a wet dream for

ore than a small country. And in the center, a motorcycle that loo

aded strai

d. "I'm not getting on

cket from a nearby hook.

wed, along with boots that lo

are t

is tone suggested I

me the entire time. The leather fit perfectl

hes are the

leg over the bike. "Now get on before

an't j

revved the engine. "Last chance, Rielle. Get on

ot

around his waist. Heat radiated through his shirt, and I

ight,"

e gunn

g as we tore down the drive. The iron gates opened just in time for us

oing?" I shoute

eaned into a turn that made my stom

like an abandoned warehouse. The area was industrial decay, ruste

nd's place?" I ask

." Caspian walked toward a side door,

ved head, cold blue eyes, and tattoos covering every inch of

accent I couldn't place. Russian

ound my lower back, possessive. "Sh

ith clinical interest. "She looks expens

head within an hour of purchase." Caspian pushed pas

art computers lined one wall, weapons lined another, and in the center was a

?" David asked, mov

him five million in gambling debts, which is why R

er?" David glanced back at me. "

oice dropping dangerously. "That'

tween them, a look

his screens. "Marcus Thorne

rd, screens lighting up with infor

dustries. Werewolf alpha of the Shadowpaw pack. Net worth approx

ting," I said,

pulled up more files. "He runs the auction house where you w

urned. "And

ugh more screens. "The bounty is legitimate. Fifty million for your r

ian said quie

. Each one made Caspia

"Marcus really wants her back. Why? What m

out." Caspian looked at me. "Wh

what you're ta

Marcus doesn't throw around fifty million unless there's a re

nobody. Just a werewol

to meet his eyes. "Try again. And this time, tell

d hard. "M

abou

f. She was--" I stopped, the

?" Caspian's

I looked away. "That's why Marcus wanted me in the auction. Wanted me sold to so

l, heavy an

irst Moon descendant? Caspian, do

And it means Marcus will never stop hunting her. Not for fifty

made me

s barb

ies First Moon blood, she could produce heirs with abilities lost to mos

ped. "Stop talking about

t auction," David pointed

ed to

glanced at the screen and

" he said.

t ans

d. Put it

h, cultured, hiding venom beneath silk. "I be

g I paid for," C

and I'll cancel the bounty. I'll even refund your purchase pr

f I re

arp. "I know what you are, Valdyr. I know you're not just another rich alpha pla

calm. "And unlike you, I don't mak

the other end. "Twenty-four hours. After that, I come f

ne wen

told him no. You actuall

" He looked at David. "I need locations.

met two hours ago?" David's eyebrow

id for the third time. "

d miles. All off-grid, fully stocked. But Caspian," he paused. "If you're keeping her, you nee

kno

se if you claim her and then she dies, the bond w

m s

d. "What does he

es looke

sounded amused. "Your ne

ain w

d. Permanently. One bite, one claim, and you're mine forever, can't

You're talking abo

feel what I feel. Want what I want. Crave what I crave." His eye

's in

g tonight. Before Marcus sends his hunters. Before

't con

is hand cupped my face. "And deep down, you know it's the only way you survive this. Marcus won't stop. The hunters won't stop. But if yo

happening

aned in, his lips brushing my ear. "Now you get to choose. Stay unclaimed and

This was insa

stop. And I'd seen enough in the last two hours

said slowly, "wh

o regrets." His thumb traced my lower lip. "But in return, you get

s not

es blazed. "So decide, Rielle. Clock's ticking.

d's computers b

have company. Three vehicles app

ssion turned fe

utes. May

"Choose now, Rielle. Let me claim you, or I leave you here and

computers showing vehicles cl

at Ca

'd threatened Marcus Thorne, who was offering me

" I whi

was pure

d gi

ed down on mine, and