Miranda muttered something about being done. Standing, Rick gestured for Marty to follow him and walked into the other room.
“You’ve chosen a wonderful werewolf.” Miranda gave her a hug before turning to gather her herbs and bandages.
“I know.” She returned the affectionate hug but her thoughts were on Rick.
He’d walked out of the room. And she couldn’t help wonder who was on the phone.
“Like hell, you are bringing that werewolf over here.” Rick exploded, his voice booming throughout the house. “Samantha, don’t push me or I will restrict you as well.”
Wandering into the living room, where Rick paced, looking like a wild animal that would pounce without warning, she paused. The aggression that swarmed around Marty and Rick was enough to make anyone hesitate before approaching them.
“Like hell he wants to help. Woman, he is using you.”
She didn’t like his tone. No matter how fierce he looked, she wouldn’t fear him. Never would she let him see her cower in his presence. She had seen him kill, knew his aggression wouldn’t be contained. But she was strong too. And if she were to be queen bitch, all of the women in this pack would be her concern. Samantha had approached him about something, and if she officially held the title, this would be something she would handle.
“What does she want?” Rick paused when she questioned him, as if just realizing she stood there.
His gaze floated over her, obviously still listening to some argument on the other end of the line. Although still angry, she noticed he couldn’t look at her without being affected. Well, good. Damned good. She wouldn’t use his desire for her. But she would make him see that she would share all matters of the pack with him.
“Okay. Come over. But one wrong move and he will die.” Rick pushed the button on the phone, killing the line.
Thick eyelashes hooded his brooding gaze. He stared at her, chilled heat rushing through her when he approached.
“My moon princess needs a nap.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek, resting his palm against her neck.
A hand strong enough to break bones, yet he touched her so gently at the moment, almost as if he viewed her fragile enough to break. And if she were more rested, she would love showing him just how not-fragile she was.
Something wasn’t right here. She glanced from Marty to Rick, both of their expressions masked.
“May I speak with you alone for a minute?” She would get to the bottom of this.
“You only wish to be alone with me for a minute?” He followed her into his den, whispering over her shoulder.
His words floated around her, almost making her dizzy with a craving to touch him. She turned when they were alone, watching him shut the door behind him. Those milk chocolate eyes still harbored anger, but lust swarmed through his gaze as well. She could reach out, touch him anywhere. He would allow it, encourage it. Knowing that made it terribly hard to concentrate.
Her pussy swelled, the pressure beginning deep inside her, filling her the longer she simply stared at him. Heat flushed through her, the urge to run her fingernails over his bare shoulders, just above his bandage, consuming her.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” He moved closer, just a step, but close enough to comb his fingers through her damp hair.
“What did Samantha want?”
He towered over her, his bare chest covered only by the fresh white bandages. Rippling muscles along with his all-male scent made her dizzy. Or maybe it was exhaustion. She wasn’t sure. Maybe it was both.
“She is coming over with a friend of hers.” He stroked her hair, kindling the fire inside her.
“Oh. Okay.” She didn’t understand why he sounded so calm about it now, when seconds ago he’d been so furious on the phone. “Why were you upset?”
Rick sighed. Pulling her into his arms, pressing her against his injured chest, he rested his chin on her head. At the same time, there was a knock on the front door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
He wanted to order her upstairs, force her out of sight so that lunewulf couldn’t see her. Samantha had repeated to him on the phone what the werewolf had told him yesterday. Johann sought out a new pack, wanted to help. Yeah, right. And he was born yesterday. Any werewolf who showed no interest when told Elsa was to be his mate needed to have his head examined.
Another fear nagged at him. One he didn’t want to admit having, but it wouldn’t go away. Elsa might be pleased to see her pack mate. Johann had mentioned knowing her most of her life, and supporting her decision to run. If the two of them were friends, he worried she declined the mating because of the other two. If she acted pleased to see the werewolf…
You’ll kill him. And you know it.
“What did Samantha say to upset you?” She repeated the question, looking concerned.
He heard voices out in the living room, realizing Rocky or Marty had answered the door. Elsa looked beyond him, focusing on the closed den door. He loved the way she cocked her head when she wanted to hear better. Pale golden strands of hair drifted around her face, falling over the curve of her breast.
“It’s who she has with her that bothers me.” He grabbed the doorknob with more strength than necessary. Dammit to hell if he didn’t want to walk out there and punch that blond brute in the mouth.
“Who is with her?” Her confusion made her blue eyes sparkle.
Laughter burst out in the other room, fueling his aggravation. He opened the den door, the laughter ringing through, while Johann Rousseau’s voice carried over the others.
“I swear it’s all the truth.” The werewolf had his pack in stitches. Just the reason to flatten the man to the ground.
Elsa moved to the door, but he turned, leading the way. There was no way she would enter that living room ahead of him. If that werewolf made one move toward her, there would be consequences. And his moon princess would not get caught in the crossfire.
He pinned the man with his gaze when he entered his living room. Sitting on his couch, his arms spread over the back, looking like welcomed company, Johann Rousseau smiled easily. Samantha sat next to him, more than infatuated with the man. The others also grinned, standing around casually, a party in his own living room that he hadn’t arranged or desired.
Johann straightened, looking past him, his expression suddenly growing serious. “Elsa.”
“Oh my God. Johann.” Her surprised cry hit him like a punch in the gut.
Dammit, woman. Don’t you dare act excited to see him.
Looking away from Johann long enough to see the delighted smile on his moon princess’s face, blood rushed through him with the urge to stop her from going to the man. But when Johann stood, looking more than just a little thrilled to see her, he’d had more than he could handle.
Grabbing Elsa, he pulled her back. No way in hell would she get any closer to that lunewulf. More than anything, he wished she would just go upstairs. As soon as he could get matters under control here, he would join her. Spending the day in bed with her sounded a hell of a lot better than dealing with the ugly mess that seemed to be descending on his pack.
But every moment counted right now. Enjoying Elsa’s body, or simply cuddling her into him for a long nap, simply wasn’t an option right now. Eliminating this werewolf, who looked a bit too smug, could definitely become an option.
“It’s okay, Rick.” She grabbed his arm.
It took more strength than he thought he had at that moment not to pull his arm free from her. And unleashing his anger, allowing his desire to kill to take over, would end his worries about the werewolf. He would annihilate the man. But her calm innocence defied him. She didn’t act like there was anything to worry about.
“I heard you were here.” Johann walked around the coffee table, but stopped before getting within hand’s reach of him. “How are you doing? Are you okay?”
Johann sensed his aggression, which was a damned good thing. He better keep his distance.
“I’m fine.” His hea
rt swelled when she slid her arm around his. “I’ve found a wonderful man, Johann. Have you met Rick?”
“Yes. We met the other day.” His smile softened.
That better be a brotherly look. No matter Elsa’s kindness toward him, he didn’t like or trust the werewolf.
“I don’t blame him for not telling you about me.” Johann reached for his back pocket. “I found this just south of here. Then after chatting with a few of your pack members, I guessed you had joined this pack.”
Johann held out the folded piece of paper. Elsa moved to take it, but with a quick glance she handed it to Rick.
“I’ve seen them. And I’ve been dodging every town I could because of them.” She acted like the piece of paper might burn her.
Rick studied the picture of Elsa on the paper along with a simple message offering a reward for her whereabouts.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ramona found one of these.” He held the paper out so Marty could look at it. Rocky moved next to Marty, looking horrified when she squinted at the paper.
“She said something about reward money.” Marty nodded, repulsion spreading across his face. “I’m sure she called them out of spite. I’m sorry, Elsa.”
The phone rang. Elsa gave his arm a slight squeeze before leaving to go answer it. Maybe she wanted to show Johann how at home she was here. He watched her leave the room, her firm little ass swaying nicely. Turning, he met Johann’s gaze.
She’s mine.
Johann met his gaze for only a second, and then looked down. Good. Show some damn respect.
“Rick?” Elsa returned with the phone, sounding worried. “More of my pack members just arrived at the motel.”
After chatting with Lyle on the phone, and hearing Marty’s comments, he knew they had to act quickly to get this pack on the road.
“Let me go talk to them.” Johann glanced at Samantha, who stood, glancing at each of them before moving to his side. “I can see that Elsa is happy here. I’ll tell them to head home.”
“That might work.” Elsa ran her hand up his arm, her gentle touch drawing his attention.
Looking down into those deep blue eyes, glowing dark like sapphires, he saw pleading in her eyes. If she wanted him to accept Johann, he wasn’t sure he could give her what she wanted. He didn’t want the werewolf’s help. The last thing he wanted to admit was that things might go easier if the man talked to the pack.
“I guess you can come with us.” He sure as hell wouldn’t let him talk to the lunewulves alone though.
Elsa wrapped her arms around his waist, her softness pressing against him. “Between the two of you, I know my pack will let me be now.”
He couldn’t stop every muscle inside him from tightening. And he knew she felt it. He wanted her to know that he could fight for her without any help. He didn’t need this blond pretty boy to win the right to mate with Elsa. If she gave Johann any credit for her freedom, there would be trouble. Hell. He’d already claimed her. Tradition ran deep with werewolves. And as far as he was concerned, Elsa already belonged to him. Dealing with the matters at hand was just a technicality.
But he wouldn’t wallow. He wouldn’t beg for her to see that he had won the right to mate with her. Not in front of these werewolves. Not at all.
Elsa would be his. She already was his. But she would also see that he had the strength, and the know-how, to take care of her—in all areas.
“Good luck.” She went up on tiptoe, leaning against him, her arms circling his neck.
“This matter will be over before the day is out.” He didn’t mind kissing her in front of everyone. Not one bit.
He pulled her even closer to him, enjoying the way her curves molded so nicely against him. Running his fingers through her hair, he felt her head fall back, saw her sultry blue eyes glazing over when she looked at him. Her full lips, barely parted, were so soft, so warm. He brushed his mouth over hers, tasting her, feeling her moist heat. Then deepening the kiss, her soft moan into his mouth almost made his head spin with need.
He ended the kiss, knowing the men in the room waited on him. But he took a moment to relish the soft features of her face. The way her lips puckered, warm, full and moist, her flushed cheeks, and long eyelashes fluttering over deep blue orbs, made her more than a vision of beauty. “Don’t go anywhere.”
Her gaze focused on him, a small smile appearing on her lips. “I have some matters to attend to myself.”
Something changed in her expression. A hint of silver sparkled through those dark blue eyes. She looked tired, but he saw, and smelled, aggression trickle around her. If she planned on challenging Ramona, he would be there to see the fight. It was his right.
“Any matter you have will wait until I return.” He thought he saw understanding. Looking up, noticing everyone watching them, he focused on Samantha, who had edged a bit closer to Johann. “You will stay here with Elsa. Make sure she takes a nap. Rocky. You stay here too.”
The women nodded. He wanted to place an army on her, insure his moon princess would be safe until he returned. But there was no army, just his small pack. Matters would have to be taken care of quickly. The sooner those lunewulves were out of town, the better.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Darkness had filled the room by the time Elsa woke up. A silent chill loomed around her. Untangling the covers, she stumbled out of bed and down the hall, coffee sounding real good.
“I haven’t heard from them.” Samantha joined her in the kitchen, worry etched in her expression.
“And we have no clue what is going on.” Rocky plopped down at the kitchen table.
She combed her fingers through her hair as it took a minute for her thoughts to clear. “Rick has been gone all day?”
“None of them have come back.” Samantha moved to the counter, leaning against it. “I don’t have a good feeling about the lunewulf pack—no offense.”
“None taken.” She could see both of them had probably sat stewing about this all day while she napped. “Grandmother doesn’t care about other’s feelings. That’s why I left.”
“I don’t blame you a bit for running.” Rocky twisted one of her curls with her finger. “It took guts.”
Samantha tapped the countertop with her fingernail, looking desperately like she wanted to say something.
“What is it?” Elsa finished getting the coffee going, then glanced from Samantha to Rocky.
“I used to be part of that pack.” Samantha spoke so quietly that Elsa hardly heard her. “I mean my mother’s den was there.”
“What happened?” Elsa got a pretty good idea what happened the second Samantha looked up at her with those pale brown eyes. Her complexion, so fair, just like Elsa’s, and her almost white hair were strong characteristics of a lunewulf. But those eyes, as soft as a doe’s, weren’t lunewulf.
“My mother was a tramp.” Samantha shrugged, like it meant nothing to her. “I don’t really remember all of it. Maybe she wasn’t sure if I was purebred or not until she birthed me. All I know is she sent me packing.”
Elsa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Your mother kicked you out?”
Samantha straightened, that tough girl look coming through. “I did okay. A few years ago I joined Rick’s pack. He gives me my freedom, but claims me as part of the pack.”
“That is how Rick is.” Rocky watched the coffee pot, her expression strained. “He knows how to see if a person is good.”
Rick would do that. She could see him giving Samantha rank of a widow, or an older female in a pack, just to make Samantha comfortable. That way, she wouldn’t have to live with another family, or find a mate she didn’t want. Young single females had such few rights. And Samantha probably did well with the freedom to live by herself, and not be judged a loose woman for it.
“Well it looks to me like you might have found a werewolf who interests you.” She grinned, deciding to change the subject off of Samantha’s past. If Samantha wanted to share more with her, she would. “A
nd you don’t need anyone’s blessing to go after him.”
“Johann?” Samantha tried to sound indifferent, but color flooded her cheeks, which flattered her appearance. “I would like it if you told me you approved.”
Elsa understood. As queen bitch, she would have the right to approve, or disapprove of any mating. But she sensed something else. Samantha knew she and Johann knew each other. Maybe Samantha needed to hear that Elsa thought he was a good werewolf.
“I definitely approve of Johann. He is pure alpha male. And I’m sure if he wanted it, at some point, when Grandmother dies, he could be pack leader.” What a mess of a pack he would have on his hands if he took on that title. “That is, if he wanted to do that.”
Samantha grinned, obviously satisfied that she had Elsa’s blessing to chase the werewolf.
The coffee maker bubbled, the black brew slowly filling the glass pot. Just the rich aroma helped clear her head.
Sighing, Samantha began pacing behind her. Her edginess was contagious. Pulling down three mugs, Elsa poured coffee. Not knowing when Rick would be home would make this a very long night if he didn’t show up soon. She imagined Rocky and Samantha were already nuts, sentenced to stay here while she slept. And there were things to do. Things she needed to handle on her own.
She passed around steaming cups of coffee. “Would you two show me where Ramona lives?”
Samantha grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. Rocky looked over her cup, her brown eyes wide and unblinking.
“Sure. If you want.” Rocky glanced to the back door, and then back at Elsa. “We’re supposed to stay here, though.”
True. Very true.
“I don’t think Rick thought he would be gone this long.” She wondered how mad he would be if he came home and found them gone. “And I’m rested now. I want to find Ramona.”
Samantha’s smile lit up her entire face. She rubbed her hands together. “Hot damn.” Looking around, she hurried out of the room, then returned with her purse. “Let’s go find the bitch.”
Leaving the house, she wondered again what Rick’s reaction would be to an empty house, if he returned any time soon. He would be worn out after dealing with her pack. More than likely, he would be grouchy and ready for a hot shower. The second he realized she wasn’t there waiting on him, he would be outraged. She cringed at the thought.
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