“And why’s that, millaya moya?”

She shook her head to clear it. “What the hell does that even mean anyways?” If she was trying to deter him, it wouldn’t work. “My sweet.” She sighed and fell against the door in the closest thing to a swoon he’d seen since the Victorian age. But then her eyes widened and she quickly resumed the stature of a soldier. A sexy soldier. Damn, he wanted her right now. First, he had to take care of this...problem.

“I’m losing patience, Christine. Tell me what’s wrong now.” She sighed in frustration and put a hand on her hip. “Oh, all right, dammit.” Her eyes darted away from his, never lingering in one spot for longer than a second. “I can’t see you anymore.”

Dmetri stood, crossing his arms to glare down at her. “Yes you can and you will. This morning is only the beginning for us.”

She looked up at him and smiled but as if she couldn’t help herself she frowned again.

“No, really, I can’t. Really. ”

“Why?” God, he shouldn’t even be having this conversation now. They should be entwined in the covers of her bed right now, him deep inside of her.

“I-I can’t tell you that.”

That damned tic pulsed at his temple. “Why not?” He felt like he was back interviewing criminals at the Justicars’ office asking endless question after question.

When she only shrugged, he wanted to shake her.

“Dear, God, woman just tell me.” It was almost a shout.

“Fine,” she said, stiffening. “I don’t want to waste my time with a man I won’t mate with.

So after this morning, it’s done.”

Dmetri rubbed a hand across his forehead. The pounding there grew heavier, faster. “I don’t want to mate with you, Christine.”

A light in her eyes dimmed, and her lips flattened. He almost regretted saying it but surely she knew that, had heard about him from Vera.

“Of course not but if I’m...doing whatever with you then that hinders me from searching for my mate.”

“That’s because you won’t be searching for your mate while you’re with me. You’ll be with me and only me.” Her eyes widened and he realized he’d made it a threat. And that damn strange feeling was back in his chest—dark and possessive.

“No, that’s why I won’t be with you so I can search for my mate.” He’d heard enough of this. “Christine, listen to me. You are mine now.” Her eyes widened and lips parted in surprise. Her lips...he couldn’t wait to taste them again. “This means that after we catch Claude you’re coming back with me.” She jerked back in shock then tossed her head back and laughed. Tic, tic, went his temple.

“You are forever laughing at me,” he warned dangerously.

She stopped laughing but still looked at him like he was nuts. “I’m not going anywhere with you, ever. Dmetri, you heard what I said, right? I’m looking for an Alpha to mate with. I can’t do that if I’m with you.”

“No you can’t, but I want you so you’re coming with me.” She looked sad as the laughter faded from her like she truly regretted this. Looking away, she said, “I have a date tomorrow.”

Tic, tic.

“With me, of course.”

She slowly shook her head and swallowed hard enough for him to see it. “My mother set up a date, okayed it through Vane to let him in. He’s another Alpha—” She didn’t get to finish her sentence because he picked her up in his arms and slammed his mouth down on hers. As she sucked in a surprised breath he thrust his tongue inside.

The kiss was brutal, mind-numbing, wonderfully delicious. He told her with his kiss what he couldn’t with words.

This woman was the most frustrating female he’d ever met. He liked her, he wanted her, and she wanted him ergo done deal. She was his and he’d settle for nothing less now that he’d tasted her.

He pulled away and stared down at her glossy eyes. “If you think I’ll just leave you alone, you’re in for a hell of a surprise, Christine. When I said that you’re mine, I meant it. Those words will not be undone.”

Her wide eyes were so distraught that he wanted to go straight to her mother’s house and have a little...talk with her. She did this; she put these stupid ideas in his woman’s head. His woman...he really liked the sound of that. Just for practice he decided to say the words aloud.

“You’re mine now. And you won’t be seeing that Alpha tomorrow. Do you hear me?”

“Okay.”

He blinked, expecting to hear her protest.

“Good,” he growled, and then claimed her lips again.

He backed her into the door, grabbed her hips to lift her up, and kissed her like he really wanted to. Like he was branding her. She thrust her soft little tongue in his mouth and licked at his fang. His mind nearly exploded at the touch. Hot and wicked just like her. He growled as his body tightened with arousal.

Her phone started ringing. While he was content to keep kissing her and finally take things into the bedroom, she pushed at him until he let her down and ran for the phone.

She mumbled a ‘sorry’ to him before answering. She kept her voice oddly low as she answered the call and darted looks at him.

Dmetri started towards her and her eyes widened. She quickly hung up.

“Who was that?”

Her eyebrows rose high. “Just my mother,” she said quickly. “Listen, I have a lot of work to do today. A few of the members are sick, but maybe I’ll see you tonight?” He knew she was trying to push him away but he let her...for now. He needed to have a few words with a certain Alpha anyways.

He grabbed her by the back of her neck and when she climbed on her toes to better reach him he smiled with approval. Her eyes fluttered close as he leaned down, but he skipped her mouth and went for her neck.

Her gasp of surprise made him rethink not taking her into the bedroom right now. The bite marks from this morning were still fresh and red. He licked sensuously over the bites and felt her shudder against him.

“Later,” he promised and left.

Dmetri found the Kategans in the backyard at Vanes. The BBQ pit smoked with charring meat. Lawn chairs were pulled up and the women congregated together, smiling and passing around the new baby while the men sipped beers around the grill.

Dmetri didn’t really have a plan, though he usually made one. He also probably didn’t think what he was about to do through.

The Kategan men nodded at him as he approached. Ignoring them, he stepped in front of Vane and shoved him back. It was only a few feet but it was enough room for what he was about to do.

Vane looked at him, his expression part outrage and shock. Then Dmetri slammed his fist into his face.

Maybe if he’d planned this better then he wouldn’t have ended up in an outright brawl.

But as such, with his emotions running high on anger and the damned thought of Christine going out with a possible mate—and possibly fucking him—really, really made him want to hit something. So he chose the man who’d let her accept the date.

As soon as his fist connected with Vane’s jaw, several semi-trucks slammed into him from the side and back. He grunted and hit the ground with enough force to make his teeth chatter.

Fucking lykaens and their strength. Dmetri caught one of the men—Darien—and rolled with him in a tackle. Darien’s palm shot up connected with his nose. Dmetri lifted an elbow and slammed it into Darien’s face a second before he was dragged off.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

It was Jackson’s voice. Dmetri wrapped his arms around the arms pulling him and threw him forward; Jackson went soaring through the air but gracefully rolled on the ground as he landed.

Vane came over him and clocked him in the jaw—hard. His vision actually darkened, blurring for several seconds. Dmetri’s blood pumped so hard his muscles were tight with the need to expend pent-up energy. Dmetri shot forward with his speed and wrapped his arm around Vane’s throat. He backed up with him like he was holding him hostage, putting his back to the outside so no one could sneak up on him.