Page 46 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
“I want you.” She pinned his wrists down and straddled him.
“I’m yours,” he swore. “I’ll give you everything you need.”
Mila
Mila walked the snow-covered paths through the village with Rafe as the morning sun broke through the clouds. They had a couple of hours together before he had to head into his office to take care of some business. With their arms entwined, it almost felt like they were a couple, like the many they passed. That made this moment ever more bittersweet, considering their time together was counting down. Each hour that passed reminded her how they’d eventually have to separate. It seemed their mating was cursed.
“You’re quiet this morning,” Rafe pointed out.
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
Unless she worked up the courage to face her father, she might as well dismiss any chance of being with Rafe. Even so, the possibility that he’d let her be with him wasn’t just slim, it was pretty much nil.
Mila snorted. “Foolish ideas.”
She should forget about that unrealistic fantasy and just enjoy the time she and Rafe had remaining.
Rafe squeezed her hand. “That’s how dreams come to fruition.” He glanced at their surroundings. “If you don’t think big, you don’t have that picture of what you want to achieve—and what you need to do to get there.”
Mila exhaled. He had succeeding in building an empire here in the mountains. Although she’d once hated it, she was coming around, and she had to respect all the hard work he must have put in to accomplish his goals.
Maybe he was right.
Rafe led her down a path that led to the stream. They meandered along it for an hour or so. They stopped to admire an intricate spider web. A fly was trapped in it, still struggling to escape the sticky trap. She couldn’t help but compare it to her situation. In her pack, she might always be trapped. If she didn’t take a stand to avoid getting snared, she had no one to blame but herself.
After another magicalnight in Rafe’s bed, she woke in his arms. Reluctant to leave the warmth and safety of his embrace, she snuggled against him. He woke soon after and nuzzled her neck. Damn, she didn’t want to leave.
She had to summon courage if she ever wanted her life to change.
After a mental pep talk, she turned to face Rafe. “I’ve made a decision.”
He propped himself on one elbow and gazed at her from his blue eyes still droopy with sleep. “About what?”
Combined with his mussed hair, he looked adorable. Oh, she’d miss this. Miss waking up in his arms and starting the day having breakfast with him.
She took in a heavy breath and released it on a slow exhale. “I need to return to my pack today.”
His eyes widened. “What for?”
“It’s time I talk to my father.”
“Mila, are you sure?” Concern swam in his eyes.
“Yes. I have to try to get him to see that we are not enemies.”
His chest rose and fell with quicker breaths. His eyes turned haunted. “I’m afraid you won’t return.”
She cupped Rafe’s cheek. “I must do this to have any chance of us at being together.”
He searched her eyes and then kissed her. “My brave, wonderful mate.” Trailing his hands over her body, he added, “Give me one more hour with you.”
A lump clogged her throat, so she merely nodded.
He rolled on top of her and kissed her lips, her cheek, her neck. She savored every touch of his lips and hands as the threat loomed large over them—this might be their last time together.
Later that morning,Mila left Rafe with reluctance before she summoned the courage to trek back to her pack.
