The Mark of Betrayal (by Cooper) novel Chapter 24

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Chapter 24: First Kiss

Samara

#25

The pack lands are gorgeous. As Roman walked me around, showing me different areas, places where the pups go to play. trails that lead to the lake, the lake itself which has already started to freeze over, and then to an area where we can see the snow–capped mountains, Ayla has become more and more restless. She’s whining in my head wanting the chance to run. She’s never run in the north and I have to admit, the feel of the cool, crisp air on my face makes me smile. It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt the northern chill in the air.

PONUS

“Are you sure you don’t want to let Ayla out to run?” Roman asks, obviously feeling her increasing desire to run through our

link.

“Are you planning to give us some privacy?” I ask him.

“Not yet. Trust works both ways, Samantha.”

“Then no. I’ll figure it out.”

Tm not Alpha William, Samantha, I won’t turn my head while you leave my packs lands hoping you’ll return safely ”

“We don’t need to leave the pack lands, Samara. But I want to put my feet in that snow. I’ve never felt it.‘ Ayla says, careful to block Roman and Pierce out of our conversation

“In the winter, you’ll blend right in, Ayla Dad used to hunt mom in the snow. They both loved it because it gave Dad’s woll,

Felix, a bigger challenge. Simone, my mom’s wolf, would close her eyes and Felix had to find her by scent alone. If the winds were howling, it would take him a while, but he always found her.”

“Of course he did. Just like Pierce would find me in the snow. He wouldn’t give up until he did,‘ she purrs.

I turn and look at Roman, seeing him watching me

“Change your mind?” he asks,

“What if I give you my word as an Alpha that I won’t run away?”

He blinks, surprised at my compromise.

“TI think about it. You were so adamant to leave me yesterday, I’m not quite willing to let you out of my sight yet.”

It makes sense, but Ayla and I look longingly at the forest and I make a promise to her that I’ll find a way to sneak out so she

Can wo

When we get back to the packhouse, everyone is settling down for the night. Everyone says goodnight as they pass, and I feel

Roman’s aggravation increasing.

“What’s wrong with you? They’re just saying goodnight,” I say, frowning up at him.

To you,” he growls. “It’s like I’m not even here.”

I turn and look behind us.

“Goodnight, Luna,” a couple of warriors say, waving at me.

“Goodnight,” I say, waiting for them to acknowledge Roman. When they d

don’t, I begin giggling. I try to stop myself, but I can’t

“It’s not funny,” he grumbles. “It’s been like this since the moment you arrived.”

1 giggle again. “It’s kind of funny.”

1 look up at him, the smile still on my face

He sucks in air and his eyes darken quickly

The smile drops away and I frown “What?”

“That’s the first time you’ve smiled at me,” he says softly. I understand why the pack is so enamored with you.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“You are utterly enchanting,” he says, turning to me. His hand reaches out and he gently strokes his knuckles over my cheek as if I’m the most precious person in the world. “Are you a witch?” he asks, his voice barely a whisper.

“No,” I say, not understanding this shift in him

“Well, you certainly have the ability to cast a magical spell over everyone around you. And apparently, I’m not immune to your charms either,” he says.

As if he’s really in a trance, he slowly lowers his head to me. I’m so shocked by the change in him that I don’t move. He presses his lips to mine, gently kissing me. Heat flares in my core as his hand slides into my hair.

e warm and soft and the tingles they ignite across my lips send another wave of heat to my core.

His lips are

I gasp and Roman takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss. I assumed he’d be rough when he kissed me, dominating and possessing me. It’s what I’d seen in his mind when he’d been with other women, but this kiss is gentle, like he’s drawing me to him. There’s a possessiveness to the kiss, no doubt, but he’s being careful with me.

1 feel Pierce begin to purr or maybe it’s Ayla, I’m not sure, as Roman closes the distance between us, his arm wrapping around my waist, gently holding me to him. I press my hands against his chest, feeling the heat of his body against mine. His tongue swipes across my lips and the shock of it has me gasping, giving him the entrance he’s requesting

Slowly and carefully, he slides his tongue into my mouth. I sigh, leaning against him as his amber, bergamot, and orange taste fills my mouth. He growls softly and his arm around my waist tightens, pulling me closer as he explores my mouth.

I’ve never been kissed before. I’ve seen many couples kissing and I never understood what the appeal was. From the outside. it looks like your swapping spit, sucking on each other’s faces. But there’s so much more that’s happening that you can’t see. Roman’s scent, his taste, the feel of being in his arms, his tongue leading mine through a dance, it’s overwhelming me. I relax in his embrace and let him guide me through my first kiss which is so much better than I ever expected.

When he finally pulls back, we’re both panting.

“Paradise,”

,” he murmurs, his forehead pressed against mine.

“I doubt that,” I say. Okay, it was for me, but he has a lot more experience than I do.

“Don’t. Don’t you dare downplay how amazing that kiss was,” he says, pulling back and looking at me “That was the most enjoyable moment of my life”

He makes sure that I can see the honesty of his words in his eyes and feel it through the bond.

“I hope you enjoyed it too,” he whispers.

Inod, still overwhelmed by the kiss and the emotions that he’s letting flow between us

He smiles, his thumb stroking over my bottom lip. “Maybe you’ll let me kiss you again then?”

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