Adan
“Sir, I urge you to consider attending the Auction tonight,” Mason said for the seventh time today. “Either that, or you could take Hailey as your Mate and be done with it.”
Hailey Sims was a member of the Pack, and I’d known her for years. In fact, everyone had expected me to marry her and take her as my Mate after my father’s death.
“For the hundredth time, I don’t love her!” I slammed down my bourbon and then rose to my feet. “I refuse to take a woman that’s not my Mate.”
Mason let out a deep breath. “Alpha Cole, just choose a Mate! It’s not like—”
“I said no!” I growled, heading back to the bar to refill my glass. Then I turned to face the fireplace, watching the orange, red, and yellow flames lap hungrily at the log on the far wall. “She’s out there. My Mate. I know she is.” I took another sip.
“Sir… Alpha Cole… you may be a Mafia Don to the humans, but I don’t have to remind you that since your father’s death, you’re now the King of the Moon Shadow Pack. The Alpha. And every King must take a Queen, or give up their Pack, according to Pack Law.”
“You’re right. I don’t need to be reminded. The Pack Council has reminded me enough.” In our world, a King must take a Queen or risk being dethroned, as Mason had said. But I refused to take just any woman as my Mate.
Mason chuckled. “Well, one good thing is that the Blood Moon is coming.”
My head snapped up as I narrowed my eyes. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? And how is that lucky?”
He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “If you don’t choose a Mate by the Blood Moon, then the mating instinct will take over, and you’ll be forced to choose a Mate, whether you want to or not.” He chuckled. “Your hormones will take over, and you’ll be bedding any woman who comes near you. Problem solved.”
“Shut the hell up!” I downed the rest of my drink and set down the glass. Although I hated the thought of going to a human auction, I could think of better alternatives than letting fate choose my Mate for me.
I wanted to choose my Mate myself… the one I would give my heart to and who would bear my children. But even though I had seen every female in my Pack and all the neighboring Packs, I still hadn’t found her.
“Alright! Even though I hate the thought of going to a human auction, it’s better than standing here, listening to you gripe all night!” But there was no way that I would find my Mate tonight. Not among humans. It was a virtual impossibility. Wolf-shifters didn’t associate with humans, unless it was absolutely necessary.
Years ago, our people came to upstate New York to escape the humans and form our own society. However, the more the human race grew, the more they built, and the less land we had.
Before long, we found ourselves intermingled with humans in business dealings and associating with them in much closer proximity than we wanted. So, instead of trying to explain our Packs to the humans, we posed as Mafia Families. But in truth, we were individual Packs.
Each Pack had its own Royal Family. Each Alpha is a King. His Mate is the Queen, and so forth. I hated to have to lie about who I was to anyone, but in order to survive, we didn’t have a choice.
Mason patted my shoulder and gave me a manly squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’ll go with you, and I’ll also bring your guards. At the first sign of trouble, we’re out of there.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I never shied away from trouble with the humans before, and I don’t intend to now.” I headed toward the stairs. “Tell Douglas to get the limo ready. I’ll take care of the guards. I’ll be down in a minute.”
I headed up the stairs, not waiting for his response. I quickly showered, brushed through my shoulder-length, dark brown hair, and shaved. If I was going to meet my Mate, I wanted to look my best. But there was no way I would find her among the humans. Impossible.
No, most humans left us alone. They sensed that there was something dangerous about us when they came too close, and they stayed away. I wrapped a white towel around my waist and headed through my bedroom and into my dressing room. I picked out a tuxedo, a white dress shirt, and my black shoes that shone to perfection. Remy, my butler, always kept them polished because, and I quote, “You never know when you may have to attend a meeting at the spur of the moment.”
Tonight, he was right. It wasn’t a meeting with the human Mafia Dons or the Pack Council Leaders, but it was still a meeting, per se. If I met my Mate tonight, then it would be a meeting.
Otherwise, it was going to be an endless string of human women who had been taken from their homes and paraded before men for a price. It was disgusting. No woman should have to endure such a degrading event, which was why I rarely attended. However, Don Fletcher Reed always invited me. Obviously, he thought I needed a wife. But whether I decided to go or not was another story.
But I heard that a new sex club was coming into town, and I hoped maybe that would stop the trafficking problem.
At the last auction I attended, I was tempted to kill all the men, release the women, and let them return to their families. But it wouldn’t do for me to slaughter all the Mafia Crime Families, businessmen, politicians, movie stars, and other high-profile clients in attendance. So, Mason got me out of there. Fletcher tried to stop me from leaving, but I was so angry that I just turned in my number and left.
I was sure that tonight wouldn’t be any different… or maybe this time, I’d take everyone down. I smiled at the thought.
When I was ready, I texted Harley. “I’m going to the auction tonight. You’ll need to come with me. Also, round up Maximus and Brian. I want them with me, too. Also, bring my Maserati, just in case. But if anything happens to it, it’ll be your head.”
There was a pause, and then he texted back, “Will do, Boss.”
I tucked my phone into the inside pocket of my suit coat and headed downstairs. Mason smiled his approval, all dressed and ready to go. “The auction starts at eight o’clock.” He looked at his watch. “We don’t have much time—”
“I have plenty of time,” I growled, cutting him off. “Patience was never one of your strong suits, Mason.”
He scoffed. “Dealing with you, I have to have plenty of patience.”
My head snapped up, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t forget. I’m still your boss.”
Mason glared at me but said nothing more.
I checked my watch. “You and the boys meet me there.”
“But Boss—”
My eyes flared when I turned around, and he backed right down. That was the way it usually was. As the Alpha, just one look could stop a man in their tracks… and usually did.
NOTE: This book has been updated to include more sexy chapters. Please clear your cache for the updates on chapters already purchased. Thank you!
A Adan I darted outside and down the stairs, and the guards on the porch closed the door for me. Douglas stood beside the limo with the back door open. “Good evening, Alpha Cole!” “Don’t forget. Around the humans, it’s Don Cole or Adan,” I replied, giving him a small smile as I slipped into the back of the limo. “Yes, sir.” Douglas closed my door, and we were on our way a moment later. “So, the Eastern Canyon Resort, sir?” He arched an eyebrow as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. I nodded, not saying a word as I looked out the window to watch the scenery pass, thinking. I had been the Alpha of the Moon Shadow Pack for a year now, and my time was running out to find a Mate. My father had been killed in battle the year before, and I took over immediately. My first order of business was to slaughter the Alpha responsible. Others said I should have decimated the whole Pack in retaliation, but I didn’t believe in that. The Alpha was the one who had given the order, after all,
Adan In an instant, my world shifted, and she was now the center of it... my reason for living. My inner wolf growled, choosing her as his Mate, too. “Well...” The gentleman wearing the white dinner jacket smiled at the crowd, looking around the room. “What do you say we start the bid at fifty thousand dollars?” I casually held up my number. Although I would pay any price to have her, I didn’t want anyone else in the room to know just yet. Fifty thousand was a joke for a woman like her, and everyone knew it. “We have fifty thousand from the gentleman in the booth.” The Master of Ceremonies smiled as he looked over the crowd. “Do I hear sixty thousand?” “Sixty thousand,” said another gentleman, holding up his sign across the room. My head snapped up, and I instantly recognized him. It was Blaze Marrow, Alpha of the Silver Star Pack. His eyes met mine, giving me a sinister smile. “One hundred thousand.” I arched an eyebrow, smiling back. “Two hundred thousand,” he replied, giving
Brenna Keeping a tight grip on my arm, Adan led me to his dark gray Maserati and opened the passenger door for me. At least he had style. “Get in.” “No.” As he said, I knew better than to run… but it didn’t keep me from trying. Even though I pretended not to, I knew exactly who he was. He was Adan Cole, the most ruthless Alpha of us all, in the flesh... and he had just claimed me as his Mate in front of the humans. Well, it wasn't official yet, but the intention was the same. For him to officially claim me as his Mate, he had to say the words and bite me during sex, and I had to do the same... which wasn't going to happen. Then a Pledging Ceremony was done to pledge Mates to each other before marriage publicly. When the Mated Pair was ready, a Mating Ceremony would bind their souls forever. I had no idea why I was thinking about this, but my wolf wanted him and was prepared to submit right then and there. But I’d never submit to anyone, especially not a cocky, self-absorbed Alpha
Brenna “There’s no one left.” Adan gave me a kind look. “What happened?” I glanced over at him, and his eyes were filled with concern. “My Pack was attacked, and my parents and my brother were killed, along with the rest of my Pack.” He nodded, understanding. “You were part of the High Claw Pack.” My head snapped up. “You know of my Pack?” He nodded. “I heard of the attack after the fact.” A crease formed between his eyes. “How did you survive?” I let out a deep breath. “I killed the Alpha’s Mate, and he was determined to see me degraded. Humiliated. And he knew I would fetch a high price on the Black Market, since I’m a Princess.” My eyes met his. “And I did.” “You killed his Mate?” I shrugged. “She attacked me first, and I didn’t know who she was.” My eyes met his. “I ripped out her spine.” He nodded once, staring out the front window. “Tell me what happened.” I didn’t want to talk about it. What good would it do? No one could help me now. No one could save them. It was to
Adan As I witnessed her straining under the weight of my Alpha timbre, standing her ground against me, I knew she was my Mate... my Queen. Only a woman of such strength could be mine. Yes, this was her, the woman I’d been waiting for all my life, yet she was refusing to submit to me, her Alpha. “Mark my words, Brenna. You will submit to me before the Blood Moon and become my Mate,” I growled as I yanked her hair back, now sitting in the seat next to me, wearing only my white Armani dress shirt. She had shredded her clothes with her foolish stunt, trying to run. I had just enough time to strip before morphing into my wolf and narrowly catching her. But I didn’t care if I had to chase her all night; she was coming with me. She was mine. “Like hell I will!” she growled, folding her arms across her chest. I was surprised that the humans were able to hold onto her. She was stronger than any other she-wolf I had ever encountered and much less willing to submit. But I like that in her. O
Adan Sitting in the car in front of the castle, I looked over at Brenna, one corner of my lips curling into a smile. “So, are you coming peacefully, or do I have to carry you?” Brenna scoffed. “Let me make one thing clear: I’m not sleeping in your room tonight.” “No, you’ll have your own private quarters, but you’re welcome in my room anytime you like.” I chuckled, enjoying teasing her a bit more than I should. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, you’ll be under lock and key.” “So, I’ll be your prisoner,” she said flatly, understanding. “No, you’re my Mate.” I let out a deep breath. “But until I can trust that you won’t run, then yes, you’ll be my prisoner. But the sooner you prove yourself, the sooner the locks will be removed.” “Oh, no! I’m no one’s prisoner!” Brenna tried to open her door, but it was locked... and I had the controls. I sighed, looking out the window. My guards were standing on the wide circular porch, waiting. “Brenna, we can do this the easy way or th
Brenna That man is so infuriating! Why does he think he can order me around? Keep me under lock and key? Sure, he paid for me, but that doesn’t mean that he owns me. Slavery has been outlawed in the United States for a long time. But then I realized that slavery still happens, or else the auction where he bought me wouldn’t have happened. As a wolf, I rarely grew tired, but I was mentally exhausted. So, maybe a shower wouldn’t be so bad. Then I would try and get some sleep. I had no desire to have dinner with the brute. I wanted nothing from him but my freedom. But as I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, I knew that was a lie. My wolf wanted to claim him, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to claim him, too. The pull was strong, even though I didn’t want it to be. I didn’t want to desire him, to claim him as mine. As the hot water rushed over me, I leaned against the shower wall, wanting it to wash away the memories, but they would never go away. Tears ra
Adan When I woke, Brenna was still sleeping. So, I slid out of bed and headed into my suite, then showered and dressed in a dress shirt and slacks, knowing there was a lot to do before she woke. When I was ready, I headed into the hallway, but no guards were posted outside Brenna’s door. Rage filled me as I headed back inside and pulled out my cell phone. “Alpha?” Mason answered on the first ring. “Post guards outside of Brenna’s door immediately.” I let out a deep breath. “And make sure she has two guards posted on her around the clock.” “Aye,” he replied. “Is there anything else?” “Yes, see that Brenna’s breakfast is sent to her room immediately, and I shall dine with her.” “Very well, Alpha!” Mason’s voice was much too cheerful to be my Underboss. “Let me just say, Adan, that I am so pleased you finally chose a Mate—” “Enough.” I didn’t have to answer to him, nor did I want to. “I’m glad you ended up going to the Auction, after all,” he continued without taking heed to my wo