Read Taken by the Wolf: Collection for Free Online

will refrain from speaking until I have finished my questioning,” Aster said, still staring straight ahead and not acknowledging Crow. It was obvious this disrespect stuck in Crow’s treacherous craw; he crossed his arms and sat back, a scowl appearing on his vulture-like face. The other three alphas, more sensible and willing to toe the line, all leaned forward, eager to hear the story.
    “I scouted the other wolf well, but he got into a fight with humans and got himself thrown out of the bar. I tried to find him after that but I could not, until I saw him attacking this woman in the parking lot. I intervened to save her and ended up killing him in the process.”
    Crow smacked his hand on his face with one hand and then rubbed it over his bald head, trying to embarrass Rowan for his perceived stupidity. The other three council wolves took a deep breath, but Aster remained steady.
    “Why would you intervene?” Aster asked. “Why not just let this human woman die? Is she worth the safety of our pack?”
    “I thought I could get answers out of him,” Rowan said.
    “Did you get any?” Aster asked.
    Rowan looked at the ground, conjuring up memories of that night. The words the biker had spoken were cryptic, but disturbing. He looked back up at the council, trying not to waiver. “He said the deal was broken. She’s missing.”
    The four council members exploded in chatter, each trying to talk over the others. Finally Aster shook his head and stood, towering over the four alphas below him.
    “Silence!” he boomed. “Do not speak!”
    They all shut up, waiting for their head alpha to speak.
    “Is that all he said?” Aster asked.
    “That was all he said,” Rowan answered. “They were coming this way anyway, as I said: unavoidable.”
    “That still does not explain why you would bring the human here,” Aster said. 
    “She required my protection,” Rowan said. “Satan’s Angels would kill her when they caught her scent.”
    “So?” Aster asked, his eyebrow rising. “Why is that our concern?”
    “I have claimed her,” Rowan said, standing up straighter and projecting his voice farther. He had to be confident in his declaration or this would never work.
    “You have?” Aster asked. “A human?”
    “I have,” Rowan said, not taking his eyes off his alpha. “She is mine.”
    “I want to speak with her,” Aster said, turning to look at Eva. “You will be silent while we speak.”
    Rowan took a deep breath and gave Eva a stern look. He had told her to agree with everything he said, but Aster didn’t give him much chance to talk. Hopefully she wouldn’t screw this up. She looked back at him, a worried look in her eyes.
    This would be interesting.
    * * *
    Eva could feel her stomach doing flips. Her throat felt dry and itchy, and she didn’t know if any sound would come out once she opened her mouth. This man, this wolf, was the most intimidating person she had every encountered, even worse than her father. It wasn’t just the raw physical strength he exuded; it was the power that radiated from every fiber of his being. If looks could kill he would be a mass murderer. She had wondered what kind of man could rule over someone as confident and strong as Rowan, and now she had her answer.
    Please don’t grill me, she thought. Eva was horrible at answering questions in any kind of interview style. It was shocking she’d been able to get the two jobs she already had; she had bombed both interviews horribly. For a second she found herself becoming aroused at the sight of Rowan standing down the council, but now that feeling was out the window, along with her own confidence. Her hands were sweating and her knees were shaking.
    This is as real as it gets.
    “What do you remember from that night, Ms...?” the lead wolf asked.
    She froze, unable to speak. Was he asking her name? The lead wolf leaned heavily on one elbow, his upper lip curling as he stared at her.
    “Eva,” Rowan whispered sternly.