Even though most of the adult pack members left together, charging into the woods, eager to let our wolves free, we quickly split up into groups, like always. As I’d feared, my group soon consisted of me and Quinn. When I realized he was following me, I sighed. You should leave me alone. He didn’t respond, which only angered me further. I stopped instantly, and because he was so close and I’d come to a standstill without warning, he plowed into me. We rolled a few yards because of his momentum. Finally, I hopped to my feet and bared my teeth at him.

Sorry, Savvy. His words echoed in my head. I hated how much I liked hearing him say my name.

You should be. I snarled at him and watched in satisfaction as he lay down and rested his head on his paws. Why are you even here?

I wanted to see you. I need to know you’re safe. There’s a crazy out there. His blue eyes had turned almost gray.

I wanted to stare into them, but I shook my head. There’s a crazy right here. I sat down a few feet away from him. You don’t want me, so just go away.

Immediately, Quinn hopped to his feet. You think I don’t want you? How could you think this?

You want me? How could I get this so wrong? Oh, I must’ve somehow been confused by the part where you refused to mate with me. I turned away from him, unwilling to let him see the hurt in my eyes.

Moving closer, Quinn rubbed against me. I want you, Savvy. I want you so much, I’d give up everything to save you.

What makes you think I need saving? Do I look like some weak, simpering damsel in distress? I glared at him, a growl growing in my throat.

He whimpered. I’m not saying this right. When I get around you, suddenly I can’t even express myself properly. Gimme a minute to explain.

While he blathered on, I slowly moved away from him. I’d already scoped out a path through the forest, one that would confound anyone not familiar with the area and potentially guarantee my solitude. I wanted to be alone to think and mourn without prying eyes or judgmental pack mates, but mostly without him. Now, more than ever, I needed to be strong at a time when I’d have liked to curl up in a fetal position.

Savvy, I see you. I know you want nothing more than to be rid of me at the moment. If you let me explain and you still feel this way, I’ll go home. I’ll leave you to your own devices. Quinn sat and patiently waited for my decision.

My wolf body limited my reactions, so my head rolled. I huffed and sat. Speak, so I can get on with my night.

Thank you. His chest expanded a few times, and I realized he was trying to breathe deeply and calm down. Obviously, this was incredibly important to him.

My eyes closed briefly. I didn’t want to soften toward him. He’d hurt me in a way no one ever had before. You’re welcome.

I want you, Savvy. He slowly crawled closer as his words echoed in my mind.

I hopped to my feet. Stay there. I mean it. If he touched me, my resolve would certainly weaken. This was how it was with mates. They couldn’t be near each other without touching. If he didn’t change his mind, we’d soon be cursing the moon, since it would surely drive me to mate with someone this cycle. Quinn had stirred me in ways I’d never been bothered before. Since meeting him, I’d had to adjust my view of my life. In doing so, I discovered I already felt like I’d been living a half-life for the past ten years. The idea of being relegated to this hollow existence for the rest of my days saddened me deeply.

His head dropped onto his paws. Staying away is hard. Case in point, I’m here.

My wolf whined. Yeah, I noticed.

I’ve known you were meant for me from the moment I laid eyes on you.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. My eyes widened. How can that be? I use my spray religiously. I could feel panic rising in my throat. If it had stopped working, all the single females in the pack were at risk. I’d been taught by my father not all packs were as civilized as ours. Some wouldn’t hesitate to take a female if they discovered she was an unmated shifter. My mind raced. Then Quinn’s voice soothed me.

The spray works, Savvy. I just knew from the address. This is Phoenix Pack territory. Quinn sat up. From the second I saw you, I wanted to take care of you. I needed to be with you every minute.

So, you weren’t spying. The idea had crossed my mind when I’d discovered his identity and realized I’d barely been alone since we’d met.

His eyes looked so sad. No. This wasn’t about reconnaissance. This was pure instinct. My wolf took over.

Wolf? You look more like a husky than a wolf. I eyed him carefully.

He nodded. My parents… Quinn swallowed hard. Let’s just say your aunt told that story by design.

I considered his words and then shivered.

Immediately, he looked alarmed. Are you okay? Are you cold?

My jaw dropped open. Maybe Quinn was more attached to me than I thought. Seriously? It’s May. I’m covered in fur.

You shivered. He whined.

Yes. I realized if your father and my aunt had mated, you’d be my cousin. That’s just gross. I snickered.

So maybe going against our nature and ignoring what we’re supposed to do isn’t always a bad thing. Quinn stared at me hopefully.

I snapped at him. That theory only works if we end up together. Otherwise, it didn’t really matter, did it? I shook my head in frustration. Maybe this is your chance to right a wrong. Did you consider this possibility? My aunt has been a rogue her whole life. Now she’s regretting it, and ready to join the pack.

Quinn couldn’t meet my eyes. I don’t think I’m meant for a pack, Savvy. You have no idea what it was like while I was growing up.

Not all packs are like that. I growled.

I’d have to follow orders, right? His voice sounded so sad.

My orders. You’d only answer to me. Would that be so bad? I watched him staring at the ground as if the twigs and pine straw were the most interesting things he’d ever laid eyes on. Of course, marriage is a lot like that too. Husbands and wives answer to each other. So, if you can’t be in the pack, then you’re also saying you can’t be with me. I waited for a response, a reaction of some kind. When he didn’t even so much as flinch at the end of my tirade, I knew it was time to go. Turning, I took my first step in the opposite direction.

The whole pack ganged up on me. Every day. Constant torture. His voice sounded strained, and I realized how emotional the experience must’ve been.

My head dropped. I couldn’t leave him now. As much as I wanted to run, I couldn’t be yet another shifter to abandon and hurt him—not when he was supposed to be my mate. How could anyone bully you, Quinn? I took one tentative step his direction. If he was anything like me, he’d be ready to run away now that he’d revealed something so intensely personal. Instead, he sank to the ground and refused to meet my eyes. Has no one ever told you how incredible you are? See, I’d like to. I’d love to tell you how I could spend a lifetime staring into your turquoise blue eyes, and it still wouldn’t be long enough. Quinn twitched, his fur rolling on his neck. I wish I could tell you how my body responds to your touch, describe the tingles, those tiny electric shocks that make me feel alive and desperate for you at the same time. Most of all, I would tell you how while finding your mate begins as a study in lust, with you, I can see how it will so easy morph into a deep, passionate love—the kind that only enhances the mating bond.

You’d say all that? His head lifted a few inches from his legs.

I danced around in a circle, determined to fight the sadness threatening to engulf him. You know how it is, right? I mean, I have to wait for the right time. I would want to know the feelings were reciprocated. I bent low on my front paws so my face was level with his. I need a strong partner, one who can shake off his past, where pups teased him for his heritage, and instead focus on the future with a mate who’d see the man he is inside. I yipped in his face to make sure he was paying attention. Did you hear me, man-pup?

His ear perked. Why do you call me that?

I giggled. Because you look like a man, but you act like a whiny little pup.

Quinn hopped to his feet. I’m a whiny little pup? He loomed over me.

With a grin, I yipped again. Not at the moment. Now, you seem more like the mate my wolf howls for every time you’re near. I danced around a little bit, enticing him to play with me. So, I think there’s only one solution for that problem.

His eyes widened. Oh, and what’s that? He pawed the ground some, and I expected he was preparing to leap.

Well, I need to stay far away from you. I stood still and ready on all fours. Catch me if you can! I giggled and then darted out of reach.

As I’d hoped, Quinn chased me, racing behind me. He was fast and determined. When I glanced back, his tongue hung out of his mouth. Determined to keep the chase fun and challenging, I turned my head to focus on the forest floor in front of me. A second later, I vaulted over a downed log and then I swerved near the edge of a steep embankment. Since I didn’t hear the sound of breaking branches or crushed leaves, he’d made the turn too. I circled around a huge trunk, zigging and zagging through the trees. Just when I thought I’d out-maneuvered him, Quinn tackled me and I didn’t mind. We rolled together, finally coming to a stop near a huge rock.

Careful, Savvy. You’re precisely the kind of woman who could make me fall in love. He nibbled on my ear.

Silly man. I chuckled. Isn’t that what every woman wants from her mate? Fall in love with me, Quinn. His head drooped so I nudged it up with my own. Don’t let me fall alone.

He froze and stared at me wide-eyed a split second before shifting back to his human form. I followed suit and soon we were lying on old leaves and moss while kissing passionately. “Never alone,” he murmured against my lips.

I hooked my legs around his waist. His erection poked my thigh. “I know what I said,” I whispered shyly.

“Which thing?” He kissed a path around my jawline and over to my ear. “Regretting the man-pup comment?”

With a laugh, I mumbled, “No. I’m good with that.”

“Nice.” He sucked on my earlobe, and I retaliated by rolling us over so I could perch on his pelvis.

“I’ll show you nice.” I slide my hands from his hips to his shoulders and then down his biceps while admiring every square inch of him. I leaned down to kiss him, determined to make him feel what I felt. I wanted his wolf going wild, his body ready to betray him, and his heart so full he couldn’t even think about leaving me ever again. When I had nearly pressed my lips to his, he stopped me.

“The regret. Tell me.”

The pleading look in his eyes was unmistakable. I swallowed and leaned back some. “I didn’t mean it. I can’t imagine taking a lover.” I shook my head as my throat tightened. “It has to be you, or I’m doomed.” I shrugged, as if it were no big deal, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. With my lids tightly closed, I leaned down to begin the kiss he’d interrupted once already. Before we could connect, there was the sound of cracking branches, crushing leaves, and a few whimpers and whines. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.

He sighed. “It’s official. We’re both doomed, or cursed. Is there a difference?”

I frowned. “Let’s explore this later.” Without hesitation, I shifted and Quinn did the same. Our eyes met, and I spoke into his mind. Someone’s in trouble.