Alpha Caelan was coming our way, and Sunny shifted immediately, her cold sneer gone in a flash as she twirled her blonde hair around a finger and batted her eyelashes at him.
“Oh! Hey, Caelan,” she purred. “Time for another swim?”
“No,” he replied, turning to me. “Shade, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Come with me. I have something to showyou.” He held out a hand, a dazzling smile spreading across his lips. “I think you’re really going to love it.”
My breath caught in my throat as I stared at his mouth.Damn that smile of his, drawing me in and making me crave more. More of what is the question.
I smiled, not taking his hand though I desperately wanted to. I needed to remember my mission. Thunder Moon was counting on me and Sunny. It was better if I didn’t touch him. Safer, smarter, and less confusing.
I kept my gaze low, meaning for it to land on his chin, when I found myself staring at his bare chest.
Most wolves were fit. We had a naturally high metabolism which meant we burned a lot of calories without the need for much effort.
The warriors at Thunder Moon were always flaunting their chiseled chests and rock-hard abs around the pack house, but all of them paled in comparison to Caelan.
Every muscle was so well-defined, presenting themselves like a feast for my eyes. He wasn’t bulky, but he was solid and slim in a way that screamed predatory grace.
I couldn’t help myself as I eagerly watched the droplets from the pool travel over his taut muscles and down each crevice of his toned stomach. They slid lower, disappearing beneath his low-slung swim trunks, and I blushed, remembering all too well what I had glimpsed earlier.
I suddenly found myself extremely thirsty but not for a glass of water.
“Uh, okay,” I said softly, nodding for him to lead the way.
“Follow me,” he said, a look of hurt in his eyes as he turned around.
Sunny shot me a look as we started up the tiny trail leading up the side of the falls.
She’s right. One of the she-wolves here is destined to be his mate, and it needs to be Sunny. He wouldn’t want me anyway. He probably wants someone with at least some experience. Not a chaste warrior who’s never been with anyone.
I’d rarely even let myself imagine what it might be like to be with someone like that. I knew my father wouldn’t allow it, and honestly, I couldn’t imagine the kind of wolf that would want someone like me.
Cursed wolves can’t have mates.
But still, I found myself thinking things I shouldn’t have been as I followed Caelan up the trail.
I wonder what it would be like if he touched me. Would he let me touch him back? Would he want to kiss me?
I shook my head, trying to clear away the fantasy. I’d never desired anyone like this before.
I’d had crushes in the past, but they’d never had this kind of effect on me. The alpha drew me in unexpectedly, something about him appealing to my more primitive nature. A forbidden hunger suddenly awakened within me, and I had no idea how to handle it.
It’s a very good thing he doesn’t have a romantic interest in me, or else I’d be in big trouble.
I gulped, realizing that I’d been staring unashamedly at his rear for several minutes with my mouth hanging open rather unattractively. I snapped my jaws shut and felt the blush rushing to my cheeks.
I can’t believe I was so shamelessly checking out an alpha. What is wrong with me?!
I dared to raise my gaze, finding him looking over his shoulder at me with a devious smile on his face almost as though he was enjoying the effect he had on me.
I blushed, completely mortified he’d caught me leering at him.
Is he toying with me? I was clearly just ogling his butt, and he’s grinning like the whole thing was his idea. Wait, was it? Is he using his alpha energy to influence me? Can they do that?
I was so lost in my thoughts as we neared the top that I didn’t notice how slick the rocks had gotten in the spray. I took a step forward, my foot sliding in the moss, and started to fall. I braced myself for impact as I hurtled toward the stone.
Time Alone with the Alpha
SHADE
