*Warning: Explicit Chapter*

.დ THREE WEEKS LATER.❧

My chin sat on top of my hands resting on the dining table. I had borrowed my sister’s circular mirror that was about the size of a melon, and leaned it against the fruit bowl sitting in the center of the table.

Staring into the mirror for the past hour and a half, my eyes were shifting back and forth between colors. The gold shimmer coating would slowly disappear as the pretty electric blue would replace it. Then I’d switch back to gold. It was something to do as I was passing the time.

Actually, I’d been like this for the past three weeks.

Every day I was slowly losing interest in going outside. The only time that I did was when I had to go to work. But having called out so many days, I eventually had to talk to Cindra about my inability to concentrate at my job, and gave her my two weeks. She understood, a little disappointed, but she understood and even placed a fifty dollar bill in my money jar on my last day.

I gave that jar to my parents, telling them that I’d been saving it for them to help with any finances. Even though my father was his best warrior, my father wasn’t paid as he should have been. It was always something I found unjust, really. I’d put at least fifty dollars from my paycheck into that jar and after counting it out there ended up being more than six hundred dollars. It wasn’t much. But at least it’d help a few months.

And when I spent my days sitting in my room drawing, reading, and listening to music without stepping a foot outside, my parents were beginning to worry. They would come in to talk to me, asking me what was wrong and I didn’t have the heart to tell them about my confusion of Ridge. Or I should say Ridge’s confusion.

I knew that this plan of his father’s to keep us from being together until Alpha Hannibal’s pack left was supposed to end but the visiting pack had overstayed their welcome. For whatever reason, Alpha Hannibal had prolonged his stay and was attempting to work out a peace treaty between his pack and Alpha Beaumont’s.

Dad says it was frustrating our alpha because Alpha Hannibal’s persistence about the Quail Wolf kept coming up and even though my alpha insisted there was no such wolf, the other alpha thought otherwise.

It was getting close, Dad says, to a final agreement. And the two alphas were spending long hours in the conference room—just the pair of them—at the main hall. Dad says that was unlike his friend to exclude Dad. It made Dad worried that Alpha Hannibal might negotiate things that our alpha didn’t like.

So with the prolonged visit, it just meant that Ridge and I had to stay away from one another. I didn’t know it was going to be this hard. I’d fallen in love with Ridge in that one week and my heart felt like it was torn out all over again. Especially when I’d have to see him with Molly around the pack. She’d flaunted her “fiancé” around and I got upset about it.

It made me wonder what went through her head. Molly wasn’t really his fiancé, so why was she milking this so badly? It didn’t make sense to me. And how was our alpha so calm with her around after whatever she’d been doing to his son? My parents wouldn’t have let her anywhere near me.

What was worse, I remember last week when Eden and I were heading back to her house from mine to have a girl’s night. We had planned to paint out nails and do our make up like we did as kids.

But as we walked past the Alphas’ home, I got a strange feeling and happened to turn to see Molly shove Ridge against the nearest wall with a few spectators in full view of them. She’d pressed herself up against him, her hands sliding up his chest to wrap around his neck and tugging his head towards hers.

With a few whistled whoops of encouragement from their spectators, Molly giggled as she went in to kiss Ridge. His jaw clenched and nervously glanced at those watching them. Molly was enjoying being the center of attention and raked her fingers through Ridge’s hair, saying something I couldn’t hear. Ridge stared at her, brows furrowed as she nodded and pulled him closer.

I quickly turned away, the strings holding up my heart snipping away and dropped the organ like an anvil in my stomach. My eyes welled up with tears and I felt my lip and chin quiver as I started walking away. Through a shaky breath, I told Eden without breaking down right away that I was actually going to need to go home.

“You alright?” Eden asked, seeming to be disappointed about not having our girl’s night.

I swallowed, wiping my cheek and nodded, “I will be.” before giving her a small smile and headed home.

The rest of the day I spent in my room, crying into my pillow and hating how unfair everything was turning out. I was longing for life to rewind and take me back to that week with Ridge where it was just him and me. Only him and me.

Since then, I’d been isolating myself.

My parents tried to suggest that I go over to Eden’s or to the park, but I declined, not wanting to pass the Alpha’s home in order to get to Eden’s. And I honestly just wanted to be left alone.

After explaining this to Eden, she at first didn’t understand—thinking that she did something wrong, but it took a lot of convincing for Eden to just give me some time to let me pick myself up before I went out into the world again. She understood, reminding me that she was there if I needed her.

Depression was my company that first week of my self-placed house arrest.

Now that it was the end of the third week, a Friday to be exact, I wasn’t crying and hiding away in my room like the past week. Instead I sauntered down to the dining room with my sister’s mirror and entertained myself with changing my eye color.

I didn’t look away from the gold swaying way over the blue irises as I sensed my older brother walk out of the living room with an empty plate in one hand and an empty glass in the other. He’d been back and forth from the kitchen with cookies and milk but I knew it was his discreet way of “keeping his eye on me”.

Dad must have put him up to it while he was with the alpha today.

Mom was the one cooking up lunch in the kitchen this time since Dad was preoccupied shadowing Alpha Beaumont.

They were apparently working on the matter of when the other pack would be leaving Carmel. With Alpha Hannibal’s pack visit extended since the few days that they claimed they’d originally be here, Alpha Beaumont and Dad were wondering if perhaps the other alpha had some hidden agenda. Or at least that was what Dad was sensing when he would come home and talk to us about it at dinner.

“You’re going to get fat with all those cookies your eating, Wade,” I deadpanned, still looking into the mirror.

My brother chuckled, shaking his head from what I could see, and said that he was not going to be gaining any weight. Wade claimed that he worked out every morning so it was not that big of a deal to binge on the Oreos every now and then.

Wade smiled, “Mom keeps telling me to stop eating them or I’ll spoil my lunch.”

The blue shade seeped over the gold coloring before I raised a brow, still looking into the mirror. “Then how about you take the whole box of cookies with you instead of using it as an excuse to check up on me?”

Wade sighed heavily, approaching the table and settled his dishes on it. He muttered, “How’d you guess?”

“It’s only obvious,” I frowned, narrowing my eyes and watched the gold take over the blue hue. “You don’t like sweets, you weirdo. That was the big giveaway, but the other was that I overheard Dad tell you to watch me this morning.”

My brother sat across from me after pulling out a chair, resting his forearms on the table. Wade tilted his head and pressed that he was only worried about my well-being and so was the rest of the family. Wade shook his head that he wasn’t trying to seem overprotective but it couldn’t be helped.

I let my eyes turn back to their normal muddy brown color before looking up to meet his hazel ones.

“I’m fine, Wade. I know I don’t seem like it, but it’s going to get some used to is all. I’m not going to be the old me over night. Honestly, I don’t know if I will ever be the old me. The old me was clueless to the friends I let into my life.”

Wade frowned, his fists curled. “I still can’t get over that Ridge did that to you. It really pisses me off that I can’t kick his ass otherwise I’d cripple him!”

Though I wasn’t appreciative of the thought of Ridge being hurt under any circumstance, I let a small smile form on my lips. I reached over and placed my hand on my brother’s once he held his out to me.

“I love you, Wade. But you need to tell Dad that I’m not going to get any better if you guys keep coddling me.”

My brother looked like he wanted to protest to my request, but he let his shoulders drop, nodding that he’d talk to our dad once the latter got home in a few hours.

Wade stood up from the table, raising his brows, “Just a heads up that he will fight you tooth and nail on this!”

I grinned, nodding that I understood. I returned to my chin resting on the back of my hands to shift the colors of my eyes again. The gold coating disappeared, leaving the blue behind just when there was a knock on the front door and my blue eyes widened, looking up at my brother who had been half way out of the dining room.

Wade frowned at the door then at me.

Switching my eyes back to normal, I sat up while my brother went to answer the door. He pulled it open and my heart started palpitating at seeing some of Ridge at the door. My brother was blocking most of him so I was safe for now.

“What the hell do you want?” Wade growled, shifting to the side to block me and holding the door closer to him so not giving any lead way of entry.

Ridge’s voice reached my ears when he sighed, “I need to see Gianna. Please.”

My brother gave a harsh laugh, scoffing that the future alpha was not allowed to see his sister. Per my father. And Ridge’s.

Wade shook his head, leaning it forward as he asked, “Don’t you have a fiancée to be sucking face with again or something?”

There was a deep growl from Ridge before the Beta snapped back, “I want to see Gianna, Wade. I’m not kidding!”

My brother growled back, straightening in that posture Dad gets when defensive. “And I’m not kidding either when I say that you’re not gonna! You’ve put my sister through enough hell, Ridge, and I’m not letting you hurt her anymore!”

When he wasn’t getting through to my brother, Ridge chose a different route instead.

“Gianna! Gianna, I know you’re in there! Please, I have to talk to you!”

My brother shoved Ridge backward, shouting at him to leave me alone and get off our porch. Wade warned for the Beta to go away but Ridge was persistent. He and Wade got into a verbal argument.

I was just sitting there with that heavy ache rising into my chest again until Ridge happened to glance over my brother’s shoulder and caught sight of me. My eyes widened and I shot up from my seat.

“Gianna! No, wait! Gianna!”

I could hear him calling for me as I walked around the table to leave the room. That was when Mom came out of the kitchen. She was wiping her hands on her apron and frowned, “What’s going on? Who’s at the door? And what is with all the shouting?”

Before I could answer, Mom walked over and pulled the door open, asking my brother what was going on. She jumped back in surprise when Ridge used the opportunity to break through the space between them and set his eyes on me.

“Gianna… Gianna, please, we need to talk!”

I frowned, stepping away from him and yanked my hand away when he tried to take hold of it.

Shaking my head, I huffed, “What’s there to talk about? I’m sure I understood where we stood with one another after seeing you and Molly on display in front of some of the pack, Ridge. I’m not playing this time when I say to stay away from me!”

Ridge’s broad shoulders sulked, shaking his head, “It’s not what it looked like! I—Argh! I know what it looked like, OK? But it wasn’t—” He scowled, growling out that it wasn’t real! That everything and anything these past weeks with Molly wasn’t real! It wouldn’t ever be like what Ridge shared with me.

I felt my cheeks heat up, glancing at my brother and Mom behind Ridge.

Ridge didn’t seem to care. He shook his head again, tilting it a bit. “Gianna… Gianna, I am sorry. If you’d just let me talk to you, and talk about us—”

“Us? There is no ‘us’, Ridge.” I pointed at him, snapping, “You made sure of that. Eight years ago! And now look where we are!”

Ridge swallowed, staring at me as he hoarsely says, “That’s not fair… I didn’t know that what was happening wasn’t the real thing.”

His green eyes held my gaze until I forced myself to look away. I shook my head that I didn’t want to talk to him; not now. Not ever. That the only exchange of words that we’d ever have again is when he is alpha of the pack.

“Maybe then you and I can talk. But I’m sure you’ll fall back in love with Molly as you proved to everyone watching you kiss her.”

The Beta raked his fingers through his hair and snapped, “I didn’t kiss her! I wouldn’t do that to you even if I have to play some part of doting fiancé!”

I felt how frustrated he was. I didn’t know what to believe anymore when it came to Ridge. I thought we were doing so well but then… then I realized things just kept wedging between us. Maybe it was better this way?

With a heavy sigh, I relented and turned to Ridge and whispered, “What do you want?”

Taking this as a small sign that I was cautiously listening for the moment, Ridge let out a breath then swallowed hard. “I want to explain everything but—but I wanted to ask if we can talk in private.”

My brother interrupted with a growl. His golden hue taking over as he was trying to get past Mom. “You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going to leave you alone with her!”

Ridge whipped around, growling back; his green eyes turning gold as he snarled, “Back off, Wade! I’m losing my patience with you!”

While they were going back and forth, Mom caught my gaze and she placed a small smile on her lips and I knew she saw how much this was overwhelming me. She looked down, smiling to herself and gripped her apron then turned to my brother and sternly called his name.

Wade clamped his mouth shut, his jaw tightening but kept his glare on Ridge. The way Mom spoke so softly was hard to argue with her, so she used it to her advantage and placed a hand on my brother’s shoulder.

“I want you to fetch your brother for me. Lunch is almost done and you all need to wash up.” Mom glanced in my direction as she told Wade, “Your little sister has a matter to deal with on her own. So go on and fetch Cody. And on the way back, call in Cece. She’s at the gardens with Sawyer.”

Wade frowned at her. “Mom…”

With her brows raised and tilting her head, Mom said more sternly, “Wade, I’m not going to tell you again.”

My brother narrowed his eyes, glancing at Ridge and growled under his breath as he turned around and stormed out of the house; not bothering to close the door. He was storming up the road towards the direction Cody played football with his friends.

Mom sighed, shaking her head and then turned face Ridge and me. She lowered a brow, her hazels narrowed on the Beta.

“I apologize, Ridge…” Mom softly spoke, still giving him a long gaze. “My son has his father’s temperament. And he means no offense. He’s just looking out for his little sister. I hope you can understand this?”

The future alpha nodded in understanding, thanking her quietly.

Mom’s lips were in a tight line, nodding back at him. “Good… But I do have to say…”

Ridge tensed as Mom got this brooding look that Dad gave to others when he was agitated.

“Please be aware that I am greatly disappointed in the treatment towards my youngest daughter. And it is not my place to get involved… yet.” Her hazel eyes flashed something scary at Ridge whose back stiffened. “I won’t tolerate ill behavior in this house, Ridge. And as far as my daughter is concerned, I won’t step in until she needs me to. And you won’t like it when I do. Do I make myself clear?”

Even if he was a higher rank than her, Ridge wasn’t a Beta right now. He was just a young man who hurt Mom’s little girl. And I think Ridge understood that which was why he nodded, “Yes, Mrs. Gomez.”

With that, Mom gave a short nod then walked around him to me. She tilted her head, caressing my cheek with her fingers and smiled, “Don’t be too late. You know how Dad gets.”

I frowned, nodding slowly while watching her disappear into the kitchen. Mom hummed a small folk tune as she went, swaying a bit from side to side.

After she was gone, I slowly looked back at Ridge who was still looking in the direction Mom had disappeared. He seemed a bit intimidated by the woman and I didn’t blame him. She was, after all, the wife of a Head Warrior.

Ridge looked at me after a moment and we stood there in the awkward silence.

When it became too much for me, I shrugged a shoulder asking, “Where’s your fiancée?”

The Beta didn’t look away when he responded softly, “Don’t care. I’ve been avoiding her.”

I looked down, pursing my mouth to the side and tucked my hair behind my ear. I sighed, “Well…” then looked up. “Let’s get this over with then. I have a lunch to come back to by a certain time. And I don’t want to be in trouble again.”

Walking past him, I headed towards the front door that had been left open. I could hear Ridge following me as I stepped off the porch and headed down the road towards the clearing. I figured it was best that we weren’t seen speaking to one another, especially by Molly. So the forest was the safest bet.

I muttered over my shoulder for Ridge to stay back a few paces until we were alone completely. Whether he heard me or not, I didn’t know because Ridge didn’t reply. So I trudged forward and forced a smile or two at those pack members who passed by.

When I made it to the clearing, Ridge was right behind me. I frowned at him, having not listened to me as I told him about keeping a distance between us. He passed right by me, staring straight ahead and then it was my turn to follow him.

I kept my distance that was frustrating him since he had to stop every few minutes and looked at me with a lowered brow.

“Are you really going to stay back there the whole time?”

I said nothing, just stood there until Ridge closed his eyes and moved forward. After we had reached the creek, we found ourselves standing right where we had confronted one another that night before I accepted his rejection.

Standing here only took me back to the sultry touches of his fingers, the fiery kisses that left a blazing trail on my skin, and the fact that I’d probably fell more in love with him right then and there.

I swallowed at the memory, forcing my gaze at the water down below. Touching it always calmed me so I knelt on the ledge and placed my hand into the coolness of the water. Just like last time. My fingers weaved back and forth; bursting ripples in different directions and a tender smile curled onto my lips as I was lost so much in the water that I hadn’t realized Ridge was staring at me this whole time.

I looked at him, my face hot now, then pushed myself to stand again.

Ridge stepped towards me and I took a step back. He stopped, frowning, “Are you afraid of me?”

“I’m not afraid of you, Ridge… just of what you do to my heart.”

He looked down, letting out a breath of air. The Beta’s dark haired head shook, his green eyes lifting up to mine and their watery gaze took me by surprise.

Ridge choked out, “I’m sorry for what you think I’ve done to you. I know it looked bad but I didn’t kiss her. I couldn’t! Not with knowing she’d done something to me and how conniving she is to want to hurt you!”

He turned his head away to the creek.

“I knew it was wrong to be there in the public eye like that. She’d cornered me,” he sighed. “And yet I couldn’t escape with everyone watching. Not really. Not until Mom came out of the house to ask me something and saw what was going on. Thankfully, she called me in to help her out. Asking Molly to go home.”

I swallowed, not knowing that and spent all these weeks thinking he’d betrayed me and gave into the years of having cared for Molly.

Ridge covered his eyes with the ends of his palms, keeping his head bowed. “Gianna… I—I have no right to ask this of you…” He sniffled, chin trembling. “But please… please, don’t give up on us. I can change! I already have! Ever since you said you loved me, I have never wanted to hear those words so badly in my life!”

Ridge paused, squeezing his eyes shut and then lifted his head.

“I know it doesn’t make what you saw right. I know that. But I wanted to explain it wasn’t what I wanted. My dad has warned me that Alpha Hannibal has been trying to keep his eye on me when I’m with Molly.”

My brows rose a little, surprised at this. Ridge’s body turned away to face the creek, frowning at the water. He stuffed his hands into his sweater pockets.

“I’ve started noticing these past few weeks that it was true. But instead of Alpha Hannibal watching me, he has others in his pack keeping an eye on me. I think maybe the alpha suspects something between you and me because of how I acted at the party.”

Ridge shook his head, lifting it to stare straight forward.

“I fucked up for not standing my ground with this charade going on. I know that. And I don’t blame you for how you reacted that night of your sister’s celebration. I thought about it all that night after being the selfish prick that I am. It wasn’t fair to put that pressure on you when you were just following orders. And—And I know that I hurt you with what you think you saw me doing with Molly.”

Ridge let out a slow breath, eyes watering as he stared off again.

“But I knew I couldn’t do anything to fix it. That I couldn’t go to you and kiss away those tears in your eyes when I heard Eden call after you. My heart dropped when I worried about what you thought happened. It was my fault to begin with because I was the one who got everyone into this mess. My dad wouldn’t have to worry about keeping up this facade if I wasn’t such a dumbass!”

Ridge turned his head towards me as I stood there with a trembling chin. His brows furrowed, turning to fully face me now and I noticed he hesitated in touching me as tears spilled down my face.

The Beta sighed, staring at me and licked his lips.

“There is… no one… that I want more than you,” he admitted softly, stepping towards me. “And if— if that means that I have to prove to you, by whatever means, that I just need one more chance— One small chance to prove that I truly do love you, and only you, then… Gianna, I will start by renouncing my role as future alpha to my father.”

My eyes widened, lips parting and Ridge moved forward now, standing right in front of me. He reached up, taking hold of the sides of my face and was shaking his head with his brows furrowed.

Ridge frowned, “I don’t deserve to be alpha if I can’t put my mate’s own happiness before mine. What does that say of the pack’s happiness if left in my selfish hands?”

Swallowing, and letting him wipe my tear with his thumb, I whispered his name, shaking his head that he had always wanted to be alpha.

“No, Gianna,” Ridge sighed, his warm breath against my lips. I bit my lip as his green eyes took me in. “It isn’t. Not if it means losing you. I’d be happy being a nobody in this lifetime with you beside me because you already make me feel like somebody. Ever since we were kids.”

Cautiously leaning forward, Ridge rested his forehead against mine; letting our noses brush against the other. He stared while putting a hand on the small of my back to pull me closer. I sniffled, my chin trembling as he whispered my name. He kissed the tip of my nose, resting his forehead once more against mine.

“Please don’t let me go…” He pleaded, shutting his eyes for a moment and then opened them, the green hue glistening behind tears.

I closed my eyes, dropping my head onto his chest as I admitted with a choked, “I don’t think I ever have.”

Ridge wrapped his arms around me, pulling me as close as possible and I let my eyes shut tightly, taking in the feel of being in his arms again. My arms wrapped around him to snuggle closer, and I inhaled deeply the scent of his shirt. It was just like the forest and it calmed me down a bit.

The sounds of the breeze soaring through leaves surrounded us, but I could hear Ridge’s heart beating just as loud as mine. I opened my eyes, staring off to the side and then lifted my head off his chest to look at him. “I’m sorry,” I told him. “I promised not to make you feel guilty about what Molly did to you and then go ahead and do it anyway. It was… it was just that I felt helpless because I felt like I did when you told me you chose her.”

IRidge stared at me for a moment, his fingers lifted to tuck my hair behind my ear and then let his fingers trace along side my face.

“Don’t be…” he started, shaking his head that he understood why I’d assume the worst even if it wasn’t on purpose. That the mess we were in wasn’t either of our fault but that we’d get through it somehow.

I shut my eyes, grinning at his touch then opened them again to see Ridge’s green hue darken. It made me bite my lip and I slowly nodded as silent permission. The Beta bent to catch my lips with his. I basked in that kiss for as long as I could; deepening it while my fingers raked into the back of his hair and tugged a little.

His moan did something to my body and I know he felt it with the small growl I emitted. My wolf side was alluring his, she wanted for his wolf to appear and give her what she wanted. I trembled at her intention but, oh how I wanted it, too. I needed it.

And Ridge growled a small reply, understanding what I was initiating. He kissed me again, his tongue working against mine as Ridge bent to grab hold of my thighs and hoisted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He went over to the nearest tree, pressing me up against it before breaking from my mouth to descend my jaw and the side of my neck.

My head tilted back, feeling those lips of his press territorial kisses along my skin. A small moan escaped and it only encouraged my mate’s hunger. My fingers gripped tightly to the shoulders of his shirt and I squeezed my eyes shut from the brush of his chest against mine. Every part of me felt sexually charged; my body was on fire and I needed this man to burn with me.

I pulled back between kisses, panting his name and Ridge growled mine which only escalated the wanton need inside me.

Resting my forehead against his, I whimpered, “Ridge… Ridge, please. I need you. I—I want you. Right now.”

The Beta looked at me, his green hue disappearing behind the gold. A rumbling from his chest sent shivers down my spine, making me grin and let my golden hue take over. Ridge’s hands drifted down along my side, a slow caress teasing that had me hissing impatiently. I felt him grinning against my neck as he hoisted the skirt I was wearing. His fingers stroked between my legs and I sucked in a breath, lips parted.

Ridge watched me, watching my reactions as his fingers slipped behind the side of my underwear, touching a part of me in a way that no one ever had. Not even myself.

His fingers moved so expertly, giving me sensations I never fathomed and I whimpered, biting my lip as I felt my claws come out and dig into his shoulders. He groaned, still teasing me as I panted Ridge’s name over and over, my face tipped upward then his name became long, loud moans. The intense build-up was rising in my lower abdomen and I pressed my forehead against Ridge’s when I reached that inevitable release. A guttural cry echoed past my lips, my fingers squeezing Ridge’s shoulders and my legs coiled tight around his waist.

The forest breeze coated my heated skin as I panted, gaze locked with Ridge who grinned through his own panting that seeing me climax was the hottest thing ever. I bit my lip, giggling in between catching my breath.

He pecked a kiss along my jaw as I shut my eyes, leaning to give him more access. I moaned his name again, already feeling the need for that hot sensation again.

“Ridge…” I moaned, trying to string words together despite the ripples of sexual tension rising again. My eyes shut, shaking my head as I panted, “Ridge, I need more. I want you to give me more.”

Ridge pulled back, his gaze lingering on mine. “Here? Are you sure?”

I rested my forehead against his, caressing the back of his hair then planted a kiss on the side of his neck. My teeth gently clenched his ear lobe, earning me a groan and I whispered into his ear, “Make me yours, Ridge Beaumont.”

Ridge let out a shaky breath, kissing my shoulder before setting me back on my feet. His hand came up to unbutton the front of my dress as I watched him open the top part enough to reveal the bra underneath. Ridge’s jaw clenched as he groaned, making me grin that I could get him so worked up.

Grabbing my hand, Ridge pulled me back towards the creek where a small area of grass was. We kissed with a hot fervor that had our animals within awaken. Ridge ducked to hold my waist and lowered us to the ground. His head dipped, pressing his lips to my throat, descending and leaving a fiery blaze against my flesh. I tipped my head back, moaning and unable to keep still. My thighs rubbed together, the heat from Ridge’s tongue slipping up the valley between my breasts making their tips harden.

I arched, shutting my eyes and let my senses take over as Ridge to changed his open mouthed kisses to biting ones. He traced along the outline of my bra to licking up the valley between my breasts again. His gaze lifted to mine, raising a brow with a wolfish grin. His hand rose, pulling down one bra cup to dip his head and take the tip of my breast between his lips.

A strangled moaned gasp escaped and I shut my eyes, raking my fingers into the back of his hair, already trembling with this amazing feeling. I didn’t know it could feel this good and it got better as Ridge’s mouth tended to one breast and his hand came up to tease the other.

“Ridge… Oh, yes…” I moaned, unsure of how to move or react but my body had a mind of its own. Responding as it should to Ridge’s delectable touches and kisses.

Ridge kissed his way up my throat, the side of my neck and then finally my lips. He whispered against them that I was ready as his hand was between my legs again then brought it back up to suck on his fingers.

My eyes widened, not realizing that could be so hot. I whimpered from how sensitive I was between my legs, my thighs rubbing again. The Beta slipped his fingers from his mouth to grin and ask if I’d like him between my legs now.

I nodded, thinking one thing but then Ridge slid down my torso, his hands trailing behind. I frowned, in the middle of asking what he was doing when his tongue suddenly licked me. My breath caught in my throat, eyes wide as my head tipped back and I clutched the grass underneath me.

“Oh, God! Ri— Ridge!” I gasped, this time from my mate’s mouth taking control of the bud responsible for how sensitive everything felt. My knees were now cradled on Ridge’s shoulders, allowing him to give me the right pressure and attention. I raked my fingers into his hair, unable to stop my hips from rolling against his face that I’d be embarrassed about it if I didn’t feel so hot right now.

When I was almost to that delicious breaking point, Ridge pulled back and I groaned in frustration, growling his name. Ridge smirked, sitting back on his knees and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. My hands grazed up the sides of his torso when he hovered over me after unbuckling his jeans and pulled down the zipper.

Ridge caught my mouth, exploring it with his tongue and I shakily worked on sliding his pants and underwear down his hips. He lifted his hips to help me then his hand joined to push them down enough to give him the room he needed.

I looked between us, swallowing hard in anticipation while Ridge lifted my dress skirt and took the side of my underwear then yanked them off. I gasped, giving him wide eyes and Ridge smirked, shaking his head that I didn’t need those anyway. He locked our mouths together again, moaning into each other. His hands touched me again, eliciting panted pleas for him to make me his.

Ridge pulled back enough to look me in the eyes, swallowing hard before asking if I was okay with this. I nodded, saying that I wanted this. Wanted him. He nodded, saying he wanted me too.

“Then show me,” I panted.

I cradled his jaw as we made out again, our kiss deepened, and Ridge adjusted one of my legs to wrap around his waist. His voice shaky as he told me that if I wanted to stop, to let him know. I nodded, waiting and watching him brace one hand by my head and the other gripped my leg not wrapped behind him. With his eyes never leaving mine, Ridge’s large hand cradled underneath my knee to open my leg wider then moved his hips closer, easing himself at my entrance.

With a slow thrust, Ridge eased into me and I sucked in a breath, nose scrunching at the discomfort. He stopped, watching me and I glanced at him, nodding that I was okay. He hesitated then eased in some more, pushing a bit harder until his hips were meshed against mine.

My body tensed, panting at the intrusion and looked at Ridge as he stayed still. His brows furrowed, jaw clenching and sweat already forming at his temples. His muscled body shook, his breath shakier as he asked if I was okay. I nodded, wincing that it was just something I’d never felt before.

“I’m ok. I promise.” I reached up, touching his cheek and smiled that I wanted this. “Just lead and I’ll follow.”

Ridge nodded, leaning to catch my lips with his. With my leg in his grasp, he pulled his hips back a little then started with slow thrusts. A long groan came out of him, bowing his head while I gasped at the sensation of being full of him. I whimpered his name, grabbing onto his shoulders and tried to tug him closer. I wanted him closer, needed him to fill me up more.

I pulled my leg free from his hand to wrap with the other behind his waist. Ridge’s hand joined the other on the other side of my head, positioning himself better to roll his hips against mine. I cried out at the deeper angle, squeezing my thighs and hearing him grit his teeth as he groaned out my name.

My eyes widened, lips parting at the way his thrusts got deeper… a little harder. Just enough that I could lean my head back and enjoy the feeling of him and I together like this—Oh, God!

My moans were loud and long, his grunts short but his groans mixed between curses. The slow rhythmic thrusts were joined by Ridge suckling one breast and molding the other in his large hand. He was giving me sensations I’d never felt before and I applauded myself for waiting as I did. This wouldn’t have felt as good with anyone else, I’m sure of it.

Ridge rested his forehead against mine, gritting his teeth as he grunted out, “Gianna… Oh, God, you feel so good.”

I groaned for him to give me more, to go a little harder because it felt so good. He did one better by pushing back onto his knees to grip my waist with my legs still around his. Sweat trickled down his neck and chest and I reached, letting my fingernails claw down his abdomen. Ridge threw his head back, groaning at my touch and tightening his muscles so he could give me what I wanted.

Ridge’s hips gave deep, quick thrusts as his fingers dug into my hips. I felt myself move with him, my breasts bounced in delay, but Ridge groaned a curse how much he loved seeing me like this. This being his favorite way to watch me for now.

I realized I was someone loud in bed. Maybe because everything was new or maybe it was just because it felt so good I didn’t care but the forest knew, and would forever be the place where it would swallow up my cries of ecstasy as Ridge Beaumont fucked me and loved me all at once in the middle of it.

Ridge leaned down, kissing me and then moved to my neck. He’d bend a certain way to thrust in a different, deeper way—so much better. My nails turned into claws, raking down his back and I was growling against his neck, biting a little here and there. I snarled, grabbing his face to pull him to me, kissing Ridge hard enough that I bit him. He growled back, pleased with my response and quickened his thrusts, making them a bit rougher that it hit inside me just right.

With my face against his, I gasped out, “Ridge!” and he let out a long groaned cry as he buried himself deeper within me until our bodies convulsed into these beautiful trembles of heavenly peak.

Resting my forehead to his, my chest heaved heavily along with Ridge’s as his hips began to slow down, letting us ride out our climax. He smiled at me, leaving little kisses on my face. Ridge pulled back to sigh, “I love you.”

I grinned, my fingers caressing his strong jaw and looked into his green eyes; the gold starting to fade. “And I’ve always loved you, Ridge. With all my heart.”

He bit his lip, trying to keep from smiling but then we both broke into giggles, kissing for a few minutes.

Ridge sighed when he pulled back a bit to apologize.

“I’m sorry if you’re going to be late for dinner. I know you were supposed to be back by a certain time.”

Laughing at how much trouble I was going to be in, I nodded. “I was. But I’m not sorry about this. That felt so mind blowing that I will gladly take a grounding.”

I couldn’t stop touching his jaw, and while he was still inside me, I asked if Ridge if he wanted to join me and my family for lunch.

Ridge grinned, nodding that he’d love that but he wasn’t sure if he’d be welcome. He recalled the almost-incident with my brother.

When I grinned, touching his face and promised to protect him, Ridge laughed. He kissed my forehead then slowly eased out of me. I winced from the weird feeling of emptiness before taking his hand to help me up.

“Are you okay?” Ridge asked, letting me know I might be a little sore.

Nodding, I promised that I’d be fine and started to rebutton my dress. I frowned at my ripped underwear nearby before giving him a look.

“How am I supposed to go home with nothing underneath, Ridge? And what am I supposed to do with these?” I kicked my ripped underwear, giving my amused mate a frown.

Ridge chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck and apologized but that he wasn’t thinking when he tore them off. I didn’t blame him really, because I felt the same. But he did lean down to pick them up and pocketed them. When I raised a brow, Ridge glanced through the corner of his eye to grin that he was going to keep them for sentimental reasons.

“Ridge!” I laughed, trying to take my underwear back but he gently blocked me, laughing himself that they were his now. To remember how hot it was to watch me throw back my head in ecstasy while my breasts bounced for him to admire.

I blushed, crossing my arms with my shoulders raised. I told my mate what a dirty mind he had. He winked that it only gets dirtier now that he can imagine all the things he wanted to do to me. I blushed harder but couldn’t help grinning because, let’s me honest… I wanted him to do all those dirty things to me too.

I pretended to not care, tipping my chin and turned my back while Ridge still chuckled, fixing himself up before coming over to wrap his arms around me. I leaned against him, the side of his face against mine as the Beta promised that soon there wouldn’t be anything to keep him from me any longer.

I just wish I’d know how untrue that’d be.

Ridge spun me around and laughed, hugging his arms at the free fall feeling I had. It was the greatest feeling in the world to be there in the forest with him. Everything was perfect. Everything was as it should be.

Setting me down, Ridge took my hand and we walked back to the clearing that way. Him grinning down at me and stealing kisses every few minutes.

I was giddy at this side to Ridge. I’d never seen it before, not even with the happy times I’d seen him with Molly and yet I was glad. I was so happy that I was the only one making him feel this way.

Just before reaching the clearing, I looked up at Ridge who frowned straight ahead. He scrunch his nose, whining if we had to go back so soon.

Lowering a brow, I reminded him about my brother and dad waiting on me for lunch. Ridge sighed, running his fingers through his hair and nodded that that was true.

“How long do you think it’ll be before your family forgives me?” he wondered out loud.

I shrugged a shoulder, shaking my head for him not to worry. That as long as I was happy, they would be too.

The Beta touched my cheek, smiling and bent to kiss my lips. I pulled back, frowning, “Ridge! Someone will see you!” but he pulled me back as he muttered, “I don’t care.” then kissed me again.

After we pulled apart, Ridge sighed, “Shall we?”

I nodded, watching him leave towards the clearing and look over his shoulder at me before grinning and mouthing, “I love you.” then walked off in the direction of my home (taking the longer way to avoid unnecessary gazes).

Biting my lip to keep from smiling wasn’t helping since the smile bloomed onto my face anyway. I giggled to myself, spinning around. I looked out into the clearing, seeing that Eden was walking towards my house and I smiled, dashing out of the forest and called her name. She was startled a moment, turning to look at me before frowning when seeing that I was rushing at her.

“Something wrong?” she asked, then glanced at the forest. “Why were you alone in there? You know you’re not supposed to do that, Gigi!”

I waved away her concern, the smile still planted on my face and whispered as I leaned closer, “I was with Ridge.”

Her eyes widened and then snarled, “Did he do something to you? He did, didn’t he?! Let me at him!” She began making her way down the road but I laughed, pulling her back to face me.

“Eden! Eden, stop,” I laughed again. I hadn’t felt this good in so long, but I wanted to share it with someone.

When I whispered what happened, telling her every detail but the part where Ridge and I had made up by the creek, my friend squealed and jumped up and down. She whispered back where he was, and I told her that he was heading to my house for lunch.

“Oh my God! That’s great!” Eden smiled, narrowing her eyes in no particular direction and grinned, “Wish I could see her stupid face when she finally knows the truth!”

I sighed happily, shrugging that I really didn’t care about Molly anymore. I was finally going to be with Ridge and that’s all that mattered.

After I told Eden that I wanted her to come have lunch with me to avoid suspicion between my showing up with Ridge, Eden agreed. She nodded, looping her arm around mine and we made our way up to the house, giggling like schoolgirls with one another when Eden teased that she’d have to come up with a really good joke to explain the flushed face I had.