Page 59 of Rescued

Not to follow him.

To see if they evenshould.

They move together like a tide, flowing into the night, as though it belongs to them—and maybe it does. It used to belong to me, too.

I take another step, my hand twitching at my side. The need to transform is a living thing, clawing at my skin and whispering promises of what I could have, if only I let myself give in.

But then I hear it—Gabe’s voice, soft and hesitant. “Mika?”

I turn to him, and for the first time, I see the faintest trace of unease in his expression. He doesn’t say anything else, but he doesn’t have to. He knows what this is, even if he can’t put it into words. He knows what I’m giving up.

But I know what I’vegained.

The pull of the pack fades, replaced by something deeper. A bond that’s newer, less certain, but no less powerful. Gabe doesn’t belong here,not in this world, but he’s given me something the pack never could. He’s given me a place where I can be more than my wolf. A place where I can be myself.

I take a deep breath, letting the tension drain out of my body. My wolf growls in protest, but I don’t give in. Instead, I turn fully to Gabe and close the distance between us. His hand brushes mine, and the connection steadies me in a way nothing else ever has.

“They’re gone,” he says, glancing toward the shadows where the pack has disappeared. There’s no judgment in his voice, just quiet understanding.

“Yeah,” I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. “They’re gone.”

Gabe studies me for a long moment before nodding his head in acceptance and tilting it toward the car. “Ready to go?”

I glance one last time at the forest, where the echoes of the pack’s howls linger in the air. A part of me will always miss this, I know. It’s who I am, etched into my very bones. But when I look back at Gabe, standing there with nothing but love in his eyes, I know I’ve made the right choice.

“Yeah,” I say, with a bittersweet ache. “Let’s go.”

“So, where to, caveman? You want to make a straight drive home? It’s almost dark now, but we could probably handle a twelve-hour drive if you’re up for it.”

I grin at the nickname, catching the faint scent of arousal curling off him as he speaks.God, this man. My balls tingle as the need I’ve been holding back all day surges to the forefront.

“No way, babe.” My voice dips low, heavy with promise. “I told you I have plans for you tonight. I think Silver City is about as far as I’m gonna be able to make it before I jump you.”

Sliding my hand over the bulge in his jeans, I press my palm against his hardening cock, rubbing slow and deliberate.

Gabe groans, and I can’t help the satisfied smirk that spreads across my face.

Mika

“Oh, shit,” Gabe groans, his hips jerking into my hand. “You keep that up, and we’re not making it to Silver City.”

I pull my hand back, dragging it deliberately down the length of his thigh. My fingers press just enough to tease, and I smirk at the way he squirms in response. It’s so tempting to push him further, but I let him focus on driving. For now.

Gabe steps on the gas, his eyes locked on the road. I glance at the clock. Thirty more minutes. Not too bad. But as the sun dips below the horizon, I give in. I reach over, popping the button on his jeans, my fingers working to loosen them.

“Mika,” he growls, but there’s no real warning in his voice. And hey, turnabout is fair play, right?

I slide my hand inside, wrapping it around his cock. It’s hard and hot, already slick at the tip. My thumb drags over the slit, and he groans loudly, his hips bucking into my palm.

Hiseyes flick to the rearview mirror. “Nothing but dark,” he mutters. “That’s it!”

He pulls the truck onto the shoulder, veering farther off the road until we’re well out of sight. Shutting off the engine and lights, Gabe twists toward me.

“Glove compartment. Lube,” he orders, already climbing out.

I grin, reaching into the glove box to grab the tube. I slide off the seat, undoing my pants as I go, freeing my cock as I stand. When Gabe rounds the truck and sees me waiting, his gaze locks on me, dark with lust. His jeans are loose around his hips, hanging low enough to tease but still hiding everything I want.

“Fuck,” Gabe mutters, his voice thick with need.

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