Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,63
his words.
He was right.
And how did I switch that off? I wasn’t aware of when it started.
For fuck’s sake.
My lashes lowered as I studied his lips. I’d felt them between my legs, but we’d never kissed. Not once.
A wrinkle formed between my brows. “Don’t you find it strange that we’ve never kissed?”
“It’s one of the meets—usually, the next.” He tensed.
It was? Did I miss that?
He had such a full bottom lip. “May as well get it over with then.”
Sascha moved back, and I was doused with cold water, literally, as I felt the spray of the waterfall on my back.
I stared at him, heart hammering. “What is it?”
“Not tonight. Tonight is about teaching you how to manage your wolf—though you greatly impressed my pack with your show of control last night. That’s no easy task. Some wolves never manage a partial shift.”
That’s what they were gasping and muttering about. I inhaled. “Why does that make you sad?”
He glanced back in surprise. “Well done.”
I waited, trying to shove back disappointment that his lips weren’t on mine.
“The answer to that can wait for another time.”
He was usually so open with me. “If you won’t tell me that, let’s get the kissing meet over with.”
“No,” he said brusquely, striding back down the rocky path.
I marched after him. “Why? It’s a quick kiss. We’ll get it over with and only have two meets left. You wanted this.”
His river water scent intensified once more, and when he halted, I studied his ass.
Sue me.
“I’ve dreamed of finding my mate for a lifetime,” Sascha spoke, his back to me. “Since I found you, you’ve slipped through my fingers time and again. Nothing has turned out like my dreams at all—in fact, my nights are spent tossing in terror wondering what could befall you without me there. I could kiss you now, little bird. I could cave to the pressure building around us and claim you in all ways on a whim.” He sighed heavily. “It is, perhaps, just a kiss. And I am, perhaps, just a fool. But I want one part of my dreams to be true. When I kiss you because no one else exists for me any longer, I want you to kiss me back just the same.”
Wordless, I couldn’t reply as the Luther half turned.
His cheeks reddened, and he dropped his gaze. “You’re exhausted. Let’s do this another time. Maybe you could stay behind after the meeting on Sunday?”
His words bounced back and forward between my ears. What did all that mean?
That there was lovin’ talk.
“Sure?” I croaked.
“Okay. Goodnight.” Sascha, still red-faced, shifted into Greyson, who sent me a long look before leaving.
Something tugged under my ribs, and I covered the spot with both hands.
What’s that?
My wolf answered, It’s him.
The tugging pulled taut, like an elastic band drawn tight, and I sucked in a breath.
Oh my god. Sascha was on the other end.
I had a Sascha beacon.
Now we can find him anywhere, she said quietly.
That’s not what worried me.
Apparently, I just accepted the Luther a little bit more.
17
The sister is coming, my wolf said.
She’d reduced Rhona to the sister in the last two days.
I glanced behind to see that indeed, Rhona stormed our way. I managed nearly a whole day without any antics too.
“I’ll meet you there,” I said to the head team.
Roderick walked towards the van, but Valerie pointed over my shoulder. “Is Rhona coming too?”
Fucking. Valerie.
I turned. “Rhona. Can I help you with something?”
“I’m coming to pack lands.”
Put her in her place.
“We’ve been through this,” I said, ignoring my wolf again. “You must remain at the manor in case something happens to me.”
She grinned and hurt spliced me at what the grin implied—if only we were so lucky.
“The Luthers have shown themselves to behave on two occasions,” she countered. “I have a right to see pack lands as a Thana.”
I tilted my chin. “Every steward in this tribe has a right. And yet I see none of them here. Would you leave them leaderless?”
“Not at all. You stay here. Just like last week when I took your spot.”
Trixie broke the leaden silence. “What?”
“Andie and I swap places sometimes,” Rhona lifted a shoulder. “Sometimes, she’s too scared to give public speeches on Tuesday nights. And she needed a break last Sunday, so I stepped in for the grid announcement.”
Wow. She went there.
She really hated me that much.
I scented the subtle shift in scent of those at my back. Facing them, I nodded. “Rhona’s right. Twice, we’ve switched position. I’m afraid my confidence