“Good.” He stood and yanked her up. “Let’s go inside.”
It was the safe move. The right move. “No.” She kicked him in the knee again and ran to the trees.
She almost made it.
This time, he took her down to all fours, shredding her shirt with what felt like claws. Her bra was next. She huffed out air, the rain cooling her skin, her head reeling. “Seth,” she whispered.
“Too late.” He used those deadly claws to destroy her jeans and even her socks. Then her panties shredded, leaving not one mark on her skin.
Desire ripped through her sharper than those claws, making her pant. Was it healthy to want somebody this badly?
“Is this what you wanted?” He flipped her onto her back, bent over her, his body hot…and naked. When had he ditched his jeans?
“Yes,” she panted, rain splattering up from the ground. “I want all of you.” If she was going to be the mate of an actual wolf, she needed them both to understand that she was strong enough. More than strong. “You with me?”
“Yeah, I’m with you.” He half-lifted her, his grip bruising. Then he kissed her.
Hard.
Her head swam, and she kissed him back, grabbing onto his hair and never letting go. She poured everything she had, everything she wanted into him, knowing he’d take it and make her safe. Then he flipped her back around.
She landed on hands and knees, her head dropping. Rough hands grabbed her hips. His hold was unbreakable, and the air quieted around him. She waited, wet and ready. Needing him in a way she’d never understand.
Tightening his hold, he plunged inside her and pulled her back. Shock filled her and then she was climbing, desperately, as he pounded into her hard and fast, out of control. Her nails dug into the wet grass, and she held on, her eyes shutting, feeling everything she’d ever wanted.
Everything she hadn’t known existed. The female inside her, the one mated to a wolf, howled.
She screamed his name as the first orgasm cut through her, but he didn’t stop. Not for a second. Then she was climbing again, panting and searching, gasping for that release. The storm, the rain, the danger all spiraled away into nothingness. There was only right here and right now and Seth Volk.
His mouth nudged her neck, and then he struck, those deadly fangs piercing right where he’d marked her before. She cried out, the world silencing as her entire body exploded into a climax that took everything she had.
He held on, pounding harder and then ground against her, her name a muffled sound on his lips. His fangs slid from her flesh and he licked the wound clean. The strength in her arms gave out, and she fell, caught instantly by him. He pulled out and stood in one graceful movement, taking her with him. She blinked. Overcome. Then he lifted her against his chest and walked back through the storm, holding her safe and secure.
Completely.
Chapter34
Around dawn, the rain slowed to a persistent patter, no longer punishing the ground. Seth lay on his childhood bed, one leg out of the covers, his mate snuggled against his side. His eyes remained open as they had all night. Her soft breathing in sleep soothed him, and he allowed himself these precious unguarded moments with her. Her scent of vanilla and lilacs dove deep into him, providing comfort.
He’d been lost the moment she faced him so bravely beyond those jail bars, her strength only enhanced by the vulnerability glimmering in her stunning eyes.
His Mia. A woman who should’ve been born in a different time—a flame of fire in a dark world.
His chances at seeing her change through her long life, seeing her create life, seeing her fight injustices, were not good. But he knew, without a doubt, that Erik would protect her with his life.
His brother. Seth loved them, and he’d kill or die for them both.
Without hesitation.
He smelled the wolves before he heard them. His body went on full alert, and he gently slid from the bed, careful not to awaken Mia. She murmured and curled into a ball, her long hair splayed out on the pillow. Silently, he pulled on ripped jeans and a worn black T-shirt before padding downstairs for his boots.
Rolling his neck, he strode out into the rain, walking toward the nearest garage, where they’d gathered. Most of the males in the pack, as well as some of the females stood waiting, all still. “You’ve heard.”
Ralph Fulsome stepped forward, his chest wide, and grief for his daughter still in his eyes. “We’re sorry about Ben, Seth. He was a good Alpha, and he’ll be missed.”
Seth jerked his head in acknowledgment. There were at least fifty males present, and while he was good, nobody was that good. If they wanted him dead, he’d be dead. But they’d go with tradition and want Erik to fight him. Probably. “We’ll have the funeral for him tonight,” Seth said, glancing at the lightening gray clouds. Rain slid down his face, and he allowed the drops to cool him.
“We want the fight afterward,” Ralph said, apparently having been elected to do the speaking.
