Zara

"Useful?" Alpha Kane’s eyes blazed, but I stood my ground. "What good is a connection with that wolf to me?"

"If I can get to him at the right moment, who knows what I might overhear?" My gaze remained firm and unwavering, but my lips curled into a sly smile.

The connection with Marcus felt like a silver shard lodged in my blood. Of course, part of me longed for him, but the rest of me couldn’t stand the enemies. I felt neither hostility nor disgust toward Alpha Kane, as his touch and presence seemed to consume me entirely.

However, I couldn’t deny that the connection with Marcus had its perks. If I managed to establish this connection, I could drop in on him at any moment. Who knew what plans I might overhear?

I saw the pain hidden beneath the seething rage in Alpha Asher’s eyes and ignored the sharp pain it pierced me with. I couldn’t put into words my feelings for Alpha Kane.

How can you explain how someone’s mere presence consumes you? How can their touch ignite every cell, every nerve ending in your body? Even though I wanted more from Alpha Kane, I would have agreed to anything to stay by his side.

I desperately hoped the Moon Goddess wouldn’t be cruel and bind me to someone like Marcus. Another problem, buried so deeply that I didn’t allow it to surface, troubled me.

If Marcus were my mate, it meant terrible things were destined for me. If Alpha Kane were my mate, it meant I would become the Luna of his vast pack.

Alpha Kane knew there was nothing we could do to remove Marcus’s mark from my neck without my mate claiming it. This thought made my heart pound as I looked into Alpha Kane’s dark eyes.

"I don’t want him, Kane." I shook my head, my heart pounding as I took the risky step. "But I want this war to end, and I want our pack to feel safe again. We both know that what I’m eavesdropping on could change everything."

Something flickered in the deep obsidian depths of Alpha Kane’s eyes, a feeling I wasn’t prepared for. For a moment, I feared he’d be angry that I’d forgotten his title, but a glimmer of pride flashed in his eyes.

Gradually, his stubborn determination gave way to irritated acceptance. I knew he wanted to keep me safe, to keep Marcus from touching what was his, but he had to know how far I was willing to go.

"I don’t want him touching you again, Zara," Alpha Kane growled, his jaw muscles tensing. "Keep your distance, but listen carefully."

While Alpha Kane was still seething with anger, I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t expected him to actually listen to me, as an equal. Feeling bold and eager to see just how far his feelings for me had gone, I rose from the bed.

The silk blanket fell to the floor, revealing every inch of my soft skin. This time, I didn’t feel cold, as Alpha Kane’s dark gaze chased away the lingering chill.

Instead of awakening a sweet, anger-shrouded lust in Alpha Kane, I did something I’d never done before. I walked up to him, as if his searing gaze didn’t make every inch of my skin flush, and wrapped my arms around his neck.

I felt him tense, probably thinking the same thing. I’d never made the first move, and I’d certainly never tried to comfort him. Instead of looking him in the eye, I buried my face in his chest, letting his all-consuming scent fill my nose. Cedar, and just a hint of something sweet, earthy, and incredibly enticing.

Slowly, his tense posture relaxed, and his large arms wrapped around my waist. My heart was pounding, but a small smile appeared on my face, hidden by his dark shirt.

Very quickly, my face lifted from Alpha Kane’s chest as he lifted me into the air. His rough hands gripped my hips, sending a blissful wave to my heart.

His dark eyes stared into mine, his pupils blending with the dark color. His full lips twitched in a smile as his hands...

"Do you feel tender, Zara?" "Alpha Kane smirked, his sly expression causing a disbelieving blush to appear on my cheeks.

I narrowed my eyes at Alpha Kane. "I tried to comfort you, and you still won’t let me touch you."

My fingers trembled at the thought of feeling the hard surface of his stomach and the softness of his skin.

Alpha Kane’s sly grin widened, and amusement gleamed in his eyes. His hands grabbed my buttocks, pressing me against him.

"I let you touch me, Zara."

My throat tightened at his words, and my body responded to his touch. I knew what he was talking about, but in my eyes, it didn’t matter.

He never let me run my fingers over his muscles. He kept me at a distance until I was ready to give myself to him completely, but that didn’t change my feelings for Alpha Kane. Although I seriously doubted it, he was saving himself for his own, couples, he liked to tease me.

"Four days," I thought with annoyance. The thought made me blush, but I couldn’t deny my attraction to Alpha Kane. Though I knew little about his family and personal life, I was certain he would never harm me. He gave me a sense of safety and comfort.

"I remember very well." I cleared my throat, frowning as he traced a finger over the flush on my face.

Just as his smooth lips parted to answer, there was a knock on the door. I saw a flicker of irritation in his eyes, and then, finally, a reluctant acceptance as the knock returned with renewed vigor.

Alpha Kane placed me on the floor, his dark eyes seeming to say we’d finish this later. Even though he refused to give in completely, my body ached with anticipation.

I went to the closet, grabbed some hastily thrown-on clothes, and trudged into the bathroom to change. From inside the bathroom, I could hear Alpha Kane opening the door.