Destined For The Alpha: Six Heart-Racing Shifter Romances (Werewolf's Harem Book 7) by Vivian Wood Page A

ahead.
    Forty minutes later, they were both breathing heavily as they neared the top of the ridge. There was one last huge step, half a boulder blocking their path. Aurelia watched in awe as Ben scaled it without pause, then turned around and reached out a hand to hoist her up. She hesitated, worried that her weight might pull him back down. She was trim but solid, and Ben was no giant like Walker.
    The second she slipped her hand into Ben’s, he lifted her up onto the boulder as if she were weightless. Aurelia felt silly for doubting him. It seemed she was doing that quite a lot, and always feeling foolish afterward.
    Aurelia pushed up with her legs, and between her movement and Ben’s strength she ending up pitching forward into his arms. They both tilted back for a moment before Ben steadied her; he held her for several heartbeats, too long to claim as a simple helping hand. Aurelia didn’t stop him, just savored his warmth and sweet male scent.
    “Ah,” Ben said, stepping back at last. “We’re just this way.”
    Aurelia stepped onto the trail that they’d left earlier, following Ben a few yards across the ridge. There, a small clearing lay on a smooth rock outcrop. The trees fell away just so, giving a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains.
    “Oh,” Aurelia breathed, stepping out into the clearing. It was probably only five feet by five, a compact treasure. She stared, her eyes drawn on and on. She saw a few houses or shacks dotting the mountainside here and there, and at the bottom of the valley a lazy river snaked through the trees. Aurelia took a deep breath; the smell of pine, the chill despite the bright sunny day, the feeling of absolute freedom as she stared down at the world… she lifted her arms and grinned, soaking it all in.
    After a minute, she heard Ben’s quiet chuckle and turned to face him. He’d unpacked a surprising amount of things from his backpack, Aurelia saw.
    “Wanna help me spread this blanket?” he asked, producing a bundle of soft grey flannel.
    They laid it out in the clearing, and then Ben shooed her away and started setting everything up. Aurelia picked a spot and sat, sipping from her water bottle as he worked. He produced a pile of neatly wax-wrapped sandwiches, two bars of dark chocolate, a bottle of red wine, a bottle of Evian, and plastic cocktail cups. 
    “Impressive,” Aurelia commented, raising her eyebrows.
    “I aim to please,” he said, giving her that huge grin again. “Check it: first aid kit, pocket compass, GPS in case we can’t read the compass, maps, even a sweater in case it gets cold.”
    He showed her the contents of his backpack like a proud boy scout. No doubt he’d been in the group as a kid.
    “I doubt you get cold too often,” Aurelia teased.
    “You’re right. The sweater is definitely for you,” Ben said, all seriousness.
    She rolled her eyes and laughed, and then they fell on the food like they hadn’t eaten in years. Several sandwiches and a full bottle of wine later, Aurelia giggled as she slid a bite of chocolate into her mouth. They’d kicked off their shoes and pushed the backpack and picnic items away, giving themselves room to spread out on the blanket.
    “Mmmm,” she moaned, delighted. 
    She lay on her side, staring up at Ben, who remained sitting up. At some point after the second cup of wine, he’d begun to stroke her shoulder and her side, strong fingers tracing from her nape to her hip with occasional stops to brush her mass of hair away from her face and neck.
    “You like it?” he asked, looking down at Aurelia. His eyes, normally the clearest sky blue, had darkened as though weathering a storm. His touches were feather-light, but his gaze was intent and hungry. Aurelia licked her lips as she finished the square of chocolate, making eye contact with Ben as she did so.
    A little part of her wanted to know how far she could push him before he’d break, before he’d leave his civilized sweetness behind and let