Night came too quickly. Even though it was Friday and most people my age would be out with friends, I was exhausted and decided to head to bed once the clock struck nine. Alpha Alexander had retreated to his office with Seth for the rest of the day, leaving Julie and me to occupy our time with girl talk and an endless supply of fashion magazines Julie had collected.

The night was warm. After I showered, I dug out a white undershirt tank top from one of the dresser drawers and slipped into it. I paired it with my silk shorts and braided my hair. I stared at the bed, my hands on my hips. I glanced to the makeshift useless bed on the floor. An idea started to form in my mind and I grinned. I went to the closet, pulled out a few more pillows and dumped them on the bed along with the two blankets and lone pillow from the floor. After setting them vertically down the center of the mattress, I turned off the lights and crawled into my side of the bed. I patted down the pillows and grinned, proud of my handiwork.

I curled my knees into my chest and closed my eyes, my thoughts drifting to what I imagined the Alpha's face would look like when he saw the barrier I set up to protect me from my own desires that I would never dare to act on.

It turned out that I didn't need to imagine what his face would look like. I woke when the sheets were suddenly stripped from my body. I sat up, groggily rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What are you—?"

The Wall of Protection From My Own Temptation was effectively torn down as Alpha Alexander slipped into the bed. Only when one last pillow sat between us did I realize what had just happened. I grabbed for it at the same time he did. He tried to tug it out of my hands but I clung to it. "Oh, no, no, no. Put them back!"

"This is my bed. I do not want nor need so many pillows."

"Put them back!" I repeated. "I want them on the bed."

His eyes flickered with amusement before he yanked at the pillow, forcing me to fall forward, right into his lap. I clung to the pillow, trying to pull my way back to my side of the bed. Alpha Alexander used his free hand to pry my fingers off of the pillow before pulling me into his side once more. "It's time to sleep, Phoebe."

"Not without my pillow fort."

"Sleep."

I tried to lunge across him, to grab the pillows from the floor on his side of the bed, but he caught me, turned me over and promptly spooned me, his arm caging me from my escape. His hand was tucked beneath my body, pressing into the side of my breast, his thumb sliding over the bare skin the tank top didn't completely cover. I tried to remember how to breathe. His nose was against my neck, his lips pressed against my skin. I involuntarily shivered.

"The pillows would not have stopped me, Phoebe," he rumbled gently.

I twisted as much as I could in his arms to look at him. His face was so close to mine, his nose tickled my cheek. "They weren't meant to hold you back."

His eyes darkened. I knew what would happen the moment I said it, but I said it anyway. He hugged me closer to him, but I turned away as he leaned forward, a small smug smile creeping on to my face. "I'm tired, Alpha Alexander. Good night."

His hand slid to my belly, slipped under my tank top and rested just below my breasts. I sucked in a breath as his thumb inched higher. I really need to remember to put on a bra when I go to bed.

"Good night, mate." I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

The next morning, I woke alone in bed. I showered and dressed quickly before hurrying downstairs. I smiled at Julie as I slid onto the stool next to hers at the breakfast bar. A full plate of breakfast was set before me. Julie swallowed the bite of bacon already in her mouth. "What's got you in a good mood?"

"My parents are coming by for dinner."

Her eyes lit up. "That'll be exciting. What time will they be here?"

"I'm thinking about asking Alpha Alexander if it would be okay for them to come early. My little brother is coming, too, and I want to practice soccer with him for a little while."

Julie took another bite of bacon. "I'll text Kellan and Jason. They're halfbacks on the school's team, and they're pretty good."

"I think you meant to say we're the star players," Jason interjected as he strolled into the kitchen.

"And you forgot to mention how devilishly handsome I am," Kellan drawled as he snatched a piece of toast from my plate.

I rolled my eyes. "Would you guys help my little brother practice? My family is coming by for dinner tonight."

Jase stood tall and raised his glass of orange juice. "I'd be honored to train the Alpha's younger sibling in the art of soccer."

"Be nice to him. He's just starting out," I warned.

"We did day camps last summer for elementary school kids. We've got this covered," Kellan assured me as he snatched a second piece of toast off my plate.

I swatted at him. "Get your own food!"

"But they gave you the good stuff." He nabbed a piece of bacon, dodging my hand as I reached for it. He grinned at me from across the kitchen. "Wolf reflexes, milady."

I scowled at him, but it was halfhearted. He nodded at me and turned to head outside with Jason closely behind him. Julie had continued shoveling food into her mouth without bothering to converse with the two idiots before they left.

"I'm bored," she mumbled when she finished her plate. Her eyes brightened and she sat up a little straighter. "Let's go shopping."

The idea was tempting. I needed some dresses and denim shorts now that spring was finally here and summer wasn't far behind. Plus, it'd be nice to get out of the pack house for a little while. "I'm in. I'll go grab my wallet real quick."

I ran up to the room and grabbed my wallet along with a small cross-body messenger bag I got last summer. I stuffed my wallet, my mascara, my keys, and some lip balm in it before brushing my damp hair and checking my outfit one last time. I grabbed my sunglasses and hurried down the stairs. I slowed when I realized who was waiting for me at the bottom.

"Good morning," I said, trying to keep as much sarcasm from my tone as I could.

Alpha Alexander didn't greet me so kindly. "Where are you going?"

"Julie and I are going shopping. Do you need anything?" The courtesy was automatic, something I always asked my parents whenever I went to the mall with my friends.

Alpha Alexander was only slightly taken aback by my question. "You're not going."

I froze as frustration boiled through me. "Why the hell not?"

"It's dangerous."

"I can take care of myself, Alpha Alexander. No one is going to attack me. Besides, Julie will be with me. Buddy system, right?"

"You're not going," he repeated.

"I can ask Jason and Kellan to come with," I said hopefully.

His eyes darkened. "No. You are not leaving this house."

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you sure about that, Alpha?"

He stepped toward me. I stood a couple steps up from him, but I tensed all the same. "Do not test me, Phoebe."

"Look, I just want to get out of the house for a little while. I need some things."

"Whatever you need, I can ask Vance—"

"To fetch it for me?" I finished for him. "No. What I need he can't buy."

"What is it that you need?"

"Dresses, shorts, maybe a couple skirts. Summer's coming, you know."

I barely noticed his hand grip the railing tight enough to crack the polished wood. "You do not need dresses or skirts."

"And you do not have the right to decide what I need."

His eyes held mine, something unspeakable passing between our gaze. "You are not going."

I rolled my eyes and tried to push past him, but he caught my waist, pushing me against the wall. I glared at him. "What is it with you and walls?" I mumbled.

"It has its affect on you," he answered lowly as his head inched toward my neck. I shivered and attempted to step to the side, away from him. He held me in place. I felt caged, which I suspected was exactly what Alpha Alexander was aiming for. Temptation nudged at me as he inched closer. I swallowed and allowed my hands to cup his face.

"If you let me go shopping, I'll let you drive me to school."

His eyes searched my face, but I remained passive. He didn't say anything for a long moment. "Jason and Kellan will go with you."

I bit my lip to hold in my triumphant grin.

"So will Spencer and John."

My smile fell. "You can't be serious."

"Would you rather stay here?"

I huffed. "Fine, they can wait outside Victoria's Secret."

Alpha Alexander tensed, his hand dug into my side. "Do not tease me, Phoebe."

"Who said I was teasing?" I smiled, smug once again. "I'll see you at dinner. What time should I tell my parents?" When he didn't answer, I offered, "How's four o'clock sound? Yeah? Okay." I kissed his cheek. "Bye!"

I wiggled out of his arms and hurried outside. I opened the door of the SUV parked in front of the house. Before I could climb in, a hand wrapped around my waist, pulled me back and turned me around. His lips briefly crashed against mine, a kiss of pure dominance that caused my knees to shake. The moment I began to give in to the kiss, Alpha Alexander pulled away. "Have fun, Phoebe."

I glared at him, fully aware of his game. "I'll make sure to find something extra special for you." I threw as much sugar and venom as I could into the sentence. His eyes grew dangerously dark.

Two can play the game, Alpha Alexander.