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)
“What are you looking for?” Owen massages the curve in my waist and kisses my neck again.
I feel guilty thinking of Luke while I’m in Owen’s arms. My arms cross over my breasts and I turn away from him, hating myself for ruining the moment. Owen gently places an arm around me and molds his chest to my back. “Are you cold?”
At his question I realize that I am a bit chilly, so I nod and bite the inside of my cheek. “I was looking for Luke.” I blush and stare at the ground. “I thought I saw him.”
Owen doesn’t seem bothered in the least by my confession. “He was here earlier; I’m not sure if he stayed.” He kisses me one last time before rising to his feet and towering over me. He holds a hand down to me and I give him a small grateful simper and take it. I’m grateful for many things, but mostly that he’s not hurt that I was looking for Luke.
I wish I’d had this with him. Would he have held me close and kissed me so sweetly like Owen did? I press my lips into a tight line. I doubt it. I highly doubt it. My face heats with mortification and my eyes widen as I remember screaming Owen’s name while locking eyes with Luke. My heart hardens and tries to leap through my throat. I can’t believe I did that. My breath quickens and I frantically look through the trees again. He must feel so hurt. I feel like an absolute bitch. It wasn’t done intentionally; he must know that.
“What’s wrong, sweetness?” I can’t help the small smile that comes to my lips at his pet name for me.
“Sweetness?” I question him and try to ease the worry in my chest. I’ll just apologize to Luke. I’m sure things will be all right. Especially now that I know we’re mates. I can’t wait to write about this. It’s going to open everyone’s eyes and aid the cause to combine our worlds.
“Yeah.” He playfully nips my neck. “You smell sweet and you taste sweet.” He wraps a large arm around my waist and picks me up, making me squeal. He kisses my shoulder and gives my ass a slap. “And now I’ve got to get your sweet ass home.”
Home. To a pack. As their mate.
So much has happened so quickly and my head swarms with questions. He gently sets me down on the ground and takes my hand in his to lead me back the way we came.
“Where is home?” I’m all too aware I haven’t agreed to anything, and I’m not sure if I said no what would happen. I’m also not sure what they’ll say when I tell them my intent.
“The Dark Valley.” I stop in my tracks.
“By Shadow Falls?”
He looks down at me with confusion. “Yes.”
“But what about the other pack?”
“Devin’s pack?” I nod my head, all too aware of the details of that pack that were released. I’ll never forget the looks on the women’s faces at the Shadow Falls offering.
“How could two packs be so close together? And why would you want to be close to that pack?”
“You talk like you know of his pack.”
“I saw the offering. There’s no way they were mates.” I bite my bottom lip, realizing I’ve given him more information than I intended.
“Sweet and smart.” He grins down at me cockily. “They are their mates.”
I shake my head. “No, they weren’t. Did you see what happened?” There’s no way with the way they reacted.
“I did. It’s complicated, but my brother assured me that they are mates to his pack members.” I furrow my brows.
“How would Luke know?” He shakes his head as we continue to walk back to the cave.
“Not Luke, Jude. Our older brother. He’s a member of Devin’s pack.”
“Why isn’t he a part of your pack?”
“Long story.” I almost protest, but he comes to the conclusion I was going to argue. Before I can speak, he says, “I guess we have time.” He sighs heavily and lifts a branch higher so I don’t have to duck below it.
“Our father was an…unjust Alpha. He didn’t approve of any kind of weakness or challenge to authority. Jude is the oldest and then there’s Luke and me.” I nod my head, keeping up with his tale as I hold his hand to keep my balance climbing up the hill. I hardly have any energy left. Owen takes pity on me and reaches down to pick me up. He holds me to his chest and walks as though I weigh nothing in his arms. His warmth and scent are everything.
Again I’m reminded of the pull, and without a doubt, I can feel it. It steals away my logic and everything other than him. My mate.