TER

disappeared around the corner. It felt like my bones were shatteri

ed the shift. Fur receded, snout shortening, claws retracting. The transformat

a . Gone. And i

g forgiveness. But I couldn't move. Could barely ke

ything. Scared her. Hurt her. Dr

e ground. Pain shot up my arm but I welcomed

tentative voice said. A hand touched my

er back, Alpha," he said, quiet but firm. "

doesn't want me. You saw her face. She was terrified

pped around her slim waist. "She's your true mate, Colema

didn't feel it. She couldn't have. Or she wouldn't

ched my arm and this time I let her. "S

e right. "How? She doesn't even know what we are. Wha

aybe not today or tomorrow. But she'll come back to

forced. I wanted her to choose me. To l

exchanged a

with you, if she doesn't receive your mating bite...

ugh my veins.

"The moon has chosen her for you. And you for he

rror dawning. "She'

she won't be able to complete it. Her wolf will be trapped inside h

me. I lurched to my feet. "No. No, I

"We all will. The whole pack. We'll bring o

ily's encouraging smile. For the fi

ate," I said, my voice ro

ueezed. "Then let's go g

nstant companion, my guide. "Please," I whisper

sing Lily's blonde hair. Almost lik

pulse through me, bolstering me. Elena was mine.

nd her. To explain. To beg her forgiven

fighting for. Worth dying for. My

d. Must find ma

I vowed to the moon-was

, long and fierce and desperate. A h

n, I prayed my sweet, stubb

ly ate. I spent every waking moment searching for Elena . C

th

And with every dead end, every passing day, the pain i

pping. It didn't understand. Couldn't comprehend why w

. Just an endless litan

. The one person I couldn't live w

rits up. But as the full moon approached with no word on

ng into the crackling fireplace at the packhouse.

like that, Alpha. She's strong. She's a fi

d to believe. But the fear gna

t, closing my eyes. Jus

od on the back porch, watching the bloated orb rise over the tr

ged with pain. I knew, deep in my bones, Elena w

dy changed, soothing her fear. Should sink my teeth i

g for control. It scented our mate

her face this

ift, phasing in a burst of fur and fury. Elena 's sce

r tonight. Even

legs eating up the distance. my pack fell in be

on't give up. She's stro

ocused on that gossamer thread tu

by. I'm coming

s past exhaustion. Following her s

ll pulled up beside me, t

There, tucked behind a copse of trees just o

Her scent slammed into me like a battering ram,

he ground. Go to her,

g about my nakedness. My every cell screamed fo

tears streaming down her pale, beautiful face. Her green eyes met m

," I br

t me, and I saw the moment it cli

e whimpered, r

g, gathering her fevered body into my arms. I burie

as she quaked and panted. "

ging her fingers into my sh

troked her damp hair, kissing her temple. "Bu

to her lashes. Trembling with the ef

palms. Touched my brow t

gh her. "I...I don't kn

eart. "Us. You're my mate, Elena . My one true love. An

moments. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Oka

tilting her head to bare the sweet line of her throat. The wolf in

n. Then I bit down, marking her, claimin

ared to life between us. I laved the bite with my tongue,

ispered. "My love

first rays of sun pierced the van's windows. "My Cole

ever be rid of me now. I'll love you forever. Pro

as the dawn, and I fell

so much still to learn. About each o

t we could face anything as

scended species. Defie

f a wolf f