He backed out of the center of the circle, gesturing for Coby and Kylarai to take his place there. They did so with some hesitation. They were evidently as surprised by this announcement as the rest of us.
The pack raised their voices in tribute to their new leaders. I joined them, happy to see Kylarai take on the leadership role I knew she’d been born for. This was for the best. Neither I nor Shaz could bring trouble to them if we were no longer part of them. Still, I felt bad for Shaz. He deserved to have a pack to call his own.
Resuming his wolf form, Shaz nudged my flank and bounded into the trees. I followed, dying to ask him a dozen questions. We went a good mile or more from the others, stopping only after their voices had faded in the distance.
Certain that we were alone, I shifted, needing a human voice. At my request, he followed suit.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going to do that?” I demanded. The ground was cold under my feet. A twig poked into my heel, but I barely noticed.
“So you could try to talk me out of it?” He asked with a chuckle. “No way. I know you, Lex.”
“But, why? You fought for that pack. They’re yours.”
“Not anymore. I needed to do it. My place is with you.” He placed a finger on my lips, muffling my protests. “We need to make contact with the city wolves. You need to reach out to them, and I’ll be by your side when you do it.”
“It’s not going to be that simple.” I pushed his hand away but held it tight.
“Nothing ever is.”
“Being with me means being in the world of vampires.”
“It always has. You’ve never been just a wolf, Alexa. I’ve always accepted that.”
What more could I say? Shaz had made his choice. He knew what he risked. There was no point in arguing or begging him to change his mind. So I did the only thing I could. I kissed him.
His tongue slipped between my lips, delving hungrily into my mouth. This time when I ran my hands over him, he didn’t push me away.
Passion and instinct drove us to the forest floor. I couldn’t get enough of the way he felt. My hand closed around his shaft, and I was pleased to find him already hard for me. His soft moan encouraged me as I stroked him. We lay together, surrounded by nature while love and desire consumed us. His mouth was hot on my neck and chest as he licked and nipped my sensitive flesh.
I needed to have him, here in the forest, where we belonged. Unlike our last encounter, I was not the aggressor. There was no bloodlust present within me nor did I see him as prey. Instead, I wanted him to claim me.
Shaz didn’t need my submission. Already he was taking a dominant stance, reaching between my thighs to slide his fingers inside me. His mouth claimed my nipple while his fingers worked magic. Deciding I was ready for him, Shaz nudged my legs apart. He entered me with a slick thrust. That first stroke was my favorite. Having him inside me brought a happy sigh to my lips.
It had been so long since we’d made love like this, under the stars. We moved together, our pace frenzied but tender. Claws and fangs gave an aggressive edge to the carnal act, but there was genuine emotion behind every touch, every kiss and bite.
The masculine scent of him was mouthwatering. All I could taste, breathe and feel was Shaz. I was a willing slave to the passion that consumed us.
Face to face, we gazed into one another. My breath came faster, and my heart pounded in my ears. The cool night air was a soothing caress on my sweaty skin. My white wolf possessed my body, making it his in every way. We had both needed this moment.
Learning to live in the moment was starting to come easier. My future might have been predestined in many ways, such as my link to Arys or being a Hound of God. However, I knew that nothing was written in stone. Things could always change. We all had choices to make that would alter what came next.
Choosing to embrace it all, good and bad, risks and benefits, I was determined to move forward bravely. I was tired of being afraid, tired of expecting the worst. I had a job to do, and I was going to see it through. Even if it killed me.
Shaz’s devotion would never cease to surprise me. In recent days, he seemed more sure of our role together than I ever had. He had always been the balance I needed, the one who kept me from being consumed by Arys’s darkness. Maybe it wouldn’t always be so, but I would never forget the lengths he was willing to go to for me.
Being there in his arms, gazing up into his fabulous green eyes, I was able to submit myself to whatever lay ahead. I found strength in those who loved me, my friends and family. Their willingness to back me, regardless of what that meant, was more than I would ever deserve. And I cherished it. I would do anything for any one of them. We were stronger together.
Still, I knew deep in my heart that when push came to shove, I would have to walk this dark path alone.
Epilogue