Times like these make me grateful for my upbringing. If Deadrick Pride hadn’t treated me so poorly from the time I was born, I never would have developed my evasive skills. Avoiding the other guards, Wesley, my father, and Alpha Nolan honed my ability to stay out of sight. Strange to think the tactics I use to avoid attacks are now being used to avoid uncomfortable interactions with Rafael. I doubt he’s gone far from my trailer, so I don’t want to be anywhere near home. Milla grumbles within me, and I try to ignore her sourness. “We have to eat and rest sometime, Makayla.” “I’ll hunt this evening. We’ll live until then.” She grumbles again and goes silent. Fine by me. I spent the morning patrolling the fringes of River Crest’s territory, stretching my senses to their limits. Every rustle in the underbrush sets me on edge; my nerves are wrecked. Deliberately avoiding everyone from the pack, my father, Alpha Nolan, Alpha Thane, and Rafe… Why is this happening to me? Why did I have
“Pardon?” I have risen from my bow.“I don’t know what else it could be,” Alpha Thane huffs, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walks around me, literally circling me. “Every time I make an effort for us to have a candid conversation, you try your damnedest to run away and leave me behind.”I want to tell him it’s because he scares the living crap out of me, and I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. He’s the Alpha of Io, and he has no reason to want anything to do with the middling daughter of a weaker pack’s beta.“That’s not… I don’t find you repulsive. Not at all, Alpha Thane.”“Thane, please. We can drop the formalities, Little Ghost.” He stops before me and stoops to where I am still half-bent in a bow. “I have no intention of hurting you, Makayla. I merely want to talk.”“Yes, but why?” The question slips out before I can stop it. Goddess, was it rude? Please tell me it wasn’t rude to say.“Like I said, you’re honest. Or, at least, more honest than any other mangy w
“I am upset. But I thought you like it when I’m honest.” I fold my arms across my chest.“That’s true.” Alpha Thane shakes off my teasing with a shrug. “I suppose I should be grateful for your being upset and candid about it. I take back my apology.”“Why bother apologizing in the first place?” I scoff. “What a waste of words.”“I promise I was being sincere when I apologized. But if being upset is what it takes for you to be completely open and honest with me, I’ll continuously make you furious before asking for forgiveness.”I can’t help but laugh. He’s ridiculous. What kind of Alpha is he really?Would my life have been so different if my mother sought refuge in Io and found her mate there? Is it possible that her crime wouldn’t have tainted my life if we were in that beautiful place, with him as the Alpha?“Why bother asking for forgiveness in the first place? You’re an alpha,” I grumble under my breath. “You can do whatever you like to whoever without any repercussions.”“So that
“He’s here!” Milla perks up just as his scent reaches my nose. She recognizes it even before I do. “Our mate! Tell him you want to leave with him. Tell him you accept the bond!” It takes all my strength to hold her back. She’s too close to close to the surface, threatening to take control and shift. Milla has always been willful, but her strength has almost doubled since finding Rafe. Digging my heels into the rocky river bank, I clench my fists as we battle for control. “Calm down, Milla!” “No. It hurts. It hurts so much. It’s unbearable,” she whimpers. I feel it, too. The pain from rejecting the connection. I imagine it’s much worse for him. They say the recipient of rejection always feels worse than the one who initiated it. I’m hurting him. “You’re hurting both of us,” Milla snips before going silent under my control. With her tamed, the pain lessens, and I can finally breathe again. At least, until he emerges from the trees, his dark hair disheveled and sweat glistening on
Rafe kisses me again, even deeper than before, and I give in instantly. I’m jelly in his arms, clinging to his shirt as he devours me.I want this. I want him.A twinge of fear pricks at me, and I try to pull away, but a low growl rumbles in his chest, and he tightens his hold around my waist. He really isn’t going to let me go. I don’t want him to. Fear be damned, I need to feel him against me.His fingers tangle in the curls at the nape of my neck, and he moves my head to the side, exposing my neck.“Moon above, you’re so beautiful, Makayla.” I love the way he says my name. Like it’s a prayer to the Moon Goddess herself.Trailing kisses along my jaw and neck, Rafe nips and teases me until I forget everything. All that’s left are the sound of his panting in my ears and the feel of his tongue on my skin. Nothing feels as incredible as this. Nothing.When his teeth graze the crook of my neck, the sensitive place his mark belongs, I nearly lose myself.“Shit, I almost did it again,” he
Oh, it’s a thousand times worse than the dinner. This is only the second time that I’ve been able to attend one of River Crest’s infamous bonfires, and I’m convinced. I hate these things.It’s a kegger disguised as a pack bonding experience. Red solo cups litter the ground, and old oil drum trash cans light the area and serve as makeshift grills over the open flames. It’s not even done right! All the meat is going to burn.The memory of Rafe’s hand covering mine as he took the tongs from me and grilled outside the trailer comes to mind.He was right about the meat. He was right about the grills. And even if the people in charge of tonight’s bonfire fix the problem, the food still won’t be as delicious as that meat and beer we shared last night.My body heats up as my mind fills with more flashes of our brief time together. The way every pain inside me eases with his touch. Just thinking about him is enough to make the smell of burnt meat, cheap beer, and wild pheromones tolerable.Sti
“Well, if it isn’t the belle of the ball!” Quinn’s sickly, sweet voice echoes from behind me. Because why not add her to my steadily growing list of problems this evening? It’s not like I have enough to worry about. Clenching my jaw, I calm down before turning toward her and bowing. I’m really getting sick of having to look at the ground. “May the waters blessed by the moon—” “Save it, Pride.” Quinn waves off my greeting with a flick of her wrist and strolls toward me, swishing her hips aggressively. Wesley’s not around, so it must be to assert dominance in front of their friends gathered at her back. She tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and smiles sweetly. “Tonight’s about letting loose. We can leave all those formalities behind, right?” Quinn doesn’t wait for my answer before she starts laying into me. “You know, I didn’t think you had it in you. But I’ve gotta say, you’re full of surprises, Pride.” She scans me head to toe as if appraising my new value. “Who would have
Wesley’s hot breath burns against my skin, heavy in my ears. His hands tighten around my throat and my crotch until my pulse thumps hard in my temples. I can’t draw air, and my vision wavers. I want to snatch away and pummel him into the ground. I could. It would be so easy. I sense his strength, and it’s nothing compared to Alpha Thane or Rafe.Rafe…Even now, I only want to curl up in his arms and let the world fall away. Why did I have to be born in River Crest? Why do I have to submit to this treatment? To this monster?I squeeze my eyes shut and bite my tongue. Maybe if I’m still and quiet, it will be over soon.Wesley’s hand loosens from around my neck, only to Snake its way under my shirt, groping wildly up my waist.He buries his face in my neck, inhaling deeply before a long, rumbling growl breaks free from his mouth. “Who the fuck’s scent is this on your skin?!”Rafe!I tense and push all thoughts of consequences from my mind. I’ve got to get away from Wesley. Now.Wiggling,