Chapter Four

“Marissa…” Gage didn’t know what to say to express his feelings. To tell her that she was his. It was too soon but he knew it, his wolf agreed, and fate had brought the two of them together. She would fight him, but he would never let her go.

He could offer her so much if she’d just accept him. There was a reason he was the Alpha of the largest Pack in Texas. He was strong and could protect those who trusted him with their lives. Marissa would be included in that group.

Reaching up, she cupped his cheek.

His heart twisted in happiness at her intimate gesture.

“I’m not trying to be difficult here, but by being with me…” she started.

Gage caught a familiar scent and stiffened as his head snapped up. Now was not the time for visitors.

“What?” Marissa pushed at his chest.

Standing, Gage pulled Marissa up with him. “Someone’s coming.” He didn’t know how in tune she was with her senses but she should be aware someone was walking up on them. Maybe she didn’t have enhanced hearing?

“Who?” She went in search for her clothes once again. Her shirt was right beside where she’d been lying. She blushed as she picked it up.

After what they’d done he didn’t know why she’d be embarrassed but it was endearing. Shifters were used to seeing one another without clothing and although she didn’t change herself she’d still been born in a Pack.

“I know who it is and they are deliberately making enough noise so we hear them.”

“So they know we’re here?”

Turning around, Gage smiled at her reassuringly before he kissed her forehead. She was worried and he wanted to assure her that everything would be okay but he doubted she would believe him. Damn it, a little more time and he would have been able to convince her that she should go back to the main house with him. “Your shorts are tangled in the tree root.”

He watched as she pulled her shorts and shirt on quickly. She peeked over at him, and he didn’t miss the look of hunger in her eyes. Then she glanced toward his clothes in a silent message. Gage wasn’t in any hurry to put them back on and wished she hadn’t been either. It wasn’t like the Pack hadn’t seen him naked before. They did shift and go on runs together.

“Gage.”

“You have a great body.”

“Gage. Someone is coming,” she whispered with a look of horror on her face.

“They’re already here.” Turning, he faced his second in command.

Logan kept his eyes down and his smile hidden as he faced his Alpha. Gage saw it but hoped Marissa remained out of view. He didn’t want the teasing that Logan would give him to make her uncomfortable.

Now thinking more clearly, Gage was glad Marissa had covered herself up. He didn’t want anyone else to see her.

“Alpha,” Logan greeted, dipping his head respectfully. Gage knew it was more for Marissa than him.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Logan.”

Marissa had moved behind him even though she had pulled her clothes on.

“I…uh… Elizabeth came home to have lunch with her sister and got worried when she wasn’t in the house. She called up to the main house so I came over…to…uh.”

“Oh, God.” Marissa dropped her forehead onto Gage’s back.

Gage saw Logan unsuccessfully try to smother a laugh. “We’ll be right up.”

Nodding, Logan started to back off.

“Take the short way,” Gage ordered.

Logan had obviously circled around so he could make sure they heard him. If he’d come straight from Elizabeth’s there would have been a good chance of him running right into them. He appreciated his friend’s compassion for Marissa.

Marissa kept her face hidden in Gage’s back until Logan passed. “Oh, God.”

“Relax.” Stepping away, Gage bent down and grabbed his jeans. “We’re adults.”

Her face was red and she kept her gaze on the ground. “I am so sorry. I didn’t know she was coming home,” she mumbled, but he heard her clearly.

Gage shrugged into what was left of his shirt. “Wouldn’t have mattered. Once I saw you standing at the edge of the trees, I would have had you anyway.”

She didn’t respond to his announcement but turned away. “Have you seen my panties and bra?”

Recognizing the change in subject, Gage decided to let it go for now. “Bra’s by the tree, although I believe it’s toast.”

Marissa picked it up. “Panties?”

Gage pulled them out of his pocket. “They were under my pants.”

Marissa held her hand out.

Gage just smiled at her and stuffed them back in his pocket.

“Gage.”

“Come on.” He reached out for her hand and tugged her toward the house.

“Gage, give them to me.”

“No.”

“Why do you want them? Some kind of trophy?”

Laughing, he continued to tow her. “Whatever you want to think, Marissa.” He couldn’t very well tell her that they smelled like her and he planned to carry them with him at all times he was away from her. That might make her freak out even more than she already was.

“Just don’t see why you’d want to keep them,” she complained but didn’t say anything else.

He grabbed her hand then hauled her after him. They would straighten all of this out then hopefully he could talk Marissa into having a quiet dinner with him later. He knew she needed to spend time with her sister but Gage didn’t want to be away from her for long. And he always got what he wanted.

It would be a point of pride for him to show her around the Alpha house and introduce her to his Pack. Marissa would make a great partner for him and her strength would benefit the Pack.

Gage could already picture her fitting right in.

They were close, the entire Pack. Ever since his dad had left them in his care, Gage had made sure to be a good and fair Alpha. His dad had led them for so long that any change in leadership would have been difficult, but Gage felt like the transition had been smooth.

His father now sat on the Wolf Council that ruled over all wolf shifters in the United States. Gage was so proud of him and hoped that he’d be able to come down soon to meet Marissa.

She was quiet on the short walk back to Elizabeth’s. Gage knew she was embarrassed but as a shifter she really should have been used to being exposed to outdoor sex. It was natural for what they were.

Walking into the house, Marissa felt a new wave of embarrassment. Not only was her sister there but also the man from the woods and Elizabeth’s mate. Marissa tried to pull her hand away, but Gage tightened his grip.

“Marissa, I was worried when you weren’t in the house and didn’t leave a note. I’m sorry I…”

Again Marissa attempted to pull her hand away but couldn’t. “It’s okay, Elizabeth,” she aimed to assure her sister.

How could she explain to her sister in a room full of strangers that the mistake was her own? She didn’t want Elizabeth blaming herself. Marissa was the one to mess everything up. All she had to do was control herself and she couldn’t even do that. Two days and she was already breaking laws.

“No. I shouldn’t have called up to the main house…”

“Elizabeth, it’s fine.” Marissa waved a hand—unfortunately, it was the hand still holding her torn bra.

Elizabeth gasped as Logan and Greg laughed out loud. Marissa wished the floor would just open up and swallow her. Would the embarrassment never end?

Whipping her hand behind her back, Marissa pulled on the other one, and Gage finally released her. When she would have run upstairs, he put a firm arm around her waist and held her in place.

But instead of making excuses about what had obviously happened, Gage just hugged her tight against him. Knowing he needed a way out, she tried to come up with anything she could to get rid of him.

“I need to take a shower,” Marissa said to no one in particular. She was surprised when Gage smiled down at her and turned to the others. He knew what she was doing. It was obvious by the look on his face. Why he wasn’t freaking out Marissa didn’t know. Maybe since he was the Alpha he didn’t feel like he needed to follow the rules? That didn’t seem like the man she’d gotten to know but, really, she didn’t know him at all. Sure, he was kind and compassionate as well as being a great lover, but that didn’t tell her anything about how he ran his Pack.

“Gentlemen, why don’t we leave the ladies to clean up and have lunch?”

Marissa was grateful he wasn’t fighting her on this. If she could get a few minutes to think it would all be okay.

She was beyond relieved when everyone agreed and the men headed for the door.

“I will see you later tonight, Marissa,” he whispered in her ear before releasing her and walking away. “We’ll have dinner at my house.” No, they wouldn’t, but Marissa wasn’t about to argue in front of everyone else.

Marissa waited for the front door to close before lifting her head. Her sister stood with her arms crossed over her chest and a look of disapproval written all over her face.

“Don’t,” she warned Elizabeth.

“You didn’t learn the first time?” Elizabeth asked, concern evident in her tone and in the softening of her expression.

“It was an accident.”

“An accident?” her sister repeated with no amusement. “Tell me, just how do you accidentally get naked and have sex with the Pack Alpha?”

“How do you know I had sex with him?”

Elizabeth just lifted a brow.

“Okay, fine, I had sex with him.” Marissa started to walk out of the room.

“Why?” Elizabeth asked, following.

“It’s not like I planned it.” She couldn’t explain it to Elizabeth until she was able to explain it to herself.

“Marissa, he is my Alpha.” Elizabeth’s voice rose, and it reminded Marissa of when they were kids and Marissa had once again gotten herself in some sort of trouble. Guilt replaced everything else she had been feeling.

“I know.”

“I can’t believe you did this.”

The disappointment she heard doubled the guilt Marissa already felt. Reaching the guestroom, she pushed the door open. “You know, he did have a say in the matter.”

“Yes, he did.” Elizabeth sighed. “I’m sorry, but you know what happened last time. This is my Pack, and that is my Alpha. I won’t let you ruin this for me.”

That hurt. She knew Elizabeth had every reason to be angry but why was it always what Marissa wanted that caused trouble? When Marissa turned, her eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean to ruin anything.”

Elizabeth’s sigh was audible. “You know that male wolves for some reason think they are above the law. I’m sure Gage wasn’t thinking about it at the time, but you should have been.”

Marissa knew she should have. “I’m sure he thought he would be able to keep it quiet. Brandon always told me not to tell anyone about us and I’m sure that’s what Gage will tell me later.”

“If this got out…” Elizabeth took a step back and had tears in her eyes.

Marissa shouldn’t have come. She’d just turned the best time of Elizabeth’s life into a horrible situation.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth.” Marissa couldn’t be any sorrier for her actions. Once again, she would be responsible for them losing everything.

“I know.” Elizabeth reached out and pulled her close.

Marissa dropped her head onto her sister’s shoulder while they hugged. At least she still had her family.

“It’s not fair,” Elizabeth said then drew back. “But we know how life isn’t fair. I shouldn’t have asked you to come. It was selfish of me.”

“No,” Marissa assured her. “My fault.”

Her sister sent her a sad smile. “Maybe it would be best if you left. Tonight.”

“Okay.” Turning toward the bathroom, Marissa felt the first tear fall. It would be best. For everyone concerned.

The bathroom was small but Marissa liked it. Not too much room. She slid down against the wall and let her tears fall freely.

She was a freak and no one could help her.

Once she gained control over her emotions, she climbed to her feet then crossed to the sink and the hanging mirror. She glared at her reflection.

Her hair was messed up and had grass and a few twigs tangled in. While her eyes were red rimmed she couldn’t hide the fact that she’d been crying. It didn’t matter, though. She wouldn’t see anyone else.

Instead of trying to change her departure date, maybe she should just drive home. It would give her time to think about things. Time to work out why she always messed everything up.

Turning, she walked over to the shower then turned on the water. She needed to get Gage’s scent off her. There was no point in torturing herself with his memory.

* * * *

“We have a problem.” Logan walked into the Alpha’s office without knocking.

“What?” Gage looked up from the papers in front of him. He was trying to concentrate on the Pack’s financial books while he organized a family gathering for a couple of weeks away. The annual get-together would be the perfect time to introduce Marissa to his Pack.

“Greg just called. Elizabeth sent Marissa home.”

“She what?” Gage’s voice rose as he jumped up.

Logan took a step back. “After we left, Elizabeth sent Marissa back to California. Greg doesn’t know why but said Elizabeth’s upset. He called me as soon as he found out. Marissa’s probably already to the gate.”

No!

Yanking up the phone, Gage had to control his temper to keep from crushing the piece of plastic. He punched in the number he needed. This couldn’t be happening. He’d finally found the woman that he wanted to claim as his own and she was about to slip through his fingers.

“Guardhouse,” the guard on duty answered.

“Tom. Has Marissa Boyd driven through yet?” Gage asked, praying he wasn’t too late.

“No, Alpha. No one’s been through for about fifteen minutes, and that was Sammy and Kyle.”

He was able to breathe again. Marissa was still on his property. “She doesn’t leave,” Gage told him.

“But—”

“Don’t let her out,” he ordered. “I’m on my way.” Slamming down the phone, he turned to Logan. “Get Elizabeth up here now. We’re going to get to the bottom of this once and for all. Something else is going on.”

Logan nodded and backed out of the room.

Gage ran over to the sliding glass door and opened it so hard it bounced back a little. He was probably lucky that the glass didn’t shatter. Not that he cared. He could shift and get there faster but then he’d be in his wolf form and didn’t want to scare Marissa.

He didn’t know how she’d react.

No, he had to trust his guard to follow his order and keep Marissa inside until Gage could get there.

Gage did run, though. He could make it to the gate in less than five minutes if he used his full speed. Thankfully, shifters were faster even in their human form.

“What do you mean I can’t leave?” Marissa banged her fist on the steering wheel. She shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d known Gage wasn’t finished with her. She just didn’t know how he’d found out so fast. There was no way that Elizabeth would have called him. Her sister was trying to fix things the only way she knew how.

Gage wouldn’t understand but that wasn’t their problem. Male wolf shifters always thought they could get away with anything. Why he couldn’t see that she was protecting him was beyond her, but she really didn’t need this shit. She wanted out.

“Open the gate!” she ordered the poor guard. It really wasn’t his fault but he was the one in her way. She felt panic start to rise inside her. If she saw Gage again it would be so hard to leave.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I have orders you are not to leave territory.”

“I don’t care what your orders are. I’m not a Pack member and you can’t keep me here. I know the rules,” she said.

“I’m sorry, ma’am.”

“Listen here, let me out!” she pleaded almost desperately. She had to get out of there. It was best for the Pack. They had to understand that.

“No, he won’t.”

Marissa jumped as Gage came around the side of the car. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked, although she knew. Still, she could play dumb and act like everything was okay. Hell, she could even lie and say she was going for a drive.

One glance at the tightness on Gage’s face banished that thought. He couldn’t be easily played.

Gage nodded to his guard, who appeared relieved to be dismissed from dealing with her.

“Where are you going?” Gage kept his voice low and calm. His eyes were hard as he glared at her.

She looked away from him. Guilt and shame kept her from meeting his gaze. She didn’t want to be submissive to him but the power that was radiating off him was almost choking. And was messing with her. Even angry he was devastatingly handsome and her pussy grew wet. If he was any closer he’d probably be able to smell her arousal. This was exactly what she’d been afraid of.

“I asked you where you were going,” he said sharply.

Tightening her hands on the wheel, Marissa kept staring straight ahead. “Home.”

Gage yanked the car door open. “Move over.”

“No.” Was that her voice? Husky and full of need?

His hands were gentle as he unbuckled her seat belt. Marissa could tell he was angry but he wasn’t hurting her as he pushed her toward the passenger seat. Since she didn’t have any choice, she climbed over the console as Gage dropped down into the spot she’d just left. Surprise over took her that she’d given up in so easy. Damn, the man messed with her head.

“Hey! Hey! You can’t do this!” She grabbed at his wrists and hands. She grew desperate. She scratched at his flesh but he ignored her attempts at getting him away and put the car in reverse.

“Gage, stop!”

When the road was wide enough, he turned the car and headed back toward the houses.

“Gage, please stop.” She didn’t want to fight with him. She just wanted to forget everything. Maybe if she could just stop anything else from happening she could go home, lick her wounds, and never think about Gage again. She slapped the dash in frustration. “Let me leave, please. On my own. I promise not to come back.”

“Let you leave?” His voice rose. “Do you really think I’m just going to let you take off without a word?”

“This isn’t about you, Gage. I… I just have to leave.”

“No. You’re not running, Marissa.”

“She asked me to leave!” Marissa shouted. It hurt to tell him that but it was the truth and she couldn’t keep it in. She swallowed. She was so confused. As much as she was fighting him she wanted him to tell her it would be okay. How screwed up was she?

Gage glanced over at her as he navigated the road. “Because of me.”

Marissa looked away. He already knew so why had he even asked? If Marissa couldn’t control herself around him then she had to put as much distance between them as possible.

“That’s what I thought.”

She sat quietly next to Gage. She didn’t have anything more to say. If she gave him the chance to order her not to tell anyone about their encounter then she’d be able to leave. All she had to do was try to keep how much his words would hurt from being obvious and she could get on with her life. Marissa crossed her arms over her chest and took deep breaths. She’d make her escape soon and never cross back into Texas again.

* * * *

Elizabeth sat with her hands in her lap, nervously rubbing them together. She hadn’t expected Gage to take her sister’s leaving well, but being ordered to his office was a shock. Guilt still ate at her stomach and she hated that Marissa’s visit had come to this.

It wasn’t Marissa’s fault and Elizabeth knew that. Elizabeth wasn’t only sending Marissa back to California to get her away from trouble. She also couldn’t stand to see Marissa hurt again.

All their lives Marissa had taken the brunt of hatred from shifters. Just because her sister couldn’t shift had made everyone from their birth Pack turn on her. It wasn’t fair and Marissa had tried to fit in. Elizabeth hadn’t known how to help. She still didn’t.

All she knew was that if Marissa got involved with another shifter it would destroy her, and Elizabeth couldn’t let that happen.

She glared at her future mate, who stood next to the bar talking quietly with Logan. Greg had called Logan after Elizabeth had explained why Marissa had left. Greg hadn’t been happy either. Didn’t they understand she was trying to protect them and everyone in the Pack as well as her sister?

She jumped up when Gage walked in with her sister in tow. Gage looked pissed off and she knew that wouldn’t bode well for them. Elizabeth pushed down the feeling of resentment toward her Alpha. He’d been a better Alpha than she could have hoped for. The fact that he’d given in to his needs without thought about how that would affect Marissa hurt and disappointed her.

“Sit,” he snapped at Marissa, pointing to a chair.

Marissa started to refuse until Gage turned those fierce gray eyes on her. Elizabeth would have been trembling under that look but not her sister.

With a huff, Marissa lowered herself into the wingback chair with her back to the window. It appeared that Marissa was also aware that Gage was past the point of being reasonable. It would be up to Elizabeth to smooth things over. Hopefully she wouldn’t get kicked out of the Pack as well. She really did love Greg and wanted to make a life with him.

“Out,” he ordered the two men.

She wanted to call out to her future mate but knew that wouldn’t help matters. Even though she was upset with Greg she still needed his reassurance.

Gage nodded at Elizabeth to sit. Once she was settled back on the couch, he sat behind his desk. Elizabeth tried to catch her sister’s eyes but Marissa wouldn’t look at her.

Elizabeth really should have handled the situation better, explained what was best, but she was scared Gage wouldn’t let her mate with Greg now. She’d almost lost her position once in a Pack because of her sister. Of course, that blame didn’t fall completely on Marissa. She’d been young and in love, and Elizabeth couldn’t fault her for what had been out of her control.

“Explain.” Gage looked at her, speaking quietly.

Elizabeth ran her sweaty hands over her pants. She needed to take charge of the conversation and hopefully salvage her standing while still managing to protect Marissa. “I believe it’s best if Marissa leaves.”

“Because of what happened earlier between her and me?”

“She doesn’t belong in Pack territory.” Her heart almost broke at the sound of Marissa’s breath catching. She didn’t want to hurt her sister, but she didn’t have much choice. The harsh words would make Gage understand.

“Yet you asked permission for me to let her come. Now you want her to go?”

“Well, I didn’t know… I mean, I…” She didn’t know what he wanted her to say.

Gage nodded before glancing at Marissa. “How do you feel?”

Marissa’s face was blank and her eyes had turned cold. It was an expression Elizabeth hadn’t seen on her sister’s face since she’d left their former Pack.

“I was leaving, wasn’t I?” Marissa told him, her face and tone not giving away any feelings.

“Just like that?” Gage continued to speak calmly. When Marissa didn’t answer him, he looked back at Elizabeth. “I’m beginning to think I have missed some important information about your old Pack.”

“I told you everything, Alpha. I didn’t hide anything!” This was it. He was going to kick her out. Tell her she couldn’t mate with Greg.

Instead, he peered back at Marissa. “In the woods, you said you were trying to protect me.”

Marissa glared at him. ”Yeah, so?”

“Protect me from what?”

She didn’t answer. Elizabeth was used to her sister’s attitude but could see Gage was losing patience. Marissa was falling back on what she knew. Stay silent, take your punishment, and show no weakness. It was a lesson they both knew well. Still, maybe Elizabeth could help. She opened her mouth to answer, but Gage cut his gaze to her and shook his head. Elizabeth closed her mouth and stared at her sister. Marissa still wouldn’t look at her.

“And you will harm me, Marissa?” Gage asked as they both watched Marissa.

Marissa only shrugged. Elizabeth wanted to come to her sister’s defense, but knew she couldn’t help her if Gage wouldn’t even let her talk.

“Answer the question,” Gage said louder, making Marissa press back into the chair.

“The law,” she finally told him.

“What law?” Gage glanced from Marissa to Elizabeth with a confused look.

Marissa crossed her arms over her chest in response.

Gage peered over at Elizabeth.

“The one against mating with a non-shifter,” Elizabeth answered.

“The law against mating with a non-shifter,” Gage repeated.

Marissa jumped up from her seat. “Can I leave now?”

“Sit down!” he barked though he didn’t raise his voice.

Elizabeth almost fell over in shock when her sister dropped back down into her chair. No one, not even their former Alpha, had been able to get that reaction from her.

“Who told you about this law?” Gage asked Elizabeth, since it was obvious Marissa wasn’t going to contribute to this conversation.

“Our Alpha,” Elizabeth answered.

His gaze never left her sister’s face. “And what did he tell you would happen?”

“Because she… She was…”

“Because I fucked his son, not only could I be kicked out of the Pack but so could my entire family,” Marissa exploded, jumping up and smashing her hand onto his desk.

Elizabeth jumped, but Gage didn’t show any reaction.

“And were you all?” Gage asked, even though he knew the answer.

“I agreed to leave and never return so my sister still had a Pack to protect her,” Marissa answered, anger burning in her eyes.

He rose and came around the desk. She didn’t step back but stood straight when he stepped in front of her. She was bracing herself but he didn’t know against what. Things started to click together for him. If he could go back and save her from her past he would.

“So can I go?” Marissa snapped. “I think it goes without saying I won’t be mentioning this to anyone.”

“Marissa.” He wanted to hold her. To comfort her.

“I’m willing to go now so you don’t have to kick her out. No one else needs to know. I’ll leave quietly,” she told him.

She peeked up at him. She was pleading with him and he couldn’t believe how much pain showed in her gaze.

Gage gently cupped her cheek, but she jerked away from him. “I’m sorry for everything you have been through.”

Marissa remained stiff so he turned back toward Elizabeth. “While it may have been that Pack’s rule, it is in no way a law. I have never heard of anything more ridiculous.”

“If that’s true, then…” Elizabeth trailed off, and Gage knew she was piecing together that they had been lied to. She paled. Yes, Elizabeth had figured it out.

“It’s true,” he assured her, then glanced back at Marissa. Reaching for her, he drew her to his side.

“Then Marissa didn’t have to leave.” Elizabeth also stood. “She didn’t have to be on her own all this time?”

He watched the play of emotions on Marissa’s face before her eyes chilled again and she pulled away. “You don’t know what you are talking about.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Gage shook his head. “Why do you think we have a council of former Alphas to police the Packs? It’s to protect the members, not to hurt them.” He could see Marissa starting to shake in front of him. “My father is one of the Council members and I can assure you that, whether you can shift or not, he would have never allowed you to be mistreated. There is no such law.”

“It is a law!” Marissa yelled.

He knew she wasn’t trying to convince him but had to come to terms with it. No Alpha would let such a young woman live alone and unprotected if he could help it. Gage was already making plans to research into her old Pack.

“I can prove it to you if that’s what it takes,” Gage said. “One call and we can have all this sorted out.” It was what he could offer her, although he didn’t think that she would take him up on it.

“No,” she whispered. Her eyes started to swim with tears, and Gage’s heart broke for her.

“Oh, Marissa, I’m so sorry.” Elizabeth moved toward her.

Marissa held up a hand to stop her at the same time as stepping away from him. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

She would need time to get used to the truth. He wouldn’t let her go through it alone, though. Whether or not she wanted his help, Gage was going to be there to support her.

Elizabeth glanced at him and he nodded toward the door. “Go out and find Greg. We’ll finish up here and I’ll drive Marissa back to your house.”

“Marissa has her own car. And it’s already packed,” Marissa interjected.

Gage didn’t even look back at her but kept his gaze on her sister. “She’ll be okay here with me.”

“Okay… I’ll…see you both later.” Elizabeth quickly made her exit.

The office was quiet and he could hear each breath that Marissa took. Her hands shook as though she was attempting to hang on to her control.

“Come here, baby,” Gage ordered gently.

Marissa shook her head. “I want to leave.”

Gage closed the distance between them then wrapped his arms around her. “Yes, I think you do. But not yet,” he told her. “That’s not the answer.”

“No.” Marissa tried to pull away. “Now. I want to leave now.”

“It’s okay, baby.” Gage held her tight as the tears she’d been fighting started to fall.

She remained stiff until a sob overtook her.

Gage kissed her forehead then turned her face into his chest. “You’re not alone any longer.”

“I can’t…” she managed before the dam broke.

As she cried in his arms, anger swelled inside him at the Alpha who had pledged to take care of her then turned her out without a Pack, without her family. To put her through hell for her being with his son. It should have been a relationship worth celebrating.

Gage hummed to her, trying to comfort her in any way he could.

It seemed she pulled back, tears still streaming down her face as she looked up at him. He wasn’t surprised when she pressed her lips to his in a desperate kiss. Marissa was trying to replace the agony with anything else. Glad to be able to take some of the pain away, he let her kiss him and tightened his hold around her.

His cock was already hard, had been even through his anger, since he’d climbed into the car with her.

With one hand holding her back, he ran his other down to cup her ass. She shuffled her feet and drew even closer to him. Gage plunged his tongue in and out of her mouth like he wanted to do with his cock inside her pussy.

If Marissa needed to forget he would be more than happy to take her mind and body to better things.