Alphas burden

The side door opens again and the pool player comes out.

“You ran off so fast I didn’t get your—oh. Hey now. This guy bothering you?”

I move in front of her to block his view. He needs to back the hell away now. I don’t even want him looking her way. I need to show this human he can’t have her.

“Nope. I’m fine.” Avery smacks me. “He’s my—man…friend. Husband. That’s the word humans use for mates, right?”

The last part is muttered to me. I’m too busy growling at the male with my chest puffed out to answer. She called me hers.

“Caden.” She tugs on my waist, keeping her voice hushed. “Stop growling at him. He’s not a threat.”

My gaze snags hers. I take her face in my hands. Her cheeks are pink, lips parting. Claim, my wolf demands.

I dip my face, mouth stopping just before it reaches hers. Her fingers curl, nails scraping my sides. Lashes fluttering, she leans into me.

The last of my control snaps.

My mouth crushes against hers. Powerful. Possessive.

I kiss her the way I wanted to last week—hell, the way I’ve wanted to for years. Even when I thought I needed to hate her, this mouth has always been mine to claim.

The human says something apologetic. I don’t give a fuck what it is.

The only thing I care about is kissing her until she’s as wrecked as I am.

Until I’ve savored every reaction and committed every one of her sounds to memory.

Until I wipe every other man from her mind except for me because I’m her mate.