ALPHA CASSIUS POV

A human mate? The moon goddess did me wrong with that, humans were too dumb for my liking... too slow, but here I was, mated to one.

She was my mate and she didn't even know that, she was mine to own and I was never letting her go.

The way she smells, her hair, her eyes... Her body? I never thought I would ever find a human attractive, she was different, so fragile that I already knew that she would require a lot of protection.

The moment I set my eyes on her last night, my body burned for her, I have never felt that before, a strange spark so strong that I struggled with composure.

She smells of vanilla mixed with rich caramel, it was her natural scent. Her body looked so intoxicating that all I could think of was how she would feel wrapped around my arms.

She had this effortless soft femininity that I have never seen in any woman I have been with.

In less than twenty four hours she had taken control of my thoughts and emotions, she had so much power over me, and she didn't even know that.

And I would never let her know such vulnerable information, I hated the way I felt. I was almost acting out of character for the first time in my existence.

"Please, can I have some moments to myself... please?" She had requested earlier when I walked into her room and saw her in that little pink towel that barely covered her skin, her delicate light caramel skin, so smooth and soft looking that I desperately needed to feel it, devour her and have a taste of her.

My claws itched to sprout out and rip that silly towel off.

I almost said no to her request, but she sounded so careful like she was too scared of me.

I love having that effect on people, I love seeing people terrified of me, but I didn't want that from her.

I had granted her request, and left her to her privacy.

An hour later, I came back to find her sitting on the little couch, she was already dressed in a simple white sundress, her dark curls looking radiant as ever... But, her food was untouched.

"Why aren't you eating, Annelise?" She startled at the sound of my voice.

Damn! She was really scared of my existence.

I walked to her bed and sat down.

There was a long silence between us, not awkward for me, but I could see the tension in her eyes. She was anxious and avoiding my gaze as she nervously fuddled with her hands.

"Can I speak to my mom, please? I can't find my phone." She requested, not looking at me in the eyes.

"Then you have to eat first, I have your phone and bag. Everything is safe, now eat, Annelise." I urged as she nodded and opened the food.

She stared at the food hesitantly, I could tell that she loved what she saw, but was hesitant because it came from me.

Humans are so easy to predict.

I watched her slowly chew the food, all I could think of was how much I wanted her, how much alluring she looked in that sundress.

My wolf yearned to have her, we were losing control of ourselves for the first time.

I couldn't wait to mark her, to claim her, to make it known that she was my possession and there was no going back.

She was part of my world now, my forbidden mate.

My pack wouldn't like her, but no one's opinion ever mattered anyways... Not even hers in this case.

She adjusted herself on the couch after eating and chunked a full glass of water.

"Good girl, now tell me everything you want?" I said, impressed with how good she ate.

"Can I speak to my mom first... Please?" She requested, and I smiled with a nod.

"Maybe a video call would be better?" I asked as her eyes lightened up that instant, and she quickly nodded.

I had already asked the doctor to be alert for the video call, so he answered on the first ring, and I handed my phone over to Anne.

I watched how her face went from pale to excitement once she saw her mom on the screen.

"Mom! I miss you! How are you doing?" She asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Honey, I'm doing okay. The doctor is great at his job, I'm finally seeing some improvement in my health."

"I'm so happy to hear that..." She replied with a small smile, her eyes drifted to me for a second and she turned back to the phone. "I'm so sorry about..."

"Why didn't you tell me you have a boyfriend? You didn't have to lie about being on your way home, you're 23 Anne, you're grown Anne. He seems like a good man." Her mom said as I smiled to myself, adjusting comfortably on the bed.

It was so easy, I didn't expect her to believe me that quickly.

"My boyfriend?" Anne asked, I couldn't tell if she was annoyed or confused. The look she gave me was one of 'Are you kidding right now?'

I shrugged my shoulders and looked away with a smirk burning my left cheek.

"He said he will be taking you on a vacation soon, which means I only get to see you on FaceTime for now. But he got me a caregiver, so I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me, just have a good time, you deserve it." Her mom uttered softly, I could see the sudden change of emotion in Anne's eyes, her eyes were glossing with tears.

"Alright mom, take care of yourself. I will speak to you soon." She whispered shakily and ended the call.

She handed the phone to me and stood up, I followed her.

"What's wrong, Sweetness. Your mom is doing okay as you can see, why are you crying?" I asked, trying my hardest to hide the concern in my voice.

"You didn't fucking have to lie to her, doing all that to make her comfortable doesn't change the fact that this is forced proximity. This is literally kidnap and you're asking me why I'm crying!?" She yelled, emotions gushing out her voice.

No one has ever spoken to me in such disrespectful manner.

A human raising her voice at me was a day I never saw coming, but somehow I wasn't pissed off, I was impressed... Maybe she wasn't as weak as I thought.

"I'd advise you to watch your tone when speaking to me, Sweetness. I do not condone disrespect." I warned as she went quiet and walked to the balcony.

She walked away from me?

I was strangely aroused by her guts... I followed her.

ANNELISE POV

Lying to my mother was where I drew the line, but I couldn't do nothing, I was helpless. My fate was in his hands and I wasn't sure I wanted to die or feel any sort of pain.

The emotional trauma was enough.

The chill night air blew, dispersing my hair in all directions and obstructing my eyes as I leaned on the railing of the balcony.

How was it so easy to fool my mother? My mom has always had a strange instinct when something wasn't right, how did he get her to be so ignorant about my whereabout?

I felt more trapped than ever.

I looked around the huge compound, there were men patrolling the mansion, I assumed they were body guards.

I hissed and tucked the tiny strands of my hair obstructing my view behind my ears.

The realization that I was literally the only human in this part of the world weighed in my heart, I wasn't safe... I didn't feel safe at all.

I felt his presence behind me, he didn't need to speak, his strong cologne announced him.

He gently walked towards me and curled his arm around my waist, placing his hand on my lower belly making me stiffen, he was too close, his hand placement felt too intimate even without him feeling my bare skin.

He pulled me in, covering the space between us as he leaned over burying his face against my neck and sniffing my scent.

My toes curled at that gesture, I didn't understand how I felt. I wanted to be disgusted, I wanted to push him away, but I couldn't move, the feeling was new, no man has ever touched me in such manner before.

He brushed his lips on my neck, planting a soft kiss on it as I let out a subconscious moan. I was disappointed in myself, I hated my body for reacting to his touch.

"Next time you walk out on me, I would punish you so hard you would beg me to stop and I wouldn't." He whispered a warning in my ear, making me shiver at the strictness of his tone. "Be warned, Sweetness." He muttered softly and kissed my neck.

My breath was unsteady, I was losing control of myself from how close he was to me.

I shut my eyes, letting myself feel his every touch. I had let my guard down for a monster and had decided to live in the moment.

He slowly pulled away from me and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze.

"Sweetness, haven't you been touched before?" He asked as I stared at him for a moment and slowly nodded.

I lowered my head in embarrassment but he gently cupped my face and raised my eyes. "You're my gift from the moon goddess." He whispered, I didn't understand what he meant by that, but I stayed quiet gazing at his golden eyes, bright and pretty as ever.

Slowly he leaned in, the realization of what he was about to do made my heart race in a weird way, but I didn't push him away.

My heart was pounding like it was about to explode out my chest, my feet were cold.

I wanted to push him away, but I was too carried away to care anymore.

His lips gently pressed on mine and my heart stopped beating for a second, I didn't want him to stop and he didn't stop anyways.

Our lips intertwined for what felt like eternity and he suddenly pulled away.

"Go to bed, Sweetness. See you tomorrow." He uttered and walked away without giving me a chance to speak.

I was embarrassed and disappointed in my whole existence.

"What just happened?" I whispered to myself in utter disbelief.

My fingers hovered around my lips, I could still feel the softness of his lips, my lips were a bit swollen from the intensity of the kiss.

This was the best kiss I ever had, the last time I had a kiss was in high school, and it sure was a waste of time.

Cassius kissed me like he wanted me, like his life depended on me. The way he cuddled me while eating my lips up felt like he wanted to live in my skin.

I liked every bit of it, I wanted more of that intimacy, but it was him! The monster that kidnapped me, an emotionally unavailable murderer... A werewolf!?

I hated myself for reacting to his actions, for wanting him even more.

But I couldn't let him have such power over me, he has taken control of my freedom, I shouldn't let him control my libido.

I haven't been with a man sexually before, my first can't be an inhuman monstrous creature.

I rolled my hair up in a messy bun and walked back to the room.

I haven't stepped outside since last night, few hours earlier made it 24 hours of me being a glorified prisoner.

A cage princess, as it seems...

I fell on the bed, staring at the ceiling, different thoughts clouding my mind.

He had called me a gift given to him by a moon goddess, I didn't understand what he meant by that, and I was a bit curious.

What the hell could he possibly want from me, what do I possibly have to offer him?

He is obviously very wealthy, he could get any girl he wanted. I am not even on his league, what use am I?

***

I was woken up the next morning by the noises from multiple voices, I lazily opened my eyes to find two ladies standing next to the door, one with a book and the other speaking to her in whispers... loud whispers.

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat dramatically to alert them that I was awake.

"Good morning... Miss... Uhmm Ma'am" They greeted with a slight bow that caught me off guard, they were confused on what to call me.

"Hi, good morning, My name is Anne... Annelise, nice to meet ya." I politely greeted as they bowed again.

I didn't fancy that, they looked like they were my age mates or prolly a bit older.

"Good morning, Miss Anne"

"Good morning, Miss Annelise"

They both greeted as I nodded.

"I have been instructed by Alpha Cassius to get your choice of room decoration, we want to transform your room to your own style." The lady with the book said as I raised my brows in surprise.

"Oh? Okay, sure." I replied.

"And I'm here to clean your room." The other lady said as I took the book, it was a decor magazine with lots of options.

I was confused on what to choose, I didn't know my style. Never had such thoughts.

Cassius had given me a chance to make my little cage look better, I wasn't going to throw away an opportunity because I hated him.

"This, this is pretty." I replied, pointing at a picture page.

"Perfect option ma'am, this is a coquette style." She said and closed the page. "I will go report back..." She added and left.

The other lady had already started cleaning the room so I took the opportunity to leave my room and tour the rest of the house.

I stepped out of my room to meet a long empty hallway with multiple doors, a sudden wave of nervousness hit me. This was a whole mansion, and I knew no one here... Well, except my captor.

I walked a bit further and found a stairway, there was a lady mopping the stairs, once she noticed me she curtsied respectfully, I didn't like that gesture but I nodded and started walking down the stairs.

"Ma'am, Alpha Cassius has an elevator, and I think you're permitted to use it, the stair way is too long for you... And, I think Alpha Cassius instructed that you shouldn't leave this floor without a maid or a guard." She informed as I furrowed my brows.

What the hell? He's restricting my movement too!?

"What's going on here?" His loud masculine voice reverberated in my ears, making me almost flinch out of my skin.

How didn't we hear him coming!? Is he also a ghost?

CASSIUS VALE POV

"What's going on here?" I asked as she flinched.

I hate when she reacts to me like that.

She was out of her room and I didn't like that, I only wanted her out when I'm with her, Ravenwood pack wasn't safe for her, the werewolves would easily sense that she's human and might harm her.

The safest place for her was her room and with me.

"I... I only wanted to move around, I have been inside for too long." She mumbled with her head lowered.

"Come with me..." I said, stretching my hand to her, she hesitated taking it for a second before she carefully placed her hand on mine, and I led her to the elevator.

Was she really about to follow the stairway of a six floors building?

I scoffed a laugh at the thought of that.

The elevator door slid close and I clicked the button to the first floor, the ride was a bit quiet and awkward.

My eyes drifted to her hand to see her fiddling with it, she does that when she's anxious or nervous.

"Are you okay, Sweetness?" I asked as soft as I could, she nodded and shifted a bit away from me.

I didn't want to press further so I let her be, I couldn't afford creeping her out, not this morning.

The elevator doors opened and I led her out, placing my palm against her lower back guiding her out of the mansion.

I was about to take her to my vineyard and maybe to the garden.

A tricycle ride stopped in front of us and we entered. "Take us to the vineyard." I instructed.

"You own a vineyard?" She finally spoke up, her eyes wide in disbelief, I smirked and nodded.

"Sweetness, I own more than one, I own a winery too." I added with a light smile, I loved her reactions. She didn't try to hide how amazed she was.

"I hate to admit it, but you're doing amazing! Is this a benefit that comes with being a supernatural creature?" She asked as I let out a small laugh, she was effortlessly funny. She was clearly judging my kind by what she read in fiction novels.

"There is no success benefit in being a supernatural being, Sweetness. I'm only 32, I worked hard to achieve these." She nodded, her eyes fixated on the pretty view of my large manor, a fixed smile on her lips.

She looked so bright and excited that all I could think of was how to keep it that way, I wanted her to see my home as her new home. I wasn't going to let her go... She was mine forever.

"You have a really large estate here with beautiful view, I didn't think it was this large from my room."

"It's best referred to as a community, some of my pack houses are here, so werewolves with no home stay here too."

And that was another reason she wasn't safe coming out alone, no one knew her, I hadn't introduced her as my mate, and it was too early.

I wasn't ready to tell her she was my mate either.

"So, you have a kind heart?" She Jeered as I smiled, knowing what she was trying to do.

"No, Sweetness. I am only nice to you." I hadn't spoken this much in a long time, the only time I spoke at length was when I addressed my pack. But I was willing to switch for her every once in a while.

"You're nice to me?" She sneered with an eye roll. "Oh, okay. If this is your definition of being nice." She said and turned away.

I looked down at her exposed laps, so smooth and soft that my wolf almost forced himself to feel it. I was in my best behavior, I was holding myself from hurting her.

I wasn't soft, I didn't know how to handle a woman softly during intimate moments. I didn't want to traumatize her, she was a virgin. Pure and untouched, I wanted to have her only when I knew it was right.

I haven't known her for long, and I was already a mess of emotions.

Soon, we got to the vineyard, I came down from the tricycle and held my hand out for her, this time she didn't hesitate and I could tell that it was a subconscious response.

I held her tiny fingers protectively, making sure she felt safe. I needed her to know that I was more than the monster she saw that night.

I wanted her to know that she was an asset I wouldn't toy with.

We stood next to each other as we took in the view of the neatly planted rows of grapevines that stretched down to a far end, the morning sun beaming over it... It was a 20 acre vineyard, completely filled.

"Oh my goodness, this is perfect!" She uttered, totally astounded, her eyes wide open in fascination.

"It is, that's the winery. Let's go get some wine." I offered, leading her to the large winery building.

This was the best morning of my life, I felt appreciated in a genuine sense and not in an obliged way for the first time.

"Where are your parents?" She popped the question I hated so much, catching me off guard.

"You're getting too comfortable, Sweetness. You shouldn't know too much for your own good." I cautioned calmly as she lowered her head in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry for invading."

"It's okay, Sweetness." I hate talking about them, they aren't worth it. "I have rogue parent's, so they are what humans consider deadbeat." I gave the simplest explanation I could think of, hoping she wouldn't ask further questions.

"I'm so sorry..." She whispered, I could smell her concern, I hated being pitied.

"They are both doing okay, so all is fine." I added with a small smile as we entered the building.

The smell of vintage wine filled my nose on stepping in as I turned to her with a small smile on my lips... She liked the things I liked and that made me even more obsessed. The dimly lit winery gave that ageless vibe, the people around were people that understood the aura.

The quietness, the light clicking of glasses were like music to my ears.

"I love it here." She whispered, more to herself, all I could do was smile.

She was tapping on the side of me I never knew I had.

"Ever had a good vintage wine?"

"I have had a $20 dollar wine?" She replied as I let out a small laugh.

"I'm about to give you the best."