The Alpha's hybrid mate

Chapter Three: Fraying Control

Ava wobbled, her legs threatening to fold like paper fans. Thane reached out to steady her.

"That was an accident," Thane said over head, breathing hard.

"Yes," She replied dazedly, "I understand."

"You were falling... I was reaching for you, and... your lips were in the way."

"Let's not speak of it again. We'll ignore it."

Thane seized on the suggestion. "It never happened."

"Yes - no, it was - forgettable - that is, I'll forget about it."

That seemed to clear his mind rather quickly. His breathing slowed, and he drew back far enough to give her an affronted glance. "Forgettable?"

"No," Ava said hastily, "I meant I wouldn't think about it."

But he looked more disgruntled with each passing second. "That didn't count as a real kiss. I'd just started."

"I know. But all the same, it was very nice, so there's no need to..."

"Nice?"

"Yes." Ava smiled, liking this new side of him.

"If I have one chance in a lifetime to kiss you," he said grimly, "I'll be damned if it's going to be second rate. A man has his standards."

"I didn't say it was second rate," she protested. "l said it was nice!"

"I can't have you calling my lovemaking nice. Now I have to do it over."

Ava felt something in her leap for joy, as Thane reached out and hauled her against him easily.

He leaned forward, about to claim her lips again, when suddenly, his body tensed. The wolf within him howled, sensing a threat.

Ava sensed the shift. “Thane?” she whispered,

Thane’s gaze locked onto something beyond Ava. Through the window, a pair of glowing eyes watched. The wolf.

Thane’s instinct screamed warning. He broke away, his voice low and gruff. “Go to bed , Ava.”

Ava’s confusion was palpable. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

His playfulness was gone, replaced by his usual stoic expression. “Nothing.”

Ava searched his eyes. His mask held, every trace of what they had just shared vanished.

Reluctantly, she turned to leave.

“Ava,” Thane called out, his tone cold, his eyes never leaving the window. “Like I said earlier, that shouldn’t have happened. And it’ll never happen again.”

Ava paused. Her back remained turned. But I want it to happen again. She wanted to say that to him, but was scared of rejection. With the little dignity she had left, she retreated to the bedroom, closing the door shut.

Thane stood in front of the window for awhile. Willing his now full erection to subdue, but that was impossible. Not with Ava in his bed, a few feet away, probably naked. He groaned at the thought.

He nearly lost himself there. He didn't think he would've been able to stop him from making love to her if he had gone in with that second kiss.

His control was slipping and he didn't like it. He can't be with Ava. He can't make her his, not when... he stopped himself.he wouldn't think about it.

The glowing eyes lingered outside the window, watching.

Unable to stand with a full erection anymore, Thane settled onto the couch, prepared to use his hands. He pleasured himself. Using the imagination of doing crazy things to Ava as his lube. But behind his blinding desires, he was ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation.

After awhile, when he had finally found his release, he looked through the window but noticed the wolf’s eyes had vanished. He knew it was still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting.

As dawn approached, Thane finally allowed himself to relax, though only marginally. He couldn’t risk Ava venturing outside, not with that predator prowling the woods. He needed to find and eliminate the threat before it found its way to the cabin.

Quietly, Thane rose from the couch and slipped out the door, disappearing into the mist-shrouded forest. Ava was safer here, for now. But he couldn’t ignore the wolf’s presence any longer.

….……………

Ava woke with a start, the cabin eerily quiet. She listened intently, but there was no sign of Thane. Anxiety gripped her as she quickly dressed and made her way to the main room.

The fire had burned down to glowing embers, and Thane was nowhere to be seen. Ava’s heart raced as she approached the door, peering out the dense forest. Where could he have gone.

Steeling her nerves, Ava stepped outside, the damp morning air chilling her skin. She scanned the trees, searching for any sign of Thane. The thought of him out here, alone, facing whatever lurked in the shadows, filled her with dread.

Her mind still reeled from the memory of his kiss. The way his lips felt on hers, the way he held her so possessively... How could he make her feel so good and then abandon her like that?

Her brow’s furrowed as she recalled the sudden shift in his demeanor, the way the light had seemed to fade from his eyes. Why did he retreat so abruptly. Maybe she did something wrong, what was she thinking provoking him like that.

What demons was Thane grappling with that made him so determined to keep her at arm’s length? Ava knew she shouldn’t be feeling this way towards a complete stranger. But the more time she spends with him, the more she found herself drawn to him, desperate to unravel the mystery surrounding him.

Ava moved cautiously, her feet crunching on the forest floor. The woods were deathly silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. She strained to hear any sound that might lead her to Thane, her mind racing with worry.

Suddenly, a chilling howl pierced the air, the primal sound sending a shiver down Ava’s spine. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she realized it was the same wolf she had seen the night before.

Ava’s heart pounded as she slowly turned, her gaze locking onto the massive creature emerging from the underbrush. Its eyes glowed with a feral intensity, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its thick fur.

Ava felt a surge of terror, her body trembling as the wolf approached, its massive jaws gaping wide.

Just as the wolf was about to pounce, another blur of motion erupted from the trees. A second wolf, larger and more imposing than the first, barreled into the creature, its fangs sinking into the other wolf’s flank. The two beasts tumbled and thrashed, their savage growls echoing through the forest.

Ava didn’t hesitate. She turned and ran, her legs pumping as she fled back towards the safety of the cabin. Tears stung her eyes as she ran, fear and panic fueling her every step. She burst through the door, slamming it shut behind her and sliding the bolt into place.

Leaning against the door, Ava’s chest heaved, her mind reeling. Where was Thane? Her hands shook as she realized the dangers that lurked beyond the cabin walls, and she silently prayed for Thane’s safe return.