Leslie’s eyes flutter open, and she gazes up at me. I feel her heels digging into the backs of my thighs and her hands gripping my upper arms. I can’t stop looking at her as I use my slow rhythm to pleasure her inch by inch.

She whimpers, her pussy clenching around me. I push my hips forward and rock a little, waiting. All of a sudden, she throws back her head, closes her eyes, and cries out as goosebumps rush across her skin. Her pussy grips my cock and spasms over and over again.

When the multiple orgasms slow down, she opens her eyes and looks at me. One hand comes up to gently stroke my face, and she shakes her head a little.

“You’re amazing,” she whispers.

My eyes sting, and I look away from her, wrapping my arms around her to bury my face in her shoulder.

I have never been told by anyone that I’m amazing, and I don’t think I will ever believe it.

Leslie’s heels dig into me again, and she thrusts her hips against me. A loud moan echoes out of my throat as I feel how wet she is.

I start to move my hips slowly and gently, bringing my face back to hers so I can softly kiss her on the lips. Leslie moans, wrapping her hands around my back as she thrashes against me, urging me on.

I let my body take control, thrusting into her hard and fast. Leslie responds to my every move with a loud cry, holding onto me as I pound her into the mattress. As my cock thickens inside her, I can feel the spasms as she comes again and again.

Finally, Leslie lets out a long, drawn-out cry, clinging to me. Ragged gasps tear from my throat as the orgasm blasts through me, robbing my body of strength as my cock shudders and jerks deep inside her hot, wet pussy.

Both of us breathe heavily, holding onto each other until the waves subside. I slip down beside her, gathering her against my chest. Leslie murmurs softly, a nonsensical happy sound as she wraps her arms around my waist and snuggles against my chest.

Even though the nightmare has faded, the fear still lurks in my heart. Every moment with this woman only strengthens my love for her, and I know I can’t bear to lose her.

The way I felt before can’t compare to how I feel now. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for hurting her. I will always be amazed that she gave me another chance.

I tighten my arms around her, reassuring myself that she is still snuggled against me. I know that I almost destroyed her when I left last time, and I vow never to do her that kind of harm ever again.

I could get killed on this mission to deal with the Sawpit Pack. We have to go all-out if we are going to put them down for good—and we have to, if we want to protect our own.

I don’t want to share the depth of my feelings with Leslie, just in case I never come back and my words haunt her for the rest of her days.

Far better to leave things as they are,I decide.Then she might be able to recover… and find love again…

Even though I don’t want to fully explain myself, I still want to make it up to her after all that I’ve done, and all the hurt I could still do. Even if I can’t say the words, I will show her in every way I can just how special she is to me.

Chapter 20 - Leslie

Pale early morning sunlight leaks down through the thick banks of slate-gray clouds above. There is no warmth in it, and icy gusts from the peaks snatch at me, making chills creep through my clothes.

Standing next to the grave with Kyle, I can only think that the weather is appropriate for a day like this. Liam was brought home by Seth and Trace, and his funeral was a very small, quiet affair held at the cemetery itself. Only a few of us have stayed for the burial.

Alpha Bailey stands at the foot of the grave, his amber eyes glowing with pain as he watches the casket being lowered. Gina clings to his hand, trying to comfort him, but he continues to stare into the grave, completely consumed by his thoughts.

The pack elders stand across from us, all of them looking solemnly at the coffin. On our side of the grave, Jack and Lena stand not far from us, and on the other side of them, Liam’s parents.

The sense of grief in the air is so thick, it could be cut with a knife, but the pain and agony that emanates from Kyle eclipses it all. He stands like a statue, every muscle tense as he glares into the dark hole cut into the bright green grass.

Carson speaks some ritual words, and I see Bailey turn to Gina and put his arms around her, finally accepting her comfort. I know that he’s going to make plans to hit the Sawpit Pack, and it’s the last thing I want to think about.

Bae is level-headed and fair. I know he’s not going to go out on some rage-filled revenge mission, but I also know that we have to retaliate.

We won’t get a choice. From what Kyle says, they will come for us, no matter what.

When the ceremony wraps up, Kyle doesn’t move. I tug on his hand gently, and he jumps as if he’s coming out of a deep sleep.

Another place of nightmares for this soft, gentle man. All I want is to create a safe place for him and make sure he never has to leave it.

“Would you two like to come to the wake?” Gina asks us. “It’s being held at my mother’s house, and most of the pack will already be there.”