Book 2 Not his Werewolf

by Annie Nicholas

  Ken’s hand moved toward her.

  Incomprehensible words fell from her lips. Things like stay, no and please stay. They didn’t mean anything in that order but the love in Ken’s eyes said he understood. She rested his head in her lap. Her tears dripping onto his fur. She’d barely ever cried but she was making up for a lifetime of tears in minutes.

  Ryota held a huge syringe with a big ass needle in his hand. Using his thumb, he felt around Ken’s collarbone.

  “What are you doing?” She managed to string words together to make sense.

  “Saving him.” Ryota punctured Ken’s chest and drew back on the plunger to create a negative pressure to re-inflate the lung.

  Ken gasped, his chest rising properly as his lung re-inflated. He coughed and sat up, pulling her onto his lap. He held her tight as he gulped for air and coughed some more.

  The quiet crowd exploded with cheers.

  She pressed her face into his chest. “I almost lost you.” She clung to his broad shoulders, hugging him so hard her back ached. “Don’t do that again.”

  He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled. “No one will take you away. Not Chris or the other packs.” He paused. “Or my own alpha.”

  “Sit still for a minute longer while your lung seals itself.” Ryota knelt next to them. He offered Ken a hand. “She still has time to learn to change shape. I’m feared enough that the other packs will hesitate to trespass, but that won’t last forever.” He helped Ken up and she slid to her feet. The alpha gave her a small smile. “You cured my doubts about your being soulmates.” With another nod, he straightened his suit, then exited the challenge ring.

  She hugged Ken close. He didn’t need her support but he was going to get it anyway.

  Chris’ hunters had apparently set his leg while they had been saving Ken’s life. His intense dark gaze drank her in from head to toe. With a little help, Chris managed to get to his feet and limp over on his splinted leg.

  Ken tensed as if ready to pounce.

  Chris extended his hand. “I came here to save her.” He waited, his gaze still wandering to her.

  Ken gripped his hand tight. She could hear knuckles pop. “She doesn’t need saving.”

  Betty shook her head in disbelief. “She can speak for herself.” She stepped between the two shifters, Chris in his human form and Ken still in his beast’s. “What the fuck, Chris? How did this play out in your mind that you would think I’d ever come back?”

  He had the courtesy to look ashamed, a blush creeping along his cheeks. He ducked his head, and waited until his hunters backed out of the cage. Giving them a small amount of privacy. “I would have married you if you had stayed.”

  She slapped her forehead. “No pack would allow their alpha to marry a human. You know that.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe I would have quit being alpha. We’ll never know now.” He limped away, exiting the challenge cage.

  Her jaw dropped open. After all these years, he still carried a torch for her? What they had experienced was puppy love. She and Ken had the real deal. Maybe one day Chris would find it.

  “I almost feel sorry for him.” Ken licked her face—chin to forehead. “Almost.”

  “You’re better.” She wiped her face clean. “Stop licking me. I’m going to drown in your spit.”

  He waved to the remaining crowd. A few cheered his name.

  Someone gave him the finger and shouted, “You suck, Birch!”

  Ken snorted. “Can’t be popular with everyone, I guess.” He led her out the way they came. Inside the prep room, he shifted to his human form. The change looked slow and painful. He slumped on to a bench, skin covered in a sheen of sweat. “He kicked my ass.”

  Betty helped him dress.

  “I wonder who would win between him and Ryota.” Ken rubbed his bruised sides. Those injuries must have been real deep to still be present.

  “Ryota.” She had briefly felt his power tonight. Scary stuff. She buttoned Ken’s shirt.

  His gaze riveted on her as she made sure she had them done right. “I’ve never had someone dress me.” He stroked her hair. His hollow tone broke her heart. He’d been an orphan until ten. Alone. Those things didn’t go away after adoption and Ken had only had an adopted father. “No one will ever take you away from me.” He kept repeating this as if trying to convince himself. He gripped her shoulders. “I wouldn’t force you to stay, but as long as I draw breath, don’t worry about being stolen. I don’t care what Ryota or my pack decides. I will stay at your side no matter if you want to leave New Port or not…”

  She laid a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.” He’d become an integral part of her life in such a short amount of time. Now that she knew how it felt to be truly loved by a mate, she couldn’t continue without him. “I’m so sorry about Chris. The last thing I expected was for him to challenge you. I didn’t know he still had feelings for me. In all those years after leaving the pack, he hadn’t once called me.”

  “Being a soulmate means you are a shifter. That changes everything.”

  “I still can’t shift.”

  “I believe in you.” He returned a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Let’s go home.” He handed her the keys to his car. “You drive.” He pushed himself on to his feet slowly and limped to the exit.

  She moved to his side but he shook his head, refusing her support.

  Once on the other side of the threshold and into public view, Ken’s limp vanished. No weakness. He strode into the crowd. From the mass scent and cheers, she would guess they were all New Port Pack.

  Her stomach flip-flopped and she paused outside the group as they swallowed him.

  A chant began. “Ken! Ken! Ken!”

  Ryota seemed to materialize next to her. “They love him.”

  “I can see that.”

  “You can’t keep him all to yourself. Do you know what entails being a dominant’s mate? The pack must come first.”

  “My parents taught me well.” She met his stare for a hot moment. “I can share.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ken's car drove through traffic like a hot knife through butter. Betty didn't own a car—her bank account would have a seizure if she even dreamed about it—but she missed being behind the wheel.

  Her mate clutched the chicken bar over his head. “So…anyone ever explain what the speed limit signs mean?”

  She gave him her best wolfish grin. “You only live once.”

  “Eyes on the road! I want to live to see our grandchildren.”

  She did her best to keep her smile. Hands sweaty, they slipped a little on the steering wheel. “You want children?” The loaded question hung in the air.

  Betty sensed him hold his breath before he asked, “Do you?”

  “I asked first.” Obviously, he wanted children. He had just mentioned seeing his future grandchildren. Couldn’t have one without the other. Betty hadn’t dared dream of starting a family. She barely could take care of herself, let alone a little shifter.

  He cleared his throat. “I've never had a family. I mean, besides pack and Ryota. I want what I missed out on as a kid.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes,” he whispered, his gaze focused on the windshield. “Lots and lots of kids. I even thought of doing what Ryota did and adopt if I couldn't find a mate.”

  She gripped his hand. With the help of a mate like Ken, a family didn’t seem like an impossible task. Heck, she ran a rescue. She loved taking care of creatures. How different could babies be? “Yes, I think I do.”

  He set her hand back on the steering wheel. “Let's survive this drive first so we can practice making babies when we get home.”

  In his condition, she didn't think sex was the best idea. She hadn't been at the rescue all day and had ignored her parents. They'd been taking care of her animals and volunteers. She hoped the place hadn't burned down, but she couldn't leave Ken alone and she didn't have an extra bed for them at her place. “Can you pull my ph
one out of my pocket and call my dad? I need to check in.”

  Ken did as she asked. “Mrs. Newman? I'll pass you to—I'm fine. Yes, I'm really okay. TV? They sometimes televise them. I'm glad you watched.” He gave Betty big round eyes as if pleading for help.

  “Tell her I'm spending the night.” Betty grinned, enjoying Ken’s discomfort. He wanted family. That meant he got hers as well.

  “Betty will be spending the night at my house. Do either of you need anything?” He was so sweet to her mother Betty’s tooth ached. “Shopping? You filled her fridge. I wasn't aware it was empty.” His eyes now narrowed and lasered onto Betty. “Dust bunnies.”

  She cringed. Her money problems were her own. He didn't need to know about them.

  “I'll be fine. It looked worse on television, I promise. Night, Mrs. Newman.” He hesitated as if listening. “O-okay, Missus—ah—Mom.” He hung up and then wiped a hand down his face. “They filled your fridge and dog biscuit canisters. She thought you'd lost weight and is furious you let things get this bad without telling them.”

  Betty pulled into his driveway, still avoiding eye contact.

  “How bad are things?” He poured the pack’s power into his glare, triggering her shifter instincts. “Answer me.”

  “Don't beta wolf me. You're not allowed to do that to your mate.”

  “Yes, I am. You’re pack and my responsibility. I wouldn't let anyone in the pack starve.”

  “It's bad, okay? Happy, now?” She straightened her spine and met his dominant stare, not backing down like she had with Ryota. Ken might be the pack’s beta, but he was her mate. They were equals in her eyes. “I'm not bringing anything into this mating except debt and strays.”

  He pulled her out of her seatbelt and dragged her onto his lap. “You bring everything.” His kiss was desperate and demanding as he tangled his fingers into her wild hair. “I was once a stray. You don't know the depth of respect I have for what you do. It's easy to make money, but it's hard as hell to give your heart to the unwanted.”

  She cupped his handsome, chiseled face in her hands. “You are not unwanted.” This gorgeous wolf was hers forever. “I saw how your pack loves you. Your father is devoted to you. You're not unwanted.” She kissed his forehead. “Never again.”

  “I know.” He gave her a sad smile. “But the feeling never really goes away.”

  And she would spend the rest of her life making it fade if it was the last thing she did. He deserved better but he had gotten her instead. “Let's go inside.” She crawled out of the passenger side.

  Ken followed a little slower. “Did I mention your mother suggested a massage?”

  “How kind of you to offer.” Betty unlocked the front door and was tackled by dogs. The ground broke her fall and one of the heaviest pups stepped on her kidney. She tried to give them commands but every time she opened her mouth, one of them tried to slip her the tongue.

  Ken grinned, looming over her supine form. He petted his untrained pack of bullies. “Who’s a good dog?” He scratched ears until the rabble returned inside.

  Betty rolled over. “We need to do something about their greeting etiquette.”

  “I think it’s adorable.” Ken still moved so stiffly. That meant his healing energy hadn’t taken care of his sore muscles since it was still focused on internal injuries. Ken was a strong shifter but Chris was an alpha. She couldn't even think about what would have happened if Chris had won the challenge instead of it ending in a draw. They would have needed Trixie's tranquilizer gun to sedate her before she returned to Riverbend Pack.

  She refused his help and got to her feet. “I'll draw you a hot bath.” She wiped the dog slobber off her face absentmindedly. “Umm… Where is the bathroom?” Hot water helped with the pain. Her mother used to do the same for her after she’d fought school challenges.

  Ken hobbled into a massive stainless steel kitchen, followed by his canine groupies and pulled a roasted turkey out of the fridge. He pointed to the back of the house. “Master bathroom is off my bedroom. Want a sandwich?” He tossed each dog a slice of meat then a bit into a leg, crunching bones and all.

  “Roasted bones can get caught in your throat.” Oh no, she hadn't. She just became her mom.

  He rolled his eyes and took another mouthful. “Mayo on yours?”

  “Yes, and I'm here if you need the Heimlich.” Shifters were experts on choking. When they were hungry, it was like their logical forebrains fell asleep. Every shifter experienced a bone or chunk of meat stuck in their windpipe at least once in their lives. If not for the Heimlich, choking would be the leading cause of death in their kind.

  She gasped when entering Ken's bathroom of luxurious splendor. Oh dear, she was in heaven. She hopped in place for a second, then pulled out her phone to take a picture of the whirlpool tub. She sent it to Trixie then filled the tub with steaming water. It was bigger than her whole leaky bathroom at the rescue.

  Not a second later, Trixie texted her back asking about the toilet. Betty rolled her eyes and took a selfie while sitting on it. Trixie sent her back a pic of her grossed out expression followed by a reminder of Betty’s appointment with the company’s representative tomorrow about the eviction.

  Ken strode into the bathroom, sandwich in hand. He served it on a lovely white plate. The edges of the porcelain didn’t even have any chips. He eyed her phone while she sat on the toilet, still dressed. “What are you doing?”

  “Scaring Trixie.”

  He snorted and handed her the plate. “I have to go into the office tomorrow, but I was wondering if we could meet for lunch.”

  “Sure, hot dogs in the park?” She took a huge bite of the triple-decker he’d made her. She appreciated that he hadn’t held back on the portions.

  “I was thinking about something nicer. How about Japanese at my grandmother’s place?”

  Betty’s stomach dropped, leaving her bite stuck mid-swallow. She worked her dry throat and forced the food down.

  Ken handed her a glass of water. “It would be polite to meet them before the mating ceremony.” He gave her a shy smile. “They’re much more laid back than Ryota and Grandma makes the best miso soup from scratch.”

  “Sounds great.” She poured enthusiasm in her reply. If Ken could get through meeting her parents, then she could pull this off as well. She took a mental note to Google miso soup. She’d never eaten Japanese food before.

  Watching Betty consume the sandwich gave him bone deep satisfaction. She was accepting his care more and more. They were becoming a couple.

  When Ken had first entered the bathroom, he had spotted the silly picture text on her phone before she hid it. He loved this side of her. Everything in his life was so structured. He hadn’t realized that fun was missing from his life until she’d stepped into that void. The night on the paddleboat had only proved it. She’d turned a disaster into one of the most special moments of his life.

  She thought she brought nothing to their mating? She was the heart and soul of it. Everything he owned were just things. If anyone one lacked anything between them, it was him.

  He hoped one day she would feel comfortable enough to send him silly picture texts. Or sexy ones. Maybe both at the same time.

  “Why are you smiling like that?”

  He shrugged. “No reason.”

  “Yeah.” She dragged out the word making it long and clear she didn’t believe him. She set her empty plate on the counter, totally unfazed that they’d just had dinner in the bathroom. She stretched and patted her stomach. “We better soak before the tryptophan kicks in. I would hate for us to fall asleep and drown.” Stripping, she took her time revealing her delicious painted body.

  A man could only have sinful thoughts when exposed to those curves and perfect skin. His hardening cock agreed. “Baby, I can’t imagine ever sleeping while you’re naked.”

  She dipped her toe in the tub and adjusted the heat. “You’re just going to watch? I had thought this whole bath thing would be more interactive
.”

  He wanted to be rigorously interactive with her again, but he should heal and conserve his energy. It wasn’t unknown for someone to challenge a beta the day after a fight. Normally, he wouldn’t worry—he healed fast even by shifter standards—but Chris had almost killed him. Joshua was probably sharpening his claws right now. If he lost his position, he’d have less power to protect Betty and she was everything. Yet even against his better judgment to rest, his fingers worked of their own free will to undo the buttons of his shirt. It fluttered to his feet.

  Betty sucked in a breath and brushed her fingers over the bruises on his ribs. “Oh, baby. Come here.” She gently led him into the tub and helped him sit on the marble edge. He didn’t need her assistance to undress, but it felt real nice having her hands on him. “Let me take care of you.” She stretched for a face towel on a shelf over the tub.

  This placed temptation right in view. He prided himself on strong will power, however he couldn’t keep from caressing her breasts even if both hands had been broken.

  She paused, eyes closed as he stroked her soft skin. “You’re cheating.”

  “Who said I play fair?” He ran his hands along her bare flanks, admiring the lines of her body. “I wish people would leave us alone for a few months.”

  “Months?” She giggled. The sound a balm on his wounded soul.

  He nuzzled the space between the soft globes. “To give us time to know each other.”

  “My mother would find us even if we hid in the troll caves of Mexico.”

  “I’d rather sunbathe on beaches than hide in troll caves.” He trailed kisses lower, pulling her to straddle his lap.

  “The tub will overflow.”

  “I have insurance.” She tasted like sunshine and blue sky and freedom. He cupped her ass, pulling her closer.