Page 33 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

Ryder didn’t last long. He came with a howl into her, his movement jerky. His hand wrapped around her thigh, and he rubbed her clit until she came for a third time. Then he collapsed over her, his weight pushing her out lengthwise on the bed.

“Oops,” he grunted and carefully rolled off her.

The scent of their sex filled the air, creating a unique perfume. Ryder rested his hands on his chest, his eyes drooping.

“How was it for you?” he asked sleepily.

Tess kissed him lightly. “It was wonderful. You look like you’re about to fall asleep, though. Should I leave?”

“Mmmm,” Ryder answered.

He must have been exhausted and just hiding it. That, or he was under a lot of stress. Tess certainly felt more relaxed than she had been in a long time. She propped herself on her elbow, watching him sleep. The gruff, cold exterior she’d grown used to was gone, making him seem years younger.

The cold Ryder she thought he was would never hesitate or admit he was afraid of hurting her. It was a glimpse of the boy she used to know, the one with a kind heart and gentle smile. The one that used to offer her some of his lunch when he saw that Hilda had packed her nothing but a handful of celery. The one that would comfort his little sister when she cried.

When was the last time she saw him really smile? He’d been grinning more, but it wasn’t the smile she used to see.

No, she knew exactly when she’d last seen that smile. It was the day that Mica invited him to meet Denzel for the first time. He’d held that tiny baby and smiled down at him with so much gentleness and love. It was like a promise to be the best uncle he could be.

Thinking about Denzel and Mica reminded Tess that she was on duty tomorrow. She slipped from the bed, careful not to disturb Ryder. She quickly dressed and slipped out of the house, heading back home. The cool night air caressed her skin. It was a still night, and Ryder’s scent clung to her still.

As she walked, she breathed in the clear air. She’d been told she’d never be a proper she-wolf all her life. She was too opinionated. She was too selfish. She was too fat—even at her lightest when she was one of the thinnest girls her age.

She was never going to have a mate. She just didn’t have the temperament for it. And yet, now, as she remembered the feel of Ryder’s body in hers, part of her wished that wasn’t so.

If only she were good enough for him, then somehow, it could be more than just sex. But it wasn’t, she wasn’t. So, she would be happy with this. She’d find a way to make it be enough.

Chapter 18 - Ryder

Ryder’s tail swished back and forth as he circled his prey. Her small white form cowered on the forest floor, her ears pressed back against her skull. Even in her wolf form, her eyes were blue. His lips pulled back in a silent snarl, and he lunged at her, snapping at her ear. Tess rolled over, yelping. But as he went for her, she was suddenly gone.

Her growls filled the forest as her teeth latched on the back of his neck. She shook herself, pulling out wads of fur. Ryder yelped, and Tess released him, backing off. Her tail wagged as he whirled on her. She spanked the ground and then pranced around him, yipping in triumph. Ryder’s tongue lolled from his mouth as he panted.

He’d found this clearing in the forest and had filled a bunch of garden hoses with salt to form a protective circle around its edges. Their sparring matches had been getting a little too… intense… for the backyard. It was best to have the privacy of the woods, with the protection of the circle. Tess had implanted the talisman, just like the special ops team, but there was no such thing as too careful.

He paced around Tess, watching for her to drop her guard so he could get in. She’d played him well with that attack. Her skill had exploded over the past month since they’d started their training. She really was a natural at all of this.

Tess circled with him, not letting him get at her back. Good. Though they’d been sparring for over an hour already, she wasn’t showing signs of slowing—her endurance had improved greatly as well.

Ryder feigned a lunge. Tess went to meet him, but as he drew back, she overstepped. She lost her balance, and Ryder dodged in again, knocking her shoulder with his. Tess turned, snapping at his flank, but she was too slow this time. He’d grabbed hold of her tail and quickly ran backward, tugging her. Tess scrambled back, snarling at him.

He released her tail and pounced, using his weight to crush her against the earth. Tess snarled again and wriggled back. He let her free herself, then playfully batted as she snapped and pawed at him. Finally, she rammed him with her full body strength. They fell together, and Ryder shifted to human form as they did. He kept them rolling as Tess shifted back.

They stopped with Tess straddling him, her hands tight against his wrists as she pinned his hands above his head.

Ryder grinned up at her. “We’ve done enough for right now. It’s time to take a break.”

Tess kept hold of his wrists. “Giving up, huh? Afraid that I’m going to beat you?”

“No, just enjoying the view.” Ryder laughed as Tess blushed. Even after a month, getting her to blush was still so easy. He admired the way her breasts hung over his face.

“You let me pin you,” Tess accused. “You pervert.”

“Hey, you’re the one who’s pinning me down, Tess. If anyone’s a pervert…” he wiggled his brows suggestively.

Tess rocked her hips, grinding herself against him. “You are. You’re the one that gets turned on by fighting.”

“You say that as though you don’t.”

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