Chapter 23 - Evan

Mia's wolf has gotten even faster since she came to Green Lake. I'm faster, but she's a little lighter on her feet, making it hard for me to catch her. Not that I'm really trying that hard.

We've been running all night, chasing and playing, and I have to admit, I didn't realize how much I needed this. My wolf is happy and content, and his mood has rubbed off on me. This is the most relaxed I've felt in weeks. The stress of being alpha has dissipated, leaving me with a sense of calm.

She runs a little farther ahead, glancing over her shoulder to look at me. Her green eyes are bright, and her fur shines under the light of the moon. I have no idea what she's thinking, but then she takes a sharp left and disappears into the trees. I follow after her, but I can't see where she's gone. She's disappeared, and my wolf doesn't like it. He sniffs the air, trying to pick up her scent, and we keep running, searching for her.

A twig snaps to my right, and I spin around, my eyes zeroing in on a spot between two trees. A rabbit jumps out and darts in the opposite direction. My wolf chases after it, determined to catch our dinner. The little critter is quick, zigging and zagging between trees, even under some rocks. My wolf is having fun. When he finally catches the thing, he's practically jumping for joy.

After a few seconds of pride, there's another sound behind me, and I don't have time to so much as glance in the direction before Mia pounces. Her wolf is playful and feisty, growling and chomping at my back before pushing me over. She's strong and determined, and my wolf is impressed. He's never had a woman challenge him before, and he likes it. Before I know it, we're tumbling around in the dirt, nipping and growling at each other.

We roll over until she's on top, pinning me beneath her. Her fur brushes against my belly, and it sends a shiver through me, one that's not entirely from the cool night air. Her wolf is magnificent. Her fur is so soft, I want to bury my face in it.

Restless, my wolf tries to buck her off, but she holds him down. He's not used to taking orders, and it makes him crazy. He growls and barks, but she refuses to budge. He twists his body, trying to shake her off. When she still doesn't move, my wolf decides enough is enough.

I'm not sure how it happens, but one second, I'm lying in the dirt, and the next, I'm flipping her over. I pin her down, and my wolf is pleased. He likes being the one in control, and Mia's wolf seems to like it, too. She stares up at me, her tail twitching. My wolf nudges her snout, and she nips at my ear. We both shift back to our human forms at the same time.

Her skin is warm and smooth, and she runs her hands down my back. The sensation of her nails on my bare flesh is intoxicating, and I groan. She's not shy, kissing me, running her tongue along my bottom lip before she nibbles on it. I growl, and her eyes flash with excitement. Something primal has come over me, and I can't hold back.

Her body is pressed against mine, the heat from her skin making me wild. I grind against her, and her hips lift to meet me. She's already wet and ready, and my cock is hard as a rock. The way she responds to my touch is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It makes me want her more.

Our lips crash together and our tongues swirl, dancing and battling for dominance. She nips at my neck and my fingers tangle in her hair, pulling her head back to expose her throat. Her pulse is beating rapidly, and I press my mouth to her skin, kissing and licking her flesh. Mia moans, and the sound makes my cock throb.

I move down her body, kissing her collarbone and then her breasts before I suck her nipple into my mouth. She arches her back, her body trembling. She tastes so good, and the way she reacts makes me want to explore every inch of her. I move to the other nipple, licking and sucking until she's writhing beneath me, her hands gripping my shoulders.

I push her legs apart, my tongue moving lower, tracing her stomach and dipping into her belly button. She whimpers, and I can smell her arousal. It's intoxicating, making my mouth water. I move lower, kissing the inside of her thighs and inhaling deeply. Her scent is stronger, and I can't resist tasting her.

Her hips buck as I spread her open and tease her with my tongue, flicking it across her clit. She moans as her fingers find their way into my hair, gripping the strands and holding on tight. I slip a finger inside her, and her muscles clench, sucking me in. I add another, and then another. She gasps, her hips rocking against my hand.

Her breathing is shallow, and her cheeks are flushed. She's close, and I can feel her muscles tensing. I pull my fingers out and replace them with my tongue, thrusting it inside her and lapping at her juices. She tastes so good, and her pussy clenches around my tongue.

I can feel her climax building, so I push her legs wider, giving me better access. My fingers spread her folds, and I move higher again to suck on her clit. She cries out, her body shaking as her orgasm washes over her. Her muscles contract, and her back arches as she grabs my hair, holding me in place as her release consumes her.

When she's finally done, I move up her body, kissing and licking her skin. She tastes salty and sweet; the taste is addictive. She looks at me with her green eyes and a sly smile, and the moonlight casts a shadow over her face. Her hair is tangled and wild.

With one quick thrust, I push myself inside her, filling her completely, and she wraps her legs around my waist, her hips rising to meet me. She's so wet and tight, and it feels amazing. I begin to move, sliding in and out of her, and she begins to match my pace. Her nails dig into my back, and her breasts are crushed against my chest as I drive into her, hard and fast.

It's animalistic, the way we're fucking, and I can't get enough. My wolf is enjoying it, too, growling and rutting like he's claiming his mate. Mia's moaning and writhing beneath me, and I'm panting, lost in a world of ecstasy.

We climax together, her muscles squeezing my cock as she cries out, her body shaking with pleasure. My wolf howls, and I follow suit, letting out a roar as my own orgasm hits. I empty myself inside her. We're both panting and sweating, and I can't remember the last time I felt this satisfied.

I pull out and roll over, lying next to her. Her chest is heaving, her eyes are closed, and her lips are curled into a smile. She looks so beautiful, and I can't help but reach out and trace the curve of her jaw.

She opens her eyes, and the moonlight catches them, making them sparkle. She's so sexy, and she has no idea how badly I want her. The night isn't over, and I intend to take her again. And again.

But just as that thought crosses my mind, a new scent invades my nostrils, and I'm instantly on alert. There's something in the air, something I can't quite identify. My wolf is wary, ready to pounce.

"What is it?" Mia asks, her voice full of concern.

I don't know how to answer her. I can't be certain, but I think I might be smelling something dangerous. There's a new energy in the air, one that doesn't belong here. I sit up and take a deep breath, trying to figure out where it's coming from. It's not close, but it's not far, either. Whatever it is, my instincts don't like it, and I learned a long time ago not to ignore them.

"I don't know," I finally say. "But it's nothing good. Go back to the cabin, Mia. Head straight there and don't stop."

"Evan, what are you talking about?"

"I need to check it out," I tell her, already moving away from her.

I don't wait for her to reply; I'm already in a full sprint, running toward the scent. My wolf is on edge, ready to attack whatever has invaded our territory. I move quickly through the trees, ignoring the branches that scratch at my skin. The scent is getting stronger, and the feeling of foreboding is growing.

This is stupid, rushing out here without my pack. I don't have a plan. All I know is that something is here, and it's not supposed to be. I'm not even sure what I'm going to do when I find it, but I have to do something. I can't let whatever it is go unchallenged, not when it's near the pack. Not when it's near Mia.

I reach the clearing where the smell is strongest, and I pause, trying to catch my breath. I look around, trying to see anything out of the ordinary, but there's nothing. The woods are quiet, the only sounds those of the crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. I sniff the air again, trying to pick up the scent, but it's been replaced by something more familiar.

Rafe.

When I whirl around, still naked from the shift, he's standing behind me, also shifted back to his naked human form.

"I told you to stay alert and to double up on the night shifts," I growl.

"I did. You've got extra guys on the perimeter. No one's coming in or out without us knowing."

"Then why are you out here?"

He points to me and raises his arms as if it should be obvious. "I bumped into Mia. She was in a panic. Said you ran off into the woods looking for some intruder or something. I figured I'd check things out. Looks like it was just you. Everything's good here."

I shake my head. "No, there was something. A scent. I caught it on the wind and ran after it. It was foreign and... dangerous. I'm not sure, but..."

"It's nothing," Rafe says.

I turn to glare at him. "How do you know?"

He shrugs. "There's nothing here, Evan. Look, if you really want, I'll send a couple of guys to circle the perimeter and see if they catch anything. But I'm telling you, man, it's all good. Maybe it was just a bear or something."

I frown, but he has a point. There's nothing here. No threat, no danger. It was probably just an animal. I'm probably just tired and overreacting. It's been an eventful week.

"All right," I relent. "Just have them keep a lookout. I don't want to take any chances."

"You got it," he replies. "I'll go check with them and fill them in. Go get some rest. You look like you need it."