  With a derisive snort, I become motionless. Accepting the defeat, it's all I can do for now. I'm going nowhere unless I hear this brute out.

  

      "Fine." I spit, feigning an air of calmness. "I'll listen." "Good girl." He teases, gradually releasing me from his grip. Surveying me carefully, Dante folds his arms. He's blocking the door completely, leaning against it with a smirk, just in case I decide not to cooperate. "So...care to justify why you're holding me captive?" I grunt, copying his stance and keeping my distance. "Despite your fake reassurances that you wouldn't hold me here against my will?"

  

      Dante chuckles, irritating me further. "You have no idea, do you? Seems like your family didn't want to take any chances." Stretching his arms lazily, Dante yawns. "Here's the deal. Your Dad told me you would be reluctant to accept the concept of us being mates. Accordin

  A few minutes before six o'clock, I make my way to Dante's study. Nora conveniently disappeared before I could ask her to accompany me, so I had no choice but to consult the framed map of the pack house, placed in the kitchen.

  

      I feel as if the house has gone silent; the pack members have strategically disappeared, which is obviously planned. Nothing to stop me from talking to Dante.

  

      To my surprise, I'm actually relishing this phone call. I'd love to see how Dad attempts to justify this little stunt. Instead of directing my anger at Dante, as I had previously done, I'm bottling it in preparation for when I next face my father.

  

      Mooching past the lobby, I pause for a second. There's nobody in sight, no brute of an Alpha to stop me from fleeing. With a tentative step, I ponder my options. Don't even think about it.

  

      With a dramatic sigh, I listen 

  "I-- I used to date the Alpha of our pack. Kurt. We weren't mates." I mumble hesitantly, aware of the hated between Kurt and Dante.

  

      "And you believe Kurt finding his mate ruined your chances with him?" He adds calmly, jaw rigid with tension.

  

      "Honestly?" I grimace, wringing my hands. "I used to think that. Then I opened my eyes and realised Kurt was never the one for me. Despite the whole mate thing, we didn't have much in common. I was holding onto a dwindling relationship."

  

      Dante says nothing, clasping a hand under his chin. I can't gauge his reaction to my words and how can I? I hardly know him.

  

      "Well I'm relieved to hear that." I gaze curiously at him, half expecting a lack of interest. After all, I admitted my infamous relationship to him.

  

      "It doesn't bother you?" I whisper in confusion.

  

      "Actually, it bothers me a lot." Dante nods, leaning towards me with his eyes on my lap. "Not enough to put me off, if that's what you're getting at."

  

      "You're surprisingly understanding." I smile for the first time, starting to warm to him. "You're not what I expected."

  

      "I want you to let your guard down, Aly." Dante lingers on my name, sending goosebumps down my arms. "I'm not about to haul you off and hold you captive."

  

      "Then you're doing good so far, Alpha." I murmur lightly, fixated on his golden eyes.

  

      "Dante." He breathes in frustration. "How long will it take for you to call me by my name? You're not an acquaintance."

  

      "Am I not, Dante? I wasn't aware that we've met before."

  

      "That's more like it." He smirks, eyes lightening up as I mention his name. "It doesn't matter whether we've met before or not. I feel like I know you already."

  

      "Pretty risky words to say. We're complete strangers to each other."

  

      "Then let us get to know each other. Why are you so afraid?" Dante murmurs, raising an eyebrow.

  

      "I-- I have to go." I exhale harshly, pushing the armchair back so I can sidestep him.

  

      "Where?" Resting his feet on my vacated spot, Dante watches me fret with a smug look.

  

      "Home. I need to find my Dad." I respond in a quivering voice, trying to get myself together. Ready to storm out of the lounge, I stop at the sound of Dante's chuckle.

  

      "Your Dad and your brothers have left." He grins at me, waggling his eyebrows.

  

      "Bullshit." I spit, his cocky demeanour aggravating me. "You're just trying to mess with me."

  

      "Oh really now?" Dante's smile disappears, a confident air of determination engulfing him.

  

      Getting to his feet, he strides to the large windows. With a rough pull of the curtains, Dante reveals the landscape to me. My stomach drops when I realise the car has disappeared.

  

      "No..." I gasp, covering my mouth. I don't care if I've lost my cool. "They haven't-- they wouldn't dare."

  

      "I'm afraid so, babe." Dante shrugs, approaching me steadily.

  

      "You're lying!" I yell, stepping back in disbelief. "Don't play games with me."

  

      Dante continues to hound me and with each step he take sin my direction, I stagger back. Tumbling over the threshold, I collide with a sturdy object. Dante catches me before I fall, the contact almost searing through my skin.

  

      I look back to find my huge, flowery suitcase upended on the granite tiles. Inadvertently, I realise he's right. My family have left me at the mercy of this man. "Your Dad wants you to stay with me for a while. So we can get to know each other without any interference." His cocky smile has disappeared, a serious expression smoothing his features. "You will live here with me---"

  

      "No!" I scream, taking advantage of his loosened grip.

  

      I race towards the front door as fast as my heels will allow me. Pulling the handle, I jump over the threshold and not the pouring rain. I will walk back home if I have to. The empty driveway is silent, pellets of rain falling fast and creating a hazy mist over the land.

  

      I barely make it forward, a thick set of arms curling around my waist. "I don't think so." Dante's harsh voice fills my ears. Pressed against his solid chest, I squirm and writhe, screaming at the top of my lungs.

  

      "Help!" I shriek. "Somebody help me!" My wolf refuses to shift, perfectly content with being held prisoner. I have to rely on my puny human strength, a mere twig compared to Dante's tree trunk like arms.

  

      "Bring her inside before she catches a cold!" Nora calls faintly.

  

      "I thought you-- you weren't going to hold me captive?" I protest frantically, helpless as he hoists me over his shoulder.

  

      "I lied." Dante replies smoothly, ignoring my persistent screams and ambling back to the house.

  

      ----

  

      Sneaky tactics.

  

      "If you carry on throwing things at me, I swear to God..." Dante growls, dodging the heavy vase I launched towards him.

  

      "This is kidnap!" I screech, pulling my stilettos off and aiming them at his stupid head.

  

      With a dull thud, the shoes hit him square in the chest. That's when I realise I've ran out of missiles to throw and the dangerous glint in his golden eyes puts a stop to my anger.

  

      "I warned you." Dante whispers, kicking my heels aside and striding towards me with measured pace. Well done. You've pissed him off.

  

      "Why won't you let me leave?" I mutter, stumbling back cautiously. My quiet response is ignored and I know he won't fall for it. I gallop towards his bedroom door, deciding to go for it. Dante's arms of steel encase me again, capturing me. I cry out in frustration, kicking my legs back and even try to bite my way out. Despite chomping on his arm, it has no effect on his grip.

  

      "Now, are you going to calm down or do I have to get the pack doctor to sedate you?" Dante hisses in my ear, pressing me against his strapping chest.

  

      "Why won't you let me go?" I mumble, giving up on my escape attempts. "None of this would be happening if you had let me leave."

  

      "Get a grip first. Then I'll explain everything." Dante retorts, still and immovable. "Jeez...when your Dad said you would put up a fight, he wasn't kidding."

With a derisive snort, I become motionless. Accepting the defeat, it's all I can do for now. I'm going nowhere unless I hear this brute out.
  
      "Fine." I spit, feigning an air of calmness. "I'll listen." "Good girl." He teases, gradually releasing me from his grip. Surveying me carefully, Dante folds his arms. He's blocking the door completely, leaning against it with a smirk, just in case I decide not to cooperate. "So...care to justify why you're holding me captive?" I grunt, copying his stance and keeping my distance. "Despite your fake reassurances that you wouldn't hold me here against my will?"
  
      Dante chuckles, irritating me further. "You have no idea, do you? Seems like your family didn't want to take any chances." Stretching his arms lazily, Dante yawns. "Here's the deal. Your Dad told me you would be reluctant to accept the concept of us being mates. According to him - you need a little tough love. He's given me permission to win your heart and he knows y

Chapter 6-1