Claiming the Alpha

by Alicia Montgomery

  “Just reconnecting with an old … friend.” Mila tossed her hair back. “It’s been sooooo long since I’ve been with my Darius—”

  “Mila, go home!” he roared. His wolf’s rage bubbled at the surface. “Now.”

  Judging by how all the blood had drained from Adrianna’s face it was too late. And Mila knew it. She patted him on the chest. “I’ll see you later, Darius.” She sauntered back into the house, slamming the door behind her.

  “It’s not what you think,” he said. But how was he to explain all this to Adrianna, without incriminating himself as a spy in the service of The Family?

  “I don’t care about your friends.” Her voice was cutting and cold. “You’re free to do what you want. And who you want.”

  “Adrianna.” He placed himself between her and the door when she tried to go back inside. “She’s nothing to me. No matter what she may have implied.”

  “You have your business,” she said, sidestepping him. “And I have mine.”

  “What does that mean?”

  But the only answer he got was the door slamming in his face.

  Damn women.

  The brief glimpse he had of a happy, contented Adrianna was gone. Instead, it was replaced by a cool, indifferent woman who didn’t even look him in the eye. He drove her to work, as usual, but she didn’t speak to him at all. She didn’t even come into the kitchen that morning, and he felt like an idiot waiting there with a steaming cup of coffee and the box of fresh pastries he bought this morning from the bakery in town.

  He waited for her outside her office the entire day, but she didn’t come out. Before he could think to get her some food, a delivery man arrived with a brown paper bag. Giselle took it into her office, and when he attempted to enter, he had a door slammed in his face again.

  “Miss Anderson?” he called when she blew past him as she left her office. “I’ll get the car if you want to wait—”

  “No need,” she said curtly. “I’m not going home with you.”

  “You’re not?”

  “I have plans.”

  Plans?

  “Dinner plans,” she said. “In fact—”

  “Oh, good,” William Blakely said as he walked into the reception area. “I was hoping I wasn’t too early.”

  “Not at all,” Adrianna said. “You’re just in time.”

  “Good,” he said, flashing her a warm smile. “I was glad you agreed to have dinner with me tonight.”

  “Well, it was a good thing that you were in town for business,” she said, returning his smile. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the food at Petite Louve.”

  “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

  Darius curled his hands into fists at his side. “Miss Anderson,” he said, carefully watching his tone. “Will we be staying later than usual?”

  “I’ll be staying to have dinner with William,” she said coolly. “You can go home.”

  “I cannot—”

  “I’ll take her home. Don’t worry, she’ll be safe with me.” The Alpha put his hand on her lower back and guided her out.

  Jealousy fueled his rage and coursed through his veins. So, Adrianna agreed to a date with the Philadelphia Alpha. Was it a reaction to Mila last night or was she genuinely interested in Blakely?

  It would certainly serve her right if he did go home. Maybe he should go back to the compound. He stalked out of the office and headed toward the garage via the stairs, hoping the exercise would help release some pent-up tension and keep his wolf at bay. It was seething at him, angry that he would dare let another man near Adrianna.

  He should have driven away from Manhattan as fast as he could. But instead, he found himself parking just across the street and sitting inside the car, staring at the restaurant’s facade. His imagination was running wild, thinking of Adrianna and Blakely, cozying up to each other in such a romantic setting. How would the night end for them? Would he take her home as he promised? But whose home? Hers or his?

  He wasn’t going to wait to find out. Pushing the door open, he strode out and walked across the street, ignoring the blaring horn of the car that nearly collided into him.

  The maître d’ was all smiles when he walked in. “Do you have a reserv—hey!”

  He pushed the young man aside and made a beeline for the corner table where Adrianna sat with her back to the dining room. As soon as he approached, Blakely sent him a furious look.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked with barely masked distaste.

  Adrianna turned her head. “Darius?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, Miss Anderson, but there’s an emergency.” The lie slipped out of his mouth with practiced ease. “It’s your sister. Miss Julianna.”

  “What?” She shot to her feet. “Did something happen with the new recruits?”

  “I can’t say for sure,” he said. “But it’s important we leave right away before the traffic conditions worsen.”

  She was already on her feet and had her purse in hand. “I’m sorry, William. But I have to attend to this.”

  Blakely looked skeptical, but didn’t protest. “Of course, Adrianna. As Alpha, I totally understand.”

  “Rain check?”

  “Of course. Anytime. Good luck with your crisis, and let me know if I can assist you.”

  “Thank you for understanding.” She looked at Darius. “Well? Let’s go.”

  He led her outside to the car and opened the door for her. She didn’t even protest and slid right inside.

  “What’s the emergency?” she asked, her voice frantic. “Is it the mages?”

  “I will explain when I get out of the city and onto the highway. It will be easier when I’m not trying to navigate New York traffic. “

  She slunk back into the seat. “I’ll call my mother.”

  Fuck. He locked the car doors and stepped on the gas.

  “Dammit!” She tossed her phone back in her purse. “Straight to voicemail.”

  That had bought him a few minutes for now, but who knew how long before she discovered his deception. It was a good thing the office wasn’t too far from the Holland Tunnel, but still, he pushed his car to the legal speed limit and soon they were out of Manhattan.

  “So, tell me what happened!” she exclaimed as soon as they were on the highway. “I need to know what to expect.”

  He kept his eyes on the road and gripped the wheel tighter.

  “Darius? What are you—” She stopped, then sucked in a breath. “You Goddamn liar!” she screeched. “There’s no emergency, is there?”

  It was a good thing he was already speeding down the highway when she realized the truth. And he was also glad he had a special device built in for his car—one that kept all the doors locked from the inside with the flick of a button right by his thumb on the wheel. While surely, she wouldn’t try to jump out of the car while he was going seventy-five miles an hour, he wasn’t going to take any chances.

  “I’m going to call my mother! And my father! You’re going to pay for this!” She reached for her purse.

  “And what will you tell your parents?”

  “That you’re kidnapping me!”

  “Kidnapping you?” he snorted. “I’m kidnapping you back to your own home?”

  “Argh!” Adrianna continued to hurl insults at him, using every imaginable curse word she likely knew in two different languages. He remained calm throughout the drive which probably irked her more.

  She must have gotten tired because halfway through the drive, she slumped back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest, silently fuming. Darius knew he had to have some sort of plan when they arrived because she was not going to be happy.

  When they approached the house and he slowed down, that’s when she discovered the special locks.

  “Goddamn you! Open this door!”

  He slid into the garage and waited for the door to close before he let himself out and walked around to her side. He was also glad for the bullet proof glass he had installed as it
muffled out the unholy screeching Adrianna was doing from inside the car.

  As soon as he opened the door, she pounced at him, swiping her hands at his face. He caught her delicate wrists easily. “Stop. Stop, Adrianna.” She struggled against him, and so he pinned her hands against the car. “Put your claws away, lupoaică, you’ve made your point.”

  Her eyes blazed with a fury he’d never seen before. “Made my point? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “If you wanted to make me jealous, then I’m happy to say that you’ve succeeded.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Yes. You don’t have to go out another date with Blakely to catch my attention.” Or anyone else, for that matter.

  “Ha!” Her eyes narrowed into slits. “And then what? You get to have your Mila and I’m supposed to stay at home like a spinster aunt? What about my needs?”

  “If you have needs, lupoaică, then I will be the one to satisfy them.”

  He pushed her against the car, trapping her body with his before his mouth captured hers. She struggled, but as he continued feasting on her sweet mouth, she melted against him.

  His tongue pushed into her mouth, seeking more than just the taste he had before. Her sweet scent was being drowned out by her arousal, fueling his own desire. He wanted her to know how much she turned him on, so he rubbed his erection against her core, making her whimper with need.

  He needed her bad. Needed to taste her bad. She cried out in protest when his mouth left hers but let out a gasp when he grabbed the front of her suit jacket and blouse, then pulled it open, sending buttons scattering everywhere. Her full, lush breasts were covered in a dainty lace bra and he let out a growl as he cupped them. She let out a moan when he squeezed gently, his thumbs teasing her nipples though the fabric. She looked magnificent, but he wanted more, so he got on his knees. He pushed her skirt over her hips, revealing matching panties.

  “Darius … you can’t … oh!”

  The lace ripped easily in his hands and he was practically drowning in the scent of her arousal. He pressed his nose against her folds, wanting more of her smell. She was dripping wet and his tongue easily slipped between her slick nether lips.

  “Darius!” Hands dug into his hair, yanking at the roots. She clenched around his tongue as he continued to slide in and out of her.

  “Nggghhh!”

  He swore he heard her head bang against the side of the roof. Sliding his hand down her leg, he lifted one foot and hooked it over his shoulder, spreading her thighs so he could press his mouth to her harder.

  “Darius!”

  Her hips bucked forward, and he steadied her by placing a hand on her pelvis. When she started trembling, he slid his hand down to pluck at her clit.

  She let out a muffled cry, and his mouth flooded with her juices. He continued his assault on her core, licking and stroking her until her body stopped shuddering. Gently, he put her foot down and began to lick a path up her belly and her breasts to end at her lips. He kissed her hard, wanting her to taste herself on his mouth while the tang of her arousal was still fresh.

  “Darius,” she panted. “Why … we can’t …”

  He stopped her again with his mouth, but she turned her head away. “You shouldn’t have done that!”

  “You enjoyed it,” he pointed out. “And so did I.”

  “This is insane.” She pushed at his chest and then sidestepped away from him. “Please, Darius, I can’t do this.”

  A tightness formed in his chest. “It’s your prerogative to say no anytime. However, perhaps you could do me the courtesy of telling me why you would reject my touch now after you allowed me to pleasure you?”

  “It’s not … I just …” She clutched at her ruined clothes, trying to keep them together with her hands. “I don’t do stuff like this. Despite what I said about having needs, I’ve only had serious relationships. Two ever. I don’t do hookups.”

  He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his raging erection. “You want me. And I want you. This doesn’t have to be complicated. We could just be two people who could give each other mindless pleasure.”

  “It’s already complicated!” She yanked her hand away from him. “I can’t sleep with you and act like nothing happened afterwards, then watch you chase after someone else! I think I’m—” She covered her hand with her mouth. “Darius, it would destroy me.”

  Her words should have elated him. She all but admitted to having deeper feelings for him. But her confession struck true terror into him. Anatoli. Oh, what his manipulative and power-hungry uncle would do if he found out Adrianna cared for him.

  “I understand. Forgive me, Miss Anderson.” He bent his head respectfully. “I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.”

  He slipped out of the door, not wanting to look at her face. He could already feel her she-wolf shrinking back at his rejection. His own animal cried out in desperate need.

  No, it wasn’t a rejection. He couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Truth be told, there was something else that scared him, and not just the threat of what Anatoli would do to her. She wanted romance. Soft words and gentle touches. She deserved all that and more. But he couldn’t give her that. He simply wasn’t capable as he had lost the ability to care for anything or anyone on that fateful night long ago.

  He dashed into the woods, ripping his clothes off as fast as he could, barely making it into the line of trees as his wolf burst from his skin. Run. The exercise would help burn off the excess energy and appease his wolf’s rage. It had to, because he didn’t know how he would survive the rest of his time here.

  Chapter Thirteen

  His wolf ran for what seemed like hours. He gave the wolf his mind and body, because it would surely drive him mad to have to think about Adrianna. On and on, not stopping, until eventually, their body gave in, and its legs collapsed sending him tumbling into frozen ground.

  It probably snowed sometime in the middle of the night because when he woke up, the ground was dusted with powdery ice. He shook the flakes that had gathered in his hair and realized he was back in his human body. With a groan, he got to his feet, rubbing his eyes.

  He trudged through the woods, and it took him a good while before he found himself back at the house. He thought to go back inside but realized that he wasn’t prepared to face Adrianna again.

  Maybe, this was his chance to go back to Anatoli and tell him that he couldn’t get any information from Adrianna. Perhaps he could even convince his uncle that he had tried to seduce her and she was the one that rejected him. Better for Anatoli to think that Adrianna was a cold uptight bitch who hated men.

  He located his discarded pants and put them on, then headed for the garage and got into his car. He drove two hours to the compound, but as he pulled into the long driveway that led to the gate, a black van approached from the opposite direction, then stopped right in front of his car, blocking his way.

  “What the fuck are you doing!” he shouted at the driver as he got out of the car. “What’s the meaning—Mila?”

  “Darius! I’m so glad to see you,” Mila said as she rushed out of the driver’s side of the van.

  “I do not have time for your bullshit today. Get out of my way. I need to see Anatoli.”

  “No!” She grabbed his arm, yanking him back when he tried to get past her. “What are you doing here? Where is Adrianna? Are you going back to her afterwards?”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “No! You can’t go back to her!”

  While he knew she wouldn’t like him going back to Adrianna, there was something about her tone that said it wasn’t because of jealousy. There was a tinge of real fear in her voice. “And what if I do go back to her?”

  “Do not! Not if you value your life.” There it was again, her scent covered with a sheen of distress.

  “What do you know?” he roared, grabbing her arms. “Tell me.”

  “I was driving back to warn you!” She looked at him with pleading eyes.
>
  “Warn me about what?”

  “I only overheard … Anatoli said he would be taking care of the Alpha’s heir today. And I was scared that you would be in the way.” She slid her hands up his chest, cupping his jaw. “Please Darius. I don’t want you to get hurt too.”

  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Anatoli really did mean to harm Adrianna. But why? It didn’t matter. Rage burned through him, and his wolf urged him to leave and go to her. “Do not tell anyone I was here,” he warned Mila.

  “Or what?”

  “Or I will tell Anatoli you were eavesdropping and you warned me about any impending attack on Adrianna.”

  He didn’t wait for her to protest. Instead, he hopped back into his car and backed it up, driving toward the highway like the devil himself was at his back.

  What was Anatoli going to do? Real fear gripped him. Where was Adrianna now? He reached for his phone and dialed her number. No answer. Of course, she could be mad about last night. He tried the office, but it rang and rang, and no one answered. Strange. Giselle was usually efficient. Now he was really worried.

  It would take him at least three hours to get to Manhattan, and probably more if he hit the traffic going into the city. Adrianna might not even be there. He didn’t know who else to call.

  Wait.

  There was one another number that he had programmed into his phone. He said a quick prayer before hitting the dial button.

  “Hello?” came Julianna’s voice.

  “It’s me, Darius,” he said. “Where is she?”

  “So, did you change your mind?” Loathing dripped from every word that Julianna uttered.

  “Change my mind?”

  “Adrianna said you decided to leave and go back to your uncle.”

  “We had a misunderstanding,” he said. “Where is she?”

  She let out a harrumph. “There was an emergency,” she said.

  “What emergency?”

  “Not that you would care, but there was an explosion in Muccino’s in Washington D.C. She left at around three o’clock this morning. It’s an all hands on deck type of situation.”