by D. Fischer
“No.” I search his face. I wish I had Kenna’s little gift so I could get a glimpse of what’s going on in that head of his.
“You got lucky.” Letting his hand travel from my forehead to my cheek, he affectionately brushes my skin. His eyes roam my face, like he’s trying to memorize every detail, before they wander to my lips.
I break the silence. “We should probably get out of here before someone else comes,” I whisper, trying hard to come up with coherent thoughts while he’s touching me this way.
Nodding, he kisses my forehead and inhales again, taking in my scent. I close my eyes to this unexpected affection, my wolf basking in it.
“I’ll follow you.” He tilts his head at my car. “Take a direct route home, no stops.” He turns and jogs toward the direction of his car at the same moment blond guy starts to groan.
Not wanting to waste time and have a repeat of my attempted abduction, I hop in my car and start the engine.
Benjamin Johnson
Gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white, I fight with my wolf about going back to kill those men. The only reason I didn’t was because Bre had calmed me and my wolf simply by her scent. Deep down, I know what this means.
Only a mate can bring their mate back from such a feral moment. Bre really is my mate and I really am an ignorant fool. My wolf is smug but content that I’m finally feeling the truth. Bre and I are going to have to talk, but first, I need to let Evo know what happened.
Parking behind Bre’s car, I hop out while she gathers her purse. Opening her door for her, I give her my hand and usher her out. She frowns at my chivalry.
Brushing her cheek with my thumb, I gently peck her lips, making her frown deepen. “Go inside and shower,” I mumble. “Kelsey and Kenna are already setting up for tonight—the Riva Pack should be here shortly. Why don’t you help them while I’ll talk with Evo. Okay, baby?”
She nods and heads toward her door, glancing back at me once with a confused expression. When she’s out of my view, I make my way to Evo and Kenna’s quarters.
“Evo!” I shout as soon as I’m through the Alphas’ front door.
Kenna pops her head around the corner of the kitchen and double blinks when she feels my emotions. “He’s in his office,” she supplies.
Marching up the steps, I knock on the office door and impatiently wait for him to answer.
“Yep?” Evo calls.
I stride inside the room and to the front of his desk. “We have a problem,” I growl.
Evo briefly closes his eyes and massages the back of his neck. “Ben, man … lately your mood swings are the source of all my headaches.” He sighs and drops his hands. “What’s the problem?”
“Two wolf shifters attacked your sister while she was walking to her car after work.”
Evo stands to his feet, instantly alert. “What!” he yells. “Is she okay? Did she get hurt?”
“She’s fine. She has a cut on her forehead from breaking one of their noses. I was able to get there before anything else happened.”
Evo’s brows pull together. “What do you mean you were able to get there? Did you follow her to work? Wait—is that where you’ve been all day?” He crosses his arms over his puffed-out chest.
I look at him sheepishly, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “I might have. That’s not the point.”
He smiles at me, and his chest deflates. “She’s your mate—of course that’s the point. You’re finally getting it. You couldn’t stand that she was left unprotected so you camped out there all day. You have no idea how many times I follow Kenna when she leaves the territory. It’s a damn good thing you did or Bre could have been killed.” Evo unfolds his arms and sits back in his chair. He folds his hands behind his head, fully satisfied that I’m finally seeing the light.
“That’s just it—they weren’t there to kill her. Someone had sent them to collect her and bring her back to wherever they came from.” I pull my hands from my pockets and ball them into fists. The recent memory of watching her get hit in the stomach causes anger to course through my system.
“Gray Pack?” Evo asks, quirking an eyebrow.
“They didn’t say,” I growl. “That’s my guess, though.”
Evo glances at my balled-up fists. “Did you kill them, Ben?”
I met his gaze and answer my Alpha truthfully, “No, but I would have if it wasn’t for your sister.”
Satisfied, Evo nods. “I don’t think they will try again—at least, not right away. It wouldn’t be a smart move, but you never know. We should be fine for tonight. Be sure to tell Jeremy to keep a watch out for anything abnormal.”
Brenna Johnson
After being continuously quizzed by Kenna, Kelsey, and Flint, I’m finally done answering questions about my attempted abduction. They had fret over me, which I hated. Thanks to Ben, I’m clearly fine. The attention and fussing is unnecessary.
I’m not sure how I feel about being tailed by Ben. His attitude has changed drastically toward me and his hot and cold brashness is driving me insane.
Flint wraps his arm around my shoulder while we watch Dyson connect cords to speakers and whispers in my ear, “Glad you’re okay, Bre.”
I sigh and slip out from under his arm. “Flint … you and I—”
Flint half smiles. “I know.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. “Everyone knows about you and Ben by now. The only person who doesn’t know how much you love Ben, is Ben. I get why there can’t be anything between us.”
“You do?” I ask again, completely shocked for having the first real conversation with Flint that I can remember.
He gives me an impatient look. “I may be all for the ‘ladies,’” he quotes, “but that doesn’t mean I’m not observant. I see a lot more than everyone thinks.”
“You do?”
“What are you, a broken record tonight?” he pauses while searching my eyes, thinking carefully of his next words. “We’ve all got our own shit we’re working through. You tuck yours away by pretending to be unaffected while hiding behind your strength. I happen to hide mine behind jokes and sex.” He shrugs nonchalantly.
“Inner demons I call them.”
He nods, looking back at Dyson who’s engrossed in his tinkering. “Inner demons, indeed,” he mumbles.
“So, you’re okay? With all this, I mean.” I wave my hand in the air.
“Yeah. Sure, you’re hot and shit, but you’ve got a mate.” He pats my head. “It’s been fun, darlin’ but we should end this before it gets messy.”
I pause to smile. “You’ll find someone, too, you know.” I comfortingly place my arm around his waist. I’m seeing Flint in a whole new light.
“Maybe,” he says uncomfortably.
I frown, curiosity taking over my thoughts. “So … when you say observant, what exactly do you mean? How observant are we talking here?”
Flint raises an eyebrow. “You want an example?” I nod and he sighs before heeding to my request. “You just washed your hair—”
My eyes roll. “It’s still wet, Flint. It’s obvious I just showered.”
He holds up a finger to silence me. “—but you ran out of conditioner because your hair isn’t as heavy and the bottom half is beginning to frizz. The crumb on your left cheek indicates that you ate a snack before you came out here. I’m guessing your snack was whatever Kelsey baked for tonight. The shadowed circles under your eyes tell me you haven’t had a decent sleep in weeks. You normally never wear makeup but you put on that eyelash goop after your shower which makes me believe you’re feeling self-conscious and full of self-doubt.”
I hold up a hand to stop him, slightly offended that he could tell so much about me. “Okay, Sherlock Holmes, I believe you. How the hell did I miss this about you?”
He shrugs. “No one pays attention to the guy with all the jokes. Not really.”
We both turn when the sliding door
opens. Ben’s eyes zoom in on my arm around Flint. Flint gives me a mischievous smile and leans down to peck my lips.
“Bye, dollface. Find me tonight and we’ll cuddle by the fire,” he says loud enough for Ben to hear. I laugh as he quickly dances away, heading toward the front of the house.
“There’s nothing between you two, huh?” Ben mumbles sarcastically as he walks by.
“There’s not,” I say, but he pays me no mind as he continues to the big pit to start the fire, effectively wiping the smile from my face.
There it is again. That hot and cold shit. Rolling my eyes and pretending to not care, I walk inside to help the girls set things up for the meal.
Chapter Six
Benjamin Grobin
“How are you liking the Beta position?” asks Rex, the Riva Pack Beta. I’ve known him for a short while. We always get along fine. We see eye to eye and both take our roles seriously. He’s a smaller man than I, with short, wavy, deep red hair.
I’m finding it difficult to keep up the conversation while out of the corner of my eye, I watch Jacob, the Riva Pack Alpha, flirt shamelessly with Brenna. Jacob is a well-built, tall, and dark-skinned male. Many women find him attractive and charming.
It may be dark, snowing, and loud, but I can still make out their silhouettes easily. He leans closer to whisper something in her ear, making her throw back her head to laugh.
“It’s the dream,” I tell him distractedly, keeping my eye on Jacob and Bre.
“Your Pack can really throw a party,” he comments when I don’t continue the conversation. He takes a drink from his red cup, uncomfortable with my lack of communication.
The Pack did an exceptional job setting things up and the food had been excellent. Everyone’s having a good time while they drink and converse around the bon fire. A few even look like they’ve found who they’ll bed tonight.
Wolf shifters are sexual beings. It wouldn’t be unusual if I end up witnessing a few having sex tonight. As long as no one touches Bre, things will be just fine.
I grunt, “They did a great job.”
“Jacob’s been telling me about the problems your Pack’s had. Did you really have a Pack member go Rogue?” At my nod, he continues, “Glad your female Alpha is okay. She seems to be recovering well.”
As if she heard her name being called, Kenna strides over to us with purpose in her step and hands me a red cup. “There’s no way you’re going the entire night without a drink, Ben. If you don’t slow down and enjoy the booze, you’re going to burn out, my friend. Drink.” She nods her head to the cup and turns to Rex. “Enjoying the party?” she asks, a chipper tone to her voice.
“I am. The Cloven Pack is very hospitable,” Rex replies smoothly, dipping his head.
“That’s great. I’m glad you’re having a good time. Evo wants to meet with you and Jacob in his office in a few minutes.”
Rex thanks her and heads toward the house. Drinking the rest of his beer, he throws his cup in the trash before entering through the sliding doors.
Kenna turns to me with her hands on her hips. “I’m still pissed at you, but I find you a little less dick-ish since you saved Bre.”
I frown at her. “Er … thanks.”
She beams a bright white smile. “That better not be the only beer I see in your hand tonight.”
I continue to stare at her until she gives up trying to convince me to drink. She rolls her eyes, mumbles something about being pathetic, and strides back over to Kelsey, who’s chatting away with a few of the Riva Pack females. Kelsey and Kenna look as though they may not be drinking tonight. For that, I’m grateful. That’s two fewer people I’ll have to worry about ending in a drunken stupor.
Throwing my full beer into the trash can, I make my way over to Bre and Jacob. Jacob should be heading into the house to talk with Evo, but he has yet to move. I plan to remind him and hopefully get him away from my female. My wolf is growling in agreement and paces inside me. He doesn’t like the flirtatious vibes rolling off Jacob in waves.
“Jacob.” I nod to the Alpha. “How are you doing tonight?”
Bre’s body stiffens when she hears my voice. “It’s nice to see you again, Jacob,” Bre says, dismissing herself and not sparing me the slightest of glances. She weaves her way through a few groups of chatting wolf shifters until she reaches Kenna and Kelsey’s group of women.
Satisfied that Bre is now away from Jacob, I turn my attention back to the Alpha that still has eyes on her. “Did Kenna tell you that Evo is waiting inside for you?”
Taking his eyes off Bre’s ass, he nods and makes small talk before he heads to the house.
Brenna Johnson
I give Kenna and Kelsey a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to stretch my legs. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
They both nod and continue their conversation with the other females.
Stretching my neck as I walk, I pass a booming speaker before hitting the tree line. I walk a short distance in the snow dusted forest and lean against a tree. Taking solace in the quiet the trees have to offer, I take in a few deep breaths to clear my head. The smell of pine pleasantly tickles my nose. I watch in fascination as my warm breath mists out in front of me.
A twig snaps and I twist my head behind me. Ben leans against a tree, his thumbs in his jean pockets. “You’ve been dodging me all night,” he mumbles.
He’s right; I have been dodging him all night. Every time he tries to approach, I leave before he can say anything to me. I’m not in the mood to deal with his hot and cold.
“That’s because I don’t play games,” I snap at him.
He lifts an eyebrow and crosses his arms over his chest. “Games?”
“Yes, Ben, games. I don’t play that hot and cold shit that you’ve got going on. One minute you’re comforting me and the next, you treat me like every other wolf in the Pack.”
Ben remains silent for a minute, considering my truth. I don’t think he’s going to answer until he speaks as I’m turning to leave, “I’m not sure how to handle this mating thing. I’m struggling with jealousy and words fail me where you’re concerned.”
“Jealousy?” I question with disbelief. Surely, this big Beta male isn’t capable of those kinds of feelings.
“About you sleeping with other men?” Ben grunts.
My eyes widen. “I’m sorry. Are you calling me a slut now?”
Ben barks out a laugh, his hands falling to his side. “No, you’re not the only one who’s slept with other people. I’m struggling to come to terms here.” He pushes off his tree and walks over to lean against my tree. “I’ve always seen you as Evo’s little sister. I’ve watched you grow up right alongside me. We—the entire Pack—went through hell with your dad, but not as much as you did. To be told over and over that you’re my mate and finally coming to see you for what you are, makes me hate myself. I hate myself for standing by, watching you be abused.”
I sigh and look away. “You didn’t know we were mates back then, Ben.”
“No, but I still let it happen. I’m not sure that’s something I can ever come to terms with. Those memories have been replaying over and over in my head.”
Uncomfortable, I fiddle with the hem of my coat. “Yeah, well, those memories are something you’re going to have to learn to deal with … like I have.”
Ben shakes his head. “Like hell you’ve dealt with them. No one can go through what you went through and not be mentally scarred.”
“So, you finally believe we’re mates, then?” I ask, switching the subject.
“I’ve been a dumbass,” Ben confesses.
“Damn right,” I agree. It’s difficult for me to keep my eyes on him and not want to reach out and touch him, so I continue to avert my gaze.
Not ignoring his urges, Ben turns my face back to his. “Will you forgive me? Will you give me a chance?”
I shrug, pretending indifference. “I can try. I can’t promise to not hold a
grudge.”
“And I can’t promise to be patient,” he says before bending his head and stroking his lips against mine.
“You don’t even know me. You may have grown up with me, but you know nothing about me,” I whisper against his lips.
Punctuating a feather like kiss between each sentence, he mumbles, “I know that you hate cheese on your sandwiches. I know that, like a life line, you grip onto the people closest to you, but never give them an ounce of what’s going on in your head. Except for Kenna because she can pull it right out of you. I know that you’re protective of those you love. I know you hate it when you receive attention from a group of people. And I know you paste a smile on your face to cover that war going on inside your head.” He pulls back from his kissing. “Did I hit the nail on the head?”
“You’ve been watching me …”
“Ever since the night at the bar,” Ben replies, searching my eyes for an inkling of what I’m feeling.
Powerless to hold myself back, I reach up and put my hand on his chest, feeling the frantic pounding of his heart which matches my own. Content with letting me touch him, he explores my face with his eyes. He places his hand on the side of my head and runs his fingers through the strands of my hair.
Bringing his head down, he compresses his lips against mine, feather-like and sensual at first before becoming more demanding. Without hesitation, I respond to his kiss and slide my hand under his coat, finding the warm skin of his abdomen. He lets out a low, pleased growl in my mouth as my hands explore the muscles there.
He cups my face with one hand and continues running his other hand through my hair as we deepen the kiss.
The passionate heat grows between us, causing our actions to become more desperate. Our breaths grow quicker and harsher, causing foggy mist to form around our heads. Every part of me that he touches feels on fire. Every portion of my skin that touches his feels ablaze with the most intense pleasure.
