CHAPTER 33

VENUS

We were scouting a popular camping spot in the mountains—or rather in the valleys—outside River's territory. A spot that was bordered by a beautiful, large lake which drew in the crowds. Unlike the little tern that Riv had taken me to that was secluded and magical in its privacy, this place was anything but—the grassy clearing usually teeming with people bustling about the campsite or enjoying the cooling waters in the summer heat.

Usually.

Today, however, the site was a ghost town. And not because the general public had got wind of the wolf situation that was plaguing these mountains. No. This was solely due to the looming angry grey storm cloud that hovered over our heads and the impending damage it would do on such an open area bordered by a large body of water.

I wished we had checked the weather forecast before we bothered to drive the thirty minutes it took to get here through winding roads that curved around the mountainside, the metal barriers—that had seen better days—the only protection against the sheer drop to the valley below.

But we did not.

Getting out of the car anyway, I crossed the flat expanse of grass that felt utterly still compared to its normal chaos, the wind picking up the only sign of movement in the plain. Even still, the air was hot and humid, thick and sticky, causing me to sweat in places I did not want to think about.

"Usually it's a lot busier here, but given the weather…" I offered to Griffin with a shrug, not fully meeting his eyes.

He followed me casually, not seeming too concerned by the lack of people or the blanket of ominous storm clouds gathering above us. Ever the impassive male.

It was just him and me on this scouting mission, much to my dismay. All the other Knights had split up and taken other locations. I wondered if the same weather threatened their objectives too.

River, with a large chunk of the pack, had left as expected for a few days to try their luck with a pack that needed a bit more convincing. They were hoping the Alpha's touch would help win them over.

Yesterday, after I got back home, Griffin was gone. He'd opted to spend the night at the Airbnb with the guys, leaving me a simple text message with his whereabouts.

I didn't blame him for not wanting to be around after my ridiculous behaviour.

Knowing him though, I was almost sure he was giving me space to sort my shit out more than anything.

He was waiting in the Jeep for me this afternoon, ready to go with no mention of the previous day. Other than a single, long-lasting look when I entered the vehicle, his demeanour was no different to usual, most likely presuming this would be another thing between us that we ignored until I was ready to woman up and talk to him about it.

And in a way, he was right.

His absence last night worked in my favour because even though I'd made my decision, I wanted to wait until River was back from his visit to the Wellsboro pack to tell the Alpha of my choice before anything progressed further with Griff. Making today—and tomorrow—a difficult trial I'd have to overcome with ridiculous levels of temptation. Being alone with him now was not going to be an easy task.

I had waited this long though. A few more days wouldn"t kill us. I hoped.

We'd come out here with every intention of analysing this campsite, figuring out where—if at all—the rogues could hide here on the full moon and where they might potentially choose to hunt and turn their prey. Amelia had told us that this spot was likely the target for the upcoming Harvest Moon. That they'd been ‘working on'—a nicer phrase for stalking—a potential transition who they'd discovered would be camping this full moon. They'd befriended the person and had been told of his plans. Somehow, they'd even managed to cop an invite to the camping trip.

Clearly, they were a little too good at their job. Which was quite terrifying.

She'd update us on the specifics when they were as good as confirmed, but until then, we'd do our own digging.

We were hoping with people around, we'd be able to see what the area actually looked like when populated: where people favoured to set up their tents and where others might go to escape the numbers. From there, we could pinpoint the weak spots—as was Griffin's speciality.

At least that was the plan.

With no one here, it made that part quite difficult.

Making the best of the situation, we explored as much of the area as we could, noting all the possible entries, pathways, connections to other mountain ranges and anything else that could be of use to us. Although, it truly didn't feel very productive.

When we'd gathered what information we could, I walked down the wooden pier, wanting to take in the view at least before we headed back.

Griff had been quiet, focusing mostly on the task at hand, but he followed me to the end of the platform anyway.

Staring up at the clouds, I attempted to estimate how long we had before the inevitable downpour hit.

"Honestly, the rain would be welcome right now. It's sweltering, and I'm sticky, and this heat is driving me insane," I complained, extra hot after walking around aimlessly for over an hour.

"Not a smart day to wear white, Cosmo," he mused, eyes trailing down the white tank top I'd stupidly chosen to put on this morning. My denim shorts would also be a nightmare to deal with once wet.

Realising my mistake, I backtracked. "On second thought, maybe we shouldn't stick around to cool off." I went to walk past him, heading back to solid land so we could leave.

"There's always other ways to cool off."

I heard the dark amusement in his voice but didn't register what it meant until it was too late … I was falling into the water, flailing my arms out to try reach the male who'd just pushed me in. To try reach anything that could anchor me and prevent me from hitting the surface.

I wasn't so lucky.

Cold contrasted the heat that had been sticking to my skin. The sharpness of the icy bite penetrated my bones. But it was delicious and welcomed.

By the time I pushed my soaked hair out of my face, Griffin had already removed his shirt and his artfully inked body—glistening with sweat—was already diving into the water.

Kicking, I pushed back, retreating further in the murky depths to give him space to break the surface with his near-perfect dive.

When he came up for air, I didn't give him a moment to breathe before I splashed him.

I wanted to be mad, but honestly, the water felt so good against my heated flesh that I couldn't hide my relieved smile. Nor my joyous laugh.

Still, I splashed him more.

Splashed him until he reached out with closed eyes, grabbing my hands to stop the incessant pelting of water. When he caught them, he pulled, demanding my body to float to his.

I quietened down as he swapped his grip, holding both my arms in one large hand while his other pushed the hair out of his face and wiped water from his eyes.

No longer blinded, grey intense orbs of molten iron met mine.

Thunder rumbled, cracking and traversing across the surface of the lake that felt like it went on forever.

A last final warning.

And then the storm rolled in like invisible hands pulled it over us until that rain poured down and drenched every part of our bodies—our souls.

I looked up, tilting my head to the clouds that now emptied down on us.

A stifled laugh escaped me at this impossible situation.

And then I laughed some more, enjoying the heavy droplets that barraged us. Letting them wash over me.

Griffin's eyes were the colour of the storm raging over us. A swirling tempest of emotions.

He watched me, unflinchingly, my arms still caught in those warm, strong hands of his. The spot where they connected pulsed with more electricity than the atmosphere.

Tumultuous. Tempting. Raging. This attraction between us.

My body reacted to his like it did to no other.

The cool water all around us was the only thing keeping my skin from fevering under his touch. His gaze.

We really needed to stop being partnered up for these things.

He was my ultimate distraction. My destruction. He brought out some inner beast in me. Made me feel so strongly I sometimes wondered if I'd combust.

I was a supernova when it came to him. Just like his nickname for me.

I watched him.

Watched the silver swirl in his eyes.

Watched his thick lashes blink as the rain weighed down on them.

Watched his lips and the way the drops of water followed the curve of them down his chin and sharp jaw.

Watched the drenched strands of his dark hair fall into his face.

Watched his stormy gaze again as they locked on my mouth.

I was not able to contain myself.Not able to hold back from the beautiful dark god before me.

Not as his hands reached out to push my own rain slicked hair out of my face and found a spot to rest on either side of my neck, holding me captive to him.

And in that moment, there was nowhere else I'd rather be.