Chapter 2

Ryan

The plane touches down at the regional airport with a jolt, and I let out a low growl of impatience. Being confined in the metal tube for hours always sets my nerves on edge - an alpha's natural instinct is freedom, open spaces, the wind whipping through my fur. Not this unnatural human method of travel.

I step off the plane, the familiar scents of pine and mountain air instantly calming my restless wolf after being cooped up in the stale, recycled air of the cabin. As I stride through the terminal, a petite brunette who was seated beside me on the flight flashes me a coy smile, slipping a folded napkin with a phone number scrawled across it into my palm.

"In case you're ever in the city again," she purrs, giving me a lingering once-over that would make a lesser man's thoughts stray. But not mine.

I simply tuck the napkin into my pocket with a polite nod, my focus solely on getting back to my territory as quickly as possible. The city may have its... temptations for an unmated alpha like me, but it also reeks of pollution, humanity's stain tainting every breath I'm forced to take. I crave the clean, earthy scents of the deep woods surrounding Whispering Pines.

Tossing my duffel into the truck bed, I slide behind the wheel of my battered old pickup, relishing the familiar scent of worn leather and motor oil enveloping me like a comforting blanket. With a rumbling growl of the engine, I peel out of the parking lot and point my truck toward the winding road that will lead me back to the heart of my territory and the sprawling grounds of my pack's lands.

The towering pines blur past my windows as I navigate the mountain roads with practiced ease, the tension ebbing from my shoulders with each passing mile that carries me further from the city's tainted air. Yet as familiar as this drive is, an unfamiliar scent drifts through the cracked window - faint, but utterly captivating. Like a trail of sugared wildflowers leading me deeper into temptation.

My wolf perks up, instantly alert as I breathe in the intoxicating fragrance, every nerve ending tingling with primal awareness. It's rich and earthy, but with hints of sun-kissed meadows and sweet berries that make my mouth water.

My knuckles whiten on the steering wheel as I force myself to focus on the winding road ahead, my heart thundering as I try to make sense of the strange, visceral reaction this unknown scent elicits. Sweat beads on my brow, my muscles tensed like an over-taut bowstring as my wolf strains against the iron chains of my self-control.

What is this? What's happening to me?

By the time the boundaries of the pack lands loom into view, I'm practically vibrating out of my skin with a ferocious, predatory need. My wolf has never reacted with such intensity, leaving me feeling unbalanced and unmoored in a way I haven't experienced since my first transformations as an unruly adolescent.

Gravel crunches beneath my tires as I navigate the winding drive, my gaze instantly locking onto the warm glow of lights spilling from the front windows of the Thorne estate home.

And that's when I see her.

Hannah is sitting on the porch steps, deep in conversation with a stranger - a woman with tumbling waves of auburn hair haloed by the soft golden light. She turns at the sound of my approaching truck, and for the briefest moment, her hazel eyes meet mine in a soul-searing gaze that leaves me utterly disarmed.

The force of the energy that slams into me in that endless instant nearly buckles my knees. This... this woman is the source of that intoxicating, maddening scent. The one that has set my every cell ablaze and shaken the foundations of everything I am.

My mate.

The realization thunders through me, upending my carefully constructed world in a single instant. I'm dimly aware of Hannah rising to her feet, her lips moving in what I can only assume is a greeting, but all I can perceive is the raging of my wolf's roar as it surges through my veins like molten lava.

She. Is. Mine.

The possessive claim reverberates through my soul, scorching away every logical thought. My wolf's feral instincts scream to pull her close, to bury my face in her hair and breathe deeply.

With a tremendous effort, I manage to wrestle back enough control to throw the truck into park and stagger out. Hannah rushes forward, concern etched on her face, but I can't even look at her. Every fiber of my being is utterly consumed by the vision of the woman standing before me.

"Ryan, this is Jenna. She's my best friend from college," Hannah says, her voice sounding like it's coming through a long tunnel. "Jenna, this is my brother, Ryan."

Jenna extends a hand, her lips curving into a warm, radiant smile that's like a physical caress against my flushed skin. "Hello, Ryan."

The moment our palms touch, every nerve ending in my body ignites like a lightning strike. A profound, indisputable awareness reverberates through my very soul—she's my mate, my other half, the one destined for me.

No. Not possible. She's human.

The wolf within me snarls at the denial, hackles raised, while my rational mind whirs. How can a human be my mate, my destined other half? My pack would never accept it.

"Excuse me." The words leave my lips in a gravelly rasp as I tear my gaze from Jenna's bewildered expression. Every instinct is screaming at me to yank Jenna against me, to bury my face in her throat and breathe in that intoxicating fragrance until it's seared into my psyche. To sink my teeth into that creamy expanse of skin and stake my claim in an unbreakable bond.

"I... I need to shower," I manage to grate out, my voice a harsh, guttural rasp.

Whirling on my heel, I stalk inside the manor like a man possessed, barely registering the confused glances from the household staff as I barrel my way up the stairs and into the sanctuary of my private rooms. I strip off my clothes, my skin feeling like it's about to burst into flames from the raging inferno consuming me.

The instant the scalding spray of the shower pelts my overheated flesh, a guttural groan tears from my throat as the punishing deluge does little to quell the firestorm of need raging through my veins. Bracing my palms against the sleek tile, I hang my head and allow the pounding torrent to sluice over my trembling muscles as my wolf's howling demands claw at my mind in a relentless onslaught.

Mine. Mate. Claim her. Make her ours.

The feral words reverberate through my psyche, each one lashing at my tattered restraint until the last vestiges finally shred away in a blinding haze of instinct and need. With a ragged snarl, I brace my forearm against the shower wall and reach down with my other hand to grip my punishingly hard shaft.

Jenna's bewitching face instantly sears itself into my mind's eye - those soft, kissable lips parted in a breathless gasp as my body covers hers. Her slender fingers threading through my damp hair as I bury my nose in the tantalizing haven of her throat and breathe in her intoxicating, feminine musk. The silky warmth of her thighs parting in blatant invitation as my hips surge forward, burying myself to the hilt in her welcoming heat as she cries out my name in mindless ecstasy.

A harsh groan tears from my lips as my fist begins pumping in harsh, unforgiving strokes, my entire body thrumming with the relentless driving pulse of my wolf's feral demand to claim our mate. I can almost feel the phantom caress of Jenna's soft curves pressing against me, her nails scoring delicious lines of fire down my back as I take her with hard, punishing thrusts.

Ours. Mate. Claim. Take.

The litany chants through my mind, fueling the rapidly building crescendo of pleasure and need spiraling through my veins. My harsh breaths turn to ragged pants, sweat beading on my brow and chest as I chase that elusive oblivion.

And when it finally slams into me with staggering force, it's Jenna's face I see imprinted against the whiteout of ecstasy - her hazel eyes dark with want, her pouty lips parted in a breathless cry of my name. A deep, guttural roar tears from my throat as I shudder through the mind-numbing release, my knees nearly buckling from the sheer intensity of it.

It's only when the final tremors have ebbed that the crushing weight of reality comes crashing back down around me. With a shuddering breath, I slump back against the shower wall, suddenly feeling as drained as if I've just weathered the brutal onslaught of a hurricane.

Jenna is my mate.

The words ricochet through my scattered thoughts, their weight slowly settling over me.

It's impossible. This can't be happening.

Yet, the more I attempt to rationalize it away, the more my wolf rages in defiance. The mating instinct is absolute. To deny it would be to deny the very essence of what makes me a shifter.

But she's human...

I don't know how long the water rushes over my form before the knock comes at the door - a rapid, impatient tattoo that can only be Hannah. Shutting off the taps with a twist of my wrist, I snag a towel and knot it around my waist before wrenching the bathroom door open with more force than is strictly necessary.

"What?" The growl that leaves my lips is more animal than human as Hannah's familiar scent filters in.

She raises one delicate brow at my state of undress before her expression settles into that no-nonsense look I know so well. "You're late for dinner. And unless you want Grandfather breathing down both our necks about respecting pack traditions again, I'd suggest you get your broody ass downstairs."

The words punch through the fog of my thoughts just enough to dredge up a shred of duty. I give a curt nod, then shut the door once more to dress. Black henley and jeans, simple and functional. A few raking breaths later and I force the wolf down enough to descend the stairs without fear of losing control.

The dining room is a riot of delectable scents from the kitchen hearths - roasted meats, buttery vegetables, fresh baked bread. But beneath it all is that same elusive hint of flowers that has my wolf prowling restlessly.

My eyes are instantly drawn to the curvy figure hovering near the long table, her hands fidgeting nervously with her hair as she chats with Marcus and Elder Thorne. My grandfather's expression is set in its perpetual stern lines, but my beta's warm tones seem to be putting the woman at ease. At least for now.

Hannah appears at my side, her hand a light pressure at the small of my back as she guides me forward. "Come on, before you get us in trouble," she murmurs under her breath as we approach.

Jenna turns at our footsteps, her hazel eyes lighting up with a brilliant smile that's like a physical caress against my heated skin. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and says softly, "It's really nice to finally meet you, Ryan. Hannah's told me so much about you."

The sound of my name on her lips is like a bolt of lightning through my veins, the wolf snarling in approval at the claim, however unintentional. I manage little more than a stiff nod, afraid that opening my mouth will unleash the torrent of instincts roiling beneath the surface.

"Yeah, he's always busy with pack business," Hannah throws in with a teasing grin. "I've barely had a chance to introduce you two."

Marcus greets me with a companionable clasp of arms, his familiar pine and smoke scent helping to temporarily ground me. "Good to have you home, Alpha." His shrewd hazel eyes study mine for a beat too long before flicking to Jenna and narrowing ever-so-slightly. He knows... he can scent it.

Thankfully, my grandfather interrupts whatever comment he might make. "Well, now that we're all here, let's eat. I'm sure Ryan is hungry after his travels." His tone is pointed, a subtle rebuke against whatever inappropriate behavior he expects from me.

I bristle at the unspoken reprimand but force myself to take my customary seat at the head of the long table without comment. The others filter in to fill the places on either side, with Jenna ending up directly across from me. The scent of her is a physical torment now, swirling through the air with every subtle movement.

Platters of food are laid before us, but my appetite has fled in the wake of this new, all-consuming hunger. I force myself to take obligatory bites, chewing the tender morsels with a woodenness that tastes like ash on my tongue.

"Did your trip go well?" Jenna's voice is a balm against the tension thrumming through me, her expression open and curious.

"Fine." The single word is as much as I can force out in my current state.

A small furrow appears between her brows at my curt tone, but before she can respond, Elder Thorne speaks up from the other end of the table.

"Jenna, was it? I don't believe we've been properly introduced." His assessing gaze rakes over her as if weighing her worth. "Hannah says you're a teacher in town?"

She nods, squaring her shoulders beneath his stern scrutiny. "Yes sir. I teach kindergarten at Whispering Pines Elementary."

Elder Thorne gives a solemn dip of his grayed head. "It's a shame about your home. Tragic circumstances. I hope it won't be too long before you're back on your feet." His eyes cut briefly to me before returning to her. "I expect you understand the... complexities of your situation here among our kind."

The implication is as subtle as a sledgehammer. Jenna seems to sense the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface and shrinks back ever-so-slightly. "Of course. I'm so grateful for Hannah and her family's kindness. I won't overstay my welcome."

Hannah shoots our grandfather a quelling frown but he merely arches one bushy brow in response. The silent clash of wills hangs thick in the air.

The remainder of the meal is a stilted, uncomfortable affair of forced conversation that I contribute little to. I'm a coiled spring by the time Elder Thorne rises with a creak of his chair, nodding to us all.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm feeling my age this evening. I'll retire to my quarters." His gaze lands on me with censure. "Do try to respect our guests while they're under this roof, Ryan."

The rebuke hangs like a lead weight over my shoulders as he departs. I can feel the weight of Marcus and Hannah's concerned looks, but I refuse to meet their questioning stares. Instead, I shove back from the table with a screech of wood on hardwood and stalk from the room without a backwards glance.

Escape is a necessity before I do something rash and primal in front of them all. In front of her. I make it as far as the darkened hallway toward my rooms before the scent hits me - that same honeysuckle fragrance, rich and undeniable.

A soft footfall has me spinning, shoulders tense as a bowstring as Jenna appears in the shadows. Her features are pinched with worry.

Before I can steel myself, Jenna's soft, worried voice breaks through the tense silence. "Ryan, I... I noticed you seemed uncomfortable around me during dinner. I just wanted to say I understand if me being here is causing any trouble. I'll try to find a new place to stay as soon as I can."

Her words are like a knife twisting in my gut, and my wolf lets out a low, warning growl at the thought of her leaving. I wrestle down the impulsive need to close the distance between us and take her in my arms, instead fixing my gaze somewhere over her shoulder.

"It's not... necessary," I manage to grind out, my voice rougher than I'd intended. "You're welcome here."

Her eyes search mine, as if trying to piece together the jagged shards of my pretense. Her small nod tells me she's seen more than I want her to. "Thank you, Ryan. I appreciate it."

With a curt nod that feels more like a dismissal, I mutter, "Good night," before turning on my heel and retreating towards my room. It's the best I can manage when every instinct within me claws at my restraint, screaming at me to turn back and claim what's mine.