Torrent (Alpha Love - a Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance Book 4) by Olivia Stephens

“Is it always going to be this hard?” She doesn’t elaborate on what she means, she doesn’t have to. Their relationship hasn’t exactly been straightforward from the start.
    “Does it matter?” Ashton looks at her, with an openness in his eyes that makes her feel like she can see right down to his soul.
    She doesn’t have to think about her answer, not even a little bit. “No. I want to be with you. It doesn’t matter how tough it gets, that’s not going to change.”
    Ashton’s eyes soften, as if he had been preparing himself for a different answer and Sofie feels his body relax at her words. “Things aren’t going to be easy for a while, maybe never.” Ashton looks at her earnestly, driving the point home.
    “I can handle it.” Her voice is assured as she looks up at the man that she loves. “It’s not like being the girlfriend of an Alpha werewolf was ever going to be simple.” She smiles as she strokes her index finger along his stubbly jaw-line.
    “You’re tough, running girl. You’re a fighter, I knew that about you the first time I saw you.” The pride in Ashton’s voice is obvious and she can’t help but feel pleased that he sees her that way. Sofie had never thought of herself as brave, more just used to getting on with life, no matter what it threw at her. “I know you can deal with whatever comes your way.”
    The conviction in his voice is almost enough to persuade her that he’s right. But in her heart of hearts she knows that Ashton isn’t willing to see the full picture. She’ll only be able to handle things if she can defend herself, if she can help to protect the pack. If Ashton has to have half a mind on her safety the entire time then somewhere along the line, someone is going to get hurt. It could be her, him, a member of the pack, but there’s no doubt in her mind that it will happen.
    “We can deal with it, together .” It’s the closest that Sofie’s going to get to telling him what she’s planning to do; that the only way she can be of any use to him is if she’s able to stand with him, side by side. The only way she can do that without someone getting hurt is if she’s like him.
    “Together…I like the sound of that.” A boyish grin breaks out on Ashton’s face but then he turns serious. “I’m going to miss you so much, running girl. Every moment that you’re not here, in my arms, is going to feel like the longest time.” He shakes his head as his smile turns bashful. “And believe me, I know how cheesy that sounds!”
    But Sofie doesn’t laugh, at the sweetness of his words she feels herself fall in love with him all over again. It’s like an avalanche; the force of her feelings for him hits her like a wall of snow. “It might be cheesy, but it’s also probably the most romantic thing that I’ve ever heard.” Her voice is quiet as her emotions get away from her. She looks up at him from under her thick lashes, wondering how it is possible to want someone so much.
    “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m not going to be romantic for long.” Ashton shifts on top of her, so that she can feel his hardness, his desire for her mirroring her own for him.
    “How about you show me just how much you’re going to miss me? Give me something to remember you by.” Sofie’s voice is husky as she breathes the words out, watching as the sexy smile spreads across his face.
    “Oh, baby, trust me, you’re not going to be forgetting this anytime soon.” She’s about to accuse him of being an arrogant bastard, but she knows that it’s only arrogant if he can’t deliver, and there’s no question of that.
    Ashton brings his face down to hers, kissing her hard and making her moan with want just from the pressure of his lips on hers. Her body responds to him immediately, wetness blooming between her thighs. His hands go underneath her shirt, his fingertips skimming her erect nipples, making her shiver in the best possible way. Her pussy throbs with need