Alpha Mine (The Alpha Council Chronicles) by Brenda Sparks Page A

guy take his best girl shopping? Now come on, let’s go. You don’t have much time before you have to leave for work.”
    Kat let a sigh of acquiesce blow between her lips. “All right. Let’s go, Marcus.”
    Stephan watched the subtle sway of her hips as she strolled toward him. He was struck by her beauty. Her hair flowed down her back in smooth waves that drew his attention. How he longed to run his fingers through those golden locks. Her sensual lips, straight nose, and beautiful blue-gray eyes all begged to be kissed, and he was more than ready to oblige. But what struck him as the most beautiful thing about her was her personality. She could be sassy one minute, charming the next, and he loved every sweet and sour moment with her.
    Kat rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him goodbye. Wrapping his arms about her, he deepened the kiss, his tongue darting between her lips to thoroughly explore her mouth. He broke their kiss to feather light kisses down her neck, his mouth coming to rest over her beating pulse.
    Need slammed into him hard, a hunger only his kind could have. His fangs lengthened, as his body craved that which was but a bite away. He could hear the siren call of her blood, begging him to take what he needed to survive.
    His lips parted, his fangs raking her delicate skin. Just a little pressure would break that skin, allowing her sweet liquid to his mouth. The temptation built. The need to taste her pushed at his restraint. Never had he been so tempted.
    Remember your vow, Stephan.
    Hearing Marcus in his mind gave him the power to push his need aside. He called on the discipline he’d so carefully honed over his long life, stilling his hands and lips. The warrior took a deep breath, willing his fangs back to their normal length. His body shook slightly from the effort as he put her away from him.
    “You’d better go,” he suggested, barely containing his desire.
    She nodded, reaching up to cover her lips with her fingers as if she could still feel his kiss. Silently, he watched Katrina head out the door with Marcus. She turned when the doors to the elevator opened. “Bye,” she whispered.
    “I will see you later.”
    The elevator doors closed, taking them from his sight. His chest tightened at the thought that Katrina might be in danger. If there was a hunt club in Vegas, as their fellow Alpha, Nicholai, feared, then no human was safe. Until they knew for certain, he would do everything possible to keep her protected.
    He sent a message to Marcus using their mind link. Take care of her, my friend. And bring her back to me safe and sound.
    Marcus gave the mental equivalent of a nod. You know I will. I’d protect her with my life.

Chapter 12
    The next evening, Marcus watched Stephan straighten the cuffs on his white tuxedo shirt, before affixing diamond studded cufflinks to each sleeve. “So, did you get a limo for tonight or are you taking the Mercedes?”
    “I thought the occasion called for a limousine.”
    Marcus nodded his approval. “Good choice. Every woman likes to ride in a…” Marcus stopped short, his breath caught in his throat as his gaze swept to the stairs.
    Kat descended, dressed in a gown made of golden silk which clung to her lean body in all the right places. Her designer shoes were satin high heels that ruffled on one side with a sparkly jewel detail. The ruby necklace from Stephan completed the elegant outfit, drawing attention to the ample cleavage exposed by her gown. She wore her hair up in a golden chignon with tiny wisps framing her face.
    Marcus stilled, not a breath did he take while he watched her glide gracefully down the stairs. Beside him, Stephan sucked in a breath of his own as they both watched Kat’s gown trail behind her when she stepped off the stairs.
    “I have never seen anything so beautiful in all my six hundred plus years,” his sire murmured, watching her move elegantly toward them.
    Stephan took her hands in his. “Words cannot describe how