Betrayal: Reckless Desires (Dark Wolves Book 2) by Elianne Adams Read Free Book Online

standing on end and a growl vibrating in his chest. “I’ll accompany you.”
    ***
    Amalija gave Wesken a small nod and headed east. It was a little farther, but the privacy she needed to put her plan into action couldn’t be found at one of the nearer lakes on such a hot day.
    Neither spoke for a long while. Maybe he was waiting for her to say something, but she was happy to keep quiet until they reached their destination. She’d spent the past couple of days vacillating between angry and hurt over his rejection, but at some point during the night, as she’d struggled to fall asleep, she’d made her decision. She wasn’t giving up. Not on him. Not on her life in the Komoro pack. Not on herself. She deserved to be happy, damn it, and if she had to fight for it every step of the way, she would.
    The first step was telling him she was Mahehkan. She’d make him listen. Make him understand why she was with the Komoro pack. Protective as he was, he’d never begrudge her for leaving her pack and seeking refuge elsewhere. With Wesken on her side, she could plead her case to the Alpha and beg them to let her stay. She’d been nothing if not loyal to her new pack. She worked hard and helped others when she could. They would see that.
    Then, she’d have to convince Wesken he was hers. If it took a while for him to come to terms with them being mates, so be it. She’d wait for him. Not that she didn’t intend to use every bit of the attraction between them to her full advantage, but she wouldn’t push for more than he was willing to give.
    “What’s going on in that mind of yours, Amalija?” he asked.
    She hadn’t realized she was smiling until he’d spoken. “It’s a beautiful day. The garden is coming along well, and I’m going to one of my favorite places for lunch.” She didn’t add that his presence was the main reason. He wasn’t ready to hear that. “Thank you for coming with me.”
    He gave her a small nod. “I’m glad you’ve taken my advice seriously and aren’t going into the forest unaccompanied anymore.”
    The independent woman inside her bristled at the comment, but the last thing she wanted to do was argue, so she let it slide. Besides, as a mate, she could understand. He’d want to protect her above all others, and knowing she was taking risks would make his inner beast more than a little edgy. Of course, he still denied being her mate, but saying the words didn’t make them true. She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “I know protecting us all is a heavy task. I won’t make it more difficult for you.”
    The moment her hand touched Wesken’s skin, the warm tingles she’d come to expect when in contact with him rushed over her. Delicious. Every part of her wanted it—craved it—but she could wait a while longer. She released him with a smile.
    Wesken grunted and scrubbed his hand over his jaw as he looked over his shoulder.
    “We’re almost there. Come on,” she said as she started walking again. No way in hell was she letting him change his mind.
    When they arrived at the secluded beach, she took the basket from his hands and pulled out a blanket, laying it down for them to sit on. The lunch she’d packed would appeal to him: dried meats to satisfy the wolf, sweet fruit preserves and fresh bread for the man—she’d noticed he enjoyed them at the few public functions they’d both attended—and some bottled water.
    She looked up at him still standing next to the blanket. “Aren’t you hungry?”
    He gave her an odd look but then sat next to her. “Did you plan all this?”
    “Of course,” she said as she smiled at him. “Help yourself.”
    Surprisingly, he went straight for the bread and broke a piece off. He slathered it with the fruit preserve, then handed it to her.
    “Thank you.” So he knew she preferred the sweet fruit to the meat. Interesting.
    Amalija closed her eyes and moaned as she enjoyed the first bite of her favorite treat, knowing full well