When they stepped outside the diner, Lucas dragged the cool night air into his lungs searching for his control until he noticed the woods across the road. The urge to change and go for a run crawled up his body, taking over and making his skin too tight. He inhaled the clean scent of pine trees, the musky earth, and various small wildlife.

He yearned to run free again. To be at home in his mountains where he didn’t have to watch his back with every move and worry as much about exposing secrets. It had been too long. He crossed the street and headed for the cover of trees and shrubs, away from the busy restaurant and cars. Without considering the consequences, he allowed the familiar prickling of his skin as the changes rushed across him, fur quickly covering his arms. A branch snapping behind him reverberated through him like a gunshot, startling him back from his selfish thoughts as he realized what he’d almost done. He’d been about to change in front of the enemy. The very thing he’d fought against all these weeks. After taking a few moments to regain control over his traitorous body, he turned to face Kira.

Her eyes were wide and full of questions, yet she said nothing. Did she already know what he was or would it shock her to see him turn into a wild beast? While carefully watching her responses, Lucas motioned behind him. “There’s a pathway across the street. Do you feel up to a short walk in the woods?” Surprisingly, he didn’t smell fear on her at his request, and her heartbeat had only increased a few beats per minute.

“Yes, please. I’m not ready to get back into that car again or go inside anytime soon. I could use some fresh air myself. And then maybe you could tell me what happened back there.”

He snorted. “You like the woods?”

“Grew up in them. There were miles and miles of unspoiled beauty back home that I could roam and play in. Loved them so much I took to disappearing for days. Drove my mother berserk.”

His chest clenched at the genuine smile of happiness that memory created. “Where at?” Kira’s smile faded and he realized he’d pushed too far.

“A long way from here.”

He waited for her to reveal more but her face remained closed. Stepping forward, he gripped her hand and led the way deep into the woods. The instant his hand touched hers a connection sizzled between them, sending heat throughout his body. His body reacted, growing taut with his desire. Once again the urge to throw her to the ground and fuck her consumed his thoughts. Pure, primal need for her coursed through him.

What is wrong with me? Why am I feeling so needy toward this woman?

He knew she’d been sent to draw information from him. He wondered just how far she would go to succeed in her mission.

She was obviously telepathic, and he couldn’t help but wonder what other abilities she possessed.

Kira abruptly stopped and whirled around to face him. “You’re wrong about me you know,” she blurted out. “I’m not who you think I am.” She seemed so nervous the way she bounced from foot to foot, yet her eyes blazed, daring him to challenge her.

Her lips mesmerized him. Lucas couldn’t focus on what she’d been saying over the roaring rush of blood in his sensitive ears. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. The memory of that tongue pressed to his skin flashed through his mind and his entire body tightened further. He fought the urges until lust seeped from his every pore and he snapped.

He grabbed her shoulders and crushed her against his chest.

“What-” Before she could finish, he took her mouth with a rough, demanding kiss. He thrust his tongue past her teeth and devoured her taste. Stroking into her silken mouth, he couldn’t fight the need anymore. His beast wouldn’t be denied. Lucas wanted her more than his next breath and, by damn, he was going to have her. Now.