Chapter 3 Dimitri

A huge black wolf emerged from the silhouetted trees as if born out of my worst dreams. He was at least twice my mass, all muscle definition and sharp fur ready to tear into the air. This hotheaded desire rose vivid in his amber eyes and their focus turned to me as if trying to knock the sense out of me. The wolf's lips pulled back in a snarl, displaying long sharp canines while blatant growling the word "Mate. " For a second, I slipped back, pulling myself together fast as a chill ran down my spine. "What did you just call me?" I snarled, refusing to accept the word mate. It got my best friend killed.

I felt the intense bond, but refused to pay any attention to it. This was strangely more important than the first. He approached cautiously, that massive frame limber with muscular fluidity. "You are my mate. My luna. Mine. " This one glared at me, and my hackles rising, I glared right back at him by showing him my teeth. "I don't belong to anyone." The gaze he directed toward me at that moment... I swear I almost pissed my pants.

Those melting look in his eyes threatened to unleash a world of pain if I dared to disrespect him.

But maybe I'm just a goddamn masochist, because instead of keeping my trap shut I heard myself snarling back.

"And who are you to decide that?" Before I could even open my mouth to say something, he was right in front of me.

One instant he stood a few feet away from me, the next, his face was within two inches of my own.

His hot breath then ruffled my skin as he said in beastly tone.

"I am Dimitri Romanov, the Alpha of this forest, this territory belongs to me and you, the female will succumb to me. " I did not even blink my eyes, instead looking right into his eyes and dared him to say any thing. "Make me."

I hated mates now. After my experience with him...I couldn't bring myself to be mated to anyone. That superior sneer spread over the wolfish visage. "Oh I intend to. " The next thing I knew, I was pushed forcefully against the cave wall, and immediately enveloped by Dimitri's extremely muscular body.

My hands were pinned above my head in his vise-like grip. I tried to headbutt him, but he simply talked at me, tensing those powerful neck muscles to keep me at bay.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" I growled.

"Such a feisty little mate," he purred in a voice like dark velvet. "I'm going to enjoy taming you."

My blood boiled at his condescending tone and I spat straight in his face.

If I thought that would cow the arrogant prick, I was dead wrong.

Dimitri's smirk stretched into a full-blown predatory grin as he slowly.

The blatant act of dominance and disrespect had me grinding my teeth hard enough to crack molars.

"Real cute. You're making a very big mistake here."

He chuckled darkly. "Am I? We'll see about that."

With his free hand, he suddenly ripped open my shirt, buttons popping and clattering across the cave floor.

"Want me to continue darling? I know you feel the mate bond."

I felt it alright, so deep within I struggled to combat it.

"I've not even known you yet and I hate you already." I snarled. I thrashed violently, but I was completely powerless against his unnatural strength. "Get your paws off me!"

He titled his head, staring at me. "Don't make me go further mate. I'm being gentle."

I shuddered as his scorching gaze raked over every inch of my flesh like I was exposed.

The alpha's eyes seemed to glow brighter with primal hunger, pupils dilating.

"Such a gorgeous little mate," he rumbled in approval.

The crude implication of his words had heat flooding my cheeks.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the thunderous crash of his lips sealed over mine swallowed any objection.

Dimitri kissed me with a ferocious intensity and demand for submission that made my knees go weak.

His tongue shoved deep, staking its claim as he brutally ravaged my mouth.

I tasted hot musk and smoky cedar and something else...something wild and intoxicating that robbed me of any rational thought.

"Stop." Why was I so weak? How would I fight for Jamie if I couldn't even fight for myself?

I was utterly powerless against the onslaught of pure feral desire the alpha stoked within me.

By the time Dimitri finally released me, we were both panting harshly.

I slumped back against the rock, lips stinging and swollen.

"W-what the...why?" I rasped hoarsely.

Dimitri didn't answer. He just stared at me with those heated depths ablaze with undisguised carnal intent.

"Don't," he growled in warning.

Despite myself, I froze at the sharpness in his tone.

The alpha male reached out with one of those huge calloused hands and stroked my hair, surprisingly gently.

Dimitri leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of my ear. "You are going to be one disobedient little mate, kotenok."

His words vibrated straight down to my core, stoking that slow-burn simmering hunger even hotter.

"G-get off me..." It sounded more like a plea than an order.

His low, wicked chuckle made me shiver. "Soon, little mate. For now, you belong to me."

Dimitri seized my hips in those powerful hands of his before pulling me to himself. I whimpered due to the intense emotions whirling within me.

"That's it, kotenok," he crooned. "Give in to your alpha mate. Stop fighting it darling."

"I don't want you." I whispered loudly.

"Your mouth says one thing, your body says another."

The alpha male took his time drinking in the sight of me, those hooded amber eyes gleaming with wicked promise.

He looked like a wolf about to devour its helpless prey - a predator savoring the moments before the kill.

I struggled against him but he held me still.

"Shhhh mate. I'm not going to hurt you. I can sense your fear." He statesd causing me to gulp. "Calm down darling, I won't force you. I know you're scared." He whispered.

I found myself unconsciously leaning into him. I saw his eyes and the way the softened, like they could tell what I was thinking.

I sagged against his unyielding, feeling so suddenly safe in his arms.

"Who the fuck hurt you?"

Was the last question he asked before everything went black.