Malcolm gave a solemn nod.“That was awful, for sure.”
As they made their way across the scrubland, the night sky stretched out above them, a velvet blanket studded with countless stars.The moon hung low and full, bathing everything in soft, silvery light.
“So,” Malcolm said after they were halfway back to the pack’s rendezvous point, “what’s your vision for the pack?If you become alpha?”
Larissa considered the question carefully.“I want to modernize,” she said finally.“Strengthen our alliances with other packs, invest in education for our younger members.Make us not just strong but adaptable.”
She glanced at Malcolm, half expecting an argument.To her surprise, he was nodding thoughtfully.
“That’s actually not too different from what I had in mind,” he said.“Though, I’d add an emphasis on physical training.We need to be prepared for any threat.”
“Wait,” Larissa said, her voice teasing, “are you agreeing with me?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”Malcolm’s gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second before snapping back up.The air between them seemed to crackle with tension.
A streak of light suddenly flashed across the sky—a shooting star.They both glanced up instinctively, the moment broken.
“Make a wish,” Malcolm said softly.
Larissa stopped and closed her eyes, but the only thought in her mind was of the man next to her.When she opened them again, she found Malcolm watching her, an unreadable expression on his face.
The air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
“We shouldn’t do this,” she murmured, even as her body betrayed her words by leaning closer.
“Since when do you back down from a challenge, Larissa?”Malcolm asked.
His taunt ignited that competitive spark within her.“I never back down.”
Before she could overthink it, Larissa closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to Malcolm’s.The first brush of his lips against hers sent sparks racing down Larissa’s body to ignite a fire deep in her core as her analytical mind struggled to process the overwhelming sensations.His mouth was firm yet unexpectedly gentle, a silent question rather than the forceful claiming she’d imagined in her most secret fantasies.
Larissa inhaled sharply, catching Malcolm’s unique scent—desert wind, wild berries warmed by summer storms, pine needles crushed underfoot, and something essentially, undeniably Malcolm.The scent made her wolf stir restlessly beneath her skin, urging her closer.
Her analytical mind short-circuited, overwhelmed by sensation.
Larissa’s hands found their way to Malcolm’s broad shoulders, her fingers tracing the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt.The heat of his skin seemed to burn through the thin fabric, igniting a trail of fire everywhere they touched.His powerful arms encircled her waist, drawing her closer until she could feel every inch of his hardness pressed against her.
I should stop this, Larissa thought hazily.It complicated everything—pack dynamics, their rivalry, her plans to take over as alpha.
But her body had other ideas, melting against Malcolm’s solid frame.
“Damn, you feel good,” Malcolm growled against her lips.
Larissa couldn’t formulate a witty response, too caught up in the taste and feel of him.For once, she allowed herself to simply experience the moment rather than analyze it.
A soft gasp escaped her as his tongue traced the seam of her lips, seeking entrance.Larissa yielded to him willingly, parting her lips as all thoughts of rivalry and pack politics melted away like morning mist.His tongue swept into her mouth, tasting, exploring.
The flavor of him—sharp and sweet and utterly addictive—made her head spin.Larissa’s usual strategic thinking faltered, overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss.She responded with a passion that surprised even her, years of suppressed attraction finally breaking free.
She murmured between kisses, barely recognizing her own voice, husky with need.“This is…”
“Amazing?Mind-blowing?About damn time?”he supplied with a low chuckle that vibrated against her chest.
Larissa pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her breath coming in short pants.“Unexpected,” she finished, struggling to regain her composure.“And potentially problematic for pack dynamics.”
Malcolm’s eyes, dark with desire, searched her face.“Always the tactician,” he said.“Can’t you just enjoy the moment without overanalyzing it?”
“I…,” Larissa began but found herself at a loss for words—a rarity for her.The rational part of her mind screamed caution, but her body hummed with a primal need that defied logic.
