Page 23 of Bonded Beyond Regret

I’m glad I was, and I went with my instincts because it was so beautiful there. The way the forest looked purple made it feel like I was walking through the Northern Lights while in the forest. Even though it looked like it was conjured by magic, I knew it was real.

My wolf was awed just as much as I was.

Then we forgot our wonderment when Samuel stalked through the trees and right to me. Even though it’s difficult for me to admit, it was the first time in three years that I felt sexy. It was all because of the way he was looking at me like he wanted to eat me.

Instead of making a move on me, he got me to play and run with him. It was exactly what I needed even though I didn’t know it at the time.

The tension and worry I was carrying around with me melted away the more time we spent as our wolves. Running with him in my fur and playing with him was so much fun. As we were frolicking, I couldn’t remember having as much fun as I was having for a really long time. It was like being a pup again but better because I could run faster.

Samuel was there at my side, and it was easy to forget about his rank because he was letting go and having fun. I swear I could feel the joy radiating from him and his wolf.

Then the mood shifted and became something more. So much more. The tension I was feeling had nothing to do with worry or the past. It was all because of the chemistry zinging between us.

I was shocked when he shifted and wasn’t at all prepared when my wolf pulled back, and I found myself in my skin as well. Feeling the warmth of him against me, along with the mixture of his smooth skin and course hair on his chest, made me want to forget everything except for him.

While I was struggling, unsure if I was too turned on to stop myself from throwing myself at him or if I was going to run away, he took control of the situation.

It felt like fireworks exploding throughout my body when his lips met mine. And damn those lips. They were surprisingly soft as he enticed me to kiss him back. It didn’t take much.

Kissing him was an experience and my entire body was involved. I was lost to it as my brain short circuited.

But then my mind started to catch up with what was happening, and panic began seeping in. I was kissing someone. No, not someone, my new Alpha.

I was kissing Samuel. Not my mate. Not Andrew.

My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that the emotional ache that was ever present became a very physical feeling.

When Samuel pulled back, I wanted to hit him. I knew I shouldn’t, but I wanted to so damn badly. I wanted to scream at him and force him to tell me what the fuck he had been thinking.

Before I could decide on what to do or how to react, he shifted back. I shrieked something at him, I’m not even sure what because I was practically beside myself. The feeling of his wolf nuzzling me, trying to give me comfort felt like a lifeline.

But then he was gone, and my mind took over.

Guilt. I drowned in it last night and my head still isn’t above water now.

How could I betray my mate by kissing another male.

“You didn’t betray Andrew,”my wolf insists gently, but firmly.“He’s not here.”

I snarl,“I loved him.”

“I loved him too,”she fires right back at me.“But if you’re not careful then we will never have more than memories and Aisley. What happens when Aisley grows up, finds her own mate, and leaves our house? Who will keep you going then? Who will we have next to us to experience this life with then?”

I don’t have an answer for her. How could I?

Before we can keep going around in circles, a knock at my door pulls my attention. I know who it is immediately.

“Don’t you dare ignore it,”my wolf warns me.

“Sometimes having you in my head really sucks,”I sigh.

Even if I did ignore him now, it’s not like I would be able to ignore him forever. He is the Alpha.

And I would miss him.

I shuffle my way toward the door to stall even though I know it’s pointless. Do I really want it to be?

“You don’t,”my wolf growls gently.

---