Page 26 of Unexpected Alpha's Claim

“She’s alright,” I said. I felt relaxed and happy to be there with her. I looked around and chose a medium-sized rock to lead us towards. “I can’t say the same about my forefathers.”

“What do you mean?” she asked as I wiped dust off my chosen rock’s moist surface.

“My brothers and I were raised to believe that witches were evil,” I said, sitting down. “That their human nature would alwaysmake them prone to betrayal. It wasn’t Helena who betrayed my grandpa. It was the other way around.”

“I don’t know, Raul,” she said. Her voice was soft, but her scent’s strength grew in my nostrils. “It was a different world back in 1939, back when the two of them met.”

“Betrayal’s been the same since the dawn of time.” My conviction put steel in my voice as I curled my arm around her shoulders. I loved the way she fit into the crook of my arm. Her warmth and her smell filling me with a sense of peace. “Anyway, I’m done talking about it. Right now, I’m glad you’re here, with me, tonight.”

“Me, too,” she said in her sweet tone, then she rested her head on my shoulder. We stared across the lake in silence for a few moments when she spoke again. “Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course.”

“I spent the last five days, hoping you’d knock on my door,” she said, turning her head to look up. Her brown eyes were even darker in the moonlight. “And I can’t lie, I was really happy when you showed up on your motorcycle.”

Looking into the warm pools of her eyes, I chuckle. She frowns at my humor but then I give her my own confession.

“Sorry, you need to know that I spent the past five days watching the main road from Dawson,” I said, reaching up to her cheek. “From there I’ve got a clear view of your house. When I saw those two cars pull up outside your place, I was worried. That’s why I decided to pay you a visit.”

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

I pushed strands of her hair away from her face and leaned in sideways. The feel of her smooth skin on my palm warmed my heart. Her lips were cold from the chilled air when they met mine and she snaked her arm around my neck. Her fingers were every bit as cold, but nothing was going to discourage or stop me.

I had been longing for that kiss. The last time we’d kissed, we’d been in the middle of it, when our moment had been ruined. Here, far away from the lair of my rivals, I was free to enjoy the kiss and her. I slipped the tip of my tongue through the seam of her lips, Monica’s sigh drove me on, not allowing me to slow down. She planted her fingers into the back of my neck, holding, gripping tight like she was afraid I was going to vanish.

“You’re so warm,” She whispered as my hand traveled down her chest.

I traced the curve of her breast, its size and feel making my inner beast purr with anticipation. A deeper exhale and a light bite on my lower lip only intensified my pleasure.

“It’s the wolf,” I said. “You know you’re not helping me here,” I teased, planting a kiss on her chin.

“Oh, and I suppose you thinkyouare?” She giggled, caressing the back of my head. “Because believe me, you’re not. You bring out someone different in me. Someone who doesn’t carewhereshe is. A woman that just wants to have fun with you.”

“Do you like that woman?” I asked in a softer voice, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Yeah,” she admitted with a chuckle. “She’s a lot more fun than regular Monica. You’ll see that in time.”

“I hope so,” I whispered. I hesitated before voicing my next thought though, wondering how she would take it, but it’s the only thing that made sense. More, it’s the one thing I wanted, more than anything else in the world. “I’ve got a suggestion. Living in my grandpa’s sanctuary may be safe, but you’ll get tired of it. It’s like a dungeon in there. Let me drive you up to your place tomorrow morning. Pack a few things and you come live with me.” Her eyes widened and her lips pursed into a tight line. Fearing I’d pushed too far I give her an out. “It would only be for a few days. Just until I’m done with my Alpha.”

“I thought my scent would give me away to your people,” she said, the pitch of her voice higher.

“It can, but there are ways to cover it up,” I assured her. “Trust me, with my brothers and sister living next door, it won’t be so hard. A shifter’s scent is a lot stronger than a human’s.”

“I’d consider it,” she said thoughtfully, “but I have work tomorrow. I’d have to drive to Shandaken and back in broad daylight. I won’t argue with you about scents; you know that far better than anything I know, but your people will see me driving around. Won’t they get curious about the new face in their town?”

“Damn…” I banged my head in a spasm of frustration. “You’re right. It will be too dangerous.” I thought quickly, then another came to me. “I’ve got another idea.”

I stood and offered her my hand.

“And what idea is that?” she asked, a touch of surprise in her tone.

“We can’t stay here all night,” I said, hopping off the rock. “Believe me, it’s not going to get any warmer and I don’t wantyou to freeze to death. I need you to do me a favor, though.” She arched a silent, questioning eyebrow that made me want to kiss her all the more. “When we reach Dawson, try to keep your voice down. They may not be able to smell you, but wolves have got excellent hearing, too.”

I glanced around at the pebbles and rocks on the moist ground, my thoughts putting a smile on my face. She was in for something she had never done before. It was wild. It was crazy. Monica was terrified of motorcycles, and what I had in mind was bound to scare her as well. Then again, it was by far the best thing I could do, in order to get intimate with her, without requiring the witch’s help.

18

MONICA

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