Page 2

I spin at the growled words, shock running through me, because there’s no way -

But of course. Ofcourse,it’s him.

Chapter 2 – Sack of Potatoes

Nadia

Rage flares through me as I stare up at Cole Kincaid, taking in his broad shoulders, his thick black hair, his tanned skin, and slightly stubbled cheeks. And, of course, thosefuckingblue eyes that look like they’re staring right through me.

It pisses me off even further that I have to tilt my head so far back to look into his face. I mean, I am not ashortwoman.

“What areyoudoing here?” I sputter, already seething.

“What am I – Nadia! What the hell areyoudoing here?”

“I’m goinghome,” I snap, tossing out a hand toward the boat behind me. “Or at least Iwas, until –“

I gasp, my eyes flaring wide before I glare so deeply I can barely see between my narrowed lashes. “Cole,” I growl, “did you fucking cancel this ferry? Tokeepme here?”

He glares at me in turn, stepping forward to loom over me. “Did you think I was going to let yougo, Nadia?” His voice is low with anger, all rumbly and threatening. “You’re my fuckingmate–“

“Oh, lay off!” I shout, stepping back and starting to turn away. “There’s no such thing as fucking mates – you wolves just made that up as a way to keep your women in line –“

A broad hand wraps easily around my arm, pulling me back.

“I assure you, Nadia,” Cole says as he spins me back toward him. I glare at him with all the hate in my heart and try to pull my arm away. “You have proof in the existence of mates right in front of you – if theyweremade up, why thehellwould I have pickedyou–“

I gasp, offended enough that I forget that I’m trying to break out of his grip. “Howdareyou?” I snarl. “What, just because I’m a human I –“

“It has nothing todowith you being a human!” Cole shouts, pulling me so close that my chest nearly collides with his. “It haseverythingto do with the fact that you’re being a god damnednightmareright now!”

“Nightmare!” I throw back, shouting up into his face. “I’m not doinganythingexcept trying to gohome!”

He pauses for a second, his chest still heaving with rageful breath, caught off-guard by the logic of my words. But then he shakes himself all over, quite wolfish, and tightens his grip on my arm. “It’s not safe for you to go alone, Nadia –“

“It’s a fuckingboat!” I throw back, still shouting up into his face. “A ferry thatyourfamily owns! Are you suggesting your owncompanycan’t keep its passengers safe?”

Cole glances over at the train for a moment. “My father’s ferry, not mine,” he growls. Which is – apparently – all the response I’m going to get.

I gasp as Cole turns back towards the entrance of the pier, pulling me with him.

“Let go of me, you asshole!” I shout, digging my heels in and throwing my weight back, making it as hard as possible for him to take me anywhere.

“Nadia, would you stop making such a scene?” Cole growls, turning to glare at me and then glancing around at the crowds of people who just…stare, watching their Crown Prince attempt to kidnap a woman from the ferry station. A little thrill of victory goes through me at that.

“I’m not goinganywherewith you!” I return, not bothering to lower my voice. Making it a little louder, in fact, relishing the way he flinches when he hears my shout. “I’m goinghome!”

“You’recomingback to the palace,” he snarls, coming close again, speaking in low, rumbly tones. “You canreturnhome later with your father – who is worried as hell about you, by the way. We will arrange suitable transport and protection –“

“Who are you to tell me – at all! Ever! – what thefuckI can and cannot do?”

“I am yourmate,” Cole snarls, pulling me so close that my chest presses to his, his hands tight around my arms. I gasp at the sudden reality of him, the warmth that radiates from his form, the…the very significant solidity of his body, which is all muscle under his fine clothes. “Which means that it’s my job toprotectyou, even if you insist on hurling yourself through the world completely vulnerable –“

“Let me GO!” I shout, screaming the last word into his face.

Cole growls, his eyes flashing blue and vivid. A streak of fear rushes through me as I see his canine teeth extend into fangs.Something in me registers, suddenly, that it isnota good idea to piss off an Alpha wolf. They are apex predators, after all.

Even if they are assholes. Every single one.