Reese’s inner wolf gnawed and clawed at him, begged him to claim Jane as his own. Now.

Her soft curves flush with his chest were almost too much for him to bear, her silken skin beckoning him and almost begging for his touch. Her warm breath fanned across his skin, her sweet scent filling his nose and straining his control even further. He stroked her hair and fought for calm, reminding himself of what she’d gone through last night. She’d suffered to reach him and claiming her now would be physically exhausting. She was pregnant with his pup and should rest.

Unfortunately, his cock—and his wolf—disagreed. Blood raced to his dick, his shaft filling and lengthening until he throbbed with want. His wolf nudged and prodded him, reminding him of her creamy skin and how good she’d tasted—how good it’d felt when she came on his cock. His balls drew up tight, aching and heavy between his legs. He’d sink into her over and over again until…

Jane sighed and shifted her weight from one leg to another, turning her head to nuzzle his neck. He wondered if she knew what her scent did to him, how her nearness affected his body and soul. Not just her nearness. Their nearness. He slid his hand down until he cupped the roundness of her stomach, the warm haven where his pup rested inside her. The reality of the situation—his new future—suffused him. No matter what happened outside this cabin, he and Jane were going to have a baby.

And if Jane was any indication of how their kid would turn out… he was going to be a fighter. Smiling, he slid his hand lower only to feel a gentle nudge against his palm.

Reese gasped and looked down to where his palm lay. Then he shifted his attention to Jane. “Did you feel that?”

“Of course.” Jane released a tinkling laugh. “I’m the one getting kicked.”

He dropped to his knees and cupped her stomach with both hands, aching to feel the nudge of his pup again. He wanted—needed—the baby to know that Daddy was there and wouldn’t leave him alone again.

“Incredible,” he whispered.

He’d already missed so much, but he refused to miss another moment.

He carefully turned his head and rested his ear on Jane’s tummy, listening to the sounds inside her. It could have been his imagination, his expectations projecting what he desperately sought, but he was sure he heard a rapid heartbeat.

This was his baby—their baby.

And he would do anything to keep them safe.

Closing his eyes, he pressed a kiss just above Jane’s belly button and then below it, a silent thanks for what she was giving him.

She giggled. “What are you doing?”

Reese ignored her and tugged on her shirt, lifting it to expose her pale skin. He brushed his lips over the swell of her stomach, breathing in her natural scent. Not just hers. No, there was a mixture of their flavors tinging her natural aroma. He rubbed his cheek against her skin, imagining himself nuzzling their child. If his calculations were correct, Jane was about halfway through her pregnancy, which meant he’d get to meet his pup soon.

But not soon enough as far as he was concerned.

Reese eased back and met Jane’s stare, her lips holding the smallest of smiles while confusion filled her eyes. “You’re incredible. Did you know that?”

She shook her head, another laugh escaping her lips. “I’m an incubator.”

“No, you’re so much more. You… you glow, Jane. You’re so beautiful you take my breath away.” He shook his head and then kissed her stomach once more. He breathed deeply, searching for their combined scent, but found something else there, too. The flavors of Jane’s desire taunted him, the musky sweet scent of her need drawing his wolf forward. His next kiss was even lower, closer to that delicious part of her and she squirmed with his attentions.

“Reese…”

He murmured against her flesh, speaking between sensual kisses. “I don’t regret a damn thing. I want you to know that.” He scraped his fangs across her hip. He remembered she loved feeling his teeth. “You and this baby are everything.” He licked away the sting and met her gaze again. “Everything.”

Jane blinked and swallowed hard. “Me too.”

“Will you let me show you? Let me show you what you mean to me?”

“What?” Jane whispered.

“Want to take my time. Want to show you how much I lo—How much I want you. We’ve fucked, but I want more for our mating. If you’re too tired—”

“I’m not.” Jane rushed out the words. “I already told you I want to be yours.”

“Good.” He grinned and reached for her jeans, sliding his thumbs in the belt loops and giving them a tug without fussing with the zipper. The fabric easily slid down her legs to pool at her feet.

While he worked, Jane pulled on her shirt, whipping it over her head. The whoosh of her shallow breathing told him more than words. She ached for this, anticipated the pleasure he could—would—give her. The thrum of her heartbeat hit double time when he reached for the edge of her panties. He pulled those away, too, revealing the prettiest pussy he’d ever seen.

Memories of their one night together flickered through his mind, the salty sweet taste of her arousal one of the highlights of the evening.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” Reese breathed and then leaned forward. He pressed gentle kisses to her thigh, nuzzling and nudging her to spread her legs. She eased them apart for him, giving him access to the pink flushed part of her he craved. He sucked on her skin, teased her with his fangs, and tasted every bit of her he could reach. His wolf growled in satisfaction, nudging and pushing him to move on with the claiming. It wanted to release his fangs and bite his mate, take her quickly before she could change her mind.

Tempting, but he would show her all he had to offer—everything she could expect for the rest of their lives. Reese wasn’t a one-minute man and he would remind her of that fact.

He switched his sensual kisses to her other leg, teasing before returning to his slow, careful trail up her thigh. He drew closer to his destination, her closely cropped curls teasing his nose, and he nudged her to step back.

“Sit. Need to taste you.” He hoped she understood his words since his voice held more than a hint of his wolf.

Jane eased to the cushions and lay back, weight on her hands and knees slightly spread to expose the juncture of her thighs. She revealed her glossy pink sex, divulging the strength of her need. So flushed. So wet.

Reese placed his hands on her knees and slid his palms over her skin, sliding up her thighs until he reached her hips. Then he retreated, retracing his path and sensitizing her skin to his touch. When he reached the curve of her hip once more, he traced the intimate crease where her thigh met her pussy. Slow and easy, gentle and sweet, he taunted his mate.

Jane rocked her hips, shifting from side to side, probably attempting to direct his movements. Didn’t she realize she was mating an alpha? He always got his way. Always. And right now, his way was a series of tormenting caresses.

He reached with his thumb and traced her pink slit, gathering a hint of the moisture coating her sex. Up and down, collecting a little more with each pass until he couldn’t wait any longer. He brought his thumb to his lips, digit glistening with her cream. Eyes on Jane, he slipped it between his lips and the salty tang of her musk danced over his taste buds.

He released his thumb with a pop followed by a rumbling growl. “Delicious.”

“You’re going to drive me crazy.”

Reese smirked. “You love it.”

Jane nibbled her lower lip and slowly nodded, her eyes dark with need and face flushed from passion.

“You’ll love this, too.” He reached for that pink pussy again, hand returning to her thigh. But instead of teasing her, he went for the little bundle of nerves that would make her scream. He slipped through the seam of her lower lips, her juices easing the way for his intimate caress. He sought her clit, easily finding the nub in her folds.

“Reese,” she hissed and threw back her head, back arched as she rocked against his thumb.

He grinned and watched her face, moving his thumb in small circles and observing her every reaction. He loved it when she whined. Loved the soft whimpers and the deep groans that came from stroking her clit. Jane spread her thighs even further, legs parted in invitation—an invitation he was desperate to accept.

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” he murmured and eased closer, lowering until his mouth was even with her core. “And things are only going to get better.”

“More?” she rasped.

“Everything. You want my tongue on this sweet pussy? Want me to taste you?” He didn’t wait for his mate to answer. He simply withdrew his thumb and brought his mouth to the apex of her sex.

He lapped at her center, gathering the musky dew of her need on his tongue as he moved.

“Yes.” She whined. “I want that.”

“Anything you want is yours. Anything.” His voice came out gritty and raw. Strained because he battled to keep the wolf at bay.

Reese circled her clit with his tongue, tapping the bundle of nerves with rapid flicks before continuing his exploration. He traveled south, teased her center and gathered more of her intimate sweetness. Her core tightened around his tongue as her body seemed to beg to be filled. He was anxious to give her everything she craved. When he was ready.

He gave her a long, leisurely lick along her slit, exploring her silken folds. It’d been five months since he’d reveled in her passion. It was like learning her body anew.

Up and down he traveled, nibbling and licking her, flicking his tongue and making her scream. Then he soothed her with slow laps of her clit. He repeated the caresses, memorizing her scent and taste.

He massaged her thighs, touching every part of her he could reach. He hadn’t remembered how soft and sleek she was. Hadn’t recalled how she trembled beneath his palms.

“Reese…” There was a plea hidden in her voice.

“What do you want, baby? Tell me.”

“Need,” she whimpered.

“Need what?” he murmured against her pussy lips. “My mouth?” He ran the flat of his tongue across her clit. “Or something else?”

Jane whined and gripped the cushions, squeezing them tightly. “Claim me. Make me yours. No more teasing.”

“I wanted to taste you. Make you come on my tongue before you come on my cock.”

“Please,” she whimpered. “Need you to claim me. Need to feel you inside me. Been so long.”

Too long as far as Reese was concerned. His wolf agreed, the beast nudging him to take Jane for their own.

“Fuck it,” he murmured and eased back to sit on his heels. He rolled to his feet and tugged on the button of his jeans. Another pull had his zipper lowering until his cock sprung free of the fabric confines.

And Jane watched it all. Those passion-glazed eyes remained locked on him, tracing his every movement. He shoved at his jeans until they fell from his hips, dropping into a heap at his feet. He kicked them aside, not caring where they fell. He only had eyes for Jane.

Jane with her plump breasts, silken skin and delicious pussy.

“You’re the sexiest woman alive.”

She skirted his gaze, cheeks turning pink while she avoided his stare.

Reese leaned over her, one finger beneath her chin encouraging her to look at him. She finally met his stare, uneasiness in those eyes. “I mean it. You’re beautiful—perfect.”

“Fat.”

“Pregnant,” he countered. “With my pup.”

He reached for her hands, skating his fingers down her arms until he reached hers. He twined their digits together and gave her a gentle tug until she stood. He drew her away from the seat, pulling her toward the bed she’d occupied overnight. He didn’t waste any time once he reached their destination, quickly encouraging her to spread out across the narrow bed.

Jane was bare before him, body just as perfect as he remembered. More so now that she sheltered his child within her body.

“Reese?” She held out a hand, reaching for him. “Come to me.”

Tonight would be an auspicious one—the night he claimed his mate—and it took all his self-control not to pounce on her now.

With a deep breath, he clenched his fists and eased onto the bed, settling on his knees between her spread thighs. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of this view, his mate exposed for him—wanting and waiting for him. Her chest rose and fell with her heavy panting breaths and her dusky nipples were hard, pointed tips. When he let his gaze travel south, he spied the part of her he could only describe as “heaven.”

Her pussy was sleek and wet for him.

No woman in his past had ever made him feel this way—like he was the luckiest wolf in the world simply because he got to gaze at her naked body.

“What are you staring at?” Her cheeks flushed a pretty rose.

“You.” He grinned. “Just looking at you and thanking God you’re mine.”

Her lips softened to form a gentle smile. “You’re not so bad yourself. I can hardly believe…”

You’re mine. He could practically hear the words even though she didn’t say them aloud.

“Me neither.” In spite of everything pulling them apart, this felt perfect. Like fate took everything in hand and pushed them together despite their problems.

The mattress creaked beneath them as he changed position, tugging her closer while he took a moment to study her body. She shivered and he had no idea if it was in anticipation or if the night’s chill had somehow invaded the cabin. Goosebumps raised on her skin and he stroked her arms, palms sliding across her soft skin and brushing them away. Then he followed the path of his hands, kissing every inch of her body until he reached her mouth.

Reese dropped a soft kiss to her lips, only retreating slightly. “Are you ready?” She gave him a shaky nod and he smiled down at her, awed by her trust. It wasn’t an easy thing for a wolf to bare their neck and invite a bite, but that’s what Jane would soon do for him. “Good.”

He trailed kisses down her neck, pausing to flick the shell of her ear. He licked and loved her skin until she released a soft moan and shifted against him, hips wiggling.

“Tell me what you want,” he reminded her.

“This. You. This is what I want.” Her soft voice filled the quiet room.

He kissed lower still, mouth brushing the swell of her breasts as he cupped her hips. He rolled against her, his thick cock sliding along her wet slit. The hot caress both sated and inflamed his need. So much yet not enough at the same time.

He soon found her nipple, the firm nub seeming to beg for his mouth. He rolled his tongue over the stiff nub and then drew it into his mouth, sucking deep. He laved the sensitive bit of flesh, teasing and tormenting her. She sank her hands into his hair, fisting the strands and tugging as if she could direct his movements. He was all alpha. He’d make love to her as he wished. She could get her way next time.

Jane arched into him and he tightened his grip on her hips, grinding against her soaked pussy. Her hot, slick channel beckoned him, promising him hour after hour of pleasure. A pleasure he’d been longing for since their one explosive night together. He nudged her clit with the head of his cock, teasing her with what was to come. She whimpered and whined, whispering words and begging for him to take her.

Take and fill and claim.

He should tease her more, prolong the moment until neither of them could stand the delay another second, but he couldn’t help himself. Not when the promise of perfection lingered so near. He lifted his head, releasing her nipple with an audible pop. Jane released his hair and scraped her long nails down his arms, the sharp points scratching his human skin.

Reese reached between them, the heat of her pussy bathing his hand in warmth while he gripped the base of his cock. He adjusted his hips enough to place the tip of his dick at her entrance, her core kissing the end of his shaft. He eased into her, a shallow penetration that tormented them both as he gave her short thrusts. Just enough to give them hints of what could be. He delayed their mutual pleasure, drawing it out even more.

“Reese. Please, please, please…” She lifted one leg and hooked it around his waist, muscles flexing as if she could force him to fill her.

“Shhh… I’ll give you what you need.”

Jane whimpered and wiggled her hips when he next dipped into her core. Fuck but that nearly sent him hurtling over the edge. Then she clenched around him, a tightening of her sheath that broke what little control remained.

Reese leaned over her, their gazes locked, and slowly fed her pussy his cock, inch by agonizing inch. Her silken wetness embraced him in a wet, velvet glove, massaging his shaft as he gave her more and more. She rippled around him once again, squeezing his hard length.

When their hips finally met, bodies melded as intimately as possible, his wolf howled with relief and hunger. Pleasure consumed him, both halves of him overjoyed at connecting with his mate once again. She felt even better than he remembered and it took all of his restraint not to bite her at that moment.

“Reese,” she gasped and reached for him. She cupped his cheeks and he let her pull him down, meeting her mouth in a passionate kiss. Their tongues tangled in a sensual imitation of what was to come.

There would be no holding back now. Not anymore. He wanted her to feel everything, every hint of his need for her. His tongue swept out to greet hers and her channel milked his length, urging him to move.

Which he did. Gladly.

Reese settled into a tormenting pace—one that taunted them both. He thrust in and then slowly withdrew, drawing out her moans and groans with every flex of muscle. Their hips met in a carnal rhythm that drove his need higher and higher. His balls slapped against her ass while his pubic bone rubbed her clit. He angled his hips slightly, searching for the spot that would make his mate scream and…

And he found her G-spot, the head of his cock stroking the bundle of nerves as he fucked her. Jane clawed at him, nails digging into his skin, and his wolf howled with joy. So hot. So perfect.

Jane rippled around him, the constant squeeze and release milking his cock and drawing his orgasm closer. In and out he drove into her and she panted along with him, her gaze never straying from his face.

“Claim me,” she breathed, her wolf’s amber eyes locked on his.

Reese felt his own wolf taking control, eyesight flickering to his beast’s while his fangs pushed through his gums. “Yesss…”

He picked up his pace, their bodies meeting in an ever-increasing rhythm while he fought to bring her to her peak. He pushed deep inside her, reveling in the delicious ripple of her inner walls. She was close, so fucking close, and that perfect moment would be here soon.

He turned his head and laved her skin, lapping at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. His release drew closer, anticipation and excitement shoving him toward the precipice. He scraped her damp skin with his fangs, imitating what would soon come, and then he felt it—Jane was breaking apart. She rolled her hips and met him thrust for thrust, commanding her pleasure. His balls drew up as she stiffened and constricted around him, squeezing nearly to the point of pain.

Without hesitation, he struck hard and fast, sinking his teeth into her flesh in a single, blurred motion. His teeth pierced skin and muscle just as Jane released her final cry of ecstasy. She trembled and jerked beneath him, nails digging deep into his back.

Jane’s blood filled his mouth, the coppery fluid coating his tongue, sliding over his taste buds and then slipping down his throat. His wolf howled in approval, relishing the new connection, the physical and mental ties that now bound him and Jane. He took another swallow, one more before he forced his jaws to open and release her wounded shoulder.

He pulled back and fucked her hard in quick, greedy thrusts. The bed shook and banged against the wall while he took what pleasure he could from her lush body until… Until his own release jolted through him, overtaking every other thought and feeling in his body. Pulse after pulse of bliss flooded his system while his cock throbbed within Jane’s wet sheath. His cum spurted from the end of his cock, filling her with his seed and branding her with his scent.

They were tied now, physically and mentally. Their scents entwined just as their minds were now bound.

He trembled and twitched, the last vestiges of pleasure slowing while the rapid beat of his heart eased and sluggish calm invaded. He slumped forward, and then carefully eased to her side, pulling her against him as he got comfortable.

Jane curled into him with a soft sigh, body relaxed and boneless.

Reese pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head and gave him a pleasure-tinged moan. “It was incredible. Better than anything I’ve ever felt.”

“Not true.” He grinned. “We’ve had sex before.”

She shook her head. “Not like this. The claiming… the connection. I feel you,” she pressed a hand to her heart. “Here. It’s…”

“Perfection.”

Jane’s soft rhythmic breathing had almost lulled Reese to sleep when an unfamiliar noise filtered through his slumber. Leaves crunching, murmuring voices, shuffling footsteps. He’d almost decided it was just the wind rustling through the trees when a loud voice boomed through the cabin.

“Where’s my daughter, you son of a bitch!”

Reese bolted to his feet in less than a heartbeat. Jane was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes as he yanked on his jeans and then sprinted for the door. Outside, Lance Coleman stood alone at the bottom of the wooden steps, legs spread and his fists propped on his hips. The man’s pungent scent nearly knocked Reese over—sweet and sickly at the same time with a hint of rot. Something was definitely wrong with him, but Reese couldn’t pinpoint the illness. He’d never smelled anything quite like it before.

“Daddy!”

Jane moved to brush past Reese, but he blocked her path. Her father didn’t look as if he was in the mood for a heartwarming family reunion. In fact, the flash of hate in his eyes when Jane came into view reinforced Reese’s decision to hold her back.

“You whore! How dare you leave Coleman lands to cavort with Warren scum!”

Behind Reese, Jane gasped and clutched at his arm. Fear, worry, and pain wafted off her in waves, and his wolf struggled to be set free. It wanted to avenge his mate. Now. Remembering his promise to save her parents, Reese took a deep breath to calm himself, but the elder Coleman wasn’t making it easy.

“And you!” the crazed alpha screamed, shifting his attention to Reese. “Do Warrens have such little respect for family that they would come between a father and his daughter?”

Reese fisted his hands, but Jane’s presence kept him grounded. “Would you come between an alpha and his mate?”

Lance stumbled backward, as if Reese had struck him. “Your…what?”

“My mate,” Reese replied quietly, hoping a soft, soothing tone would cool the man’s rage.

It didn’t.

Lance’s wild gaze finally fell on the fresh mark on Jane’s neck and his face turned an alarming shade of deep red. He sputtered for a moment before taking two aggressive steps forward.

Reese pushed her behind him and snarled loudly. “You hit her once in my presence, but you will never hurt her again. Do you understand? She no longer belongs to your pack. She’s a Warren.”

Lance faltered and confusion, or maybe it was regret, filled his haggard face. “I never meant to…”

Another figure stepped out from behind a tree. The Coleman beta—Jane had called him Ian—leaned toward his alpha, a conniving gleam evident in his eye, even at a distance.

“I can’t believe she betrayed you like that, sir,” he murmured softly, but it was loud enough for Reese to hear it.

“I can’t believe you betrayed me like that, Jane!” Lance echoed.

Jane cowered behind Reese. His blood boiled that the little weasel seemed to have so much power over her father. That stopped tonight, one way or another.

“A true alpha would challenge him. Don’t you think?” Ian continued.

Lance rolled his shoulders back, and after a moment’s pause, shouted. “I challenge you to a fight to the death!”

“No!” Jane cried, once again lurching to put herself between Reese and her father.

Reese spun around and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Do you trust me?” he whispered.

Her terrified gaze flicked between him and her father before settling on him fully. Reese felt the bond between them tighten and then a reassuring calm smoothed the worry lines on Jane’s brow.

“I do,” she whispered.

The last thing Reese wanted to do was kill Lance Coleman. That shithead Ian, maybe, but not Lance. He was clearly ill, and killing him would bring no honor to the Warren pack. But Reese was the alpha of his pack, and the alpha of their enemy had just challenged him. He had no choice but to accept. Turning back to Lance, he took one step forward, his lips pressed into a grim line.

“I accept.”

Ian’s face lit up, but Lance simply turned and walked toward the middle of the clearing. Jane’s trembling fingers wiggled into his hand and he squeezed tightly as he led her down the steps. He stopped at a safe distance and asked again, “Do you trust me?”

She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. He longed to wipe them away, but he couldn’t quite yet. He had to fight her father first.

Fuck.

As he approached Lance, a movement caught his eye. Someone else was hiding behind a tree. How many Coleman men had Lance brought along?

“Show yourself!” Reese shouted.

He nearly lost his breath when he saw who stepped from the shadows, clearly in support of the Coleman alpha. Declan, the young sentry who’d questioned him about Jane.

“You!” he growled. “You betray your alpha this way?”

Declan snorted. “You’re no alpha. If you were, just looking at that bitch would make you sick.”

If Lance hadn’t been there waiting to rip his throat out, Reese would have done the same to Declan. The traitor must have sensed Reese’s idea because he turned and bolted into the woods. As desperately as he wanted to chase down Declan and do things that would make the traitor beg for death, it would have to wait.

Reese turned his attention to Lance, who was practically frothing at the mouth. With a heavy sigh, Reese nodded.

“Let’s do this.”