"Am I supposed to believe the man I don't even know who kidnaps me, holds me captive and then tells me he has some magical claim over me? How gullible do you think I am?
"And how on earth do you plan on explaining this?!" Liesel pulled the thin cotton shirt up to expose the pale, toned flesh of her stomach, "Please, try. I'm dying to see what kind of bullshit you think I'll believe next."
Rafe sighed, groaning softly in frustration as he rested his head back against the wall, pulling himself together. If she couldn't believe what she herself felt, then there was no way she'd believe what he had to say next.
"We are not cultists, Liesel. We all just... belong to a pack. We are not human. We are... We are lycans. Werewolves. Half man, half wolf. You healed over the span of a day because Tanis, who tended you, is a witch. Specifically, a healer. She healed you. My father is Alpha to this pack; my brother is soon to be the next Alpha. I am a Beta. In simpler terms, I guess I'm second best. Although... both my brother and I were born as Alphas. Since he is the eldest, he will be our future pack leader.
I have been following you because my wolf recognised you as our rightful mate. We are bonded, permanently. You think you have it bad? Your attraction and need for me is only a tenth of what I feel. I am constantly in pain and restraint when I am near you, and being away from you is even more unbearable. My wolf will be restless, volatile, and extremely dangerous until we are mated. And you will mate me Liesel. Don't think I won't stoop to force."
Liesel could only stare in complete shock at Rafe. Her mouth was hanging open but she didn't care. Was this guy serious...? She wanted to laugh at him, to tell him he was insane. Completely nuts. But he looked so sincere... A big part of her couldn't help believing every word he had just said, even as logic screamed at her that it was impossible.
In the end, logic won out. No matter how sincere he sounded, no matter that he obviously truly believed what he'd just said, Liesel just hadn't been programmed to believe it when crazy stalkers told her she was their mate and they were part of a clan of werewolves and witches.
"Um, Mr. Black. I think you need help."
His next reaction completely took her off guard, and further instilled the insane image she had of him in her head.
Instead of fighting for her to believe him, he threw back his head and laughed. Hysterically. When he appeared to have finally finished, he locked his eyes with hers and took her hand.
"Come with me."
"Come with you? I don't think so. I don't follow the crazy person's orders." She scoffed, pulling her arm from his grip.
He chuckled, holding his hand out for her to take.
"Please, I want to show you something."
Curiosity got the better of her, and she found herself tentatively placing her hand in his much larger one.
Following behind him silently, he took her through the mansion, meeting only the occasional person who would dip their head respectfully in acknowledgment of the couple as they passed. Rafe led her down a few floors, eventually heading to a set of huge French windows, not unlike the ones in her bedroom but more than twice their size and grandeur. Through the glass panes, she looked out onto the dark grounds of his estate.
Pulling the doors open, he took her outside into the warm night air and down a massive set of stone steps. Passing a huge neon shining pool where two bodies were joined in embrace, and what looked like a Romanesque hot tub. Liesel blushed and averted her eyes from the couple converged in passion. Their heated moans sending thrills of veiled pleasure through her body. Rafe ignored the act as if it was nothing, instead pulling her down a second set of stairs, this one more discreet and winding off toward the left of the house. He led her through mazes of flowering bushes and elegant trees planted purposefully to make up a gorgeous garden, and towards a rose entwined gazebo about a hundred feet away.
