Savage: An Alpha's Mate, #3

By Arian Wulf

She looks like something from his darkest fantasy: Devastatingly beautiful and perfect in every way. She has a family of rabbits gathered around her and she's keeping them safe – he smirks - from him.

The last thing Alpha Donovan expects to find when he scents unfamiliar animals in his territory is a feral shifter, so lost in her animal that she's forgotten how to be human. He really doesn't know how to deal with her, especially not with his Heat coming up.

He's going to have to learn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arian Wulf
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393847366

Book preview

Look Inside

Do you know where you are, Kitten?

She tries to keep looking at the man, so she can say ‘thank you’, but the words get stuck in her throat and she licks her lips. Her mouth opens and closes a few times. She can’t seem to form the words. Her gaze falls to the floor. Please, she murmurs, frustrated with herself.

It’s okay, he says, tilting her head up. We’ll take it slow, he says. It’ll be difficult for a while, he says.

She nods and smile awkwardly. Her arms around his neck loosens, but she can’t bring herself to release her hold on him completely.  He smells intoxicating. Alpha, she whimpers, leaning towards him. She captures his mouth with her own, showing her gratitude in the only way that feels familiar to her. Their lips part, both eager to explore each other. His tongue is smooth and warm against hers.

He slides his palms up her thighs and holds her firmly in place. She fists her hands in his hair, pulling hard enough to make him growl and nip her bottom lip in annoyance.

She throws her head back as they part, offering him the smooth expanse of her neck. His hands on her hips hold fast, hard enough to bruise, and he groans before leaning in, sucking a bruise on the curve of her neck.

She closes her eyes and moans when he uses his teeth on her skin, biting gently. It is a beautiful pain, one she finds that she’s craving for. She grinds her hips up into his and pulls her close, so their bodies crush together. She rakes her fingers over his scalp, tugging his head to the side of her neck, where she wants him.

He groans, I’m in Heat. He pulls himself free, standing straight so that she can no longer reach his mouth. It’s best you leave, he grounds out, his voice carrying a strange darkness that she’s never heard from him before.

No, she pleads, standing on tip toes and using her arms to pull herself up. Please, she pants into his neck, holding onto his shoulders and drawing her tongue across his neck. He moves one hand behind her neck, digs into the scruff there and pulls her back. She feels like a misbehaving cub submitting to an elder, a desired mate submitting to her Alpha.

Her cheeks warm as he bucks against her, letting her feel the reason he wants her to leave. It’s not a good reason. He is so hard already, so ready for her.

Kitten, please, he whispers, his lips brushing the shell of her outer ear. He growls out the words, like he’s forcing his throat to work. She can feel his teeth on her flesh, teasing, testing.

She expects him to put an end to this, to tell her she’s not worthy. She feels the hot flush of shame and abandonment at the mere thought of it.

Kiss me, she whispers, strangely devoid of fear.

The feel of his lips against hers is every bit as soft and lovely as it was the first time. For a few wonderful seconds, she thinks that maybe this could actually work, that the Alpha would actually want her and she’ll be able to stay.

Except he doesn’t. He puts a hand to her chest and gently steps back, want and regret both etched plainly on his face. I can’t, Kitten. I’m sorry.

Chapter 1: State Your Business

He has noticed the group of rabbits on his property for the past few weeks, but never paid them any mind. They’re too far to be of any real trouble, their scent barely carrying over the brisk cold.

It’s his uncle who first realizes something wrong with the scent. Being both Alphas, Adam and Donovan don’t get along due to their sheer biology. They make a point to meet up once a month because their territories border at each other and it keeps the pack calm when their Alphas are on friendly terms, even if it’s just for show. Adam and Donovan are too similar in their personalities to get along famously, both being hard-headed, short-tempered, and fiercely protective of their own.

Are you aware that you have rabbits on your property? Adam says in a way of greeting after he’s parked his car and sees Donovan at the door.

Donovan makes a show of lifting his nose and scenting the air. They’ve gotten closer, he says simply. The winter has driven them closer to town, and to his territory. It’s not too surprising. He’s almost annoyed his uncle decides to bring it up and considers shutting down the conversation completely.

There’s something not quite right about them, he says, still standing at the door.

How so? he questions, his curiosity finally piqued.

His uncle shrugs. Gut instinct? he offers with a self-depreciating smile. He senses there’s something his uncle isn’t telling him. He takes a deep inhale, putting more focus on the intruders. He hears the soft crunch of paws in leaves, the rustle of dry undergrowth beneath the light graze of snow. They smell of musk and wilderness, of the conifer needles and twigs clinging to their fur. But his uncle is right. There is a peculiar scent about them.

There’s nothing pressing to discuss, unless you’re keen on settling the issue of Mr. Joseph Sypher and the human he appears to be courting, Ms. Jenn Olivia? He grins at the way Donovan grimaces at the thought of discussing their inter-pack romance. Their relationship has not progressed enough for it to be a problem.

Ms. Jenn is a new addition to the pack. She came seeking sanctuary with another Alpha pack tried to recruit her. They believed including the promising lawyer in the pack means they no longer have to pay lawyer fees. It’s ludicrous.

Perhaps, we can have a look? Adam suggests, looking altogether too-excited at the prospect of a hunt.

Donovan stops himself from snarling at the thought of another Alpha hunting prey in his territory. He reminds himself that Adam is a friend, an ally.

He draws a deep breath and nods, locking the door behind him as he steps out into the cold. He wants to tell Adam to fuck off, but he’s right. There’s nothing to discuss about their territories unless they’re willing to talk about one of his pack dating one of Adam’s. It’s a non-issue until either of their pack members bring it to their attention and one decide to abandon one for the other. Ms. Jenn will have his blessing if she decides to leave, or Mr. Joseph will be welcomed with open arms. Their packs are allies. It’s a non-issue.

The other Alphas know better than to mess with them, not with two Alphas working together harmoniously to keep peace and two packs of more than fifty werewolves each and a good number of other non-wolf shifters and humans.

A hunt together would be interesting.

He takes another inhale, focusing on the trespassers, and frowns when he puts his finger on exactly what’s peculiar about the scent - It’s not a rabbit.

They exchange a look and the hunt is on, both shifting to their wolf forms wordlessly as they ran into the forest towards the narrow gully where he knew the noises are coming from. In spring, a creek runs through it, wild flowers grow at the side of the waterway. It is almost barren in the winter. It feels good to run. Blood hums in his veins, warming his skin pleasantly. He inhales again, trying to discern