Claimed By Three

Chapter 4

ZANE'S POV

From the moment she shifted, I couldn’t stop thinking about her

I knew she was mine the very day she was dragged onto the auction stage, trembling but fierce. We all knew it. Every one of us felt that pull. Yet none of us could agree on who would claim her first. So we settled it the only way we knew how. Through a hunt.

Cruel? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.

We needed a mate who could survive our hungers, our tempers, our darkness,and still choose to love us through it all.

We could make our little mate happy….but she just needed to survive the next few days without hating us. If she couldn't do that,we would reject her and let her move on. We would never force her to stay here if she truly didn't want it. But before we offer her freedom,she will need to give into our dark urges.

The moment I set my eyes upon her injured,yet beautiful body, her scent called to me. The sweet smell of wild strawberries. It was perfect.

I needed to win. Not for me, but for her.

If Tyler got hold of her first,she would feel more pain than pleasure. And if Lucian got to her first,he wouldn't know when enough is enough because his beast would be in full control.

But me? I could control my wolf. Yes, she would hurt, but I could guide her past the pain into something exquisite. I could prove to her that even monsters could be gentle.

As she bolted into the forest, I tracked her in silence, my wolf prowling under my skin. She was stronger than she looked, and I admired that. My brothers underestimated her, scouring the front of the woods,thinking she wouldn't go far because it was her first shift.

But I knew better. She was a fighter. She’d drag this game out until the last second if she could.

Minutes flew by. Fifty-seven minutes had gone already,just three minutes left. My chest hammered with dread. If she won, she’d earn three wishes. And though I wanted her happiness, I couldn’t bear the thought of Tyler or Lucian sulking with rage and venting their anger on her later.

Suddenly the wind shifted, carrying a sweet scent into my nose. Almost immediately I had won this game.

I followed the trail into a cave cloaked in shadow. And there, in the darkness, two luminous violet eyes glowed back at me.

“I've found you, princess. You're mine.”

My voice came out rough, laced with hunger. I stepped inside, the air tightening between us. “You were so close to winning. If the wind hadn't carried your scent,you would have won.”

I knelt, reaching to stroke her fur as she cowered in a corner. “You hid well. I'm proud of you.”

She bared her teeth and darted past me, claws scraping rock as she made for the cave’s mouth.

I moved fast, catching her before she slipped through the gap. She fought like hell, twisting, shoving, even snapping at me.

I sighed and shook my head, holding her still. “Stubborn little thing,” I muttered, though my chest tightened with something closer to respect than anger.

Her growls slowly dropped to silent whimpers.

“I promise, none of this is actually as bad as it seems,my precious mate. Now, shift back so we can head back to the mansion.” I was trying my best to make sure she was comfortable with me.

She shifted back quietly and shut me a curious glance, attempting to cover her body with hands. “You…know I'm your mate?” she queried. Her voice was so angelic that I could listen to her speak for days.

“Of course, I knew from the start. And I have a wonderful night planned for us.” I grinned broadly. “In a few hours, it'll be Tyler's and Lucian's turn to mark you.” I leaned close, lowering my voice. “It’s us that matters.”

She hesitated, but when I offered my hand, she placed hers in mine. A fragile, trusting, look in her eyes.

I led her out of the cave and howled into the night, announcing that I was the winner. Tyler and Lucian answered, their howls thick with fury. The sound only fueled my triumph.

The walk back to the mansion was eerily quiet. The moonlight bounced off each and every of her perfectly shaped curves. She noticed how I stared at her and attempted to hide her body from me. Such a shy thing.

My brothers glared at me, fire burned through their eyes and it gave me pleasure.

“I won’t be disturbed tonight,” I announced, rubbing salt in their wounds.

Lucian growled, “I'm the Alpha. I should be the one to mark her.”

“You made the rules,” I reminded him coldly. “And I won.”

Lucian and Tyler couldn't keep their eyes off her, causing her to shy away behind me.

Tyler’s lips curled, his hunger barely contained. He stepped forward, licking his lips, but I blocked his path. “You’ll get your turn. Not now.”

“They both tightened their lips into firm thin lines. They couldn't do anything since I had won.

I turned to my mate. She stood there shivering, wide-eyed and trembling. I smiled and ushered her up the stairs, then I led her down the hallway to my massive bedroom.

The door swung open to reveal what I had prepared. Rose petals scattered across the massive bed, candles casting golden light that flickered over the walls. One wall bore racks of s*x toys. Her gaze froze on them. I couldn't tell if she was curious or horrified.

I led her to the bed and sat her down gently, kneeling in front of her so my eyes met hers.

“I will be gentle,” I whispered. “But it will hurt. I can't lie to you about that. What I can promise you is that you are going to love it.”

She shook her head nervously, panic rising. “I–I don't even know you.”

I smiled and cup her cheek with my hand. “My dearest,you are ready. Your body knows me. I can smell it on you,” I told her. “I'll start slow,okay?”

Her hesitation crumbled, she gave a tiny nod. Finally she was slowly giving in. Her arousal filled the air and it was driving me insane.

I couldn't wait to devour her. But first,I wanted her to crave me. Beg for my touch. I needed her to feel my lust coursing through her, intensifying hers.

Soon, she would bear my mark. Soon, she would be mine. Completely.