Stolen by the Alpha Wolf: Shifter Romance (Accidental Theft Book 1) Read Free Page B

“It is not arrogance, but simple fact. We vampires may not want
to move in next to you, but we have no issues with the shifters’ existence in
general. At least we won’t once you swear your allegiance. You must realize
though wolf that after this fiasco, my kings will make you work for
their forgiveness. Which is your own fault, seeing as we were quite content
with keeping our distance.”
    A
snort escaped him. “You tolerate us as long as we stay in line. For centuries
your species have occupied the best territories. Do the townsfolk of Sweetwater
even know who their landlords are? Every time I so much as raise my voice, I’m
expected to go down on one knee at the feet of one or both of the kings. We can
do as we please as long as it doesn’t mess with their plans. They can do as
they please period. Regardless of how it affects the rest of us. I’m done
grovelling.”
    A
thoughtful expression crossed her face. “You will be annihilated.”
    “They
have to find us first.”
    She
shrugged. “You can’t run forever.”
    “I
don’t plan to.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Look, you should never have
been taken. It was a mistake. One I plan on rectifying. I need a few days to
let things cool down and then I’ll take you back.”
    The
female narrowed her eyes at him.
    “I
mean it…I’ll take you back myself. Until then, we need to keep you safe. Also”—he
grit his teeth, contemplating how he should best continue—“there are things
about us that would be best kept a secret. If you were to find them out, then I
would have to keep you…here. You would never be permitted to leave.”
    Her
brow furrowed. “What things?”
    A
snort escaped. “Didn’t you just hear what I said? If I told you, you’d have to remain
my captive”—he narrowed his eyes at her trying to drive the seriousness of what
he was saying home—“indefinitely.”
    “As
if you could keep me here long term,” she huffed. “Are we done?”
    He
nodded. “I mean it, Stephany.” Her eyes widened at his use of her name. “Your
species would never find you. Don’t you want to go home?”
    She
nodded once. “Of course I do. The sooner the better.”
    “We’re
in agreement then.”
    “Yes!”
she snapped. “Very much so.” She looked around, a heavy tilt to her chin meant
that it happened from down her nose. What could only be a soft snort of disgust
escaped from between her pursed lips as well.
    Her
eyes returned to him, they narrowed. “You tried to kidnap the chosen human
female. Did you plan on mating her yourself?” Her eyes flashed a brighter blue.
    Ward
didn’t feel like discussing this with her or anyone else for that matter. The
plan had been a colossal clusterfuck to begin with. He felt like an idiot for
having trusted the elves, for having gone along with it in the first place. Hopefully
in time he’d be able to forget the events of the last twenty four hours. If
nothing else, it had taught him not to trust any of the other species. “That is
none of your concern.”
    “It
would be a good way to ensure long-term success against our species. No vampire
heirs would mean that our species would eventually crumble. It is seriously
low, uncouth behavior even for a wolf.”
    He
pursed his lips. They had no clue what he planned, and he would use that to his
advantage.
    “You
will not have her. Not this time, not next time, not ever. You can call off
your dogs.”
    “What
do you know of it?” Ward growled. “Who are you?” his voice softened.
    “A
female. A nobody. You don’t strike me as the type of male that would take a
female against their will though, or maybe human females are different to you.
There to use as you please.”
    His
whole frame tensed. “I would never force a female. The plan was not mine and
I’ll admit, stupid. I should never have gone along with it.” He clenched his
teeth for a few beats. “I would never have forced the human. Never.” The last
he said on a growl.
     The
vampire’s