The Hunter's Alpha

28 Forgive

Devon Mature

Amber moaned as I ran my hands under her shirt, discovering, to my pure delight, that she had no bra on underneath. I cupped her breasts in my hands and she moaned my name, a breathy whisper that only encouraged me.

She helped me pull her shirt up over her head, and I ran my hands down her body as she wiggled out of the sleep shorts she was wearing, clearing my way of obstacles in the path to what I desperately wanted.

My mate was beautiful, and I wanted nothing more than to plunge inside her, but first I needed to ensure that she enjoyed this as much—or more, if such a thing were possible—than I did. She seemed ecstatic when I reached the apex of her thighs, and then a sound came from beyond our room, breaking my concentration on her body. My wolf was furious at the possibility of interruption.

It was just enough that it pulled me away from her, and I opened my eyes.

Amber's scent lingered on me, and drifted in from the main room. Her presence teased me and my body was screaming at me that I needed her that exact moment, and nothing else would do. She was so close, just a door away, and I wanted to go to her, but instead I took a shower, letting the water run cold. It barely took the edge off.

I spent twenty minutes trying to think of the things most unrelated to Amber I could come up with, and finally I got myself under control.

I dressed quickly and left the room, finding that she was sitting at the table having already helped herself to cereal again. I noted I would have to get someone to get better food for her here. She was still wearing what she'd worn the previous night. Pyjama pants and a t-shirt were far from sexy nightwear, but she looked like a siren to me. My wolf was aching for her, and my body was apparently no better, aided and abetted by my imagination. With her so close I really was getting better sleep, but I had underestimated how much worse the proximity would make my desire to fully claim her during my waking hours. Was it so bad for every wolf, or had our separation made my desperation that much greater?

Did it matter, since I'd screwed up so badly that she'd probably never entirely forgive me? I'd probably be lucky if she ever let me mark her willingly, if she even changed her mind about wanting to kiss me.

I wasn't going to complain. Having her with me was enough, and I'd suffer without the rest of that's what happened.

After breakfast she retreated to her room, and I was tormented by thoughts of her in there with water running down over her naked form. I waited for her to come out, before I left, only because I wanted to see her, while planning everything I had to get done if I wanted to responsibly leave when she did, and I absolutely did want to go with her.

It would be strange, since I hadn't left the pack for a non-business purpose since...ever? I'd gone with my father and sometimes mother when I was young, but that had never been for pleasure. Sure, I'd played with the other children around, but those trips had always been for the pack, and I had never questioned it. The idea that I would be going for another reason almost made me feel guilty, but no. It was my duty to serve my pack to the best of my ability, and working to make my luna want to stay with me was what was best for the pack.

I hadn't been the leader I had been before I met her while she was gone. I was only fortunate that my pack was so capable. They'd manage with or without me for a while longer. I only hoped that Amber wouldn't change her mind about returning with me again once she was done in the human world. She seemed certain of her decision, but I still couldn't help but question it.

I dreaded what my wolf might try to do if it came to that and only hoped I'd have the strength to hold him back.

—————

I had suggested to Amber that we take a second vehicle back, and to my relief, she had agreed. While we all could have fit in Dan's, it would have been tight, which would have made it a much longer and more stressful journey.

I would have gone without complaint if she hadn't agreed, but she seemed to also see that riding in a car with an angry werewolf and a vampire who had discovered his mate with hers in an undeniably compromising situation would be awkward at best. Besides my other regrets, I couldn't help but feel guilty that my stupid choices might have sabotaged Megan's chances with Dan. The fact that Amber seemed willing to try to forgive me, while making me grateful, also made me feel guilty that someone else was bearing the brunt of my mistake.

I was probably just lucky that she hadn't told me to just drive by myself while she rode with her friends.

After feeling hopeless for so long, it seemed too good to be true, and that made me nervous. Things couldn't keep going this well, could they?