Page 20 of The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate
She’s staring at me. At my wolf.
Her eyes are wide, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling with quick breaths. There’s fear there—she’d be stupid not to be afraid after what just happened—but there’s something else, too.
Awe.
My wolf moves before I can stop him.
Four massive paws carry us up the road toward her. Every rational part of my brain is shrieking at me to stop, to shift back, to maintain distance.
But my wolf doesn’t listen to rational thoughts.
He just fought for her. Protected her. Defended what’s ours. And now, he needs her to know that she’s safe.
I reach her, and she goes very still, watching me with those wide, unblinking eyes. I can hear her heartbeat racing, can smell the adrenaline and fear and some sort of sweetness underneath.
Recognition. The mate bond vibrating between us, even now.
My wolf lowers his head and nudges her gently with his muzzle.
Safe. You’re safe now. We protected you.
Sienna sucks in a sharp breath. Then, slowly, hesitantly, her hand drops from the car door and reaches out, trembling as it moves toward me. Toward us. I should pull back, should shift, should end this before—
Her fingers brush against my fur.
The contact sends electricity racing through every nerve. The mate bond pulses with life, hot and insistent and undeniable. My wolf rumbles deep in his chest, a sound of contentment and claiming.
Mine.
For one perfect, impossible moment, her hand rests against my fur and the bond sings between us and everything feels right—
No!
I jerk away, stumbling back three steps.
What the hell am I doing?
I force the shift, fur receding and my human form returning. The transformation is violent and painful in my haste. Within seconds, I’m standing on human legs again, naked and breathing hard.
One of my guards rushes over. “Sir, you’re injured—”
“I’m fine,” I interrupt him, taking the extra clothes he offers me. I turn my back to Sienna. I can’t look at her. Can’t bear to see whatever expression is on her face right now. “Get the rogues secured. I want them questioned before we release them back into neutral territory.”
“Yes, sir.”
I yank on the pants, then the shirt, my hands moving on autopilot.
“Get back in your vehicle,” I say to Sienna over my shoulder, and my voice comes out rough, harsh. Too harsh. “Now.”
I see in my peripheral vision how she flinches. My chest twists painfully at her reaction, but I ignore it. I have to ignore it.
“All vehicles,” I bark into the radio that Monroe tosses to me. “Reposition. Center SUV moves directly behind mine for the rest of the drive. No arguments.”
I don’t wait for confirmations this time. I head back to the lead vehicle, my shoulders rigid, every muscle locked tight.
Behind me, I hear her car door close. Hear the engine start.
Monroe gives me a long look as I climb back into my SUV, but he’s smart enough not to say anything.
