Page 12 of Crescent Warrior

Cole naked in the ocean, laughing as they swam together.

Cole shirtless and sweating as they trained.

Cole smiling at her with love in his eyes.

One orgasm spiraled into another, making her body quake, her breaths gasped. She turned to her side, squeezing her legs around her fingers and moaning deliriously. As she finally settled, the pleasure slowly subsiding, she narrowed her eyes, furious with herself.

She felt her eyes sting with tears as she sat up, hugging her legs to her and burying her face against her knees, but she refused to let a single drop fall. Too many wasted on him already.

His words from such a long time ago flashed into her mind.

‘Even if I could choose my mate, it wouldn’t be you.’

She knew she shouldn’t let the words affect her. She was strong, she was beautiful, and she had so many people who loved her. She didn’t need him to tell her that she was worthy. She knew she was.

Then why does it hurt so much? Why do I still feel broken deep inside?

Shivering against the cold memories of those words that cut her so deeply, she knew that no matter what he thought he felt now, it would be his wolf, not Cole the man. His wolf recognized her, but he didn’t want her. Not really.

He hadn’t wanted her then, and he wouldn’t want her now. Squeezing her eyes shut, dread filled her at the thought of returning to him.

What am I going to do?

CHAPTER THREE

Alexander Corbin narrowed his eyes as he stared at his new partner, wondering what was so familiar about him. The struggle to make the connection had his brain fizzling every time he felt like he was getting close.

Michael Of-No-Last-Name would not admit who he was or even who his parents were. He acted like he had no family at all, but he was constantly referring to Jason, the Werewolf who helped them both, as his brother, so that couldn’t be true. They were both very secretive and mysterious about Michael and his past.

No matter how many questions he asked, trying to find out why he felt so connected to this male. He couldn’t understand how he knew him. Alex’s detective mind was constantly trying to neaten up the loose ends.

Michael was born a Werewolf, or so he said. Alex, on the other hand, had been made. He wasn’t sure how, but Jason told him that there were ways to make humans Werewolves, and Damen had somehow done it to Alex. By all reports, the fucking monster changed Selene, Alex’s sweet and trusting girlfriend, into a Werewolf too.

He couldn’t even think about it for too long without fury flooding his veins, forcing his body to transform into his new wolf form, feral and growling the entire time. Everything about the situation was galling.

The last time he saw his beautiful girlfriend, and he would keep calling her that because he refused to believe that it was over between them, she was in the arms of that asshole and he was acting like he was protecting her from Alex.

What bullshit.

Damen acted all high and mighty, brainwashing humans into thinking they were in love with him and high-ranking members of the pack. Even Selene’s sister, Danielle, someone he never thought would be caught in their web of lies, was acting like a lovesick puppy over Damen’s brother.

Jason explained that that was how Damen was keeping power. He promised mates to the pack, but they weren’t real mates. Only a true alpha could find a real mate—and Damen wasn’t the true alpha. He was a false king. Jason was the rightful leader. Damen had stolen the throne, and now he had stolen Alex’s woman.

He growled low in his throat at the thought, and Michael glanced over at him, giving him a warning look. Even though he seemed to pretend to be submissive most times, Alex figured that Michael’s true nature was anything but a push-over. Sighing, he tilted his head back on the sofa of the apartment he was now sharing with the quiet Werewolf.

“When are we going to get to face off against them? I know I can kick Damen’s ass if I can just get him one-on-one.”

“After the last fight, are you still saying that?” Michael asked, his voice gruff from disuse.

Alex sat up, glaring at him.

“Of course I’m saying that. I wasn’t training then. I’m stronger now. I have more control over my wolf.”

Michael shrugged, going back to reading. At the rate he was going, he was going to read every book on the shelves before the week was out.

“I hate the sidelines,” Alex muttered, glaring at the door. “I want to go out and get Selene back.”

“You need to be more patient,” Michael told him.

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