Page 80 of The Denver Alpha

Another wolf stands before me, one with eyes I’d recognize anywhere, and Ifeelit. The overwhelming pull. The palpable connection between us.

My human side is catapulted forward as my wolf forces the shift, the air shimmering, my bones rearranging. When I rise, he’s standing right across from me, and the second our eyes meet…

Snap.

The mate bond clicks into place, the strength of it nearly bringing me to my knees.

My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight of Cole standing before me. He’s more beautiful than I’ve ever seen him, bare and bathed in moonlight, the dips and curves of his muscles trapping shadows that make them appear even more defined. His smooth caramel skin is flawless, practically glowing, and the smattering of hair across his broad chest and the trail below his belly button only add to his rugged appeal. He’sallman, and he’s my…

“Mate.”

Though the word is on the tip of my tongue, he’s the one to speak it; to give life to this thing growing stronger by the second between us.

In a blink, Cole rushes forward, crashing into me and enveloping me in his thick, muscular arms. His mouth descends on mine and my body responds before my mind can even process the action, my lips gliding against his, parting for our tongues to meet. I feel zingy, pleasurable sparks surging between us from everywhere our bodies touch, drawing me closer as he deepens the kiss.

I lose myself in him; in the crescendo of emotions overcoming me in the moment. Since the mate bond snapped into place, everything I feel for Cole is somehow amplified tenfold. All the attraction, the affection… thelove. But so is the deep hurt, the raw edge of heartbreak. The conflicting emotions have my head suddenly spinning so much that I’m dizzy, my stomach flipping in somersaults.

I bring my arms up between our bodies, flattening my palms against his chest and pushing him back as I pull away and break the kiss. Our eyes meet as I pant to catch my breath.

“No.”

It’s the only word I can manage, whispered from my lips as I shove backwards, separating from him and stumbling away a few steps.

Cole’s brow creases with confusion, his intense dark eyes still fixated on mine. “Juliet…”

“No,” I repeat, shaking my head in disbelief as I start to hyperventilate. “This isn’t happening. I don’t want this.Youdon’t want this…”

If I thought I was hurting before, it’s nothing compared to now. With every beat of my heart, it feels like it’s being torn from my chest. I gave him everything, wanted him with every fiber of my being, and I was never the girl he wanted. This isn’t right. This can’t be happening.

“What are you talking about?” Cole growls, a ragged edge to his tone as he advances on me. He grabs me by the wrist, yanking my body into his and pinning me under his stare. “Of course I do. You’re mymate, Juliet.”

I shake my head again, writhing against him, fighting to break free from his iron grip. “You said it last night! I’m not the girl you want.”

He only tightens his hold in response to my struggle. “I didn’t mean it, Jules, you have to know that. And things are different now…”

“Why, because we’re fated? That doesn’t change how you really feel, Cole! I’ll never be some mindless bimbo that you can order around, I can’t, I won’t!”

I continue to fight to get free, but I’m no match for his strength. His arm around my waist is like a steel bar, locking me against him tightly as his other hand grips my throat and tilts my face upwards until I meet his eyes. They’re bright with the gold of his wolf, and in this moment, it feels like he’s more animal than man.

“That’s not what I want,” he grumbles, trapping me under the intensity of his stare. “I wantyou, Juliet. You’re mymate. My Luna.”

Luna.

Being his is one thing, but being Luna of his pack?

There’s no way.

This is all too much.

“No!” I cry out, fighting against Cole harder, scratching and clawing until he finally relents.

The moment I get free, I stumble back, putting as much distance between us as I can manage on my shaky legs. My hair swings around my face, obscuring my vision as I dart my gaze around in search of an escape route.

“Please don’t,” Cole whispers, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Don’t go.Please. Talk to me.”

“I can’t right now,” I croak. “I just… it hurts so fucking much.” Hot tears spill from my eyes without warning, streaming down my cheeks. At the sight of them, Cole takes a step in my direction- one I match with a backwards step of my own.

“Don’t,” I plead, holding up my hands. “Just…” I swallow hard, shaking my head. “If you ever cared for me, let me go. I can’t be around you right now.”