I wasn’t about to remove my bra and panties with this guy standing there.
He must have heard my thoughts because he turned his back to us. Or maybe it was because the wolf had growled at him once more.
For a guy who wouldn’t even look my way, I was not expecting such an overprotective wolf.
Seeing others running towards us now, I quickly stripped the remainder of my clothes and shifted.
I thought the wolf would relax some once I was in this form, but I was seriously mistaken. As if sensing my change, he turned, looked me over, then rubbed the length of his body against mine before barking at me and then nipping at my hind legs until I turned and ran.
Was he an Alpha?I wondered. His wolf certainly had the traits of one, or at least that’s how it felt to me. Yet, he didn’t outrun me and didn’t try to lead the way. Instead, no matter where I went, he was right there off my left flank, continuing to guard and protect me. Never once did he try to overtake me or change my course.
The further we ran, the quieter the voices behind us became.
I knew facing my sisters was going to lead to an interrogation I did not want to deal with. How much more embarrassing can one night get?
There was a part of me that longed to be alone to sort out my feelings, yet the other wolf’s presence comforted me and soothed my own wolf.
We ran in perfect sync through streams, jumping over fallen branches, and maneuvering around large boulders. I was mesmerized by it.
I hadn’t taken a direct path to the lake, in fact, we’d run the full perimeter before stopping. Hours had passed but it felt like only moments before I slowed.
Walking to the edge of the lake, I leaned down and lapped at the water. It was cold and felt great on my throat, which was still scratchy from choking.
For a moment I considered the possibility of just staying in my wolf form forever. That way I’d never fully have to deal with the fallout from this evening.
I sat back and looked out over the still lake. The moon shimmered on the surface. It was so beautiful. I couldn’t ever remember being so at peace. And somehow, I knew it didn’t exactly have anything to do with the views, but everything to do with the large male wolf posting guard next to me.
He was looking out at the lake too as I dared to catch a glimpse of him. He was much bigger than my own wolf, a darker brown to my lighter tan coat.
When his head turned and our eyes met, I couldn’t drop my gaze. His hazel eyes sparkled in the moonlight in a swirl of greens and browns. I knew I would never forget those eyes.
Mine,my wolf sighed.
My body stiffened. My mate. While we were running, it was easy to forget that part.
I had a true mate.
I gulped hard.
It was clear he recognized the dramatic shift in my mood because he closed the gap between us and once again rubbed his body against mine—not just his body, his scent.
It hadn’t dawned on me before, but he was leaving his scent all over me, marking his territory. But I wasn’t a piece of property and just because we were destined mates did not mean I was required to accept him.
A sharp pain stabbed at my heart as I thought those words.
Shit. I’m screwed.
The last thing I needed was a mate.
Somehow, I’d managed to make it through college almost unscathed despite my reputation on campus. I might be considered the most desired woman at the ARC, but I’d been too busy building my small business to warrant the title.
Still, I was a Theta girl and that alone provided a reputation I wasn’t exactly thrilled to have. Add in the whole influencer going viral thing and suddenly I was getting daily confessions of love and requests for dates.
No thanks.
I barely had time to juggle my classes and keep up video production. How the hell was I supposed to make time for dating? And what the hell was I going to do with a mate?
Daring another glance his way, I tried to remember what the man looked like. I’d been in such shock when he’d stepped up to greet me from a sea of handsome guys all dressed in similar suits that I hadn’t really looked at him. If it wasn’t for my wolf’s acknowledgement, I highly doubted I could pick him out in a lineup. But I’d know that scent of his anywhere.
