Rian's "home" is a fortress.
Stone walls, reinforced doors, isolated in the mountains. He carries me inside, past guards who bow their heads in submission.
"Welcome home, Alpha," one says.
"Prepare the bedroom," Rian orders. "My mate needs accommodations."
"I'm not your mate!" I shout.
Everyone ignores me.
He carries me upstairs to a massive bedroom—luxurious but clearly a cage. The windows are barred. The door has a lock on the outside.
"You can't keep me here," I say as he sets me down.
"I can. I will." He gestures around the room. "You'll have everything you need. Clothes, food, books, art supplies—I know you paint."
"How do you know that?"
"I've been watching you for weeks." No shame. "Making sure you were really my fated mate before claiming you."
Horror crawls up my spine. "You stalked me?"
"Protected you." He steps closer. "You have enemies now, Luca. My enemies. Rival packs who would kill you to weaken me. Here, you're safe."
"I was safe in my own home!"
"No. You were vulnerable and alone." His hand cups my face. I try to jerk away, but he holds firm. "Now you're mine. Protected. Claimed."
"I didn't ask for this!"
"No." His thumb brushes my cheekbone. "But you'll learn to accept it. To crave it." His eyes drop to my mouth. "To crave me."
He leans in. I think he's going to kiss me. Instead, his lips brush my ear.
"Fight all you want, Luca. Your body already knows who it belongs to."
Then he's gone, locking the door behind him.
I'm alone in a gilded cage, wearing a mark I never agreed to, bound to a man I don't know.
And the worst part?
My body is still hot from his touch.