A Wolf's Pride Read online

  The wolf grumbled but said no more on the subject.

  “Raise your arms Chloe.”

  “When did you undress me?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

  “Raise your arms Chloe,” he repeated calmly.

  She continued to ask him questions rather than acquiesce to his demand and he moved once again, raising her arms from her chest and lifting them into the air. Her weak struggles barely registered as he pulled the dress over her head and slipped her arms through the straps. Remembering the cool air that had kissed his skin as he had walked to her school, Ryan began to rummage through her suitcase in search of a jumper. Quickly finding one he repeated the procedure. Her legs were blissfully exposed and though he enjoyed the sight of them he was worried that it would become too cold for her. She’ll be fine, we’ll be in the car most of the way and I’ll make sure it’s warm enough in there.

  Satisfied that his mate would be sufficiently warm, he snapped the suitcase closed. “Chloe, I think I should warn you, I won’t tolerate any one who tries to separate us. I’ll do nothing to hurt you, but if anyone tries to take you from me, I guarantee neither their safety nor continued survival. Please keep that in mind if you think of trying to attract attention to us.” Shackling her wrist with his hand, he pulled her from the room, ignoring her attempts to dig her heels in to prevent him moving. “Chloe,” he growled in warning. She didn’t stop trying to prevent them leaving. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her slightly from the ground and led her from her house. “Don’t worry love, I’ll take care of you,” he whispered in her ear and her body shivered in response as his warm breath feathered across her skin.

  Chapter Five

  I’ve been kidnapped. I’ve been kidnapped. Oh my god, I’ve fucking been kidnapped. The thought ran round and round in Chloe’s mind but who could blame her. It was true. She was sitting in a car with the stranger who had forcibly abducted her from her home and was driving to an unknown location that would likely be her final resting place. When she had first been guided into the car, and he had guided her; he hadn’t simply thrown her in the car as she had expected; she had contemplated throwing herself from the moving vehicle and taking her chances. The speed that they were driving at however made her immediately dismiss such a plan; she would die if she were to go through with it. Her kidnapper seemed fixated on her, constantly looking at her as though she could disappear at a moments notice. He went out of his way to touch her, stroking the back of her neck, running his fingers through her hair. If they weren’t in their current situation she would have found his touch pleasurable but as it stood she had spent the entire journey cursing her traitorous body for enjoying his touch. Her eyelids were drooping with exhaustion, she hadn’t managed to get much sleep with Ryan’s intrusion, but she was determined not to put herself in a vulnerable situation.

  “You’re tired,” Ryan commented, his eyes still trained on the long and empty stretch of road ahead of them. They’d been driving for a while and though he knew if he were alone he’d have been much closer to his home, he couldn’t find it in himself to resent her for that fact. His mate was perfect just as she was, if she were a wolf she wouldn’t be who she was. Besides, he reasoned. This just means I get more one-on-one time alone with her. When we get back to the estate, there will be so many people trying to get her attention. I can use this time to make her comfortable around me.

  “I’m fine,” Chloe lied, determined not to show Ryan any weaknesses.

  “What did I tell you about lying to me Chloe? I don’t like it, so don’t do it anymore. Go to sleep, I’ll drive and before you know it we’ll be home.”

  “Excuse me for not trusting you,” she snorted. “If I go to sleep near you, I might never wake up. You could come to your senses and realise what a bad idea this kidnapping is and do away with me right here. It’s not like anyone could see us.”

  “Chloe, I’m not going to hurt you. You’re my mate. I want you to be happy, with me.”

  “You could have fooled me with the way you dragged me from my house.”

  A frown came over his features and he pulled the car to the side of the road, bringing it to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened in shock and fear as he moved closer to her. She moved away from him, plastering her back against the car door as she tried to increase the distance between them. “What are you doing?” she squeaked, her voice shaking.

  “Don’t be afraid, I just want to check something.” He reached for her arms, rolling the long sleeves of her jumper up her arms before bringing the bared skin close to his face. He sighed in relief when he saw that her skin was unmarred. “I’m sorry if I was a bit rough when we left, I’ll try to be more gentle.” He released her arms and began to drive again.

  Pulling her sleeves down her arms, Chloe regarded the stranger with curious eyes. “What was all that about?”

  “I’m a lot stronger than you are, I thought I might have unintentionally hurt you. You’re my mate, but you’re also human and that means you’re very fragile. I haven’t claimed you yet and that means the possibility still exists that you might die. I have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “You’re human too,” she reminded him, increasingly tired with his belief that he was a creature from myth.

  He turned to her, his eyes that eerie solid amber that reminded her so much of an animal. “No love, I’m not. I’d show you just how different I am but I don’t want to scare you. Once we’re back in the clans and there’s no possibility of you running and escaping me, then I’ll let you see the other me. Now please, go to sleep. I want to be a good mate to you and that means taking care of you is my top priority.”

  She grunted a reply and turned away from him to look out of the window, determined to oppose his command and stay awake. As the scenery flew past and the skyline of the city receded from view, she became increasingly resigned to her fate. No one had stopped them when they had driven away from her apartment or when they had made their way out of the city. She didn’t know exactly where she was going but from what Ryan and his brother had said if they arrived, she would find no one sympathetic to her plight. I suppose it could be worse, she decided. He hasn’t done anything to hurt me yet even though I gave him motive. He could have tied me up and thrown me in the trunk. As long as my legs are free, there’s always the possibility of escape. The thoughts slid through her mind as her eyes slid shut and she succumbed to the lure of sleep.

  As he heard Chloe’s breath level out, signalling she had fallen asleep, Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. The fear his mate felt towards him had him on edge. He’d done nothing to harm her; he couldn’t understand why she was so scared of him. Pulling the car to a halt again, he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her chest, trying his best to keep her warm. She shifted slightly and he thought for a second she might wake up, instead she gripped the coat tightly, breathing in his scent as she wrapped it tightly around her. Unconsciously his presence seemed to reassure her, it was only when she was awake that things became difficult.

  Don’t worry Ryan; once we’re back in the clans, we can sort all of this out. Everything will turn out fine, she will love us eventually. The instinct is never wrong, his wolf stated, trying to reassure him. And neither am I.

  Yes, things are only tense between us because she doesn’t know me. Once we’re in the clans we can get to know each other properly and then everything will work out fine. I’ve just got to get her there. He pushed harder on the accelerator determined to reach his home as soon as possible.

  Few cars passed him as Ryan continued his drive through the night, it had been already been late when he had gone to Chloe’s home and he was glad of it. He knew, after only being in her conscious presence for a few minutes, that she was a troublemaker. He had a sneaking suspicion that if she were awake and saw others around; she might try to attract their attention. They had several state borders to cross before they reached the safety of the clans and things could become difficult if the police became i
nvolved. He knew enough about human law to realise that what he was doing would be considered a crime if he were to get caught. Crime or not, it isn’t going to change what I’m planning to do. It’s not as though I’m going to hurt her. I’m just not going to let her go. That would only result in misfortune for everyone. He’d been serious when he told her that he would let no one separate them. She would only involve innocent people in their minor disagreement and while he wouldn’t hurt her, he wouldn’t extend the same courtesy to anyone else.

  She really is perfect, he decided, sneaking another glance at her. Gorgeous but with a nice right hook and violent reflexes, he mused remembering the way she had attacked him. At least I won’t have to worry about anyone getting too friendly with her. I’m her mate and she attacked me as though I were about to assault her. No, I think you and I are going to work out just fine.

  Her scent was quickly filling the closed space of the car and his senses were becoming intoxicated by it as time passed. He couldn’t prevent himself from reaching across the short distance that separated them to stroke the soft skin of her neck and run his fingers through her hair. The strands were unbelievably soft and he barely resisted the impulse to lean in and breath deeply. Pulling his hand away from her, he gripped the steering wheel hard and forced his eyes to remain on the road instead of the appealing woman sleeping by his side. Her scent was like a powerful aphrodisiac and his body reacted accordingly, desire running rampant through him, but he gritted his teeth against the urges that racked him and continued to drive. By the time the sun had firmly established itself on the horizon he had almost reached his limits. He had been hard as rock for hours and with his mate acting as though he were deranged there was no sign of relief in sight.

  She began to rouse, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep as she stretched as far as she could in the small space that the car provided. I didn’t know that just waking up could look so sexy. A faint smile had graced her lips as she woke but it vanished the instant she saw him. He growled disapprovingly in response. Calm down, he scolded himself. Getting angry is just going to frighten her and make it even more difficult to claim her. Relax. “How are you feeling Chloe?” he smiled, trying to make himself seem approachable.

  “I could be worse considering the circumstances. I’m alive and that’s more than I expected when I fell asleep.”

  “Chloe,” he growled in warning.

  Not this again, she groaned. I know where this road leads. Great, I haven’t even known the man a full day and I’m already learning how he thinks. “So Ryan,” she began pre-empting his rant. “Where are we? Or am I not allowed to know?”

  “Of course you can know. There are no secrets between mates.”

  The mate thing again?

  “We’re somewhere in Oregon, we crossed the state border a little while back.”

  “You’ve taken me out of the state?” she gasped surprised.

  “Of course I did. I don’t live in California; I was only there on a business trip. We’re heading to my home.”

  “And where exactly is that?”

  “South Dakota.”

  “There’s nothing in South Dakota.”

  Ryan smiled, mentally envisioning the beautiful landscape of his home. “Exactly.” Chloe turned to face him at that declaration and instantly became confused at the blissful expression on his face. “It’s easier for us to hide when there aren’t many people around and there’s so much space that we never feel cramped. I can’t wait to show you Chloe. It’s beautiful. The air where I live is so clean, green as far as the eye can see and no ugly buildings to ruin the view. Perfect.”

  “You make it sound as though there’s no civilisation near you,” she scoffed.

  “We wolves like our privacy. We own the land we live on and if it looks like anyone is going to build near us we buy that land too, so yeah I suppose there is a lack of civilisation near us.”

  She gulped. “Do you live outside?”

  “No, I live in a house, a very large house but we do spend a lot of time outdoors. I want to show you everything. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

  “You want me to go outdoors?”

  “Of course, if that’s where I am then it only makes sense that you’re with me.”

  “No,” she stated adamantly. “I’m not going with you.”

  “Why not?” he growled offended by his mate’s easy dismissal of his plans for them.

  “I’m not walking into insect land. I refuse. My family could never make me do it and I’m not going to start now. Yes, the outdoors looks pretty but if all you want is to see it, then look on the Internet for pictures. There’s no need for me to subject myself to that sort of torture. Peeing outside? Madness! And even if I could get over the insects that outside are as big as my hand and the lack of sanitation, there are the wild animals. I’m too young to be some predators main course.”

  He smirked, “You already are one love and I intend to take a bite out of you very soon.”

  “Will you stop that?” she snapped. “You aren’t a werewolf. What is it with you and my family? They don’t exist, so you need to stop pretending you are one and they need to stop trying to hunt down creatures that aren’t real.”

  “Chloe, I can’t change what I am and I’m a werewolf, I’m not pretending.”

  “Oh, ok I understand. As you’re a werewolf could you just leave a message for the Easter bunny and tooth fairy for me? You must know each other after all.”

  “The Easter bunny and tooth fairy aren’t real.”

  “They’re about as real as werewolves are. If you’re so sure that you’re a werewolf then why don’t you show me?” she taunted.

  “I don’t want to scare you Chloe.”

  “Well I’m not going to believe you until I see concrete evidence. So if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, just let the subject drop.”

  “You seem to have come out of your shell,” Ryan remarked casually. “I don’t think you would have scolded me like that before you went to sleep.”

  “If you’re going to kill me then there’s no point in me being agreeable. Besides, you haven’t hurt me just yet and I’m thinking that if you actually have to deal with the real me and not whatever picture perfect image you have created in your head you’ll be willing to let me go fairly soon.”

  “I’m never going to let you go Chloe, never. It doesn’t matter what you do or say, we’re going to be together forever.” He turned from her to stare directly out of the window. The steering wheel bent slightly under the force of his grip. While he liked his mate’s fiery personality, he loathed the idea that she was doing everything in her power to escape him. I hope she understands soon, I really do. I can’t let her leave me, I can’t.

  Chapter Six

  Chloe’s stomach growled loudly for what seemed like the thousandth time and her face once again flushed red with embarrassment. She held her hand over it, willing it to be quiet but her wishes were once again denied. The grumble ricocheted through the small space of the car and this time was swiftly followed by Ryan’s low growl.

  “You’re hungry.” He stated it with the same certainty he said everything else.

  She rolled her eyes increasingly agitated with his attitude but kept her face deliberately hidden from him. “I’m fine.” Her stomach instantly made a liar of her, gurgling, as it demanded food.

  Why she insisted on lying about this Ryan couldn’t understand. Even if he couldn’t hear her stomach loudly making its demands he would still have known. He had now spent hours in close proximity to her, he could tell what was normal for her body and what wasn’t just as easily as he could as he could for himself. Her hunger was gnawing at him, he could feel her stomach clenching, eating away at itself, as it continued to remain empty. “Chloe, I can feel that you’re hungry, why are you lying about it?”

  “I don’t want to eat, I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not. This isn’t healthy. You need to eat. Don’t tell me…you’re not on a,” he swallo
wed hard, “a diet?”

  She hadn’t thought it possible, but her face became even redder. “And what if I am?”

  “Why would you need to be on a diet? You’re perfect.”

  He said the words with such conviction that for a moment she was tempted to believe him but a lifetime of doubts meant that she couldn’t see how what he said was true. She had never been the thinnest person in the world and after her last boyfriend had broken up with her because of her appearance she had become increasingly concerned about her weight. “Well that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it but mine is different.”

  “My opinion is the only one that matters now Chloe and you will eat, even if I have to force feed you. I don’t want it to come to that but if you insist on this stupidity then that’s what will happen. Are we clear?”

  “You’re very bossy you know?” she began.

  “Chloe, do you understand?”

  “And arrogant,” she continued as though he had not spoken.

  “Chloe?” he growled increasingly annoyed that his mate was clearly ignoring him.

  “And cocky. I hope you realise that none of those traits are attractive. None.”

  “Chloe!” he shouted and finally gained her attention. She turned to face him, her piercing violet eyes momentarily stunning him before he regained his bearings. “We’re going to go and eat now. I saw a little diner a little ways back,” he informed her, turning the car round and heading back the way they had com from. “We’re going to go in and eat. You will eat yes?”

  Biting her lip, she mentally debated her options. If I tell him no then I have no doubt that he really will try to force me. “Fine, I’ll eat.”

  “Good, I want you to eat until you feel full am I clear? I can feel your hunger and it’s painful. There’s no need to starve yourself especially when you look the way you do.”