“I don’t know.” My gaze fell. “I wasn’t thinking.”Why did I do it?I knew the problems it’d cause. And admitting that was a form of acknowledgement that it had crossed my mind countless times before.He snorted. “Well, I can certainly understand that.”He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.“Come on.” Vanquish caught my wrist and pulled me behind him. “Walk close behind so they don’t see your dress.”My torn dress.We entered camp with me on his heels. My head ducked in shame that they might see my torn dress and guess I’d disobeyed my mate.Him walking decisively before me. His expression pure wrath.Other wolves skittered from his path. But no one said anything.Samantha and Jaecar watched with confused expressions. Surprised at how meek I looked just now.Lyra Lani, the Alpha’s mat

I slipped next to the crack between the stones. Shocked that someone had meticulously shimmied up the wall and removed one stone at a time. Working their way down to the ground to form a zig zagging opening that was narrow enough to be discreet.Slim enough the Border Guards have missed it. And I knew how cautious they were. But the space between the tree and the wall was barely over a foot, then the crack little more.Only a woman could fit through. Yet, I suspected that a male had to have done it from the other side.She’s not strong enough to have moved those stones.I peeked through the crack and was astonished to see Marta had her arms wrapped around a large, long-haired male who was tightly embracing her. His hands freely roaming her body.Marta?She has a mate! What is she doing?I couldn’t begin to understand what she was doing. We all knew that it was the code of wolves

Their anger and raw animal aggression reminded me of all those days before I knew them when I had feared them.I instinctively whimpered and backed up against the door. Feeling cornered.Racer and Vanquish stood. Animalistically closing in, as they saw my retreat.Seeing the change of power, I realized that I needed to stamp down my she-wolf's submission and fearlessly tell them.Now.Before they hold me accountable and remind me of my place.“I heard something. I saw Jaecar was injured.”“Jaecar?” Racer asked in confusion.“You went out to check on a male?” Hunter objected. Slapping the door near my shoulder enough that I jumped. Obviously angry at the prospect I may’ve been sneaking out to see another male.But I wasn’t.I can barely keep you three sated!Closing my eyes, I steadied myself. Why am I afraid of them? I k

“Tomorrow we must assure Draven knows about the whole in the wall.” Vanquish said. “And about Marta.” I added. Vanquish nodded. “What about Marta?” Hunter asked. “She’s an old lady.” “With an evil bend.” Vanquish corrected. Who poisons are wolves. And keeps the females from getting with pup. Draven would be furious to hear that. I cringed at the thought, hoping it was something Lyra Lani had already divulged to him. So I don’t have to. *** I filled Hunter and Racer in on what I’d seen tonight. They were all angry with me. But less than I’d suspected. I’d thought they might be tempted to wring my neck. “Stay away from her.” Vanquish ordered. “No following old ladies in the dark.” “Old men then?” I asked sheepishly. His black glower could’ve shriveled a berry. “I’m surprised you didn’t run into Fury.” Racer remarked

“That a girl. Scream louder.” He whispered in my ear. As he began pounding viciously.Unable to move or to adjust I was held still, bound to the tree while he plunged in and out of my body. His pelvis slapping against the soft flesh of my ass and making it ripple.He was groaning. Clutching the sides of my hips to hold me in place. While he rose and fell behind me.As if he needs to hold me here. I couldn’t go anywhere. Or resist him, even if I wanted to.I felt his hard, war-honed body dragging up and down my back and his powerful hips and buttocks working as he flexed in and out of me. His thighs cradling the bottom of my cheeks each time he lowered and flexed his legs outside of mine.“That’s it, Sweetheart. Take all of it. I want you sore. To think of me every step you take tomorrow.”It was hurting.But it also felt good.They had somehow taught me to like it rough