The Alpha's Shadow

“You think you can live without me?” Derek’s voice was low, with a suggestion of something dark, something dangerous.
I should’ve backed away. I should’ve been scared. But instead heat curled in my stomach as he slammed me against the wall and pressed up against his body against mine.
“I don’t need you,” I whispered, even as my breath stuttered when his fingers dragged a slow, torturous line down my arm.
He grinned, eyes of gold pinning to mine as if taunting me to refuse we were shared the same very air. “Liar.”
His lips crushed against mine, stealing my air, stealing my resolve. He tasted like fire and fury, like a war I was already losing. My fingers hold his shirt, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer to me.
"You are mine, Claire," he growled against my throat, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. "Whether you run or not."
But I wasn’t the same weak I once was. I had fought for my freedom. And no matter how much my body betrayed me, I wasn’t sure I was ready to give it up again.
Not even for him.