When a dangerous monster breaks down your door, you quickly realize that screaming will not save you.

I pressed my back hard against the wall of the small motel room, my heart hammering like a wild bird inside my ribs. The floorboards in the hallway stopped creaking, but the heavy weight outside remained. Through the crack beneath the door, a thick, dark shadow blocked the light.

"Who is out there?" I yelled, trying to make my voice sound steady, but it shook uncontrollably. "I am calling the front desk!"

No voice answered me. Instead, a sharp crack echoed through the quiet corridor.

The heavy wooden door frame shuddered violently. I gasped, dropping my phone onto the thin carpet.

"Stop!" I screamed, taking a step backward toward the small nightstand. "Go away!"

With a loud, horrifying crunch of splitting wood, the deadbolt sheared right off the frame. The heavy door slammed inward, banging against the drywall with tremendous force.

I covered my mouth to keep from screaming.

A tall, massive man stepped over the broken threshold. He filled the entire doorway, his broad shoulders practically touching both sides of the frame. Rain soaked his dark hair, dripping down his strong jawline and onto his expensive, ruined suit jacket. But it was his eyes that made my blood freeze instantly.

They were not human eyes. They glowed a bright, lethal gold in the dim light of the room.

"What do you want?" I cried out, grabbing a glass lamp off the nightstand and holding it in front of me with trembling hands. "Stay away from me! Do not come any closer!"

The stranger did not answer with words. He let out a low, deep growl that vibrated straight through the floorboards under my feet, making the glass in my hands shake. He took a heavy step into the room, kicking the broken door shut behind him.

His nostrils flared as he breathed in the air, his golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity so raw it made my knees want to give out.

"Mine," he rasped, his voice sounding like grinding stones.

"What?" I stammered, backing up until my spine hit the far wall. "I do not know you! Get out of my room before I scream!"

"You cannot run from me," he growled, closing the distance between us in two long, terrifying strides.

"Stay back!" I yelled, swinging the heavy lamp at his chest with all the strength left in my body.

He moved with frightening speed. His large hand shot out, catching the metal base of the lamp effortlessly in midair. He did not even flinch. With a simple twist of his wrist, he yanked the lamp out of my grip and tossed it onto the bed, ignoring the sound of it landing softly against the blanket.

"Please," I sobbed, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps as he cornered me against the wall. "Please do not hurt me."

"I am not going to hurt you," he muttered, his voice thick and laced with a strange, heavy hunger.

He leaned down, trapping me between his massive arms as his palms slammed against the wall on either side of my head. The sheer heat radiating off his body was staggering. It felt like standing next to a open furnace. Sweat soaked his white shirt, making the dark fabric stick to his broad chest and muscular arms.

"Who are you?" I whispered, staring up at his striking, rugged face. "What is wrong with you?"

"I was poisoned," he choked out, his jaw clenching tightly as if he was fighting a brutal war inside his own mind. "My wolf... it is taking over. I cannot stop it."

"Then go to a hospital!" I pleaded, pressing my hands flat against his iron chest to push him away. "Let me go!"

"I cannot leave," he growled, leaning his face down closer to my neck. He took a deep, shuddering breath, inhaling the scent of my skin. "Your scent... it is burning away the poison. I need you."

"You are insane!" I shouted, trying to wriggle sideways under his arm.

He shifted his weight instantly, blocking my escape route. He brought his large hand down, sliding his fingers gently up my forearm.

The moment his warm skin touched mine, a violent shockwave of electricity surged through my whole body.

I gasped loudly, my back arching off the wall as an unexplainable spark flared in the pit of my stomach. It was not fear. It was a hot, terrifying wave of pure, intense sensation that made my head spin.

His golden eyes flared brighter, his breathing turning ragged as he felt the exact same surge.

"You feel it too," he whispered, his voice dropping to a dangerous, silky rasp against my ear.

"No," I lied, my voice barely a whisper now, my heart beating frantically against my ribs. "This is wrong. You need to leave."

"I am not going anywhere," he growled low in his throat, his warm breath fanning across my neck, making every tiny hair on my body stand on end. "Not until I make you mine."

Surrendering to a complete stranger should feel wrong, but when his touch fires through your veins, your mind completely forgets how to resist.

I leaned back against the wall, my breath hitching in my throat as his massive body pressed closer against mine. The fiery heat coming off his skin was suffocating, yet every nerve in my body was suddenly screaming for him to touch me again.

"Look at me," he commanded softly, his voice low and raspy.

I lifted my gaze, my eyes meeting his glowing golden ones in the shadowed room. "This is crazy," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I do not even know your name."

"Names do not matter right now," he growled gently, sliding his large, warm hand up from my arm to cup the side of my neck. "You feel this spark between us, do you not?"

"I... I do," I admitted, a shiver running down my spine as his thumb brushed against my jaw line. "It makes no sense. I was terrified of you a minute ago."

"Do not be afraid of me," he murmured, leaning down until his lips brushed against my sensitive skin right below my ear. "I will not hurt you. I just need you."

A soft gasp escaped my lips as his hot mouth trailed down my neck. My hands, which had been pushed flat against his chest to keep him away, suddenly clutched the damp fabric of his shirt. I pulled him closer instead of shoving him back.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked, my head falling back against the wall as a wave of intense pleasure washed over me.

"Because my soul is claiming yours," he rasped out against my skin.

He did not wait another second. He captured my mouth in a deep, desperate kiss that completely shattered what was left of my self control. The kiss was wild, heavy, and full of raw hunger. I let out a soft moan, wrapping my arms around his broad neck and pressing my front tightly against his hard chest.

He lifted me effortlessly off my feet, carrying me three steps across the room before dropping us both onto the small motel bed. The mattress dipped low under his weight as he settled between my thighs, his golden eyes burning down into mine through the darkness.

"Tell me to stop right now," he growled, his breathing heavy as his hands gripped my waist tightly. "Tell me to leave, and I will force myself out that door."

I looked up into his fierce face, feeling my heart pounding violently against my ribs. "Do not go," I whispered, surprised by my own words. "Stay with me."

A low, victorious purr vibrated deep inside his chest. He reached down, quickly tearing his damp shirt over his head and tossing it onto the floor. My eyes took in his broad shoulders, his dark muscular chest, and the sheer power radiating off him.

He leaned down, taking my mouth again while his large hands slid down the sides of my body. He pulled off my wet jacket, tossing it aside, and reached for the buttons of my top. His fingers were surprisingly gentle for a man so large, unbuttoning the front and exposing my bare skin to the cool night air.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured, his voice thick with desire as his eyes swept over me.

"You are moving too fast," I breathed out, my chest heaving as his warm hands cupped my waist, pulling me higher up on the mattress.

"Then slow me down," he growled softly, placing a line of hot, biting kisses down my collarbone, making my hips lift off the bed on pure instinct.

The dark room seemed to shrink until there was nothing left in the world except the two of us. Every touch of his rough palms against my soft skin sent electric jolts straight through my body. I reached out, my fingers digging into the firm muscles of his bare back as he moved over me with relentless power.

"Look at me while I take you," he demanded, his voice thick with command as he brought his hips forward, aligning his body with mine.

I held his gaze, my fingers gripping his back as a sharp, breathless gasp tore from my throat. The connection was immediate and overwhelming, filling me with a intense heat that made my head spin in dizzy circles.

"God," I cried out, my voice echoing in the small, dark room.

He groaned deeply, his forehead pressing against mine as he began a steady, heavy rhythm that drove all rational thought straight out of my mind. The heavy air was thick with the scent of pine, rain, and raw physical desire. I arched my back, holding onto his shoulders as the wild momentum built higher and higher between us.

"You are mine," he rasped out, his hands slipping under my thighs to hold me tight against his body. "Say it."

"I am yours," I sobbed out, completely lost in the wild storm of pleasure overtaking my senses.

He drove deeper, his pace turning fast and frantic as his inner wolf surrendered completely to the intense peak. I held onto him for dear life, crying out his title as a sudden, violent wave of pleasure crashed through my entire body, making every muscle snap tight before relaxing into deep bliss. He let out a loud, guttural roar into the quiet night, shuddering violently on top of me as he reached his own release.

In the heavy aftermath, he collapsed beside me on the mattress, pulling my soft body tight against his side. His breathing was heavy, and the intense golden glow in his eyes slowly faded back into a warm, dark color.

I lay there in the quiet shadows, listening to the soft rain tapping against the window pane. My body was completely exhausted, but my mind was spinning with a strange emotion I could not explain. I had spent three years with Daniel and never felt a tiny fraction of the wild, soul shaking connection I had just shared with this total stranger.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly after a long silence, his large hand gently stroking my hair.

"I think so," I whispered, resting my head against his bare chest. "It was... intense."

"I know," he murmured, his voice sounding tired and heavy. "Get some sleep. You are safe now."

I closed my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lull me into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Hours passed in total peace.

When I finally woke up, the faint light of early morning was peeking through the dusty window blinds. The storm outside had passed, leaving behind a clear, pale sky.

I shifted slightly under the heavy white blanket, feeling the warm weight of the man's arm wrapped securely around my waist. He was still sleeping soundly beside me, his deep, steady breathing filling the quiet room.

I turned my head slowly, looking at his handsome, sleeping face. His features were calm now, devoid of the terrifying rage he had carried when he broke down my door. He was strikingly handsome, with a strong jawline and thick dark hair messily resting against the pillow.

"Who are you?" I whispered softly to myself, reaching out a hand to touch his bare shoulder.

As I pulled the sheet down slightly to cover him, my eyes caught a dark mark inked onto the skin of his left shoulder blade.

I froze instantly, my heart missing a heavy beat.

Inked deep into his muscular shoulder was a detailed, terrifying design. It was a massive, roaring dragon wrapped around a dark crown. It was the exclusive mark of Alpha Prime status, worn only by the leader of the most powerful pack in the city.

My blood ran cold as the reality hit me like a physical blow.

This was not a random runaway wolf. This was James Cole, the cold, ruthless CEO I was supposed to report to at eight o'clock this morning.

My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I was certain the two guards behind him could hear it. The scent of pine and rain washed over me, thick and suffocating, dragging every memory from that dark motel room straight back to the surface. He stood over my desk in a flawless charcoal suit, looking every bit the cold corporate titan, yet the dark gold flare in his eyes promised total ruin.

"You left before breakfast, little wolf," he rasped softly, his voice a low vibration meant for my ears alone. "And you left your jacket in my bed."

I squeezed my hands into tight fists beneath the desk, willing my hands to stop trembling. I met his gaze, refusing to let the panic in my chest show on my face. "I believe you have me mistaken for someone else, Mr. Cole. I arrived in the city late last night and came straight to the office this morning."

A slow, dangerous smile touched the corner of his lips. He straightened up, smoothing the front of his jacket with steady hands. "Is that so? Then we will have to discuss your credentials in detail." He turned to the two men standing behind him. "Leave us. Clear the floor for the next hour."

The guards hesitated for a fraction of a second before bowing their heads and stepping back into the elevator. The silver doors slid shut, leaving an eerie silence in the vast glass lobby.

James didn't move away. Instead, he leaned over the desk, resting both palms on the cool surface, trapping me in his shadow. "You smell like my mark, Nora. You can pretend all you want, but your pulse is beating against your throat like a trapped bird."

"This is a place of business," I whispered, my voice tight as I pressed my back against the leather chair. "I was hired to manage your schedule, not to play whatever games you bring from the shadows."

"This is no game," he growled, the rich timber of his voice sending an unwanted spark straight down my spine. "You surrendered to me in the dark. You called me yours. And then you ran into the morning light thinking a grey suit and a fake name would protect you from an Alpha Prime."

He walked around the edge of the desk, his movements fluid and predatory. Before I could pull away, his large, warm hand reached out, his thumb gently catching my jawline and tilting my face up. The heat of his skin burned through my composure. My breath hitched, my eyes locked onto his sharp, handsome features.

"Why are you here?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he searched my face. "Did Daniel send you?"

The mention of my ex-fiance felt like a slap across the face. My chest tightened with genuine anger. "Daniel has nothing to do with this. I left him three days ago. I took this job because I needed a life of my own, away from his pack and his lies."

James stared down at me, his thumb tracing the soft skin of my lower lip. The wild tension between us pulled so tight it felt ready to snap. "If Daniel finds out you are in my territory, he will bring a war to my doorstep."

"Then fire me," I challenged, holding his fiery gaze despite the tremor in my voice. "Let me walk out those doors right now."

He lowered his head until his lips brushed against the shell of my ear, his hot breath making every nerve in my body snap tight. "You belong to me now, Nora. No one walks away from the Prime."

His hand slid down my neck, his fingers resting right over the frantic pulse at my collarbone. For a long, breathless moment, the corporate world disappeared. The air grew thick with a intense physical desire that made my head spin. He wanted to claim me right here, against the glass overlooking the city, and a dark, traitorous part of me wanted to let him.

"Mr. Cole," I breathed out, my hands coming up to press against his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his jacket. "Someone will see."

"Let them look," he murmured, his mouth trailing down the slope of my neck, making a quiet gasp escape my throat.

Before he could pull me closer, a loud, sharp tone echoed through the empty hallway. The emergency comm system on my desk began flashing a violent red light.

James stopped instantly. The dark golden glow in his eyes receded, replaced by a cold, lethal intensity. He stepped back, reaching over my desk to press the heavy silver button.

"Speak," James commanded, his voice completely stripping away any trace of the heat we had just shared.

"Alpha," a voice panicked over the speaker, raw with pain and static. "The border on the south ridge was just shattered. It was not a rogue pack."

James leaned over the console, his jaw set like iron. "Who was it?"

"It is the Council Enforcers," the voice gasped out, followed by the sound of distant explosions and wolf howls over the line. "They have a warrant signed by the High Court. They are claiming you harbor a fugitive accused of treason."

My blood ran completely cold.

James slowly turned his head to look at me, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a terrifying suspicion.

"Nora," he said softly, his voice dropping into a deadly whisper that sent a wave of absolute horror through my chest. "What did you steal from Daniel before you fled?"