The Alpha's Lost Mate

cliffs, its high stone walls a clear message to outsiders-trespassers wouldn't leave alive. Torches flickered along the entrance, casting elon

illian's grip on her wrist remained firm, his touch burning like a brand against he

idening as they took in the sight of her. A woman gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. A young warri

They were looking at her a

ing her past the murmuring cro

of the nearby wolves. "

tand why these people were staring at her with such inte

that crackled with warmth. A long wooden table stretched through the center, lined with chairs fi

epping back to study her under th

ove. "Why do the

lickering in his silver eyes. "

snapped. "I don't remember th

ard, his sheer presence

e of heat through her veins, but she shoved it down, r

The scent of pine and steel hi

oesn't rememb

Killian but no less intimidating, with sharp green eyes that held a cal

slowly. "No, Raf

flicking between them. "T

Killian's expression dark

ence snapped.

ng between a smirk and a grimac

ruck her chest.

onto hers, unwavering.

ers, the shock, the fear-it all made sense now. She hadn't just

uths. Celeste struggled to breathe, her body rejecting the ide

hy had she been out in the wild, los

ists. "If that's true, th

ned. "Because someon

curiosity. "You vanished years ago, Celeste. One night, you w

ed. "And you just.

ow, dangerous. "I nev

her, but she refused to let herself drown in it. "I

lict swirling within them. "Th

de her skin prickle. He w

chin. "And if I d

s jaw ticked. "You d

er throat. "I am n

e dangerously soft.

sent an unfamiliar heat through her, awakening somethi

scent of cedar and smoke wrapping around

ouldn't force the words out. She did f

r wrist where the crescent scar marked her s

r. A whisper of a memory, laughter in the dark, strong arms holding he

even. "I don't rem

h something fierce. "Then

way his presence consumed every ounce of space between them,

moment. "If she stays, she needs pro

off her. "She's under my prot

voice sent a shiv

uggest you make a formal claim befo

darkened. "Anyone who

o her palms. "I'm not som

remained firm. "You're more tha

against the idea, yet she could

g back. "You need rest.

oward the nearest exit, only fo

g in my quarters,

toward him. "Li

hed. "You'll b

h, she realized s