Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I wrap my arms around my chest and look into the woods. I haven’t a clue which way is safe or where I’ll end up. I know we were heading toward Shadow Falls, toward the Dark Valley. So I’m not fucking going in that direction. Fuck that.
I start to walk in the opposite direction, the way we came, but stop immediately. That would mean more than a full day in the woods. So I turn ninety degrees and start walking. I can’t remember on the map what it is that I’m walking toward, but at least I’m walking away from the asshole shifters.
I sigh and push my hand against my chest to relieve some of the pain. It fucking hurts to be leaving them behind me. It physically pains me. My body shudders with the cold, but also with a sense of loneliness.
What is wrong with me? My head hasn’t been right since I first saw them.
I was dead wrong.
Werewolves don’t have fated mates; they don’t hold the offerings so they can claim the ones they love. A deep frown mars my face as unwanted emotions settle in. Not paying attention, I step on a pine cone or nut or something that really fucking hurts. As I shriek and pull back, my bare back falls against a tree and I suck air through my clenched teeth to keep from screaming as I grab my foot. Fuck! My eyes stay closed shut and I start rubbing the sore spot with my thumbs. The pain slowly subsides and just as I’m about to put my foot down and continue my probably-going-to-lead-to-death journey, a large, warm hand takes my foot. My eyes pop open and I scream in terror. My hand shoots to my chest as the air freezes in my lungs and I stare at Owen’s massive chest. He’s kneeling, but his chest is at my eye level.
My heart pounds. He came for me.
I resist the urge to lean into him. The force between us threatens to make me submit to him once again. I have to remind myself what happened. And what he thinks of me. I can’t let myself fall for him. I can’t be blinded by lust like I was by Luke.
But his fingers massaging my aching foot feel so damn good. The heady haze comes over me once again. His kind silver eyes don’t meet mine. He concentrates on the small red mark on the arch of my foot. My eyes travel up his muscular arm to his broad shoulders and down his chiseled chest. His tanned skin tempts my fingertips to run along rippled muscle. I feel a strange urge to lick his neck. To nip his ear lobe.
Every thought I had only moments ago drifts away. I can’t think of anything other than his touch and how easily he could make me feel better.
I want nothing more than for him to make this pain go away. Innately, I know he can. I know he wants to.
My eyes roam his body, causing my pussy to clench and dampen. Owen’s head falls back and his lips part with the sexiest groan I’ve ever heard. The sight of his throat. Holy fuck, it makes my libido scorch for him. A werewolf exposed his throat to me. I still don’t know if he’s an Alpha. Especially after what happened in the cave. But Alpha or not, exposing a throat is nearly identical to bowing. Another wave of lust rolls through me and has my toes curling as I resist my instincts.
His silver eyes heat as he sets my foot down and takes a step away from me.
“First, I’m making one thing absolutely clear.” His voice is so fucking sexy I hardly hear his words. He inhales a deep breath, closing his eyes and shuddering with desire. “Then I’ll take care of you.” The way his eyes stare into mine with primal need causes a wave of fear to hit me. But it’s gone as quickly as it came.
“We’re not letting you leave.” His words are hard and final, but his eyes linger on my throat and he licks his lips. The action distracts me and it takes a moment for the words to register.
Suddenly I’m aware of everything that happened. Of what they said. It’s like a bullet to my heart and a goddamn ice bath between my legs.
What the fuck? I haven’t had enough punishment already?
“Fuck you!” The words fly out of my mouth before I’m able to stop them. Anger makes his eyes narrow and nostrils flare. My small hands fly to my mouth in horror. What the hell is wrong with me? I must truly have a death wish. I shrink as he takes a step toward me.
“Don’t worry, sweetness, you will be fucking me. There’s no doubt about that.”