by Belle Harper
The one thing I didn’t expect to happen was Lexi rubbing her tiny little self on my cock. Our clothes were on, but I was so aroused. I didn’t know if it was her scent that had tipped me over, but when she asked if I had condoms, I knew that really pissed off Ranger, and even Maverick was not impressed.
Then I came. I fucking came in my boxers. I was so caught up with her, rubbing against me, kissing me, and I tried to stop but I couldn’t. I was so embarrassed that I had done that. I had never come that fast before, but then I had never had a girl rubbing herself against me before.
When she said that last line, I knew she was just doing it to get a rise out of them after I told her they could hear us. But I didn’t care. She was on top of me, she was in my arms… she was marked with my scent.
The first one up the stairs was Ranger—I could hear him. Maverick on his tail, muttering about saving his brothers ass. I didn’t expect Galen to come up. But now he was there, I could sense he wasn’t happy to see where Lexi was sitting, but even more so. I knew the room smelled of both our arousals and my cum.
I didn’t know much about vampires but the way he watched me, I could tell he wished he was here, under her. I had got that feeling from the way he was always watching her. She was teasing him now. He knew it, and I actually felt bad for the guy. When the tip of her tongue touched my neck, she traced a line up to my ear and sucked my earlobe. I shuddered. How did something so small feel so good.
I felt the moment Ranger shifted. The air in the room grew tight and my wolf begged to come to the surface to protect what was mine.
I growled lowly as I grabbed Lexi’s hips and spun her away from him.
“Ranger, for fucks’ sake. This isn’t winning any brownie points for you,” Galen yelled at him. I could see Ranger had shredded his clothes shifting. Dumbass. He was so weak, always giving into the anger. He had no discipline.
Lexi squeaked, and I could smell the fear rolling off her in waves. She reached and held onto my arm, shielding her body from Ranger.
You see that, Ranger. She wants me to protect her from you. She is mine. I growled lowly again, warning him that I will shift if I have to, but only to protect her. I wouldn’t fight him unless he charged at me, I would protect her at any cost. Maverick wasn’t fucking around and letting this play out this time. He was actually concerned, which set my wolf off even more. I was on the edge… I was so close to shifting.
“Ranger, shift back. Father will know and he’s going to be pissed. For fucks’ sake, she isn’t yours. Get it through your head. You. Are. Scaring. Her.”
Ranger’s jaw snapped at his brother before he turned to me and let out a loud growl which pushed my wolf to the surface. I pushed Lexi away as I let my wolf come forward.
“Raff.” I heard her call out as heat and pain hit me for a brief moment, then I was on all fours. I leaped off the bed and stood defensively, protecting what was mine. She was mine, she wore my scent. Why couldn’t he see this. When I heard a loud call through the house, my wolf whined. I tried to hold it, but I couldn’t. Alpha was here and he was calling for submission. I looked up and saw Maverick was on his knees.
The thundering footsteps up the stairs told me it wasn’t just Alaric. He told me the rules last night. He told me there was no shifting inside the house, that was one of the rules.
“I leave and come back to this! Maverick, Ranger, leave now. Go to your rooms, I will deal with you later.”
There was a growl from Alaric when Ranger didn’t move. Ranger’s eyes locked onto me. He was letting me know this was not over. I already knew it wasn’t. He wanted Lexi as much as I did. And I wouldn’t back down if I was him, either. But I also wouldn’t do what he was doing, that was exactly what Galen said—not winning brownie points. I didn’t have a packmate but I grew up a shifter, just like him. If he was smarter, he wouldn’t keep challenging me like this.
“Rafferty was only protecting Lexi,” Galen said. He didn’t look at me, and I couldn’t get up—I was waiting for Alaric to release me.
“This ends now, this is your first and last warning. I told you the rules. And you didn’t last twenty-four hours before breaking two of them. If you are to live under the same roof, you will need to tolerate each other. Same rules apply to all my sons.”
The rules were simple. Keep out of trouble, attend school, and get good grades. Don’t shift in the house. And the biggest rule was no sleeping with Alexis. And her door was to stay open with any of the boys in here. So yeah, I guess I actually broke more than two rules.
I could hear Lexi’s bare feet touch the floor beside me, the fear settling down. Like she knew she was projecting it and could stop herself.
“Well, Ranger needs to learn how to knock. He just flew in here and growled at me. Then he turned into a wolf and growled more. I would appreciate him not doing that. I could have been naked.”
Alaric grumbled under his breath and I could sense he was conflicted. I guess having a headstrong teenage girl that your son was so determined to have as a mate living under your roof was frustrating. Plus, add in the foster kid that she needs, that she wants, and who has marked her… Well, I could see that this could be stressful. He wasn’t a bad alpha, far from it truthfully.
“I will speak to him. In the meantime, it would be great to get you to school one day this week. So, please, get ready. Galen can drive you both.” Alaric waved his hand at Galen and I felt the pressure release me. The door clicked as Alaric and Galen left. I stood up on all fours, my wolf loving being so close to Lexi in this form. I felt her shift besides me, and I slowed my movements as I turned to look up at her.
“Can I… pet you?” I laughed but it came out as a wruff sound. I stepped forward to where her arm was stretched out toward me and butted my snout against her hand. When she ran her hands up and over my ears, I couldn’t stop. My wolf wanted to twist around her, rub my scent on her legs. She giggled at the movements.
“Your tickling me.” She giggled again and sat down on the floor. We were almost the same height like this, and I could see her search my eyes.
“They like glow. You’re so cute, Raff. You are smaller than Ranger, but I like that because you still jumped in to protect me. You know what?” She was stroking all my fur and it felt amazing, “I never had a pet before.” I looked up and saw the playful glint in her eyes.
Oh really? Teasing again? I did what all “man’s best friends,” did.
I licked her face.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lexi
I was late down to breakfast after I took an extra-long shower, and I only caught a glimpse of Raff before he was told to get in the car. Alaric told me that I had to keep this to myself. That if I went around telling people about shifters that Galen would have to wipe their memory. That was enough to scare the shit out of me and then I wondered, how the hell did he wipe people’s memories? I decided I didn’t want to know. Shit. He was a vampire. He could have killed lots of people. But he doesn’t look scary. No, he draws you in with those kissable lips, those eyes… He could kill me and I wouldn’t even be sad about it.
The ride to school was awkward. Galen had told Raff to sit up front with him. By the time I got to the car, I had to sit in the back seat, like a child. I was just happy to be riding in this car, rather than with Ranger and Maverick.
Ranger had offered to drive me many times while his father was trying to scare the shit out of me about the “big secret.” I rolled my eyes at Ranger for the fifth time. Yeah, sure, ignore what you did earlier, I haven’t forgot and won’t forget that. The guy who can’t control himself, listening in on private conversations… Sure, I will ride with you. What a dumbass.
Galen parked in the teacher’s parking lot. I didn’t wait for Raff; I didn’t want any of the girls to know Galen drove me here. Wasn’t in the mood for bitch fights and drama. And when it came to Galen, I could tell there would be a lot of both.
I walked into the school and was instantly stared down by a lot of males, l
arge males. All I assumed were shifters.
Shit, shit, shit.
“Hey, Alexis. I’m Noah.” Ah, fuck. I guess the, “Do not talk to Lexi,” thing has been lifted. Or this guy had more balls than anyone.
I spun on my heel and faced Noah. I when I looked up, he was smiling at me. Why were so many of them tall, ripped, and attractive? Where any of these shifters unattractive?
“Uh… do you like living with the Lovells? My mom said you can come chat with her, if you want. You know, about things and ah… Come over for dinner?” I just stared at him. He knew about me moving in with them? Fuck. Of course, he knew, he was a shifter. I bet the whole fucking school knew about me living with Ranger. Ugh. Could today get any worse?
Another guy, who looked like an older version of Noah, swung his arm around his neck and put him into a headlock and winked at me.
“Hey, get off, Callum,” Noah tried to spin around and push away from him and I took that as my cue to leave. But as I turned, more of them were surrounding me.
“Hey, I’m Harley.” I looked over to a tall guy who I had seen before in English. My heart started racing—they were intimidating for anyone. And the fact I knew they turned into wolves… Yeah, that made this worse
I looked toward the door I had come in. Where was Raff? I shouldn’t have run off from him. But then again, I also didn’t want him to get into more fights and these guys were the ones who have been attacking him. I needed Galen. I didn’t want to want him, but I knew he would be able to help me. There was a group of shifters all staring at me and they had me caged me in like a mouse.
“Get away from me,” I shouted as I pushed against the smallest one, who was still taller than me. His chest was warm and hard, and his dark eyes and nostrils flared at my touch. But he didn’t budge, it was like he was made of stone. He quirked his brow at me and looked where I touched his chest. His mouth parted just as he was shoved away.
“Move, Luca.” Maverick appeared in front of me. “All of you, fuck off. You know the rules.”
I could feel the guys behind me shuffle and I worried what they were doing behind my back, so I turned suddenly and saw they didn’t look happy.
“But, but—” one started. Maverick let out a low growl that scared me. I didn’t think I would ever get used to that—the growling like an animal thing… it was so foreign coming from a human.
“Hey, Mav… Ranger and I are packmates, you know that, right?” When Maverick growled again, I was ready for it. He sounded different than Ranger. Holy shit, the others were scared of him, too. I still didn’t really like him, but he was growing on me. Better the devil you know and all that. I found myself taking a step backward, away from the others and closer to Maverick.
“There is a claim,” he ground out. The guys just shook their heads and started to protest. When Noah took a step toward me, I freaked out that he was going to touch me that I stepped back and hit a wall… of Maverick. I froze, as all the air sucked out of my lungs. I went to sidestep him, but his hand reached out and grabbed my waist to stop me. My back was flush against him, and I could feel the hardness of his body. The smell of pine made me relax slightly in his hold. He smelled like summer and I didn’t know why it affected me so much.
“Bullshit,” Callum muttered under his breath. I looked down to where Maverick’s hand was on my hip, his fingers tightened slightly. The bell rang and they all disbursed, grumbling and muttering under their breath, but I stood still. Maverick didn’t let go of me, and to be honest, I didn’t want him to. It was wrong, he hated me… but then he fed me breakfast and, ugh. Why were guys so complicated? Why was all of this so messed up?
I could feel his thumb brush over the exposed skin just above my jeans. I sucked in a breath. What the hell was happening? I could hear him breathe deeply, his breath tickling the hairs on the back of my neck. He dropped his hand from my hip, and I almost stumbled backward to feel him. His head moved over my shoulder beside my ear, and I tilted my neck to his mouth. It was such a natural movement, I didn’t know I was even doing it.
“Go find Rafferty. He needs to mark you before the other packs find you. Smelling like theirs… mine.” The last word was barely a whisper, as if I wasn’t supposed to hear it. It sent a shiver down my spine as he inhaled my hair and left me there. I was a little disoriented. Did that just happen?
I couldn’t find Raff. I was freaking out; the bell had rang and I didn’t know what class he had now. I was hoping to see Ada in English Lit. Lucky, I had history straight after English today. Galen would be able to help me. Maybe, hopefully.
“Hey,” Ada beamed at me. “I was wondering when you were coming to school.” I looked over and could see Callum staring at me. Shit, just gotta get through this class.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well. Had to take a few days off.” We couldn’t take more as class had started, and I tried my best to avoid Callum looking back at me. I felt a tapping on my arm as Ada slipped me a note.
I opened it. “I think Callum Jones has a crush on you.” Ah… shit. I had a feeling he wanted to have more than just a little crush. I nodded and she beamed at me. No… no this was bad, not good. But how did I tell her this. I quickly scribbled back that I was interested in Raff. When she read it she giggled and winked at me. I felt a little giddy too. It was nice to be with her, sharing this little bit with someone that wasn’t a guy.
A few guys followed me to History. Thank God I was late so I could just get in and take a seat.
“Nice of you to join us, Miss Turner.” I looked up to see Galen with that smile, the sexy god like one. How was anyone not affected by that? I glanced around the room to the mostly female class and yep, they were all affected just like me. The blonde girl at the front of the class glared at me. Yeah, and this was why I ran from his car. I didn’t want to be seen with him… or Ranger. Because if there were two guys here at school that every girl wanted, it was them two. But they could have Ranger all they wanted; I didn’t want him. I didn’t.
“Hey, Lex. Saved you a seat.” Now it was my turn to glare. I saw the only free seat was next to Ranger. And for the love of… He called me Lex. I moved between the desks, pissed off. I angrily took a seat beside him. He stiffened up a little then leaned over toward me. I leaned away from him. What was he doing?
“Ranger, do you wish to move seats?” We both turned our heads up to where Galen was watching us.
“No, thank you, Galen. I am perfectly fine here next to my special friend.” I groaned when everyone’s heads turned to look at us. Today was going to be a day from hell. I gave Ranger a look that was supposed to make him shut his mouth, but he just smirked and winked at me. Then he moved in and sniffed me.
“Freak,” I muttered under my breath. ‘Cause yeah, that was what he was. One of those sniffing freaks.
“Shit, you don’t smell like him. Fair game, Lex. This isn’t good.” I realized he was telling me the same thing Maverick did. I started to get worried. This was bad then if he was being all serious.
“I didn’t know, okay.” Like yeah, I couldn’t smell the scents or whatever it was, so how was I supposed to know when I smelled like Raff or not? I guess I washed him all off when I had that shower this morning.
“Shit, did you have trouble on the way to class? Is that why you were late?” I looked into his green eyes. God, he was gorgeous—and he knew it. I didn’t answer him as I turned away. He figured it out for himself.
“Look, Galen can hear us. He will help, okay? Fuck, was it bad? Do I need to call my father?”
I spun to him and watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and swept it over to the side. Where it always was, so perfect and…
“I am a big girl, Ranger. I can take care of myself.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Lexi
Raff wasn’t hard to find when you had a teacher who could hear you all the way from the back of the class. By the time the class ended, Ranger sat with me. He told me to stay and Raff walked through the
door not a minute later. I sagged in relief. I had never been so happy to see him as I did in that moment.
I stood as he came for me, wrapping our arms around each other like we hadn’t seen each other in years, when in reality it was only hours ago.
“I am so sorry. I didn’t smell you when you got in the car. Galen’s scent is strong and I didn’t know. I am so sorry. Are you okay?” I nodded into his chest. I loved that Raff wasn’t as big as the other guys—he was smaller in both wolf and human form. I didn’t say anything as he started to rub his cheek over mine, my neck—he rubbed any bare skin he could.
“Yeah, I think she is good and well stunk up now,” Ranger mumbled.
I wanted to laugh, but instead, I pulled Raff down and kissed him. When he opened his mouth, I melted into his arms. His tongue swept over mine, I wanted to taste him. A throat cleared and we pulled away, our eyes meeting each other. Raff’s eyes were hooded and almost sparkled. I smirked and giggled at getting lost in each other so quickly. I started to remember this morning…
“Alright, you are scented—I can smell that from here—but we don’t really want the others to smell what is coming off you now.” Galen moved into view and my eyes met his. My hand flew to my mouth as I looked around the classroom. Ranger looked away, pretending to look out of the window. He didn’t even have a comeback for that.
“Oh God.” This was… fuck. Raff ran his hands down my back in a soothing way.
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
I took Raff’s hand in mine. “Do you think that this is enough to keep them away? Like, are they going to keep attacking him?” I was pissed when no one answered.
“Why not? What did Raff do? This doesn’t make sense to me. I want him, he marked me. Can you smell it?” I moved toward Ranger, who turned to see my crazy outburst and my arms stretched out. He gave me a small smile and nodded.