Jessica grabs my left hand with a small smile. I force myself to break the contact I have with the wolf, "Come on, I'll help you down."

Another large wolf runs towards the base of the tree, and Jessica forces us down faster. Must be Josh. Tusk and Gerald run off after a third wolf enters the space. Both Jessica and I get down the tree, the forest floor soaking into my feet over the edges of my sandals. The wolf that watches me intently steps over with slow steps, each one deliberately slow.

Fear settles within me. Everything seemed so real but now with him standing in front of me as an actual fucking wolf it doesn't process as well. The mind-link, the marking, just the dynamic of the people under him made me believe, but some part of me never wanted to see them shift.

Jessica lays her hand on the base of my back, "He can't communicate with you right now due to the flower James had. That will wear off in about six hours. He is wanting me to ask if you can ride on his back. It will get you to the hotel the pack is staying at quicker."

"Ride his back?" I step backwards, the wolf looking rejected.

"I'll be on Josh's, and they agreed to run close. Tyson is with us as well and will watch your back for you while we travel. It's maybe 30 minutes at most."

"Regular wolves can run 40 miles per hour. You want me to trust fur while doing that?"

Jessica looks to the grey wolf, one of the others coming to lay at her hip, "We can take it slow. You'll lay down along his spine and hold tight. I promise, he's way more in tune with himself than you might believe. He won't let a tree take you."

"I feel like a child next to you. So knowledgeable and trusting of the same people we dumpster dived to avoid."

"It helps when you mark them back. Now, come on. I think we might win in a race." She cocks an eyebrow at me, the stars of the night sending rays of light over her skin in such a beautiful manor.

"Fuck. You know I can't deny a challenge." I laugh with her, Tyson I assume with the golden fur snorting at us.

"He is telling us to hurry, we want to stay under the stars while they are in wolf form." Jessica rolls her eyes and looks at Tyson, "And please shut the fuck up. That wolf barreled you before you got a nibble."

"What?"

"Nothing. Now come on, we have about two hours for sun break."

"Can you fucking read the moon too now?"

She sighs, "No dumb bitch, I have wolves that can sense that shit speaking to me like weird wizards in my head."

"Fine."

I finally stop stalling walking up to the wolf. He holds extremely still letting me trace my hand over his fur. A couple spots hold dried blood, others a raised scar from something much before me, but overall the softness that covers his body is similar to a fluffy blanket. Ares drops to his belly so I can get on. I throw my leg over like I would mounting a horse, and then per Jessica lay along the spine and dig my fingers through his fur gripping tightly.

"He wanted me to tell you that having you on his back is most comforting thing he's felt all week." Jessica pretends to gag herself, but then sends me a winning smile, "And that you can hold tighter if you need to, not to be afraid of holding him."

I listen, gripping tighter, "Let's just get this over with. I really, really need a hot shower."

Jessica gets onto the dark wolf laying down against him. She kisses his shoulder blades that move when he steps forward. The wolf grumbles, probably enjoying her touch. I keep my face flat against Ares. This isn't my favorite thing to have to do.

I barely have time to scream before we are breaking wind. The chill of night settles over my skin, my body pressing more into his soft fur for warmth. I brace myself with turns and dips, but Ares slowly himself for me Josh and Tyson ahead of us.

An Alpha definitely isn't the slowest in his pack.

Pack. A foreign word that has become so much more. How much would I give to be back at the side of a table, no worries in the world, taking peoples order and working with Gus.

Ol' greasy Gus. I miss that fucker. While this flower that James had been keeping to remove me from the mind-link was horrid and kept me from being saved, at least now I have time to myself, my own thoughts that aren't being monitored by the overbearing Alpha himself.

However, is he truly the bad guy anymore? Yes he kept me from seeing people, drugged me, kidnapped me, but he also bought me a burrito. And that means something.

Stop being stupid Vee.

My thoughts trailed off more than I expected, the wolves stopping at a tree line just before the beginning of a small town hotel parking lot. Jessica laughs at something before sliding off of Josh, I follow suite not knowing what else to do.

"Josh, Tyson, and I are going to head to the hotel. Ares wants to speak with you before you head in. Clothes are in this duffel," She tosses something at my feet, "For him. I love you bitch, see you soon."

"Oh wait-no." I reach my hand out, but Josh and Tyson run into another tree line. Their bones can be heard cracking in the night, and fully clothes males join Jess in her walk to the hotel. Acting like they didn't just murder a bunch of men.

The crack of bones can be heard behind me now, and the deep breathing of Ares. I stay put, facing the hotel while his naked form is pressed against my back, "Veronica."

The sound of my name rolling off his lips sends a heat through me. Hands trace down my arms, lips on my neck. I lean back into him letting him feel me while I enjoy the pleasurable electric feeling that courses through me from his touch. He grabs me lightly turning me to face him. Our eyes meet, the need rising to the surface for us both.

Fuck how did I deny this bond before? Did it get worse?

"I want to speak with you," He starts, but I stop him. My lips land over his while my hands trace over his chest. I let my teeth tug at his bottom lip, a growl leaving him.

He wraps his hands under my ass pulling me further into the tree line. I break away from him, both of us heavy breathing, "Talking can wait."

Ares presses my back against a tree, my legs around his waist with one hand holding my ass, "I couldn't agree more."