Chapter 23

I grind my teethacross the soft fabric Dante stuffed in my mouth. I should be terrified that he kidnapped me, but I’m pissed off. This is too much. He should’ve left me alone to try to process things. The others should know that we were brought here by wolf men... wolf shifters. For what? I’m about to find out. I’m just nervous about the answers. I don’t know Dante well enough to read him, but I do know he won’t tell me everything.

“Here, let me help you put this on. You’re probably cold.” Dante pulls a T-shirt out of his backpack and hangs it in front of me.

“If you promise not to scream, I’ll remove your gag and untie you. I’m sorry I felt like I had to do it. Your shock over my revelation is setting off your fear instincts.”

I narrow my eyes at him and mumble, “I’m not scared of you.”

His lips curl to the side in a partial smirk. He’s amused, obviously able to understand me. Actually, I’m pretty certain he can read my mind.

“I can.” He kneels in front of me, slowly pulling the fabric from my mouth.

“Seriously?” This is all so unbelievable. “What about the other assholes? If they could, I’m sure they would’ve stopped me from jumping from the yacht.”

“You’re right. They can’t. You don’t belong to them.” Dante uses a knife to cut the vines he wrapped around my wrists. What the hell does he mean about me not belonging to them? He makes it sound as if I’m his.

I swing my arm out and try to slap him, refusing to be a docile, good little captive. He catches me by my wrist and tilts his head. Locking me in a staring contest, he silently dares me to try again. If I thought he wouldn’t restrain me, I would. I’d punch him in the cock too.

“Let me go. Now. I don’t like the way you said that as if I might be yours.” I heave a couple of deep breaths, waiting for him to release my hand.

His jaw twitches. “You are mine. You might deny it, but you are. That’s why I can’t leave you. My soul won’t allow it. The moment I saw you, my wolf knew who you were intended to be, but I must be careful. I’m not in a position to make such claims. I can’t go against my pack either. They are still trying to determine who is worthy and who isn’t, but I know you are. We all do, Sasha, my love. My wolf proves it. My alpha will figure it out soon enough.”

His love? He’s a psycho. “Fuck off, Dante. You can’t just stake a claim on me, whatever that means. I’m not something to be owned. If you even think I’ll be with you, you’re crazy. I’d pick anyone else over you. You know there are five other guys who want the chance to be with me. And you know what? I plan on giving it to them. There’s nothing better to do here.” I remain serious with my words. He can’t get away with this, and I won’t just pretend either. I can’t. I’ve lost the ability to act as if I will obey the second I was taken. This is about surviving, not just trying to live better. I wouldn’t even let a client treat me like this.

A deep, guttural growl escapes his throat. “You can do what you want, but it doesn’t change anything. Only our goddess decides who is worthy and who isn’t. And so far, no one has shown as much. By the time this is over, you might be the only one left.”

“What do you mean by that? If you would just give me some answers, maybe I wouldn’t be thinking about the ten different ways I can keep you on your knees so I can run. What are you, exactly? A werewolf? Why am I here? Am I some sort of prey for you to play with? Why was I chosen? Why were the others?” I wish I had a pen and paper to write everything down to make sure he doesn’t skip anything. If he’s going to keep me here, I might as well try to figure out as much as I can to take back to the others. Because I will go back. He can’t just imprison me in this damn cave.

“You’re not our prey nor is this a game. Our species goes by many names. Werewolves, shifters, and lycans to those bitten and moon-called. Moonborne, lunarcanis, lykoswulf to those born from the packs.” Dante studies my expression for a reaction.

I try not to give him one.

“You’re here because it was your fate and always has been. Shadow Moon runs in your blood.” Dante reaches out and touches my cheek.

I remain utterly still as his warm fingers caress my jaw, working toward my ear. He combs my dark hair from my face, hovering close enough for me to smell the tropical scent of pineapple on his skin blending with the musk of animal and rawness of woods.

It’s like my brain shuts down, and my body takes over, triggered by the sudden pleasantness of his fragrance. His touch sends electricity jolting through me. Tingles crawl from my heart and down my stomach. I gasp at the sudden lust blooming between us. His cock hardens, and I shift my eyes to look at it pressing against the soft fabric of his shorts. I don’t know how I know, but sudden raw desires come to life with our closeness.

His lips part with his deep breathing, and I stretch my neck, closing the space between us inch by inch. What am I doing? Why do I want to suddenly kiss him? I don’t understand, and a part of me doesn’t even care.

He doesn’t move, drinking me in as I shift my body, squirming under the intensity of his gaze. I lick my lips, silently begging him to make the first move. I don’t want to be the one to give in to this intoxicating, feral need.

“You feel it now, don’t you?” Dante murmurs, caressing his thumb back down my jaw.

I swallow and nod my head. “What are you doing to me?”

“That’s not me. That is your nature, Sasha. You were always destined to end up on the island. You should’ve been born here. Your grandmother was the one and only human-born wolf to ever escape.” Dante locks me with his blue eyes, his words stabbing deeply into me.

My grandmother? How can that be? I would know if I was whatever the fuck he claims to be. My parents were human. There isn’t a single doubt about it.

“You’re lying. I would know if I were like you.” It’s enough to knock some sense into me, and I smack his hand away and crawl back, hitting my shoulders to the cave wall.

He crawls closer, pressing his palms against the cool stone on each side of my head, caging me in. I should shove him back. I should do anything to put space between us again, but it’s as if I’m entranced by his blue gaze.

“You are not like me yet. I said that Shadow Moon ran through your blood. It doesn’t have your soul yet. Those bitten by my kind can’t create more. Your grandmother started your line with a human. You are human. But you won’t be soon enough. My alpha is coming for those chosen. That’s why I’m here. I couldn’t stand the thought of no one preparing you for what happens next. It is my duty as your mate to ensure you’re okay.” Dante leans even closer, brushing his lips to my ear. “You don’t understand it yet, but you will in time. You are mine. You just have to accept it.”

I press my palm to his chest, getting him to move back. “No, I don’t. I don’t have to accept any of this. If you say that I’m not whatever the fuck you are, then I’m going to keep it that way. I’m going to get off this island. You can’t keep me here.”

His eyes flash gold, and a guttural growl escapes his lips and vibrates across me. The sexy noise sends goosebumps over my skin. His primal reaction unexpectedly gets to me in a good way. Who knew I’d like such possessiveness? I’ve always hated it before. “You’re right. I can’t keep you here, but the island can. It will. There is no escaping.”

Anger rushes through me, and I push him back. He doesn’t try to grab me or fight me this time, and I scramble to my feet and get up. Bolting toward the cave entrance, I run in the direction of the forest. I have no idea how to get back to camp, but I will figure it out. Knowing that Dante never leaves me gives me the nerve to escape him. It gives me the bravado to face whatever threat might be lingering within the forest. I need space from him. I’m afraid if I allow him to keep me any longer, it might weaken my resistance.

“Head north. You’ll run into your group.” Dante’s words swirl through my mind as he gives me directions to find my way back. I don’t know why he does it, but it slows me down, my need to flee lessening. It makes me consider turning around and sticking it out a bit longer. He is the one with answers after all.