Free LoveThineEnemy by Virginia Cavanaugh

waved at her, sad smiles pulling at the corners of their lips. It made her want to growl. She didn’t want their pity, but she refrained from showing her displeasure.
    It wasn’t fair. But sulking wasn’t going to change anything. An hour or more had passed since she’d left Tyson. The sun was riding low on the horizon and a biting cold wind had begun to rustle through the treetops. She made her way back to the tent she shared with Shadeau, hoping he would be there.
    She lifted the flap and panic washed over her as she saw Shadeau stuffing things into a bag. His head titled and she met his gaze. She could only hope the hurt she felt inside didn’t come through in her countenance.
    “Jasmine—”
    She cleared her throat. “I never thought you’d be a quitter.”
    He dropped the bag and approached her. She tried to avoid his grasp, but the small confines of the tent didn’t help where evading was concerned.
    His fingers dug into her upper arms. “I’m not quitting.”
    She glared up at him. “Oh really? Well it sure as shit looks like you’re making a run for it.”
    He groaned. “I’m doing this for us. I thought about it, and the only way I’m going to get a minimum of respect here is to prove my heart has changed.”
    Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean? How do you think you’re going to prove this?” Her mind spun as she thought of all the crazy ideas he could have in mind.
    “I plan to work my way back into Arik’s camp.”
    She broke out of his hold. “Have you lost your mind?”
    “Listen, Jasmine. This will work.”
    “It could get you killed.” No. No way was she going to agree to let him do this.
    His hands cupped the sides of her face and he looked deep into her eyes. “I have a chance. I could possibly free some of the captives.”
    Excitement warred with fear. After all, he knew where the camp was, and she wanted to see her fellow pack mates freed. But she didn’t want him to risk his life doing this. Not alone. She sucked in a fortifying breath. “Then I’m going with you.”
    His hands moved to her shoulders as if preparing to shake sense into her. “The hell you are.”
    “See. Not so much fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?”
    “You’re not going with me, Jasmine. This is something I have to do alone.”
    “Bullshit. We’re a mated pair. There isn’t such a thing as alone for you or me anymore.”
    He released her to run a hand over his head. “Damn it, Jasmine. Don’t be ridiculous. You’re still in the tail end of your heat cycle. No fucking way am I going to take you anywhere near that camp.”
    Her hands fisted on her hips. “I wasn’t asking. If you’re going, I’m going.”
    “No. You’re not.”
    She closed the distance between them, bring her lips to hover just above his. “Try to stop me.”
    With a growl he fisted his hand in her hair at the nape of her neck and took possession of her mouth with a fiery kiss. Jasmine melted into his embrace. The kiss was angry and passionate. Claiming.
    She dug her nails into his strong shoulders and held on tightly as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues waged a battle, fueled by raw desire and fear. This would be a risky adventure, but she understood the pros of it. And she’d be damned if she let him go alone.
    He pulled away from her mouth with a snarl. “If you’re going, then I take you here and now. I want my scent all over you.”
    Jasmine swallowed hard as she tried to control her breathing. “But what about—”
    “A child? Yes. What about a child? A child forced on you by some other mother fucker. The only way I’m agreeing to you coming along is if you pose as my prisoner—a prisoner who has already been thoroughly fucked so they won’t see a need to assign some other wolf to the pleasure.”
    He was right. Her gaze lowered as she thought about her choice. She really didn’t want to have a baby right now. But even more, she didn’t want him to go this alone. With her heat cycle waning