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. He's 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." She remarks guiding me to Ares's back. I stop in the mud to give her a wild look.

"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." 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 near 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 slows himself for me Josh and Tyson ahead of us. An Alpha isn't the slowest in his pack, but my fear is enough for him to keep back.

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 using to remove me the connection was horrid, at least now I have time to myself, my own thoughts that aren't being monitored by the overbearing Alpha himself for just a moment. I'm a little worried what he would think if he heard the amount of thank yous coursing through my head right now. Or how much I love him for coming for me.

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 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 clothed 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." He braces one hand against the tree, the other holding me up nicely. I lean in to take his lips against mine, our tongues tangling together in a hot need to feel one another. He massages my ass nicely before letting a single claw rip down the sides of my pants dropping them to the ground.

"Ares!" I moan, but he doesn't care. We are both sweaty, bloody, anything disgusting but fuck his need to be with me is such a turn on. I hadn't realized how much I missed his touch, his scent, his cock.

"Be quiet. I'll let you scream later." He mumbles against my throat kissing the mark. My core starts to drip in excitement, my lack of underwear making this that much easier. Please, please just fuck me. We don't bother too long with foreplay. He fills me so deliciously that I bite my lip to keep from telling the world. He keeps my hips still so I don't rub the tree, but rails me like I need. My shallow breaths are the only tell that my body is building to that sweet release. Ares picks up his pace, his own breaths quickening. I feel something swell inside me, something I hadn't before.

The orgasm rips through me, I throw my head into the crook of his neck to quiet myself, his seed spilling into me as well. The swell that I had felt almost tightens within me, holding itself close. I pull my head back with a raised brow, and Ares seems to have something to say. After a few moments he removes himself and lets me settle onto the ground.

"We should get you some tea." He mumbles grabbing at the duffel bag.

"Didn't you have something to speak about? And I don't like tea." The world starts to spin a little, the food I've had in the past two days not enough to keep my iron levels at a satisfactory range.

"This tea is a special tea." He pauses pulling the sweats on, throwing me the other smaller pair in the bag. Oh fuck, Jessica. I laugh to myself pulling them on, Ares watching me like a crazy human. Something I deserve and then some.

"Can you please speak logically. A lot of shit has happened, and I really just want to go back to your manor, eat a giant burrito while vegging out on the really soft game room couch that has a permanent indent from my ass."

"First and foremost, as you have been gone, the indent is as well." He laughs as well pulling me into him for a large hug. I wrap my arms around him in return as we take in each other's sweaty bodies. Comfort, "However, to be frank. My wolfs excitement to see you led to something that I am convinced you aren't ready for."

I pull myself from him waiting, "That worries me, come on Ares just spit it out."

"Let's get you inside, and then I'll answer everything, over tea." I release myself from him and start walking towards the hotel. He knows he's pissed me off, so he doesn't say much walking behind me with the rest of the duffel. When I enter the smaller location no one is behind the counter. Ares grabs the elevator to an upper floor waving me over. I thumb at the counter, but he shrugs, "This is a pack hotel, it's made for our travels. We don't see the need to keep it staffed."

"Oh." I walk myself over to him sliding past into the very large elevator. He joins me clicking the bright number four. We move quickly up to the floor, the doors sliding open to reveal a beautiful penthouse style room.

"Alpha's quarters. Come in, I've had the tea sent up." He goes to another smaller sliding door like one would see to send laundry down a shoot. Opening it, a couple glasses of tea sit on a beautiful plate. Worried for whatever reason, I sit at the table waiting for an explanation.

He sits as well, "I am sorry to be so cryptic, however I needed to get you here before things settle so you could make a decision," Ares runs a hand through his hair. It's now that I can see the light bleeding covering his body, the bright red scars that are still healing, "Since I've met you, I've been drinking a tea that keeps my wolf's need to produce an heir controlled. Much like wolves, we have a knot that secures our seed in you, almost a guarantee for pregnancy. This tea will act like a birth control for you and for me, keeps me from knotting during my release. No other birth control can stop it, condoms are useless. If you don't want to risk the chance, I would encourage you to drink."

I slide the tea over to myself. He's been taking birth control for me. And I accused him of wanted to breed me like a good little Luna. Grabbing the handle, I lift it to my lips letting the awful taste run down my throat. Ares waits patiently, no expression of emotions as I make my decision, "Uh, thank you." I finally spit out when I set the cup down.

He nods in return, "I'm sorry to throw that on you, thank you for making the decision best for you. First and foremost, before anything else, the bond got the best of us, but I want to check in with you before I overwhelm." He comes around the table dropping to his knees before me. My face gets held between his hands, my face becoming a river of sadness, "Darling come here."

Ares pulls me into a large hug. I dig my face against his crying into his comfort. His calloused hand rubs up and down my back and for what seems forever let me cry down his front. The emotions from the week are released, any pent-up frustration released into the open world between us. I need him near me, his scent surround like a blanket. I don't know how I denied what he does for me and now that I've experience hell once more, I'll forever be grateful for the man the moon fated me with. If I must join the world of the wolves, Ares isn't the worst pick of them all. It was almost an hour before I calmed down enough to hold a conversation. He didn't push me to talk, nor did he rush me to calm down. His hands ran through my hair, patted my back, and by the end I'd fallen into his lap to get as much skin to skin as possible.

"Have I helped?" He whispered down to me when I become quiet.

"You have." I mumble in return. I'm not ready to let go. Being near him is the only thing keeping me from breaking out into another fit.

"Are you ready to talk about some important matters, or should I wait till morning?"

"The distraction would be welcome, Ares." His name. I'm using it freely now

"We have much to discuss and while I'd prefer to love your body until your nothing but covered in my scent, in your absence, deltas and other Alphas have been sending challenge. They want to fight for my land and power, especially now that I've taken over the west Alpha."

"Can you elaborate?"

"The wolves have something called the trials. Once enough people come together, they can demand challenge towards an Alpha they feel is too powerful. With my win over the west pack, I'm now able to claim the title of King for the states based on what land I own. In the same regard I could force other packs under my ruling with that title. They are fearing that, and they should. I'll take over anyone I need to keep you safe."

"And when is this?"

"About a month away. Now that I have you, you'll be stuck to my side. Many wolves will want to see me dead, that includes you."

~

In the following morning, the men that fought with their Alpha returned from their night of patrol. Ares joined them early this morning to call them back and tell them the plan, Josh followed. Much to my surprise, the gashes and scars that covered Ares the night before is long gone, his beautifully tattooed body on display. Josh claps his hand against Ares's back before running off into the hotel. I watch him lift his nose smelling for me. When he catches my scent, his head turns making full eye contact with me as I load a car Jess pointed me too, "Why are you doing that? Here, let me help." He runs over in a blur of speed grabbing the suitcase from me. I shake in my shoes at the sight of him running towards me before I could take in a breath.

"Oh um..." He's displaying more. He's showing off his speed by rushing to me so quickly. Around the other wolves all the men refuse to hold back. As they joke around and toss each other on the ground, the solid cement breaks beneath their backs only a laugh leaving the men.

"Have I made you uncomfortable?"

"No. Um." I tap my finger against my chin, "Just a lot, going on..." I point at my head. My bun lulls to one side as I turn my chin upwards. He lifts his hand gently rubbing his thumb over my cheek bone.

"I love you, Veronica." I keep silent, as the usual. Josh was so forefront with Jess, telling her everything about the wolves and adapting her to the big picture. Ares has been so delicate, other than our tumbles in the bedroom. Now I feel so behind and confused. He dips into my mind listening to my aneurism of thoughts that fly through my brain, "I didn't intend to make you feel as such. I wanted to slowly adjust you to this world, but Josh has helped me come to my senses."

"I suppose I should say thank you, however, I don't really know what to say." It follows with a shrug.

"Let's focus on getting you home. We can talk during the drive."

I peek back to the car, "And how do we have cars? Jess informed me that you ran as wolves."

"The humans drove them over, then we flew them back. As we haven't completed the markings, I assumed driving would be much more comfortable for you." Josh loads another car for Jess. While she has the endurance of a wolf, I'm sure that riding wolf back across the states is plain awful. And she did it for me.

"Okay. Let's go then."