Loved by The Alpha Wolf (The Lone Wolf Book 1)

by K. T. Stryker

  “What’s happened?”

  Jenny turned to him, her face glowing red with a sudden embarrassment. “Uh, nothing. I just thought this maybe wasn’t the best place.”

  He glanced at Connor, who rolled his eyes. “Why not?”

  “Because of that!” Jenny exclaimed, pointing through the trees toward what appeared to be an old tumbledown shack. “We don’t know who owns that or whether they’re planning to come back.”

  “And I’ve said it’s fine,” Connor replied, huffing. “It’s obvious no one’s been in there for a while. We’re not going to leave the truck here for long, and this was the best place I could think of putting it. I don’t think I could drive it any farther in even if I wanted to. The trees get too thick.”

  Ross grinned, thinking that he quite liked seeing Jenny like this, strong and determined. She’d never been part of a pack before, and she was already trying to find her place in it. That was good. He didn’t want her to be a quiet little mouse, just doing what he—or what anyone else—said. Her opinion was valued and important.

  "Have you looked in it?" he asked, seeing Connor shake his head. "Let's go."

  Walking over to Jenny, he flung an arm around her shoulders, leaning forward to look into her face. “You’ve got a point, Jenny, but let’s go see what it’s like inside before we make a decision, OK?”

  “OK,” she replied, throwing a dark look at Connor. As they walked, raindrops began to fall through the leaves.

  “I’ll stay here,” Connor called. “We’ll need to get something to eat before we move.”

  “Sounds good,” Ross replied before turning back toward the shack.

  Jenny glanced up at him. “When are we going to start walking?”

  “We’ll shift as soon as it gets dark,” he answered, moving his hand from her shoulder to her waist. “Then we’ll try to find that river. It shouldn’t be far away. It’s only around five miles to the East River pack.” He smiled at her. “Do you think you’ll manage it? I know we didn’t get the greatest amount of sleep last night.”

  A slight tremor went through her as she dropped her head. “I’ll be fine,” she mumbled. “I slept for a bit in the truck.”

  He grinned, as a raindrop splashed onto her nose. Wiping it away, he opened his mouth to say something, only for another one to dampen her cheek. Ross heard raindrops hit the forest leaves, and before he knew it, he was already soaked to the skin. He could barely even see the truck or Connor.

  “Come on!” Grabbing Jenny by the hand, he ran toward the cabin, hoping it would give them some shelter from the rain.

  Tugging at the door, he heard it splinter. Pulling it with all his strength, it eventually gave way and he slipped in with Jenny following him.

  “Where did that come from?” she gasped, wiping her face with her hands. Her hair was damp, and she attempted to pull it back into a ponytail.

  "It's a good thing," Ross replied, looking around the tiny room. "It means the tire tracks and any of our scents will disappear completely." Dropping her hand, he walked a little further in, taking in all the sights and smells. The room had a small electric heater, a thin-looking rug, and a couch. There was a long table and a rickety chair, but that was all. No crockery or any homey touches to indicate that someone came here regularly.

  “Looks like you’re right, though,” he said, walking over to the heater and flicking the switch. To his surprise, it came on at once. “This isn’t as run down as it looks.”

  “Then we’d better move, hadn’t we?” Jenny asked, sounding anxious. “What if they come back?”

  He shrugged. “I doubt anyone’s going to come back right now. No one’s been here for a while. See how stale it smells?”

  Jenny sniffed then wrinkled her nose. “So, you think we’ll be OK?”

  Turning back to face her, Ross grinned. “We’ll be fine for half an hour or so. This heater’s working, so he must have got some kind of electricity supply somewhere.” His sharp eyes caught a drip running down the side of her forehead. “Come over here and get warm!”

  “I’m fine,” Jenny sniffed, looking entirely miserable.

  “You’re soaked.”

  She wiped the dampness from her face, giving him a wry smile. “Yeah, I am.” Walking over toward him, she peeled off her top and hung it up on the rickety old chair. “Just as well we’ll be shifting soon. I could do with my fur to warm me up!”

  Without thinking, Ross wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her close. “I’ll warm you up if you like.” He couldn’t quite keep the suggestive tone from his voice as a sudden spark of heat rushed straight through him. Jenny relaxed against him.

  “Sounds good,” she murmured, lifting her head so she could look into his eyes.

  Even with her scrunched hair and damp face, Ross still thought Jenny was beautiful. She gave him a soft smile and without even thinking, Ross bent his head and kissed her.

  Ross felt Jenny soften, her own arms slowly twining around his neck. His wolf yipped, urging him on, but Ross needed no encouragement. The memories of the last time they had been together surged into his mind, making his body jump to attention. He deepened the kiss, his arms beginning to explore her body. The damp vest she wore clung to her body, making her curves all the more obvious. Lifting the material, his fingers traced over her skin.

  Jenny gave into Ross’s kisses immediately, her need for him growing by the second. Dropping her hands from around his neck, she slowly ran her hands down his shoulders and across his chest, feeling the rock-hard muscles beneath. When his fingers touched her skin, she gasped against his mouth before tugging at his own shirt.

  Everything she’d been worried about—the state of the cabin, whether someone would come back, even Connor— left her mind the moment she put her hands on his skin. Heat filled her, coiling in her core, as his tongue slowly twined with hers.

  “This maybe isn’t the best time,” Ross murmured against her mouth, his hands dropping from her waist.

  “Don’t even think about stopping now,” Jenny gasped, her eyes searching his face. “Please, Ross. Not again.”

  He studied her for another moment his breath coming quick and hard. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes still on her face. “I want you, Jenny,” he confessed, quietly. “I think I need you.” Slowly, so slowly, he put his hands on her shoulders, letting them run down the front of her body, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Jenny was consumed with need. She wanted to finish what they’d started, even if it was in a stale old shed with the rain falling heavily outside. She wanted Ross too, needed him in a way that was almost overwhelming. Her wolf wanted him. This was going to be more than just sex. This was a promise, a branding, a joining of souls.

  “I—I think I’m falling in love with you, Ross,” she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed. She wanted to say more but couldn’t. He was sparking too many sensations in her, dragging her breath from her body.

  “I feel the same, Jenny,” he breathed, as his hands cupped her breasts, kneading them gently through the thin material. Jenny arched her back, pressing herself against him, feeling his desire for her press against her body.

  With a low growl, Ross stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head, before reaching for Jenny and practically tearing her damp vest from her body. Their mouths clashed together in fury and desire, their tongues battling for control. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her body more firmly against his as his hands dug into the waistband of her jeans. Jenny grew warm, her own trembling fingers running down the length of his body, stopping at his waist.

  For a moment they stood together, looking into each other's eyes. Ross moved her slowly back toward the long table, his eyes aflame with desire. Jenny saw the question in his eyes, as though he wanted to make sure she wanted this as much as he did.

  “Don’t stop now, Ross,” she whispered, softly. “I need this. I need you.”

  With a groan, Ross pushed her back against the table, his fingers workin
g at the buttons on her jeans. She struggled to do the same to him, but he was there in seconds, helping her. He stood a step back, his eyes roving over her body. Jenny struggled not to hide herself, feeling suddenly exposed, as her own gaze covered his body. His strength was evident in every muscle of his body, her breath catching as she saw just how much he wanted her. Holding her arms out to him, he stepped closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.

  "You're so beautiful," Ross breathed, running his hands down her shoulders to gently caress her breasts. He was slow and gentle with her with a tenderness she hadn't expected from such a powerful shifter. His lips found hers again as one hand moved lower, his fingers reaching her core. His touch sent shockwaves through her, making her gasp and arch against him. As his fingers moved, she couldn't help but begin to rock her hips against him, a quiet moan escaping her lips.

  With a growl, he scooped her up in his arms, depositing her on the table. It groaned beneath her weight, but she lay back anyway, exposing herself to him completely. Heat built as he ran one hand down the length of her body, then the other, as he settled himself between her legs. His length pressed against her, teasing her as she drew in frantic breaths, desperate for him.

  “Please, Ross,” she breathed, letting out a long, slow breath as he finally slid into her. Looking into his eyes, Jenny saw the fire inside them, matching the heat she felt growing in her own body. He paused, letting her body become used to him. A muscle in his cheek jumped as he held himself back, waiting for her to make sure she was ready.

  His fingers lightly touched her center, making her moan as he slowly began to move inside her. Throwing her head back, Jenny pushed her hips up, arching her back against the table, urging him on. Ross didn't need any more encouragement, moving faster as his fingers worked, pushing her toward the brink.

  Jenny squeezed her eyes shut, her entire body tightening. She felt Ross’s hand move from her core to her breasts, squeezing each one lightly as he groaned aloud. She knew he was close, her own body growing hotter and hotter, her need reaching its peak.

  He thrust into her again, his hand running down the length of her body again, reaching her core. At his touch, Jenny shattered into a thousand pieces, letting out a long, intense cry of pleasure. Unable to stop, Ross pushed into her one more time, before his own body jerked, his hands grasping her hips tightly as he pushed his own hips forward. His eyes squeezed closed, throwing his head back as a wave of heat rushed through him, ending him completely. Slowly, he stepped back, as Jenny pushed herself up on her elbows, her eyes still hazy. Seeing the look of heat cross his face as he watched her, Jenny gave a small smile, not feeling embarrassed in the least.

  “Not the most romantic setting,” he mumbled, stepping back toward her and pulling her against his chest as she sat on the edge of the table.

  Jenny chuckled, her entire body filled with satisfaction. “Next time, we’ll get a nice hotel room or something.”

  He looked down at her with a small smile on his face. “Definitely. Next time.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Thankfully, Connor didn't say a word when they finally emerged from the shack, although Jenny was sure he could either sense or smell something. Instead, he just grunted and muttered something about the rain.

  “It’ll have covered our tracks pretty well,” Ross said, back to his usual authoritative self. “But it’s already getting dark. We need to eat first and then get ready to go.”

  Connor grinned. “Food’s all ready, although I might find a rabbit or something on the way.”

  Jenny’s stomach rumbled. “Sounds good,” she replied, walking to the back of the truck and pulling the back door open so she could perch on the edge. “I’m not going to pretend I’m not hungry.”

  “It’s all that exercise,” Ross murmured, handing her a roll filled with some kind of meat. Heat filled Jenny’s face as she smiled back at him, fully aware of what he meant. “Eat up.”

  A self-conscious smile on her face, Jenny ate, trying not to think about what had just happened between herself and Ross and focusing instead on what they had to do next.

  “Where do we have to go from here?”

  Ross scrunched up his face, frowning heavily. "Once we shift, we'll be more likely to hear the river, but basically we're going upstream, up toward those hills." He nodded to Jenny's left, to some hills surrounded by gray clouds.

  “We’ll need to stay close to the river the whole way,” Connor added, brushing some crumbs from his jeans. “The East River pack are expecting us. I had a call from Thomas while you guys were, uh, in the cabin.”

  Jenny looked away, praying her face wasn’t going red. “I’m ready to go,” she murmured.

  Ross grinned at her self-conscious face before pulling off his shirt and throwing it at her face. Surprised, Jenny caught it, laughing as he winked at her. “Ready to shift?”

  “Sure.” Jenny threw Ross’s shirt back at him before bending down to pull off her boots.

  Connor cleared his throat. “I’d better go around to the front,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “See you in a minute.”

  Jenny couldn't help but look at Ross as he threw his clothes in the truck. His arm snaked around her waist as she pulled off her T-shirt, pressing his lips to the curve of her neck. "If we didn't have to go…" he whispered hotly in her ear, making shivers run down her spine.

  “I know,” she murmured, turning to look at him. Kissing him hard, she pulled away, letting her wolf come out before he had another chance to grab her.

  Ross let out a bark of laughter, slamming the truck door shut just as Connor’s wolf appeared, the truck keys in his mouth. Locking the truck, Ross bent down and put the keys somewhere underneath the truck, keeping them hidden from anyone who might come looking for them. Then with a slight grimace on his face, Ross shifted.

  His wolf practically sprang from his body, ripping his skin before reforming with fur. His eyes sharpened, his nose picking up every scent imaginable. He walked over to where Connor and Jenny were, peering through the trees to where they would have to walk.

  It’s a long way until we reach the next lot of cover, Connor rumbled, his lip curling back to reveal a set of sharp white teeth. I don’t like it.

  Ross’s instincts bent much the same way. There were a few long, open fields of grass and what looked like some kind of corn before they reached the next copse of trees, but they couldn’t exactly just stay here. It was already beginning to get dark, and Ross could already hear the distant sounds of the river. They had to just make a run for it.

  There’s no one here, he replied, looking at Connor steadily. We have to go now while we have the chance. He could tell from Connor's low growl that he wanted to stay until it got much darker, but time wasn't something they had a lot of. They had to get to the East River pack as soon as possible to make sure Jenny was protected, as well as to warn them of the danger. They only knew about Davidson and the Damsons, but Ross was worried that Davidson might already be trying to recruit new hunters to his cause, their hatred of shifters stemming from Davidson's need for revenge. Ross knew that there were plenty people out there who would join a vicious, bloodthirsty cause just for the sake of it. A low growl left his chest. I’ll lead the way.

  Jenny looked up at him, her muzzle almost touching his. I trust you, she said, before pointing her nose to where they were heading.

  His body came alive with energy as he padded forward out of the trees and into the open. His nose worked hard, smelling for anything unusual, but the heavy rain had dampened the scents. All he could smell was rain and flowers and grass. Nothing unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary.

  With a quiet yip, Ross walked forward with Connor and Jenny on either side. Breaking into a run, they tore across the grass, almost swallowed up by the long grass.

  Suddenly, the sound of an engine met Ross's ears. His breath came in short, sharp gasps as he kept running, his ears pointing backward as he listened. The trees loomed a
head, their silhouettes beckoning as the shifters grew ever closer. The sound of the vehicle's engine did not die away as he'd hoped. Instead, it grew closer, as though it were slowly traveling along the road. His heart beat faster, adrenaline shooting through his body as he raced forward with Connor and Jenny just behind him.

  Finally reaching the cluster of trees, Ross threw himself forward before turning around and flattening against the ground. His ears pushed forward just as Connor and Jenny did the same. His sides heaved with exertion, his wolf form shaking slightly with the effort it had taken to push himself so hard.

  What is it?

  Ross said nothing to answer Jenny’s question, keeping completely silent and still. The engine shuddered to a stop.

  It’s them, Connor said, his words laced with rage. We have to go. The river is close.

  Waiting for just a few more seconds, Ross heard the unmistakable sound of Davidson’s voice, sounding angry and frustrated. That was all he needed to hear.

  Keeping his body close to the ground, Ross moved away , desperately needing to find the river. They had to hide their tracks. If the Damson shifters were nearby, they might be able to catch their scent, even with the rain-dampened earth.

  I’ll lead us to the river, he said, glancing over at Connor and seeing his bared teeth glint in the moonlight. You and Jenny listen for the Damsons.

  There was no bark of agreement, but Connor and Jenny’s ears flicked back at once, doing as he’d asked. Moving through the trees, Ross fought the urge to run, knowing it could spell disaster if they did that. They had to keep moving slowly and quietly. Listening hard, Ross crept forward, his paws barely making a single sound. Their path took them upward as they climbed a small hill, trying to find the river.