“Hm?” Alpha Thane looks down at me wrapped in his arm, and all the anger on his face disappears. A pleasant smile curves his lips. Night and day. It’s impossible to read him. I never know what to expect from one second to the next.“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” he asks, freeing me from his grasp. He doesn’t wait for my answer before beginning his rant. “Those bastards. How dare they treat a member of their pack like this? And the Beta’s daughter, at that! If those assholes had tried that stunt in Io, they would have been court-martialed and exiled. Hell, we might have executed them!”His jaw muscles tense again, and his massive hands ball into tight fists. He looks ready to tear apart River Crest, just like Rafe.My heart flutters at the mere thought of my mate’s name now. As much as I want to see him, I’m glad Alpha Thane was the one who found me with Wesley. Even if his reaction was extreme, I know it’s nothing compared to what Rafe would have done. River Crest and Io would alread
Did I hear him correctly? Did Alpha Thane just call Rafe my mate? He knows?I’m too stunned to speak or deny what he’s said. And Rafael makes no move to correct him either, only tightening his hold around my waist. Another growl vibrates in his chest as Alpha Thane disappears from view. It’s a minute or so before I regain my ability to form words, but when I do, I turn on Rafe.“You told Alpha Thane that you’re my mate?” I ask, my anger steadily rising. “I thought you said you would give me time to sort everything out and work on my issues. But you’re glued to me every time I turn around. It’s been two days since we met. Two! And you couldn’t even give me the space to figure out my feelings!”I don’t mean to shout, but the frustration is getting the better of me. And he isn’t letting go!Before I can get more worked up, I feel it. His rage. It’s similar to Alpha Thane’s, but so much worse. Waves of it heat our bodies, and I feel like I will melt into nothing. He’s shaking, like it’s t
WHAT?! The question ricochets around in my head, bouncing off every attempt I make to answer it. It’s nonsense. Madness. Is he insane? He must be insane to think I would ever be in love with someone who has tormented me since I was a child. He pissed on my mother’s grave and me just three nights ago! I hate Wesley Wrest. I HATE WESLEY WREST. I hate him so much it makes my throat tight and tears well in my eyes. It makes me want to vomit at the thought of what he did to me tonight. It makes me… Rafe’s rough fingers wipe the tears from my cheeks as he mutters apologies and begs me in his sweet, deep voice not to cry. He’s sorry for asking. He didn’t know what to think. He’s sorry. It’s not his fault. And I’m not mad at him. But I can’t find the words or the strength to swallow the lump in my throat from my hatred of Wesley Wrest. But Rafael’s patient with me, soothing me with gentle kisses and touches until I am steady. “I don’t love him,” I croak, forcing my voice out. “Then why?
I don’t remember how Rafe and I got back to my trailer, but here we are. I’m only now realizing how exposed I am as I lie shirtless on my beaten-up mattress. A water-stained ceiling above me, Rafe’s careful hands remove the rest of my clothes, his mouth placing tender kisses along my collarbones. “Beautiful.” Rafe’s breath heats my skin as he mutters the word over and over between kisses. I don’t think he’s even speaking to me as much as he’s repeating a fervent prayer. His hand slides down my thigh, pushing my pants and underwear down with it. Strange and instinctual, I lift my leg from my garments, and he does the rest, pulling them from me completely without ever lifting his lips. “You smell incredible,” he sighs, pressing his face against my bare shoulder. He draws in a deep breath, and a low growl follows. “Even when it’s muddied by the scent of that bastard. I can’t get enough of you.” “I should shower first.” Embarrassed, I shift away from under him and move to get up. But h
I’m warm. Heavy and warm. And a little sore. My muscles ache like they did when I trained for the guard position for twelve hours a day. I didn’t know I could feel like this because of…Light cuts through my sleepy haze, refracting through the broken windows. Rainbow slivers splinter across my ceiling. It’s pretty. The colors, the light, the warm. Has my bed always been so comfortable?No.I can’t remember a single time in my life when I woke feeling content and safe and warm like this. There is only one reason this dawn is better than all the rest. And his steady breathing heats my shoulder even now.Rafe’s face rests against my shoulder blade, his arm hugging me tightly around my waist. Stubble scratches at my skin, but even that feels amazing. I never want to move again. Can’t we stay like this forever, legs entangled, nestled beneath these blankets?The room smells like us, our scents perfectly combined and balanced. It’s wonderful. He’s wonderful.“Do you accept him?”Milla perks
It’s a conspiracy.A damn conspiracy, I tell you. No sooner than I turn on the shower and it warms above freezing, I step in and the stream fades to a drizzle. I thought I refilled my water reserves earlier this week.But no.The night I was supposed to take my tanks to the river to refill, Deadrick stopped by. I was so busy trying to avoid him that I completely forgot everything else that had happened. It’s my fault, but I feel better blaming Rafe, Milla, Alpha Thane, and everyone else that bothered me.If they had just left me be, I would have full water reserves to bathe in and wouldn’t be slightly damp, sticky, and sweaty. Unfortunately, pawning off responsibility on someone else doesn’t change the fact. My shower is useless, and I’ll have to bathe in the river.Frustrated and soggy, I slide an old set of clothes on and grab a change of clothes, my bathing supplies, and one of my water containers. Ignoring Rafe’s offer to help and his attempts to coax me back into bed, I race out
I’m not this pathetic. To wait for someone else to rescue me from Alpha Nolan. I’ve never waited to be saved before. Because of one simple truth: No one is coming to help. Not me. Not ever.Despite Rafe being my mate and Alpha Thane having a strange attachment to me, I am alone. I have always been alone. And I will always be the only one reliable and capable enough to look out for myself. So think, Makayla. Think.“Alpha Nolan, sir,” I start, ignoring the sour turn in Alpha Nolan’s expression when I address him formally. “I ask you to reconsider welcoming me into your harem.”Quickly, I add, “Not because I am not deeply appreciative and grateful for the offer. It is truly an honor for you to consider elevating one as unworthy as I am to such an important and cherished position.”“Then why, pray tell, should I reconsider, hm?” Alpha Nolan grabs my throat swiftly, squeezing until my heartbeat pounds in my ears louder than the roar of the river. “You recognize your inferiority, and what
Yes, sir. You don’t have to tell me twice.I don’t think. I just obey. Grabbing up my clothes, I slip my shirt on and jump into my pants and shoes with lightning speed. It only took a few seconds for me to go from half-naked to fully dressed, a personal record. I’m halfway through gathering the rest of my supplies before Alpha Nolan can react.“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Pride?!” he snarls, snatching me to him by the arm. “How dare you follow the orders of another Alpha in front of me! Like I’m not even here!”Alpha Nolan shakes me roughly and shoves me to the ground, kicking my water container and bathing tools out of reach. He laces his fingers into the waistband of my pants and starts pulling them off me.“I didn’t give you permission to get up! I didn’t tell you to get dressed!” My pants rip as he furiously tugs against the fabric, clawing like a wild beast. “You don’t move unless I say so. I am your Alpha. You are mine!”He roars the last word, but it sounds small