Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

T he chauffeur helped River and Bianca from the back of the town car. River had never been in a car with a driver, not that she'd been much of anywhere in a car in her life. She'd never needed one while with her pack. She'd used her mom's Corolla only a few times when Cherry had sent her to town for supplies. Since she was in NYC, she did not want to go anywhere she couldn't get to by walking or bus. She rarely even used her motorcycle.

But a paid driver who got out and opened the door for her? Nope. Never.

Bianca squeezed River's bare arm as River took in the posh restaurant with a line down the block.

"Isn't it amazing?" Bianca asked. "I never thought I would mate someone so well off."

"You aren't faking it for his money, are you?"

Bianca stared in disbelief, and tears sprang to her eyes.

River patted her. "I'm kidding. Calm down. Your dad has enough money to give you whatever you asked for."

Bianca gave her a nervous smile and swiped at her eyes. "Oh, okay."

River's wolf grumbled at the jest.

So it wasn't the best joke, sue me.

River tended to say things without thinking them through sometimes.

"Dad would give you whatever you want too. He loves you as much as he loves me."

River's throat dried. She knew all too well how much Strider loved her. He'd been the one to pay for everything since she moved to New York. She had no idea how she would repay him. Not that he would ever ask.

River put on her best smile. "Let me meet this guy and ensure he's enough for my baby sister."

The smile returned to Bianca's face, and she pulled River toward the front door. "You're going to love him."

River checked to make sure her senses were locked down as they mixed with the multitude of humans. The smells of New York weren't something she thought she'd ever get used to. Plus, every once in a while over the last four years, she'd caught a whiff of something like honey and amber, and every time she did, panic seized her. So, she rarely let her senses go full bore unless she was too tired or preoccupied to notice.

Bianca marched up to the ma?tre d' and smiled. "Hi. My uh… fiancé made a reservation today?"

The ma?tre d' smiled politely. "I'm sorry, that's not possible. We've been booked for three months. And as you see from the line, the waitlist is quite extensive."

Bianca pulled out her phone and showed it to the man. "But this is where he told us to come."

The ma?tre d's smile tightened. "He must have been mistaken, Miss. As I said, we are booked out three months. There is no way-"

"Can you read the list?" River said.

The man turned his eyes on River, and the kindness of his smile began to crack. "I can read the list, but I assure you, if the reservations were made today, they were not at this restaurant."

"Maybe I should call him," said Bianca.

"And maybe he should do his job and read the reservation book."

The man's smile fell as he glared at River, but she couldn't care less. River could not abide by rudeness, especially toward her sweet little sister. Ever since Bianca and Strider came into her life River had protected Bianca like her own child. And just because they hadn't seen each other much in the past few years didn't change her instincts.

"What is the name?" the man asked tensely.

"Ezekiel Redmane," Bianca replied, typing away on her phone.

The man scanned his list and sniffed. "Sorry. No Redmane." His gaze landed on River, and she wanted to punch the smug smile off his flat face.

"Problem?" asked a handsome older man in an impeccable suit.

River and Bianca turned to the distinguished older gentleman. He inhaled deeply and smiled.

"Ah, Mrs. Redmane?"

"Uh… yes?"

He held his hand out to her and kissed the back of Bianca's hand. "Zeke told me to expect you. He's expecting you and your sister. Please follow me." He opened a door and held it for them.

The Ma?tre d' gaped at him. "But, there's no reservation."

The man nodded. "Her fiancé and his boss are personal friends of mine, Ricardo. They made the reservation with me. Come, ladies; you're in my private dining room."

Ricardo's mouth fell open, and River couldn't help but throw him a sardonic smile. "Have a pleasant night, Dic-ardo."

His cheeks reddened, and before he could say anything, River followed Bianca and the owner to the back of the restaurant.

River let her senses sharpen, taking in the restaurant's sights, sounds, and scents.

Mmmmmm… Filet Mignon.

River took less than a minute to realize Bianca was not after Zeke for his money. Tall and broad, he was boyishly handsome with blond hair and blue eyes. When they entered, Zeke immediately moved from his friend, and like a heat-seeking missile, he zeroed in on Bianca, pulling her into a passionate kiss.

A minute passed, and then another with the two locked together, and Zeke's hands began to roam areas better explored in private.

River cleared her throat. The two ignored her- if they even heard her.

"Zeke," the man at the table called. "Let her breathe. I thought we came here to eat, not witness you two get it on."

Bianca giggled, and Zeke reluctantly pulled his lips from hers.

"I missed you," he whispered.

Bianca kissed him again. "I missed you more."

Zeke growled. "Not possible."

The man at the table rolled his eyes and smiled at River. "Disgusting, isn't it?"

"I can't wait until you find your mate, Lachlan. I'm gonna totally let you have it." Zeke unwrapped his arms from Bianca and settled for taking her hand instead. He turned to River as Bianca wiped at her mouth and adjusted her dress.

"Zeke. I want you to meet my sister, River."

River stuck out her hand and shook with Zeke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Bianca has told me so much about you." He shook her hand, and a quizzical expression crossed his features. A chill swept through River, but the expression fell, and he smiled again.

So he wasn't an Alpha. Thank heavens. She wasn't sure Bianca was cut out to be a Luna.

River forced a smile. "I'd be interested in knowing what my sister told you."

Zeke chuckled. "Only good things."

River cocked an eyebrow at Bianca. "So, she's lied to you."

Bianca laughed and took River's arm. "Oh, stop. You're always too hard on yourself. You're amazing."

River nodded but didn't say anything.

"Bianca, River, this is my friend Lachlan. We work together."

"Friend?" Lachlan stood and smiled. "Wow. I'm so honored. You've never called me friend before."

Zeke shook his head. "Don't let it go to your head."

Lachlan snorted and took River's hand. He sniffed the air for a moment and glanced around. "Dang. What's that smell? Is it chocolate?"

"Nah, I think it's spumoni," Zeke replied.

"What’s spumoni?" Lachlan pulled his hand back.

"It's like a pistachio cherry kind of ice cream."

Lachlan smiled. "Yum. I totally want some."

Lachlan didn't offer his hand to Bianca. Instead, he inclined his head to her.

Weird. Maybe in their packs, they did things differently. Shifters protected their mates, but she'd never known them to have a no-touch policy. But Bianca had said she'd left the area to go to the gathering. She needed to remember to ask Bianca where she'd gone.

Lachlan and Zeke led them to the table and pulled out their chairs. Suddenly, River got the sinking feeling Bianca had tried to set her up on a blind date.

River groaned inwardly and ordered a glass of wine.

Bianca chatted enough for all four of them over the next hour. After three courses, even River, with her healthy appetite, felt sluggish. Zeke remained as attentive as every male River had seen with their mate. He looked only at Bianca. Doting on her every want and need. Did she need her bread buttered? He did it. Pepper on her salad? How dare she lift a finger to grind it? He stopped short of cutting her food and feeding it to her, but not by much. Feeding one's mate was the most significant way a male could tell his female he would always protect and provide for her.

"So, where are you from?" River asked.

"I'm from Vermont," said Zeke.

River sipped her wine. "And what do you guys do?"

"Security," Lachlan replied.

River nodded. Not many shifters needed security details, but shifters made excellent security for humans. Their heightened senses made them the ideal bodyguards.

"What about you?" asked Lachlan. "What do you do, River?"

"River's an artist," Bianca said. "She's amazing. Her sculptures are to die for. She got her own show this weekend."

"You're coming, aren't you?" River asked.

Bianca nodded vigorously. "Of course. I would never miss it. I can't wait for people to oooohhh and aaaaahhhh over your talent."

River's cheeks heated. "I wouldn't go that far."

"I would! Especially the one in your workshop. It's exquisite! The way you-"

"Okay. Okay." River shook her head. "Enough. It's not the statue of David."

Bianca's eyes shone, and Zeke kissed the back of her hand.

The owner arrived and asked if they wanted dessert. They ordered spumonis all around with cups of coffee.

River ordered a second cup of coffee for Bianca. The guys didn't know Bianca as well as River did, and holding her liquor wasn't something Bianca did well. Her wolf genes helped her metabolize it quicker, but not as quick as most shifters, strangely. And River didn't want Bianca's new mate to think badly of her.

Dessert arrived, and the group ate and sipped the dark brew.

"What do you want to do now?" Lachlan asked.

With how much River had eaten, she only wanted to go to her place, curl up in bed, and sleep. But her wolf wanted to be out of the workshop for a while. And honestly, she was having a good time. There wasn't going to be a love match between her and Lachlan. Didn't matter, though, he was funny and sweet, and as far as blind dates went, he was the best one she'd ever had. The only one she'd ever had, but still. And who knew, perhaps they could be friends with benefits if she did things right.

"I know a club," River offered.

"A club?" Bianca practically jumped out of her seat. "Yes. Totally yes. I want to go dancing. I haven't been dancing in forever."

"Okay," Zeke chuckled. "Let's do it. We have time before we have to be back."

Zeke tried to pay the bill, but the owner refused his money and called their driver.

They all piled into the sedan, and River gave him the club's name.

When they arrived, the driver opened the door and helped the women from the back seat. The line to get into the club stretched down the street. River sauntered to the red velvet rope separating the humans from the shifters.

The bouncer spotted River and nodded. "Hey Riv. It's pretty full right now. You're gonna have to wait a few minutes."

River smiled, but Zeke stepped up to the immense gorilla shifter. "Is there a VIP section?"

Frank snorted. "Yup. But it's for VIPs. Sorry."

Zeke pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Frank. Frank's eyes widened, and he undid the red rope.

"Right this way, Mr. Redmane."

How much money did Zeke have?

Lachlan placed a hand on River's back to usher her inside. Her wolf awakened but didn't move.

Frank winked at her as she passed. "You finish the wolf piece yet?"

She nodded. "I did tonight."

"Congrats. I've missed seeing you these last few months." He whispered. "You look fantastic in that dress."

River blushed. Frank was a fantastic guy. If she'd been into interspecies mingling, she wouldn't have minded giving Frank a go. Since living in the city, this was the only club she'd ever been to. It mainly catered to shifters, though humans were allowed as well. She'd felt more at home in the club than anywhere else in the city, so she'd come about once a month to dance alone and relax.

"You let me know if you have any problems. Don't want any males getting handsy with ya."

River patted Frank's bulky arm. "You never do."

Frank chuffed. "Damn straight."

Frank didn't know River's whole story, but he knew enough. She lived in the city because she was hiding. A lot of shifters were.

After her wolf had awakened, no amount of suppression pills on the planet would knock her out again. And as weeks had turned to months in the city and her wolf hadn't been allowed the opportunity to stretch, River had to find an alternative.

She'd scoped out the club for weeks before going inside for the first time. Slowly, little by little, she'd trained herself and her wolf not to become overwhelmed and freak out. As a matter of fact, after six months, her wolf had craved the weekly five-hour dance jam. Being able to move and dance amongst other shifters soothed her wolf.

Soon, it became the only place River would go and feel safe outside her apartment and the gallery. She learned every exit, even the secret ones. She knew every employee, and she memorized every foot of the floor, bar, and VIP room.

The lights and music struck River almost as hard as the overload of scents. A ripple coursed over River's skin and settled in her stomach.

Okay, girl, okay. Let's settle in, and I'll let you dance.

River peeled back her safeguards as they walked amongst the throng of shifters and humans. Too long. It had been too long since she'd released her wolf. She'd been so preoccupied with her work she'd neglected her other half.

Her wolf sniffed everything, taking it in.

I'm sorry, girl. I promise. I'll do better.

Clubbing was the only time her wolf didn't freak out in a crowd, being overly cautious. Just the occasional smell on the streets of New York could send her wolf into a panic. River couldn't blame her. They both still bore the scars of what had happened to them.

Tonight, she would let her wolf dance as much as she wanted.

River let the music flow through her as she danced across from Bianca, Zeke, and Lachlan. She wasn't sure how she did it, or if everyone could, but she'd let down the barrier between her conscious self and her wolf and let her wolf guide her sometimes frenzied and erratic movements.

Five drinks had her relaxed, but due to her extra fast metabolism, it wouldn't last more than an hour at most. She'd never been a heavy drinker. She'd always been too controlling. Plus, she did not see the appeal of vomiting or embarrassing herself. She knew how much took the edge off without going into the out-of-control zone. And that's what she'd wanted from the night, to take the edge off and let loose.

Bianca, on the other hand, had a few too many flutes of champagne as she celebrated with Zeke. Like always, River felt responsible for watching after her sister, even with Zeke and Lachlan present.

As the song ended and the next one started, Zeke pulled his phone from his pocket and stopped dancing to read it. He said something to Bianca; she nodded, and he stalked off the floor, his expression serious.

River turned to Lachlan, who pulled his phone out before motioning River to the VIP area.

River nodded, and Lachlan started texting before he'd left the floor. What was that about? She scanned for Bianca. A second of panic coursed through her when Bianca wasn't where she'd left her moments earlier.

"Riviiieeeeeee-" Bianca called. "Come meet my new friends!"

Dammit. River had taken her eyes off Bianca for less than thirty seconds, and already the leggy brunette had two rogues grinding up on her. River stormed over and shoved the first male.

"Back off," she commanded, baring her teeth.

His eyes widened, and he backed away. Guy number two wasn't giving up so easily, though. He reached for Bianca's rear, and River twisted his wrist until his knees buckled.

"She's taken," she said through clenched teeth.

He swung at River with his free hand. Too bad for him Cherry had been exceptional at teaching River to fight.

River planted the pointy heel of her shoe on the inside of his thigh right over the artery and pressed down.

His swing stopped midair as he gripped her other leg.

"I said, she's taken, asshole." River moved her heel from his leg to his balls, and the guy let go of her. "Learn some respect before you're killed, idiot." She kicked him, and he doubled over. River let go of his arm, and he fell to the floor in a heap.

When she straightened, several of the encroaching males moved away.

Damn. What a way to ruin a fun buzz.

She turned. Yet another male was already approaching Bianca. River shook her head. It had always been that way with Bianca. If Zeke was smart, he'd mark Bianca in the VIP section.

"Bianca!" River retrieved her sister and glared at the male. He looked like he might protest for a moment, but she let the slit in her dress widen, and her hand went to the knife she had strapped on her thigh.

He spotted it and backed off.

"River, what's wrong?"

"You're mated, Bianca. You can't do this anymore."

Bianca's eyes widened. "I… I didn't think…"

"No. You didn't. But you need to B. This isn't like when we would sneak out. Zeke is your mate, and if he saw them touch you, you can bet most of these males would already be bleeding or dead."

Bianca whimpered.

River hated scaring her sister, but this was New York, not upstate Connecticut.

Bianca tossed her arms around River's neck and right out of the trajectory of another male who'd been aiming for her. "You're the best sister ever. You always save my ass."

"That's my job." River hugged her back and sniffed her. The alcohol had begun to loosen its grip, but not quick enough. "Why don't we sit for a few minutes, okay?"

Bianca nodded.

River helped her sister to a VIP section.

"I'm thirsty," said Bianca.

"I'll bring you some water."

"With vodka in it?"

River gave her a pointed look.

"Water," Bianca repeated.

River nodded.

The VIP bouncer Kraeger moved to the side and let them through.

"You need anything, River?" he asked.

She shook her head. "We're fine. Thanks."

Kraeger nodded and went back to patrolling the dance floor.

River walked past several smaller VIP sofas to the larger, more private area in the back. She sat Bianca on the sizeable round couch where Lachlan and Zeke talked. Zeke took a giant step over the glass table, separating them to their side of the couch.

"What happened?" He sniffed her.

"Nothing," said Bianca. "River saved me."

Zeke turned to her, and his gaze fiery.

"Just some rogues," River said. "I dealt with them."

Zeke ran his fingers through his hair. "I should have known better than to bring her here. I need to get her somewhere secure."

"Cool down," said River. "You can't lock her up. She's not property. I understand you are upset. As soon as you bond with her, males will keep their distance. Until then, you can't keep her in a vault and not expect her to live her life."

Zeke shook his head. "You don't understand."

"No, I'm pretty sure I do." River crossed her legs, exposing one of the knives.

He glanced at it and then at River.

"Living is dangerous for an unmated female nowadays."

"You can't understand because-"

Lachlan's phone buzzed. "Vanessa says the Boss will be here in a minute."

Zeke nodded to Lachlan. "Stay with them."

Lachlan moved to their side of the couch and sat as far from Bianca as possible. But his eyes raked over her with an edge of worry.

Damn, the guys were the strictest and most possessive males she'd ever met, especially for Betas.

River tapped Bianca's hand. "Don't move. I'll bring water."

Bianca nodded, her eyes not quite as glassy, but she still did not comprehend the reality of what might have happened to her.

River knew, though. River knew all too well what happened with desperate rogues.

River stood and followed Zeke toward the door.

He stopped. "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting water."

"You need to stay put."

River's gaze hardened. "No. I don't. I am not your mate. Your mate is back there in need of water."

Something flickered in Zeke's eyes. River couldn't quite place. Fear possibly? Or something else.

He blinked several times and then nodded. "Of course. Sorry."

Zeke headed into the crowd, and River walked to the exit, and Kraeger looked down at her. "Don't let my sister out without me. Only me."

His gaze moved to Zeke, and his eyes narrowed.

She touched his arm. "It's nothing like that. Just don't let her dance again, okay?"

He nodded, and River made her way toward the bar. She was not taking a chance with Bianca. Lachlan wasn't about to do whatever was necessary to keep Bianca in the VIP area, and River was sure if Bianca went out of the roped-off area, Zeke might kill everyone in the place when he returned.

River wove through the throng of bodies, trying not to stab the roaming hands and leering, hungry stares.

Her wolf snarled and snapped at them.

Easy girl. It's how it is here.

Don't. Like.

River nodded. She got it.

She squeezed up to the crowded bar and leaned on it.

She couldn't help but smirk when more than one male tried to catch her eye and stare her into submission.

Pup, you have no clue what I've been through or who I am.

Ultimately, her wolf stared at them until their expressions became confused, and they turned away.

One of the perks she'd found out about being an Omega. No one outranked her. No one she'd met anyway.

A sudden commotion erupted as a group of men surrounding a much larger figure moved people out of the way on the floor.

Sheesh. Rude much?

Wait. Was that Zeke? Damn. Who was his boss that he needed an army of bodyguards?

People parted for them on the dance floor, and phones snapped photos everywhere.

Who was it, Jason Momoa?

A leggy strawberry blonde a foot taller than River wiggled in beside River and raised her hand for the bartender. "Excuse me!"

River rolled her eyes. Jimmy was the best bartender. A hawk shifter, he saw everyone when they came to the bar, no matter how many people approached. He also remembered what order they came in.

River was tempted to push the woman out of the way, but sadly, the night had begun taking its toll, and she found herself too tired to start yet another fight.

The bartender's gaze traveled from his current customer to River. "River, whatcha havin'?" he yelled.

She held up two fingers. "Water. Thanks, Jimmy."

The strawberry blonde sniffed River. She looked like she'd come straight out of the movies with her light eyes, smattering of freckles, and ruby lips. The curves her black dress hugged were every wolf's desire. And River couldn't help the pang of jealousy. Sure, she had decent boobs and a decent rear, but only surgery would give her that kind of hourglass. The kind wolves went nuts for. The kind that told them their mate would bear them healthy cubs.

The woman sniffed at River, her air of disdain more than palpable.

River's wolf bared her teeth.

We are Omega. Her wolf reminded her. River was tempted to stare the woman into submission but didn't have the energy.

Not tonight, girl. Tonight is Bianca's night. I will not embarrass her in front of Zeke and his boss. No matter how much I would love to introduce the female's perfect nose to the bar.

Jimmy brought over the waters for River and smiled. "Stay hydrated."

"Excuse me," said the female huffily. "I need to order some drinks, please."

"Thanks, Jimmy." River plucked a ten from inside her dress and stuffed it in Jimmy's tip glass.

He winked at River, and she walked away.

"Excuse me? Hello?"

River glanced over her shoulder.

Jimmy eyed the female, his smile gone. "It's not your turn."

River snickered and pushed back through the crowd, which had turned all their attention to the VIP section.

Sheesh.

She nudged a guy out of her way, but he didn't move. Kraeger spotted her and moved several people out of the way before helping her up the steps.

"Hang on a sec, we're trying to clear the other parties out," he said.

The few other shifters in the VIP area exited, almost making River spill her water.

"Oh my gosh, is it him?"

"I think it is."

"Did you get a photo?"

"Hell ya, I did."

She sidestepped at the last second.

"Sorry, but your friends want the area extra secure. You have the whole place to yourselves now."

River wanted to ask him what was going on, but Kraeger walked down the steps and told the crowd to go back to dancing or leave.

River headed toward the back of the VIP section, but suddenly, her wolf stood up and inhaled. River stopped. She sniffed again, praying not to smell honey and amber, but she didn't.

Calm down, girl. We're fine. Everything is fine.

She moved closer to the back of the room, but her wolf became more agitated, and the hairs stood up all over her body. What the hell?

Bianca and Zeke came into view with half a dozen other men. She approached, and a man wearing an identical suit to Zeke's held his hand up to her.

"Sorry, private party."

She tried pointing with the glasses of water. "Yeah, that's my… Zeke!"

Zeke turned and pinned her with a look she couldn't back down from.

"I told you I went for water," she said.

He nodded, but his jaw worked hard. "My boss is in the bathroom. He'll be back in a minute. I don't want him to meet Bianca like this. I didn't realize she-"

"She doesn't," River blurted. "She doesn't drink. That's why this hit her so hard. I promise."

Zeke nodded, but his eyes darted over the other males near Bianca.

"I'll take her out of here," said River.

Zeke walked back to Bianca. She flung her arms around him again and kissed him hard. The other men, all wearing similar dark suits, looked away.

River's wolf whined.

River took a cleansing breath. What was with her? She looked at each male in turn as she walked to Bianca.

"Come on, B. Down this water, and you can go to my place to sleep until Zeke is done."

"But I want to stay with Zeke."

Zeke kissed and nipped Bianca's neck. For a second, River thought he'd marked her, but when he pulled away, the bite hadn't broken the skin. A memory threatened to bubble to the surface, but River shoved it down.

No way. Not now. She did not have time to relive that hell. Besides, Zeke wouldn't bite Bianca without her permission. He wasn't like that. He was too in control to lose it like a rogue would.

"Me too, babe," Zeke said. "But I have to work now. I explained this to you. Work has to come first."

Bianca frowned but nodded.

River took one of the glasses of water and gave it to Bianca.

She chugged it, and River handed her the second glass. She downed that one, and her eyes lost their glazed sheen.

Someone bumped River from behind, and she surged forward on her heels. Lachlan caught River's arm and glared behind her.

"Vanessa, don't be a bitch." Lachlan turned to her. "Are you okay?"

The entitled bitch from the bar sat on the sofa, her eyes pointedly focused on anyone but River.

"Don't mind her," Lachlan said. "She's a total asshole because… well, I have no idea why."

River and Lachlan laughed, but his smile fell as he looked over her shoulder. Everyone in the VIP room bowed their heads except Vanessa, who got to her feet and moved forward.

A strange chill swept through River which morphed into an icy heat that made her skin flush. A strange sense of comfort washed over her like someone had wrapped her in a thick old quilt.

But as quick as the comfort came, a low growl sounded behind River, and she jerked to her senses again. Everyone's eyes were on her. No, not her. At someone behind her.

River spun around to find a massive male standing inches away.

Her wolf chuffed and backed up, pawing at the ground.

Up, and up, and up River looked until she spotted the stubble gracing his chiseled jaw. An amazing scent surrounded her. She couldn't move her legs or think.

Her wolf went from zero to one hundred so fast River couldn't process what he looked like, what he wore, or anything else about him except that he was ginormous. Her wolf growled, chuffed, and then barked, confused.

What the hell?

River couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. She swallowed hard and searched for Bianca's hand but couldn't find it.

A rumble sounded in the male's chest, but River refused to meet his eyes.

What the hell was happening? She didn't know, but she didn't want to either. Something was off with her wolf. The last time something had been off, she hadn't listened to her wolf; she'd hesitated. She wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

"It's time to go," she announced.

River turned and pulled Bianca from Zeke's arms, her wolf practically having a panic attack inside her.

What? What is it? River demanded. What the hell is wrong with you?

Her wolf's next word almost made River's heart stop beating . Alpha!

"Ares," a female voice called right behind River. "Come on. There's a couch back here, and I ordered you a drink."

River's heart beat wildly. Away. She needed to get away. River hurried past several males who still hadn't moved from where they stood, heads bowed.

"Ouch. Sis, why are you dragging me?" Bianca asked.

Wait. Wait. Her wolf begged.

No!

River made it to the door of the VIP room before he spoke.

"Stop!" he commanded in a booming voice.

For the first time in her life, words stopped River in her tracks. River peered down at her feet and willed them to move, but they wouldn't.

What in the actual crap?

"Come back!" the Alpha demanded.

It took every fiber of River's will not to turn around and go back to him like a compliant little shifter. But somehow, she resisted the overwhelming pull his command had on her.

Zeke growled. "That's my mate."

River took the momentary distraction and reached for the door handle, but the male roared, and she froze again.

"Not her," he said. "You. Female. Come back!" His deep, booming voice held a note of threat and something else. Something soft like a caress down her spine. A need so visceral she almost wanted to obey him. Almost.

Go back! Go to him!

You've got to be kidding me.

Need. We. Need. Him.

A chill swept through River. No. No. No.

River's mind whirled, and the scents of the room filled her. Males. Shifter males. Chocolate. Coffee. Leather. Whiskey. Gun powder. Metal. Woods. The scents mixed in a cacophony, like walking into a lotion store. But a heady aroma she recognized sent a chill up her spine.

Lycans. All Lycans.

Her wolf roared, and River yanked the door open. How had she not noticed? How had she missed it?

She took one step, and in the span of a breath, someone rushed past her, and where only a second before there had been an open door to the rest of the club, a giant white dress shirt wall stood in her way.

Not even her old Alpha could move that fast. She groaned as the most delicious fragrance enveloped her. Earth and woods mixed with vanilla and smoke, like a campfire-roasted marshmallow melting on the ground.

River's hands began to shake as she recognized small objects in front of her eyes as shirt buttons.

River's heartbeat thundered like a bass drum, but her wolf went silent.

Every sound fell away, and every other scent disappeared as she breathed in. A thick black leather belt rested less than a foot below her eyeline. And under the belt stood a solid pair of tree trunk-sized legs. Expensive fabric filled her eyes as she took in the weave of his shirt to the collar, which splayed open by two buttons. The sleeves had been folded to the elbows, exposing dark hair over tanned muscular forearms.

She wanted to trace her fingers up his skin to his soft-looking hair.

Her wolf mewled. Actually frinkin' mewled.

River began to shake. Between the Lycan's aura and her wolf, she fought to control herself.

"Look at me," he commanded.

She willed herself not to, but her wolf won out and propelled her eyes upward. Up and up to the broadest shoulders she'd ever seen. Then to a stubbly chin and finally a pair of bright blue-green eyes.

The moment her gaze locked on his, she flooded with desire, and her wolf howled.

Mate!

Without thinking, River raised her hand to stroke his chiseled but perfect face. All heavy angles crafted with master precision. She couldn't have shaped his face more perfectly out of marble if she'd spent her entire life working on it.

His gaze bore into her, making her legs wobble and her skin flush. Again, another jolt of heat traveled through her, followed by the comfort of a downy blanket.

Mine!

His massive hands wrapped easily around her waist. He turned his head and sniffed her hand. A growl rumbled in his chest, and he bent down and smelled her hair and face. Waves of Alpha aura floated off him, making her want to submit to him. Submit to his command. His desires. His touch. Even her wolf fell on her side, belly exposed to him.

Every millimeter of her wanted to rub against him. To explore him. To lick every millimeter of his massive body and commit it to memory.

River ran her fingers through his shaggy curls and breathed in his shampoo. Warmth shot through her, and desire pooled between her legs. When he sniffed her neck, she snapped back to reality. His lips grazed her skin, making her arms pebble. Memories flashed back of the attack, and she had to bury the scream that bubbled in her throat. Her legs refused to move, and her wolf remained in a state of submission.

Not again. She couldn't go through it again. Mentally, she checked her body, remembering where she'd concealed her knife. She reached for it, and he knelt, sniffing down her belly. When he looked up at her, his eyes were bright yellow. His fangs descended in his mouth down past his chin, and he laid his head on her breast.

"My Omega," he growled.

Her wolf mewled. My Alpha.

A rush of need washed over River like jumping into a hot tub. Her most private parts slicked, and a moan formed in her mouth. Her body shook, and she wanted nothing more than to shove him to the floor and bury her fangs in his neck as he plowed into her.

Her fangs descended, and the need to bite him overtook all sense of reason.

Stop! She screamed at her wolf. Back the F- down!

But her wolf didn't listen. She rolled on her back submissively, not to River, but to the Lycan.

The Lycan dipped his head to her belly again and inhaled deeply before purring so loudly it vibrated River's body. The sensation soothed her again and made her want to push his face down further and have him-

No. No. No. No. This was not happening.

The world came crashing back down around her.

The music blared in her ears, and the odor of bodies and alcohol permeated her nose once more. She scanned his bodyguards frantically, who now knelt and bowed their heads to her. Except Vanessa, who gaped at the Lycan male like he'd lost his damn mind.

All she'd wanted was a night of possibly decent sex and to curl up in bed and fall asleep, but instead, she had a massive Lycan proclaiming her as his. Again. Only not so violently this time. And this time, her wolf agreed.

She looked to Bianca and Zeke for help. But heads bowed, they couldn't see her.

What the hell? Why were they acting like that?

Voices sounded outside the backroom, and all the men sprang to their feet. The Lycan moved her behind him, shielding her. And all hell broke loose.

River didn't know the newcomers or how they'd gotten into the VIP room, but the Lycan in front of her roared and lashed out. He swung wildly, hitting one shifter after the next. Flashes of light blinded her as dozens of cameras clicked off. She couldn't take it. The rage. The violence. It all flooded back.

His fangs on her neck. His blood splashing her as she stabbed him. The look in his eyes as Cherry yanked him off her.

Zeke and the other bodyguards jumped on the Lycan Alpha to restrain him. Vanessa shoved River out of the way.

Terrified, River clutched Bianca's hand and dragged her backward. They banged into the rear wall, and a panel creaked behind her. River shoved it open to a secret passage and raced down it.

"River, stop. Where are we going?" Bianca asked.

But River didn't stop. Something inside her told her to run. Not her wolf, who howled in pain, but the other part of her. The human part. The part that wanted to continue with her simple life and not become a breeding bitch to a monster. A hot, ripped monster. But still, a monster.

They reached the end of the passage, and River shoved open a small door leading down to the alley. River raced down the steps with Bianca stumbling behind.

"River. Stop. Stop." Bianca pulled on her arm as they reached the sidewalk in front of the club. "I need to find Zeke."

River couldn't think.

Bite.

Couldn't breathe.

Blood.

She needed to run.

Stab. Stab. Stab.

Her wolf growled and snarled to be let out. To go back. To find him.

My Alpha.

River's soul cleaved in two as her wolf fought her for control. She couldn't take it. She tore off her heels and handed them to Bianca.

"River, wait. Where are you going?" she called. "You have to go back. I think he's your mate."

Exactly.

River's claws extended, as did her fangs. She ripped the slit on her dress higher, turned and ran.

It couldn't have happened. Not to her. Not again. She couldn't be his mate. It wasn't possible.

His beautiful eyes floated back into view, and River howled as she ran. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Not again , she prayed to the Wolf Goddess. Please don't mate me to a Lycan. Not again.

* * *

"Where is she?" Ares bellowed. "Who is she?"

"Ares, calm down." Vanessa reached for him.

He swatted her away and bared his teeth. "Don't touch me."

Zeke and Silas cleared the club of the press, breaking their equipment and buying the cellphones off every person before they left. Now, in the silence of the dead space filled with too many aromas for Ares to process, he fought to catch her scent again.

She'd run from him. All these years, he'd searched for his mate, thinking he would never find her, and upon their first meeting, she'd run. An Omega. The rarest of rare. The sacred above all.

"Zeke!" he yelled. "She was here with your new mate, wasn't she?"

Zeke nodded and moved swiftly to Bianca's side, putting a protective arm around her and pulling her to him.

"Who is she?" he demanded, looking between Zeke and his mate.

"She's my mate's sister… sort of," Zeke answered. "I mean, their parents have been together for a while-"

Bianca swatted at Zeke. "She's my sister."

Ares strode to them. "What is her name? Where can I find her?"

Zeke's eyes flashed. He wasn't an Alpha or a full Lycan. He was one of Ares' faithful hybrids. Even so, the message was clear: Ares had to calm down with Zeke's mate, or there would be a problem.

"Her name is River Whitetail," Zeke said, his voice strained.

River. The beautiful, petite, silvery-haired beauty who might break if he held her too close was named River. How she'd looked at him with her bright sapphire eyes had been like no one else in the world existed. At twenty-eight, he'd all but given up on finding his true mate, and he'd only ever fantasized about finding an Omega. So when he'd smelled her, it had literally brought him to his knees. His wolf paced and howled, ready to rip the city apart to find her.

Mine. My mate. Find. Mate. Bond.

Vanessa moved toward him again, but he pinned her with his gaze, her very presence irritating. "Go to the hotel," he commanded. "Prepare for my mate's arrival."

Shock registered on her face for a split second, then she bowed and complied. Vanessa was nothing more to him than a subordinate. She'd been his assistant for five years and occasionally shared his bed when he couldn't take the loneliness. But no more. Looking at her tempted him as much as looking at his men. Zero.

Vanessa passed him without a word, and as soon as she'd left, he glanced over his men who awaited his command.

Nothing mattered more than finding his mate. His Omega. She was in the city. Alone in the city. An Omega. How was it possible?

He'd heard the rumors one had been born, but he'd been too busy dealing with the rogue issues to see if the rumors were true.

But now… He'd been such an idiot. He should have been searching the whole time. And how had he not smelled her as soon as he'd entered the club? There were many people, shifters and humans alike, but he should have been able to smell her. To sense her, but he hadn't. Not at all.

Desensitizing spray? Since she was an Omega and a shifter. She probably used a desensitizing spray. It had to be because it had been a full two seconds after she'd bumped into him before he'd caught the whiff of her beautiful perfume. Of pistachios, vanilla, and sweet cherries, and he'd wanted nothing more than to bathe in her scent. But the moment their eyes had locked, she could have sprayed all the desensitizing spray in the world on herself, and he would have smelled her. When he'd laid his head on her breast, her perfume had intensified so much it had taken everything inside him to keep from ripping off her panties and burying his face in her most delicious parts.

But the stupid paparazzi had shown up and scared her off. His poor little wolf. He needed to find her. More than needed. He'd die if he didn't. He'd spare no expense. Rip down all of America to find her. Burn it building by building if he had to. No matter what it took.

"Where does she live?" he asked.

Bianca gave him an address, and he nodded, trying to keep his wolf from running all the way there.

"Take me to her." It wasn't a request.

Zeke looked to Lachlan. Lachlan nodded and exited.

Ares paced, his slacks painfully restraining his erection. His skin itched, and his wolf clawed at his insides to be let out.

Find her. Mark her. Ours.

"Your Majesty," Theo said. "May I suggest a drink?"

"Do you think I want a drink?" Ares snarled.

"No," Theo said calmly. "But all things considered, it might help. Believe me, I know how you feel right now-"

"When you found Micah, did she flee from you?"

Theo didn't answer.

Ares couldn't stop himself from being an Alpha-hole. Every inch of his body burned for her. To hold her. Kiss her skin. To take her back to his estate and lock her away from the terrible world.

"I'm sorry," Ares drove his hands into his hair.

Theo was Ares' oldest friend and closer than any twin brother.

Theo signaled the others to prepare to leave before approaching Ares and laying his hands on Ares' shoulders. "Trust me. We will find your mate, River Whitetail."

Ares looked from Theo to his other men. "Is this how all of you feel when you are away from your mates?"

The men nodded.

Only two of his men were born Lycans like Ares himself. Brothers Theo and Santiago. The other hybrids he'd turned a few years back. Even so, the one thing the hybrids had told him was the bonds to their mates were as strong and fierce as any Lycan's to a mate– except for an Alpha to an Omega. That bond… no one understood. Just like no one understood how the moon circled the earth day in and day out without stopping or getting tired.

Alphas and Omegas were fated. Destined for each other in a way no other mated pair was. They were the embodiment of the Moon Goddess and her love, the Wolf God made flesh.

"I'm an asshole. I had no idea. Forgive me," Ares said.

The men told him he needn't apologize, but Ares shook his head.

"No. I won't have this for you. You've all been loyal and true. Tomorrow morning, you will each prepare your mates to come live on the estate so you can be closer and so they can have each other for support when you are working. Besides, there's nowhere safer. Especially now. I'm sorry it took so long to realize how much you need them. I'm sorry I've put myself above your bond and your needs. It won't happen anymore."

His men bowed. "Thank you, Highness."

Lachlan entered. "Got the car, Boss."

Ares nodded and stalked to the exit. "Let's go."