Page 27 of Mating Season

“Alpha, should I run a perimeter check?”Beau was still in wolf form and sniffing around the trees.

“You start. I’ll be out to help soon.”I waved my hand behind my back, shooing him away as Aspen’s eyes traveled the length of my body, stopping to stare at my cock. It pulsed under her heated gaze, fully paying attention.

“Oh my.” Her pupils were blown wide with desire. “We should take care of that.”

13

Aspen

Just relax.

My hands were literally shaking. I hid them behind my back as Ranger stood naked in the fading light of day that cast the forest in a gray haze. Dusk was coming and the moon crawled higher in the sky above us.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’d let myself worry about the consequences and problems and decisions related to the coming heat.

Tonight was mine to do as I pleased.

I still couldn’t believe Trenton apologized to me this evening. It felt like a weight falling, allowing me to start my new life with less baggage. I could focus on the future. Forget the crap that happened in my past.

Though the thought of the coming days had me anxious all over again. Back in Nuva Pack–and I’m sure what happened in every other pack–the full moon tomorrow night would trigger the mating run. Alpha Derek would hold the males back as the females spread out.

And then the chase began.

If I was allowed to have an opinion, I might say it gave major creep vibes to have male wolves chase a bunch of females through the night. But therewas a primitive part of me that couldn’t deny it was a thrill unlike any other. I had to outsmart them, outrun all the single males in my pack.

By the following morning, I’d be in the throes of the heat so having a head start to get to my caves and prepare for the next few days was a blessing. Now I wasn’t sure what to expect. The girls were waiting for some kind of answer from me. I assumed they wanted to see what I’d do or if I’d stay for the season. Would my decision affect them that much? I wasn’t used to thinking about so many others when it came to my actions.

But if I wanted to be with Ranger, I knew I needed to get used to it.

Did I want to be with Ranger this season?

Will you shut up already and get him in our nest?

Right. Tomorrow. I’d think on this later.

With a steady hand, I laced my fingers through Ranger’s callused fingers and tugged him closer to the shed.

“We should talk.” His voice had a growling rumble to it which was a leash on my libido.

I squeezed my thighs together and nodded, before realizing what he’d said.

“Talk about what?” I couldn’t help the breathless anxiety that slipped out as I wondered if this was the moment he walked away and told me it’d all been a joke.

“Not like that.” He caught my chin, brushing his lips against mine in a brief, bruising kiss that left no room for doubt.

And had me pouting as he pulled away.

“You don’t want to run this season.” Each word sounded painful like he was forcing them out. His hands came to rest on my hips, holding me steady. “I have transportation coming. Jones and Foster are scouting for an access road and they’ll use the satellite phone to get a vehicle up here. No matter what happens, we’ll get you safely away.”

It was hard to focus on his words when I could still taste his lips on mine. “Can we talk about this in the morning?”

His smirk was sinful. “That sounds like a good idea. Safe word?”

I gulped. It was just a question, but those two words together made all kinds of scenarios flash through my mind. I kind of liked that he asked, knowing that whatever happened, I was still in control. Two words and I could make it end.

All I had to say was, “French toast,” I whispered.