Owen watched his mate walk away. That growl had startled him, yet it had also sent a jolt of desire up his spine. The Fen paused and then took a set of steps down from the main patio and away from the reception. Owen hesitated a moment, but then he followed. He found himself distracted by the sight of Ryden, even though all he could really see was his hair and the black cloak he wore. He moved with such grace for his size. His hair fell in snowy waves down past his waist, and the contrast to the dark cloak was beautiful as he walked.

But then Ryden stopped, his shoulders slumping. He turned and crossed his arms as he glared at Owen. “Are you sure you want to follow me into the woods?”

“Is that where you’re going?” Owen asked as he looked ahead to the path that formed at the tree line.

Ryden looked back in the direction he’d been heading for a moment. “I don’t want a little pup tagging along behind me the rest of my life. I have responsibilities. A certain status within my clan. My mate needs to be someone very different.”

Owen moved to catch up with him. “I’m no pup. I’m a grown man.”

“If I shifted right now, trust me, you’d feel like a pup.” He turned and strode off again.

Owen followed him into the trees. “You are much bigger than I am, but you wouldn’t be too much for me to handle.”

Ryden kept walking, and Owen stayed with him and waited for a response. Just when he thought he wouldn’t get one, Ryden stopped and drew him close. He took a deep breath, his icy blue eyes looking more wolfish as he did so. “Your scent is growing more tempting,” he said softly. He backed Owen up against a tree, their lips almost touching, but then he turned Owen to face the tree, grinding against his ass.

“This what you want, little one? To lose your virginity up against a tree? To be at the mercy of a man who doesn’t believe in giving sweet words and soft touches as he sates himself?”

Owen trembled, at once afraid and excited. Ryden’s scent aroused him, yet he could feel how strong the Fen was. He knew nothing about Ryden or his character and had no idea if he could trust him. He’d been warned to be wary of men from the fierce clan, but his excitement at finding his mate had made him feel bold.

“No, I don’t want you to take me like this.” He struggled to get free, relieved when Ryden let him go and backed off. He leaned against the tree and looked up into Ryden’s eyes. “And I’m not a virgin. I had no plans for us to just jump into bed right away or—”

Ryden gripped his arm, his eyes going wide. “You aren’t?”

Why is he so shocked? “No. I’m twenty-five. I lost my virginity a long time ago. I might look small to you, but like I said, I’m a grown man.”

Ryden growled again, the sound so much louder this time. And his icy blue eyes seemed to glow.

Owen pulled away, wrenching his arm free. “What’s wrong with you?”

Ryden turned his head away sharply, seeming to struggle to speak. He pressed his lips together and turned his back to Owen.

After a moment, Owen moved around so they could look at each other again. “You okay?”

Ryden’s eyes flashed again. “My wolf doesn’t like knowing someone else has touched you.”