Free Craving the Alpha: Part Three: BBW Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance (Lycan Lovers) by Kate Kent Page B

woods. 
    Finally, when we were miles away, Markus motioned me over to some butterfly bushes. The colorful shrubbery shielded our bodies as we shifted back into our human form again.
    “Are you ok?” Markus asked his voice only slightly breathy.
    Greedily gulping the night air, I glanced over at Markus. Light beads of sweat covered his body but the glow only made him sexier. Considering we had just run for miles, he was looking pretty damn fine. I marveled at the tip-top condition he was in—quite the physical specimen. I was just the opposite. Sweat was dripping from my forehead and even though I had just put them on, my clothes were lightly soaked with perspiration. The run had been extreme. I shuddered, thinking about what condition I would have been in just a few short weeks ago before I became a werewolf and starting running on a regular basis. I probably would have collapsed.
    “I’m fine,” I gasped. “That was intense. Thank God you got away. Did you knock Billy Ray out?
    “I’m pretty sure the jerk was down for the count,” Markus said, his nostrils flaring. “That guy should have known better than to fool with you or me.”
    “Well, at least we’re safe for now,” I said, trying to calm him.
    “I knew you would be tired and I’m a little beat myself,” Marcus said. “We past a fast food place a block back that looks open. Let’s get a cup of coffee. We’re far enough away that we can relax for a bit.”
    “That sounds awesome.” A warm drink and the chance to relax and re-energize was much needed. We retraced our steps and found the restaurant.
    I was still feeling spooked as Markus pushed open the door for me, expecting Billy Ray and his mob to jump us at any moment. I sat down at one of the small red vinyl booths while Markus went to the counter. In minutes, Marcus brought over two piping hot cups of coffee with cream and a paper cup full of water.
    Hoping the employees wouldn’t notice, I slid Zach’s lunch box to my right and unzipped it. I was starving and I knew Markus had to be as well, but we didn’t have the extra cash for chicken fingers or burgers. I pulled the food out from the lunch bag and placed it on the table.
    Markus grinned, surveying the spread. “Yum,” he said, “one peanut butter and jelly sandwich, celery sticks, juice box, and a bag of mini pretzels. A feast fit for a king. Ladies first,” he added, holding up the juice box and pointing it towards me.
    I shook my head laughing, feeling some of the day’s tension ease from my body. He opened the box and guzzled down half of the contents. “My queen,” he said, proffering the rest of the drink to me.
    “It’s all yours Markus, and there’s even more to this feast,” I teased. I pulled out the other things Susan had thrown in the lunch box. I was thankful there had been some items sitting on her counter that she could easily add to the bag. There was an apple, caramel candy, a small roll, and several short, thick sticks of turkey jerky.
    “Let’s dig in,” Markus said. He pulled the plastic wrap off the PB&J sandwich and handed me half. As he munched, I could see his mind pondering our next move.
    “Susan said to go north to Chambersburg,” I said.
    “No, I think we should head south,” Markus stated, taking a bite of the crust. “I’m not worried about those men. I doubt they will try to find us, but Dorian will. He'll expect us to go north.”
    “So, you think he'll be looking for us?” I asked nervously as I bit off half of the caramel candy and handed Markus the other part.
    “I think he'll never stop looking,” Markus admitted grimly. “He will expect me to want to stay in the area and be as close to our clan as possible. My guess is he will start his hunt in the nearby communities.”
    Markus popped the last bit of caramel in his mouth. God, that man was sexy. He even looked hot eating a candy confection; as he rolled it on his tongue, savoring the sweetness, and licked the caramel residue