I coughed, not remembering a single detail of the incident. “Why would I do that?”

  She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Because you were always the curious little girl and because of your gifts. At that point in time, every Breed was attempting to mask their true self. That is innate to their abilities. You could point one out at a distance. I’ll never forget the look on the beast’s face, as if you’d accused him of being a criminal.”

  “What happened?”

  “Mother apologized, doing everything she could to pull you away. A crowd had even gathered, the poor guy mortified. But to his credit, he simply bent down and answered your questions, one after the other.” She had a faraway look in her eyes. “Do you think I could have another drink?”

  “Absolutely.” As I took her glass, I managed to touch her fingers. They were so cold. Ice cold.

  “Nicolina, don’t get involved with a tiger. Stay away from them.”

  I stopped short, turning in her direction. “I haven’t spoken with a Breed in months and I certainly don’t know any tigers, but why are you telling me this?”

  “Because you stay focused.”

  “That’s not good enough. Why do I need to stay away from tigers?”

  Her mouth pursed and she pressed her hand against the glass. “Because you have a life.”

  “Yasmine. What the fuck is going on?”

  She finally turned to face me, the fear and resignation on her face difficult to embrace. “You are very important, more than you know. Tigers were always your destiny. If anyone ever finds out, I won’t be able to protect you.”

  Another more powerful trickle of fear slithered down my spine.

  I knew in my heart that something horrible was about to happen.

  Protection.

  My sister had struggled to say the words, refusing to comment any further after I’d grilled her, finally insisting that she’d had visions of her own. Those images had created fears she hadn’t been able to process or to get over. That’s why she’d come to my house, to ensure that I was still living my life without interference.

  Or without giving anyone else trouble.

  I had no idea what she’d been trying to tell me, but the fact that I’d had constant dreams continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Perhaps I hadn’t spent enough time asking her about her work, although what little she’d told me had never raised any kind of a red flag. Scientific experiments. Splicing DNA. Working on the perfect cure. It all seemed noble. What if the government had intervened, attempting something else altogether?

  I took a sip of my drink and eased against the swing. I wasn’t going to solve the riddle tonight and I doubted Yasmine would tell me anything further.

  But her warning had been heartfelt.

  Nighttime.

  I’d always loved being near the river. The sounds of night crawlers and other forest creatures as they foraged for food had been fascinating ever since I could remember. The scents of the forest were entirely different in Savannah than in other places I’d visited, as few and far between as they were. Traveling had been difficult over the years, the required passes to enter certain zones arduous to obtain and even more difficult to maintain.

  My parents had told us about a different world when they were growing up, when the United States had yet to recover from the horrific war that had destroyed so much of the beautiful land across the country, death and disease rampant. They believed in a better world, moving the family to Savannah when I was four years old.

  My recollection before was limited.

  I guess Yasmine was right. I was very lucky to have obtained all that I had during my life. I’d never realized I was considered privileged, especially to the thousands of Breeds who’d been forced to live in small villages and cities left in ruins in order to comply with the government regulations.

  I held the glass firmly in my hand as I rocked the swing back and forth, the moonlight allowing me to capture shadows and shapes of the surrounding area. While I remained on edge after my sister’s visit, a warm and peaceful feeling was finally washing in. The weekend was coming, the two glorious days spent all by myself without pressures. I took a deep whiff and smiled.

  Then my hackles were raised, my heart racing.

  He was here.

  He was watching.

  He was ready.

  After placing my drink on the deck, I got off the swing, moving slowly toward the railing, I scanned the line of trees, finally realizing exactly where he was standing in all his regal glory. “Who are you?” I whispered, cognizant my voice seemed to float on the wings of the wind toward him.

  I couldn’t understand why I was so drawn to him, the creature who could easily determine I was nothing more than prey. But I knew somewhere deep down inside that he and I were connected. Whatever the reason, I’d never felt so electrified.

  The wind rustled the trees and within seconds, the incredible beast stepped into the shadowed light. His fur was illuminated by the glowing orb in the sky. Almost iridescent in color, I could easily make out his entire form; his oversized paws as they inched closer, his elongated tail swishing back and forth.

  And those eyes that bore into me like they’d never done before.

  He padded several feet closer, finally stopping barely twenty yards away. For a few seconds, there was nothing else in my life that mattered.

  No sound.

  No trees.

  No scents other than of him.

  Shuddering, I willed my legs to move down the two stairs, inching closer.

  “You belong to me. Are you ready, my little human? Are you hungry for me?”

  The questions floated in my mind as if he’d been standing right in front of me.

  “I don’t understand. Who are you?”

  “Someone you’ve always known would come to you. I am your mate.”

  Mate.

  What the hell was he talking about? But I couldn’t lie to myself. This was exactly what the previous… experiences had been about. His mate. Oh, God.

  “Is your pussy wet for me, little human? Are you longing to have my cock sliding deep into your tight channel?”

  The questions were provocative and startling, pushing me further into my darkest fantasy.

  A dash of realization tried to yank at my emotions, dragging me back into some form of reality. Blinking several times, I finally closed my eyes, trying to will the beast away. I wasn’t ready for what he hungered for. I couldn’t accept what he was telling me.

  As the light breeze continued to float over the naked skin on my arms, I gave a single involuntary moan.

  I was wet.

  I was hot.

  And my pussy ached to have him inside of me.

  When I finally opened my eyes once again, the magnificent animal was gone.

  A laugh bubbled to the surface after realizing that my ache had turned into sadness and confusion. While I craved this creature, finding him irresistible, a portion of my mind refused to believe. I was human. I had a life. I…

  Mate.

  The word lingered in my mind as I turned toward the house. Not because the word was blasphemous but because I knew in my heart that he was right.

  And soon, he would be coming for me.

  Only this time… forever.

  A sound had awakened me, but an uncanny understanding became more unsettling than the fact someone had obviously broken into my house.

  He was here.

  I listened intently, trying to figure out where the sound had come from. There was nothing but an eerie silence in the house, the slight filter of the moon through the blinds barely highlighting the various shadows. I eased out of bed, padding toward the window and peering outside. There was nothing to see but blackness surrounding me. A shiver trickled all the way to my feet, the cold wave of energy washing through me invigorating. I rubbed my arms and inched toward the door, taking careful steps.

  A single floorboard creaked as I walked down the hallway, hugging the wall as I chastised myself for not having a light stick by my bedside. My breath skipping, I hesitated before I took a single step into the living room, attempting to hold my breath as my eyes finally became accustomed to the dim lighting. I allowed my gaze to sweep the area, searching for signs that he’d actually broken in.

  As a moment of real fear crept into my system, my throat began to swell, my breathing now ragged. There were no ominous forms or creatures in the room, only shadows igniting my fears. After taking a deep breath, I backed away, finally turning toward the hallway.

  “Nic-o-lina…”

  The way he said my name, his voice riddled with lust, was a powerful moment, my entire body tingling. He was right behind me. I could almost feel his hot breath skipping over my naked skin. While I was entirely far too aroused, my nipples aching to be plucked and twisted, my pussy longing to be licked, I knew this couldn’t happen. I wasn’t his mate. I was merely a human girl, one of no consequence.

  And I wanted my life to remain exactly as it had.

  “You’re not here.” The words slipped from my mouth, my body swaying.

  But I knew he was real, every inch of him.

  “I am here. And you are mine.”

  The touch of his hand was electrifying, the way his fingers danced along my shoulder creating a wave of heat between my legs. I closed my eyes as every cell in my body became seared from the intense heat rushing between us.

  “No. I’m not yours. I don’t belong to anyone.”

  The beast fisted my hair, dragging me backwards forcefully. Gasping, I did everything I could to get away, kicking out even as he jerked me against his massive body. The feel of his throbbing cock pressing against me stole my breath. He was naked, his powerful muscles gleaming in the moonlight. I was overwhelmed by every part of him, the man larger than life.

  But I knew in my gut his beast remained close to the surface, the dangerous tiger ready to pounce at any time.

  “Yes. You. Do. You’ve always known. You’ve always fantasized. This is real.” He whipped me around to face him, his hold even stronger than before. “Now, it’s time to feast.” The moment he cupped my face, his fingers digging into my skin, I shoved my palms against his chest, struggling to get out of his arms.

  He held me fast, dragging me onto my toes as he lowered his head. His scent filled my nostrils, his entire aura overpowering. He was an absolute brute, but one so sexy and enthralling that I couldn’t catch my breath.

  “And I will take you any way I desire.” A husky growl erupted from his lips before he crushed his mouth over mine. The taste of him was sweeter than I’d imagined and as he thrust his tongue deep into my mouth, I clawed his muscles, raking my nails down his skin. He gave no reaction as the kiss became a crazy moment of passion, the connection we shared undeniable.

  I was thrown by my intense attraction, my entire body trembling from the way he held me. How could I want this? Him? The musky fragrance of my feminine wiles wafted between us as he explored the dark recesses of my mouth. Yet his scent was intoxicating in every way.

  Masculine.

  Woodsy.

  Exotic.

  I was thrown by how lightheaded I’d become as he dominated my tongue, sweeping his back and forth as he grunted and growled like the beast he truly was. With every second that passed, I was losing my grip on reality, surrendering to his powerful hold, his blatant desires. Nothing seemed real as he broke the kiss, his scattered breathing raspy as he bit down on my lower lip, yanking on my head until he was able to expose my neck.

  “You will do as I say,” he muttered before wiping his mouth from one side of my jaw to the other. He brushed his fingers down the side of my neck, the delicate dance as he shifted them closer to my breasts creating the kind of desire I’d never felt before.

  I loathed that my body was betraying me, succumbing to a man I didn’t even know, but there was no denying my attraction.

  Or the way my body continued to quiver.

  But this wasn’t right. I couldn’t be taken by a beast. Not now. Not ever. I slammed my fist against his chest, trying desperately to get away.

  He laughed softly, his heated breath skipping over my cheek before he lowered his head as he cupped my breast. The second he swirled the tip of his tongue around my nipple, I let out a ragged moan.

  “No. No!” My voice faded away as he nipped and sucked my hardened bud, forcing juice to trickle down the insides of my legs.

  “You will obey me.”

  “Um… No. I don’t belong… to you.”

  “If you do not, you will be punished.”

  Punished? Was the asshole out of his mind? No man or beast was ever going to discipline me. No one had ever dared to try.

  His chuckle further fueled anger residing deep inside, pushing the real woman to the surface. Fisting my hands, when I slammed them against his abdomen, I managed to break the hold if only for a few seconds. He took a single step backwards, his hands slipping.

  And I ran.

  As I threw open the door, crossing the threshold, I could feel the heat of his body right behind me.

  A screech left my mouth just seconds before he wrapped his hand around my arm. I managed to swing around, throwing a hard punch. His entire face seemed to light up, his smile followed by a throaty laugh. I clawed at him, raking my nails across his face and neck.

  He shifted his arm to mine, squeezing as he brought me closer, a snarl pushing past his lips.

  “You think you can fight me, my sweet pet?”

  Pet?

  Now the bastard was going to get my full wrath. I managed a hard crack against his face and almost made it down the stairs before he dragged me back, every sound he made like the true animal he was.

  He yanked me against his chest, cupping my breasts.

  “You are one very bad girl,” he huffed, his chest rising and falling against me.

  “You have no idea.”

  “You will learn.”

  “Fuck you.”

  When he forced me over the railing, kicking my legs apart, I let out another wail. There was no one to hear me.

  There would never be anyone coming to my rescue.

  I was his.

  His captive.

  His prey.

  His…

  I kicked out, managing to land my foot against his leg. His growl was an indication I’d crossed a line. Within seconds, he dug his fingers into my nightgown, easily ripping and shredding the thin material. I watched as if in slow motion as it floated away in the wind, my naked body now fully exposed.

  “You can never run from me. I will always find you.”

  The stunning words reverberated in my mind seconds before he brought his hand down against my backside, moving from one side of my bottom to the other.

  I was shocked as a wave of pain unlike anything I’d never known exploded into me, forcing a series of moans to slip past my lips. Stars floated in front of my eyes from the intensity of rage that was coursing through my mind, yet my pussy continued to quiver as if I was enjoying it.

  His domination.

  His utter control.

  Gasping, I lashed out again, the hard kick forcing low and very dangerous growls to erupt from his gut. As he snagged my long hair, entangling his fingers, he smacked me several times, his palm cupping around my rounded buttocks almost perfectly. I was jarred by the force he used, my body lunging forward with every single brutal strike.

  “Don’t. Please don’t,” I wailed before I could stop the ridiculous request. Embarrassment surged through me even though there was no one out there who could see that I was being punished like a bad little girl.

  I was thrown into a vacuum, every thought hazy as I tried to rationalize what the hell was going on. This just couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be real.

  Everything I’d known in my life seemed to vanish, or maybe I’d fantasized about something of this nature my entire life. The cataclysm of what I’d experienced with the man standing in front of me was chilling.

  And breathtaking.

  But as he peppered my ass with long and hard smacks, anguish continued to explode in every muscle. Panting, I clung to the railing, finally hanging my head as the spanking continued. Nothing could have prepared me for his actual capture of me, or the way my hunger continued to increase.

  I wanted to see the man in all his glory.

  I hungered to drop to my knees, sliding the tip of his cock back and forth across my lips.

  And I desperately wanted him to thrust his shaft deep inside my pussy, driving me toward absolute ecstasy.

  The sound of his hand smacking against my naked skin filtered into the night air, adding to the moment of utter danger. He wasn’t going to let me go. He would do anything and everything he desired, no matter whether or not I begged him to stop.

  I was finally forced to succumb to the round of discipline as the pain morphed into anguish, the anguish into something else altogether.

  Raging desire.

  Blinding hunger.

  I was thirsty for his cum.

  I was losing every bit of my mind.

  As I closed my eyes, willing the spanking to be over, another tingle rushed into my system as he caressed my bruised bottom. The sensation of heat coursing through every muscle sliding the tip of a single one as he eased it along the crack of my ass, I knew what was about to come. He wasn’t finished with me yet.

  “You will learn that there is nowhere to run from me, little human. Your scent covers my body. Soon, the taste of you will remain on my tongue. But first, I will fuck you.”

  He delivered several additional hard strikes before sliding his hand between my legs, cupping my mound.

  “Oh… I…” There were no coherent words, no thoughts of anything but the longing that erupted like a wildfire. I bucked as he fingered my clit, sliding a single finger around and around my tender tissue. I realized I was no longer fighting against him, instead reacting to the extreme pleasure.

  My body quivered, my pulse skyrocketing as he continued touching me, pinching my clit between two fingers.

  “Fuck. Oh. Oh.” I hated the way I couldn’t hold back my reaction. There was so much crackling electricity sizzling between us, our bodies animated as if our coupling was required by the very gods above.