Unwanted Mate (The Alpha Shifter Collection)

The scent coming from him told her he was wolf.

If he was one of their kind, why did he attack their pack? Not that it was a problem for her. She was used to running, but it was rather strange being surrounded by those who often mocked her during the times she tried to save herself.

“You,” the new man said, pointing off at the group of men.

Sofia glanced to where he pointed and saw Bill, one of her many tormentors, was picked up and dragged to the center where their attacker waited.

They had all tried to run, but they hadn’t gotten far before they were captured. The man in the center hadn’t been alone.

Men of equal size surrounded him. They were present now, smiling at them. The women and men had been separated. The men chained up, the women bound with rope.

The feel of it against her flesh was uncomfortable. She hated being tied up.

Slow, deep breaths helped, but she gasped as the man, who she now assumed was the alpha, drew a knife, plunged it in Bill’s stomach, and thrust it up to his heart.

The sight of blood made her feel sick, and she had no choice but to look away.

“You all think your alpha is going to save you? He is weak. He is nothing. Simpering on the floor like a damn coward,” he said.

Sofia raised her gaze in time to see him slam his hand against his chest.

“The name’s Caspian, and each of you, you’re going to pay.” His gaze ran over the crowd, and when it landed on her, he nodded for one of his men to grab her.

She didn’t fight. There was no point.

Her pack wouldn’t save her. There would be no victory here.

She was surprised as his men lifted her up, not brutally, but with care.

Why weren’t they being rough? Why weren’t they forcing her to the floor like an animal?

One of the men put a hand at her back and helped her move closer to … Caspian.

It was a strange name. Not one she’d heard before.

Her heart raced as she was less than a foot in front of him. His men let her go, and she faced him, waiting for whatever decision he’d decided to make.

Sinking her teeth into her lip, she tried not to beg for mercy, or to ask for anything. Instead, she remained perfectly still, waiting for whatever verdict he intended to give.

She hoped for a quick death. One that didn’t hurt her. She was so tired of pain.

Her hands were jerked in front of her, and then the rope was removed from her wrists. Sofia looked at Caspian, trying to see any sign of what he’d do. Any clue.

Nothing.

The man wasn’t an open book.

The sharp gaze of his eyes, they were almost black, with hints of brown. Was the man mad? Had his wolf taken over?

His hair was shoulder-length, long and brown. To many women, he’d be considered handsome, even she found him … attractive. This was unusual for her, seeing as most of the men in her pack had forced her to hate them right from the start.

He flicked the blade so that he held the tip in his fingers and presented the handle to her. “Finish him off,” he said. His voice was deep, commanding.

She felt the alpha within his wolf.

Her own wolf was scared stiff, but she wasn’t sure if that was her or not.

“What?”

“You heard me.” He kicked at the alpha, who lay curled up in a ball, groaning.

The beating she’d witnessed the alpha receive was bad, but she couldn’t help but feel he was a coward, considering the number of times he’d ordered her own beating, and she’d had no choice but to take it.

In comparison, he truly didn’t have what it took to lead.

Sofia shook her head, clasping her hands together. “No.” She couldn’t do it.

Caspian burst out laughing. “Well, well, well, I am surprised.” He took a step toward her, and she couldn’t help but tense up. “Do you think I don’t know what this man is capable of?” He inhaled deep, and Sofia couldn’t look away as his nose trailed from her cheek, up to her ear.

Her body came alive, and she hated herself.

At a time like this, why did she suddenly start acting like a wolf in heat?

Letting go of her hands, she clenched them into fists, hoping so damn much that her body would get control of itself. The thought of being aroused right now didn’t bode well with her.

Caspian inhaled. “I can smell you. It’s okay, little one. I am used to women being affected by me. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.”

“I’m not going to kill him,” she said.

“Why not? He means nothing to you. This man has done nothing but hurt and torture you for years. Has he broken your spirit that much you won’t even think of taking revenge?” he asked.