LONERby
HOLLEYTRENT
DearReaders:NorsetonWolvesisaself-containedminiseriesspunofffromTheAfótamaLegacy.Youdon’tneedtoreadTheVikingQueen’sMenorTheChieftain’sDaughtertounderstandwheretheWolvesareorwhythey’rethere,nordoyouhavetoreadthefournovellasinorder.EachNorsetonWolvesstoryissetatapproximatelythesame
time.Thestoriesareinterwovenandcharactersmayappearthroughouttheminiseries,butthetimelinesmoreorlessoverlap.Thestoriesmayendatdifferenttimes,dependingonhowlongittakesacoupletofindtheirhappily-ever-after,buttheendingofonebookdoesnotaffectanotherbook.Intermsofcontinuity,NorsetonWolvesisset
mostlyafterTheChieftain’sDaughterandbeforeViking’sFlame.IhopeyouenjoyreadingthisshapeshifterarcsetintheAfótamaworldasmuchasIlovedwritingit.
HalfwolfStephanieBensonhasspentmuchofthelastdecadeenduringcriticismfromherfather’spackaboutherdeficiencies.
Ifitweren’tforthefactherinnerbeastcravesawolf’s
sensualattentions,she’dtrytosettledownwithanicehumanman.Answeringamatecallfromanunknownpackisheronechanceatfleeingtoxicinfluences,butit’sagamble.Shemayendupwithamanwhofindshersofterhumanphysiqueandprogressiveopinionsjustasrepulsiveasthemenbackhome.Oustedfromhispackasa
youngboy,DariusLucasisNorseton’sresidentlonewolf.Helacksmasteryofthesocialgracesmostmenoverthirtywouldhave,andcanbarelyspeakmorethanafewwordsatatime.AlthoughDariusisskepticalaboutsaddlingastrangerwithhimforacompanion,hisalphainsistsStephanieiseverythingheneeds.Dariusenthusiasticallygivesthecaptivating,bombshellhis
bite,butnothisconfidence.He’susedtobeingonthefringes,butStephanieunderstandshowthatfeelsalltoowell.Hemaylackpolish,buthehasthetendernessthatwaslackinginStephanie’spreviousrelationships.They’rebothlonersintheirownways,butiftheycancometogethertofindacommonthread,thematescouldignitearomancehot
enoughtomakethembothhowl.
CHAPTERONE
StephanieBensoncrossedherlegsatthekneesandfoldedherarmsoverherchest.
Nope.Badidea.
PressingherarmsoverherchestsquashedherbreaststogetherandmadeheralreadyprominentcleavageprotrudeevenmoreoverthefrontofherV-necktank.Shortofwearingaturtleneck,sheknewshe’dnevermeetanyone’sstandardfordemureness,butshedidat
leasttrytokeeppeople’sfirstimpressionsofherneutral.Whenshe’dsetoutonhertravelingexpeditionforthewolfmatecall,she’ddressedasshealwaysdidforatrip.Afterturninginthekeyforherrentedpaintingstudio,she’dputonherfavoritejeans,sparklysandals,anda
flowing,sagegreentanktopthatbroughtouttheevilinhereyes.Atleast,thatwaswhatherexhadalwayssaid.She’dwornitanyway,becauseitwasherfavorite.Softandluxurious,thefabric’ssilkencaressofherskinmadeherfeellikeagoddesswhenevershewore
it.
Now,shewasabouttobecomeagoddesswithfreckled,sunburntcleavage,andcertainly,theonlyoneofherkind.
Forfuck’ssake—they’reallwaifs.
Shelookedatthethree
womensharingthebenchwithherandbarelymanagedtosuppressthehystericallaughterquakingherlungs.Werewolves,intheirhumanforms,tendedtobeabitfitterwhencomparedtothehumanpopulation,duetotheirfastermetabolismsandhigheractivitylevels.Stephanie,
though,tookafterherhumanmotherinthetitsandassdepartment,andnothinginStephanie’swolfgeneticscouldoffsetit.
Upuntilshe’dbeengiventheorelseultimatumatagesixteenandpulledintoherfather’spack,she’dlovedherbody.Lovedherburgeoning
curvesandswells,andlookedforwardtobeingajaw-droppingvixenlikehermotheroneday.Butduringthesummershe’dturnedsixteen,shepresentedherselftoherfather’spackathisalpha’sorder,andthewolvesthere—well,theyweresodifferent.Theydidn’tlook
likerealpeople.Theywerecomicbookcharactersmadeoffleshandbone,andshedidn’tfitanywherewithinthepagesoftheirstories.
Thewomensharingthebenchwithhernowweretypicalenough,butStephaniecouldn’thelpbuttonoticewhosethighstookupthe
mostrealestate.Thosewomenwereprobablyallfullwolf.Stephanie’shalf-breedstatuscouldverywellbeanotherstrikeagainsther.Shealreadyhadenoughflawsthatwouldturnoffamate.
Thealpha,AdamCarbone—nowheralpha—wascoordinatingthemate
matching.Hestoodinfrontofherandmadeanassessinggrunt.
Shesighed.“Goaheadandtellmeaboutmyself,Alpha.”
“Hey,don’tgetyourhacklesup,redlady.Yourenergy’snotreadingaswholewolf.”
Herhandwentreflexivelyuptotuckbacktheswatchofgingerhaircoveringthesideofherface,andthoughherposturewasalreadyacceptablyupright,shesatupalittlestraighter.“Ididn’tknowitwaspossibletodiscernthat.”
“Itisn’tformostfolks,
butI’mAlpha.”
“Myalphanevermentionedbeingabletotellthedifference,andhewouldhave.”Hewouldhavegrabbedatanyopportunitytotearherdownjustoutofnastyspite.Forthelifeofher,shenevercouldfigureoutwhatshe’deverdoneto
deserveit.Shedidn’tasktobeinthepack.She’dbeenperfectlycontentwithherveryhumanlifeinChicagowithhermother.
Alphaworkedhisjawfromsidetosideforafewbeatsbeforegivingheroneofthoseslow,knowingnodsthatwereusuallyfollowedby
somewordsthatshedidn’twanttohear.
“Noteveryonewhohasthejobshould,”hesaid.
Huh.
She’dalwaysthoughtthat,butitwasbetterthathesaiditthanher.Comingoutofhermouth,thestatement
mighthavebeenconsideredtreasonous.Shewasnolongerapartofheroldpack,butuntilshe’dbeenfullyacceptedintohernewone—pairedwithamanandreceivedhisbite—sheneededtotreadcarefully.Ifshewantedawolfforamate,shecouldn’tgainareputationfor
beinginsolent.Andinspiteofeverything,shedidwantawolf.Onlyanotherwolfwouldunderstandherbasesturges.Butatthesametime,afullwolfmightrejecteverythingaboutherthatwasjustplainhuman.Shewantedtobehopefulthathermatewouldaccepther,butitwas
hard.Plus,shehadtogetpastthegatekeeperfirst—thecuriousalphapacinginfrontofher.
“Yourotherhalfisn’tsomedifferentkindofshifter,isit?”
“Justhuman,Alpha.”
“Oh.”Heshruggedand
movedondowntheline,rubbinghischinasheassessedeachwoman.
Stephanieblewoutsomeofhertensiononalongexhalationandfoldedherfingersatopherlap.Alphahadhisbackturned,sosheturnedtothetwoladiestoherrightandmouthed,“Hi.”
They’dbarelyacknowledgedeachotherduringthevanridefromAlbuquerque’sairport,probablybecausethey’dallbeensodiscombobulatedandnervous.Showingupinresponsetoamatecallwasabitlikeplayingcrapsandputtingeverythingontheline.
Oneladywinked.TheothergaveStephaniealittlewaveandpulledherearlobeinanobvioussignalmeaning,we’lltalklater—peoplearelistening.
Christina’snervesebbedsomewhat,knowingthatthetwowomenhadoverheardwhatshewas—orwhatshe
wasn’t—andwouldstillbepleasant.Therewasachancetheyhadtheirownskeletonstofretabout,andherswastameincomparison.Shehopedthatwasthecase,andhatedherselfalittleforit.She’dneverbeenthekindofwomanwho’dwishillonanyone,regardlessofhow
muchhardshipshepersonallyendured.Thewolfgoddesshadalwaysstoodforforgivenessandkindness,andStephanietriedtoemulatethemysteriousladyasoftenasshecould,evenwhendoingsowasahardship.Moreoftenthannot,beingkindwashard,becausemostwolvesweren’t
sonicetoher.
Adamturnedbacktothem,scannedthemallagain,madethattrademarkgruntingnoise,thenlookedpointedlyovertheirheads.
Naturally,sheturnedtoseewhathadcaughthisgaze.
Threetallmenwaitedin
theshadowofonethesmalladobehomes’roofoverhang,apparentlywatchingthespectacleofthematematchandseeingwhomtheiralphadeemedsuitableforeach.
Three?
Shecheckedtheshadowsoftheotherfourhousesborderingthecourtyardas
well.Nomorewolves.ThebulletinthatAlphahadsentouttoalltheknownpacksrequestedfourmates,andseeingashowhehadgivenherthego-aheadtoflydowntoNewMexico,therehadtobeoneforeachofthem.
Sheknewonlyinvaguetermshowthematematching
processworked.Thevastmajorityofherfriendsweren’twolves,andofthefewfemalewolvesinherfather’spackshe’dactuallyassociatedwith,nonehadeveransweredacall.They’dalltakenmateswithinthehomepack,forbetterorforworse.
FromwhatStephanieunderstoodabouttheprocess,whenapackwasinneedofwomen,thealphawouldputoutwordthroughthewolfnetwork,statinghowmanywereneededandwhere,approximately,thepackwaslocated.Sometimes,awomancouldtellwhichpackwas
requestingthematesandputoutfeelersaboutwhatthecultureandconditionswerelike.Often,however,therewasnoinformationtobefound.Everydaysomenewpackwouldsplinteroffandrelocate,soshe’dknownnothingabouttheseNewMexicanwolves.They
weren’tapartofaknownpackandhadnoreputation—atleastnotareputationanyonewouldspeakof.She’dtakenachanceinshowingup,andhopeditwouldpayoff.Wolveswantedapacktobelongto,andthathalfofherthatwaswolfoverrodeherhumannotionsof
independence.
Supposedly,whatwouldhappennextwasthatAlphawouldtapintohisspiritualconnectiontothegoddessandmatcheachvolunteeringwomantoaneligiblewolf.IfAlphawasanygoodattranslatingthegoddess’swishes,hewouldmakegood,
sound,lastingmatches.Alphasweren’talwaysgood.Sometimes,womenweretrappedbytheirmatches,thrustintoworsesituationsthanwhatthey’dleftattheirlastpack.ItwasariskStephaniehadtotake,ifonlytogetthetormentingdreamstostop.Theyteasedofthe
idealpackandtheperfectmate.Shewasn’tpronetofairytalewhims,butshecouldn’thelpbuttoobsessaboutwhatcouldbe.
Turningbacktofacehernewalpha,sheswallowedhardandletoutalong,slowbreath.ShehopedAdamwasgood,becauseshewas
probablyonlygoingtohaveonechanceatthis.Ifsherefusedthepairing,nooneelsewouldwanther—atleast,nooneareasonablysanewomanwouldwant.She’denduphavingtosettleforsomeweakwolfbackinherfather’spack,whowouldlikelypunishherfortryingto
leaveinthefirstplace—forwantingmoreforherselfthantobetreatedlikeapossession.
Sheranhertongueacrossherlipsandsethersightsonalargecactusaboutadozenyardsaway.Shewasusedtohavinghernamedraggedthroughmud—usedtobeing
insultedandmalignedforwhatshewas—andeventually,shewouldhavetoputherfootdown.
Sheknewinherheartthatsheneededawolflover.Maybeherownsmallconnectiontothegoddesshadconvincedherofthat,butthehumanpartofhertoldherto
neversettle.Shewasworthyofloveandrespect,inspiteofwhatherfatherhadtoldher.Ifshecouldn’tgetthat,she’dleave,customsbedamned.
Doyourthing,Alpha.I’mready.
CHAPTERTWO
WhenthepackhadvotedmonthsagoonwhetherornotitwastimeforAlphatoputoutthematecall,Dariushadbeenthesecond-slowesttoputuphishand.Theonly
wolfmorereticentwasAnton,anditwaseasyenoughtoguesswhatAnton’sdysfunctionwas.“Beast”hadgottenmauledsixmonthsagowhileinhishumanform.Hewasblindinoneeye,andthoughhe’dhadagooddealofplasticsurgeryonthesideofhisface,he
couldn’thidehisscars.Itmadesensethathewasholingupinsidehishouse.Dariushadhalfamindtodothesame,butitwastoolate.Alphacaughthisgazeandwavedhimover.
Damn.
Darius’spackmateColtsnortedasDariuspushedoff
thewallhewasholdingup.“Goodluck,Loner,”hesaidwithadrylaugh.
“Fuckyou,”Dariusmutteredunderhisbreath.
Theteasingandname-callingwasallingoodfun,usually—theyallhadnicknames—butsometimesitgotsodamnwearying.
ProbablyanotherreasonAntonhadkepthimselfinside.AlphawouldprobablyhaveAnton’sassforitlater,butseeingashowAlphawashisunclethroughmarriage,Antonprobablydidn’tworrytoomuchaboutit.ButwhenDariusthoughtaboutit,herealizedAlphahadneverput
muchstockinnepotism.MaybeAntonshouldhaveworried.
Shovinghishandsintohisjeanspockets,Dariusmadehiswayuptheshortstonepathandaroundthebenchthatheldthefourwomen.
Hefeltabitlikehewasmarchingoffthegallows,but
insteadofhimbeingtheonesentencedforanunforgivablecrime,somepoorwomanwasgettingpunishedbyreceivinghimasamate.
Alphahadoneofthewomenstandingnow,onewithhairthecolorofcinnamonandthenicestpairoftitsDariushadseenoutside
ofaVegasshowgirl.No,notashowgirl.Likeoneofthepin-upgirlsfromthe1940she’dseeninabookhe’dpickedupatafestivallongago.Shehadred,heart-shapedlipsandaneyebrowarchedcuriouslyathim.Shewasprettierthananyofthoseglossypictures.Unreal.Is
shemine?
Shelookedhimupanddownandpursedherlips.
Maybethatwasactuallyhernaturalhaircolor.Besthecouldremember,he’dneverbeenwithaginger.Thenagain,hedidn’tremembermuchaboutverymanyofhissexualencounters.That’sall
theywere,really.Transientwolvesdidn’tformattachments.ThepackhadonlyrecentlysettledinNewMexico.
“StephanieBenson,meetDariusLucas.Darius,thisisStephanie,”Alphasaid,andwiththatterseintroduction,movedondowntheline.
That’sit?
Nowwhat?
Shebobbedhereyebrows.“So…it’snicetomeetyou,Iguess.”
“Likewise,”hemuttered.Itwasallhecouldcomeupwith.Hewastongue-tiedatthebestoftimes.Ifhe’dbeen
thinkingahead,hewouldhaverehearsedsomething—perhapsthankherforcomingsofarandapologizeinadvanceforwhathewas.
Hepickedathisthumb’scuticleandstaredathisfeet.Fuck.
ColtjoggedoveratAlpha’sbeckoningnext,and
amomentlater,ledhismatetoAlpha’shouse,wherethey’dstowedallthewomen’sluggage.
Oh.
Dariusstartedafterthem.Stephanieprobablyhassomebags.Halfwaythere,hefiguredheshouldseeifshewasfollowing.Shewas.She
bobbedhereyebrowsagainandclaspedherhandsbehindherback.
“Sorry.”Hegesturedtowardthehouse,andshewalkedonaheadofhim.
Luggageacquired—andshehadalot—heledhertohisownsmalladobebungalowandpulledopenthe
screendoor.Shewalkedinandwaitedinthefoyerashemadeatidypileofherluggage.
“Niceplaceyou’vegothere.”
“It’sallright.”Hecertainlycouldn’tcomplain.Upuntillastwinter,thewolveshadbeenlivingoutof
theconversionvanthattheyusedtotransportthemselvesfromoneassignmenttothenext.Theyfollowedthedollarsigns,takingsecuritygigsforvariousgroups,anddoingallsortsofmercenarytasks,shortofwetwork.Theydidtrynottokillpeople,butsomefolksjust
askedforit.NowthepackwasmoreorlesssettledinthecommunityofNorseton,wherethey’dbeencontractedtoprovidesecurityservicestoagroupcalledtheAfótama.Lotsofspacearoundthem,andnotahellofalotofpeopletogetinhisface.Itwasaprettysweetjob,andhe
prayedtothegoddessnightlythatnoonefuckeditupforthem.
Heturnedonthelivingroomlightandclosedtheheavywooddoor,leavingitunlockedbeforeturningtohiswould-bemate.
Stephanierockedonherheelsandclampedherarms
overherbelly.“So…howdoyouwanttodothis?”
Hervoicewaseverythinghe’dexpectfromawomanshapedlikeasilverscreensiren.Itwashuskyandlow,withatantalizingraspthatseemedintentontugginghiscocktoattention.
“Helloooo?”shecrooned.
Shemusthavebeenhypnotizinghimsomehow.Itwasn’tuncommonforsomewolvestohavealittlemagic—usuallytheonesthegoddesshadtakenaspecialinterestinforwhateverreason.Hejustbetthegoddesshadbestowednumerousblessingsontoa
womanlikeStephanie.Itwastheonlyexplanationforherbeingsoalluring.
Hepulledhisgazefromherbrightredmouthandstaredinthegeneralvicinityofhereyes.“Yes?”
“Youdon’ttalkmuch,doyou?”
“Italk.”
“Infullsentences?”
“Yeah.”
Sheletoutabreathandgaveherheadasmallshake.“Justaswell.IguessIcantalkplentyenoughforthebothofus.MymothersaysIcouldtalkthepaintoffawall,
butIthinkI’minteresting,attheveryleast.”
Hisgazefelltohersucculentlipsyetagain,andeverymuscleinhiscoreandcrotchtightenedwithhisimagination’sunwelcomerompintothenasty.Shewouldprobablyleavearingofredaroundhiscockasshe
suckedhimoff,andpushthosebreastsuptocatcheverylastdropofhiscum.He’dreturnthefavor,ofcourse—he’dburyhisfacebetweenhersolidthighsandlickheruntilshecameonhistongue.Hewasprettysurethatwashowitworked—intheory,anyway.Noonehad
everexpectedhimtoperformthatspecifictask,andhehadn’tfeltcompelledtovolunteer.
“Imean,Ispentalotofmoneygoingtocollegetomakemyselfinteresting.BachelorofFineArts.Theonlythingthatdegreeisgoodforistalkingabout,though.”
Sheshruggednonchalantly.“Andteaching,Iguess.”
Shedraggedhertongueacrossherlipsandhedrewinasharpbreath.Willsheputthattongueonmeoneday?Ifshewasgoingtobehismate,hecouldask.Oristhatsomethingpeopledon’taskfor?Hewasn’tsurewhatwas
allowed.Ifhe’dhadtogooutandhuntforamateonhisown,hewouldhaveprobablycomehomeempty-handed.Findingawomantofuckwasonething.Theydidn’tnecessarilyexpectconversationandchivalry.Butamate?Wholedifferentballgame,hewasguessing.
“LikeIaskedbefore,howdoyouwanttodothis?”
Gods,hervoice.Hecouldhardlymakesenseofthewordsthroughthespellbindingsound.“Huh?”
Shetuggeddownthenecklineofherloosetankandexposedthestretchofpalefleshbetweenherbreastand
collarbone.
Deargoddess…
“Thebite.”
Heforceddownaswallow,hismouthsuddenlyhavinggoneasdryasthedesertoutside.
Justabite?
“Doyouwanttodoit
righthere,orshouldwefindanicesofa?Hey,noworries—I’measy.”
“Easy?”
Sheletgoofhershirtandrolledhereyes.“Noteasyeasy.YouknowwhatImean.”
Hedid.Oratleast,he
thoughthedid.He’dalwaysconsideredhimselftobeprettystreet-smart,givenhe’dbeenonhisownsincehewasakid,buthisbrainsureasshitseemedtobeafewbeatsbehindatthemoment.“Uh—sofa,Iguess.”
“Leadtheway.Unlessyou’dlikemetojustmake
myselfathome?”
“Yeah.Yourhomenow,too.”Hehopedshelikedit.Itwasbasic:abasemodelhousewithnocustomization.Hehadn’tevenknownwhatupgradestopick,andbythetimehecouldgiveitanyseriousthought,itwastoolatetoputthespecsin.He
didn’treallycare,though.Shecoulddowhatevershewantedtoit.
“Oh-kay.”Sheturnedonherheelandpassedbeneaththearchwayintothegreatroom.There,shepaused,lookingaroundandfinallyheadingforthesofa.
Hehurriedaheadofher
andpickedupthepileofnewspapershe’dbeenstoringthere.Hedidn’tevenknowwhyhewascollectingthem,beyondhischronicinabilitytothrowthingsawayasoflate.He’dbeensousedtohavingfewpossessions,andonlyoneortwobagstostorethemin.Havingawhole
housetohimselfwasanoveltythatstillhadn’twornoffinsixmonths.
Hedroppedthepapersontothecoffeetableandstraightenedtheslipcover.“Sorryforthemess.”
“Niceprint.”Shesettledontothesofaandgavethefabricarubbeneathboth
palms.“Didyoupickitout?”
“Uh—yeah.”HecouldhaveliedandsaidthatAlpha’swife,Mrs.Carbone,hadchosenit,buthedidn’tseethepoint.He’dbeendrawntothepattern.Thehuntergreenchevronsremindedhimofmountaintreetops—ofhome.Of
course,hehadn’tseenthathomeinovertwentyyears.He’dbeenexpelledfromhisbirthpackatagenine.Fortunately,Alphahadscoopedhimupbeforeanyrealharmcouldcometohim.Still,hemissedit,hisfirsthome,inspiteofeverythingthathadhappenedthere.In
spiteofbeingallbutforgottenbythepeoplewhoweresupposedtocareforhim.
“Plainwhitesofaunderneath?”sheasked.
“Yeah.”
“IrecognizedthepatternbecauseIusedtohavesame
whitechair,justwithadifferentcover.Gonenow,though.IsoldorgaveawaymostofmythingsbeforeIcamehere.”
Shemusthavehadalotofstuffifshe’dneededfourbigsuitcasestohaulwhatwasleft.“Sorry.Youcanchangeit.Soit’slikeyourswas,I
mean.”Shecouldhavewhatevermadehercomfortable.Hewouldn’tcomplain.Itwasn’tlikeheknewwhathewasdoinginthatpartofhislife,ormanyother,forthatmatter.Hewasfarsmarterinhiswolfform.Hiswolfwasn’tconstantlysecond-guessinghimself,or
beratinghimselfforsayingstupidshit.
“Nah,Ilikethegreen.Icandostuffwithgreen.It’snotinmyusualdecoratingpalette,butIlikestretchingmyself.It’llbeinterestingtoseewhatIcandotofeminizeit.Hopeyoudon’tmindalittlefeminizingaround
here.”
Heshookhishead.She’dbespendingmoretimetherethanhewould,anyway.HespentmostofhisdaysoutontheNorsetongrounds,andbythetimehegothome,hedidn’tcaremuchwhathissurroundingslookedlike.Theyonlythingsthatwere
importantwerethattheyweredarkandquiet.Cavelike,Mrs.Carbonehadonceaccused.“You’dliveinacave,wouldn’tyou,ifyouhadyourdruthers?”she’daskedhim.
He’djustshrugged.Itwastrue.Theguyshadlaughed,butDariushadn’tseenthepointofarguingit.He’d
spentalotoftimeasachildinhiswolfform,hidingoutincaveswheneverthehumanworldgottoofuckingcrowdedandloud.Nooneeverwentlookingforhim,andeventually,they’daskedhimnottogohomeatall.
“Splendid,”Stephaniesaid.“Andyouneedmore
furniture.”
“Ibuyalittleeachmonth.”Hetookaseatonthecoffeetableinfrontofher,rightontopofthenewspapers.
“Areyougoingslowbynecessity,orareyoujustindecisive?”
“Idon’tusecredit.”Everythinghehadheownedfreeandclear.Mostfolkscouldn’tsaythat,andhewasproudthathecould.Ifsheexpectedmorefromhim,thenshewasjustgoingtohavetobedisappointed.
“Idon’teither.I’vegotlotsofmoney.”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.Itseemedlikeanoddthingtoconfess,buthewasn’texactlyagoldstarstudentwhenitcametosmalltalk.
Sheshrugged.“Mightaswellbecandid,right?We’llprobablybemarriedtomorrowmorningifwhatAlphasaidduringthedrive
fromtheairportwastrue.Hesaidhismissusisatraditionalistinthatoneway.”
“Yeah,that’stheplan.”
“Sowemightaswellcleartheair,right?Well—I’mquitewealthy.”
“Okay.”Hechewedon
theinsideofhischeek,andwithgreatdifficulty,pulledhisgazeawayfromthesmatteringoffrecklesbeneaththesun-reddenedskinonherchest.Isshespottedallover,likeacougar?He’dbeenwithawere-cougarwomanonce,buthecouldn’trememberifshe’dhadspots.
Hewasdrunk,asheoftenwasduringone-nightstands.Theboozetooktheedgeoffthesocialshit—theperformance.Notthesexualone,butthesonganddanceleadinguptoit.
Herakedhishandoverhisfaceandsighed.Fuck.Isshegoingtoexpectthatfrom
me?
“Youdon’tseemespeciallygleefulaboutthat,Darius.Anyothermanwouldhavehadawantonglintinhiseyebynow.”
Whatareweeventalkingabout?Hedroppedhishandandfixedhisstareonthebrightgreenofhereyes.
Green.Oh,right.Money.
Heclearedhisthroat.“I’vealwaysworkedforwhatIwanted.”
Sheshruggedagain,makingthosedistractingtitsbounce.
Sighing,heclosedhiseyestoshutoffthevisual
onslaughtandlethiskneebob.Thelastthingheneededwastogohardlikeahornyfifteen-yearoldandembarrasshimselfinfrontofthefinestwomanhe’deverencounteredintheflesh.
“Keeponkeepingon,then,”shesaid.“IfiguredI’dmakethingscozy.Iassure
you,I’mnotthekindofgirlwhospendstoexcess.Infact,Ionlyowntenpairsofshoes.”
Heopenedhiseyes,onlytofurrowhisbrowather.
“Justkidding.Ihavefivepairs,notcountingthesesandals.Butthey’rereallyniceshoes.”
“Ihavetwopairs.”Dumb.Likesheevencares.
“Thebootsyou’rewearingandwhat?”
“Apairoftennisshoes.”
Theywerearound…somewhere.He’dprobablyhadthemfornearlyaslongashe’dhadhisGED.
“Theyprobablysuitaboutninety-eightpercentofyourneeds.”
“Prettymuch,orIgobarefoot,otherwise.Idon’tneedshoesinmywolfform.”
Shecringed.“Wolf,huh?IguessI’llbeabletoshiftbymorning,ifitworks.”
“I’veneverheardofitnotworking.”
Femalewolveswereunabletoshapeshiftuntilthey’dreceivedtheirmate’sbite.Apparently,evolutionwasachauvinist.
“Sure.”Shepulledherplumpbottomlipbetweenherteethandrolledhergazeto
theceiling.
“Well,itdoesn’thurt.Notmuch,anyway.”
Shefixedherintent,glassgreengazeonhimandarchedoneofthosedefinedeyebrows.“Areyouserious?Idon’tknowyouyet,soIcan’ttellifyou’rejokingornot.”
“Aboutshifting?Yeah.I’musedtoit,Iguess.”
Shenudgeddownhercollartoexposethatspotagain,butbeforehecouldtransfixuponitasecondtime,sheletthefabricfallbackinplace.“Thisismyfavoriteshirt.Idon’twanttogetitbloody.”Without
hesitating,sheliftedhershirtbythehemandpulledthegarmentoverherhead.
Fuck.
Hehadn’tthoughtherbreastscouldpossiblygetanybetter.Uncovered,theywerefullandround,dottedwithpalebrownfreckleswhichdidgoallthewaydownto
theinsideofherbra.Herpuckerednippleswereslantedupward,andhewonderedifhepushedthatsatinymaterialaside,wouldtheybethesamebrownasherfrecklesorifthey’dbeaspinkasherflushedcheeks.
Hebobbedhiskneeandtriedtogethismindoffof
sex,andawayfromhistinglingcock.Dobetter.Don’tactlikeananimal.
Sheclearedherthroatandhelookeduptoseeherflattenedlipsandnarrowedstare.ShemadeaninvisibleXinthebitezoneandheleanedin,extendinghisfangsashebent.
Suchapitytobreakthatpristineskin.
Therewasn’tanyotherwayaroundit,though.Ithadtobeabite,andnotjustanibble,either.She’dalwayshavethescar,evenaftershe’dshiftedtowolfandback.Itwashismark.
Shewashismate.
Bloodhithistonguebeforeheevenregisteredthathe’dbrokentheskin,andhismindandbodywenttowar.Athergaspofpain,hishumanbrainsaid,retreat,buthisprimaljawsclampedevenmore,andhisgriponherwaisttightened.Youhavetobesure,hisinnerwolftold
him,soDariuspulledhertotheedgeofthesofa,insinuatinghersoftbodyagainsthisharderone,andtonguedtheflesh.
Heinchedhishandsuptheheatedplaneofherbackandaroundherribcage.Heflittedhistongueagainstthegashesagainandagainuntil
themetallictangebbedandherbreathyswearsturnedintosighs.
Dariusrolledhisgazeuptofindhertippingbackherhead.Herbackarched,breastsjuttedouttohim,andhepulledonehard,fabric-coverednipplebetweenhisteeth.Hecouldn’thelp
himself.Couldn’thelpwantingtofeelandtasteeverypartofher,becauseshewassofuckingbeautiful,andrightthere,andhis.
Sheyankeddownherbrastrapsandpushedherselfbackintohismouth.“Here.God!”Sheleanedbackontothecushions,facestilltilted
totheceiling,withhotbreathscomingoutinpants.“Suckthem.”
Hedidn’thesitate,andturnedhersideways,thenontoherbacksohecouldstraddleherthighs.Hetookfirstonetendernubintohismouth,andthentheother,sucking,licking,andnipping
whilehemassagedherpillowybreasts.
Onhisknees,shewouldn’tbeabletofeelhowhardhewas,orguesshowpoorhiscontrolmightbeatthemoment.Shelikelythoughthimcompletelylackinginexpertise—havingnomasteryatallintheartof
seduction—andshewouldn’tbewrongifshedid.One-nightstandsdidn’tcareaboutforeplay.Theyjustlookedathisdickandaskedinvariousdegreesofaggressivenessforhimtoputitinthem,andthatwasthat.
Butthiswashismate.Hewasn’tgoingtobeoneof
thosewolveswhoattackedhiswomanthemomenthesteppedintothehouseafterwork,asifthatwasallshewasgoodfor.
Groaning,hepulledhimselfbackandsqueezedhiseyesclosed.
Don’tlook.Don’tevenfuckinglook.
Ifhesawhismarkonher,andthosebreasts—shit.
“Sofuckinghorny!Whatareyoudoing?”Shenudgedhimwiththeinsideofherknee.
Heopenedhiseyes,butimmediatelycasthisgazetowardtheceiling.Toolate,though.Hesawthem.Pink
nipples,andthedeepredslitsfromhisrazor-sharpteeth.
Andhersmell…
Shenudgedhimagain.“Fuckme,orgetoffofme.Iknowyoucansmellit.Imayonlybehalf-wolf,butmysenseofsmellworksjustasgoodasyours.YouknowI’mripeforyou.”
“Youwantmeto—”
Shegrabbedhishairandyankedhimclosetoherlips.“Fuckme,orgetoffofme.Whichisitgoingtobe?”
Heloosenedherfingersfromhishairandmovedbackquicklytoworkhersandalsoffandpullherjeansdownherlegs.Herpantieswerea
coupleofbarely-therestrings,attachedtoalittlesliveroflacebetweenherlegs,andthentheyweregonenext,theelasticatthesidessnappingbeforehetossedthegarmentontothefloor.
“Red,”hesaidasheslippedhishandbetweenherthighs.Herpussywasaswet
asherfertilescenthadsuggested,andthesmallstripofhairjustoverherclitconfirmedthathercoloringwasallnatural.
“You’llhavetogetusedtoit.”Therewasatartsnaptohervoicethathereallydidn’tunderstand,butthenagain,hedidn’tunderstandmostthings
aboutwomen.
Hestoodandtookoffhisbootsandpants,leavingtheminthepilealongwithhers,andsettledbetweenherspreadlegs.
Shebattedhisshirtoutofthewayofhiscock,anddrewinsomeairbetweenclenchedteeth.“Takeoffyoursocks.”
“Oh.”Noreasontoactcompletelydesperate,evenifhewas.Heflunghissockstowardtheclothingpilenext,andinoneeasymovement,flippedherontoherbellyandpulledherhipsback.Henudgedhiscockheadrightagainsthertightentrance,buttherewasnogive.
Withasigh,shereachedbetweenherlegsandgrippedhisshafthard,pointinghimwhereheneededtogo.
Hiseyesrolledbackintohisheadashesettledintoherheat,andherhandfellaway.Gods,sogood.Herenewedhisgriponherhips,andafterafewtrialthrusts,increased
hisspeeduntilhefuckedfasterthanhisswingingballscouldcatchthemomentumof.Thesoundstheymadebecameasymphonyofskinslappingskin—hisgrunts,andhergaspsandpants—eachoneofherlittlenoisesofpleasurespurringhimonevenmore.
Shewassotight,andtheviewofherbodyfromwherehewas—narrowwaistandtheperfectglobesofherassthathispelviskeptbumping—feltlikeperfection.Eachforcefulbumpmadehersupplefleshjiggle,andhestared,hypnotizedashelandedhisdickintoheragain
andagain,hardlynoticingherplaintivepleasforrelease,orevenhowwetshewasgetting.Herowncreamseepeddownherthighs,asurplusforhimtotasteandlickup—butlater.Shewantedtocome,andhecouldmakeher.Hewasgoodatthat.
Hepushedhershouldersdownagainstthesofacushionandleanedoverher,pressinghishandstoeithersideofherback.Shepeeredupathimthroughheronevisibleeye,andalthoughhermouthwastellinghimtomakehercome,herexpressiondidn’tseemtobackitup.
“Ican,”heassured.Hehookedhischinoverhershoulderandthrustintoherfromamoreacuteangle.Sotight.
“Doit,”shesaidtartly,andimmediatelyfolloweditwithawhispered,“now.”
“Anythingyouwant.”
Hefuckedhersohardnowthatshehadtopressherpalmstothearmresttokeepfromslidingforward.Shemeteachofhisthrusts,growlingashepoundedherdeep,againandagain,untilfinally,sheclampeddownhardaroundhisshaft,andshouted,“Fuck!”
Andshemusthaveclimaxed,becauseshewaswetterandtighterthen,andherlegshadgoneallwobbly,andthenfuck—hecame,too,rightinsideher—hismate.
Foramoment,theydidn’tmove.Didn’tsayanything.Thensheshiftedbeneathhimandsaid,withherface
pressedtotheslipcover,“You’reheavy.”
“Sorry.”Somewhatsheepishly,heeasedoffherabitandslidhisdickout,onlytobrushtheslickheadbetweenhersoftcheeks.
Shemadesomenoisethatwashalfahissandhalfagrowlashepressedagainst
herunexploredentrance.Wrigglingherass,shescootedawayfromhim.“Youarenotputtingthatthere.”
“Wasn’tgoingto.”He’dneverdonethatbefore;noonehadeverlethim,andhecouldunderstandwhy.Hewasprobablytoobig.Hejustwantedtoplaywith
Stephanie—feelhisfleshagainsthers.
“Canyougetmeaclothorsomething?Tocleanup,Imean.”
“Oh.Sorry.Yeah.”
Reluctantly,heeasedoffthesofa,moaningatthesightofherstill-presentedass,and
paddedtothebathroom.
Wow.
He’ddefinitelygottenluckywithhismate.Notonlywasshetheprettiestthinghe’deverseen,butdamn,thatbody.Hewasprobablygoingtospringawoodyeverytimeshetookherclothesofftoshapeshift.
Heslappedonthebathroomlightandgrabbedacleanwashcloth.Aslongasnooneelsegottooexcitedaroundher,they’dallgetalongjustfine.Ifnot,well—hemighthavetohurtthem.Alot.
Hehopeditwasasgoodforherashethought,because
thatwasjustaboutallhecouldgiveher.Hewasusedtocommunicatingthroughactions,notwords,soifshewanteddiscourseandstimulatingconversation,she’dbeoutofluck.
Ormaybehe’dbetheoneoutofluck.Shemightgolookingforthatconversation
elsewhere,andwhethersheborehismarkandessenceornot,shecouldprobablymakeanymanstrikeupaconversation.Ahumanmalewouldn’tknowshewasawolf.
Hewrungouttheexcesswaterfromtheclothandturnedoffthelight.
Wolveswouldstayawayfromher,butthatdidn’tmeananyoneelsewould.WhatthefuckhadAlphabeenthinking,pairingherwithme?SheshouldhavebeenwithVic,orColt.Atleasttheytalked.
Darius—well,hejustbrooded.Lonewolvesweren’tgoodformuchelse.
CHAPTERTHREE
Great.
NotonlywasStephanie’snewmateamonosyllabiccaveman,butajudgmental
prickaswell.Thatbecamecrystalclearwhenhe’dflippedherover.Itwasobviousthathecouldhardlystandlookingather.Already,hewasseeingherasareceptacle—holesforhispleasure—andaslongashewasgivinghisattentiontothose,therestofherdidn’t
matter.
Whilehehadpaidveryniceattentiontoherhole—honestly,she’dneverbeenfuckedsowell—goodsexdidnotarelationshipmake.Sheknewthattherewerematedcoupleswhoweren’tinrelationshipssomuchasarrangements,andifthey
werehappy,thatwasfineforthem.However,she’dwantedamanwhowouldnotonlyfuckherbonelesswhenshedemandedit,butalsosomeonewho’dbeattractedtoher,andwho’dtalktoher.Tocareabouther.Shedidn’twanttorepeathermother’shistoryandbesomeonea
wolfcouldeasilycastaside.
One,twostrikes.Goddess,givemepatience.
Dariusreturned,stillnakedasajaybirdwithhisfatdickhalf-erect,andhandedherthecloth.
Ittookhertwotriestograspit,becausehergazehad
fallentohiscrotch,andthefinespecimendanglingfromit.Shepattedherselfclean,andwithawince,stood.She’dbefeelingtheachebetweenherlegsforacoupleofdays,probably.Itdidn’tmatterhowwetandreadyshehadbeen,ithadjustbeentoolongsinceherlastfuck,and
hewastoobig.Yet,she’dgreedilytakenhiminandenduredthebiteofpainbecausethepleasurethatcamewithithadbeenso,sogood.Shehadnobusinessevenlookingathimnow.Heneededtokeephisdickawayfromher.Indefinitely.Probablyuntilaftershe’d
shiftedandhadsometimetoheal.
Ifsheshifted.
Heturnedhisbackandpulledhispantsbackon,andshesaidalittleprayerofthankstothegoddess.Hehadatight,muscularassthatshewantedtosinkherfangsinto.
Fangs?
“Whoa.”Awaveofdizzinesshadherfallingtoherknees,butDariuswastheretocatchherbeforeshehitthefloor.
Shestaredupathim,hisconcernedexpressionseemingtoswimaroundinamist,sothatallshecould
pinpointwerehismorecontrastingfeatures—hisshorthair,thosedark,bedroomeyes.Hisgripwasstrongandsureandhedidn’tseemtobestraining,buthewasawerewolfandhadsupernaturalstrength.Shedidn’tneedtobeawaifforhimtofindhereasyenough
topropup.
“Ithinkit’shappening,”hesaid.
“Huh?”Herlegswentlimpasnoodles,butheproppedheragainsthimwithonearm,andusedhisfreehandtopushhersweat-soddenhairoutofherface.
“Yourwolf.”
“Where?”
Helaughed.Itwasoneofthoseunrestrained,boyishlaughsshe’dexpectfromateenagerandnotofamanof—howfuckingoldishe?
Hereyescrossedandshegaveherheadahardshaketo
focus.“Howoldareyou?You’reatleasteighteen,right?”Gods,don’ttellmeI’mrobbinganybody’scradlehere.Eighteenwassixyearsyoungerthanher.Therewerefarmoremalewolvesintheworldthaneligiblefemalewolves.Certainly,theoddshadn’tshitonherinsucha
waythatshe’dendupwithaman-childasamate.
Anotherwaveofdizzinesswashedoverher,makingherkeelforward,andhescoopedherintohisarms.“I’movereighteen.”Hestartedmovingtowardthebackofthehouse.
“Howmuchover?Overtwenty?Overtwenty-five?”
Theceilingwasspinningnow.Shejammedhereyelidsclosedanddrewinabolsteringbreath.“Gonnabarf.”
Quickasaflash,hedepositedherinfrontofthetoiletandpulledherhairbackfromherfacejustbeforeshehurled.
Shefeltlikedeath,orthatshe’dbewishingforitsoon.Herjointsached,stomachburned,andheadthrobbed,asifonemilliontinyjackhammerswerepoundingagainstherskull.Andherskin—fuck,itburns.
Shestaredatherhandinfrontofherfacethrougha
blearygaze,andwasmomentarilyrelievedthatshewasn’tactuallyonfire.
Shestraightenedup—asmuchasonecoulddowhilestillhuggingacommode—atthesoundofwaterdrummingagainstthetubfloor.AndshewasreasonablysurethatDariuswasshuckinghis
pants.Typicalman.Leavinghertheretodiewhileheshoweredoffthesex.
“Alldone?”heasked.
“Huh?”Shepushedoneeyelidupalittlebitmoreandclosedtheother.Thespinningwasn’tsobadthatway.Hewasholdingtheshowercurtainopenandpeering
downather.
“Stillfeelsick?”
“IthinkI’mdonebarfing.Fornow.”
“Playitbyear.”Hehelpedherintoherfeetandintotheshower.Thecoolspraymadehergaspuponimpact,buthisbracingarm
keptherfromcrumblingontothefloor.Shehardlynoticedthepressofhiscockagainstherbackasheheldherupright,becauseshewassobusymarvelingatthesteamherownbodyseemedtobemakingwiththewater.
“I’msohot,”shesniffled,andhadn’tevennoticedthat
hernosehadbeenrunning.
Hegaveheraone-shouldermassage,keepinghisotherarmtightaroundherwaist.“It’llpass.”
Shepushedherfaceintotheshowerstreamandrubbedhereyes.“When?”
“Soon.Betterthisway.
Somepeople’sfirstshiftcomeswhilethey’resleeping.That’snotahellofalotoffun.”
“Whynot?Youknow,youcouldstandtoelaboratealittlewhenyoutalk.”Sheeasedoutofhisgripandturnedtolookathim.Helookedpositivelyserenein
thatbeautifulcavemanwayofhis.
Heshrugged.“IwouldifIhadanythingworthsaying.”
Shereachedforthegrabbarandclosedhereyesagain.Whoa,spinnyspinny.Sheswallowedhardtopushdownthenastybilecreepingupfromherbelly.“Youletme
decidewhat’sworthhearing.Ihavenoqualmsabouttellingyoutoshutupifyougettootalkative.”
Malewolvesweren’tespeciallychattyingeneral,butthisguymayhavebeenoneofthemostterseshe’devermet.
“Imagineyougotosleep
human,andwakeupananimal.Disoriented.Scared.”Hetightenedhisgriponherwaistandpulledhermorefirmlyagainsthisbody.Hardchest,hardthighs,hardcock.
Shewhimperedasanotherhotsurgecoiledthroughherbody,andthisonehadnothingtodowith
shapeshiftingandeverythingtodowiththesexsheshouldn’twant,becausehedidn’twanther.
“It’llbeokaysoon.”
Shehuffed.
Butmaybehewasright.Maybeitwouldbeokay.They’dgetalongswimmingly
ifhekepthisnegativeopinionsofhertohimself.Infact,she’dbecomingoutwayaheadofsomematedwomensheknew.Shecouldn’thelpbuttowantmore,though.ThegoddesshadpromisedhermoreinallthedreamsStephaniehadafterbeingabsorbedintoherfather’s
pack.Wolfmenweren’tassweetastheonesinStephanie’sdreams.Theysimplydidn’texistthatway.Hell,theyweren’teventhatsweetinfairytales.Sheturnedslowly,holdingontohistelephonepole-likearmstokeepfromslipping,andfixedhergazeonhim.He
wasbeyondgood-looking.Tall,dark,andhandsomehadalwaysdoneitforher.They’dmakeprettykids.Therewasnothingwrongwiththegeneticshere—therawgoods.
“Aren’tyoupretty?”shemuttered.
Hisdarkeyeswideneda
bit.
Godsforbidheeverplaypoker.Hecan’thideadamnedthinginhisexpression.Sheputherhandsonherhipsandexaminedtherestofhim.Definedchest,longtorso,leanhips.
Shecantedherheadsidewaysandsethergazeon
thethingthathadbeenimpalingheronlyminutesago.“It’sverynice.”
Hedroppedhishandsfromhershouldersandcuppedhimself.
“Now,now,it’sonlyfair,”shesaidthroughclenchedteeth,yankinghergazebackuptohisface.Wet
warmthtrackeddownherchinandontoherchest,andDariusyankedtheshowercurtainaside.Hegrabbedawashcloth,pressedittohermouth,anddrewitback.
“You’recuttingit.”
“Huh?”
“Yourlip.Your—”he
peeledbackhislips,extendedhiswolf’sfangsintohisbite,andpointedtothem.
“What?”Shepressedherhandtohermouthandfeltthetruthforherself.Sharp,long,new.Sheletoutawhimperandfixedapleadinggazeonhim.
Henudgedherbackunder
thespray.
“Words!”sheshoutedasthecoolwaterpeltedherboilingskin.“I’mnotpsychic.Tellmewhat’shappeningtome.”
“Shit.Uh—you’reamoonshifter?Yourclan?”
“Doourwolvesshiftfor
thefullmoon?Yes.”
“Youmighthavehadalittletimetoadjust,otherwise.Thewolvesinourpack,includingMrs.Carbone,aredifferent.Weshiftwhenitsuitsus.”
“I’m—I’mgoingtoshiftnow?No.”Sheshookherhead.“Notyet.I’mnot
ready.”
“Ithinkyouare.”
“Oh,gods.”Shegrippedthatgrabbaragainandheldontightasapowerfulcrampinhermidsectiondoubledherover.“Idon’twantto.”
“It’llgetbetter.Ipromise.”
“Liar.You’d—oh,gods—tellmeanything.”
Heletoutalongbreathandnudgedthewaterhandletotheoffposition.“Onlythetruth.That’sallthat’sworthsaying,”hesaidquietly.Hisvoiceseemedtender,almost,thoughshemayhavebeenmisreadinghim.Hecould
havesimplybeentired.Shesurewasaftersuchalongtwodays.“I’mgonnatakeyououttothepatio.Don’twanttobeinsuchanenclosedspacewhenthewolfcomesout.”
“Naked?”
“Noonewillsee.Besides,wolvesarenakedallthetime.
Notabigdeal.”
“Right,right.”Sheknewthat.
He’dhelpedheroverthetubledgewhenasuffocatinginternalimplosiondroppedhertoherknees.Shescratchedatherchestandtriedtofindsomeair.Sofull,somuchinside—stiflingher,
somethingwaspressingagainstherskin,demandingtobeletout.
“Comeon.”
Shewaswrithingatophisshoulderwhenherclawsbrokelooseandalowgrowlrenttheair.
“Shhh.It’sokay,
Stephanie.”Hecarriedherontothebackpatioandthecoolnightaircalmedhermind,butenergizedherinnerwolf.
Thewolfwantedout.Shewantedoutimmediately,andshewasn’tgoingtowait.Oh,gods!“Putmedown.Please,Darius.”
Hedid,butpressedhishandstohercheeksandforcedhergazeuptohim.“Lookatme.”
“Iam.”
“Keeplooking.You’regoingtoforget.”
“Forgetwhat?I’mnotgoingtoforgetyou.”How
couldIpossiblyforgetthatface?Shegrittedherteethanddugherclawsintohissinewyfleshasherhipsandspinemorphedpainfullyinsideher,lengtheninginsomeplaces,compressinginothers.
Pain,pain,pain.
“Yourwolfwillforget,at
first.Lookatmyface,anddon’tstoplooking.I’llshiftwithyou.Learnmywolf’sfacebeforeyourun.”
Herbrainwasafogofuncertaintyandterror,butshegaveherheadahardnod,anyway.Therewasnoturningback.“Ineverforget.”
Shefeltsomethingspringforthfromherchestthen,andherlegsseemedtovanish.
Andthatwasit.
CHAPTERFOUR
Stephaniewasreasonablysureshewasstillalive,butthelasttimeshemadeanassumptionaboutsomething,
she’dendedupdrivingthewrongwayandontoahighwayexitramp.
Thelastthingssherememberedwereafuckloadofsearingpain,andthatdark,darkgazelockedontoher.Hermate’sgaze.
DidIshift?
Shewasonhersidenow,curledintoaballonasoftsurface.Shegaveherfingersexperimentalwiggles,andthenhertoes.Theyfeltnormalenough—humanenough.Sheopenedfirstoneeye,thentheother,andhergazefocusedonthemasculinelumponthebed
besideher.Helaybackagainsttheheadboard,akneeproppedupashestaredatthemutedtelevisiononthedresser.
“Whattimeisit?”Hervoicewashoarse,butrecognizable.ShesoundedlikeStephanie,andnotawolf.Words,notwoofs.
Hereachedfortheremote,butshegrabbedhiswrist.
“Leaveitonforthelight,”shesaid.
“Okay.It’saroundfour.”
“Howlonghavewebeeninhere?”Inhisbedroom.Sherolledontoherbackand
scannedwhatshecouldofitfromhersupineposition.Therewasn’tmuchtoseebeyondthebedanddresser.Hewasprobablystillgettingaroundtobuyingstuff,justlikeinthelivingroom.Theemptinessactuallysoothedherconfusedinnerwolf.Shecouldputhermarkonthe
house—hernewden.Itwashomenow,aplaceofbelonging,ifshedaredletitbe.Asilverlining.
“Aboutanhour,”hesaid.
Closinghereyes,sheswattedherhairbackfromherface.“Whyismyhairstillwet?”
“Washeditagain.Iputyouintheshowerwhenwegotback.”
“Idon’trememberthat.”
“Memory’llgetbetter.”
“Ihopeso.”Sherolledontohersideand,suddenlycold,realizedhernakedness.Shetookamomenttoget
underthecovers.Decentsheets,surprisingly.Soft.
“Youcold?”
“No,”shesaid.“I’mactuallyquitehot.”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.“Coverswon’thelpthat.”
Don’tgetdistracted.Beforeshe’dstartedshifting,
she’dintendedtotalktohim.Ortalkathim,rather,givenhisunwillingnesstospeak.“Ithinkweneedtosetsomegroundrules.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Foronething,abouthowwe’regoingtorunday-to-daystuffinthehousehold.”
Hisbrowwrinkledevenmore.“Okay.Likewhat?”
“Foronething,I’mnotyourcook,oryourmaid.”
“I’vebeendoingfinewithouteither.”
“Ihadtosayit.Igrewupoutsideofapack,mostly.Mysenseoffairnessisprobably
calibrateddifferentlyfrommostwolves.”Shewaitedfortherebuttal,butnonecame.Hisgazefelltohishands.Strongandbusy.Theyalwaysseemedtobemoving.Ishenervous?She’dneverknownanervouswolf.
Whatdoesthatmean?Shecompartmentalizedthe
questiontoponderlater.
“Um,second,keepworkdiscussionsoutside.”Wherevermalewolvesgathered,badbehaviortendedtofollow,andthatincludedtaunting,leering,andcriticizing.
Heturnedslowlybacktothetelevisionscreen,andshe
finallytookalookatwhathewaswatching.Itwassomedocumentaryaboutamuseumtracingtheprovenanceofapieceofart.She’dseenitbefore.Itwasn’tentertaining,perse,butinteresting.Atleast,inheropinion.
“Ikeepmissingthetailendofit,”hesaid.“SorryifI
seemdistracted.”
“You’veseenitbefore?”
“Mostofit.Somethingalwayshappenstopullmeawayattheend.Noworkinthehouse.Gotit.Guysdon’tcomeheremuch,anyway.”
“Why?”
“Ilikequiet.Hardtoget,
sometimes.”
“Ismybeingherebotheringyouformorereasonsbesidesyourrevulsionofmyappearance?”
“No.Yourenergyismoreorlesspsychicallyneutral.Doesn’ttakeupalotofspace.Idon’tfeelcrowdedwithyouhere.”Hedropped
theremoteandswiveledtofaceher.“Andwhat?”
“Youdon’thavetosayanythingtoplacateme.Igetit.Youwereexpectingacertainkindofwoman,andyoudidn’tgetthat.Unfortunately,IamwhatIam,andItrytobeconfidentinspiteofit.That’shard
sometimes.”
“Isthisaboutyoubeinghalf-wolf?I’veneverheardofthatbeingaproblem.”
“It’smoreaproblemthanyouwouldthinkinsomepacks,butthisisn’taboutthat.It’saboutmelookinglikeI’dbringuptherearinapackrace.”
“Youseemtobeingoodenoughshape,andyourwolfis…well,she’s…incredible.She’ssopretty.Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenawolfwithsuchredfur.”
Incredible?Thewolvesinherfather’spackwouldhaveprobablythreatenedtoburnheratthestakeforbeinga
furry,redaberration.“Don’tbullshitme.”
“I’mnot.The…thegoddessissaidtohavehadredfurinherwolfform.”
Shedid?
Stephaniegnawedonherlips,consideringit.Shehadneverheardthat,butmostof
whatshe’dlearnedaboutthegoddesshadbeenthroughtheveilofdreams.Everythingelsewasinscrapshereandtherefromhermother,andMomwascertainlynoexpert.
Shelookedathimandfoundhimstaringathishandsagain.
“You’remissingyour
show.”
“It’snotimportant.Tellmewhyyou’reangryatme.Idon’tunderstandwhatIdidwrong.”
“That’spartoftheproblem.Youdon’tevenknowyou’redoingit.”
“WhatamIdoing?”
“YoulookedatmelikeIwasgarbage.”
“When?”
“Inthelivingroom,whenItookoffmyshirt.Yourgazewentrighttomydoughybits.”
“What‘doughybits?’”
“Don’tplaydumb.”
“Really.ShowmewhatIwaslookingat.”
Shepointedtothetelevision.“Commercial’sover.It’sgettingtothegoodpart.”
Hisjawflappedsilentlyforafewbeats,andhisgazeflittedbetweenthetelevisionandherface.
“Youactuallywanttoseethat?”
“It’llrepeat.”
“Eventually.”
Hegrowledandturnedoffthetelevision.“TellmewhatIdidwrong.”
“WhenIwasonmybackonthesofa,youclosedyour
eyeswhenyousawme.Youlookedaway.”
“Youwerenaked.”
“Yep.”
“AndIwashard.”
“And…”
“Ithinkonethingisrelatedtotheother.”
“Inmyexperience,most
mencangetitupinspiteofwhatthey’relookingatiftheytryhardenough.Oncetheygetinside,itallfeelsthesame.”
“You’renuts.”
“Why?”Hervoicecrackedinthatwayitalwaysdidwhenshearguedwithherfather.Itdidn’tmatterthat
shewasright,usually.Hehadaknackformakingherfeellikeeverythingshesaidwaswrong—likeeverythingwasherfault.“BecauseIcalledyououtonit?”
“Youaskedmeto—”
“IknowwhatIaskedyoutodo.Iwasdesperate.Ishouldn’thaveexpected
tenderness.”
Gaping,hescrapedahandthroughhishairandfixedthatintense,darkstareonher.Sofamiliar,andyetshecouldn’tputafingeronwhy.“We’resupposedtogetmarriedinafewhours,andyoualreadyhateme.”
“Otherwayaround.”
“WhateveryouthinkIdid,tellmewhatitwasnow,soIcancallyoualiar.”
“Youwererepulsed.”
“No!”Heshookhisheadandgavehishairaquickyank.Hisenergyflared,electrifyingtheroombeforeheclosedhiseyesandsnappeditbackin.
Sherubbedthepricklinghairsonherarmsandpulledinadeepinhalation.Ohmygod.Hemaynothavebeenanalphaintitle,buthecertainlyhadtheenergyofone.Itwasunmistakable.Hewasn’tsomerun-of-the-millwolf.
Doesanyoneelseknow?
Doesthepackknowwhatheis?
“Whydidyouthinkthat?”HisplaintivevoicethatmadeherfeellikethebiggestbitchonthefaceoftheEarth.
Fuck.Shegroundherpalmsagainsthergravelyeyesandblewoutabreath.“Itwasalogicalconclusion.”
“Basedonwhat?”
“Lifeexperience.”
“I—”
Whateverhethoughttosay,heletfalloff.Maybehedidn’tknowwhattosayeither,andforthemoment,thatsuitedherfine,becauseneitherdidshe.
Sheburrowedherfaceagainstthefluffypillow.“Finishyourshow.”
Hedidn’tmoveatfirst,butafterafewseconds,turnedthetelevisionbackon,thistimewiththesoundonlow.
Shepeekedoutfromunderthepillowtowatchhis
faceashestaredatthescreen.Nowthatshe’dfelthisfrustrationandtastedhislickofpower,hewasabiteasiertoread.Thatundercurrentofanxietyshe’dstokedinhimwasstillthere.Hemayhavelookedcalm,buthernewwolfsenseofsmellcaughttheremnantsofhis
testosteronespike…andofherlingeringhormones,aswell.Unpracticedthoughshewas,shepulledherenergyinastightasshecouldandwatchedhisbodygraduallyrelax.
Heletoutaslow,relievedexhalationandfocusedonthetelevisionscreen.
“Yes!”Dariuswhisperedandgavehisfistapumpintheair.
Thatwastheendoftheshow.Thepainingwasalegitimateearlyworkofawell-knownartist,andhadbeenacommissionedgifttosomepracticallyforgottenprincess.
Stephaniepushedupontoherelbowsandlookedoverhershouldertoseethecreditsrolling.“Iloveagoodmystery.”
“Yeah.”Hissmolderinggazeflittedtoherandquicklybacktothescreen.Hisanxietyhadallbutdissipated.
Hesuckedateyecontact,
atleastwithher.She’dneverknownawerewolftohavethatproblem,butagain,itseemedtherewasverylittleabouthimthatwastypical.
Heturnedoffthetelevisionandslidtheremoteontothenightstand.“ShouldIsleeponthesofa?”
“Why?”
“Ijustthought—”
“It’syourbed,Darius.Getin.Idon’tbite.”
“Actually,youdo.”
Shecringedandletherheadhitthepillow.Herverbal“bites”hadprobablybeenworsethantheoneswithteeth.Shewasashamedabout
themnow.Inthesamewayeveryoneinherfather’spackunfairlyjudgedher,sheddonethesametohim.Shehadn’tevengivenhimachance.Sheshouldhavetrustedthegoddess.Herdreamshadtoldherthatthingswouldgetbetter,notworse.Stephaniewas
obviouslyself-sabotaging.Itwasalmostasifshewasafraidofhappinessbecauseit’dbeensolongsinceshe’dfeltit.
Whethershewasaraveningbeastornot,hegotin,andsettledontohisbelly.
Fixthis.
ShehopedDariuscouldforgiveandforget,andthathewantedtogothroughwiththenextstep.TherewasstillachancehewasthatwolfthegoddessthoughtStephanieneeded.Sheforcedaswallowdownhertightthroat.“Whattime’stheceremony?”
“Early.Maybesixor
seven.”
“Whysoearly?Areyouallafraidwe’llchangeourmindsandrunoffbeforeweputoursignaturesonthemarriagelicenses?”Shetriedtoputabitofteaseinhervoice,butgiventhenervousbreakinit,likelydidn’tquitemanageto.
Hefurrowedhisbrowagain.“Ididn’tsetthetime.Mrs.Carbonearrangedit.”
“Thatwasajoke.Abadone,butstill.”
“Oh.Sorry.”
Hedrewhisenergyinmoretightlyaroundhimasifhefeareditwasinherway.
Theoppositewastrue.Herinnerwolfwasdoingthepsychicequivalentofrollingaroundinit—nestinginitasifitwereacomfortable,familiarblanket.
Giveitbacktome,wolf.
Shegavehishardbicepalittlepokeandsettledbackbeneaththecovers.“Where
willtheceremonybe?”
Herubbedhisarmandpulledtheshyestgrin,buthisenergyopenedbackup.Itwasn’tthefloodofpowerithadbeenbefore,butacasualsortofdrapingoverthetwoofthemthatmadeherinnerwolffeelquiteathome.“OverattheNorseton
mansion.”
“Andthat’swhatthiscommunityiscalled?Iwasasleepwhenwearrived,soImissedthedrivethrough.”
“Mm-hmm.Youshouldgoexploretomorrow.Cangetmosteverythingyouneedintown.”
“Andyouworkforthematthemansion?”
Hegrunted.“WeprovidesecurityservicestotheAfótama.That’swhatthey’recalled.”
She’dneverheardofthemandhadnoideawhattheywere,andhertaciturnmatedidn’tseemwillingto
elaborate.Shewasgoingtosqueezethewordsoutofhimanyway,though.Sherefusedtobekeptinthedark.IfshewasgoingtobeaPackmember,shewasn’tgoingtobesomewolfonthefringeswhowasignoreduntilsomemansawfittoyellatheraboutwhatshewasorwasn’t.
Sheknewallthatalready,andshedidn’tchoosetobeonlyhalfwolf.WhydidtheyactlikeIdid?
Darius’swarmhandmoldedagainstherforeheadandslippeddowntohercheek.Herlungstightenedthen,andherbreathcaught.
Shetiltedherchinupfor
thestrokeofhiscallusedfingers.Histouchwastender,butwhatmadeitallthemoresurprisingwasthatitwasvoluntary.Shehadn’taskedforit.
“What’swrong?”heasked.
“Whydoyouask?”
“Yousmell…stressed,Iguess.Likeprey.”
“I’mnotstressed,just—”Justwhat?Pitiful?Sheshookherheadandletoutalongbreath.Timeforasubjectchange.“So,it’sjustyoufive?You,Alpha,and?”Whatwerethenames?
“Yeah.Me,Alpha,Anton,
Vic,andColt.That’sallforthemoment.Workingonhiringmoreforthesecuritycrew,butthat’shard.Peoplehavetohavetherightqualifications.”
“Suchas?”
“Helpsiftheyknowaboutourworld,andcanbequietaboutit.”
“Oh.”Duh.Stephaniewasusedtoholdinghertongueinthatregard.She’dknownaboutshiftersallherlife,evenifshehadn’tgrownupwiththem.Theyweresomethingsheunderstoodintrinsicallynottodiscusswithoutsiders,evenwhenshesobadlywantedto.There
weren’tmanypeopleshecouldconfideinbesideshermother,andshetriedtokeephermother’sheadclearofPackbusiness.Shedidn’twanttotraumatizethewoman,tellingherallabouttheworldshewaspartitionedfrom.“Howlonghaveyoubeenworkingforthem?”
“Notlong.Sincewinter.”
Sixmonthsorso,then.Shewaitedonhimtoelaborate,butasusual,hedidn’t.
MaybeIshouldlethimsleep.
Butshecouldn’t,notuntiltheglutofanxietyinher
bellyunfurled.Itwasofherownmaking,ofcourse.She’dgottenherselfindignantandself-righteousoveramisconception,andnowheprobablythoughtshewasadingbat,thoughshewasn’t.Shedidn’twanthimtothinkthat,soshehadtofixit.Shehadtokeeptalkingandmake
herwolftalk,too.“So,what’syourjobinthepack?”
“Theymostlyletmeworksolo.Surveillance,andstufflikethat.I’mgoodatit.”
“Notusedtoworkinginteams?”
“Neverreallyhadachancetoinmybirthpack.
Leftsoearly.”
Shecringed.She’dhearditwascommonforpackstoexpelmalewolveswhenthepopulationsweretooheavilydominant.Itwaslessofaprobleminherpack,becausetheywerecitydwellers,andtheirmenexertedtheircompulsionstoleadandrule
atwork,andnotjustathome.Theyprobablyfeltlessthreatenedbytheyoungmeninthepackandmoresecureintheirstature.Iftheyhadpeoplebowingdowntothematwork,theywerelessneedyforsubmissionfromthepack.“Howoldwereyou?”
“Nine.”
Sheboltedupright.“Nine?”
Heopenedhiseyesandbobbedhisshoulders.“Yeah.”
“Yourparentsletyougoatnine?”
“Wasn’treallyuptothem.ItwasAlpha’sdecision.”
“That’sbullshit.Littlekidsaren’tthreatening.Youcouldn’thaveevenhitpubertyyet.”
“Theylikedtogetridofboysbeforetheywerethreatening.”
“LikeIsaid,that’sbullshit.”
“Youdon’tthinkI’mthreatening?”
“I…”Sheletthewordstrailoff,andlookedathimasbestshecouldinthedark.Theruggedlyhandsomeface,withhislong,solidlybuiltbody.Shecaughtamentalflashofhiswolfstalkingher,backingherawayfromsome
chasm—warningheroffwithbaredfangsandaforbiddinggrowl.
Hadthathappened?
Shecouldn’trememberathingaboutherrunasawolf,butthefamiliarityofhisfaceandformsettledintoher.Thepiecescametogetherbitbybitthelongershestaredathis
unreadableexpression.
He’dfollowedherthewholetime,buthadgivenherspacetorunandexplore.Sometimes,he’drunaheadtoredirecther.Morethanonce,he’dletherjumponhimandnipannoyinglyathisfurbecauseshedidn’twanttobestalked,andhe’djusttakeit
untilshegotboredandskitteredontothenextthing.
Hewaslikehiswolf.Calm,butpowerful.Watchful.
Thosedarkeyeshadseensomuch,andshe’dseenthemcountlesstimesbefore.Herdreamshadbeenhauntedbythem.They’dbelongedtothe
silentwolfwhojustwatched…whowaitedtoberejected,justlikeher.
HowcouldIrejecthim?
“I’mnotafraidofyou,”shesaid.“Youdidn’tbiteback.Youdidn’tfightmeoffwhenIwasawolf.”
“Yourememberthat?”
“Idonow.Anyotherwolfwouldhaveknockedmeawayandbeenfrustratedwithme.”
Hisenergyclungtoherabitmoreexperimentally,itseemed,andshewantedtoholdontoit.Itsaideverythinghiswordsdidn’t.Itsaidhewastrying,andthat
meantsomuch,becauseitwaseasierforwolvestoclingtothestatusquo.
“I’mnotthatkindofwolf,”hesaid.
Shewasstartingtoseethat.
CHAPTERFIVE
Dariushadbeeneightthelasttimeheletawomanpickouthisclothes,andhadnoparticulardesiretoreverttothatstageofdependence,butStephanieinsisted.Withit
beingzero-dark-thirtyinthemorning,hedidn’thavethefightinhimtoargue.Besidesthat,lettingherdresshimseemedtobeaneasywaytopleaseher,andheneededalltheeasyhecouldget,becausethehardshitkeptknockinghimonhisstupidass.Hestillwasn’tcertainhe’dmade
adequateamendsforoffendingheryet.
Shepawedthroughthecontentsofhiscloset,heldupthisshirttohischestandthenthatshirt,mutteringallthewhileaboutthelackofoptionsavailable.
Hedidn’tneedmanyoptions.Hespentmostofhis
timecoatedinasheenofdesertdust,andoccasionally,someoneelse’sblood.Fancyclotheswouldhavebeenawaste.
Stillwearingatoweltuckedaroundherdelectablebody,andwithherwethairdrippingoverhershoulders,shenotchedherfistsontoher
hipsandpoutedathim.
Oh,hell.What’dIfuckupthistime?Hegulped.“What?”
“Idon’timaginethere’llbeanystoresopenatthistimeofmorning?”
“Nope.Thankthegods.”Shoppingwasakindofor
elseventureforhim.Hediditonlywhenhehadnochoice,andasquicklyaspossible.
Shesquintedathim.
He’dprobablysaidthewrongthingagain.Hewasbetteroffjustsayingnothing,butshedidn’tseemtolikeitwhenhewasquiet,either.
“Canyoupullsomestringsandgetashopkeepertorolloutofhisbed?”
“Me?”Hepointedtohimselfforemphasis,justincasesomethingwasbeinglostintranslation.
“Yes,you.Canyou?”
Hellno.“Why?”
“BecauseI’dlikemymatetobeinasuitonhisweddingday,oratleastashirtthatdoesn’thavesuspiciousstainsonit.”Sheheldoutafrayedbutton-upthathadsomemotoroilsplatterononeofthesleeves.
“Idoubtanyoftheotherguysaregoingtobedressed
up.”
“I’mmarryingyou,notthem.TheycanwearwhatevertheywantandI’llpaynoattention.”
“Asuit,though?Onawolf?”Hecouldn’ttampdownthelaugh,andheknewtheguysinthepackweregoingtogivehimeverso
muchshitaboutit.Theclosestthinganyofthemhadtoasuitwasmatchingleathervestsandpants.Theideaofgettingdressedupandhavingsomanypeoplestaringathimasifhewereararezooanimalunsettledhisstomach.
“Ifit’stoomuchtoask,I’llfigureoutsomething
else.”
“No,I’ll…I’lltakecareofit.”Hedidn’twanttodisappointher.Shit.Herakedhishandthroughhisshorthairandforcedoutabreath.Aconversationfirstthinginthemorning,andhehadn’tevenhadapotofcoffeeyet.Thescenariowasdefinitelya
firstforhim.
HestrodetothekitchenandfoundtheNorsetoncommunitydirectorybeneathapileofflattenedbeercases.Hetosseditontothecounterandflippedthroughtheretailerlistings,thencross-referencedthemerchantnamewithhispersonalnumber.
Finally,hegrabbedthecordlessphonefromthewallandpulledinalonginhalation.Shit.
Hehatedmakingphonecalls.Theyseemedevenworsethanspeakingface-to-facewithsomeone.Inperson,atleasthecouldresorttousingcrudesignlanguageto
gethispointacrossifnecessary.Onthephone,allhecoulddowassighconstantlyandpunctuateeverysentencefragmentwithUm.
Asthephonerangontheotherend,hepinchedthebridgeofhisnose,tappedhisrightfootrapidlyagainstthe
tilefloor,andhopedthatthemandidn’tanswer.Atleastthenhecouldsaythathetried.
“Hello?There’dbetterbeafire,”TimGimbelsaidwhenheanswered.
“Uh,no—”Shit.Hangupandlie.
DariusshiftedhisweightandfoundStephanieathiselbow,waitingwithhopefulnesswrittenalloverherexquisiteface.
Herfaithinhimseemedmisplaced.
Fuck.She’snotaskingformuch.Justdoit.Anyoneelsecoulddoit.
“S-sorrytocallsoearly.Iwouldn’thave,butmymateis,uh,andI—I’msorry.ThisisDariusLucas,oneofthepackmembers.”
“Huh?”
Shit.Dariuspinchedhisnoseagainandwilledtheknotsinhisbrainthatsqueezedofftheroute
betweenintelligenceandspeechtounravel.Heknewwhatheneededtotelltheman,generallyspeaking,butnotnecessarilytheorderthatthewordsneededtocomeoutin,orevenwhichwordstochoose.Therewasareasonhedidn’tdonegotiationsforthepack.
“Givemethephone,”Stephaniewhispered,andextendedherhand.Reluctantly,heplacedthephoneintoit.
Damn.Wonderfulperformance,Einstein.Ifhewerelucky,shewouldn’tbeaccessorizinghisnewsuitwithaduncecap.
“Hello.Goodmorning,sir.Sorryit’ssorudelyearly,butwehopedyou’dtakepityonusandopenyourshopupforafewminutes.We’regettingmarriedinanhour,andDariusdoesn’townanyclothingfittobephotographed.”
Thankstohissuperior
wolfhearing,DariuscoulddeciphereveryoneofTim’swords,evenwiththephonepressedtoStephanie’sear.“Dearlord.I’dhopedtoonedaysellhimsomethingmorethansocks,”Timsaid.
Dariussighed.Theguyhadtriedtocornerhimwithameasuringtapemorethan
once,insistingDariusworehisjeansfartooloose,butDariusneededthemloose.Hewouldn’tbeabletohideallhisweaponsifheworethemastightasthetrendseemedtocallfor.
“Ijustneedatwo-piecesuit,and”—shelethergazetrackdownhisbody—“I
don’timagineyou’dhaveanyOxfordsinhissize?He’sgottobeatwelve.”
Twelve-and-a-half.Nowshewantedhimtobreakinnewshoesatfuckingdawn,too?Noway.“Stephanie—”
“Imight,”Timsaid.“I’mpullingonsomepantsandheadingdownstairsnow.I
liverightovertheshop.”
“Yay!Thankyousomuch.We’llbethereintenminutes.Ipromise,I’llcomebackintheafternoonandmakeyourbrokensleepworthyourwhile.Imovedherewithjustfoursuitcases.Canyouimagine?”
“Honey,Idon’tevenwant
to.Comeondown.Mycashregisterawaits.”
Stephaniehungupandbeamedathimwhileadjustingthetopofhertowel.“You’regettingasuit,wolf.”
“Great.”Hegroanedattheslipofoneofherbreastsoverthetopofthetowel.Instinctively,hereachedfor
it,onlytostophishandatthelastsecond.
Shewasapparentlyoblivioustohisdistress,seeingashowsheturnedonherheelandhauledasstothebedroom.“Brushyourhair.We’releavingintwominutes.”
Hehadbrushedhishair,
sohejustfloppedontothesofaandpulledonhisboots.Shecameoutafewminuteslaterwearingbrightredlipsandalacy,cream-coloredmini-dressthatbarelycontainedherdelectableassets.
Shesighed.“Don’tlikeit?”
“Huh?”Hetriedtodiscreetlyadjusthimself.Helikeditalot.
Themeninthepackweregoingtostare,andhemighthavetokillthemalittle.
“Ididn’ttryitonbeforeIpackedit.ItwasoneofthefewthingsIdidn’tgiveawayorsellbeforeImoved.I
figuredI’duseitfortheceremony.Iwouldn’tbeabletokeepastraightfacewearingalongwhitegown.”
“No,it’sokay.”Hewantedtobendheroverandhitchituptoherwaist,justsohecouldlookatitfromanotherangle.Ifhisdickendedupinhersometime
duringthatinspection,sobeit.Noonecouldblamehim.
“Justokay?Ugh.”Sheshrugged.“It’llhavetodo.Idon’timagineI’llgetmuchopportunitytowearitouthere.”Shegrabbedalittlehandbagandtotteredoverinsky-highheelsasredasherlips.“Ready?”
“Sure.”Hecringed,realizingamomenttoolatewhathe’dsaid.Heimaginedmostwomenlikedtothinktheylookedalittlebetterthanokay.Hefeltaroundinhisbrainforsomebetterwords,butshewasalreadyoutthedoor,tossingherstill-damphairoverhershoulderasshe
went.
Hepausedinthedoorwaylongenoughtobanghisheadagainsttheframeafewtimes.
Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.Hecouldn’tevenpretendtobecivilizedlongenoughtogetpasttheirhoneymoonperiod.Shewasgoingtobeoneofthosemateswhonevercame
homebecauseherhusbandwassuchaloser,andhewasn’tthekindofwolfwho’dgooutanddragherhome.Hemayhavesoundedunintelligent,buthewassmartenoughtokeephisprideincheck.Hubriswasforflawlesswolves,andhe’dneverbethat.
___
DariusleanedagainsttheNorsetonTownSquare’sgazeboandfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.HewatchedMrs.Carbonefiddlewithhercamera,tryingtogetthesettingsright,andsomehowmanagedtoblockoutColt’sheckling.He’dstartedthe
momentDariushadsteppedintotheexecutivemansion’satriumbeforetheircivilceremonies.
“Areyoulettingawomandressyounow?Can’tpickoutyourownclothes?Youmightawellconsiderthatnecktieyournoose,man.”
Stephaniehadglaredat
Darius,asifexpectinghimtolashoutatColt,butDariuswasusedtothetaunting.ItwaseasiertostayawayfromColtthantotrytochangetheman’sways,sothatwaswhatDariusdid.Thattacticdidn’tmaketheiroccasionalinteractionsanymoretolerable,however.
AndDariuswastheonlyoneinasuit.TheotherPackmembers—excludingBeastandhismate,whoforsomereason,weremissing—hadworntheirusualclothes.Well,theladieshaddressedupalittle,buttheguyshadontheirtypicaldenimandleather.Itwasmoreorless
clean,probably.Mrs.Carbonemighthavehadafitifitwasn’t.
Mrs.CarbonepushedDariusandStephanieintopositionnearthegazeboopeningandshooedeveryoneelseaway.Stephaniereachedupandpatteddownhishair,hertongueappearingatthe
cornerofherredlipsasshemanipulatedit.Sointense,herinspectionofhim.Nooneeverlookedathimlikethat—touchedhimlikethat.Itwasanoddfeeling,havingawomanbecompletelyhis.Hebothlikeditanddreadedthedayitwouldstop,whichhesuspectedwouldbesooner,
ratherthanlater.He’dseenasimilarthingwithhisparents.Hismotherhadgrowndisenchantedwithhisfather,buthewouldn’tletherleave,soshe’dholedherselfupintothebedroomandonlycameoutwhenheleft.Dariuscouldn’thelpbutthinkthatwouldbehisfateaswell.
Enjoyitwhileyoucan.
Sighing,hedrapedhisforearmsoverhershouldersandletherfondlehimasshesawfit.
“Yougothimtoputonasuit,butyoucouldn’tgethimtobrushhishairproperly?”Mrs.Carbonecalledout.
“Idid,”Dariussaid,probablytoolowforanyonebutStephanietohear.
“Heprobablythinkshedid.”Stephaniesettledbackintoplacebesidehim,slingingherarmaroundhiswaistandcockingherheadcoquettishlyforthecamera.
Oh.Pose,stupid.
“Trylookinglikeyoucare,Loner!”Coltcalledout.
“Idon’tknowwhyyoudon’tkickhisass,”Stephaniesaidthroughherphoto-readygrin.“Andifyoudon’twanttosmile,don’tsmile.”
“Ilookdumb.”
Shelookedupathim.
“What,smiling?”
Henodded.
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
“Iownamirror.”
“Obviously,youdon’tknowhowtointerprettheimagesitshowsyou,then.”Shesighed.“Notimetotalk
youintoitnow.Howaboutasmirk?”
Hepushedhislipsintosomethinghehopedlookedlikewhatshewanted.
Stephaniegotinfrontofhim,pressedthatlush,softbodyofhersagainsthis,andusedherthumbstomovehislipswhereshewantedthem.
“Don’tworryifitfeelsdumb.Youlookamazing.Holdthatpose.”Shesettlednexttohimagainandangledherbodytowardhis.
Ilookamazing?Noonehadevertoldhimthatbefore.Afewwomenhadmadeprettyclosestatementsabouthisdick,butnotabouthimin
general.
Mrs.Carbonefinallytookthedamnedpicture.“Atleastwehaveonecouplethatlooksdecentenoughtoputtheirpictureinaframe.Backinmyday,folksdressedupfortheirmates.”
“Iwantado-over,”oneoftheladiessaid.“CanItake
himhome,redresshim,andbringhimback?”
Mrs.Carbonegroaned.“Youcouldtry,butgoodluck.Remember,theyhavetobebackatworktomorrowmorning,souseyourhourswisely.”
Stephanieploppedherfistsontoherhipsandcast
hergazetowardNorseton’sMainStreet,thenatDarius.Shepushedupaneyebrow.“CanItrustyoutohangthoseclothes?”
“YoumeanIhavetokeepthem?”
“Ofcourseyoudo.”Shesmoothedhislapelsandskimmedherhandsaround
hisjacket’swaist,lettingthemlingeratthebaseofhisback.Pressedagainsthimthatway,hercleavagestrainedtemptinglyatthetopofherdress,andhewantedtobendtolickit.Heneededtoactlesslikeananimal,notmore,however,soheresisted.“Youlooksogood.Youshould
wearsuitsmoreoften.You’rebuiltforthem.”
Coltwalkedpastthem,makingawhip-crackingsound,andhismatefollowedbehind,vibratingwithafrustratedgrowl.
Stephaniewatchedthemleave,andturnedbacktoDarius.“Istheresomebeef
betweenyoutwo?”
Hefeltstupidstandingtherewithhisarmsathissidewhenshewasholdinghim,soheputonehandonhershoulder,thentheother.Thatdidn’tfeeltooawkward.Fuckingherwaseasy.Heknewwheretoputhishandsandbodywhenhewashaving
sex,buthehadn’thadpracticewithcasualtouch.Apparently,Stephanieexpectedsome.Hedidn’twanttodisappointher,especiallyafterseeinghowhe’dalreadymanagedtooffendheroncewithouttrying.Orwasittwice?
“No,”hesaidaftera
moment.“Coltantagonizeseveryone,exceptAlpha.”
“Noone’striedtohandhimhisassyet?”
“Notworthit.”
Hernarrowedeyesandtheaggressivejutofherchinsaidthatshedidn’tagree.Itwaskindofcute,her
indignation.Noonehadeverbeenoffendedonhisbehalfbefore—notevenhisownmother.
“I’veknowntheseguysforalongtime.Iknowhowtodealwiththem.”
Sheletgoofhiswaistandyankedherdressupbythebodice.
Thankthegods.Giventoomuchmoretemptation,hemighthavehadhismouthonherrightthereinTownSquare.Notlikehehadn’tdonesimilarthingsinpublicbefore,butnoneofthosewomenhadbeenkeepers,andthey’dbeenjustaseagertoshowhiswarestotheworld.
Intercourseinpublicwasasortofapackriteofpassage.They’dalldoneit,exceptforAlpha.Alphakepthisbusinessbehindcloseddoors.Lately,Dariustriedtofollowhisexampleasmuchashecould.
“You’restaringatmychest,”Stephaniesaid.
Heforcedhiseyesclosed.Easierthanmakingeyecontactandseeingthejudgmentonherface.“I’msorry.”
“Iactuallydobelieveyouare,butcanIaskwhyyou’relooking?”
“Thatshouldbeobvious.”
“Assumptionsaregoingtogetusintotrouble,aswe’vealreadylearned,sowhydon’tyoujusttellmewhatyou’rethinking.”
“Seriously?”Heopenedhiseyesonlytoforcehiseyebrowsup.
Shenodded.
“Idon’tknowwhattosay.”Heneverknewwhattosay.
“Startwithafewwords,andthengivemeafewmore.”
“Uh.”Herakedahandthroughhishair,thengaveitatug.Hewasgoingtogetinsomuchtroublewithhis
mate.“Iwashopingthey’dpopout.”
“Why?”
“SoI’dhaveanexcusetotouchthemasIputthemaway.”
“Youcouldjustask.”
“Forwhat?”
“Totouchme.”
“Here?”
Sheletoutarestrainedlaugh.“No.Ingeneral.”
Shehasgottobekiddingme.
“Okay.”Shepushedbacksomelocksofherbrighthairandstraightenedhislapelsagain.“Gohangupyoursuit.
I’llcatchuptoyouforbreakfast.”
Thishastobeatrap.He’dwalkaway,andshe’dbepissedlaterfornotresistingmore.
Shegotbehindhimandgavehisassapushinthegeneraldirectionofthewolfhousing.“Go.Ineedtodo
someshopping.It’sjustgoingtoboreyou.”
“You’llneedarideback.”Hewasgraspingatstraws,anditwasstupid.Ifsheweregoingtorun,sheprobablywouldhavedoneitbeforehavingthechancetosay,“Ido.”
“Leavemethegolfcart,if
youdon’tmindwalking.”
“Idon’tmind.”Still,hedidn’tmove.
“Waitingtowatchmewalkaway?”
“No.Just…makingsureyoudon’tneedanything.”AmIsupposedtokisshergoodbye,oristhatsomething
onlypeopleontelevisiondo?Hewouldn’tmindkissinghersomuch.Coltwouldprobablyhaveoh-so-muchshittosayifDariusendedupwithlipsticksmearedalloverhisface,butDariusdidn’tcare.Hewasn’tmarriedtoColtand,fortunately,didn’thavetolivewithhim.Living
ontheroadwiththeguyforclosetotwodecadeshadbeentortureenough.“ShouldIkissyou?”
SheletouttheprettiestlittlelaughDariushadeverheardandtossedherhairoverhershoulder.Herhairsmelledlikehisshampoo.Hethoughtshemusthavehated
that,butitmadehisinnerwolfhowlwithtriumph.Sheworehisessencemingledwiththeresidualscentofhisshampoo.Itwouldhavebeenobvioustoanyoneinthepackwithanosewhomshebelongedto.“Onlyifyouwantto.”
Hebentdowntodoit,and
shegrippedhisface,holdinghimbackabit.Shegavehimthebarestskimofherlipsacrosshis,andgiggled.
Whatthefuck?
“Runalongnow.Maybenexttimeyou’llkissmelikeyoumeanit.”
Confused,hestarted
towardPackhousing.
Hemighthaveputhismarkonherandaringonherfinger,butevencombined,hewasn’tsosurethey’dbeenoughtopinStephaniedown.Shewasbeautiful,smart,andsocial,andhe’d…well,he’dbeenraisedbywolves,upuntilhewasnine.
Hewasn’tlikeotherwolves.Coltwasrightincallinghim“Loner”becausethatwashowDariuswaswired.But,lonewolvesgenerallydidn’ttakemates,especiallynotprizeslikeStephanie.Hecouldonlyhopethatwhenshefiguredthatout,shewouldn’taskto
beletoutofthearrangement.
Sheprobablywould,though.
Stephaniedeservedbetterthanhim.
CHAPTERSIX
AfewthingswerebecomingpainfullycleartoStephanie.One,thatshewasmatedto,andnowmarriedto,anantisocialwerewolf.Second,thatwolfhadthe
socialawarenessofapreteenboy.Third—consideringhiscock’sinsistentpokeagainstherbackduringthePack’spost-weddinggroupphotos—hedidn’tseemtohaveanyrevulsiontoherbody.Shecouldhaveminimizedhisresponsebytellingherselfhewasjustalustywolf,and
lustywolveswerealwaysprimedandready,butshe’dwatchedhowhisgazetracked.Whenhewasn’tlookingshylyinherdirection,hewasstaringathisfidgetinghandsorfixinghisattentiononwhoeverwasspeakingatthemoment.Itwaspainfullyobvioushehadnoideawhat
todowithher.ThatsuitedStephaniejustfine,becausesheknewexactlywhattodowithhim.
Sheparkedthegolfcartonthepathwindingaroundthebackofhernewhomeandgrabbedthegrocerybagsoutofthestorageareafirst.ShefoundDariusstandingatthe
kitchencounter,tappingawayonalaptop.Heclosedthelid,hurriedtoher,andtookthebags.
“Youdidn’twasteanytimegettingoutofthatsuit,huh?”
“You’vebeengonethreehours.”
Wasthatawhineinhisvoice?Shetuckedherhairbehindherearsandkickedoffherhighheels,studyinghim.Hisexpressiongavenothingaway,buthisenergyshrankbackfromher.Hedidn’twanthertoknowhowhefelt.Thatwasobvious.Itwasbecomingincreasingly
evidenttoherthatthemoodreadingdidn’tworkinbothdirections.Ifitdid,hewouldhaveknownhowopenshewastohim.Hemayhavebeenabletosmellheradrenalinewhenitspikedorherpheromoneswhenshewasprimedandready,buthedidn’tseemtofeelthe
changesinherenergy.
Odd.
Wolvestendedtohavedifferentstrengths—nothingwasuniversal—butshefounditunusualthatupongettingherbite,she’ddevelopedagiftthatnoonesheknewpersonallyhad.
Wherediditcomefrom?
AlphaorMrs.Carboneseemedtobethemostlogicalpeopletoask,andshefiledthequestionawayonhermentalto-dolist.“I,uh,pokedmyheadintoafewshopsandbusinessestosayhellotopeople.”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.
“Sayinghellotakesthreehours?”
“Well,Imighthaveboughtsomethings.”Grinning,shecantedherheadtowardthegrocerybags.“Ifyouhaven’teaten,therearepastries.”Sheheadedbacktothedoor,andhefollowed.
“Iatewithoutyou.
Couldn’twait.”
“Sorryaboutthat.I’mnotusuallysoinsensitive.”
Thetruthwas,she’dtakensolongbecausesheaskedeverypersonsheencounteredwhatheorsheknewofDarius,andthepackingeneral.There’dbeensolittleinformationtogleanabout
thembeforeshe’dmadethetrip,soshefiguredsheshouldmakeupforitontheground.Plus,shewantedtotakeafewminutestochat,unsupervised,withtheothermates.Therewasonewhohadn’tshownupforaceremony—Christina—who’dbeenpairedupwitha
wolfevenmoremysteriousthanDarius.Somysterious,infact,thatStephaniehadyettoseehim.
Fullornot,Dariusopenedtheplasticclamshellonthepastryboxandpluckedoutaparticularlysucculentoneinthemiddle.
“Juststayput,”shesaid.
“I’llgettherestofthestuff.”
HedroppedtheDanish.“There’smore?I’llhelp.”
“No.Iwasn’tdroppingunsubtlehints.IfIwantedhelp,Iwouldaskforit.Whybeataroundthebushwithamanlikeyou,right?”
“A—amanlikeme?”It
wasasifallofthebloodhaddrainedfromhisface.Helookedatherwithapaleglowerthatmighthavebeenfrighteningunderanyothercircumstances,butbestshecouldtell,Dariusdidn’thavemuchofatemper.Hewouldn’tgrowlorsnapatherlikesomewolves.Hewas
morelikeapatheticstraypupwhocarriedhisfoodbowltothecornertoeatalonebecausehedidn’twanttofightanyoneforhisfairshare.
Poorbaby.
Shehadnointentionsofmakinghimfightforher.Shelikedhercuriouswolf,and
wasn’tgoingtomakehimworkforwhathealreadyhad.Shedidneedtogivehimalittlepush,though.Shewantedhimtohavetherespecthedeservedandnotgetteasedorcriticizedbysomedipshitwolfwhohadnothingbettertodothantaunt.Dipshit’smatecould
dealwithhim—andfromwhatStephaniecouldtell,itwasalreadyatthetopofheragenda—justlikeStephaniewasgoingtodealwithDarius.Awolf’smatewassupposedtomakehimbetter.Thatdidn’tmeanchanginghim;rather,bringingoutthebestofwhathealreadyhad
andcompensatingforhisweaknesses.Theyallhadweaknesses.Beingahalf-breed,andamostlyuselessprofessionalartist,shesureasshithadhers.
Shecarriedinbagsofclothes—gigglingatDarius’scontinuingpallor—apharmacybagloadeddown
withhairpreparationsandassortedothertoiletries,andafewoddsandendsfromthesmallofficesupplystore.Theirartsupplyselectionhadbeensmall,butshe’dmanagedtopickupacoupleofgoodpads,andputinanorderforcanvas.She’dneedtofindsomeplacetoputan
easel…
“Darius,”shecalledfromthebedroom,“what’sinyourgarage?”
HeleanedagainstthedoorframeandbrushedpastrycrumbsfromhisT-shirt.Theshirtwasprintedwithanadvertisementforsomecraftfestivalthathadtakenplace
longenoughagothatChristinahadstillbeenachild.
“Don’tanswerthat,”shesaid.“Isthatyourshirt?”
Helookeddownatit.“Yeah.Why?”
“Howoldareyou?YouwouldhavethoughtIwould
havetakenapeekatthemarriagelicenseapplication.”She’dbeentoodamndistractedbythewayhermatelookedinawell-cutsuit.Thefactshehadn’tjumpedhisbonesinthedressingroomwasatestamenttoheranal-retentiveneedtobe
absolutelypunctualallthetime.
Itwasagrownman-sizedshirt,forcertain.Soifhe’dhaditthatlong,hehadtobefarenoughovereighteenthatshecoulddispelheranxietyaboutrobbingthecradle.
“Thirty.I’mtheyoungestinthepack.Orwas,rather,
untilyouladiescame.”
“Thankthegoddess,you’renotapup.”
Hegrinnedbashfullyandshookhishead.“Notapup.”
“Whydoyouhaveafestivalshirt?”
“Westoppedthereoneyearwhenwehadsome
downtime.Mrs.Carbonewantedtogo.Theguyshatedit.”
“Whatdidyouthink?”Ifhehadmorethanapassinginterestinart,thentheycouldcertainlyfindsomecommongroundforconversation.Alltheyneededwasonelittlespark,andshe’drunwithit.
Shejusthadtoshowhimshewaseasytotalkto.
Heshrugged.“Ithoughtitwasinteresting.Forwhateverreason,alittleoldladythoughtIneededtobetalkedto,andshe,uh—”Dariusfurrowedhisbrowandpressedhislipstogether.
“Tellme.”
“Shewassayingthatshedidn’thaveanytraining.Shestartedpaintingthesetinylittlepaintings,thisbig.”Hespayedhisfingersandmadeanimaginarysquarearoundhishand,thenstareddownathisfeet.Thetipsofhisearsturnedred,andherheartbrokealittle.Hewasso
damnedshy.“Shestarteddoingthemafterherhusbanddied.Shesaidthatpaintingwaseasierthanfindingwords.Ialwayswonderedifshewasright.”
Shedidn’thavetolookathimtoknowheheldhisbreathwaitingforherreaction—herjudgment.She
couldfeeltheutterstillnessofhisaura.Thepartofhimthatwaswolfwasn’tgoodatanticipatingreactions.Foramanlikehim,everythinglikelyseemedtobeathreat.
Letitgo,baby.
“Ithinkshemightbe,insomeways,”Stephaniesaidsoftly.“Youshouldgiveita
try.”
Helethisbreathoutslowlyandthatdreamygazeofhissettledonhishands.“MaybeIwill.”
Shewantedtoputherarmsaroundhisneckandjusthughimuntilhewassureshewassafe,butifshedidthat,shemightnotwanttoletgo
ofhim.“So,what’sinthegarage?”
“Uh,justagunsafe.”
“Doyouplanonparkingacarinthereatsomepoint?”
“Notsoon.Why?Doyouhaveonethatneedstransporting?”
“No,Isoldmycar.I
figuredifIneededonehere,I’dgetsomethingbettersuitedtotheterrain.”
“Ihadn’tboughtanythingbecauseeverythingIlookedatwastootalltofit.”
“Agasguzzler.”
“It’spracticalfortheworkIdo,unfortunately.”
“Mostmenfrommyoldpackwhodrovebigvehicleswerecompensatingforsomething.”Shewinkedsohercluelesswolfwouldknowshewasteasing,andheactuallysmiled.Itwasabitcrookedandsheepish,andhemusthavefeltsilly,becauseheclearedhisthroatand
lookedaway.
Damn.
Sheknelttofoldhernewpajamasintoadresserdrawer.Shewasn’tmuchofapajamawearer,generally,butMrs.CarbonesaidsometimessheorAlphapoppedoverwithinformationorsupplies.Stephaniefiguredsheshould
attheveryleasthavesomethingeasytothrowon.“Youcouldalwaysparkinthedriveway.”
“That’stheplan.Whytheinterestinthegarage?”
“Needsomewheretoputaneasel.”
“Oh.”Heturnedbackto
her,showingherthatsomecolorhadfinallylefthisearsandreturnedtohisface.“Youcouldusethesecondbedroom.Lightingwouldprobablybebetter.”
Shecluckedhertongueandreachedfortherestoftheclothesinthebag.Itwasmostlyjeans.Shepreferred
dresseswithfunprints,andhadbroughtplenty,butshefiguredsheshouldbepreparedforanycontingency.“Idon’twanttogetattachedtothesecondbedroom.OnceIsetupaworkspace,movingtoanotherwouldbedisruptivetomycreativeflow.”
“Whywouldyouhavetomove?”
“Iknowhowitgoes,Darius.”Shebumpedthedrawerclosedandflattenedtheshoppingbag.“Wolveshookup,andwithinayear,theyhaveanewbornortwo.Ithinkthat’swhysomanywolfmenareyouragewhen
theystartlookingformates.Theyknewthatthemomenttheycommit,they’retrapped.”
“I’mnottrapped.”
“Aren’tyou?You’restuckwithme.Matedwolvesdon’tdodivorce,or,”shemadequotemarksintheair,“consciousuncoupling.I’ve
gotyourmark,andI’vealreadyclaimedyourhomeasmyden.”Shehadalotofworktodointhatden,too.IfDariuswasgoingtocoophimselfupintoit,itneededtobecozy.
“Whyareyoualreadythinkingofdivorce?”Hefurrowedhisbrow.“Tellme
whatIdidwrong.Imean,alot,I’msure,but—”
Shetossedawadded-uppairofsocksathim,andhesnatchedthemfromtheairbeforetheycouldbounceoffhishead.“Simmerdown,baby.Noreasontogetagitated.I’mmerelytalkingaboutaddingkidstothe
equation.Sometimes,thingsarepeachykeenuntilalittlescreamercomesalong,andthenyourealizeyou’relivingwithapartneryoubarelyhadtimetogettoknow,andyoudon’tknowhowtonegotiateyourinterestsandhobbiesaroundthenewfamilyconfiguration.”
“Kids?”heasked.
“Yeah.”Sheheldhisgazeandkeptverystilltosoothehisnervousinnerwolf.
I’mnotgoinganywhere.
“Oh.”Heletoutabreathandrubbedhiseyes.“Wow.Okay.ButI—Idon’treallyhavehobbies,besides
shootingthings”
“Idon’tbelievethat.”
Heshrugged.“Idon’t.Iwork.IwatchtelevisionuntilIfallasleep.That’saboutit.”
“Ithinkyoutrytomakeyourselfouttosoundfarlessinterestingthanyouactuallyare.”Hispoweralonemade
himfascinating,butthefacthekeptherguessingmadehimabso-fucking-lutelyintriguing.“WhatwereyoudoingonyourcomputerwhenIcamein?”
Heshookhisheadandpushedawayfromthedoorframe.“It’ssilly.”
“Silly,meaningwhat?”
Sillywasawordkidsusedwhentheywereashamedofaparticularthing.Inherexperience,adultsusedthatwordwhentheythoughtotherpeoplewouldfindtheirinterestfrivolous.Heobviouslythoughtshewould.
“Sillymeaning…uh…”Dariusshiftedhisweightand
furrowedhisbrowagain.“Idunno.It’snotabigdeal.”
“Ithastobe,becauseifyouwerejustcheckingyouremail,youwouldhavesaidthat.”
“It’saclass,okay?I…”HefiddledwiththehemofhisT-shirtandseemedtobestaringthroughherinsteadof
ather.
Don’tclamuponmenow.Shewasgoingtokeeppushing,andatsomepoint,hewasgoingtoshutherout.Shedidn’twantthat,butgettingbitsandpiecesofinformationabouthimatatimewaskillingheralittle.Shewantedtoknowallabout
him.She’dalreadydecidedhewasworthloving,buthermotherwouldwantmoredetailthanthat.MomwouldinterrogateherandmakesurethatStephanie’swolfwasnothinglikeherfather.Asfarasshecouldtell,hecouldn’tbeclosertooppositeifhetried.
“Noneofusinthepack,besidesMrs.Carbone,graduatedfromhighschool.IhaveaGED.”
“That’sperfectlyrespectable.”
Hisdarkgazeseemedtofocusonher,finally,andhishandsstilled.“Doesn’talwaysseemlikeit.It’snot
thesameasthechallengeofsittinginaclassroomwithotherpeople.Ididn’thavemuchofthatasakid.”
“Iimagineyoudidn’t.”Shestoodandwalkedtohim.Takinghishand,sheguidedhimovertothebed.
“Idon’tneedyourpity,Stephanie.”Histonemay
havehadabitofsnaptoit,buthesatontheedgeofthebed,eversomeeklyforher.
“YouthinkI’mpityingyoubecauseIaskquestions?”
“That’susuallywhatquestionsleadto.Easiertojustnotsayanything.”
Shegroanedthrough
clenchedteeth.Hedidn’ttrusther.Whilefrustrating,itwasn’thisfault,anditwasn’tsomethingshecouldfixwiththesnapofherfingers.Shewastheonewho’dgottenthemoffonthewrongfootbymakingassumptionsabouthim.Ofcoursehefeltlikehewasdancingalongafineline.
“Ijustwanttoknowaboutyourclass.That’sall.”
“It’sapre—prerequisiteIneedforprettymuchanydegreeprogram.Basicwritingskillsandstuff.I’mnotdoingsogreat,though.”
“Imightbeabletohelp.”
“That’sokay,I—”
Shepressedherhandoverhismouth.“Don’tbeprideful.Icanhelp.You’retakingitonline?”
Afteralongstarethatwasprobablymeanttobeatleastalittlebitfrightening—itwasn’tbecauseshecouldn’tseeanythingbutthosesexy,bedroomeyesfromher
dreams—henoddedbehindherhand.
“Somestuffyoujustneedtobeinaclassroomfor.Youretaininformationfastersometimeswhensomeoneisteachingitin-personandcorrectingyouonthespot.”
Hewrappedhishandaroundherwristandlowered
herhandtohislap.“Theguysdon’tknowI’mdoingit.Theywon’tseethepoint.Don’tneeditforourjob.”
“Asifmyarthasapracticalpurpose.”Sometimes,therewasn’tapointtolearning,butthatdidn’tmeantheenrichmentdidn’ttrickledownand
improveotheraspectsofthelearner’slife.Arthadtaughtherthatthingssometimeslookeddifferentonsecondglance—thattheyweren’tnecessarilywhatsheassumed.She’dforgottenthatatfirstwhenitcametoDarius,butshewouldn’tforgetitagain.“Iwon’tsay
anything.Whatkindofprogramareyoulookingat?”
“I…”
“Sayit.It’sokay.IpromiseI’llonlypokealittlebitoffunatyou.”
Hiseyeswentcomicallywide.
Shelaughedjustalittle
andskimmedherfingertipsalonghisunshavenjaw.Strong,handsomewolf.
Hepressedhishandagainsthersandswallowed.Hisdarkgazewasfullofquestions,andshethoughtshehadtheanswertoatleastone.“Youcantouchme,”shewhispered.
Hisnodcameslowly.Hetightenedhisfingersaroundhersandclosedhiseyes.Hisenergymellowed.Touchseemedtohelphim,andshe’dhavetorememberthat.Shekissedthebackofhishand.
“Idon’tknowwhattostudyyet.Somethinguseful,
justincasethewholewolf-for-hirethingstopsworkingout.”
Maybetalkingwaseasierforhimwhenhewasn’tlooking.Shedidn’twanthimlookingaway,butforcingawolftoadapttosomethingbeforehewasreadyrarelyendedwell.Itwasn’therhe
wasadaptingto,butthecircumstance.Shewasdoingthesame.VerylittleaboutDariuswaspredictable,andthatwasagoodthing.Ifhewerepredictable,he’dbejustlikethewolvesbackinherfather’spack.
“There’snothingparticularlyusefulaboutmy
degree,”shesaid.
“Butyoumademoney?”
Sheshrugged.“Hereandthere.Moneywasnevermyfocus,butifthathastochange,Icouldalwaysgetateachingjob.”Sheleanedbackonherforearmsandcluckedhertongue.“Iprobablywouldn’tmindthat,
actually.Isthereaschoolhere?”
“Yeah.PrivateKthroughtwelve,thoughtuitioniswaivedforus.It’slikepublicschool,buttheyhadtohavesomeadmissionbarriersinplaceincasedevelopmentsspringupnearthisonethatwouldputkidsinthesame
publicschoolzone.FolksinNorsetonhaveeverythingtheyneedinthecommunity.”
Longsentences.Thisiseasyforhimtodiscuss.
“Goodtoknow.Theyprobablyhaveanartteacheralready,though.”
“Dunno.Wouldn’thurtto
ask.Theyhavethesamestaffingproblemsthecommunityonawholehas.Theydon’tlikehiringoutsiders.They’vegotthemoneytopaythesalaries,justnottheapplicants.”
“I’llputthatonmyto-dolist.”
“You’dreallybesatisfied
withtakingateachingjob?”
“Sure.Whywouldn’tIbe?”
“I—”Hesputteredhislipsandtwiddledhisthumbs.
Hypotheticals.Hedoesn’tdowellwiththose.Perhapshedoesn’thavetheexperience?
“IguessIjustwouldn’thavethoughtthatwithyouhavingsomemoney,youwouldn’twanttoworkwith…the…”
“Thewhat?Thehoipolloi?”Shenudgedhimwithherelbowandchuckled.“Commoners?Hey,moneyjustmakesfreedomeasierto
comeby,atleastthewayIspendit.Why’sthatsounusualforyou?”
Heshrugged,andthetipsofhisearsturnedredagain.“It’sjustnotwhatI’dexpect.”
“I’msuretherearealotofthingsaboutmeyou’llfindtobeunexpected.”
“Ithinkyou’reprobablyright.”
“So,you’llletmehelpyou?”
Andshedidn’tjustmeanwithhisassignments,butthatwasagoodenoughplacetostart.Shewantedtoinsinuateherselfintoeverypartofhislife,ifhe’dlether.She’d
dreamedofhavingamatewho’dtrustherenoughtoletherhelpwiththethingsthatmatteredmosttohim.Amatenotonlyinname,butinactions.
Sheskimmedafingertipdownhisarmandletherhandlingeroverhis.
“Ifyouthinkyou’llhave
time.”
“I’vegotnothingbuttime,foryou.”
Sheliftedhislargehandandsetitonhernakedknee.“But…wemightaswellbeproductive.”
Helookeddownatit,thenintohereyes.
Sheleanedbackontoherforearmsandbobbedhereyebrows.“We’reearly,butIdon’tthinkanyone’sgoingtocallusonit.”
“Earlyforwhat?”
“It’sourweddingday.Weddingdaysusuallyleadtoweddingnights,andsinceit’safullmoon,I’llbeotherwise
occupied.”
“Idon’thavetoshiftforthefullmoon.”
“Yeah,youtoldmethatlastnight.”Hishandremainedinthatsamespot,soshereacheddownandsliditupafewinches.Ifthatwasn’texplicitpermissionthatheshouldtouchher,
she’dhavetoresorttowords.Beforeshedid,though,shewantedtoseejusthowwellthewolfreadcues.Hedidn’tseemtobeverygoodatit,butthatwasokay.Maybehewasn’tsoobservantasaman,butthatwasjustfine,becauseshewasn’texactlyagoldstarwolf.AccordingtoMrs.
Carbone,it’dprobablybeweeksuntilStephanie’swolffullygotherbearings.
Hecurledhisfingersagainstherthighandstaredatthegapbetweenherlegs.
Shesighed.“Darius?”
“Yes?”
“Thatwasaninvitation
forforeplay.”
“Oh.”Hestoodandimmediatelystartedpeelingoffhisshirt.
Shegrabbedthehembeforehecouldmanage.“Areyougenerallynakedforforeplay?”
Hecringed.“Ican’tsay
I’vehadmuchofit.”
“Whatdoyoudowhenawomanisn’tready?”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.“That’sneverbeenaproblem.”
Lookingathim,shecouldimaginehowthatwouldbethecase,butshedidn’tjust
wantaquickfuck.Notthatshedoubtedhisenduranceatall,butsheimaginedheprobablyhadonespeedwhenitcametosex,anditwasofthehighlyaerobicsort.Shelikedforsextobeanexperiencealmostasoftenasshelikedittojustscratchanitch.Peoplelearnedalot
abouttheirloversinthebedroom,anduntilshecouldgetherwolftoloosenhistongue,she’dlethisbodydothetalking.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Dariushadneverbeenthekindofmanwhowaseasytohumiliate,buthewasveeringcloserandclosertothatplace
witheveryinteractionwithStephanie.Hefeltasthoughhecouldn’tdoanythingright—thatnothingabouthimwasrightforher.Hecouldbarelyholdadecentconversation,hewasundereducated,andobviouslynotasworldlyashe’dthought.
Hestoodthere,clutching
thebottomofhisshirtandwatchingherdrumherfingertipsatopthecomforter.
Sheistotallyoutofmyleague,andI’msupposedtomakeherhappysomehow?Itwasobviouswhogottheshortendofthestickintheirrelationship.
“Tellmesomething,”she
said.“Howdoyouusuallysignaltoawomanthatyouwanttohavesexwithher?”
“I…Idon’thaveto.”
“Theyjustthrowthemselvesatyou?”
Heshrugged.Thatprobablyhadmoretodowiththesortsofplacesthepack
loungedatwhentheywereontheroadthanwithDarius’sflirtationskills.Sometimes,peoplewenttoplaceslookingforspecificthings,andnobodyplayedcoyaboutit.But,thoseweren’twomenlookingforrelationships,andtheycertainlyweren’thiswife.
Hiswife.Hehadawifenow.Hestillcouldn’tquitedigestit.
“I’lltellyouwhatIdo,then.Sometimes,I’lldosomethingtodrawapotentiallover’sattentiontocertainbodyparts.Myhands…”Shedraggedthemlightlyupherribsandletthemrestonher
heart.“Mylips.”Shepushedherlipsintoapetulantpoutthathadhisnutstightening.“Mychest.”Shenudgeddownadressstrapandletherbodicesagenticinglyononeside,therebyexposingthepalelaceofherbraandinchesofcreamyskin.“Perhapsmythighs,when
I’mhavingagoodlegday.”Shecrossedherlegsovertheedgeofthebedandhitchedherhemupafewinchesintheprocess.“Onceaman’slookingatme,maybeI’llteasehim.”
“How?”Stupidquestion.Anyonewouldeyescouldseetheeffectsofherteasingon
him.
“DependsonwhatIwant.”Sheuncrossedherlegsandspreadherthighsevenfartherapartthantheyhadbeen.
Hisgazefixedontheshadowbetweenthem,andhisbrainprojectedwhathehopedtoseethere,thoughit
wasn’tactuallyvisible.
Hemovedforwardonlytostopatthesoundofherquietlaughter.“SeewhatImean?”
“I’mgettingthedrift.”
“Doyouwanttosee?”Shesmirkedandhookedanindexfingerunderherhem.
“Yes.”Therewasreally
nosuavewaytoconfessthat,sohedidn’tbotherdiggingaroundinhisheadforthewords.
“Thencometakealook.You’vegottopaytheadmissionfeefirst,though.”
“What’sthefee?”He’demptyhiswalletifitmadeherhappy,thoughhedidn’t
thinkshewantedhismoney.Shehadherown.
Sheshruggedandmadethatsemi-exposedbreastjiggle.
Gods.Heclosedhiseyesagainstthesightandgroundhisteeth.Hecouldprobablynutinhispantsjustfromwatchingthosetiny
movements.It’dbejustlikeagefourteenalloveragain,minusthebunking-with-other-young-male-wolvesthing.Backthen,hecouldcreaminhissleepjustfromdreamingofanubilebody.Hethoughthe’dmaturedpastthatbynow,though.
“Ithinkit’spretty
reasonable,”shesaid,andleanedbackontoherforearmsagain.“Onekiss.”
“Akiss?”
“Mm-hmm.Tooexpensiveforyou?”
“No,notatall.”Heunstuckhisheelsfromthefloorandmovedtothe
bedside.
Shetippedherheadbackandgrinnedathim.“Ididn’tsaywhatyouhadtokiss.”
“I—”Oh.“WhatdoIhavetokiss?”
“Iwon’tsay.Whenyouhittherightspot,I’llletyouknow.”
“Thatcouldtakeawhile.”
“I’vegotallafternoon.”
Andsodidhe,ifshewaswillingtoindulgehim.
Heclimbedontothebedbehindherandputhishandstentativelyunderherarms.Otherthantocockupaneyebrow,shedidn’trespond,
sohepulledhertothecenterofthebedandlaidheronherback.
Herubbedhishandstogetherasheexaminedherloungingformandconsideredthepossibilities.She’dgivenhimaninvitationtotouchher,andhewantedtotoucheveryinch,buthealsodidn’t
wanthertogetsoboredwithhisfumblingthatshesenthimawaybeforehe’dhadenough.Hewasskin-starved,andtherewasavoidinhimthatitseemedonlyshecouldfill.Hedidn’tknowifthatwasnormal,butmaybeshedidn’teither.Maybeshewouldn’tbeangryforhimbeingso
needy.
Herlipsweretheobviousplacetostart,butheneededalittletime.Henudgedthatprecariouslyleaningbreastoutofherbracup,bent,andpulledhernippleintohermouthbeforeshecouldreact.
Shegaspedandthrustherchestathim.“Th-that’snot
technicallyakiss.”
“Sorry.”Hepuckeredhislipsandpressedtheslightestkissagainstherbreast.“Notit?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Okay.”Hetriedthebendofherneckonbothsidesnext,lashinghistonguealong
thecurvesandswirlingthetipalongthehollowswhereherneckjoinedhershoulders.Hefixedhisgazeonher,triumphantatthesightofherpinninghersucculentbottomlipbetweenherteeth.“There?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Thenlet’stry—ah.”He
liftedherhandsandkissedthebacksofbothwristsandtheinsidesofeachelbow.
Shewriggledandletoutasexylittlesigh.
“Damn.Okay.Howabout…”Hetappedhischinashetookinherbodyinonelonggaze.Sofuckingbeautiful.Awolf’sdream
cometrue,rightthereinthemiddleofhisking-sizedbed.“Ah.Iknow.”Hebentandkissedwhereherthighstouched,rollinghisgazeuptoherashedrewinherarousedscent.Shewaswet,hecouldalreadytell,andhewasachinghard.Hejusthadtoseeher,though,andlick
herdrippingslittotastethehoneyshemadeforhim.“There?”
Shegaveherheadahardshake.
“No?Damn.Iguessmywolfinstinctsareoff.”
“TheyseemtobeworkingfinefromwhereI’mlying.
Howaboutonemoretry?”
“I’lltrytogetitright.”Heconsideredherbodyfromheadtotoes,andsnappedhisfingersinarevelatoryfashion.“Aha!”Bending,hepressedhislipstohers,andwithamoan,sheopenedhermouth.
He’dneverbeenmuchfor
kissing.Noonehadeverdemandeditofhim,anditseemedlikesuchapersonalthing.Butthiswashismate.Hiswife.Hecouldprobablyfigureouthowtomanageadecentkiss,andhewantedtoifitmadehersmileathimthewayshedid.
Hedippedhistongueinto
hermouthandexploredallthesoftparts—hertongue,lips,andtheinsidesofhercheeks—andtoyedattheedgesofherteeth,savoringthesharpstingwhenshebitdownabit.Andshekissedback,slidingherfingersintohishairandpullinghimdownevenmore.Shenibbledathis
lips,bitalonghisscruffyjaw,andtuggedathisearlobes.Shelashedhertongueintohisear,andhewassurprisedwhenherealizedthemoanheheardwashisown.
“Doyouwanttolook?”sheaskedbreathily.
“Yes.”
“Thengoahead.It’sreadyforyou.”
Shespreadherlegs,andhemovedinbetweenthem,reachinginsideherdresstosnatchherpantiesoff,buttherewerenonethere.
“Oh,gods.”Hepushedupherhemandgotonhisbellytosee,finally,whathehad
gottenandwhathewouldbegetting.“Sosexy,”hemurmured,slidinghisindexfingerdownherwetslit.She’dwaxedorshaved,orsomething—therewasjustonesmallpatchofduskyredhairrightoverherclit,anditseemedtobesaying,touchhere—lickhere.So,hedid.
Hepulledthelittlenubintohismouthandrolleditonhistongue.
“Yes.Likethat.Moreofthat.”
“I’mdoingokay?”
Shepushedhisfacebackagainsthersex.“Lick.Suck.”
“Right.”Hewasn’tdone
looking,though.Hehadtoseemore.Hepartedherandtookinherslickfoldsandtheinvitingwetnessbetweenherpuffylips.Heputhistonguerightthereforatasteandwiggledthetipinsideherforsomemannastraightfromthesource.Itwasthebestdesserthe’deverhad,andafeastfor
theeyesunlikeanyhe’deverseen.“Youmakemesofuckinghard,”hesaidbeforedivingbackin.Helovedthewaysheclenchedathistouch,howherpussyclampedaroundhisfingersandtriedtodrawhimin.
“Showme,”shesaid.“Showmehowhardyou
are.”
“But—”
Shehookedhertoesintohiswaistbandandpushedhispantsdownacoupleofinches.Notenough,buthegottheideaofwhatshewantedtosee.
“Iwasn’tdonelooking.”
“Lookmorelater.Iwanttoseeyounow.”
“Me?”
“Don’tsoundsosurprised,baby.That’showrelationshipsgo,usually.Peopleinthemtaketurns.”
“Havingneverbeeninonebeforenow,I’llhaveto
takeyourwordforit.”
Shesatupandperformedsomeunbelievablecontortionofherleftarmtotugthezipperatherspinedown.Sheundidherbra’sclaspwhileshewasbackthere,andfreedherheavybreastsfromtheirunfortunatebindings.
Wolfornot,hewantedto
pounceonherlikeafuckingcatandlickherhardnipplesandthescarfromhisbite.Hewantedtosuckpurplemarksontoherskinthere.Likeleavingagraffititag,hewantedtoshowwherehe’dbeen,butalsoenjoyhimselftothefullestwhilehewasstillthere.
“Showme!”shesaidforcefully,verballynudginghimfromhissemi-paralyzedstate.“LetmeseehowhardImakeyou,Darius.”
Gods.Heyankedoffhisshirtandshovedhispantsdowntohisknees.Hisachingcockjuttedstraightasanarrowinfrontofhim,and
seemedtobobfromherintenseinspection.
“Putthatinme,andkissmewhileyoufuckme,ifyoucanmanageit.”
“That’seasy.”Hekickedthepantstothefloor,andyankedherdresstherestofthewayoff.Kneelingbetweenherlegs,hepalmed
herbreastsandgroaned.“Fuck,woman.”
“Tellmewhatyou’rethinkingwhenyoulookatmelikethat.”
“That—thatyoulooklikesomethingoutofapin-upgirlbook.”
“YouthinkIlooklikea
pin-upgirl?”Thatflirtygrinofhersmadehisheartthrash.Ithintedthatperhapshe’dsaidsomethingright.“That’sahugecompliment.”
“Youdeserveit.”Hereluctantlyunhandedherandhitchedherlegsuptohiships.Helieatopher,hiscockpositionedatherentrance,
andlickedtheseamofherlipssoshe’dopenforhim.“Idon’tknowhowIgotsolucky.”
“Atfirst,IthoughtIrepulsedyou.Ithought—”
“No,no,no.Gods,no.”Heplungedintoherandroaredattheintensepleasure.Hewasreadytocomejust
fromthetriumphofbeinginsideher.Noonewasasluckyashim.
“Kissme,baby.”
“Showmehow.Likeyoudidbefore.”
“Gladly.”Shesetthepace,andhematcheditdownbelow.Hethrustslowlyat
first,toletherchanneladjusttohisshaft,andthenpickedupspeed.
Heateeveryoneofherlittlemoansanddideverythinghecouldtohelphermakemoreofthem.Sheseemedtolikewhenherockedhiships,sohedidmoreofthat.Shegrowled
whenhegrounddeepinsideher,soherepeatedthat,too.Andwhensherepeated“Darius!Darius!Darius!”hethrustfasterandfastertopushhertothatledgehesodesperatelyneededhertofalloversoon.
“Comeon.”Sheclampedherthighsharderagainsthim
andtippedbackherhead.Throughclenchedteeth,shegrowled,“Giveittome.Everydrop.Makemescreamwhenyoucome.Iwanttofeelyourcockjerkinginsideme.”
He’dgiveheranything,andthatwascertainlyeasyenough.
“Fuck.Fuck.”Hisclawsextended,andhepuncturedthemattressashiscockexpendedhisload.Sheshudderedbeneathhim.Hereyesrolledbackintoherheadandshepantedwordlessly,seemingunabletocatchherbreath.Herpussyclampedaroundhiscockrepeatedlyas
shefoundherorgasm,squeezingeverybitofejaculatefromhimandpracticallyholdinghimcaptive—notthatheminded.He’dstayinsideherforeverifhecould.Helikedhersayinghisname—likedtheattentionshepaidhim.Itmadethelonewolfwanttoheelforherand
doherbidding.
Hewantedherinhisspace—hisinnersanctum.Justher,andnooneelse.
CHAPTEREIGHT
AfteracoupleofweeksoflearningthenuancesofDarius’ssilenceandhisenergy,Stephanieworried
thatshewaslettingherwolffallintoapatternofcomplacency.Whentheywereathometogether,learningeachother’sbodiesandherbeingwarmedbythesoundofhisvoice,shedidn’tthinkabouttheoutside.Shedidn’tcareabouthowhefunctionedinthegreater
world,becausewhentheywereinbedoronthesofawiththetelevisionon,nothingouttheremattered.Theylivedtwoseparatelives,though.Joinedatthehipwhentheyweretogether,butwhenStephaniewasoutwithouthim,shecravedinteractionandsocialization.
Sheworriedsheshouldhavebeentryinghardertofoldhimintothatpartofherworld.
Sheneededarealitycheck,andsoshe’dappealedtofellowmateChristinatogetone.
Christinaworkedattheexecutivemansion,andprobablysawmoreofthe
packastheyworkedthanevenMrs.Carbone,whoalsoworkedinthere,inthekitchen.
TheysatonthewindowseatofthelibraryChristinaworkedoutofandlookedoutontothegrounds.ThewolveshadhiredsomecontractsecurityguardsforNorseton,
andweretrainingthemoutinthecourtyard.Alphawasalwaysaroundforthat,buttheotherwolvesrotatedinandout,dependingonwhattheday’slessonwas.Dariuswasanexpertmarksman,whichwaswhyhewasonhandatthemoment.Hedidn’tseemtobeenjoyinghis
teacherrolemuch,though,judgingbythetightsetofhislipsandthepersistentgrindingofhisteeth.
“He’slikeAntoninalotofways,”Christinasaid,referringtoherhusband.
“ButAntonisreclusivebecauseofhisscars,notbecausehe’stryingtoavoid
people.He’llputonhispatchandgooutwiththeothersifhe’saskedto.”
Christinamadeawafflinggesture.“He’dratherstayhome.He’salwaysgotsomuchtodo,andIthinktheperceptionthathe’sfallingbehindonanythingmakeshimanxious.But,you’re
right,hedoesn’thaveaprobleminteractingwithpeople.Hejusthatesmostofthem.”
Stephaniestifledherlaugh.“Idon’tthinkDariushatespeople.Ithink…Ithinkhe’safraidofthem.”Itpainedhertoadmitit.Hewasherman,andsheadoredhim,but
thewaysocialinteractionscrippledhimbrokeherheart.Shecouldn’tevenpretendtounderstandwhathefelt.She’dalwaysbeenoutgoing.
“That’sthewolfinhim,”Christinasaid.“Probablyhasalottodowithhowhewasbroughtup.Ibethespentmoretimeinhisanimalform
thanhisboyform.”
“Hedid.”Anotherthingthathadbrokenherheart.Whenhewasexpelledfromhisbirthpack,he’dhadnochoicebuttotaketheshapehewasstrongerinashetraveled.“Damn,IjustwishIcouldgobackandundosomethings.”
“Why?”Christinafurrowedherforehead.“Tomakehimnormal?Orwhatyouthinkisnormal?”
“Tomakeiteasierforhim.Whenhe’safraid,mywolfgetsafraid,too.Shedoesn’tunderstandwhat’swrong,andIdon’tknowhowtofixthat.Thereweren’tany
wolveslikehiminmyfather’spack.Idon’tunderstandthepersonalitytype.”
“Ican’tsayIknowwhatthatmeans,either.Antonwon’tbiteme,somyinnerwolf’snotfullyawake.ButIdoknowthatAntonisn’tthekindofmanwho’dwantpity
forthethingsthatheconsiderstobeflaws.Hethinksthey’rehislotinlife,andhecompensatesaccordingly.Idothesamethingwhenitcomestohim.Itreathimthewayheneedstobetreated,andthatmaychangefromonedaytothenext.Ourmateswillkeepus
onourtoes,forsure.”
Stephaniegruntedinagreement.
“WhatisityouthinkDariusneeds?”
“Idon’tknow,really.Iguessmyinstinctistoforcehimtobemoresocial,butnotonlydoeshenothavethe
trainingforit,Iwonderifhe’sjustnotequippedforit.Hisfirstpackkickedhimoutbecausehehadthemakingsofanalpha,butwhatifhewasdesignedtobealonewolfallalong?”
“Ithinkhewas,”Christinasaidsoftly.
“Butwhatdoesthatmean
forapackstructure?Whatwouldnewcomersthink?”
“Therearefewrulesinthispack,sowhydoesithavetomeananythingatall?”
“Huh.”Stephanieleanedbackagainstthewindowandstaredunseeingatabookcaseacrosstheroom.“Whydoesit?Hejustneedstopullhis
weight,right?”
“Yes.Andtherearealotofwayshecandothat.Thegreaterconcerniswhatkindoffatherhe’dmake.”
“Idon’thaveworriesaboutthat.”AmanwhocuddledthewayChristina’swolfdidprobablywouldn’thaveanyproblemsholdinga
baby.Infact,shelookedforwardtoseeinghimwithoneoftheirs.Justbybeingpresent,hewouldalreadybeafarbetterfatherthanherswas.But,iftheirchildrenwantedtohavefriendsover,thenwhat?Wouldhegetstressedandflee?Wouldpeopletalk?
Shedidn’tcareiftheytalked.Shewasusedtopeopletalkingabouther,butshedidworryabouthim.
“I’mafraidofwhat’llhappenasthepackgetslarger,”Stephaniesaidsoftly.“He’sfamiliarwithit,thewayitis,andhasworkedwiththeguysforalong
time.”
“Iworryaboutthat,too.Noneofourmenareespeciallyadeptatbeinginageneralpopulation.Whentherearemorepersonalitiesinthemix,willthedynamicschange,orwillthemensimplyadjust?”
“We’regoodatadjusting.
Wecamehereand…”Stephanieletthewordstrailoffassherealizedthegravityofthem.ThemateshadallgonetoNorsetontotrytofindsuitablewolves.Theyweresuitableforareason—matchesmadebytheiralphaandtheirgoddess.Stephanie’sabilitytoread
Darius’senergywasamysteryAlphacouldn’texplain,beyondsayingthatanalphawolf’smategavehimwhatheneeded.The“viceversa”didn’tneedtobesaid.Itwasobvious.EvenawomanlikeStephaniewantedtofeellikeshefitwithsomeone,andshedid.
“Theyhaveustohelpthemadjust.Andiftheydon’t,thenwe’llbufferthemfromtheworld.We’llbecometheiremissaries.”
Christina’ssmilewasdreamy.“IthinkthatwouldmakeAntonhappy.”
“I’mprettysureit’llmakemywolfhappy,too.”
___
AlphawasattheNorsetongatescreeningvehicles,andStephanieletherselfintothesecurityshack,bearingoneofhiswife’sspecialsubmarinesandwiches.Ashamelessploy,butshedidn’tcare.Whenhermotherhadputherinthatcarherfatherhadsent
todeliverStephanietohimandhispack,oneofthelastthingshermotherhadsaidwas,“Don’tbeashamedtoappealtopeople’sbasestnaturesifitmeansdoingsowillgetwhatyouneed.That’stheonlyreasonIwasabletokeepyouwithmethislong.Rememberthat.”
Stephaniehadforgottenit,alongwithsomanyotherimportantlessons,butshewasgoingtoputthatwisdomtousenow.
Alphapusheduponebushyeyebrowthenliftedthegateforadeliverytruck.“Longwalkallthewayuphere.”
“Itookoneofthegolfcarts.”
“Ah.Smart.Justtobringmeasandwich?Letmeguess.”Heloweredthegateandleanedintheopendoorway.“Someoneinthepackneedsmaiming,andyouwantmetodoit.IsitColt?”
Shesighed,andthen
laughed.“No.Idoneedafavor,butnothinglikethat.LisacandealwithColt.”
“That’swhatmygutsays,anyway.Whatkindoffavor?Thelasttimesomeoneaskedmeforafavor,Iwasn’tsoinclinedtograntit.Somewolvesdon’tknowwhatthebestthingforthemis.”
Shefurrowedherbrow.
Hewavedadismissivehand.“Don’tmindme.Whatdoyouneed?Beforeyoutellme,givemethesandwich.Icouldeatabrick,I’msohungry.”
Laughing,shehandeditover.“Idon’tknowmuchaboutwhatyouandthepack
didbeforeyousettledhereatNorseton,andI’mnotreallysureIwanttoknow.Dariusdoesn’tdiscussitatall,butIknowyourteamworkswelltogether,andthat’ssomethingthatshouldn’tbediscounted.”
Adamtookabigbiteofsandwichandnodded.
“I’mnotsuggestinghestopdoingwhathedoes,but…Iwonderif…”
“You’vegottheworsthearingofanywolfI’veeverknown,”Dariussaidsoftlybehindher.
Shecringed.Turning,shefoundhisexpressiontobeacontrivedblank,andhe
pulledhisenergyinclosetohisbodythesamewayhealwaysdidwhenhewasangry.
Shit.Isheangry?Herwolfwasneverreallyangryforlong—atleastnotwithher—butshedidn’twanttothinkshe’dhurthisfeelings.Shewasinauniquepositiontodo
so,andknewit.
“You’rethequietestwolfinthepack,”Alphasaidtohim.“Youcan’treallyfaultherfornothearingyou.”
DariusflittedhisgazetoAlpha,butsaidnothing.Hedidn’tneedto.Hemighthavetriedtotampitdown,buthisdiscomfortradiatedoffhim
likeheatoffaradiator.
“Nowsheisn’tgoingtoaskforwhatevershecameherefor.Youcouldn’thavewaitedfiveminutes?You’reearlyforyourshift.”Alphatookanotherlargebiteandsteppedouttohailanoncomingvehicle.
Dariuscrossedhisarms
overhischestandgroundhisteeth.
“I’mnottryingtogetyouintrouble.Ijustwanttohelp,”shesaid.
“Helpwhat?”
“Helpgetyouwhatyouneed,sinceyouwon’taskforit.”
“WhatisitthatyouthinkIneed?”
Shenarrowedhereyesathim.“AreyougoingtoactlikeIhaven’tspentthepastcoupleofweekslearningyourinsandouts?Imaynotknoweverythingthathasmadeyouthewayyouare,butIknowwhoyouare.By
now,youshoulddamnwellknowwhoIam,andwhatI’mcapableof.”
Alphasteppedbackinandcarefullywrappedhissandwich.“Catchmeonthewalkie-talkieifyouneedanything.I’mgonnagoseeifIcantakemyladyforastroll.”
Dariussaidnothing.HejustwatchedAlphaleave,andthensatonthelowblackstoolinfrontofthesecurityvideomonitors.Headjustedtheviewononeforawiderimageofthewestboundroad.
Shedrummedherfingersonthesidesofherarms.“Icantellthedifference
betweengoodsilenceandbadsilence.Thisisbadsilence.Youneedtotalktome.”
“Whatdoyouwantmetosay?”
“Anythingatallisbetterthannothing.IknowI’menablingyou.Ithinkyou’relesssocialnowthanyouwerebeforeyoutookmeasa
mate.”
Hestraightenedhisspine,andtheelectrictensionintheroomraisedthehairsonthebackofherneck.Sheneededtocalmherwolf.Itwasajobonlyshewasequippedtodo,andthatwaswhyshewashismate—whythegoddesshadchosenherforhim.The
goddesshadequippedStephaniewiththetoolstohelphim.Stephaniecouldn’treadanyotherwolfthewayshedidhermate,andsheknewthatwasn’tcoincidence.
“Anddon’tyouthinkI’vefiguredoutthat’swhatyouneed?”Shemovedslowly
acrossthesmallroomandsetherhandsgentlyonhisshoulders.Shebrushedherthumbsalongthesidesofhisneckandhookedherchinoverhisshoulder.“Iknowinpacksthatperceptionisjustasimportantasreality.Iwouldneverdoanythingtocompromiseyourstanding
withyourpeers.Iwouldnevershameyou.”
Herfatherhadalwayssaidshe’dendupbeingsomewolf’sshame,andforawhile,she’dbelievedit.Infact,she’darrivedinNorsetonbelievingit.Herbaggagehadmadeherforgetalltheimportantlessonsthat
arthadtaughtheraboutlayersandexpression.Aboutholdingherjudgmentuntilshe’dhadtimetothink.
Sheskimmedherlipsacrosshisstubbledcheekandkissedhisjaw.
Thatalphaenergyflaredaroundhim,snappingandcoiling,butitwaslesshot
now.Lessstifling.Buthewasn’tthekindofalphawolfwho’dpickafight.Hewasthekindwhowouldwalkawayifhegotangry.Shedidn’twanthimtowalkawayfromherineitherofhisforms.
“Ijustwanttomakesureyou’rehappy,”shesaid.
“Iwillbeifyoudon’trunoutofpatiencewithme.”
Sheslippedherhandsunderhisshirtandslidthemuphischest.Skin-to-skincontactmadetalkingsomucheasier.Shealwaysknewshewasontherighttrackbythewayhismusclesrelaxedandhisbreathingslowed.
“Remember,Ineedyouasmuchasyouneedme,”shewhispered.
“Youdon’tneedme.You’dbeokaywithoutme.You’dprobablybebetteroffwithsomehumanguywhowearsasuittowork.”
“Ineededawolf,andIliketheoneIhave.Nohuman
guyinasuitwouldletmemakeSharpiedoodlesonhischestwheneverIwant.”Shenudgeduphisshirtandtookapeekathispecs.Herblackinkdrawingofacross-eyedwolfwasstillthere,thoughsomewhatfaded.Shegiggledatthememoryofhimtryingtoscrubitoffintheshower
withherpurplebathpouf.Shemadethemincreasinglysillyjusttoseethosepreciousexpressionshemadewhenhelookedinthemirroratthem.
Helookedupfromhischestandmethergaze.Sheknewhowhardthatwasforhim,sosherewardedhimwithakissonhischin.
Weeksago,shewouldhaveneverguessedshe’dfindpleasureinsuchachasteact,butshehadn’tknowntherewerewolveslikeDariusthen,either.
“Idon’tthinkItoldyou.I…Iliketheonesyoudowithabunchofcolors.Takesyoulonger.”
Shelethisshirtfallbackintoplaceandstuffedherhandsintothebackpocketsofhisjeans.“YoucouldjustaskmetonotscurryawaysosoonwhenI’mdone.”
“LikeIsaid,Idon’twantyoutorunoutofpatiencewithme.”
“Gods,Darius,don’t
worryaboutthat.”
“Canyoublameme?”
Shecringed.No,shereallycouldn’tblamehim.Shehopedtoquicklydisabusehimofthenotionthatshecouldn’tbeaskedforsimplefavors,though.Hishappinesswascontagious,soitwasinherbestinterestto
makehimpracticethatsmile.
“WhatdidyouwantfromAlpha?”
“Justreassurance.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Thatthispackiswhatwebothneed.BeforeIcamehere,Ihaddreamsthatitmightbe.Thepackis
growing.Therearenomoldsforushere,andIthinkwehavetocarveoutourplaceswhilewehaveachance.”
“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”Thelastnervoustendrilsofhisenergydissipated,andshefinallyletherselftakeadeepbreath.
“We’llfigureitout
together.Youdon’thavetoworryaboutit,becausewe’regoingtohelpeachother.You’regoingtoteachmehowtobeawolf,andI’mgoingtokeepallofthenoiseandchaosawayfromyou.That’llbemyjob,justliketeachingartattheschoolnextsemester.Howaboutthat?”
HeflashedStephanieoneofthosebashfulgrinsandpulledherontohislap.“Soyou’reokaywithmelettingyoudoallthetalking?”
“Aslongasyou’renothidingfromme.”
“I’dneverhidefromyou.Notmeormywolf.Youmakemefeelsafe.”
“Me?”
“Mm-hmm.Youfeellikehome.Ihaven’thadthatinaverylongtime.I’dbestupidtohidefromthat.”
“You’redefinitelynotstupid.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat.IknowI’mlucky,though.I
don’tknowwhatIdidtodeserveyou.”
“ProbablyaboutasmuchasIdidtodeserveyou.SinceI’mhere,whydon’tyoupullupyourhomework?I’llwatchthemonitors,andyoucanfixyoursentences.”
“Okay.”Heswitchedoneofthescreenstoabrowser
displayandnavigatedtohisonlinedocuments.“IfiguredoutwhatkindofdegreeIwanttoget.”
“What?”Shesquintedatmovingspeckononeofthescreens.Itturnedouttojustbeacatwalkingpastthemansionsteps.Cutelittlething.
Weshouldgetacat.SomethingtotangleupDarius’sfeetwhenhewalkedandmakehimswearinthathilariouswayhedid.Hewassooddlyeloquentinthatoneway.
Shelaughedeventhinkingit,thenkissedhisfurrowedbrow.Heprobablythought
shewasnuts,whichwasalittletrue,ifshewasbeinghonest.
“Uh.Computerscience.Thepackneedstousetechnologymoreefficientlyinourjobs.IthinkIcanhelpwiththat.”
Andhewouldprobablyhavelessfacetimewiththe
public.Aperfectsolution.
“JustneedtorunitpastAlpha.”
“He’llsayyes,”shesaidconfidently.
“Howdoyouknow?”
“Ibroughthimlunch.Heowesmeafavor.”Shewinked,andheblushedlikea
teenagedboy.Ashy,gentle,lonewolf.
Herlonewolf.
Hedidn’tneedchanging,andneitherdidshe.
TheEnd
LookforColt’sstoryinJuly2015.
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HolleyTrentisaCarolinagirlgonewest.RaisedinruralcoastalNorthCarolina,she’saladywithSouthern
sensibilities,butin2011heradventurousspiritdrovehertoColoradofornewexperiences.Shewritescontemporaryandparanormalromancesrangingfromsensualtoeroticthatareusuallysetinherhomestate.Herhumorissometimessubtle,oftenribald,andregularlyinappropriate.Ifanyofherstoriesseemoverlyseriousatfirstglance–keep
reading.She’sawinneroftheinauguralCIM-RWAAbaloneAward(forMyNora)andathree-timeColoradoRomanceWritersAwardofExcellencefinalist(MyNora,CalculatedExposure,andADemoninWaiting).ADemoninWaitingwasaRomConReaders’Crownfinalistin2014.
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