Page 56 of Reign of the Beast

“Going the rough route? Allowing me to take it there, then you taking it there too?”

“It was instinctual. It felt easy, natural, like it was meant to be.”

His eyes shone, looking almost giddy with my confession.

I slapped his shoulder playfully. “Don’t look so pleased with yourself, arrogant ass.”

He snatched my hand with his wolf speed, making me gasp.

He brought it to his mouth, peppering my fingers with little kisses, as he said, “How can I not be anarrogant asswith you as my mate? You’re perfect. A sexy little thing, a prodigy, a real warrior, with a cute sweetness underneath it all.”

“Smooth talker,” I choked out, his ministrations working me up so quickly.

Just his touch, let alone his lips on my skin, stoked a fire in me.

The pull to him was intense.

It had been difficult enough just to sit and talk and enjoy this date, rather than giving into the mating bond need and jumping each other’s bones.

But we needed to get to know each other deeper and more intimately, to build a strong foundation, after the opportunity had been denied us for so many years.

He moved my hand from his lips and held it between us. “All of that is a good sign that the bond between us is growing stronger, that you’re putting your trust in me.”

Guilt gripped me and I eased my hand from his grip.

It was time.

I hadn’t wanted to bring it up yet and risk ruining what we were building.

Not to mention, I’d agreed with Ryker’s plan to keep it quiet until we’d formed the Covenant and had the means tocontrolany unfavorable reaction from Jaxon.

I couldn’t keep to that agreement any longer though. Things had shifted between me and Jaxon, so much so that it just felt so wrong keeping to it.

It had gone on long enough now. His talk of trust had been the last straw.

“In the spirit of trust, there’s something I need to tell you.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

I scrambled off the blanket and stepped back onto the grass, finding myself pacing in my distress.

“Babe?” Jaxon queried, rising to his feet as well and watching my erratic movements warily.

I couldn’t even look at him as I forced the awful words past my lips, “Too much manipulation has been levied upon us. It’s not right. For the sake of what we’re trying to build here, and because you deserve it, we need transparency from this moment forward. No more harboring of secrets.” I drew in a shaky breath and revealed, “Draco’s claims to you during the Silverwood Wolf Pack battle weren’t just the ravings of a madman or a case of mistaken identity. In fact—”

“Mia, it’s all right. I know.”

My gaze shot to his. “What?”

“I already know.”

“You… how?”

“I heard every word you and Ry spoke about it.”

“You heard us? You were a good half-mile away, maybe more.”

“Well, it turns out that I’m not an ordinary Alpha, am I?”

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