The cold night air on my bare skin was painful. Goosebumps spread on my arms and legs. I covered my chest with my arms, trying to maintain some warmth. Every so often, I stepped on something sharp and hissed in pain. What I wouldn’t give to come across some human campers we could borrow clothes and shoes from. Okay, steal them, but it was an emergency, maybe they’d give them to us. Unfortunately, there was no sign of life. We were isolated here.We didn’t speak as we walked, but I was grateful for the silence. When we were talking, I was closer than I wanted to admit to giving in to him and I wasn’t ready to forgive him. I needed more time to work through everything. There was too much between Tyler and Wolf Creek and my father to add other complications.My mind wandered and I thought about Sheila, Kyle, and Malcom. Were they safe? Were they hurt? Did they have to walk through the woods naked? Visions of my friends suddenly turned into thoughts of Tyler. I shook my head at the unwelc
Alec gently pushed me away. “What are you doing?”“Kissing you,” I said, leaning in to do it again.“This is the shift.”“So?” I licked his lower lip.He groaned. “Lola, I want you. You have no idea how badly I want you. But I won’t take advantage.”“What happened to the cocky asshole who said he’d offer his services the other night?” I asked.“Oh, he’s still here. He still wants all of you. But it has to be because you want me, too.”“We shifted hours ago,” I reminded him. “Don’t you think I’m clear-headed enough to make my own decisions now?”“Are you?” he asked.“Stop talking, Alec. I want you. It doesn’t have to be a thing. It can just be two people having fun together. Besides, we’ll be warmer this way.”“You don’t seem like the casual sex type,” he said with a frown.“Don’t judge me,” I snapped.“I’m not judging.” He leaned forward and placed a soft, tender kiss on my lips. “I’m wondering why I’m getting so lucky.”I claimed his mouth, kissing him hard and fast. “Stop thinking.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” I stood and dusted the dirt and pebbles from me as best I could. I was covered in dirt, freezing cold, and completely embarrassed.Sure, my slumber had been blissfully devoid of Tyler, and I hadn’t expected anything from Alec, but where the fuck was he?I crept to the front of the cave and peered outside. The sun made the woods look almost cheerful this morning. Birds flitted from tree to tree and somewhere nearby I could hear a woodpecker pounding away. A light breeze rustled the trees and carried the fresh, clean scent of pine.I covered my chest, aware that it wasn’t doing much to hide me from anyone who might have stumbled upon our sleeping spot. It did make me feel better as I ventured into the openness of the woods.Hoping I’d find Alec nearby, I started walking away from the cave.Fuck. I hopped on one foot, grabbing my other foot. Of course I’d managed to step on something sharp. Carefully, I pulled out the pointy stick and tossed it asi
“I like Kyle fine. I don’t like how close he is with you,” he said. “But that’s not my place.”I lifted my brow. Was he jealous? That was interesting. “You’re right, it’s not your place.”I glanced over at him and caught a momentary scowl on his expression. If he was jealous, it was cruel of me to let him think Kyle and I were anything more than what we were. There was zero romance or chance of romance between us. I just didn’t feel anything for him. He was handsome, but that spark had never existed and I was confident it never would.“But, since you brought it up, there’s nothing there between us. He’s a friend. A new friend at that,” I said. “He risked everything when he helped me. He’s just as dead as I am if we ever return. I owe him.”“He saved my ass, too,” Alec said. “I owe him for that and for getting you out.”“You realize that could have been prevented,” I reminded him.“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” he asked.“It’s a hard thing to let go,” I replied. “
As we walked, I tried to send away any thoughts that entered my mind. There was too much to consider and too much at stake.One thing at a time.That was the only way I was going to get through this. We stopped at a stream and drank some of the best water I’d ever tasted. Other than that, there were no breaks. I was eager to find my friends and make sure they were safe.“If Wolf Creek tracked us here, you think they’ll find us again?” I asked.“The others can take care of themselves. I would guess our immediate threat is gone,” he said.I hated that my friends had to cause harm to others on my behalf. Granted, the assholes from Wolf Creek deserved it, but I didn’t like that my friends had to take on the burden of protecting me. I wanted to be strong enough to fight my own battles and I was willing to put in the work to make myself and my wolf stronger.Ahead, I noticed a strange looking tower. It was bright blue and might have once been a tree. It wasn’t much thicker than the tree stump
As we walked, I tried to send away any thoughts that entered my mind. There was too much to consider and too much at stake.One thing at a time.That was the only way I was going to get through this. We stopped at a stream and drank some of the best water I’d ever tasted. Other than that, there were no breaks. I was eager to find my friends and make sure they were safe.“If Wolf Creek tracked us here, you think they’ll find us again?” I asked.“The others can take care of themselves. I would guess our immediate threat is gone,” he said.I hated that my friends had to cause harm to others on my behalf. Granted, the assholes from Wolf Creek deserved it, but I didn’t like that my friends had to take on the burden of protecting me. I wanted to be strong enough to fight my own battles and I was willing to put in the work to make myself and my wolf stronger.Ahead, I noticed a strange looking tower. It was bright blue and might have once been a tree. It wasn’t much thicker than the tree stump
“I told you, I don’t want to be with you,” I said. “Stop trying.”“I was being nice. I was willing to wait for you. You are my mate. You are the one who is supposed to comply,” Tyler growled.“No. You are the one who should,” I snapped. I was done being afraid. Done backing down and running.Hands balled into fists, I took a step toward him. “You have two choices. You can break the bond and accept your place as a member of my pack, or I will kill you myself.”Tyler laughed. “Yourpack? It’smypack. You are mine. Same as a pair of shoes or an obedient dog. You’re my property.”I lifted my shirt enough to show the mark. “I am your alpha.”Tyler’s laugher died. “I thought they were lying. My dad said he saw the mark, but I thought it was his excuse to kill you.”“You will allow me to break the bond,” I insisted. “That is your only option.”Alec growled. He’d been silent this whole time, letting me handle Tyler, but I could sense his rising anger. “She’s giving you a choice you don’t deserv
The frustration of Tyler’s wolf was evident. He was impatient, with big movements that Alec saw coming a mile away. At first, I wasn’t sure why Alec was toying with him. I hadn’t seen the feral shifter fight, but he was strong and fast and had been united with his wolf for a long time. He had the mark of an alpha, which in theory, made him stronger and faster.Then, I realized with each attempted attack, Tyler was getting a little slower and Alec was correcting a little less. Alec’s wolf was wearing him out and studying the other wolf’s moves.Tyler lunged again, and this time, Alec rose up on his back legs, claws out, striking down the incoming wolf. Tyler’s wolf was knocked to the ground, his paws struggling to right himself before Alec charged him again.Teeth and claws came for Tyler before he was even on his feet. Alec was merciless in his attack, pinning the other wolf until he let out a pathetic yelp. A moment later, Tyler freed himself from Alec and leaped onto him, slicing hi