Play Pretend

Chapter 7: Enemy territory.

Panic claws at my throat, spurring me into action and I begin to fight him in earnest. Like before, all my kicking and hitting doesn't even leave a scratch on him and it isn't long until he has me pinned against a tree, teeth bared in anger.

"Do you have a death wish, Kitten?!" Hot puffs of breath fan across my exposed shoulder and the way I instantly react to the sensation is almost insane.

"Anything to get away from you!" I snap back, holding on as tightly as I can to my sense of bravado.

Bitter amusement swirls in the grey depths of his eyes.

"That didn't work as well as you thought it would, did it?" He mocks.

"If you take me back, I could always try again and again. I won't stop until I succeed!" Determination bleeds into my tone as I attempt to stare him down.

"You're lucky I caught you before Shadow patrols did."

Of course.

Somehow, I'd forgotten that the Harris' and the Shadow Pack are enemies. I know they'd do anything to get their hands on Chelsea.

On me.

"Why did you chase after me?" I challenge.

In response, he laughs darkly.

"You think I'd let my beautiful, blushing bride run into the arms of danger?"

He presses closer to me, lips brushing against my earlobe.

"With the way you felt pressed against me, It'd be a hardship to let you go, my darling."

Heat slowly simmers in my tummy as memories of our short struggle in his room resurface.

I shove at his chest but the mass of muscle doesn't move an inch.

He easily catches my wrists with one hand, effectively trapping me.

"Still fighting? I like that, Kitten. I prefer my women with fire."

"I'm not your–"

He cuts me off with a kiss and there's nothing gentle about it.

His lips bruise mine, his tongue demanding and I let him. Heavens, do I let him.

He tastes like need and something darker, a primal flavor that calls to me, commands me to yield.

"So pretty," he growls in between kisses. "You look like a f*****g dream beneath me."

Shamelessly, I grind down against the ridge of his thigh nestled between my legs, my dress riding up and almost exposing the lacy number I have on underneath.

He hums his approval even as his fingers trail ever slowly up my thighs.

"Do you always get soaked for the Alphas you try to kill?" He teases as his fingers stroke once, twice over the damp lace of my underwear.

Shame burns down my throat, but I manage to grit out, "You're the only Alpha I've tried to kill."

He chuckles and the sound serves to further amp up my desire.

"Well, I'm honored, Kitten." While he talks, his fingers do not stop their ascent and just when I feel like I'm about to combust, a twig snaps nearby...

And the bubble of lust evaporates.

He freezes, eyes staring firmly ahead, body poised and ready for anything. Panic rears its head as I run through a list of possible culprits.

Maybe, the wind? Or some animals scampering by?

But then, Jonas sniffs the air and the growl he emits this time drips with unadulterated anger.

"Shadow patrol." Another deep sniff. "Two, maybe three of them."

My heart heads into overdrive and I attempt to wiggle out from beneath him. He isn't having it and only presses me deeper into the shadows.

"Quiet." He orders in a hushed voice. "You're going to get us caught."

"You smell that?" A deep voice pierces the night. "The Alpha of the Black Pack is somewhere around here."

Ugly laughter follows.

"Come out and play, Black." Another voice sing-songs.

"Oh, I don't think he's alone."

They're talking about me!

Palms sweaty, pulse thrumming erratically, I try as much as possible to do as Jonas says. If we stay quiet enough, the enemy might not realize we're close. Too close.

Just as I think this, Jonas partially shifts; his claws extend and eyes glow.

"Well, at least I tried to do this the safe way. Hold on tight, Kitten."

I start to ask him what he means by that when I see them.

Six pairs of glowing eyes.

The Shadow rogues emerge, half-shifted and menacing.

I instantly know this isn't going to end well.

"Hand over the Harris bitch." Their leader snarls in a voice that sends ice down my veins. "And we might just let you walk away from this!"