Liam was a stranger to her.
She didn’t know him at all.
He’d protected her, and rather than fight it, she embraced everything. Pushing all of her negative thoughts to one side, she focused on Liam and the path he was leading her down.
This felt right.
Liam stopped at the clearing, and she gasped. There was light from the crescent moon and stars reflected off the surface of the lake.
It truly was breathtaking, beautiful, and as Liam pulled her into his arms, everything felt exactly as it should be.
Chapter Three
Everything had been going better than he expected—until he sensed one of his rivals nearby. He’d recognize their stench anywhere. The lake was neutral ground, so neither of them were trespassing on the other’s territory. But his alpha wolf didn’t want a rival pack member near his mate.
“I could stay here all night,” she said, oblivious to the potential danger. Rebecca was mesmerized by the moon and stars. The water was nearly as still as glass tonight, the air comfortably warm. Although he’d never had a serious relationship, he knew how human females liked to be treated by a man. They wanted romance and attention, and he’d give her more than she could handle.
“Anytime you want to come, just let me know. People hike around here in the day, but I like it best at night.”
“You’re right. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“There are a lot of other beautiful spots around the town. I’ll show them all to you.” He dared to tuck her hair behind her ear. She didn’t flinch away, which was a good sign. Liam felt a strand between his fingers for a few moments. “I’ve never seen this color before.”
“I’m cursed. It must be my Irish roots.”
“It’s stunning, Rebecca. Reminds me of the harvest moon.”
Her mouth parted slightly, and she looked up at him with those big green eyes. She was shy with men, maybe uncomfortable with compliments, but right now he could feel her desire.
A wolf bayed in the distance, and she pressed her body against his, her forearms on his chest. He could barely contain his low growl of satisfaction. She’d sought him for comfort, and his little human had no idea how far he’d go to protect her.
He owned the night.
Liam was alpha to one of the most lethal wolf shifter packs in the state. Everyone in his world knew not to mess with the Grey Valley Pack. The human world saw a reclusive group of men who lived off the grid. They had no idea what Liam was capable of.
“I thought you liked wolves,” he said. He used a finger to gently tilt her chin up. She kept close, her big juicy tits pressed against his chest.
“I love them, but I don’t think they’d love me. We’re so deep in the forest. They could attack us.”
He wrapped his arms around the small of her back, loving their closeness. “I know a few wolves that would love you,” he said. “And as long as you’re with me, you have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re my knight in shining armor, aren’t you? You saved me from those jerks and you’re ready to protect me from the wolves.”
He leaned down, picking up on her lead. Liam kissed her on the lips, softly, tentatively. She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, pushing up on her toes so they could kiss deeper. She tasted delicious. He explored her with his tongue, her mewling sounds spurring him on. Liam kissed along her jawline to her neck. His fangs pricked his gumline, his humanity starting to slip away.
“I’ll do anything for you,” he said.
She tossed her head back as he suckled her pulse. “You barely know me.”
“That’s why I’m trying my best to change that. I want you to be mine, Rebecca. You won’t regret choosing me.”
Instead of being insulted, she reached her arms around his shoulders, her fingers combing into the hair at the base of his head. His eyes rolled back. Could she feel the hard ridge of his cock pushing against her stomach? If she could, it hadn’t turned her off. “I’m not sure what you’re saying, Liam. Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”
“I don’t want a girlfriend,” he said. “I want a woman, a mate, you.”
“Me?”
He nodded, then kissed her on the lips again.
“How many women have you said that to?”
Liam frowned. “Only you. Don’t you believe in fate, Rebecca?”
“I never really thought about it,” she said.
He wondered how many men she’d had. It didn’t matter, because he’d be the only one from this day forward. “Have you never been in love?”
She shied away a bit. “I’m not very good with people, Liam. This is all new for me. I just feel comfortable around you for some reason.”
“That’s a good thing, baby.” He ran a hand through her hair. “Are you telling me you’ve never been in a serious relationship?”