Page 14 of Ruining Red
But I’m too close to losing myself, to losing control.Even now, my claws extend as the beast fights to be free.Will I have the strength to hold him back?Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her in close, drinking in the scent of her impending heat.
Poor little thing doesn’t even realize how close she is to me actually stripping her bare and rutting her in the snow.Those large eyes, fathomless, pools of black as her irises disappear, blink up at me, as if I hold all the secrets to the universe.
As it pertains to my knowledge of her, she’s almost entirely correct.Though I’ve never had an omega of my own, I know they’re supposed to exist.The ancient texts speak of one made for a wolf such as I.
However, where she's wrong is in the fact I’ve never been able to put it into practice.In some ways, I’m just as lost as she is, following everything by instinct.There’s still the possibility that my senses are lying to me, and she is, in fact, not my mate.
But something deep in my gut tells me I’m wrong.No other sacrifice has responded like this.No one else burns as hot as she does, despite the snow.She should be shivering, nearly mindless right now, her skin a pale gray from the chilled winds biting her.
Yet, as I study her body, I find her cheeks a bright pink, healthy even, as if the weather has no effect on her.I’m sure if I reach out and stroke her again, I will find it warm.Granted, not as hot as mine, seeing as the wolf keeps me immune to such inclement weather.
Under my palm, I feel her ribs expanding as she takes in large gulps of air.It’s not fear that quickens her breath, but arousal.It scents the air, perfuming the space between us until my head spins.
I should let her go, allowing her to run until I can get myself back under control.But I find I can no longer remove my hand from her person.The very idea sends shards of pain deep inside my soul, forcing my wolf to cry out.It’s the proof I need that she’s far more than some human girl.
For once, the imbeciles in the village got it right.How I wish she had looked like them, that her nearly white hair and startling blue eyes didn’t give it away that she was different.Oh, if she could have walked amongst them unmolested, without fear or being ostracized.
How fitting would it be if the wolf’s mate looked like every other ordinary girl.But then, I wouldn’t have the pleasure of running my fingers through curls so pale they blend in with the very snow beneath our feet.I wouldn’t be able to look into eyes so blue, so sparkly, they put the very sky to shame.
Though I would have been more than content with whatever my mate looked like, there’s something erotic in knowing I’ll be the only one to enjoy such a morsel.There would be no lookalike elsewhere, sighing as meaty, unknowledgeable hands pawed at them.
None of the men would look upon their women and think they know what my mate looks like.They’ll only have their memories of this night to comfort them while their hands slide up and down their cocks, urgency tightening their bodies.And they can have those memories.For now, at least.
This jewel is mine and mine alone.Inside my skull, the beast howls, furious that others have seen the beauty of her hair, her voluptuous curves as they strain against the thin dress.I should be the only one to see her this way, to note the tousled curls and the way her impending heat flushes her lips.
My stomach cramps with need as everything in me tightens.My cock strains against my pants, rubbing the stiff fabric with every movement.None of that is worse than the feeling of the wolf prowling about, demanding control.
Pulling away, I force myself to put some distance between us.It’s the only way to stay sane, rational.I growl under my breath as I pace, no doubt looking every inch a madman.If it frightens Teagan, however, she makes no show of it.
“Are you not scared?”I rasp out.“Are you not worried the wolf will destroy you?”
“How can I be afraid when you are here with me?”Her voice is small yet full of conviction.
It does more to me than her scent alone.There’s a trust there that guts me, nearly driving me to my knees.How I want to be that man for her, the knight who will see her safe from harm.But I’m not.I will never be.
From inside my mind, the wolf inches forward, taking control of my mental faculties.It’s his words that spear the air, lust coating every syllable.“Oh, but you should be afraid.Out here, alone, with no one to save you?You would be at my mercy.”
“Mercy sounds like a good thing, and yet, the way you say it, it sounds like a curse.”Again, those voluminous eyes stare up at me, the innocence pouring from her body.
Running my fingers along her cheeks, I pause to scrape my nail across her bottom lip.As if on instinct, her mouth parts, her warm breath grazing me.She’s not panting, exactly, but it’s close enough to make my cock jerk.Images of her kneeling before me, mouth open to accept my seed into her belly, flash before my eyes.
I long to push on her shoulders, forcing her down, but in truth, that’s not what I really want.My body craves her like it demands my next breath.I want to slide myself deep into her body, making us one.
“Such an innocent little virgin, aren't you?”I groan against the top of her head as I haul her into my arms.“You have no idea what I could do to you, to this body of yours.”
“N- No,” she whimpers, her tiny fingers clutching at the front of my shirt.“Please.Teach me.”
The world freezes for a moment as that pitiful, mournful request meets my ears.There’s no way I could have heard her correctly.Pushing her away again, I prowl about, the wolf slipping in and out of command.To her credit, she finally seems to understand fear.
It spices the air, souring it a touch.Normally, I’d be repulsed by it, but the wolf wants to draw more from her.It wants her screaming beneath us, unsure if it’s terror or pleasure that draws such sounds crawling from her lips.
“This is your last chance,” I growl, my voice raspy, almost inhuman.“If you value your sanctity, your innocence.You.Will.Run.”
For a moment, she freezes in place, and I question her sanity.But then, as if her brain and body finally catch up with each other, she explodes in a flurry of movement.Nearly falling in her haste, she catches herself and runs off, taking to the woods.
I can no longer hold back.With a roar, I rip the clothes from my body and fall to the ground, my body twisting as hands and feet turn into massive paws.I’m nearly fully transformed by the time I take off after her.
This time, the wolf is in complete control.He sniffs her out, following the trail, the scent of her fear and arousal.It calls to him, puffing out his chest as he listens for her hesitant footsteps.In this game, she will surely lose, because no one knows these woods like he does.
