Filed to story: The Alpha’s Pen Pal Book
She shakes her head. “Not really.”
My hands move to her shoulders, and I stroke down her sides, feeling every curve of her body. “Good. You shouldn’t be. You’re going to do great,” I reassure her.
“Thanks,” she whispers.
I reach her hips and stop my movements just as another ice-cold breeze blows through the forest, pushing a whiff of her arousal towards me. And holy fucking Goddess, it’s even sweeter than that day in the weight room. Her leggings must have prevented me from smelling the full intensity of the fragrance that day. My mouth waters and my dick hardens as it fills my nostrils.
My fingers dig into her hips and I clench my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut. Baby steps, I remind myself. Stripping her down and eating her out are not baby steps. And while both of us would enjoy it, it will one hundred percent bite me in the ass later when she learns I’ve known she was my mate since the moment I met her.
It’s time to initiate phase three.
I clear my throat and nudge her with my chin until she pulls her head back to look at me. “I’m sorry.”
Her brow furrows. “Why?”
“I lied to you about something.”
Confusion fills her and her body tenses. “What?”
“Sebastian’s not it. I am.”
She blinks at me, then her eyes widen and her jaw drops open. “Reid!” she shrieks, pushing herself off me and leaping over the fallen tree.
“You better run, Cadet!”
I hop up after her, pausing to give her a head start. She sprints away, darting around trees, her squeals and laughter bouncing off the trunks and into the sky.
I hurdle over the tree and take off after her. She glances over her shoulder at me and winks as she grabs the hem of my shirt in her hands and pulls it over her head. I catch the briefest glimpse of her naked body right before she shifts into her adorable wolf.
And, Goddess, what a body. Even that glimpse of it has my dick twitching and aching to sink into her. I’m so tempted to pull a Haven and Wes and drag her into the depths of the forest, toss her onto the ground, and take her from behind, so I can grab handfuls of that sexy, tight ass of hers. I already know what it feels like when she’s clothed, and I can imagine how much better she’ll feel when she’s laid bare beneath me, taking everything I have and begging me for more.
I grit my teeth and shake my head as her wolf disappears off the path, my T-shirt held in her jaws. “Baby steps,” I remind myself once more, closing my eyes and taking deep breaths.
And then I’m right behind her, shifting into my wolf too, letting him chase after our prey.
Our mate.
TARYNIt’s here.
Challenge day.
I stand at the edge of the training field at Silver Ridge with Dawson, waiting, heart racing and palms sweating. I’ve been up since dawn, unable to sleep, instead finding peace in Reid’s voice as we talked on the phone until an hour ago, when I left the packhouse to stretch and warm up.
His deep voice soothed and calmed me, settling the bubbling anxiety in the pit of my stomach. As we talked, I imagined he was with me, laying beside me in my bed, his muscular body and arms pressed against me and holding me, his powerful hands caressing and massaging my body, aiding in washing away my worries.
I may have told him I wasn’t nervous, but how could I not be? My future here in Silver Ridge is riding on this challenge.
He can’t be here today. It’s against Silver Ridge’s rules for an outsider to witness a pack challenge or ceremony. He understood since Crescent Lake has the same rules regarding pack traditions. But I could tell how much he wished he could come. To be here to support me and cheer me on.
It’s fine. I am fine. I can do this without him here, even though there’s nothing I want more.
“Are you ready?” Dawson asks.
“I’m always ready,” I say.
“I’m rooting for you,” he says. “You deserve this. You’ve earned it.”
I blow out a breath. “Thanks.”
“Kick ass, Tear Bear.”
He fist bumps me, then crosses the field to where Dominic stands in front of the gathered crowd. Almost everyone in the pack is here. The only members absent are those on patrol and any who already had business scheduled off territory before the challenge was announced.
Dominic steps forward and lifts his hand, and the crowd quiets, waiting for our alpha to speak.
“Today is an unusual occasion. Taryn Campbell has invoked the warrior laws enforced by our king and his council, and she will complete the challenge set forth within those laws. She will first face a wolf of impressive skill in hand-to-hand combat in human form. She will then complete a two-part race—the first half, she will run in her human form, and the second half in her wolf form, through the obstacle course created by Delta Conor and myself. And finally, she will face the same wolf in combat, but in wolf form.”
The crowd whistles and cheers and I step onto the field, walking to where Dawson stands behind him.
“I know these events can be exhilarating and intense, but as a pack, we should be supportive and encouraging of our members as they compete. We are a family, and family roots for each other and cheers each other on.” He glances over his shoulder and gives me a small smile, then takes a deep breath before he continues speaking. “I made a mistake when I prohibited Taryn from being a warrior, when I put her in the bottom level of the training courses instead of giving her a proper evaluation. I can’t take that back, but I hope all of you will join me in cheering her on today and wishing her success as she proves to all of us just how strong a Silver Ridge warrior is!”
The roar from the crowd is tumultuous, and I smile and lift my arms, waving at everyone.
It may be too late, but Dominic’s heartfelt speech bolsters me. My Cookie Monster may not be here with me, but having the support of Dominic, Dawson, and the rest of Silver Ridge almost makes up for his absence.
Almost.
Dominic walks to me and puts his hands on my shoulders, leaning close, his gray eyes searching mine. “You’re facing Blake,” he says, and I nod. “She’s scrappy and fast, and I know she won’t take it easy on you even though you are friends. Even though she wants you to succeed.”
“That’s Blake all right,” I say, and he chuckles.
“I’m in your corner, Taryn. I know I haven’t been there recently, but I’m back now, and I believe in you.”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?