Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I brought a hand up to her cheek, brushing my thumb along the soft curve beneath her eye. “If we do this now, there’s no going back. Once the bond is sealed, you’re fully and irrevocably mine. Just as I’ll be yours.”
Her pulse fluttered beneath my fingers, but her gaze didn’t waver. “We already belong to each other. There was no going back from the moment we met.”
I leaned my forehead to hers, exhaling slowly. “We just need somewhere secluded to go.”
She grinned up at me. “There’s a hunting cabin tucked into the pines not too far from here. It belongs to my family, but Caelan rarely goes there, so there will be no interruptions.”
“Sounds perfect.” I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself grounded. She’d been through hell today. She deserved tenderness, but every part of me was already imagining her beneath me, wrapped in my scent, with my mark on her soft skin.
Then she stepped back, reached for the hem of her sweater, and lifted it right over her head. Underneath, she wore a fitted, short-sleeved shirt that hugged every curve. I didn’t understand what she intended until she stepped close again and looped the fabric around my waist, tying it with a stubborn little tug.
“No one else needs to see what’s mine,” she muttered.
My wolf preened at her territorial streak. And I nearly dragged her straight into the closest shadow and sealed the bond right there.
Instead, I bit back a laugh and tipped her chin up with two fingers. “I love that you did that.”
She huffed, her cheeks pink. “Good.”
Before I could lead her to the cabin, Keane and Kace approached in their human forms. I curved an arm around Alara’s waist, already planning how quickly I could get her alone again when they finished whatever they needed to say.
I stepped forward with Alara at my side. “Thank you. Both of you.”
Keane snorted. “Didn’t really do much.”
“I’m glad we came. Would’ve hated missing all this. We hope to see you both soon.” Kace grinned as he added, “But not too soon.”
Alara flushed, and my wolf let out a low, warning thrum. Kace laughed under his breath and clapped my shoulder before turning away.
Keane followed him with a grunt, and I exhaled slowly. I trusted them with my life, but I was still grateful when they finally disappeared into the trees. The last thing I wanted right now were naked men anywhere near my mate.
I altered my stance to face Alara again, brushing my thumb along the inside of her wrist just because I could. Her pulse fluttered beneath my touch.
Then Caelan approached, a gleam of approval in his eyes. “I trust you with my sister.”
The words hit harder than any blow I’d taken today. I dipped my head. “I won’t fail her.”
For the first time since meeting him, Caelan’s shoulders eased. His gaze softened when he looked at Alara, then he stepped aside, granting us the unspoken permission to go.
My mate slid her hand into mine, and my wolf surged up in a triumphant growl. I was taking her to seal our bond.
Moving quickly so no one else would stop us to talk, I led Alara into the woods. It was a good thing we hurried because I barely got the cabin door shut behind us before my wolf surged, the scent of her arousal spurring me on. Alara’s playful dash ahead when the cabin was finally in sight had triggered every hunting instinct I had. And she knew exactly what she was doing, teasing me until I snapped.
She laughed breathlessly, racing toward the bed on the opposite wall, but I was on her in seconds. My hands caught her waist, lifting her easily as I growled low against the shell of her ear. She shivered in my arms, her lynx purring loud enough for me to feel it vibrate through her back. The sound went straight to my cock, hardening me further as I carried her the last few steps and tossed her onto the wide mattress.
She bounced once, her hair spilling wild around her flushed face, and her gray eyes dark with need.
“Catch me if you can, wolf,” she taunted in a husky voice.
The mischievous glint in her gaze made my blood roar.
“I already have you, kitten,” I rumbled, stripping off the shirt she’d tied around my waist in one pull. Then I prowled toward the bed, my cock jutting hard and ready. “And I’m never letting go.”
Alara bit her lip, her eyes raking over me hungrily as she peeled off her shirt and tossed it aside. There was no shyness now. After our first time, she already knew exactly how to drive me wild. Her bra came next, freeing those perfect breasts that bounced softly as she shimmied out of her leggings and panties, leaving her gloriously bare for me.