It had been nearly impossible. In the two weeks since our meeting in the map room, Gunnar and I had scarcely a minute alone. Now that I’d said my piece, the women were eager to learn. Mac found some space topside close to the cave entrance where we could train. In Eve’s condition, she could mostly just watch, but I sensed she’d learn quickly once the baby came.

Molly and some of the other women helping Mammoth Forest wolves came ready to train. I worked them hard and their skills at self-defense were slowly improving. Still, we had a long road to go.

Payne kept his word and readied himself to leave. Gunnar wouldn’t tell me exactly where he was going. Though he didn’t say it, I knew he figured it was for my own protection. Molly said it was better if our Alphas kept some things compartmentalized. I couldn’t argue the point.

“Come here,” Gunnar said. We’d stolen away to the river that ran alongside the caves. I still marveled that close by, hundreds of tourists walked through the same woods and caves, never knowing what lay just a few hundred yards beneath their feet. My heart pulsed with need as he drew me close. I was hot, sticky and sweaty from a two-hour training session with Molly. Lena had yet to join us. Mac and Molly were worried about her. She’d become more withdrawn each day, not leaving her suite of caves. She’d only let Eve and Mac in to see her.

Gunnar shed his clothes. I watched him in profile, his muscles rippling as he sluiced water over his body. I could watch him like this for hours. Naked. Magnificent. Mine.

“Come here,” he said, his eyes lighting with lust. “Let me take care of you.” I slid off my jeans and pulled my shirt over my head, tossing it aside.

The water was cooler than I expected. I’d gotten so used to the hot springs down in the caves. I squealed in shock as I sank beneath the rushing waves. It felt good though. I tilted my head back and got my hair wet.

When I felt clean, I went to Gunnar. He’d spread a blanket on the ground. The humid summer air hit my skin as I slipped beside him.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, lifting a wet lock of hair from my forehead.

“I’m a drowned rat,” I answered.

Laughing, he leaned in for a kiss. My nipples pebbled as his naked chest touched mine. Gunnar noticed and reached down to suckle each one. Groaning, I threw my head back.

“I want you,” I whispered. “I’ll always want you like this, I think.”

“I sure hope so,” he growled. Wasting no time. He slid his hands beneath my hips and lifted me. In one fluid movement, he set me gently down, straddling him. I bit my lip as my need built to a fever pitch. Gunnar was already huge and hard. I sank down, loving the way he stretched me as his cock slipped inside of me.

“Baby,” I gasped as he rooted himself within me. He held my hands, fingers laced together as I arched my back.

“Be still,” he said. “Just for a minute. Let me look at you.”

I can’t imagine what he saw. As always, he turned me into a wild, lustful thing. My nipples turned the color of wine. Goosebumps covered my flesh. I gripped his hands hard against the urge to thrust. My walls quivered around him as my juices started to flow.

“Gunnar!” I gasped.

“Shh,” he said. “You can do it. Just be still.”

My body did as he commanded. My Alpha. Always. The mark at the base of my neck throbbed in time with my sex.

“Jett,” he whispered. “Sweet Jett. You know, you never told me if that was your real name. Have you always been Jett?”

“J-Janet,” I said, my voice hoarse with lust. “I couldn’t s-say it when I was little.”

His soft laughter threatened to unseat me. “Janet,” he repeated. “It’s beautiful too. But Jett suits you better.”

He leaned forward to catch my bottom lip between his teeth. I groaned with pleasure as his cock moved inside of me. “Gunnar, please.”

“Like that,” he said. “Always like that. I love when you beg.”

“Please!” I shouted, scaring the birds from the trees.

“Mine,” he whispered. “Are you mine?”

“Always. Yes.”

“I’m yours,” he answered. Then, Gunnar leaned back and slid his hands behind his head. Oh, my Alpha meant to enjoy the show.

I couldn’t hold back a single second longer. I arched my back and thrust my hips forward, picking up the slow, building rhythm my body called out for. Gunnar grew even harder within me. My body fit his perfectly. We were born for this. Born for each other. How had I ever held back?

I didn’t know. I gave in to every sensation. Gunnar’s strong heartbeat drove mine. His blood heated my own. I felt his desire as mine crested. We were joined, heart, mind, body, soul. Fated mates. My love.

I cried out his name. The wind carried it as Gunnar put his hands on my hips, holding me steady. My orgasm came, fierce, powerful, primal. I felt it all the way to my toes. It was as if lightning burst from my fingertips. I poured my need into him. Gunnar held steady, letting me drive myself home.

With the last shuddering wave went through me, Gunnar sensed it. Carefully, he turned, holding me in place. He hovered over me, bracing himself on his elbows as I spread my legs even wider. Gunnar drove deep and hard, lustful grace guiding his thrusts. I loved the way his biceps flexed and his chest rippled as he drove himself ever deeper. Then, he let go. We soared. Gunnar filled me with heat and light as I wrapped my legs around his waist and took everything he could give.

He whispered my name against my temple as he finally came back down. Curling himself around me, we watched the stars come out.

Later, he turned to me. “Do I make you happy?” he asked.

I kissed him. “Of course you do.”

“If the day ever came that I asked you to do something for me, would you?”

His expression grew serious. The stars lit his eyes. “Gunnar…”

“You know how to take care of yourself,” he said, bringing my palm to his lips. “Someday, you may have to....without me.”

“Don’t,” I said. “It’s bad luck. There’s no need.”

But, I knew my Alpha well. I’d seen the urge burning through him. He had the kill in his sights. In his heart, he believed he could bring Able Valent down.

“I love you,” I said.

Gunnar pulled me to him. “Jett…”

“I love you,” I said. “So don’t ask the thing you think you have to. I’m where I want to be.”

“But, I could do it. We have the means. I could help you find Jasmine and the others who got out of Birch Haven. You could go north. You could get away from the Pack forever. So when the time comes...when I have to do what you know I have to do, I know you’ll be safe.”

I kissed him. “And you know it doesn’t work that way. We’re fated, remember? My place is with you. And when and if that time comes, I’ll be here to help you in whatever way I can. You may be an Alpha, but you know you can’t win this alone. You’re stuck with me, buddy. I’ve already made that choice.”

I felt relief flood through him. Had he really had any doubt? I held him close as I always would.

“I love you too,” he whispered. “God help us both, but I do.”

“I know,” I said, laughing. “Remember, you can’t hide from me here anymore.” I pointed to his forehead. “Or here.” I pointed to his heart. “Or here,” I said, laughing as I slid my hand along his inner thigh.

“Mmmm,” he answered, already growing hard again. “You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known.”

“Yes,” I smiled. “Maybe I am. But promise me, whatever comes, you’ll face it with me. Neither of us will do this alone.”

He let out a breath he’d been holding, then kissed me once again. “Promise,” he finally said.

I settled against him as the moon rose high and bright. It’s an incredible thing, sharing a heart. The bond between my Alpha and me grew ever stronger. I knew there were tougher battles to come. I knew not everyone we loved might survive it. But, I knew the bond between Gunnar and me would never break.

Another truth thundered through me, becoming just as real and solid as the pulse we now shared. Gunnar’s eyes glinted with the same knowledge as he locked his gaze with mine. Someday, somehow, we knew we would win.