Samson's cock stirred as he breathed in her scent and shook his head in disbelief.
More madness.
Or maybe the answer was more straightforward than he thought. After all, he hadn't spent time with any of Nicky's girls since the day he'd met Cassidy. That meant it had been over a year and a half since he'd been with anyone other than his right hand.
Maybe it had just been so long since he'd come someplace wet and warm that his body had gotten carried away.
No.
Samson rejected the idea even before it was fully formed. He knew that wasn't why his cock had locked itself inside Cassidy's body, bonding them together in a primal way.
The truth was exactly what he had told her—she was his woman, by every measure that mattered. They had bonded, and his knot was proof. Without a bond, there could be no knot.
It didn't matter that their natures were different. It didn't matter that nothing like this had ever happened before. None of that meant a goddamned thing.
The only thing that mattered was that Cassidy was right where she belonged—in his bed.
And he was determined that his bed was where she was going to stay.
Lying here with Cassidy now, Samson felt…sated. Satisfied. Content. Sure, he'd be ready to go again the minute she woke up. Still, for now he was perfectly happy just to watch her sleep—her red hair spilling across her milky skin, her eyelashes fluttering with what he hoped were pleasant dreams.
Dreams of him.
He laid his head down on the pillow next to her and cradled her close. The warmth of her skin soothed his racing mind. Though his body was tired to the bone, he knew that sleep was going to be hard to find.
While a part of him was happier than he'd ever been, another part was already gearing up for the fight he knew was coming.
The bond between them might be unbreakable, but it was also about to make both his and Cassidy's lives a hell of a lot harder.
Ty was one of Samson's closest friends, and even he had called their relationship unnatural. What would the other alphas who weren't as sympathetic do? His alpha brothers were strong-willed and not fond of compromise.
Some—maybe most—would consider what he and Cassidy had done an abomination…and there was no telling what they'd do to make sure it didn't continue.
The thought of anyone trying to keep him away from Cassidy filled Samson with hot rage. An alpha would do anything to protect his mate, but none wanted to spill the blood of his brother.
But that's just what Samson would do if he had to.
The connection between him and Cassidy would not be denied. With every passing moment, it grew stronger. If anything happened to her, if anyone ever took her from him, Samson didn't think he'd be able to go on. The thought was unbearable.
So he would make sure it never happened.
He'd kill for her if he had to.
He'd die for her.
Samson closed his eyes and tried to sleep. The best he could manage was a few brief moments of dozing before the sun finally rose high enough in the sky for Cassidy to rouse.
She started gently shifting against him. A few minutes later, she was fully awake and sitting up.
Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. She was looking down at him with a softness in her gaze and a satisfied smile teasing her lips, but underneath, Samson caught a slight scent of unease.
"What time is it?" she asked, still sounding groggy.
"No idea," he answered honestly. "Sometime in the morning."
"We should probably go soon."
Samson's brows pulled together. Go? "Where?"
"To the boundary," she answered.
Samson's heart froze. Emotions rose up and clashed inside him—panic, anger, and pain. She still wanted to go back. Across the boundary. Away from him.
"No."
Cassidy blinked. The corners of her eyes twitched in confusion. "What do you mean, no?"
"I'm not taking you anywhere."
"But—but--" she sputtered, gripping the corner of his sheet and clutching it to her chest. "You have to."
Samson slowly shook his head against the pillow. "No, I don't."
"But if you don't drive me, how am I going to get home to the university before Ian has a chance to talk to—"
"Forget Ian," Samson snapped. "Forget the university. You're already home.”
Chapter Nine
Cassidy gaped at Samson. His words hung heavy between them, stealing all the air from the room.
You're already home.
A part of her—a major part—was tempted to believe it. She couldn't deny the thrill that shivered through her at the thought.
There wasn't a doubt in her mind that what had taken place was more than just a simple one night stand. The sex hadn't just been good—or ridiculously good, even—it had meant something. Something profound and deep. Something she couldn't quite figure out yet.
But that didn't mean that she belonged to him.
First of all, it was impossible.
Alphas and betas were obviously physically compatible—they'd proven that a thousand times over—but only for a few hours at a time. They didn't shack up together. They sure as hell didn't claim each other.
"Please tell me you're joking," she said.
Samson's eyes narrowed. For a second, storm clouds stirred in the dark depth of his eyes. "You think this is funny?"
Cassidy shook her head, but it was already too late. She could feel the tension radiating through Samson's body.
His huge and perfectly muscled body.
Cassidy shifted to the edge of the mattress as he rose up on bent elbows. An alpha's anger was a force of nature, and Cassidy was aware of exactly how vulnerable she was.
Samson must have sensed her fear because his glower only darkened.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not going to hurt you?" he said, clearly annoyed by her frightened response.
"No, you're just going to hold me captive," she muttered.
Samson let out a growl that made Cassidy flinch. She drew her shoulders in tight, instantly regretting her words. One night with Samson, and she'd forgotten all her
