His to Play With (The Alpha Shifter Collection)

“When it comes to you, it doesn’t bore me, Holly.”

“You don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not lying. I’m trying to prepare you all for the truth. Someone in your pack has betrayed you. I don’t know what their motive is. I’m not some kind of detective. We both know what we saw. You have to admit I’m right.”

He eased out of her pussy and Holly turned on the ground so she looked up at him. “I know you’re right.” Tears filled her eyes. “But I … how can I accept that? I was hurt, Damon. Children were shot at. We were hunted like animals. That kind … it’s so awful and it hurts more than anything I’ve ever experienced. I can’t stand the thought that we’re also helping the person who did this.” She covered her face. “And that makes me a bad person. My dad always said there is power in forgiveness.” She shook her head. “I can’t forgive this. I keep on seeing Daniel, and he … he was one of us. He was so loving and kind. I was at his wedding to his mate. I watched him hold his baby.” She sobbed against his hand. “And I can’t accept someone who is responsible for that.”

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. She held on to him, her face pressed against his chest as she let go.

The wolf in him howled for vengeance. Anger filled every single part of his core. The need to commit destruction floored him.

“Holly, I promise you, whoever did this will never, and I mean ever, get away with it. I will go to war with your father if I have to. I will make sure they suffer greatly for putting you through this much pain.”

He had no choice. This was cutting him real deep.

Chapter Eight

“Will you be able to handle me running with you tonight?” Holly asked.

“Do you think you can keep up?” Damon asked, removing his clothes as he stared ahead at the forest.

She sensed the rest of her pack were already changed, ready to go for the run. The full moon was high up in the sky. She felt the energy. The power. It was intoxicating.

“I doubt I’ll keep up.”

“I’ll make sure you do.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. His face pressed against her neck.

With the full moon, everything heightened around them. She ran her fingers up his back, touching him, wanting to get as close to him as physically possible.

Damon held the back of her neck, tilting her head so she had no choice but to look him in the eye. “You’re driving me crazy. Now is not that time to want me like this.”

She was wet.

He was hard.

Her pack was close.

He let her go and took a step back.

Holly took off into the forest, feeling the ground beneath her feet. She counted to ten as she ran and then, her wolf came forward. A natural alignment of souls. On the ground, blonde like her hair, she took off, feeling the moon in the sky. The energy of the pack rushed through her.

This was freedom.

She ran wildly, taking it all in, not allowing a moment to stop.

Her feet hit the ground and she charged forward.

Howls filled the air.

She stopped, tilted her head back, and joined them, howling up at the moon.

“You’re so incredibly beautiful.”

Holly stopped and whirled around.

No one had ever spoken to her in her mind. Only mates had that ability, and there she saw him and knew who it was.

“You heard me?” he asked.

There was no way. It wasn’t possible.

“Holly.”

“Damon.”

They’d been together a month nearly and not once had she thought he was her mate. There had been a few times she’d hoped, when he was being nice to her and not a dick.

She stared at him.

“Do you know what this means?” he asked.

“Please, stop.”

“No!”

He took a step closer to her, and she held her ground. The wolf inside her wanted to charge forward.

Mate. Mate. He’s our mate. Take him.

She ignored the call of her mate and stared at Damon. The moon was high in the sky, and she looked up.

Her mate was the same man she’d given her virginity to. The one who was helping her pack and also driving a wedge between all of them. This wasn’t fair.

Looking back at him, she saw he’d stilled, watching her.

“Holly, don’t fight this. You know you want me. Mates are hard to find and we’ve found each other. You’re mine, as I’m yours.”

Those words did it.

Her wolf wouldn’t be contained a moment longer. She pounced, and Damon held her. They were both in wolf form as they fell to the ground, nipping at each other, rolling in the dirt.

Holly moved back with a smile and then took off with Damon chasing after her.