“I knew you’d taste amazing.” After dropping a kiss to her lips, he stepped back, giving her enough room to make her escape. For several seconds, she didn’t move, then, as if realizing what they had done and who they were, she ran.

The wolf in him begged for him to run, but he controlled himself. There would come a time when chasing after his female would be needed. That day wasn’t today.

Mabel had played with her pussy and allowed him to suck her taste from her fingers. As far as he was concerned, he’d made progress.

This was more than they’d ever done in the three years of being mated.

Now all he had to do was keep building trust with her. One full moon down, eleven more to go.

He didn’t like how fast time was going, but he would take any time he had to finally get what he wanted.

Chapter Five

“No, I’m not going to invite him.” Mabel paced the length of the main hall. Each time she made a decision, she’d head in that direction, then stop herself. When she thought of inviting Lucas for a walk, she’d go toward where he sat in the library. Then, she’d change her mind, decide to go without him, and turn in the opposite direction.

Last night had been intense.

She’d never touched herself in front of anyone else. Running fingers through her hair, she groaned and looked back toward Lucas. To make this work, she had to show she was willing. After their first full moon together, she wasn’t exactly in the best place to make this decision.

“If I don’t do this then he can make the claim I didn’t try. Enough of this, Mabel. You’re talking to yourself rather than taking action.” With a new determination, she kept on going toward the library.

Standing in the doorway, she saw him in a chair, book in hand, reading. She couldn’t make out the author, and she quickly cleared her throat.

He looked up.

“I … er … I was wondering if you’d like to go for a walk with me. I know you’re busy, so I’ll just leave you to it.” She went to turn away.

“You want me to walk with you?”

She paused, took a breath, and spun toward him with a smile. “I enjoy walking, and I was going to go enjoy the ocean waves. It’s really boring, so I’ll let you get back to reading.”

“I’d love to walk.” He got up from the chair and moved toward her. “Unless your invite was false?”

“No, it wasn’t false at all. I happen to enjoy walking.”

“Good, me too.”

She nodded. “Of course.” Licking her lips to moisten their sudden dryness, she took the lead and went toward the front door.