I knew turning my back on the wolf would get me killed.

That didn't stop panic from creeping in anyway.

Run or?

Stay and try to dodge his teeth?

Wolves always went for the throat.

That thought alone made my body shake hard enough to slow my reaction.

The wolf lunged.

I screamed and threw myself sideways, already waiting for fangs to rip into my skin—

Strong arms slammed into me first.

The ground hit hard.

A solid body took most of the impact beneath me.

I gasped against a broad chest, stunned for a second before I looked up.

Vaelor.

Dark eyes. Hard jaw. Massive body curled protectively around mine while he absorbed the fall himself.

His arm locked around my waist.

Tight.

Possessive.

He wasn't looking at me.

Following his stare, I froze when I saw a black wolf facing the white one head on.

Huge.

Terrifying.

Vaelor pulled me upright effortlessly, keeping me tucked against him.

If panic hadn't been flooding my system, I might've noticed how warm he felt.

How safe.

The white wolf never stood a chance.

The black wolf moved first.

Fast enough to blur.

A vicious snarl ripped through the air before powerful jaws locked around the white wolf's throat.

The sound turned my blood cold.

This was the second time I'd witnessed what wolves could really do.

Both times because someone was trying to save me.

The memory hit hard enough that I buried my face against Vaelor's chest automatically.

"Hey." His voice dropped low near my ear. "You're okay."

I looked up at him instantly.

"Why did she attack me?"

The whisper sent heat straight through me.

His yellow eyes stayed locked on mine. Real concern sat there openly now. No arrogance. No mockery.

Just him.

For a few dangerous seconds, neither of us spoke.

My eyes drifted lower.

Sharp jaw.

Perfect mouth.

His lips pressed into a hard line, but they looked soft enough to ruin my entire life.

I jerked myself out of the thought immediately.

He hated me.

I couldn't stand him.

"I didn't do anything to anyone here," I muttered, trying to focus on fear instead of the sudden ache spreading through my body. "I don't understand."

"She's not from this pack," Vaelor growled toward the white wolf. "And she's going to pay for touching you."

"She?" I stared at him.

The wolf was female?

Our bodies were still pressed together. My brain was starting to melt from it.

"You can let me go now," I murmured awkwardly, trying to step back.

Vaelor tightened his hold immediately.

"Kaelen," he snapped without looking away from the wolf. "Get her."

Then his voice dropped lower. Deadlier.

"Vivienne. Shift. Now."

The white wolf transformed within seconds.

A blonde woman appeared where the wolf had been.

Short hair. Perfect body. Completely naked and clearly aware of how beautiful she was.

She approached with her head lowered, every movement dripping with sensuality.

Kaelen shifted too and grabbed her arm roughly before she got closer.

"You know the consequences for attacking someone under Alpha protection," Vaelor said coldly.

"I only wanted to scare her." Vivienne sneered toward me. "She's human. I don't see the problem."

Then everything stopped making sense.

Vaelor exhaled sharply beside me.

His mouth brushed mine for half a second.

My body reacted before my brain did.

My arms wrapped around his neck instantly.

I kissed him first.

Hard.

Hungry.

My fingers tangled into his hair as I dragged him back down to my mouth, finally tasting the lips I'd been fantasizing about for days.

Sweet.

Warm.

Dangerous.

Vaelor let me take control at first.

Then I moaned against his mouth.

That was all it took.

His hand slid down to my ass, squeezing hard before he pulled me flush against him.

A low growl vibrated through his chest.

Possessive.

Filthy.

My entire body lit up.

I gasped against his lips when I felt the heavy outline of him pressed against my stomach.

God.

So this was what had been driving me insane.

Not anger.

Not irritation.

Him.

Vaelor broke the kiss abruptly, breathing perfectly controlled despite the hunger burning in his eyes.

Meanwhile I could barely breathe at all.

Heat flooded every inch of me.

"I need to deal with Vivienne," he said roughly, staring at me like he wanted to throw me over his shoulder and disappear into the forest. "She doesn't walk away from this."

His thumb brushed slowly across my swollen lips.

"But tonight," he added quietly, "we're talking."

It sounded less like a request and more like an order.

Again.

"Okay," I whispered anyway.

Vaelor stepped back reluctantly.

I stayed frozen where I was, still dizzy from the kiss.

Almost attacked by a she wolf.

Then kissed senseless by an Alpha.

My brain finally caught up with reality as I watched him walk away.

Oh.

My.

God.

I was the fated mate of a wolf.