Alpha's Mate A Rough Shifter Romance - Piper Stone

Chapter 1

The United States, 2274

Nicolina

Darkness enshrouded the entire building, the lack of moonlight streaming in through the window unnerving. The ugly fluorescent lights barely illuminated the expansive room in the old building, the various shadows within the classroom entirely different after hours. I shut down the Netscape computer system before pushing away from my desk, exhausted from the long day of teaching.

I couldn’t wait to grab a glass of wine and sit out on my front porch, listening to the sounds of the river.

Butterflies suddenly filled my stomach, a lump forming in my throat.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

I shifted my head toward the door, the echo of heavy footsteps unusual for this time of day. The cleaning staff had already left for the evening. Instantly on edge, I jerked to a standing position, reaching for my things.

Thump. Thump.

I could swear the footsteps were getting closer. A moment of utter terror swept through my system, the school miles away from anything else. I’d been a fool to remain after hours in order to finish grading papers. My breath skipping, I moved silently toward the frosted glass door, immediately turning off the light. There was nothing of value within the building, at least that I knew of. However, there were always rogue criminals foraging for anything they could get their hands on to sell on the black market.

They’d even kill if necessary.

I had no weapon, no way of protecting myself. If I could manage to slip out and run for the exit, maybe I had a chance. If not, the bastards would likely assault me or worse. The moment I cracked the door, another round of footsteps echoed down the hallway. I shrank back, trying to allow my eyes to get used to the emergency lights barely illuminating the corridor.

That’s when I saw him.

Big.

Rough.

Dangerous.

He was a giant, standing at least six and a half feet tall, his broad shoulders and long muscular legs matching his massive chest.

And he was completely naked.

What the hell?

My breath catching in my throat, I closed the door, moving against the wall and praying to whatever God might be up in heaven to protect me. I wasn’t ready to die.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

He was getting closer.

Thump. Thump.

Closer still.

I pressed my hand across my lips, trying desperately to keep from screaming. The hair stood up on the back of my neck, my legs quivering. There was no way to get out, the windows in the room inoperable. Oh, God. Oh…

Then I heard his voice, the deep baritone like smooth velvet, only laced with a kiss of death.

“Ni-co-li-na…”

My mind reeled from the fact he knew my name. He’d come for me.

I slid along the wall, barely avoiding bumping into one of the desks.

“Ni-co-li-na.”

There was such an urgency in his tone, a longing that created goosebumps down the length of my arms. When there was sudden silence, I held my breath.

Boom!

The door was kicked in, the monster entering, immediately turning his head in my direction. As the glow of the hall lighting slid into the room, his features were dimly highlighted, but I was able to see the expression on his face.

Carnal.

Hungry.

Furious.

He took a deep breath. When he allowed the air to escape, the sound was a deep and husky growl, the noise sending a series of electric vibrations dancing from my heated cheeks to my toes. I bit back another cry, paralyzed with fear.

After taking a deep whiff, his nostrils flared and he dragged his long tongue across his lips. “You shouldn’t have run from me, Nicolina. You are a very bad girl.”

“Who… Who are you?”

“I am Akuma. I am your mate and your master. And you will be punished.”

Everything moved into slow motion as he closed the distance, yanking me into his arms, his cock pressing against my tummy. I was disgusted by my body’s reaction, the arousal immediate. My nipples ached as they scraped against my lacy bra, my panties instantly soaked from pussy juice trickling into the cheap cotton. My heart raced, my throat tightening, my need to survive finally kicking in. I pounded my fists against him, letting off a terrified scream.

Akuma chuckled darkly as he dragged me onto my toes, inhaling once again. “You. Belong. To. Me.”

The words were so guttural, full of possession. I’d never seen the brute before, but his shimmering eyes reflected something entirely different.

As if he’d been hunting for me.

Searching.

Waiting.

Finally capturing his prey.

“Let me go. Let me go!” I continued to pound my fists as he lowered his head. His eyes weren’t human.