Page 70 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

She watches me for one breath.Then she bolts, and I give chase.The run is different tonight.Last time, there was play.Testing.Joy rediscovered.Tonight there is all of that, but something deeper pulses beneath it.Holly runs ahead, fast and agile, weaving through trees, leaping fallen branches, cutting sharply along the creek path.

She does not run from me.She runs knowing I will follow.

I keep pace behind her, close but not crowding, letting her lead.Her paws strike the dirt in a rhythm my body learns instantly.When she veers left, I’m already there.When she slows, I slow.When she darts beneath a low branch and glances back with smug wolf-eyes, I snap at the air behind her tail and make her yip.

She loops back and rams my shoulder.I stumble dramatically because I’m a generous mate, she looks insulted.Then she launches at me.We crash into the leaves together, rolling, snarling, snapping without bite.She pins my muzzle with one paw, victorious.

I sneeze.By accident.Again.And The night goes very still.Holly’s wolf stares at me and I stare back.Her whole body shakes with laughter.She’s laughing at me in wolf form.

My dignity dies in the leaves.

I shove to my paws with a huff and turn away as if deeply offended.She darts after me, nipping at my flank, her tail high, and eyes bright.

I let her chase me until the clearing opens ahead.The same creek.The same moonlight.But tonight, when Holly slows at the center, the air changes immediately.My wolf stops beside her as she looks up at the moon before looking at me.

The question is there.Not in words but in the way she steps closer.In the way her shoulder brushes mine.In the way her wolf lowers her head and presses her muzzle beneath my jaw.

Trust.

My wolf trembles in anticipation, and I press my muzzle to the top of her head, breathing her in.

Mine,my wolf whispers.

This time, Holly’s wolf answers.Ours.

The bond flares so bright I nearly stagger.

Holly shifts first.Her human form unfolds from fur and moonlight.She kneels in the grass, breathing hard, hair falling around her face.When she looks up at me, there’s no panic in her eyes.Only desire.

“Daniel.”

My shift tears through me fast.I end on my knees in front of her, naked, shaking with restraint I can barely hold.She reaches for me and that is all it takes.I pull her into my lap and kiss her like the moon itself is burning down around us.

She moans into my mouth, arms locking around my neck, her body melting against mine.Her skin is warm from the run, her heart racing against my chest, and the bond between us is no longer a hum.

It’s a song.Loud and wild.

I slide my hands over her back, down to her hips, gripping her as she straddles my thighs.My cock is hard between us, pressing against the wet heat of her, and I grit my teeth to keep from lifting her and sinking into her in one desperate thrust.

“Holly,” I rasp against her mouth.“Tell me now if you need more time.”

Her eyes meet mine.“No more time.”

My control fractures.I kiss down her throat, stopping above the place where my mark will go.Her pulse beats wildly beneath my lips.

“No claiming until you say it,” I murmur.

Her fingers tighten in my hair.“I know.”

I lay her back in the grass, lowering myself over her slowly.She spreads her thighs for me, and the sight nearly ends me.Moonlight on her skin.Her hair tangled in the leaves.Her eyes locked on mine.

Not afraid.A little nervous but very ready.

I reach between us, stroking her gently.She’s slick and hot, opening for my fingers with a broken little gasp.I take my time, even though the beast inside me is clawing to get free.

“There you go,” I whisper, watching her face.“Let me get you ready.You’re so pretty like this, sweetheart.So open for me.So brave.”

Her cheeks flush, but she does not look away.“I like when you say that,” she admits, voice shaky.