Page 76 of Ruin

Walker and B’nar smirked at my face, misreading my frown. I blinked, sure I’d never seen either of them smile like that before. They just shrugged as if I should accept my role as Queen at Connor’s side. I guessed they were right. He was my mate and there was no way I was relinquishing my claim on him. I blew air over my hot cheeks, which didn’t seem to be cooling at all, and pulled at my sweater with my other hand, blowing down the neck and across my skin as heat seemed to radiate out from me.

“You okay?” Connor asked, his hand squeezing mine harder. Heat sizzled all the way through my body again.

“Yeah, fine,” I lied, trying to remain calm as some of the nearby males inhaled, their faces dropping into confused frowns as my pheromones hit them.

I tugged on Connor’s hand, my feet grinding to a halt. “But maybe we could leave…”

He leaned down and peered into my eyes. “You look a bit flushed...and your scent...Damn, Ember...” His eyes flickered to the nearest male who took a step forward, his eyes fixed on me. Connor cracked his neck and angled his body in front of mine. “Turn the fuck around, before I break your neck.” His voice held a deep warning growl.

He was so close, his scent so strong that I couldn’t stop myself. I stepped in front of him, speared his hair with my hands and slammed my mouth against his, devouring his lips. Lust shot through me, heating my core. I was dimly aware of dozens of eyes on us, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop.

Connor grabbed my face between his hands. But I didn’t want to stop kissing him. “Shit,” he mumbled against my lips. More kisses. “Em, stop…what the…” I pulled back, my face hot and sweat beading on my brow.

Connor inhaled again and his eyes widened. Moving swiftly, he lifted me up as though I weighed nothing. “Out of my way!” he bellowed, and I willingly wrapped my legs around his waist rubbing the apex of my sex against his rock hard erection which seemed to have sprung to life in a matter of seconds. I groaned. “Connor…I need you so bad.” My skin was burning, need twisting my insides. “Ah, it hurts,” I cried in his ear.

“I know, love. I’ll make it better. I promise. Owen! Make sure no other males get near us. If they get through. I’ll rip them apart.”

“Sure, thing, boss. Kawan, Stone, Myles, Drake. With me.”

Then Connor was running. Howls resounded across the compound. I was only dimly aware. Crying out as another twist of desire ended in pain. “Connor…” I sobbed, trying to find some kind of release as I moved against him but it wouldn’t happen. “Mother Wolf, what’s happening to me?” I’d never felt anything like this before… “Oh shit...Oh gods...Connor. I’m…”

“It’s okay, I know,” he growled. “And your mine. I’ll kill anyone who tries to get to you.”

I glanced over his shoulder to Owen, whose wolf was riding him high, his eyes reflected the light of the compound. Shit, I hoped his brothers could withstand the need to mate. It shouldn’t be like this, I thought. Not when I’m mated. “Why are there so many howls?” Fear coursed through me.

“Fuck. You’re scent…It’s off the charts.” Connor panted, beads of sweat rolling from his hairline and down his temples. A female in heat was a calling card to all unmated wolves, but it should lessen with me being Connor’s. My body hadn’t gotten the memo though. Powerful pheromones were leaking from me and into the air.

“Shannon...the females… They’ll be better protection for us. Don’t put your brothers at risk. Please, Connor…” I almost wept when he nodded. None of his brothers except Myles were mated.

“Myles, stay with us...Owen! Leave with the others. Send Shannon…”

“It’s alright, I’m here,” said a female voice.

I almost cried at the sound of my friend’s voice. No matter what had happened between us in the past, I trusted her. “Thank you,” I mouthed at her. She smirked. “No worries. Maybe you can do the same for me in the next few months.” I saw Stone stare at her before Owen pulled him away.

Walker and B’nar appeared from the mouth of the cave and sprinted towards us.

“We’ll watch your room,” Walker said. “It’s her phoenix. Now that she’s been released, it’s sent her body into overdrive.”

Connor grunted, his own face flushed. Without a word he ran up the steps and into our cabin. The others stayed outside. I had no time for embarrassment at my effect on the camp, not when another wave of desire rode me and wetness seeped from between my legs, soaking my panties.

“Fuck. Me. You smell good.” Connor’s chest heaved as he placed me on the bed—and stepped away.

I stared up at him, confused as lust clouded my mind. I reached out to him, but he stepped back more. “What are you doing?” I managed to ask.

His throat bobbed. “Is this what you want?” He ran a shaking hand through his hair. “I...er... can get Drake to…” His eyes dropped to the floor before coming back to me. His eyes were bright and his face flushed. He inhaled then groaned, blinking slowly as he blew out a breath. “Fuck...Some drugs. Okay? If this isn’t what you want…”

I watched his throat bob, my stomach squeezing. “We’re mated. I would always want this with you.”

“Em, we have no protection…”

My heart lurched. I pulled my hand back and closed my eyes. “Oh…right. You don’t want a baby.” It was a dull statement. He was right. This wasn’t the time. My body chose that moment to release another wave of heat. I groaned, inhaling that deep heady scent of his. It filled me, making me want him more.

“Mother Wolf, tell me you want this, Em. Tell me if you end up pregnant that you want my child—if you aren’t one hundred percent sure, I will leave this room and hunt down Drake. He has to have brought some kind of drugs or protection with him. I could find them…” He ran a shaking hand over his face.

The thought of him leaving me filled me with horror. I speared his gaze with my own, my heart doing a flip in my chest. He wanted this? “I one hundred percent want this. But only if you do.” And suddenly I realised the total truth of that statement.

His strong throat bobbed and the air thickened with his scent, making me squirm under his heated gaze. His spine straightened and his chest rose and fell rapidly, his own arousal clearly reaching a point where he was losing control. With just a thought his clothes disappeared and he stood utterly naked, a feast for my greedy gaze. “Gods, you're so gorgeous, Connor.” His eyes flickered with surprise. Hadn’t I told him how stunning he was before? Right then, standing in front of me, with his thick erection standing proud he looked like agod, nevermind a king…

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