I step back, slipping into a defensive stance, and he quickly raises his hands."I mean no harm." Nodding toward the fire, he continues, "I smelled the food and thought I'd investigate.""Who are you?" I scan him top to bottom once more, this time careful not to get distracted."Rafael, sentinel guard from Io. Rafe, if you like."Io. Of course, they brought their own guards. It makes sense when so many members of their pack guardians are here in an unknown arena. Not to mention the rising number of rogue attacks between Io and River Crest's territories.I force my body to relax out of the defensive stance despite my unease. It's best if I don't do anything that might antagonize even the guards of Io; this alliance is too important, and I'm still in the crosshairs."Makayla, sentinel guard for River Crest." I offer a polite bow and try to ignore how imposing his aura is. Does everyone in Io give off such dominating vibes?"Makayla." My name is a breath in his voice, said softly with mo
Shaking my head, I stab my food and shovel it into my mouth, ignoring Rafael's amused gaze and lopsided grin."I am curious, though." Rafael shifts on the stoop, turning to face me directly, his leg pressing into the side of mine. Heat ignites at the point of contact and ripples through me. I hate this. And I will force myself to hate him if that is what it takes.I begrudgingly swallow the delicious and not-at-all-tough meat. "About?""How did you come out here in the first place?""I volunteered," I lie. "During training, I showed an aptitude for guard work and volunteered to be a sentry out in the deep woods. Since it's far from the packhouse and the central territory, I set up a place to stay.""You must be very dedicated to River Crest to accept such a lonely post.""With all my heart and soul," I snort."Makayla—""You want another beer?" I'm up and halfway to the cooler before he can respond. I don't know why I ran just now. It's just… the way he said my name made everything in
He's nothing like Alpha Nolan. Rafe's hands are gentle as they explore my body. His lips are soft and warm as they take mine. And when his tongue slips across my bottom lip, I happily welcome it inside. There's no force, no pain, no fear. Just heat and a feverish wanting burning within me. Need is too weak a word to describe how my body aches for him. He sighs, pressing his forehead against mine as we catch our breath. "You're so beautiful, Makayla." I don't know why, but I believe him. If only for tonight, I'll believe he thinks I'm beautiful. I'll pretend that he only wants me. His deep voice will only soften like this as he moans against the side of my neck. I'll accept that no one else in River Crest could make this beautiful being shiver with a brush of their thigh. Just this once. Just for tonight. Rafe's hands slip beneath my clothing, each exploring a different region. He's not pawing at me like a crazed animal but delicately feeling every inch of me. As if I'll break at t
It's like a flip switch inside of him. Rafael's gentle, tender manners shift. He's ravenous and rough. Primal. His hands grip my hips, pulling me forward against his open mouth. Wet heat envelops me, and I squirm as his tongue laps against my skin. When his tongue dips inside the first time, it's a shock. Gasping, I rock my hips forward against him and tense as he laps at my opening again. Breathless, I try to tug my hands free from him and fail. His grip tightens, and he flashes me a warning look as if his tongue isn't curling around the most sensitive part of my body. I tense again when he begins to suck as well, adding even more sensations. My heart's pounding. I'm going mad. It feels so good. And when he moans, the vibrations send my eyes rolling. Rafe stays nestled between my thighs, devouring me, thrusting his tongue in unspeakable ways, lapping and tasting until my body spasms, and I buck against his face. "I feel…" I don't know what I feel. Tingling. Throbbing. Everyth
“Mate.”No. This can’t be happening!Rafe’s face lights up with a brilliant smile, and a stone drops in my stomach. How could he be my mate? Why would the Moon Goddess do this to him? To me? Knowing that I can never be loved. “I’ve been looking for you forever.” His eyes flutter closed as he presses his forehead against mine. He nuzzles his nose against mine, contentedly sighing like a puppy. “I knew you had to be mine. The moment I caught your scent. I just knew.”“Rafe—”“I never thought that you would be so incredibly beautiful.” He flinches and pulls away, a strange sheepishness giving him a boyish look. “Oh! Not that I expected you to be hideous… And not that I only want you for your beauty! I swear!”“Rafe…”“I mean, I’m happy that you’re beautiful, and I know there is more to you than that. It’s just… you’re so beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous.” His lips graze my eyebrow as he tenderly kisses my temple. “I always heard that wolves find their mates the most attractive. But it’s n
“Reject you, Rafael Crane, as my fated mate.” Rafe silently drops to his knees, hand clenched over his heart. Pain darkens his eyes and furrows his brows, but he doesn’t make a sound. A single tear trails down his cheek, and that is all I allow myself to see. Turning on my heels, I race from the trailer and disappear into the trees. My chest’s burning and aching. I feel like I’m dying. Milla rages within me, thrashing wildly about in pain and fury. “Why?! Why did you do this? Why did you reject him? Our mate! Our perfect mate!” she snarls, wincing in agony. “It’s better this way.” I don’t believe my own words, but that doesn’t matter. “Liar! You liar! You know we are best with him. We are strong with him!” Milla whines, “He was our freedom.” “He’ll make us weak. We’ll grow to rely on him, and he’ll turn on us, just like everyone else does when they find out about Nemora.”“That’s not true!” Milla’s fury blinds me temporarily, and she struggles to the surface, trying to take co
Times like these make me grateful for my upbringing. If Deadrick Pride hadn’t treated me so poorly from the time I was born, I never would have developed my evasive skills. Avoiding the other guards, Wesley, my father, and Alpha Nolan honed my ability to stay out of sight. Strange to think the tactics I use to avoid attacks are now being used to avoid uncomfortable interactions with Rafael. I doubt he’s gone far from my trailer, so I don’t want to be anywhere near home. Milla grumbles within me, and I try to ignore her sourness. “We have to eat and rest sometime, Makayla.” “I’ll hunt this evening. We’ll live until then.” She grumbles again and goes silent. Fine by me. I spent the morning patrolling the fringes of River Crest’s territory, stretching my senses to their limits. Every rustle in the underbrush sets me on edge; my nerves are wrecked. Deliberately avoiding everyone from the pack, my father, Alpha Nolan, Alpha Thane, and Rafe… Why is this happening to me? Why did I have
“Pardon?” I have risen from my bow.“I don’t know what else it could be,” Alpha Thane huffs, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walks around me, literally circling me. “Every time I make an effort for us to have a candid conversation, you try your damnedest to run away and leave me behind.”I want to tell him it’s because he scares the living crap out of me, and I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. He’s the Alpha of Io, and he has no reason to want anything to do with the middling daughter of a weaker pack’s beta.“That’s not… I don’t find you repulsive. Not at all, Alpha Thane.”“Thane, please. We can drop the formalities, Little Ghost.” He stops before me and stoops to where I am still half-bent in a bow. “I have no intention of hurting you, Makayla. I merely want to talk.”“Yes, but why?” The question slips out before I can stop it. Goddess, was it rude? Please tell me it wasn’t rude to say.“Like I said, you’re honest. Or, at least, more honest than any other mangy w