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Austin’s breathcaught when Lexi shifted, just as it had the first time in her bedroom. Her wolf wasmagnificent.
Silver fur with a snowy-white face, black nose, and the tips of her ears looked like they had been dipped in ink. She was just a little bit bigger than most of the females he’d been around, which was surprising considering how slender Lexi was. But no one could explain the magic behind shifting. He admired her as she pawed the wet grass and lifted her nose, taking in the wild scent of the wilderness for the first time.
She was also showing him every white tooth in her mouth.
“Easy, girl,” he said in a soothing tone. Austin summoned his alpha voice, the one laced with enough power to make the betas submit upon command, regardless if they were in animal or human form. He had to teach her to obey or else she could wind up in serious trouble someday by tangling with the wrong alpha.
Lexi’s wolf lunged and snapped ferociously.
Austin stepped forward, never looking away from her fearless eyes. She hesitated for a moment, appearing uncertain of what he was going to do. Austin knelt down on all fours and looked her dead in the eye, throwing out all the power he could.
“Submit,” he commanded in a heavy voice.
Something flashed in her pale brown eyes and her lips uncurled just a fraction. Austin didn’t want to frighten her by shifting, so he waited her out—something he’d done with his own brothers when they formed the pack so everyone knew who was in charge. Surprisingly, Reno was the most obedient and Denver proved to be the most challenging. They’d fought until Austin caught hold of his throat and held down Denver’s wolf. In human form, Denver couldn’t be more opposite than his animal.
That wolf had issues.
“Come here, beautiful.” Words he never thought he’d say out loud to Lexi, but she wouldn’t remember this. He’d always thought she was a captivating creature, but nothing like now. She was once a young girl who wanted the world to see her, who craved love in ways that only young girls could understand. Lexi really looked at the world and noticed it. She was far more stunning now than ever before because of the womanly fire in her gaze, the subtle curve in her hip, and the compassion for others in her heart. She was fiercely protective of her family, and Austin admired her courage through adversity.
It’s what did him in.
The truth of the matter was—Austin had loved Lexi for more years than he could count.
That bright-eyed little girl used to have stars in her eyes when she looked at him. Austin grew up thinking she was human, and most Breeds didn’t associate with humans. His feelings for her began to change when they were teenagers, and by then, it was hard for himnotto notice her. She was lovely with her long hair and sun-kissed skin. Lexi had an endearing wide smile, but even that didn’t hold a candle to her glowing expression when she went into one of her fits of laughter.
Wes had been his best friend since they were tying sheets to their shirt collars and pretending to be superheroes. He considered him a brother, because Shifters bonded that way and blood made no difference in who you considered family. As attracted as he was to Lexi, friends didn’t do that to each other. So Austin had kept a respectful distance from his best friend’s little sister. Wes did a great job keeping the boys away from her, but he also kept a close eye on Austin. He looked out for Lexi because her father didn’t.
What a bastard he was too. Austin had never seen a man less compassionate toward his daughter, but he had all the affection in the world for Wes. It should have made sense back then, but Austin just figured Nelson—their dad—didn’t relate to girls.
One night after a party, Wes lost his keys and they had to sneak in through Lexi’s bedroom window. She had tagged along with them, but they hadn’t let her have anything to drink; she just had the giggles. Nelson was waiting for them, and he was drunk. He threw Austin and Wes into the hallway and locked himself in the bedroom with Lexi. Austin never knew what happened in that room, but he’d heard a smack.
That was the night Wes discovered what Austin really was. Rage funneled through his body and caused him to shift uncontrollably in the hallway. He was ready to tear her father apart.
Austin had some explaining to do. After that, Wes became obsessed with their world and wanted to be a part of it.
Lexi had become a handful when she started dating. That didn’t sit well with either of them. Especially in high school when some of the boys started calling her Sexy Lexi and then Austin found out why. One of her best friends revealed to him that Michael Hudson had deflowered her. He went after Michael’s group and did some damage to their faces.
Rage didn’t quite encapsulate the feeling that coursed through Austin’s veins. Michael was evasive and hard to find, but Austin knew he had all the time in the world.
That’s how deep his respect for Lexi went; that’s how much he revered this girl who didn’t have a clue how he felt about her. She never had. Each time she entered a room, he tensed and felt a thrill move through his body as well as a fighting instinct to protect her.
A mockingbird sang in the distance and the night air called out to his wolf. Austin’s eyes never left hers as she bravely stared him down in wolf form. It was a proud moment watching her shift for the first time, even though she destroyed her bedroom and tried to take a chunk out of his arm. Man, what a fierce heart, and that’s something you never break.
“Come on, Lexi,” he coaxed. “You got these woods to run in and no one will hurt you. I need you to trust me.”
No longer baring her teeth, she snorted and stepped forward—tail high and proud.
Not a good sign.
He stiffened his shoulders and leaned forward on his knuckles, staring at her intensely. She whined a little and her tail went lower.
“I’ve known you for years, and this is how it’s gonna be?” he asked, a little playfulness in his voice.
Lexi’s wolf cautiously took another step, her silver-and-white coat even more exquisite in the moonlight. Recognition flashed in her brown eyes the closer she got to him. Maybe she knew his smell, but Lexi began to submit. She stretched out her neck and nuzzled below his chin. Just a few taps before backing off.
He smiled and sat back, hands on his legs, watching her nose lift in the air.
