Page 72 of The Runaway Mate

“Yes,” I purred, urging him on.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, tipping my hips and giving him deeper access. He didn’t hesitate. Drawing out and thrusting back in, coaxing my pleasure higher and higher.

“You’re going to come for me,” he whispered, clutching my head between his hands, never once breaking his gaze on me.

“Yes,” I agreed, unable to say more than one word at a time. I was having trouble thinking, all thoughts having fled in the face of the unrelenting feeling of him filling me up, touching parts of my inside that had never been touched before.

“Yes,” I repeated, and his shit-eating grin covered his face. He was so fucking pleased with himself. I didn’t care, just trailed my nails down his back and across his bottom. I squeezed his cheeks, urging him on.

Then it hit me: powerful spasms racked my entire body, sending wave after wave of orgasmic joy coursing through me. Ryan came a moment later, spilling himself inside of me, and the feel of it pumping into me sent another orgasm flooding through me. It felt so right, a moment so perfect that I never wanted it to end.

Suddenly, Ryan froze. He looked at me, panic etched across his face. “I’ll find you.” His voice was full of urgency and need.

My eyes snapped open at the sound of hushed murmurs drifting down from the top of the stairs, pulling me away from sleep.

No!

I shut my eyes again, willing myself to go back there. To be back, safe in Ryan’s arms. The voices got louder, and I stifled a sob. I had to get up. I had to do everything I could to get back to the real Ryan. I strained to listen; the low rumble of Seth’s voice unmistakable. There was another voice, one I couldn’t immediately recognize. They were talking, their conversation just a touch too quiet for me to grasp the words. Was it Isaac? And if it was him, what did that mean for me?

I rolled to my feet. Sleep could wait. My injuries could wait. My priority was to survive, to escape and find my Pack.

Chapter forty-six

Ryan

Cocrane was a town with modern architecture, high-rises, and a complex network of asphalted streets. The heart of the city pulsed with life, resonating with the murmurs of traffic and sounds of a busy and thriving town. The smell of food wafted from a string of restaurants, blending with the slightly tangy odor of city air.

On the outskirts of this urban milieu stood a stark aberration—the Alpha’s house. Unlike the steel and glass structures dominating the cityscape, the house was more like a fort, nestled amid a lush expanse of woods. Its towering stone walls gave off an ancient aura, a throwback to times when power was displayed through fortifications and territorial markers. They were making a statement—to other Packs? Or to the humans here?

I steered my truck into the driveway. Two guards stood at the entrance, a solid steel door with no obvious handle on this side. I stepped out of my car and stopped when I was two feet from them. Their gaze on me was unflinching.

“I need to see the Alpha.”

One guard, the older one of the two with a closely shaven face and calculating eyes, stepped away and spoke into his radio. After a moment, a muffled reply came. The guard turned to face me and nodded as the door swung open. I strode past them into a wide reception area decorated with fresh flowers and a six-meter fish tank. The tank was empty, but I caught a whiff of fish and coral coming from it. A woman with white hair pulled back into a bun and a gray business suit was waiting for me.

“Your name?” she asked.

“Ryan Shaw, Beta of the Three Rivers Pack. I’m here to see the Alphas about Seth Morin. He’s kidnapped my mate, Mai Parker.”

The woman jerked her head, shock crossing her features before she schooled her face.

“Wait here, please,” she ordered, then turned and walked quickly to an inner door, her heels tap-tapping loudly.

I clenched my fists, urging myself and my wolf to remain calm. My best bet was to get the Alphas on my side.

A moment later, the woman returned.

“Follow me.”

I trailed behind her through the inner doorway, down a hallway, and into a conference room. A thick carpet muffled my footsteps as I stepped inside, its deep red hue complemented by gold trim throughout the room. Gleaming mahogany furniture formed a semi-circle at one end, while onyx chairs lined the other side. At the head of the table sat a female werewolf. She was tall, with sculpted features, emerald eyes that stared coldly at me, and tresses of deep black hair that fell down past her shoulders. Next to her had to be Ajak. Steel-gray hair was combed back from his high forehead. He had a wide nose, prominent cheekbones, and a small scar under his left eye. Whereas the woman’s power felt cold and contained, Ajak’s presence filled the room. He was an imposing figure, and I suspected he used that to impose his will on others. To his left sat an older werewolf. Strong, powerfully built, with a hard face that suggested he would not suffer any excuses, his resemblance to the photos of Seth that Derek had sent me was undeniable.

“Ryan Shaw,” the woman at the head of the table said, her silky voice filling the room. “I’m Kara and this is Ajak.” She indicated the werewolf sat next to her. “We are the Alphas of the Cocrane Pack. This is Korrin, Seth’s father.”

I nodded to them all.

“My mate, Mai Parker,” I began, cutting straight to the chase, “was assaulted by Seth a week ago. She fled home to the Three Rivers Pack. She and I sealed our mate bond. Yesterday, Seth attacked three of my Pack and kidnapped her.”

Heavy silence filled the room. Kara, Ajak, and Korrin were too experienced to show whether my news shocked them.

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