Page 97 of Wolf's Mark

I forced her to do what I’d commanded. “Look at me. I want you to tell me that you truly believe I’d ever hurt you.”

Her mouth twisted and her glare was hate filled. At least at first. I knew the instant she softened, longing to believe. Longing to feel the same desire that could possibly consume us both.

“Don’t fight me,” I whispered and lowered my head.

“I… I don’t think I can do this.”

“Trust in your instinct. Trust in me.” I didn’t give her another option, capturing her mouth.

Her struggle was real and poignant, but her wolf won out, the yearning we both felt as painful as it was enthralling.

We were meant to be together.

I thrust my tongue inside, dragging her onto her toes as I jerked her into the heat of my body. The need to wrap myself around her was stronger than before. The hunger to drive my cock deep into her sweet pussy almost the only thing I could think about.

She pounded on my chest at first, her body undulating in my hold.

When she finally relaxed, she moaned into the kiss.

The taste and feel of having her in my arms was powerful. The connection was even stronger. As the kiss became more passionate, she wrapped her arms around my neck. The arch of her back and the scent of her arousal collided with my own. Devouring her was my intention.

“Ahem,” the deep voice said from behind us. Riker walked in, interrupting our heated conversation.

Sedona immediately pushed me away, turning slightly and wiping her mouth.

“Perfect timing.” I was agitated as hell, shaking my head as I watched the two men heading toward me.

“Yeah, well, the wolves are on their way,” Riker said sheepishly. He shifted his attention toward Sedona and offered a weighted smile. Of course he felt my wolf, sensing I was hungry to lose control.

At least he had Chase trailing behind. I scowled at him when he stopped in his tracks, shooting a hateful look toward Sedona.

“I’m here,” he stated gruffly as he threw out his arms. “What do you want from me, acknowledgment that you’re trying to be the patriarch of the family?”

“What the hell are you getting at?” I growled.

“Well, you are the big Alpha wolf. Right? Ready to take your place, making history?”

Jealousy.

I’d had blinders on years, not noticing my own brother was envious of my accomplishments. As a kid, he’d seemed enthralled by his two older brothers, but things changed. I sensed he felt he was the forgotten one. The expendable one.

“I don’t think it’s the right time to get into that bullshit now,” Riker chastised.

I walked closer, instantly making Chase uncomfortable. We were the same height, but today, I also gathered a feeling of his guilt. When I was only inches away, I held out my hand for a typical shake. An extension of our family. Or for some, an olive branch.

He glared at me, his entire body remaining tense.

“There is nothing like the power and love of a family. It’s the most important group of relationships you’ll ever have in your life and the most rewarding. Family can be trying, attitudes and desires entirely different. But don’t lose what you have. In the time of tragedy and being challenged, a family must come together. That is the ultimate in strength and power.”

Hearing Sedona’s words honestly didn’t surprise me. She was all about family, missing her mother and father and clinging to the love of her daughter.

For Chase, it was a slap in the face and I was certain he’d let his begrudging manners stand in the way of the meaning hidden in every word.

Fortunately, I was wrong.

Unless he’d gotten very good at hiding and harboring his feelings.

“We are wolves. And who the fuck are you?” he demanded.

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