Unwanted Mate Page 2

  The sounds of screams and the horrible stench of burning flesh filled the air, but he needed to make sure the son of a bitch didn’t lose this branding.

  One by one, he took those he’d seen harming Sofia, and he branded all of them, holding the burning rod against their cheek, not caring if they were man or woman. The only people he saw be kind to Sofia were children, and so they remained unharmed.

  This pack would have to live with their shame, with their brand of being unwanted. If Sofia had asked for it, he’d have killed every single one of them.

  His woman had compassions.

  Soon, she would belong to him completely.

  Chapter Two

  One month later

  Sofia let herself into her apartment, humming to herself as she closed and locked the door.

  After removing the scarf from around her neck, she hung it up on the coat stand she’d acquired when she first moved into her apartment.

  The money she had hidden over the years in the one part of the forest had helped her to set up. For many years of being in the pack, she had learned to hide her money in a secret stash until the time came that she’d finally get her wish and be able to leave.

  Never had freedom been so good.

  The money wasn’t much, but it had been enough to get her by. The apartment she rented was a small place. One bedroom and bathroom. A tiny kitchen. A small sitting room, but it was all hers.

  She’d also gotten a job at a small law firm, working to help crime victims. The pay was okay, but her newfound freedom was everything to her.

  So many years wasted and now she could finally be free. She had never slept so well or breathed so easily.

  Her life was finally her own.

  A few times over the years, she’d woken up under attack. The pack had broken into the place where she slept to hurt her. She had never been safe, and now, she was.

  Once she’d put the brown bag of groceries on the counter, she removed each item, feeling the happiness glow inside her.

  Food tasted better. Sleeping was enjoyable. Her life was better than it had ever been, but again, she thought of Caspian. The mad man who had finally given her freedom.

  He constantly filled her head.

  Even late at night, she would imagine him close by. There were moments where she’d be walking the streets, and she was so sure she could hear him or sense him. Each time she spun around thinking about facing him, he’d be gone.

  With her groceries packed into the fridge, she stepped out of the kitchen, going to her small bathroom.

  The scents of the city were a little overwhelming. Stripping out of her clothes, she stepped into the lukewarm water of the shower. She tilted her head back and sighed as the smells washed off her.

  The full moon was fast approaching.

  Her first one away from the pack, and excitement filled her. She had plans to escape to the mountains for the weekend. She didn’t have to work, and going hiking was the perfect excuse.

  Her room was already booked. She intended to stay there for a few days after, just so she had plenty of time to gain her bearings.

  Without the pack, wolves were prone to … consequences. She had always been told that a rogue wolf was a danger to everyone.

  When the water got too cold, she turned it off, wrapped a towel around her body, and stepped out, using a second to dry her hair. She only owned two towels. The money she had saved up only afforded her a few things.

  She left the bathroom, feeling her stomach rumble, and she went to the kitchen, going to the small pot of lasagna, she’d made the previous night. Turning on the stove to heat it up, she removed the plastic wrap and waited for the oven to preheat.

  As she did, heat traveled up her spine, along with the scent of someone else.

  She wasn’t alone in her apartment.

  She reached for the knife, spinning around as she came face to face with her savior. The mad man. Caspian.

  Sofia still held the knife. Her heart raced as she looked at him.

  Nothing was different about him, apart from his shoulder-length hair pulled back into a ponytail.

  “Would you really stab the man who saved your life?”

  She glanced at the knife and quickly put it down on the counter. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see if you were okay.”

  “You’ve been following me?”

  “Follow sounds like such a stalking kind of word.”

  “That is exactly what it is.”

  Caspian stepped close to her, trapping her between the counter and his hard body. “Then I guess I have been stalking you.” He groaned as he pressed his face against her body. “And you smell even better than last time. So intoxicating. Freedom is good for you.”

  “Why are you here?”

  Was he going to take her back? There was no way she’d ever go back there. Not now. Not after she’d tasted the safety of freedom. She would have to fight for it first. Would she be able to kill?

  “I came to see you, Sofia. Didn’t you miss me?” he asked. “Haven’t you thought about me once?”

  She wanted to deny it, but being a liar wasn’t part of who she was. She wouldn’t do it.

  Sofia stayed quiet.

  He chuckled. “That’s okay. You don’t have to say the words.” He pressed his body against hers. “Your body does all the talking.”

  “How did you get in here?” she asked.

  “Your security is no match for a wolf. Also, I learned to pick locks a long time ago. I’m a wolf of many talents.”

  “And you learned to invade others’ privacy. I should have known. Why?”

  He chuckled. “Don’t pretend you don’t know, Sofia. It’s why your pussy got wet the moment you saw me. Even as you think you should hate me, you cannot deny what you crave.”

  “I don’t crave anything but a good book, this lasagna, and a good night’s sleep.”

  He tutted. His hand went to her ass, squeezing the flesh. The moan that escaped her lips was not one filled with mortification but one filled with need.

  How could she feel this way about this man? It was … wrong.

  She didn’t stop him.

  The hardness of his cock pressed against her core, and she whimpered. What kind of woman did this?

  His lips brushed across her shoulder, and he teased the curve of her neck. “You are so beautiful. I bet none of them even thought to taste the nectar of a sweet virgin, did they?” He sank his teeth right over her pulse, and she gasped.

  All it took was a flick of his finger, and the towel that had provided her with any modesty fell to the floor. She tried to pick it up, but Caspian stopped her. His hands wrapped around her wrists, holding her in place.

  Sofia was terrified of what he’d think. All of her life, she’d been thrown vile insults about her size. The pack had gloried in hurting her in any way they could. Would he hurt her? She felt sick to her stomach, and then she heard it.

  The growl.

  “Fuck me, I knew you were beautiful, but I didn’t realize how much.”

  She opened her eyes, not realizing she’d closed them.

  He wasn’t repulsed. The browns of his eyes seemed to glow a little more as he looked at her, and she was a little taken aback.

  Was this even real? Surely, she had to be imagining it. Nothing like this happened to her, but with the way Caspian looked at her, it was like he wanted to eat her up.

  His hands went to her face, cupping her cheeks and tilting her head back. “I was going to take this slowly, but I need a little taste.”

  She expected him to kiss her, but he suddenly picked her up, startling her as he moved them through her small apartment to her bedroom.

  He had her flat on her back, her legs wide, and Sofia stared up at him, not sure what to do as his gaze slowly traveled down her body.

  “You were made for fucking and appreciating. Any man who doesn’t is so fucking stupid.” He groaned. His hands were on her knees, and he slowly began to
slide them up toward her pussy.

  Sofia didn’t push him away. The wolf within her wasn’t offended by this man. She was aroused.

  She wanted him.

  Licking her dry lips, she tried to remain still even as the tips of his fingers were so close to her pussy, not quite touching but so close. She wanted him to touch her.

  This was all so new to her. She couldn’t think.

  The moment his fingers stroked through the fine hair on her pussy, she arched up, gasping.

  “Oh, fuck,” he said. “Now that is a pretty sight.”

  He went deeper, touching her slit, stroking up toward her clit, and gliding back and forth. “Now, it’s time for me to taste.”

  Sofia didn’t think it was possible for pleasure to get even better, but then his mouth touched her clit. The softness of his tongue glided over her, and she felt like she’d gone to heaven.

  Nothing could have ever prepared her for this kind of pleasure.

  ****

  Caspian had been watching Sofia from afar. The two men who had followed her had kept a close eye on her. They had rented the apartment across from her, giving him plenty of time to deal with business so he could focus on his woman.

  At first, he’d wanted to drag her away from the life she’d known to have her all to himself, and then he soon realized, how selfish that was.

  He’d stayed back, giving Sofia the month, watching her smile and flourish within a short time. She had planned for the full moon, and he’d go with her to the mountains. The cabin she’d rented was in fact his own, and he was looking forward to spending some uninterrupted time with her.

  His men and women were already aware of his plans and knew what to do for themselves. Living in the city was not a hardship. His people didn’t need to be close to him at all times to keep that connection to their alpha.

  He accepted them as they were.

  Watching Sofia from afar had been interesting. He loved to watch her. Caspian had come to find it was one of his favorite newfound hobbies. Watching her, learning all about her, finding what made her tick. He couldn’t get enough of it.

  Now as he licked at her pussy, he knew he’d waited too long. His cock was ready to burst from his pants, and the need to mate her was so strong. His wolf wanted to break free and mark her, but he was the alpha, not his wolf.

  He had the patience to keep himself in check.

  Sucking her clit into his mouth, he used his teeth, creating just enough pain to make her cry out his name.

  He’d heard her do this several times throughout the night. His hearing was impeccable, and even as walls and space separated them, he’d still heard her.

  She was all his.

  Caspian was sure she didn’t realize he was her true mate, but all in good time.

  “Please,” she said.

  “Does my baby want to come?” he asked.

  Her answer was a moan. So soft and beautiful. How could he resist?

  He focused on her clit, sliding back and forth, working her pussy until he smelled the stirrings of her arousal. The urge to finger her cunt was strong, but he held himself back. The first time he penetrated her virgin pussy, he would do so with his cock. Her virgin blood would be on his length as he rode her, filling her with his cum.

  Until then, he took pleasure in the sounds of her release.

  Sofia let go, giving him everything, not holding anything back, and he loved it. So responsive. Her body was so unused to touch that even the smallest of strokes seemed to arouse her. He didn’t mind it.

  Caspian pressed a kiss to her clit, drawing her orgasm to an end. He moved up the bed, kissing her body until he got to her tits. Pressing the mounds together, he flicked his tongue over each peak before going to her lips and finally brushing his mouth against hers.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked.

  “Your body is made to be treasured, Sofia.” He licked his lips. “And you have one tasty pussy.”

  Her cheeks heated, and she tried to push him off, but Sofia was no match for him.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “You intrigue me,” he said. At least he got his answer. Sofia didn’t have the first clue that they were mates.

  The abuse she suffered at the hands of the pack must have destroyed her ability to trust. He inhaled deeply and knew her wolf was close to the surface.

  “Why?”

  He smiled. “How long have you been able to heal so fast?”

  “You saw me, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. I was traveling not too far from your forest. I smelled you, and I saw what they were doing. At first, I thought you were being punished, and then I realized you had done nothing wrong.”

  “I had done something wrong. I existed. That was enough for them to hurt me,” Sofia said.

  “And yet, you healed within a matter of hours but their marks still live on in your head.”

  “I’m fine,” Sofia said.

  “Now you’re lying. I don’t like liars, Sofia.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not lying. I don’t want to remember. This is my chance to have a life I always wanted. I begged to leave. I hated being their punching bag.”

  “How long?” he asked.

  “I don’t have to tell you.”

  “When you transitioned? Before you transitioned?”

  He saw tears fill her eyes, and it made him want to go back to the pack and kill them.

  “Why does this matter to you?” she asked.

  “You know why.”

  She shook her head again. “Get off me.”

  “Why? You’re not upset with me being on top of you. You like it.” She didn’t try to fight him, and he would’ve gotten off immediately if she’d wanted him to.

  She growled. “This is my apartment. I didn’t invite you in.”

  “You have a very tasty pussy.”

  Her cheeks heated once again, and he couldn’t help but smile. He loved taking her by surprise.

  “Why?” she asked. “And don’t say it is because I intrigue you. You could have any woman your heart desired.”

  He leaned down so that his lips were next to her ear. “But you and I both know no other woman would do for me, Sofia. You’re my mate.”

  This made her jerk back, and he lifted up, resting his hands on either side of her head, and watched her.

  She was so pretty.

  Sofia took his breath away.

  Just being in her company made him feel … sane. No, complete? He didn’t know the word for how she made him feel, but it consumed him, and he liked it a lot. The arousal wasn’t too bad either.

  “We’re not mates.”

  “No? Then tell me why every time you’re close to me, you’re aroused. I’m a hot man, but you were surrounded by hot men, and you hated every single one of them.”

  “You’ve never hurt me.”

  “That’s right, but the body wants what it wants. We’re not like humans, Sofia. We react to those we’re attracted to, and to our mates. You want me. It’s why you call out to me at night. It’s why your body is so hot and warm. It wants me.”

  “Is this why you demanded he give me my freedom?” Sofia asked. “So you could take it away?”

  He tutted. “I have no intention of taking anything away from you, Sofia.” He loved the way her name rolled around his tongue. “You are mine as I am yours. There is nothing you can do to change that.” He breathed in deep. “I can smell how close you are to heat.”

  This made her tense up. “What?”

  Caspian smirked. “You have never experienced heat before?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “I think we have much to talk about.” He breathed in deep again. “But that lasagna is not going to eat itself, and I for one, am so very hungry.” His stomach chose that moment to growl.

  He crawled off the bed, knowing in his heart that Sofia needed time.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’ll see you
in the kitchen. I saw you grab salad at the store. I’ll whip one together while you compose yourself, and then we’ll talk.” He glanced down the length of her body and he had no choice but to contain his moan. It was such a waste to cover her body. Those hips. He couldn’t wait to hold on to them and pound deep inside her, filling her pussy with his cum.

  Until then, he would just have to wait. With the full moon fast approaching, it wouldn’t be long. A woman in mating heat was a dangerous thing.

  It was entirely his fault.

  Being near Sofia would call to her more basic urges, primarily, the wolf within her that would demand his presence.

  He might have waited purposefully for this event to happen. Sofia was a … broken woman. She might try to deny it, but he knew she struggled, and it was up to him to save and to protect her, which he intended to do every minute of the day.

  Sofia was never leaving his side, not again. Caspian was done watching her from afar. The last few months had been torture. His wolf wanted his mate, and they were going to finally get her.

  He hummed to himself, going to the fridge. The ingredients staring back at him were pitiful, but it was enough to make them some dinner. He would gladly feast on her pussy, but his woman needed to be fed, and fed well.

  Those curves needed to stay.

  He wanted his woman healthy and happy.

  Grabbing the lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber, he got to work on chopping.

  Chapter Three

  Sofia quickly changed into sweatpants, checking how she looked in her cracked mirror before heading to her kitchen. Caspian wasn’t wrong. Her lasagna smelled amazing, and there was plenty for them to share.

  She often took her leftovers to work, but when it came to lasagna, she loved it piping hot with a salad.

  Entering the kitchen, she was surprised by how at home Caspian looked. She folded her arms across her chest, nibbling on her lip as she stared down the length of him.

  His body was covered, which was such a shame. A flash of him rushed through her mind as she pictured him back at the town square, looking every part the rogue alpha she thought he was.