I handed Willow a cup of tea as soon as she walked through the cabin door. Her whole face lit up, telling me that the tea was very much needed. Seeing how happy she was to see me filled me with the kind of joy that only seemed possible on hair commercials.

The joy was tinged with an edge of sadness. Even though we’d been seeing each other nearly every day for the past month, and even though she’d accepted the mark and was even calling me her mate, I wasn’t any closer to getting Willow to believe that shifters should be able to be free in the world. I’d tried twice more to get her to open up about why she couldn’t live in a world where shifters were free, but she refused to talk.

I was also pissing off Caleb. Over the last few weeks he’d made all sorts of plans and forged new relationships with shifter packs across the world. And I’d been there for none of it. The guilt of my lack of involvement had crept up on me slowly, but every time I saw Willow, all other thoughts fled me head. It didn’t help that she didn’t ken and wouldn’t agree with what we were doing.

Even though Willow brought me endless joy, the mission and my lack of attention to it weighed on me more and more. I ken we were fast approaching the time when we would have to act. And I’d have to choose – Willow, or the shifters.

I didn’t ken which I’d choose.

“This Raynard wedding is insane,” Willow said as she kicked off her shoes and came to peer over my shoulder. A strand of her wavy brown hair fell against my skin, sending a jolt of energy across my flesh. “There’s so much to organise, and the date’s coming up fast. I’m lucky I have a few vendors down in London who owe me favours, because pulling this thing off is going to be tight. What smells so delicious?” She peered over my shoulder as I stirred the sauce.

“Passata. It’s an Italian meatball dish.”

“I see cheese.” Willow lifted the lid on the bubbling sauce. Her hands snaked along my arms, over my shoulder. The force of our connection tugged at me, and it was everything I could do to keep a hold of my spatula and not throw her against the wall and take her there and then. “I’m sold. Can I help with anything?”

“You can sit over there and look beautiful.”

She plonked herself down in the edge of the bed. “I’ll give it my best shot. Irvine?”

“That’s my name.” I stirred another handful of grated parmesan into the roux.

“I’m not wearing any underwear.”

That did it. I dropped the spatula, crossed the room in two strides, and wrapped Willow in my arms. Our lips smashed together, and her tongue thrust itself into my mouth.

You’re weak, Irvine. My father’s voice thumped against my ears. You’re neglecting your own pack for this woman who doesn’t truly accept what you are. Your weakness will cost you everything you’ve worked for.

Stay out of this, old man, I shouted at myself. She needs me. The shifters have Caleb. He’s doing a better job than I could ever do.

Yet one more thing for me to feel guilty about.

I pressed my lips to Willow’s, hoping to drive out my guilt with the warmth of her desire. Willow rose up to meet me, her kiss as aggressive as mine, her tongue forcing itself deep inside my mouth.

As long as my secrets stayed secret, and I kept her safe from any possible threat, then maybe … her lips are like heaven … maybe I could hold on to what we had, just for a bit longer … so soft, so succulent …

“The passata will burn,” Willow whispered against my lips.

“I don’t care,” I growled. I flicked open the buttons on her shirt, tugging it off her shoulders to reveal the milky softness of her skin. My cock throbbed against my thigh as I yanked her shirt fully away tossed it across the room. Her breasts bounced free. I kissed her ferociously, running my hands over every inch of her, wanting to commit every gorgeous curve of her body to memory.

I hoped Willow liked it hard and fast, because I wasn’t going to be able to control myself around her this time.

From the way she was kissing me back, making soft mewling sounds as she clawed at my shoulders, she liked it just fine. We staggered backward until we hit the edge of the bed. Willow leaned back into the covers as I crawled on top of her. We tore at each others clothes, tossing aside the fabric that separated us.

“Hold on,” Willow breathed. She reached down and yanked off her prosthesis, dropping it to the floor with a loud bang. I tried to push her shoulders back, but she grabbed my cock, stroking me hard, her fingers hot.

“Careful, Willow Summers,” I growled against her ear, enjoying the way she shivered with delight. “You might end up with a handful of wolf juice if you keep that up.”

“Mmmm, I think I’ll take my chances.” She grinned as her grip on my cock tightened.

I moaned as she pumped me harder, her hand sliding over my entire length. With her other hand, she ran her fingers over my balls, scratching the area between my scrotum and asshole and sending a flush of heat through my body.

Oh sweet Jesus Mary and Joseph did she learn that trick from an internet search too? I’m not gonnae last, I’m gonnae …

I grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-stroke. Is this really the same Willow, who was so timid and afraid just last month? “Sex is making you sassy, Willow Summers.”

She grinned. “Maybe I’ve got ten years worth of scenes from trashy romance novels burning a hole in my head that I want to live out.”

“I ken how to wipe that smirk off your face.” I shoved Willow back and buried my head between her legs. She moaned as I thrust my tongue against her clit. Her hand dropped from my cock and she tossed her head back, letting out an even louder moan. I loved hearing her lose control like that, and give into her desire.

I attacked her clit with my tongue, pounding it again and again, lapping up the sweet taste of her. Her fingers dug into my shoulder as she drew closer to release.

Willow’s thighs clamped around my head, and her body shuddered as her first orgasm tore through her. I planned for it to be her first of many. I didn’t even let her finish before I lifted her left leg onto my shoulder, and thrust myself inside her.

Willow arched her back, her eyes wide as I filled her deep. Her walls tightened around me, surrounding my entire length in her delicious warmth. I rode her hard, watching every contortion of her face, every sigh and moan and clench. Her fingers clawed at my arms as I pounded her with all the heat and passion I possessed. Even with her leg resting on my shoulder, she dragged me down and thrust her tongue in my mouth.

Her right leg snaked behind me, and without her other foot in the way, I had even more space for manoeuvring. My body rocked against hers as we moved in perfect unison, rising up to meet each other with each thrust.

My whole body tightened as heat flooded my veins. I howled as I came, the force of my orgasm tearing through me like an earthquake. Willow shuddered against the bed, crying and mewling as her own pleasure enveloped her. Utterly spent, I collapsed beside Willow, withdrawing from her and dragging her into my arms.

A burning smell from the kitchen alerted my nostrils. Damn. I dragged myself upright. I’ll have to redo the sauce now—

Outside the window, a branch snapped.

“What the hell was that?” I whipped around so fast, I dragged the blankets with my foot, tossing Willow off the bed. She yelped as she hit the floor.

“What was that for—” she started, but I held my finger to my lips. I stared into the trees, focusing my gaze on the area directly opposite the window. The moon had just begun to rise, casting eerie shadows through the trees and making it nearly impossible to discern shapes. But I’d seen it. I ken I had.

“Irvine, what is it?” Willow asked from behind me. I didn’t take my eyes from the trees, waiting for the landscape to reveal itself to me. I pushed open the window a crack, and a gust of cool air hit my chest. Yes, there it was – a faint scent on the breeze. Human, and not someone I recognised.

So what? That could be any one of the other cabin residents, out for a ramble in the moonlight.

I kept searching the trees. Finally, the tall shape – dressed in green fatigues and nearly invisible amongst the thick foliage – came into focus. A man. He would’ve been invisible to anyone who didn’t have the heightened senses of a werewolf. But he wasn’t invisible to me.

“Irvine, please.” Willow sounded terrified. She clambered up beside me and thrust her head into the square of the window. “What’s wrong?”

As soon as her head appeared, the man disappeared into the bush. Every nerve in my body stood on end. He’d been watching us. That wasn’t another resident. That was a deliberate stake-out.

“What’s wrong is there’s someone out there watching us,” I said.