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Preface
TYLER
Moving forward through the dark woods toward Wolf Creek took all my willpower. Every ounce of my being wanted me to turn back. I’d been walking all day, fighting against the pull of my mate.
It felt like I was being ripped in two. My soul was at war with my body, threatening to split from me and find its way to her.
The woman who was the cause of my madness and my pain was also my reason for breathing. I needed her like I needed oxygen.
I wasn’t sure when it happened or how I’d let the bond take over so completely. It didn’t matter though. It was too late to do anything else other than claim her as mine.
Once I completed the bond, once I felt our souls join, everything would be right with the world. The mark she wore meant nothing. She would bend to me as was her place.
Walking back into Wolf Creek, empty handed, was going to drive my father into a rage. He never wanted this for me, but he didn’t know what it was like. He never felt the pull of the mating bond. It was a connection deeper than blood, an instant loyalty. I’d fought it so hard at first. But the longer she was away from me, and the more I tried to keep her away, the more I needed her.
Lola was the only thing that mattered anymore. Fuck Wolf Creek. Fuck becoming an alpha. I’d burn it all to claim her as my mate.
The worst part of all of this was that there was another male moving in on my mate. And now I knew the body we found in the ruins of my father’s house wasn’t his. It also meant he’d had help. I wasn’t in the place to deal with Kyle’s betrayal now. Part of me figured he’d come running back once Lola returned. Then I could make an example out of him.
I couldn’t worry about Kyle while I was trying to eliminate the threat on my mate. That feral shifter fucked with the wrong man. With any luck, the toxin I’d given to him did him in.
It was a gamble holding that needle to Lola, but I’d watched the two of them together long enough while tracking them to know he’d take the bait. With him out of the picture, Lola wouldn’t have any choice but to give in to the bond.
I cut through the woods until I reached the barrier. A rush of cold shivered down my spine as I entered our territory. I wasn’t in a hurry to return home, though. Not yet. As far as my father knew, I was out hunting my mate. He believed I was going to kill her. There was no reason to explain my true intentions. Once she was mine, he’d have no choice but to welcome her to the pack. And she’d have no choice but to yield to me.
A small cottage on the outskirts of town came into view. It was a half mile or so away from the barn where we held ceremonies, making it the farthest structure in Wolf Creek.
Over the years, my father had offered other housing options for our high priestess, but Jenny always turned them down. Something about being out in nature to connect with the elements. I wasn’t sure I believed all that, but at this point, I needed advice and I wasn’t getting it from my dad.
When I’d had Lola tossed in the caves, I thought our bond would break. It didn’t. Instead, it roared to life, stronger and hungrier than before. Jenny had explained that the more you fought a bond, the more it consumed you. If it reached a critical point, even the death of a mate wouldn’t quench your longing.
I was there. There was no cure for me. I either had Lola, or I craved her for the rest of my life. That wasn’t an option. I would make her mine fully.
A warm glow behind the curtains let me know that Jenny was still awake despite the late hour. I didn’t hesitate to knock on her door. She was my only hope for answers.
The door opened quickly, and Jenny greeted me with a knowing smile. “I wondered when you’d arrive.”
“Spare me the all-knowing priestess speak,” I said. “I need to hear it straight. Nobody knows I’m here and there’s no need for show.”
Jenny frowned. “You better get inside, then.”
I crossed her threshold and was hit by the scent of pachouli and other herbs I couldn’t place. Her home was small and cozy, but warm and welcoming. It was a single large room, with a kitchen along the back wall, complete with small table set for two. On my right was a living room with sofa, rocking chair, and coffee table. On the left a bed with a nightstand. I knew the single closed door led to her bathroom. It was far too small for my taste, but Jenny seemed to enjoy her life here.
“Sit,” she instructed, gesturing toward the sofa.
I obliged and she took the rocking chair across from me. “You’re distressed.”
“Please, can you just be Jenny right now?” I’d known Jenny since before she was high priestess. She was friends with my mom and had been the wild streak to my mom’s calm. I hated the voice and the show she put on in front of others.
Jenny sighed. “You know I take this job seriously, don’t you?”
“I know,” I said.
“You know I was chosen by the Moon Goddess, right?”
“I know. Why do you think I’m here?” I demanded.
“Because you can’t get your mate to accept you,” Jenny said.
