CHAPTER 2
Stone
“What?” I look down into Winnie’s tear-filled eyes in confusion. The way she says it, it makes me know she doesn't mean the bite. I’d never hurt her. Everything I’ve done when it came to her was for her own protection. To keep from hurting her.
I’d followed Winnie to Gwen and Xavier’s house today. I always watch her, so this wasn’t anything new. It’s a habit I haven't been able to drop over the years, no matter how many times I tried. No matter where she is or what she’s doing, I’ve always got my eyes on her. I get restless whenever I lose sight of her. But today, I knew where she was going, so I waited before I trailed them.
When I got closer to the house and caught her scent, something inside me was set on fire. It was different. My wolf went crazy, and I needed to get to her as soon as possible. I tore through the woods, getting to her as fast as I could. My animal knew she was mine, and I needed to claim her. It took everything in me not to shift.
After all this time and these years of longing, I understand what the pull was and why I always had a need for her. A need like no other.
When I first burst into the room and had her in my arms, I felt whole and complete for the first time in my life. All the fear and frustrations of being alpha melted away, and the only concern was my Winnie.
The taste of her skin on my teeth and biting down to mark her as mine was the single greatest moment of my life. Feeling her pleasure rock through her body and into mine made me want to take her to the floor and breed her right then and there. I wanted to mate her body at that very moment and bind her to me for all eternity.
I feel my brow furrow in anger. I never should have made her feel hurt. I’m mad at myself for keeping my distance, but it was the right decision. I knew she had a crush on me, and I thought it was best not to play into it. She was too young. Too sweet. I’ll make this up to her. I’ll fix this.
“You’re my mate.” I start to pull on her arm, but she doesn’t move. She pulls back against me, and I look at her big brown eyes in shock.
No mate has ever refused before, and I don’t know why it’s happening now. How she is doing it. She should feel the pull like I do. Have the need to be close to me. I’m the alpha. Is she not proud to be mated to me?
“Winnie. Come. Now.” I feel my wolf growl at being denied what we want. She’s ours, and no one will take her from us. Even if she doesn’t want us, we will convince her.
“Let go of me, Stone.” Her words are firm, and like always she makes direct eye contact with me.
The growl rips from my throat, and I look down at her neck to see where I’ve marked her. She’s mine. There’s no stopping this.
“Stone, back away from her and give her some space. We’ll figure this out.”
I hear Dominic behind us, and I let out another growl. I won’t be taken from her. I don’t care who I have to go through. Gripping her arm tighter, I try again to pull her to me.
“I’m not going with you, Stone. Let me go.” Winnie says the words, something flashing in her eyes, but I don’t believe them. We are meant for one another. It’s destiny. We are fated mates.
“Stone, don’t make me do it.” I hear the click of Dom’s tranquilizer gun and turn around fast, pushing Winnie behind me.
I’m beyond the power of speech right now, so I show him my teeth, and snarl. I can feel my eyes changing and the hair on the back of my neck growing. My fingernails ache, and I’m slowly shifting in anger.
