Ruby by Ashlynn Monroe Read Free Book Online

words stretched out between them. This was more than he’d ever hoped to have. She’d given him the dream.
    He tilted his head to see Sol. “Thank you.”
    The younger wolf closed his eyes and gave a long, steady nod. When he opened them, he pinned Isser with a powerful gaze. Gratitude flourished in his expression. “No, thank you.”
    “I have never felt so complete,” Ruby whispered. “This—it’s as if I’ve been sleeping and you’ve come and woken me.”
    “You’ll never sleep again, sweet. It’s good you’ve been getting your rest,” Isser teased. He leaned forward and captured her mouth with his. Ruby wrapped her arms around Isser’s neck. He looked into her eyes for a long moment before their lips made contact. The kiss was tender at first before Isser pulled her closer. He kissed her with demanding strength. She whimpered against his lips. Her body relaxed against his, and everything about her posture was submissive. The sensation thrilled his inner wolf. His cock remained lodged deeply inside the warmth of his woman. Nothing in his life had ever felt more like home.
    He propped himself up on his arm and let the joy flow over him in waves. Energized and playful, he fought the urge to tackle her and his blood brother. Freedom like this hadn’t been in his soul since he was just a pup. She yawned. Turning sleepy eyes on him, she gazed contently up into his face. Isser cradled the back of her head in his hands. Isser marveled at the miracle of holding her. This was all he’d ever wanted and more than he’d dared to hope. He had a woman. Ruby was his mate. Sharing her with his beloved friend and blood brother only made everything more fulfilling. He was hers. Always.
    The deep commitment rattled him, and he sucked in a breath. Her eyes widened slightly. Tipping her face up higher with his index finger, Isser gazed down at her. Isser’s soul relished the nourishing sight. She filled the cavernous emptiness that had plagued him all of his adult life. He rubbed his thumbs tenderly over her high cheekbones and smiled down at her. “Beautiful.” Isser whispered the word as if it were a prayer.
    The rumble of a midsize transport landing was unmistakable. No one should be landing here. The sense of danger prickled down his spine, and he shook off the feeling. He still held her close, and without conscious thought, he pulled her tighter against him. Another distant mechanical roar caused Isser to pause. He held still—listening. His eyes narrowed, and every instinct in his body roared to life. Protect. Protect. Protect. Protect . Protecting his mate was the only thing that mattered.
    The wolf’s mantra echoed in his mind formlessly. Nothing mattered except Ruby’s safety. Sol even took second place in his concerns. He’d die for his woman, and his blood brother, but he hoped that wouldn’t be required today. He had much more interesting things he wanted to do for Ruby. Using a measure of control beyond anything he’d needed in the past, he reined in the wolf. With sheer willful determination, Isser kept himself calm and in human form.
    “Did you hear that?” Sol asked as he sat up. He’d gone from sleepy to fully alert in an instant.
    Ruby reached up and touched the side of his face. His body was still intertwined with hers. “Your eyes were glowing. What’s the matter?” Her voice shook slightly. The sound of her fear made his wolf crazy again, and he had to take a deep, calming breath. He had to be better and stronger than he’d been before. His mate deserved a man who wasn’t controlled by only his instinct.
    She took his hand tenderly in hers. He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers in a crushing, demanding kiss. The sight intensified Isser’s passion. He was breathing hard. He clenched his fists. The elation of seeing Sol and Ruby together brought him joy and stirred his own desire. Glorious. Honest. Stunning. He relished this moment of perfection. Their woman panted and