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nLET'S CELEBRATE! IT'S MY BIG DAY: A WHOLE NEW BOOK, A WHOLE NEW WORLD, A WHOLE NEW HERO! Check out the excerpt at the end of this chapter (added after the chapter was published so you aren't charged for the words). I hope you love Zev as much as I do!

n*****

nLERRIN

nThe scent of tension, along with the sound of hearts beating too quickly, reached him before the door opened. It was the only warning he received.

nWhen the door opened and the guard—one he hadn't seen before—checked around the door, he was already watching and braced. What was going on?

nThen there was movement and he caught sight of a female form and a white hood. For a moment he thought Suhle had returned and his heart lifted before he squashed it. But then the female stepped inside and, despite bringing the scents of several males, the door closed behind her.

nLerrin braced, keeping one wary eye on the door as she approached.

nShe walked with her head down, not meeting his eyes, in submission. He tensed when stopped, then dropped to her knees, hands clasped at her waist—an offering of devotion.

nWhat the hell was happening?

n

"Master,

" she said, her voice silky with promise.

"I am here to serve.

"

n

"Get on your feet,

" he growled.

"I do not require worship.

"

nShe obeyed quickly and gracefully. She still hadn't met his eyes. Her scent was tense, but also… filled with desire. Lerrin's eyes narrowed.

nShe thought what? That he took females in devotion? That this was the way to reach him? His bed?

n

"Why are you here?

" he asked gruffly, keeping several feet between them.

n

"I come to serve,

" she murmured.

"I was told… I understood that you prefer a submissive female.

" Then she lifted her head enough to meet his gaze from under the hood.

"Submission is my favorite, also,

" she said slyly, her eyes flashing as her scent became drenched in desire.

nLerrin almost coughed with it, shaking his head and his upper lip instinctively pulling back to bare his teeth.

"What is your name?

" he snapped through his teeth.

nShe smiled wider.

"I am Kaiko, Sire.

"

n

"Kaiko, I don't know who you've been speaking to, but you have been sadly misinformed—on several levels it would seem. I am no longer Sire,

" he spat.

"But perhaps more importantly, I do not have a preference for… for any female, let alone a submissive one,

" he growled.

"If you choose devotion, I applaud you, but do not… do not think to sway me with it. Be the strength of who you are. If you wish to attract a male, show your strength. The male that is able to meet you is the male that will be your best partner.

"

nShe was quiet for a moment, then she nodded.

"I understand,

" she said breathily.

nHe took a breath, still frowning. Certain that she didn't understand at all.

nSure enough, a moment later she stepped forward and flipped the hood back, reaching for his shirt, her heart pounding.

nBlocking her hands, he slipped out of her reach and backed away.

"I do not want to fight you, but I will if you do not listen!

"

nShe pulled up for a moment, confusion flashing across her features.

"But… you said to show my strength?

"

n

"To OTHERS, Kaiko. Show your strength to others. I am not… I am not seeking a mate.

" He continued to back away as she began to pursue him across the floor again.

n

"I am not asking to be your mate,

" she chuckled, her voice husky.

"I only wish to offer myself for your pleasure. The game you play, it is… enjoyable. Please be sure I will continue to be strong and—

"

n

"No, Kaiko, you misunderstand. This is not a game. I am trying to entice you. I do not wish to hurt you, but I will if that is what it will take to convince you—

"

n

"I am not adverse to pain—so long as we have a safe word—

"

n

"Do not push me,

" he snarled and stopped backing away.

nHer eyes lit up and he shook his head, accepting that words were not enough. He would need to show her.

"I tried to warn you,

" he growled.

nShe smiled and reached for his buttons and he unleashed, blocking her hand before she could touch him, grasping her wrist and turning her to lock her arms as he held her against his chest, her hands crossed and extended before her.

n

"If you do not wish me to touch you, I would be happy for you to tie me—

"

n

"Do you have no shame?! Hear my words, Kaiko, I do not desire you!

" He spun her and, in one motion, hooked her ankle so she lost her feet.

nKeeping her wrist clasped in his much bigger hand, he caught her weight, but bore her to the ground and put a knee to her sternum to pin her, both wrists clasped in his hand.

nShe'd lost the smile and stared up at him, her mouth slightly open.

n

"I do not want you,

" he snarled.

"And I have no desire for you to touch me. I do not play a game. This is not double-speak. Leave me. Now. I don't know who sent you, but clearly they do not know me as a male, or as a ruler.

"

nShe blinked and swallowed.

"O-okay. I'm sorry.

"

n

"I do not want to hurt you, but if you attempt to touch me again, I will.

"

nShe nodded.

"I understand.

"

nPushing her away as he shifted his weight and danced to his feet, he remained in the defensive stance.

nAs she slowly got to her feet, her cheeks reddening, it occurred to him how easily he had overpowered her. He was reminded of Suhle, of her shaking hands and dark eyes when she spoke of the day the males had overpowered her. She had not been equipped as he was, or as strong. He did not have reason to fear this female, yet he still felt… grubby because she'd touched him.

nHe shook his head. How he wished he could have been there the day those males took Suhle. He would have rained hell on them.

nIf he were free and found them, he still would.

n

"Leave me,

" he snarled at her. She snapped a quick bow of her head, then trotted towards the door, her jaw tight and hands clenched to fists. She was not without strength, he could feel it in her, see it in her form and the way she moved. So why had she chosen this route? Why offer herself for him to simply take her like that?

nShe opened the door and his chest loosened a hair. But she didn't step out. Instead, she leaned out of the door and beckoned at someone else.

nA moment later, five males, strong and clearly warrior trained, all wolves, stepped in behind her and the door closed again. Lerrin's stomach dropped to his toes as all six of them turned to face him.

nThen Kaiko smiled again.

"Lerrin, meet my strength.

" She raised a hand to indicate the males that stood behind her.

nLerrin shook his head and flexed his hands. Understanding dawned.

n*****

nNEW BOOK OUT NOW! My entirely new character and world is now live! It's still in the process of being vetted by NovelFull, but you can find it if you search

"Rise of the Dark Alpha

":

nZev prowled towards her, all shining, brutal beauty, his chin low and those incredible, piercing eyes fixed on her. He didn't stop until they were toe-to-toe and he blocked her view of every other male in the circle.

nHis eyes dipped to her mouth as he leaned in, his whisper playing on her skin.

n

"You. Are. Mine.

"

nHis deep voice twanged in her belly as the howls of the wolf pack rose from behind him to echo across the mountains of Thana, while the other Chimera protested his claim.

nFighting the urge to stroke his broad, bare chest with her shaking hands, Sasha forced herself to tilt her head and raise an eyebrow.

"So bold for a pup who just found his fangs.

"

nThe other males hooted with laughter.

nIgnoring their taunts, Zev's eyes sparked and he leaned even closer, the scruff on his jaw tickling her cheek as he smiled.

"So bold for a human who already knows the pleasure of gasping my name.

"

nShe shivered when his teeth grazed her ear.

n(SEE THE FULL SUMMARY IN THE AUTHOR NOTE BELOW)

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