Dressed in the flowing white gown Nia bought for her, a circlet of pink roses upon her head and white satin shoes upon her feet, she waited for her groom on a raised dais by the fish pond. A wood trellis decorated with white and red roses stretched overhead.

Nolan’s pack was small compared to others – only two hundred, including young. Despite the last minute arrangements, a few outsiders had been invited to witness their hasty marriage. Two alpha-looking Lupines sat up front.

Friends of Nolan’s?

“Nolan told me he invited the local Fae queen as a courtesy.” Nia scanned the crowd. “I don’t see her. Or her court.”

“Selene always was private and preferred to stay out of sight.” Still, it disappointed Jordan that the Fae had not shown. She always liked them, and it had comforted her knowing they lived in the forest, protecting the trees and the vineyards.

Neither Aiden nor Nolan were in sight. Standing at her side, Nia offered an encouraging smile, but doubts flickered in her pretty blue eyes.

Jordan felt the same. Had Nolan decided to ditch her?

Overhead, the sun shone strong in a bright blue sky, and the wind rustled through the pines, maples and oak trees. Seated on white chairs covered with linen, the pack stirred restlessly. She saw her childhood friends Erica and Shirl in the front row, their smirks echoing her fears.

Nolan wasn’t coming.

Nia touched her arm. “Don’t worry. He’s coming. Aiden will talk to him.”

Jordan shrugged. This was far too important to express her real emotions, her fears and hopes. “Or talk him out of it.”

“Not my mate.”

The small bunch of pink roses in her hands trembled a little. She smiled to hide the inner trepidation. “I hope Nolan shows up. Otherwise it will be a waste of pretty flowers and decorations. The food, well, this pack never wastes food. Or wine. At least you’ll get a good…”

Jordan ceased talking.

A soft pop of air pressure and the Silver Wizard, Aiden and Nolan appeared on the dais. Nolan blinked hard, smoothed down the lapels of his black tuxedo.

“I don’t know how you do that without getting dizzy,” he told Aiden.

Aiden, dressed also in a black silk tuxedo, a pink rose in his lapel, shook his head. “I don’t.”

“Wusses,” Tristan said cheerfully.

The wizard, dressed all in black, regarded Jordan. “My apologies for the delay. I had some business to address regarding the winery.”

Jordan’s fingers tightened on her bouquet. She looked at Nolan. Whether in blue jeans and a blue chambray work shirt or a silk tuxedo, he was the handsomest man she’d ever seen. She smiled at him.

“Thanks for stopping by.”

Nolan’s light brown gaze flickered. “Thanks for dressing up for the occasion.”

His mouth curved up in the barest smile. Jordan felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this could work out.

Then she remembered the real reason why they did this. Nolan needed a mate, and she needed to avoid prison.

Tristan placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Before I begin, do you want this, Jordan?” The Silver Wizard’s dark gaze scrutinized her, though his words were low enough no one in the audience could hear. “I must have your answer before I make your union official.”

She thought of all the rules, traditions and restrictions awaiting her as Nolan’s mate. She thought of the love they once had, and lost. She thought of the years spent running, the odd jobs, the low end jobs struggling to make it in a dank apartment festering with mold and roaches, no real home but the road.

I have to get off this carousel. Or my life will end up as a sideshow. The notion made her laugh a little inside.

“I do.”

Once she said it, she knew this was what she wanted. Jordan felt certain of it. It wasn’t the thought of darkness and prison, but the thought of the sunshine Nolan had once brought into her life.

She hoped he could bring it back again.

Tristan nodded at Aiden.

Aiden removed something from his inner jacket pocket. It was wrapped in blue velvet. She felt her stomach turn over as sunlight winked on the silver ceremonial knife.

Aiden handed the knife first to Nolan. Nolan’s gaze centered on her. Without flinching, he cut his palm with the blade, then handed it to her.

Jordan handed Nia her bouquet and took the blade. Her cut was quick, deeper than intended, and bled like crazy.

Droplets splashed onto the pristine white boards of the dais. The burning pain barely touched her. Jordan was far too nervous.

“Clasp your hands so your open wounds meet and your blood mingles,” Tristan instructed.

If only she could stop shaking inside, but that was impossible because this was too important. This dream she’d once harbored of marrying Nolan, a girlish dream that died the night…

Don’t think of that. Focus on now.

She and Nolan clasped hands, their mingled blood dripping to the wooden floor of the dais. Tristan bound their wrists together with a leather cord. “May you always be tied together by the bonds of loyalty, courage, strength, and love.”

Her heart pounding so hard she knew he could hear it, Jordan began to recite her vows.

She forced her voice to remain steady. “I, Jordan Baxter, take you Nolan Mitchell, of my own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as our alpha leader and support you above all others, and to be yours, forever.”

Please mean the same thing, she silently pleaded with Nolan as he wet his lips, preparing to recite his own vows. Please don’t hate me.

Nolan stared into her eyes. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

“I, Nolan Mitchell, alpha of the Mitchell Tennessee pack, take you Jordan Baxter of own free will, as my mate. I promise to honor and respect you, to love and cherish you with my body and my spirit, to stand by your side as my alpha female and support you above all others, and to be yours, forever.”

His gaze remained steady. “I promise to protect you with my body, your honor with my spirit, and defend you to the last drop of my blood.”

To the last drop of his blood. It wasn’t a vow made lightly, and far as she knew, only alphas fully committed to their mates uttered it at the ceremony.

Guilt wrestled with joy. Nolan was a male of worth, of honor. He deserved a mate equally so. She could not speak, only close her eyes as he kissed her, his mouth firm, warm, and authoritative.

The kiss did not last. Tristan touched their hands and their wounds immediately healed. “Congratulations.”

Nolan gazed at him with respect. “Will you stay and have supper with us?”

“I’m afraid I cannot. But thank you.”

Before she could thank him, the wizard vanished.

They headed across the meadow, where tables and chairs had been set up beneath an enormous white tent. Nolan stated he was fully committed to her. She said the same, but did he really mean it?

Her new mate guided her to the head table, decorated with freesia and roses grown in the gardens near the vineyards. A cool wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves, raising gooseflesh on her bare arms. The thousands of tiny blue-white bulbs strung on the tent ceiling sparkled like fairy light. It gave the tent a mystical, ethereal touch.

Covered with white tablecloths, each table bore a vase of pink roses, white hyacinth, and honeysuckle. Nolan sat and then pulled Jordan onto his lap to feed her the ceremonial first bite of their wedding dinner.

Jordan parted her lips and Nolan slid a grape between them, reminding her of another time they’d eaten grapes off the vine.

That night they had made love in the barn.

“So you may never go hungry. I will always keep you satisfied, in every way possible,” he murmured as she ate it.

Their hands still tied together, Jordan lifted the silver cup filled with costly white wine to his Nolan's mouth, trying to control her shaking hand. Sweat trickled down her back. With every ounce of her strength, she controlled her nervousness.

“So you may never thirst for another’s touch except mine. I will always quench your spirit,” she told him in the traditional vow.

He kissed her then, his mouth moving over hers, but then Nolan pulled away, as if he didn’t want the kiss to linger. Cheers and applause sounded.

Then they untied the leather cord and settled in for the wedding feast. Jordan tried to keep her spirits up.

Judging from Nolan’s physical reaction, he wasn’t thrilled about this union. She picked up her wineglass, downed a large gulp. Chardonnay. Good, more dry than sweet. Her palate tingled.

Nolan gave her an odd look.

On her right side, Nia sipped her wine. “At least you can skip the wedding night consummation in front of the entire pack, Jordan.”

Jordan stared at her. “You did that?”

“Rules of the Mating Challenge Aiden undertook to win my hand.”

Aiden leaned forward. “I don’t recall any complaints from you, my love.”

“It was special,” Nia countered.

Aiden laughed. “I certainly enjoyed it,” he murmured.

Passion flickered in Nia’s eyes. “Don’t get so confident, Mitchell. Just because we have a babysitter and privacy this weekend doesn’t mean I’m easy.”

“Maybe not but I’m hard when you get me,” Aiden said, and laughed again.

The tender look the couple exchanged, and the heated desire in their eyes made Jordan feel lonelier than ever. She gave Nolan a sideways look. He sipped his wine, seemed more interested in his prime rib than her.

A band played as the guests danced. Pack members stomped with enthusiasm to a lively country tune. The celebratory feeling in the air lifted her sagging spirits. Certainly the pack enjoyed the wedding.

She and Nolan got up to greet their guests and accept congratulations from each member of the pack. Another tradition Nolan honored. Everyone seemed delighted by their union, but when she reached Erica and Shirl’s table, where they sat with their siblings and parents, her old friends barely offered congratulations.

Jordan gestured to Nolan. “I know you need to spend a little time with some of your senior staff, so I’ll stay here and catch up.”

Nolan’s smile was warm, and he bent down and kissed her. “Don’t take too long.”

She glanced up to see Erica and Shirl glaring at her. Jordan’s stomach lurched. She gave a bright smile. “So how have you two been? Seeing anyone special?”

“Special? The only special one is Nolan, and now you have him.” Shirl sulked.

“Nice of you to get mated. You leave here, and come back and everyone treats you like a queen.” Erica refused to meet her gaze. “And we’re here, working the vineyard and winery, and there’s no appreciation for us.”

Jordan wished she were anywhere but this table. “Have you talked with Nolan about what you want?”

Shirl laughed. “He only has eyes for the vineyard, and the winery. And now you.”

Her old friends turned to each other, talking about running with the moon last month, cutting her off.

Okay, she could take a hint. Jordan rejoined Nolan, but the encounter with her old friends deeply bothered her. Come to think of it, they hadn’t been truly friendly since…

That night.

Don’t think of that night. Make every moment from today on count.

How she wished she could forget about the past and truly begin to live. Well, she’d try hard.

Suddenly she felt a shift in the air pressure, a heaviness that hinted of powerful magick. Jordan turned and saw several shining lights like twinkling fireflies. The lights floated in the air and danced around her. She laughed with delight, but the other Lupines at the table leaned back, fear tightening their expressions.

The Fae came to the wedding after all.

A glowing pink and white light the size of a volleyball drifted toward her, accompanied by two smaller globes of light. The globes ball materialized into Selene, the queen of the Fae colony. Two tall, slender Fae, with silver hair spilling down the backsides, stood at her side. They did not smile, but Selene did.

Jordan curtseyed as the other Lupines bowed their head in respect.

“Jordan. Rise child.” The queen touched her shoulder and Jordan’s skin tingled pleasantly.

She did, and slid her hand into Nolan’s palm as her mate bowed his head in respect to Selene.

The Fae queen gave him a long look. “I am pleased with your bride, Nolan. You have done well.”

“Your Majesty.” Nolan did not return the queen’s smile. “You didn’t give me much of a choice.”

Confusion filled her as she glanced at Nolan. Now was not the time to ask, however.

“Sometimes we must be forced into choices that are the right ones for us,” the queen said softly.

The Fae queen indicated her attendants. “My attendant, Risa,” she said, gesturing to the shorter Fae, “And her sister, Elaine. Perhaps you remember them from your previous time here, Jordan.”

Jordan nodded. “My pleasure.”

The sisters did not smile back. Rather, they stared at Nolan like lovestruck teenagers. The thought amused Jordan. Both “girls” had to be well over one hundred. Selene herself seemed ancient.

Ageless.

The Fae queen touched Jordan’s shoulder again, and a faint tingling shot through her. It felt like a surge of power, but more familiar. “I bless your union and all the offspring that will result in it.”

Selene’s voice dropped to a whisper. “And I give you a gift. When you need to find the power within yourself, use your voice. It is a true gift bestowed on you.”

She puzzled over this. But this was not the venue to question the powerful Fae queen.

“Thank you. Will you stay and dine with us?” Jordan asked, wanting to spend more time with this magick creature she had seldom seen in her years with the pack.

Selene gazed around at the fearful faces. “I think not. But thank you, child, for asking. You honor us.”

With a nod at Nolan, she morphed into a ball of pink and white light again. Risa and Elaine stared longingly at Nolan.

“Good-bye, alpha,” Elaine said in her high-clear voice. “If you need us, call upon us.”

“Yes,” her sister echoed. “We shall always be here for you.”

Ignoring Jordan, they dematerialized into glowing balls of light. The sprites dancing around Jordan followed as the queen and her attendants floated away, back into the forest.

Jordan and Nolan walked back to their table. When they sat, she leaned close so no one else could hear.

“You were forced into marrying me? By Selene?”

Nolan’s mouth flattened. “No one forces me into anything. She gave me an ultimatum to find a mate. I chose you. End of story.”

The tiny hope that Nolan wanted to marry her died. Like her, he had not been granted much choice in the matter.

Swallowing her pride, and her hurt, she shrugged. “Guess we are both stuck with each other.”

Nolan didn’t answer, but gave her a long look. “Stuck isn’t the way I’d look at it, pixie.”

The familiar nickname renewed her tiny hope. Ruthlessly Jordan quashed it. If she kept hoping this marriage of convenience would turn into something richer and more meaningful, she’d be wasting her time.

Better that she make the best of it, and try to make it work. It was the least she could do.

And marriage to Nolan was better than prison. She snuck a covert glance at him as he turned to chat with Aiden. Nolan was an alpha Lupine, without a spare inch of fat on him. Remembering the pleasure he’d given her their first night as lovers, she felt a rush of sweet anticipation. At least that side of the marriage should be exciting.

It was the times when Nolan was out of bed that worried her.

“Queen Selene’s attendants seemed enchanted with you,” she told Nolan. “Maybe you should have married one of them.”

“I don’t date older women, especially ones well over a hundred. Cramps my style.”

She laughed and then sipped her wine, relishing the tingle of it against her tongue. A glass filled with green liquid sat by her plate, along with a slotted silver spoon and a bowl filled with sugar cubes. She would not drink the absinthe, the traditional mating drink of Lupines. It made females amorous, but also dulled their wits. Jordan wanted to be fully aware and awake for their wedding night. She remembered the passion Nolan had awakened in her.

Would it be the same? Certainly she had never felt anything like it since.

Nolan glanced at her. “Excuse me a moment. I must talk with Aiden in private.”

Jordan watched the two powerful alpha Lupines leave. She made small talk with Nia as she toyed with her food, but the beef didn’t appeal to her.

Instead, she devoured the green vegetables and the fruit cup.

Shortly after they left, Nolan and Aiden returned. Her new mate ignored the bowing and forehead touching gestures of respect shown alphas as he passed. Nolan wore a well-tailored black silk tuxedo, which looked elegant on him. He was so handsome, whether in evening clothes or in dusty blue jeans.

Or naked.

She remembered that as well.

He looked at her plate and the untouched beef. She shrugged. “I’m not that hungry.”

Jordan tapped her foot beneath the table and hummed to the band. Suddenly Aiden stood and pulled Nia to her feet as the band played a slow song. She went into his arms and everyone respectfully walked to the side to give them the entire dance floor.

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his broad shoulder, moving against him in time to the music. Aiden held her close, humming along.

A lump formed in Jordan’s throat. She wished she and Nolan could share that closeness. Once they had, dancing in this same meadow beneath the stars, their music the hum of cicadas, the lights fireflies twinkling in the grass.

Jordan nodded at the dance floor. “Shall we?”

Nolan gave her a heavy-lidded gaze. “I have business to attend to. Excuse me.”

He pushed back from the table, went to another table where a few other Lupines sat. Recognizing the outsiders who attended, Jordan felt a chill race down her spine.

Was this her marriage, mated to a male who ignored her all the time?

Nolan returned and held out his hand. “Come with me.”

Jordan wanted to tell him to brush off, but she took his hand.

He brought her over to the two strangers. Dim recognition flickered and she stifled a gasp.

Brandon Harlow and his beta. Hope filled her. Could the long feud finally be ending with this gesture?

“Brandon, Adam, this is my mate, Jordan.” Nolan brought her forward.

Jordan said hello to Adam and offered her hand to Brandon. Instead of shaking it, he gave her a courtly, brief kiss on her knuckles. The alpha had dark brown hair, piercing blue eyes and he was handsome, hardly the villain of her pack’s nightmares. His smile was kind.

“Pleasure, my lady.”

Jordan placed her other hand over his. “I’m so glad you came to honor us on our special day. Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Brandon looked at Nolan and nodded. “You made a wise choice for a mate, Mitchell. This little redhead is charming.”

“I may be a redhead, but I fall a little short in the charm department,” she said ruefully. “The red hair comes with a temper to match.”

Brandon laughed. “Best kind of mate. Spirited.” His expression fell. “Just like my Trixie. I miss her.”

Sympathy filled her. The Harlows might have once been their bitter enemies, but they were Lupines, too. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Nolan thanked them for coming again, and then excused himself to dance with her.

Stiff in his arms, she danced.

He no longer loved her, could never love her and this was a match of convenience. Gazing around, she saw satisfied smiles that told her several Lupines thought she was smitten with Nolan and he had her wrapped around his finger.

Still, the fact that he’d invited the Harlows made her wonder of his motivations. “Why did you invite Brandon? For years your father considered him an enemy,” she whispered into his ear.

Nolan bent his head to her, his warm breath feathering over her suddenly cool skin. “My grandmother had a saying.”

“Oh?”

“Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.” Nolan grinned. “And your bride closest of all – because your enemies make for poor bed partners.”

She laughed, glad for the ice broken between them.

“That stupid feud. Didn’t help that Brandon’s mate, Trixie, get caught in the crossfire when your father and Brandon were fighting over land rights.”

Nolan sighed. “My father felt guilty for years afterward. Brandon never forgave him for Trixie’s death. My grandmother tried to get them both to make peace, but the best she could do was force a truce they both broke from time to time.”

“I miss MeeMaw,” she told him. “Is your granny still around?”

Nolan swung her around, expertly cutting a turn. “She’s at her cabin, and my mom is tending to her. It’s hard for my mother to leave. After Dad died, she left the pack to care for MeeMaw. Didn’t want to get in my way of leading.”

“Can we go visit?” Jordan always admired MeeMaw, and his mother Sue had a gentle way about her.

Nolan nodded, looking pleased. “They both were hoping you would in a couple of days. I’ll arrange it.”

“Will the bride sing for us?” a drunk yelled out as the dance ended. “I hear she has a beautiful voice!”

“Oh, our alpha will make her sing later when he beds her,” someone added, snickering.

Nolan’s mouth twitched in a smile. Jordan smiled as well. She knew how to deal with asshole Lupines.

Jordan tugged free of Nolan’s clasp and walked over to the Lupine who’d made the comment about Nolan bedding her.

Instead of sarcasm, she opted for something else.

Jordan opened her mouth and began to sing a tune she remembered from childhood about the forest and the wolf. It was an ancient, lovely melody she’d always enjoyed.

The band stopped playing.

Everyone went still.

Nolan’s eyes widened and his breath hitched.

When she finished, silence draped the crowd. Then Nolan applauded and the guests did as well.

Nolan picked up her hand, kissed it. “I forgot what a beautiful voice you have,” he said, his voice husky.

Jordan leaned close. “And I forgot how sexy you are.” She glanced at the offending Lupine, who had turned red-faced. “Perhaps I’ll be the one to make you howl in our bed later, Nolan. You certainly do have the stamina for it.”

Nolan laughed, and there were more smiles all around, except from the embarrassed Lupine.

When they returned to their seats, Nolan picked up his glass of absinthe.

“A toast to my mate,” he murmured, and swallowed the entire glass without diluting it.

“Whoa,” someone said.

Aiden laughed again. “That’s a Mitchell for you.” He downed his glass as well without diluting it.

If she didn’t follow suit, they’d think her meek and submissive. Jordan picked up a cube of sugar to place on the slotted spoon, put the spoon over the glass and then reached for the nearby pitcher of ice water to dilute the mixture.

Then again…she had to prove herself. A real female alpha determined to match her man’s strength when they consummated their union.

Jordan tossed aside the spoon and sugar. She lifted her glass. “Over the lips, past the gums, look out hangover, here it comes,” she said cheerfully.

In two gulps, she downed the sickly sweet licorice drink.

The tables before her began to grow blurry.

Jordan coughed, slammed down the glass. “Good stuff,” she croaked.

She ate the beef, trying to ease the dizzying feeling. Jordan managed to make small talk with everyone who stopped by their table to offer congratulations.

Finally, after she’d finished the beef, the intoxication seemed to ease. And then it was time for them to retire to their room. Aiden winked at Nolan, who didn’t respond. She tried to ignore the sly suggestions tossed their way as Nolan took her hand and escorted her into a golf cart that would take them back to the lodge.

Someone had stuck flowers and wedding bells on the golf cart. Jordan grinned as she climbed into the shotgun seat, and flicked a finger at a paper wedding bell.

“No Lupine reminders for our transportation?” she asked as he started the cart.

He pressed the horn and a low, loud wolf howl sounded.

She laughed.

“Souped up the cart myself and added a few enhancements.” He winked.

She talked of the wedding, and how nice Nia was as they drove. Nolan barely spoke. When they arrived at the lodge, he escorted her inside and then said he’d be upstairs shortly.

“Bathroom has a large tub if you want to soak,” he said, his thumb caressing her cheek. Heat flared in his brown eyes.

“That sounds wonderful,” she murmured, leaning into his caress.

Nolan dropped a passionate kiss on her mouth, hinting of what awaited her. “I have some business to attend to for about thirty minutes. Legal documents, wedding stuff. Don’t fall asleep, pixie. I have plans for you.”

Whistling, he strode off.

Nia had not only found a lovely wedding dress for her, but also a new white satin nightgown and sheer, lacy peignoir. After taking a long, hot bubble bath, Jordan dressed in both to await her groom.

The bedroom was large, with a king-sized bed, a floral sofa and chair near the door leading to the deck. She strolled out to the private deck. Although Nolan’s bedroom was one of several on this floor, at least the balcony had wood privacy screens. In the corner bubbled a hot tub built for two. Jordan braced her hands on the wood railing and stared at the meadow and hills below. Fireflies winked in the dark, while overhead, stars sparkled like diamonds on black velvet.

No full moon for two weeks. For that she was grateful. It meant Nolan wouldn’t expect her to shift into wolf. Far too nervous already, she didn’t want the added pressure of testing her magick.

Jordan paced, the sheer fabric flowing behind her. Tonight she was expected to consummate their union. Yet the unspoken question hung between herself and Nolan like a curtain.

Can you forgive me for what I said to you?

The bedroom door opened. She whirled, watched Nolan walk inside, his dinner jacket slung over one shoulder, hooked on an index finger.

He joined her on the deck and tugged off his black silk tie.

In the darkness, her wolf senses perked up. Eyesight saw his gaze rove over her body, the satin clinging to her skin, her nipples hard in the cool air.

Wolf hearing picked up the increased beat of his heart, the vein throbbing in his neck and the desire tightening his muscles.

“You look beautiful,” he said quietly. “It’s chilly outside. I’ll light us a fire.”

Jordan followed him back into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. She leaned against it as Nolan tossed his jacket onto the chair and then rolled up his shirt sleeves. He squatted down by the hearth. His shirt stretched across his broad back, muscles playing beneath the fabric.

She retrieved the jacket, hung it in the walk-in closet and returned to the chair, sitting on it as he poked at the now flickering fire.

“We should talk,” she told him.

He turned, a question in his eyes.

Jordan clasped her hands, unsure where to begin. She opened her hands, squeezed them tight again.

“About the note… what I said… how I left.” Words fled her. She didn’t want to begin their mated life with this hanging over them like a dark cloud.

Nolan simply stood by the fire, his arms folded, his expression inscrutable.

He wasn’t making this easy. Then again, did she deserve easy?

Taking a deep breath, she plunged ahead. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. I only said those things to make sure you didn’t follow me. I didn’t want you stopping me and the best way, hard as it was, was to get you to hate me so you’d forget about me.”

He strode to the oak dresser and pulled open the top drawer. Nolan withdrew a sheet of notebook paper.

Her heart sank as he unfolded it and began to read aloud.

Nolan, it’s over between us. Not that we ever really began. The sex was ok, but you’re not worth sticking around for because you’ll always do exactly as daddy says instead of standing on your own two feet. Yeah, I used you, I’ll admit it, because I wanted to brag that I laid the alpha’s son. I’m leaving now and never returning. Your family is controlling and tight-fisted and your father is an arrogant, selfish prick anyway. Jordan.

Oh, that was cringe-worthy. Jordan flinched, wishing she’d never penned the note. Wishing she’d simply run away that night, and did her best to erase her tracks. But she’d been terrified that Nolan, with his superior tracking and hunting skills, would find her, bring her back and then she’d have to face what happened that night.

Twisting her hands in her lap, she gave a helpless shrug. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I only wanted to keep you from finding me.”

Damn, this was not the time to get into this kind of discussion. But better now than tomorrow. She couldn’t sleep with him again with this hovering over them.

Nolan gazed at her. “Why did you write it, Jordan? Why did you run off? Did you hate me that much?”

“No. That’s not true.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. “I only wanted to be free. Maybe someday, I’ll tell you. For now, I want you to know everything in that letter was a lie. I only wrote it to distance myself from you.”

“I see.”

“I wish… we could start over. I wish I had never written it.”

He folded it in half, and then into thirds. Nolan crossed the room.

Stunned, she watched him crush the letter with his fist and then toss it into the fire. Flames ate the paper as shadows danced over Nolan’s face. She went to him, staring up at him as he turned.

His expression turned gentle. “The past is over now, Jordan. From this moment on, we start fresh. Deal?”

“Deal.” Relief poured through her, made her limbs shaky. “Let’s shake on it like we did when we were kids.”

But as she stuck out her hand, he shook his head. “We’re not children anymore, Jordan. I don’t shake.”

Nolan pulled her into his arms.

His mouth met hers in the sweetest, gentlest of kisses. Jordan’s eyes fluttered closed. He tasted like chocolate and wine as his mouth moved subtly over hers. Nolan’s scent flood her senses, cedar and forest tangling with a hint of berries. Blackberries, she thought, opening her mouth as his tongue flicked across her lips.

Nolan drew back, his smoldering gaze searching her. “It’s been a long time, Jordan. I don’t know if I can… control myself with you.”

Shivering, she touched his cheek. “Then don’t.”

Jordan lifted her face as he stared at her mouth. Nolan pulled her against him, his lips warm and seeking as he kissed her. Thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth, he kissed her as if he needed her like he needed his next breath. She slid her arms around his neck.

Waves of desire submerged her, dragging her past reason. Not that she needed or wanted reason. It was her wedding night, and this was her husband now.

Her mate.

Need tunneled through her, firing every cell in preparation for taking him into her body. Jordan couldn’t confess she’d never taken another lover since her departure. Nolan already had wielded enough power over her.

He would take her body, which she gave willingly to him.

He would not take her heart, which she guarded from him.

Nolan swept her up into his arms. When he laid her down on the bed, she shook all over. Jordan crawled to the bed’s center, watching as he undressed. Willing, pliant, wet, she was ready to take him.

The musky scent of her own desire, and the strong, masculine scent of cedar and leather filled her senses. His breathing came fast and urgent as he kicked off his shoes, tore off his shirt and socks and then reached for the zipper of his trousers.

His penis sprang out, hard and straining. Nolan pushed the trousers past his lean hips and stood at the bed’s edge, his hungry gaze sweeping over her. He climbed onto the bed, his gaze almost black.

“Take that off,” he grated out in a rough voice. “Unless you want me to shred that pretty gown to pieces.”

Jordan’s breath hitched as she realized his claws had snapped out. He was alpha, and a wolf and his need to mate had overtaken all else. The animal surged, the male testosterone riding him hard.

As he planned to ride her.

Thanks for your gift, Nia. Nice while it lasted. Jordan’s mouth lifted in a suggestive smile. Fabric in hand, she waved it at him.

“Go right ahead.”

With a low growl, he was on her, his claws ripping the gown without touching her skin. Nolan tossed it aside and fisted a hand in her hair, kissing her again. This time, his mouth was hot and eager, and she kissed him back, passion riding her.

I want to be loved. Every night since I left, I go to bed wanting. Is it too much to ask to want happiness again?

Love seemed impossible to recapture. She’d settle for hot sex, and quieting the urges of her body.

His hands explored her quivering, naked body as she did the same with his. Rediscovering each other. Memories of their first time lovemaking ran through her. Jordan pushed them aside. This was different, more urgent and wild.

Hands clutching his rounded, fine ass, she moaned as he kissed her breasts. Then his tongue encircled her breast, licking her nipple, teasing it to diamond hardness. The suction of his mouth and the swift caresses of his tongue tensed her with anticipation.

I need this so much. I need you. Only you.

Palm skimming her belly, he touched the curls between her legs. She felt him smile as he kissed her neck.

“Still a true red,” he murmured, and then Nolan nipped her at the sensitive juncture between shoulder and neck. Jordan arched as he teased her clit, then slid a single finger past her soaked folds.

Nolan sank a finger into her, rubbing back and forth. Friction created even more moisture and she moaned, wriggling against his invading finger.

“I need to get inside you, Jordan. Right now,” he grated out. Nolan withdrew his finger, sucked on it, his glittering gaze meeting her shocked one.

“You taste delicious,” he murmured. “Now. It’s time.” He climbed atop her. Muscles on his arms bunched and flexed as he braced his weight with one hand and guided his penis between her open legs.

“All these years I’ve dreamed of having you naked beneath me again. Let me in.”

His penis pushed into her folds, seeking her soft, wet opening.

“Been a long time. You’re tight,” he muttered, and then thrust deep into the yielding softness of her warm body.

Jordan winced. The pressure between her legs turned into stretching pain. Six years was a long time. Despite the wetness readying her core, and her own eagnerness, it hurt a little. She’d forgotten how large he was. Whimpering against his mouth, she wriggled against him, desperate to find some ease and yet desperate to have him deeper inside her.

Nolan grunted, pushed harder to penetrate her, his muscles locked and straining. She cried out in distress and he stopped.

In his deep, smoky voice, he murmured soothing words to her, and then pulled out. She nearly sobbed with frustrated need. Jordan spread her legs wider and clasped his arms.

“I need you. Come back to me,” she whispered.

Lacing his fingers through hers, he eased back inside her, slower now, gentler. Impatient, she bucked her hips up to meet him, urging him deeper. Her body was no longer her own, but belonged to him.

Just as his body belonged now to her. Only her.

This was no mere consummation of their mating, but a bonding of flesh that went deeper, a feverish need to seal him to her.

To erase the past, and start over fresh, with their bodies as they had on that hot summer night before everything went to hell.

Nolan held her tighter, and then thrust deeper, grinding his erection into her. It was wild and freeing, two wolves mating with urgency driving every move.

Her skin tingled, the stimulation tensing her body, every nerve on overdrive. Jordan squeezed around him. He fucked her hard, pushing in and out with a crazed urgency, amber rising in his piercing gaze as his hard flesh slapped against her softness. Fire built up inside her, the orgasm rising as he rubbed against her clit, making her clutch at him in her own frenzy.

“C’mon baby,” he panted. “Come for me, Jordan. Come for me!”

His deep voice urged her over and she arched and screamed as the molten fire exploded in her loins. Jordan cried out his name as he groaned and went still, his hot seed shooting deep inside her. Each spurt sent little, new orgasms rippling through her. It was too much and she closed her eyes, holding onto his shoulders.

“No, open your eyes,” he ordered harshly. “I want to see your eyes as I make you mine.”

Her hips bucked up and down and he rode the wave, staring down at her as he shuddered with each release of his seed. Finally it slowed, but his penis remained engorged, locked deep inside her.

Sweat slicked their bodies, dampened the sheets beneath them. Nolan grunted and wrapping his arms around her, rolled over so she lay atop him. Both of them panting now, their hearts pounding hard in their chest.

Gently, he smoothed back her damp hair. “You okay?”

Jordan managed to nod. Speech was impossible. Emotions smoldered inside her, joy and pleasure, along with overwhelming sadness. This should have been their mating night years ago, Nolan in her bed each night. And then later, making babies during the long summer and winter nights. By now they’d have one or even two little ones.

He palmed her ass, kneading it with a growl of pleasure as his penis remained deep inside her. Then he touched her lower back and the ink stamped there and she stiffened.

Jordan pulled his hands away, wrapping them around her neck. “Kiss me,” she demanded.

He obliged, his mouth warm and soft, sweet this time.

Then his penis softened and he rolled to the side, separating them. Nolan cupped her face. “You are so lovely,” he murmured, and kissed her once more.

For a few minutes, they drowsed in each other’s arms. Then he began touching her again, caressing her back.

Suddenly he sat up, and stared at her back. Jordan stiffened.

“What?”

Light from the lamp on the nightstand showed his fascinated expression. Nolan stroked a thumb over her backside, making her shiver. “Where did you get this?”

Jordan’s heart dropped to her stomach. “Ink parlor in Phoenix. They were running a special.”

The tattoo of lush grapevines swept across her lower back, just above her butt. Nolan’s lips brushed over it, making her shiver.

“Did it hurt?”

A hell of a lot, but not as much as the reason why she’d done it. The vines covered the original mark, the one that had scarred her for life. “I tried not to think about it.”

“Why did you get it? And in this spot?”

Too many questions. Tensing, she clutched the pillow. “Guess I was homesick. But I didn’t want to see it. Needed to know it was there. Different kind of a tramp stamp, I guess. Most women get roses.”

Nolan rubbed her ink, and she tensed more. “You’re not a tramp, Jordan. Don’t ever call yourself that.”

She rolled over, stared up at him. “You always did stick up for me, Mitchell. Now, are you gonna keep talking or do something else with that fine mouth of yours?”

“I know exactly what I’m gonna do with this mouth of mine.”

The wicked glint in his eyes warned her he did, too.

Nolan began kissing his way down her body, delivering tiny, biting kisses on her breasts, belly, skirting his way down to her thighs. Jordan writhed as he parted her legs and settled between them.

He began licking her moistness, delving his tongue between her soft folds. Nolan kissed her clit and sucked hard, the pressure making her moan and wriggle, tension building all over again.

Each flick of his tongue sent pleasure spiraling through her. She was on fire all over again. Jordan clutched the pillow, crying out as another orgasm slammed into her.

Nolan sat up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His penis, erect once more, jutted out from the crisp, dark hair at his groin.

Ready for her again.

“You taste like succulent grapes,” he murmured. “Sweet and juicy sliding down my throat.”

She stiffened as he turned her over. Nolan pulled her onto her hands and knees. “Time to make it official for life, pixie,” he whispered. “Give you my mating mark.”

Heart thundering in her chest, she froze. The mating mark, the erotic bite all male Lupines gave their mates to ward off interest from other males.

The mark that declared to the world that she was exclusively his…and he was hers.

A permanent declaration of their mating.

But as Nolan kept caressing her backside, the memories came like ashes riding a hot wind. That night in the woods, Bryce laughing as the two women held her down, the sharp, hot bite of the knife sinking into her flesh…

“You’re so sexy,” Nolan grunted, nipping her tattoo. He pulled her close, nipped her ass and then settled more firmly behind her in order to take her in the traditional mating position.

As his erect shaft started pressing inside her, she yanked away. “No!”

Jordan scampered away, curling up on the bed and clutching a pillow. Shame filled her, and regret. She wanted to weep, but pride prevented tears.

Never let them see you cry. Never let anyone see you cry.

A huge sigh came from Nolan. “Guess you’re not ready. Fine.”

He reached over, turned off the light. “Good-night,” he said quietly.

As he drifted off to sleep, she remained awake, tears trickling down her face. Jordan stared at the ceiling, cursing his brother and herself.

She had chosen Nolan over prison, but Jordan began to wonder if she made the wrong choice. For at least in prison, she didn’t risk breaking her heart all over again.