She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging his head back. “Finish undressing, lover.” She slid free of his grasp and shut off the water, then stepped into the bath. “I’ve never been in such a huge tub. Unless you count pools.”
He chuckled and stepped out of his pants. “I needed something that I could fit in without folding in half.” Soaking after a hard run was his guilty pleasure.
“Come here.” She wrung the face cloth of excess water and wiped the dried blood from his chest where Ryota had stabbed the needle. There wasn’t much. Even the puncture mark had vanished. “You scared me,” she whispered. “I don’t ever want to watch you fight again.”
Ken finally noticed the worry lines around her eyes. The strain of emotion hovering right behind them. “I won.” That was all that mattered in challenges.
“You almost died.” She turned away from him.
He caught her shoulder and turned her back. “Challenges are part of my life. I’m beta. Anyone striving for dominance will always come after me until I’m alpha. I’m the main target of any dominant wolf wanting power in New Port. I’m the safer target.”
“Safer?” She tilted her head.
He kept forgetting that she hadn’t been raised like him. That her father wasn’t an upper echelon hunter. “I’m the prime target. The hunter wanting to become an alpha will target the beta first. If they can beat the beta, then they’ll focus on the alpha. That’s dominant wolf strategy 101.”
“Chris jumped that tactic. He went straight after the alpha.”
“That’s why so many of us think of him as a wild card. He’ll either burn bright and die, or he’ll grow to be incredible.” Ken shrugged, not wanting to think of her ex-boyfriend. “New Port has an unusual dynamic as well.”
“Father-son leadership.”
He nodded. He didn’t doubt that Ryota had planned that. From day one his father had groomed him for a position of power. Tension between beta and alpha placed the pack on edge. With them both happy in their positions, they could focus on making their home safe and strong for their people. New Port was unique for wolf shifters.
She took a deep, shaky breath. “So you fight often.”
“I’m very familiar with the challenge arena.” He chuckled. “With less of a crowd than tonight.”
She pressed her hand to his chest, right over his heart. “It’s not funny.”
He joined her in the tub. “Sometimes it is. I was once challenged by a rabbit shifter. That guy could leap over my head.” He sank into the hot water and pulled her on top of him like a blanket.
She pressed her face to his chest. “He wanted to be beta to a wolf pack?”
“No, he wanted retribution for a slight to his honor. They’re a touchy race. I’d been covered in bruises by the end of the fight. My ribs ached for weeks. Not from a beating, but from laughing. It was hard to focus when a grown man hopped around the cage like a jack rabbit.” His respect for those shifters had gone up that day.
“You’re making this up.” She giggled though.
He ran his hand along the curve of her spine. “Nope. Ask my father. He wasn’t as amused as me.” No, his father had been furious that Ken had agreed to the challenge. If he had lost to a rabbit, his reputation would have suffered and challenges would have been booked for weeks. Ken hadn’t known how fierce rabbits could fight. Apparently, his father had.
“This is going to be harder than I thought.”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Being a beta’s soulmate.” She kissed his chest and ran her hand over his abdomen, going lower and lower.
His breath hitched as she stroked him. “Yes, well, there are compensations.”
“Oh really?” She straddled him. “Like what?” Her hot breath caressed his ears and he melted under her slight weight.
“Anything you want.”
Her laugh was husky and mischievous. “I just want you.” She slid him inside her.
With a groan, he held her against him, his hands moving to her hips. He anchored her body to his, letting her lead him into a slow rhythm.
She sucked in a breath as she pushed him deeper.
It felt impossible not to take command. His nature was to lead, but with Betty he would follow.
She bit down on her lower lip, making little noises of pleasure.
He leaned in to kiss that lower lip. His mate. His Betty. His forever. He slid his hand between their bodies, touching her slick heat and rubbing that sweet spot.
The air hissed between her teeth. “Oh, Ken.” Her eyes closed and she tilted her head back.
Ken gritted his teeth, because her reaction to his touch was making it hard to stay in control. He wanted nothing more than to set her passion on fire. Make her beg for more. Make her forget any other man who had touched her.
Her movements sped up. Hips rolling and grinding against his fingers. Faster and faster. Short of breath, her grip on his shoulders became rougher. Nails digging in his flesh. Their bodies met in fierce desire, water splashed over the edge of the tub. They were carried along in ecstasy, Betty seemed senseless with need and he matched her every moan. He didn’t care if the whole neighborhood heard them. She cried out his name over and over. He felt it the same moment she did, so wild his entire body shook with the force of their climax.
She slumped over his body, arms wrapped around his neck and face buried against his throat. The only sound was their harsh breathing and the distant bark of dogs in the yard. “I want you. I don’t care about the other stuff. Just you.”
He smiled at the ceiling. “I can give more.” She’d never want for anything. He would always make sure she had food, shelter, and safety.
“I don’t need it. Never have. Just you.” She nipped his skin with her little sharp teeth. “I need you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dressed in yesterday's clothes, Betty hurried out of Ken's bedroom. She'd woken to an empty bed. No sign of Ken. She hoped he hadn’t gone to work because she needed a ride home. Her dad could pick her up but she only had a vague recollection of where she was. Ken had given her directions as she’d driven last night, but she’d been so worried about him she hadn’t paid much attention to details like exit number or street names. She could picture her dad aimlessly driving, calling out her name, in hopes to find the house.
The scent of toast and butter reached her nose and drew her to his kitchen, where Ken was slicing fresh strawberries on the butcher-block island, shirtless. The smile he aimed in her direction eased a knot in her gut. A girl could get accustomed to this kind of treatment and view.
She'd had her fair share of uncomfortable mornings-after, where it was hard to make eye contact with the guy she’d brought home. This wasn’t one of those. The whole mate thing was… nice. Better than nice. Ken's unwavering affection gave her life foundation. Everything else was falling apart but she could rely on him to have her back. It seemed like he planned to stay. She couldn’t beat him away and that was fine with her.
He stopped chopping and stalked around the kitchen island toward her.
Her heart raced as his shoulders rolled with every step. If she was his prey, she'd let him catch her. She gave him a crooked smile. Hell, she’d let him catch her anytime.
“Good morning,” he purred. Before she could respond, he swept her in his arms with a ravenous, tear-her-panties-off-now kind of kiss. She clutched his shoulders and wrapped him in a tight hold.
He stumbled against the table and was pinned against the edge. She ran her hands over his fine chest. She could be late for the meeting, right? Or at worst, reschedule for another day.
Ken’s phone dinged, then hers did.
They jerked apart, exchanging puzzled looks, and then separated to check their screens.
He sighed. “Just my assistant, Benny, sending reminders for today’s meetings. He’s new to the pack. His last beta was a real asshole and Ryota thought it would do him some good if Benny worked for me.”
“So he
could discover what it’s like to have a good beta protect him?” She smirked as his chest puffed out. Her text was from Trixie saying she’d be around to bail her out of jail if she lost her shit when speaking with her next landlord. She was awesome.
Ken returned to the kitchen. “Coffee?”
“Big cup. Black.”
“Only the soulless drink it black.” He set a steaming cup on the island that said: The tiger and lion may be more powerful but the wolf does not perform in the circus. Next time she had enough money for a tattoo, she’d use this quote.
“The soulless have no need for coffee.” She pulled up a stool and watched him put together a professional looking plate of steamed rice. She leaned forward as he added a fish and pickled vegetables. Different.
“I have some nori or natto to add to the rice if you want.” He must have noticed her confusion. “Traditional Japanese breakfast.”
“So no Captain Pops when you were growing up?” She couldn’t afford it but she loved cereal.
“Sometimes Ryota would treat me to pancakes.” He winked. “We ate like ninjas. That’s how he got me to try everything. I love it now.”
They ate quietly, food being a religion among shifters. He at least let her use a fork. She foresaw a lot of adjustments in their future. For one, she didn’t plan on ever becoming a ninja.
She handed him her empty plate. “That was quite good. I wasn’t sure I’d like fish for breakfast.”
He grinned sheepishly between bites. His plate had contained twice as much as hers. “I’m glad you liked it. I usually make fish or eggs. I need the protein to keep me going until my second breakfast at the office.”
She threw back her head with a laugh. “I wouldn’t want you to waste away or anything.” Leaning across the island, she caught his gaze. “I’ve been thinking…”
Ken raised an eyebrow.
“Since things didn’t exactly go well with Angie, I was wondering if Eoin could help me with shifting.” Ken had said he couldn’t sense any of her magic when she’d tried to shift and Angie had mentioned Eoin could see magic. Maybe he had the ability to fix the problem?
Ken choked on his mouthful and struggled to swallow it. He coughed. “Why?”
She raced around to the other side of the kitchen island and patted him on the back as he continued to cough up rice.
“He helped Angie. Makes perfect sense to me. Unless you think he’ll eat me.” There had been a recent rumor that he’d tried to make a meal of the alpha not long ago.
Her mate finally stopped choking. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Things between Eoin and the pack are rocky. His mood depends on the phase of the moon, which direction the wind is blowing, and if he rolled out of bed on the right side.” He shook his head. “I’m not willing to risk you.”
“It’s illegal for him to eat people.” She crossed her arms. Seriously, every other shifter in the city used the supermarket. Why couldn’t he?
“Who would arrest him? Even Ryota treads carefully around the dragon.”
“You let him drive your car. I thought you were friends.”
“Like I would say no? This guy keeps a pet vampire in his dungeon. I’m friends with Angie.” He sighed and kissed her forehead before squeezing her in a spine cracking hug. “Let’s look at other options first. I heard a voodoo witch moved into the magic neighborhood. Maybe she’ll have a spell.”
Like that didn’t sound slightly dangerous. “I don’t like magic users. What if she sacrifices something?”
“We could eat it afterwards?”
“Ken!” She’d never been into the whole hunting thing that some shifters thrived on. Not when there was meat already prepared at the store. Especially the processed stuff, like hot dogs.
He released her and strode to the bedroom. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“What’s tomorrow?” She wracked her memory for some clue.
“The pet adoption and orphanage fundraiser!” He came out dressed in a stunning navy blue suit and crisp white shirt with the collar open.
“Oh yeah.” Oh baby, that suit might as well be men’s lingerie the way it made her tingle. She couldn’t wait for tonight to peel him out of it. Nice and slow. “Wait what?” Shit. “I didn’t forget.” Yes, she had. “Do I need to bring a table or a canopy or something?” She’d been focused on the eviction meeting. Too many things going on when she was a one thing at time type of person. “I’ve attended these types of affairs but I’ve never had a spot—booth.” She didn’t own any equipment, hence the reason she’d never done a public adoption event. “I have application forms and pens.”
“I’ll have my assistant arrange all the big equipment. Just bring the animals. Uh…water and food?”
“Got it.” She texted Trixie. Betty needed to borrow her work truck to transport all the dogs separately from the cats in the morning. They could do it really, really early before Trixie ended her night shift. Damn. Damn. Damn. Betty failed at adulting. She should have made these arrangements before now. What if Trixie had other plans?
Her best friend responded with a thumbs-up and Betty kissed her phone.
“Anything I should know about? I’m getting jealous.” He looked over her shoulder.
“Okay, we’re ready. I’m ready.” She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. Right after her meeting, she’d spend the afternoon preparing.
She caught a glimpse of her and Ken in the mirror that hung over an antique table. Betty, sporting yesterday’s thrift store fashions and matching black eyes. Ken, sharp and elegant and totally healed. She looked around his immaculate home. One of these things was not like the other.
He wanted her to live here. She tried to picture life in the suburbs and her mind seized. She rubbed her temples. Too much to think about. Worrying about things like a home just had to wait until she found her rescues families.
“Headache?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine.” After she had a full makeover and a job upgrade. “Lots of stress.”
He took over her brain massage. “Honeymoon.”
She gave him a slow blink.
“Anywhere you want to go that’s shifter friendly. I’ll make you forget all your stress.”
“I don’t have a passport.” Not all countries allowed shifters to have open lives. Most did. She wouldn’t want to visit those other places anyway.
“I’ll take care of it. Just pick a place.” His gaze wandered along her body. “Maybe someplace with bikinis.”
Yesterday had been the longest day of her life between Angie and the vampire and Chris’ challenge. She could use a vacation. The farthest she’d ever travelled was to New Port. Where could they go? Someplace tropical that she’d only secretly dreamed about.
“Hawaii.” She wanted to see a volcano. She had heard the dragons who lived there gave fire dancing performances.
“Anything for you.”
Why did she worry about silly clothes and furniture? Ken obviously didn’t care about those things. He just wanted her. She stroked her hands over his suit jacket and made an appreciative noise. “Let’s go take care of business so we can make plans.”
“Mating ceremony first.” He gave her a quick kiss.
Ken dropped Betty off at the rescue. She watched his car turn the corner.
The scent of her father reached her nose. She didn’t turn around. “Thanks for watching the place, Dad.” He had moved silently behind her.
“No trouble.” He grunted as if sucker punched when he finally saw her face. “Who’s been using you as a punching bag?” The growl in his voice made it deep as gravel. “If Ken did this then there’s no way—”
She pressed her hand over his mouth. His face red enough to make a tomato jealous. “A dragon.” She didn’t heal as fast as a full-blooded shifter. Ken had looked good as new this morning. It was a good thing Dad hadn’t seen her yesterday. She’d been puffier and swollen.
“Your mother said that the dragon was nice.”
“She was. She tried to help
me shift by triggering my survival instincts.”
“Did it work?”
“No. She set the place on fire so it was cut short.” Maybe they should try it again? Angie had barely attacked her. Or she could just have someone else try.
Betty’s father must have guessed what was on her mind because his frown sharpened. “I’m not hitting you.” Then he spun on his heel. “Don’t ask your mother to do it, either.” He held the door open for Betty. “Some girl with pink hair dropped off a bunch of portable dog kennels at the butt crack of dawn. What’s going on?”
Plastic dog crates filled her lobby. She didn’t know how to repay Trixie. She’d only asked to borrow the truck but obviously her friend was thinking way ahead of her.
“Have you anything more to tell me?” Dad raised an eyebrow.
“Oh my goodness.” Mom descended the stairs. “It looks like a pet store exploded in here. Was this all the noise I heard this morning?”
Dad nodded without moving his gaze from Betty. He might be a low-level hunter but he did the dad glare well.
Mom came to a sudden halt. “Elizabeth Newman, what did you do to your face?”
“She let the dragon punch her, hoping it would make her shift.”
“Well.” Mom smoothed her hair. “I see you inherited your father’s sense of judgment. Do you need to see a doctor, dear?”
“No.” Betty stared at her shoes, feeling five years old all over again.
“Was Ken aware that you were going to attempt this foolishness?” Mom lifted her chin and examined Betty’s face.
“No.” Betty sighed. She didn’t have time for this. “He was more pissed than either of you so I’ve already heard the I’m an idiot speech.” He hadn’t called her that but it was how she was feeling at present.
“Fine.” Mom gave her a sharp nod. “At least one of you has some common sense. Now, explain all this.” She gestured to the clutter.
“I’m doing a pet adoption event tomorrow.” They didn’t know about the eviction notice and they never would. “Ken is organizing a fundraiser at the local orphanage and has given me a spot. Pet adoption day at the orphanage.” The words tumbled out so fast she was out of breath.
Book 2 Not his Werewolf Page 17