Chapter 2

Annika is as stubborn as they come, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that's one of the things that drew me to her so completely.

I never expected to feel the pull toward an omega.

Hell, I spent the better part of thirty years on this earth and never once saw the appeal.

Not until Anni.

She's feisty but tenderhearted.

It's a combination that works so well for her, I haven't figured out how to fight the draw.

Not that I really tried all that hard.

She's stunning and not afraid to stick up for herself, but not too independent to ask for help when she needs it.

She's meant to be mine, even if she's probably a little too young for me.

Oh well, I've never pretended to be a good guy. Staying away from her for altruistic reasons would be out of character. Not to mention, she's an omega without any family to look out for her.

I've used that as my excuse for some light stalking on more than one occasion, but she needs someone in her corner.

I have no problem being her monster; watching her from the shadows happens to be one of my favorite activities.

Anni likes to think she's independent and fully capable of protecting herself. It's kind of adorable, considering she's five-foot-six and maybe a buck fifty, soaking wet. Most alphas are the better part of a foot taller than that with significantly more muscle mass.

It's just a fact of life.

Omegas are soft and cuddly, and alphas are the jacked-up beasts who protect them. I've got no problem falling into my role in this equation.

Annika shoves her crossbody bag over her neck as she heads out the main entrance. I've told her about fifty times that she should wait for an escort to the parking garage, especially since leaving through the front, she has to walk down the shady-as-fuck alley to get over there.

I sigh, rolling my eyes.

Stubborn.

That's what she is.

My palm itches as she makes the left turn down the dark alley to head toward both of our cars. I watch from just across the street. There used to be a streetlight here, which made it harder to stay hidden, but I took care of it a while ago. My previous life prepared me well for stalking.

She's halfway down the alley when I shove off the curb and jog across the street. The bouncer at the door gives me a nod. I make it to the mouth of the alley and slow my pace to ensure she doesn't hear my boots hitting the small pebbles of broken concrete.

I shimmy my back against the scratchy brick of the building as I follow her.

A familiar squeak fills the air and my heart races.

That's my squeak.

It's occasionally followed by an adorable little squeal when I grab her pussy and yank her back into my chest. I'm not the least bit ashamed of the fact that I'm a predator.

Alphas are hunters, and I greatly enjoy hunting my little omega, but that does not mean I'll stand back and allow anyone else to chase her.

"I remember you from Spades," Annika hisses. "What I don't know is why you're touching me, but it needs to stop now."

I halt at the end of the alley, leaning against the brick wall for cover.

Annika is a few steps to the left with her back to me. The guy with his hand on her wrist obviously has a death wish.

I take note that it's his left hand.

That's the one he'll be losing.

"You teased me all night, and you got me banned from the high-roller room," the idiot growls.

Okay, so he's an alpha.

Good to know.

Not that it'll stop me from snapping his neck if he continues to make stupid choices. Such as touching my omega without her permission.

"Right," Anni scoffs. "Get your hands off me. I'm not going to ask again."

The dick doesn't drop his hold on her. Well, not until she moves quickly, yanking her knee up and making contact with his balls. He lets out a satisfying oomph and bends toward her to cradle his aching cock. She snags one of the mini daggers from the thigh sheath she always wears and has it to the man's neck before he can blink.

"This is not how I wanted this to go down," she grumbles. "It's like the universe is desperate to prove that I'm as violent as my family."

I barely hear a word she says because goddamn.

She is truly magnificent.

It's a totally inappropriate time for my cock to get rock-hard, but here we are.

I really fucking dig her a little violent.

"Let me give you a little piece of advice. Don't put your hands on an unwilling woman," Annika says, her tone lined in annoyance. "You never know when you'll be swinging outside of your weight class."

I can barely see from here, but I believe she digs the blade into the man's throat.

Just a little.

He yelps, staggering back, and she scoffs. She begins backing away, watching him the entire way. She heads off toward the elevator for the parking garage, and once she's safely inside, I make my move.

This asshole and I have a few things to discuss.

I was originally planning on fucking up the guy a little, but that dickwad didn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

Oh well, we'll see how he regrets his actions after a few weeks.

I shove my key into the bottom lock on the door to get into Annika's apartment, but some asshole comes out as I'm trying to head in. He's wasted and staggering, which isn't unusual for the guys I run into when I let myself in late at night.

Once he's out the door, I lock the top and bottom.

"Grady," Lyra purrs.

A shiver of revulsion slides down my spine.

I still paste on a happy-go-lucky smile, spinning around to find Annika's roommate stretched out naked on the couch.

"Lyra," I say, taking off for Anni's room. "Looking as beautiful as ever." I wink, ignoring the lines of blow on the coffee table.

"She's already asleep. Why don't you join me?" she asks as her face twists into a predatory smile.

"Nah, I'm beat. I'm just going to crawl into bed and snuggle with my omega." I force myself to continue smiling.

I didn't dislike Lyra back when we first met, but she's really started to piss me off in the last six months or so.

I've got no problem with sex workers.

Hell, I used to be one.

Or rather, Grady Wells did.

It would be mighty hypocritical of me to judge her for making a living.

And I don't.

Not most sex workers, anyway, but the fact she uses their apartment to meet her customers rubs me all kinds of wrong.

Mainly because it puts Annika at risk, but again, my girl is stubborn.

I've had to be careful in how I approach the subject.

"Come on." Lyra pats the couch. "It's still early."

I chuckle, palming my keys. "You have yourself a good night." This is not the first time we've had a similar uncomfortable conversation. I think it's about time I mention it to my omega.

I head for Annika's door and let myself in with the key that fits this lock. It speaks volumes that she has an exterior door lock on her bedroom door.

With my new houseguest, I can hardly invite her to live with me, but I'd dispatch that fuckface without a second thought if I truly believed she'd accept. I just need to let him suffer in the meantime while he ponders his many mistakes.

I'd also have to clean up all the evidence of my stalking, which I wouldn't mind doing if I had the opportunity to watch her around the house at all hours of the day and night.

I lock the door behind me and grin when I catch Anni softly snoring against her pillow.

I strip off my T-shirt and toss my keys down on her desk before quickly working on my belt and jeans. I lean down to loosen my boots and strip out of everything but my boxer briefs before climbing into bed.

I like that it's only a queen-size. It makes it necessary to cuddle, since I'm such a big guy. I'll have to ditch my king-size bed before she moves in.

I want her to be forced to snuggle with me.

Every. Single. Night.

I plant my hand on her ass and pull her closer. She grunts but wiggles until her head rests on my bicep. Her adorable little nose wrinkles like she caught my scent and wants more. She scoots even closer, tossing a thigh over mine.

Goddamn, she's beautiful and all mine.

Now I just have to figure out how to make sure she doesn't hate me when she finds out who I really am.