Taken by the Outcast Alpha (Whispers of Fate)

9. Finn

Chapter nine

Finn

I rev the engine, my mind racing faster than the motorcycle beneath us. The rally's no longer an option. The biker's little stunt blew that cover sky-high. But Sage... she mentioned Mount Washington. It's as good a destination as any, and hell, maybe it'll give me time to clear my head after that kiss.

The kiss. Damn it all to hell. I can still feel her lips on mine, taste her on my tongue. I shake my head, trying to focus on the road ahead. The wind whips past us, but it does little to cool the heat coursing through my veins.

"Change of plans," I call over my shoulder. "We're heading straight to Mount Washington. That work for you?"

I feel Sage's nod against my back, her arms tightening around my waist. Christ, even that small movement sends a jolt through me. I grit my teeth, willing myself to concentrate on anything else. The Fate Weaver in my saddlebag. The mystery of my exile. Anything but the feel of her pressed against me.

The open road stretches before us, no longer constrained by the rally's pace. It should be freeing, but every mile seems to ratchet up the tension between us. Sage's hands on my waist are like brands, her touch searing through the fabric of my shirt. I can smell her scent, a mix of herbs and something uniquely her, carried on the wind.

I try to lose myself in the rhythm of the ride, the steady thrum of the engine beneath us. But every curve in the road, every slight adjustment, brings Sage's body flush against mine. It's maddening, this constant awareness of her.

The sun's dipping low on the horizon when I spot a small motel off the side of the road. It's nothing fancy, just a squat building with peeling paint and a flickering neon sign. But what catches my eye is the empty parking lot. Not a single bike in sight.

Good. We're well clear of the rally crowd.

I pull into the lot, the gravel crunching under my tires. Sage stirs behind me, her grip loosening as we come to a stop.

"Wait here," I tell her, swinging my leg over the bike. "I'll get us a room."

The word 'us' hangs in the air between us, loaded with unspoken tension. I shake it off and head for the office.

Inside, a bored-looking clerk barely glances up from his phone. I clear my throat.

"Need a room," I say. "Preferably one with a door facing the forest, far from other guests."

He raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment. "Only got a couple of rooms like that."

"I'll take it," I nod. Then, before I can think better of it, I add, "And I'll pay for the two rooms on either side of it as well. To keep them empty."

The clerk's other eyebrow joins the first. "Suit yourself, man."

As he hands over the keys, a thought niggles at the back of my mind. You could give Sage her own room in that case.

Like hell we will, my wolf snarls back, the possessiveness in his tone startling me. It's never reacted like this before, not to anyone.

I push the thought aside and head back out to Sage, keys in hand. One room. It's for her safety, I tell myself. Nothing more.

I guide the bike to a parking spot right next to our room's door. Sage's arms loosen around my waist as we come to a stop, and I immediately miss her warmth. I swing off the bike first, offering her a hand as she dismounts.

"Thanks," she murmurs, her fingers lingering in mine for a moment too long.

I clear my throat and turn to the saddlebags, retrieving her bag and passing it to her. As I lock up the rest of our gear, I can feel her eyes on me. I grab my small overnight bag, pointedly ignoring the weight of the Fate Weaver still hidden away.

We step into the room together, and I'm hit with a wave of her scent in the enclosed space. It's intoxicating, and I have to force myself to focus on securing the door behind us.

"Mind if I take the first shower?" Sage asks, already moving towards the bathroom.

"Go ahead," I nod, grateful for the chance to clear my head.

As soon as the bathroom door clicks shut and I hear the water start running, I feel my wolf pushing at the edges of my control. I need to shift, and soon, before things get even more confusing between Sage and me.

I step outside, keeping the room door in my line of sight. The forest edge isn't far, just enough cover to hide me from any passing cars. I strip quickly, stashing my clothes behind a bush, and let the shift take me.

The familiar rush of power floods through me as my body changes. Bones crack and reform, fur sprouts across my skin, and in moments, I'm standing on four paws instead of two feet.

I shake out my coat, relishing the feeling of freedom. My senses sharpen, and I catch Sage's scent on the breeze. My wolf whines, wanting to go to her, to protect her. But I hold us back, pacing the tree line instead.

What the hell is happening to me? I've never reacted this strongly to anyone before. My wolf seems certain, but I can't afford to lose focus now. Not with someone on our trail and the Fate Weaver to protect.

The forest surrounds me, but my focus remains on the motel room. I should've run farther, deeper into the woods. But my wolf is stubborn, wanting to stay close to Sage. He won't let me get far before demanding we head back.

I circle the motel, scenting the air, making sure we're alone. Then, my wolf satisfied, I shift back, the moonlight guiding me through the change. My fur recedes, my body reshapes, and the night air chills my bare skin.

I retrieve my clothes, pulling them on quickly. My wolf still paces restlessly, his attention fixed on the room.

I had planned on waiting, giving her space. But as I step out from the trees, that plan evaporates. The door swings open, and Sage appears. Her blond hair is damp, tendrils curling around her face, her skin glowing from the shower. She's wearing just a t-shirt and shorts, nipples visible in the cooling air. The sight of her sends a jolt through me.

Sage freezes, her hazel eyes wide, taking in my presence. For a moment, I think she believed I had abandoned her, left her here alone. Then her gaze softens, understanding mixing with the fear in her eyes.

Without thinking, I close the distance between us, crowding her against the door. I tilt her chin up with a gentle finger, my thumb brushing her jaw. Her skin is warm, her pulse fluttering beneath my touch.

Then I kiss her. It's a fiercer kiss than before, driven by the adrenaline of the shift, the heady scent of her shampoo, and the longing I see in her eyes. Her hands come up to grip my arms, and I deepen the kiss, claiming her mouth as mine.

My hands slide down her back, the curves of her ass fitting perfectly in my palms. I lift her, wrapping her legs around my waist. Her arms circle my neck, holding on tight as I press her against the door. She feels so damn good in my arms, her body responding to mine.

Our lips part, but our breath still mingles. Sage's eyes search mine, her expression a mix of surprise and something else—something that pulls at my heart.

"Couldn't stay away," I whisper, my voice rough. "Not from you."