ã€ŠThe Werewolf Syndromeã€‹


 Chapter 1. Paper planes

    Fate wasn¡¯t really good to her, but she also couldn¡¯t say it was particularly evil too. It was what it was ¨C just life.

    Of course, for someone the sole fact that she was a werewolf could be a big disadvantage and an obstacle, but she didn¡¯t see it like that. On the other hand, the fact that her packs Alpha was killed by rouges when she was four and had to flee with her parents along with others, could be seen as a sign of bad luck. She preferred to say it was just life teaching them a lesson of never letting your guard down and not to be carefree. Even if it all caused her to right now live among human society in a big city ¨C London, she knew her parents did this strictly because they cared for her. Most werewolf packs despised the ones that failed to protect their territory, and some of them sometimes went even as far as to kill the ones who sought their help. That¡¯s why they stayed here, where it was pretty secure ¨C no normal pack could endure living in such a densely populated city, and human at that. As her parents were before ordinary pack members, she fully understood them. Hell, she would have done the same in their situation.

    Gabriella Spencer wasn¡¯t as hot-headed and brave as most of her kind. She was more open-minded and not so prideful as other werewolves, but of course she had a character of her own ¨C she was a realist and she always stood hard on the ground. She knew her limits and when it was the time to withdraw, but if something was really important to her and she felt like she had even a slight chance of winning, she gladly took it and fought with all her might like a lioness for her cubs. She had this attitude especially when it came to animals, which she loved dearly. The same came for small children, as they were the only ones who never experienced her sharp tongue, which she really liked to use when confronting other adults. And so, despite having an economic Master¡¯s degree and a few prominent job offers in banking in her pocket, she ended up where she felt wanted and needed the most ¨C at kindergarten.

    She made her decision almost two years ago and she never looked back, but right now she wished she was seated somewhere quiet and peaceful, even if it meant working for some dull corporation. She sighed and tried to free her long hair from a paper plane that stuck in it a while ago, tangling it in an unimaginable way.

    It was September the 1<sup>st</sup>, and she was for the first time put in charge of her own group. Of course they wouldn¡¯t make it easy for her ¨C she was given a group of 15 first graders, children in ages between 3 and 4. Her classroom was now full of children playing, crying or trying to escape to their parents, and none of them paid attention to her.

    To make it worse as she woke up today morning, she felt a slight tinge in her lower abdomen and she knew that inevitably was coming her next nightmare ¨C the heat. For the next two weeks or so she will be on her full rage mode which during nights will change to depression because of lack of her mate. Not that she wanted her soulmate to ever appear ¨C she knew it could mean many problems and she wasn¡¯t really planning on tackling all of them, the first one being that she was an outsider of the werewolf world right now. But during the heat, her mind stopped working and wanted only one ¨C her mate, sex and pups. Exactly in that order. She hissed irritated as one of the kids curiously pulled on a strand of her hair. She knew that if she wanted to function for the next two weeks, she had to go to her doctor today to get her heat suppressing pills. If not, if everything goes really wrong some werewolves may spot her even in such a crowded city as London as her pheromones would be all flowing in the air around her, and please don¡¯t even mention her mate.

    When the next pull came it fully snapped her to reality and she couldn¡¯t suppress a low growl that escaped her mouth, startling the boy that was really interested in her hair.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t really nice Jackson, it hurt¡± she scolded him with sweet but stern voice kneeling before him, not wanting him to start crying. His brown eyes were wet for a moment, but when she patted his soft hair to reassure him that she was not mad a smile spread across his lips.

    ¡°But remember not do it to anyone else, okay? You can hurt somebody and they will be sad¡± she reminded him to be sure he took his lesson. Jackson shook his head slowly, as if he was remembering all her words one by one, and soon he was off to play with some other boys.

    Gabriella sighed and stood up, the creased paper plane in her hair forgotten for a moment. The loud chaos around her made her irritation rise dangerously, and so she decided to use one of the werewolf¡¯s advantages ¨C mind bending. Of course, it wasn¡¯t anything fancy like many could think. Depending on the rank in the pack (Gabi thought she would be somewhere between Gamma and Delta), they could modulate their voices as to be really convincing and demanding to the listeners. The strongest voice as expected belonged to the Alpha, and he could also use it on the other werewolves. But if it came to children, even an average Omega would suffice. Their minds were like clay, just waiting to bend to one¡¯s will.

    ¡°Everyone, listen to me!¡± she said loudly, and her voice changed to a more melodic one, filled with sweetness and gentle like a summer breeze. Slowly, all of the heads in the room turned to her and she triumphed in her mind ¡°If you start to obey and be good kids, I think we can make a little deal behind your parents back, and I can give each one of you a cookie by the end of the day if all of you behave. Is that okay with you? What will you say?¡± seeing as stars started shimmering in their eyes, she knew they didn¡¯t need to answer. She got it.

    The next seven hours passed in a flash and with a pleased sigh she closed the door to her now empty classroom, so ready to go home and finally rest. She felt a stronger pull in her abdomen and grunted under her breath. Before she just had to go to the doc for her pills.

    ¡°Hey Gabi, what¡¯s with that sour face, we finally can go home!¡± a cheerful young man approached her quickly, hiding keys to his own classroom in his pocket. She managed to send him a crooked smile and she wished he didn¡¯t ask her any questions, unfortunately to no avail.

    ¡°Are you not feeling good?¡± he looked at her more warily with a worried expression on his face, and she cursed under breath her luck. Brandon Lowell could be a simple human being, but his senses and intuition were a little better than others of his kind. To make it worse he wasn¡¯t just any colleague from work ¨C she knew he was in love with her, even if he didn¡¯t admit it to her directly. Maybe a human girl wouldn¡¯t notice those subtle changes in his behavior, but hey, she wasn¡¯t in any inch normal. She saw how his light brown eyes misted and looked with a warm affection in her direction when they talked or were in the same room, how he tried to touch her gently on every occasion and how his voice trembled every time he talked to her.

    Today was no different ¨C they didn¡¯t see each other through the weekend and he seemed thirsty of their interactions when he delicately nudged her so that she answers his question. She sighed under her breath and send him another reassuring smile. She liked him but thought with heavy heart about the time Brad decides to confess and she will have to turn him down. The problem really wasn¡¯t in the fact he was human ¨C she just wasn¡¯t into big, warm and clumsy blondes with a personality like golden retrievers. He was ok for her, but only as a friend.

    ¡°It¡¯s really nothing much, just that time of the month again¡± with content she saw how Brad became a little uncomfortable and suddenly dropped the subject. Gabi loved how each man she ever encountered was put off with such normal fact about women anatomy, like even hearing about it was something forbidden.

    ¡°So maybe you want to go grab something to eat to brighten your mood up, like maybe ice cream or some hot chocolate?¡± he tried once more with a glint of hope in his warm eyes. During their little talk they managed to leave the kindergarten grounds and slowly made their way through the busy at that hour city, as Gabi wasn¡¯t really in a position today to quickly scurry away from the man because of her cramps slowly getting worse with each passing minute.

    ¡°Sorry Brad but I have an appointment with my doctor today, it really isn¡¯t something I can postpone¡± she felt a little pang of guilt when his face dropped, but she couldn¡¯t do anything. She really needed to get those pills or else she would be stuck at home for the next two weeks howling like a sex crazed idiot.

    ¡°Oh, so I guess maybe we can go somewhere tomorrow¡± his voice was sad, but she chose to ignore it.

    ¡°Maybe¡± she ended the discussion as they stopped at lights at one of the main busy roads. Her doctors name was Liz Travers and her office was only two crossings away (of course she was aware of Gabi being a werewolf, as she also was a one) and Gabriella hoped she could get rid of Brad before she reaches her destination, mainly because she didn¡¯t want for him to try and go in with her.

    When the lights changed to green Gabi hurried her way, hoping she would lose Brad in the crowd, but he was following her close persistently, as if she hasn¡¯t trampled his dignity a few times already by turning down every one of his offers. She huffed irritated when she had to stop on her way because of swarms of people blocking the passage. They all looked like they waited for something, all turned in unison in one direction with their cameras and phones out. Gabi felt another hot pang hit her and she couldn¡¯t help but mewl a little under her breath. Oh god, it was all happening too fast. She had to move now, or else she won¡¯t make it home tonight.

    ¡°I heard there was some fancy event going on today¡¯s evening in this company and celebrities all over the world were invited. It would be cool to attend to it even as a member of the staff and ask some of them for an autograph, right?¡± Brad finally caught up to her and now he was looking at her expectantly, clearly waiting for her to answer. She gritted her teeth and tried to breathe slowly. This day was really starting to get on her nerves.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Maybe if it was some other day then yes. Right now, I just want to get to my fricking appointment¡± she growled lowly and he looked at her shocked. Gabi was known at work as an easy going, polite and cheerful girl. Well, another thing to tick off today on my ¡°To fuck up¡± list, she thought gloomily to herself.

    Brad didn¡¯t have a chance to respond, because suddenly a big commotion started. All of the crowded people started to scream excitedly and the flashes in cameras started to blink even quicker when a big black Maybach stopped at the entrance. When VIPs started to make their way to the building the flock of people moved closer to the road, to be as close as possible to their beloved stars. Gabi only rolled her eyes annoyed and decided she couldn''t wait any longer for them to disperse. She turned to Brad to tell him they are going to split and that she will go the other way around to her doctor, but a faint smell in the air stopped her in the tracks.

    It was a mixture of a fine male cologne, fresh spruce and musk. It was simple but so captivating her eyes closed with pleasure as hot sparks erupted in her whole body, making her wet and tremble in the process. In the next second though she snapped her eyes open, feeling how her heart was about to burst out of her chest, making her blood run wildly through her veins and silencing almost all noise around.

    This day really was going downhill, and at what rate. She wildly started scanning all the people around, trying to find the source of the smell, ignoring dumbfounded Brad who was now staring at her with worry in his brown eyes.

    She didn¡¯t see it when all of a sudden there was a small clearance between now hysterical crowd of fans asking for autographs and photos, and a new waft of air hit her, allowing her to locate the owner of the incredible smell.

    Gabi felt a pit in her stomach form when a tall, muscular man in a suit came into view. His black as night hair were cut short on the sides but left longer on the top and pushed to the back in a seemingly careless way, making a few lost strands fall in a seductive manner on his tanned forehead. His hair made delicate waves, which made them shine in the afternoon sun, making him look like some descendant of those little chubby angels called Cupids. His eyes were dark brown color, but with her enhanced werewolf sight she could see glints on red in them when he moved, as sunlight hit them on various angles. They were cold and observant and didn¡¯t change a bit even when some girl stepped up to him asking for his sign. He just looked her up and down, making her visibly nervous, and gestured for one of his man to come closer. The man, who looked like his bodyguard, gave her an already signed piece of paper and ushered her to go away.

    He was like an angel. An angel that was thrown out of heaven and ended up in here, becoming her own personal devil.

    Gabi felt her feet glued to the ground, even if she was scared as hell and wanted to run as far away as possible. Her mind felt numb and the only thought she had right now didn¡¯t belong to her, but rather to her wolf, who now paced impatiently in her mind repeating like a broken record two words ¡°Alpha. Mate.¡± Her heat made it even worse when she felt wet stickiness between her tights and she almost felt how her body tried everything it could to spread her pheromones around so that the male could spot her.

    This wasn¡¯t good. In fact, it was really, really bad. If he spots her, it will be the end of her peaceful life, and god knows what he will do if he gets to know she is one of the runners. And if to believe what her wolf was saying, he was an Alpha. They were known for their aggressive and possessive behavior, especially the latter when it came to their mates. She felt like she was about to break down in tears. She officially marked this day as the worst in her life.

    Gabi only came back to her senses when she felt a pull at her arm. She pried her eyes away from the astonishing male before her, noticing how his head started to turn in her direction. Good, maybe he won¡¯t see her in such a number of people. Her wolf screamed in agony and tried to take control to get to their mate. She scowled a little, pushing her back harshly.

    Brad was looking at her even more warily than earlier, but she didn¡¯t have time nor senses to tell him right now everything was okay.

    ¡°You know, I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t wait any longer or I¡¯m going to be late to my appointment. I¡¯m going to go there another way around. I will run, so let¡¯s see each other tomorrow at work, okay?¡± she didn¡¯t wait for his response as she turned on her heels and started to quickly walk away, planning to start to run as soon as she turned in the next alley as not to look suspicious.

    ¡°Oh, okay. Bye Gabi!¡± he shouted in her direction, making her almost growl at him. Geez, scream my name louder! she thought angry to herself, but at second thought she shouldn¡¯t be angry with him. He didn¡¯t know what was going on or what she was.

    ¡°Gabi, wait! You have something in your hair!¡± she pretended she didn¡¯t hear him as she made her pace quicker and not faltering even a little bit. She had to run as quickly as possible if she was to maintain her freedom and who knows, maybe even her life.

    As soon as she reached the corner, she started to run as fast as she was able to.

    As if fate decided to have at least a little mercy on her tonight, she reached her appointment with no more problems on the road.

    ¡°You sure you¡¯re okay?¡± Liz looked at her with a questioning look in her dark orbs, making Gabi¡¯s head fall hard on the table between them.

    ¡°How many times will I hear this today?¡± she moaned, feeling how tiredness is getting to her very core. She was tired from running, angry at herself for her beginning heat, and hollow at heart because of finding her mate whom she didn¡¯t really want or ask for. She just wanted to go to sleep.

    When brunette, who also happened to be her best friend beside a doctor, raised only a brow at her antics, still waiting for an answer she really wasn¡¯t eager to give, Gabi closed her eyes tiredly.

    ¡°It¡¯s the heat. Just give me the pills so I won¡¯t be a bitch¡± Liz furrowed her brows, but nonetheless stood up and started searching for a bottle in one of the cabinets. Her pixie short brown hair shined a little with red in the afternoon light, and Gabi suddenly remembered the icy stare of the devil that was her mate. She felt heat between her legs and a blush creeping up her cheeks, and without second thought she once more hit her head hard on the table with a loud groan.

    Liz finally found the bottle she was looking for and with a calm look on her face sat once more before Gabi, swirling the bottle with skill in her hands.

    ¡°There¡¯s more to it right.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question and Gabi groaned once more, at that moment hating the sensitive instinct of her friend. But she knew the drill ¨C without the answers she won¡¯t have her pills, and she needed them, badly.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She answered shortly, hoping it would suffice for now, but brunette was still looking at her expectantly.

    ¡°I will tell you later?¡± it was supposed to be a statement, but came out as a question when Liz slipped the precious bottle into her pocket and Gabi hissed under her breath. Maybe if she wasn¡¯t running here like all hell broke loose, she would have the power to snatch the pills away from her, but right now it was only a dream.

    ¡°Why tell me later when you can tell me now?¡± her voice didn¡¯t falter even a little bit, as she looked deep into her soul with that calm expression on her face. After a few long moments of silence, Gabriella finally gave in.

    ¡°Alright. But you must give me the pills as soon as I end.¡± When Liz didn¡¯t say nothing, she took it as an agreement.

    ¡°I met my mate on my way here.¡± Finally, something changed in her friend¡¯s expression and her eyes opened widely in shock. She waited impatiently for the pills to appear, but Liz sat still as a stone.

    ¡°The end?¡±

    ¡°Yes, the end. And now give my damn pills!¡± finally brunette gave in and Gabi with a contented sigh popped two in her mouth.

    ¡°And what did he tell you, what¡¯s his name?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, didn¡¯t talk to him.¡± Gabi shrugged her shoulders, quickly shoving the bottle into her own pocket. She didn¡¯t want to risk that Liz changes her mind when she hears something she doesn¡¯t like.

    ¡°WHAT?! How then you know he¡¯s your mate?!¡± she screamed, the calm fa?ade she tried so hard to keep finally fell apart. Liz Travers when meeting her patients tried very hard to be as professional as she could, even if in reality she was a bubbly sweet girl full of life. As she said, who in their right mind would voluntarily listen to such a girl when it came to their own health? She had to keep up the look.

    ¡°I smelled him. And saw him. My wolf tormented me and made sure I knew.¡± She answered shortly, finally a little lighter at heart that at least one thing today was taken care of. She felt a grumble form in her stomach, and looked possessively at a cookie jar on the kitchen counter. She felt their faint smell through the glass and suddenly had the urge to eat all of them.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go up to him, and why didn¡¯t you talk to him, and why, oh why didn¡¯t you just¡­ you know do anything? And what he looks like, and what he smells like, tell me everything!¡± her voice was at an alarming level at the end, and Gabi looked at her pointing at the door. Discussing such things in a lunch room of a clinic where Liz worked wasn¡¯t really wise.

    ¡°I will tell you the answers if you give me the cookies¡± she ogled the jar with a longing and Liz sighed rolling her eyes.

    ¡°Fine, but only a few! I don¡¯t want people to see me as a selfish glutton.¡± But Gabi didn¡¯t listen to her as she scurried to the jar, suddenly feeling as if she was starving. With contentment she sat once again, this time with cookie jar in her hands. Seeing the impatient Liz before her drumming her fingers expectantly on the table, she sighed and tried to form her crazy thoughts into words.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t go up to him, because he was surrounded by hundreds of people, and I was pretty far away. That¡¯s also an answer to your second question¡± she noted. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything because I was shocked and scared, besides I never wanted a mate. He has black hair and dark brown eyes. He¡¯s tall and muscular. He smells like cologne, musk and spruce.¡± She ended, stuffing her mouth with a chocolate dip cookie.

    Liz waited a little longer, and when nothing else came out of her mouth she looked ready to explode.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t tell me anything!¡± She flayed her hands around in frustration, throwing her an angry look. Gabi sighed and reluctantly put down the jar.

    ¡°Listen, sorry. I had a really tiring day, and that situation didn¡¯t help me either. I only want to snuggle in my bed and not come out for the next week. My head is spinning, and my mind is such a mess¡­ Maybe in a few days I will be able to tell you the whole story¡± she felt the first tears of the day trying to make her way down her cheeks, but she urged them to stay in until she was home.

    Liz stood up and came up to her, soothingly patting her back.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be alright.¡± she said simply, knowing that nothing she would say right now would help. Gabi smiled a little and hugged her friend.

    ¡°I promise I will tell you everything when I settle down a little.¡±

    ¡°You better¡± she threatened with a smile. ¡°And now go home and rest. The pills should start working soon too, so go quickly to bed. And remember to take one in the morning and one in the evening for the next two weeks¡± she was once again back as ¡°Doctor Liz Travers¡±, with her calm and strong voice. Gabi only rolled her eyes and nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you later.¡±

    Liz escorted her to the exit, and when they were saying their goodbyes the woman leaned on to her with curious expression. Seeing Gabi disoriented, she explained ¡°You have something in your hair.¡±

    After fumbling with it for a few minutes and a few curses they finally detangled the small piece of paper, folded into a paper plane.

    Gabi started at it with a blank expression on her face, remembering all the places she was today at with the paper plane in her hair. Fate really hated her. Seeing how her shoulders slumped in resignation, Liz only patted her on the shoulder and ushered outside.

    ¡° I suppose you will tell me about it later. Now go and rest. And don¡¯t worry, at least you don¡¯t have anything on your butt.¡±

 Chapter 2. Inferno

    It¡¯s been almost a week since fate had decided to play on her nerves. Although the pills were doing a good job in suppressing her heat, even if her wolf wasn¡¯t thrilled about it now that they had found their mate, she still didn¡¯t feel secure, and so she decided to stay low for the time being. That meant she had to take two weeks off work, but she told her supervisor (and also Brad who was very disappointed and worried about her) that it was all because of a very contagious form of flu. Of course, Liz also had to play her part by giving her medical statement about the matter. It wasn¡¯t hard to get it from her after Gabi willingly went to her house and told her everything on the next morning.

    Right now, she was curled up on her couch surrounded by every pillow and blanket she could find, feeling contented and almost happy. Slow, delicate music was playing through speakers to ease her mind and help her get through this hard time. She closed the curtains and dimmed the lights, wanting the space around her to feel cozy and safe. She stayed like that for the past few days and planned on not going anywhere for another week. Her living room became her safe zone, her nest.

    Every she-wolf sooner or later had her first heat, which then occurred annually. It was a time when the only thing their bodies and minds wanted was to mate and make pups. Of course, they could do it also on any other day of the year, but during this two-week period their bodies were at their best, as to ensure that the children were strong and healthy. That was also why they released so many pheromones, as to find their mate and procreate with them.

    If a she-wolf was not mated yet, the heat wasn¡¯t so bad on her. The pills in most cases were sufficient in suppressing her urges. But in cases of werewolves who found their mate, even if they didn¡¯t link before, the heat became almost unbearable. For the first few days Gabi¡¯s heat wasn¡¯t really that bad, and she even wondered if it really was a good idea to hide at home. But when the fourth day came, she thought she was going to die. Everything ignited sparks in her, and every time she closed her eyes she saw those gorgeous eyes and smelled the hypnotizing scent of her mate. It was driving her nuts, as her wolf started to whimper in longing every time the pills became a little bit weaker. That¡¯s why she built her fortress and turned off every electronic device in her home, not wanting for anything to disturb her peace, including her phone.

    She snuggled more into the blankets, planning to take a nap because the yapping of her wolf was becoming gradually louder, when she heard knocking on her door. She stilled in fear, suddenly very aware of her surroundings. Her wolf became crazy, yipping and pushing one word into her mind constantly: ¡°Mate! Mate! Mate!¡±. She hissed at the sensation and quickly pushed the words aside, slowly making her way to the door. Gabi looked carefully on the other side, and upon seeing Liz tapping her foot nervously she sighed with relief. Her wolf started crying again but she chose to ignore it.

    Gabi opened the door with intent of telling Liz to go away and not come back for at least one more week, but seeing her distressed face she let her in. She passed her quickly and Gabi couldn¡¯t stop thinking that she looked too lively for her likening.

    In the next moment though she heard a loud yelp and sounds of various things crashing. She sighed, feeling too exhausted to even be angry with her clumsy friend. When she entered her living room she saw Liz sprawled on the floor right beside some empty old cups she left some time ago on the floor, not feeling the need to clean at that moment. The brunette moaned in pain and slowly rose to her feet, massaging her scalp.

    ¡°Why do you sit in darkness when it¡¯s morning outside?! I can¡¯t see a damn thing in here!¡± Gabi for a moment thought about whether she had enough strength in her to answer the question.

    ¡°It helps me with my heat. You should see with no problem, you¡¯re a werewolf¡± she finally decided to voice out with a quiet and hoarse voice. Liz sighed frustrated and gave up on her way to open the curtains.

    ¡°You know Gabi, I may be a werewolf, but I¡¯m a freaking domestic werewolf living in a city, and so when I can¡¯t see a thing, I just switch on the lights!¡± she exclaimed, but when no ironic remark came from her friend, she looked at her with worry in her eyes.

    ¡°Do you take the pills I gave you?¡± Gabi nodded to ¡°yes¡±.

    ¡°Do they help you?¡±

    ¡°A little bit for about three hours.¡± Liz cursed under her breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s your mates¡¯ fault.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°You should find him and talk to him.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t wanna.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± the conversation started to irritate her.

    ¡°Because he¡¯s a fucking Alpha and I¡¯m not only a runner, but I¡¯m also a weak she-wolf who just wants to live her life in peace, not disturbed and definitely not stripped of her freedom!¡± it was the longest speech she had for the last week and she felt like fainting any time now. She was done for today and hoped that Liz saw it ¨C she just wanted to forget, but each and every thing or person she encountered just had to step on her tail and remind her about him. It was so infuriating she felt like screaming.

    Liz sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She felt a migraine coming.

    ¡°Gabi, come here and sit with me for a bit.¡± They sat on the couch, where Gabi with a pout on her face almost instantly curled up in a ball so that the cramps in her lower abdomen were less painful.

    ¡°I hope you are aware that the longer you wait, the harder it will become? Your body knows now what it wants and it screams for it with every cell. I¡¯m afraid that your next heats will be even worse than this one, they can drive you mad Gabi¡± she talked to her in a quiet and peaceful manner, but there were sparks of worry still visible in her eyes. Her best friend only curled up in a ball more, hiding her face in her shoulders and in her long hair. She was aware that she was digging her own grave right now. But what choice did she have? Her freedom was the only thing left that was precious to her apart from her parents. Without it she would be no one, just a sex toy and a machine to produce children.

    Werewolf world was a lot crueler than that of humans, and often she wished she wasn¡¯t a part of it.

    ¡°So, what do you think I should do?¡± she whispered, but her friend heard her loud and clear.

    ¡°I think you should find him and try to talk to him. If you are afraid of him, try to know something more about him before you approach him.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it will be hard to look for information about him when he¡¯s a fricking Alpha? I bet he has his own pack that guards him all the time and eliminates all of the outsiders.¡±

    ¡°Maybe. But do you want to spend the rest of your life in such a miserable state like now, or die in a few years of loneliness and your wolf going crazy?¡± Liz huffed, feeling more frustrated with each passing minute. She knew how down-to-earth was Gabi and that she hated risk, but in her eyes what she was doing now was as dangerous if not more dangerous than trying to deal with this situation. Maybe he wasn¡¯t so bad, maybe he would accept her. If she won¡¯t try, she won¡¯t know, but surely without any action she will die soon.

    For a few minutes heavy silence lingered in the air between them, when finally Gabi decided to answer her friend.

    ¡°I promise I will think about it¡± she screeched out at the end, feeling another big cramp coming at her. Liz came closer to her and started massaging her lower back with precision, knowing where to touch for the muscles to relax.

    After some time, Gabriella¡¯s body slowly relaxed to a more comfortable position, and she send her friend a weary smile.

    ¡°Ok Gabi. I won¡¯t pester you about it anymore, for now.¡± Liz said standing up and heading to the door. ¡°If you need anything just call me.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°Could you do one thing for me now?¡± she asked with hope in her exhausted eyes.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°Order me some goddamn Chinese.¡±

    Matteo Russo was close to a mental breakdown. By the orders of his Alpha for the last two and a half weeks he didn¡¯t get much sleep if close to none. And it all started when they arrived to the charity event in their company¡¯s building, Moretti Technologies. Everything looked normal to him until they got inside and away from the prying eyes of bystanders and paparazzi. His Alpha, Dante Moretti stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to him with a low, dangerous growl forming in his throat and eyes molten with anger and desire.

    Although he was his Beta, Matteo could not withstand his stare and he bowed his head to his leader, hoping he would voice out what angered him so much. After a few long seconds a low, hoarse voice of his Alpha could be heard:

    ¡°There was a woman outside, a she-wolf. She smelled like oranges, cinnamon and mint. Find her.¡± He stated darkly still looking at his Beta with a fiery gaze, looking like he was ready to attack at any moment.

    Matteo¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but he didn¡¯t have the courage to look at his boss.

    ¡°Do you maybe know what she looked like, Alpha Dante?¡± he didn¡¯t even end the question when a hand grabbed him by the neck and lifted up his feet. He tried to pry away his Alpha¡¯s hands from his neck but to no avail and he couldn¡¯t help but look him in the eyes.

    Furious crimson orbs were staring at him back, and a loud snarl escaped Dante¡¯s mouth, showing how his fangs lengthened. His wolf was ready to come out.

    ¡°Oranges, cinnamon and mint. Find her and bring her to me.¡± he growled once again and finally let his hand go. Matteo felt like his legs give up under him from lack of oxygen, but he didn¡¯t let them fall. It was forbidden to show weakness in the presence of Alpha. ¡°Until you find her this is your only duty.¡± He said and without waiting he went further into the building. Although Matteo knew they had a few urgent matters to attend to before the evening¡¯s main event, he knew if he appeared there without the woman, he would get a beating. Another thing he was sure of was that his Alpha finally found his mate, but Matteo didn¡¯t feel happiness ¨C he felt sorry for the little thing.

    Through his two and a half weeks search his feelings didn¡¯t change, but were eventually joined by frustration and fear of not finding her. He knew his Alpha. If he would have any doubts, he wouldn¡¯t even voice his order as he generally wasn¡¯t interested in women, or a mate in that matter. This man was cold and ruthless as a stone.

    But now he was already fed up and he just wanted to find the girl and have it over with. He scouted a few members of their pack to help him search, but of course they didn¡¯t know exactly what they were looking for ¨C they just knew they had to find and bring back a she-wolf with a specific scent. But after checking CCTV around the building, finding information about almost two hundred women crowded at that time in the place and checking them personally one by one, he felt defeated. None of them was even a werewolf. It was a wild-goose chase to begin with. Matteo slowly stopped believing she even existed.

    When he heard footsteps outside his room, he rose to his feet suddenly full of hope. When Luca, his best friend entered the room and shook his head at ¡°no¡±, he cursed under his breath and slumped to his chair. Alpha was becoming restless, and if they don¡¯t find her soon, he felt he might not live through it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry my friend, we will find her¡± Luca patted him on the shoulder and send him his exhausted smile. He was the only one Matteo told about what they were searching for, as they were childhood friends and Luca was his right hand. He hid his face in his hands, but after a moment decided to get a grip of himself.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s run through the CCTV once more Luca.¡± He said opening his laptop with a loud sigh.

    ¡°Okay bro, but let¡¯s try something new. I was thinking about it for some time now, and seeing that we didn¡¯t find her until now, maybe I¡¯m right.¡±

    ¡°Talk. At this point we have to try everything.¡±

    ¡°So, we know she was there, right? But we assumed she was in the closest area of about 50 meters, and looked only through the closest cameras, right?¡± his eyes started to sparkle when his stance lost its weary look when he talked to Matteo.

    ¡°Yes, because in such densely populated city it¡¯s impossible to distinguish in such detail scents of others, even if it¡¯s your mate.¡± He said with a monotony in his voice, because they were going through it for the hundredth time already and he didn¡¯t see sense in this conversation.

    ¡°But we didn¡¯t take one thing into consideration. That day, September the 1<sup>st</sup>, the wind was pretty strong, blowing from mainly west to east as according to weather station.¡± Luca smiled at him as his train of thought dawned on Matteo.

    ¡°If the wind was strong, she could be 100, even 150 meters away and an Alpha could sense her.¡± The realization that maybe he wasn¡¯t done for hit him. ¡°If the wind was blowing from west to east, it had to take her scent with it. We have to search once more, help me check all of the cameras on the left side of the building.¡± He felt adrenaline once more in his veins, feeling that this might be it.

    Luca seemed very pleased with himself, when with new energy they started searching through the footage. After about an hour or so, something caught his attention in the corner of his eye.

    ¡°Beta Matteo, stop the footage here.¡± They looked at the still from the CCTV, and after a few seconds Luca pointed in one direction. ¡°Here, look at her. She¡¯s acting weird.¡± Matteo once more hit play and concentrated on a small woman with long straight hair. The footage was all in white and black, but he could still see irritation and distress on her face. She said something to a man that was with her, and then she stopped in her tracks. Her face was half covered with her hair, but a look of pure fear in her eyes was still visible. She sniffed her nose in a discreet way and looked around her frantically, gaining weird looks from her friend. Then she looked straight at the entrance to the building, and Matteo froze along with her, feeling how his heart was ready to burst out of his ribcage.

    In a matter of seconds, without turning to look back, she almost ran out of the camera¡¯s reach, and Matteo just knew it had to be her. Not only was she the only one to behave in a weird way, she also sniffed the air¡­ only a werewolf would do that.

    ¡°How many we have left on the list?¡± he asked Luca not turning his eyes away from the woman.

    ¡°About four.¡±

    ¡°Tell the boys to check them. Tell them also to look at cameras on other buildings. I want to know where she came from and where did she go. You and I will go and check this one out.¡±

    Finally, it was Friday. It was the end of her first week of work after her being ¡°sick¡±, and she still felt worn out. Liz said this might change in a week or two, all because her body and mind were straining for so long because of her heat and needed more time to regenerate.

    She finally sent the last child home and closed her classroom, wishing she was already in bed with hot tea and some good book in hands. Fortunately for Gabi, today Brad had a day off and so she didn¡¯t have to worry about him (of course he made sure to tell her this was strictly a family matter and not some other girl, but she of course shrugged this information off not giving him any sign in return). Slowly she made her way down the stairs and with no hurry left the kindergarten grounds. Suddenly she felt watched. With a swift look she scanned the area but nothing really aroused her suspicion. About 50 meters away from the entrance to the kindergarten two men in casual clothing were talking feverously about the car they were standing beside. They were wearing sunglasses, but it wasn¡¯t something out of ordinary ¨C the sun was shining really hard today, so most people wore them for their comfort. She quickly scanned the car that had a company name plastered on its side. ¡°Moretti Technologies¡±. Gabi didn¡¯t know the name but it didn¡¯t bother her ¨C the car looked like only a mere technician could drive it, and she concluded from what she saw that one of the men was given a job at Moretti¡¯s and now was complaining to the other one about the service car he was given.

    Not giving the situation any more thoughts she made her way home. For the last week she felt very sensitive and watched almost everywhere even if it was not true, and she decided that this time was the same.

    When she reached home, she spotted an unusual guest at her apartment¡¯s door.

    ¡°What¡¯s up Liz?¡± she asked in a relaxed tone but in reality, she started to tense up, sensing something bad coming at her.

    ¡°Hi Gabi, I¡¯ve got something important to show you.¡± Was the only thing she said. She seemed concerned about something and Gabi didn¡¯t like it a little bit.

    Without further ado she opened the door and turned the key when they entered. Liz in silence went to her bedroom for her laptop and brought it to the kitchen, where Gabi was waiting for the water to boil. She felt she will need coffee in a few minutes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m going back to your mate so quickly, but after you told me everything something didn¡¯t exactly click for me.¡± Gabi looked at her in confusion.

    ¡°Well, you said he was one of the VIPs, like he¡¯s some kind of celebrity. I checked all of the stars that were attending that event because you know, I like to know the newest trends¡± she trailed off a bit, but seeing Gabi¡¯s face went back straight to business ¡°The thing is, your lover boy wasn¡¯t on the list. But I doubted you would lie to me, and so I searched some more. There was another person that attended this event; he is pretty new to the tabloids and media, but soon all of the world will know him, because his company is expanding like crazy. They were the host of this charity event, you know.¡± A trickle of sweat passed between her shoulder blades as Gabi felt her knees weaken with every second, when she saw a familiar name in the Google search. Oblivious to her state, Liz continued ¡°The only man from this company that corresponded to your description is him ¨C the CEO of Moretti Technologies, Dante Moretti¡±. Upon seeing the familiar face on her laptop, she felt like puking her heart out.

    ¡°Fuck¡± she only said as million thoughts passed through her brain, the newest one of two men beside the car with ¡°Moretti Technologies¡± on its side.

    They froze in place when they heard a loud, steady knock on the door. At that point Gabi felt like dying. She looked at her shocked friend and mouthed only one word.

    ¡°Run.¡±

 Chapter 3. Nowhere to run

    Although she said to run, they had nowhere to go. With a face of pure panic, she pushed Liz further into the kitchen and handed her a knife, ignoring her not understanding looks and quiet remarks ¡°What¡¯s going on, Gabi, tell me what¡¯s going on!¡±.

    ¡°Today at the kindergarten I saw a car from Moretti¡¯s. Maybe it¡¯s a coincidence, maybe not. If anything happens at the door, just save yourself¡± Gabi hushed her next question and went to get the door. The whole situation could take no more than 30 seconds, but it seemed like eternity.

    She tried to tell herself that it could be nothing, but her intuition told her not to have her hopes up.

    Inhaling deeply for the last time Gabi tried to smile in a natural way, and she hoped she didn¡¯t look like an animal caught up in lights. With shaking hands, she turned the key and opened the door a little. Seeing people behind them she felt how her heart sank deeper in her chest, making it almost impossible to breath.

    ¡°Hi, what can I help you with?¡± she tried to appear cheerful, but she swore she heard panic in her own voice. The two men she saw while going out of kindergarten stood before her. Although they still had their sunglasses on, she didn¡¯t have any doubt about who they were. They were tanned, tall and muscular, built like most werewolves. One was a little bit higher, with short dark brown hair spiked up and a stubble on his face. The other one had longer blonde hair with a fringe falling in waves on his forehead. They were still wearing the same casual clothes as earlier, and Gabi was now sure they followed her in a safe distance. Sniffing discreetly the air she felt that at least one of them was a Beta. She cursed her lack of precautions.

    The blonde man on the other hand deeply inhaled the air, not really caring that she was staring at him closely, and a wide smile spread on his lips.

    ¡°Hi¡± he started cheerfully. ¡°My name is Luca Travettoni. Actually, we had planned on getting you out of your apartment and then tell you everything, but seeing that you already seem to know who we are and what we want, let¡¯s just cut to the chase.¡± His stance changed subtly from relaxed to more cautious, as if he only waited for her to try and run. Gabi really wished she could do that, but she was too overcome with fear to even lift a finger ¨C she felt like her life was slowly slipping from her grip.

    ¡°As I said, my name is Luca. This guy here is Matteo Russo, and as you probably know already from his scent he¡¯s a Beta. And to be precise, he¡¯s Beta of one and only Alpha Dante Moretti of Westwood Pack.¡± She clenched her fist not turning her gaze away from them even for a second. ¡°Our Alpha sensed you almost three weeks ago and wished for us to bring you back to him.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± her voice was quiet, but a protest could be heard in it.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t make it harder and don¡¯t play dumb.¡± Matteo responded. His voice was lower and not so friendly, and Gabi felt shivers on her spine. ¡°We saw your reaction to him on CCTV cameras. You sensed that he is your mate, yet you still chose to run away.¡±

    A screeching sound came out of her mouth that was supposed to be a laugh, but her throat was too tight from her nerves.

    ¡°You can¡¯t really blame me for it. I panicked; I don¡¯t know him.¡±

    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t even try to know him.¡± Matteo felt anger bubble in him now that he had found the woman he had searched for the last two weeks. In the back of his mind he had to remind himself that if she is Alpha Dante¡¯s mate, she¡¯s also his Luna, and he can¡¯t do anything reckless.

    Luca patted his shoulder in a relaxing manner, trying to stop him from making any more commotion. They didn¡¯t want the neighbors to become suspicious.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay now, right Beta Matteo? We will fix your mistake and take you right away so that you can get to know him¡± Luca send her a smile, but she sensed a silent threat in it. She flinched knowing that there was no turning back now. If she doesn¡¯t go in peace, they will take her by force. Gabi felt tears in her eyes, but didn¡¯t let them out. They didn¡¯t seem to be of the merciful kind.

    She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a second, mustering all the courage she had.

    ¡°Okay, let me just put on my shoes.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to change?¡± she looked at Luca with a question in her eyes, not really getting his intentions. He seemed to realize his mistake and a faint blush crept on his cheeks, but Matteo beat him to answer her silent question.

    ¡°You just came from work. We suppose you would feel better and more confident meeting your mate not smelling like small children and sweat.¡± He said in a more polite voice, seeing that she won¡¯t fight them.

    ¡°And WILL you let me change my clothes?¡± she said cautiously, and Matteo smiled a little to himself. She wasn¡¯t stupid ¨C she knew who was in charge here.

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯ve got 5 minutes. You probably don¡¯t want us to go in, so we will wait here. But don¡¯t try anything suspicious. We know everything about you.¡± Gabi only nodded her head and closed the door.

    After exactly 4 minutes she appeared once more and without another word she closed the door to her flat and let them lead her outside to their car.

    Happy that they were almost done with their task, Luca sat on the driver¡¯s seat and Matteo decided to sit in the back along with Gabi. She looked like she was close to passing out. As his adrenaline rush was slowly fading away from his veins and he felt more relaxed, a feeling of guilt hit him. She came with them in peace, but every cell in her body screamed that she didn¡¯t want to be here, and knowing his Alpha he knew nothing good awaited her.

    When they moved slowly through the evening traffic, he decided to look more closely at her.

    She was pretty small and petite for a werewolf, and they weren¡¯t really sure if she was a one until they got the chance to smell her. Her scent not only told them they were searching for her, but also that her wolf wasn¡¯t really strong either. Matteo suspected she wasn¡¯t even a Delta. She had fair skin and very long, straight hair that were up to her hips. Their color was really hard for him to describe ¨C platinum blonde but with silver strands that seemed to sparkle gently in the setting sun. He couldn¡¯t see her eyes right now, because she hid them in her hair and behind her long lashes, but Matteo already had the time to look at them when they talked with her earlier. She had eyes of intense green color of freshly cut grass. Her behavior also wasn¡¯t really werewolf-like; she was quiet and not aggressive at all. She clearly didn¡¯t want to go with them, as there was a glint of persistence in her eyes, but she did as she was said to, as if she didn¡¯t believe in her strength. Her choice of clothes resonated with her state of mind ¨C she chose a plain tight-fitting black shirt and white high-waist jeans which tightly wrapped up her figure. She ended her look with a delicate necklace with a pendant and simple black heels. She seemed frail, almost like an ethereal creature, too delicate and fearful to live on Earth. Not in any way werewolf-like.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the name of your pack?¡± Matteo asked, snatching Gabi out of her thoughts. She looked at him for a few seconds, as if wondering what she could tell him.

    ¡°My pack was known as the West Coast Pack.¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t they the ones destroyed by rouges roughly around twenty years ago?¡± asked Luca from the front, looking at her with curiosity in the rear mirror. She slowly nodded her head, not looking at any of them.

    ¡°To be precise twenty-three years ago.¡± She whispered after a while, still looking out of the window.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re a runner.¡± Matteo spit out the word like it was some kind of insult. She suddenly shot him a sharp look that took him aback for a second.

    ¡°My parents weren¡¯t in the Alpha¡¯s army. They were average pack members. When the order from the Alpha came to run, they did just that. The rest was a matter of surviving.¡± Her voice was suddenly firm and loud, and even Luca stared at her in awe. In the next second though the fire in her eyes died as if she remembered her situation and she once more looked out of the window.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Maybe there¡¯s something else than meets the eye, thought Matteo to himself and he allowed a small smile to spread on his lips.

    The rest of the road was quiet.

    She suspected where they were going, so it wasn¡¯t a surprise when the car came to a stop at the entrance to the Moretti Technologies building. She patiently waited for Matteo to step out and open the door for her, but when he offered her his hand to help her get out, she intently ignored it. It was part of her quiet protest.

    Gabi thought about two men as her abductors because she wasn¡¯t there by her own will, and so she decided not to show them that she was giving in completely, even if through such small actions.

    Matteo only looked at her with irony but she chose to pretend not to see it. In silence they made their way to the entrance and further through the hall to the elevator. On their way they had to stop at the receptionist and ask for a ¡°guest¡± badge for her, which almost made her go into a fit of laughter. Not only abducted, but also denied the right to feel like abductee.

    With an ironic smile she put the badge on the belt of her pants and not said anything more. Matteo and Luca showed the receptionist their own badges, although she couldn¡¯t see what was on them, and soon they were going up in the elevator, still with silence between them.

    As expected it stopped on the last possible floor, and Gabi had the urge to laugh ironically. So clich¨¦ it hurt. Even if men who escorted her have seen her expression, they didn¡¯t say anything. Only now she noticed how tense they became, as if they were ready to be attacked at any moment. She gulped and looked at her shoes.

    I should have worn some flats in case of running¡­ she thought gloomily.

    As they exited the elevator, they walked into a spacious hallway paved with white marble on the floors and black marble on the walls.

    ¡°Classy¡­¡± was the only thing she could muster, but everyone ignored her. With a quick pace they made their way to the right side of the hallway. At the end there were huge mahogany door and Gabi couldn¡¯t shake off the impression that Alpha Dante had too big of an ego. Although as soon as they reached the door, her mind became once more completely blank from stress.

    Beside the entrance to what she assumed was Moretti¡¯s office, stood another werewolf wearing a suit. He probably was guarding so that no one could enter unauthorized. Upon seeing Matteo and Luca his cloudy face brightened and he seemed almost relieved.

    ¡°Beta Matteo, Luca, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re finally here.¡± He bowed his head to them and Gabi sniffed the air. The guy was a Delta. You could think there would be better security for such a VIP, but on the other hand, it seemed that the VIP itself was here the biggest danger.

    ¡°How¡¯s Alpha doing?¡± asked Matteo when they stopped beside the bodyguard. He winced and hushed his voice even more.

    ¡°Bad. I think if you didn¡¯t return today, he would kill somebody in his craze.¡± Gabi¡¯s heart almost stopped at those words. What kind of monster was her mate? Would she even be alive at the end of the day?

    Matteo didn¡¯t say anything and tried not to look at Gabriella. Instead he looked at Luca.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go in now and announce her. Keep an eye on her so she won¡¯t run away.¡±

    She wanted to roll her eyes at that. Where he thought she could hide in this ginormous building full of hostile werewolves?

    Matteo took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a few seconds a low growl could be heard and she felt her body trembling. The man quickly stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

    Gabi was left with Luca and an unnamed man looking at each other awkwardly.

    ¡°Soo¡­ what is your boss like?¡± she asked shyly in a quiet voice and the Delta werewolf looked at her with shock in his eyes.

    ¡°He¡¯s very strict and has anger management issues, but he¡¯s a really great leader¡± answered Luca quickly, almost too quickly for her liking. She frowned and opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment the door once more opened and distressed Matteo poked his head out, urging for them to come closer.

    ¡°Luca, for now you stay here. Gabriella, come with me.¡± He used her name for the first time and at that point she knew that if something goes wrong, he would be the one the Alpha would blame.

    What a monster, she thought once more to herself.

    Seeing her slacking behind, Luca pushed her as to quicken her and she send him a hateful glare for the first time. He only shrugged at that, as he was trying to say to her ¡°It¡¯s too late to get angry now¡±.

    Gabi felt numb when she entered the office after Matteo, almost deaf from blood rushing wildly through her veins. Although the room was surrounded from both sides with big windows taking all the space between floor and the ceiling, letting in warm leftovers of afternoon sunshine, the atmosphere was cold and unwelcoming. She felt goosebumps rising on her exposed arms and she trembled uncontrollably.

    As the building alone, the office was also enormous finished mainly in white marble on the floors and black or mahogany furniture, making it gloomy despite all of the windows. On the center of the room stood big mahogany desk with stack of papers sprawled on its surface. The chair behind it was empty at the moment. Further away, at the end of the office she could see three big bookcases going up to the ceiling, filled to the brim with books. Her bookworm nature woke up at that in her and suddenly she felt the urge to immerse herself in reading each one of them.

    Her heart picked up its rate when she saw that Matteo directed her in the same direction she was just looking. At that moment she was also struck with a strong scent of musk, cologne and spruce and her eyes closed a little from intense feeling. Her wolf suddenly woke up and started screeching, barking and yipping in longing to her mate, and she had to clench her teeth as to not moan in unison with her, as the scent was just too overwhelming for her.

    When they got closer, she saw a set of two large black leather sofas and two smaller armchairs right beside the library part of the office.

    Alpha Dante Moretti was seated on one of the sofas with his legs crossed and his arms sprawled on the back of the sofa. For a simple human being he could seem relaxed ¨C but to sensitive eyes of werewolves he looked utterly pissed. His athletic muscles were tensed under tight black shirt he was wearing, one of his foot was swinging in the air in an irregular manner, and his hand was tapping restlessly on the back of the couch. His eyes were turned to the window, but as soon as he felt the presence of his Beta and Gabriella, he turned his fiery gaze to them making the woman to take a step away in fear.

    He growled at her behavior and without another word rose to his feet, ignoring his Beta who now stepped aside and looked at Gabriella with something similar to compassion in his eyes.

    She couldn¡¯t find her courage to look him in the eyes, and so she waited looking at her feet with her heart trying to escape her ribcage. His footsteps became closer and soon stopped. His scent became so intense her head became dizzy and subconsciously she wanted to just nuzzle her nose in his chest and stay that way for eternity.

    ¡°Look at me woman.¡± he growled lowly with hoarse voice and she trembled at how it touched her inner core, making her hot even if she didn¡¯t want that.

    Gabi hesitantly rose her head up and slowly linked her green orbs with his dark brown ones. For a moment she was taken aback by their depth and color, but when a glint of red came through them, she felt a shiver down her spine. This man may be her mate, but he was also the devil himself.

    Although she wanted to turn her eyes away, he firmly gripped her chin and wouldn¡¯t let her eyes wander. She winced in pain as his hold was strong and harsh, as if he never knew any good things in his life.

    He didn¡¯t seem to mind her discomfort and he leaned forward until his nose was almost touching her collarbone. His hot breath set her body on fire and a whimper almost escaped her mouth. Dante seemed to take in her scent as his eyes closed for a moment, and when he opened them once more the color of his irises turned to crimson red. This time a whimper escaped her lips as she was now frightened of him even more.

    A loud growl escaped his mouth when he stated coldly ¡°Mine.¡±

    Just like that in the next second, he let her go and once more sat on the sofa, not paying any more attention to her. Gabi stared at him in shock. She expected various things, but none of them was being ignored. A part of her was glad that he gave up on her, but the other one, joined by her wolf was just outraged and hurt. She was his mate; she was supposed to be the love of his life and lifelong partner. She heard from her parents about joining of mates ¨C they were always moments full of joy and love, filled with hugs, kisses and looks full of pride and contentment. While Dante sat there indifferent, like he just didn¡¯t order his Beta to search for her for the last three weeks. He only sniffed her and stated the obvious thing for him. She was his. A trophy he managed to get.

    She felt anger even more than hurt take over her body. What did she do to fate that it was so cruel to her?

    ¡°Matteo, take her to my apartments.¡± Was the only thing he said before he turned his attention to the papers on the coffee table, she just noticed was there all the time beside the sofa.

    When without another word Matteo took her by the arm, she couldn¡¯t anymore stand the humiliation she felt.

    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± she exclaimed, not even looking at Matteo¡¯s fearful expression telling her to shut up ¡°I have my own life, so I will return, but to MY own apartments¡± she fumed, and only after she had seen his eyes, she understood her mistake. In a second he was before her growling lowly with fury in his eyes.

    Dante once more grabbed her chin, but this time his grip was so tight she cried out in pain, but he didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Listen here my lady¡± he snorted like it was an insult. ¡°I¡¯m the Alpha here and I give all the orders. You¡¯re mine now, and I will decide what to do with you. And now you will go where I want you to be.¡± He didn¡¯t shout, but she felt like the last words imprinted themselves on her very core. She knew what that meant ¨C he used on her his Alpha voice, and she didn¡¯t have a choice. With one last tear of resistance she bowed her head when he loosened his grip and turned on her heels to get away from his as fast as possible.

    ¡°Matteo¡± this time Dante turned to his Beta ¡°Take all electronic devices from her. She won¡¯t need them anymore.¡± she clenched her fists until blood appeared on her nails, but nonetheless she didn¡¯t say anything.

    She almost ran from the office, feeling how her broken heart tried to burst open and her wolf howled in pain.

 Chapter 4. Welcome to the jungle

    When the door to Moretti¡¯s office closed heavy silence fell upon them. Matteo looked at Gabi with compassion shining in his eyes, but when the bodyguard and Luca send him questioning stares, he only shook his head as if he was saying ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything later.¡±

    After a few minutes Gabi¡¯s gaze finally concentrated and with a swift move she wiped away the remains of few tears that managed to escape her.

    After a brief battle with herself she decided he won¡¯t break her. She won¡¯t let him do it.

    She straightened her pose and looked Matteo dead in the eyes with new found willpower when giving him her phone. It was his fault that now she was trapped in here and she really wanted revenge, but at the moment she was at no point to even wish for one.

    ¡°So how long are you going to stand here? Lead me to my prison.¡± Her voice was loud and clear, although at the last word it had shaken a little. Matteo could possibly laugh in her face for trying to play so hard because Dante didn¡¯t seem to care a bit for her, but seeing how she desperately tried to stay on the surface he chose not to. In the end you don¡¯t kick somebody when they¡¯re down.

    Without another word he led her down the hallway, at the same time urging Luca to stay by the doors. God knew when their Alpha would want something to be done immediately.

    When they were passing by the elevator, her eyes looked in its direction longingly, but she didn¡¯t do anything as Matteo watched her closely.

    ¡°If I was you I wouldn¡¯t try to enter the elevator. Only someone with a badge like mine, Luca¡¯s or Alpha Dante¡¯s can open it. If someone catches you there, you¡¯ll have a lot of trouble with your mate.¡± He took a little liking to this small woman, that despite being gentle and fearful had some fire in her, and so he felt obliged to explain the situation to her and save her from inevitable trouble.

    ¡°Hmph, as if you would even let me get close to it¡± she snorted, but Matteo saw how her face fell even more.

    Now they were still on the same floor of the building, but the corridor around them changed a little, possibly to separate the two spaces ¨C office one and a household one. The lighting became softer, almost inviting and pots of flowers and small trees started to appear on both sides of the corridor. Gabi looked at it with astonishment in eyes, as the corridor soon turned into a big jungle with only a small pass between flora, making it almost hard to believe that they were in central London and not in the Amazon forest.

    ¡°Alpha Dante is really fond of nature. I guess it¡¯s the only thing that calms him, as beyond this point no one can enter besides Fernanda for cleaning.¡± He said stopping at simple white door. He pushed a few buttons on the intercom (of course making sure that she didn¡¯t see anything he typed) and the door automatically opened a little, letting her feel a gust of cool air from the inside. She assumed the AC was turned on. Matteo opened them some more but didn¡¯t look inside as if he would break the taboo by doing so. He gestured her to go inside.

    ¡°This apartment is a penthouse. Your room in on the first floor, the last door on the right. Soon Fernanda will come and bring dinner for you. If you need anything just ask her and she will tell me what you need. Don¡¯t try to escape, please.¡±

    Her lips became a thin line when she looked at the door. It really was a prison, and a prison for a lifetime at that. Once more she felt tears in her eyes forming, but she didn¡¯t let them fall. Then one thing hit her.

    ¡°When did he tell you where my room is? He knew you were going to find me today?¡±

    ¡°No, he told me about the room by the mind link.¡± Matteo said like he was stating the obvious and she looked at him with a blank expression. He frowned confused.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what that is? You said you were in a pack?¡±

    ¡°I was when I was four. I didn¡¯t get any training or anything like that and my parents didn¡¯t like the subject.¡± She stated, now confused too. Matteo nodded his head like he finally understood.

    ¡°Mind link can be obtained by higher rank werewolves in packs. It¡¯s mainly a link between the strongest ones, so Alpha, Beta and some Deltas. And of course, Luna, Alpha¡¯s mate.¡± She cringed a little at the last remark. ¡°It allows us to communicate between ourselves by mainly sending images, short messages or our emotions. It keeps the pack safer that way because we can communicate with each other without words.¡± Unsteady silence fell between them, as Gabi still felt uneasiness and sadness about the remark and Matteo stared at her uncomfortably.

    ¡°I think sooner or later you will know what I talk about¡± he ended his lecture awkwardly, and Gabi once again without any warning shot him a piercing glare.

    ¡°I doubt it.¡± She said harshly and without another word walked through the door, not bothering to look at him or say ¡°Goodbye¡±.

    He sighed a little irritated and made his way back through the jungle to his leader¡¯s office. He started to think they deserved each other. Both of them were incredibly stubborn even if in so many different ways.

    The sight before Gabi wasn¡¯t something she expected after meeting with her devil mate. As Matteo said the flat was a penthouse, with ceiling of almost ten meters high. She couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the luxurious interior, starting from the small but open hall she was now standing in, to marvelous open kitchen with big island straight ahead with (of course) black marble kitchen tops and white cabinets, that smoothly transitioned into small dining part consisting only of mid-size dark wooden table with four chairs, to enormous living room with dark grey sofa and two big armchairs of the same color. On the right side of the room, just as the wall ended and ginormous glass walls began, was a big fireplace with a bit of chopped wood on the side. Above it there was hanging a big TV. As the wall with the fireplace ended there was another spacious corridor to the other part of the penthouse she couldn¡¯t see from her place in the entrance. On the far left there was an open staircase leading to an open balcony with a row of five doors. But the thing that enamored her the most weren¡¯t the luxurious furniture or big windows on one side of the apartment, creating a glass wall from kitchen to a fireplace in the living room; it was the plants. They were everywhere, taking almost all of the space between the furniture, creating a small forest in the city center.

    She inhaled the air deeply and for a second forgot about all of her problems and why she was here. She sensed all types of plants, from exotic ones to those present in British forests. She sensed spruce, and almost immediately thought of Dante. He probably soaked in the scent after living in here. In the next second though she shook her head wildly. For the first time she thought about him without any negative emotions and she felt it was not okay. He didn¡¯t deserve it. At least for now¡­ whispered a little part of her, but she ignored it.

    With cautious steps Gabi went further into the apartment, warily observing everything around, as if something was to jump on her in any given moment. With longing she looked in the direction of kitchen but didn¡¯t divert from her shortest route to the staircase. She was starving, her last meal was before work, but she didn¡¯t feel safe enough to go check out the fridge. Besides, God knows what she even can do here and what not. That devil was surely nuts so she couldn¡¯t be sure of anything.

    Remembering what Matteo told her she slowly made her way up the stairs and made her way down the balcony to the last door on the right. When passing the third door she felt a pang in her heart when her nose sniffed out the scent of her mate. It probably was his bedroom. Without another thought she almost ran to the last door and opened them cautiously.

    She presumed upon seeing the rest of the house that the room won¡¯t disappoint her, but it also wasn¡¯t something she expected from the place. The whole room was finished with white, beige and pastel pink colors. On the floor right beside the big continental king size bed was a big fluffy and shaggy carpet, and Gabi with contentment ran her fingers through its soft fabrics. Everywhere she looked there were various cushions and fluffy pillows, making the interior seem cozy and almost safe. Beside the big glass window taking up the whole wall on the right of the bed was a massive armchair facing the view of the city. She carefully curled her whole body in its soft fabric and mewled with satisfaction. It was perfect and she wished she had one of these in her own home. At that thought her smile faded. If she ever gets back home, she promised to herself earlier to forget everything she will go through in here, even the highlights.

    The rest of the tour was quick now when she was back from her cloud nine upon seeing the room. With a quick glance she checked out two pair of doors that were also in the room. One was leading to a fully furnished bathroom with a bathtub, the other to a walk-in closet that right now was empty. It looked to her like a suite in a guest house. She sniffed her nose ¨C she wasn¡¯t a guest but a prisoner. She also took notice of the big TV screen hanging on the wall opposite of the bed. Good, she won¡¯t die of boredom. Because even if the whole apartment charmed her, she didn¡¯t plan on using it. She planned on staying in this room as long as it was needed so she doesn¡¯t have to interact with Dante.

    With a quiet sigh Gabi plopped on the bed, feeling like it sucked her in inviting to sleep, but it wasn¡¯t on her mind right now. She thought about poor Liz left alone in her own apartment. She must have felt scared as hell about her, but what else she could have done in that situation? Leaving her there was the best option. Gabi didn¡¯t want this pack to know about her existence. It was safer for both of them. She wished she had her phone, that way she could at least contact her best friend and tell her she¡¯s alive. She sighed once more. The only thing you can do right now Liz is have faith in me¡­ she thought gloomily, suddenly feeling even more the loneliness around her. She felt goosebumps rising on her skin from the chilly aura in the penthouse and decided to crawl under the fluffy blanket sprawled neatly on the bed. It smelled of roses and something else that was calming her nerves, but she really didn¡¯t have the mind right now to ponder on it.

    The last thought that crossed her mind before she fell into a shallow slumber was that she was glad she told Liz to cover her absence at work for at least a month if she doesn¡¯t get out of here until Monday. She wasn¡¯t giving up on her life just yet.

    She didn¡¯t know how much time have passed since she fell asleep, but what stirred her awake was a commotion downstairs. She felt how her body tensed and eyes opened widely, ready to attack and run in case of a danger, but nothing really happened. After 10 minutes the steps outside stopped and a characteristic click of the door could be heard. Gabi stayed in her position for another 5 minutes until she was certain for sure that no one was in the apartment with her. Carefully poking her head out of the door she scanned the surroundings. Everything was the same beside the kitchen counter; she could see some plates with food and a package with a note attached to it.

    Gabi made her way in its direction still careful as ever, not knowing the route through the jungle to the kitchen yet. Her stomach grumbled loudly upon seeing a still hot steak with mashed potatoes, some side salad and a cake for dessert, but the package and the note got her curious. Stuffing her cheeks quickly with the food, afraid that Dante might soon be back for dinner too because it was already dark outside, with her other hand she reached for the note.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry and eat in peace. Alpha Dante has tonight some urgent matters to attend to and he won¡¯t be back until late. I gave Fernanda a package with some essentials for you. Sorry if they don¡¯t match, I¡¯ve had little time and don¡¯t know your exact size. Tomorrow I¡¯ll come by for the key to your apartment and I¡¯ll bring you everything you need so make sure to prepare me a list. Matteo¡±

    Feeling now confident that no one will disrupt her, Gabi started cursing despite her mouth full of food. She cursed at Dante, Matteo, Luca and even poor Fernanda who was not to blame for anything. A trickle of tears fell down her cheeks and her shoulders slumped.

    They literally took everything from her. How was she going to fight this? If she gives them the keys, they can make a copy and enter her home anytime. She doubted even a change of lock would have helped then. Her stomach churned and she felt she can¡¯t have any more bite or else she will vomit. With regret in her eyes she picked the package and went upstairs not finishing her meal. She didn¡¯t budge to clean up.

    In the box she found toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and some shampoo along with shower gel. Matteo also got her some spare panties (a little bit too loose but she decided they would do) and long sleeved pajama that also was too big. Still she was glad she didn¡¯t have to sleep in her underwear or even worse, naked. The AC was still on making the air unpleasantly chilly, but she didn¡¯t see anywhere the thermostat regulating it.

    Trying not to think about all of it too much anymore she picked necessary things and decided to take a long bath. She spent in the water at least two hours before her shaken mind calmed a little bit down and various thoughts stopped storming her mind. Feeling her muscles relax a bit she stepped out and let her wet hair dry naturally even if it meant her pajamas would get damp in the process.

    She still was clueless as to what to do next, but one thing was obvious to her; there was no point in fighting them right now. That¡¯s why with a heavy sigh she rummaged through drawers in her new room and found a notepad and a pen with intent on writing a list for Matteo.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Gabi put the ready list on the nightstand, planning on giving it to the Beta when he comes for the keys tomorrow. She decided to go to sleep as there was nothing else she could do, besides she felt drained of her whole energy.

    Before she went to bed though she decided to check if the door had any locks in them. Fortunately for her, the lock was there. With satisfaction she closed it and after a moment of thought she decided to rearrange the bed so she could feel more comfortable and safer.

    Since her last heat something deep within her changed and from now on the only comfortable position for her to sleep was when she was surrounded by a stack of every possible pillow and blanket, she could find. They all had to be neatly arranged on the bed, making one big nest she could slip into.

    It took her about fifteen minutes before she was fully satisfied with the outcome. Gabi snuggled into the covers, feeling wearier than ever. With every inch of her body covered and a pleasant warmth spreading through her body she didn¡¯t have much problems with falling asleep.

    Somewhere through the night she thought she woke up seeing a pair of red eyes glistening in the moonlight, but when she finally stirred awake it was already morning and as expected she was all alone in the room.

    With her whole body tensed she listened for about ten minutes if anyone was home. Hearing and sensing no one she slowly got out of bed. After a moment of consideration, she decided to change back into yesterday¡¯s clothes. She preferred to look worn out than like a defenseless animal in too big pajamas. She slowly went down the stairs and went into the kitchen. Her heart started to drum wildly upon seeing two sets of plates on the kitchen counter, but seeing one of them was already empty she calmed down a little bit. To be sure she touched the half empty coffee mug and sensing it was almost cold she relaxed even more. It seemed he already ate and went out. Good for her. With longing in her eyes Gabi looked at the plate full of scrambled eggs, toasts and load of bacon, but feeling her stomach churning she opted to just eat one toast with orange juice.

    She was starving, but the whole situation was bringing her so much stress her stomach couldn¡¯t take more. She felt nausea taking over her and with difficulty she swallowed the last piece of the toast. She quickly gulped the orange juice and decided to lay down once again. The part of her restored energy was quickly gone and her eyes were closing by themselves. She decided to leave the list for Matteo on the counter. She suspected Fernanda will be here later to clean up, as the plates from yesterday where nowhere to be found, and so she can give the list to him along with her keys she left beside the note.

    With that being done, with heavy steps she went back to sleep.

    When she woke up the next time it was already past noon. Poking out her head out of the door she noticed a few familiar suitcases near the entrance. She opened one of them briefly and finding inside the things she wrote down for Matteo, puffing and huffing she hauled them upstairs to her room. Not in the mood to take care of them she left all of them in the wardrobe and fell asleep once again.

    The same pattern repeated for the next few days ¨C she woke up pretty much only to eat a little piece of anything Fernanda left on the kitchen counter and she immediately returned to her room, at one point even giving up on changing from her pajamas. She would watch TV for half an hour or so and fall into slumber once again. It seemed like her body, despite what she declared to herself, decided to give up on life. Even her wolf was silent, still devastated at their mates¡¯ lack of interest. She just couldn¡¯t make it work ¨C everything tired her and depression crept upon her as she still didn¡¯t figure out what to do next.

    On the night of the fifth day of her stay at Moretti¡¯s place she suddenly woke up when the door to her room banged loudly on the wall. She curled up in a ball even more under her covers when she saw his furious red eyes shining in the night. She cursed in her mind. Did she forget to turn the lock that evening?

    He growled loudly and after scanning the room briefly he quickly made his way to the bed. Without hesitation he tore all of the blankets from her earning a high-pitched scream in return. Gabi felt paralyzed in fear at what he might do next. Dante scanned her body from head to toe with his furious gaze and involuntarily she felt her cheeks heating up. She was wearing her old too big T-shirt and boxers. Not in any way sexy, but she still felt like a piece of meat on the counter at the butchers.

    He growled once again shifting his eyes to hers.

    ¡°Why you don¡¯t eat.¡± She stared at him for a few seconds not knowing what he was talking about and only snapping out of it when another low growl could be heard.

    ¡°But I do eat.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t! Fernanda told me you barely touch anything she prepares for you!¡± he snapped as his eyes still shone like fire in the dark room.

    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡±

    ¡°I order you to eat.¡± He growled out and at that point she felt like something snapped in her. She sat up and shot him a fiery gaze.

    ¡°You won¡¯t tell me what to do! If I want to starve to death I will!¡± she almost screamed at him, letting out all the pent-up tension she felt. ¡°You¡¯re not my master nor my owner and I can do anything I want, even die!¡±

    Without a warning his hands fell on her shoulders and she squeaked in pain, feeling how he pinned her to the bed, hovering right above her with his powerful glare. The fire in his eyes died a little, but he still looked really dangerous. At the same time, she felt his marvelous scent and sparks went down her spine to her lower abdomen. She cursed at herself feeling how heat pooled down there.

    Here I¡¯m fighting for life and all my body can think of is sex¡­ how pathetic, she thought.

    ¡°You want to die?¡± he asked darkly and she hesitated for a second too long, but it was too late now.

    ¡°If my life has to look like that with you ordering me around then yes, I want to die.¡± She replied quietly, but loud enough for him to hear it. His eyes narrowed and without another word he lifted himself up. She didn¡¯t have time to breathe out the air she didn¡¯t realize she was holding in, when he once more brought his hands on her body and harshly hoisted her up in the air. A loud shriek came out of her mouth as Dante with one swift movement put her on his shoulder as if she didn¡¯t weight anything.

    Gabi grunted trying to catch her breath as the man went out of her bedroom and walked down the stairs. At first, she was too shocked to even say a word, overwhelmed by his scent and strong muscles she felt on his arm when he moved. She also couldn¡¯t resist and looked at his perfectly shaped ass, not that she had any other choice because of his handling. He still had his jeans on, so he must have come home not long ago. But the moment she heard the click of the closing door, the sound she came to know so well for the past few days, she broke down in cold sweat.

    Was he really going to make her wish come true? Was he going to kill her?

    That was what pulled her out of her haze. Panic took over her body as she tried to free herself from his grip, shouting and even sending in his direction a few curses as she struggled with his steel muscles. Finally he seemed to have enough of her trying to escape, and an irritated hiss left his mouth. In the next second his hand landed on her ass with a loud smack, and a shocked yelp came from Gabi.

    ¡°Be quiet¡± he ordered her, not feeling or just ignoring her clenched fists pushing into his back. The rest of the way was quiet. She saw another pair of stairs under them and only pushed her fists harder into his back, but still it didn¡¯t faze him. She gritted her teeth, now purely angry. She felt humiliated by his scolding act, as if she was a small child. To top it off, new set of sparks appeared in her body after his hand touched her butt and it felt so wrong to her right now.

    Dante opened some door and she felt a gust of fresh wind tousling her hair. Forgetting about the world for a moment she lost herself in the crisp but fresh feeling of night air on her bare legs and arms. She snapped out of it feeling like Alpha came to a stop and put her down. Instantly she pulled away from him another five steps or so, watching him warily all the time.

    His eyes became dark brown again, but his frown was still there.

    ¡°A-Alpha Dante?¡± a surprised voice called out and Gabi turned to see Luca. Only now did she also realize that he took her up to the roof and she once more felt fear struck her.

    Dante didn¡¯t even look in his direction, his eyes were still on Gabi as if she was his prey.

    ¡°Get out of here, now. Stand down and guard.¡± Were the only things he said, and Luca obediently lowered his head, although his eyes diverted for a second to Gabriella with a tint on worry in them.

    When the door closed behind him, Dante changed his stance and started to take down his shirt. Gabi stared at him in pure shock.

    ¡°Strip and shift.¡± He growled in her direction and she stepped back once more, not knowing what he was up to. Seeing his toned muscles and tanned, perfect skin she felt another blush creeping on her cheeks and so she tried to look the other way.

    ¡°What for?¡± her voice seemed now weak against the wind. A hint of red showed once again in his dark orbs.

    ¡°You want to die, right?¡± he snarled throwing his shirt on the ground and her heart almost stopped at that. ¡°Then I give you a choice. Fight me and win your freedom or die. Do as you wish¡± he ended with irony, unbuckling his pants. She felt tears starting to prickle in her eyes as she panicked.

    ¡°Wait, but now?!¡±

    ¡°And why not, the sooner the better.¡± He shot her a piercing glare and a snarl escaped his lips. She saw how his fangs started to lengthen; his shift was slowly starting.

    ¡°I-I haven¡¯t done it in ages! Shift I mean! And I didn¡¯t fight ever!¡± she stuttered, trying to hide behind something, anything. But the roof was barren besides some ventilators from the cooling system.

    ¡°Better late than never.¡± Was his only response as a loud cracking noise could be heard and Gabi closed her eyes in panic. When she opened them once more a gigantic black wolf stood before her with his dark gaze still piercing into her.

    ¡°Shift or I¡¯ll begin now.¡± She heard in her head and winced at the sudden intrusion. He barked and growled as if to prove his point and took two steps in her direction. She stopped him with his hand.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll shift now, just wait a minute.¡± She said with trembling voice. She hid behind one of the ventilators, even if it didn¡¯t cover her whole, and stripped of her clothes. Her hands were shaking so bad she had problems with stepping out of her boxers. At that moment she remembered what Liz once told her, and she felt like it was years ago ¡°¡­I may be a werewolf, but I¡¯m a freaking domestic werewolf living in a city, and so when I can¡¯t see a thing, I just switch on the lights!¡±

    She never felt anything more than this at that moment. Liz was right. They were domestic werewolves; they didn¡¯t know how to fight or just simply be a werewolf. Hell, the last time she shifted was almost four years ago! It was probably one of the reasons why her wolf became so quiet through that time.

    Finally, naked she curled up in a ball and with difficulty she made her bones break. She winced in pain but didn¡¯t muster a word. After few seconds that for her felt like eternity she opened her eyes once more and everything felt sharper and lighter. She looked down and saw familiar grey paws.

    Let the games begin¡­ she thought stepping out from behind the ventilator.

    In the next second though she had to duck and fell painfully on her side, yipping in pain.

    ¡°You took too long¡± he growled in her mind getting closer, and she felt anger and adrenaline shoot through her body. She mindlessly growled back at him, and she felt how her wolf was slipping away from her. It was kept in for so long that now when it was free it just wanted to go berserk, mate or not.

    This might be my chance.

    She made her stance and let her wolf fight for her.

    Gabi didn¡¯t know how long they were fighting. She felt stinging pain in her leg and abdomen, but was in such a craze it didn¡¯t bother her. Dante on the other hand had only few scratches on his body, but it was still satisfying for her. He was an Alpha and she was a mere Gamma, but she didn¡¯t give in.

    Even when he pinned her down to the ground with her belly up and growled loudly at her with his eyes shimmering with red, she didn¡¯t stop barking at him and snapping her teeth, wanting to bite into his throat.

    ¡°Shift back¡± she heard in her mind but instead she started to yank even more, still growling at him. His snout came close to her throat and a more demanding growl came out from him.

    ¡°Shift back now¡± he repeated angry with his Alpha voice. She didn¡¯t have a choice. She became limp for a second under him and feeling his pressure, not diverting her green orbs from his dark ones she shifted back. When now cold wind hit her, goosebumps rose on her skin.

    Upon seeing she obliged, he also slowly shifted back, not turning his eyes away for a second. The adrenaline rush in her veins have made her momentarily immune to his glares.

    ¡°I won.¡± He stated. When no response came from her, he continued. ¡°Do you still want to die?¡±

    Gabi looked at him in silence. Truth to be said, she had never felt more alive than during this fight. But she still didn¡¯t understand him and his course of actions.

    ¡°You won, so you can kill me now. That was the deal.¡± She said breathlessly, and he snapped at her with anger in his voice.

    ¡°I asked you a question.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what¡­¡± her voice was cut out when with swift movement he pinned both of her hands to the ground with one of his and with the other one he grabbed her chin, kissing her aggressively. She stared at him with wide eyes but soon fell into his touch. He was rough and quick when his lips crashed on hers, but she felt like her heart was about to burst open and her wolf was howling in joy. His lips were hot and swollen from their fight as wolves, and he tasted like blood ¨C her blood to be exact, but at that moment she didn¡¯t want anything else. She opened her mouth slightly as to let his tongue meet hers, but suddenly he tore away from her.

    His eyes once again were almost crimson red and he was panting, but his ever-present frown was still there. With his tousled black hair and a smudge of blood on his cheek he looked like a devil. A sexy devil.

    ¡°You blabber too much. I asked you a question. I won¡¯t repeat myself again.¡± He said with low hoarse voice.

    ¡°No.¡± she answered quietly also with her voice hoarse, staring at him with hazed eyes. It was all happening too fast for her to comprehend.

    ¡°Will you eat?¡± she blinked a few times, not knowing where the question suddenly came from.

    ¡°Y-yes.¡± She stuttered a little, not knowing what he was up to. His eyes finally left hers and travelled down to her body. Suddenly she was very aware of the fact that they both were naked.

    He quickly stood up and went to get his clothes. She stared at him in shock.

    ¡°Do I also have to dress you up?¡± he sneered as if nothing happened and she couldn¡¯t help but hiss under her breath at him. He shot her a glare but she didn¡¯t see it as she was already behind the ventilator dressing herself up quickly. Her leg and stomach still were bleeding a little but she quickly scanned them and decided the wounds weren¡¯t that deep. Until morning they would be all gone thanks to werewolves quick healing abilities.

    When she came out she realized she was all alone. She scoffed.

    ¡°Did that jerk left me here?¡± without any second thoughts she voiced out and panicked for a second, but when only silence replied she calmed down a little.

    When another cold blow of wind hit her she trembled from cold. Fuck this. Just as she reached the door someone opened it from the other side.

    ¡°Hey Gabi¡± Luca poked his head out and seeing that she was well and alive smiled at her. ¡°I thought he was going to kill you¡± he said cheerfully as if it was a normal thing to say.

    ¡°Yeah, me too¡± she grumbled squeezing through him inside.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you back¡± he stated and they both started going down the stairs.

    ¡°Soo¡­ what happened?¡± he started after a moment of silence. She closed her eyes wishing he would just shut up. How can she tell him something she didn¡¯t even knew herself?

    ¡°We fought.¡± Was her only answer and he looked at her in shock. ¡°Don¡¯t ask any more questions.¡± She told him seeing how his mouth started to open. ¡°Just take me to bed.¡± She sighed, feeling how every part of her body started to hurt.

    When Luca opened the door to the penthouse for her she didn¡¯t even thank him or even look at him she was that tired. Not caring if Dante was home or not, she just trudged through the living room and up to her room and fell on the bed, instantly falling asleep.

 Chapter 5. Training to survive

    She dreamed of a red-eyed beast with big black horns that never wanted to leave her side and she was pretty glad someone woke her up. The knocking on her door became louder but still was gentle. She wondered for a moment who could that be. Then memories of last night flooded her mind and she puffed with irritation. For sure this wasn¡¯t that jerk, he would have already barged in and shouted at her.

    When she opened her door she found a small round woman looking at her back with a sheepish look on her face. She was probably in her mid-fifties and had a look of a fairy god-mother, plump with rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes that looked at her with almost motherly love. She instantly lowered her eyes and bowed her head and Gabi was stunned for a moment. Then it came to her. The ¡°Alpha image¡± probably stuck to her as she was his mate and she lived with him. She had the urge to grunt in anger at that but decided not to as to not scare the woman any more.

    ¡°Hi¡± she started the conversation with a raspy voice. She still was sleepy as hell, but also hungry.

    ¡°Hello my lady Luna.¡± She couldn¡¯t resist the urge to cringe and that scared the woman who immediately took two steps back.

    ¡°No no, don¡¯t worry, nothing happened.¡± Gabi assured her sending her a smile. ¡°I would just prefer you to call me Gabriella or Gabi¡­ or just anything else other than my lady and Luna¡± she spewed the last words with disgust.

    ¡°Oh ok darling. So what would you say to topolina? It means little mouse in Italian, my native language¡± the immediate change in woman¡¯s behavior surprised her, but she decided to go with the flow. She seemed pretty nice to Gabi.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, but why?¡±

    ¡°Because you hide in that room of yours from the moment you came here and eat almost nothing, like a little mouse! We were very worried about you, even the boss got mad when he heard you don¡¯t eat enough!¡± she wagged her finger at her in a scolding manner but her ever present smile showed she didn¡¯t really mean it.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± before she could say anything else Fernanda, because Gabi was almost certain that was her, grabbed her hand and almost dragged her downstairs to the kitchen. She sat her at the table and sprawled something close to dozen dishes on the table.

    ¡°Now eat! Dante promised me you would!¡± Gabi looked at her shocked. She wasn¡¯t afraid of the Alpha?

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t look at me like that topolina. Sooner or later you will also get a grip of him. He may be an Alpha, but he¡¯s also a simple man. And I hope your mother told you what life looks like? Men are the head, but we women are the neck that guides them and carries all the burden for them. In other words, they can¡¯t live without us.¡± She blabbered on and on and Gabi couldn¡¯t take her eyes off of this small old woman that talked about the fearsome Alpha like he was only a stubborn child. Then she laughed.

    ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s that you¡¯re a first person I have met here that doesn¡¯t pee in their pants whenever Alpha is in the room.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the trick topolina. You can¡¯t show him you¡¯re afraid of him. The animal kingdom works the same way, and we come from it. Show the predator fear and he will eat you. Don¡¯t show it and he will be cautious of you, because he won¡¯t know what you have up your sleeve. That¡¯s my advice for you for today.¡± Fernanda winked at her and Gabi couldn¡¯t help but smile back at her. With that woman around, even the worst situation was a little bit brighter.

    ¡°And now eat! I¡¯m going to clean up the library a bit and when I come back, I want to see everything eaten!¡±

    Her eyes rose on Fernanda at that from her food. He has books in here? She thought he had them only in his office.

    ¡°Library?¡± Fernanda looked back at her like she had just fallen from the sky.

    ¡°Of course, topolina. Didn¡¯t he show you through the house?¡± when she shook her head for a ¡°no¡±, Fernanda started aggressively saying a string of Italian words under her breath.

    ¡°That stupid rascal.¡± She ended her rant and Gabi laughed at that. Rascal. It was so out of place. ¡°When you finish your breakfast, you can join me.¡± She pointed in the direction of the passage between the fireplace and staircase. Gabi nodded and started to eat faster.  She was a bit excited about what was in the library as she really loved books and was already fed up with the TV. Even though her stomach was grumbling a while ago, after eating a bit she was already full, probably from eating not enough for the last days. She tried to push herself but still she couldn¡¯t finish everything that was plated before her.

    When she stood up, she felt uneasy heaviness in her belly and grunted. This was too much to handle for her right now.

    Slowly she made her way in the direction Fernanda showed her.

    With sparkling eyes and mouth wide open she entered the library that resembled her the one pictured in ¡°The Beauty and the Beast¡±. Shelves filled with books to the brim were reaching up to the ceiling, covering all of the walls except the glass one, that right now let warm autumn sun rest on her face. In the center of the room there was a sofa and two armchairs resembling those she already had seen in Dante¡¯s office, but they were grey as most of the furniture in the penthouse. Between them there was a glass coffee table with an opened book on the top along with some empty whisky glass, which meant that the Alpha liked to sit here quite often. She quickly scanned the book closely and a glint of surprise showed in her eyes when she read the familiar lines.

    ¡°He reads Master and Margarita?¡± she asked herself loudly, not really expecting an answer, and when Fernanda spoke up, she jumped up a little.

    ¡°From what I can tell he likes classic literature, but by far this one I see the most when I¡¯m cleaning.¡± She took the empty glass and swiped the non-existing dust from under it, but she didn¡¯t touch the book.

    ¡°You can come here anytime during the day sweetie if you don¡¯t want to meet him. From what I can tell he comes here only after work, and that means during the night.¡± She told her, seeing Gabi¡¯s awe at the sight before her. Young woman could only nod her head as she mindlessly run her hand on the hard covers of the books on the nearest shelf.

    ¡°Ah, I almost forgot to tell you.¡± Fernanda exclaimed, earning a half-interested look from Gabi.

    ¡°Matteo wants to meet with you in the afternoon. He will come pick you up around two, and he asked that you wear something loose and comfortable.¡± Gabi frowned at that and finally came back from her cloud nine. She felt how alerts started to come off in her head.

    ¡°Do you maybe know what he wants from me?¡± Fernanda only shrugged her plump shoulders and diverted her eyes to the non-existent dust on one of the bookshelves.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know my topolina. The only thing I can tell you is that was a direct order from the Alpha.¡± Gabi couldn¡¯t help but snort loudly. That idiot again.

    Probably he wants to get revenge for yesterday. What other tortures he has for her?

    ¡°You¡¯re a good girl. Don¡¯t let them trample you down.¡± A little shocked she looked at the older woman who was now looking at her with a serious expression on her face. After a few seconds Gabi smiled back at her. Weirdly, the last night accident woke her up and she felt more alive than in the last few years.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, in the end I will be the one on top.¡±

    Two hours later she was standing in her bedroom looking critically at herself in the mirror. She didn¡¯t really know what Matteo had planned for her, but given the fact that he mentioned something loose and comfortable, it involved a lot of moving. That¡¯s why she wore her old trainers (the last time she run in them was about two years ago, when her condition was still not that bad as now), grey long sweatpants and a black sleeveless shirt. Her hair were now pulled up in a messy bun as not to constrain her. Now she should be ready.

    She looked at herself once more and hid her face in her hands. Who she was kidding, she was acting all high and mighty when with Fernanda, but in reality she was scared shitless. She wasn¡¯t prepared for all of this and she really didn¡¯t want to do any of this. Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t have a choice. She slowly started to forget how it was when she¡¯s got one.

    Gabi inhaled deeply the air a few times to calm herself down and almost didn¡¯t budge when the door opened slightly and Fernanda¡¯s head popped in.

    ¡°Matteo has come to pick you up.¡± Her throat was so constricted she could only nod her head and follow the woman out of the room.

    The man was waiting for her just outside the apartment, but what made her even more confused was that he was in a full suit, shaved and with his hair neatly arranged. When she appeared, he was looking at his, for sure ridiculously expensive, watch.

    When she compared their attires, she just wanted to turn around that second and go back to bed.

    Unfortunately, the door already closed and she didn¡¯t know the code. So instead of running like she was used to, with a heavy sigh and gloomy face she went up to the man. Before she stopped beside him, he looked up and with a serious look scanned her clothes. Deeming them good, he nodded his head approvingly.

    ¡°Good, I was a little bit worried Fernanda will forget to mention the clothes.¡±

    ¡°Well seeing your clothes on the other hand, I feel like you¡¯re planning on making a laughing stock out of me.¡± Gabi replied, feeling irritation under her skin. After all she didn¡¯t know what he and his devil boss had planned for her.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind this Luna.¡± She cringed and hissed at the word, but Matteo seemed to not mind. ¡°I¡¯m going out for some business with Alpha Dante, I¡¯m only here to pick you up and escort you to Luca.¡±

    ¡°What for?¡± her mood was becoming more and more dark with each passing second.

    ¡°Alpha Dante seemed to notice yesterday that you need a little bit of¡­ moving¡± he looked at her with his eyebrow high, as if he was wondering what they had done yesterday that made Alpha interested in her wellbeing. She scoffed but didn¡¯t say anything. Let him wonder, for fucks sake.

    Seeing that he won¡¯t get the answers he wanted, Matteo only sighed a little and shook his head with a smile that said he was amused by the situation, and Gabi felt the urgent need to punch him right in his face. It was his fault to begin with that she was in this situation.

    In silence they made their way down the hall and Gabi stopped for a second seeing where he was taking her. The elevator. She was denied being outside for the last week, and now she felt a little bit of joy at the thought of the warm feeling of the sun on her skin.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Just when Matteo stuck his ID card to the computer beside the elevator, they heard a click of the door in the distance. Remembering that only one particular door where close to the elevator, she felt how her heart started to drum wildly in her chest. As if on cue Matteo stepped back when they heard footsteps in the distance and after seconds her eyes met those of her mate.

    A glint of red passed through his eyes as he scanned her body (and again she felt like meat at the butchers!), but all in all his face stayed cold and unemotional as always. She swallowed the snort that tried to make its way out of her mouth at that. Arrogant asshole. As always, he was wearing his casual attire, which meant black long-sleeved shirt and black pants. It perfectly wrapped up his narrow hips and broad shoulders and she felt how heat started to pool down in her abdomen and cursed in her mind. This whole soulmate bond was making her loose her mind. Fortunately for her she hardly ever blushed.

    ¡°Alpha Dante, I was just taking Luna to the training ground as you¡¯ve instructed.¡± Matteo said and Gabi frowned a little. What she was supposed to do there? It confused her for a moment, almost making her ignore the fact that Beta once more called her his Luna.

    Dante didn¡¯t say anything, only nodding a little in his Beta¡¯s direction and Gabi felt like her wolf once more howled in pain at his negligence. She on the other hand was just pissed. Yesterday he wanted to kill her and then kissed her, and now he treated her like air!

    They heard a loud ¡°ding!¡± when the elevator came, and when the door opened Dante immediately made his way in. Only then Gabi noticed a fragile looking man in glasses that was all along standing behind Alpha¡¯s back. He looked at her with as much curiosity as she did at him, and he diverted his eyes only when they heard a warning growl from the elevator.

    She then noticed that Matteo had already left her side and also went in, and so with a sigh she followed him. She wanted to stand between him and the wall to be as far away as possible from Dante, but because the two men were both muscular it was impossible and she was forced to stand before Matteo, with her face facing the doors as not to have to look at the Alpha.

    The unnamed man still looked at her with a little bit of shock on his face, as he seemed to hesitate whether to enter the elevator or not. Finally, a loud irritated growl from Dante snapped him back into his senses.

    ¡°Diego either you go down by elevator or you go down through window. Which one do you want?¡± he growled and she trembled with fear at his low hoarse voice that now showed all of his murderous intents. Her mate really was a monster. Diego rushed in, nervously adjusting his glasses and letting out a string of apologies toward his boss.

    Matteo pushed a few buttons and the doors closed. The air inside was thick and filled with tension and overpowering Alpha¡¯s presence. Even though he wasn¡¯t standing behind her, Gabi felt the heat emanating from his body and almost unconsciously she knew he watched her with his fiery, red gaze. At the same time, she was hundred percent sure that if she turned around he would stare every other way but her.

    He was such a pain in the ass.

    After a nervous minute and a half, they stopped and the door opened, showing her the entrance to the big, right now almost empty gym.

    ¡°Alpha Dante, I¡¯ll be sure to join you in a few minutes. Come Luna, it¡¯s our stop.¡± Matteo said urging her to step out. Hearing that Dante wasn¡¯t going with them she went a few steps ahead and suddenly turned around with a frown on her face, making Matteo stop in his tracks. She made sure that the doors to the elevator started closing, when she exclaimed loudly:

    ¡°I told you to stop calling me that! I refuse to be anyone¡¯s Luna!¡± with satisfaction she saw how the door closed and she was sure she heard a low threatening growl from behind them. Matteo looked in the same direction as her and sighed loudly.

    ¡°You know it¡¯s going to do nothing good to you, right? He¡¯ll get you for it. And to top it off poor Diego will have to deal with him now, he¡¯ll probably die of a heart attack in there.¡± Gabi only shrugged her shoulders, still too immersed in her own small victory to ponder on the consequences.

    ¡°If you wanted me to behave you should have stopped calling me like that.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t, because YOU ARE my Luna.¡± He exclaimed the two words, and that made her grit her teeth.

    ¡°I¡¯m not, for goodness sake! I never agreed to this!¡± she stomped her feet, feeling too frustrated at the moment to stop the childless behavior.  Matteo sighed, now also irritated.

    ¡°It seems our Alpha thinks the other way around, as he ordered everyone from the pack to call you according to your status, Luna. No one wants to deal with the consequences of not doing so.¡± He finally said, and that shocked Gabi so much she didn¡¯t muster another word as a response.

    Matteo looked up and his expression from irritated changed into a relieved one.

    ¡°Good you¡¯re here Luca.¡± He greeted his friend and Gabi slowly turned in his direction. Lucky for her he was wearing some shorts and a loose T-shirt.

    ¡°Hi Luna¡± he greeted her with a smile, but seeing her expression saying ¡°Et tu Brute?¡±, he looked surprised at Matteo.

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t like the word.¡± He only said, looking at the watch on his wrist. ¡°Listen Luca, I¡¯m leaving her with you, we¡¯re going with Alpha Dante to a meeting, and before it starts I have to try to restore what our dear Luna managed to destroy¡± he said, looking at her with disapproval, but she was still too shocked and angered to answer him.

    ¡°Luna? What such a frail creature could destroy?¡± Luca also looked at her, and Gabi was done with it. She scoffed and went into the direction of what seemed like a big open terrace.

    ¡°His calm. She fucking destroyed him with one sentence, and to top it off she did it when the doors where closing and he couldn¡¯t do anything.¡± Matteo moaned, thinking about what was waiting for him. Luca on the other hand raised his brows in amusement and laughed.

    ¡°Promise me you will tell me all about it.¡± Beta only looked at him with daggers in his eyes and went back into the elevator.

    Luca found Gabi on the terrace standing by the railing, basking in the early afternoon sun, too immersed in the wind tousling her hair and sun kissing her skin to still be angry with the blonde man.

    ¡°So tell me, what have you planned for me and why now?¡± she said turning to him.

    ¡°Well, yesterday you¡¯ve fought with the Alpha. After the fight he must have concluded that you need a little bit more exercise¡­ to be accurate a pretty lot more.¡± he sent her an amused smile when she raised her brows in disapproval. ¡°He said, and this is a quote, do something with her freaking puppy moves.¡± Gabi felt how anger once more started bubbling in her.

    ¡°And what does he expect of me, to just willingly agree and do everything he says? Of course, I won¡¯t do that!¡± she furrowed her brows and felt how even her wolf was in rage at the critics of her fighting style.

    ¡°Now now Luna, don¡¯t be so angry at me and please listen to the end. I must confess I peeked yesterday a little at your fight, and although in most part I have to agree with Alpha Dante, you still have a potential and some good moves.¡±

    ¡°Was that supposed to convince me to give in?¡±

    ¡°Partially. I hoped that the part where you have the possibility of kicking Alpha¡¯s ass will do the trick.¡± He winked to her and Gabi looked at him warily.

    ¡°I smell something fishy here. What¡¯s the hard part to it?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much really. You just have to oblige with my training and my requests in order to achieve your goal.¡±

    ¡°And how do you know my goal?¡± she snorted.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Your freedom.¡± He smiled mischievously when he saw how everything clicked in her head.

    ¡°And why do you want to help me? Isn¡¯t he your boss?¡± the possibilities he was giving her were tempting, but she didn¡¯t believe he would do all of this for free. There was nothing free in this world.

    Luca only shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.

    ¡°I just see that under all of your calm and fragile posture you¡¯re a pretty fierce beast, and I want to see this. Besides, I also want to see if you¡¯re a good candidate for a Luna.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem like we have the same goals now.¡±

    ¡°Oh we have¡± he smiled once more, but with a mysterious glint in his eyes. ¡°If I deem you worthy of my Luna, this would mean you could take on Alpha Dante and win this time, and win your freedom if you wish to.¡±

    ¡°He will get you for this if he finds out.¡±

    ¡°IF he finds out. And that only depends on you.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared of what will happen if I manage to escape from him? He¡¯s already terrible as he is, I assume he will be even worse when he doesn¡¯t get what he wants.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve always liked danger. I¡¯m willing to risk in favor of some good fun.¡± He once more shot her an innocent smile, and Gabi made sure to make a note in her mind to watch him closely in the future.

    Luca could turn into a reliable ally for her but he also seemed to be two-faced, and she couldn¡¯t just ignore her gut feeling. She eyed him for a few more seconds before she sighed and finally gave in.

    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s get to it.¡±

    ¡°Great! So for now let¡¯s get inside, I want to know what we¡¯re working with.¡± Luca urged her to go inside the building, directing her to the room farthest away from others.

    ¡°We¡¯re far away from others because¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know. There are not only werewolves in the building.¡± She interrupted him and got straight into flexing her muscles. Luca looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face at that.

    ¡°Can I ask you a question, Luna?¡±

    ¡°Only if you stop calling me that. And if you can¡¯t, like Matteo said because that idiot told you to, at least shorten it to L. I can endure only that much.¡± Gabi responded with her brows furrowed. If she was going to stay sane and keep to her plan, they had to stop acknowledging her as their Alpha¡¯s mate. And the first step to do that was for them to stop calling her Luna.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help but notice how much you¡¯ve changed in those few hours. You¡¯re more open and saucier in some sense. Did the fight with the Alpha impact you so much?¡± Gabi couldn¡¯t help but snort with indignation at Luca and shot him a sharp look.

    ¡°His arrogant ass can impact only the ones that will allow it. The fight only reminded me to stand for myself, even if the whole world is against me. So, do we begin now or I can take a nap before you come back to me?¡± she added raising a brow, seeing a dumbfounded expression on Luca¡¯s face.

    Gabi tried to play hard, but the trainings really got to her, literally. As soon as Luca was leaving her alone, she was slumping to the floor, thanking the heavens for its cold and stability. After the warm up that made her too trustful of her abilities, the real training began and it involved not only the gym exercises, but also elements of boxing, MMA style of fight and even capoeira.

    Luca said that it was important to strengthen her human body and mind before training her wolf, but she was sure he only made her go through all of this to make her suffer.

    After the first day she was so worn up she went straight to sleep, not even caring about Dante¡¯s wrath she was sure to witness when he comes back. But nothing really happened. That day, or any other for the next week.

    Because she was meeting with Luca every day after lunch to train, the only time she could go into the library was on the mornings. That¡¯s when she noticed that the book Dante was reading was there all along, still on the same page. That meant he either went straight to sleep, or he didn¡¯t have time to come here right now, and from what Luca had mentioned to her (not that she was really interested to ask in the first place), it was the latter. He, along with Matteo and Diego (who as it turns out is Moretti¡¯s lawyer and also a part of the pack) were supposed to close a big deal with some other prominent tech company in a few weeks, and they were devoting all their time to do it.

    Gabi would lie though if she hadn¡¯t admitted that she was a bit curious as to why a werewolf was so immersed into the world of humans to the point of leading an international company, instead of keeping a pack house deep within the woods as most of the Alphas did. She even asked Luca about it, and although a bit flustered, he answered her shortly that Alpha Dante wasn¡¯t just an ordinary werewolf.

    It clearly wasn¡¯t a full answer and he knew Gabi was aware of it, but for now she let it go. She tried not to attach herself too much, and that meant not asking too many questions.

    Now it was Sunday, and Luca allowed their lesson to end earlier so that Gabi could bask a little bit more in the last rays of warm September sun on the terrace beside the gym. They were sprawled comfortably on the training mats they brought here from the gym, directing their faces to the sun and not saying a word. For the last week they became pretty comfortable in each other¡¯s presence and the silence between them was almost reassuring. The sun was tickling Gabi¡¯s skin in a slow manner, making warm sparks erupt in her whole body. Her head became dizzy from the warmth and peacefulness, and slowly she started to fade away into a peaceful slumber, feeling like all the tension from her tired limbs slowly faded away.

    Just then the idyllic atmosphere was broken by a phone call. She winced a little but soon remembered she didn¡¯t have a phone on her and relaxed once more, not even once opening her eyes in the process. Luca let out a dreamy sigh and looked at his screen.

    ¡°Matteo.¡± He said into the air to no one specific just before he answered the phone. In the next second though he jumped to his feet fully awake and started shouting to the phone in Italian, clearly not understanding what was being said to him.

    He startled Gabi who now also woke up fully and with irritated sigh stood up. Seeing the distressed Luca however, her irritation slowly started to change to a little bit of worry.

    When he ended the call, she wanted to ask him what was wrong, but he didn¡¯t let her. With one swift movement he took her hand and dragged her almost running to the elevator.

    ¡°Luca what¡¯s going on?!¡± she shouted, not understating a thing and trying to match his long steps with hers as to not fall over on her face.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happened. We¡¯ve got to go now.¡± He only said when they entered the elevator and he pushed a few buttons on the console.

    ¡°I already figured it out. But what happened?¡± she gasped, feeling the soreness of her whole body and trying to push the pain away as to not slump to the ground right there.

    But Luca didn¡¯t answer her, as he was already picking a new number on his phone and soon started a heated talk with someone, still in Italian.

    She sighed and looked at the console. They were going up. Did something happen to Dante? She felt a pang of worry at that, but pushed it aside. Maybe it wasn¡¯t anything really bad, maybe he¡¯d just finally gone berserk and was making a mess.

    But when the elevator door open, she felt how her legs gave up under her and a wave of fear struck her. Something really, really bad must have happened.

    The white marble tiles of the hall were all pooled with blood.

 Chapter 6. Dealing with the Devil

    She was close to fainting then and there upon seeing the horrifying view before her, but Luca didn¡¯t let her lose her mind. Once more he took her by her arm and with a hard expression on his face and brows furrowed in worry, he directed her down the bloody path to Dante¡¯s office.

    While they quickly made her way to the door a storm of thoughts passed through her head. Gabi wasn¡¯t used to this type of things, full of adrenaline, rush and danger. She always dreamed of a peaceful life with her husband (not necessarily her mate or even a werewolf) somewhere in the suburbs, closer to the nature. But with some twisted plan of fate she was pulled into a harsh, cruel world of a devilish Alpha who appeared to be her mate, and whose world is full of blood, violence and power.

    Her life was now everything she feared of and despised. But here she was, running with her heart wildly drumming in her chest, because something probably happened to her mate, and even though she hated him she couldn¡¯t help but fear for his life like for any other creature.

    This time they didn¡¯t wait for a permission to enter. Luca barged the door open and they saw another trail of blood reaching behind Dante¡¯s desk, down to the couches on the far end of the room. The iron smell of blood was heavy in the air, and she felt how her eyes involuntarily started to water up. For real, what kind of werewolf she was? She wouldn¡¯t be useful in any real pack.

    Nonetheless she went after Luca, who immediately rushed after the smell.

    The sight before her made her sick and relieved at the same time. Dante was kneeling beside one of the sofas; his white shirt was all torn up and his sleeves were rolled up, which didn¡¯t really help as his hands were all covered in blood, the same as the fabric of the shirt that from all of the wetness stuck to his muscular body. His hair were one big mess, and Gabi could also spot a few nasty scratches on his face that at the moment didn¡¯t seem to bother him, as his eyes were solely focused on the person laying right now on the sofa.

    All in all, he wasn¡¯t in a good shape, but he was alive. Then she saw Diego lying lifelessly on the sofa, with a jacket pressed to his abdomen by Dante. He was clearly unconscious, as his face was white and his eyes lifeless; probably he was closer to death than they all thought. She couldn¡¯t help and gasped loudly, which made Dante notice her presence.

    Without prying his hands away from Diego¡¯s wound as to prevail any more blood loss than necessary, he diverted his eyes to her. They were dark brown without a hint of red, and she suspected it was all because he was worn out, because once he saw her, he only scowled in discontent.

    ¡°Luca, what the fuck is she doing here?¡± he almost barked at the man who was right now nervously trying to open the medic box he pulled out of nowhere.

    ¡°I was training with Luna when Matteo called. I don¡¯t know the code to your apartment Alpha, and I didn¡¯t want to leave her unattended in the open part of the building, considering the circumstances.¡± Again, she was treated like not only she was a child, but also like she wasn¡¯t there and she couldn¡¯t help but grit her teeth.

    Dante once more shot a look at her gloomy face and then once more to Luca. They were staring at each other¡¯s eyes for a few seconds and Gabi already knew what that meant.

    Alpha didn¡¯t want her here. He was telling him the code by the mind link. The thought alone almost made her scream at the top of the lungs in frustration. How was she supposed to go now and sleep in bed when something so dramatic was happening here?

    She saw how life was slowly running away from Diego¡¯s body, and how harshly Dante was pressing the jacket to his wound. Luca wasn¡¯t any better, when with shaking hands he put away on the coffee table the medic box and wanted to catch her arm to take her to the penthouse. Diego didn¡¯t have that much time to wait for him to return.

    Without another word she harshly pulled his hand away and rushed for the medic box, in the next second kneeling beside Dante. He growled at her to go away but she didn¡¯t budge ¨C without the redness, his eyes weren¡¯t so scary anymore.

    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be here, go back home.¡± He growled at her, but she was too full of adrenaline and determination to leave now.

    ¡°If you want him to live then I suggest you give up on arguing. From what I can see he is getting worse even if you try to keep him alive, and I don¡¯t see anywhere near any doctor.¡± Gabi snapped at him, and finally a hint of red showed in his eyes.

    ¡°And how could possibly YOU help him, when you¡¯re definitely not a doctor?¡± his low voice had a threatening note to it but she didn¡¯t let it get to her. Instead she looked him dead in the eye, conscious of the fact that the man before her was just too proud to admit he needed her help.

    ¡°Believe it or not but children at kindergarten can make quite a mess out of themselves. Each kindergarten teacher has to pass a few medical courses in case something bad happens, and from what I can see right now I¡¯m the only one here with the best medical knowledge. When the doctor comes I will go back. Will you now let me help him?¡± she barked at him, angry at his stupid persistence. He eyed her for two more seconds and without a word, with furrowed brows he pulled away from Diego. Gabi without hesitation took his place and slowly raised the wet, sticky jacket from the wound. She hissed, seeing that the wound still was bleeding badly. After inspecting it a bit, she turned once more to Dante, who right now sat across her on the other sofa, with his elbows resting on his knees and his eyes never prying away from her figure.

    ¡°I can tell it¡¯s a shot wound. Do you know who shot him?¡± He raised his brows and scoffed.

    ¡°And for what do you need this information now?¡±

    ¡°I need to know whether the bullet was a normal one or a silver one. I can¡¯t see the outlet hole, so it must be still inside. If it¡¯s a silver one we can¡¯t wait for a doctor to arrive to pull it out, it will kill him much faster.¡±

    He was silent for a moment, still watching her constantly, but it seemed to her that the anger and offended pride died a little in his eyes.

    ¡°It was an ambush on the way back here. They were waiting for us. They were too far away to smell it, but taking into account that they outnumbered us and knew what we¡¯re capable of, they chose a long-distance fight. For me that means they were either werewolves or hunters. I would guess both would use silver bullets.¡± Gabi only nodded her head at that and furrowed her brows in concentration, looking once more at the unconscious man. If that was the case she had to act quickly.

    ¡°Luca, I need you to bring me some gloves, tweezers and a few clean towels. Also, a bowl with clean cold water would be a good idea.¡± The man that was staring at the whole situation for the past few minutes with his mouth wide open finally came back to his senses. He looked hesitantly at his Alpha with a silent question in his eyes.

    ¡°What are you waiting for, bring back what your Luna wants from you.¡± He growled, still not looking away from Gabi¡¯s back.

    ¡°Yes Alpha, yes Luna.¡± He only said before running out of the room in search of the needed items.

    Although her hands and mind were occupied with something else, she couldn¡¯t help but hear his words, and involuntarily she felt heat creeping into her heart, while her wolf yipped with joy. He acknowledged her as his Luna in a sense which should make her angry, but at the same time because he was her mate it made her a little bit happy, and no matter how hard she tried she couldn¡¯t shake off this feeling completely.

    When the door after Luca closed, heavy silence fell upon them. She worked her way around the wound, trying to clean it as much as possible with some hydrogen peroxide and gauze she found in the medic box, but still flowing blood was making all her efforts go to waste.

    Gabi sighed with frustration and once more turned to Dante. Her heart skipped a beat seeing that he was still watching her closely as if she was doing some black magic. She gulped but didn¡¯t weaver.

    ¡°I need your help here.¡± Her voice was shaking a little when she started, but still it was stern. Without a word he looked at her for another second and then he just stood up and kneeled beside her.

    ¡°What do you need?¡± he only asked, looking with an unreadable expression at Diego¡¯s unconscious body.

    ¡°The blood won¡¯t stop flowing, and we need to minimize its loss until Luca comes back. You have to pick him up and hold him that way so I can put some bandages around the wound. I hope it will work for the time being.¡± She expected he would snort in her face at her unprofessionalism, but nothing like that happened. He only nodded his head a little in acknowledgment and put his arms around Diego, slowly pulling his upper body up.

    She quickly made her way around his abdomen as to secure the wound, and every time she came a little closer to Dante she tried not to breathe, as his scent still was there under the layer of iron from all the blood, and it was making her head a little dizzy. At the same time, she still felt his burning gaze on her body, and she wondered why he was doing this ¨C maybe he was just so pissed, or he didn¡¯t want to miss any mistake she could probably do as to then viciously point it out to her?

    Gabi had to slap herself mentally. It wasn¡¯t the time to ponder on such things.

    She was quickly done and Dante gently put Diego away. Seeing that he was no longer needed he returned to his seat and once more started to watch her closely, making her shiver nervously.

    What the hell was taking Luca so long?

    Just as she thought about him, the door barged open and a breathless Luca came to view with his hands full of the things she needed. She took it from him and started to place it around, planning her operating space, while Dante turned to his subordinate.

    ¡°Did you hear from Matteo? Where is the doctor?¡±

    ¡°I called him a few minutes ago, he told me they were stuck in a traffic.¡±

    ¡°And what, they don¡¯t have legs? Make them run at werewolf speed damn it, they are capable of hiding themselves while doing it.¡± He growled at him angry. ¡°Go and make sure they are here in max 10 minutes, you understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes Alpha!¡± and with that he was gone again, but Gabi already payed little to no attention to him, solely focused on the task at hand.

    She furrowed her brows, looking at all the things gathered around her.Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°I need to sanitize the tweezers.¡± She mumbled to herself wondering how could she do this, and didn¡¯t notice something moving behind her. Suddenly she felt a waft of Dante¡¯s scent and she turned around quickly to him.

    Still with his unreadable expression he got closer and pulled out of his pocket a small, classy lighter. Gabi looked at it mindlessly for a second and started to wonder if he was going to smoke right here and now, but then he reached it out to her, and it finally clicked in her head.

    He must have heard her murmuring about sanitizing; even a small flame like that could be good in such a situation.

    She carefully took it from him, but still his fingers grazed her hand a little, and she felt sparks erupting in her whole body at the touch, even if it was unintended. While putting the end of the tweezers in the flame she looked at him from the corner of the eye, but his face and eyes still were unreadable for her, even in this situation.

    What a cold person. But what if it¡¯s just a mask? She quickly shook off the last thought away. She didn¡¯t need this now nor ever. She already had a plan about escaping. She didn¡¯t need to get to know him to do that.

    She put the flame out when she decided it was enough and put on the gloves. Carefully she unwrapped (with Dante¡¯s silent help) the now also soaked bandages and took a deep breath when she put the tweezers in the wound. Diego moved a little under her and moaned in pain. That wasn¡¯t good, she hoped he was out of it completely.

    ¡°Quick, help me and keep him in one place.¡± When Dante stood beside her and pushed Diego to the sofa, she once more dipped into the wound in search of the bullet. She winced hearing him moan louder and scream in pain, but she didn¡¯t let it get to her. She had to do it if he was to survive until doctor arrives.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay Diego, just don¡¯t fucking move.¡± Dante murmured to him when another bolt of pain went through his body.

    ¡°Alpha Dante¡­¡± he cried out with absent eyes, with every second of the procedure more awake ¡°Sorry I disappointed you¡­¡± tears started to come down his face.

    ¡°You will disappoint me if you die, now try to hold on and don¡¯t fucking move, you now I don¡¯t like to repeat myself.¡± He grumbled, but Gabi sensed that he probably tried in his own way to calm Diego down.

    Luckily for them, it worked.

    ¡°I will try my best boss¡± he smiled absent mindedly at him and his eyes once more went blank. Just then Gabi with a triumphant ¡°Yes!¡± pulled out the bullet and tossed it on one of the towels Luca brought her.

    Diego once more lost consciousness, so they had no more problems with tucking him in bandages. After they were done Dante once more sat on his seat and Gabi stayed beside Diego, keeping note of his breathing and checking his temperature on the forehead from time to time.

    The time seemed to flow a few times slower than normally as Gabi felt she spend an entire day here with the poor guy, when in reality it was something close to not even half an hour. The presence of her own personal nemesis ¨C her mate didn¡¯t help either, as he constantly distracted her even without saying a word, making the atmosphere in the room even harder than it already was. When she heard the door opening and a few rushed footsteps, she let herself let out a big sigh of relief.

    She moved away from the sofa when a doctor ran up to them as to make him space. The man looked around frantically for a second and then he shot a look at his patient. Before he could ask what happened, Dante answered him.

    ¡°Your Luna had to take care of Diego because of your laziness. She pulled the silver bullet out of his abdomen. Be glad she helped, or else you would be dead the moment you entered here. And now be sure he lives through it, or I will kill you for your incompetence.¡± He growled while standing up, and the doctor didn¡¯t have the courage to look him in the eyes, so he only bowed his head and immediately rushed to his patient¡¯s side.

    Gabi, still full of adrenaline, couldn¡¯t let it slide.

    ¡°Leave him alone Alpha, he¡¯s all worn out, I see he did his best to get here as soon as possible.¡± Matteo and Luca looked at her in shock, while the doctor still was too afraid to do it in Dante¡¯s presence. His shoulders only twitched a little, and that meant he heard her words.

    This time his whole eyes burned crimson red, and Gabi had to bring up all the courage she had in her as to not step a few steps back. She still had in mind what Fernanda told her about not giving in to the fear when in his presence. He growled lowly as a warning and came up closer to her.

    ¡°You won¡¯t be ordering me around.¡±

    ¡°Who said I was ordering you, I only said what I was seeing.¡± She retorted. It was already too late to back now, so she might as well piss him off. She felt her power rose up a little from the last fight with him, and she felt ready to fight him once more.

    ¡°Okay, then you said what you saw and you did what you wanted. Now go back home or I¡¯ll make you go there myself.¡± The glint in his eyes told her that this time the fight wouldn¡¯t be as easy as the last one, and so she gave in with a quiet puff.

    ¡°Your welcome.¡± She only said and without another word to anybody else she went into the direction of the door, knowing that Matteo will soon follow her to let her in to the penthouse. Just before she reached the doors she felt a harsh intrusion in her mind that made her wince in pain, and a low grumbling voice told her shortly:

    ¡°When I come back, I want to see you downstairs. If you won¡¯t be there, I¡¯ll come for you.¡± She gritted her teeth in annoyance but didn¡¯t slow a bit. With her head up high, she walked out and moved into the direction of the penthouse.

    When she reached the elevator, she heard quick footsteps behind and already knew that Matteo was catching up to her. He also was looking like trash, but all in all he was in the best shape of all three of them. Gabi only shot him a quick glance when he caught up to her, but still she was able to see his questioning eyes.

    ¡°I have to admit I¡¯m really curious about how it all happened.¡± He finally voiced out, still not turning his eyes away from her.

    ¡°Well, you were idiots that got caught up in an ambush, that¡¯s how it happened.¡± She answered him sarcastically, still not looking at him back. He was taken aback for a second, and the she heard his irritated scowl.

    ¡°You know what I¡¯m taking about Luna. How did you make Alpha let you to help him? Normally he would kill anybody who even insinuates that he may need some help.¡± Gabi furrowed her brows.

    ¡°Firstly, stop calling me Luna when Dante is not around. If you have to, just call me L. Secondly, I¡¯m his mate and his wolf should never let him kill me because then he would fall into madness and die shortly after. And thirdly, he knew that if I didn¡¯t help Diego would die. And apparently, he is important for him enough to not let him die.¡± The rest of the way was silent.

    When they reached the door and Matteo opened them for her, he turned to her for the last time with a serious expression on his face.

    ¡°I know that you hate him, and I don¡¯t blame you for that. Most of the time he is a really nasty guy. But in one thing you should never doubt. He would die for us the same as we would die for him.¡± And with that he went away, leaving her speechless for a moment at the door.

    For a second, she tried to think about his words, but then she felt the soreness of all of her limbs and fatigue fell on her like a rock. Feeling how her legs were made of concrete she made her way to the sofa, but before it she decided that Dante will wait. She needed a bath, even if it was a quick one.

    She pushed herself to go up to her bedroom and to the bathroom. Only when she was taking off her clothes, she noticed that they were drenched with Diego¡¯s blood. Looking at the mirror she saw her tired gaze and disheveled hair that some time ago were tied up in a bun.

    Gabi stepped into the shower and let warm water wash away the dirt, sweat and blood from her body. She stood like this mindlessly for a few minutes, but unfortunately the pain of her body and the grim inevitability of once more meeting with Dante still loomed in her mind.

    With a loud sigh she stepped out, already missing the warmth, and went into the wardrobe. She didn¡¯t have the strength to search for a suitable clothing, so she just picked what she was mostly wearing on mornings when going to the library. She put on jeans short and some plain grey shirt, leaving her wet hair to dry by themselves, and went downstairs to the kitchen.

    She briefly looked at the clock, and seeing it was already 8 p.m. she decided it was time to eat something. Unfortunately, today Fernanda didn¡¯t bring her any food. She was probably too busy with Diego, or maybe she had a free evening and Gabi didn¡¯t even know about this.

    For now, sensing that the talk with Dante might be quite loud and emotional, she opted for something small. She picked an apple and bit into it staring mindlessly through the window.

    She lost track of time while watching the last shy sun rays hiding behind other buildings, slowly wrapping the world in soft darkness, when she heard how the door to the apartment clicked. Her heart started to beat faster at that, but she tried to not show it.

    Without turning back, she slowly put the core of the apple in the trash and only then looked at Dante.

    Once more she couldn¡¯t help but marvel at his devilish beauty, even if he was still dirty and covered in blood. Without the sun his eyes were like two black shining holes. He was watching her closely like a predator does to his prey.

    Gabi wanted to open her mouth and say something, but his eyes hypnotized her and she couldn¡¯t find any good words. Besides he was the one who wanted to talk, she wasn¡¯t obligated to cooperate with him, so she chose instead to return his stare.

    Finally, he moved in her direction with a cat-like grace and for a second there she wanted to laugh, because it was so ironic ¨C a werewolf with cat moves! But seeing how he got closer and closer without stopping her laugh died in her throat, and she felt how her heart started to beat faster and faster. The adrenaline in her veins was now nowhere to be found and she wasn¡¯t as courageous as she was an hour ago.

    Gabi slowly retreated back into the kitchen without looking back from his looming figure, making note that his moves were full of grace, but at the same time something was wrong. Did she see this right in the falling dusk that he was limping a little? Maybe she would ponder on this a little bit longer if not for Dante, who pushed her with his presence up to the glass wall of the kitchen.

    She gulped, feeling under skin the prickling cold of the glass, thinking how little was stopping her from falling to her end. Although she had nowhere to run anymore, he still was getting closer, and the blackness of his eyes was becoming almost as dangerous as the everyday red glint in them.

    Finally, he stopped not even a meter away from her, towering above her and making her feel small and fragile. To top it off his scent was clouding her mind and all she wanted to do was at that moment to nuzzle her nose in his chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever again question my words and choices when my subordinates are present.¡± He growled out not breaking the eye contact. Gabi furrowed her brows a little at that.

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t do it Diego would have died.¡± She retorted quietly but calmly, in the next second though she moaned in pain when he quickly grabbed her chin and rose her head up, seeing that she was to break the eye contact. In the bottomless darkness of his eyes red sparks could be seen.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you. Ever. Do it. Again.¡± He emphasized with a low dangerous voice. ¡°It¡¯s not your pack to rule.¡± At that she felt like something keeping her back finally snapped in her and with new found force she threw his hand away, making him take a step back in the process. He growled angrily but she ignored it.

    ¡°Then why the fuck if it¡¯s not my pack you¡¯re ordering them to call me Luna AND call me the same when in their presence. What should Luna do if not care for the pack and help the Alpha OR question his actions when it is needed to ensure the safety of the pack and its members?!¡± Gabi wasn¡¯t really thinking at that moment. Her whole misery, anxiety, stress and fear of tomorrow finally came out, covering all of her insecurities. If she was calm, she wouldn¡¯t have said all of that ¨C she wanted to escape, yet now she acted like she wanted to belong here. Right now though, she didn¡¯t care about all of this. She just wanted to fume out on him, to scream and make him know how much she hated him.

    ¡°Calm the fuck down or¡­¡±

    ¡°Or what?! You will make me? Then make me you egoistic childish Alpha with a minority complex! You don¡¯t respect anyone, even your own mate, you don¡¯t respect your subordinates and treat them like trash, you don¡¯t consider others opinions and emotions, you¡¯re just a capricious little child that changes its decision all the time, making others suffer because of it and you have it all deep in your ass!¡± at this point she didn¡¯t even feel the tears she held in for so long finally flowing out of her eyes, but even if she did, she wouldn¡¯t care at the moment. With a fiery gaze she continued, feeling how Dante backed down a little, making now more space between them. ¡°If you didn¡¯t want me in your pack, then why the fuck did you search for me and destroyed my life in the process, why do you keep me closed in here like in a cage, why did you order Luca to train me, why did you order all those people to call me Luna when you don¡¯t want me to be it and more importantly I don¡¯t want to be it! You¡¯re making no sense to me, to anybody! You¡¯re just a selfish kid with no sense caught up in his own little bubble!¡± her voice became hoarse and weaker because of all the screaming, but she felt a little better at heart.

    Even if he wanted to kill her now, it wasn¡¯t important. She made her point clear, and she finally felt she was being true to herself. Silence fell between them and Dante¡¯s face was unreadable, as always, but it was to be expected. He was a cold bastard after all. She sniffed quietly and discreetly tried to wipe out her tears, but they were still coming as she held them in for too long.

    ¡°Go back to bed and rest.¡± Was his only answer, and Gabi didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry even more. His indifference was atrocious.

    ¡°Yes, your highness. As you wish.¡± She answered sarcastically and without looking at him anymore she quickly made her way upstairs. This time she made sure to lock her door.

 Chapter 7. The Encounter

    When Gabi woke up the next morning, she had to admit to herself that it was the best sleep she had in the last two weeks. A part of her was expecting Dante to barge into her room in the middle of the night with some kind of punishment for her after she shouted and cursed at him, but nothing like that happened.

    For a few minutes she just stared at the view from her window, still tucked warmly in all of her pillows and sheets, wondering how it was possible for weather to be still so nice in October. The sun was shining ever so brightly and the sky was spotlessly blue, making her want to go outside and sit there all day. Maybe she will ask Luca later that day to skip some of the training and let her wander on the rooftop to catch the wind in her hair. Then memories of the last evening showed up in her mind and she sighed quietly.

    If she ever has the training again, that is. If Dante doesn¡¯t decide to kill her anytime soon or make her life any more miserable than now.

    Finally after pondering on her situation for a few minutes she decided to eat something. It was already quite late and she was sure Fernanda already prepared the breakfast, and most importantly Dante left for work.

    With no hurry she made her way to the bathroom and let the water wash away the rest of the sleepiness from her body. Feeling lighter at heart and seeing the pretty weather outside, for the first time in a while she felt content enough to look pretty just for herself.

    With the smallest of smiles on her lips she went into the wardrobe and after a quick scan of her clothes she chose a delicate white dress with pink pastel flowers that went up slightly above her knees. Having in mind that she may go train later that day she once more put her hair in a bun, but let two or three strands of loose hair fall out of it so that her face was better framed. For a second she even wondered if she had the things needed to do her makeup, but quickly she dismissed the thought. Doing her makeup would be like coming to terms with the whole situation, and she didn¡¯t like that.

    After briefly looking at herself in the mirror and deeming her outfit good enough she went downstairs. As expected nobody was there, the same as her breakfast. She furrowed her brows a little looking at the empty countertop, only after a second noticing a small piece of paper attached to the fruit bowl. Reaching for an apple she started reading the note, written in a surprisingly elegant and neat handwriting.

    ¡°Fernanda won¡¯t be here for the next week or so. The fridge is full. Make sure to eat.¡±

    The message wasn¡¯t signed but she already knew who wrote it. Only one person she knew here would use the minimum amount of words that still would sound like he was pissed. She quickly looked around, but the only thing she noticed was an empty cup of coffee stacked in the sink.

    Seeing that she visibly relaxed. That meant he already went out. The perspective of not seeing Fernanda for a week was a little bit upsetting, especially when she thought that maybe she won¡¯t train anymore with Luca. That meant no human interaction for a week or even longer as she didn¡¯t plan to talk or even see Dante through that time. She will just have to cope with it somehow.

    Gabi opened the fridge and blinked her eyes in surprise, seeing that indeed it was full of everything she could think of. Although she was hungry, she didn¡¯t feel the need to eat something complicated, so she decided to do some toasts with cheese and fruits.

    Half an hour later she sighed satisfied, feeling how her grumbling stomach finally started to settle. She once more looked around, trying to find something to do. It was still quite early in the morning and she had plenty of time before her usual training time. Gabi thought about returning to her room and watching some TV, but she quickly dismissed the thought. She was already fed up with it and the room she spent so much time in. Washing the dishes after her breakfast she decided to find something new to read, as on yesterday¡¯s morning she finally ended The Count of Monte Cristo. She had to admit that Dante really had a great collection of classic literature in here, maybe she will find something from Dumas again? Maybe The Three Musketeers?

    With that thought in mind she made her way towards the library and straight to one of the bookcases. She was so immersed in searching through the books that only when she heard a cling of a whisky glass being put away on the table did, she noticed she was not alone. She flinched and jumped in surprise and she shot a quick look in the direction of the sound.

    Gabi felt her heart picking up pace upon seeing Dante sprawled on one of the armchairs. He clearly showered not so long ago as his hair were still a little bit damp and a few strands had fallen onto his forehead, making him look like a total heart breaker. He was wearing some black plain T-shirt that perfectly showed off his toned muscles and slim blue jeans ¨C a sight quite peculiar for her, as it was the first time since she came here that she didn¡¯t see him in a formal or semi-formal attire. The book on the coffee table was still on the same page, but beside the whisky glass she spotted two big whisky bottles, of which one was already empty and the other one was also close to an end. A quick scan of his face told her he not only didn¡¯t sleep much, seeing the darker circles under his eyes, but he was also drunk because his dark orbs staring right back at her seemed distant and not so fierce as always.

    She knew based on herself that it was pretty hard ¨C getting drunk while you¡¯re a werewolf. Their healing abilities most of the time quickly got rid of the poison from their systems, but still it was not impossible. If you drink long enough or your healing system is weakened it can happen.

    Looking at Dante though she couldn¡¯t decide which one was it. The man was one big mystery for her.

    ¡°Did I scare you?¡± she felt goosebumps rising on her skin from his low, nonchalant voice. It was the first time he was speaking to her like that, probably because of the alcohol. She gulped and bit her lip, wondering what she should do. He was already pretty unpredictable while sober, so she hadn¡¯t had any idea what he was capable of while in this state. Finally, she decided to play it politely, even if she did scream at him last night. She still felt he was able to bring her down, even in his state.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    ¡°I just didn¡¯t see you Alpha at first, that¡¯s all.¡± She answered, trying to maintain their eye contact. She remembered he didn¡¯t like when she averted his gaze.

    He squinted his eyes a little and didn¡¯t say nothing. Gabi felt whatsoever his hot stare on her whole body. At that moment she cursed at herself for choosing such an outfit. Her bare shoulders and legs could provoke him into jumping on her. Fortunately for her, nothing like that happened. After a few heated moments his eyes finally rose to her own green ones and she could see a glint of red shining in them, but he still didn¡¯t move. Instead he opened his lips a little and with a slow and almost erotic gesture licked his lips, making her legs tremble and uneasy knot resting between her legs. Her heart was beating like crazy and she tried with all her might not to show on her face any of the emotions right now storming her body and mind, although she didn¡¯t know with what effect.

    My god, even if she hated him, he still was making her go crazy.

    ¡°What book are you looking for?¡± he finally broke the silence, but his low and now hoarse voice made her wolf go crazy even more. He wants us, he wants us! She yipped in her mind and Gabi had to clench her teeth quickly as to not let a moan escape her lips. She quickly hushed the wolf and pushed it away so that it couldn¡¯t take control of her body.

    ¡°I ¨C I thought about the The Three Musketeers by Dumas¡­¡± she cursed at herself for stuttering at the beginning of her sentence.

    Dante looked at her for a second with an unreadable expression on his face and then he stood up and sauntered to her slowly, without breaking their eye contact even for a second. She felt how her breath hitched at how close he was coming to her and she stepped back a little, but he quickly closed the remaining distance between them. Now if Gabi leaned a little, she could finally nuzzle her nose into his chest like she always wanted to, even if she fought the urge with all her might. A waft of his irresistible scent surrounded her and she wanted to break away and run, but a part of her mind reminded her what Fernanda had said ¨C you can¡¯t show him you fear him! That¡¯s why she stayed where she was, her eyes glued to his brown ones that seemed to suck her into some other dimension. He leaned down to her and then she felt his hot breath smelling strongly of whisky and she couldn¡¯t help but wrinkle her nose in distaste. He saw her reaction and one of his brows raised sarcastically.

    ¡°What, you don¡¯t like alcohol? Or is it just me?¡± she felt tingling heat from his hot breath and wetness between her tights at his evident teasing. How come that alcohol could change a person that much?!

    ¡°I just don¡¯t like strong alcohols like whisky, rum or vodka.¡± Gabi desperately tried her voice to be as casual as she wanted it to be, but she couldn¡¯t help it trembling a little at the end.

    ¡°Oh? And what do you like to drink for example?¡± he leaned even more to her, making her feel how his whole body almost radiated with warmth, and that strong scent of his was making her head become dizzy, slowly making her forget about all of her resolutions. She gulped and looked at him in silence for a few moments, trying to grasp her own thoughts. He seemed patient with her this time, as with an almost invisible but cunning smile on his lips he watched her every move with his dark orbs. For the first time she saw them up so close and she was mesmerized by the red glints in them that seemed to swirl in some kind of a dance in his eyes when you looked closer at them.

    ¡°Umm, semi-dry or sweet pink wine.¡± It was harder and harder for her to find her words as she desperately tried to stay on the surface of her sanity.

    ¡°So predictable, huh?¡± he almost purred and she had to clench her fists until they bled so that she didn¡¯t mewl and jump on him. How did I end up in this situation?, she cried to herself. His lips were now almost touching hers and she was so shocked she didn¡¯t even move a muscle to run¡­ or maybe come this little bit closer? Right now, she didn¡¯t know what she wanted at all.

    ¡°Pink wine, huh?¡± he looked like he pondered on the thought for a moment, and then he took one of the strands of her hair between his fingers, swirling it with an almost erotic manner, making her breath erratic.

    ¡°It¡¯s good¡­ for a woman. Delicate and warming, too gentle for me¡­¡± his voice was almost a whisper now, when his head lowered to her ear and his lips grazed her earlobe when he talked, making her whole body yearn for him. ¡°Delicate and gentle, yet so addicting that if you try it only once, you want to try it again¡­ and again¡­ and again¡­¡± his voice was now almost a growl, filled with lust and need. She perfectly knew the last part wasn¡¯t about the wine, and it made her mewl a little under her breath. He growled a little bit louder at that and came even closer to her, so close they were almost touching themselves by just standing, and his hot breath hovered even closer to her ear.

    Gabi didn¡¯t know what would happen if not for the phone that rang in his pocket. She jumped a little, drawn out of her crazy state and pushed back two steps, making the distance between them safer. Dante looked irritated but nonetheless he answered it, still watching her with his lustful gaze.

    ¡°Leave it on my desk. I¡¯ll deal with it later tonight.¡± He finally voiced out after listening for a moment just before he ended the call still not breaking the eye contact with her. Gabi took a step away seeing he once more was coming her way. The phone call made her realize what was happening and that she got caught up in a moment she never was suspecting would happen, and she was scared to the bone. Her mind was now one big mess, and all of this was because this bastard decided to get drunk and act nicely to mess with her.

    ¡°It seemed important. I think you should take care of it now¡± she stumbled on her feet a little from her nerves, but he still was getting closer.

    ¡°And what if I don¡¯t want to take care of it now?¡± his eyes were misted with lust and she felt panic creeping on to her. She didn¡¯t want it, definitely not this way.

    ¡°O-of course I can¡¯t make you. You¡¯re the boss. But because you¡¯re the boss I think you should do it now.¡± She felt she didn¡¯t make any sense, but her mind once more was becoming blank. In a minute she won¡¯t have any objections to just jump into his arms.

    This time she couldn¡¯t take it and averted his eyes by closing her own. She heard him growl in dissatisfaction and she waited for a harsh pull on her chin, but instead she heard him say:

    ¡°You wanted the The Three Musketeers, right?¡± she slowly opened her eyes and saw how Dante pulled out a book she searched for from one of the higher shelves she still didn¡¯t go through. She hesitantly took it from him, searching for any indication that it was a trap, but he gave it to her with no problems. Emotions in his eyes died a little and his ever present cold started to take on his features and his eyes. A part of her mind decided she didn¡¯t like it. She liked them much more when they were full of life.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She said quietly, still eyeing him carefully. By this time the old cold and unwelcoming Dante was back - it seemed that the whole alcohol finally was out of his system.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back late. You have a free day today. I¡¯ll check if you have eaten when I come back so don¡¯t try anything.¡± His low voice once more was without any emotions and for some reason it struck her heart the most. Without waiting for her reply, he walked out of the library. Gabi heard his steps when he went up to his own bedroom. She still was standing dumfounded in the same place with the book in her hands when he went down 10 minutes later and the main door to the penthouse clicked quietly after he went out.

    Her mind was a one big mess along with her heart, and she couldn¡¯t help but let the tears flow down her face.

 Chapter 8. Home sweet home...?

    Gabi looked up from her book and out of the window. Today the weather was nothing like yesterday ¨C the sky was all grey and clouded, the wind was blowing strongly making the rain pang continuously on the glass. The real autumn was here. For a second she wondered how the skies could correlate so perfectly with her own emotions. Yesterday she was ready to fight, today she felt beaten and messed up.

    With a sigh she returned to The Three Musketeers. For the last half an hour she tried to read the same page but the words seemed to melt into the paper and her frustrated mind couldn¡¯t deal with that. Every time she tried to focus, her mind showed her dark brown orbs with red glints in them that didn¡¯t necessarily express anger, and her whole body immediately responded to the image every time.

    After another 15 minutes of trying she finally gave in and put the book away. She was in her own bedroom, nestled cozily under warm blankets in the big armchair beside the glass wall. After yesterday¡¯s encounter with Dante she felt too vulnerable to stay in the library, even if she really liked the room itself. She was too scared that he could enter at any moment and again corner her so that she would have nowhere to run.

    To top it off her mind was a one big mess. She couldn¡¯t decide whether his actions were sincere or just alcohol driven, but the more rational part of her brain told her it was the latter and it broke her heart even more. Gabi couldn¡¯t believe herself how many doubts have arose in her mind after spending only a few minutes with drunk Dante. Part of her wanted to believe that what he showed her was his real face, but another part instantly asked her what would be the point of hiding yourself before your mate? The most rational thing to conclude was that alcohol just changes people, and she finally decided it was her answer. Her heart though still was stubborn and too full of hope.

    Get a grip of yourself girl, he closed you in this prison and ruined your life, remember? You have to get out of here, she admonished herself but to no avail. Her heart was just so stupidly stubborn like never, along with her wolf.

    Finally, she decided to move and stop thinking about the matter, at least for now. It was already past one in the afternoon and she hoped that soon Matteo will come pick her up with Luca for her training. She changed into her workout T-shirt and some shorts, and pulled her hair in a ponytail. Slowly opening the door, she warily looked around, but it seemed she was all alone. The last night wasn¡¯t good for her as she couldn¡¯t really sleep much from all of her emotions. Lying in bed with eyes wide open she couldn¡¯t help but listen to every little noise the building was making, waiting for this one characteristic click of the front door, but to no avail. It seemed that Dante didn¡¯t show up this night at home at all.

    Gabi made her way towards the kitchen and picked another apple to eat, promising to herself that she would prepare dinner when she comes back from the training, even though she knew she won¡¯t have the strength to do it. Although she knew if Dante checked the fridge, he would be pissed that almost everything was still there, she just couldn¡¯t make herself to eat any more. Her stomach, even though it was grumbling, was too tight from all of her emotions to let her eat any more than a few fruits daily.

    She was almost done with her snack when she heard the click of the door and Matteo shouting for her to come down to them. She threw the rest of the apple in the bin, feeling like her stomach was full even though it wasn¡¯t, and she trotted to the door, eager to move a little bit and get her mind off of things.

    ¡°Hi L¡± Matteo and Luca greeted her. They didn¡¯t say anything else but in their eyes, she saw this glint that before was never there ¨C a sign of acknowledgement.

    ¡°Hi boys¡± she decided that she can be a little more friendly towards them if they followed her pledge to stop calling her Luna. ¡°How¡¯s Diego doing?¡± she asked with sincere curiosity when they made their way towards the elevator.

    ¡°He¡¯s doing quite good actually. The silver bullet slowed his healing abilities, but he¡¯s regaining his strength. Fernanda is with him all the time to ensure he has everything he needs.¡± Gabi nodded her head with contentment.

    ¡°You know, he¡¯s alive only because of you.¡± Matteo looked at her with a serious expression on his face and she felt a little embarrassed at that.

    ¡°I just felt I could help.¡± She only answered averting his gaze. She wasn¡¯t used to hearing compliments from these people. The rest of the road was quiet, but when they walked past the elevator and in the direction of Moretti¡¯s office, she furrowed her brows in confusion.

    ¡°Why are we going to him?¡±

    ¡°Alpha Dante wanted to see you for a moment before our training begins.¡± Luca answered her and looked at her with a little bit of worry.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he didn¡¯t seem to want to scold you.¡± Matteo rushed to add, seeing her face. After a moment of silence, he added more softly ¡°Please this time be more thoughtful of him, we have an important meeting later today and he has had a rough night.¡± Anger quickly bubbled in her veins.

    ¡°And was he ever thoughtful of me?¡± she glared at him with a sharp look and Matteo couldn¡¯t help but look away. It seemed that he wanted to add some more, but something stopped him. In silence they stopped beside the entrance. Gabi looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to announce her, but Beta only stood by the door and opened them for her.

    ¡°He¡¯s expecting you; you can come in now.¡± He only said and she sighed, suddenly tired. What tortures were waiting for her now? Without another look at Matteo or Luca she went inside and shivered when she heard the door closing after her.

    Dante was sitting at his desk, immersed in reading his papers and signing some of them. Only when she made a few unsure steps towards him did he raise his head and look at her. Once more the difference between his lively eyes he showed her yesterday and his cold everyday stare hit her like a blow in her chest. He was so close, yet seemed to be so distant.

    He looked her up and down and she had to bite her lip when her mind reminded her of what happened in the library between them. His gaze was now as hungry as then. But differently from yesterday, he wasn¡¯t so welcoming anymore to her.

    ¡°I see you like to show off your legs¡± he eyed her shorts with a dark look on his face.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a coincidence. I have to wash my long pants from time to time.¡± She tried to be calm, but she sensed a storm coming and she had to be ready for it.

    ¡°Really? For me it seems as if you really want to show them off to someone¡± he made sure to accentuate the last word and for a moment Gabi was shocked. In the next second though she wanted to laugh in his face. Was he out of his mind? Or maybe, just maybe¡­ was he jealous?

    ¡°I don¡¯t have the need to show them off to anyone. If I ever wear something more revealing it¡¯s only because I want it and I¡¯m doing it for myself.¡± She held her head high while saying this, showing no signs of fear towards Dante. He squinted his eyes when they shone red and stood up from his desk, but she didn¡¯t move. Gabi didn¡¯t know what he had planned for her, but she decided she couldn¡¯t live like this any longer; she will fight for her life.

    He stopped a few centimeters before her, making her feel his scent all over again, but she didn¡¯t weaver, looking straight into his eyes. He looked at her with his dark gaze for a few more seconds before something like a smile crossed his face, startling her a little.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite more confident than yesterday, huh?¡± he murmured and Gabi couldn¡¯t help the goosebumps that rose on her skin. Once again he used on her his low and nonchalant voice, but it was pretty clear now that it was just a game. She smiled back at him provocatively, ignoring the heart fluttering wildly in her chest like it wanted to escape.

    ¡°Well there has to be someone here who doesn¡¯t piss their pants when dealing with you.¡± She was extremely proud of herself when her voice was strong and confident. He smiled at her in a devilish way and it took her aback for a second. Not only did he openly smile in her presence for the first time, making him even more sexy, but that grin¡­ it meant she won¡¯t like what he had up his sleeves.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± He only growled lowly in response, going back to his desk with his hands in his pockets. She watched him warily with a storm in her head. What the hell was he thinking about, what was his plan? He was her mate but at the same time he was like the worst enigma in history. Nonetheless she didn¡¯t want to give in anymore.

    ¡°Indeed, we¡¯ll see.¡± She retorted harshly, but he seemed to ignore her provocation. ¡°So, what did you want to see me for?¡± she finally broke the silence seeing that once more he picked up some document from his desk. His ignorance was really getting on her nerves.

    ¡°I was invited to an annual National Wolf Pack Ball.¡±

    ¡°And what does it have to do with me?¡± he squinted his eyes and scoffed.

    ¡°It seemed to me you were smart, dear. If I was invited that means you, as my Luna, are going with me.¡± She blinked her eyes a few times, utterly shocked and at a loss of words. Finally she laughed, ignoring the fact that Dante still was looking at her gloomily.

    ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± she finally asked when her laughter died a moment later. Seeing his eyes the last ray of hope vanished.

    ¡°Today is your last training for the time being. Tomorrow you¡¯re going shopping with me.¡± She wasn¡¯t prepared for all of this information and so she watched him with disbelief in her eyes.

    ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t dance. Besides you said only you are the top of this pack, so why should I go¡­¡± This was her last form of defense, but the words came out weak.

    ¡°As I remember correctly you said two days ago that you want me to not only call you a Luna, but also let you act like a one. So, I¡¯m giving you this opportunity. If it goes for the dancing, I can give you a few lessons.¡± If looks could kill Dante would have been dead already. Unfortunately, he was doing fine, and it seemed that he was quite entertained by her distress. He really was a devil. He made sure to corner her and didn¡¯t give her any way of running away. She gulped hard. She didn¡¯t have any choice for now, she had to do as he wanted her to, but she wasn¡¯t going to succumb to him without any fight.

    ¡°Okay, I will go with you. But if you¡¯re going to treat me like a real Luna, give me my phone back. Without it I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± She saw how his eyes once more turned red. She angered him and she had to stop herself from taking a few steps back because of his dangerous stare.

    Seeing that she wasn¡¯t going to budge under his furious gaze he growled in a warning.

    ¡°Not a chance.¡±

    ¡°Well then good luck on your ball.¡± Without waiting for his answer, she turned around towards the door, feeling her heart drumming wildly in her chest. In the next second though she squeaked in fear when she felt two strong hands resting on her hips and with one swift movement shoving her into one of the glass walls. She moaned in pain but didn¡¯t have the time to comprehend what was happening. Dante quickly took her hands and immobilized them above her head with one of his, while his other one was still on her hip, gripping her tightly and pushing even more into the cold glass. She hissed at that but he didn¡¯t bother as he leaned on her and growled as a warning. His eyes were now crimson red.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ever try to order me around.¡±

    ¡°The hell are you talking about?!¡± Gabi was getting more and more pissed with his behavior to the point where she didn¡¯t care about what he will do to her, she had to vent out. ¡°I only want what you forced on me, and that is respect! I want you to respect me, and that means trust me as your mate and give me my fucking phone back so that I can call my parents who are now probably worried sick about me!¡±

    ¡°Better tell me who else you want to call, huh?¡± he snapped, and she laughed at that. Really?

    ¡°And what, are you jealous? I thought you don¡¯t care about me and you only keep me here to your entertainment. What do you care if I want to call someone else?!¡± Dante growled louder and grabbed her hands even stronger, making her squirm in pain.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°Who do you want to call?! Maybe that Travers guy, huh?! I¡¯ll kill him!¡± he was falling into a frenzy and his voice was slowly becoming more and more animalistic. Gabi felt fear finally sneaking up on her. Then it came to her what he had said.

    ¡°Calm down Alpha. Are you so blind or did your anger took the best of you? It¡¯s my doctors name, and his full name is Elizabeth Travers! She¡¯s a woman. Go check it out on my phone if you don¡¯t believe me.¡± She added quieter, not knowing if it was too late for him to not fall into a craze.

    He looked at her for what seemed like eternity with ragged breath, but finally his eyes slowly started to lose their red color. He closed them for a second and when he opened them once more they were dark brown again. Dante let go of her hands and she couldn¡¯t help the wince that appeared on her face upon seeing the red marks he left on them. His eyes traveled after hers and when he saw her hands something shined in his orbs for a moment. Once again, he took her hands in his big ones, ignoring the fact that she quickly tried to take them away from him. This time he held them surprisingly gently as if they were made of glass. He stared at them for a moment and when he looked at her his cold mask was once again on his face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your parents. They know where you are.¡± Gabi furrowed her brows.

    ¡°How do they know this? I didn¡¯t contact them since I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°I told them.¡± She looked at him shocked, but he already let go of her hands and moved back to his desk. He was limping a little as if their fight hurt him in some way physically.

    ¡°Now go, I have something to do right now.¡± He said as if nothing happened between them minutes ago. She clenched her fists and almost stormed to the door, but his voice stopped her just before she opened them.

    ¡°We will talk about the phone after the ball.¡±

    When the door behind her closed she was met with two scared men who seemed to have been eavesdropping and now pretended that she didn¡¯t almost trip them down because they were pushing their ears to the door so hard. The pent-up emotions in her made her laugh aloud while she made her way towards the elevator. Soon both Matteo and Luca were once again beside her, looking at her with curiosity.

    ¡°And? What did he want?¡± Luca asked.

    ¡°I think you both heard everything.¡± Gabi only answered when they waited for the elevator to come. ¡°And if you¡¯re worried about his mood, I think you will cope with him¡± she turned towards Matteo, but his eyes were focused on her hands.

    ¡°Did he do something to you?¡± she sighed at that, not really wanting to explain everything to them.

    ¡°No. Just his anger management issues got in the way.¡± Luca flinched hearing the words he said to her the very first day she came here. ¡°I¡¯m okay, I provoked him. He seemed to be a little bit sorry when he calmed down, if it bothers you so much.¡± She added after a while when both men were still in grim moods.  They seemed to be a bit relieved at that and Gabi had the urge to roll her eyes. They were worried about her now. Why then they didn¡¯t go in with her and guard her then?

    In silence they made their way to the gym. Matteo quickly vanished, saying that he needs to take care of some things before they go out with Alpha, and so she was alone with Luca.

    ¡°I assume you must be pretty exhausted after meeting with the Alpha, so I will go easy on you today and let you choose what you want to do today.¡± Luca said, but Gabi only shook her head and smiled almost too cheerfully.

    ¡°Not really. I want to train some boxing. Bring me some punch bag please. Oh, and make sure it¡¯s the one I can actually destroy.¡±

    This time the emotions that had pent up in her were so big her training took more time than usual. When she finally decided she was done it was already dark and Luca seemed worn out, for the first time ever. She managed to destroy two punching bags without bringing out her wolf and she was extremely proud of herself. Luca on the other hand seemed a little bit scared as he looked at her from time to time warily.

    When they reached the last floor, Matteo was already waiting for them, impatiently looking at his watch.

    ¡°What took you so long today?¡± he was clearly irritated.

    ¡°Would you rather I¡¯d punched you?¡± she asked sweetly. Matteo opened his mouth as if he was to answer her, but he must have seen Luca¡¯s fearful reaction at that and quickly decided to let the comment go unnoticed. Both of them meekly went after Gabi to the door to the penthouse.

    When Matteo opened them by the code the woman only looked at him and smiled a little, thanking him. Without another word the door clicked after her Beta looked in shock at his friend.

    ¡°What did just happen?¡± he asked dumbfounded, but the only think Luca could do was just shrug his shoulders.

    ¡°I think our Alpha made her show her claws. And I think she¡¯s not done yet. God, I thought she was going to come at me after finishing the second punch bag, and I think I would have a problem with her while she was in that state.¡± He shuddered at the sheer remembrance of her quick, violent punches.

    ¡°Well, this may turn out even better.¡± Luca looked at Matteo in confusion.

    ¡°Why? I think she¡¯s becoming more and more like Alpha Dante.¡±

    ¡°You think so? I think it will help her bring him out of his shell he closed in three years ago.¡± Luca still seemed to not understand him and Matteo sighed a little impatiently. ¡°She¡¯s bolder and more vicious. If she was the same as she came here, quiet and full of fear, he would just push her around to his heart content leading her to her quick death. And I doubt he would see his wrong doings then. Now it seems not only she will survive on her own, but she will also show him that what he chose for his life is not good, and most importantly it¡¯s not good for him.¡± Seeing his best friend¡¯s face Matteo decided to let it go.

    ¡°You¡¯ll understand with time.¡± He ended and Luca once more shrugged. For him it wasn¡¯t really that complicated. He saw that his Alpha and Luna were openly hostile towards each other, but still there was this magnetism between them that showed that they couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the other one even if both said it was quite the contrary. Besides they were soulmates ¨C it wasn¡¯t so easy as to just reject your mate.

    And lastly, he still had in mind his boss¡¯s reaction when Gabriella opposed him and started to help Diego. He was taken aback, but not in any way angry. Probably she didn¡¯t see it, but for Luca who knew his Alpha for quite some time now, it was pretty visible. That¡¯s why he got angry at her when everyone was there. He realized he lowered his guard and she started to come through his wall.

    For him all of it were just lovers¡¯ quarrels. And if something good other than love comes out of it, then so be it.

    When she entered the apartment, she instantly knew something was different. The TV in the living room for the first time was on, and some pleasant music in classic style was playing through the speakers in the whole house. The other thing that was odd was the marvelous scent of something really good cooking in the kitchen. Gabi¡¯s stomach instantly started to grumble, after not eating anything special for the last two days when Fernanda was not here. She carefully peeked in the kitchen and stopped for a second in shock.

    Dante was standing beside the stove, frying some deliciously smelling chicken and stirring from time to time something in the pot next to it, that looked like some Chinese noodles. On the countertop there were sprawled neatly chopped carrots and bamboo, but some fresh mushrooms, onions and leek were apparently still waiting for their turn. He was wearing grey simple T-shirt and sweatpants, clothes she thought he despised because of his overall classy style. She didn¡¯t even notice when her mouth opened wide because of what she was seeing.

    She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes, Dante behaving like a normal human being, independent from his servants?! Gabi didn¡¯t know how long she was standing there when she heard his low, but weirdly calm voice.

    ¡°What are you staring at, go wash your hands in the sink and help me if you want to eat.¡± She blinked and for a second pondered on some mean retort, but the smell was too overwhelming. With a sigh, now regretful that she made her body so sore on her own wish, she made her way into the kitchen and stood carefully beside Dante to wash her hands in the sink. She looked at him from the corner of her eye, expecting he would jump at her at any time, but nothing like that happened.

    It was really weird. A few hours ago, they fought and he made her hurt, but now he was acting once more as if nothing had happened, and even cooked something. Maybe it was his way of saying sorry to her about making bruises on her hands? She quickly shook the thought off her mind. She shouldn¡¯t think of him in that way, he proved enough times that he was a cold bastard.

    Nonetheless, she wanted to try his cooking and she was ready to oblige with him to reach her goal.

    ¡°I¡¯m done. What you want me to do?¡± she asked, looking at his hands skillfully preparing the food. Dante shot her a quick look and seeing that indeed she did wash her hands, he nodded in the direction of the rest of vegetables.

    ¡°Chop them. I want you to chop the mushrooms and the leek as I already did with the bamboo, and onions do like carrots.¡± He instructed her not turning his eyes away even for a second from the pan. Gabi couldn¡¯t help but to roll her eyes a little.

    A perfectionist. Who could have thought?

    But still she began to chop as she was told to, and soon found the gentle music combined with the luring aroma of all the ingredients to be relaxing for her, and even the silence between them wasn¡¯t unsettling for her.

    Only after a while it came to her that it was the first time they were in the same room and they weren¡¯t fighting, arguing or trying to fuck each other with their eyes. At the last thought a shudder came through her body and she lowered her head to even more concentrate on the task at hand. These thoughts weren¡¯t necessary at all.

    ¡°Are you done?¡± his voice tore her out of her thoughts and she looked at him a little dazed. Then it came to her what he wanted from her.

    ¡°Yes, I just finished the leek.¡±

    ¡°Ok, bring them here.¡±

    ¡°Do you want some vegetable to go first?¡± she asked and for the first time he turned his gaze towards her and for a second, she was taken aback by the chocolate glints in his eyes. He looked at her just like that for a second while a ghostly smile crossed his lips, making her heart jump in (un)wanted extasy.

    ¡°And which one would you take first?¡± he asked with no signs of malice in his voice.

    ¡°I guess the carrots. Then onions and leek, and only then the mushrooms with bamboo. That way they will be all cooked but still firm and full of flavor.¡± He raised his brows a little at that, and she couldn¡¯t stop but stare at him like an idiot. He was like a kaleidoscope, always changing, and it gave her headaches.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll do as you say. If something goes wrong it¡¯ll be on you.¡± He only warned her, but the threat in his voice was almost nonexistent. It almost seemed as if he had accepted her as his partner and decided to get to know her.

    It was too good to be true.

    In silence they finished the meal and Gabi sighed quietly at the sight. It not only smelled good, but also looked like from a cook book. After a few instructions from Dante she managed to find two plates and cutlery.

    When she saw how much Dante put on her plate her eyes grew bigger in shock.

    ¡°I can¡¯t eat that much!¡± she exclaimed but Dante didn¡¯t even look at her, too busy putting food on his own plate.

    ¡°You think I didn¡¯t see that for the last two days you ate only fruits?¡± his voice was still calm but a hint of something darker showed in it.

    ¡°I ate some toasts with cheese yesterday!¡±

    ¡°And you think that excuses you? That¡¯s still as much as nothing!¡± he furrowed his brows and finally looked at her sternly.

    ¡°Eat or I¡¯ll get angry.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re always angry either way!¡± she stomped her foot in irritation. The cozy mood was now nowhere to be found. ¡°Listen, I¡¯m not saying I won¡¯t eat it, as you see I even helped you as you wanted, and besides it smells so nice I would probably die if I didn¡¯t try¡­ but it¡¯s just too much for me to eat at once!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a normal portion. You definitely eat not enough! You think I didn¡¯t notice you lost weight?¡± Gabi looked him straight into his eyes.

    ¡°And who do you think is to blame for that?¡± a low growl started to come out of his throat and red appeared in his eyes.

    ¡°From the very beginning I told you to eat.¡± He came close to her as to overcome her with his presence, but this time it didn¡¯t work. Gabi had enough of cowering under him and even if she didn¡¯t stand a chance she was going to fight, even if only for her honor.

    ¡°Do you sometimes listen to yourself? You abducted me, prisoned in your home with no way out, acted all high and mighty and like an asshole to me and then barged into my room and made me fight you! And why? Because I wasn¡¯t eating! And why I wasn¡¯t eating? Oh, maybe because all of the above, and because I was miserable and lonely and emotionally unstable because of it!¡± she couldn¡¯t help but scream at him. Red was swirling dangerously in his eyes and for a second she wanted for the chocolate to once more take its place.

    ¡°You¡¯re my mate, you¡¯re supposed to be beside me in case someone wants to attack you.¡± His voice was low and dark.

    ¡°And who even knows at this point that I¡¯m your mate?! I see that you clearly didn¡¯t want me here and still don¡¯t want me here, so what was the purpose of bringing me here? That¡¯s why when I sensed you I ran away ¨C to avoid¡­ all of this, for both of us!¡± Gabi gestured around as if to emphasize her last words. She also couldn¡¯t help when her eyes watered a little. He might be an asshole, but the fact he was her mate still made her heart hurt at his rejection.

    He stood there silent for a moment, but then he let out a possessive growl.

    ¡°You¡¯re mine and you¡¯ll remain by my side.¡± Gabi sighed at that frustrated. So much for constructive talking.

    ¡°All right. Now let¡¯s eat before it gets completely cold.¡± With that she reached for her plate and without another word sat at the table. She expected Dante to either jump at her and threaten her or to storm out of the house and return the next morning, but to her surprise he also took his plate and sat on the opposite part of the table.

    They ate in silence and Gabi had to admit that Dante really could cook. The food was melting in her mouth and it was just pure deliciousness. It was so good she even intended to eat the whole plate, but unfortunately her stomach couldn¡¯t take in any more. With regret she looked at the food ¨C her mind still wanted it, but her body wasn¡¯t able to eat it.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want it anymore just throw it in the trash.¡± She heard Dante grumble and when she shot him a look, she saw that he still intently didn¡¯t look at her. Gabi once more looked at the food they prepared together.

    ¡°It¡¯s too good to end up in the trash. I¡¯ll save it for later, possibly for a midnight snack or for breakfast.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. Just throw it away.¡± He barked at her, suddenly even more irritated. Gabi looked at him with a calm expression on her face.

    ¡°Why are you doing this? Why do you have to get angry at me for everything I do or say?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to act all indulgently when you don¡¯t like it. It pisses me off.¡±

    ¡°And you know what pisses me off? That you¡¯re acting like a little child. If I say it is good, it is good, period! I can¡¯t eat anymore because I¡¯m full at the moment but I will happily eat the rest after a few hours! And now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯ll put the rest in the fridge and go to my room.¡± With that she stood up and without sparing him even one glance she went back into the kitchen. She felt his hot and angry stare on her but she didn¡¯t weaver. It really was a waste ¨C this evening was becoming quite pleasant, but of course Dante had to destroy it with his harsh, always ¨C suspecting ¨C something ¨C bad behavior.

    When she closed the fridge, she suddenly felt his heavy presence behind her and all of her muscles tightened, ready to fight. But he only put one of his hands on the fridge¡¯s door and leaned to her ear, tickling the sensitive flesh with his hot breath.

    ¡°Tomorrow be ready downstairs at 10 am. Don¡¯t be late.¡± This time she couldn¡¯t read anything from his voice as he pulled away from her and without another word put the plate in the sink and disappeared in his own room.

 Chapter 9. Young wild and free Part I

    Gabi looked nervously at the clock on her wall. It was 9:45 am and soon she was supposed to meet with Dante downstairs and go shopping. The sheer thought about it made her uneasy but somewhat excited. Although their relations were far from good or even peaceful, she couldn¡¯t help but look forward to spending some time with her mate. She tried to tell herself it was because she wanted to know more about his weaknesses she could use to escape, but the reality was she was also really curious if he would allow her to catch another glimpse of his other side.

    She was no fool; she was aware some of his nice actions were made only to please her, but reading between the lines she could see he was hiding something deep withing his own core. Of course, this couldn¡¯t be a reason to forgive his obnoxious attitude, but it was enough reason for her to look into it more, be it for escaping purposes or not.

    When it was 9:55 she sighed nervously and rose from her seat by the window. One last time she looked at her appearance in the mirror. Today she decided to play it safe with her clothes as to not give him a reason to not let her out. It seemed to be pretty chilly out there, so she pulled out her warm, cozy sweater made of alpaca wool in a warm but light shade of brown that almost reached to her knees, long slim white jeans and brown ankle high heels. She also wanted to wear a coat but as it turned out she didn¡¯t tell Matteo to bring any, so she was stuck with only what she had. Because of that she made a loose braid out of her hair, so that it could secure her neck a little from the cold.

    Maybe she was a werewolf, but she still hated cold. She wasn¡¯t going to whine though, especially not in front of Dante.

    When she went downstairs Dante was already there. He was standing beside the sofa, leaning on it nonchalantly and looking out of the window with his hands tucked in his pocket. From her position Gabi could see his broad shoulders and once more she couldn¡¯t help but wonder at his sculpted body. He was wearing his everyday black shirt with its sleeves rolled up and pants of the same color. With his black hair the overall image should be quite plain, but it was quite the contrary. He looked like a devil of sex. Or maybe only her sex-crazed wolf saw him that way?

    When she got closer he slowly turned his eyes to her with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes only jumped once up and down as if scanning her outfit and without another word he moved from his place to the door.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± Were his only words when he opened the door and Gabi sighed quietly. It seemed that that day would be long and very rough on her mental well-being.

    In silence he led her to the elevator where Matteo was already waiting for them. But to Gabi¡¯s surprise he only pulled some car keys from his pocket and gave them to Dante.

    ¡°I prepared the 6 for you, Alpha.¡± He only said with a slight bow when Dante took the keys and headed to the open door of the elevator.

    ¡°Matteo, you¡¯re not coming with us?¡± Gabi felt fear creeping up on her features. To this moment she would have never thought they would go shopping alone ¨C there was always someone there as if Dante didn¡¯t really want to spend some alone time with her besides his own apartment.

    ¡°Unfortunately no Luna, because Alpha Dante took a free day today, as the vice-president of Moretti Technologies I have to take care of everything in his place.¡± Gabi looked at him with shock in her eyes. Did she hear that right? She always thought that Matteo, even though he was a Beta, was merely a servant to this obnoxious guy. She would have never thought that he was trusted with so crucial position in his company. That meant Dante had to really trust him, not to mention Matteo¡¯s dedication if despite all of Dante¡¯s bad manners he was not only aiding him as his Beta, but also making his company even more prosperous as the vice-president.

    ¡°Will you close your mouth and come here now? I didn¡¯t take the day off to spend it in the fucking elevator.¡± She heard Alpha grumble and it finally snapped her out of her state. Still in shock she stopped beside him and only with a corner of her eye she saw a small smile of amusement on Matteo¡¯s face.

    The door shut after her and silence fell upon them when they made their way down. The atmosphere was uneasy, but at the time Gabi didn¡¯t pay any attention to it. She was too immersed in her own thoughts. There were so many things she still didn¡¯t know about her mate or his pack. Hell, she only knew Luca and Matteo, and Diego if you think about it more, but she didn¡¯t even have any chance to talk to him properly. Truth to be told, everything could be so much more different than what she thought, but Dante didn¡¯t give her any chance to look at the situation from some other perspective. In the next second though she threw the thoughts away.

    Remember that you want to run away, you don¡¯t need to know all of this ¨C she had to admonish herself once more. For the last few days, it seemed that her resolve to run was slowly fading, and a part of her, the more emotional one wasn¡¯t even concerned about the fact. The rational one whatsoever was slowly going crazy, torn up between all of these thoughts.

    Only when the elevator made its ¡°ding¡± sound and the door opened she realized they were in the underground parking lot. Without waiting for her Dante went the path only he knew through the car filled lot, and Gabi had no other choice but to trot after him. For a second she thought about hiding behind one of the cars and running away, but the idea quickly died. With each minute she was more and more sure that this was not a parking lot but a labyrinth. After a few tricky turns that she almost immediately forgot they came to something that looked like a restricted area. Dante pressed the keys Matteo gave him to the panel beside the door and they opened with a soft click. Behind the door there was another parking lot, but this was a lot smaller. It was also filled with various luxurious cars, from which many Gabi haven¡¯t even knew before existed.

    What a lucky rich bastard she thought to herself, watching in awe everything around. She always wanted to have a car of her own and drive wherever she wanted but hey, she was just a simple kindergarten teacher living in one of the most crowded and expensive cities in the world, who in her position could afford that?

    While she stood at the entrance dumfounded, Dante clicked his keys and a sound of a car opening could be heard on her left. With wide sparkling eyes she came closer to the futuristic looking car.

    ¡°What¡¯s the name of this car?¡± she couldn¡¯t help but ask him.

    ¡°Mercedes ¨C Maybach 6.¡± She then remembered that when she first saw him, he was also riding a Maybach.

    ¡°You like Maybach¡¯s, do you?¡± Dante looked at her closely, but probably seeing her awe at the car he decided it was not sarcasm.

    ¡°They are classy and reliable.¡± He answered her shortly, gesturing her to get inside. Gabi sat with a quiet puff and almost purred at the sensation. The interior was just as gorgeous as the exterior, and also very comfortable. From the corner of her eye she looked in Dante¡¯s direction. He turned on the engine and expertly moved the car between all the other ones. She couldn¡¯t help but think that he fit perfectly in the surroundings.

    ¡°A classy car for a classy man¡­¡± she murmured quietly under her nose, thinking about his choice of clothes, cars and furniture.

    She was too immersed in observing everything around her to hear a note of amusement in his voice when he told her:

    ¡°Put on your seatbelt.¡±

    They quickly made their way through the city center, but only when greenery started to appear more frequently than houses did Gabi furrow her brows and look at Dante questioningly.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t we supposed to go shopping?¡±

    ¡°We are.¡± He answered her shortly as always.

    ¡°But we¡¯re going out of the city. And all of the shops are in the city center.¡±

    ¡°And who said we were going to shop there?¡± he looked at her with one eyebrow raised and his ever-serious expression on and Gabi huffed in irritation at that.

    ¡°Well, actually you didn¡¯t tell me anything. I suppose you won¡¯t tell me more either way, but at least you could mention where we¡¯re going then.¡±

    Instead of answering he only pointed his finger to one of the road signs they were just passing by. After reading it Gabi looked at him with in disbelief.

    ¡°Seriously? We¡¯re going shopping to Wales?¡±

    ¡°Do you have a problem with that?¡± his voice became darker and she had to suppress the anger bubbling in her veins.

    ¡°No. I only now understand why you took a whole day off work.¡± She answered trying to stay calm. Fortunately for her this answer seemed to satisfy Dante.

    Silence once more fell between them as she dazed a little looking out the window at the passing fields and forests. The last time when she was out of the city was about two years ago and now her eyes drank up the views like it was the best nectar. The wolf in her mind stretched a little and started to nudge her to go for a run. Suddenly she felt it was the only thing she wanted to do in her life. To run in her wolf form and just be free.

    Then her stomach grumbled and she winced at that. Run free and maybe eat something. She was too nervous that morning to even eat her everyday apple, not to mention the leftover noodles from yesterday. She gulped and intently looked through the side window, hoping that Dante didn¡¯t hear it. Knowing his weird fixation on her eating properly she could expect a scolding from him if not some forced feeding.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    She heard him sigh irritated and Gabi immediately knew he heard. She prepared herself for another heated encounter, but Dante seemed to have other plans. Without even slowing down he started to shuffle through many hidden pockets of his car with one of his hands, while the other one was still on the steering wheel. Finally, he found what he was looking for and threw it at her.

    She caught the item in the air and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a Snickers bar. One of her favorites.

    ¡°Eat that for now. We will reach the restaurant in about an hour and a half.¡± He shot her a warning look meaning he disapproved of her actions and that he was watching her so she better eat it. She sighed at that but also smiled a littlest of smiles to herself. For the first time he didn¡¯t shout or get openly angry at her. It looked like some kind of progress.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± She said to him quietly and instantly started eating. After a minute she was done and Dante seemed satisfied for now, along with her belly.

    This time silence between them felt a little lighter. With time the sun started to shine through the clouds and soon they were riding through fields basking in the early afternoon sunshine. Gabi smiled at the pleasant sight and for the rest of the ride stared outside the window in a warm daze caused by some warm sun rays falling onto her face and lap.

    Only when she felt that the car turned on a gravel path, she realized she actually fell asleep. When they stopped, she stretched her sleepy limbs and mewled in satisfaction, completely forgetting about the fact that cars don¡¯t drive themselves and someone had to do it.

    ¡°Had a good sleep?¡± she jumped in her seat and shrieked in the next second, suddenly remembering she was not alone. For the first time she felt how her cheeks started to burn.

    ¡°Sorry, the warmth of the sun was just too much for me.¡± She mumbled trying to not look in his direction out of embarrassment. She still noticed a small playful smirk on his lips and the sight of it made her heart beat in a frenzy and heat pool down in her abdomen. Once more he was playing his tricks on her.

    To take her mind off of Dante she tried to focus on the surroundings. They were still far from civilization, surrounded by fields, pastures and small hills. The car stopped on a gravel parking lot beside the only building in the area ¨C a cozy cottage bathed in an enormous amount of autumn, blooming roses that reached up to the first-floor windows, peeking in curiously. The cottage was also surrounded by a garden full of various trees with now golden leaves, and if it was possible even more roses. The stony path led from the parking and through the garden to the wooden front door. A small signboard beside the entrance told her that the house was called Rose Cottage, and indeed was a restaurant, as Dante said.

    Gabi was simply in awe as the place was truly beautiful.

    ¡°Come on sleepy head, I¡¯m not going to starve because of you.¡± He said while stepping out of the car and Gabi saw that his playful smirk was still there. Her heart wanted to explode at that very moment.

    Why, why was he doing it to her, why was he so bipolar, was he amused by playing with her head by calling her sweet names and being just so¡­ charming?

    ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡± She quickly got out of her seat, hoping that fresh air would calm her down a little. Although the sun was still shining the temperature was quite low, and when the first gust of wind messed up her hair she shook involuntarily, feeling goosebumps rising on her skin. It was autumn after all, and even sweater wasn¡¯t going to help her much. Good thing they were here by car. She hoped that he won¡¯t make her go anywhere by foot or she would freeze. She looked at him when he made his way to the stony path and sighed in frustration, seeing how he didn¡¯t seem to mind the wind. Cheeky bastard.

    He was almost at the entrance when he turned to her once more.

    ¡°Are you coming or do you want me to bring you in the bridal style?¡± Gabi couldn¡¯t believe it. He was joking?

    ¡°Who are you and what have you done to Alpha Moretti?¡± she carefully approached him, suddenly very wary of her situation. Maybe it was some kind of impostor? It was hard to believe he would also match Dante¡¯s scent, but you never know.

    His smile died at that and his eyes turned a bit tad colder, but his voice remained neutral.

    ¡°Alpha Moretti has today a day off.¡± He answered shortly and opened the door for her. She carefully stepped inside, not knowing what to think of the whole situation when a very old, but very lively man came up to them with a big smile on his face.

    ¡°Welcome back Mr Moretti! We didn¡¯t see you so long we almost forgot how you look like, how could you! And what a beautiful lady you¡¯ve brought to us!¡± he exclaimed, but to Gabi¡¯s surprise such way of talking didn¡¯t make Dante angry. Instead he once more smiled and even laughed a little, still too quiet for the man to hear, but the sound made her body tremble with pleasure.

    ¡°I was busy James. This is Gabriella.¡± He introduced her, and she smiled to the older man, although she feared it might have been a little crooked. Her stomach was full of butterflies from the way Dante said her name, and to add to that he used it for the first time ever.

    Grip yourself together, he had to use it otherwise it would be weird, she snapped mentally at herself.

    ¡°Nice to meet you James.¡± She tried to smile once more and by the look in the man eyes it pleased him, and so she felt calmer. Her fa?ade wasn¡¯t broken completely.

    ¡°Is my table free today?¡±

    ¡°Of course it is! We always have a reservation here for you! Maria, I¡¯ll take our guests to the table, bring the menus in a minute!¡± James shouted to the waitress that was standing behind him all the time, but Gabi noticed her only now. It seemed that the girl didn¡¯t spare her even a glance, all flushed with her eyes fixated on Dante.

    Gabi felt irrepressible desire to tore that face of hers to shreds. He¡¯s ours ¨C her wolf growled and for the first time she felt such strong surge of jealousy she didn¡¯t even deny the thought.

    ¡°R-right away boss.¡± The girl stammered a little and her cheeks turned red even more when she stumbled on one of the tables while going to get the menus.

    Gabi couldn¡¯t help but grunt quietly in distaste. Okay maybe she got jealous, but she would never act like that, and especially not in front of this particular man. Girl, you don¡¯t know who you¡¯re trying to charm.

    ¡°Forgive her, she¡¯s new and still quite clumsy.¡± Said James, embarrassed by his employee¡¯s behavior.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok.¡± Said Dante not even sparing a glance to the girl, and Gabi felt how her wolf howled in triumph at that. He likes us more! She growled in her mind. ¡°What happened to Jane?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s on a maternity leave, she gave birth to a girl only two months ago! She and her husband are so in love with her that once a week he comes by and shows me their pictures! It really is a pretty girl!¡± the old man blabbered on as he led them to the table, and Gabi couldn¡¯t help but look in wonder at Dante. He was listening closely to James as if he really cared not only about what he was talking about, but about this Jane and her baby as well. He really had to be close with these people and come by quite often.

    At that thought she felt sorrow deep within her soul. Why he could be so lovely towards these strangers, when he was such a prick when it came to her, his own mate, and members of his own pack? His personality was diverting so quickly she didn¡¯t even know anymore what to think about all of this. Was this some kind of psychological disorder? Or maybe he just didn¡¯t care enough for his closest ones to show them kindness he clearly had in himself? Otherwise what would be the reason for him to act this way?

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s with that face?¡± They were already seated at the table and Gabi got lost in her thoughts while looking outside the window admiring the big, shapely rose buds peeking through the glass. They were right now on the first floor just beside a window with beautiful view to the garden and a lake in the distance, that earlier couldn¡¯t be seen because of the hills surrounding it.

    She shot him a quick look before once more looking at the flowers. All in all, his face was the same as always ¨C handsome and emotionless like a mask, but Gabi slowly started to see signs of emotions pass through it. His eyebrows were furrowed a little and his gorgeous brown eyes became darker as he spoke. It meant he was all in all in a good mood, but he was becoming agitated. If she doesn¡¯t calm him down this trip might become quite unbearable.

    ¡°I just got lost in thoughts, that¡¯s all.¡± She answered and looked at still flushed Maria, who just now came up to their table with menus. She madly fluttered her eyelashes at Dante while giving him the card and Gabi couldn¡¯t suppress an amused snort at that. The girl looked at her as if she only now became aware of her presence and quickly ran downstairs.

    ¡°That girl is funny.¡± She said amused, for a second forgetting all her doubts and worries.

    ¡°Maybe. What were you thinking about?¡± Dante seemed to not care about shy waitress even a little bit. Probably because he was met with this behavior quite often. He was watching her intently with his serious eyes and his jaw clenched. Gabi sighed at that. The damage was done and he was once more becoming hostile, and why? Because she wasn¡¯t acting like he wanted her to.

    ¡°If you really want to know I thought about you. Your behavior to be more exact.¡± He didn¡¯t say a word at that but the shadows in his eyes became darker. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ confusing to me. Back home you¡¯re acting all hostile and aggressive towards everyone, even your most trusted members of the pack, and that behavior also applies to me. But when we¡¯re here, you¡¯re like another person¡­ All kind and charming, laughing and smiling to the point I can¡¯t recognize you, and I just can¡¯t wrap my head around why you do this.¡± Dante now looked back at her with red swirling in his eyes. And there it goes, another fit of anger, she thought gloomily.

    ¡°Do you want to place your order now sir?¡± out of nowhere Maria once more came to them, but when Dante shot her a look, she stepped backwards a few steps in fear.

    ¡°We¡¯re still not ready. We¡¯ll call you when we choose, okay?¡± Gabi tried to smooth things over, but the waitress already had tears in her eyes. Nonetheless she only nodded her head and walked away.

    ¡°You made her cry, you know that?¡± she turned her eyes to him, but his stance was still unchanged. He was furious, and once more she didn¡¯t know why.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about her.¡±

    ¡°Then about who do you care?¡± she was also starting to get agitated. She felt once more like in kindergarten, but instead of trying to convince a kid that it was wrong to pull on his friends¡¯ hair, she had to step by step show a grown ass man his own wrongdoings.

    He answered her with silence, boring his eyes deep into her soul, and she sighed irritated. What a stubborn guy.

    ¡°So I will answer for you that you care for no one.¡±

    ¡°I have my reasons.¡± He finally growled out just as she stopped talking.

    ¡°Okay, you may have them. But I would understand that you act like that towards me if I really did something to you, but I did not. Then why still act like that to me?¡±

    ¡°I have my reasons and that¡¯s why I don¡¯t trust you.¡± He snapped and it felt like a knife deep in her heart.

    ¡°And did you even give me a chance to prove that your reasons are baseless when it comes to me?¡± He didn¡¯t answer her and although she fought it, pain started to swell in her chest. What she must have done in her previous life to be so punished right now?

    He must have felt her change of mood and his eyes started to come back to normal.

    ¡°I am a bastard.¡± It was a fact and he wasn¡¯t going to deny it. ¡°Even if I don¡¯t trust you I never intended to really hurt you.¡± He looked like he tried to make the situation better. As a result, he achieved quite the opposite.

    ¡°Well then we can mark this task as failed successfully, right? Because you did exactly that.¡± She responded with fire in her eyes. His words were bullshit to her right now.

    He seemed to wince at that but said no more. The brown in his eyes settled and no red could be seen in them.

    ¡°Choose anything you want to eat.¡± He finally said after a few silent moments.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take whatever you want, Alpha.¡± She sputtered, pressing on the last word, angry at him avoiding the topic and once more looked out the window with fury hidden in her eyes.

    For the first time ever, Dante said nothing and just ordered the food.

 Chapter 10. Young wild and free Part II

    They waited for the meal and then ate in total silence. Although the delicacies she was presented with lifted her mood a little, she still felt hurt and angry. Her reason told her she shouldn¡¯t feel that way, but her heart told her otherwise. Something in the back of her mind kept repeating to her that it would all work out if he would not act this way. She scowled at the voice. But he was acting this way and apparently, he wasn¡¯t intending to change that, case closed.

    After finishing her meal, she once more looked at the view behind the window. She intended to not look at him as long as it was possible. Few minutes later she heard Dante¡¯s irritated sigh and his chair being moved back. Gabi shuddered at that waiting for his attack, but she only heard his footsteps as he went downstairs. She looked after him not really knowing what to think of the situation.

    Was he going to leave her here to pay for the meal and go back by herself? It would be a pain in the ass as she didn¡¯t know if she could pay here by card, and besides she was still without a coat and they were in wilderness excluding the restaurant itself.

    She was still waging her options in her mind when Dante returned. First, she smelled the delicate aroma of the flowers. When she looked in his direction, she opened her eyes widely in surprise. Dante was standing before her with a big bouquet of pretty, delicate flowers in a vibrant violent color ¨C asters. His brows were furrowed but she didn¡¯t see any sign of malice, anger or other negative emotions in his eyes ¨C they were just pure chocolate.

    ¡°You like flowers, do you?¡± he asked in a casual tone, and when she slightly nodded her head, still shocked at his behavior, he gave her the bouquet.

    ¡°They don¡¯t allow here to cut the roses; besides I think it¡¯s a hackneyed choice. These ones suit you better.¡± While saying this he averted her gaze and Gabi thought for a second that he got a little embarrassed.

    She sniffed the flowers once more and smiled to herself. She didn¡¯t know if Dante knew anything about the language of flowers, but his choice was not only on point, but also a little bit ironic given their situation. Nonetheless she felt he was sorry and it was his way of trying to make her feel better, and this time his actions were genuine.

    ¡°They¡¯re perfect. Thank you.¡± She gave him the littlest of smiles and it seemed to satisfy him, as a quiet rumble came out of his throat. He then quickly turned on his heels away from her and went to the stairs, while Gabi stared at his back in amusement and awe. Did he just now¡­ almost purred? She wanted to laugh at his embarrassment, but at the second thought she didn¡¯t want to destroy this little string of understanding and alliance that slowly started to create between them. Instead she decided to only smile more while cradling the flowers to her chest.

    ¡°Now let¡¯s go or we¡¯ll be late.¡± He said while walking downstairs. His voice was now almost normal but he didn¡¯t look at her. Gabi shook her head at that, but still quickly followed him.

    The owner was very sad that they were already leaving, but when they promised they would be back when they are free, he finally gave in and said his goodbyes to them.

    When they reached the car, Dante took the flowers from her.

    ¡°For now, I¡¯ll put them in the back.¡± Gabi nodded at that, but at the same time frowned a little.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t make it home if they will be so long without water.¡±

    ¡°When we arrive at the place, I¡¯ll ask them to bring a vase for you.¡± He said while looking at her and she couldn¡¯t help but once more smile. Her wolf and her heart were dancing a crazy dance of joy despite the fact that only half an hour ago they were weeping in pain.

    Having a soulmate was really a pain in the ass.

    When they arrived at their destination it was already half past two, but to their luck sun was still shining brightly. Gabi stepped out of the car and turned her face to the sun. She sighed in satisfaction when she felt its warm tickling on her skin and only after a few moments she opened her eyes to look around.

    They still weren¡¯t in a city. When Dante turned to a secluded road surrounded by trees, she became a little bit frightened at where he was taking her and he must have seen it. This time he was more cooperative and explained shortly that they were going to a private shop that really wasn¡¯t open to anyone but those who knew its owner. Again, what a rich bastard.

    Dante stopped the car right beside a big residence, surrounded by thicket of the trees. The mansion was far away from any other buildings and so to speak civilization. Suddenly something dawned on Gabi and she sniffed the air, gulping when her fears confirmed.

    ¡°Please tell me you didn¡¯t bring me to another werewolf pack.¡± She almost moaned, suddenly feeling the pressure of surrounding her unfamiliar, strong scents.

    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Dante asked, surrounding the car and coming to her closer. Gabi put her arms around herself when another gust of wind made all her body shiver.

    ¡°Maybe you don¡¯t remember because Matteo surely told you that, but I¡¯m a runner. I¡¯m not necessarily a wanted guest in other werewolf packs.¡± He rose his brow at that as if he didn¡¯t understand her worries. She sighed irritated and looked around nervously.

    ¡°This may be new to you but most packs don¡¯t tolerate runners. They prefer to kill them as they are too fearful and weak to take in.¡± she explained dryly, feeling anger rising once again at him for being so ignorant. He didn¡¯t seem to be fazed at that, as he leaned on to her to look her deep in the eyes. She shivered at that, but this time definitely not from the cold.

    ¡°Well I wouldn¡¯t say neither of them about you.¡± His hot breath tickled the skin on her lips and she involuntarily opened them a little more as if she wanted to invite him for a kiss. He couldn¡¯t help but looked with longing at them, and his eyes darkened a little.

    Suddenly Gabi realized where they were and more importantly what was happening. She looked away from his luscious lips and took a deep breath.

    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t really know me that much.¡± She answered him quietly, trying so that her voice was as casual as it could be. Still it was trembling a little and she cursed at that.

    Dante straightened up at that and sighed as if he was irritated by something.

    ¡°What¡¯s more important is that you WERE a runner, now you are my Luna and they are obliged to treat you that way.¡± He responded with a frown on his face.

    Fortunately for Gabi she was spared the embarrassment and shock when someone came out of the main mansions door and started shouting in their direction.

    ¡°Are you coming in or are you two planning on freezing to death?!¡± the man grunted at that and turned to face the mansion.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up and wait there!¡± he shouted back and once more turned to Gabi. Seeing that once more she shivered not only from fear but also the cold, his frown deepened.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you bring any coat, are you blind to what¡¯s outside?¡±

    She managed to snarl in answer.

    ¡°Well while doing my list for Matteo I was more concerned if I live long enough to even need one, so he didn¡¯t bring me anything like that.¡± His eyes grew darker at that and he growled irritated, but didn¡¯t say anything to her.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m still waiting here, you know?¡± they heard the man once more and this time Dante growled louder.

    ¡°Come or I¡¯m going to kill him.¡± He snapped and guided her to the door. Reluctantly she went after him, not really knowing what to expect.

    To be honest, she expected everything but not what she was met up with.

    The man who was so eagerly shouting to them turned out to be a very colorful young man. His short, white as snow curly hair made an ideal contrast to his chocolate skin. He was tall, almost taller than Dante, but he was pretty slender for a werewolf. He was wearing tight black leather pants and a white leather jacket atop a pink top. He looked like a real fashionista, and in no way as one of their kind. When they came closer, she could also scent the man and she almost stopped in shock. This guy was for sure a Beta, if not even an Alpha!

    ¡°Finally, I thought you were going to devour her right then and there!¡± the man once more exclaimed and without a single word jumped to Gabi and hugged her tightly like they were best friends for the whole time. A waft of his sweet scent surrounded her, reminding her of cotton candy mixed with male cologne. It was too sweet for her liking, but also made her feel somewhat comfortable and safe. Nonetheless she squeaked when the man almost crushed her in his arms. He might not look like that, but he definitely had a strength of an Alpha.

    This marathon of clinging was finally stopped by Dante, who pried the man¡¯s hands from her, growling possessively. He pushed the owner of the mansion a few feet away and stood between them, shielding her with his body.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again.¡± He growled, and although Gabi couldn¡¯t see it, she sensed he was pissed and his eyes were red.

    ¡°Alright, stop it Danny, stop it.¡± The man chirped, not discouraged at all by his behavior. ¡°I just got so pumped up I get to finally meet your mate that when I finally saw her, I couldn¡¯t believe how pretty and cute she was, and I just had to hug her!¡± she subconsciously knew the man was telling the truth. His actions and words were nothing more than welcoming and comforting.

    ¡°I¡¯m good Alpha, I just got startled a little.¡± She patted his back lightly so that he looked at her. Seeing his frowned face, she tried to smile reassuringly. He watched her for a second before once more turning to the man. At the same time he stepped aside, but still remained close by her side, making her heart flutter as she could smell his scent.

    ¡°This is Leonard Bouchard. He is the Alpha of the Wildgreen Pack and also a skilled fashion designer. He also doesn¡¯t like to keep his hands to himself so keep an eye on him.¡± Dante presented him dryly.

    ¡°Oh, please call me Leo. Leonard is such an ugly name; I always tell Danny to not call me that but he always refuses.¡± He pouted his lips and Gabi raised her brows in astonishment. Danny?

    ¡°I will stop calling you that when you stop calling me that shitty nickname!¡± Dante growled at him back, but Leo only waved his hand at him and with his eyes blinking he once more came closer to Gabi.

    ¡°Well then I guess we both have to just live with it, right?¡± he smiled mischievously winking an eye to her and Gabi couldn¡¯t help but to giggle at that. This man was pure gold.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I scared you earlier, sweetheart. I just thought that maybe your mate told you something about me before he brought you to me.¡± When she nodded her head at no, he gasped loudly in exaggeration and looked at Dante with hurt in his eyes.

    ¡°How could you baby?!¡± he whined and this time Gabi just laughed aloud. Alpha looked at her with a warning in his eyes but seeing that she paid no attention to him he only growled a little and sighed irritated.

    ¡°Fine, have it your way then. I¡¯m leaving Gabriella with you for now, help her pick up some nice dress for the ball.¡± He said while directing his steps into the mansion.

    ¡°And you I guess will be in my wine cellar with Ruby, plundering and drinking the best wines?¡± Leo put his hands on his hips and looked at him disapprovingly.

    Dante turned around to them with a red glint in his eyes, but his lips formed into a mischievous smile that made her legs weak.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope you have something good down there, otherwise I¡¯m going to crawl up the cellar and rummage through the wardrobes with your priceless clothes. You have to have something hidden from me up there.¡± He smirked and Leo gasped, this time in indignation.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Try me. And you, mia Luna¡± he said to her ¡°be a good girl or I¡¯ll get angry.¡± it was meant to be a warning, but his stance, his voice and the sparkle in his eyes made it sound like he almost wanted her to be naughty so that he could punish her. With that he turned around and disappeared inside. Gabi looked after him with her mouth open when another thing hit her. Didn¡¯t he call her Luna¡­ but in Italian?!

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know he speaks Italian.¡± She finally mustered out, feeling how once more her cheeks became red from his words. Once more he switched his moods in a second, leaving her confused and hot.

    ¡°Of course, he can sweetheart, he¡¯s an Italian after all! Didn¡¯t he tell you that?¡± Leo exclaimed and suddenly looked at her more warily.

    ¡° I¡­ He¡­ No.¡± she finally said, diverting her eyes to the man beside her. ¡°And I didn¡¯t really have a clue as his accent is perfectly London-like.¡±

    ¡°Well he came here when he was of very young age¡­¡± he looked like he wanted to add some more, but he changed his mind at the last moment and Gabi frowned a little like that. What did he wanted to tell her?

    ¡°I guess I shouldn¡¯t be the one telling you all that, so for now let¡¯s go and take your measurements, okay sweetie?¡± without waiting for her response she took her by the hand and almost dragged inside.

    Without stopping on the way, he led her through the labyrinth of corridors and rooms. The traditional interiors mashed up with the modern furniture gave the mansion quite the original finish, but weirdly it all fit together perfectly. The next thing Gabi noticed was that on their way they didn¡¯t meet a single soul. When finally they stopped, the room looked more like an atelier of an artist than a wardrobe that it was supposed to be, Gabi asked Leo about it.

    ¡°Oh, Dante mentioned something that you may be nervous around other werewolves, so I told them to go shopping. Only a few are right now in here.¡± Gabi looked at him speechless. Did Dante really thought about her and made arrangements so she won¡¯t feel insecure? That really was an unexpected turn, given the fact that a few hours ago he admitted he cared for no one. He really was a mysterious man.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Thank you, and sorry you had to make such arrangements.¡± She thanked the man, but he only waved his hand with a smile at her and returned to looking through one of the many stacks of clothes scattered around the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay sweetheart. As you can see, I¡¯m no ordinary Alpha, I had more runners come through my pack or even stay here than you can imagine. Most of my pack¡¯s members know the feeling you¡¯re going through, so they didn¡¯t have any problem with that.¡± Gabi smiled at him warmly at that.

    ¡°I have a little more faith in the werewolf society now after meeting you. It¡¯s a shame I didn¡¯t meet you earlier.¡±

    ¡°Ohh, you¡¯re so sweet!¡± he cupped her cheeks and in a reflex of tenderness he kissed her on the temple. For a second, she thought if Dante would be angry if he knew about that innocent kiss and Leo must have thought about the same thing.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t tell the devil, all right?¡± he winked at her and she laughed at that.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± She played innocent, giving in to his game and he send her a cheery smile.

    ¡°Great. Now that we settled, we will play a bit.¡± While they were talking Leo prepared a pile of clothes for her to try on. Gabi looked at it with big eyes, suddenly scared.

    ¡°All of them?¡± she whispered in shock.

    ¡°Oh sweetheart, it¡¯s just the first pile! You may have come only for the dress but I sure as hell won¡¯t let you leave only with it!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m grateful you want to show them to me, but I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t have the money to pay for all of them.¡±

    ¡°Sweetheart, what are you saying?!¡± he looked at her like she had just fallen from the sky. ¡°It¡¯s all on Danny.¡± Leo smiled mischievously and Gabi couldn¡¯t say no to him anymore.

    ¡°Ok then, let¡¯s get to it.¡± She said while laughing.

    It took her 2 whole hours to find something she found not only beautiful, but also comfortable enough for her to wear. After seeing what style really suited her and what she liked it was easier for Leo to find new clothes for Gabi.

    After another half an hour she picked out three new pair of pants, some skirts, elegant blouses and a new dress which she fell in love with, but decided it was unfit for such an occasion as a ball.

    When she saw the next choice of Leo¡¯s her eyes started to sparkle. She quickly put it on and sighed in admiration when she looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was long as it reached up to the floor even when she was wearing high heels. It was in a pretty dark green color that made her eyes stand out even more. The dress left her whole back and shoulders bare as it was wrapped only around her neck, but it perfectly wrapped up her figure tightly up to her hips, where it fell to the floor loosely in waves of material. The cleavage of the dress was deep, reaching almost to her belly button, but weirdly she felt comfortable with it as her breasts were still completely covered up. She squeaked in adoration as she put one leg forward and a long cut in the material could be seen that reached almost up to her hip.

    ¡°It¡¯s perfect¡± she finally said after swirling before the mirror a few times, checking how it looked from every angle. When she didn¡¯t hear any response from Leo, she turned to him and saw how he sat in the only free chair in the room with his eyes and mouth wide open. Suddenly Gabi felt really conscious about herself.

    ¡°Do I not look good in it?¡± She worriedly looked at the dress trying to find what was wrong, but Leo quickly stood up and shook his head.

    ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re looking¡­ breathtaking! Like some kind of goddess, a holy pixie!¡± he shouted clapping his hands satisfied.

    ¡°Well, given the fact that I¡¯m a werewolf¡­ I don¡¯t know if I should take that as a compliment.¡±

    ¡°Of course you should! The werewolf society is too harsh, it needs some¡­ lighting up, and you¡¯re just perfect, not only a Luna of a fierce werewolf pack, but also an ethereal creature straight from mythology!¡± he almost squeaked in excitation, as he almost ran up to one of the wardrobes and frantically started to search for something. Gabi looked after him with a mixed expression on her face. Leo¡¯s compliments were very kind and she also felt great in the dress, but if what he told her was true, then the other werewolves won¡¯t have such nice reactions to her, including Dante. And she really, really wanted to have her phone back, and that depended only on Dante¡¯s mood.

    ¡°Thank you Leo, but after second thought I don¡¯t really know if I should wear this dress to the ball. I think Dante might not like it¡­¡± she started but she was quickly shut off by the other Alpha who finally found what he was searching for and now turned to her with an outraged yelp.

    ¡°Oh no, that¡¯s never going to happen! Sweetheart, I know him half of my life and what I can tell you is that he will be rapturous!... well of course he won¡¯t show it or tell you about it, but certainly it will be like that! Believe me, he will want to fuck you right then and there, just like on that parking lot a few hours ago.¡± He winked at her with a mischievous smile and once more she couldn¡¯t help but look away embarrassed. Maybe he would really like it, but she also knew he would be furious that she was going out like that, given her experience with him. She decided however not to tell this to Leo as to not spoil the atmosphere and so she smiled to him shyly.

    ¡°Then I think I have no other choice but to pick this one out.¡±

    ¡°I will gladly give you it even for free, it looks like it was specially made for you! Oh my god, I¡¯m such a genius.¡± He started swooning over her while he came closer with some accessories in his hands. His eyes were blinking excitedly.

    ¡°But before we end, we have to pick up some nice accessories!¡± Gabi sighed at that with a troubled smile, as she already knew they won¡¯t be done for the next two hours.

    It was already 8 in the evening when they were finally done. Leo categorically stated that they won¡¯t be let out without having a dinner with him and Ruby (who turned out to be his mate). That being said he urged her to wear the new dress she chose but deemed not fit for the ball.

    Right now she was standing once more before the mirror, worriedly looking at her reflection. The dress was stunning, in a color of a rosy sparkly champagne, shade that definitely could glow in the dimmed light. It had long sleeves and a high collar, but the thing that worried Gabi was its length ¨C it was tightly pressed to her whole body showing all of her features which wasn¡¯t making her uncomfortable as much as the fact that it ended mid-thigh. After she put on the, also sparkly, high heels that Leo gave her, her legs were finely exposed and she felt that Dante might not like it.

    But it was already too late as Leo was gone to gather everyone for dinner. While waiting for him, trying to ease her nerves a little she decided to change her hairstyle so it fit her outfit a little more. She quickly let her hair out from the braid and let it hang loosely on one arm.

    She was so nervous that when the door opened a little, she jumped in surprise, startled by the sound. Prepared she was going to see Leo, her eyes opened widely at the sight of a young man¡­ or was it a woman? Then Gabi saw her chest and calmed down a little. It was a tall woman with a short, manly-like pixie cut, that quite contrary to her friend Liz, gave off a pretty menacing aura. Gabi could see various tattoos from under her leather jacket she had loosely hanging on her arms. Her hair were black as night, the same as her eyes. Crimson lips along with heavy makeup around her eyes, a lot of rings and gold bracelets on her hands that right now she had partially stuffed in her pockets showed, that she was no weak woman. She had a mind of her own and she liked to state it. Still her beauty and sex appeal could be easily seen. A real werewolf, from head to toes.

    When the door closed behind her, the intruder finally looked up at Gabi, who was still standing perplexed beside the mirror. An ironic smirk rose on the woman¡¯s thin, but full lips and Gabi had to blink a few times as to make sure that it wasn¡¯t Dante who stood before her.

    ¡°I see he made you wear all the things I threatened to kill him for.¡± She laughed lowly and plopped on the chair in a relaxed manner, like they were already friends. Gabi watched her warily for a few seconds, pondering on how to tackle this a little bit weird situation.

    ¡°If it makes the situation any better, I have to admit I really like these clothes.¡±

    ¡°Good. Because if you didn¡¯t like what my mate had prepared for you, I would have to kill you.¡±

    silence fell between them for a few seconds before the woman burst out laughing.

    ¡°I¡¯m just kidding. Truth to be told I hate most of his designs for women, but look at me. In my defense I can say I¡¯m wearing his designs, but made for men. I think they suit me better. But don¡¯t get me wrong, when I see you in this dress, you look ravishing and now I know why he designs things like this. I¡¯m Ruby by the way.¡± While talking she rose from her seat and came closer to Gabi, reaching out her hand to her. She took it with a smile and felt how her muscles started to relax.

    ¡°I¡¯m Gabriella, but you can call me Gabi. Thanks for the compliment, but I don¡¯t really think I should wear this dress. Alpha will probably get furious.¡±

    ¡°Hmph, that stupid guy. Don¡¯t worry about him, for the next two hours he will be pretty fucked up so I think he won¡¯t mind. Besides you really look great in this and you shouldn¡¯t listen to what this idiot says.¡± Ruby waved her hand like she was swatting away some not very important thing away and Gabi rose her brows at that.

    ¡°So it¡¯s true what Leo told me, that you two went to the wine cellar and got drunk?¡±

    ¡°Yup, the thing is though I have a pretty hard head, even for a werewolf. And that fucker¡­ well he was in here quite some time ago so he got out of shape.¡± At that the memories of what happened a few days ago crossed her mind and she remembered their encounter in the library. Her heart picked up its rate and she felt heat crawling upon her. Her only hope was that they weren¡¯t going to be alone, so there might be a chance he won¡¯t pounce on her.

    ¡°Tell me one thing¡± Ruby started, making her come out of her haze ¡°are you afraid of him?¡± her smile disappeared and suddenly Gabi felt that the answer will weirdly decide about their future relations.

    ¡°I was at first. But after some time, I realized I was going to lose myself if I gave in. So now I¡¯m trying to stand up and fight.¡± She decided to be fully sincere with the other woman. Ruby¡¯s face was dark for a few seconds, but then she once more smiled her cocky smile and patted her on the shoulder.

    ¡°I hope you won¡¯t give up. I have a weird feeling you will be a good opponent for him and I¡¯m up for the fun.¡±

    ¡°Weirdly that lifted me up a little.¡± She returned the smile.

    ¡°Good. That fucker needs someone to kick some sense into him or else he¡¯s going to end up alone like an old grumpy fart.¡±

    ¡°I have a feeling that you would be the perfect person to do that.¡± Gabi laughed. Right now, they were once more walking through the labyrinth of corridors on their way to the dining room. Suddenly the smile on Ruby¡¯s face died down a little.

    ¡°I wish I could. But he won¡¯t listen to us.¡±

    ¡°I suppose you won¡¯t tell me why¡¯s that?¡± Gabi sighed when silence was her response.

    ¡°He has to do it by himself.¡±

    ¡°I doubt he will ever do this.¡±

    ¡°So, you have to make him do it.¡± Gabi wanted to retort that she didn¡¯t exactly planned on doing so but she bit her tongue. Ruby seemed to really like Dante, even if she called him names. No wonder, as they appeared to be quite good friends with Leo too. She decided she can¡¯t let her guard down. They were still on his side.

    Dining room was a big room located at the center of the mansion. It not only had a huge table that could possibly dine at least 20 people, but also a part for relax, with armchairs, sofas and a big fireplace between them. Gabi couldn¡¯t spot any electronic devices around, as if the owner of the place wanted to make sure that the inhabitants of the mansion could focus here only on the food and each other¡¯s company. At the end of the table there were already prepared 4 settings, neatly laid out between all of the beautifully smelling dishes.

    Gabi gasped in surprise, seeing that the central place on the table was taken by a vase with her bouquet of asters.

    ¡°He remembered.¡± She whispered to herself, but of course Ruby heard her.

    ¡°Believe it or not but that idiot didn¡¯t even say hello to me before dragging me outside and demanding to bring him a vase.¡± Although she sounded a little huffed, a smile could be seen on her lips. Gabi also smiled in her direction.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The air in the mansion wasn¡¯t cold, but it was still a little bit chilly. With a satisfied sigh Gabi went up to the open fireplace and almost purred with pleasure when it slowly started to crawl up under her skin, warming up her whole body. The feeling was so comforting she almost forgot where she was and she unconsciously let her guard down a little.

    She didn¡¯t notice when a big, tall figure loomed behind her, standing only a few inches away from her own body. Only when she felt the hot, whisky breath on her ear and a low raspy voice she noticed someone joined them in the room.

    ¡°I see you insist on being naughty, mia Luna.¡± She shivered and gasped loudly at that, feeling like thousands of small sparks started to come down through her whole body from the point just below her ear, where right now his lips were touching her lightly.

    ¡°Thank you for remembering about the flowers.¡± She whispered with jolty voice, hoping that the change of topic would distract him.

    ¡°No problem, tesoro.¡± Her legs involuntarily shook at the word, even if she didn¡¯t know it¡¯s meaning. Dante said it with such passion and desire that it took her back for a second, melting all of her insides. ¡°But you see, I fulfilled my promise, yet you still chose to act against me and make me angry. Why?¡± you freaking liar, she thought to herself trembling. You¡¯re not angry but totally turned on. She couldn¡¯t suppress the shaky breath that came out of her mouth when he came even closer, making her lean on his muscled torso. Gabi shivered when something big and hard made her curve her back a little, squeezing her ass even more into his body. She heard his possessive growl and when a pair of big, strong hands rested on her hips, starting to play with the hems of her dress, slowly pulling it up in a playful manner, she knew she had to say something, otherwise they would end up having sex right here and now, not caring if someone was watching them.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to make you angry. I thought you would like it.¡± She answered with trembling voice, trying to focus on the fire as to not get lost in his intimate, delicate touches. Dante lowered his head even more, resting it on her shoulder. His lips were grazing her neck lightly with his every breath and she gulped loudly. One of his fingers decided to leave the hem of the dress alone and go under it, subtly changing its direction more east, to her inner thigh.

    ¡°Oh? And why you thought I would like it?¡± he whispered with his raspy breath, teasing her even more by slowly and seductively licking the sensitive skin on her neck. His lone finger under her dress was joined by another two, creating goosebumps on her whole body. This time she couldn¡¯t help and let out a quiet whimper. It seemed to satisfy him as he growled once more and a playful smirk rose on his lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for my answer, tesoro.¡±

    ¡°B-because it has long sleeves and my chest is covered too.¡± After a few long seconds she was finally able to answer him. This time Gabi let out a little moan when once more he licked her neck and she had to lay her head on his shoulder, because she felt like passing out soon from the pleasure.

    ¡°You forgot about your legs though.¡± He bit her neck harshly drawing a few drops of blood, but weirdly the sharp pain produced even more pleasure in her body and Gabi couldn¡¯t help but push into his body once more, moaning this time louder. She felt his pulsating groin on her lower back and while her mind was successfully becoming blank, she wanted nothing more than to just put her hand behind her and tease him too.

    His other hand joined the other one under the material, deciding to leave the fabric alone for now and roam over her skin in circular motions, coming with each circle closer to her hot and wet core.

    ¡°Why did you forget about your legs, pretty baby?¡± she whined when he took his lips away but moaned in the next second when he bit her once again, and his hands gripped her tights tightly. She was sure they were going to leave a mark, but right now she didn¡¯t care. His obvious teasing was turning her on so much she felt like bursting out just from this. When his bite marks started to go up her neck and became even stronger, she knew he won¡¯t stop before she answers him.

    ¡°You were angry the last time I wore shorts to the training, so I thought it would please you that I wanted to show them off only for you this time.¡± She whispered breathless. Like hell it was true, but at that moment she didn¡¯t want anything else besides his lips, hands and his dick. Her reason was nowhere to be found, changed by pure lust and wanting of her wolf. Hearing her answer, he growled even louder with satisfaction and once more he nuzzled his face in her neck, making her tremble and moan at the sensation of his hot tongue on her skin and his sharp teeth grazing her skin. His hands once more started their journey up her legs and between them, and she couldn¡¯t help but open her legs a little more as to lead them on.

    ¡°You naughty, naughty girl. My girl.¡± She felt his raspy voice on her skin and she let out a mewl.

    Just then someone grunted loudly with amusement in the background, and Gabi felt her body freeze in fear. Oh my god, they forgot where they were. She felt how her cheeks flamed, and it had nothing to do with the fire. Quickly detangling herself from Dante¡¯s embrace she jumped to the side, earning a dissatisfied grunt from him and a low angry growl directed towards Leo, who right now was standing with Ruby by the door with big stupid grins on their faces.

    ¡°Get the fuck lost.¡± He spat out menacingly and once more went up to Gabi, prisoning her in his arms and once more hiding his face in the crook of her neck, earning an embarrassed scowl from her, but it didn¡¯t seem to faze him.

    ¡°We would gladly do it, but dinner¡¯s waiting and we¡¯re really hungry. And from what I can see, you two also seem to be.¡± He wiggled his brows suggestively not breaking the eye contact with Gabi, who was becoming more and more flustered with the whole situation. She trembled when Dante bit her once more, dissatisfied with the fact that she was not giving him any attention, but she quickly this time came to her senses.

    ¡°Alpha, let¡¯s go and eat. I¡¯m really hungry.¡± She whispered to his ear and finally he lifted his head up, looking at her closely. Just then another thing hit her. His eyes didn¡¯t turn red only when he was angry ¨C they were like that also when his lust was taking over him. The red was swirling in them, mesmerizing her along with his luscious scent and a low rumble that still was forming in his chest. His eyes were still misted with lust and alcohol, but slowly his sober self was coming forth. The most disturbing part whatsoever was that she liked the fact that she was the reason for this state of his.

    ¡°Please.¡± She tried once more, seeing that he was taking too long to answer her. Finally, he growled unhappy and let her go from his arms.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go eat. But if you don¡¯t eat what I give you, we¡¯ll talk in a different manner.¡± This time she decided to play it politely with him and she silently nodded her head going up to the table. She still felt her cheeks burning, because unconsciously she knew of what kind of ¡°talk¡± he was thinking.

 Chapter 11. Wild and free Part III

    Luckily dinner went on quite peacefully. Leo insisted they were seated beside each other and Gabi was afraid a bit that Dante wasn¡¯t going to stop himself, but alcohol was slowly evaporating from his system and with each passing minute he was becoming more and more his old self. That didn¡¯t stop him though from brushing her exposed leg from time to time with his hand, as if he wanted her to remember their encounter.

    Even if he didn¡¯t do that, she was sure she will never forget this. Her heart still was beating like crazy and she was convinced that it could be seen on her face. She was grateful to Ruby and Leo for not mentioning the state they saw them in, but still the little grins plastered on their faces all the time made her feel uncomfortable.

    To top it off Dante made sure that she ate plenty, watching her every move and keeping his hand on her leg dangerously close to her intimate areas every time she slowed down with her food. For now, her wolf was overjoyed with the attention Dante was giving them, and Gabi also would be a fool if she didn¡¯t admit that it was making her feel wanted and content at that. But the thought of returning home was looming dangerously over her, as she was sure that this behaviour of his won¡¯t last long.

    That¡¯s why every time she saw his lustful gaze he wasn¡¯t really trying to hide, she tried to look the other way, repeating to herself over and over again that it¡¯s just the alcohol in his veins, and that he once more will become the bastard he admitted to be the second they return to his penthouse.

    ¡°It¡¯s time for us to go.¡± When he finally said that, Gabi was so full her eyes were having a hard time trying to be open, as sleepiness started to take over her after this eventful day. She sent a dizzy smile to Ruby who also was trying to keep her eyes open when her head that rested on her hand swayed slowly from side to side. It seemed that the wine she drank finally got up to her. Dante took back his hand some time ago and Gabi knew that meant he was fully sober now. Despite that, she was reluctant to look back at him, afraid of what she would see in his eyes.

    Leo only nodded at that and walked them back to the entrance after urging Ruby to go to sleep already. She said her quiet goodbyes and slowly made her way up, swaying with each step even more. Gabi looked after her with a little bit of worry, but Leo only laughed a little.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her, her legs know where to go before they collapse.¡± He said opening the doors. Instantly a gust of fresh, but very cold wind blew through the corridor and Gabi couldn¡¯t help but shudder, as goosebumps rose on her bare legs. ¡°The clothes and accessories we chose with your mate are already in your trunk, we brought them there when you were¡­ busy.¡± He smirked at Dante but it looked like he didn¡¯t catch his attention, as brown eyes of the other were looking outside with furrowed brows.

    ¡°I think I left my coat somewhere in your mansion the last time I was here. Have you found it?¡± Leo looked at him surprised, but after a few seconds of wondering he finally nodded his head.

    ¡°I think I know where it is. I assume you want me to bring it to you?¡± Dante only nodded his head and Leo quickly disappeared from their sight. While they were waiting Gabi started to shiver even more, as the wind was becoming stronger and stronger.

    ¡°Did you pick up some coats?¡± he asked her, and she finally decided to look at him. As expected, his emotionless mask was once again on its place and she felt a little sting in her heart at that.

    ¡°No, Leo doesn¡¯t design such things for women.¡± She wanted her voice to sound casual, but her chattering teeth successfully ruined the overall image. Dante only furrowed his brows even more at that.

    ¡°Found it!¡± silence was finally broken by Leo who ran up to them with the coat in hand. Dante without a word took it from him and threw it over Gabi¡¯s shoulders. Both of them looked at him shocked.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time you should start designing some coats for women too, Leonard.¡± Dante said to his friend urging Gabi at the same time to step outside.

    ¡°Oh, what stupid of me, Danny it¡¯s a great idea!¡± once more the man turned into a bubbly version of himself and this time Gabi was sure it was his way of getting back at Dante and venting his irritation and anger towards each other without spilling blood. They were both Alphas in the end.

    When they almost reached the car, another shout could be heard from Leo.

    ¡°Almost forgot, I don¡¯t want to see your fucking face again in the near future Danny! You drank up my finest wines! But you sweetheart come by any time you want; I¡¯ll be sure to prepare something new for you the next time!¡± Gabi smiled back at him, ignoring low growl from Dante¡¯s throat at the sweet name.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± she only shouted back and waved her hand a little, careful not to throw off her shoulders the coat. Although it was waist length for Dante, it fell to her knees and she already felt warmer because of that. Not to mention that it was still faintly smelling of him, and she wanted to curl up in a ball under it.

    In silence they started their way back to London, and soon she felt how weariness was taking the best of her. When she looked at Dante from the corner of her eye, she wondered how could he still be so full of energy, after drinking so much even Ruby was out of it by this time.

    Silence, cosiness of the car and the smell of the coat quickly closed her eyes completely, making her fall into a shallow slumber. Soon though she woke up when they turned to another dark and bumpy road, surrounded only by a wall of trees. She sleepily rose her head and upon seeing almost nothing outside her heart picked up its rate.

    ¡°Where are we?¡± she squeaked out in fear, completely forgetting with whom she was.

    ¡°I need a run.¡± He only stated, turning off the engine and taking out the keys from the ignition. He stopped for a second and looked at her with his unemotional eyes. ¡°You can stay and wait for me here or you can go for a run with me.¡± At this point her eyes became as big as they could get. She wondered why now he wanted to go for a run, but then her own wolf invaded her mind, yipping and begging for her to agree. Maybe it wasn¡¯t such a bad idea, the last time they could run like that was around five years ago.

    ¡°I want to run too.¡± She finally voiced out, trying to not break the eye contact with Dante. His stance didn¡¯t change, but his voice seemed to be somewhat gentler.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go out first and check the area. When you see me, you can go out and change into your wolf. Leave your clothes in the trunk and hide the keys under the wheel arch.¡± When she nodded, he quickly got out and closed the door. A second later the trunk opened and she had to try very hard not to look back and peep on him while he was taking his clothes off. Soon she heard the trunk closing and bones shattering as he was taking new shape. Gabi winced at that, hating the unpleasant sound from the very beginning she could change.

    Waiting for Dante¡¯s sign she waited in total silence, anticipating what was to come. Her mind drifted off, but weirdly she didn¡¯t think right now about all of the confusing things that happened to her today. She predicted she would have her mind blown by the thoughts on tomorrows¡¯ morning.

    Hey, don¡¯t fall asleep.

    A voice murmured in her mind and she jumped in surprise. Looking around frantically she could spot his red embers in the bushes near the car and her heart started to slow down.

    I¡¯m just a little tired. Go deeper into the woods, I¡¯ll get changed. She tried to answer him in her mind, trying to recall the tension in her head when he talked to her. He didn¡¯t answer her, but his eyes disappeared from her sight.

    She had to believe he listened to her and won¡¯t peep on her.

    Gabi quickly took the keys Dante left on the drivers¡¯ seat and stepped out of the car. When she opened the trunk, she saw his clothes neatly stacked in a pile in one of the corners. Quickly, feeling the unpleasant chilliness on her bare skin, she took off all of her clothes and put them down into a similar pile. After closing the car, she did as he told her to and put the keys on the wheel, just under the wheel arch.

    Breathing slowly for the last time she gritted her teeth and prepared for the pain to come. After around thirty seconds she stood there in all her wolf glory, feeling the warmth of her fur and the pleasure of cold ground under her paws. Her nose took on so many new smells that she had to just stand there for some time, trying to name each and every one of them. Subconsciously she felt Dante¡¯s presence near her, but she was grateful that he didn¡¯t come closer to her until she got used to her new body.

    When she finally opened her eyes, she quickly spotted his big form just at the entrance to the forest. He was seating gracefully like a majestic beast he was, boring his red eyes into her. This time though she wasn¡¯t afraid of him, despite their previous encounter not being one of the nicest. Her wolf felt no threat from him, and so she slowly approached him with a wagging tail, showing him that she was happy he waited for her.

    When she came closer, she could see his features she wasn¡¯t able to notice in her human form. His fur was thick and shiny, falling on his sides in soft waves. Despite their redness, his eyes expressed a sort of calm she had never seen in them before. It was like his soul was becoming completely barred from all of its worries in his wolf skin. She also noticed how his tail was also wagging a little.

    Seeing that, her wolf pushed her aside with no problems, as it was much stronger in this form, and Gabi was left watching what was happening. She came up to him and nuzzled her nose into his chest, purring with contentment. Dante¡¯s wolf also seemed to take control of him, as he lowered his head and licked her gently on the nose at the gesture.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    The next few minutes they spent sniffing each other and nuzzling from time to time, but when the hoot of an owl somewhere nearby broke the silence of the forest, Gabi suddenly felt the urge to run as quick and as fast as her paws were able to. She felt her wolves¡¯ playful mood and barked at Dante flirtatiously, before sending him a quick message by their mind link.

    Catch me if you can.

    Without waiting for his response, she darted off to the woods, smirking in her mind at the confused look he had on his snout when she ran away from him. Howling with joy at the feeling of the wind tousling her fur and the fresh scents all over the place, she ran without any sense of where she was going, just enjoying the feeling. Soon though she heard Dante¡¯s paws against the ground as he was quickly catching up to her and she tried to speed up even more.

    Unfortunately, as it was expected, his wolves¡¯ physical condition was in much better shape than hers, and soon they were running side by side. Gabi snarled playfully at him and ducked to the side, trying to lose him in the bushes, but he quickly once more caught up to her, jumping and tackling her to the ground. They fought a little when she tried to gain the upper hand, but Dante didn¡¯t let her do it. He pinned her to the ground with her belly up and his eyes were almost glowing; it seemed that he too had fun. He licked her on the snout and that stopped her squirming for a second.

    Catch me if you can. He repeated her own words and, in an instant, jumped off of her and sprinted into the woods. Gabi felt rivalry rising up in her chest. Oh no, she wasn¡¯t going to lose to him.

    She didn¡¯t know how long they were chasing each other throughout the woods, tackling to the ground and then once more running away, but it didn¡¯t matter for her in that moment. She felt utterly happy just as her wolf and stripped of all her worries. But when once again Dante caught her and trapped her between his body and ground, they both were panting hard, well, maybe she was panting a little bit more.

    This time instead of jumping off and running again, Dante rose his snout in the air and sniffed the air.

    Time to go back. Soon the sun will rise.

    Gabi yipped in disappointment. Already?

    When he started to shift back into his human form, she knew that it was over. She soon followed after him, but when she opened her eyes after shifting, she found herself still pinned under him by his strong arms. She looked at him questioningly, trying not to look lower than his muscled torso. He was looking back at her with a mysterious glint in his eyes. Red sparks were now almost non visible as his brown eyes darkened a bit. Gabi shivered under him, not only from this weird situation, but also from the fact that she was quickly becoming cold from the autumn night wind.

    ¡°W-why we turned back? Won¡¯t it be faster to return as wolves?¡± she asked, mesmerized by his eyes. Instead of answering her, Dante lowered his head and rested his head on her temple, making their noses meet in a similar gesture as when they were in their animal forms. Gabi¡¯s breath hitched at that and she felt how her body spontaneously felt hot and all jiggly. She was sure he could hear her heart thumping loudly in her chest, but she couldn¡¯t do anything about this right now.

    ¡°Did you have fun?¡± he murmured lowly, making goosebumps rise on her skin. She couldn¡¯t clearly see his eyes, but the timbre of his voice resonated in her inner core, making her legs tremble. She had the urge to fling her arms around his neck and pull him these few inches lower to kiss her, just as she embarrassingly wished for it for the last few days.

    ¡°Yes. It was great to run once again.¡± She said with trembling voice, trying with all her might to stop the animalistic urges that grew bigger within every second inside her. She shivered uncontrollably at that, not only from the cold, but also from all the emotions he gave her.

    ¡°Are you cold?¡± he asked once more and now Gabi could only shake her head slightly.

    ¡°Do you want me to warm you up?¡± she looked at him with wide eyes, suddenly shocked by his words, but this time Dante didn¡¯t wait for her to answer.

    He quickly lowered his head even more and a whole new set of sparks erupted in her whole body when their lips met. Contrary to their first kiss, which was violent and uncaring, this one felt gentler and light, as if he was a bit scared that she would slap him across the face.

    Well, she felt she was entitled to do this, but she couldn¡¯t, and in this second, she didn¡¯t want it. His overwhelming scent, the smell of their sweat and the musky taste of his lips mixed with wine he drank a few hours ago made her ecstatic to the point she didn¡¯t know anymore where she was and what was happening.

    She let out a quiet mewl into his lips and that made his instincts rise up. He growled possessively into her mouth and pushed his lips even more into hers, harshly demanding with his tongue for her to open them. She obliged with no objections, as her mind was now completely blank and in a state of bliss. Feeling his needy hand gripping her tightly on her waist and bringing her closer to him, she happily moved even closer to his hot body. Something hard brushed on her thigh, making a raspy moan escape her lips, despite Dante¡¯s tongue still fighting with hers. She was so caught up that she didn¡¯t even notice for a second that he freed her hand to grip her waist. With visible pleasure she moved her hand into his black, now tousled hair. They were soft as silk and she couldn¡¯t help but pull them harshly, scraping his scalp a little at that. He growled at that and bit her lip as a punishment, but his feverish kisses mixed with the pain made her want him even more. He saw her reaction and bit her once more, earning a breathy yelp from her.

    Gabi couldn¡¯t help the wet stickiness between her thighs. She was in a state that she was able to give him everything he asked for without a fight, even if she would definitely regret it later. Hell, she would even let him mark her right now.

    Thinking that she involuntarily put her head on the side, gaining him access to her neck, and that seemed to cool down his emotions. Silence fell between them, interrupted only by their rasped breaths, and when Dante pulled away his lips from her, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him panicked, feeling how her happy bubble vanished in a second.

    His eyes still were ember red, but something hard to describe could be seen in them. It seemed like he was fighting himself over something. After a few seconds he also took away his hand from her waist and suddenly Gabi felt her nakedness even more, as hot emotions slowly died in her body. She looked away embarrassed and sat up when Dante moved away, trying to cover her breasts and intimate areas with her hands and legs.

    Moretti stood up and turned his back to her, still breathing heavily. Finally, silence was broken by his low, raspy voice.

    ¡°Go back to the car and wait for me there. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± He only said and his voice seemed to be heavy with a spectre of various emotions, one of them once more being anger. Without looking at her even once he quickly shifted and vanished in a second between the trees.

    Gabi sat there shocked, trying to comprehend what had happened between them. She felt relieved that he didn¡¯t try to go with her all the way and mark her, but at the same time she felt hurt that he stopped only when she showed him his neck. Did he despise her so much? Was she such a burden for him that he fought his instincts so hard? To top it off she also felt embarrassed that despite her resolutions to not get comfortable in this situation and think only of escaping, she still got caught up in her emotions that were more and more frequently betraying her, even if her mind screamed that it was not ok.

    Then anger took over her and she violently wiped away the tear that escaped her. He was not the only one who could play this game. She wasn¡¯t going to succumb to him anymore, and the situation like this one, in the future could happen only when she was the one having the upper hand.

    With this decision in mind, she stood up and changed into her wolf. Without looking back, she sprinted towards the car.

    The way back took her no more than 10 minutes, as anger in her veins almost made her paws grow wings. She quickly unlocked the car. For a second or two she wondered if she should change into her old clothes she was wearing during the day, but the mischievous side of her took over. She wasn¡¯t going to show him that he hurt her or that she was scared of him. She didn¡¯t feel so brave in a long time.

    Gabi returned to her seat and for a second wondered on how to behave when Dante shows up. Finally, she decided to act like nothing happened to show him that he wasn¡¯t the only one who didn¡¯t care. Still she draped his coat on her arms, as if to prove some kind of point.

    She didn¡¯t have to wait for him long. After 10 minutes or so he showed up in his wolf form and after noticing her in the car he walked up to the trunk and changed. A few minutes later he was back on the driver¡¯s seat with his emotionless face. Still, when he looked at her bare legs that she didn¡¯t even try to hide, a glint of red passed by his dark eyes.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± he more stated than asked in a dark tone, as if he wanted her to cover her legs right there and now. She looked at him innocently.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s perfect for me. Are you cold?¡± she asked sweetly with a glint of malice in her voice and Dante growled at that unsatisfied.

    ¡°It¡¯s fucking perfect.¡± He almost too harshly turned the engine key and violently turned the car around, driving back to the main road at a dangerous speed. Gabi looked out the window seemingly uninterested in his actions, but truth to be told she gulped quietly. She hated going so fast in a car when she couldn¡¯t do anything in case something happens on the road. After some time, she looked from the corner of her eye at Dante. It was dark in the car, but the dashboard lights slightly lighted up his face. She could see his hard-clenched jaw and his hands gripping the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. His brows were furrowed and he looked in her direction from time to time with a red glint in his eyes. She quickly turned once more to the window, not wanting for him to notice she was observing him.

    Still it was hard for her not to smile in triumph even a little.

    When they arrived and Dante parked the car in the garage, she didn¡¯t wait for him and stepped out, slowly walking towards the exit of his own private part. She also made sure to sway her hips with each step lightly, as to make him as uncomfortable as she could. He didn¡¯t say anything, but when he took everything out of the trunk, he closed it violently making a loud bang resonate in the room.

    Gabi could feel his angry stare boring into her body but she tried her best to ignore him.

    ¡°Do you want me to throw them away?¡± he barked at her and only then did she turn to him. She gasped, outraged seeing that he was talking about the flowers he brought her earlier. She quickly went to him and took them from him, with a little smile once more smelling them.

    She then looked straight into his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take good care of them.¡± She emphasized the word good and smirked at him, leaving him dumbfounded behind. She heard his growl, but nothing else came out of his mouth.

    The rest of the way to the penthouse was spent in total silence. Weirdly Dante chose to stay behind her and only spat out directions to her, but Gabi didn¡¯t feel offended by that. Instead, she felt like a winner for the first time since coming here. She knew he felt flustered and didn¡¯t know what to do or think about her sudden change. And to top it off, she started to play on his man parts too.

    When they stepped through the door it was already morning outside and the sun was slowly coming out from between the buildings to look sheepishly inside the apartment. Gabi felt her whole body aching from fatigue, but she still made her time in searching for a glass to put her flowers into. She decided to look for a vase later that day. Dante watched her for a few seconds, but finally snarled under his breath and went upstairs. He left all the bags beside her door and went towards his own bedroom.

    ¡°Today you have a day off. On the evening you¡¯ll start your dancing lessons.¡± She heard him say and she looked back at him.

    ¡°All right, Alpha.¡± She only answered and smiled with innocence. Dante furrowed his brows as if her behaviour confused him even more and without another word went into his room.

    Gabi felt satisfaction take over her, and with a pride grin on her lips she suddenly felt hungry. She took one of the apples from the counter and playfully tossed it a few times into the air, before biting into it with appetite.

    She was finally done with being the scaredy cat she always was. At this point she didn¡¯t know anymore what she wanted from life, but she definitely knew one thing ¨C she wasn¡¯t going to lose any more battles, and she was going to win this war, no matter the outcome.