Alpha Kade's Regret

ene'

ed as I squinted into the darkness. That's when I saw it-a mountain lion, its

and his finger hovered over the trigger. He didn't flinch

mon said again, his

to do?" I whispered,

replied withou

ould see its sharp teeth glinting in the faint moonlight. My heart pounde

it for it to make the first move. He fired a shot into the air, the dea

scared," I

It's hungry. That's worse.

hroat as Damon dodged, rolling to the side with inhuman speed

!" I s

ck!" he barked,

s chest. He met it mid-leap, his body colliding with the beast's in a bone

Its claws raked at him, tearing through his shirt and leaving deep gashes in his ski

killed!" I cried, unable

ed the lion's head to the side. The beast let out a

est fel

od dripping from his wounds. He

you o

as unable to

he said, his tone a mix o

nd there," I stammered

onto his already ruined shirt. "And what

"I would've figur

quirking up in a way that made my

closer, his expression softening. "Yo

quickly, wrapping m

ed, his tone gentler now. "

at tightening. "Why ar

ying me. "Because you ne

me, how they stirred something deep

ng the subject. "I left my bag

ur bag isn't worth

ice firm. "There are things in there

is dark hair. "Fine. But you're sta

rotested.

ice sharp. "You're staying outsi

was flaring. But his eyes held min

" I mu

. "Stay here

forest around me felt eerily quiet, every shadow seeming to shift and move. I wr

efore Damon emerged, my ba

aid, holding

felt relieved

t," he said and

was thick. I didn't know where we were goin

," Damon said after a

red," I

"Tired or

Embarrassed

n-distress thing bac

lared at him. "I was no

t off a mountain lion," he said, his tone

eat up. "I was w

ch. "Don't worry, Selene. I'm not

started walking again

" he shot back, falli

wing darker around us. The tension in my chest b

aid softly, brea

asked, his tone

me," I repli

nt smile tugging at his

at's that supp

ile widening. "And I have a feeling this w

ng my arms. "I d

e said, his tone dr

hind it. For reasons I couldn't explain, I did

er as the night deepened. For the firs

o this, you know," I

t?" Dam

e," I r

ned to face me, his silver

ere was something in his expression-someth

lighter now. "Let's get movin

g into step besi

my life was about to change. And for the first