Page 51 of Sold to the Alpha Wolf

“Lead the way.” I held up my hand, gesturing forward.

Jet smiled, pulling me along behind him as we walked toward the back door through the kitchen. The air was chilly outside, but the boots I’d borrowed, along with the thicker winter coat from MacKenzie, did enough to keep me warm. Jet slung on just a simple jacket, and I knew he had his fiery alpha blood to thank for that.

“How are you doing, hun?” He pulled me closer to him as he walked us through the vast backyard.

I could tell there was a path and even a garden under the snow that would come out and be revealed when spring finally came. Right now, the gleaming spread of white coated everything as far as I could see, twinkling like crystals.

“I don’t know. I’m happy the pack has accepted me and the baby so well, but…” Sighing, I pressed in closer to Jet, soothing myself with the scent of his leather and pine. “I’m worried. Terrance is a vindictive asshole. The visions are…well, it’s not exactly reading a map, now is it?”

With a soft chuckle, Jet circled his hands around my waist, nuzzling his nose into the crook of my neck. His lips danced across my skin, skittering goosebumps across it.

“I know it’s not, Senna. But you’re not alone anymore. We will figure this out.”

“I know we’ll try.” I sagged against him. “You’re going around without a beta, too. I don’t like it. What if he attacks when it’s just you and me, or worse, you’re alone?”

“Hey,” Jet took my face in both hands, “I’ll be fine. I know how to take care of myself, and I’m not dumb enough to not get back to the house. I know we’re stronger in numbers.”

Shoving at him with my shoulder, I frowned playfully. “Good.”

Smoothing his thumb across my cheek, Jet started us walking to the tree line. It was homey and comfortable to be surrounded by the massive pines, and I sighed as I took a deep breath of the winter air.

“I was raised in the trees. Few know them as well as I do.” Jet glanced around, putting his hand on the trunk of the pine nearest him. “If the compound is overrun, leading them through these could shake their trail. Better that than letting Terrance get his hands on all that history.”

Nodding, I took Jet’s hand, pulling him closer. As he leaned down, I brushed my nose against his. The skin was slightly chilled but still warm against mine. I needed him closer. Gods, I needed Jet to remind me of the good, of the way he felt connected to me.

“Senna.” Jet swept his lips across mine, a low growl radiating from his chest as he yanked me closer. “Damn, Omega. Even here, you smell divine.”

I hummed against his lips as he kissed me again, and I let Jet walk me up against a tree. “You can scent me even now? In the cold wind?”

His lips found my neck, nipping at the skin playfully. “I could track you down anywhere.”

Desire lit in my belly, low and desperate, and I smirked as I met his eyes again.

“Prove it.”

Without another word, I tore off through the trees. I ran with everything I had, ducking in between the columns of the massive pines with my boots crunching through the snow. I put as much distance as I could between us, and then I changed course, using the few skills I had against a true wolf.

I was heated through from the exertion, and I’d pegged my location, doubling back over my trail as I heard a wolf howl in the distance. Oh, shit.

Careful to step where I already had, I took off the thick coat, tossing it on the trail that led back to the house. I’d be fine in the cold for at least a little while, still running a bit hotter than a human. I could also see the pile that Jet had left of his own. There is a naked alpha out there in wolf form, and I am way too damn excited.

When I passed the beginning of my trail, I scrabbled through a small thicket, diving through to the other side and searching around frantically for another good clumping of bushes.

The confusing steps and the smell of the evergreens coating me would make it just a little harder for Jet to track me down. Still, he was an alpha, and I knew it was just a matter of time.

“There.”

I hurried over to a post-up point and pinned my back against a tree, sinking down low. Another howl tore through the woods, and I sucked in a breath as this one was much closer. The shuffling sound of Jet padding around through the snow wasn’t too far off.

After a moment, I was beginning to question my skills, wondering if I’d made it too difficult or if I’d actually managed to hide from him, when I heard a low rumble behind me.

Leaning off the trunk, I peered around the tree. Jet was right there, and wolf or not, I was sure he was smiling. Gods, his form was so gorgeous. Thick, glossy white fur covered his massive body, his paws each the side of my head and more.

The incredible purring sound rumbled out of him, even in this form, and I nearly melted. That soothing yet excited energy he exuded was everywhere, and I couldn’t have moved if I wanted to. The truth, of course, was that I did not want to.

As I spun and tried to run again, Jet soared through the air and pinned me down into the snow. His huge muzzle sniffed at the back of my neck, his tongue licking across my flesh. He nudged me around forcefully, making me lie on my back to gaze up into those deep emerald eyes.

“All right. You win.”

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