King's Mate: An Alpha Shifter Romance Page 3

  I was wet and hot all over, unable to comprehend what was going on.

  “Brat? How fucking dare you.” Another rush of embarrassment flamed across my face.

  Punished? There wasn’t a single person on this freaking planet who had the right to do something like that. I struggled to snap out of my hypnotic state, realizing exactly what he was.

  A beast.

  A shifter.

  But unlike any of the others, the ones I’d learned about or had spent time with. He was huge as well as much more muscular. But that wasn’t it either. There was an aura around him, majestic and beautiful. No, he was something else entirely.

  Far superior.

  A true alpha.

  A king...

  Every part of my body tingled, my skin seared from the electrified jolts slamming into every muscle and tendon. Even my breathing had become labored, my eyes having difficulty focusing. I realized I was lowering my weapon, as if this asshole had some kind of control over me. No. No. Using every ounce of what training I could concentrate on, I managed to pull the trigger.

  It was as if time had stood still, his hand wrapping around the weapon, tossing it aside before the spray of ammunition had an opportunity to wreak havoc on his body. He slid his fingers around my throat, pulling me onto my toes, his eyes burning once again into my mine. I could feel him searching my memory banks, every brain cell electrified as he processed how to deal with me.

  How to control me.

  As if I already belonged to him.

  As he lowered his head, taking a deep whiff, I slammed my palms against his chest. Immediately I was more aroused than before, a fire erupting in my tummy, soaring into new heights, erupting into an inferno. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Could no longer see. I was powerless against him, desire roaring unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

  When his lips brushed across mine, I was unable to hold back a series of whimpers. Everything about him reeked of danger, as if he could consume me in a single bite. His hand remaining on my throat, he captured my mouth, immediately thrusting his tongue inside. I was shaken by his continued prowess, the scent that was entirely too intoxicating. The taste of him was a powerful aphrodisiac, so sweet yet I could swear it was draining the life out of me, sucking me dry of any clear thoughts or abilities.

  I had to fight him, to shove away the insane attraction. He wasn’t real. He wasn’t human. He was something else entirely.

  He was a beast.

  The kiss became a wild moment shared between us as he held me, his fingers digging into my skin. I struggled to breathe as his tongue dominated mine, exploring the dark recesses of my mouth. As he ground his hips against me, shifting back and forth, I pummeled my hands against him, trying desperately to get away. The feel of his throbbing cock pressing into me was surreal.

  Desirable.

  Dragging me further into the darkness.

  His darkness.

  Pushing me away, he released another savage growl, his eyes shifting back and forth.

  With no chance at obtaining my weapon, I grabbed a knife, swinging it in his direction.

  Even in the darkness, when he roared, I could tell that I’d sliced his arm, the stench of blood filtering into my nostrils. The sound the beast made was guttural, tossing a wave of vibrations dancing down my legs. He immediately reacted, rocking his arm forward, catching the various items placed on my counter. As the sound of glass shattering, metal slamming against the cabinets permeated the space, I did the only thing I could think of doing.

  I fled the room, scrambling to reach the front door. If I could make it safely to my vehicle, I might be able to get away.

  Go. Go. Go.

  Don’t go...

  You want him. You belong to him.

  I should have known better than to think I could run.

  Before I had a chance to make it ten feet, he’d captured me, yanking me against the extreme heat of his body. Squealing, I smashed my fists against him, but his rock-hard body didn’t budge an inch.

  “You will pay for your actions,” he stated as he dragged me through the house, every sound one of a primal beast. I did everything I could to fight him off, but I’d reached a level of utter exhaustion. When he tossed me onto the bed, he glowered down, and I could swear his entire body was shimmering, an aura of luminescent light unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

  Refusing to back down, I lunged for him, wrapping my hands around his throat, my own primal scream filling the air.

  He laughed and with a single hand, ripped the front of my nightshirt, the force tossing me back onto the sheets.

  I was stunned at his level of vehemence even as my skin remained on fire, burning from the kind of interminable desire that left me panting. I pitched my body across the bed in a last-ditch effort to get away, only to feel his hand wrapping around my ankle, yanking me to within inches of him.

  “Get off me!” I snarled, horrified that I was even wetter than before, the scent of my pussy juice matching his increased testosterone and pheromones.

  The hard kick I delivered connected, another labored growl rushing up from his throat. Within seconds, the tee shirt was ripped away from my body entirely, leaving me even more vulnerable to his filthy needs. I clawed at the bed, groaning as he wrapped a finger around the thin elastic of my panties. With one snap of his wrist, I was totally naked, my aching body on full display. I had no doubt he could see in the dark, able to tell how aroused I remained, my nipples hard and swollen.

  The electricity we shared was magnified, as if I would never be able to resist him, my mouth watering in anticipation of the savagery he would perform.

  Exhaustion settled in even as I continued to try to crawl away, determined not to fall prey to the attraction, a connection my mind couldn’t process. Why did I crave him?

  The beast fisted my hair, yanking me onto my knees and jerking me to the edge of the bed. With a series of husky sounds, he ran the tip of his finger down my spine, digging his nail into my skin.

  “You will be punished,” he stated with clear authority.

  “You’re crazy. What do you want with me? Who are you?” His scent was entirely different than any of the other canines or cats, highly evocative, a drug I couldn’t seem to get enough of.

  Yanking my head, he leaned over and the feel of his long rough tongue as he slathered it across my cheek gave me another round of shivers. Even the way his hot breath tickled my skin added a burst of liquid fuel to the flames.

  “Lu-ca...”

  Oh, my God. This just couldn’t be real. He was the creature from my fantasy, the monster who’d been determined to capture me. Take me.

  I repeated his name in my head, attempting to remember if I’d ever heard it before my depraved fantasy.

  “You are mine,” he added before rearing back, bringing his hand down against my bottom.

  “Oh!”

  I was shocked as an instant wave of pain coursed through me, my heart thudding hard against my chest and my pulse skyrocketing as the adrenaline powered into overdrive.

  He smacked me again and again, moving from one side to the other, the rain of scalding strikes lighting my entire world on fire.

  “Stop! No,” I moaned, undulating my hips as I struggled with his hold.

  “You will learn.”

  “I’ll scream!”

  “You can scream as loud as you want. No one will hear you.”

  “I’ll call the police!”

  He chuckled. “You are the police. Isn’t that right, little girl? As I said, you will learn.”

  Learn what? That I was supposed to obey him? That I suddenly belonged to him? Not a chance in hell. While he continued the harsh punishment, I refused to give in, throwing back one arm then another, never making contact with his massive body. He laughed at my attempt, his hold on my hair tightening.

  “Why? Why...”

  “Because you deserve it,” he growled.

  “No. I’ll be good. I promise.”r />
  “Yes, you will.”

  “Just stop,” I begged, and I never pleaded with anyone.

  “When I’m finished.”

  The words no longer made any sense coming from my mouth, the sound simply ringing into my ears. I closed my eyes as the spanking continued, only able to concentrate on the wetness pooling between my legs, the increasing scent of my own desire. And I knew it had fueled him, prompting him in his brutal actions. I could feel his hunger increasing as if instinctively knowing I was surrendering, the strange bond we shared heightened.

  With every savage strike, my pussy clenched then released until I was fearful that I’d lose all control, climaxing from the actual wretched experience.

  “Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.” I couldn’t stop the guttural noises erupting from the depths of my very being, the anguish almost blinding in a sick and twisted away.

  I remained excited, so turned on that I couldn’t think clearly. The heat shifting across my bottom was explosive, coursing down both legs as the sound of his palm slicing against naked skin floated into the air.

  Luca spanked me long and hard and the second the harsh discipline was over, he mounted me, thrusting the entire length of his cock deep inside my aching pussy.

  “Oh. God!” My whimpers were ugly reminders of what was happening.

  “Your God can’t save you, little girl. Only I can.”

  “What are you? Who? Why?”

  “All in good time.”

  I smacked and clawed the sheets as he forced my back into an arc, his powerful plunges driving me several inches forward. I was unprepared for his brutal thrusts, my muscles straining to accept his wide girth, clamping down until all I could do was pant like a crazed dog.

  With every savage stroke, he let out a series of roars, as if he’d claimed his prize.

  As if he’d reclaimed what belonged to him.

  As if I was his mate.

  I struggled with the idea, every thought turning fuzzy, but the sensations were incredible, pushing me into a state of utter bliss. I was shocked how incredible his throbbing cock felt, the force he used only adding to the surreal nature.

  “All mine,” he huffed.

  When he thrust at least two fingers into my dark hole, I could no longer breathe, the strangled sound I emitted no longer human. I was suddenly a ravenous beast, my hunger knowing no bounds even as the agony of what he was doing stripped away my humanity.

  “Oh, God. Oh. Oh...”

  “So tight, little one,” he whispered. “Every hole belongs to me. I will enjoy taking you in the ass, the punishment exactly what you need.”

  Everything about this beast was dominating, as if he’d never take no for an answer. I continued to believe this was all some sick fantasy, even falling into the rhythm as he finger fucked my asshole, driving in jabbing motions. My God, I was bucking my hips, accepting his savage deed. What the hell was wrong with me?

  Fight. Get away.

  But I couldn’t.

  No, I wouldn’t.

  I was locked in the moment as if placed in a bubble, the entire experience completely carnal. He removed his fingers from my asshole, replacing the thick invasion with an even bigger one.

  His cock.

  The eruption of panicked whimpers escaping my mouth was nothing in comparison to the flash of pain shooting into every cell and muscle when he slid his cock into my dark hole. I opened my mouth in a silent scream, dumbstruck by the voraciousness of his actions, the way he pushed past my tight ring of muscle. The monster was forcing me to accept.

  “Yes!” he growled as he gripped my hip with one hand, thrusting in and out in an even but unforgiving manner.

  I could no longer feel my legs, had no control of anything as my body responded, accepting the brutality. I couldn’t want this. I couldn’t. I shouldn’t.

  But as my breasts seemed to increase in size, my nipples screaming in need of being licked and sucked, bitten and twisted, an actual smile crossed my face.

  As if I’d always hungered for something so brutal.

  As if I’d only accept being taken like an animal.

  His guttural moans matched my own as he took me, driving long and hard as my muscles clamped around the thick invasion. The wildness of his actions intensified, and I could tell he was close to coming, spilling his seed deep inside.

  Unable to control my body, my muscles clenched and released several times as his body began to shake. Seconds later, I felt him erupt deep inside, filling me.

  Claiming me.

  Marking me.

  As if I’d become his mate.

  Chapter Four

  Clarise

  Fear.

  The lines of real and surreal had been blurred, the realization that the Breeds were dangerous as well as intoxicating something that I’d learned the hard way.

  Yet I ached for him, the yearning to have his cock thrusting inside of me surreal.

  Him.

  I had no idea who the fuck he was, other than I was certain he was a true monster, a Breed unlike any of the others and I’d witnessed my share of them. This one was... amazing. I bit back a laugh as my body continued to ache, my clit so swollen from the night before it was almost painful.

  I also hurt like a son of a bitch from the hard spanking as well as the rough sex. I could still smell his intoxicating scent lingering all over me. Or maybe I’d dreamt the entire thing.

  No. Hell, no. The bastard had been real, although he’d left before daybreak. If he ever attempted that kind of shit again, I’d kick him in the nuts.

  Or shoot him between the eyes.

  I sucked in my breath, trying to remember that I was back in the oppressive environment from the day before, the training academy even more suffocating.

  Everything seemed more intense, everyone’s mood somber.

  Today I’d find out my assignment and I was worried, as were several of the other recruits. While the graduation had gone well, several of us hadn’t received our assignments yet, including Emily. That was unusual. Normally the basic missions were posted, ready for us to jump into our new life as officers, upholding the laws of our land. For the few of us who remained in the same room where we’d received our diplomas, at least some of the jovial atmosphere had disappeared.

  “I couldn’t sleep last night,” Emily half whispered. “I called you a few times. Where the hell were you? I was hoping we could drink the night away. God knows we both needed it after yesterday.”

  Drinking was the last thing I’d needed, although maybe it would have saved me.

  You are mine. Now and forever.

  I shuddered as the sound of his voice filtered into my mind, creating a second wave of heat between my legs. This was insane.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just... I needed a few hours to myself, I guess.” My answer was trite but necessary. How the hell was I going to tell her I’d had some midnight visitor? No. I couldn’t tell anyone or I’d be shoved into a volley of mental evaluations and they never turned out to be beneficial.

  “I get that,” Emily managed but as she turned toward me, she frowned. “You look like shit, even worse than yesterday. Are you burning some midnight oil you’re not telling me about?” She shoved her elbow into my side, and I had to fight to keep from wincing in front of her.

  “Very funny.” God, I sounded exasperated.

  “Hmmm... I don’t like the way you’re acting. Are you certain you’re okay?”

  I gave her a hard look, fighting the urge to tell her everything. “I’m just... curious as to why the holdup. Nothing more.” Thank God, she seemed to accept my answer, nodding several times.

  “Yeah, I get it. This makes me nervous as fuck. For some crazy reason, I have a very bad feeling about this.”

  You and me.

  When the door was opened, none of the other recruits even paid attention.

  Yet the hair stood up on the back of my neck. A lump formed in the back of my throat the closer they came. The men from the day before. Every single man
seemed to have their eyes pinned on me.

  Me.

  Then they whispered back and forth, as if they held some kind of dark secret. Swallowing hard, I refused to acknowledge my nerves, even though a bead of perspiration trickled down the back of my neck. Something was off. I would swear it.

  Even Emily was suddenly out of sorts, the slight whimper I heard from her adding fuel to the trepidation.

  “I really don’t like this,” she huffed. “I think they’re coming for you.”

  “What the hell could they want?”

  “I dunno but by the looks on their faces, it might bad.”

  “Thanks a lot,” I said between clenched teeth.

  There was no doubt they were headed in my direction. My nerves getting the better of me, I backed further away until her hand gripped my arm.

  “It’s going to be okay. Somehow. Just take my advice, don’t be the usual Clarise I know and love,” Emily whispered, her voice already hoarse.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” I snapped under my breath.

  “Meaning don’t be a bitch. That could get you into a lot of trouble. Promise me that you’ll call me later if we’re separated.”

  I nodded several times, suddenly lightheaded. A bitch. Maybe I needed to be one. “I promise.” My instincts were on high alert, my pulse skipping. Even a weird level of vibrations continued to pulse through my veins.

  “Recruit Bastille,” my instructor stated with zero inflection in his voice. The two words weren’t a question but a clear statement. Gabe Lincoln was a formidable man in his own right, but on this day, his entire being held an aura of malevolence. He’d never been that way with me; firm, yes, but good natured. Today, he seemed like an entirely different person.

  “Yes, sir,” I managed, aware that almost all noise in the room had ceased, everyone gawking.

  “You’re wanted by the commander,” Gabe said in a formal tone, nodding toward the door.

  “What’s this about?” I dared to ask, almost instantly regretting my actions.

  Sighing, he shot me a look that stated in no uncertain terms to keep my mouth shut. “You’ll know soon enough.”

  “Yes, sir.” I struggled even to take a deep breath before moving in between the group of suits as they escorted me out of the door. Every single one of them surrounded me as they guided me toward the forbidden hallway. I attempted to keep pace with their long legs as they walked in formation, the echo of their boots adding to the rapid beating of my heart.