One by one, he glared at each dominant until they either glanced away or showed their submission. Once secure none would challenge him, Z turned his back. A part of him hoped one had the balls to approach, or at the very least to pick a fight. Testosterone still pumped hard through his veins, and Jeb’s buckling did nothing to appease his craving for justice or blood. How that idiot had ever become Alpha would forever be a mystery.
The soft, gentle touch of his mate pulled him from his anger and settled his inner wolf. “Z, not one of these coyotes is worth your energy.”
“Certainly not worth giving them any energy I could be giving to you.” He still bristled and although she soothed him, he didn’t dare return it, not while still wound tight. Never had an encounter been so personal or emotional for him, and he didn’t know yet how to handle the emotions running through him. Instead, he stalked toward the forest’s edge.
“We have your back, Z,” one of the twins called.
They really did, and sometimes, when he’d spent years on his own and out of touch with everyone close to him, he forgot that. What he ought to do was take a quick course in togetherness, but right then he had to run—fast and hard.
He shifted, vaguely hearing Ripley ask how he could do it so quickly, before bolting for the trees. He’d gone a good sixty yards before she gained on him, nipping at his flank. Pushing harder, he ran, but she knew the land better than he did. A second later, she tackled him, rolling him into the grass.
He pinned her beneath him, and she nipped at him, her blue eyes full of playfulness. Jumping away, he gave her the chance to dart away, and dart she did, obviously wanting him to give chase. His mate could have let him run it off by himself but was giving him an outlet for his frustration. His first wife would have let him go, but Ripley, as a part of his soul, understood exactly what it would take to ease his beast.
Her silver fur shone like a beacon under the moonlight, calling to him like a lighthouse on a foggy night. He tore hard through the woods, letting the wind blow the stink of the coyotes away until he smelled only the fresh night air and his mate as she left her scent for him to follow.
For the first time in a great many years, he felt alive. Coming to an open field, he stopped in his tracks. Her silver wolf, in the midst of her shift, caused his heart to skip. He hated to see the wretched pain on her beautiful face, but it soon changed to peace in the light of the moon. With every step he made, she removed a piece of clothing.
She stood fully and gloriously naked before he made it to her side. Every inch of her, sweet perfection. He held his shift—his human side screamed to be with her, his wolf demanded he claim her. Rubbing his fur against her skin, he marked her body fully with his scent. Only then did he shift. And while it might be quick, his ability to strip was not as fast as hers.
“Let me.” She bit her lip while yanking his black T-shirt from the waistband of his jeans. Taking each piece of clothing off with painstaking slowness, she learned and caressed every inch of him until he stood before her as naked as she.
Placing her palm over his heart, she gazed into his eyes. “I thank the goddess for bringing you to me.”
“I hope you feel that way when I’m gone for weeks at a time.”
“By then I might be grateful for the distance.”
He heard the hesitation in the words. She wouldn’t handle his absence well, and he’d have to ensure the first few were short stints. Her need for physical touch grew far stronger than he would have imagined. His first wife, T, had never had an issue going a year without them seeing each other. But, Z already understood what he’d felt for her paled in comparison to the new desires surging through him for his mate. He’d adored T, but on the level of a friend who’d happened to be a lover.
Ripley’s voice filled with awe. “Your heart is beating along with mine.”
He covered her hand with his. “How much did your father tell you about being mated?”
“Not much. My mother was the last mated female in our pack. The few that are married now have done so because they’re in love. But the pack was dying out long before my mother passed. My father was the last strong Alpha born to the pack. We breed strong betas, but recently no dominants.”
Z lowered them to the soft grass, tugging her into his arms. He lay back, and she draped across him. Staring at the stars, he let a few minutes of silence pass. “Beautifully strong women. What are the numbers of your pack?”
“Seventeen betas, eight omegas, and twenty-one, no, make that twenty-two children.” He heard the smile in her voice as she remembered the newest member of her family.
“I want you to head to Los Lobos with me when I approach Drew, and I want you to answer any question he has honestly.”
“But….”
Z maneuvered her so she was forced to meet his eyes. She had to understand the importance of trusting Drew. “He is the exact wolf to help your pack. And Lord knows, they could use the services of Will’s cooking in his town.”
Ripley stared at him and nodded before laying her head back on his chest. “What if he says no?”
Z couldn’t say anything because he wouldn’t force or blackmail Drew into taking on the Greystones. That would be of no use to either pack and detrimental to all the good Drew could do. Z could only hope the Alpha would take them under his wing. If Drew couldn’t take them in, Z would have to find one to fill the very real urgency of her pack. He could bring Ripley back to his but none of the other members, making his dilemma a tricky one. He’d never hedged his bets all in one place, yet he’d also never walked into a meeting with more on the line.
Ripley pushed away from him, her hair cascading over her shoulder. “Z?”
He ran his fingers through her locks. “I’ll make sure your pack is taken care of as if they were my own. I will find you an Alpha.”
“But not you?”
He should have known she wouldn’t let that go. “Not me.”
“Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” Climbing over him, she ground her pelvis into his groin.
His cock came to full alert, and he groaned. “You can try.” Gripping her hips, he encouraged her to continue the friction between them.
She leaned over him, her breasts brushing against his chest. Keeping her lips a hairsbreadth away, she lifted her hips enough to allow her to reach between them and guide him into her. “Oh, I am good at the convincing thing.”
He had no doubt she was, but his time for talking had ended, and he only wanted to feel. Claiming her mouth, he let her do all the convincing she wanted.
Chapter Six
Z and Ripley strolled into town and headed straight for the barn. Security, though well aware of their presence, had not stopped them but would undoubtedly run to Ryker to let him know. Whether the Enforcer felt required to join them, Z would know soon enough.
He marched into Drew’s office, having left Ripley out in the hall in order for him to speak with the Alpha first. He didn’t want anyone to feel put on the spot. He respected Drew too much to ambush him. Although, he hid his scent, only to hide his mated status, Z didn’t get into wolf form, nor did he apply any of his stealth tactics.
“Z, I have no idea what test you’re working me through.” Drew threw his pencil on the desk and tipped back in his chair. “But now you’re simply strolling into town with Ripley Greystone?”
“No test.”
“Have a seat.” Drew waited to continue until he sat. “I didn’t expect you back this soon. You haven’t been gone a week.”
“The issues with the Greystones were pretty cut-and-dried.” Z was being vague, but Ripley would do much of the explaining, not him. “I think you should hear her out again.”
“Without more information, I still can’t help them.”
“She’s willing to give you all the information you ask for.”
“In your usual ambiguous manner, Z, can you at least tell me something?”
He nodded and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his
knees. “Drew, the Greystones are in need of your protection. They have no Alpha, and I do believe you are the one who can fill that role.”
Drew took a deep breath, focusing his attention on the ceiling. “I see.”
They sat in silence, Z waiting patiently as Drew processed that information. Taking in another pack while still building his own back to health might seem a bit more than he could take on.
Finally, Drew said, “Bring Ripley in, please.”
“There’s something else you should know, but I don’t want you to let it alter your decision,” Z said, moving toward the door. Only when he opened it and motioned for Ripley to enter did he release his scent.
“You mated.” Drew’s response gave nothing away.
“I believe you have met my mate, Ripley.” Z guided her to the chair he’d recently vacated and stood behind her, massaging her shoulders in a gentle, reassuring manner.
Drew missed nothing, and from experience, he deduced more necessary information every second. “Hello, Ripley.”
“Alpha Tao,” she replied, lowering her gaze out of respect.
“I understand you want me as Alpha of your pack.”
“No.” She lifted her chin high.
“Z?” Drew glanced at his Infiltrator.
At the same time, Z groaned. “Ripley.”
“I want Z as our Alpha, but he refused.” She looked at her mate before returning her attention to Drew.
“Repeatedly,” Z agreed dryly.
Drew linked his fingers behind his head and smiled. “And in case you don’t quite understand, Ripley, your mate will never, ever agree to be your Alpha.”
“That’s what he said.”
“Repeatedly,” Z said again and squeezed her shoulder, gently urging her to keep going.
“So, because your first choice can’t take on the role, you have come to ask me as a last resort.” Drew lifted his hand when Z began to protest. “Ripley, the last time you were here, you asked for my help but refused to offer me any information to make an intelligent decision. Z assures me you’re now willing to tell me what you couldn’t before.”
“I am.” She drew in a steadying breath. “Z assures me you are nothing like your father. But it’s your father who had my pack going into hiding to begin with.”
That seemed to get Drew’s attention. His eyes brows lifted in interest. “My father did a lot of damage, and his reach seems to grow daily. Continue, please.”
“My father feared for the pack and my sisters. Your father had made a move years ago to take control. Then one of his men saw my younger sister and got it into his head he had to have her. Unfortunately, there were no strong males in our pack. Tons of betas, but we were in need of fresh, strong blood.”
“And your father had heard mine had gone crazy.”
She nodded. “We have been in hiding ever since. Until—”
“Until a coyote got into his head she should be his,” Z said.
“I take it the coyote situation in no longer an issue?” Drew asked Z, without an ounce of doubt in his eyes.
“Not for anyone in the Black Hills area. They’re relocating to Yellowstone.”
“Ouch.”
“Exactly.”
For the next fifteen minutes, Drew asked questions and Ripley answered them honestly and completely. She gave him the numbers and what they could bring to his pack, mainly strong women, talented omegas, and a large influx of cash. But the culinary talents of Will seemed to spark the most interest in the Alpha. And Z fed on that hunger by giving him a bite-by-bite review of the meals he’d eaten at the campsite.
Drew, unable to take the slow torture Z dished out, finally raised his palms in surrender. “What will you do if I can’t take on their pack?”
Z met the other man’s gaze. “I will keep searching for someone to protect them. They are my family now.”
Drew nodded and turned his chair to face the window. “Stay the night. I can’t say dinner will be anything worthwhile, but I’ll have an answer for you in the morning.”
Z thanked him and escorted Ripley out. Once they were away from the barn, she shook off his arm.
“He isn’t going to take us in, is he?”
“You don’t know that. He’ll want to talk it over with Gee and his Enforcer. Trust me, his caution is what makes him a great Alpha. Stop worrying. Even if he doesn’t take you on as your leader, the man won’t leave your pack unprotected.”
They walked into the bar, which had started to get a makeover while he’d been gone. The usual silence did greet him this time, but only because at that time of day everyone was out working, leaving the bar empty.
“Do you have that jar of honey your sister bottled for us before we left yesterday?”
“Yes.” Ripley dug into her bag and handed him the mason jar of golden honey.
“Stay here for a second.” Z kissed her nose and approached the bar. Pushing the jar across the worn surface, he laughed when the bear grabbed it just before it hit the edge.
“No label,” Gee said with a smile. “But then, I knew where you were this time. Apparently, you found more than you bargained for.”
“More than I thought waited for me,” Z admitted.
“Well, don’t leave her standing there like a lost pup.” Gee waved her over, lowering his voice so only Z could hear. “You didn’t tell her about my, um…you know.”
“Honey addiction? No, I didn’t.” Z did his best to hide his smirk, but the bear caught it.
Ignoring Z, Gee smiled and greeted his guest. “Ah, Ripley of Greystone Pack, I take it.”
“Ripley, this is Gee.”
She smiled and sniffed. “You’re a bear.”
“Last I checked. But don’t hold it against me.”
Z pulled a stool over and watched Gee do his best to get information from her. To his great delight, she was Z’s perfect match, elusive and able to talk the bear in circles until the big guy finally huffed and waved them off before asking if Z wanted a bigger room.
“Why?” Z asked.
“I can’t imagine why. You know where everything is.” Lifting his chin, Gee gestured over his shoulder.
With a hand on her waist, Z guided her upstairs.
Running a finger along the dusty railing, she turned to him. “How long have you been living here?”
“Living would be a strong word. I sleep here in between assignments.” He paused only long enough to grab clean linens from the closet before ushering her down the hall. “I would say I have stayed here a total of maybe twenty-five nights. I pretty much come in, stay the night, and am gone again just a quickly.”
Even with exhaustion coming over him, he had the sense to check that all his charms were intact and his room undisturbed. Using the age-old chants of his people, he waited until the soft glow beckoned him in. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter before following her in. “This might be why he asked if you wanted a larger room.” He let his gaze follow hers toward the twin bed in the corner. Walking over to the window, he chanted again before brushing away the remaining charms.
“We don’t take up more than that when we sleep anyway.” She shrugged. “Not that we’ve done any real sleeping together yet.”
So far, they’d only slept in one position; him on his back and her curved into his side. And if he had anything to do with it, that would be the only way they would ever sleep. Still not having had a good night’s sleep, he rubbed his palm across his face, suddenly bone-tired.
He yanked his shirt over his head then threw the flat sheet over the bare mattress. “I am absolutely exhausted.”
Reaching out, she ran her fingers over his arm until her hand held his. “When did you last sleep? I mean really sleep?”
“Three weeks. No, four now.”
She stepped away, grabbed the fitted sheet, and remade the bed. “You have to sleep. Get in.”
In between yawns, he asked, “What will you do? It’s probably best not to stroll too far.”
“I’ll read a book I bought at the gas station we stopped at.” She pulled out the romance book from her backpack and wagged it at him. “You can sleep, and I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
He wanted to harrumph or argue he would always be the protector, but something inside him relaxed. Since he’d been a teen, no one had ever made sure he was safe when he slept. As exhaustion washed over him, a strange warm awareness of security surrounded him.
***
The knock on the door broke her away from the moment in the book where the heroine would tell the hero her big secret. Long past due, in Ripley’s opinion, but now that the heroine was, Ripley didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone other than her mate, whom she could not get enough of. She let her gaze move over his sleeping form. Until three hours earlier, he’d been a light sleeper, opening an eye at every noise.
Originally, she’d read in a chair across the room, but recognized his whole demeanor relaxed when she touched him. So, she’d repositioned her chair closer and ran her fingers through his hair until she heard the signs of deep sleep in his light snore. With everything he did for her pack, giving him a restful sleep seemed the least she could do.
A second knock, a bit louder, brought her from her musings. Placing the book on a table, Ripley headed for the door. Assuming it would be a wolf-shifter or perhaps the bear, she didn’t bother to announce her approach. They would already know, and the less sound, the better. She wanted Z to sleep as long as possible.
Cracking the door, she was surprised to see Drew on the other side. “Alpha Tao?” She opened to door a little wider.
“Can you talk, or do you want to wait until Sleeping Beauty comes to?” Drew grinned, nodding at Z’s sleeping form.
Ripley stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind her. “Z hasn’t slept in weeks. I’d rather he get some rest.”
“It’s good to see you’re taking care of him. Someone should make sure he takes a break now and then.” Drew indicated they step away from the door.
Infiltrating Her Pack Page 7
