Page 34 of Pack to the Wall

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "You're mine now. My mate in every way that matters. And I protect what's mine."

The fear in her eyes softened slightly, replaced by something warmer. "You really mean that, don't you?"

"With every fiber of my being." He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Let Marty come. Let him try to take you. It would be the last mistake he ever makes."

Her smile was small but genuine. "My hero."

"Your Alpha," he corrected, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "And Marty is about to learn the hard way what happens when someone threatens an Alpha's mate."

THIRTEEN

CHRISSY

Chrissy woke up to the sensation of warm skin against her back. Her naked body was deliciously tangled with Zev's beneath the silken sheets of his bed. Sunlight filtered through the large windows of his villa's bedroom, casting golden patterns across their naked bodies. She smiled, nestling deeper into the protective circle of his strong arms.

Never in her life had she felt so completely safe and so utterly cherished. The cocoon of his muscular arms around her was a fortress she never wanted to leave. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths behind her, his stubble tickling the sensitive skin of her shoulder.

"I could stay like this forever," she whispered to herself, running her fingers lightly over the corded muscle of his forearm.

Memories of yesterday flooded her mind—the moment on the beach when he'd told her she was his fated mate, and the instant recognition that had resonated in her soul. She'd never believed in such things before, but her body and heart recognized what her mind couldn't explain. He was her missing piece, the half that made her whole.

The way she'd kissed him after that revelation had surprised even herself—wild and uninhibited, claiming what she wanted. And he'd let her. The powerful Alpha wolf had surrendered to her completely on that secluded beach afterwards, his blue eyes dark with desire as she'd taken control.

"The way you looked at me," she murmured, twisting slightly to see his sleeping face over her shoulder. "Like I was everything."

After their passionate encounter in the cove, they'd returned to his stunning villa—a masterpiece of glass and natural wood perched on the highest point of the island. The dinner they'd shared had been filled with laughter, feeding each other bites of food and telling stories as if they'd known each other forever.

But what happened after dinner... Chrissy felt heat flood her cheeks at the memories. Every surface in his villa had been christened by their passion—the shower with its multiple heads creating a steamy paradise, the cool marble of the kitchen island against her back, the polished wood of the dining table, the plush softness of his couch, even the terrace chair under the stars. She'd lost count of how many times she'd shattered in his arms, her body now bearing the delicious soreness of being thoroughly claimed.

She shifted slightly, feeling the pleasant ache between her thighs, and her arousal must have reached Zev's sensitive nose because his breathing changed. His arms tightened around her waist.

"Good morning," he growled against her ear, his morning voice rough with sleep and desire. His hand slid possessively over the curve of her hip.

"Morning," she replied, turning in his arms to face him. The hungry look in his blue eyes made her breath catch.

He dipped his head to capture her lips, his kiss demanding and thorough. When he finally pulled away from her, she was breathless.

"Maybe we should shower first," she suggested with a small laugh, even as her body betrayed her words by pressing closer to his.

Zev lifted an eyebrow, his lips curving into that predatory smile that made her insides melt. "If you insist," he rumbled, his voice pure alpha male. "Though I quite like how you smell right now—covered in me."

"Zev!" She playfully swatted his chest, though the possessive comment sent a thrill through her.

He laughed, the sound deep and rich as he reluctantly pulled away and slid from the bed. Chrissy took a moment to appreciate the magnificent sight of him standing naked in the sunlight—all tanned skin and defined muscle, moving with the confidence of a man fully comfortable in his power.

He extended his hand to her. "Come. Though I can't promise the shower will be just for cleaning up."

As he guided her into the massive bathroom and turned on the multiple shower heads, steam quickly filling the glass enclosure, Chrissy was transported back to the previous night. The way he'd pressed her against the cool tile, lifting her effortlessly as water cascaded over their joined bodies.

"What are you thinking about?" Zev asked knowingly, his eyes darkening as he pulled her under the warm spray.

"You already know. Last night. In here." She ran her hands up his chest, feeling the rumble of approval that vibrated through him. "I've never had anyone treat me the way you do."

"And how's that?" His hands slid to her waist, holding her steady against him.

"Like I'm precious, but also yours to cherish. Something worth protecting." She met his gaze directly.

His piercing eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "Chrissy, I will protect you until my last breath," he said with absolute conviction.

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