Page 4 of Forced Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #3)

“And you’re Winnie Ramses.”

I don’t know that for sure, but I can’t think of anyone else it could be. Her physical description is almost impossible to mistake—long, curly red hair and bright blue eyes. I’ve never seen her in person, but I’ve heard of her, and I know she’s the sister of the Quartz Key alpha.

Iris told me my match would bring the contacts I need to secure my position. But I didn’t realize my match would also be the hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

Even though she’s curled up on the stone step, I can see she’s got gorgeous, plump little curves and a small tummy bulge. When she pushes her shoulders back and straightens up, I’m completely distracted by her full, round breasts that bounce when she sticks her chest out.

There’s a high buzzing in my ears for a second, and I can hear her voice, but it sounds far away, like I’m underwater. I take a couple of steps back so her scent isn’t wafting straight into my nose.

Like sweet vanilla cake with strawberry and coconut frosting… holy cow, my mouth is watering.

“Are you listening to me?” Winnie demands, standing up and putting her tiny fists on her curvy hips. Her breasts bounce again, and my mind goes blank.

“Of course I am,” I lie.

Is this really happening, or am I bleeding out from an aneurysm?

“It doesn’t seem like it,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “I asked how you know who I am? I’ve never seen you before.”

“But you know my name,” I answer smoothly, taking a step back towards her. The lush scent surrounds me again, and I can almost taste the strawberry.

“Your reputation precedes you!”

“So does yours.”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

“My ass is many things, but I don’t think it’s smart.”

The corner of her mouth twitches as if she wants to smile. There’s just the slightest glint in her eye, and I’m pretty sure I just scored a point.

“Need a closer look?” I ask, turning around and flexing a bit. I hear a soft gasp and a neat thump as she sits back down again.

I might not be popular in this town, but it never stopped the girls from talking about me. Maybe it was just because they couldn’t date me—it added to the frustration of it. Imagine one of these good girls bringing home the leader of the rogue pack.

As I turn back to face Winnie, I do another little flex. She’s staring at me with wide eyes, her lips parted slightly as she watches me turn.

“So, what do you think?” I ask, crossing my arms across my chest.

“What?”

“My ass. Does it look smart?”

“I…” Winnie flounders for a second, making my satisfaction grow. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this, and it’s going far better than I imagined it would.

“Stop dicking around!” Winnie barks. “This is serious, and you’re twirling like a model on the catwalk.”

“Only giving you what you want,” I answer flippantly, curling my arms to show off my biceps.

I’ve never had so much fun in my life. She’s cute, smart, and clearly taken with me. Once we get over our initial nervousness, this marriage is going to be great!

“Did I say I want you to prance around like a goddamn show pony!” Winnie yells, and something about her tone rubs me the wrong way. It sounds cultured, superior… and bossy.

Don’t fucking tell me what to do.

“Okay, we’ve had fun,” I say, my voice low and deep. “But enough of that. You’re my wife, and you can’t disrespect me like this.”

As if she knows exactly what irked me, Winnie looks at me down her nose, keeping her voice firm and precise.

“You’re not legally my husband,” she says in a scathing tone. “And even if you were, I don’t have to obey you.”

“That’s exactly what it means!” I growl, completely losing my composure. “You’re mine now. I paid for you, and now I get to keep you.”

“As if I need your money,” she scoffs, and I see a flicker of something in her eyes that could be fear, or lust… or both.

“That’s irrelevant,” I dismiss. “I signed a contract, and you did, too. That means you’re mine.”

“I signed a contract,” Winnie says, standing up. “But that doesn’t mean you own me.”

She takes an elegant step back and crosses her arms across her plump breasts. I lose my train of thought again. Even though she’s only in warm jeans and a snug sweater, she carries herself as if she’s dressed in a regal gown.

I’d love to see her in a gorgeous dress…

“Have you faded out again?” Winnie asks, her tone sharp.

“Yes,” I admit, my voice tense. “As a matter of fact, I did. That’s how little your words mean to me.”

Her eyes widen suddenly, and her cheeks burn.

“How dare you!” she snaps. “I am a Ramses—daughter of Cliff and sister to Galen! You will treat me with respect, or you will suffer the wrath of Quartz Key.”

“Oh, really?” I sneer, rocking back on my heels. “You know I just completed an alpha challenge, right? Do you really think I’m scared of your brother?”

“You should be!” Winnie says, her voice cracking. “You’ll never hold your position without the respect and support of the first families, but you know that, don’t you? That’s the only reason you want me!”

I’m about to snap back at her, but something in her voice stops me. There’s a hint of fear in her, maybe even shame.

Does she really think that’s the only reason I want her? She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’d want her if we were lowly stray dogs!

Maybe try telling her that, asshole.

“I’m sorry,” I say, taking a long, slow breath to calm myself as I extend a hand. “Please, let’s start again. I am Damon Mackay, newly appointed alpha of Gryphon Eyrie. And you are?”

She stares at my outstretched hand, keeping her own stuffed under her arms. She stares at me for so long, I begin to wonder if she is actually going to shake my hand, but she finally reaches for me.

“Winnie Ramses,” she whispers, staring into my eyes.

When our palms touch, a hot jolt of electricity runs through both of us. Winnie lets go quickly, stepping back so fast, she almost falls into the fountain. I grab her arms to help steady her, and she yelps, pushing me away.

For fuck’s sake, what the hell is wrong with me! I have to focus on what’s important here. I’ve wanted the alpha position my whole life, and now that I finally have it, I need her so I can keep it. Nothing matters more than that!

Winnie sits down on the low stone wall, and I sit beside her, leaving some space between us. The silence of the deserted town becomes even more pronounced as I realize I have absolutely nothing to say to this woman.

“We should get going soon,” I say firmly. “The ceremony will need to be completed, and I’m sure you’d like to rest and settle into your new home.”

Winnie stiffens up all over, and I can smell her adrenaline.

She’s scared.

“Look, Winnie,” I begin, trying to sound reassuring. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but—”

“Did you really kill thirteen wolves?” she asks softly.

“No,” I answer. “I think it was nine, actually. I haven’t been to the hospital to get the exact details. The only thing that matters is that I won.”

Winnie nods. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. You won, and that’s the important thing. Not the dead and injured men.”

“Winnie,” I say in a hard tone. “I followed tradition. Everything I did is sanctioned by our laws. You know this.”

“I know those laws are brutal, savage, and outdated,” she answers. “And most of the younger pack members are changing them. You didn’t have to fight.”

“Yes, I did,” I snap, losing control. “It was the only way I could get a shot at the alpha position. No one would respect me any other way.”

“So you killed them.”

“Yes,” I answer, my voice harsh. “I killed them or injured them so badly, they could no longer fight. This is our ancient law. None of my rivals can stand against me, and I’ve proven that. Now it’s my right to rule.”

“And you think it’s also your right to take a woman?”

She has her face turned away from me as she asks that question, then slowly brings her eyes to mine. I stare at her, equal parts of desire and rage rising in my blood.

“I did not ‘take’ you, Winnie. You volunteered, accepted, and agreed. None of our laws condone ‘taking’ women.”

Her gaze flickers, but her face stays calm. Obviously, she thought she might have me in a loophole, but I dodged it.

“And what about your reputation?” she asks, still looking into my eyes. “What about everything else you’ve done?”

“Well, I can’t comment on what people think I’ve done,” I consider. “But if you like, I can give you a complete account of my past history—right after we perform the ceremony.”

“Okay,” she nods. “That seems fair. I just—”

“Just what?” I ask anxiously. I find her dreamy calm far more unsettling than her anger or even her fear.

“I want to ask Iris a couple of things,” she says casually. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Winnie gets up and walks away slowly. I watch her go. Since the picnic tables are a short distance away, I don’t worry too much.

She probably just wants to check the details… like if she has to sleep with me.

The thought hits me like a ton of bricks. Even while I was checking her out, I didn’t think about the reality of actually having sex with her. For a moment, I’m so excited that I can barely breathe.

It doesn’t matter what’s in Iris’s contract—everyone knows there has to be consummation by the first full moon after the ceremony, or it means bad luck for the entire Range!

I try to swallow down my excitement, but my mind is full of images of Winnie—her plump little curves, bouncy breasts, and bow-shaped red mouth. I can feel her silky, pink-tinted skin under my rough hands as I take her, squeezing her soft body against my hard muscles.

I blink hard, trying to bring myself back to reality. It takes a few long, slow breaths before I can get the images out of my mind and start to calm myself down. Suddenly, I realize how much time has passed.

Where is she?

I get up and race around the fountain, bolting for the picnic tables. Even from a distance, I can see all of them are empty.

Fuck!

I spin around, my keen eyes checking out every corner of the park. There’s no one here. No Iris, and definitely no Winnie.

She’s running!

The thought sends a bolt of pure terror through my blood. On the surface, it’s about losing my position and how much I need Winnie if I’m going to keep it. Far beneath that, there is a part of me that cracks and falls apart at the idea of never seeing her again.

A part of me I’ve kept hidden, and for good reason.

“Winnie!” I call, knowing it’s useless. I pull out my phone and text Iris, but I’m not surprised when she doesn’t reply.

Then, a movement at the corner of my eye grabs my attention. It’s a little car racing out of the parking lot and onto the main road. With the town locked down, there’s only one person it could possibly be.

Winnie.

I don’t even bother to go for my car. I just strip, shift, and start chasing after her.

Run if you like, sweet thing. You won’t get far.