When Lyla threatens her Alpha's authority, she doesn't expect him to banish her from the pack. But he does, and only moments after stepping outside her door, someone attacks her and leaves her for dead. And then the Alpha of her rival pack arrives. But instead of finishing her off, he saves her . . . even though it's against the law. Now they're both in danger. But they can't seem to stay away from each other.
View MoreEthanThe forest welcomes me, a familiar embrace of pine and earth as my paws dig into the soft ground. Around me, five of my strongest pack members run in formation—their silver and dark-furred bodies weaving between trees with practiced ease. I lead them on the border patrol, my senses heightened in this form, alert to any sign of intrusion into our territory. My wolf revels in the simple joy of the run, the temporary freedom from human worries.The moon hangs high overhead, bathing the forest in light that filters through the canopy. My Beta, Alaric, a massive gray wolf with battle scars crisscrossing his muzzle, flanks me on the right. He's been by my side since I took the mantle of Alpha after Lyla's father died. On my left runs Aria, the pack's head warrior, her russet fur gleaming as she moves with lethal grace.The darkness of the night cloaks us, weaving a shroud of secrecy as we weave through the towering evergreens that loom like ancient sentinels around us. It’s a perfect n
KalenThe kiss is salt and desperation, her whimper swallowed by my growl as her hips arch into mine. Every thread of restraint burns away. Her fingers tangle in my hair, yanking until my scalp burns. I crowd her against the tree, one knee wedged between her thighs, letting her grind against denim until her breath comes in ragged bursts. Every gasp is a blade twisting deeper into the cursed part of me that wants things I can’t have. She tastes like vengeance and reckoning, like every forbidden thing I’ve ever craved. Her teeth graze my lip, drawing blood, and the metallic tang ignites something feral, possessive.I tear myself away, breathing ragged. Her pupils are blown wide, lips swollen, chest rising and falling like she’s just run for her life.“Kalen,” she rasps. Just my name.It undoes me.My hands find her waist, her thighs hooking around me as I lift her, her back scraping bark. There’s no g
Kalen"No!" Lyla thrashes like netted prey. "Not again! Not again!"Her terror is a live wire against my skin. I cage her gently between my arms and legs, mindful of her nails, absorbing the blows until her screams die to whimpers."Breathe, hellwolf." My palm settles over her racing heart.She stills, sucking in a deep breath and holding it so long I fear she’ll pass out. Then she whispers, “Kalen.”One word. A statement.My name.My heart trembles.“I’m here.” I whisper the words, my lips grazing her cheek.She relaxes against me, a shuddering gasp shaking her body.Focus. On her. Keep her focused. "Name five things you smell," I murmur. Grounding her in this moment."Pine resin. Iron blood. Your... your stupid musk."I smile. "Two more.""Wood smoke." A shuddering inhale. "Rotted meat."Ice floods my veins. The same decay-smell from J
KalenLiam’s ears flatten. What is that? Every muscle in my body locks. He’s caught it too.Female. Wounded. Outsider.His growl vibrates my spine. Smells like prey.I body-check him into the boulder. False lead. Bullshit. He bares his teeth. You hiding strays now, brother? He says the word like a taunt. A reminder of the way we used to be.Before I ruined his sister.He sees right through me. Or maybe it’s our wolf connection, the bond stronger while we’re in this form. The pack circles, nostrils flaring. Eight pairs of eyes reflect lunar gold.My claws scratch at the rock beneath my paws. Focus on the real threat.Liam doesn't blink. This reeks of Blackwood tricks.My tail lashes. The rogue went east. Take the pack and circle the lake.A beat. Two. His ear flicks in reluctant obedience before vanis
Kalen“Ethan?” I repeat, the name curdling in my mouth. My hands drop from her wrists as if she’s burned me. “Ethan Blackwood is your mate?”Lyla presses a hand to her chest, her face going pale. Something flickers in her eyes—a memory, a shadow I can’t quite see. But I know fear when I see it.My mind is already racing ahead. “Lyla, you’re mated to Ethan? He’s the Alpha of your pack.” A bitter laugh escapes me. “Shit, Lyla!” I stand, my fists clenching. My jaw is tight, my pulse hammering. “Just when I thought there was a chance for us—if he thinks you came here willingly—your own pack will kill you for staying here!”She barely reacts. Her body shudders, her gaze distant, lost somewhere else.I push forward. “There’s a way out of this. If we say I held you here against your will—they won’t punish you.”
KalenThe fire crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the cabin. I tend to it, adding another log, and the flames leap higher, illuminating the room in a soft, flickering light. I can feel Lyla's eyes on me, and I know she's watching my every move.She's been here for days now, longer than I anticipated. Her injuries were severe, worse than I initially thought. But she's strong. I can see it in the way she fights to heal, the way she stubbornly persists.And I can't deny the pull I feel toward her. It's more than just a sense of duty, more than the attraction I felt when I first saw her. It's something deeper, something primal.I glance at her, and our eyes meet. Her expression is softer, less guarded. There's a trust there, a trust I don't deserve. I look away, focusing on the fire, but I can still feel her gaze."What are you afraid of?" she asks, her tone gentle but probing.I try to mask my fear, but I know she can see it. My h
KalenI have to think of her.I clench my jaw, my body tensing, and I pull back, away from her.“We can’t,” I say. “I’m the Alpha.”She rolls her eyes. “I’m not asking to be your mate.”“I can’t,” I say.“Because of the curse?”She says it so flippantly it stabs at my heart.“It’s real,” I say, meeting her gaze. “I’ve watched it take those I love.”She tilts her head, considering. “Then don’t love me. Just fuck me.”Her words send a jolt through me, and I laugh. I can't help it. But she's serious, her body tense, her eyes dark with desire."Lyla, you don't understand--""I understand," she says, her hands finding mine. Our fingers lace together, and she squeezes. "I understand there's danger. But we don't have to commit."My blood hums with her
Wolf instinct demands I have her. I’m still a man, but I snarl as I pull her to me, growling with an animal need as I turn her in my arms so she's facing me. I struggle to hold onto my humanity, to think logically, but red hot desire pumps through my veins. Her eyes widen, the pupils narrowing, the wolf in her responding to mine.Then her hands are on me. Tracing the muscles of my chest, my abdomen, her fingers playing over my skin. I feel her breath on my face, warm and sweet, and I want to taste it.I lean in, my mouth finding hers, my lips pressing against hers. She moans, a low, throaty sound that vibrates through me, making my blood sing.She utters a sound between a whimper and a whine, more dog than girl, and then her hands are on my shirt, tearing at the fabric, and I feel it rip, feel the air on my skin, feel her hands on me. I yank her to me, pulling her closer, feeling the heat of her body against my bare skin.Her mouth opens, and I seiz
There’s a moment, a charged second where our gazes lock, and I can see it in her eyes. The attraction. The desire. It’s mutual, this pull between us, and it’s as dangerous as it is exhilarating.“I’m just trying to help,” she says, her voice soft, and I can hear the vulnerability in it. The uncertainty.I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. “I don’t need your help.”Her eyes flash with something, and she pulls back, her lips pressing together. She moves to sit by the fire, her back straight, her shoulders tense. I watch her for a moment, feeling a pang of regret. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t afford to let her get too close.But I can’t help myself. I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame, even knowing the moment I reach my destination, I’ll die.I still want to feel that fleeting heat.I abandon the bowl and move to join her, sitting beside her on the f
The grand hall of the rustic lodge feels stifling as I stand here, facing Ethan. My promised mate."Traditions be damned, Ethan!" My voice pierces through the air, echoing off the walls adorned with lunar symbols and pack artifacts.Everything packed with symbolism. Meaning. Everything meant to keep me down and perpetuate the ancient traditions of the Blackwood pack. But I refuse to marry Ethan.His sharp blue gaze locks onto mine, his eyes blazing with a fire that matches the hearth’s glow in the center of the room. "You will respect the ways that have kept us safe for centuries, Lyla," he snarls, the authority in his tone as unyielding as the ancient trees surrounding our home.We’ve attracted the attention of the other pack members. The door opens at the back of the lodge, and the elders enter. I feel more than see my younger sister Ana enter the lodge, but I don’t look at her. I know she’ll be judging me.This is between me and Ethan. I clench my fists at my sides. "Safe? Or s...
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