The Mating Game

by Melissa Snark

  “Whatever you say, doc,” Zach said with just the right note of sarcasm, but he aided in clearing the other members of the pack aside so Charlaine could conduct her examination in peace.

  “Let me get a look at you, sweetie.” Charlaine pried open Theresa’s jaws with gentle hands, inspected the cuts on her muzzle and gums, and then moved on to her shoulder injury. The Delta wolf’s intimate touch made her self-conscious, but her awareness of Zach’s unwavering gaze on her made the antsy feeling worse.

  “Everything okay?” Zach glanced to his left when Robert appeared at his side.

  “Yes, all of her wounds are minor and she’s already begun to regenerate,” Charlaine said, directing her words over her shoulder to him. “Donna got the worst of it by a long shot.”

  Theresa tilted her head and gave an inquisitive ruff.

  Zach interpreted. “She wants to know how Donna’s doing.”

  Robert snorted. “Donna’s right front leg is broken, clean through the humerus. She has various other scrapes, cuts, and contusions, but she’ll heal as soon as she changes forms.”

  “Bitch got what was coming to her.” Smirking, Charlaine exchanged a meaningful glance with her male cousin.

  “Sorry you couldn’t be the one to do the giving?” Robert asked.

  “Oh, you bet I am.” Charlaine turned to Zach. “Time is wasting. Shall I take Theresa back up to the house and give her a hand shifting?”

  “I’ve got it,” Zach said in a tone that brooked no argument. Then he softened his manner. “Thanks for your help tonight.”

  “No problem. Always happy to help,” Charlaine said.

  Theresa wagged her tail and nuzzled the other woman’s hand with her nose.

  Charlaine laughed, then she stood. “You’re welcome too, Theresa. I’d better go check on Donna.”

  “Char,” Zach said.

  Charlaine arched an inquisitive brow. “Zach?”

  “Make sure Donna understands her place. I don’t want any further trouble from her.”

  Charlaine grinned. “That goes without saying.”

  “Let’s head back,” Zach said to Theresa.

  She bobbed her head to indicate her agreement. Personal matters between them needed to be set aside until the time was right for an in-depth discussion. For the moment, her top priority was shifting to her human form and getting dressed. Her body ached thanks to a myriad of minor injuries, fueling her impatience. The transformation process might be rigorous, but it would also speed her natural regenerative ability.

  They returned to the house and sought the deck where Theresa had left her clothing. With easy familiarity, Zach bent and settled his hands against her back. His energy flooded her, potent and primal, so very masculine. He stirred her desire, an ache deep within her loins. His wolf was so much stronger than her own that he threatened to eclipse her.

  Theresa trembled on the verge of ecstasy and surrendered to him. She rolled over onto her side and the change flowed over her as swift as water. Beneath his deft guidance, she experienced no pain or discomfort. As her flesh and bones transformed, the physical damage to her body healed. The change always repaired all but the most severe injuries, such as those caused by silver.

  After the transformation completed, Theresa lay on the floor gasping for breath. It wasn’t often she changed from human to wolf when the moon wasn’t full, and even less common for the occurrences to happen so close together. Zach stood and retrieved her clothing from the bench seat where she’d left them folded in a neat stack. He returned and knelt beside her once again, offering her a garment. He treated her with such tenderness and consideration that she felt guilty for questioning his integrity. However, the doubt did not leave her heart.

  “Thank you.” Theresa took her clothing and dressed, and then climbed to her feet. She looked up, down, and around—anywhere but at him.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Theresa retreated from him toward the house. She pretended she didn’t know that he wanted to talk and reached for the sliding glass door. His hands were there before she pulled it open, stopping her from completing the action and making good on her escape. She swallowed hard against a lump in her throat. “Zach, please.”

  “Please what, Theresa?” His tone was sharp and angry and intimate, layered with so many emotions that she couldn’t discern every nuance. She didn’t dare look him in the face for fear of what she might see. The terror of losing him ruled her, and yet she had never really had him in the first place. She was so very confused and couldn’t tell what was real and what fantasy.

  “Zach, now isn’t the time for this.”

  “Well, when is the right time, Theresa? Tell me when and I’ll bloody well—”

  Becky Teller appeared on the other side of the glass door and reached for the handle. Theresa let go and the other woman slid it open. The Alpha’s petite mate flashed one of her toothpaste smiles. “Land’s sake,” she said, “I’ve been searching everywhere for you two.”

  “We were right here,” Zach said, sounding as surly as a badger.

  A frown furrowed Becky’s brow and Theresa hastened to intervene. She took a stride forward and grasped the other woman’s hand. “It’s my fault, Becky. Please don’t blame Zach. You know how painful it can be to change when the moon isn’t full.”

  Becky’s mouth opened and resentment flickered across her face. Really, she didn’t know—could never know—because she wasn’t a shifter. Her entire status within the pack depended upon her mate’s ability to defend his rank as Alpha. The slight didn’t sit well with the older woman, and she stared at Theresa for a long moment with glittering eyes as if attempting to discern whether the insult was intentional. Theresa mustered an innocent smile and donned an angelic expression, acquired from years of careful observation of a master manipulator at work—Isabel was like no other.

  At long last, Becky smiled because she had no other choice. “Of course, dear, I understand completely how hard it is for you. Now, the both of you had better come inside. Adam’s been kept waiting long enough.”

  Theresa’s eyes narrowed and she started to snap out a reply, but Zach inserted himself between the two women with surgical precision. “My apologies for being so rude,” he said, so very smooth, so very British. “I do hope you’ll forgive me for creating an imposition. I hate to think that I’ve abused your hospitality. “

  Predictably, Becky melted before the overwhelming male charm that he wielded with such tact. Her demeanor transformed to flirtatious and she laughed gaily while fanning her hand. “Zachary Hunter, you’re never an imposition…”

  Disgusted, Theresa snorted and turned away. She understood Zach’s powers of persuasion all too well, and it wasn’t in her to be jealous of the older woman. Still, she refused to listen to the rest of their exchange. Thankfully, the trip inside was a short one and then they stood in the living room where the pack had assembled once again at their Alpha’s bidding.

  The room buzzed with multiple conversations like the busy drone of a bee hive. The pack’s collective aura carried that same energy so that it danced with a montage of conflicting colors. Almost immediately, those closest to her noted her arrival. Eyes turned toward her, gazes bright with admiration, others narrowed with envy, and voices fell silent. The hush began nearest to her and spread through the room, and she did not know what to make of it. It was only Zach’s solid presence at her back that kept her from retreating.

  “Ah, here she is—the lady of the hour.” Adam emerged from the crowd and claimed the spotlight. His considerable personal power commanded the audience and everyone’s attention focused on him. Theresa stared at him with wide eyes, feeling like prey instead of predator, as he approached her with long strides.

  When Adam took her elbow, she cast one desperate glance over her shoulder to Zach. He regarded her with a grim expression, but said nothing, so she submitted to the Alpha without so much as a whimper.

  “Don’t worry none, I don’t bite,” Adam said, rolling
the words. He led her to the front of the room to face the pack, surveying those present while the suspense built. “I witnessed something miraculous tonight. We all did. Theresa has managed to accomplish an impressive feat—she’s restored the pack’s magic—something that’s been missing going on five years now.”

  Jolts of approval and jealousy ran through the pack, chain lightning striking water, and her entire being suffered the shock. The open admiration left her embarrassed, and the disapproval made her cringe.

  Theresa muttered a weak protest. “I really don’t think I can take credit…”

  Adam’s forbidding stare shut her up. She fell silent, too frightened to cross him and earn his wrath. “Oh, I think you can and will take credit where credit is due. Your role in this pack is now far too vital to risk. From this point forward, you shall bear the title Heart of the Wolf.”

  Thundering applause arose from the pack because the Alpha expected it. Even those who resented her put their hands together for fear of angering Adam. Through it all, Theresa made an effort to close her hanging jaw. She glanced around in stunned silence, unable to process the newest development. She had no idea what it meant, but knew that refusing such an honorific was unthinkable. By the same token, a tight ball of dread formed in her gut, and she expected bad things to come of it.

  Adam allowed the applause to play out and then lifted his hands, palms open, to signal for silence. When the applause died away, he rumbled deep in the throat. “In light of this new development, I am modifying my rules of succession. Seeing how Theresa has resurrected the pack’s magic, I am convinced that she must become the mate of the next Alpha. The contest is now between Zachary and Robert. They will compete. Whoever Theresa chooses as her mate will be the next leader of this pack.”

  Disbelief caused her to stagger; the imprisoning cage of Adam’s hands on her shoulders kept her upright. “But…” she protested weakly.

  The Alpha’s whisper hissed in her ear. “You won’t protest if you know what’s good for you.”

  Horror and then anger delineated her entire being, but a healthy sense of fear kept her silent. Theresa had lived through Bryce’s fascist rule in the days when the Alpha’s word was law. Technically, she would have been within her rights to tell Adam to go to hell. A female wolf wasn’t chattel to be bartered, commanded, or sold. A she-wolf always had the right to choose her own mate. Even the Alpha lacked the authority to determine candidates for what was essentially a lifelong commitment. If she had been as brave or strong as Charlaine, she would have stood her ground and refused before the entire pack.

  If she openly defied the Alpha, would he retaliate by separating her from Isabel? Adam held the authority necessary to banish Theresa from the pack and keep her from her child. Of course, she knew Zach would try to protect her, but would he be able to stand before the might of the Alpha and his enforcers? No, it was far easier to comply and avoid endangering those she loved.

  With an effort, Theresa found her voice. “I understand,” she said. Not agree. It wasn’t open defiance but it was the best she could do.

  “Good, good.” Adam continued to grin in a way that displayed all of his teeth. He did not relinquish his hold on her shoulders, but instead kept her prisoner. He trotted her out and showed her off to the pack, turning her into a trophy to be won and possessed. Already, Theresa felt the resentment and jealousy spreading throughout the female members of the pack. One moment, the most eligible bachelors had been dangled before them, only to be snatched away.

  Throughout, Theresa remained numb and passive, too scared and confused to risk defying Adam. It wasn’t until Zach appeared at her elbow, Robert beside him, that the Alpha released her and backed off.

  “If you don’t mind, old boy, we’re here to collect our future bride-to-be.” Zach’s tone was quick and light, his word choice a deliberate jab.

  Adam frowned, but the watchful gazes of those around them left him with no other choice but to surrender her with a good-natured grin. “Of course not.”

  Theresa made it outside thanks to Zach’s supporting arm about her waist. Her knees would have failed her, and her chest felt ready to burst from the pressure. In the cool night air, she collapsed against him with a sob, gulping down great breaths and fighting to stanch her tears. She clung to Zach’s chest and buried her face against his shoulder, her anger with him forgotten for the moment.

  “It’s all right, love.” Zach’s hand soothed circles upon her back.

  Robert accompanied them to her car where they all stopped and faced one another in brittle silence. “Fuck,” Robert said at long last. “You were right. Adam is determined to see us fight to the death. He’s managed to find the one thing that’s guaranteed to bring you to the field.”

  Theresa’s gaze flew between their faces and her eyes widened with dawning horror. Until that moment, she had not realized the full implications of what Adam had done. She had thought only—selfishly—of herself. When such high-ranked males as Zach and Robert fought, it was invariably to the death. “But you won’t fight, right?” she asked, voice tight with pleading. “Because you’re friends.”

  Neither male answered; the stillness stretched and grew uncomfortable.

  “I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind about challenging Adam,” Zach said to Robert.

  Robert remained silent for a time, considering, and then shook his head. “It would cause too much damage to the pack. We need to find some other way.”

  A quick grin twisted Zach’s lips. “Would you like to stand down?”

  Robert snorted and chuckled. “No, would you?”

  “Not if it means surrendering my woman.” Zach’s tone possessed an underlying vein of steel and permitted no room for misunderstanding.

  Theresa’s heart leapt in her chest and she darted a quick glance at his face. The severity of his expression terrified her, but his presumption made her furious. She yanked away from his embrace. “I’m not your woman, Zachary Hunter.”

  Zach frowned and spoke with a warning note in his voice. “Theresa.”

  “Don’t.” She aimed a pointed finger at him. “Don’t you dare.”

  “Maybe we’ll wind up killing each other after all,” Robert said.

  Robert’s comment cut through her anger, a molten blade against a wall of ice. Abruptly, all emotion deserted her, leaving her empty and exhausted. Zach also fell silent for a moment, and then he sighed.

  “I’m going to take Theresa home,” Zach said. “We’ll have this out another time.”

  “That’s probably for the best.” Robert cuffed Zach’s arm. “Get some rest, man.”

  “You too,” Zach said. They waited until the other man departed, and then he escorted Theresa to her car and opened the door. “Do you want me to drive you home?”

  She licked her lips, torn between accepting his offer and needing to assert control over her life. Robert’s final words echo through her mind and the possibility tormented her. Would they fight over her? She understood the greater goal—to become Alpha. Yet, with one sweeping edict, Adam had made her synonymous with attaining the goal of leadership.

  “No,” she said. “Thank you.”

  She tried to get past him but he refused to move. “Theresa, tonight you accused me of coming on to you as some sort of cruel joke. I’m bloody well not letting you leave until we discuss this.”

  Theresa’s gut churned, pushing acid to the back of her throat, and she wanted to puke. There was no denying Zach, and she owed him an opportunity to explain his actions. She licked her lips and asked him point-blank. “Zach, did you know about this arranged marriage thing before you came on to me?”

  His jaw clenched. “No, I didn’t.”

  Theresa’s anger welled up inside her with nowhere to go. Tears flooded her eyes, because she wanted so badly to believe him, but doubt made that impossible. She doubted him, she doubted herself. She doubted her own value. Her heart ached, on the verge of breaking.

  She crossed her arms over h
er breasts. “You can’t be surprised then that I find your motives suspect. We’ve been friends, just friends, for three whole years. And I’m supposed to believe that you discover your attraction to me the night before Adam decides you have to take a mate in order to become Alpha?”

  Zach exhaled hard and his nostrils flared. His anger spilled into the ambient aura, bright and burning, so intense that Theresa ducked her head, moving her face closer to his chest. Her entire posture shifted to communicate her submission, inducing automatic appeasement with his wolf. He brought his emotions under control once again. The aura cleared, leaving behind an ice-cold atmosphere, lacking their usual affection and warmth.

  “I knew Adam intended to retire and choose his successor soon,” he said. “I told you as much on Sunday.”

  He spoke the truth, so far as it could be believed. She hesitated while deliberating, weighing what she knew against what she suspected. Finally, she said, “I think it’s too much of a coincidence to believe that the two things just happened to coincide.”

  “It wasn’t a coincidence,” Zach said. “My timing was deliberate.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and her throat closed. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  Zach put his finger under her chin and forced her to look up. His bright blue eyes glittered. “Just to be crystal clear,” he said. “Tell me exactly what you suspect me of, Theresa. I’ve never given you a single reason to fear me. I expect you to respect that, if nothing else.”

  Theresa blinked and her vision cleared. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said. “I never have been.”

  “Well, there’s that at least.” He sounded bitter, full of tightly controlled anger.

  Theresa hesitated. She moistened her dry lips with the tip of her tongue.

  “Go on,” he said.

  She nodded once. “Fine, I’d like to know whether you courted me because you thought I’d be an easy conquest or because I can produce healthy children.”