I woke up with the space beside me vacant. I stretched and yawned as I contemplated the events of the night before.

Nothing, even a disagreement, could have stopped what had unfolded. Even now as angry as I was with him, I loved him so much it hurt. I never thought it was possible to feel so intensely for someone but I did, for him. It only reinforced my need to keep him safe, the same way he was determined to keep me safe.

I got up to have a shower and get dressed. There would be no more bed rest and now that I was stronger it was time to figure out a way to find the man after me and question him, it was the only way to uncover the truth of my past.

I flexed my hand as I stood under the running water, fascinated at how different I felt. Stronger, more powerful.

Maverick’s stance was clear. He did not want me to have anything to do with it but I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. It wasn’t who I was and if I had to go behind his back then I was prepared to do that.

I was convinced his current need to protect me stemmed from the incident with the bounty hunter. So far it had been an isolated incident but this time we knew there was a threat. I wouldn’t be taken by surprise again.

While I pulled on some jeans and shirt I tried to figure a way to be able to get into town without Maverick being able to put a stop to it.

My mind was still solely on that subject when I headed downstairs to get some coffee. Lark was seated in her usual spot with a guy I hadn’t met.

“Congrats,” she squealed and engulfed me in a hug.

“For?” I was taken by surprise.

“Maverick told me you shifted for the first time.”

I nodded.

“How was it?” Her eyes wide and excited.

“It was magical.” It filled me with all sorts of emotions when I remembered how it had felt to connect with my wolf for the first time.

And then to be able to connect with Maverick’s wolf. It was something I still couldn’t explain or put into words.

It was a reminder of the importance of our connection to each other and me understanding who I really was and embracing it all.

All except being ordered around by a certain Alpha. I wouldn’t give up my newly acquired freedom for anyone. Even Maverick.

“Congrats,” the blonde guy with emerald green eyes now standing beside Lark said as he stood.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to rack my mind if I had met him and not remembered.

“This is Jackson,” Lark introduced. “He is here to start your training.”

He looked like he spent a lot of time in the gym.

“Um training?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jackson nodded. “Maverick’s orders.”

I frowned. I didn’t like being bossed around and my mate was pushing my limit. Who was he to order me around like that? Would it have been too much ask that he talk to me about it first? Instead of me finding out this way?

My earlier mood darkened and I crossed my arms, finding it hard to keep my temper under control.

“It’s common for women to get some self defense training to ensure they are able to protect themselves before they are able to shift,” Lark explain when she saw my expression. “After they can shift they are trained to fight and defend themselves.”

None of that mattered to me. I’d had enough of her brother ordering me around.

“Where is your brother?” I asked, barely able to contain my irritation. The after affects of the night we had shared evaporated and all I could feel was the burning anger that felt like it was scorching it’s way through me.

“In his study,” Lark sighed.

She hadn’t even completed the sentence and I was already striding out the kitchen to the study.

At the closed door I didn’t brother knocking and opened it to Sebastian and Maverick.

Their conversation stopped mid sentence as they both turned to look at me.

“Sebastian. I need a moment with him.” My voice tight, I was barely holding onto my anger.

Sebastian looked to Maverick who gave him a nod. He left quietly, closing the door behind him.

We were alone.

“Is there something wrong?” Maverick asked as he straightened up and faced me.

Seeing him reminded me of all we had shared the night before. His wolf and mine. But to be able to survive I needed to hold my own against him. And that included making sure he knew that I was never going to be a doormat that would just fold to his will.

“Stop ordering me around. Maverick.”

It didn’t help that when his eyes held mine that all I could think of was his mouth on mine, his body intertwined with mine. I held myself steady. I couldn’t allow what I felt for him to make me weak.

“That still doesn’t tell me what this about?” He was infuriatingly calm and I wanted to yell and shout to express my anger.

“I met Jackson.” My voice steeled and resentful.

Understanding flooded into his features. “All the women of the pack are expected to train to be able to defend themselves. Surely, in this situation you can understand why it would be a good idea to ensure you have some training.”

He shrugged like I was over reacting. It only inflamed my temper.

I glared at him. “I’m not just another pack member Maverick. And stop treating me like that. I’m your mate, your equal. I won’t be ordered around by you.”

His jaw tensed.

“We’ve already had this fight. I’m not wasting time I don’t have on a fight that is going to the lead to the same conclusions as the one before. I’m the Alpha and you will do as I say.” His arms dropped to his sides.

I stomped over to him and pressed a finger to his chest. “I will not be ordered around.”

He took in the offending finger before he lowered his mouth to my ear. “You will do as I say Victoria. You do not have a choice.”

I swallowed, fighting the attraction to him.

I curled my hand into a fist and imagined smacking him but somehow I managed to keep my control. It didn’t help that having him so near with his breath against my ear was making me uncomfortably hot for him. It was distracting but I couldn’t allow him to use that to sway him. I had to remind myself why I was angry and I had to hold onto to it.

“Are you going to fight me on everything?” His mouth moved closer and closed my eyes, feeling the vibration of his voice moved through me.

It was becoming harder to remember why I had stormed in.

“Even when it makes sense.” His eyes held mine, drawing me in.

“I…um…” I mumbled, unable to think coherently.

All I could do was focus on his mouth that had moved above mine. I wanted him to kiss me, to seal his mouth over mine. But he remained still, much to my frustration. This was a battle of wills and he was using my attraction to him to get his way.

I wanted to be strong enough to resist, but our attraction was too strong to ignore.

“If you want my attention Victoria all you have to do is ask for it.” He searched my features.

Heat pooled between my thighs, my anger melted away as his eyes held mine.

“You don’t have to fight to get it.” He glanced at my lips and I licked them, feeling the air between us electrify.

“So tell me what you want?”

I felt his breath fan against my lips as I wet them. Something beyond our wills brought us closer.

“What do you want?” he persisted.

I couldn’t even remember what had brought me into the room intent on having it out with him for all I wanted right them was to kiss him.

“I…want…you.” I hated how I couldn’t think of anything else but him.

There was a whisper of a smile before he finally did what I had wanted and slanted his mouth over mine.