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  The fullness of him being inside me, combined with his teeth claiming me is almost enough to make me come again. Who would have thought the mating bite would be so erotic?

  Sharpening my canines, I take my turn biting into his neck, taking a pull from his blood; his essence, and he groans before starting to move above me. Pure ecstasy replaces the pain.

  I writhe and moan beneath him as I meet him thrust for thrust. He starts slow and soft, but as my body expands for him, he pumps harder and faster into me. His movements become wild and the moans of pleasure he makes push me to the edge.

  All too quickly, I am exploding around him and screaming his name. He growls before biting into my neck again just before spilling himself into me.

  He collapses on the bed next to me as my body continues to spasm.

  We don’t move for a while as we try to catch our breath, and calm our racing hearts.

  Our bite marks have already healed. When I learned about the mating ritual, I had thought it to be so weird and gross, but not only was it intimate between the two of us, I felt more one with my wolf than I ever have before. It was another thing that I never thought I would have the chance to experience before. Not like this anyways.

  I feel complete as I lay here next to the sexiest man alive, and think about how much has changed since I left the place where I had spent my entire life. First, I am kidnapped by the Canadian Alpha, and then rescued by Darien, who turns out to not be the crazy-ass murderer I thought him to be. Instead, he is truly my mate. And now I am his.

  Chapter 10

  “Want to go for a run?” His question elates me.

  “Is that a serious question?” I practically leap to my feet. He laughs at my sudden burst of energy and joins me. “Can we actually do this here?”

  “Certain places, yes. It’s probably a bit trickier than where you’re from, but for now, just stick with me or someone in the pack until you learn the ropes.”

  We shift then, and Darien leads us to the same exit as before.

  The sun is almost at its highest point in the sky. We bolt across the field in broad daylight. Darien is fast. Faster than my old pack mates, but I’m still faster. I trained myself to run faster and longer than any wolf in my pack. I wonder how he got so quick. I know he wasn’t training to run away like I was. And then I remember our ability to speak to each other, so I ask him with my mind.

  He takes a little time before responding and I wonder if last night was just a fluke. We reach the forest and dart through the trees before finally slowing our pace.

  My father was training me to be strong enough to help him take out the surrounding Alphas so that we could have more land. I didn’t know any better.

  Then as I got older, I started to suspect what he and the other Alpha’s were doing. That’s when I started doing extra training on my own, and with Trace and Asher, so that I would become stronger than he was. I took him out, along with all the other Alpha’s involved. I just wish I had accomplished it sooner.

  You were just a kid, Darien, I say, but he remains quiet for a few moments.

  Since then, I have continued training for the sake of my pack and any others that might need help in case there are any other Alphas or wolves like them.

  And now you have me here to help, I say after listening to his story. How could I have seen this man as a killer? He is a much better person than me.

  I appreciate it Ari, and you will be a great asset to the pack, but we both know that women, especially you as my mate, are not allowed on the front lines. I have sworn to protect you, he says and what happened next was out of my control.

  I attack. Being behind him, I have the element of surprise when I leap onto him, knocking him over.

  Ari, what the—we tumble together, but I am on my feet first, and already charging again. I aim to sink my teeth into his throat, but he turns just in time, and I end up with a mouthful of his shoulder fur instead. He growls and turns on me.

  I wait for him to attack, but he just stares me down, using his Alpha abilities to make me calm down. Surprising him again, I charge once more. He braces for me, prepared to counter, but I spin away at the last second before maneuvering myself behind him.

  When he turns to find me, I clamp my jaws onto his exposed throat.

  He freezes. I could easily rip out his throat, but that is not my goal and hopefully he knows it as well. Getting my point across that I can be on the front lines is the true reason for my attack.

  I can be of more use than you think. I don’t need protection, I release him.

  What just happened?

  Don’t sweat too hard about it. Most people underestimate me, and you weren’t trying to fight back anyways.

  No, not that! How did you ignore my control? Oh that. I hoped that this would never come up, but once I figured out how to break my father's control it was a piece of cake to do it again. I can’t tell him about my father though. That could cause a whole new war.

  I don’t know. Maybe because we are mates now, I wave off his question.

  No, that’s not it. You don’t seem surprised by it either. Have you done this before, Ari? I don’t answer, but he guesses on his own. You broke your own father’s control?

  Once. Just recently, actually. He would sense it if I lied. Hopefully he realizes he can’t take on my dad since I broke his control just the same. So much for trying to prove a point. I don’t currently yearn for war, but I hate that I can’t even be considered because of my position and gender.

  What does this mean? He asks, and I shrug in response. I honestly have no clue either. It’s unheard of. Never before has a female broken an Alpha’s control. Hell, few males have even been able to accomplish that. My father's control is one thing, but Darien’s too?

  Darien

  We continue to run, both lost in our thoughts. Earlier, I thought she was trying to kill me. Hell, she would have killed me if that were what she was really trying to do. Though I didn’t want to have to use my control on her, I was left open due to the fact that I hadn’t expected her to break through my control. Once I think I have her figured out, she throws me for another loop. Damn woman has my head spinning in circles.

  Ari’s words from before keep playing in my head. From the day I was told that I would have to mate to whoever was chosen for me, I chose to run away and learn how to take care of myself. I trained every single day in the hopes that if ever given the chance I could try to escape.

  I can’t blame her. After all, I felt the exact same way not long ago because I didn’t have much of a choice either. If I did have a choice, I would pick the woman I was somehow lucky enough to get anyways. She really is different, and not because she thinks she is weak. The more I think about it, the more I admire her for what she did. It takes a strong resolve to continue down the path she started. If she had ended up with someone like the Canadian packs Alpha, I would be glad she had the skill to free herself, but if caught, she would have been killed.

  Arranged marriages have been around for a long time, and wolves don’t change as quickly with the times as humans do. I believe most werewolves want to pick their mates, but not many royals have complained about the benefits of their positions. Ari wants something different from power and money though. She wants something real, and that’s definitely not weak in my eyes.

  If she wants something real, I will do whatever it takes to give it to her, but I don’t think I could ever let her leave. I know I can’t let her go, but I also don’t know if I can allow her to fight alongside me and the rest of the pack if there was ever a war. She is strong and crafty, but she is also too important to risk. I’d worry too much about her, and that would hinder my own fighting ability.

  Though we have only been together a matter of days, and I hadn’t even wanted a mate in the first place, my wolf and I would be seriously wrecked if anything happened to her.

  Somehow, I am going to have to tell her that it’s just not possible. The only problem with that is I’ve learned she
can break my control. Granted, I didn’t put too much force into the command, it still should not have been possible. She is not the first skilled female I have met, but there is something different about her.

  Most female wolves are very obedient, and even the strong ones have a need to please or keep the calm. I can’t say that I don’t like her rebellious side though. It is sexy as hell, but her safety must come first.

  However, her ability to break my control, along with her own father’s control has me stumped. Not to mention the fact that we can communicate in wolf form as well, which is a rarity in itself. Who is this woman of mine?

  I have no idea what any of this means. Even she doesn’t appear to know. And the only other time she has broken an Alpha’s command was apparently recent, but is that because she couldn’t before or just hadn’t tried? Maybe if I knew more about her, I could at least guess at a possibility as to how she can do that, but I know next to nothing of her past.

  All I know is that I am mesmerized by her strength and endless abilities. There is something about the way she always looks ready for anything while also so unsure of herself at times, just like a new pup. In a way, that is kind of what she is since she has hidden most of her life. She is more wolf than woman, and I think I love that about her.

  I also can’t seem to stop thinking about this morning when I finally made her mine. I knew sex would be better with a woman versus the palm of my hand, but holy shit, that was like nothing I have ever experienced before. That moment, and the sexy look of pure ecstasy on her face, when she came undone beneath me, will be forever ingrained in my memory.

  After hours of running and chasing down small critters for lunch, I lead my mate back home. I need to take the time to get her to talk about her past so that I can try to figure all this out. I don’t like the feeling of being in the dark. I also want to get her back in my bed, but the pack will be coming over to meet her soon.

  Once in the house, she follows me back to the room so that we can change back into our human form and get dressed. Ari, still in wolf form, drags her bag into the bathroom and closes the door. Still a shy thing, is she?

  I am the only one who has seen her naked body since she chose to grow up away from her pack mates. Is it wrong that I am happy about that fact? I go downstairs and outside to give her some space in order to try to clear the increasing dirty thoughts from my head. I breathe in the fresh air and sit down on the porch swing. The sun is bright and warm as it cuts through the cool air.

  Minutes later, Ari meets me on the porch, wearing jean shorts and a long t-shirt with her long hair flowing down to her waist. She looks beautiful, and I am too stunned to look away from her. There is nothing flashy about her outfit, nor is she wearing makeup to enhance her beauty, but that is the part that captivates me most.

  “Are you okay?” she asks with a raised brow, completely oblivious to her effect on me. Thank heavens. I pat the empty spot on the swing beside me and she takes the hint. At least she won’t ignore everything I ask of her. She keeps a little distance from me, and I don’t move to close the gap. If a few inches of space will make her more comfortable, I could afford her that.

  “So, what did you do all day in your old pack?” I ask a little rougher than I intended. She tenses and eyes me warily.

  “Where did that question come from?”

  Damn I should have eased my way into this. I’m not just the Alpha. I am her mate.

  “I’m sorry, I was just thinking about what you said earlier and I want to get to know you.” She curls back into herself, but answers anyways.

  “When I was younger, I stayed close to home by order of my dad. I hunted and ran as far as I was allowed when I wasn’t picking fights with my pack mates,” she pauses and I wait. “When I got older and stronger from all the training with the other fighters, dad let me run some of the territory lines, not that anyone has ever been dumb enough to attack us until now.” I was shocked to find that her dad allowed her to do such a dangerous task, but I was more curious about something else.

  “You never did anything with your pack?”

  “Aside from a few pack hunts and training, no. Some tried inviting me along for stuff, and I wanted to, but what would be the point? I wouldn’t be staying. I’m surprised I stayed as long as I did.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did or I might have missed my chance,” she turns bright red, and I realize what I said aloud, but I am not ashamed of it. I truly am glad she has been saved for so long. And then something dawns on me. Something I should have realized sooner. “Wait. Does this mean you have never been on a date?” my heart stops as I wait for her response. She shakes her head from side to side and I leap off of the swing. “Oh my God. I am such an asshole!”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Go get ready to go! Wear something warmer,” I pull her frazzled form up off the swing, and start pushing her towards the stairs, and practically shout at her in my panic. Of course, she stops and turns around with hands on her hips.

  “What is going on, Darien?” she snaps at me.

  “I’m taking you on a date, woman, which is the first thing I should have done if I had known, so I am sorry for that. I will make it up to you now, Ari,” I kiss her hand, but she pulls away.

  “It is not necessary, Darien. I don’t need all that fancy stuff. I just want to start my life.”

  “Well, that’s exactly what we are doing. We are going to start your new life as my mate. And as my mate, you deserve to be taken out on a proper date. Now get your butt upstairs and get ready or I’ll never let you out of my bed.”

  “Is that supposed to bend me to your will?” she laughs, a seductive laugh that goes straight to my groin. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea. No. I need to do the right thing. Ari needs to go on her first date, and I want to be the man to take her on her first, her last, and all of the ones in between. She is mine now, and I have to take care of her, starting with all the things she missed out on.

  “Just move it, woman,” I swat her on the butt playfully and she rolls her eyes before finally complying. “Oh, and wear your hair down,” I command, and wait for her to challenge me. She turns and stares in confusion, unsure of what to do, and I think we are both surprised when she blushes and quickly runs up the stairs.

  While Ari gets ready in the bathroom, I call Trace and Asher and tell them I’m postponing the pack meeting until tomorrow night and that they need to contact everyone for me. I change in the bedroom before going downstairs to wait for my hot date.

  About 25 minutes later, she comes down looking absolutely perfect. She doesn’t wear any make-up aside from maybe mascara, but, just like I asked, she let her long brown hair fall free over a long, loose t-shirt that bares one of her shoulders.

  I’m not surprised that she wears jeans, tight jeans that fit her amazon legs perfectly, and her combat boots to complete the outfit. God help me, we may never make it out the damn door.

  Chapter 11

  Ari

  Walking down the stairs in a huff, I find Darien staring at me like an idiot. I can’t believe he is making me do this. I like the idea of staying in his bed better. Would you look at me, one time, and I’m already sex crazed. It doesn’t help that Darien’s muscled body makes me drool and his scent drives me crazy. Even his voice sets me on fire, especially when he says my own name.

  He is dressed much nicer than me, with dark blue jeans, a light brown button-up that makes his eyes pop, and cowboy boots. His dark hair looks messy but styled at the same time if that’s possible. All I know is that it is sexy as hell and he looks like one of those men featured on the covers of romance novels.

  If I had to describe him, I’d say he mostly resembles Theo James, but taller and buffer, and has green eyes rather than brown of course. I feel like a little girl standing next to a gorgeous, full-grown man.

  “Sorry, my best outfit was destroyed by Alpha Flint,” and I immediately regret my words when his teeth suddenly elongate and he growls in disgust. Damn, I can�
��t do this. He knows I have never been on a date. I’m going to ruin this night and shatter whatever image he had of me. He puts himself back together before taking my hand in his and leads me out the door.

  I let it go once again, avoiding angering him further.

  Darien drives us to a restaurant that looks more like a shack. I step out into the cool night and his warm hand takes mine before leading me to the building. He releases my hand so that he can open the door for me, and I step inside with arms crossed over my chest awkwardly.

  Every eye in the place lifts to me, to us. I take a deep breath before letting my arms fall to my sides. I glare at them all before lifting my head as I walk past them to a quiet table in the corner. I ignore the looks that follow me and focus on my surroundings. Among the humans, I can smell werewolf in here but there are too many smells to determine how many and what is old and what is fresh.

  I take my seat and trust that Darien can pinpoint who is who better than I can. After all, they are his wolves.

  The table in front of me is made of wood with carvings of mountains, trees, and a moose on the surface. It is very well done, which makes me feel nervous about eating on it. A candle is lit at the far end of the table, creating a romantic mood, and I’m reminded why I am here.

  Darien sits in the booth across from me with a wry smile on his face.

  “Sorry, it’s nothing fancy, but it’s the best we have,” he apologizes.

  “Darien, I’m from Alaska, not France,” he smiles at my response, “This is perfect, so stop worrying.”

  “Well, they don’t serve duck either,” he says and in the next instant he is grabbing my hand to pull me back down into my seat. “Very funny Ari,” he chuckles, and I shrug in response.

  “I guess I can live with my second favorite,” I see the spark of interest in his features.