Alpha Reid

2

Serena

Is this real life? I've had a lot of dreams about escaping that cell, but so far none of them have involved stumbling upon my fated mate under the full moon. I blink at the gorgeous man standing across from me, my throat tightening. I forget to breathe. Am I dreaming? I dig my fingernails into the flesh of my thigh, pinching.

Ouch.

I'm awake. This is real. And before he even says the word, I know it's true. The most delightful sensations are washing over me, lapping at my skin and enveloping me like a warm blanket. I'm flooded with endorphins and adrenaline, a euphoric high that has me feeling half drunk. I'm so aware of the connection between us, the pull yanking me to him. He's beautiful, and my inner wolf is spinning and preening with the realization that he's ours.

Mate.

I'm not sure what I expected in a mate, but he's nothing like the boys from back home. He's all man. Over six feet tall and broad-shouldered, a wall of solid muscle standing across from me with washboard abs and biceps thicker than my thighs. Everything about him is rugged and masculine, from his square jaw covered in thick, dark scruff, to his curls of dark chest hair, to the happy trail leading down to the massive rod between his legs. I've never seen one that big before- I'm staring a moment too long, my cheeks heating in embarrassment when I flicker my gaze back up to meet his.

His eyes are the brightest, clearest blue, such a stark contrast to his dark features. They sparkle with the silver of his wolf as he takes a step closer, and the way he's looking at me makes my knees weak. Like he's completely enthralled. Awestruck.

My feet move on their own, bringing me a step closer. Closing the distance between us. He extends a hand, reaching up to cup my cheek. As soon as his fingertips graze my skin, I almost sigh in pleasure at the delightful sparks that ignite beneath them from the contact. As he stares into my eyes, his are so wide; so earnest. His lips part, and I'm mesmerized by the way they move when he speaks.

"Who are you?"

Butterflies take flight in my tummy in response to the rich, deep tone of his voice and goosebumps break out over my skin. I open my mouth, but no sound comes out- for a moment I forget my own name; I'm just completely captivated.

"Serena," I breathe, my eyes locked on his. "Serena Harper."

"Serena," he repeats, and my name has never sounded as sweet as it does on his tongue. The corner of his mouth ticks up into the most devastatingly handsome smile I've ever seen. "Reid Raines."

Damn, even his name is sexy as hell. His close proximity has his scent swirling all around me, sage and sandalwood and citrus, intoxicating me like a drug.

"Where did you come from?" he asks, and I'm so distracted by his presence that his question takes a moment to register.

My jaw goes slack as I search for the words to respond. "I... I don't know..."

Reid furrows his brow, searching my face as he tilts it upwards. "Are you lost, little wolf?"

I wet my lips with my tongue, swallowing hard. "My pack was attacked. I don't know where they were holding me, but I finally got away..." my voice breaks as I trail off, flinching and instinctively taking a step back. Reid's hand slips from my face as I do, and my gaze falls to the ground as I draw a breath, trying my best to hold it together. I didn't realize how comforting Reid's touch was until it's gone- I immediately long for it again. Is that the mate bond at work? I don't even know this man, yet his physical effect on me is already so profound.

"The shadow pack?" he asks cautiously.

My eyes return to his, and the look in them sets my teeth on edge. That look of awe and admiration is gone, replaced by sympathy. Pity. In his eyes, I just became a victim.