Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,79

when she offered me another marshmallow, my mind was made up. She had an uncanny ability to roast them just right, and that would trump running with the moon every single time.

CHAPTER 23

Eventually, Ian howled, announcing the end of the pack's run. A few had already dropped out, having work in the morning. Not as many as I expected, though. So, when the final cry went up, the pack slowed, and everyone lifted their muzzles to the moon. The sound of our voices echoed back, bouncing off the walls of the community to echo in the early morning air in a way that felt so good.

A few wolves chittered and took off again, but most of us began walking or trotting toward the parking area. Trent and Seth moved beside me, then Ian fell in beside Trent. All of us were panting. I was tired but in the best way. My body felt like it could keep going, yet all that excess energy had been burned off. I loved this feeling. It was powerful, like a reminder that my body was capable of so much.

And I knew exactly what to do with that. I was going to make that woman mine tonight.

When we reached the parking area, I shifted before the others had a chance. Leaving the guys behind, I strode over to the fire where Elena had her arms wrapped around Pax. That proved why he hadn't returned to the run. Unfortunately, it only took a few steps before I realized just how cold it had gotten. Not even the warmth of the fire was enough, yet I was a man on a mission.

"You got her all evening," I told Pax, nudging him over with my leg so I could reach Elena. My eyes found hers, and I leaned in. "So I'm taking you home."

"Gabby," she said, her eyes jumping to the side, most likely where her daughter was getting dressed.

The smell of warm sugar, my mate, and campfire smoke was like an aphrodisiac. The adrenaline still pumping through my veins made me want to lean in a little more, yet that one word stopped me. It was the only reason I didn't claim this woman's lips right here for the entire pack to see. My beautiful mate. Mine, and I had to force myself not to grab her out of that chair and steal her away.

But Heather heard Elena too. "Gabby? Why don't you spend the night with Olivia, hm? You can borrow some of her clothes for school in the morning."

"Sounds good," Gabby said. "Because I'm sure Mom's going to go home and pass right out."

I turned back to see the kid grinning at me. "Act fourteen," I told her.

Her smile only got bigger. "Dunno how to break it to you, beta. I kinda am."

Elena had her head in her hands, and her shoulders shook slightly, but I couldn't hear a thing. For a split second, I thought she was crying, until a single giggle slipped out. When she finally lowered her hands to look at me, her eyes were sparkling.

"Put on pants," she said, lifting the edge of her blanket in an offer.

That reminded me that I was leaning over her, thinking about her naked, and in full view of the entire pack. My dick was only half hard, but still. Thankfully, my back was to the rest of the pack. Sasha, however, could see everything - if she stopped staring so intently at the fire with her lips pressed together. I accepted Elena's blanket, moving it to cover my dick, then shrugged as innocently as I could.

"Nudity isn't the same to us," I pointed out. "A necessity to change shapes."

"And you're still my man, and I'm not looking to show it off," Elena teased. "Pants, Lane."

Pax whuffed in amusement, then trotted his wolf body to the truck. I followed. The rest of the guys were already there and mostly dressed, so Ian passed my pants over. As quickly as I could, I pulled them on, but it wasn't doing anything to make my dick go down. Between the rush of the run and the sight of my mate waiting when we got back, I couldn't stop thinking about throwing my woman in bed and having my way with her.

I tried. If she'd been a wolf, I would've taken her out on the trails, knowing a few spots where the ground was soft enough for her human skin. Or against a tree. Yeah. That would work