by Vivian Arend
“Hey—”
“Because you’re not fighting to become a leader in the pack. You’re simply fighting to fight.” Evan shook his head and that finger popped out again. Shaun tried tracking the shaking object, but he found it damn near impossible to tell which was the real finger amongst the liquor haze.
Okay, this was interesting, but a bit too much like therapy.
“I don’t want your job,” Shaun blurted out. Hell would be preferable to run. At least demons were predictable, unlike wolves who were endlessly creative in coming up with new mischief to try.
“You don’t want my job.” Evan shot back, his confidence screaming out.
Shaun hesitated. “Did we already have this conversation? It sounds familiar.”
“You don’t want to be Alpha, Shaun. You’d have to actually give a damn about someone then.”
Ouch. The words percolated through the alcohol haze, and a thin line of cold ran up his core. “What a fucker of a comment. If I’m that much of an asshole, why did you let me return to the pack?”
“Because at the root of it, you’re only an asshole because you don’t give a damn about yourself right now either, and I’m getting annoyed at your stupid refusal to grow up.”
Okay, that was one step too far. “And did you get this special bullshit training in Alpha school or—?”
Suddenly Evan was right in Shaun’s face, and he couldn’t budge. Evan had him pinned in a neck hold, trapping his body against the couch. There was no air getting through his windpipe, and Shaun scrambled his fingers over Evan’s forearm. Stars appeared in front of his eyes, glowing even brighter than the mysterious Northern Lights clouding everything else in the room.
“Don’t mistake my tolerance for weakness.” Evan hissed in his ear. Dangerous. Shaun fought back as hard as possible and barely moved. Evan held him immobile. “You’re a damn good wolf, and I’m getting tired of seeing you waste your life. You don’t need to want to save the world, but you need to care enough to do what’s right for more than simply a lark.”
Blessed air flooded into his lungs as Evan released him, settling him back into the couch’s soft surface. Shaun stared at his Alpha, shocked nearly sober—well, maybe not that. Definitely chastised enough to remember a few manners, though.
“I’m…sorry.”
Evan shrugged. “I am too. I don’t usually lose my temper.” He retook his seat, sipping his moonshine as he stared into the fire. “You need to face it, Shaun. We’re wolves. We like having a pack around, but there are times it’s not the pack we long for.”
Fuck. Shaun didn’t think he’d told anyone about the ache in his gut for a mate. For the feeling of truly belonging. “Have I been talking in my sleep or something?”
Evan shook his head, holding his glass up to the light after a quick sip. “Love it when this stuff kicks in and people lose track of whole threads of conversation. No, Shaun, you told me a few minutes ago. You’re lonely. You’d give anything to find your mate. But in the meantime, you’re going to be the best damn wolf there is, and get off your ass and do something for someone else who can’t possibly repay you.”
Shaun sniffed. “My God, I’m so charitable. Is that really what I said?”
Evan leaned forward on his elbows and nodded seriously. “I was very impressed, my friend. And you said you would start right away.”
“Awesome.” Wow. He had a purpose in life. A goal, and he was going to be a hero to…someone. His throat tightened with emotion—delight, determination…confusion. There was one trouble. The only things in his mind were the delightful pink and purple clouds morphing into elephants and crashing rhinos right before his eyes. “Did I tell you what I was going to do?”
“Not a word. Top secret, all that shit. But I’m sure you’ll let me know when it’s appropriate.”
“Cool.” Shaun relaxed back into the cushions. There was something so right about hanging out with Evan. “I love you, man.”
Evan choked on his drink, his face turning bright red as he coughed his lungs out for a second. His expression transitioned to one worthy of a long-suffering and indulgent older brother. “That’s great. Now I think you are ready to crash for the night.”
Shaun peeked at his watch. The digital numbers were impossible to see, but he pressed onward. Faking it worked for many things. “Oh my, is that the time? I’m going to turn into a pumpkin.”
Evan nodded slowly, his expression twisting into an evil grin. “Sure you are, big guy. Six thirty is oh-so-late for a weeknight. Tell you what. I’ll pop you into one of the empty hotel rooms.”
Brilliant. His Alpha was the most brilliant man he’d ever met. “Good idea.” Shaun stood then dropped to a low crouch to counter all the heaving underfoot. “Fuck—is that an earthquake?”
Evan clicked his tongue like a mother hen, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out the back exit and down a side hall. “Trust me, it’s not the floor that’s shaking.”
He swiped a keycard and pushed open a door.
Mercy sakes, that was a king-plus bed, and the enormous thing was calling his name soooo sweetly. Shaun turned and impulsively hugged Evan. “I love you, man,” he repeated.
“You probably aren’t going to like me very much in the morning but, yeah, fine. I love you too. Now sleep it off, dude.”
Blessed darkness beckoned, and Shaun strolled forward, stripping as he went. Before the outer door clicked shut behind him, he yanked back the covers and collapsed face-first onto the mattress, a groan of pleasure escaping his lips.
This was better than his single bed back at the hangar. Far better than the bunk in the clan house in town. The only thing that would make his situation better yet? He sniffled and ignored the thoughts cavorting around in his mind singing in three-part-harmony about how nice it would be to have a soft feminine touch in his life.
She’d given up making her hair cooperate, and had finally managed to pull the dark strands back into a plain but presentable bun when a knock sounded. Gem smoothed her palms over the knee-length peach-coloured silk skirt, straightening to tug the neckline of her matching cashmere sweater a trifle lower. She squared her shoulders and adjusted her handbag before opening the door.
David flashed a brilliant grin as he checked her out.
“Now that’s a nice outfit. Evan will be impressed.” The cabbie-slash-philosopher-slash-guide offered his arm, and she slipped her fingers over his elbow without hesitation. “Let me lead you through the chaos—don’t mind the boys, okay?”
The volume cranked way up as they passed the bar doors and the ambience changed from modern classic to turn-of-the-century madhouse. The room was full of bodies, mostly shifters if her nose had anything to say. Some of them danced on the tiny floor, some played darts, but most stood around tall tables or perched on high stools eating and laughing and hanging out.
From the table closest to her, one of the men rose to his feet, his gaze crawling over her as if she were naked. Gem stumbled for a second before David pulled her upright, slipping his body between her and the new threat.
Funny how the cabbie had gone from being a stranger to someone she felt would protect her.
“Knock it off, Jackson.”
“Just wanted to make sure the lady got a proper northern welcome.”
David tugged her toward the back of the pub. All around them excitement trembled in the air—the energy in the bar was wild and energetic, and in spite of the tinge of uncertainty inside, she’d never felt more alive.
Independence was heady stuff.
“Evan’s back in his office. Come on, darling, you don’t fit in with this crowd.”
Gem stared in fascination at one of the women on the dance floor. The top buttons of her blouse hung open, the swells of her breasts visible to everyone. She twirled and her mini skirt rose, revealing a tiny thong and bare butt cheeks. Gem’s face flushed hotter than a summer day. There went the idea that her own outfit was provocative. Obviously, she was mistaken.
No, s
he didn’t belong here, that was clear.
David knocked on the door, again placing himself as a barricade between her and the action in the room.
A tenor rang out from the other side. “What?”
“Visitor from the States.”
A longish pause. “Come in.”
Gem slipped past David into the warm office, and peace settled. The fire in the hearth, the leather furniture—this room wasn’t her home, but a lot more comfortable than the rowdiness occurring in the bar.
“Evan, this is Gemmita Jacobs, from Georgia. She’s the one Shaun’s taking north in a few days for that Porcupine Herd analysis.”
Gem startled. “Hey, how did you—”
“There are many ways to find out information when it’s needed.” David tipped his hat and pointed into the room. “Evan Stone. He’s a good bloke. You’ll be all right. I’m sure I’ll see you later.”
David left in a whirlwind, and Gem turned to take her first look at the Whitehorse Alpha.
Dark hair neatly trimmed around his ears, snapping black eyes that examined her with sharp intelligence. He was all lean muscle, bright white teeth, the entire appealing package sprawled in a low leather chair. One leg bounced, his knee hanging over the armrest, his foot rocking steadily to the low-lying beat of music sneaking in under the door. The position left his torso wide open, and she snapped her gaze back to his face before she continued staring anywhere inappropriate.
His smile twisted to one side, and he raised a brow.
Gem flushed. So much for keeping her arrival inconspicuous and politically correct. He’d caught her gaping at his groin. How gauche.
“Sorry for not getting up, but I’ve had a hell of a day.” He gestured to the couch across from him. “Have a seat. I won’t keep you long. You must be tired.”
Gem dipped her head. She’d never met an Alpha quite like him before, but she could get around that. Act normal, you idiot. Charm him—smooth out this mess. “I apologize for not letting you know sooner I would be in your territory. I’m terribly embarrassed.”
She sat, and a curious scent surrounded her. Something that made her catch her breath and a tingle start deep, deep inside. She tried to hide her reaction, but Evan narrowed his gaze.
“What? Why are you wrinkling your nose like that?”
Another flash of—excitement? need?—rushed over her, and she opened her mouth to explain away her rudeness with some kind of cast-off remark when a flicker of comprehension singed her.
The aroma made her mouth water, and her heart race. She reached up and tugged on the neckline of her sweater, finding the collar suddenly far too constricting. She wanted nothing better than to strip the fabric away and go down to bare skin. Let the air play over her and have fingers touch everywhere. Her breasts felt heavy, her sex pulsed with a steady rhythm, growing wet.
Only one thing made a wolf react like this—as if she’d been involved in hours of foreplay instead of having spent minutes in his presence.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but there’s this scent…” She took another deep breath, and it was as though the crisp air shot straight from her nose to her clit, her body going all soft and needy.
Oh my goodness. This couldn’t be…could it?
She cleared her throat. Maybe she was overtired from the trip. But that shouldn’t be enough to make her react as if she was in the midst of a sexual encounter.
Was Evan her mate?
The notion terrified her. Not because she didn’t expect a life partner to appear some day, but finding her mate right now would cause a lot of trouble. One more issue to deal with while she fought for independence. And an Alpha whose territory was a fifteen-hour flight away from home? Oh boy. Daddy would have kittens.
But something was up, and ignoring the possibilities wouldn’t change the answer.
Enough with the being-a-coward thing. She waved a hand between them. “I wonder if you’d mind…?”
The confusion on his face smoothed away as awareness filled his eyes. He leaned forward in his chair, elbows to knees as he breathed in deeply, nostrils flaring. He hmmed lightly, his tone a little lust-filled. Gem sucked in a quick breath in response, and the whammy smacked her between the legs again. She squeezed her knees together instinctively, and he grinned.
“Come here, darling. I don’t think I’m what you’re looking for, but I have no objection.”
He patted his lap.
Gem stilled. He wasn’t serious, was he? And yet, if he was her mate, she was seconds away from one of the most important moments of her entire life.
Grace. Elegance. That’s what she’d bring to this occasion. Even as she rose to her feet, she straightened her spine and smiled properly. Stepped to his side and pivoted. Oh my, the wonderful aroma continued to fill her nostrils, and her body’s involuntary response to its effect added another layer of scent to the room. Excitement filled her limbs, making them tremble in anticipation of his touch.
She sat slowly, hard thigh muscles meeting her backside. Her eagerness increased. Need raged inside for another zing of lust to shoot through her body. Like holding a wick of desire toward a flame in the hope unquenchable passion would envelop her.
Evan settled her against his torso as he leaned back, drawing her face closer. His lips hovered near. A slow approach, maddening.
His fingers in her hair, chest to her breasts. She closed her eyes as their mouths connected.
3
Gem was so dainty as she plopped into his lap. Evan had to admit this was the most interesting meet-and-greet he’d had in his relatively short time as Alpha for the Takhini pack.
The scent of her desire rose around them, making him feel slightly dirty. Oh, he liked having a long, lean honey panting over him. Especially one like this, with her soft brown skin, huge dark eyes that had grown even bigger when she’d caught a whiff of something in the air. Only, while she was delightful to look at, all smooth hourglass curves with endless legs and an elegant neck—she wasn’t his type. Too delicate, too fine, and definitely not catching his notice in terms of being his mate.
Which is what he’d picked up from her stumbling question. Something made her think he might be the one, and while he had no interest in forever, he’d be happy to let her be the one to call it quits today. Shouldn’t take too long—once he didn’t make her motor run, she would no doubt stop their intimate contact.
Of course, if this was some southern custom of greeting the ruling Alpha with a tumble—hell, who was he to argue with tradition? It wasn’t as if he didn’t get all kinds of intriguing offers from the local wolf ladies, based solely on his position. Having a visitor to do the mattress mambo with would be far less complicated than his current dilemma of keeping the power-seekers in check.
She kissed him back. Innocent, chaste, lips closed and pressed to his.
Forget that. Even if they were mates, a simple kiss wouldn’t be enough to confirm or deny their connection. While the scent on the air told him she was turned on, her reaction wasn’t in response to his touch. He needed her to know for sure—as in no way in hell are you my mate for sure.
A little more thorough encounter was required.
He grasped the back of her neck as he angled her head to the side, teasing the seam of her lips with his tongue until she opened to him.
Hmm, much better. With a hesitant touch, all warm and soft, she explored his mouth, her hands rising to cup his face, and he smiled. The kiss grew more heated, teeth and lips getting involved as she twisted in his lap, her chest rubbing his.
Oh, nice. Maybe she wasn’t too delicate after all. Evan withdrew his right hand from her back, sliding up her torso to cup one perfect breast, and she gasped against his lips. He soothed her, even as his thumb brushed the tightening tip of her nipple. She had nice firm mounds that he was sure would look spectacular if he stripped her. He gave a brief moment to consider what colour her nipples were, but his curiosity was nothing more than a typical male reaction to a desirable female. Nothin
g earth shaking or undeniable.
As far as he was concerned, this was fun, but not a forever mate-need-want-gotta-have situation.
Gem planted a hand on his chest and pushed, her lips separating from his with a soft sigh. There was a crease between her eyes and confusion on her face. He froze his hand and smiled back at her.
The little throat clearing that followed was kinda cute. “I…don’t feel anything.”
Hell, hiding his smirk was going to kill him. “Nothing?”
Her mouth opened to a shocked O. “It’s not that I don’t find you attractive, and I was enjoying—” Her gaze dropped to where he still grasped her breast. Embarrassment poured from her far stronger than lust, and Evan relented and withdrew his hand without a word.
But when she would have squirmed away he held her for another moment, releasing a trace of his wolf power to calm her. She lifted her gaze to meet his, and he touched her cheek. “You’re a lovely wolf, but you’re not mine. Don’t worry, we’ll figure out what’s up. Please, though, allow me to offer the protection of my pack while you’re in the north.”
Her brown eyes were enormous as she stared back. Making her part of his responsibility wasn’t necessary, but the offer felt right, especially after groping her. She might have walked into his office looking as if she owned the world, but she was a long way from home. Whatever physical mischief was happening—she needed a little reassurance and his Alpha genes had kicked into high gear.
Evan expected her to retreat as quickly as possible, but she surprised him by leaning in and kissing his cheek. “Thank you. For the offer of protection, and for allowing me to…satisfy my curiosity. I’m not sure what’s wrong.”
He helped her rise, supporting her until she regained her feet. “Anything unusual happen on your flight? You come in contact with any other wolves between arriving and now who caught your interest?”
“Nothing on the flight. I got a ride here with the cabbie, David, and I didn’t react to him at all. Since then I’ve been in my room waiting—they told me you were busy.”