I Won't Survive Him

Warmth.

All I could feel all around me was his warmth that seemed to engulf me in a kind of cocoon as did his scent. All the events of the previous night fluttered through my mind like a movie, bringing forth a flush onto my features unlike any other.

You must have been out of your damn mind, Alexandra...

Although the urge to crawl in a hole and chastise myself for giving into my baser urges, I could not help the small part of me that reveled in the attention he gave me. In the absolute pleasure he brought me that was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

Reed and I had not indulged in much foreplay. On the contrary, although the sex had felt intense then for a first time, I knew deep down that there was so much more to come with the man whose hand was firmly wrapped around my waist.

I felt so overwhelmingly safe in his arms, content and at home. The feeling scared the hell out of me but also brought me some form of comfort. I knew better than to welcome the man before me so easily and indulge in all he had to offer me when I barely knew him.

Then you should learn more about him...You should make the effort to figure him out. He is now your future...

My sub conscious was right. More than right even. I had to give him a chance. I had to slowly learn more about Dante Livorno. I had to look past the rumors.

Vacating the bed after my mind was made up was not as easy a feat as I thought it would be, most especially when my mate kept tugging me even closer to his bare, tattooed chest.

"Don't go just yet..."

He muttered groggily, the sound of his deep, sleep filled voice sending literal shivers through my body. Everything about this man made me come alive. He was addictive, a man I knew was probably not very good for my health but I welcomed his intensity. I welcomed the overwhelming emotions he brought forth.

"I need to use the bathroom..."

I muttered, not sure he'd heard me through the fog of sleep. I had no idea what time he came to bed the previous night but something within me was certain that it had not been right after I passed out. Being an Alpha was not an easy feat. Much less being the leader of the most powerful pack in our world apart from the Werewolf King's army.

I was in awe of him as many were. To have achieved so much at his age was certainly an impressive feat.

The feel of his lips on my bare shoulder jolted me back to the present as goosebumps spread across my skin. His kiss was chaste, almost reverent before he let me go and for a split second, I genuinely considered staying right there. Right beside him.

That's not an option, Alex...You need to begin your plan to get to know him better and the bed is certainly not the place for that...

I blushed at my thoughts, the shade of red sticking even as I washed my face, brushed my teeth and rid myself of his shirt that he had, no doubt, dressed me in. Finding a fresh one in his closet, I donned the black shirt that settled just past my mid thigh. His scent surrounded me, comforted me as I made my way down the spiral staircase.

"So sweet of him to think of my comfort..."

I muttered, making my way into the kitchen which was deserted still, the sun slowly peaking through the horizon. I was not stunned to be awake early, especially after how long I slept on the way to my new home. It was also an added plus for I could make breakfast for Dante before the Omegas arrived.

Finding everything I could need for a filling breakfast of eggs, bacon, coffee and toast, I got to work whilst dancing to the music on the sound system. My mate's playlist was pretty much a replica of my own and I could not help but be in awe of the similarity. The glimpses into his persona were welcome and I could not help but look forward to the more to come.

A smile stretched across my lips as I plated the food, appalled by the overwhelming content that filled me. There may be so many unknowns. My heart was still somewhat broken, longing for Reed Michaels and yet being in this massive manor made me feel like everything would be okay.

How could there be so much turmoil in my soul but also so much excitement for what's to come...

They were conflicting emotions that I welcomed. I hated uncertainty but this...this was good.

The sound of a clearing throat brought me back to the present, prompting me to turn to face the two men at the doorway who watched me, their eyes straying from the breakfast I had prepared to me.

I was acutely aware of the fact that I was dressed in a less than decent shirt that exposed more than I probably should be showcasing but, in my defense, I didn't realize we would be having people over so early.

"Well, fuck. I didn't realize Dante went into town yesterday before he came back. She is certainly quite the catch, though. He outdid himself. You think he would let us share her? I mean, it would only be fair that we gain the spoils of such a sexy catch. And she cooks too..."

One of the men spoke up, his eyes settling on my bare thighs and the tattoo emblazoned across one of my thighs. His words, though reprehensible and annoying as hell, also kind of stung.

You knew he wasn't patiently waiting for you, Alex...Heck, you yourself didn't...You have no right to be hurt that he's been with other women and yet...and yet it hurt.

The other man rolled his eyes at his companion's words, seeming less than pleased by his blatant degradation of me as his eyes continued to make their way through my body, inspecting every single bit of me. The urge to barf was strong as was the pull to teach him a lesson but I would not lose my temper so easily.

This is also new territory...I can't start things off here at the wrong foot...

"Oh wow...you talk a big game. Sorry, I'm not in the habit of entertaining ignorant blokes who speak out of their ass. Last guy on Earth and all..."

I waved him off, taking a bite of my bacon as the other guy chuckled, seeming genuinely amused by my dig at his friend. His companion was not as amused, though, as he glared scathingly at me. It was a look I figured would have intimidated many but I could not find it in me to pretend he intimidated me.

"You disrespectful bitch! You think you're special because he had you once?! Now you think you're better than everyone else? You aren't special, sweetheart. There have been multiple before you and each of them have been replaced. You're no different. So play nice, and I just might let you suck my d*ck before you leave. Earn you some cash for the cab home."

He pulled out a wad of bills, the sinister smirk on his lips nauseating as he took a step towards me. His friend seemed less than pleased by his insults, his hand reaching out instantly to hold his companion back.

"Hey. Don't be an asshole, Jace. Leave her alone."

The other man muttered, but his words seem to fall on deaf ears as 'Jace' pulled his hand from his friend's grip and, instead, threw the bills right at me. Leaning to the side instantly, I watched as they hit the cabinet behind me before raining down around me.

"On your knees, whore."

He declared, seeming thoroughly pleased himself as he cupped his crotch while staring right at me with mirth filled eyes. I was not one to get easily provoked but this asshole was getting dangerously close to pushing me over the edge.

Releasing a small, exasperated breath that was also in efforts to calm down, I placed my coffee cup back on the counter before grabbing my fork.

"Were you dropped on the head as a child? Or are you just inherently fucking dumb? You really believe your ugly ass would ever have a chance with me? You stupid piece of literal shit."

I muttered, unable to hold back the insult anymore that would work well with my intended plan. I had already surmised everything I needed to know about the idiot in front of me, an easy counter already formulating within my mind to end this quickly.

As expected, 'Jace' seethed at my insult before advancing towards me. His friend moved to stop him but it was already too late.

For him at least...

Tightening my grip on the fork, I prepared myself to extinguish my opponent but he never got to me. Rage simmered in the air as well as the sound of choking as my mate stood in front of me, his hand gripping Jace's neck so tightly, I was stunned he hadn't snapped it.

"Dante..."

I began but I knew he couldn't hear me through his festering anger. I was yet to see him so pissed off. So ready to enact the worst kind of punishment there could ever be. This man before me now was the Dante Livorno, the ruthless Alpha who had razed through packs and destroyed his enemies in the process. He was the lethal ruler of the most powerful pack in the world.

And try as I might, I couldn't help the sliver of fear that engulfed me as I looked upon his angry snarl and rage filled features that were still so devastatingly handsome...

"How dare you, Jason?! In my fucking house, you dare disrespect my Luna?!"

Dante declared, his booming voice making each of us flinch, including Jace who seemed to have realized the gravity of his mistake. Fear radiated off of him as well as his companion whose gaze travelled from me to his Alpha, shock and fear wedged deep within his orbs.

"We didn't know, Dante...we just got back...we didn't know..."

The other man tried to speak up but his words fell on deaf ears as my mate turned to him with a scathing glare that was so severe, the other man went instantly mute.

"Do I look like I fucking care, Kaden? Is this how you treat all the women you come across? You beat her until she sucks your cock?"

Dante seethed, the very prospect of such an act seemingly making his blood boil as he turned back to a struggling Jason whose skin was quickly losing color, the choking sounds becoming less and less.

Holy fuck...He's killing him...

"Dante...please...let him go. You're going to kill him."

I began, moving to step forward when my mate turned to me with a growl, the golden hue in his eyes overshadowing everything else. His wolf had come out to play and it was not seemingly ready to relent.

"You would defend this piece of shit who was ready to hurt you...fuck, maybe even take advantage of you?!"

The very thought seemed to push him to the edge of sanity as he tightened his grip on Jason's neck even more. Noting the urgency as Jason's body began to grow limp, I took a quick step forward, placing my hand against his cheek whilst praying to the goddess that this works.

"This is not the way I wish for justice to be served. Punish him another way. But please...don't kill him..."

My words and my touch seemed to register but he seemed momentarily confused by the mercy I proffered the man.

Heck, I myself was stunned by my words but not single part of me felt prepared to start my day in Crescent Moon with a pack member's blood on my hands. The situation itself had already escalated quite a lot.

Killing him is also a bit much...

My mate's grip seemed to relent somewhat as he took me in, seeming genuinely perturbed by my words.

His head leaning to the side, oblivious to the man dangling above the air from his still crushing grip, his free hand came to rest on my cheek as his indecipherable gaze seemed to study me, try and figure out what makes me tick.

Despite the tense and fucked up situation we were in, I welcomed his touch as I closed my eyes and reveled in it. His scrutiny seemed a little out of place. My motivations for saving Jason's life should not have been so hard to understand and yet a part of me felt...no, knew that he needed this.

A part of me knew that he could not understand otherwise...

"You shine so bright...your heart, it's so warm and kind."

His words were barely above a whisper and yet I heard them all.

Just as well as I heard the sickening crack of Jason's neck and the crash of his limp, dead body against the marble floor.

My eyes widened, my gaze never straying from the man before me whose gaze held no remorse.

No regret.

Nothing but scrutiny as he took a step towards me.

I shrunk away from his touch, my legs moving me back and away from him until I was trapped in between the kitchen counter and him. Right in his overwhelming presence that seemed to surround and consume me.

"How long until it breaks?...how long until my darkness consumes you and changes you? I am very protective of the things that belong to me, Alexandra. No matter the person, anyone who dares to take something from me suffers my wrath. I offer no mercy. No forgiveness. Only death."

His tone sounded nonchalant but his eyes. Those burning orbs that swirled with so much emotion. They showed me everything I needed to know and more.

He was not bluffing.

He was teaching me a lesson.

Showing me a glimpse into him that I now didn't want to see at all. Not anymore. Not when such sinister rage and intentions dwelt within him.

"You are mine. You belong to me. And I do not plan on letting anyone, and I mean ANYONE, take you from me. This is who I am. Adapt quickly and do not anger me, baby. This is now your home. Always and Forever, my little wolf."

His smile was not warm. It was not true like the one I glimpsed at back at my pack.

No, this was cold.

Sinister.

A warning.

A life sentence.

My fate was sealed with this man who now owned me.

I realized that all the rumors were true.

He was no man.

My mate was a monster, a killing machine who would destroy me just as well whence he learnt my dark secret.

I won't survive him....

***