“So, what…you were sent to spy on us?” Of all the jackhole-ish things she had dealt with, having someone send a spy into their midst ranked as one of the worst.
“Drew had concerns.”
Her laugh came off as angry as she felt. “Why? He took all of five minutes to decide he didn’t want to help us then threw us to the coyotes.”
“Ripley.” Z reached out as if to soothe her.
“Don’t. Just don’t.” If he touched her, the anger she felt would fade away with the hormonal urges she couldn’t control.
“Drew had no choice. You weren’t helping him. He needed more information.”
“So, when I wouldn’t give it freely, he decided to send his pit bull out to find it.”
“The Tao Pack has been through hell in the last half-century, but you wouldn’t know because your pack hid from everyone. For all Drew knew, your Alpha sent you to sniff out the weaknesses still left in it.”
Ripley stepped back at the mention of her Alpha, and judging by Z’s raised eyebrow, he’d noticed. She doubted there was much he didn’t catch
“So, tell me, Ripley, where the hell is the Greystone Alpha? Your Enforcer? Hell, how about a male who isn’t an omega?”
“I think I hear the boat.” She hoped she heard it, anything to distract Z from asking more questions she couldn’t answer.
He grabbed her arm, twisting her around to look at him. “Say what I already know. Confirm what I suspect.”
“I can’t. Not even to you.”
“Do you trust me?”
Shaking her head, she tried to jerk out his grasp, but he was far stronger than her. “I don’t know you.”
“Your soul does.” He closed his eyes and exhaled, and all of a sudden his scent surrounded her, engulfed and overrode her senses. She growled deep, the answering urge to cover him with her scent overwhelming her. It screamed to her wolf, calling for them to be one. “You accept you are my mate.”
She nodded, her knees weakening. “I can’t change the Fates.”
“Perhaps what you don’t understand is I can’t harm you or allow any harm to come to you. As my mate, you are in my protection whether you accept me or not.”
She searched his eyes to determine whether he lied, but found only truth.
When he next spoke, his tone softened. “Tell me.”
On a stuttering breath, she closed her eyes to give voice to words she had never spoken. “There is no Alpha, not anymore. No dominant males, and no Enforcer either, and there haven’t been since before I was born.”
“The last Alpha?”
“My father died twenty years ago when I was twenty-three. I have been charged with keeping the pack safe. We’ve been holding off the coyotes ever since.”
She hadn’t known what to expect, but Z pulling her into his arms hadn’t been it. “I am so sorry.”
Sorry? What the hell did he have to be sorry about? “What? Why?”
“For so long, since my wife died, I have blocked myself off from feeling anything. She wasn’t my true mate, everyone knew that, but I loved her. And because I…. I didn’t think there might be someone out there who wanted me.” He pulled back enough to place a kiss on Ripley’s lips. “I betrayed you by not opening myself to the understanding that the universe had someone else.”
Into his chest, she spoke. “What we need is an Alpha, and you would—”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean, you can’t? You’re strong enough.” She tried to step away, but he held strong.
“I am forbidden from taking on Alpha of any pack—” When she shoved against him in anger, Z said, “Wait a second, calm yourself. I’m going to ask Drew to take your pack under his wing. He can be your Alpha.”
“We didn’t want him as our Alpha. We just wanted some protection from Jeb and his dogs.”
“Jeb?”
“The coyote’s Alpha, if you can call him that.” Ripley wanted some space, but the draw to touch Z was too strong.
“What’s wrong with Drew?”
“The reason our pack went stealth so many years ago was because of Drew’s father, Magnum Tao. Magnum was mentally unstable. My father knew we were in trouble and that the Taos were ruthless. He feared for his daughters’ safety.”
“Drew isn’t his father.”
“What if his father passed his insanity to his son?”
“Then he will die by my hand or that of his Enforcer’s. He made us promise.” Lifting her chin so she would meet his eyes, Z added, “He is a good man. Do you think I would leave the protection of my mate to just any wolf?”
Ripley felt he would have said more, but the scuffling behind them of someone approaching interrupted the conversation. Will required their attention. They had gone this long without an Alpha, waiting a few more hours or days wouldn’t hurt. Besides, they had a dominant wolf in the pack, at least for the time being, and the coyotes had already discovered Z’s presence.
Chapter Four
Z’s sister answered the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“Why would anything be wrong, N?”
“Because you text occasionally but never call.”
And now for the hard part—how to get what he required without answering the question of his pack’s best interrogator and information keeper. “Are the twins still under pack arrest?”
“Yes, the damned council doesn’t realize taking them off jobs and making them stay here is punishing those of us who choose to stay packside.”
“I have to have them here helping me. Can you make that happen? Like ‘get them here in the next four hours’ happen?”
“You? You want them?”
Z had expected her incredulous response. He never asked for help or worked with anyone. Not since T had died.
N sighed. “Okay, what gives, and I’ll know if you’re lying. This has to do with the Greystone Pack, right?”
“Yes.” He watched the now-empty parking lot at the Greystone Wolf River Rafting Tours building from the wooden deck that came off the side of the building. Ripley had gone into the office to make sure all the tours happening later in the week were set. They didn’t have another overnight for a few days, which would give Z an opportunity to add protections to the campsite. He’d taken the downtime to call in the reinforcements. “The pack hasn’t had an Alpha in decades and is being stalked by a foul band of coyotes.”
“Is there any other kind of coyote?” N asked, her disgust apparent even over the phone.
His sister, more than most of his kind, hated coyotes. She had been attacked by a group of coyote scouts while on one of her first missions. Z had arrived in time to save her life, but he’d never known how much damage had truly been done. When he’d finished with the dogs, he couldn’t tell their blood from hers. After that, N never returned to the field, but chose to work from within the safety of the pack.
“Not to my knowledge, but regardless, the pack has to have protection,” Z said.
“Z, did you bestow information without my having to pull teeth to get it?”
And the sister he so loved, the one who would nag and nag until she dragged every ounce of information she could out of him, sounded stunned. If the situation didn’t require immediate attention, he might have basked in the moment.
“I don’t have time for this. Can you get the twins here or not? This pack is in serious trouble.”
“So, why not take them to another local pack, like, I don’t know, the Taos?”
Frustrated, Z growled. “Do you want me to get the twins out of your hair or not?”
“Yes, but you can’t blame me for being curious about my big brother. Because with everything you’re freely sharing, there’s something you aren’t telling me.” She wouldn’t let this go, she would text and call and eventually come out herself to badger him until he caved.
Taking a deep breath, he braced himself. “The pack leader is my mate. Her name is Ripley, and I will tell you more later. Right now, you have to send our baby brot
hers on a plane heading in my direction.”
“Wait, you can’t—”
Ending the call, Z stood outside and watched Ripley through the window as she stirred about her office. She appeared unsure of herself, fidgeting with a pencil one minute then shifting from one foot to the other the next. He couldn’t blame her. Unlike her, he had once loved and subsequently felt nothing but numb for decades. He thanked the Fates for the emotions coursing through him now, waking him.
Taking a few steps, he closed his eyes and opened his senses to everything around him, making sure no one was about. Then he entered the building to find Ripley bent over her desk. His mouth went dry imagining what he could do to her on that flat surface.
To divert his attention, he stepped over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. “My twin brothers will be here by nightfall. One will stay and help patrol the pack’s safety, and the other will stay out with whomever is at the campground.”
She huffed. “Taking right over, I see.”
“Where your safety and that of your family is concerned, you’re damned straight. You don’t have to accept what fate lays before us, and I certainly won’t force you, but where your safety is concerned, I won’t negotiate. And you don’t have any other options than to accept the help I’m giving at the moment.”
Her shoulders dropped in defeat. “That was uncalled for. I’m sorry. I’m still so angry about Will, and I feel guilty. Then there is the swirl of emotions around you. I have no idea how to deal with you.”
Placing a cup of coffee before her, he leaned against the wall. “It’s been a hell of a twenty-four hours for you.”
“I don’t feel as if there is an end in sight to this hell.”
He could simply lift her in his arms and take her somewhere safe. Maybe somewhere safe with a large bed and room service. Instead, he would do something he’d never done before—he’d be selfless.
“Do you want me to leave? Close enough that if you call, I can be here, but far enough you have some space?”
Her blue eyes burned into his soul. “No, I think closer.”
His cock came to full attention. “How close?”
Eyes never leaving his, she removed first the flannel shirt she wore, letting it fall soundlessly to the floor. Then taking a few more steps toward him, she unbuttoned her jeans. His mouth salivated as she pushed the denim over her hips and thighs. He had no idea when her shoes came off, but she stood before him, sexier than Aphrodite, in a pair of white cotton panties, a tight men’s white cotton tank top, and gray wool socks gathered around her ankles. He allowed her one more step before yanking her into his arms. His cock strained against the new black jeans he hadn’t had a chance to break in yet. She pulled at his T-shirt, fighting the fabric to get it over his head. She was a woman determined, her only thought evidently getting him naked.
His thoughts exactly.
“Space is the last thing I want. I need you to fully claim me as your mate.”
The words fizzed through him like a fuse on a stick of dynamite, the flame growing ever closer to its final destination. His mouth crashed over hers, claiming—branding. Her tank top, though thin, stood between them, hampering his progression. He fingered the neckline before effortlessly ripping it apart with both hands. Her full breasts bounced free, nipples alert.
Kicking off his shoes and getting rid of his jeans and underwear in one swift move, he lifted her by her ass until she rested against him. He loved the feel of her weight in his arms, the softness of her thighs wrapped around his waist, and her breasts pressing against his heart, which beat in perfect time with hers.
Walking them to the closest wall, he used it for leverage and thrust into her. He smelled her arousal, the musky scent driving his libido to new heights. As they became one for the first time, he finally understood so much he hadn’t before—the importance of a true mate, the connection, and the amazing amount of power that raced through him as he claimed her.
She met every plunge with force, pushing her heels into his flanks to take him deeper. Her fingernails raked his back, drawing blood as her inner she-wolf came out. If she continued, he would never last.
“Give me your hands.”
“Why?” She didn’t argue though, nor did she fight him when he took her wrists and placed them above her head. Kissing her neck, he growled deep within his throat as she panted.
“Z….”
“What do you want?” He knew exactly what she wanted, but he had to hear her say the words.
“Please. Help me.”
Vague didn’t work for him, never had. So, he slowed his movements, drawing out each stroke until her pants turned into mewls. Her thighs clenched tighter, and she fought his grip holding her in place. “Please let me come.”
“I live to fill your every desire.” He captured her lips with his, and his tongue danced with hers. Increasing the speed, sensing by the tightening of her inner walls when she grew close, and when she finally flew, he allowed himself to join her, spilling his seed deep within her.
He released her, savoring the feel of her fingers when she worked them through his hair. He marveled at the spark evident in her eyes and the glow of her skin that had nothing to do with the sheen of sweat they both had.
“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he said between deep breaths.
“I never thought I would feel this, never thought I could find my mate.” She palmed his face, focusing on his eyes. “Please be our Alpha.”
“I can be yours, but not your pack’s.”
The front door of the office swung open, and Babs and Anne entered, having returned from their second rafting trip of the day. “Did you hear what he said about the rapid? If that jackass thought that was rough, he doesn’t— Oh my God!”
Biting her lip, Ripley snuck a peek over Z’s shoulder at her packmates and whispered, “Next time, we should lock the door.”
“Perhaps that would be wise,” he muttered. Having his ass bared to two of her guides wasn’t a situation he’d ever expected to find himself in, but when his mate desired him, he could never refuse her. Between gritted teeth, and never looking away from her, he demanded, “Do you two think you could step outside for a minute?”
“Oh, right. We’ll head outside,” one of them replied.
“That would be a fan-fucking-tastic idea.”
As soon as the door clicked closed, he kissed Ripley hard before allowing her feet to touch the floor. After locating their clothes, they assisted one another in getting dressed again between caresses. Once he had his jeans zipped, he allowed the girls back into the office.
“You can chat with your boss now.”
“We’re really sorry. We had no idea you two were…well, you know.”
“Yes, well it surprised to us, too.” Ripley laughed while tying the laces of her boots. “Babs and Anna, meet Z, my mate.”
“Mate? I thought you were human,” Babs said, appearing gobsmacked
“That escalated fast,” Anne said at the same time.
“Humans can mate with shifters.” Z walked over to Ripley, placing an arm around her waist. “But I am a wolf.”
“But I didn’t smell…?” Anne started, but appeared too confused to finish her thought.
Ripley said, “He stood downwind. You couldn’t have smelled him. And I can attest he is majestic in wolf form.”
“You are quite the she-wolf yourself.” He rubbed his knuckles across her neck.
“I think I might vomit on all this sticky sweetness.” Babs mimicked a gagging reflex.
Figuring a change in conversation would be appreciated, Z asked, “So, how is Will?”
“Janey has him resting comfortably,” Anne answered.
Ripley stood, taking his hand in hers. “Let’s go check on him, shall we?”
She was touching him to verify their connection. Some mates required constant connection, and as her mate, Z could do no less than give what she sought. He assumed since her pack lacked dominants, none of t
he betas would understand changes could happen during and after mating, or what to expect. And worse, he’d realized too late he’d be bringing two single and usually sex-crazed twins into the she-wolf’s den. Z chuckled. He couldn’t wait to see the boys getting eaten alive.
From her fingers to her toes, Ripley’s body still sizzled. Every time the sensation became too strong, almost too much for her to bear, Z would reach for her, brush his lips against an area of exposed skin. He comprehended what she required even before she did. On the ride to the compound, he had filled her in on his pack and the rules that governed him and his own, and also about the two wolves about to descend on hers.
She couldn’t say she completely understood, but at least she knew why he couldn’t be Alpha, not wouldn’t be Alpha. The oath he had taken years earlier still bound him, preventing his acceptance of the position or interfering in others’ ability to hold the position. Knowing this didn’t make Ripley happy, but she couldn’t do anything to convince him to change his mind. Not that she wouldn’t try.
So, some areas made more sense, but she still didn’t quite get the naming thing they had—symbols, letters, and numbers.
“Is this desire to touch you normal?” she asked once they’d checked on Will and said hello to the newest member of the pack—the yet-unnamed omega boy baby who’d been born shortly after Janey returned with Will.
“Whatever you desire will be our normal. It doesn’t matter what others do.”
“So, it isn’t normal?”
He shrugged. “What’s normal really? I have observed more couples than I can count. Some, like you, have to touch their partners regularly, while others seemed to barely notice the other’s presence. My pack doesn’t hold out on finding their mate, but we usually find someone compatible to procreate with.”
“You make it sound so passionless.” She pulled away. “I’ll try to be less clingy.”
Z smiled, leaning into her. “It’s fine. I can think of no one I would rather have cling to me. Simply because my people aren’t full of public displays of affection doesn’t mean you can’t be. Be who you are, Ripley. It’s why the Fates chose me for you.”
Infiltrating Her Pack Page 5
