“I know it's hard.” Alini's tone was soft and understanding. “And quite frankly, even I'm pissed at the wolf god. There are members of the pack working to prove your innocence. Trust me, you'll be exactly where you're meant to be in a few months.”

  Opening my eyes, I sat bolt upright and shivered from the cold. “Months?”

  The roar of a motorbike engine made me look around. My heartbeat increased when I spotted one of the Lawless Brothers driving through the superstore car park behind me.

  “Shit, I've got to go,” I muttered, ending the call before Alini could reply.

  Scrambling to my feet, I headed towards the bridge that crossed over the river. I had left Fender's motorbike in the car park the night before, unsure what the hell I was going to do with it. I’d then spent the last twenty-four hours tooing and frowing from the hotel to check on it. It seemed I didn't need to worry about returning the bike, one of his friends had just found it.

  As the rider pulled up beside Fender's bike, I started to run. If they came after me, they'd catch me easily... and probably kill me for stealing their friend's special bike.

  My boots slid on the damp grass as I thrust off the bank and onto the walkway of the bridge. I didn't even look behind me as I flew over it, dodging the last stragglers of the evening. It was already eight o’clock and the darkness was starting to descend. I had to get back to my hotel before the Lawless Brother could catch me.

  As I reached the other side of the river, I slowed and glanced over my shoulder. The rider pulled his helmet off and turned to look directly at me. Shit. Fender.

  My insides quaked as he glanced at his bike and scowled. Would he come after me?

  Oh, fuck, that was a yes.

  He threw the helmet down, his huge frame bursting into a run. I reacted quickly, shoving into a man who was just about to offer me a leaflet.

  I didn't have the breath to apologise as I thundered through the cobbled street and ducked down a lane. There was no point in checking behind me, it would only slow me down.

  For years, I had trained to run and hide. As an alpha, I would've been expected to be able to protect my people. That meant I would be in dangerous situations, ready to fight when someone threatened my pack. Not today, though. Today, I wasn't running for the werewolves who had rejected me. I was running for my own life.

  As I rushed down the lane, my breath huffing in and out, a woman dressed in high heels and a pretty floral skirt beckoned me over. I frowned, ready to ignore her and carry on my way.

  “There's a private club here,” she called, “if you need to hide.”

  Something about her face was familiar and so was her scent. She was a werewolf from a local pack, one I had seen around town often. I could trust her.

  Slowing down, I altered my course and went to her. She stood beside a heavy wooden door set in the wall of a medieval building. She knocked three times on the wood, smiling when the door creaked open. I looked inside but couldn't see anything other than a lit candle in a sconce on the wall of the hallway. The rest was in darkness.

  A masculine roar echoed in the distance, drawing my attention. I glanced up the lane, just catching sight of Fender as he sped past the entrance. Phew, he hadn't–

  Shit. He reappeared, backtracking a couple of steps as his head turned towards me. I yelped when our gaze met, thrusting through the door and thanking the woman when she stuck her head in behind me. “Don't worry,” she said, “I'll distract him.”

  The door closed, shutting out her pretty face. Exhaling, I turned and followed the slow thumping of a bass beat. I had never known that there was an underground club in Lewes. Why hadn't I know about this place?

  A glow of a red flashing light directed me down the hallway and to another thick wooden door. Opening it, I paused, teetering on the edge of an old set of narrow stairs. At the bottom, there was yet another heavy wooden door. The music came from behind it. I could hear the lyrics, slow and sensual, inviting me down. I hesitated, not quite sure I wanted to know what happened underneath the ancient house.

  Heavy banging echoed on the door behind me, making me jump and trip down the steps. I swore under my breath as I only just caught myself on the metal handrail. Fender was no doubt going to find a way into the club. I wouldn't put it past him to hurt the woman who had helped me, he was that pissed.

  Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, I pushed the door, surprised by how easily it swung open. The music boomed louder, the heavy beat pulling me into the room. It was dark, the only light coming from red spotlights that were hidden in the walls. The underground basement had been kept in its medieval style with a stone ceiling and walls. There were several brown beams separating the first part of the room into alcoves before it opened up into a main dancefloor. The walls were covered by rich red drapes, helping to keep the place warm from the cold stone.

  “Hi,” a woman greeted me, waving from one of the alcoves.

  There were several club-goers enjoying the cosy areas, sitting on couches and sipping from their drinks. Sweet treats adorned the little tables in front of them, enticing them to indulge.

  Nodding at the woman, I swallowed as I moved on, trying to ignore the man who was stroking her thigh suggestively. Had I just been led into a sex club?

  A masculine roar sounded in the distance, reminding me that Fender was out for my blood. If he had managed to get inside - by the sound of his anger, he had - he had the perfect opportunity to slit my throat with a claw. The red blood would just add to the ambience of the place.

  Thrusting forward, I headed into the main area. There weren’t many people inside the club, it was too early. And yet, the atmosphere was hypnotic already.

  A stage was empty in front of me and small round tables were set around the dance floor. A bar was carved from the stone wall, set back on the left-hand side. A man stood behind it, eyeing me with his bright grey eyes.

  “Can I help you?” he called over the music.

  A crash made us both turn to look towards the entrance. Fender had obviously managed to get inside the building.

  “Violet!” His shout was so loud, everyone turned to see who was coming down the stairs.

  Shit, I was fucked.

  Searching around, I moved further into the club, hoping for a miracle. My heart was in my throat, almost making me gag from the fear of him.

  “Over here!” The barman came out from behind the bar. “The restrooms are through there. There's a small set of steps leading to a fire escape. It'll take you out by the river.”

  Nodding my thanks, I ran across to the door he had indicated and thrust through just before Fender's voice erupted into the club. He had arrived, which meant I had no time.

  Keeping my breath even, I recalled my training. I had to stay calm. My legs pushed on as I rushed down the small corridor, ignoring the four doors – two of which were toilets – and going straight for the steps at the end. There were only three and I was up them in no time, shoving the metal bar on the door. My head smacked into the frame and a sharp sting made me gasp. The fucking door hadn't budged, it was locked. Great. Talk about setting me up.

  “Bastard,” I muttered, looking behind me.

  Raised voices reached me from the club, so I thrust into the kitchen, releasing my breath when I pushed the door shut behind me. Maybe the bartender would manage to persuade Fender that I wasn't there. Yeah, right. If he'd actually been trying to help me, he wouldn't have told me to use the locked fire escape. If I came out of this alive, I would have a word or two – coupled with a slap – to say to him.

  The kitchen was pristine, the metal surfaces glistening. No one was inside, which was crazy considering the evening was about to get started. Maybe they didn't serve food. Maybe it was sex on a plate and they had a kitchen for funsies.

  The sound of heavy footsteps in the corridor outside made me go to the furthest part of the room and duck around a huge American fridge.

  “Violet?” Fender's voice was soft, goading.

  My stomach churned as I tried to even my breath. Oh, a knife was on the worktop near me. It looked like the wolf god was on my side after all. Maybe.

  As I grabbed it, I considered whether it would be better to shift into my wolf form. Being a lycan alpha, I would have the advantage of strength and agility. However, Fender had size on his side. He would be able to block the way easily. It was best that I stayed human in order to slip past him and escape.

  Who was I fucking kidding? I was going to die today.

  The door creaked open and I held my breath, clutching the knife in my hand.

  “I can smell you, my sweet alpha-heir,” he said in a sing song voice, “come and face me like a good girl.”

  Releasing my breath silently, I held still, not making a sound. Balls. I hadn't had the sense to try and cover my scent, although I was next to a fridge of meat, so hopefully he couldn't pinpoint my exact location.

  Calling upon all my training, I released the excess adrenaline that pulsed through me and calmed my mind. He wasn't a man who I'd masturbated over last night or the sexiest of the Lawless Brothers. He was the forbidden werewolf who had taken money from my stepfather in order to ruin my life. He had claimed that it was to help his own pack, but what if he was jealous? What if he had hated the idea of others belonging to somewhere? He himself had been rejected at some point in his life. Maybe he made it his mission to take down others that might be happy.

  His heavy breathing came closer. Not waiting for him to find me, I leapt out from behind the fridge, swinging the knife in his direction. He caught my wrist, using his free hand to push me backwards by my waist. I kicked out, hitting him straight in the knee. His hands loosened and he snatched the knife from me, flinging it to the floor. The clatter made me jump as I ripped from his grip and ducked around him, throwing my fist up into his back ribs. I ran for the door, squealing when his arms came around me from behind, hauling me into the air. I struggled against him, scratching and clawing at his arms. The squeak of leather filtered through the noise, making me shudder.

  “Stop!” he shouted, spinning me around and slamming me against the wall.

  He pinned my shoulders, stepping back to allow a little distance between us. I tried to lift my arms but he was too strong.

  “Just. Stop.” He huffed, shoving his face into mine.

  My chest rose and fell as our gaze clashed. His eyes were wide, imploring. The fury sat in them, there was no doubt, but something else was there, too. Amusement.

  His cheeks were flustered and his jaw clenched, but his breathing was even. He hadn't even broken into a sweat. Instead, he was as cool as a block of ice.

  As the fear slowly slipped away, my shoulders relaxed and I glanced down. Blood dripped to the floor from where my claws had morphed and ripped through his leather jacket.

  A smudge of red slowly pooled on my grey top where he held me against the wall. I wasn't the least bit sorry that I'd made him bleed, he'd deserved it. He still deserved it, even now.

  “I'm going to make you pay,” he muttered, lifting his hand.

  My energy returned and I shoved my head forward, whacking him straight on the nose with my forehead. He grunted and shoved me hard, holding my arms up as I tried to buck him away.

  Bringing his face to mine, he stared into my eyes. His breath was heavy and the fire burned in his gaze. “The more you run and fight,” he pushed through his teeth, “the more I want to catch you. To claim you. And it won't be gentle.”

  Baring my teeth, I scowled. He had the cheek to taunt me, to threaten me with sexual prowess, to... turn me the fuck on. My whole body hummed where he pressed against me, pinning me to the wall. I hadn't even noticed that he'd moved so that his weight was pushed on mine. Our bodies were flush and I could feel every single ridge of his muscles... both above waist height and below.

  His head lowered towards mine, ready to take what he wanted. He paused, his eyes right in front of mine. The fan of his warm breath on my face made me shudder. The heat between us unfurled, reaching outwards. If I let him take me in a kitchen, where anyone could see us, I would be playing into my pack’s hands, proving them right. I had to bide my time and have him when I was in charge.

  The thoughts tumbled through my mind, but my mouth didn't open to discourage him. His lips descended onto mine and our breath sucked in through our noses as an explosion of lust danced over my muscles.

  His hand loosened from my shoulder and cupped my breast, his thumb circling my nipple through my top. I gasped as the sensation made my knees weak and my pussy even wetter.

  “I need you,” he rasped, slipping his hand up my top and under my bra. “Now.”

  A groan was drawn from me as he pinched my nipple, hard. The deliciousness of his tease made it impossible for me to refuse. He took my pleasure as a sign to continue and I didn't have the power to stop him. His hand left my breast and slid over my stomach, digging under the waistband of my leggings. I bit my lip as his finger slid into my fold and started to circle my clitoris. The tingles started instantly, shooting straight over my body. My eyes drifted closed and my head fell back, leaning against the wall.

  “Look at me,” Fender muttered, “I want to see your face as you succumb to me.”

  Clenching my jaw as the sensations made my legs shake, I slowly opened my eyes, unable to disobey him. His pupils flared and his finger moved faster, flicking up and down. I panted as I clung to him, torn between wanting him to make me orgasm and knowing that he was nasty work. Why was the forbidden always so tempting?

  Our breath combined as he brought his face close to mine. I squirmed as the intensity rose and he flicked his tongue over my lips. The small touch made me gasp as my delicious orgasm came, the sensations pulsing out from where he still circled my sensitive bud. My head dropped back and my mouth stretched wide in a silent scream.

  “That’s it.” Fender’s voice brought me back to reality as my orgasm ebbed away.

  Lifting my head, I gripped his wrist and pulled his hand away from me. “You’re good,” I muttered. “Very skilled.”

  Smirking, he shook his head. “What can I say?”

  I raised my eyebrows as my heartbeat returned to normal. I couldn’t quite believe that I’d played with the devil Lawless Brother. And yet, the chase had been so fucking hot.

  Footsteps sounded outside just before the door banged open.

  “Jeez!” Fender released me and stepped back, making sure to cover my modesty with his bulk. I righted my leggings and looked around him.

  “What are you doing in my kitchen?” Joel asked, throwing a helmet onto the work surface. “And where's my fucking bike?”

  I panted as I glanced at Fender, confused by the scene in front of me. So... Joel worked at the club? It was a Lawless Brothers’ club? Of course it was. Why was I even surprised?

  Clenching my teeth, I slipped around Fender and tried to walk away. His hand reached out and gripped my wrist, preventing me from leaving.

  “Joel,” he growled, “fuck off.”

  Holding his hands up, Joel raised his eyebrows. “I would,” he said, turning towards the oven and flicking it on, “but I have a club to run. You know how much everyone likes my chocolate brownie fountains.” Looking at me, he wiggled his eyebrows. “Who doesn't enjoy teasing a lover with a strawberry dipped in melted chocolate?”

  I couldn't answer his question. My mind instantly tried to imagine sharing a chocolate fountain with Fender. Yeah, he didn't seem the romantic type. He was always eager to get straight to it, although I understood the itch that needed a wolf claw scratch.

  Shuddering, I pulled my wrist out of Fender's grip and shoved past Joel, too preoccupied to apologise.

  Fender’s huff reached me as I pushed through the door and headed towards the bar area.

  “Where are you going?” he called, following me.

  Spinning, I clenched my hands into fists. “To get my life back,” I said, choking back the tears that appeared in the corner of my eyes. “I don't want you, I don't want your lawless pack. I just want my birth right, my home.”

  His shoulders dropped and his eyes softened. I was trying hard not to break down, but the truth was, I missed everything I had grown accustomed to, everything that had been written in the stars for me since birth.

  “I know you don't understand,” I went on with a shaky breath, “but I belonged somewhere decent and expected to be an honourable alpha. I was ready to redeem my family name. And you... you took it all away from me.”

  Blinking away my tears, I lifted my shoulders. I couldn't let the hard warrior see my vulnerability. It could very well lead to all sorts of dangerous things. I had to be hard. He had chased me, and while it had been hot as fuck, I was done. Playing with the big bad wolf had gotten old very quickly.

  “Come back to the camp.” Fender's sigh was loud as he ran a hand over his dark hair. “I'll help you to get your pack back.”

  Snorting, I turned to leave. He was behind me in two long strides, grabbing my waist and spinning me. “You assume I don’t understand,” he hissed near my face, “but why do you think I'm so protective of my brothers and our pack? You might think of us as scoundrels and criminals...” He paused at my raised eyebrows. “– which we are – but every single one of us has been rejected in one way or another. We were just fighting to survive in a packless world when our omega camp materialised.”

  Holding very still, I swallowed. Fender hadn't said much to me before now. In fact, we didn't know each other at all. What was underneath the sexy bad boy persona?

  “Why were you thrown out of your pack?” I asked, suddenly desperate to know.

  He blinked slowly before stepping back and glancing down at his wrist. I looked down at the wooden engraved watch, bringing my gaze up just as he looked at me. For some reason, I didn't want to tell him that I'd noticed the name Freya.

  A bolt of jealousy squeezed my chest and I struggled to breathe. Who was Freya? And why had he gone cold, staring at me blankly?

  “If you want your pack back,” he muttered, “you'll need help. Come back to the camp and let me make things right.”