No more of that.
Can’t lose control of myself again.
Reluctantly, I take her hand and peel her fingers from my cock. She gives a small sigh, like she’s disappointed, but she doesn’t wake up. Gently, I push on her right shoulder, and she turns onto her back again. And I make my escape. I flip back the comforter and slide out of bed.
I look around my cabin. My instinct is to go outside, keep myself well out of harm’s way. But I’ve made a promise to her to stay here, so she feels safe. The deerskin rug will have to do. Quickly I shift into my wolf form. If she wakes up and freaks out at seeing me like that, so be it. It’s better than the alternative. And it’s not like she didn’t grow up around werewolves.
I lie down, let my jaw sink to my paws and wait for the morning to come.
By the timedawn filters through a gap in the curtains, I’m wide awake. I dozed for a while, but my wolf stayed on high alert. Attuned to every sweet sigh or groan that spilled from Maya’s lips. I get up, shift and stretch. She’s in the middle of the bed now, sprawled out like she’s relaxed and comfortable. The sight sends a warm glow through my chest.
Deciding she’ll be fine by herself now, since it’s daylight, I step outside and close the door quietly behind me. It’s a beautiful soft morning, the sun just rising behind the cabin, golden glimmers showing through the dove-gray sky.
The lake looks dark and peaceful. Perfect for a swim to cool off my lustful body. I dive right in. The water is still cold from winter, a little too cold for my liking, but I start swimming laps, to the shore and back. I plow one lap after another, determined to burn all the yearning out of my body. And while I swim, I turn over various plans and strategies, wondering what the hell I’m going to do about Maya’s brother.
I’m on my eighth lap when light glints from the pane of the cabin door. The door is opening. And there’s Maya. Standing in the doorway, still in just my T-shirt. Looking around, uncertainly. Is she scared? Too far away from me to tell. But I can’t stand the thought that she might be. I cut a streak through the water, pushing myself faster and faster with every stroke. Racing back to her.
In two long minutes I’m there, my feet finding the silty bottom of the lake. Her beautiful hair is a little mussed and her T-shirt is rucked up. And holy hell, from his position, I can see all the way up it, see her little bare pussy. Just like that, my desire comes roaring back.
But her forehead is furrowed and she looks thoughtful. Worried.
In a split second, I bound out of the water and crash down onto the deck. Gently I cradle her head in both my hands, look deep into her eyes. “What is it?” I demand.
“I was just thinking—” she begins. She’s more than worried. Tormented.
My throat tightens and my heart is beating uncomfortably fast. “Tell me?”
“The name Demetrius meant something to you,” she begins. “It was more than your wolf being… being all growly.”
I shake my head. I can’t stand for her to know the truth—she’s going to hate me.
Maya folds her arms. “I’ve been replaying what happened yesterday, when that scary lady said someone was looking for me. Tell me, Forge.” She sounds sad. But kind of fierce as well.
I exhale slowly. She’s not a child. She deserves to know.
And I tell her. I explain how her brother came to be on a hit list. My pack’s hit list, to be exact.
She’s quiet, absorbing the news that someone in my pack killed her stepfather.
Every muscle in my body is tense as I wait for the words, get me the hell out of here. Or something to that effect.
“The guy with the dagger tattoo is in your pack, isn’t he?” she says at last.
I nod.
“And he’s after me because he thinks I’ll lead him to Demetrius.”
Why does she have to be so dang smart?
“So, you protected me from your pack,” she continues. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re my mate,” I say. “I’d protect you from anything.”
Her breath catches. “Even your pack?”
“Especially my pack.” I give a grim laugh.
She worries at her lower lip. “That’s a big deal,” she says, almost to herself. “All that stuff my mom said about werewolves—”