Born to be Bound (Alpha's Claim, #1)

by Addison Cain

"I only quiet you when you fret."

The thread was pulsating, whispering to her as it did, tempting her to step forward and take her Alpha's hand. That he was calling her. That he missed her. Claire had no idea what made her say the words, but they came softly, like a confession. "You've been haunting my sleep. Every time I close my eyes, you're there." "You've been in my dreams, as well." Shepherd crooned so deep she imagined she could feel the vibration change her on a cellular level. "You've been singing to me, little one."

"Do I?" It was as if he knew what she was going to say, found her opinion juvenile and cute. "Do you speak of love?" She shook her head, black tangled hair waving around her shoulders. "Not love. Anyone can love." "Then what, little sage?" "Humanity... the source of joy. You may have had it once, but whatever life you’ve lived has eaten it away."

"Is it not better when you don't fight what you are?" he asked,

It was almost a game. That morning, Shepherd raised the stakes. Claire threw one out and woke to find two in its place. When she realized what he'd done, she giggled, a sound that made the secret observer in the corner perk his ears, never having heard her sound for joy. Unaware she had an audience, she threw his things on the floor and burrowed deeper, still laughing.

Staring, Claire found his COMscreen bizarre and unreadable. Sighing, bored, she popped her lips and yipped when a great arm swooped out and snatched her out of the blue. Once she was tucked across his lap, Shepherd went right back to whatever he had been doing, trapping her in a cage of overly muscled limbs.

Claire could not get enough of his skin, cried out for him when his cock replaced where his fingers had been exploring, and held him as if he were hers, as if he were precious.