The female wrinkled her nose. “It’s terrible. How can you be an alpha female? Who would respect a weak creature? You’re smart but that’s not enough to lead a pack.”
Susan’s eyebrows shot up. “Who says I want to lead? I’m only interested in Sorin.” She met Lailanie’s stare and leaned forward, remembering what little Peder had taught her about shifter dominance games. The harder she fought, the tougher Lailanie would be until one of them surrendered. But she couldn’t back down. The shifter would always try to push her around, and Susan didn’t want to live this way. “I can’t stop the way I feel.”
A low growl was Lailanie’s response.
Susan’s pulse hammered. However, she’d faced soldiers carrying automatic weapons in her lab.
The female shifter snarled and snapped her teeth in Susan’s face. Lailanie made military intimidation look like a kindergarten showdown.
Except the shifter didn’t know something about Susan—she wouldn’t yield when she believed in something strong enough. Hell, she blew up her life’s research so it wouldn’t become a weapon. “Sorin’s mine. Get used to it.” Don’t blink. Keep staring. Shoulders back and chin up. She could do it. If she flinched Lailanie would jump her.
“What about an heir? He’ll need pups. I doubt our species can mix. Will you let him breed with other females or would you rather allow his ancient line to vanish?”
“I just met him. Why would I be thinking about kids?”
“You should.” Leaning forward, quick and sharp, Lailanie invaded Susan’s personal space, coming nose to nose. “Sorin isn’t just some male. He’s an alpha. These traits can’t be separated. If you mate him, you mate the pack. Think about that before lifting your skirt.” She stormed off toward the cave housing the sick.
Susan slumped against the stone steps, a new set of worries tying her guts in knots. Kids? A few minutes ago this was just a roll between the sheets. Nevertheless, Lailanie shed some light on Sorin’s situation. She searched the corridor for a glimpse of him but he wasn’t around.
Celibate since he’d become alpha? She glanced above her at the door to his apartment, chewing her lip. How long? Years? She’d be his first release in awhile. It became difficult to draw breath. Hot damn.
Maybe she could be his mistress? A snort of laughter escaped her. No way. She’d never been good at sharing. The idea of some female touching him set her teeth on edge. If she went to his room—if? When did this become if? She dropped her head in her hands.
What existed between her and Sorin was more than curiosity. Obviously, Sorin didn’t view sex as a sport. He wanted more.
Sorin belonged to her. She wanted it all—his heart, soul and body. Hell, she’d given up her likelihood to go home for a chance with him. What a mess. She’d somehow fallen for a werewolf in a matter of days.
If she stayed she’d end up in his bed, no doubt about it, and she would lose her heart to him forever. God, she’d actually considered being his mistress for a split second. A few more days under his spell, and she’d be doing his laundry too.
Spotting the sun just rising over the gate, she guessed it wasn’t even noon yet. If she hurried she might make it to the Temple before dark. From there she could follow the trail back to the Payami den. She could get Kele to release Peder with her return.
She wouldn’t hurt the Apisi by screwing up their expectations of Sorin. Not after all the work and effort she’d exerted to save them.
Without a second thought, she slipped out of the den through the gate before her doubts grew into fear and rooted her to those steps. She had to be brave.
Lailanie was right. Sorin deserved better than a human stray.
As soon as Sorin escorted one sick pack mate back to bed, the other sick out of bed decided to return. He carried a few and supported others, tucking each under the blankets. By then it was time to pass another dose of penicillin, so he stayed and helped. Nobody mentioned Susan or the kiss, which he took for reserved acceptance. Within the next few days, he was sure he would hear more frank opinions.
He left the cave with a fresh spring in his step, taking the stairs to his room two at a time. Susan should be well rested. He had plans that would require lots of energy.
Inside his apartment, nothing appeared touched. No sign of Susan anywhere, not even her scent. The blankets remained smooth over his pallet. He scratched his chin. Maybe she went to help with making more medicine?
He returned to the den’s main corridor and jogged toward the kitchen. His instincts tingled—something was wrong. He quickened his pace.
Searching the small knots of pack members, he didn’t spot her or catch even the faintest scent. Had she changed her mind? Had he pushed her too fast? His heart stung that she wouldn’t have confided in him.
He halted as soon as he entered the kitchen.
Lailanie stood by the table; her chin dipped to her chest upon his arrival.
His bubble of happiness popped. “Do you know where Susan is?”
She set a bottle of penicillin on a shelf, not making eye contact. “She was sitting on the steps leading to your rooms, last I saw her.”
“She’s not there anymore, and my rooms are empty. I can’t find her.” Pain in his throat made his voice sound strained.
“Maybe she’s bathing.”
“She already bathed today.” His heart drummed at an aching rate. “Lanie, did you hurt her?”
She lifted her chin; tears stained her cheeks. “Not the way you’re thinking.”
“What did you do?” The shout echoed out into the corridor.
Lailanie dropped to the ground on her belly in submission. “I-I explained some facts about the pack to her.” She sobbed. “Things neither of you are considering.”
“What?” He threw his hands out and paced the kitchen.
“An alpha can’t mate out of his race, Sorin.” She still kept her gaze to the ground, but her words struck out.
“Mate? I never even had a chance to know her before you chased her away.” He slammed his fist onto the table, rattling bottles and bowls. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know.” She sobbed between words. “She was sitting by the gate when I left. I didn’t touch her. I swear.”
“The gate…” She wouldn’t.
He hurried outside. The sun showed high over the canyon, past midday. His heartbeat drummed, and it called to his inner beast. Did she leave for his sake? There was only one place she would head toward, and she’d never make it to the Temple before dark.
Out in the wild, a delicate creature like Susan was prey. He raced toward the gate, his people scattering out of his way. How long had she been gone? What if he was too late?
He shifted through his clothes. Leather and wool tore, fluttering to the ground as he hauled off past the gate and into the forest to find his female.
Chapter Twenty-Five
No one noticed Kele as she carried a tray filled with food and drink from the kitchen. Most of the Payami pack had eaten their midday meal and were busy with private endeavors or chores.
Even if someone had seen, she wouldn’t have been questioned. Who would suspect poor little Kele of anything as sly as hiding a handsome omega from another pack in their den?
Her heart skipped along with her hurried steps. She’d never found a chance to bring food to him until now. He must be starved.
She set the tray on the ground by the door and pulled the key from her pocket. So far the guards had kept their word and not told anyone of Peder. Their fear of Ahote helped, and she hoped the extra wine she’d sent over with some of the omega females kept their lips sealed.
“Feeding your pet?” Ahote stepped out of the dark.
The key clattered to the floor. She just about turned inside out at the sound of his voice. “Are you trying to stop my heart?”
He grinned but she didn’t see any amusement in it.
“What are you doing here?”
“Guarding the intruder you’ve invited into our home.” He c
rossed his arms over his chest. “Your parents are going to beat the hides off us when they find out.”
“If.”
“When.”
She sighed and retrieved the key. “It’s only until tomorrow.” She unlocked the door. “Go away. I’ll watch Peder.”
“I’m sure you will, but I’m not leaving.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve tangled me in this mess, and if you’re hurt, my hide will be tanned and worn by your father.” He pointed to the door. “Get your pleasure and get out.”
“But”—she shook her head—“I don’t—”
“Please, Kele. He’s a pretty omega. I’m not the smartest male in the den but I’m not the dumbest. Don’t take all night—that’s all I ask.”
Shocked, she grabbed the tray and entered the room then stumbled to a stop.
Peder lay in bed perched on an elbow and blinked his sleepy eyes. The fur cover slipped off his chest and gathered low on his lap.
She swallowed, unable to pull her gaze away from his bare hip. Palpitations assaulted her chest. Viewing nude males after shifting never affected her the way Peder’s small show of flesh did. And all that lovely, sleep-tousled hair. She pictured running her fingers through it and—
“Kele?”
She snapped out of her fantasy. “I brought you food.” Taking measured steps, she made sure not to rush to him like an over-eager pup. The tray settled over his lap and hid temptation.
“Thank you.” He picked at his plate.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers knotted on her lap. “Is it not to your liking? I can find something else.”
“No.” He shoved a big spoonful of stew in his mouth. “It’s very good.” Then he continued fiddling with his spoon. “I’m not used to being served.” He held out his utensil. “Would you like some?”
“I’ve already eaten.”
He nodded and ate with a voracious appetite until the plate was empty.
She should have brought more.
Peder set the tray on the floor. “Thank you, Kele.”
The whispered sound of her name off his lips sent a shiver over her spine. “You’re welcome.” She reached for the tray.
“Will you leave me so soon?”
From her bent position, she met his welcoming gaze as he lay on his side. She let the tray go.
Peder shifted over on the pallet to give her more room. “I’m not used to such comforts.” He ran his hand over the worn fur and leaned into the pile of thin pillows.
She turned away. “This room hasn’t been used in ages. It’ll have to do.” Her parents’ treatment, if they caught him, would be much worse than an old room. He should be grateful.
He chuckled. The easy laugh made her reexamine the omega.
His chin rested on his hand now, his sparkling green eyes full of mirth, not insult. “You have better? These are very fine, Kele. The rugs the Apisi own are all kept in the gathering room, never in private apartments, let alone abandoned ones.” He kept running his fingers through the fur. “It’s so soft. Bear?”
She tilted her head. “Yes.” She knew not all packs were as wealthy as the Payami, and her heart went out to Peder.
“You’re very lucky,” he whispered.
Being privileged, she couldn’t imagine what Peder lacked in his den. These things weren’t even of good quality. Didn’t the Apisi trade with the vampire merchants? She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I could bring you some books in the evening. It should help pass the time. What do you like to read?”
He swallowed visibly, and the mirth vanished from his eyes. “I-I can’t read.” His gaze slid from hers and she mourned its loss. “Sorin’s sire burned what little books we owned when I was a pup. Those who tried to teach us were punished.” He fiddled with the blanket. “Severely.”
“Oh.” Heaviness developed in her chest. She’d heard all sorts of sordid stories about the old alpha. She had hoped most of them were rumors but looking at this broken male, she knew otherwise. “That’s very sad. I’m sorry.” She truly was. Knowledge was the road to enlightenment. It was what separated shifter from animal. “Does Sorin continue this practice?”
Jerking his chin up, Peder shook his head. “No, not at all.” He took her hand in his. “Sorin’s gathered the old ones who remember something of reading to teach the pups, but we still don’t have books. They’re too expensive.”
“You should try to learn as well.” The spot where they touched seemed impossibly hot.
“Me? What use would an omega have with reading?”
She squeezed his hand, hurt that he thought so little of himself. “So much, Peder. Some of our omegas are the best poets and bards. Everyone needs to learn.”
“I would like to learn new songs.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “Maybe I will try to learn. For you.”
The sensation of the soft brush of his lips remained on her skin. A rush of heat swept through her body. Benic’s kiss never produced a quarter of this desire. Her heart pounded so hard she feared Peder would hear it. Caught in his gaze, she couldn’t move. No, she didn’t want to move. What was she supposed to do in return? She tried to remember all those flirtations she’d observed in the gathering room but her mind went blank.
“I make you nervous.” He stroked her hand.
She took a deep breath, and the tense muscles in her shoulders eased. “Yes.” She could barely make her voice work.
He pressed his lips to the inside of her wrist—a shy flicker of his tongue to skin flashed between his teeth. His eyes closed as if savoring her taste.
The fluttering in her chest exploded and she gasped. With each touch, the intensity of her body’s reaction increased.
He drew in a deep breath. “You only carry your pack’s scent. Why don’t you have a mate?”
“I—” She cleared her throat. “No one has asked.”
Closer and closer, he approached until his face was an inch from hers. “Will you spend the night?”
Her body screamed yes but Ahote waited outside. He’d known this would happen. It irked her. Omegas were promiscuous—their role in the pack, to ease tension, made it so. Instinct controlled their society. He sensed her great need and offered to ease it. That was all. She shouldn’t romanticize his actions. She didn’t want to use Peder, especially for her first time being with a male. It wasn’t about sex—it was about being wanted. Being loved. “No.”
The smoldering veil lifted from Peder’s gaze as he sat straighter and blinked.
She smelled his sympathy and it destroyed her. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. The world spun as her soul shriveled. He didn’t want her.
Her thoughts stilled, and she heard her feral instincts for the first time. She wanted to claim what was hers. To kiss him. Then she’d part his sweet lips with hers and caress the chiseled cuts of his muscles.
A secret smile touched his lips, something purely male and terribly sexy. “Maybe another time.” Peder contained a different energy than Ahote and it worked for him. If Kele were a different shifter, she’d crawl under the covers with him without thought of consequences.
“You’ll be returned to your pack soon.” Unfortunately, she was unlike the females Peder had encountered. If he knew she couldn’t shift to feral form, his polite interest might become worse. It would change to pity. Maybe this was why her father didn’t want her to socialize with their few male omegas, to spare her the hurt.
She couldn’t resist brushing her fingers over his smooth cheek. It was just one touch. Something to remember him by since he stirred such strong urges. A tender growl rolled in her chest. A completely feral noise she’d never made before.
He instantly responded with his own, leaning into her hand and closing his eyes.
A thrill of sensation coursed over her limbs. If caressing his face produced such awareness, what would more do? She curled her fingers into a fist and forced it back on her lap.
With a tender push, he nudged his ch
eek against her shoulder. Full of invitation once more. “Am I doing something wrong?”
Tingles stretched over her skin and grew into such intense pleasure where their bodies met. “Peder.” She scooted away from temptation. Better he remain a fantasy since she’d never be allowed to keep him. “I didn’t come here to take my pleasures from you.” She clasped her hands on her lap. “I do not trust the others to feed you.”
He pulled away from her, his scent a confusing mixture of lust and relief. “Thank you for your kindness, Hunter.” He cast his gaze back to the blankets and wore his submission like Benic wore his chainmail.
“I’m not a hunter.” Or was she? If she could shift, that would be her calling. She knew this. “Refer to me as Kele.”
Someone pounded on the door and Kele’s heart stopped.
“Benic’s arrived,” Ahote shouted through the thick wood. “He’s asking for you. Best get to the gathering room before your father sends a search party.”
She relaxed her clutched hands, taking note of the half-moon circles on her flesh where her nails had rested. “I’ll return later to gather the tray.” As she reached the door, she hesitated before glancing over her shoulder. “I’m the one who teaches our pups to read.”
His gaze snapped up to meet hers, interest flaring in his eyes.
It made her grin. “I’ll bring my teaching materials with me tonight.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Payami wine soothed Benic’s frayed nerves as he waited in the pack gathering room with their alpha. He hadn’t spotted Kele since arriving. He had important tests to run on the human and needed to convince the pretty shifter to help him retrieve her. If his hypothesis proved right, it would change everything.
Inali kept their glasses full. The drink washed away the travel dust caught in Benic’s throat. He’d ridden hard this morning once he’d seen the test results.
Clicking his fingernails on the table top, he watched the entrance. He’d requested Kele as soon as he arrived. What kept her? He ground his teeth. Maybe he should go find her instead. “Where is your daughter?” Benic swirled the red wine in his cup and admired the way the thick liquid clung to the sides.
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