His grip tightened around her waist, pressing kisses to her neck.

“I will always catch you, Mabel. Always.” He kissed her shoulder.

She smiled as she closed her eyes, sinking deeper against him. “Can we stay here all night?”

“Another storm is coming.”

She groaned. “We’ve had way too many storms.” Her hatred of storms hadn’t dissipated even though Lucas liked to play a lot during them.

“I know. Maybe tomorrow night.”

“Then we’ve got to head back,” she said.

She pulled away from him, moaning as his cock slid from her body. Getting to her feet, she held her hands out to Lucas.

He got to his feet, holding her close. Then he banded his arm around her and pressed his face to her neck.

Make me yours.

She kissed his chest. They locked their fingers together and made their way across the beach. She felt the change in the air.

It was getting darker again.

The storm was coming.

She breathed in the air and realized for the first time in over three years, she was happy. Happier than she’d ever been, and it was all because of Lucas.

She didn’t know if it would be possible to fall for him or to even believe they’d be the same off the island. With no one watching them, she felt free to be herself, and there was no denying he was different as well.

As the rumble of thunder began, they entered the front door. Lucas closed the door and she rubbed her arms.

“Damn it. I hope this storm passes,” she said.

“It will.”

Lucas turned and frowned, his eyes going wide at something behind her.

She turned around and found his father, the Alpha, Duke, standing in the hallway. She let out a cry at the same time Lucas pulled her behind him. They were both naked.

Her heart raced.

Her Alpha had just seen her naked.

Holy crap, this couldn’t be happening to her. She pressed her face against Lucas’s back and tried not to groan at what had just happened.

“I’m pleased to see that the two of you are finding ways to work it out.”

“Dad, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’ve come bearing bad news.”

Mabel looked past his shoulder. Duke stared right at her, and a chill ran down her spine. “What bad news?”

“There was an accident. I know you have to continue your bonding as I’ve agreed, but your father is in bad shape. Our doctors have looked over him, but the next few days are critical.”

“Wait, what? What accident?”