Wilde About Her (Wilde Pack Series)

by Daniels, Angie

  “Where have you been?” Her voice was sharp, demanding.

  Damn. Denim was definitely effing up his head, because he didn’t hear Troy come up from behind.

  Jax removed his helmet and hung it on the bike. “What are you doing here?”

  She chuckled softly as she sauntered into the garage. “Is that anyway to greet your mate?”

  “You’re not my mate,” he reminded.

  The fair-skinned beauty’s gaze darkened and then her lips curled into a pout. Troy always did hate being denied anything she wanted. And it was such a shame because she was a beautiful woman. Sexy hot. Statuesque with dark-red hair and the largest green eyes he’d ever seen. However, there was rarely anything but bitterness in her gaze. During their three year relationship, no matter what Jax had done, it was never enough.

  “What do you want Troy.” With her it was best to get straight to the point.

  “I came to talk,” she said, breaking into his thoughts. “Daddy is still very upset. He’s practically forcing me to marry an alpha from another pack!” she screeched and looked clearly appalled. Troy had always been a drama queen.

  “And what do you expect me to do about it?” Jax asked and didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he reached for a rag and started wiping bug juice from his windshield.

  “I expect you to marry me, just like we’ve always planned.”

  Jax chuckled, torn between amusement and exasperation. “Not happening, Troy.”

  “And why not?” she demanded.

  Their eyes met and held. “Answer one question…do you love me?”

  Troy looked faintly amused. “What’s love have to do with anything? This is business, baby.”

  Laughing, he replied, “And that’s exactly why I can’t marry you.”

  “Our marriage would increase our families’ worth, but because we’re not in love you won’t marry me? I’m confused,” she replied snobbishly.

  “There is nothing confusing about it. I’m not interested in a business arrangement. And I can’t understand why you can’t get that in your thick skull. Chayton’s the first son and the future pack leader, so he can unite the packs. Me… I’m waiting for the right woman,” Jax replied although he was confident he’d already met her.

  Troy swirled around and crossed her arms before she spat, “Who? That bitch you’ve been spending time with?”

  Something deep within howled. “You were there… at the party. And it’s not a question. I smelled you,” he barked and waited for her to deny it.

  She released a high-pitched laugh, making his pulse leap. “So what? Yes, I followed you. I was dying to see my competition.”

  Jax shook his head. There was no talking any sense into her. “There’s no competition. You and I are over and done. I wish you and your brothers would get that in your thick skulls.”

  The shock on her face made Troy look almost comical. “That’s where you are wrong. There’s no way we’re going to allow you to make a fool of us. If I can’t have you, no one will!” Troy declared, on a breathless gasp.

  That threat alone set his blood on fire. The crazy chick had scared off women before, and she wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. No. Not this time. Not with Denim. He would see to that.

  He faked a yawn. “Troy, I’m really not in the mood for your bullshit.”

  She sent him something of a smirk, then replied, “We’ll see about that.”

  He watched as she stormed off in white five-inch heels and hopped into a red convertible he hadn’t noticed parked at the side of the house. While she peeled away, something nasty curled through his gut.

  The trouble was just beginning.

  As soon as she was gone, Jax went inside. His father, the Wilde pack alpha, and Aidan were shooting a competitive game of pool. As usual they were trash-talking.

  “Troy was here,” he announced.

  “What?” Aidan said and missed his shot.

  Jax swallowed heavily. “She was outside waiting for me when I pulled up.”

  His brother gave a shit-eating grin. “Well, she didn’t try to shoot you, so that’s a good sign.”

  “Not yet, anyway.”

  Jackson Wilde, Sr. lowered the pool stick, with his brow furrowed. “I spoke with Chad this afternoon. We have a meeting scheduled at the end of the month.” Thomas Chadwick was the alpha leader of the Chadwick pack and Troy’s father.

  “Why so long?” Jax barked with frustration.

  His father dragged a hand across his head. “He’s in Germany in negotiations. His corporation is expanding.”

  With or without us.

  Jax didn’t miss the frustration in his father’s eyes. Hopefully Mr. Chadwick would resume exporting their horses, otherwise they were going to have to seriously consider working with a distributor who wasn’t a Were. Which would suck. Weres preferred to keep their wealth within the pack families as much as possible.

  As he lowered onto an armchair, Jax thought about Troy’s threat. The smart thing to do was to stay as far away from Denim until the pack leaders had a chance to meet, but there was no way he could do that, especially now that Troy knew about her. Jax drew a long breath, hating what he had to do next. “Denim knows about us.”

  Aidan’s head whipped around. “What?”

  “She saw me shifting out in the field,” he admitted with a scowl. His actions were stupid and reckless. Once she’d told him she heard the horses from the treehouse, he should have known the chances. Instead, he risked the entire pack at being exposed.

  His father came around the table, raking his hand through his hair. “Who is this Denim?”

  “She’s Pappy’s granddaughter,” he replied and wasn’t surprised when his eyes widened.

  “And a human,” Aidan added, as if he didn’t already know. His father was fully aware of Pappy’s claims of seeing a werewolf lurking in the forest because they were true. He’d spotted a careless member of their pack who’d been lurking in the forest near his property.

  His father came around and took a seat on the couch. “I hope you spoke to her.”

  Jax settled back in the chair and crossed his arms. “Yes, and she promised not to say anything.”

  “And you believe her?” Chayton barked, as he stepped into the game room in a black t-shirt, biceps bulging his arms. “You can’t possibly be that naïve.”

  Jax looked from him to the concerned expression on his father’s face. “Yes, actually I do,” he replied with confidence. “What does she have to gain from exposing us?”

  “More than you think,” Chayton snarled, as he took a seat beside his father. “What in the world were you thinking? We agreed no more shifting outside until she was gone!”

  Even though he was right, irritation rippled through him. “I know, I know. I smelled Troy in the forest, lost my head and shifted out in the open. But Denim won’t be a problem. I’m certain of it.”

  “You’d better be.” Chayton’s lips curled back from his teeth.

  His father nodded. “Jax, I know you’re a man of your word. I expect you to keep your eye on Denim while she’s in Justice.” It was a clear order, delivered in a controlled authoritative voice.

  “The entire pack’s future depends on you, bro,” Chayton added. There was that note in his voice. A warning.

  Talk about added pressure. “Yes. I’m well aware of the risks.” His family’s uneasiness was why he immediately made the decision not to reveal Denim’s ability to read his mind. If they knew she had that kind of power there was no telling what his father might do. His cousin Kyle’s wife had no idea she was going to be under constant surveillance once she had agreed to marry a Were, and he couldn’t stomach what Denim would have to endure. She had the power to know their secrets and destroy the Wildes. If a rival pack ever found out, they could possibly use her ability to their advantage.

  Leave it to Aidan to run his mouth. “Keeping an eye on Denim should be easy. Junior here still has the hots for her.” He clapped his hands and made a barking
sound.

  His father gave him a pointed look. “Is that true?”

  Without hesitation, Jax nodded and confirmed what he had known all along. “Yes, she’s mine.” Denim had awakened his instinct to mate.

  10

  For obvious reasons, Denim couldn’t sleep that night. Instead, she kept rewinding the evening in her head. First the party and the instant attraction between her and Jax, and then there was that mind-boggling kiss that they had shared, but what had her staring up at the ceiling was discovering Jax was a shape-shifter.

  She had seen countless movies and even read some of the popular books, but all that time she’d believed the stories had just been a product of an author’s imagination. But now she knew the truth.

  Werewolves were real.

  Every time she thought about it, her heart skipped a beat and her breath came out in a rush. She should have been scared, terrified, knowing there were Weres out there lurking the forests of Justice, and yet instead of being frightened she was fascinated. Intrigued even.

  Maybe she really was a little bit cray-cray or maybe it was because she already knew Jackson Wilde and his brothers and nothing about their behavior frightened her. Instead, they acted like ordinary men who just happened to be shifters desired by almost every woman in town.

  Oh, if they only knew.

  Especially Jax who had a Texas charm about him that kept her panting for more. The attraction was explosive. Nothing at all like her relationship had been with Asher. There was simply no comparison. Jax had her thinking of holding hands, late night walks and toe-curling sex. He had her wanting everything he had to offer.

  She released a long shaky breath. There was a magnetic pull she couldn’t shake and hearing his thoughts in Were or human form only solidified their connection. There could be no other explanation, because the only thoughts she had ever heard were his.

  How was that even possible? She’d never had that happen before, and yet even with Jax it had only happened in the forest. She hadn’t heard his thoughts at the diner or at the party. But on both occasions she had, it had been in the forest.

  Was the forest mystical?

  She laughed at the thought and rose from the bed and restlessly moved to the window to stare out into the forest ahead. Maybe that place held the power. She wondered, because for the life of her she couldn’t come up with any other explanation. A long sigh escaped her lips when she noticed something right at the edge of the trees. Something that appeared to be a pair of eyes…glowing.

  Denim chuckled. She was being ridiculous. Fatigue had clearly gotten to her. There was nothing out there, she concluded. After deciding she had done enough thinking for one night, she made herself get back in bed and after counting horses, she finally drifted off to sleep.

  Denim arrived at the diner in the morning hot, restless, and anxious for her shift to end. She was dating a wolf. A real-live, freaking werewolf!

  As soon as the diner closed that evening, Denim hurried back to the house to shower. It took her almost an hour to figure out what to wear before she finally settled on a purple spandex dress and black strappy sandals. She had no idea where they were going so it was hard to know if she had made the right choice, but she could never go wrong with spandex.

  “Don’t you look lovely,” Pappy complimented, as she stepped into the living room. He was sitting in his favorite old recliner watching the evening news.

  “Thanks. I’m going to dinner with Jackson Wilde.”

  Denim noticed the way his brow rose behind his glasses. “One of those biker boys with the tattoos?”

  “He’s not a biker boy.” She walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the top of his head. “Pappy, he really is a nice guy.”

  “I may be old, but this mind is still sharp. And I remember all those years of you running home crying, because that boy was picking on you.”

  She smiled, as she took a seat on the arm of the chair. “True, but we were kids. Now he’s a gentleman.”

  Pappy gave a rude snort. “He probably doesn’t even know how to pick up a lady on time.”

  Not only did Jax arrive on time, he had the nerve to look so freaking handsome, causing her body to remember what it had been like to be held in his arms. Denim stood in the doorway thinking, OMG! The guys she usually dated didn’t put much thought in their wardrobe. Jax was wearing stonewashed distressed jeans, a blue button-down shirt that hung open, and a clean t-shirt. On his feet were white sneakers. The outfit might have looked casual and a bit rough on anyone else, but on Jax it made him look delectable, to say the least. She was still standing there with her mouth open when Pappy came to the door.

  “Good evening Pappy,” Jax greeted.

  Denim noticed the way her grandfather glared at him. “Good evening. I hope you’re not planning on driving my granddaughter around on that death trap.”

  Just shoot me why don’t you.

  Jax barely flinched. “No sir. I have my car tonight.”

  Pappy stuck his head out the door and peered over in the driveway at a shiny black BMW. He mumbled something under his breath, and Denim decided it was time to go.

  “Love you, Pappy. Don’t wait up.” She gave her grandfather a quick peck to his pecan-colored cheek then hurried across the porch and down the stairs, dragging Jax with her.

  He waved and called over his shoulder, “It was good seeing you again, Pappy.”

  There was a loud slam and Denim heard the lock turn.

  Jax frowned as they moved across the lawn hand-in-hand. “I don’t think your grandfather cares for me.”

  “What would make you think that?” she replied and was unable to hold it together and started laughing. To her relief, Jax had a sense of humor and joined in.

  They walked to his car and when Jax opened the door for her, Denim looked over her shoulder to see if Pappy saw just how much of a gentleman her date was being. She smirked when she spotted the curtains swinging.

  “You look beautiful,” Jax said and she noticed his eyes skating over her outfit. The way his golden eyes were blazing, there was no doubt he liked what he saw.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He moved in closer and Denim felt her pulse begin to speed up a notch. Oh my goodness, he was getting ready to kiss her again.

  His lips settled over her, and as soon as Jax applied gentle pressure, she exhaled and rested her hands against his chest. Oh, it was good. No, it was better than good. It was wicked, and a bit wild.

  Denim’s entire body radiated with desire and she craved him more than she craved shopping for designer purses. Kissing was by far so much better. The longer they kissed, the more she wanted him. And since she was being controlled by hormones, if he had suggested skipping dinner, she probably would have agreed. Thank goodness Jax stopped and rested his forehead against hers. They stayed that way until their breathing slowed.

  “I would have greeted you properly at the door, but we kinda had an audience,” he explained and winked “Ready to go?”

  Taking a deep breath, Denim nodded. If that kiss was any indication, she was in for a wonderful evening.

  Jax helped her into the car and closed the door before jogging around and climbing in on his side.

  “Nice ride,” she commented, mostly for something to say.

  “Thank you. My father bought it for my twentieth birthday.”

  “Nice gift. For mine, my parents sent me and my best friend to Disney World.” Denim couldn't believe she hadn’t give Kimberly or Asher a single thought all day.

  Jax started the engine and within seconds a gush of cold air came through the vents. She was grateful for the blast against her heated body. As she secured her seatbelt, she forced herself to relax. It’s not every day a girl got a chance to drive around in the car with a werewolf.

  “What’s it like being a wolf?” she said. How else was she going to know about what his life was like if she didn’t ask?

  “I prefer to be called a Were. And w
e’re really not much different from humans,” he said with a twinkle in his golden eyes.

  Not much different? “Oh yeah, right. I can shift into a wolf whenever I want,” she said with sarcasm.

  Jax laughed then cleared his throat, and Denim didn’t miss his eyes roaming to the left, then right. “Let’s just say . . . being a Were has its advantages and disadvantages.”

  “Like what? And don’t tell me you can’t come out after sunrise.”

  He chuckled heartily. “No nothing like that. I’m part of a pack and we have responsibilities.”

  Denim swung around on the seat and faced him. “Can you shift whenever you want?”

  “Yes, but I try not to unless I know I have privacy, which is why Weres live in secluded areas.”

  She could tell he was trying to be mysterious. It should have scared her off, but instead it turned her on. Denim relaxed in her seat and bobbed her head to the sounds of Ne-Yo coming through the speakers. At least Jax had good taste in music.

  “Are you planning to shift tonight?”

  He chuckled again. “No, I don’t.”

  “Well there’s supposed to be a full moon, so I totally understand if you feel the urge.”

  Reaching over, he gently laid his hand over hers. “I’m good, really. I’ve learned over the years to control when I shift. This evening is all about you and me. That’s it.”

  Why did his words make her insides quiver?

  “Where are we going?” Denim asked as he hit the highway. She was so hoping he was taking them to Austin.

  Jax took his eyes off the interstate long enough to grin, and replied, “A place that has the best steaks in the whole state of Texas.”

  “Really?” Denim shifted on the seat. “Where at?” She loved a good bone-in ribeye.

  He winked and replied, “Just wait and see.”

  11

  Jax couldn’t stop looking at her.

  One thing about him, he appreciated a good-looking woman, and especially one with long, shapely caramel-colored legs. The moment she’d opened the front door and he’d laid eyes on her in a dress accentuating every last curve something wild unfurled deep inside of him. With legs like that, she could put any girl in Justice to shame.