Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
She had a million questions, but she was afraid to ask them. She feared angering this man. He surely had no idea she’d learned so many things about him and several other Alpha Protectors.
She knew his name now. Isaac. She hadn’t learned anything like that from Sienna because Sienna only had visions without sound.
Isaac smiled at her warmly and took her hands. “You can’t be comfortable on your knees.” He rose, helping her stand at the same time.
As soon as they were on their feet, she realized how tall he was. At least a foot taller than her. She’d expected him to be larger than the average wolf shifter in the valley, but his size still stunned her.
He cupped her face with both hands, threading his fingers in her hair while he stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re stunning, Little one.” He dragged one hand through her long hair and lifted a lock of it. “I love these blond curls.”
Amber said the first thing that came to mind. “It’s an unruly pain.”
Isaac chuckled, the sound making her lean into him as his voice vibrated through her body. “Rylee told me you weren’t a huge fan of the curls.”
Amber gasped. So he did know Rylee. That was a relief in and of itself. “You know my friend?”
“Yes. She’s eager to see you. It’s customary for new mates to spend several weeks alone getting to know each other, but when we venture out, I promise you will reunite with your friend.”
She tipped her cheek more fully into the palm he still held against her. “Thank you.”
“I thought you’d be happy to hear that.” He slid both hands around behind her and pulled her closer to him. For long seconds, he held her gaze, staring into her eyes. His own eyes danced with what could only be described as happiness.
Her soul calmed more each second. The bond between them seemed to intensify. It was so odd. Why would she feel such a connection with this stranger just because they were now mated?
“It’s powerful, isn’t it, Little one?”
She nodded.
He slid one hand back to her face. “I want to kiss you. May I?”
She wanted that, too, and she leaned into him. “Yes.”
He bent at the knees to bring his mouth to hers and gently set his lips against hers. A soft moan escaped him. “You smell so good,” he muttered against her lips.
“You do, too,” she whispered, enjoying the little nibbles he rained down on her mouth. He was intoxicating, and her body was responding to him in ways she had not expected. Her breasts felt heavy. Her sex clenched down over and over. If she wasn’t mistaken, wetness was leaking out of her.
Isaac eventually leaned his head back and inhaled deeply. “Heavens… Your scent. I heard it would be powerful, but it’s so much more than I expected.”
She agreed. She hadn’t known what to expect at all. No one had told her. But she certainly agreed it was powerful.
“Shall we get out of here?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I’m going to carry you up the mountain to our home. Would you like me to sedate you so you won’t be frightened?”
She frowned. “No, Sir.”
“If you change your mind, you’ll let me know. I don’t want you to fret.”
“I’ll be fine.” She hadn’t known what to expect. It shocked her to learn he was going to carry her. She could see he was extremely fit and strong, plus that was a well-known fact about Alpha Protectors. But carry her?
Isaac lifted her off her feet and cradled her.
She gasped and wrapped both arms around his neck to hold on. Her ceremonial dress was floor length. The only parts of her skin that were visible were her feet in the gold sandals, her face, and her hands. Her mark was mostly covered by the lace sleeve.
Isaac exited the government building, and in no time at all, he was climbing effortlessly up the mountain.
Amber said nothing as he moved quickly. She kept her gaze forward, looking in the direction he traveled. It didn’t take long for her to home in on everything in their path. The beauty of the greenery and the snow-capped mountains in the distance had always been stunning, but this was her first time getting a closer look.
“Is that your home? The one with the wrap-around porch and the forest-green door?”
Isaac stopped moving and stared at her. “You can see that from here?”
Her breath hitched as she looked in that direction again. “Yes. Can’t you?”
He chuckled. “No, Little one, but I’m not surprised you can.”
“Why can’t you see it?” she asked in confusion. Did he have a visual impairment?
He kissed her neck before he started walking again. “It’s too far away, Little one, and not in our direct line of sight. Rylee warned me you would probably have a heightened visual ability. What’s shocking is that it’s so honed already even before we’ve consummated our union. Could you see that well before today, Little one?”