Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“How much of that blood did you drink, dear Veronica?” Demetri smirks at me as though he has everything all figured out.
“None. I drink from my mate.” My fingers play along Vince’s neck. “I wanted this; I took the drug because I wanted more than this life.”
“You’re an idiot to give up your immortality. My queen will—”
“Enough!” Vince’s large hand wraps around the vampire’s neck and squeezes. The vampire’s hands fly to his neck.
“Leave now.” Jude snarls into Demetri’s ear and Vince drops the vampire, who quickly backs away in jerked, blurred motions. He stumbles and struggles to breathe but after a shared look of contempt between him and Jude, the vampires leave.
“It’s all but certain they’ll return,” one of the Betas says to Jude.
He shares a look with them, and I have no idea what he says, but I know there’s much to be done to keep this pack safe from the war ahead.
Lena
All I want is my mate. Ever since I felt the pull to him, I’ve felt unsteady without him by my side. There’s a comfort when I think of him, it’s even stronger when I see him, but I am desperate for his touch. He glances back at me and I now know what a mate’s pull is. My heart races and I turn only once to check on my pup one last time.
I don’t want to leave him, but I know I have to do this for Jude. Both women were extremely willing to watch him. More than willing. They’ve been trying to take him from me every moment they could for the last few nights that we’ve been in Gray Mountain. Four days have passed since Jude’s become Alpha and the transition has been seamless. At least for Jude it has been. I’m still getting used to the new faces. At least I have Devin and his pack here for the moment. They’ve decided to stay as guests, no doubt also for protection.
I can tell both Veronica and Grace are a bit jealous of Lizzie’s pregnancy. Not in a malicious way, but they both want to give their mates young. I can’t blame them. Every time I see Jude holding our son, I want to have a dozen more.
I’m not in heat, so I doubt tonight will bring more young. But he will claim me under the full moon, and I will be the Alpha mate the seers foretold. A chill goes through my body as I walk alongside Jude. I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I don’t know that I’ll ever feel ready, but I want nothing more than to be his, so I’m willing to let him claim me tonight.
It’s not enough that I feel the pull to him. I know I need to let him claim me. My fingertips glide over the small indents in my neck. Where I was first bitten and claimed by Shadow. My body trembles remembering the pain. Not just from the claiming, but from giving myself to him. I gave him far too much. I push the thoughts away, not liking the memories gathering. Jude takes my hand in his and I squeeze his hand, needing his confidence and his strength.
Touched by the glow of the moon as we walk out to a clearing in a distant, protected woods, Jude pulls me closer. He brings my knuckles to his lips and gives them a kiss before stopping us in front of a large group of willow trees. He pulls back the hobble branches and I duck to move under them with him. The soft leaves brush against my skin and give me goosebumps. His hand grazes along my shoulder and the small curve of my waist as I stand in the opening of the willows. The sight is breathtaking. We’re in a circular clearing surrounded by trees and sweet honeysuckle. The grass is lush and nearly a soft cushion beneath our feet. The bright white of the full moon shines down and illuminates the natural beauty surrounding us.
“It’s beautiful.” I whisper the words, almost too afraid to speak and disrupt the picturesque surroundings.
He murmurs at the shell of my ear, sending a needy warmth to flow down my shoulders and pebble my nipples. “Not as beautiful as you.” Without waiting for a response, his large hand cups my chin and brings my lips to his. His soft lips against mine steal the breath from my lungs. He gently nips my bottom lip, making me part for him. His hot tongue dances with mine as his hand deftly unzips my dress. He lets it fall to a pool of fabric at my feet and pulls back to look at my body. His half-hooded eyes roam my body and light with lust. “So fucking beautiful.” I blush at his words and smile as he opens his pants, all the while his eyes stay on me and my heart races.