Page 45 of Alpha Fate

“The only clear memory I have is of being attacked the day I was taken. There were motorcycles all around me. I heard my father cry out, and then everything went black.” My voice catches. “I don’t even know if he’s still alive or not.” I don’t mention that my father wasn’t the only man there. The guilt still gnaws at me over that, but how can I feel the loss of someone I feel I never knew?

Gage slides his arm around me comfortingly. “Hey, listen to me. We’re going to figure this out; I promise you that. Jagger has had us working on finding your family since you got here.”

I nod, willing away the tears that threaten to spill over. “I know. I just feel so lost without them.”

“You’re not alone, Savannah. Not anymore.” Gage tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. “No matter what happens, I’ll be here for you.”

My heart flutters at his words. I lean against his broad shoulder, reassured by his steadfast presence. We sit in contemplative silence for a few moments.

“What about you?” I ask finally. “How did you end up here?”

Gage absently runs his fingers through his blond hair. “It’s not the happiest story.”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I say quickly.

“No, it’s alright.” He pauses, gathering his thoughts. “I wasn’t born into this pack. Not many of us were. I came from a small community up north. We were struggling, with too many males and not enough females to sustain the future generations. Our Alpha was a hard man, cruel to anyone he saw as weak or a threat to his power.” His jaw tightens. “Especially his own son.”

“He was your dad?”

I study his face, seeing shadows move behind his eyes. Gently, I brush my fingers over a row of welts on his forearm – a crisscrossing of scars. “Is that when you got these?”

He nods. “A blade was his preferred method of punishment.”

I shudder, unable to imagine the pain he must have endured. Unthinking, I lean in and press a soft kiss to the raised flesh. Gage inhales sharply. When I meet his gaze again, his eyes smolder.

“You’re not there anymore,” I whisper.

“No. I left as soon as I was old enough. Wandered on my own for a while until I found the Steel Lakes pack.” His expression softens. “First place that ever felt like home.”

“I’m glad you found somewhere you belong.”

He caresses my cheek. “And now you have, too.”

My heart swells. No matter what mysteries still surround my past, something tells me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

“You’re right.” My eyes lock with his, and then I’m breathless as he draws me close.

Our lips meet in a kiss that quickly deepens, stirring a hunger in me I’ve never known before. I part my lips invitingly, and his tongue slips inside to dance with mine. My hands run over his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat underneath. He pulls me tighter against him, one hand trailing down my back while the other cradles my neck. I’m enveloped in his warmth, his sun-kissed scent, the taste of him overwhelming my senses.

My skin tingles everywhere he touches me; it always does – simply just touching me brings a wave of ripples, but now it raises gooseflesh on my skin. I thread my fingers through his hair, kissing him urgently like I can’t get enough. A soft moan escapes me as his lips trail down to my neck, teeth grazing my sensitive skin in a way that makes me shiver. My hands slip under his shirt, hungry to feel more of him. His muscles flex under my exploring fingers. I gasp as he nips my collarbone, my back arching involuntarily.

“Gage…” His name comes out in a throaty whisper. My mind is hazy, drunk on desire.

God, I want him!

His hand glides up my thigh beneath my dress. My breath hitches, my heart hammering. I know I should stop this before it goes too far, but I can’t seem to find the willpower. I’m lost in the heat of the moment, my body craving more of his touch.

But then, an image of Cole flashes through my mind. Guilt pierces through the passion like a knife.

What am I doing? This isn’t right.

With a pang of regret, I break off the kiss, gently pushing against Gage’s chest. We’re both breathing hard. His eyes smolder with naked longing; lips still parted from our frantic kisses. I smooth my rumpled dress with trembling hands, trying to slow my racing pulse.

“Gage, I- I’m sorry, that was…” My voice comes out husky, still hoarse with arousal. I smooth a hand over my disheveled hair, steadying myself. “Things are moving so fast. I just – I need a little time to figure all this out.”

He nods slowly, chest heaving. I can see the effort it takes for him to rein in his desire. “Of course. I understand.” His voice is rough with need, but his tone is sincere.

Gage takes my hand, brushing his lips over my knuckles. “I would never want you to do anything you aren’t ready for. I can wait as long as you need.”

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