Chapter 11: Our Run Silas Once dinner is done, I rush us out of the packhouse and to the tree line. No one tried to stop us. It’s dusk, and the late summer air has a coolness to it as the breeze passes. I’m standing downwind of Sydney, and I’m met with bright notes of currents and spicy cinnamon every time a gust comes by. Her curls are tousled, and I want to reach over and tuck them behind her ear. “You’re staring again.” This shy coyness of hers is only for me. “I can’t help it. I think you are amazing. Come on, let’s shift. I want to show you something.” Bram has been eager to meet Sydney’s wolf. She ducks behind a tree to undress; I crane my neck, trying to sneak a little peek, but she picked a big tree. I strip and shift. I’m met with a beautiful red wolf with amber eyes when I step out. “That’s why we couldn’t tell if her wolf was surfacing; they have the same eyes. I’ve never seen that before.” I am in amazement at her wolf. As big as an Alpha male and her copper-hued fur
Chapter 19: Temptation Silas I take a deep breath and calm my pounding heart. Damn, that woman can twist me any way she wants. I can't wait to actually spare with her. No one had knocked me on my ass except my dad when I was younger. I chuckled, just thinking about her devilish look before she knocked me off balance. I want to see that look later tonight in a different type of sparing session. I pull my bag out of the locker and take out my clothes. I take another deep breath to now calm my building desire, and I start gagging. I'm hit with the most obnoxiously sweet floral scent. Is that air freshener? I need to talk to Sydney about that gross. It burns my eyes. It's so strong, and then I hear a giggle. I'm on high alert. That's not a male, and it's not an air freshener. I growl, a warning. "Who are you, and what do you want?" I don't even turn around. I hope they are smart enough and run away. "I'm Amber, and
Chapter 12: Left Unsaid Silas I want to make her smile again. “I don’t know. You seem to know how to kiss pretty well.” There is my sweet mate shying away, hiding her blush from my gaze. “Shut up; we have to get going.” Her hair is over her shoulder, exposing the back of her neck, and it’s turning a lovely shade of red. There’s an innocence about her when it comes to her and me. It just makes me want to tease her more. Her reactions are so cute. I hope that never goes away. “They are all ours. Thora is beautiful and powerful, the perfect Alpha female, and she’s only mine.” Bram was pining for his mate, and so was I. This whole day was a storm, and I just wanted to relax and spend time with her. “I couldn’t agree more. I don’t mind walking behind her. Look at that ass and those legs. So perfect I want to sink my teeth into them.” It was a perfect view. She might find all her pants cut into shorts
Chapter 13: Elder Issues Silas I step out of the SUV into a dimly lit curved driveway in front of a cabin-style packhouse. It’s smaller than the Amaris packhouse, but it fits. It’s almost quaint. This will be my home now. This is where my children will grow and become Ranked members. This is where my new life will begin. I shut the door to the SUV. Sydney and Gideon are immediately rushed by a gaggle of what I guess are about seven elders. Beta Lucas is close behind, shaking his head. He looks exhausted. A few of them are completely ignoring her and only addressing Gideon. They are just interrupting each other, and you can’t really make anything out. Every time she tries to say something, she gets cut off, and I can see the frustration in her eyes. She is trying her best to be respectful, but she’s not getting the respect she should for them. I walk up behind Sydney and simply place my hand on her back. I want her to
Chapter 14: Our Fight Continues Silas “What?” I seemed to already in one day have the affinity to piss Sydney off and not even know how. “You know what! Don’t play dumb! I wasn’t done talking about the rogue attack and the letter.” Even when she’s mad, she’s cute. “We should get some sleep. It’s been a long day, and we haven’t even had the time to get to know each other.” I lean on the desk and look deep into her eyes. For a split second, they looked like they got brighter. It must be her wolf pushing forward. “It doesn’t matter I wasn’t done, and you don’t get to dismiss my meetings. It doesn’t matter if we are mates or not.” I see that lighter amber flash again. She must be fighting with her wolf as well. I know Alphas are stubborn, but she was on another level. “Nothing is going to be resolved tonight anyway. Everyone is tired, and the portal is in the hospital anyway. You need sleep.” I lean d
Chapter 15: Our First Night Sydney "Damn." This is the only word I can get out as Silas walks out of the bathroom with a towel slung dangerously low on his hips. This was the first time really seeing my mate 'fully' in the light. It was dark before in the forest, and I was looking away. He was more than attractive. He was perfect. His hair was still wet, and tiny droplets fell and rolled down his perfectly sculpted chest. I was mesmerized by these small droplets and watched with envy as they seemed to touch the same places I wanted to before being soaked up by the towel. I caught myself ogling him and tried to check if I was drooling discreetly. I have never wanted to be with anyone. I never really experienced sexual desire until right now. Oh, goddess, what have you given me? Si stood there, a satisfied smirk on his face. His hands are resting on each hip, proudly placing himself on display for me. "Did you want somet
Chapter 16: Good Morning Sydney The early fall sun breaks through the curtains and hits my eyes. I bury my face into my pillow. My senses are filled with the warm, calming scent of sandalwood and lavender. I pull my pillow closer, and it's so heavy. Wait, did my pillow move? I slowly open my eyes and find myself lying on a firm chest with arms wrapped around me. I look up, and I'm pulled into the deepest eyes smiling back at me. A stray curl is brushed from my cheek, and I realize this is not a dream. I freeze, the heat starts to build in my cheeks, but I can't look away from his profound gaze. "Good morning, beautiful," Silas cranes his neck to plant a kiss on my forehead. Will all my mornings be like this? Do I deserve this luxury? I feel Silas' hand run up my thigh and skim the bottom of my butt, and I remember I didn't put pants on last night. I jolt up and look down, letting my bed head curls cascade down
Chapter 17: Our Work begins Silas I let the cold water run over my body. I need to cool my body and mind. I don't know how long I can hold back from marking Syd. Everything is new to her, and her reactions are so intense. I can't say that the mate bond isn't adding to it. It's not new to me, but it feels new every time she reacts to me. If she will just let me in and trust me. She is more like a cat than a wolf. One minute she's all fangs and claws, the next purring and rubbing herself on me. I know I caught her off guard just now. I didn't scare her. I don't think that's actually possible to scare her, but I surprised her for sure. I didn't even mean to. Only the medical staff back home have touched my scars. It just brings their faces to mind. I don't want that memory associated with Sydney at all. I know she went through her own hell that night, and I don't want our nightmares to take over. As I'm standing u