His Gentle Beast

Those predatory golden eyes, the same ones I’d seen in the boardroom, now looked as vulnerable as an abandoned pup's. Clint's bathrobe gaped open, revealing a sculpted torso that rippled with raw power.

His broad back and shoulders looked strong enough to lean on. Faced with such a tempting body, my own heart hammered against my ribs.

I swallowed hard.

I felt the hard ridge of his arousal press against my knuckles and thought he’d finally given in. However, after standing there for a long time, he finally released my hand, his own trembling.

He lowered his head, his voice tinged with a plea. "Come home early, okay?"

I turned and left.

What I didn't know was that the moment the door closed, he turned and buried his face in the pillow I had slept on. He greedily inhaled my scent, releasing himself while growling my name: "Alaina…"

...

After that day, I decided in a fit of anger to sleep in a separate room from Clint. I moved into the room next door, and Clint said nothing.

However, every night as I slept, I could have sworn someone was holding me.

After noticing this pattern, I went to find Clint. "Clint, has someone been breaking into our house at night?"

He shook his head. "No, but I've had the strangest feeling there’s someone else in my bed at night, too."

The pen in his hand snapped under his grip.

Before I could speak, he picked up a contract and said flatly, "Don't worry. I'll have the house thoroughly checked. If you're still uneasy, I can stay in your room with you tonight."

I opened my mouth to speak. Glancing at the snapped pen he had tossed aside, I said coldly, "That won't be necessary!"

I had already hired a lawyer to draft the papers to sever our bond. Soon, I would be completely free of him. I didn't need his protection anymore.

Clint kept his head down, his voice soft. "I just want to protect you."

Protection wasn't what I wanted, though. I stormed back to my room, my mind a chaotic mess, and fell asleep without realizing it.

In the middle of the night, I once again felt warm breath fanning the nape of my neck. A warm embrace enveloped me, carrying the familiar, intoxicating scent of cedarwood. A hand roamed over my skin, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

I felt my lips being roughly kissed, bitten, and plundered. The sound of wet kisses filled the air, and the man's scorching breath made my mind go blank, my body arching into the intoxicating sensations.

I was lost in a world of ecstasy, unable to surface.

After struggling for a moment, I finally opened my eyes and shouted angrily, "Who's there?! Get out!"

In the darkness, the person behind me froze, then quickly got up and fled. I huffed, slowly got dressed, and didn't immediately give chase.

The moment I realized someone had broken in, I had prepared a backup plan. I had set up a high-frequency alarm. By now, the Pack guards should already be at the door.

When I came out, dressed, I was surprised to see that the one leading them was Clint's childhood friend and Beta, Marcus.

I heard his voice before I even got downstairs.

"I thought some fool dared to break into the Alpha's house. Clint, did you finally snap and scare your mate? You want her so badly, yet you've held back for three years."