Instead of knocking on her door and awaiting permission before entering her chambers, he simply turned the knob and shoved the door open, allowing it to bang against the inside wall with a resounding thud.

“Honey,” he called mockingly. “I thought you’d like the chance to talk privately.” He moved through the overly decorated sitting room and straight to the double sliding doors guarding the bedroom entrance.

He ground to a dead halt when he saw her sitting in the center of the large king-sized bed. Her auburn hair hung in loose waves and was only slightly mussed from where she’d lay on them. Her bright green eyes were widened in genuine shock. She wore nothing but a pair of small shorts and some sort of strappy shirt; no bra his eyes confirmed when they zeroed in on the twin buds pebbling just beneath the cotton fabric.

We he an even lesser man than he considered himself to be, he would’ve pounced on her right then and there; taking whatever pleasure he deemed suitable punishment for her flippant dismissal earlier.

Worries of rushing the mating ritual could easily be cast aside and damn any consequences that might arise.

However, it wasn’t common sense, or fear of what may happen that stopped him from taking her. It was another idea or the sort. With a hungry smack of his lips, he advanced on the bed and the shocked woman curled amongst it.

Her eyes took in his actions, but Michelle’s mind raced frantically wondering at his intentions. When one heavy knee landed on the pile of soft bed coverings, she inched backward onto her knees, her feet tucked underneath her in case she needed to bound from the bed and run for her life.

With both hands braced with palms flat, Axel lifted himself directly in front of where she poised. She inched backward a little more until the solid-wood backboard brought her to a cold-dead stop. An amused smile crossed his face and he covered the meager distance still separating them and braced his hands on either side of her head on the headboard. Lowering his face to where she stared up at him in pure panic, one corner of his mouth lifted in amusement and then he captured hers in a long overdue kiss.

At first she fought him by placing her palms against the walls of his chest and pushing with all her might, but after allowing him to assault her and finding pleasure in it, she parted her lips in invitation and welcomed him in.

After the numerous rumors she’d heard about him and then the brief meeting downstairs, she’d more than accepted the fact that she was marrying an overbearing monster who only cared about himself. But as she focused on the tenderness of his lips and the gentleness of his body pressing lightly against hers, she wondered if perhaps Axel wasn’t merely misunderstood.

As if sensing her traitorous thoughts, Axel broke their kiss and sat back on his haunches to merely study her.

He wanted her, he wanted to tame her but right now he’d merely settle for taking her. Of course he’d have to work around the mating ritual and that would put quite a damper on his creativity, but he hadn’t lived all these centuries without learning a trick or two...thousand.

His hands snaked out so fast her eyes barely registered the movement and she emitted a small squeal when he grabbed both her ankles and pulled her legs straight out in front of her. He pulled until the vee of her legs fitted against him like a puzzle piece and he tramped down the urge to moan as her womanly warmth enveloped him.

“What are you doing?” she demanded breathlessly.

“I have to have you,” he all but panted as he grabbed the waistband of her pants and yanked them free. He swallowed hard when he saw that she wore no underwear and then nodded as if he found the idea pleasing. Less to get in his way, he decided and dove face first into the Garden of Eden. His cock sprang to live when his light whiskers brushed the cleanly shaven flesh of her mound.

His tongue snaked out, flicking lightly against her and her back bowed as she bucked off the bed.

Michelle’s eyes rolled back in her head and her hands fisted in the silk sheets as he assaulted her in ways she’d never known possible. Being the only female of their Sect, she’d remained pure for her wedding day, but she had read on what to expect. This didn’t even reach the top ten things she’d looked forward to.

Just when she thought the heat in her core couldn’t get any hotter, a volcano erupted and her entire body rocked with enough force to level a high rise.

Axel sat back on his again and smiled at her as he wiped her wetness from his lips and chin.

“Welcome to your first orgasm,” he mused and leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers once again. She moaned when she tasted herself on him and before she knew what she was doing, her fingers went to his coal black hair and she fisted her hands tightly. He sucked in heavily and groaned.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against his lips. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He grinned with his lips still resting against hers and chuckled lightly.

“That’s what I get when I try and tame a viper,” he mused. “I’m afraid this is about all we can do until after the official ceremony,” he informed her with regret lacing his voice.

Feeling brazen, Michelle snaked her hands down between them until she found his belt.

“Well, at least let me return the favor,” she suggested. “Although I will admit my skills are limited to non-practical application.”

Axel braced his hands on either side of her lithe body and pushed himself off her, allowing her better access. Hell, if she wanted to get her hands on him, who was he to argue?

Suddenly he heard a noise no human ear could have and his body went ramrod straight. He shoved away from her with a force so heavy, it rocked the bed so hard, the headboard shot straight through the drywall. He crawled away from her and raced to the large, french doors that opened onto a small balcony.

A low, menacing growl erupted from his throat and a light wisp of smoke escaped his nostrils.

“What the fuck?” he demanded and then whirled on her. “Get dressed,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. She scrambled from the bed, her hands frantically sweeping the floor in search of her discarded pants. When her fingers ran across the familiar material, she snatched them on and then stood to find herself face-to-face with a very angry Axel.

“If they manage to take you, I want to them to know beyond a shadow of doubt that you’re mine,” he rasped and then swooped down, his fangs puncturing the soft flesh of her neck. She inhaled first from the pin-prick of pain and then the flood of pleasure as it pooled in her groin again.

He shoved her away from him, a bit roughly and her eyes widened at the sight of blood dripping from his chin. Her hand went to the twin wounds he’d left, her skin still thrumming heavily from his assault.

“What did you do?” she asked, more out of curiosity than anger. He wiped the blood from his lips and then leaned down to press a lighter one across her lips.

“I made you mine,” he informed her softly. “With your blood flooding my veins, I’ll be able to find you no matter how far they take you. And...” he trailed off and anxiety seized her heart.

“And?” she prompted. What the hell had he done to her?

“No other can take you as mate now, you are mine,” he answered simply and gave her another quick peck on the cheek before turning to place his body between hers and the french doors.

Michelle jumped at the sound of glass breaking and chanced a peek around Axel’s body, eyes widening in horror as a handful of black-clad mercenaries converged on the couple. They were covered in head to toe black with even their faces hid by sleek black helmets.

Each one carried an identical curved sword and they moved to fan out around the room. Michelle reached forward and grabbed Axel’s shoulders. He quickly brushed her hands off and told her to get back before everything in the room went slamming against the intruders.