Imprinted By The Alpha (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (The Marked One - Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

the way.
    Ava couldn’t believe the grace with which Caleb moved as they traveled down the path, and she continued to cast furtive glances at him along the way, drinking him in like a cold glass of water. Her breath came in measured spurts, and her steps seemed slow and deliberate compared to her usual gait, so she was glad Caleb let her set the pace.
    She had a feeling he could sense her fascination, and she could see his muscles tense as her eyes moved over them. His voice came at her in deep, vibrating tones. “Are you new to Willow Falls?” She assumed he was trying to ease the anxiousness and wondered if maybe he just wanted to hear her voice.
    She stopped and looked up at him with a short laugh. “No, I’m definitely not new here. I was born and raised just up the road.” She tucked some fallen strands of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture born from the way his eyes trailed over her fingertips. When Caleb’s eyes met hers, she added, “I just got back from Baton Rouge. College.”
    To her irritation, they reached the end of the trail moments later, and they were exposed to the view of the clearing where the party was held. It hadn’t been enough time alone, and Ava fought the urge to yank Caleb back into the quiet haven of solitude, away from the crowd that seemed to intrude on their privacy.
    And to make matters worse, the first pair of eyes Ava saw land on them were Kelly’s. Her friend waved and smiled meaningfully. “Well, well, look who Ava found.” She rushed toward them, taking the six pack from Caleb’s hands, and Ava watched with interest as he gave a short, almost curt nod.
    He bent to hug Kelly as she reached for him, and Ava eyed the exchange curiously, thinking that Caleb seemed to be fighting to relax. His shoulders and arms were flexed with tension. She couldn’t quite understand; he had no reason to be nervous, as far as she knew. But it seemed like he was being protective of his property as he very obviously forced a smile. “Hey, Kelly, sorry I was late. I got a little sidetracked with something.” He turned his gaze to Ava, hesitating, his eyes piercing her with their intensity. Ava wanted him to stay, but she knew Kelly, and she could already feel her friend’s inquisitive nature breaching the surface, unchecked due to her alcohol consumption. His words were clipped as he told Ava, “I’ll be back. I have a few friends to say hi to.”
    Ava watched him walk away, trying to breathe normally. With that perfectly chiseled face highlighted by the flames and the moonlight, as well as the tattoos that sleeved his arm and curled up the side of his neck, she could only imagine the artwork on the rest of his body. He was stunning from head to toe, and she didn’t mean to stare, but she couldn’t seem to unglue her eyes from the man who could easily be a god.
    “Hey!” Kelly snapped her fingers in front of Ava’s face, and she jerked her gaze back to Kelly and the beer she held out.
    “Thanks,” she muttered, snatching it from her hand, popping the top, and guzzling.
    Kelly seemed to be watching Caleb’s back to assure he was a safe distance away before saying anything else. Then she turned to Ava, her mouth hanging open. “Oh. My. Fucking. God.”
    Ava slapped her hard on the arm, giving her an angry glare. “Why didn’t you tell me how insanely gorgeous he was?”
    “Ouch!” Kelly rubbed at the spot as if it stung. “If I remember correctly, I did! I believe my words were totally fuckable , remember?”
    Ava scowled at her. “I don’t think you were clear enough about it.” She’d assumed her friend was talking from her loins and not her eyes at the time.
    With a triumphant smile, Kelly took a bow. “I was so right, and the two of you look like you hit it off, just like I knew you would.”
    Ava wasn’t sure about that. She didn’t know exactly what to make of the strange encounter. Caleb certainly took her breath away, and it was no lie that his glowing green eyes