The stables smelled of hay and horseflesh when she stepped inside. The faint, but pungent, aroma of manure clung to the air and several horses nickered a greeting to her as she passed their stalls.

Elijah stepped out from one at the end of the aisle, and she broke into a jog, eager to join him. They didn’t bother with exchanging greetings, other than the joining of their lips in a hungry kiss, as he pulled her into the semi-privacy of the horse stall.

Heat pooled in Mila’s stomach and trickled lower as he cupped her ass, pulling her close. His eager cock pressed into her stomach, and her hand moved between their bodies to stroke it over the worn denim of his jeans.

When he lifted his head, gasping for air, his cheeks were red with passion. “I didn’t know if you would meet me. I know it’s risky, but I had to see you.”

She nodded. “I don’t have much time.” Mila tilted her head. “How did you know I would be here?”

“I didn’t.” He kissed her neck, and she melted against him as he spoke. “I came to talk with my sister. When I saw you strolling across the grounds, as perfect as a picture in that spring dress and white sweater you’re wearing, I asked her to deliver a message for me.”

That’s why the woman had looked so familiar. Now that Mila knew they were related, the family resemblance was unmistakable. They had virtually the same shade of hair, the same color eyes and similar bone structure, though his sister’s was more delicate.

Mila frowned. “I didn’t even know you had a sister.” She glanced up at him, panic sparking in her eyes. “Oh my god, Elijah. We barely know each other at all. How can we —”

“Shhh,” he interrupted, trailing his fingertips across her collarbone to dip down to her breast. “I know I want you.” He snaked an arm around her waist, drawing her flush against him, and gazed into her eyes as he cupped her ass in both hands and nestled her over his bulging cock. “I know I need you.”

She gasped, relishing the sensation as she moved her mouth over his and dipped her hands between them, hovering her fingers on the fly of his jeans.

“She said you were waiting for me,” she murmured between kisses. “I had to come.” With quick, coordinated movements, she tugged his fly open and yanked his zipper down, exposing him to her. Her mouth watered when his cock sprang free, colored with arousal.

He groaned as her fingers flitted over the head of his erection, and again when she pressed her warm palm against his shaft and teased his balls with her fingertips.

“Mila, what are you doing to me?” His voice was rough, his breath ragged as he caught her wrists in his hands.

“I want to take you,” she answered in a breathy whisper. “I want to consume you the way you consume me. Every minute of every day.”

She used his hold to steady herself as she knelt on the hay lining the stall floor, brushing off a wince as the sharp stalks poked through the gauzy dress covering her legs.

This is no time to be delicate.

She focused her attention on her mate’s erect cock, stacking her hands over the length of his shaft so she could feel his pulse throbbing beneath her fingers. She glanced up, absorbing the way his dark, hungry gaze smoldered down at her as she moistened her lips with her tongue and moved them over his cock.

She pressed a kiss to the tip, sliding her lips across the broad head as she opened her mouth to take him in. She felt him shudder as her tongue circled the ridge and moved downward, pressing against the underside of his cock as her mouth made a slow, sure descent all the way to the base of his cock.

He twisted a hand in her hair and cupped the back of her head, bracing himself on her shoulder with the other hand. He let out a quiet moan as her lips made a slow journey up to the tip of his cock and back down again.

Up and down, up and down. As she responded to his reactions, Mila’s movements grew more confident, her rhythm stronger, her pace more urgent.

Elijah’s groan of pleasure echoed through the stall before cutting off abruptly, as if he was reining in his response. His hips bucked when she tongued the bundle of nerves centered in the V where his head met his shaft, and fluid trickled from the tip.

As he arched against her face, his hand buried in her hair, Elijah said her name in a tender whisper several times. His tone of gratitude brought tears to her eyes, and she looked up at him as his face contorted with pleasure. His cock spasmed in her mouth, bringing a rush of release. He had thrown back his head and a nearly silent howl escaped him, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.

Her body throbbed with need for him as he came. He sagged forward as his pleasure passed, and Mila removed her mouth from his cock. Elijah’s eyes were tender when he gazed down at her. He didn’t need to say anything to express what he was feeling. She already knew, because she was feeling it too.

Her heart ached. Oh, how she loved him. It seemed crazy to feel something so strongly after such a short time. And yet she knew it was true, with every fiber of her being.

She had fallen for him in a single night, drawn by his scent and dominating presence, fueled by the freedom of the full moon. She had surrendered her heart and body to him right then.

She and Elijah were forever bonded. Elijah was her mate.

After fastening his jeans, Elijah helped her to her feet. As she stood, all trepidation about betraying her duty to the pack vanished in a rush of clarity. She couldn’t possibly marry another man, regardless of her duty to the pack. Her duty to her own heart, to Elijah was all that mattered.

They had to run away. Tonight.

They had professed their love over and over since meeting that first night. But when reality hit, would Elijah really betray his pack? Would he really risk his own life to be with her?

His arms enveloped her, and his breath was a warm whisper against her cheek. “You’re so quiet.”

She notched up her chin to meet his eyes. “I’m just thinking about things.”

“What things?”

Shyness assailed her then, and she dropped her gaze to his T-shirt, fingering the hem as she found the courage to continue. “Jared.”

He stiffened, and his arms felt less warm and welcoming. His voice took on an icy edge. “I see. Eager for the wedding?”

She opened her mouth to reply, but he continued before she could speak.

He stepped away from her, crossing his arms over his chest. “I haven’t been anything, but a last fling for you, have I?” Elijah’s lips curled into a sneer. “One tumble with an Omega who wouldn’t dare tell anyone before going to your life as queen of the manor.”

Mila reared back as if he had slapped her. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for his hand.

“Elijah, please. I—”

“Don’t.” He cut her off, jerking his hand away as he yanked his jeans up and fastened his fly. He stalked past her, pausing to look over his shoulder as he crossed the threshold. Their gazes locked, and she feared she was on the verge of drowning in their deep brown depths, of throwing all caution to the wind and marching out with him, hand in hand.

But she couldn’t. Not yet.

She couldn’t dare challenge Jared so boldly. Such an open display of defiance would mean certain death for Elijah. She would quite literally be throwing Elijah to the wolves.

“You don’t understand,” she whispered.

“I do understand, Mila. I do.” Eljiah straightened, gripping the edge of the stall door so hard his knuckles paled. “I don’t expect you to give up your life of comfort and luxury for the likes of me.” His voice was strained as he continued. “But know this, Mila. I will always love you.”

Mila took a step forward, aching to touch him. She swallowed hard as he stepped back, narrowed his eyes and dropped his voice to a low growl.

“And wherever you go, whoever you end up with, you will always be mine.”

And in a flash, he was gone.