Oliver's P.O.V.I could smell them as soon as I stepped outside. They were too close for comfort. The putrid smell of the rogues encroaching on my territory was something I wasn't going to let slide. Especially with my family such a short distance away.Lana was finally opening up to me, and I wasn't going to let anyone get in between us. Her laughter tonight was so pure and relaxed. It was the first time I had heard it sound like that, and I wanted more. I wanted her to talk to me about everything. Sitting outside the past week and listening to the stress, frustration, and sadness in her voice was torture. But now, she sounded like herself, like the woman who had taken me in to heal me.Hearing the lock on the door close behind me, I stormed off toward to tree line. The sooner I could get this done, the sooner I could come home. I had lost one mate before even meeting her. There was no way in Hell that I would let anything happen

Oliver's P.O.V. The bathroom door did nothing to hide the way Lana smelled. I hoped she wouldn't be turned off by me flirting with her so soon after she let me back into her life, but I had also wanted nothing more than to make a move… to let her know that I was interested. Scaring her away with my comments seemed to be one thing I didn't need to worry about. I didn't even need to see the pink flush on her skin or the dilation in her eyes. The second I got out of the shower, I could smell her arousal. It was the best scent I had ever come across, and if she'd let me I would drop down to my knees and taste it. She wasn't ready for that, but as soon as she was, it would happen. As I stood at the entry to the hallway, I could smell her desire thickening as she scanned me over. My muscles coiled, and I did everything I could to hold myself back, but the small whimper that left her throat as she stared at me had me losing control.

Lana's P.O.V.After a race to my bedroom to change clothes, I couldn't help but feel like a giddy teenager all over again. It was like when James and I had first started dating in high school... but so much better. I had never felt it this intense before.Everything with James was smooth, easy, and comfortable. I thought I loved him, and we got married right out of high school against my parent's wishes. Right away, the romance died. Within a year, the abuse started.I had been working as a personal assistant at the time, trying to stay busy even though James wanted me to be a housewife.It was when my boss would call me after working hours that James started getting angry. He didn't like that my male boss thought he had access to me twenty-four hours a day. He especially didn't like it when those calls would result in me leaving the house to bring my boss one thing or another.He would accuse me of cheating. The talking turned to

Lana's P.O.V. All my nerves melted away, just like this morning. Something about having Oliver with me made all of my insecurities and fears disappear. Knowing that he was going to have to leave to go on his nightly patrol like last night, had me feeling even more desperate to feel him closer to me right now. I didn't like that he left this morning and had to take care of his hard-on by himself. It was almost insulting. I never wanted him to walk away without being fully satisfied by me. It almost felt like a challenge. One I was going to win. The cool air of the night brushed over my newly exposed skin, and goosebumps rose along the surface as I filled with excitement and anticipation. My fingers moved to the button of my shorts, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down as I popped the small metal free of the hole. "Tell me, Oliver. When you were outside my door while I touched myself... did you know I was thinking about you?" The sudden switch in his eyes from green to black sent

Oliver's P.O.V.Lana laid on my chest, her fingers running over my skin as she caught her breath from the past hour of vigorous sex. I never wanted to leave this position. But the sun was rising, and as soon as Maddie woke up, it would finally be time for me to get some sleep.Lana's sweet voice was gentle and loving as she whispered. "How was your night? Are you okay?"Her soft palm cupped my cheek as she rubbed her thumb over the darkness under my eyes. I turned my head, kissing her palm.This is what I had been wanting and waiting my whole life for. I wanted someone who cared, someone who would love me unconditionally, and someone I could love even more.My hand moved up to curl her loose brown hair around my finger, enjoying how the strands bounced back up to light curls when I released them. "It was busy, but I'm okay. All I could think about was coming home to you."Lana closed her eyes as I pressed another kiss to her