Page 33 of Pack to the Wall

"You're mine now, Chrissy," he murmured, his voice rough with raw emotion.

She looked up at him, her eyes soft with affection. "I'm yours, Zev," she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty that made his heart swell with joy.

Before long, Zev helped Chrissy back into her tank top, his fingers lingering on the soft skin of her back. The way her eyes kept finding his, bright green and full of promises, made his wolf preen with satisfaction. She was his now, in every way that truly mattered, and the thought sent a possessive surge through his body.

"Come home with me tonight," Zev said, his voice a deep rumble as he stepped into her space. "My villa. Room service. No interruptions."

Chrissy tilted her head up, a smile playing on her lips. "Is that an order, Alpha?"

"A request," he countered, though his eyes flashed with heat. "Though I'm not above begging if needed."

Her laugh was like music. "I somehow don't think an Alpha wolf has ever begged for anything."

"There's a first time for everything." Zev traced a finger along her jawline, reveling in how she leaned into his touch. "And you, Chrissy Rivera, are worth getting on my knees for."

"Well, when you put it that way..." She rose to her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Lead the way."

The walk back to his private villa felt different from every other time he'd made that trek. His wolf was practically strutting, proud and satisfied in a way he'd never known possible. Chrissy fit perfectly against his side, her body a warm, comforting presence as his arm wrapped possessively around her waist.

Several pack members they passed on their way gave knowing looks, and Zev met each one with an unapologetic stare. Yes, he'd found his fated mate. Yes, she was human. And yes, anyone who had a problem with that could deal with him directly. He didn't feel like he had to announce it to the whole pack this very moment. That would come in due time. For right now, he was just focused on enjoying his mate's company for the rest of the evening.

His villa sat at the highest point of the property, a sprawling structure of natural wood and glass that blended seamlessly with the surrounding jungle while offering panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. As they entered, he watched Chrissy's eyes widen at the open-concept design, the infinity pool visible through the sliding glass doors, and the understated luxury of his personal space.

"Wow," she breathed, stepping further inside. "This is gorgeous."

"For the first time," Zev said, moving to the kitchen to grab his phone for the room service order, "it actually feels like home."

After calling in for some fresh seafood and local specialties, Zev found Chrissy on his terrace, leaning against the railing and taking in the view of the bay below. The setting sun painted her in shades of gold and amber, and for a moment, he simply watched her—this woman who had crashed into his life and changed everything in less than a week.

"I still can't believe this is real," she said without turning, somehow sensing his presence.

"What part?" He moved behind her, his arms encircling her waist as he pulled her back against his chest. "The island? Us?"

"All of it." She leaned her head back against his shoulder. "Four days ago, I was trapped in a nightmare. And now I'm here, with you."

Zev pressed his lips to her temple. "I'm glad you found your way to me. Even if it took Gerri's meddling to make it happen."

"What we did earlier in the cove..." she turned in his arms, her palms flat against his chest. "That was perfect, Zev. I've never felt so..."

"Complete," he finished for her.

"Exactly." Her smile was radiant.

Their dinner arrived, carried by a discreet staff member who barely made eye contact—a sign of respect for their Alpha's privacy that Zev appreciated. They ate on the terrace, sharing bites of each other's food between stories and laughter, but as the meal progressed, Zev noticed a shadow crossing Chrissy's expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked, setting down his fork.

Chrissy hesitated, her fingers twisting the napkin in her lap. "Marty. He's not just going to let me disappear."

Zev's jaw tightened. The mention of the manager's name was enough to stir his wolf to attention.

"He said—" She swallowed hard. "He said if I ran, he'd ruin me. And he's well-connected, Zev. The things he could do..."

"Let him try." The words came out as a growl, his eyes briefly flashing wolf-gold in the fading light. "If he wants to get to you, he'll have to go through me first."

"You don't understand. He's?—"

"A wolf without a pack," Zev cut in, leaning forward. "A lone shifter who preys on humans because he's too cowardly to facehis own kind. Trust me, Chrissy, I understand exactly what he is."

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