Page 54 of Wolf Claimed
No, he wouldn’t. But he’d keep his feelings locked away and suffer in silence to keep from hurting her.
“Thank you, Maddox,” she said, smiling as she traced his lower lip with her finger. He nipped at her finger, and she reached for a kiss instead. The kiss pulled her in, letting her lose herself in his taste, as she ran her hands down his back over muscles that slid beneath her palms with a fluidity that made her think of a river washing over smooth stones. Even as a new heat spread through her body, bringing her higher on that cliff than she’d ever been before, she felt completely at peace with Maddox, as if she’d known him her entire life.
His thrusts gained an intensity that stoked a fire within. She dug her nails into the base of his neck. Without warning, the orgasm struck. Her back arched, pressing her breasts against his hard chest. The climax held her there, suspending her body in mid-air as waves of pleasure moved through her. Maddox’s arms closed around her back and held her tight to him.
Safe, warm, in Maddox’s arms. She’d stay there forever if she could.
Only then did she realize he’d come at the same time, something she’d never experienced with another. As their bodies relaxed, he slid from her and pulled her in against his side, wrapping his torso around her.
This was more than safety. This was heaven.
Maddox nuzzled the back of her neck, where he planted a single kiss. “Sleep, angel. Long day tomorrow.”
She didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Only now, being in Maddox’s arms, where no one would touch her. Not her father, the DSA, the other shifters, or the beast inside her trying to escape.
Chapter Fourteen
ALYSSA
Alyssa woke with a start. Rafe and Tiernan hadn’t caught up with them yet, and she had a sinking feeling that something had gone horribly wrong.
Maddox pulled her back down beside him. “Sleep,” he said, sounding groggy, even though his fingers strummed across her abdomen while he kissed the nape of her neck.
“What exactly did Rafe mean when he said he was going to take care of Tiernan?” she asked, the alpha’s words coming back to haunt her.
Maddox’s hands stopped moving, and then his arm circled her waist, locking her to him.
“Maddox?” she said, when it was clear he wasn’t going to answer.
“I’m not sure how to tell you, angel. How to prepare you.”
“Prepare me? For what? You’re scaring me, Maddox. Just tell me what’s going on.”
“Rafe has to put Tiernan down.”
“No!” she said, pushing against Maddox to escape his hold.
He pressed his cheek to hers. “Shh, angel. There’s nothing you can do. It’s done or will be soon. Rafe and I agreed not to tell you until it was done, so you wouldn’t feel responsible in any way.”
She strangled back a cry as her heart practically leapt out of her chest. “This can’t be happening. Please, Maddox, tell me you’re joking.”
“This is not something I’d joke about.”
“We’re talking about Tiernan’s life.”
“I know,” he whispered against her ear, his breath a comfort she didn’t want right now. “Tiernan wouldn’t want you there watching.”
She couldn’t accept this, wouldn’t accept it. “Can you find them?” she said, turning in his arms to face him.
“I can, but I won’t. You saw what happened back there. I’m not saying those shifters didn’t deserve to die, but not like that. Tiernan’s wolf took control. He went feral, angel, and he has to be put down.”
“I’ll blood-bond him,” she blurted out, not even sure if she could go through with it, but she had to try.
“It’s too risky. A feral wolf doesn’t always recognize an ally or even a mate. It’s unlikely Tiernan could steal back control from his wolf long enough for you to blood-bond. I won’t risk you.”
“Unlikely. That means there’s a chance. I’m not ready to give up on him. And if you don’t want to help me find him, I’ll find him on my own.”
She pushed out of his arms. This time, he didn’t restrain her. He wouldn’t. Maddox wasn’t one to try to control her. Alyssa dressed quickly, grabbed her gun, and headed for the apartment door.
