we were raised to be independent and taught not to rely on a man. That fact that he’s…he’s given me to you is ridiculous and completely wrong for him. Just let me go and we’ll call it even. Your debt paid.”

  “I can’t do that, Ms. Bellum. I will not dishonor your father and the vow I made to repay my debt to him. You will stay here, under my protection.”

  She scoffed. “And where is here?” His voice was like cold ice running over her. It pebbled her nipples and brought goose bumps over her skin but not in a pleasurable way.

  “You are at my castle in Norway. We are near the Jorgmund, the biggest hole in the rift, where we get the most lapses. Many of the Atal Warriors are stationed below the castle.”

  Chloe squeezed her eyes shut. Think! Okay, what would her sisters do? Willow was probably already near China. No one could ever stop her, and Lily would probably try to perform some voodoo to get free.

  She took a deep breath, which did the opposite of calming her, because she accidentally drew in his scent. She gasped and felt a flash of pleasure surge through her. He smelled as a man should, like something she could lick and bite and sink her teeth into over and again.

  Oh God, what am I doing thinking thoughts like that! She was losing her mind. First, her Papa died leaving her to this nonsense, and now she was stuck with the most notorious man in the world. She would escape. She could do that. He didn’t seem intent upon hurting her and she might even be able to use the fact that he was indebted to her Papa to gain some leverage, if necessary.

  Escape. Her mind whirled with possibilities. Like how the heck did she get out of Norway and to an airport? She didn’t even have any money on her.

  “We need to discuss what will occur at the next new moon.” The thought she’d been having came to an abrupt stop in her head. Her eyes slammed open and her back dug into the door to try to get away from him.

  “You can’t…we can’t,” she said, shaking her head to clear it. “No way,” she said finally. The commander turned around and marched away. She took a deep breath; it was as if he sucked up all the air in the room with his presence. Now she could breathe, but it didn’t smell as delicious as it did when he was near.

  She tightened her grip on the towel to keep it from sliding down and embarrassing the hell out of her while she slowly, quietly slipped her free hand behind her. Her heart was beating so hard and fast, she prayed he couldn’t hear it. Could vampires hear such things? She reached, searching for the door handle.

  “Something must be done. I am sure you are aware of the changes that you will go through at the new moon.”

  Chloe glared at him. He knew just the right things to say to piss her off. “I am a succubus; of course I know. Better than you, I’m sure,” she said without hiding the sarcasm in her voice. “And I am not doing that with you,” she added for good measure.

  He brought those eyes back to her, seemingly assessing everything about her. From the red nail polish on her toes to the not-perfectly-thin figure she sported. She clutched the towel tighter around her and did what she knew Willow would do. She glared at him with a look that clearly said fuck you.

  “That is more than acceptable to me. I am sure you can find any number of willing males around the castle for your time of need. I’d recommend one of my closest guards because I sincerely trust them. If they do not meet your standards, perhaps one of the other Atal Warriors that reside below the castle. Please feel free to ask any of them. I shall not announce it to them in order to spare your privacy.”

  Chloe thought his proclamation might be sweet if he didn’t say it with a tone that bordered on arctic. Though she couldn’t help but think that he was acting as her pimp with the suggestion. Bastard. Handsome bastard with a nasty scar that kept drawing her gaze. What was the story behind it? Every scar had a story, no matter how simple. Never mind, it didn’t matter. She was getting the hell out of here.

  “I’m rather tired. I’d like to go now.” That is if I e
ven get my own room. She swore that if he tried to put her in his own bed, he was going to lose his balls by the end of the night.

  He gave a clipped nod then strode toward her. Her heart kicked up again. If she plastered herself any more thoroughly against the door, she’d carve herself into it. Whatever she thought he was going to do, it wasn’t to reach behind her and grab the door handle. His hand touched hers, which had curled tightly around the brass. She squealed, jumping at his unexpected touch. The action sent a series of events into motion.

  Chloe jerked her hand away from the shocking, scalding heat of his hand. The quick motion dislodged the knot of her towel and sent the scrap of cloth fluttering to a pool around her naked feet. As her wide eyes shot to his, she bent forward to try to cover her nakedness. The commander, Tyrian en Kulev’s expression was something she would never, ever forget.

  The cool, indifferent blue of his eyes ran quickly over her nipples, stomach, and sex. Those ice blue eyes widened a fraction, flared, and burned her with the intensity of their heat. Chloe gasped in a mix of surprise and pleasure. Stupidly she wondered if the commander had any idea how…seductive, intoxicating, sexy, he looked right now.

  The bloom of heat that unfurled from inside her couldn’t be stopped, nor could the thought of him taking her into his arms and kissing her. Do it, she pleaded silently to his downcast eyes. How did he make her go so quickly from wanting escape to wanting to be in his arms?

  He blinked and took one hard step back. The spell broke like glass shattering. He didn’t meet her eyes, but pulled down the door handle and opened it. It was as if the moment never happened.

  “Draven,” he called out. A second later, a tall warrior appeared at the door. His eyes instantly hit hers and a grin spread across his face as his eyes trailed down her body in a purely masculine sweep. His appearance didn’t have the intensity that Tyrian’s had, nor did it warm her body in hot anticipation. She recognized the warrior as one she’d twice punched solidly in the face before he captured her.

  Before she had a chance to move, Tyrian flashed before her, picking up the towel and wrapping it around her. She had only a brief glance, but it was enough to see the anger in his eyes. At her or at the warrior? Another flare of heat sparked inside her, warming her blood like hot syrup.

  The warrior named Draven nodded at her, and at Tyrian’s orders, led her to her room. Chloe ached to look back at the commander, which was silly and all kinds of stupid. She was…attracted to him. Literally, the absolute last thing she’d expected when she learned she was his. A warmth washed over her back. Was he watching her right now as his guard led her away?

  Surprisingly, insanely, the thought of spending her new moon with the commander was not unpleasant. Chloe followed the guard and wondered what her sisters would do in this situation.

  DISCOVER THE SERIES

  Chains of Frost (A Bellum Sisters Novel)

  About the Author

  T. A. Grey lives in Missouri where she lets her imagination explore uncharted worlds, probabilities, and creatures that don’t really exist. With a passion for books, especially ones with feisty women and an occasionally heroic man of action, T.A. writes erotic romance novels that test the limits of her creativity.

  When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing, and planning her next book. On the side, she enjoys watching horror movies and stand-up comedians. She is married with five cats, but she’s not married to the cats.

  Learn more at http://www.tagrey.com.