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pretty. Where I come from, guys would be vying for her attention."

"She's too dominant, and males don't like that. Most males like their females to be

submissive and Quinn has a hard time conforming to that role."

I hoped Riley didn't think I conformed to that role either. "Do you think I'm submissive?"

When he didn't answer fast enough, I started to worry. "Well, do you?"

"I'm not saying anything," he laughed.

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"No, I want to know."

He hesitated again, but then said, "I think sometimes you're submissive and sometimes

you're dominant." I had to assume he was playing it safe.

"I'm surprised you don't hate us. After what happened to your mother, I would've thought

you hated humans."

"Paige, you're proof not all humans are bad, so it wouldn't make sense to hate
all
of you."

This time I knew Riley wasn't just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. He spoke

sincerely and my heart thanked him for it. So far, my heart was winning the battle tonight, but I

was strong-minded and wondered if it would win the war over my brain.

Thoughts of me staying in Black River returned, and I wondered about humans and

wolves living together peacefully in a community. Then I started thinking about Xavier's letter

and his plan to convince my family to join his pack. I wondered about what he and my father

spoke. I was more curious to know why my father left me the cabin. He could've sold it, but he

chose to pass it along to me. He had to have a reason, but I couldn't ask him. Riley seemed to be

part of Xavier's plan because he wanted me to join the pack when we were children.

"Bobby told me my father was here about a month ago."

"Yes, I remember."

"Did you ever talk to him?"

"No."

I didn’t expect that answer because I thought he would've asked about me. "Why not?"

He didn't respond right away, but then he replied quietly, "Because I was afraid."

My eyebrows shot upwards. "Why?"

"I knew if I spoke to him, I'd ask about you and I didn't want him to be suspicious of me.

I don't think he knew we met as children." Riley said he wasn't telepathic, so I had to assume we just thought alike.

"I was just wondering why he left me the cabin."

"I don't know." Silence briefly returned to the bedroom, but then I heard Riley’s soft

voice in the semi-darkness. "But I'm glad he did."

Once again, I opened my mouth to extend an invitation for him to join me in bed. My

brain won the battle and my mouth said something else. "I'm sleepy. Goodnight Riley."

"Goodnight Paige. Sweet dreams."

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* * * * *

I awoke Saturday morning feeling a lot better than yesterday. My body didn't ache and I

was able to stretch. I couldn't extend my legs too far because my foot bumped against something.

I looked down and saw Riley's wolf form sleeping at the foot of the bed.

He lay curled on his side with his head nestled into the quilt. I guess he was determined

to sleep in the bed with me after all.

I smiled and crawled closer to him. I already knew how thick and soft his fur was, so I

reached out to explore it again while he slept unaware. My hands glided through the fur on his

side, and I let some of it twist around my fingers. It was softer and whiter on his belly. I scooted

closer so I could rub his shoulders. He moaned deeply in his sleep, but his eyes remained closed.

I chuckled quietly as my hands traveled to his neck, ears, and the top of his head. I whispered his

name, but he didn't stir. I ran my hands over his back, my fingers pressing through his thick fur

to massage his skin.

When my hands moved down to the base of his tail, a long moan rumbled in his throat,

and I felt the vibrations on the bed. I looked at his face, but his eyes never opened. I knew he felt

my touch and I smiled knowingly. Gripping the base of his tail, I rubbed the length of it slowly

but firmly in my fist. The texture of the fur was rough and bushy. This time he made a strange

sound like a huff and groan. I felt the muscle flex, and suddenly, his tail stood erect.

I released it with a gasp and quickly looked at his face again. This time his glowing

amber eyes shot open. He blinked once before he turned his head to look at me. I scooted back

against the quilt and stared with wide eyes. I couldn't tell if he was annoyed because it was

difficult to read a wolf’s expression.

His gaze never left mine as he stood on all fours. Looking up at him from a sitting

position, he towered over me. He stalked forward, the mattress dipping from his weight, and I

froze on the spot. His head lowered until he was at my eye-level.

I swallowed thickly and my voice squeaked. "Riley?"

He just looked at me. He moved his head closer to mine and I felt the breath from his

nose on my face. To my surprise, he rested his head on my shoulder. Then he rubbed his head

against mine. As a human, Riley smelled like fresh clean soil, but as a wolf, he had a deep musky

scent with a sharp hint of spice.

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I didn't think twice about wrapping my arms around his neck. I stroked his back and

buried my face in his fur to return the affection. The moment was reminiscent of the time I

snuggled him as a pup.

I didn't expect him to flash into his human form while he was in my arms. I gasped loudly

when I noticed the drastic change in his girth and the texture of his bare skin. His scent also

changed.

He embraced me tightly. "Good morning, love," he said, his voice raspy from sleep.

I was still trying to recover from the shock of feeling him shift. "Um, g-good m-

morning."

He released me and smiled. Then he moved to sprawl lazily on the bed and propped his

head on one arm. "Did I scare you?"

I laughed nervously, and my shaky hand tucked some hair behind my ear. "Yeah, a little."

His eyes turned serious when he said, "I would never hurt you, Paige. You don't have to

be afraid of me. When I'm a wolf, you could put your hand in my mouth and I wouldn't bite

you." My eyes went round. He sighed softly. "I think I should explain something. When
Varulv
fall asleep, we can't keep our human form. It takes a conscious mind and energy to retain human

form for an extended period. If we don't shift back to our wolf forms at some point, we use too

much energy and exhaust our bodies."

I was thankful for that information, but at a loss for words because Riley had morning

wood. It was too much for me to handle, so I had to remove myself from temptation's path. I

scurried off the bed, but he followed me.

By the time I was standing, he was right next to me. He held me close, and his body

teased me because I felt his manhood pressed against my belly. Even through my nightgown, the

warm enticing heat of his rock-hard length made me aware it was ready for action. I looked away

in embarrassment, but Riley gently grasped my chin and forced me to meet his gaze.

"I thought you were used to seeing me naked?"

I swallowed hard. "I am."

He smirked, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Then why are you blushing?"

Damn it. Busted again
.

I unraveled his arms from around my body and made a hasty exit. It was too early to talk

about sex.

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"I'm going to the bathroom to change."

While I got dressed and tamed my hair, I remembered I had to deal with something of

grave importance: leaving Black River.

When I returned to the bedroom, Riley was dressed in blue jeans and a gray t-shirt with a

faded sports team logo on the front. On his feet were black Chuck Taylors. His hair was the

opposite of mine, untamed and wild like his true nature.

"Do you want to go to the diner for breakfast?" He asked.

I smiled. I had always wanted to go there. "Sure." Then I thought about my priorities.

"But first, I need to find my purse."

"My father has it locked in his office. He should be there now, so I'll take you."

I was grateful he didn't catch on to my intentions this time.

Before we left the bedroom, he pulled his toothbrush out of his duffle bag and dashed

from the room. I had to assume he was going to brush his teeth. He returned shortly after, and we

walked downstairs and out the front door.

He drove us back into town and we stopped in front of the sheriff's station. Celia was

sitting at her desk on the computer. She looked over at us, a friendly smile on her face.

"Good morning. What are you two doing here?"

While I stood at the front desk, Riley walked around it and approached her. "Where's my

dad? Paige needs her purse,” he said, ignoring her pleasantry. Celia didn't need to tell him

because once again, his father walked out of a back room. Riley turned his head toward him. "Do

you have Paige's purse? She needs it."

"Yes," the sheriff said slowly. He lifted his muscular arm and dangled my brown leather

purse in his hand. Then he walked past Riley and approached me.

When he handed my purse to me, I smiled. "Thank you." I quickly opened it to make sure

my wallet and plane ticket were still in there. The accident damaged my purse, but none of the

contents had spilled out. I sighed in relief.

I lifted my head to begin the dreaded conversation with Sheriff Gray about departing

Black River, but Riley announced, "Dad, I want to claim Paige as my mate." With a gasp, my

eyes widened. He looked at me with a smile, his voice low. "I love her."

The sheriff yelled, "What did I tell you the last time you said that?"
Uh-oh, here we go
again.
"She's not a pack member so you can't claim her."

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I didn't think Riley could surprise me any further, but he did...by
not
saying
anything
. He walked toward me and put his hands on my upper arms. His eyes pleaded with me, and I realized

he was waiting for me to respond. He was asking too much because I couldn't say what he

wanted to hear.

Riley’s father approached us and spoke to me quietly, his face dead serious. "Do you

want to stay and be a member of the pack?"

My mouth dropped because this same man said he had to kill me because I knew his

town's secret. Now he was asking me if I wanted to join his wolf pack. I tore my gaze away from

him and looked at Riley. He wouldn't turn down the intensity in his eyes and I was afraid to give

the sheriff my answer.

I cautiously put my arms around this lovely Brit and braced myself for his reaction.

"Riley, please understand. I can't stay with you. I
have
to go home."

His voice cracked. "Paige---"

I turned to his father again. I couldn't let Riley break me. Determination was strong in my

voice and I spoke quickly. "Will you let me leave knowing your secret? Do you trust me? I'll

swear an oath in front of the entire pack if you want me to. I'll even do a blood oath if that's what

it takes."

The sheriff's Adam's apple moved in his throat. He set his jaw hard and stared into my

eyes. Riley breathed erratically, but didn't say a word. The sheriff sighed heavily and broke the

connection with our gazes. Then he gave his son a long look. Riley remained silent, but his eyes

pleaded with his father to say 'no'. When the sheriff turned his attention back on me, I expected

rejection.

"Yes, you can leave."

I could've sworn I heard Riley's heart break.

"Father!"

The sheriff completely ignored him. "No one will know you know our secret except me

and my family."

Riley grabbed my arms, pure anguish in his face. "Please Paige," he begged in a strangled

voice.

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I had to be strong and reject the most wonderful guy I've ever met. "I can't live with

wolves. I don't belong here. I'm sorry." His lips trembled as he shook his head. When I saw tears, I looked away before the first one leaked from his eyes. "Sheriff, can I get a ride to the airport?"

Riley's grip tightened. "You
do
belong here...with
me
. I'll do
anything
if you stay." He crushed me against his chest in a tight embrace. "Please don't leave. I finally have you and don't want to let you go again."