I saw Jett’s silhouette as I approached. She stood sentry at the top of the viaduct. Her shoulders went stiff. She sensed me. Slowly, she turned around and lowered her rifle. I knew she could see my wolf eyes glinting in the darkness. I ran to her so fast it had to look like flying to her.

“Gunnar!” she shouted. She dropped her rifle and ran into my arms. It had been less than a day since we parted. It was way too long.

Her hair was soft and clean; her scent washed over me, stirring my lust. “Baby,” I whispered, my lips finding hers. She was pliant, breathless. Her hard nipples brushed against my chest. She smoothed her hands over my face, down my shoulders, then circled them around my waist.

“You’re okay? They didn’t follow you?”

“No,” I said. “I got Caroline to the hospital in Clarksville. It killed me to leave her. I just pray to God we got her to help in time.”

Tears streamed down Jett’s cheeks. “She’s going to be so afraid. If she wakes up...when she wakes up. She’s going to think we abandoned her.”

“She won’t,” I said. “She’ll know that her friends did everything they could to keep her safe. And she’ll know that she’s alive because of you. What about you? Any sign of the Pack out here?”

I knew the answer was no. Connected as I was to Jett, I would have felt any alarm she did. As I held her in my arms, a different growing need rose. Jett’s lips parted and she kissed me. I felt the slow heat build between her legs even from here.

“God, Gunnar,” she gasped. “Why can’t I get enough of you?”

I chuckled softly as I pressed my lips against her forehead. “I’m sorry, baby. I probably should have warned you about the Rise.”

“The Rise?” She pulled back and eyed me with suspicion.

“I’m new at this too,” I said. “Before I met you, I was convinced I’d be a bachelor wolf my whole life. Mates seemed to be nothing but trouble.”

“Oh, really?” she swatted my ass. “You better talk, Cole.”

“Uh...well...uh...there are probably a billion other people better than explaining this than me, but the Rise is what happens after you take a mate. The first marking isn’t enough. You need more. Many, many more.” I couldn’t help the sultry growl that escaped from me.

Jett shuddered in my arms. Her nipples got even harder. I couldn’t help myself. I slid my fingers under her shirt and found her breasts. She groaned and her knees turned to rubber.

“Come on,” I said. “I need you. I don’t mean to wait.”

“I...have...to...keep...watch,” Jett spoke through kisses.

“Baby, you don’t think I’m going to sense the Pack miles away? It’s quiet. I promise. We have time. A few minutes at least. It’s for your own good. You’ll get sick if we don’t…”

“Mmm.” Whatever protest Jett wanted to make, it died on her lips as I lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around me. I carried her to the end of the viaduct. Melanie and Vera had taken refuge deeper in the woods.

I took Jett to a clearing in the shadow of the bridge. For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. Later, we might be blessed with more time. I would tease her out, torture her with my tongue, bring her to the edge of pleasure and back again while she cried out for me. Now, the driving need we both felt controlled us.

I placed her gently on the ground. Jett scrambled back and wriggled out of her pants. She set her rifle to the side, close enough that she could reach it quickly if danger came. She spread her legs wide for me as she leaned back on her elbows. I reached for her, pushing her t-shirt up and her bra with it. Her tits popped out and my vision tunneled. I knew my eyes went pure silver as lust coursed through me.

I lunged for her, grasping her nipple gently between my teeth. Jett arched her back and cried out. She threaded her fingers through my hair and pulled me down to her. My Jett wanted it rough tonight. Sucking one nipple, I rolled it with my tongue, loving the way it pebbled. I reached between her legs. She was dripping wet already. I kneaded her taut little sex between my fingers. She gasped and spread her legs even wider.

I got my own jeans off and tore my shirt over my head before going to work on her other nipple. Jett started to thrust her hips wildly. I think I could have made her come just by working her nipples, she was so ready for me. I slid three fingers inside of her, loving the way her juices coated my hand and her walls clenched. She was my sustenance, my everything. I came to life when she found me.

“Gunnar!” she gasped, reaching the peak of pleasure. Not yet, I thought. Not yet. I slid my fingers out of her as she stroked my cock. She would feel so good, so warm.

Jett moved. Her eyes snapped open, dark with lust. She pushed up until she knelt before me. I threw my head back and roared with desire as she fastened her lips around me. With her eyes locked on mine, she sucked me, taking me deep into her throat. My knees trembled as I tried to hold on.

Lacing my fingers through her hair, I spurred her on. I fucked Jett’s mouth as the tide of pleasure rose in me. I’d intended to tease her, draw her out. She turned the tables on me. She owned me with her mouth and I held on for the ride.

“Baby,” I whispered. “What you do to me.”

Jett redoubled her efforts, taking me so deeply. She went on her hands and knees, stroking me with her tongue, her lips, grazing me gently with her teeth. She claimed me in her own way, just as I had done her. I doubled over, running a hand along her spine.

Her movements were slow, rhythmic and sultry at first. As she sucked harder, they became more wild, reckless. Her own need built. I threw my head back, unable to hold on a second longer. Jett reached for me, driving my cock deep into her mouth as she gently stroked my balls. It was all I could take. I let go, pouring myself into her. She took me in, drop for precious drop.

I felt like I could come in her forever. When the tide receded, she licked me clean and leaned back, releasing me with a pop. Just a thin membrane separated me from my wolf. Oh, he wanted out.

Jett already knew what to do. She turned, offering me her backside. She dug her fingers into the soft earth, bracing herself. Her hair fell to the side. The silvery crescent-shaped mark I’d made at the base of her neck stood out against her smooth, supple skin.

I plunged into her, sheathing myself to the root. Jett cried out with pleasure. She thrust backward, dropping her chin almost to the ground. I placed one hand on her hip to steady her, then leaned far forward, my fangs already out.

As Jett came around me, rocketing back and forth, I marked her a second time. She tasted so good. She jerked and bucked, taking me in. I licked her tiny wound. It would close even before her pleasure waned. This deeper mark would bind her to me even more and might lessen her need just a little. At least, she’d be able to go longer without the urge to mate overpowering her. The wicked part of me wanted to keep her on edge. God how I loved watching her squirm with lust for me.

Slowly, gracefully, Jett fell to her side as I withdrew. She smiled up at me, spent. I went to her, curving my body around hers.

“That was…” she said, breathless. “I don’t even…”

“Amazing?” I said, nipping her ear.

“I just don’t know why I ever thought I should hold you off.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I reached for her, tweaking her swollen nipple.

“Mmm,” she said. “Don’t tease. I feel like every nerve ending in my body is on fire right now.”

I kissed the back of her neck, loving the contour of the mark she now bore. “Come on,” I said. “Back to work.” I gave her a playful swat on her ass.

Jett squealed with delight. We fumbled for our clothes and got dressed.

“Why don’t you go get some sleep?” I said. “I’m too keyed up. I’ll stand watch.”

I reached for her, offering my hand. Jett took it and rose on shaky legs. Oh, I liked that too. “We’ll watch together,” she said. “You think I can sleep after that?”

She went up on her tiptoes and kissed me. I curved my arm around her waist, pulling her to me. Then, we walked back up the hill and took a position at the top of the bridge.

---

Jett’s stomach growled something fierce as the sun rose over the hill.

Vera emerged from the woods first, followed by Melanie. They approached us holding hands, their expressions stern. A pit formed in my stomach. I wished I had better news to give them about Caroline.

Vera slid her arm around Melanie’s waist. The two of them looked like they hadn’t slept a wink. Guilt washed over me. I should have gone to them earlier to tell them what I knew.

“She’s settled then?” Vera asked. The last twenty-four hours had thawed something between us. Vera knew the risk I’d taken to help Caroline. I could have kept on going. I knew a part of her probably hoped I had.

“Yes,” I answered. I gave her the highlights of what had happened in Clarksville. I knew it wasn’t satisfying. I’d love to have been able to tell her I’d stayed by Caroline’s side and watched her get better right before my eyes. But, none of us believed in fairytales. The odds of Caroline surviving were slim.

“Thank you,” Melanie said. She let go of Vera’s hand and came to me. She touched my cheek, her eyes glistening. “I know what that could have cost you.”

I gave her a solemn nod. “You’ve risked plenty for me. All of you. If it’s within my power, I’ll send help for her.”

Vera’s chin dropped. It was an odd gesture for her. I was used to her standing so tall and defiant. A look passed between her and Melanie. Something had been decided. I knew on instinct I wasn’t going to like it.

“Jett,” Vera said. “I think it’s time for us to face some hard truths.”

“Don’t start,” Jett said. She kept a vice-like grip on my hand. “Gunnar has proved over and over he’s an asset to us. He stays. Period. You know if we put it to a vote Caroline would agree.”

“I knew you’d say that,” Vera said. To her credit, she at least had the decency to look miserable. “And I’m not asking Gunnar to leave. I am. I mean...we are. Melanie and me.”

“What are you saying?” Jett’s skin flashed cold where I held her. Her pulse quickened. I pulled her to me.

“Jett, I’m sorry,” Melanie said. “You knew this was coming. Gunnar, I like you. I know you aren’t like the others. It took me a long time to see that, but I do. It’s only...that just doesn’t change the fact that the longer you’re around, the easier it’s going to be for the Pack to find us. I also know I can’t ask Jett to leave you. So, it’s time for us to go our separate ways.”

“No!” Jett’s anguished cry jolted me. My wolf flared and I pulled her to me, wanting to protect her from even emotional pain. I knew I couldn’t.

“Jett,” I said. She would hate me for what I had to say, but Vera and Melanie were right. Just not for the reasons they thought.

“It’s not safe enough for any of you here,” I said. “Your cave and the tunnels were better. At least you could get underground. You know that’s the safest. Especially for you, Mel. The Pack has a much harder time sensing you or me there. Even that’s not perfect though.”

“What are you suggesting?” Jett turned to me.

I took a hard breath. I had wanted to broach this with her alone. “It’s time for me to take you back to the closest thing I have to home. It’s better for all of us if I don’t tell you where that is. And I won’t lie. We’re going to have to cut through some of the most dangerous territories in Kentucky to get there. But, it’s the one place I know I can keep you safe.”

“Me?” Jett said. She let go of my hand and took a step back. “You mean us. All of us.”

My stare locked on Vera’s. She knew. She’d always known. She kept a strong hand on Melanie’s shoulder as tears fell down her face.

“I can’t go with you,” Melanie said, her voice breaking. “As long as the monster who marked me is still alive, I’m a threat to you. I can’t know where Gunnar’s resistance fighters live. He could follow me too easily there.”

“Then we don’t go,” Jett said, stomping her foot. “None of us. We stay here.”

Vera let go of Melanie and put her hands on Jett’s shoulders, turning her to face her. “No. We don’t. I love you like my sister. But, you made your choice with Gunnar. I don’t blame you. If he is to you even half of what Melanie is to me, it was no choice at all. So go. Be safe. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Vera pulled Jett to her. Jett’s face went white and her jaw dropped as Vera hugged her close. She squeezed her eyes shut and cried.