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There was no stopping me after seeing that. She wasn’t going anywhere ever again without the smell of me all over her. I can’t wait until I get to sink my teeth into her tomorrow night, binding her to me forever, our scents becoming one. For the rest of our lives, we would always smell like one another. But just for tonight, I had to rub myself against her, leaving something of myself on her skin.

When I got her to the back room and smelt how thick her desire for me was, I had to taste it. Before I knew what I was doing, I had my face pressed against her cunt, breathing her scent deep into my lungs. Every part of me wanted her.

I wanted to walk out of the bar, letting everyone know how much my mate desired me. That I brought that out in her, and no one else ever would. It was all mine.

Reaching down and undoing my belt, I pull my always-hard cock out and stroke it while I stare down at her. I know I won’t be able to come no matter how long I do this, but I don’t give a fuck. I want my wolf to see what he’s been begging me to claim these past few weeks. How close we are to finally getting to sink inside her.

I couldn’t believe when I buried my face between her thighs, my wolf growled, “Virgin”. I never dreamed of her being untouched. I hadn’t cared before. All that mattered to me was being her last. She is a twenty-four-year-old human female. Virginity is usually something long gone for them by that point. It’s not like our kind wants to wait for our mates; we don’t have a choice. But when my wolf told me she was untouched, I wanted to howl. We’d both be each other’s first and last. Everything to one another.

I don’t know how long I stand there, staring down at her, but when I see the first ray of sunshine through the window, I know I need to go. She wakes early to open the bakery, and it being Halloween, I’m sure she’ll be busy until all the tourists head home for the holiday.

She doesn’t need to wake with me standing over her like a dog in heat. Her mind will probably be playing tricks on her as it is given how we both reacted to each other last night. I know my wolf had to be showing through, but I'm not sure how much she could see in the dark room of the bar.

I’ll wait until I can actually mate her before letting the dog out of the bag. With the full moon high in the sky tonight, I’ll have nature on my side, making her attraction to me even stronger.

I put my cock back into my pants, buckle my belt, and flip off the lamp next to her bed. I could have easily watched her with the lights off through the night with my wolf-sight, but I didn’t want to miss a single detail.

I lean in close, and her head falls to the side, exposing her neck. Even in her sleep she’s submitting to me. I can’t help but lick her there, scenting her one last time. But her skin is calling to me, and I suck on her there, knowing I’m leaving a mark for everyone to see. A taste of what is to come.

Pulling back, I whisper in her ear, “This is the last time you’ll ever wake alone, my sweet mate.”

With all the strength I have, I pull myself from her home, locking the bakery door behind me and heading for the alpha’s house. It’s going to be a long fucking day.

When I get to Stone’s place, I let myself in and head right for his couch. But as I walk to it, a burning need starts to rise inside me. I barely hit the soft cushions before I'm back on my feet, pacing back and forth. A strong and potent feeling crawls up my spine. I should be dead on my feet from lack of sleep, but suddenly, I’m wide awake.

I want to talk to the alpha about keeping an eye on things tonight with the moon being out. Male shifters get a little on edge with other unmated males around. After that I was going to head home and get things ready for when Ruby sees her new home. I can’t wait to show her where we’ll raise our pups.

But right now I feel like I’m choking. I can’t breathe, and suddenly my wolf is growling, “Need her now”. My jaw clenches, and I feel my teeth start to lengthen. Maybe I went too long without touching her. Maybe the little taste I got last night only added fuel to the fire—the fire that’s now raging inside of me—now that I’m so far away from her. I need to get back to her. Now.

I feel fur start to coat my face. My wolf is winning the battle, and I suddenly don't care if he does. My baser instincts are kicking in and taking control.

I bolt for the door, but before I can reach it I’m flung back. I hit the wall, and it knocks the air out of my lungs. Pieces of Sheetrock hit the wooden floor beside me, but I’m not fazed.

“Mine,” I growl, getting up, my eyes locking on Stone. He’s blocking the front door, standing between me and what’s mine. I bare my teeth in rage.

“Get it under control,” Stone growls back at me, but my wolf is so far gone it doesn’t recognize the alpha command.

“You keep me from my mate?” My voice is so deep I’m not sure my words can be understood. What the fuck is there to understand right now? I want my mate, and everyone needs to get the fuck out of my way.

“I would never keep you from your mate, but you’re losing your skin, and I can’t let you out of here until you’re under control. A human could see you.”

“Then the answer is yes, you’re keeping me from my mate.” The last word leaves my mouth as I lunge from my crouching position on the floor. I feel my nose elongate, fur bursts through my skin, and I half-shift as I try to attack the alpha.

Hitting Stone with my own body is like hitting a fucking brick wall. We both fall to the ground, making the old farmhouse rattle. I move quickly, going for his neck, my wolf wanting the blood of anything keeping his mate from him. We need her more than we need anything else. We feel like we can’t breathe without her now.

Stone has me by the back of my neck, his fist full of my hair as he yanks me away before I can sink my teeth into him.

“Goddamn it, Dom, I’m not keeping you from your mate!” he snarls at me. “Don’t do this. You’re in mate withdrawal, and we could end up killing each other.” Stone’s own wolf starts to push to the surface, his eyes melting into full black.

I snarl at his words.

“Dom, you’ll upset Ruby if you show up tonight looking like you’ve been in a bar brawl,” a woman’s voice says from behind me, making me loosen my grip on Stone. Hearing the words ‘upset Ruby’ makes something in me stop.

I glance to the side, seeing Gwen approach me. Her hand is extended like she plans to use it to comfort me.

“I’m not yours to touch,” I snap at her, not even feeling guilty. The thought of her hand on me makes my stomach cramp. My need for Ruby is hitting me harder and harder, making me throw my head back and howl. My wolf can take no more, and I start to shift.

Suddenly, I feel a sharp sting in my back. I look over my shoulder, seeing a syringe sticking out of me. Gwen jumps back, leaving the needle stuck in place. My body goes lax, black spots dot the room, and a vision of Ruby’s face comes into view. I want to reach up and touch her, but I can’t move my arms to pull her to me.

“You can’t keep me from her.” I force the words past my lips.

“Get the chains,” is the alpha’s only response.

7

Ruby

I look out the front window of the bakery, the once kid-filled streets are now empty as I flip the sign on the door to signal that we’re closed. Disappointment and agitation roll through me; I haven't seen Dominic all day.