Declan

I knew I had my hands full as soon as I saw her. Her frightened heart couldn't take much more. It was pounding so hard when I caught her that I was sure it was going to burst out of her chest. I put her to sleep and dared anyone of them to keep advancing toward her.

No one was brave enough to stand up to an Alpha and immediately backed down. Now I had to figure out what happened to this girl and why I'm so drawn to protect her. I had to get her away from me at first until my wolf would settle down. Mena was a healer and she needed the care immediately.

I turn around to take a glance in the backseat where the little firecracker was. She was demanding answers and I wasn't giving them until she tells me why she was here.

Teagan found her car and had it towed to the house. The only thing on her was a soaked bag with her personal things and a lot of money. It spelled trouble and she brought it to my town. I needed to know what I was up against.

"If you're going to kill me then do it already! I'm tired of running and I have no money!"

It hurt to hear her say that. Teagan knew too because he looked at me before turning the vehicle in the driveway. I told him about the strong feeling I got when I got near her. He believes I've found my mate finally. I've been fighting the pull ever since.

"I'm not going to kill you. But when we get out, you're going to explain to me why you're in my town and carrying a lot of money."

She stopped talking and crossed her arms. We pulled up to the house and I couldn't help being proud of what I had built. The house before this one was ready to fall apart. After many years of abuse it took from wars of our kind, I finally had it tore down. This new one that stood in its place wasn't a mansion. It was a house that was big enough for our likings. My brothers, Teagan, Corbin and I are the only occupants right now.

She got out before I could open the door and stood there waiting on me to walk first. I took her arm and gently led her up the steps. I don't think she was going willingly like it felt. She just knew there was no use in running.

Corbin met us at the door. I took her straight in the living room and got right to the point. "Explain." I crossed my arms and watched her hands fidget. My brothers stood in the background waiting.

"Am I not allowed to be in this town? I can go somewhere else. I was just passing through anyways." She said nervously.

"I know you are in some kind of trouble. I can help you if you help me."

She stared at me hard. "I left my boyfriend and I just wanted a clean break. I had a lot of money saved and decided to leave but I wrecked my car and I didn't have a phone to call a tow truck. There, are you happy!"

It felt like I was slapped. A boyfriend? The only thing that didn't make since was she didn't have his scent on her. I would have been able to smell him on her or her belongings. She was lying about something and she wasn't budging. It made me angry.

"You're not leaving here until I get the truth." I walked out and slammed the door. I heard her talking to Corbin and Teagan, trying to get them to believe her story and let her go. The only other thing I knew to do was scare her into telling me. If she brings trouble, I don't want to be surprised.

A car came pulling up as I started to head back in. It was Tyler, one of the wolves I took in when his Alpha turned on him. He was a good kid and just got his driving license. He had a thing for Mena but she is too old for him and after being threatened by her brothers several times he stays away from her.

"Alpha Declan!" he said jumping out. "I think we got a problem. Calvin tried crossing through twice last night and Evan ran after him. I came here earlier but I couldn't find you!" he said concerned and scared.

Teagan and Corbin were out the door before he finished and was jumping in the vehicle. Son of a bitch! What in the hell was Calvin trying to do? We had rules. He is very smart and a powerful leader of his people. He wouldn't have tried unless something got away from him. I ran inside when it hit me.

River wasn't nowhere in the living room. I could still smell her close by though. Enough was enough. She was talking whether she liked it or not. I climbed the stairs and found her snooping in Corbin's room.

She jumped as soon as she seen me coming at her. Her eyes widened when she seen the look on my face. "Wrong room to be snooping." I grabbed her wrist to pull her out and she began screaming.

"Help! Someone help me! Let go of me you, jerk!"

I growled and tossed her over my shoulder. She pounded away at my back as I tossed her on the bed of one of the spare rooms. I left and got my handcuffs then cuffed her to the bed before she tried to move again.

That's when the little vixen kicked me between the legs. I growled and grabbed her by the throat. "Have it your way! But I'm not letting you out of this fucking bed until you tell me why Calvin is after you!" I yelled.

She stiffened and I knew then that war was about to break out between me and Calvin. Under our laws, if she belongs to Calvin, I have to return her or I could turn every Alpha in the country against me. I couldn't let her go. I was sure she was my mate and I needed to make claim now. The only other alternative is try to contact Calvin and pay a very dear price for her.

"Please, I beg you to let me go. He's going to kill me if he finds me here." She said desperately.

"He's not coming here. Now tell me what's going on."

River

Declan released my neck and sat back as I told him the real story. He listened intently and was visibly getting angrier. His fists balled up and I didn't know if he was angry with me or him.

"You worked for Calvin?"

"Yes, he helped me out and paid me under the table because I couldn't show the proper documents to get a normal job at the time." I said. He was always kind to me but he warned me to never pry. But curiosity killed the cat.

Declan nodded and done the unthinkable. He was on me so fast that I didn't even see him move. I felt him rip the collar of my shirt and bite down on my neck. As soon as the pain hit, it rolled away and I felt numb and out of it. It was like a drug. I knew what was going on around me but didn't care. He released me and lightly kissed my lips.

"I'm sorry but I had to." He said as I let sleep consume me.

I awoke feeling very refreshed once again. I tried sitting up but my hands were still cuffed to the bed. What did he do to me and what kind of people are they? I didn't know if they were some kind of powerful witches or what. All I remember is him biting me and I didn't care.

I pulled and wiggled my wrist to get out of these cuffs but it wasn't budging. I flipped over and studied it and noticed the bed was wood. I flipped my legs around and with all my strength I pushed and pulled as hard as I could until the spindle broke and it freed me. Now I needed to find a key.

I slipped out quietly and could hear voices downstairs. Declan's stuck out to me the most and stopped to listen.

"He wants to trade Evan for her evenly." Teagan said.

"We can't now. I bit her." Declan said without worry. He spoke as if they were discussing the weather.

I unconsciously rubbed where he bit me and realized what I was doing when it still felt numb. The skin was a little indented with his teeth marks but I didn't feel any open wounds. It worried me and I quickly tried to forget it.

"He will be at the peak of Grave Falls at dusk. Evan will be there. We need to make a plan to get him back." Corbin said.

Whatever was going on, I didn't know anything about it other than Declan keeping me for some reason. I crept by the stairs and quickly walked door to door until I was sure I found his room. It smelled like him.

The huge bed in the center called to me more than anything in the room but I had to find the key to these cuffs. I ran to the drawer beside the bed and was pretty sure I found them. Turning the key, they clicked open and I sighed. Finally free.

I got out of there as fast as I could but ran straight into Declan. He caught me before I fell on my ass.

"How in the hell did you get free?" he demanded.

His eyes were darker. He didn't look relaxed like his voice sounded before. He crossed his arms waiting for my answer.

"Magic. The same kind you keep using on me," I said sarcastically. "What are your plans with me because I have decided I no longer want to be here? And you bit me!"

Declan smirked. It almost made me smile but that made no sense. I stared into his stormy gaze and couldn't help but appreciate how gorgeous this man was standing in front of me. He had that lean muscular body and too tall. I wasn't short but beside him I was.

He spoke but I didn't even hear him because the trance I was in. "What did you say?"

"Your bag is in your room. You have free reign of this house and my property but you're not leaving. This will be your home for now on," Declan said and walked off leaving me standing there with my mouth open.

"What!?" I yelled with balled fists. He couldn't tell me where I was going to live. Is he crazy! I don't care how sexy he is. He ignored me and left.

I stormed off to the room I was cuffed to and found my bag in the top drawer of the dresser. I searched through it to make sure everything was still there and was satisfied. Now I needed to get the hell out before he comes back.

I made checked every window upstairs to find my best escape. His window had a large tree near it but it wasn't in reaching distance. I would have to jump. The shoes I was wearing wasn't the best to go tree climbing. The black flats might even make me fall with their slippery bottoms.

I lifted up the window and listened out for Declan. I climbed on the seal and felt the wind pick up. It was cool outside but it felt good on my skin. Early spring was my favorite time of year. I reminded me of going shopping as a little girl to find the perfect Easter dress with my mother. We would spend hours in the stores just having fun and modeling in the mirrors.

I said a silent prayer and took the jump to the nearest branch. My hands caught it but they didn't stay. The bark tore into my palms and I fell, grabbing the next one. I held tight and whimpered. I looked around before slowly making my way down the tree. As far as I knew, no one saw me almost break my neck.

My hands were torn and some places bleeding. I shook it off like I was told to do growing up and took off toward the tree line. When I arrived earlier, I noticed the whole place was surrounded by woods. Thick woods. It looked like night in there.

I heard a rustling coming from inside and a man stepped out. He tossed me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing and took me back to the house. Of course, I beat on his back and demanded him to put me down but he said nothing.

Declan was standing there on the porch when he set me down finally. "Thank you, Lee." He turned to me with a stern look and grabbed my arm pulling me inside. He pushed me away from him when we got inside. "If you leave here, Calvin will find you and you will die!" he growled. "I'm the only one that can protect you!"

"Why is that? Why can't the police help me?" I demanded.

"Do you not know what we are?" he asked but he already knew the answer. "The police are scared of us. They are weak like you when it comes to us! They don't interfere! If you want someone to keep you safe then you have to trust me!" he yelled.

I stood there for a second. I was afraid to know what they are. I've been put to sleep with a touch, healed, and his bite did something that I can't even explain. I've seen him move faster than any living thing and it all has blown my mind. A thought hit me. I've read paranormal in my teens.

"Are you a Vampire?" I asked feeling stupid as soon as it exited my lips.

Declan looked at me like I had lost my mind. "No, River, I'm not a vampire." Declan said defeated.

This was his entire fault. I wouldn't be standing here like an idiot if he would just explain himself. "Just tell me what's going on. I'm a big girl and can handle myself pretty well."

In a blur I was pressed up against Declan's chest. Instinctively I pushed at his chest but he held me tight. "I bit you to protect you from everyone else. There's something special about you and I plan on keeping you here until I find out. Now don't go freaking out on me when I tell you this but I'm a werewolf." He rumbled.

He stared into my eyes watching my reaction to his every word. I clung more to the word special than werewolf and made it known. "So you think I'm a werewolf too?"

Declan rolled his eyes and smirked at me. "No, you're special to me though." He took hold of my wrists and brought my hands into view. I had forgotten all about my hands. "I'll heal these tonight."

My cheeks grew hot and I tried hiding the evidence by looking away. He let me go and stepped back. I missed his touch instantly. I chastised myself for thinking it. Just because he said I'm special to him doesn't mean I want a relationship with my kidnapper. I put more distance between us and it didn't go unnoticed. Declan nodded slightly and headed toward the kitchen.

"You hungry?" he called out.

"Yes, very," I replied and followed.

He whipped us up some soup and sandwiches and we both cleaned our bowls. Teagan and Corbin came in and did the same.

"So how you like Highlands Trail so far?" Corbin asks me.

"Uh, I hate it since I'm going to be stuck here longer than I intended," I said while staring at Declan.

"Are you going to...," Corbin began but Declan interrupted.

"Shut up, Corbin!"

Corbin laughed and Teagan snickered. Teagan was the quite one. You could tell right away when he rarely spoke.

"Am I going to what?" I asked to piss off Declan.

Corbin smiled brightly and ignored Declan. "Are you going to the festival tomorrow night?"

Declan looked uncomfortable for the first time since I met him. He wouldn't even meet my gaze. "I don't think it would be a good idea I go since I'm not allowed to do anything," I snapped.

"Well," Corbin said sitting back in his seat. "Everyone's going and Declan here is the main guest."

Corbin was somehow making him squirm and I was determined to find out what it was. "If I had something nice to wear I would ask you to take me," I said to Corbin.

Declan slid back his chair and stood up. "Enough, Corbin! She's not allowed and you know it!" he yelled.

I was sick and tired of him telling me what I can and can't do. I picked up the can soda that I hadn't opened yet and shook it excessively. They all three stared at me while Declan's stare dared me. I pointed it at him and popped the top. Brown soda went everywhere but mostly on my intended target.

Declan growled angrily and made a jump toward me but Corbin stood in his path. "Calm down before you go touching her," he said.

I peeked around Corbin to see Declan's eyes glowing an eerie green. Shit!