Page 198 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

It’s a relief when the kiss ends, but then Mark is parting my unbuttoned shirt, revealing my breasts. I resist the urge to cover myself, aware of the stiffening peaks of my nipples and the hungry pairs of eyes glowing in the dark.

“Do they have to watch?”

“Yes. They have to accept you. Besides, it will be their turn next.” He fondles my breast and squeezes, then does the same to the other. I refuse to flinch.

He pushes me backwards, the mattress sighing beneath my weight and coughing dust into the air. Mark follows, planting one hand beside my head while the other closes around my knee and forces my legs apart.

Every muscle in my body locks.

“Relax,” he says, as if the instruction will make this any better. “And don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not.”

“No? You’re trembling.”

“It’s cold.”

His smile returns. “Then I will warm you.” He bends towards my neck. I stare past him at the shadows twisting across the rafters like black wings.

One of the alphas near my head unfastens his trousers. Another already has his cock in his fist and is stroking it. Chelsea stares fixedly through the narrow window at the cloudy night.

One night.

Mark’s hand disappears beneath my skirt. I flinch. His touch is large, warm and foreign on my thigh.

I seize his wrist. “Wait.”

Silence presses in around us. Mark lifts his head, and the warmth leaves his eyes.

“For what?”

“Give me a moment. Please.”

“You’ve had more than twenty-four hours.” His grip tightens on my thigh.

I shove at Mark’s chest. “I said wait.”

“Mark,” Chelsea warns.

“She came willingly. She submitted.”

“She asked for a moment!”

“She just needs to relax.”

Panic tears through the numbness. I try to push him off, but he catches both my wrists and pins them above my head.

“Get off me!” I gasp.

“Get off? Kira, we’re here for you. You asked to join us.” His face hardens as he switches to gripping both my wrists in one hand, the other reaching down to unfasten his trousers. “Do not insult my pack by changing your mind at the first touch.”

“I have not changed my mind,” I say quickly, the panic worsening as he frees his belt. “I just need a moment to—”

His mouth crushes down upon mine. I fight for air, finally wrenching my face aside with a gasp. I drive my knee upwards, but he blocks it with his thigh and shifts his weight until I can barely move.

“Shh. I’ll be gentle. Just be still and take it.”

The collar lies dead against my throat. I have no claws, no fangs and no scales. Only a human body trapped beneath a much stronger one.