"The lead FBI agent assigned to your case," Ty answered. "He doesn't have a great opinion of your father either."
"He sounds like a smart man," Mia said, raising her hands. "If you won't listen to me, you should at least listen to him."
"I did," Ty conceded. "He seems to think that he can get the government to call off the investigation if he can prove that you're properly claimed."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Well, then I change my mind. He's an idiot."
"Or you're too stubborn for your own good."
Mia let out a humorless laugh. "That's funny, coming from you."
Ty bristled. It had been years since anyone had dared to talk to him that way. Not since he was a helpless child, when no one knew he knew would grow up to be a powerful alpha. Back then, even his own family had felt safe ridiculing and abusing him.
But not anymore.
"Everything I have done was to protect you." What she called stubbornness, he called amazing restraint.
Didn't she know what he was capable of? Nothing was off-limits to him.
Especially when it came to her.
She must not have, because the steel in her eyes didn't falter at all as she met his gaze. If anything, it strengthened.
"And what do you think I'm trying to do right now?" she asked. "My father isn't just some run-of-the-mill corrupt politician, Ty. He doesn't give a shit about the law. Once he decides he wants something, he'll stop at nothing to get it."
"Neither will I."
Mia threw up her hands and let out a frustrated cry. "Why won't you listen to me?" she demanded. "I'm trying to tell you that this claiming bite doesn't mean a goddamned thing."
That was it. She had pushed him too far.
Ty ground his back teeth together. Mia wasn't the only one who was out of patience. He'd indulged her long enough, waiting for her to see reason, but now it was clear that wasn't going to happen.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her hard against his chest. Defiance shone in her eyes as she glared up at him, but Ty only saw a challenge.
"And I'm telling you it means everything," he growled. "I don't give a rat's ass about your father, or your boyfriend, or the goddamned army. This isn't about them. This is about you being my omega and taking your place at my side."
Mia struggled to pull away from his grasp, but he held her tight. She wasn't getting away from him. Not her body, and as sure as hell not her soul.
"And you really think that this alpha-hole move is going to sway me to claim you?" She spat the question up at him.
Her indignation would have been a hell of a lot more convincing if the scent of her desire wasn't already filling his nostrils. Ty knew that all he'd have to do was reach down between her legs, and his fingers would be covered in proof of her arousal.
Maybe then he'd dip them into her mouth and force her to taste her lies.
Ty's groin tightened at the thought, and he let out a growl that echoed off the walls.
"No," he admitted with a snarl. "But I know what will."
Her eyes narrowed. She tilted her chin up a notch. There was still plenty of resistance shining in her gaze, but now there was also a healthy dose of fear.
"I doubt it," she said, shaking her head. "You're not the first man who's tried to break me. Josh, Dustin, my father—none of them succeeded. I'm not as weak people think I am."
"I know exactly how strong you are." Of course he did. He'd seen it with his own eyes. "But everyone has their breaking point."
"So, what's your plan?" she said. The direct look in her eyes turned to a glare. "Let me guess. Beat me until I give you what you want? Lots of guys have tried it before you. It didn't work then, and it won't work now. I promise you that."
Rage flared inside Ty at the thought of anyone striking his omega. The hospital reports Agent Christie had talked about flashed through his mind, adding fire to the flames.
Ty did his best to tamp down his anger. Those bastards would pay for what they'd done to Mia. Every single one of them would pay…in time.
But before he could do any of that, he had to make her his…in every possible way.
"No, Mia," he said, dropping his voice down to a whisper. "I will never raise my hand against you. I'll never have to. There are other ways to get what I want."
Her lips turned down in disgust. She shook her head. "You should have learned by now that you're not going to be able to seduce me into biting you."
"That's a shame," he said, meaning every word. Life would have been so much easier—so much more pleasurable—if he could have coaxed her bite with his cock.
But fate has made his omega a stubborn one.
Fortunately, he knew he was right about there being other ways.
Unfortunately, neither of them was going to like it.
"You might be strong when it comes to your own pain and suffering," Ty said. "But you're weak when it comes to others'."
Her expression turned wary. "What are you talking about?"
"I'll never hurt you," he said. "But I have no problem hurting others. Especially those who have harmed you in the past."
It only took a second for Mia's eyes to widen in understanding. Horror filled their blue depths. "You can't."
"I can, and I will." He didn't bother to temper the cold menace running through his words. He needed her to hear it. Needed Mia to know that he meant every word. That he'd follow through with every threat.
And she believed him.
That much was clear. Her heart pounded like a hammer in her chest. The scent of fear rose from her skin. A tight look of horror lined her eyes.
Still, Ty felt the need to drive his point home.
"If
