Page 8 of Claimed

“What?” she whispers.

I watch her pupils dilate and half-expect arousal to hit my nose.

I only smell fear. Her body is trembling.

“Don’t be afraid of me,” I command. “Let’s go.” I grab her hand and pull her out of the cell.

My senses have sharpened. Ifeelher heartbeat. I smell everything about her. Her shampoo. Her soap. My gums throb right now, and I know it’s because my wolf wants to taste her, mark her. Find out what her arousal smells like. There’s buzzing in my blood, as if it’s carbonating. I need her home. Now.

“But…” she starts, but lets it hang.

“I’ll get the answers I need. And give you whatever answersyouneed. After I claim you.”

“Wh-what?”

“After I knot and mark you, you’ll tell me everything.”

“Wait. What?”

She’s confused. Adorably so.

We climb the stairs.

“I think… either you’re joking, or you’re trying to trick me,” she states.

“Neither,” I deny.

“I was sent here to kill the black wolf with the green eyes. To get information, to weaken your pack. Not to be your...” She lets that hang.

“Like I said, yet another of fate’s curveballs.” I pull her along with me heading for the exit.

“But…” I see her staring into the library with wide eyes.

“Those curveballs have been bouncing around a lot here lately. It’ll work out. Let’s go, Lily.”

“My name isn’t Lily.”

“What is it?”

She shakes her head.

I see Linc and Joel and my body goes rigid.

“Out of my way,” I order, feeling hostility. Because they’re blocking the door and looking like they want to stop me.

This is not typical. Me being hostile. But that’s how it goes, so they say, and I can see why. They’re in my way. I need to get her home and claim her. They’re blocking my exit. They stand between me and my bed.

They’re alphas. They’re threats.

No. My brain halts. Not threats. My pack council co-alphas. My brothers by fate if not by blood. But they’re in my way.

“Greyson?” Joel calls out. “She shot Ty. She’s gotta be who poisoned Gus, Cade, and Lor. You know what you’re doing here, bro? You sure about this?”

Jase steps inside and looks right at me. Surprise registers on his face, but I know he knows with one look what’s going on here.

“She’s mine!” I clip. “She’s coming home with me.”

“She’s dangerous,” Joel warns.

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