Page 52 of Untamed

I snag my cat's waist and tug her into me, naked flesh pressing together. "That bitch," I breathe into my mate's golden mane. She makes a soft sound of discontent, huffing it out onto my chest before she wriggles until she can look into my eyes. I feel that golden gaze piercing through my skin and bones, right to my soul. Just like the very first time I saw her.

Will I always feel this way? Feel as though I'm only really complete when this female is eyeing me up? Only feel alive when she is touching me?

Who the fuck cares? Let me stay chained to her forever. "You truly are my Bliss," I tell her softly.

She smiles at me again, and my heart trips a little. Goddess, this golden she-wolf has me weak-kneed like a pup after just two days with her.

A knock on the door interrupts us.

"Inuit," Rhet's voice calls out. "I have Lyri on the phone. She wants to talk to you."

I groan out loud, tilting my head back, so the rain-head shower beats down directly on my face. I feel a tug on my hand and look down at myQitsuk'ssmirk. When my eyes meet hers, she quirks an eyebrow at me.

"It's nice," I offer, stepping back so that she can stand directly under the showerhead.

Her nose crinkles. She gives me her refusal the way she gives me everything else - silently. Stepping out of the shower, she grabs one of the towels, monogrammed with RC, hanging on the rod, and wraps it around herself. Hair dripping wet, she waits, the chain extended with just enough slack to be comfortable.

I frown to myself. She's just out of arms' reach. I'll have to adjust the length again.

We get dressed. Bea has, once again, provided my mate with a sundress that makes her look young and innocent and makes me feel like a cradle-robber. This one is blue with white dots. She looks gorgeous.

Entwining my fingers with hers, we walk to my office, where Rhet is waiting with his cell in hand.

"Lyri," I greet my Luna and the now-second most important female in my life.

"Inuit, do you think Glory was telling the truth about Jessie?"she gets straight to the point.

I pause. I hate the answer. "Yes."

"Shit,"she curses softly."Ez and I are going to hurry back. Maybe a couple of days? Keep patrols up. I'll make sure that Alpha Blout knows what Glory is up to. Honestly, her mate isn't ranked, right? What can she possibly be thinking, putting Diego up against you?"she growls.

"You think she has enough clout to start a war with BlueSnout?"

Lyri pauses,"I think there are enough weak alphas out there that packs are breaking apart. It's been uneasy in the north since GriMaw lost their alphason twenty-seven years ago. She may have followers, but not the whole of BlueSnout."

"I don't get it," I admit. Lyri is one of the only wolves I'll ever admit weakness to.

"GriMaw was expanding a generation ago. When Teague shifted MateLess, his Father pulled GriMaw back to their original packlands. He knew without Teague, GriMaw wasn't going to be as strong. It threw the whole north into chaos. That includes your birthpack," she says gently."Now, I think the chickens are coming home to roost. Something has to give. These wolves who think they are more than they were ever meant to be, need to be stopped."

There's a pause, then, with warmth infusing her words, she says,"I heard you found her, In."

"I did," I confirm, feeling tears prick the backs of my eyes. I look down atQitsuk, watching me, that intelligence swimming in her gaze. "She's amazing," I tell Lyri.

"I can't wait to meet her, In. Congratulations. I have to go, but I'll be home soon, alright?"

"Good. See you soon," I tell her. I smile down at my mate as I hang up the phone. "Let's go home, yeah?"

---

16 - It’s All Nature’s Fault

Willa

Mactiir's fingers twirl my hair, his hand touching my back as I lean forward. With one twist, the light comes on, and the soft sound of the river fills the vehicle. I push the button next to the knob, and the sounds change to something magical. "Music,Qitsuk," Mactiir mumbles.

Giggling to myself, I touch the next buttons, 1 through 6, then twist the knob to turn the sound off. Waiting for a beat, I twist it on and start all over again.

Mactiir lets out a soft laugh. "Goddess, you're cute."

---