Rook eased from out of the dark woods in his lycan form. No matter how many times I saw his wolf, I was still in awe of him every time. Rook's golden glowing eyes search my body for any signs of harm or foul play and then they shifted to Leo.

My heart caught in my throat as Rook's ears flattened against his head and he bared his teeth at Leo. The growl that came from him was so powerful that Leo fell to his knees and covered his ears with his hands.

Leo's gaze sought mine, pleading me to help him. I glanced at Rook's wolf one more time. He was going to pounce at any second and Leo would be no match for him. I couldn't let that happen. Leo was only trying to help me. I cursed myself as my brain scrambled for a solution. I should have heeded Yvonne's warning. Rook's wolf was in control now and that was never an ideal situation.

Just as Rook was about to attack, I kicked the starter on the bike. The engine roared, catching both Leo and Rook's attention.

"Are you going to waste your time on Leo or are you coming after me?" I asked as I shifted the gears and took off into the woods.

I knew this was going to work, there was no way Rook or his wolf was going to allow me out of his sight, especially in someone else's territory at night. My only dilemma at this point was what I was going to do after he caught me, which he most assuredly would.

I dodged another tree just in time before running into it head on. This was not my brightest idea ever, riding a dirt bike through the woods at top speed at night, but it was the only thing I could come up with in such a short amount of time.

Rook was beside me now, keeping even pace with the dirt bike. I glanced at him as he expertly maneuvered through the trees. There was no losing him, but at least I hoped we were far away from Leo now.

I stopped in a small clearing, nudged the kick stand down, and waited. My pulse double timed when Rook came into the clearing at a mad, frantic pace. I leaped from the bike and inched my way backwards. Rook shifted, but that did not ease my tension as the man seemed just as determined as the beast.

I continued to ease my way backwards until my spine was flush with a tree trunk and I had no where else to go. Rook towered over me, entrapping me by placing both oh his hands against the tree. His breathing was rough and ragged and I knew it wasn't from our little venture through the woods. He was fighting back his wolf with all his might.

"You were alone with him. I could smell your scent on him." Rook's words were more of a growl than actual human language.

"I was alone with him because you left me behind and he was loyal enough to you, to come with me to ensure my safety." I argued, but made no sudden movements.

I wasn't really sure what I was dealing with here and unlike before, we were all alone this time.

"I will peel the very skin from his bones with my teeth." Rook snarled and the mere image of what he just said had me shuttering.

"You just went psycho on me there." I cringed.

Rook snarled and shook his head like he was fighting an unforeseen foe. I reached my hand up to touch his face, but he snatched away from me.

"I can't control it anymore, Eve."

It was still a snarl, but it sounded a little more like Rook.

"Yes, you can."

I pushed his hands away, gripped his face and brought his forehead down to mine until our skin was touching and our breaths were mingling.

"I've never been at odds with my wolf before, it's tearing me in two."

He released a breath and leaned a little of his body weight against me.

"What can I do?" I asked holding my breath.

Rook was so torn and it looked like he was in actual physical pain. At this point, I would do anything to take away his suffering.

"You're my mate, but we're not mated. My wolf sees everyone and everything as a threat and wants to tear every male's head off, whether they deserve it or not. I'm very territorial, even worse so as an alpha."

I gulped. I was afraid he was going to say that. Was I willing to go that far with him?

I was. My heart had already admitted that it loved him, that fact was made even more evident by the way I had rushed after him when he left me. I wasn't and couldn't be at peace until I was near him again and ensured that he was safe.

Even with him part feral, I felt safe and content now that I was near him again.

"Ok." My mouth said before my mind was even ready.

"Ok what?" He lifted his head and stared deep into my eyes.

"Ok, let's get mated." I quickly said before I lost my nerve.

I braced myself, half expecting him to throw me to the ground and tear my clothes off after I agreed.

"No." He said sternly and took a step back from me.

"No?"

Was I actually disappointed that he just turned me down? Yes, I was.

"I'm not going to let it happen, not until you are absolutely sure, because once we are mated, I'm never going to let you go." He nuzzled his face into my neck and I melted at his touch.

"Our first time sure as hell isn't going to be in the woods." He purred against my skin and my flesh broke out in goose bumps.

Neither one of us was willing to pull away. Rook gathered me in his arms and pulled me to his chest. I loved him so much more for respecting me. Now we just had to figure out how to make his wolf understand.