My Alpha’s Little Thief

Chapter 2

"If you're going to rob me, sweetheart, at least wait until I leave the room."

Seraphina's eyes flew open, her heart hammering against her ribs. For one blessed moment, confusion clouded her mind—the unfamiliar ceiling above her, the silken sheets beneath her body, the absence of fear that had been her constant companion for months.

Then reality crashed back.

The wedding. Magnus. The forest. The wolf.

She bolted upright, instantly regretting the sudden movement as pain lanced through her temples. The room spun briefly before settling into focus—expansive windows overlooking a moonlit forest, sleek modern furniture, and walls painted in deep charcoal. Every detail screamed wealth and power.

And then she saw him.

He leaned against the far wall, arms crossed over a broad chest, golden eyes observing her with predatory amusement. Tall and impossibly handsome, he radiated danger in the casual way he held himself—like a wolf who didn't need to bare his teeth to remind you he could tear out your throat.

"You fainted," he remarked, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. "I expected more fight from someone who runs through forests in a wedding dress."

Seraphina's hand instinctively reached for her torn gown, only to discover she now wore what appeared to be a man's silk shirt that fell to mid-thigh. Heat rushed to her cheeks.

"Did you—" she began, gesturing to her changed attire.

One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. "My housekeeper handled that particular duty. Though I can't say I wasn't tempted."

His gaze traveled slowly down her body, lingering just long enough to make her skin prickle with awareness. Not fear, exactly, But heat. Heat rushed up her legs.

She cleared her throat, forcing vulnerability into her expression. "You saved me," she whispered, making her voice tremble just enough. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't found me."

He scoffed, pushing away from the wall to approach the bed. "Don't flatter yourself. You were trespassing on my property." He stopped at the foot of the bed, close enough for her to catch his scent—sandalwood and something wild. "What I'm curious about is why a bride was running through my forest in the middle of the night."

Seraphina assessed her options quickly. She wasn't restrained. No guards at the door that she could see. The man was clearly wealthy—the Rolex on his wrist alone could fund her escape for months. If she played hee cards right...

She allowed her shoulders to slump, her eyes to glisten with unshed tears. "I was escaping my wedding," she admitted, a half-truth. "My fiancé... he's not who everyone thinks he is."

"And who is he?"

"Magnus Thorn."

Something flashed in the man's eyes—recognition, and something darker.

Interesting.

Seraphina shifted, deliberately allowing the oversized shirt to slip off one shoulder. His eyes tracked his movement, pupils dilating slightly. Good.

"He's a monster," she continued, voice soft. "The things he's done... the things he wanted to do to me..." She let her voice break, watching his reaction carefully.

The man's expression remained neutral, but his jaw tightened. "Magnus Thorn isn't known for letting go of what he considers his."

Seraphina slid to the edge of the bed, closing some of the distance between them. "I had no choice," she whispered. "Please... I need help."

She reached out tentatively, fingers brushing his wrist where it rested on the bedpost. His skin was fever-hot beneath her touch. As she leaned closer, her gaze dropped to the leather belt at his waist—more specifically, to the small pouch attached to it. Just the right size to hold cash, maybe credit cards. Exactly what she needed.

"What's your name?" he asked, his voice lower now, rougher.

"Seraphina," she answered, fingers inching closer to the pouch while maintaining eye contact. "And you are?"

"Kael. Kael Draven."

The name struck a chord—she'd heard it before. One of Magnus's business rivals, if she remembered correctly. This could work in her favor.

"Thank you for your kindness, Kael," she murmured, allowing her fingertips to trail along his forearm as her other hand moved stealthily toward the pouch.

Just as her fingers closed around it, a steel grip captured her wrist. Seraphina gasped, the sound entirely genuine as Kael pulled her to her feet in one quick motion, bringing their bodies flush against each other.

"If you're going to steal from me," he growled, his breath warm against her ear, "at least be subtle about it."

Her heart stumbled. She hadn't been caught pick-pocketing since she was twelve. She forced her expression into one of wounded innocence.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she protested, struggling half-heartedly against his grip.

Kael raised an eyebrow, plucking the pouch from her fingers and dangling it between them. "Of course you don't."

His free hand still circled her wrist, his thumb pressed against her pulse point. Could he feel how rapidly her heart was beating? The heat of his body seeped through the thin silk covering her, and Seraphina became acutely aware of her near-nakedness.

"Let me go," she demanded,.

To her surprise, he released her immediately. She stumbled back a step, rubbing her wrist though he hadn't actually hurt her.

"You're a thief," he stated, his tone more curious than accusatory. "A beautiful, desperate thief running from Magnus Thorn. Now that's interesting."

Seraphina lifted her chin. "I'm no thief. I'm—"

"A liar," he finished for her, circling her slowly like a predator assessing its prey. "Your fingers are too nimble, your approach too practiced. This isn't your first attempt at relieving someone of their valuables."

She backed away, maintaining the distance between them. "You know nothing about me."

"I know more than you think," he countered, stopping directly in front of her. "Your name is Seraphina Vale. You've been engaged to Magnus Thorn for six months. The wedding was set for today—a major society event."

She stiffened. "How do you—"

"I make it my business to know my enemies," Kael replied smoothly. "Magnus has been a particular thorn in my side for years." His lips quirked at his own pun. "And now his runaway bride shows up on my property, trying to rob me blind. I can't decide if you're incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."

Something about the intensity of his gaze unsettled her. It was too knowing, too penetrating—like he could see beneath her carefully built facade.

"I need to leave," she announced, glancing around for any suitable clothing. "Thank you for your... hospitality, but I should go."

Kael laughed, the sound rich and dark. "Go where, exactly? Back to Magnus? Because I guarantee he has men combing every inch of Inverness looking for you right now."

Fear clawed at her throat, because he was right. She had nowhere to go, no plan beyond escaping Magnus.

Sensing her realization, Kael stepped closer. "You could stay here," he offered, his voice deceptively casual. "At least until you figure out your next move."

Seraphina narrowed her eyes. "Why would you help me?"

"Maybe I enjoy the idea of stealing something from Magnus Thorn," he replied, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch sent electricity racing down her spine. "Or maybe I'm just curious about what kind of woman would agree to marry him in the first place."

She flinched away from his touch. "You know nothing about my circumstances."

"Then enlighten me."

Their eyes locked challenging each other. Something stirred in the depths of his gaze, his eyes, they changed colors she could swear she saw it. Her blood ran cold.

He smirked, tucking the pouch back into his belt. "Stealing from me was a mistake, little thief."

Seraphina glared, yanking her hand free. "And keeping me here will be yours."

Kael only chuckled. "We'll see about that.