Page 10 of Falling for My Shifter Stranger

Without warning, Rhys picks me up, his strong arms cradling me effortlessly. "Rhys, what are you—" My words are cut off by a gasp as he carries me to the bed, my wolf preening at the display of his strength and protectiveness.

He lays me down gently, his gaze roaming appreciatively over my body as he follows me onto the soft sheets. "So beautiful," he murmurs, his words a benediction.

Rhys kisses his way down my body, his lips leaving a scorching trail in their wake. Each kiss, each nip of his teeth sends waves of pleasure through me. "Rhys," I breathe out, my body arching toward him.

My wolf revels in the way he claims me so thoroughly with his touch. His hands are everywhere, exploring, worshipping, as if he wants to memorize every inch of me.

When he reaches the apex of my thighs, my breath hitches in anticipation. My pulse races, my body arching toward him, desperate for the release only he can provide.

Rhys's mouth is a revelation, his tongue teasing and tantalizing, pushing me closer and closer to the edge. My wolf practically purrs with satisfaction, urging me to give in to the pleasure, to trust our mate implicitly. The world narrows to the heat of his mouth, the expert glide of his fingers, and the inexorable pull of our bond, growing stronger with each passing moment.

His fingers dig into my hips, holding me in place as his breath fans over my sensitive flesh. "Let go, love," he implores, his voice a soothing balm. "I've got you."

My pulse races, my body desperate for the release only he can provide. Rhys's mouth is a revelation, his tongue teasing and tantalizing, pushing me closer and closer to the edge. "I'm so close," I whimper, my fingers threading through his hair.

His response is a muffled, "I know," followed by the expert glide of his fingers that sends me spiraling.

My body writhes under his touch, the tension coiling tighter and tighter until, with a final flick of his tongue, I shatter into a thousand pieces. The climax washes over me, a cascade of heat and light that leaves me boneless and gasping for air.

Rhys crawls back up my body, his eyes filled with pride and tenderness as he pulls me into his arms. I cling to him, my body still trembling from the force of my release. My wolf feels sated and content, basking in the afterglow and the undeniable truth that our mate is exactly where he belongs—by my side.

As we lie there, entwined in the flickering light of the fire, I hope that nothing ever comes between us again.

Chapter 6

Rhys

The moon hung low over the forest, casting a silver glow on the snow-covered ground. I stood at the edge of the clearing, my wolf restless beneath my skin, claws itching for release. Around me, the Thorne pack gathered, their wolves brushing against one another in easy camaraderie. Their energy was infectious, a palpable current running through the group. My chest tightened as I watched them, that hollow ache of longing creeping back in. This wasn’t my place. This wasn’t my pack.

And yet, my wolf didn’t seem to care. He paced inside me, eager, drawn to the vibrant energy swirling around us—drawn to her.

Hannah padded up beside me, her golden-brown wolf a stark contrast to the black expanse of mine. Her amber eyes gleamed in the moonlight, playful, determined. She nudged me with her nose, a soft, insistent push that said everything she didn’t need words for.

Come on. Run with me.

I huffed, shaking my head, the weight of my past holding me back like a chain around my neck. My wolf wanted to follow her, but I took a step away. She didn’t let up. Her tail wagged, and she yipped playfully, her warmth chipping away at the cold wall I’d built around myself.

Before I could second-guess myself, I let the shift take over. My wolf surged forward, muscles stretching and fur bristling as he shook out the tension in my limbs. Hannah shifted beside me, her wolf brushing against mine, and the connection between us hummed, deep and undeniable.

Then she took off, a golden streak through the snow, her tail flicking like a dare. My wolf didn’t hesitate. I bounded after her, the forest blurring around us as the ground rushed beneath my paws. The cold air bit at my fur, sharp and invigorating, and for the first time in years, I felt… free.

The pack moved as one, a seamless rhythm of bodies and energy coursing through the trees. My wolf found his place among them, his usual wariness replaced by something lighter, something that felt dangerously close to joy. Hannah stayed close, her wolf darting in and out of my periphery, always there, always pulling me forward.

When she glanced back at me, her amber eyes sparkling with mischief, my chest tightened with something I couldn’t name. The bond between us hummed louder than ever, a pull I couldn’t resist, and for a moment, I let myself give in to it. To her.

We wove through the snow-dusted forest, our wolves moving as one. Her sleek form darted ahead, playful and nimble, while I stayed close behind, matching her pace with ease. The crisp winter air bit at my fur, but it only invigorated me further. She glanced over her shoulder, her movements teasing and light, daring me to catch her. I surged forward, the thrill of the chase sparking something primal and fierce within me.

The trees blurred around us as we bounded over fallen logs and scattered soft powder beneath our paws. The world felt distant, reduced to the rhythm of our run, the bond between us, and the quiet understanding that lingered in every shared glance.

By the time we circled back to the lodge, my wolf was exhilarated, his usual guardedness momentarily forgotten. The pack shifted back to their human forms, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they shook off the snow and headed inside. I lingered on the edge, slower to follow. The joy of the run was already fading, replaced by the familiar weight of uncertainty.

Inside the lodge, the warmth wrapped around me, but it didn’t reach the cold knot forming in my chest. The pack gathered around the hearth, voices rising and overlapping in a symphony of camaraderie. It was too much—the easy laughter, the sense of belonging. It was too good. And I didn’t deserve any of it.

I stayed near the door, half-listening to the conversations, until a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“You need to be careful with him, Hannah,” Ryan said, his tone low but firm. He was standing near the fire, his back to me, but his words were clear. “We don’t know anything about his past. About what he’s running from. Is he really good enough for you?”

“I understand why you’re worried,” Hannah began, her voice calm but resolute.

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