Alpha's Moon (Shifter Ops 1)

Scott wanted a Stepford Wife and made it clear I couldn’t quite fit the part. I was always a little off, too honest, too quirky, too much of myself. He and my dad always tried to iron out the lumps in my personality. They squashed me down, but I could never lie flat.

Like a doormat.

I yank open the door and jump out of the wagon before Deke can come around and let me out.

“Relax,” he takes my hand, his big one enveloping mine. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“Of course,” I say, but my calm is as fake as our relationship.

Deke

I’m not sure the last time I felt so light. Sadie makes me laugh. She’s fucking adorable.

The resort is set in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos. I might be able to slip away and go for a run, maybe. Work some of this pent-up lust out of my system. I’d love to run now, but Sadie’s too keyed up, and it’s making all my protective instincts surge out of control. Which is a recipe for disaster.

Lance was right. If Sears even comes near her, I could lose it.

And that kill wouldn’t be one I’d survive. Rafe would have to put me down for good.

I put a protective arm around her as we cross the lobby. She leans into me almost unconsciously. Win. By the time we get to the front desk, she’s smiling again, a genuine smile, not that pinched awful thing that clashed with the anxiety in her scent.

My presence seems to help her tension. Maybe I can try other ways to relax her. If she'll let me. I need to think of this as a job. I’m here with a mission—be Sadie’s fake date. Protect her from her ex. I’m not here to mate her, despite what my wolf seems to think.

“We’ll need to add an extra room,” she tells the front desk person. “I called about it earlier.”

“I’m sorry miss, we’re at 100 percent occupancy.” The front desk guy eyes me, and I tighten my hold on Sadie’s shoulder.

Sadie shoots me a glance. “But when I called that’s not what you said.”

I keep quiet as Sadie and the resort receptionist try to figure it out. My wolf is fist-pumping the whole time. He doesn’t mind sharing a room, a bed. Hell, he was looking forward to it. But he’s not the one who has to hold back. To try not to claim Sadie the second I get her alone. Sink my teeth in that sweet-scented flesh of hers and permanently mark her as mine.

“Deke, I’m sorry.” Sadie turns to me, chewing her lip. “There’s only one room.“

“Babe. It’ll be fine.” I say and run my thumb over that worried lower lip. Her pupils dilate and arousal flares in her scent. “We’ll work it out,” I promise.

I’ll give you a workout. My dick is stiff in my jeans.

“Besides, isn’t this good? People won’t wonder about the status of our relationship. They’ll believe… we’re together.” I swallow what I was about to say. They’ll know you’re mine. My wolf wants to howl the news until the lodge rafters shake. I’m going to have to work hard to keep him in check. Especially if we’re sleeping in the same room together.

“You’re right. This is good. It’s fine. It’s all fine.”

I make a light circle on her lower back with my palm as she convinces herself. I hate seeing her agitated. She sighs and turns into me, and my arms shoot around her like I was made to hug her. I grit my teeth and hope my dick doesn’t skewer her belly. But when Sadie melts against me it’s all worth it.

“Feel better?” I murmur into her hair.

“Yes. Thank you.” She smiles up at me, and fuck if I don’t want to kiss her here, now, in front of everyone. Trouble is, I wouldn't stop with a kiss.

“Sadie,” I murmur, and then my muscles stiffen as I get whiff of Douchebag Cologne. Or whatever gag-awful scent Sadie’s ex is wearing. I look over Sadie’s head and sure enough, there’s Scott Sears swaggering in his preppy clothes.

Part of me wants to throw Sadie over my shoulder and race up the stairs to our room. The other part of me wants to throw Scott out of the lodge. He’s wearing hiking boots that look expensive but never worn. Not a speck of mud on them. How long would this douchebag actually survive on a wilderness trek? My wolf wants to chase him down the mountain and find out.

“Incoming,” I whisper into Sadie’s ear. “Hold tight to me.”

Sadie’s brows knit together in confusion, but she clings tighter, with her arm around my middle. I tuck her right to my side, under my arm, and damn if she doesn’t fit perfectly. Then she sees who I’m talking about.