"I dinna know what yer up tae Lassie, but I certainly dinna trust ye."

Fergus McTavish, the large, red headed Scotsman sat across from me on one of the leather chairs in the library. All six foot three of him was clad in a dark blue and golden plaid kilt along with a denim shirt and black leather jacket. He had been spinning the hilt of his highland sword-- lord only knows why he needed such a thing-- but at the mention of me suddenly wanting to find Gabriel, he sent a suspicious glare.

"This wouldna hae anything tae dae wi' the full moon 'n' ye tryna trick the King, would it?"

Slowly raising my copy of George Orwell's 1984 above my eyebrows, I rolled my eyes before huffing slightly in frustration. How the big oaf always seemed to know what I was thinking, before I was even thinking it, was beyond me.

"Of course not," I lied as I gently set the book back down in my lap. "It's been about three weeks now since the King brought me here, and I just thought it might be interesting to see what he does all day," I explained, giving a simple shrug of my shoulders.

Sending a quick convincing smile, I couldn't help but hold my breath as I waited for his answer. With high set cheekbones and shoulder length hair that could make any girl swoon, the Royal Beta was in fact quite handsome-- and unfortunately for me, he was just as smart. Just when I was absolutely positive that he was about to say no, he surprisingly stood up from his chair.

"Weel then by al' means, Yer Ladyship, follow me."

I trailed silently behind Fergus, a smug look playing across my features. Since my last escape attempt, a little less than two weeks ago, I had been assigned my own prison warden-- I mean, personal guard. I could lie and say that I was less than enthusiastic about my current situation, but the truth was, the sarcastic, obnoxious Scot, was actually starting to grow on me. Too bad I was going to have to drug him later in order to escape from the castle.

As we neared Gabriel's office, I nervously began wringing my hands. His scent was intoxicating and as flash backs of this morning's incident in the bathroom racked my brain, I was beginning to think that maybe this was a bad idea.

For fuck's sake, I shook my head in disgust with a roll of my eyes. This wasn't me, I wasn't some gutless, nervous wreck. I was one sexy, self proclaimed bad ass! And I'd be damned if I didn't get what I want.

Suddenly Fergus' large hand rapped against the mahagongy bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

Butterflies swarmed my stomach as Gabriel's voice called from the other side. I gulped as Fergus swung the door open, glancing back at him cautiously before slipping underneath his arm and entering the study. With my eyes, I pleaded for him to come in with me-- but apparently he didn't catch the memo. I was on my own now, and I could only hope things wouldn't get as heated between me and the Alpha King as they had this morning.

"Alexis?"

Gabriel couldn't hide the excitement from his voice, or the smile that grew across his face at the sight of me. As his bright blue eyes gazed upwards, searching my face, he seemed extremely hopeful. Hopeful that I was finally starting to come around. Hopeful that I was finally going to be his Luna--

And I felt terrible.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked, quickly getting up from his seat. The smile on his face widened as I moved closer towards him.

"Well, I uh--"

At a mediocre five foot-eight, I rarely had to look up at anyone throughout my life. But with Gabriel, I actually had to raise my chin quite a bit just to look him in the eye.

"You know, I just um--" I continued to fumble over my words as I gazed up at him.

"Miss me already?" He teased, but after our little 'make out sesh' in the bathroom this morning, I knew my eyes we're heavy with desire.

"I just thought--"

The words died in the back of my throat, causing me to gasp slightly as Gabriel stretched his hand out towards me.

I watched as the fabric of his crisp, white dress shirt, strained and pulled across the thick muscles of his chest.
This morning, I had left as quickly as I could throw on some clothes, but now, seeing the King's navy blue suit do nothing to hide his impressive physique, certainly didn't help my already exploding ovaries. Goddess I wanted him-- and I wanted him bad.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured. "You know that?"

I nearly melted into his touch as his large hand cupped the side of my face. His thumb gently caressing my cheek. I swear it felt like I was practically floating as his head leaned down, his plump lips parting ever so slightly--

"I came here, hoping you might show me what it is you do all day." I pressed gently against him, causing the King to halt in his advance.

"Before you-- brought me here, I had never even heard of an Alpha King," I explained, pausing briefly to ensure that I used the right words.

Clearing his throat, Gabriel straightened to his full height before smoothing out his suit coat. He was trying so hard to hide his dejection.

"Of course," he nodded. "Afterall, it's understandable since you've lived your entire life as one of them and we've tried to keep our existence unknown from the human world."

Pulling me over towards his desk and chair, he unrolled a large map before sitting down. "Most of my time is consumed with looking over the six northern territories and the packs inside each one," he began as he pointed to the map.

"North America is the largest, with five separate packs making up the territory. Then there's Britain, France, Northern Europe and lastly, the Mediterranean."

It was a risky move, but as I glanced over the map, I gently placed myself in Gabriel's lap.

"So, why is this red dot here?" I asked, nonchalantly pointing towards the Canadian territory.

As he leaned forward to see where I was pointing, his sharp intake of breath did not go unnoticed. Neither did the arm that was snaking tightly around my waist.

"That, is Castle Aethelwulf."

I could feel the stubble on his chin brush against my cheek, as his voice rasped huskily against my ear.

Perhaps if I hadn't been a woman on a mission--

But unfortunately for him, I was far more interested in the map at the moment.

"So we're in Canada?" I asked. It was uttered in astonishment rather than an actual question, but Gabriel didn't seem to notice.

"That's right," he nodded. "I found you here, right around Stark Territory," Gabriel explained, pointing towards a block on the map labled upstate New York. "And then brought you here, to my summer home--" he drew a line with his finger, landing on the red dot I had pointed to earlier, "--in Kingston, Ontario."

Gabriel shot me an amused look as I let out a very unladylike snort.

"Kingston?" I gasped in between fits of laughter. "Really?"

Gabriel didn't seem to understand the hysterics, or maybe he was just too preoccupied with something else. Either way, before I had a chance to figure it out, I found my lips moving in synchronization with the King's.

Suddenly I pulled back, the little voice in my head reminding me why I truly came-- my wolf trying desperately to battle me for dominance. Weakened by the wolfsbane, I easily beat her back into my mental cage, but as I tried to pull out of his grasp, Gabriel's face turned furious.

"I don't understand," he spat. "Why do you do this to me? Why do you deny me? Deny what is natural? Am I really that hideous to you?"

My face scrunched up in confusion but I thought it wise to remain silent. He was the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on, but what in the world did he mean by, it was natural?

He growled in frustration before leaning closer. "Do you find me ugly?" he asked, his voice raising incredulously.

My answer was barely audible as I quickly stood up. I wasn't sure I liked this sudden change in tone.

"Perhaps you're worried then, that I am not man enough for you," he challenged. "You're afraid I won't be able to protect you-- please you."

I shook my head, unconsciously taking a step back as Gabriel stood up as well. Nostrils flared, he took deep breaths bending over me. He was huge. He was intimidating-- and as I thought back to him tearing through those handcuffs, I knew he was strong. There was no doubt in my mind that he could protect me, and Goddess Devine, I knew he could please me.

"Then maybe," he bent down dangerously close, pinning me to the desk underneath him. "Then maybe you're just here to use me."

Gripping his face firmly between my hands, I leaned up and kissed him with as much passion as I could muster. No matter how much I wanted him, no matter how much my beast howled, there was something I was sure of that I would always want more-- but if I was going to get the hell out of this castle, if I was going to take back my freedom, then I needed to put an ease to his suspicions.

When I finally pulled away, I realized his eyes were heavy, pupils completely blown out. A snarl tore from his lips as a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pressing me into his hard body. His lips slammed against mine, stealing the air right out of my lungs, and for a moment, I wondered how I was ever going to go back to Freddy.

As his lips trailed down my neck, I realized that the Alpha King was nearly lost. His need for me, his carnal desire was feral, and what stood before me now, was clearly more animal than man. Eyes glowing a bright blue, his curly locks looked completely wild as his canines descended.

Oh shit! I squirmed underneath him. The Alpha King was going to mark me.

"Yer Highness? Excuse me, Yer Highness, but it's urgent!"

The King glared at the door, letting out a deep, threatening growl before sliding me on to my feet.

"Enter," he grated harshly, sending an angry scowl towards Fergus as the large Scot entered the room.

"I didnae interrupt anythin' important, did I?"

"No," Gabriel snapped, casually adjusting his tie. "What did you want."

"The Laird o' the Lupin-Paris Territory tis on the phone again. Sounds lik' ye better tak' the call," Fergus explained.

With a heavy sigh, Gabriel pressed a chaste kiss to my forehead. I could sense the annoyance in his voice as he told me this would take a while. It sounded exhausting, it sounded frustrating-- but to me, it sounded perfect.

*
**
***

"Alexis!"

Gabriel lifted the make-shift rope, dangling from the window, as he roared my name. With a container of StarWort in one hand and a bottle of deer piss in the other, I shuffled further back underneath the King's bed. So far my plan was unfolding beautifully.

"I dinnae-- I dinnae ken how she did it," Fergus mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. He was still bleary-eyed and groggy as he spoke to his Alpha.

"She tricked you," Gabriel frowned. "She tricked all of us."

Turning his back to Fergus, the Alpha King shook his head before punching the wall nearest him.

"Send everyone after her," he informed the Beta. "I can scarcely scent her anymore. She's been gone for a while."

As the King and his Beta rushed out of the room, I couldn't help but smile at my success. When I was satisfied they were out searching in the woods, I slowly crawled out from under the ginormous bed. Moments later, I found my feet carrying me as fast as they could in the opposite direction of the howls amongst the dark forest.

Tree limbs scratched at my face and tore at my clothes. I stumbled over roots and fell face first into the dirt. But I didn't care, I was free. Nothing could stop me or get in my way. Or at least, that's what I thought--