Page 48 of The Alpha's Rejected Mate

I hung my head and exhaled heavily. “I was angry … and …” I swallowed down the tightness in my throat, “jealous,” I confessed to her. “Of the closeness between the two of you.”

“Colt’s like a brother to me,” she explained.

I nodded, shame coating my insides for allowing my wolf to get the better of me and hurt the only family she’d ever had.

“I promise that if Colt comes into my territory alone and tries to see you again, he won’t be harmed.” My gaze was solemn as I made the vow. “And I’ll make sure the whole pack treats him likewise.”

My heart quickened as the consciousness of what I was promising prickled over me. Did she realize what a tough concession this was? My wolf seriously wanted to gutanyonewho was working with my parents' killers. And although the logical part of me, now that I’d had time to cool off, knew that Colt didn’t have much choice when it came to following his Alpha’s instructions, the rest of me wanted to treat him the same as the rest of my enemies.

As I gazed at the beautiful woman, whose eyes were brightening again with emotion, I knew I could do this for her. Because Colt was undoubtedly family to Billie. My heart seemed to grow as I knew I would curb my wolf if Colt ventured into our territory next time.

Because I will be better for her.

“Thank you,” she said. Her brow furrowed, and my stomach dipped at the look of worry still there. Her gaze crept hesitantly to me. “Where did you see him?” She asked. “Will he have gotten back all right?”

My chest constricted at the fact that I’d put that crease between her beautiful brows. “It was near Pine Creek. He’ll have made it back to Dalesbloom, no problem. I’m sure,” I assured her.

She nodded. “You’re right. Colt’s hardy. I’m sure he’ll be okay.” I could tell she was trying to downplay her concern, but her clouded eyes told me she was still worried. Yet, I appreciated her effort to put on a brave face.

A gentleness came over her face as she leaned forward and stroked my cheek. “Thank you for saying you’ll allow him in next time.”

My jaw slackened as her gentle touch and words were exactly what I needed. Once again, she was comforting me whenshe was in pain. Gratitude surged through me for her thoughtfulness, and I swore when it came to Billie, I’d do better from now.

Eager to lighten the mood and cast away our concerns for a while, I asked, “You hungry?”

She smiled. “I could eat.”

I set down my glass in one of the nooks of the tree's roots, and Billie did the same. Opening the strawberries, I took one out, holding it out to her. For a moment, she looked like she wouldn’t eat it from my hand. But then she leaned forward, and her lips went around the fruit. Juice spilled over her lips, and my pulse spiked as I watched her pink tongue lick the juice off.

Beneath the desire sparking through me, my wolf rumbled with primal satisfaction as something about feeding her sated my beast. She reached for a strawberry and reciprocated. She watched my mouth as I took the fruit and licked my own lips. Her pupils dilated, and I already scented her arousal on the air.

I hadn’t eaten tonight either, but as soon as I’d swallowed the fruit, all I hungered for was her. I moved toward her. Her head tilted up to meet me as I devoured her delectable mouth, licking and sucking the sweet taste of strawberries from her. I couldn’t get enough. I was famished for her.

I clasped the nape of her neck, keeping her where I wanted her as my mouth traveled down the column of her throat. Her hands slid over my chest as she moaned. A tangible ripple of instinct surged through me, telling me to claim her as she tilted her neck. My heart thudded as her baring her neck to me awoke my wolf, who interpreted it as her submitting entirely to me. The urge to mark her thundered through me as if all the waters of the Gunnison River were roaring through me.

But as I kissed her tender throat, I forced myself to hold back, reminding myself of what I’d vowed to myself tonight: I’d be betterfor her. I let my awareness of the cold earth beneath the blanket seep through me. I listened to the stirring leaves above in the cottonwood that seemed to whisper with the wisdom of the past. I breathed in the cool night air, and my heated bloodand desire cooled, allowing me to see past my rampant beast’s wants.

I felt certain that Billie and I were meant for one another, but I knew I mustn’t rush this. I’d let my instinct override me when I’d fought Colt and hurt Billie by doing so. So, with all the self-control I could muster, I pulled my mouth away from her silken skin. I would wait until she wanted the same thing that I did. When we were ready to be as close to one another as possible, it would be time to remove any boundaries between us.

A deep contentment moved through me as I stared into the bright green hues of Billie’s affectionate gaze.

I handed her back her glass and picked up mine. “Thank you for coming out with me tonight.”

I clinked her glass with mine, and she said, “Thank you for bringing me here.” Her eyes roved over the ridge and up to the first stars illuminating the night above us. “It’s kind of our first date, isn’t it?” she added with a smile.

I drew her in against my chest and kissed the crown of her head, promising her, “The first of many.”

Chapter 25

Billie

“Goodnight, Billie,” Gavin intoned from the veranda of his own cabin, where he’d shifted back into his human form. The heat in his stare left me with no doubt that he was enjoying the flash of my naked body through the gloom as much as I was his.

“Goodnight, Gavin,” I said breathily. My heart was racing as my gaze skated over his sculpted chest and down his muscled stomach, wanting to follow the line of hair along his treasure trail…

I licked my lips in the same way I had when licking away the juice of the strawberries that Gavin had fed to me earlier. Heat stained my cheeks as I thought of how sensualthatexperience had been.

He said with a wicked smile. “Sweet dreams.” With his clothes in his arms, he stepped into his cabin.

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