Page 86 of Curses and Casualties
Ryan’s eyebrows shoot up, heat flashing in his gaze. “That’s all, huh?”
I laugh, shoving at his chest. “Knowing Luna, she also wants to hunt something first. Maybe chase a few deer. Work up an appetite.”
“You’re getting comfortable with your duality.”
“I love it.” I nip at his jaw, tasting salt and pine. “But I love you more.”
The kiss that follows erases everything else. His hands tangle in my hair while our bond flares silver-bright between us. No pack responsibilities, no visiting Alphas wanting alliances, no diplomatic headaches. Just Ryan and Georgia, mates who breathe for each other.
Early morning light catches the rainbow shimmer in his eyes when we break apart. I’m breathless and glowing—literally. My skin radiates that telltale luminescence that means Luna is very, very happy.
“Mmm.” I arch against him like I’m made of liquid heat. “No one’s tried to challenge us for leadership in two weeks. I think that’s a record.”
“Don’t jinx it,” he warns, but he’s grinning. “I love the quiet.”
Four months since we brought down a mountain with our Soul Bond’s power. Four months since the world cracked open and magic spilled free. Four months since we introduced a system where every wolf has their say. It’s been a lot, to say the least. But this is what we fought to achieve. Still, mornings like this still feel impossible—waking in our cabin without curses hanging over our heads like storm clouds.
“Though the paperwork might kill me,” I groan. “Territory agreements, alliance proposals, incident reports...”
“Mrs. Strickland’s noise complaints,” Ryan adds with a grimace.
“Three this week! And it’s only Thursday.” I trace the scars on his neck, feeling his pulse jump under my fingertips. “Some old wolves don’t appreciate a good pack howl.”
“We offered to soundproof her house.”
“She said that was ‘giving in to the beast.’“ I mimic her prim tone perfectly. “Some people live to complain.”
Ryan’s eyes darken, and I feel his wolf stir through our bond. “Speaking of beasts...”
Luna surges forward without warning—claws extending, canines sharpening, raw hunger flooding my system. The control I have now compared to those early fumbling days is intoxicating.
Ryan’s pupils dilate to black rings. “Oh, you’d better run fast, love.”
I’m out of bed like a shot, laughing as I sprint naked through our cabin. He’s right behind me, both of us wild with need, not caring about clothes or dignity. We explode through the back door and shift mid-leap.
The transformation is pure ecstasy now. No pain, no struggle—just the fluid melt from woman to wolf. Luna emerges with a joyful yip, immediately bolting for the tree line. Kane’s answering howl shakes the windows.
‘Catch me if you can,’I tease through our bond.
‘You’ll need more than speed, pretty wolf,’he growls back.
We tear through the forest like silver lightning. My powerful haunches launch us over fallen logs while Ryan crashes through undergrowth behind us, all brute force and determination. I can hear his heartbeat, smell his excitement mixing with pine sap and morning dew.
This forest is ours now—every trail, every stream, every moss-covered boulder. I splash through the creek, Ryan gaining fast, then double back to leap clean over his massive head.
‘Cheater,’he accuses, mock outrage rippling through our bond.
‘Strategic thinker,’I correct, already bounding away.
We run for miles with no destination except joy. This is what we fought for—the right to simply be wild together.
Ryan finally tackles me near a sun-dappled clearing, sending us both tumbling into soft grass. Our wolves play-fight like cubs until suddenly the playfulness shifts to something molten.
Georgia,he says through our bond, and the raw need in that single word makes me shiver.
We shift back in perfect unison. Then he’s kissing me like he’s drowning, hands fisted in my hair as he pulls me against him. I taste his desperation, his hunger, and it matches the fire clawing through my veins.
“Georgia,” he growls against my mouth.
