Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Stone seems unconcerned with everything as he continues to lick and nuzzle at my neck as everyone stares at us.
How long have I wanted Stone’s attention? How long have I begged him to see me, to let me stay? Now it seems I have it, and now I don’t want it. As part of me wants to welcome it, the other part reminds me he’s only picking me because he has to. Nature made him do it.
The thought makes a sob rip from my throat.
Stone freezes at the sound, and a growl from deep in his chest fills the room. He quickly places me on the floor and turns like he’s going to protect me, not knowing he’s the cause of the sounds.
“You need to calm down, Alpha,” I hear Dom say. I can’t see anything around Stone’s big body. I try to slide out from behind him, but he backs up, pinning me in so I can’t retreat.
“Mine,” he says again, like he doesn’t know another word. I’ve never seen him like this. So out of control.
“No one is saying she’s not yours. I can just smell her blood,” Dominic tries again.
My hand reaches for my neck to touch the spot where he bit me.
Stone turns to look down at me, running his hungry eyes up and down my body, making me feel naked. My traitorous nipples harden his stare.
“Did I hurt you?” His words come out deep, and I can tell his wolf is trying to break free. I just stand there, staring up at him, not sure what to say. Before I can stop myself I lash out.
“When haven’t you hurt me?”
Chapter 2
Stone
“What?” I look down into Winnie’s tear-filled eyes in confusion. The way she says it, it makes me know she doesn't mean the bite. I’d never hurt her. Everything I’ve done when it came to her was for her own protection. To keep from hurting her.
I’d followed Winnie to Gwen and Xavier’s house today. I always watch her, so this wasn’t anything new. It’s a habit I haven't been able to drop over the years, no matter how many times I tried. No matter where she is or what she’s doing, I’ve always got my eyes on her. I get restless whenever I lose sight of her. But today, I knew where she was going, so I waited before I trailed them.
When I got closer to the house and caught her scent, something inside me was set on fire. It was different. My wolf went crazy, and I needed to get to her as soon as possible. I tore through the woods, getting to her as fast as I could. My animal knew she was mine, and I needed to claim her. It took everything in me not to shift.
After all this time and these years of longing, I understand what the pull was and why I always had a need for her. A need like no other.
When I first burst into the room and had her in my arms, I felt whole and complete for the first time in my life. All the fear and frustrations of being alpha melted away, and the only concern was my Winnie.
The taste of her skin on my teeth and biting down to mark her as mine was the single greatest moment of my life. Feeling her pleasure rock through her body and into mine made me want to take her to the floor and breed her right then and there. I wanted to mate her body at that very moment and bind her to me for all eternity.
I feel my brow furrow in anger. I never should have made her feel hurt. I’m mad at myself for keeping my distance, but it was the right decision. I knew she had a crush on me, and I thought it was best not to play into it. She was too young. Too sweet. I’ll make this up to her. I’ll fix this.
“You’re my mate.” I start to pull on her arm, but she doesn’t move. She pulls back against me, and I look at her big brown eyes in shock.
No mate has ever refused before, and I don’t know why it’s happening now. How she is doing it. She should feel the pull like I do. Have the need to be close to me. I’m the alpha. Is she not proud to be mated to me?
“Winnie. Come. Now.” I feel my wolf growl at being denied what we want. She’s ours, and no one will take her from us. Even if she doesn’t want us, we will convince her.
“Let go of me, Stone.” Her words are firm, and like always she makes direct eye contact with me.
The growl rips from my throat, and I look down at her neck to see where I’ve marked her. She’s mine. There’s no stopping this.