Page 22 of Alpha Marked

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.