Hunting Midnight

Chapter Ten: Animal Impulses

    I stand in front of the entire pack, holding Ruhn's hand as gasps move over the crowd.
    Oh... my... god.
    My breath catches in my throat as my inner wolf dances with satisfaction. I look around the packs, seeing Caleb and Anna first whose mouths are open in shock, and then Moranna, whose gaze is deadly cold, glaring daggers at Ruhn and I.
    "Damn!" Jelene yells, shaking her head in disappointment. "Now that means we really are stuck with her." She growls in anger and stomps away, but Ruhn ignores her, still holding my gaze. I hold his gaze and gently squeeze his hand, letting him know I'm not upset by his announcement. My pulse then quickens when I hear Ruhn's voice in my head.
    "I was going to wait until after the wedding to talk to you about this, but I don't want to risk someone trying to break the merge before we marry."
    "I think you made the right decision," I reply.
    Ruhn turns back to the pack. "We are one pack now. You will either accept that or face me."
    Both packs go quiet, until slowly, Manteo steps forward, his head bowed slightly. "I stand by you, Alpha," he says. "The war against the wolf hunters is all that matters now."
    With that, Maneto takes forward and takes my bags from my hands. "I'll put Kenna's things in the room next to yours."
    "That's not necessary," Ruhn says quickly. "You can put her bags in my room."
    The thought of sleeping in Ruhn's bed again sends every nerve in my body on high alert.
    We didn't discuss sleeping arrangements, but I figured I'd have my own room until we actually got married.
    "I'll take my own room, Manteo," I say just as he starts back toward the pack house. "So you can put my stuff in the room next to Ruhn's."
    Manteo's eyebrows raise at me contradicting Ruhn's order.
    "Put her suitcases in my room, Manteo," Ruhn says, his grip on my hand tightening. I'm about to protest when Ruhn mindlinks with me once again.
    "We'll discuss this further when we're alone."
    "Why do you care so much about where I sleep?"
    "Because you're my mate," Ruhn says, "and because the pack is watching our every move."
    I give Ruhn a reluctant nod and then he looks back at Manteo. "I'm going to take Kenna on a tour of the grounds. Get Caleb and Anna settled in the house."

    A few minutes later, I'm in the passenger seat of Ruhn's truck as he drives us through the woods. The drive is silent as we drive down well-worn dirt paths around the border of the territory and I look out the window, putting it all to memory.
    "In the future, it would be best if you don't contradict me in front of the pack," Ruhn says finally, keeping his gaze firmly set out the front window.
    "That's ridiculous," I say sharply. "What if you're wrong?"
    Ruhn shoots me an arrogant look as if it never occurred to him that he could be wrong. "If you disagree with me on something, just mindlink with me or wait until we're alone. The pack should never be confused about whose order to follow, especially right now."
    I cross my arms over my chest and lean back in my seat. "I want to have a say in how the pack runs."
    "Kenna, I respect your opinion," Ruhn says, finally looking over at me with sincerity. "I want your opinion, and I expect you to speak up. But if others see us disagree, they will perceive a weakness in our bond."
"I see your point," I say slowly, a hint of a smile on my lips. "So I'll agree to think about your request."
Ruhn gives me a sideways glance, amusement in his eyes. "You know I'm right– you just like disagreeing with me."
"It's good to have someone disagree with you," I reply. "Differing opinions make a strong pack."
"So does having two leaders who are on the same page," Ruhn counters.
He's got me there.
"Fine," I say with a nod, "when you're wrong in the future– which you no doubt will be– I won't correct you in front of the pack. But I still don't understand why I shouldn't have my own room until the wedding."
Ruhn shifts in his seat somewhat uncomfortably, his gaze once more returning to the window. "The wedding is only six days away. It's just easier to move rooms once. And... if you're worried about us being intimate, I think we should wait until our wedding night."
Heat floods my stomach at the thought of having sex with Ruhn– the image of his immense size flooding back in my mind.
I've never been with someone before. Moranna didn't allow me to date because of my arrangement with Drakon.
"But," Ruhn says quickly, "sharing a room will show the pack that we're united and committed. Besides, we're mates. It's only right that you sleep next to me."
"I never said you were my mate," I point out.
Ruhn's large hand tenses on the wheel as he abruptly pulls the truck off to the side of the dirt road. He turns the vehicle off, then pins me with a dark gaze. "Are you seriously denying that I'm your mate?"
In the small space, I don't fear Ruhn, and yet, his massive form and pale blue eyes make me shrink slightly in my seat. "Is this something you need to know right now?" I ask.
"Yes," he answers immediately. "Since I admitted it, I'd like to hear you say it as well. Our mate bond won't be complete until our first night together, but I know you feel the intensity of our connection."
Then, Ruhn reaches over and unclips my seatbelt. I let out a small yelp as his strong hands wrap around my waist and lift me to straddle his lap. His right hand comes to rest behind my neck, holding my gaze with his and I slowly place my hands on his shoulders.
"I knew as soon as I tackled you yesterday during the tournament that you were my mate," Ruhn admits, his face ever-so-slightly red as he guides my head to his. As soon as our lips brush, lightning flows through me. Slowly, my lips part and Ruhn's tongue slips in, exploring my mouth. Then he breaks the kiss and moves his lips down my neck, gently nipping at my racing pulse.
"You know we're mates," Ruhn says, his voice low and husky as I stifle a small moan. "I can tell by the way your heart is pounding... and I can tell by how you kiss me."
My inner wolf jumps with excitement, and I lean in closer, my body wanting to feel as much of him as possible.
"So tell me, Kenna," Ruhn says, pulling back and making me want more. "Admit that I'm your mate."
His eyes burn into mine, so much so that I don't miss the vulnerability behind his gaze.
"I..." my wolf instincts surge, wanting him desperately, and yet, my head tells me no– years of hatred between our packs and hatred of Ruhn himself for possibly killing my father burying every intimate feeling.
"I can't," I say quietly, lowering my gaze. "I just can't yet."
Ruhn sighs with frustration, but then he gives me a small nod as I slide off of his lap and return to my own seat.
"I understand," he says. "I won't push it for now." He leans back over once more, brushing a gentle kiss to my temple. When he pulls back, he looks at me with a sly smile. "But maybe I need to show you how compatible we are."
"If you can," I reply with a shrug.
"Oh, Kenna," Ruhn says, shooting me a knowing look. "You know I can."
His hands move up and down my sides, then he grips my hips and once more lifts me up to straddle him, bringing me close. "But I like a challenge. When I'm done with you, you'll have no doubt that I'm your mate." His eyes lock with mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. He guides my chin to his lips for a searing kiss, and I moan as his wicked tongue explores my mouth once more.
God, I can't get enough of his touch.
I lean in closer to him, pressing my breasts against his chest. With my body flush against his, I rub my hips against his, and Ruhn breaks the kiss with a groan.
"You like that?" I ask, my lips moving to place a few kisses along his jaw.
"I love it," Ruhn answers, "and I want more."
With a growl, he tightens his hands on my hips and lifts into me. I gasp when his hard erection presses to the heat between my thighs.
I move my hands down Ruhn's chest to his rippling stomach muscles, visible through his tight shirt. His abs flex, then release. I inwardly smile, knowing I'm affecting him just as much as he's affecting me.
"I see you like to tease," Ruhn says, gently nipping my ear.
Then I grab either side of his face and bring my lips to his, grinding my hips against him; his cock growing harder between my thighs.
"Move again just like that," Ruhn instructs, his voice husky.
Staring deep into his magnetic eyes, I again move against his length. A loud moan escapes me as I rub my clit against him, leaning my head into his shoulder and biting my lip. Ruhn's hips lift harder into mine, and I crave something that only he can give me.
"Don't stop, Kenna."
I don't. Our mouths find each other, each battling for domination as I continue to grind against him. Ruhn's hand slowly reaches under my shirt, his large hand coming up to capture my breast while the other keeps a firm hold around the base of my neck.
My eyes shut as I arch my back, reaching the peak of pure ecstasy as a low growl thunders in Ruhn's chest.

I take a deep breath as I look down at Ruhn, his pale blue eyes already locked on my face, as if taking in everything about this moment and putting it to memory.

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