The hatch they’d just emerged from was in a small clearing. The air out here was damp and slightly warm, much like a rainforest. Behind them, sharp mountains rose diagonally. Their peaks sliced through wispy translucent clouds and stood out starkly against two large rising moons, one of which had a faint ring around it.
To their left, the ground sloped and transformed into a dense forest. To their right, the ground inclined and carved a trail through the rocky mountain pass. Immediately in front of them, the land stretched out flat and bare as far as the eye could see.
Alice squinted, trying to make out any signs of civilization.
A short, young woman with perfectly highlighted hair said, “Well, Toto, I’ve a feeling—”
“If you say that line right now, I swear to God…” interrupted a tall, slim woman with a surly expression.
The shorter woman held up her hands and tipped her head in mock surrender.
The sound of shuffling to their left made them all jump then tense. From the corner of her eye, Alice glimpsed the small woman with salon-quality hair crouched in a fighting stance. At least one of us knows what we’re doing.
Alice stood still, her breath trapped in her throat as they waited to see the cause of the noise.
Luka appeared from around the base of the mountain, an unconscious Helas in tow.
Alice clapped her hand over her mouth when she took in the swollen, bloody state of Helas’ face. Her worry ebbed slightly after seeing the shallow rise and fall of the unconscious man’s chest.
Luka dragged the pitiful-looking man to Alice and placed him at her feet, then stared fixedly at her.
Vanessa chimed in from behind her, “Well, I guess he knows how to fetch.”
A few of the women snickered, but Alice shot her a glare.
Vanessa walked forward and spoke to Luka directly. “Hey, big guy.” She waved in front of him, trying to shift his focus off Alice. “Do you know how to get out of here?”
Luka didn’t so much as glance at the gorgeous woman addressing him. His gaze stayed solidly on Alice, and she felt herself wilt under his intense stare.
“Is there something wrong with—Hey!” Vanessa yelled as Luka suddenly hoisted Alice over his shoulder.
Before Alice had regained a breath to argue, Luka was running back toward the base of the mountain he’d emerged from. He was so fast that the few women who tried to chase after them fell behind almost immediately.
After a few minutes of pounding on his back and demanding to be returned to the group, Luka stopped.
Rather than set her down quickly, he angled her so that she slid down his front, rubbing every inch of him as she went until she was on her feet, still firmly tucked against his body.
Oh, shit.
Her knees wobbled. Luka was free, he thought she was his mate, and the drugs must still be in his system, because she could feel his massive erection prodding her stomach.
She pushed away from him, glancing around. Behind her, a smooth rock wall stretched up, forming the base of the mountain. A trickle of water wound its way down the surface of the rock and pooled in a glittering pond to her left.
Luka moved toward her again, a purr starting in his chest. When she took another step back, he furrowed his brows in confusion.
Alice felt a moment’s relief. He’d brought her to a romantic spot away from everyone else, and it was clear what he wanted. During all of their other encounters, she’d been the one in charge. Luka had been chained and at her mercy. Now that he was free, she wondered what he’d do. Her heartbeat increased, and her fingers tingled as though electrified. Was it fear or anticipation making her breath hitch?
She allowed her gaze to run down his body. With him standing at his full height before her, she marveled at just how big he was. She took another step back, and this time, instead of looking confused, a seductive, predatory grin spread over his face, sending shivers down her spine.
He hunched slightly, as though preparing to run.
Heat flooded her core at the thought of him chasing her down, but she tried to ignore it. “Luka, this isn’t a game. Stop, okay?” Her voice was shaky as she continued to back away.
He stalked closer. His nostrils flared, and a small growl escaped him. Her breasts felt heavy and sensitive under her thin T-shirt.
She thought back to Helas’ earlier comment about scenting her fear. Luka had smelled her before, and she realized he could probably scent more than just her fear.
Alice threw her hands up in the air. “I know what you smell, but I can’t control that, dammit!”
For weeks she’d craved Luka’s touch. She’d told herself that if circumstances were different, she’d have jumped his bones on day one, but she couldn’t get past his state of mind. She wanted him, badly, but she needed to know that he actually desired her. Not because he was drugged or because of his mating marks, but because of who she was.
She looked around, trying to figure out how to escape, but he’d boxed her in. On one side of her was the curve of the mountain; on the other was the pond.
Maybe if I jump in there, he won’t be able to smell me.
Before she could decide what to do, she felt her back hit the smooth, warm rock face.
Luka’s smile widened, and the sight made her sigh in appreciation. She hadn’t seen his smile before. He’d never had a reason to. But
