Free The Alpha's Search (The Craven Trilogy, #1) by Natalie Shaw Page B

shirt.
    “Louise! You have to do this now. There's no time to lose!”
    “Okay.” I began to undo my blouse.
    “Quicker!” he urged.
    He was naked now. I was stunned by his beauty and raw strength. I tried to focus on his chest, but my gaze kept drifting lower. Focus! I had to focus.
    I stood naked in front of him. The pain in my side had been replaced by an ache between my legs. As Jackie Coleman, I'd had a number of relationships, but I'd never known a desire such as this. We were in mortal danger, but all I could think about was having this man inside me.
    “There'll be time for that later,” he said.
    I realised he'd read my mind, and my cheeks flushed.
    Craven moved over to where I was standing. Our naked bodies were now only inches apart. My heart was racing again, but this time for a very different reason.
    “Clear your mind.” He kept his voice low. “Let the inner wolf come to the surface.”
    “I don't know how—”
    He placed a finger on my lips, put his other arm around my back, and pulled me into him. My breasts were pressed hard against his chest. I could feel his erection against my tummy.
    “Close your eyes.”
    I did as he said.
    Without warning, he pressed his lips against mine. He had his arms around my waist; it felt as though he was going to squeeze the life out of me. I tried to wriggle free, but he only strengthened his grip. I began to panic. I couldn't move and could barely breathe.
    “Let out the wolf.” I heard his words, but I'd no idea what I was meant to do.
    He lifted me, so my feet were off the ground. I tried to kick myself free, but to no avail. I thought I was going to die.
    A familiar, but long forgotten sensation came from somewhere deep inside me. Heat rushed through my veins. I pushed aside his arms, and then dropped to the floor on one knee. Craven took two steps back. The pain was excruciating. Every muscle, fibre, and bone screamed. I let out a sound the likes of which I didn't know I was capable of making. My eyes felt as though they were about to explode.
    Then, it was over. I was on all fours—my transformation complete. My senses were suddenly overloaded. A thousand smells and sounds competed for my attention.
    Craven had shifted too. He nodded to me, and then set off across the clearing, towards the trees. I was at his shoulder. Whereas in human form, I'd been stretched to the very limit, my wolf took it all in its stride. The miles fell away as we made our way cross-country.
    A cool stream provided welcome refreshment. I could feel Craven's gaze on me as I drank.
    “You're beautiful.” It took me a moment to realise it was his thoughts I'd heard.
    “Thank you,” I thought in reply. “It feels good, but is it always so painful to shift?”
    “It'll get easier. It's been a long time for you. We'll continue west for another hour or two. Then we'll need to find somewhere we can hold up for the night.”
    *********
    W e'd been travelling for just under an hour when Craven pulled up without warning.
    “What's wrong?” I asked.
    He didn't reply. Instead, he sniffed the air. I did likewise, and caught the scent.
    “Another pack?” I asked.
    He nodded.
    “Where?”
    “Close by.” He scanned the horizon. “There aren't many of them. Two, maybe three.”
    “What do we do? Run?”
    “No. We wait.”
    We watched and waited. My senses told me they were almost upon us.
    “Will you be okay?” Craven asked.
    “Yes.” I should have been terrified, but I wasn't. Adrenalin was pumping through my veins.
    There were two of them. They looked down on us from a small ridge to our right. First one, and then the other howled. Inside my head, I could hear the abuse they were directing at us. How dare we set foot on their territory? We must leave now or suffer the consequences.
    One glance at Craven told me we wouldn't be going anywhere. He began to walk towards them. I followed his lead. The two wolves howled again—more warnings. Craven returned the howl, and I joined