Page 17 of Wolf Claimed
“I suppose we should get going, then. Just forget what happened here. I’m not myself lately.”
His fingers trailed down her side and caressed her just above her hip.
“Rafe, this isn’t right,” she protested even as she leaned into him.
“Touching you is more than right.”
“Except I’m with Tiernan. I think.” She’d never been so confused in her life.
Bringing up Tiernan’s name stopped Rafe cold. He removed his hand from her hip. “Did Tiernan explain the blond-bond, thepermanenceof it?”
“I don’t think I should be discussing my conversations with him.”
Rafe’s stoic expression returned. “Just answer the question, Artemis.”
“Does it upset you knowing a shifter and a human will be together, Rafe?”
“Then you’ve agreed to blood-bond him.” His voice held a note of disappointment. An entire score of disappointment.
“I haven’t agreed to anything.”
Rafe sighed, noticeably relieved.
“Why do you hate humans, Rafe? I mean, I know some hunt shifters, and they need to be punished. And others like the anti-shifters hate for no reason. Maybe one day they can be taught not to let their fear control them. But there are good humans out there, just like there are good and bad shifters.”
“And what makes you think there are good shifters in the world? It’s not like you trust any of us. If you did, you wouldn’t use a codename.”
She’d taken a codename to protect her identity because the truth could get her killed. But Rafe, Tiernan, and Maddox could be trusted. They’d already risked themselves for her, several times.
“Alyssa,” she said, her body tensing as she waited for him to react.
Rafe stood there, no smile, no indication that telling him her name pleased him. Just a simple nod to acknowledge he’d heard her. And yet she felt relieved, as if something had changed between them. All this time she’d thought it was his dark countenance and growly manner that had kept her from getting to know him. But it had been her and the wall she’d built to protect herself.
“I’ll be inside, Alyssa. We can talk another time once you’ve decided what you want.”
What I want? Damned if I know, she thought as the six-three shifter with dark brown hair, stunning green eyes, and an incredibly gentle touch headed into the training center, leaving her as alone as when she’d entered this program three weeks ago.
The breeze kicked up, reminding her she needed to get inside for the meeting. From the corner of her eyes, she spotted a white wolf. Despite the bright morning light, she hadn’t noticed him standing in the shadow of a tall oak a mere fifty feet away. The wolf shifted to Maddox. A very naked Maddox, covered in thick muscles everywhere.
My, oh my, he was stunning, with wavy black hair and dark, bottomless eyes that never left her. Her body tensed with need all over again, as if Tiernan’s hand hadn’t just worked his magic not fifteen minutes ago and Rafe hadn’t nearly seduced her minutes afterward. Maddox made every nerve in her body come alive and the bastard hadn’t even touched her. Wouldn’t touch her. He’d continue teasing her until she couldn’t take it anymore.
She walked toward him, his eyes drawing her to him all too easily. Maybe she should just give in to this pull where these three shifters were concerned and stop worrying about the optics. Or the consequences.
“Are you okay?” she asked as he pulled on a pair of jeans and boots he’d stashed behind the tree.
“Fine.” He yanked his shirt down with a snap that made his anger quite clear.
“Can we talk?” she asked.
Dark eyes narrowed as he folded his arms over his broad chest. She’d heard him say he was a guard and it fit, from his size to the way his eyes watched everyone and everything around them. He missed nothing, but he was controlled too, like Rafe, though not as serious as the alpha. Maddox had a playful side to him. When he wasn’t so filled with anger.
“There’s nothing to talk about. You chose Tiernan.”
“I didn’tchooseanyone. Besides, you don’t like me, remember?”
“Rafe’s the one who doesn’t like humans. I never said anything against humans, or you, Artemis. I supported Tiernan because he needs you.”
“Then why are you so mad?”
