Lunar Eclipse

15 - A True Alpha

Thirty minutes later, we are back out on the street after the Alpha signed a bunch of paperwork and promised Mr. Evans that he will put the check in the mail as soon as he gets home.

"Where to now?" Lance asks.

"I have one more stop to make."

The Alpha turns on his heel toward the parked truck, the keys dangling from his hand. Ever since Mr. Evans brought up the money, he has been reticent. Strolling down the busy street in pressing silence, I taste trouble in the air. No doubt the conversation with the lawyer didn't go as expected and this lawsuit is becoming a big headache.

"Dante, why don't you ride with Raelyn in the back? There are some things I need to discuss with Lance in private."

Dante's brows rise, but he bites his tongue. With a killer expression and without offering me a hand, he pulls himself onto the bed of the truck and plops down on the bench. This ride won't be pleasant, wherever we go. Except for the humming of the engine, choking silence keeps a barrier between us until the truck reaches the town limits.

Then he goes off. "Was that the bastard who took your innocence?"

"So what if it's him?"

"Come on, Raelyn. I could sense you're still hung up on him."

"Wrong. Eric and I broke up a good six months before you claimed me."

"But you saw him over Christmas?"

"Nothing happened." Except for an incredible kiss. "We're only friends."

"That hug was anything but friendly. He wants into your pants."

"Well, it's a moot point. For him, we're married. He will respect that."

"But that doesn't mean you will respect it." In the blink of an eye, he is on top of me, his heavy body squeezing the wind out of my lungs. I can't move. His breath is heavy as his lips hover over my mouth. "How many nights will you lie in bed next to me thinking about him? Wishing it was him who makes love to you?"

When his claws dig deep into my wrists, I cry out. As I try to wiggle free, a low growl from my wolf warns him that he should better get off me.

His teeth descend. Teasingly, he scrapes them over my vein of life. "I could tear your throat out and no one would even care."

"If that were true, why didn't you do it already? Our bonding mark would be gone and you and Lara could be together."

"An appealing thought."

"And you just gave the answer to your own question. How often will I think about Eric? Just as often as you'll think about Lara."

The bite to my cheek is quick and judging from the red-hot pain and amount of blood that runs down the side of my face, he took out a good chunk.

"Are you insane?" The pain sinks into my skull and a few burning tears escape.

"I won't allow you to shift, so this will leave a nice, big scar. Your human boyfriend will not want to look at you again."

"Your parents won't let you."

His smile is smug. "Trust me, my parents will side with me when it comes to a human boy. Their only concern is the pack."

"They've been warning you to treat me better."

The most vicious laugh escapes his throat. "Is that what you think? Ridiculous. My affair with Lara caused disruptions within the pack. . . and that's what I've been warned about. Oh, and of course keeping peace with my dickhead brother. My mom hates when we fight, but since Jos has been sent away, this won't be an issue anymore. It's just gonna be you and me, and a whole bunch of pretending."