Page 23 of Riding with the Rejected Wolf

Her voice cracks, and I can see the fortress of steel she's built around her heart begin to crumble. Damn, it feels good to be the one to bring down those walls. I lean in and press a gentle kiss on her lips, and it’s at that point the knot recedes and I’m able to pull out of her and roll to the side.

Mika snuggles into my side, her head resting on my chest. I wrap an arm around her, feeling the warmth radiate between us. She draws little patterns on my skin with her fingertips, and I can’t help but feel a rush of contentment. This moment—this peace—is everything.

"You know, I kinda liked that knotting thing. Is it going to happen every time?”

I laugh, a deep rumble that shakes the bed. "“You like my knot, huh?”

She giggles. “I do.”

“Yeah, it’s part of the whole shifter package. Hope you're prepared for a lifetime of that."

She grins, biting her lip in a way that just about drives me insane. "Oh, I think I can handle it. Adds a little extra something special, you know?" She winks, and my heart does a weird flip. I love that after everything this woman has endured, she still has a playful side.

I run my fingers through her hair, feeling the silky strands slip between them. "You're one hell of a woman, Mika Braddish." I rest my chin on her head, basking in the moment of finally feeling complete. I spent so many years after being rejected thinking I’d never have this. And now that it’s mine, I’ll go to the ends of the earth to protect it.

She nestles closer, her breath warm against my chest. “You know, I never thought I'd end up with a biker shifter.”

I chuckle as I stroke her back, feeling the curve of her spine beneath my hand. “Strange you wouldn’t think that,” I say, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Yeah, real shocker," she murmurs, the sarcasm in her voice making me grin. We lie there for what feels like an eternity and a heartbeat all at once, wrapped up in each other and the warmth of the moment. The world outside could be ending, but right now, it’s just us.

Mika opens her mouth to say something, but I hush her with a finger on her lips. "Shh. Do you hear that?" I sit up abruptly, straining to catch any unusual noise.

Mika’s eyes widen, and her heart picks up speed like a runaway train. “What is it?” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.

I hold up a hand, signaling her to stay silent as I tune my senses to the surroundings. My shifter instincts kick in, amplifying every sound in the forest until I’m sure we’re not alone.

“Someone’s coming,” I whisper, more to myself than her.

“Who?” she asks, urgency lacing her words.

I swing my legs off the bed. "Wait here. I'll check it out."

She clutches the sheet to her chest, her wide eyes tracking my every move. I can feel her fear, a tangible thing that pierces through the cocoon of security we’ve wrapped ourselves in. Damn it, just when things were starting to feel normal.

"I won't be long," I whisper, hoping to reassure her.

Mika nods, but her lips are pressed together in a tight line. I can see the battle raging within her, the fear warring with her newfound trust in me.

I pull on a pair of boxers and move silently through the cabin, my wolf senses on high alert. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I approach the door. There’s someone out there. I can feel it.

I step outside, the cool night air hitting my skin. My eyes scan the darkness, and then I see him—Henry, skulking around the edge of the clearing. My blood boils at the sight of him, and a warning growl escapes my throat.

"Henry," I snarl, my voice laced with fury.

He turns around slowly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Silas," he says, his voice dripping with malice. "Fancy meeting you here."

"What do you want, Henry?" I demand, my fists clenched at my sides, claws already starting to sprout. “How did you even find this place?”

Henry smirks, stepping into the moonlight. “You bikers are known criminals. So I know you couldn’t be trusted to bring back what’s mine. I made myself a little insurance policy. That business card I gave you had a tracker in it. You led me right to her.”

“You’re delusional, Henry. Mika is not yours,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “She was never yours.”

He laughs, a harsh, grating sound that echoes through the stillness of the night. “You really think you can protect her from me, Silas? Do you have any idea what I’ve been through for her? I’ve been through hell. I’ve sacrificed everything for her. And now, you’re going to give her to me. You’re going to hand her over, or I’ll take her myself.”

Just then, Mika appears in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear. “Mika, get back inside,” I order, my voice tight with anger.

Henry’s gaze shifts to her, his expression turning vicious. “You stupid whore,” he spits. “You think you can hide from me?”

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