Free Changed: 2 (Wolf's Den) by Aline Hunter Page A

to you.”
    “How do you know that?” It wasn’t like he’d mated before…or
had he? “Have you done this before?” Ouch . She sounded jealous, like a
shrilling wife who’d found out her husband had another woman on the side.
    “No, I’ve never done this before. I’ve never felt this way
about anyone in my life but you, Rachel.” He tugged her closer, his breath
whispering over her lips. “And I know because we’ll be connected on the deepest
level imaginable. I can’t tell you from personal experience, only from what
I’ve seen and been told.” His gaze rested on her mouth. “I know I didn’t treat
you as I should’ve the first time we met. I thought with the wrong head, even
though it’s no excuse.”
    “You were an ass.” And inwardly she’d loved that about him.
He didn’t waste time with idle threats. He’d told her as much. The man—love or
hate him—was who he was. “I’m not sure I should forgive you.”
    His lips inched closer to hers. “Then give me another
chance. That’s all I’m asking for.”
    “You’re going to kiss me now, aren’t you?” The idea suited
her fine. Right now she wanted to kiss him and feel alive, viewing her future
as a possibility and not a death sentence.
    “Only if you ask me to,” he murmured, his gaze locked on her
lips.
    Bringing her hands up, she rested her palms on his
shoulders. He was so much taller and broader than her, the outline of his
muscles clear beneath his shirt. With all that strength he could cause her
serious harm yet he’d only been careful with her, mindful of how frail she was
in comparison. Human men were known to be far less considerate. In fact,
nestled as they were, she remembered how much she’d wanted to have this kind of
feeling, aching for it as a teen who only viewed it from afar. Now she didn’t
have to be on the outside looking in.
    Not unless she wanted to be.
    He wanted her to come to him. He’d made that obvious. If
he’d wanted to take advantage he could have in the bedroom. She’d been keyed up
enough to allow it, like a lust-crazed nympho. But instead he’d pulled away and
given her space, respecting her in a manner she’d never known from another man.
    “Declan…” She moved closer, their mouths almost touching.
The world was a scary place but oddly enough she wasn’t afraid. Not right then.
Not with him. “Will you kiss me?”
     
    “Of course I will.” Declan wrapped an arm under her ass,
scooping his female from the ground. His other hand went to her nape, his long
fingers twining in her sleek hair. He saw her need for reassurance and swore
he’d give it to her. “Put those pretty little arms around my neck. Come here
sweet, beautiful girl.”
    He didn’t close his eyes as he kissed her, wanting to look
at her face. To his ultimate satisfaction, she didn’t shut hers either. Their gazes
locked, lips pressed together. He waited for her to take things further,
digging his fingers into her hip. Her mouth opened and he felt the wet flick of
her tongue against his lips. With a groan he followed her lead, letting her
guide the dance. Her irises had changed color again, bright near her pupils. He
felt the pull of her wolf, the beast inside her growing stronger.
    Only one thing could have possibly made him close his
eyes—the memory of her question, her fear that she might die. He didn’t want her
to see his own anxiety, the notion she could be lost something he couldn’t
bear. So he let his lids drift closed. Even in death he’d follow her. She was
too important to him now. Perhaps if he’d never touched her—learning firsthand
how lost he’d feel without her in his life—he could have moved on if she died.
    But not now.
    She thought her life would never be the same. What she
hadn’t thought about was how much she had changed his. He’d often wondered how
mated pairs placed their male or female above everything including their
children. Now he got it, crystal fucking clear. He might be able