Liv stood by the stainless-steel counter, going over the menu with Ashley for the upcoming Halloween party. She wanted everything to be perfect, and food and beverage were a top priority. Plus, she needed the distraction. Thinking about Lawson and the hunt was eating at her insides.

“So, I think a taco bar is a great idea, Ashley,” Liv stated. “Add a few dips, like guacamole and queso, and we’re good to go. Of course, margaritas are a must, and let’s have some craft beers, as well,” she added.

“Si, señora. I will get everything together. When you have the guest list, let me know the approximate head count. Now, what are your plans for decorations?” Ashley asked.

“Don’t worry about that. Cassie and I will handle it. I’m so excited about this party,” Liv replied as she nibbled on a carrot stick.

“What are you going as?” Ashley inquired.

“Oh, no. Not telling. It’s a surprise. You are dressing up, aren’t you?” Liv asked.

“Absolutely. Knox and I are looking forward to it. Should be a fun night,” Ashley answered just as the back door swung open.

Tyler stormed past them without glancing their way. His arms and face covered in blood and his dark eyes blazed with fury. Liv didn’t dare ask him what was wrong. Devin stepped inside after him, stopping to greet them.

“Is everything okay?” Liv asked as she eyed the man. He too was covered in blood.

Devin noticed she was staring and looked down at his shirt. “Oh, yeah. We killed a few animals. Had a slight problem toward the end of the hunt but, all in all, it went well. I’m sure Lawson will fill you in. I’m heading to my room to clean up. See you ladies tomorrow,” he quipped and made his leave.

Ashley glanced at Liv and shrugged before turning back to the industrial-sized stove. Liv eyed the back door, wondering why Lawson and Kristi hadn’t returned with the others. She didn’t like the idea of them alone together.

In the next second, Lawson burst through the doorway. He was a filthy mess, covered in blood, as well. Steel gray eyes met hers, and she shuddered at the conflict she saw behind his gaze. What the hell happened on their hunt?

Three strides towards her and Lawson grabbed Liv in his arms. His lips crashed against hers in frantic need as he squeezed the life from her with his tight embrace. He was possessive and demanding, and she could taste blood on his lips.

Liv quickly broke the kiss, searching his eyes. “What’s going on? Did something happen during the hunt?” Liv asked as she cradled his face in her hands, trying to read his expression.

Lawson relaxed against her touch. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. All I want is to get clean and then make love to you. Sound good?” he ordered more than he asked.

Liv squirmed until he released his grip. “Lawson, I can taste blood. What happened?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. We killed a few animals. Let me get cleaned up before we continue this,” Lawson husked, his silver pools filled with desire.

“Right now I’m finalizing the party plans with Ashley. Go shower, and I’ll be right there,” she replied.

Something happened, and it was big if he was ignoring the issue. Liv couldn’t help but wonder if it was about Kristi.

He leaned down and muttered, “Don’t take too long.” It sent a wave of arousal through her veins and Liv shuddered again for a different reason.

Lawson turned and left the kitchen, making Liv more confused than ever. “I’ll never understand these shifter men, Ashley. Does Knox drive you insane?” she inquired and looked over at the woman.

“That man drives me beyond crazy but mostly in a good way,” she said with a wink. Liv smiled. She agreed with that sentiment most of the time, but something was up tonight.

Kristi walked through the door at that moment. She was as bloodied as the rest of the group. Liv needed some answers but had a feeling she wouldn’t like Kristi’s version.

“Hey, Kristi. Everything okay?” Liv stated as she eyed the woman.

“You might want to keep a shorter leash on that wolf of yours,” Kristi blurted as she walked over to stand in front of Liv.

The female was a couple of inches taller than Liv, but it was her domineering presence that made Liv uneasy.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Liv asked, refusing to back down to the woman’s intimidation.

“Let’s just say I thought your man was going to mount me. His wolf must love my scent with how much he was sniffing my ass. He’s quite the Alpha, in every way. I don’t think my wolf will resist if he decides to claim me. And given I’m in heat, my need is as high as his,” she said with a leer.

Liv’s jaw dropped. She was astounded and didn’t know what to say. She stood there, staring at the blue-eyed female. Kristi spoke of claiming and heat like they were nothing but animals. Liv understood their wolves were an integral part of them, but surely it wasn’t like what she described. Was Kristi telling the truth? Was that why Lawson seemed so lecherous? Because he wanted Kristi’s wolf. Did he not have control over his actions when in animal form? She recalled the one time she encountered Lawson’s wolf.

She was sunbathing nude by the lake when his wolf approached her. From her experience and what Lawson told her afterward, it was hard for him to control his animal but it wasn’t impossible. He forced a shift and kept his wolf from experiencing Liv in every way. And from what she remembered, she wasn’t opposed to his wolf getting to know her better.

However, Liv didn’t believe for one second that Kristi refused any advances. She was practically begging for Lawson to mount her when in public so she could only imagine how she acted after they shifted. The bigger question was if Lawson would succumb to Kristi while in wolf form?

“You know, Olivia. Lawson is more than just a man. He’s a wild beast that needs to feed all his desires, including those of his wolf. How do you plan on doing that when you’re human? He might be fascinated with you for now, but how long before he seeks someone that can satisfy every hunger?” Kristi taunted.

Liv refused to cower to Kristi’s bullying. This woman was trying to form a wedge between her and Lawson, and she wasn’t about to allow it. Liv stepped closer, so their bodies were practically touching.

“I hate to break it to you, but Lawson is very satisfied. Just because I can’t shift doesn’t mean I don’t know his wolf. In fact, his wolf knows me very well. My scent and the taste of my body. And I know the feel of his fur and how his rough tongue feels on my flesh. You will never have that,” Liv countered and watched Kristi’s stance slouch. It was Liv’s turn to dominate over this female for a change.

“I guess time will tell,” Kristi said with a tilt of her head.

“I guess it will,” Liv replied with narrowed eyes. Her clenched fists itched to throat punch the woman.

“I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me,” Kristi stated then turned on her heels to take her leave.

“Might I suggest a cold shower,” Liv called to her retreating back.

“I don’t like that woman. She has a negative aura surrounding her. It is a muddied red and green. She’s bad news,” Ashley interjected as soon as Kristi left the room.

“You and me both. Kristi’s out to make trouble for Lawson and me. I can feel it,” Liv admitted as she considered Kristi’s words.

Liv might have put up a tough front, but Kristi made a valid point. If Lawson’s wolf had needs, she’d never be able to satisfy them. Lawson refused to let her near his wolf because she was human. He feared for her safety. And she couldn’t shift into a wolf so that their animals could get acquainted. Would Lawson eventually need that? To claim a wolf for his own? If so, they were doomed as a couple.

“Maybe she will seek another pack. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings,” Ashley said as she retrieved several loaves of bread from the oven. There was nothing better than fresh baked bread and Liv was tempted to inhale one whole.

“I’ll help her look for one,” Liv said with a laugh. “I’m going to check on Lawson before I scarf down a thousand calories,” she confessed and smiled at Ashley.

“Better to burn them off between the sheets,” Ashley countered and waggled her eyebrows.

“Exactly,” Liv replied and walked out of the kitchen.

She couldn’t get the picture of Lawson’s hungry eyes out of her mind. Was that because he desired her or was his craving directed at Kristi?

Liv walked into their bedroom suite, determined to get some answers. If he wanted someone like Kristi, better to find out now. It would hurt like hell, but she’d manage one way or the other.

Lawson was on the bed, watching television in nothing but a towel. He looked good enough to eat. Focus, girlfriend. Now was not the time to fall into temptation.

Lawson looked up, and his lip curled at the corner. Okay, that wasn’t helping matters. “Hello, beautiful,” he said with a smile.

Liv stopped a few feet from the bed. “Please tell me what happened tonight. According to Kristi, you all but fucked her up the ass,” she gritted out, unable to leash her anger and jealousy.

“That female is lucky I came to her defense tonight, or she would’ve been fucked every which way but loose.” Liv’s eyes bulged at hearing his confession. “No, not by me. It was Tyler that jumped her,” Lawson clarified.

“Why did he do that?” she asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Come here, Liv,” he coaxed and held out a hand.

“I’ll stand here, thank you,” she replied.

The last thing she needed was to get close to his sexy body. She could see beads of water on his bare flesh and had to resist the urge to lick the droplets from his damp skin. She was weak and pathetic when it came to this man.

Lawson sighed, and his hand fell on the bed. “Please don’t do this,” he said, but she remained in place. She wasn’t going to cave to her body’s demand.

“Alright, fine,” he huffed. “I didn’t want to talk about this right now, but it looks like I have no choice. After we shifted, I realized Kristi’s wolf was in heat. Typically, a female in heat will steer clear of the males in the pack,” Lawson explained and met her gaze.

“Why?”

“Because the scent draws males. It’s instinctual to claim a female in heat, especially for an Alpha,” he continued, and his eyes remained fixed on hers.

“Lawson…”

“I didn’t act on it, Liv,” he stated.

“I know. That’s not what I was going to say,” Liv muttered and bowed her head.

She didn’t know if she could voice her thoughts. A lump formed in her throat and she tried to swallow through the building emotion.

“Then what?” he asked.

She swallowed again and steeled her spine. It was time to go for broke. “Do you want her? I don’t mean as a man. I’m asking what your wolf wants. Do you need to claim her as yours?” she choked out and lifted her gaze to meet his.

In the next instant, Lawson was by her side, cradling her face in his palms. “Fuck no. Liv, I stepped in to protect her from Tyler. That’s it. She had no business being on the hunt while in heat and it won’t happen again. She said she didn’t know her animal was in season and I’m going to take her word for it just this once. Was my wolf tempted? Yes. I’m not going to deny that, but I resisted. I’m not going to be an Alpha that claims all the females in the pack. That’s not what I’m about. I need you to believe me. I will be going on many hunts, and there has to be trust between us,” he declared.

Liv looked up and stared into gray eyes that pierced her soul. Lawson had never lied to her, and she had no reason to doubt him just because some wolf in heat had stormed into their lives. That wouldn’t be fair.

“I do believe you. I hate it that I can’t be included in every part of your world, but I do trust you,” Liv replied, and Lawson exhaled as if she lifted a huge burden.

“I don’t want this to come between us. My wolf is part of me, but my time spent in animal form is so small compared to my time spent with you. Don’t make it a bigger deal than it is. Although, I must confess I’ve fantasized what you would look like in wolf form,” Lawson said with a grin and his arms wrapped around her waist.

Liv’s hands roamed across his bare chest. His flat nipples hardened when she ran her fingers across them, and he moaned his approval. That fast she wanted him to mount her.

“Is that so? And what, pray tell, do I look like in this fantasy of yours?” she answered with a smirk, curious what he envisioned. She had a fantasy of her own involving them as wolves. It was primal and very sexual.

“Well, if you must know. Your wolf is the most beautiful shade of auburn except your face, which is a dark gray. And your emerald green eyes sparkle brighter than the stars in the sky,” he husked and bent to kiss one eyelid then the other.

“Always the poet,” Liv replied and opened her eyes only to get caught in his hypnotic gaze. She loved him beyond reason, and her body ached for him.

“And you have the nicest backside of any wolf I’ve ever seen,” he added right before his hands slipped lower to cup her ass, causing her core to clench with need.

Liv giggled. “Out with the poetry, make way for lewd and crude.”

Lawson tilted his head back and laughed. She loved his deep chuckle. He had the sexiest smile and his eyes danced with mirth when he was feeling playful.

“So, other than Kristi flaunting her assets,” Liv commented disdainfully, “how did the rest of the hunt go? You mentioned killing animals. Was that all?”

“Actually, no. That isn’t all. I saw a Ravin tonight. At the edge of our property. We chased it off and hopefully won’t be seeing it again, but please don’t wander out at night without me. I’m very serious, Liv. I don’t want you by yourself once the sun sets,” he demanded, and Liv could see the concern in his eyes.

“I was hoping when you said they were in this area that it was false information. I won’t be going out at night without you, trust me. Thank you for telling me,” she said and reached her arms around his neck, twining her fingers in his damp hair.

Lawson tugged her closer, and she could feel his erection prod her belly. The terry cloth towel around his waist did little to hide the bulge beneath it.

“Are we done talking because what I have in mind will keep my mouth busy for at least the next thirty minutes,” he murmured as he kissed a trail along her neck.

Moisture leaked from her core at hearing his whispered words. The thought of him feasting on her was enough to send her over the edge.

“Talking is overrated. I’m at your mercy,” she moaned then tugged at the towel secured at his waist.

Lawson’s wolf resided within, but the man made the final decisions. Liv knew precisely what the man wanted and needed, and she was determined to satisfy his every desire.