"So that's what shifting feels like?"

Phelan arched an ashy brow as he pondered my question, his eyes scrutinising me as he did so.

"Usually it is very swift. Your wolf has been dormant forever..." his voice drifted. "A hybrid is unheard of, no one really knows what to expect."

I fiddled with the hem of my grey woollen sweater, before peering up at him cautiously. "Yeah, but I felt something. My body... something within me changed."

I burrowed my legs further under me as I nestled into the cushions on his sofa. I diverted my gaze to the fireplace, despite not knowing why I was avoiding his heated stare.

Liar.

His voice pulled me out of what was sure to be a internal monologue of fierce debate.

"How did it feel, describe it," he asked as he studied me intently.

I mulled over all the words I could use to surmise the experience, but it was difficult. It was as unconscious as breathing.

"It is hard to describe..." I mused. "I felt powerful, but I also felt like I became someone else. I guess now that's it's over, I can see how you could get hooked to the high it gives you."

"Controlling your wolf is a skill... those who can't, turn rogue."

"Ah yes... I remember you mentioning that. They're packless, right?"

"They are- but that is due to the risk they bring. Rogues are shifters that have lost their humanity, they live to hunt and to kill.. nothing else."

"Did you get them here before I arrived? I still worry the pack is unnerved with the risk I bring..." I trailed.

He offered a coy smile in reassurance.

"We have good relations with bordering packs, any sightings are reported to each other and dealt with swiftly. I assure you they are no risk to us here and no one resents your presence."

"But there are other risks... what happens when The Guild loses their patience?"

He stood up from his chair, before he walked over and pulled me up by my hand. "Come here."

I was almost breathless as I fell against his chest. My softness pushing into his hardness as he stared down at me, his forearm around my back as he caged me against him.

I watched his eyes rake over me, the glimmer in his eyes making it clear his wolf was stirring beneath the surface. "I don't want you to worry Edie," he affirmed. "You are safe here... where you belong."

Being held against him, with his scent blinding me, left me unable to conjure a single coherent thought. I could not respond.

Cautiously, I lifted my hand, grazing my fingers through the stubble on his jaw. Gently, slowly, burning every detail of him into memory.

I could feel my heart beat pump in a frenzy as I stood nestled against him. His breath had shifted in response as he became aware of my intentions.

"Edie." he rasped as he gripped my forearms, bringing them down.

His voice was cloaked in vulnerability and caution.

"You make this very difficult for me."

His eyes were like the embers from the same flames I'd been watching. Although I wasn't the most experienced with men, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

I saw his gaze avert to my lips, an automatic bite down that I couldn't control ensued that I mentally scolded myself for.

I knew was playing with fire, but I wanted to be set aflame.

"Why?" I pushed.

His jaw clenched as his grip on my forearms tightened, "my wolf wants you just as badly."

I felt heat spread across my cheeks at the thought before my eyes lowered to the sight before me.

His shirt did nothing to cover the frame that was built beneath it. It only served to fuel me further. He stood still, his inner battle on display as he weighed up his decision.

But I wasn't going to make it easy for him.

I wanted him. I ached for him. Every sense of rationality was out the window and there was no way I was getting it back.

I didn't care that it was dangerous. That he was dangerous. It was part of the thrill.

I wanted to be under him, to feel his arms wrap around me and pull me closer as he sunk into me again and again.

I was aching with the thoughts of what he could do to me that I'd yet to experience. And the fact that he was so restrained and controlled added to my desire.

I felt like the tables had turned, I was the wolf... the hunter... and I wanted to ensnare him.

I pictured him effortlessly hoisting me against a wall, grasping my ass in unleashed passion.

My breath fanned heavily against his chest at the thought, a small moan escaping me as his fingers trailed the curve of my spine in deliberation.

I wanted him to mark me. I wanted him to lose control...

I respected his chivalry, his patience, his desire to do right by me. But that didn't mean that I didn't want to be wronged.

I wanted him to take me.

Maybe I was crazy. Delusional. I was teasing a beast. Deliberate in my actions as I brushed against the hardness that gave him away.

I gasped as he grabbed my wrist, his actions so fast that I couldn't register them until I was being carried over his shoulder and up the stairs into the bedroom.

I groaned with need. My mind got lost in a swirl of scenarios with each footstep he took. He was making me suffer, each step slower than the last as he his hand lingered casually between my thighs.

After what felt like forever, we were at the doorway to his room. In a blink, and with seemingly no effort whatsoever, Phelan threw me onto bed, my hair whipping wildly with the force as I landed amongst the tousled sheets.

Flipping myself over, I scooted backwards until I hit the backboard. I eyed him closely, his jaw clenched before he slowly, and quite literally ripped his shirt his clean in two before discarding it onto the foot of the bed.

I felt the perspiration simmer between my breasts as I took in the sight. Ripples of muscles filled my vision, all background fading away as he stalked towards the bed not once breaking eye contact as he did so.

I gulped. My breath was ragged as it suddenly dawned on me that I was not the hunter, he was.

"Phelan..."

He said nothing as he swung his leg over me, settling over my hips. I knew he was being careful, ensuring his body weight wasn't crushing me despite the capacity to do so.

And that's why I didn't protest, not one utterance of an objection, verbal or otherwise escaped me as he pinned my hands above my head with his.

Slowly he lowered himself against me, using his knee to edge my thighs apart before he nestled his strained hardness against my underwear soaked core.

I couldn't believe this was happening. Never had I been filled with such a yearning.

Gooseflesh scattered my skin, my breath shallow and shaky as I realised what was going to happen. Butterflies filled my stomach, my nerves on full display.

Fuck it.

I didn't come this far.

My eyelids fluttered with impatient need as I felt his breath fan my neck.

"Are you sure this is what you want Edie?" he growled before littering the crook of my neck with soft, tender pecks of intent.

"You have to ask?" I moaned in impatience.

He gripped my wrists tighter, his teeth grazing my flesh as he spoke, "I do... now say it."

"Yes..."

The words tumbled from my lips as I got lost in the haze of him, my back arching in desperation.

Suddenly, the heat of him evaporated into thin air as he removed himself from me, my eyes blinking rapidly at the sudden shift.

He swung a leg off me, his fingers grazing past my underwear before pausing right where I was aching the most.

"Well too bad."

Confusion washed over me, realisation dawning.

I couldn't believe it.

Incredulous.

I tried to move my hands to get up and chase him, how dare he leave me hanging. I was aching for release, and was stunned to realise that I literally, and otherwise, could not get it.

"You tied me to the bed you sanctimonious bastard! Fucking get back here!"

His chuckle reverberated through the room as he walked away from me, leaving me tied to the bed posts with the two pieces of his torn shirt.

My furrowed gaze traced his movements until he stopped in the door way.

"Fucking let me go Phelan! I mean it!" I fumed. Shaking and twisting, I thrashed myself against the bed frame despite knowing my efforts were futile.

Just as he reached for the door handle he paused, turning to look at me with a smug smirk smeared across his regrettably perfect fucking face.

"And I mean it when I say not until you are ready," he noted sharply.

My face was inflamed with anger before I screamed with such ferocity that I felt my throat burn as I jostled wildly within my restraints.

"Bite me!" I roared.

"Do not think you can outplay me little temptress... you will lose every time," his only parting words before slamming the door and leaving me alone in my pent up misery.

He was going to be the death of me.