He watched her look around and her eyes grew wider and wider.
"You. You're, oh no. Yeah. No, this wasn't supposed to happen."
A churning in his gut started as she scrambled to the edge of the bed.
"It wasn't," she muttered.
Her voice wavered.
"Hey. It's okay."
She shook her head. "No. It's not. I screwed up."
He clambered across the bed. "Hold on. It's okay. We screwed up together. Last I checked, it takes two people." He grabbed her hips, stopping her in her tracks. She pulled against him, and finally gave up, her posture slouching.
"No. I mean. I really screwed up. You, you're part of the pack from the mountains? The Salix pack?"
He nodded. "Yes? Why?"
She turned to him.
"Last night was the best night of my life. I mean it. But, I can't see you again. No matter what. I can't see you again. I, I'm already promised."
He sucked in air as she sucker-punched him with her words.
"That's not possible. You can't be promised to anyone in my pack. I've never seen you before."
She turned away as he swore her eyes reddened.
"I can't do this right now. Please let me go." He did, shock setting in.
"Where's my phone," she asked. Blindly he watched her grab up her costume, putting in one leg then hopping around trying to get the other in.
Where the hell had she ever put a phone? He didn't remember seeing one.
"God. Where's my bra? I need to get out of here. I can't-"
She broke off. The dress was up, but it did nothing to support her breasts, and God. Every time she bent down, he could see her bare ass.
No. Stop. She was engaged to be mated to someone in his fucking pack. What the fuck. Sense hit him all at once.
"Forget it. Keep it. If you find it, just toss it. I have to go." She spotted a small, wrist-style bag, and made a b-line as he got up. He stepped in her path.
"Who the hell are you mating in my pack? Where are you from?"
She studied his face, and he hated that she was thinking about her answer. Maybe thinking about someone other than him.
"You knew I wasn't him last night. Why did you come with me?"
Her lip trembled. "I. I don't know."
He growled. "You do know. You know because I know. Whoever that wolf is, he isn't the right one for you. I am."
A tear slid down her beautiful cheek and now he just felt like an asshole. He took her face in his hands, brushing a thumb in the path of an unwelcome tear.
"Look. I'm sorry. But you know I'm right. You feel it."
Dropping a hand to her chest, his hand rested against her heart, the beat already mating to his own.
She nodded.
"I can't lose you. I won't live without you. I will abandon my pack, do whatever I have to do to have you. You tell me when." And he meant it.
Really, he didn't see this being an issue. All she had to do was give him a name and that wolf would be finding a new pack. Fuck. No. He wouldn't do that to a brother.
But, shit. That guy would have to know she was wrong for him. Wasn't his mate. Why the hell would she have agreed to a mating with someone that she was so wrong for? Fuck. Why had he? He needed to fix this.
He lowered his face to hers.
"I will never give up until you are mine."
She shivered under his touch.
"But, what if. What if I can't be yours."
His wolf snarled.
"That is not an option. I always get what I want." His lips nearly touching hers. "Always."
There was no stopping him, he slid his hand down the bodice of her dress, past the ruffles of the skirt and didn't stop until he found her soft skin.
"I. I need to go." Her words soft, lacking any conviction to his ears.
"I do not stop until I have claimed what is mine."
His forehead rested against hers as his fingers found her slit. No panties yet. He liked this game. Sliding along her folds he slipped a finger between the lips and found the warmth of her entrance. Her breath hitched.
"Please. I can't. I need..."
West smiled as her words caught. "Tell me what you need."
A quick intake of her breath was all he needed to know when he slid inside.
"Tell me. What do you need?"
A quick intake of air through her perfect lips, music to his ears.
"You. I need you."
Crushing his lips to hers, wrapping his arm around her waist, holding her as she began to quiver, he knew he couldn't walk away.
She pulled her lips away.
"Please," she begged.
He kissed her again.
Stretching his thumb up, he pressed it against her clit. The nub swollen, ready. A whimper caught in her throat. She was close. He could smell her arousal, smell her all over him.
He needed to claim her. His wolf was pissed. Pacing. Panting. Begging. How could he fight instinct.
West pulled his fingers out, his hand covered in her.
As she threatened to collapse, he held her closer.
"What is your name?" West asked.
"What? My? Name? El. Call me El." She couldn't catch her breath.
"El. You're mine. Do you understand."
She focused, catching him off guard with the intensity in her eyes.
"Yes. Take me. I'm yours."
Hooking his hands behind her knee, he lifted her off the ground.
"Say my name. West. My name is West."
He laid her down against the disheveled fabric. A reminder of the night before.
"West. I'm yours. Make me yours."
He leaned over. Spreading her for him, his dick ready, ready for the release, poised at her entrance. The heat of her teasing him.
"You understand what I'm offering?"
She nodded. Her hands twisting in her hair.
"Yes. I understand. I can't be anyone else's. I can't go back."
His palms slid down her thighs. "It can't be undone. If I claim you, it can't be undone."
He watched as her hands released her hair, her eyes meeting his.
"I know. Do it. Take me as yours. I
