Page 29 of Alpha Hunt

Edirn doesn’t respond, his breath hot against my neck as he holds me down. I can feel the pounding of his heart, the heat of his skin, and despite myself, something stirs deep within me. It’s a visceral reaction to the feeling of being claimed. My wolf wants to howl her approval.

No! Not claimed, dammit! Not like this.

I can’t let myself think like that. This isn’t what I wanted.

It can’t be.

Or maybe it is.

The realization steals my breath, leaving me shaken and confused. I don’t understand what’s happening to me, don’t know how to reconcile the warring emotions raging inside me.

All I know is that right now, in this moment, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Pinned beneath Edirn, his body a solid weight above me, his scent filling my nostrils.

And despite everything, despite all my protests and denials, I can’t help but feel a thrill at the thought of what comes next.

Chapter 12

Edirn

I pull myself up, gripping Casey firmly as I do so. I’m half-convinced she might try to flee again if given half the chance. A conflicting flood of emotions washes over me – part of me is still riding the wave of endorphins that has my blood pumping. My wolf is stirring within in a way I haven’t felt in years.

I look down at her, to the graceful sweep of her neck, and imagine making my mark there right now, to mark her as mine.

Too soon, you idiot!

For a moment, Casey falls unnaturally still, her body tense against mine. Then, like a wildcat, she explodes into motion – kicking and thrashing violently.

“Give it up,” I growl, tightening my grasp. “You’ve had your second chance. There’s no point fighting it now.”

“You…you bastard!” A stream of curses erupts from her lips as she flails against my iron grip.

“Enough,” I growl, dodging a fist. Of course, she keeps fighting, so I lock my arms around her, pinning hers to her sides. With ease, I contain her struggles and hoist her over my shoulder in one fluid motion. She continues to rain punches on my back as I trek back through the forest, but her efforts are futile.

“This isn’t over, you ass!” Her voice is muffled against me.

“Actually, it is. You’re mine now,” I remind her gruffly. Her stifled swears fill the air as I move through the silent trees. They’d been dense and almost impenetrable before; now they seem to part before me, a victor carrying his spoils.

I won her.

I fight down a grin. There’s something strangely satisfying about having caught her this way. As if capturing her was some sort of test I had to pass before I could earn her.

I pay attention to the path ahead, staying certain of my footing. Having Casey’s lithe form pressed so intimately against me is…unsettling. Her thighs are inches from my face, and I inhale the sweet scent of her; flowers and sweat and angry woman…it’s a heady mix. I’m hyper-aware of every curve, every subtle shift of her body as I carry her. Heat begins to smolder low in my belly. I push it down, clenching my jaw.

Now is not the time. And if I know anything about this female, choosing the right time is going to be crucial.

As we emerge into the clearing, Jagger’s eyes widen slightly at the sight of me returning with a still-combative Casey slung over my shoulder.

A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Well, that was quick.”

It’s barely been an hour since we set off on this adventure.

“She left a trail a mile wide,” I respond, smirking.

“I hate you!” Her voice comes from behind me.

Jagger looks like he’s fighting down laughter. “I can’t say I’m surprised,” he admits. “None of the other males possess your motivation.”

A twinge of guilt pricks me as I recall using my psychic abilities to track Casey’s movements initially. But all’s fair in love and war.

---