Alpha's Claim

Born in Thólos’s inescapable underground prison, raised in darkness and made into something unstoppable, I have conquered the city that created me. Violently. With skill, cunning, and absolutely no mercy. And then I saw her. I’m possessed by an urge to keep Claire O’Donnell locked away from the ugly world. To hold her innocence in the palm of my rough hand. To run my fingers through her hair. Capturing my stolen bride is easy. Teaching her to accept my obsession is complicated. Why does she refuse to submit? And why does that entice me all the more? Fortunately, I enjoy the chase.

My mate does not think I know how to love. But what can be more loving than saving Claire O'Donnell from a world that deserves to burn? To keep her warm, fed? To give her attention and my touch? I protect her from the city I torment; she dreams of escape. Thinks she can save Thólos from my wrath. But there is no undoing the pair-bond, no matter how she may resist it. I have proven that, haven't I? And my pretty mate must accept that she is mine. Just like she must accept the child in her womb. My child.

Locked safely away in Shepherd's nest, Claire is unaware of what stirs aboveground. Her time is occupied fighting a war of another kind. Due to her mate's relentless exploitation of their pair-bond, the nature of their link has grown consuming to the point that Claire has difficulty differentiating where her feelings begin and his end.

One claiming mark on her throat, another at her shoulder, Brenya Perin stands amidst the soft breeze above the glittering city ruled by her mate. And trembles. She'd tried to run from her fate. And failed. Punishment came in the mania of her mate's obsession, in the Commodore's constant need for her.