He dressed quickly and then jumped into his black SUV, driving as fast as possible without skidding down the mountain road. When he reached the base lodge, he stopped with a squeak. He almost threw the door off the hinges as he entered. The fury that swelled within him tore at his emotions. His fangs pierced through his gums, itching to tear into this Sacco Wolf.
He bounded down the stairs to the lower level, clenching his fists as blood raged through his veins. If the Sacco wanted to play this way, he’d send them another dead wolf, dropping it on the borderline.
No, he had to regain some control before he did something that might come back to haunt the pack.
Focus. What do you think Grayson would tell you to do in this situation?
Rafe was prone to rash judgment and relied on Grayson’s calm reason to keep him from reacting in ways that might have dire consequences.
He’d say to think before we act.
Grayson saw situations from different angles and found ways to negotiate that would keep all parties satisfied. That was what made him such a key part of the team in developing the resort.
But this matter wasn’t a business deal. It had turned personal with the Sacco pack versus the Franconia one. And as the head, Rafe would make the decision on whether this Sacco intruder lived or died.
“She’s in there?” Rafe confirmed when he saw Damon.
“Yes, Alpha,” Damon replied.
“We need to get someone else to guard her so you can return outside.”
Damon nodded. “Will do.”
Rafe tore open the door. A woman was attached by her wrists to a ring fastened on the wall. She had brown hair tousled wildly over bare shoulders as she was wearing nothing but an olive green fleece blanket with the Franconia Mountain logo printed on it.
She stared at him from blazing dark eyes, her chest rising and falling with each heaving breath.
“Get me out of here!” she spat.
How dare this fiery intruder demand anything from him? He raised his index finger. “You will not command me to do anything.”
“You have no right to lock me up this way!” She struggled against the silver ropes binding her wrists and the blanket shifted lower, exposing a half inch of the top of her breasts. His gaze lingered longer than it should.
He scowled as he tore his gaze from that tantalizing female flesh. She was a Sacco wolf, the least desirable woman on this earth for him.
He stormed over to her, intent on showing her who held all the power in this situation. “You were caught trespassing on our lands, Sacco, and interfering with our operations. Negotiations are dead. You are now my prisoner and I will decide what happens to you.”
As he approached, her scent reached him. It was clearly that of a Sacco and something more.
Something alluring.
And oh, so devastating.
It’s her!his wolf declared with glee.
No. He recoiled and took a step back.
Yes, it is. Can’t you sense it?
She can’t be,Rafe argued to his wolf.
Her eyes widened. Stark fear gleamed through the hateful fury. She must have sensed it, too.
It couldn’t be. It. Could. Not. Be.
There’s no doubt, his wolf countered.
Rafe’s muscles turned rigid. He wouldn’t allow it.
