“I don’t want a girlfriend,” he said. “I want a woman, a mate, you.”
“Me?”
He nodded, then kissed her on the lips again.
“How many women have you said that to?”
Liam frowned. “Only you. Don’t you believe in fate, Rebecca?”
“I never really thought about it,” she said.
He wondered how many men she’d had. It didn’t matter, because he’d be the only one from this day forward. “Have you never been in love?”
She shied away a bit. “I’m not very good with people, Liam. This is all new for me. I just feel comfortable around you for some reason.”
“That’s a good thing, baby.” He ran a hand through her hair. “Are you telling me you’ve never been in a serious relationship?”
Rebecca bit her lip. “I’ve had issues with … anxiety. I’m not good with social situations. That’s the main reason I moved out here. I don’t want to be on medication, so I decided to trade it for some fresh air, peace, and quiet.”
His wolf didn’t give a shit about anxiety. Rebecca was a virgin, untouched by other men. The knowledge excited him, his claim even stronger. She’d be his. Only his. He couldn’t wait to eat her sweet virgin pussy.
“You’re good with me.”
She drew patterns at the side of his neck with her fingertips. It was an unconscious act, but it was driving him crazy. She had no idea the power she held over him.
“It’s strange, I know. There’s something different about you. You’re not like other men.”
“Not at all.”
Alphie started barking at the wall of dark forest behind them. Liam had been so engrossed in everything Rebecca that he hadn’t paid attention to his surroundings. Now that he took notice, he could smell the pungent scent of alcohol. Kids came to drink and make out, so he wasn’t threatened until two men came out from between the trees. Only they weren’t men at all.
They were shifters, but not from the rival Silverback Warrior Pack. They were dressed in camo, so they were likely playing human, coming out for hunting season. Over time, many werewolves swapped feral life for easy human living. They gave up shifting for so long, they could barely call themselves wolves at all. Their senses and instincts got rusty without use, so they may not even realize what he was. For some reason, Rebecca was a damn magnet for trouble. He had a feeling these urban shifters were pulled to his mate since he hadn’t marked her yet. That would have to be remedied soon. There was no way he’d let anything happen to her.
“Can I help you, boys?” he asked. This was his alone time with Rebecca, and he didn’t want things interrupted.
“You’re trespassing,” said the blond.
“Actually, we’re not. It’s public land. And I’d like to enjoy a nice evening with my woman, if you don’t mind.”
The blond scoffed. “You think you’re a tough guy, don’t you? I can take your woman, and you wouldn’t be able to do a fucking thing about it.”
“What did you say?” He shifted Rebecca behind the wall of his body.
“I said you’re a pussy.”
Liam cracked his neck to the side, his alpha power making his muscles tense. “I get that you’re both wasted, but when you threaten my mate, we have a big fucking problem.”
“It’s okay, Liam. Let’s just go,” Rebecca whispered behind him.
“Listen to her,” said his dark-haired friend. “Or we might keep her for ourselves.”
“Take her,” said Liam. “I fucking dare you.”
Rebecca clutched his shirt from behind.
Liam flashed his fangs, his eyes morphing into wolven yellow. He’d told Rebecca they lived in a decent town, but this was the second time he’d had to kick ass in front of her. He hoped this shit was earning him some boyfriend points.
The two hunters turned to look at each other. “Shit,” the blond whispered. The realization of what they were dealing with was starting to sink in past their alcoholic stupor. The dark-haired one backed off, the blond still holding his ground. Liam rushed forward, punching the blond square in the face. He’d held back, but the man still toppled down on his ass. It wasn’t enough. He needed to put the fear of the devil in these pricks, a warning to never threaten his woman again. After grabbing the guy’s collar and lifting him up, he used his free right hand to punch him a couple more times. This time he was out cold.