Page 81 of Plug and Claim

“Simply being a member won’t give you alpha status.”

Kira smiled. “I can handle that part by myself.”

Nathaniel cupped her cheek. “My darling pet…so ambitious. Yes, I will help you become one of the Poplarins, but first…” His gaze hardened. “You will help me win Gloria’s hand.”

Kira nodded. “Fine. No problem.”

Nathaniel’s chest rumbled with a laugh so low that it reverberated through her core, slackening her muscles. If she hadn’t already been kneeling, she would have had to sit down.

He placed a hand on top of her head, his fingers slid into her hair, where he patted and stroked her as if she were a dog. “I am looking forward to seeing this ‘tameable wolf’. I have yet to see that side of you.”

“Fucker!” she growled, jerking her head away, but his hand tightened painfully in her hair.

Nathaniel smirked. “Down, pet. I was merely joking.”

She scowled at him, teeth bared, but he seemed content to wait.

When she finally dropped her gaze, he immediately relaxed his grip and resumed stroking her hair.

“I am not convinced you have what it takes to submit yourself to another,” Nathaniel began. “Will you obey my every instruction and do as you’re told?”

Kira swallowed hard, biting back an insult. “I will.”

“Even in public? Will you do all I ask of you before others?”

Kira’s stomach twisted. “Like who?”

“Anyone at all. Other students. Academics. Visiting students’ parents. People in the city, should I take you out.”

Take me out? Like a date?

Or like a dog on a leash?

She didn’t have time to contemplate that, because her thoughts had snagged on his mention of ‘parents’. “Even your father?”

Nathaniel’s pupils dilated, signalling that she’d unearthed something critical. “Yes, pet. Perhaps, if you are good, I will trot you out before His Majesty as a prime example of wolf domestication.”

His words stung like barbs, but she bit her tongue.

She suddenly became conscious of the fact that her head was lolling as he massaged her scalp. The touch felt incredible, evoking a flurry of pleasant sensations that warmed her, and she had a strange urge to drop her head in his lap.

“Very well,” Nathaniel said, removing his hand from her head and rising to his feet.

She scrambled back onto her heels, the magic between them broken.

“I accept your proposal, pet.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” He walked to his desk, pulled open a drawer, and glanced back at her. “On one condition.”

She crossed her arms. “And what’s that?”

“You will demonstrate your willingness to obey me…right now.”

Her breathing grew shallow—with anticipation, or dread, she wasn’t sure.

“Come here.” Nathaniel beckoned with a finger.