When she came out of the bathroom Dell was waiting on her. He too was dressed in cold weather gear, but while she felt like a bulky snowman he was sleek and sexy as hell. Black leather combat boots peeked out from under form fitting jeans. He wore a thick black coat, matching skullcap, and leather gloves.
“Ready?” He smiled eagerly.
“For what? An avalanche?” She slowly shuffled out of the bathroom.
A gloved hand reached for hers and she jerked back.
“It’s okay,” Dell held up a hand and wiggled the thick fingers. “We’ve gotta touch skin to skin to be afflicted.
When he reached for her hand a second time she allowed him to close a gloved hand around her slender fingers and draw her down the hall. They crossed through the kitchen where Mama, working some dough on a board, didn’t look up as she ordered, “Be careful.”
“We will.”
Chloe’s belly somersaulted. Why would we need to be careful?
Outside, Dell led her to the side of the house where two four-wheelers were parked.
“Take your pick.” He motioned toward the vehicles.
“Uhh…I…uh.”
“They’re both basically operated the same so it doesn’t matter which one you take.” He turned to point at the larger four-wheeler, “Mine’s just got a larger motor is all. It’s faster, stronger.”
Taking a step backward, she frowned apologetically at him, “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to drive one of these things.”
His eyes grew wide. “You’ve never driven a four-wheeler?”
“No,” she responded sadly. She hadn’t experienced much in life. She was always too busy being responsible and playing things safe. Over the course of her young life she’d turned down more offers for exciting adventures than she’d care to ever admit.
He reached out and grabbed her elbow pulling her closer, “It’s okay. I’ll show you. Climb on.” He didn’t wait for her to move before he lifted her effortlessly from the ground and placed her on the four-wheeler then began explaining the basics of operation.
After ten minutes he finally quieted and smiled, “So you think you can handle it?”
Chloe winced pulling her gloved fingers from the handlebars and turned to eye his four-wheeler. When she spoke her voice was so low that any other person would have missed it. “Can’t I just ride with you?”
As if he hadn’t even considered the prospect, Dell sobered momentarily before moving quickly. He jerked the keys out of the ignition and pocketed them before bending and lifting her off the machine to carry her to his.
“You’re right,” he responded eagerly. These things are pretty difficult to get the hang of. Besides, the terrain’ll be rough so it’s best you ride instead of drive. I should have suggested it. I apologize.”
Smiling to herself, Chloe bit the inside of her cheek to keep from informing him that after his tutorial she was confident that she’d be able to sufficiently operate the machine. The only reason she wanted to ride with him was out of fear that she’d get lost somehow in the unfamiliar area.
She scooted back to give him room to mount the four-wheeler and when he started it and began to pull away, she locked her arms tightly around his waist. She felt vibrations in his back indicating his laughter and, assuming he was laughing at her, she loosened her hold.
Dell drove past the barn and Chloe watched as Briggs and several other males loaded into a black truck similar to Dell’s.
“Boys night out?”
Dell slowed to a stop. “They are all unmated males that are viable candidates for your affection. My wolf won’t tolerate their proximity to you without having to assert dominance. It’s best for everyone if they steer clear of you.”
Chloe paled, “Would they…”
Dell smiled, “No. They know better, but I won’t tolerate prospective candidates in your presence. It can’t be helped. Something in our wolf DNA that forces me to protect you, fight for you.”
“Briggs is mated.”
Dell shook his head, “No. Briggs is dating. There’s a huge difference. While we all like Jessika, she isn’t his mate.”
“How do you know? Couldn’t they learn to love each other?”
“They think they love each other now. But that’s not enough. Like I said before, mates are pre-destined. Someone doesn’t become your mate simply because you want them to, they either are or aren’t.”
“What if your selected mate denies you? Would you ever find a replacement?”
Dell heaved a reluctant sigh, “Not that I’ve heard of.”
Chloe smiled snidely, “So I’m your only shot?”
He shrugged once, staring straight ahead. “Looks like it.”
Her smile slowly faded, “I’m sorry about that, I wish…”
“I’m not,” he cut her off then revved the engine and the four-wheeler pulled away from the compound.
Almost a half mile from the front door of the compound Chloe’s eyes snagged on what appeared to be a huge fire pit. Large boulders encircled the pit and it looked as though full trees had been used as the fodder.
“What’s that?”
Dell slowed the four-wheeler to a stop. “That’s the stronghold.” He smiled over his shoulder. “It’s where the pack holds ceremony, where we meet.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry,” he revved the engine, “you’ll find out what it’s for soon enough.”
She wanted to ask what he meant, but bit her tongue instead. They’d never get anywhere if she kept making him stop to answer questions.
“They drove for a long time. Chloe had been forced to wrap her arms tightly around his waist when they’d traversed a particularly steep patch of road and when the road leveled out she simply kept her arms where they were.
The scenery was breathtaking. She’d always loved the rugged beauty of Montana and viewing it now with Dell, she knew memories were being created that would imprint themselves on her heart and mind forever.
The early Montana rains gave way to mountain snows that crusted the earth in sparkling crystalline flakes that smelled crisp and fresh, reminding Chloe of Dell’s scent. It was strong, masculine, and distinctly Montana.
They traversed higher than she’d ever been on the mountain. The road tapered to a thin strip that crested an extremely narrow pass. Looking down she saw that the ledge was a sheer cliff of around three hundred feet straight down. She buried her face in the back of Dell’s coat and felt his body rumble with laughter. A few moments later she pulled her face back to see that they’d successfully navigated the pass.
Finally as the four-wheeler crested a slight hill she saw an adorable cottage nestled under a stand of trees. A dark-skinned couple worked together in front of the cottage, the man chopping wood with an axe while the petite woman stacked the logs against the home.
As Dell and Chloe drew closer, the couple turned and approached.
By the time Dell turned off the four-wheeler’s ignition, the couple was stepping through the gate of a worn post and rail fence that encircled the cottage.
“Hi Lloyd!” Dell shouted before embracing the man in a massive hug. He turned and lavished the same on the woman. “So good to see you both.”
He turned to Chloe. “Chloe, this is Lloyd Porter and his wife Phyllis.”
Chloe extended her hand to accept Lloyds as he beamed at her, “So nice to meet you Chloe.” Lloyd looked from her to Dell a bit mischievously, “And how do you all know each other?”
Chloe opened her mouth. “We’re…uh…” she turned to eyed Dell, “We’re…”
“She’s mine.” Dell supplied proudly.
Unable to stop the warmth that seeped through her at his claim, Chloe blushed and smiled at Phyllis before shaking her hand.
“Well congratulations!” Lloyd patted Dell on the back, “That’s just wonderf
ul. Have you had ceremony?”
Confused Chloe looked at Dell.
“Not yet, but soon.”
She made a mental note to ask about this ceremony before Phyllis grabbed her hand and tugged her away, “Let’s have some coffee while Lloyd bores your Dell with golf gab.”
It was dark by the time they left the Porter’s cozy cabin. Phyllis had done more than supply coffee. They were treated to the best cinnamon rolls Chloe had ever eaten. The delicious rolls, steaming coffee and warm conversation created an exceptional trifecta that had Chloe reluctant to leave. But Dell insisted that if they didn’t leave soon they risked drawing out the pack.
“God loves you and so do we!” Lloyd shouted as Dell and Chloe drove away.
“Bye! It was nice to meet you.” Chloe yelled and waved over her shoulder until the couple and the cottage were out of sight.
The four-wheeler whined quietly as they eased their way back down the mountain road.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Are they shifters too?”
“No,” Dell smiled over his shoulder, “just long time friends of the family. Phyllis helped Pony graduate when he was determined to drop out.”
Chloe grinned, “That’s nice.”
“Yes, they’re a rare breed of genuinely kind people.”
“They live up there?”
“They come home for the spring and summer. Winters are spent at their home in Oregon.”
“What do they consider winter? It’s freezing now?”
“They’ll leave in a few days. It’s why I wanted to introduce you now while I still have the chance.”
Chloe wrapped her arms tightly around Dell and rested her cheek against his back as she enjoyed the ride down the mountain and back to the compound.
Chapter 17
Back at the compound, Dell maneuvered the four-wheeler across the property and back to its designated parking spot.
Chloe climbed from the vehicle and Dell followed, removing his gloves before turning to smile at her, “Well, how was it for your first time?”
“Couldn’t have been better.” She smiled shyly.
Dell watched as Chloe bit her bottom lip, drawing it in between even white teeth as she stared at him. Her lashes lowered and when the wind picked up, Dell was slammed with a familiar scent. He’d scented it the day he’d confronted her in the supermarket parking lot. It had been faint then, barely there, but now it was so strong that his gut clenched. He took in a deep steadying breath and it was a mistake. The scent was drawn deep into him, threatening to buckle his knees and send his wolf surging forth. When he’d first scented it at the supermarket, it had been too subtle for him to pinpoint, but now it was stronger. Desire!
He took another deep breath, this time through his mouth in hopes that he’d be able to keep the scent from tempting the wolf that was already close to surfacing. He couldn’t deny the overwhelming relief that swamped him when he discovered that she was attracted to him. His balls drew tighter and he was startled to realize that he had hardened, prepared to claim her.
“Are you okay?”
He couldn’t miss the alarm in Chloe’s tone and realized he’d squared his feet, balled his hands into tight fists and was breathing raggedly as he barely restrained himself from pouncing on her. In that moment he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his whole life. So much so that he actually feared for her virtue.
He blinked and knew the movement was too slow. Her aroma had him drugged, and like an addict he needed more. He knew better than to breathe in any more of her scent, but he couldn’t seem to stop his wolf from surging forth and drawing in a long deep inhalation and even through her bulky winter gear he scented her sweet, heady wetness. His eyes drifted closed and he groaned falling to his knees.
“Dell!” Chloe dropped and grabbed his shoulder and that was all it took.
With animalistic speed he grabbed one wrist and then the other, forcing her to the ground and pinning her with his weight.
Her eyes grew wide in shock. She felt his bare hands clamped on the flesh of her wrists and she waited for the familiar draining to render her unconscious, but it never came. She didn’t struggle, already afraid of what she’d done to make Dell so angry.
As he shifted his weight over her, she stilled in understanding as she felt the thick hard length of his erection pressing against her sex. She opened her mouth to speak but didn’t get the chance. Dell’s mouth dropped to hers and his tongue plunged inside, drawing hers forth and stealing her breath. He held her arms pinned with one of his large hands high over her head while his other hand splayed possessively against her ribcage.
He noted that at first she’d been taken aback, but slowly, she tentatively returned his demanding kiss. And kiss her he did.
His tongue dove deep, savoring the sweet cinnamon taste of her. He wondered if she’d taste just as sweet elsewhere and the thought drew forth a growl so deep and viscous that he’d been certain she would recoil in fear.
When she didn’t, he pressed his groin harder against her sex, drawing forth a soft moan from her parted lips that had him dying to claim her. His kiss was brutal, but he couldn’t control himself. When he nipped her lip and tasted the coppery tang of blood, he tried to pull back but she followed him. He drew her offended lip between his and sucked her blood into his mouth. He wanted her, all of her.
He was lifting his hand higher on her body when his wolf suddenly tensed, sensing something.
Dell pulled back and scanned the area.
“Dell, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked breathlessly.
He’d dropped his guard, too consumed with mating to be on alert. It only took him a second to scent the intruder, a shifter not of his pack. He jumped up, pulling Chloe easily up with him in one fluid movement before he shoved her behind him. He scanned the area as his muscles bunched. Whoever had the audacity to interrupt his make-out session was about to pay for it.
There’s a stranger on the premises! Cindy’s alarmed words carried to him through the pack ties.
“What’s happening?” Behind him, Chloe had finally caught her breath and was clearly having trouble understanding the sudden transition in mood.
He was about to answer her when a figure stepped out from the tree line a mere few feet away. The man approached cautiously, hands held high.
“Brother, I come in peace.”
Dell growled. There were many ways for an outsider to introduce himself to the Alpha of a territory, and this wasn’t one of them.
Dell kept his eyes on the stranger but turned to growl at Chloe, “Get in the house.”
She didn’t ask any questions, doing as Dell commanded. She rushed from his side and was halfway to the house when the back door was shoved open. Mama stood there, frowning at the stranger, and to Chloe’s relief, Cindy suddenly bounded out from the tree line nearest the house, her dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She strode past Chloe, never taking her eyes off the stranger as she eyed him intently.
When Chloe reached the house, Stevie and the girl Hannah brushed past Mama and jogged to take their place next to Cindy and Dell as they confronted the stranger.
“I-is everything alright?”
Like Chloe, Mama kept her eyes fixed on the stranger. “He’s a stranger. Uninvited. It’s unusual for him to approach in such a manner. It could be considered hostile.”
Oh God, the men! Chloe turned to Mama as panic hitched her tone. “Aren’t there any mated men in the clan?”
“You betcha!” Pony stepped out of the house followed closely by AJ. The pair casually strode toward Dell and the stranger, seemingly non-pulsed by everyone else’s state of alarm.
“Thank God!”
“Mmhmm,” Mama nodded her concurrence at the statement.
They watched from a distance unsure of what was happening. After several minutes Chloe asked, “Is
AJ mated?”
Mama smiled, “No, but he’s too young to be considered a viable mate for you. Dell doesn’t consider him a threat.”
“A threat? Is that what he thinks of the other men that were sent away? Even Briggs?”
Mama nodded. “It’s not Dell. It’s his wolf. The males are extremely possessive and protective. None more so than the Alpha. He’d hurt one of them just for looking at you. You belong to him, but he hasn’t staked that claim, so right now anyone could claim you. It’s a very precarious time. He’s more on edge. His instincts are to protect and to claim you.”
Chloe blushed and then was relieved when she saw Dell and the pack returning to the house. The stranger followed.
***
“I don’t want you going near him!” Dell commanded in clear agitation.
“I-I wouldn’t.” She was shaking her head even as Dell reached up to help her unzip her bulky coat.
“He’ll stay in the barn, we’ve got a guest house there for these types of situations, but I don’t trust him.”
“If you don’t trust him,” Chloe shimmied out of the coat watching him intently, “then why let him stay?”
“I don’t have much choice in the matter,” he huffed as he hung her coat in the closet and returned to help her unfasten her overalls. “He’s from an ally pack, it’s proper form for me to welcome him here. Even if…”
Chloe’s fingers stilled on the buttons at her hips, “If what?”
“He’s a viable mate for you Chloe. For his safety you’ll need to stay clear of him. He’s been warned that you’re here.”
Her brows hiked, “Warned that I’m here? I’m not a threat. Am I?”
Grabbing her arms, he pulled her until she was inches from his face. His grim features drawn tight, “You are a threat to his well-being because I’d kill him if he approached you.”
She smiled weakly intending on teasing him about his suddenly possessive nature, but her smile faded quickly when Dell growled.
“This isn’t a game Chloe. When I say I’d kill him I don’t mean in the figurative sense.” His hold on her arms tightened, “I would literally rip him apart.”
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