Moon Touched (Zodiac Wolves: The Lost Pack #1)(55)

I grinned at Stella, shoving those thoughts away. No matter what was going on with him, at least I’d get to spend more time around the pack. “Looks like I’ll get to go."

Stella clapped her hands, bouncing on her heels. “I can’t wait. I bet we can find you someone to hook up with too."

I laughed and shook my head at that, knowing that wasn't going to happen. Even if I wanted it, which I didn't really—my brain was already scrambled enough with thoughts of Kaden and Jordan—I doubted anyone would want to hook up with the outcast wolf still mated to someone in the Leo pack.

As night fell we made our way into the forest. Despite Kaden okaying my presence, I felt a twinge of uneasiness. Would I truly be accepted? I wished I could be a member of the pack, but I kept hearing things like wait until we know you’re trustworthy. The uneasiness mixed with impatience simmered unpleasantly in my gut.

Kaden melted from the trees, almost like a ghost, and I found my gaze glued to him as we walked. He didn’t have a shirt on—shocker—and my eyes immediately gravitated toward the muscles moving under his skin as he walked. No matter how many times I yanked my gaze away, I found it back, just a few seconds later. I wanted to tackle him, to press my body against him, to devour him. What the hell is wrong with me? I thought. I could usually contain these inappropriate thoughts better.

It got even worse when Kaden started looking back at me, a frown on his face as if he was trying to puzzle something out. What was his deal? And why was he so fucking sexy? I wanted to lick every inch of his body like a popsicle.

Stella walked between us, blissfully unaware of the sexual tension so thick I could have taken a bite out of it. I was uncomfortably aware of Kaden’s body as he moved—every breath, every rustle of fabric, every soft footfall against the ground. By the time we joined the rest of the pack in the clearing, I was bordering on uncomfortably horny, and even breathing was torture. I tried desperately to control it, and I spent so much energy doing that, that I didn’t notice that many of the male shifters we passed stared at me. At first, I thought it was because I was acting strangely, but no. There was a hunger in their gazes, all the same.

Jack took a few steps toward me with one of his charming smiles, except there was a naughty gleam in his eye that told me exactly what he wanted. "Ayla. You look positively ravishing tonight. Care to join me for the evening?"

Before I could answer, Kaden pushed between us, his growl resonating through the air. "Get the fuck away from her," he said.

As I stared at the alpha in shock, Jack backed down immediately, dipping his head and walking away. If he were in wolf form, I was sure his tail would be between his legs.

"Rude much?" I asked Kaden. "Maybe I wanted to go with him, did you ever think of that?"

He turned murderous eyes upon me. "Not happening."

"What's going on?" Stella asked, concern written all over her face.

"Keep everyone here," Kaden told her. At the same time, Kaden picked me up and hauled me over his shoulder, while I let out a shriek.

"Let me go!" I said, pounding against his back as he carried me away from the group, back toward the house. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

He didn't answer, just kept trudging through leaves and branches while carrying me like I was a naughty child. I tried to break free but gave up as his fingers tightened each time until it was almost painful. He was too damn strong.

Kaden stopped once we were away from the pack and dumped me on the grass. “What’s going on with you? Every single unmated male is giving you eyes tonight.”

“I don’t know,” I said, glaring up at him. “I wish I did.”

Kaden’s frown deepened and then he leaned in closer, inhaling. I jerked away, but Kaden’s eyes flared with something that looked almost like panic. “Fuck,” he growled, and I thought yes, that’s what I’d like before I realized that the tone was more urgent than amorous. “We have to get you out of here right now.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, but Kaden ignored me, twisting around as if he was looking for someone.

“Clayton,” he barked, and the beta of the pack trudged over. “You’ll be leading the hunt tonight.” Kaden didn’t even wait for an acknowledgment before he picked me up again.

“What are you doing?” I asked, trying to push down the intense desire I felt at his touch. “I’m not going anywhere with you until I get answers.”

I managed to squirm enough that I broke free, but thanks to Kaden's training, I landed gracefully and managed to dart away. Kaden lunged toward me and I evaded him, despite a part of me wanting to let him capture me. It was incredibly hard to think, with want, want, want pounding through my brain like a second heartbeat. Finally, he caught me by the arm and dragged me the remaining few yards to the house. He didn’t say a single thing until we were inside, and then he slammed the door, throwing the deadbolt.

“You’re going into heat,” he said.

Shock washed over me like a cool bucket of water, temporarily dousing the desire I was feeling. “How is that possible?”

“You’re mated now, so you’re fertile. And you’re packless, so you’re going to go into heat during every full moon. Every unmated male is going to want to fuck you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “I brought you back here for your own protection.”