LONERby

HOLLEYTRENT

DearReaders:NorsetonWolvesisaself-containedminiseriesspunofffromTheAfótamaLegacy.Youdon’tneedtoreadTheVikingQueen’sMenorTheChieftain’sDaughtertounderstandwheretheWolvesareorwhythey’rethere,nordoyouhavetoreadthefournovellasinorder.EachNorsetonWolvesstoryissetatapproximatelythesame

time.Thestoriesareinterwovenandcharactersmayappearthroughouttheminiseries,butthetimelinesmoreorlessoverlap.Thestoriesmayendatdifferenttimes,dependingonhowlongittakesacoupletofindtheirhappily-ever-after,buttheendingofonebookdoesnotaffectanotherbook.Intermsofcontinuity,NorsetonWolvesisset

mostlyafterTheChieftain’sDaughterandbeforeViking’sFlame.IhopeyouenjoyreadingthisshapeshifterarcsetintheAfótamaworldasmuchasIlovedwritingit.

HalfwolfStephanieBensonhasspentmuchofthelastdecadeenduringcriticismfromherfather’spackaboutherdeficiencies.

Ifitweren’tforthefactherinnerbeastcravesawolf’s

sensualattentions,she’dtrytosettledownwithanicehumanman.Answeringamatecallfromanunknownpackisheronechanceatfleeingtoxicinfluences,butit’sagamble.Shemayendupwithamanwhofindshersofterhumanphysiqueandprogressiveopinionsjustasrepulsiveasthemenbackhome.Oustedfromhispackasa

youngboy,DariusLucasisNorseton’sresidentlonewolf.Helacksmasteryofthesocialgracesmostmenoverthirtywouldhave,andcanbarelyspeakmorethanafewwordsatatime.AlthoughDariusisskepticalaboutsaddlingastrangerwithhimforacompanion,hisalphainsistsStephanieiseverythingheneeds.Dariusenthusiasticallygivesthecaptivating,bombshellhis

bite,butnothisconfidence.He’susedtobeingonthefringes,butStephanieunderstandshowthatfeelsalltoowell.Hemaylackpolish,buthehasthetendernessthatwaslackinginStephanie’spreviousrelationships.They’rebothlonersintheirownways,butiftheycancometogethertofindacommonthread,thematescouldignitearomancehot

enoughtomakethembothhowl.

CHAPTERONE

StephanieBensoncrossedherlegsatthekneesandfoldedherarmsoverherchest.

Nope.Badidea.

PressingherarmsoverherchestsquashedherbreaststogetherandmadeheralreadyprominentcleavageprotrudeevenmoreoverthefrontofherV-necktank.Shortofwearingaturtleneck,sheknewshe’dnevermeetanyone’sstandardfordemureness,butshedidat

leasttrytokeeppeople’sfirstimpressionsofherneutral.Whenshe’dsetoutonhertravelingexpeditionforthewolfmatecall,she’ddressedasshealwaysdidforatrip.Afterturninginthekeyforherrentedpaintingstudio,she’dputonherfavoritejeans,sparklysandals,anda

flowing,sagegreentanktopthatbroughtouttheevilinhereyes.Atleast,thatwaswhatherexhadalwayssaid.She’dwornitanyway,becauseitwasherfavorite.Softandluxurious,thefabric’ssilkencaressofherskinmadeherfeellikeagoddesswhenevershewore

it.

Now,shewasabouttobecomeagoddesswithfreckled,sunburntcleavage,andcertainly,theonlyoneofherkind.

Forfuck’ssake—they’reallwaifs.

Shelookedatthethree

womensharingthebenchwithherandbarelymanagedtosuppressthehystericallaughterquakingherlungs.Werewolves,intheirhumanforms,tendedtobeabitfitterwhencomparedtothehumanpopulation,duetotheirfastermetabolismsandhigheractivitylevels.Stephanie,

though,tookafterherhumanmotherinthetitsandassdepartment,andnothinginStephanie’swolfgeneticscouldoffsetit.

Upuntilshe’dbeengiventheorelseultimatumatagesixteenandpulledintoherfather’spack,she’dlovedherbody.Lovedherburgeoning

curvesandswells,andlookedforwardtobeingajaw-droppingvixenlikehermotheroneday.Butduringthesummershe’dturnedsixteen,shepresentedherselftoherfather’spackathisalpha’sorder,andthewolvesthere—well,theyweresodifferent.Theydidn’tlook

likerealpeople.Theywerecomicbookcharactersmadeoffleshandbone,andshedidn’tfitanywherewithinthepagesoftheirstories.

Thewomensharingthebenchwithhernowweretypicalenough,butStephaniecouldn’thelpbuttonoticewhosethighstookupthe

mostrealestate.Thosewomenwereprobablyallfullwolf.Stephanie’shalf-breedstatuscouldverywellbeanotherstrikeagainsther.Shealreadyhadenoughflawsthatwouldturnoffamate.

Thealpha,AdamCarbone—nowheralpha—wascoordinatingthemate

matching.Hestoodinfrontofherandmadeanassessinggrunt.

Shesighed.“Goaheadandtellmeaboutmyself,Alpha.”

“Hey,don’tgetyourhacklesup,redlady.Yourenergy’snotreadingaswholewolf.”

Herhandwentreflexivelyuptotuckbacktheswatchofgingerhaircoveringthesideofherface,andthoughherposturewasalreadyacceptablyupright,shesatupalittlestraighter.“Ididn’tknowitwaspossibletodiscernthat.”

“Itisn’tformostfolks,

butI’mAlpha.”

“Myalphanevermentionedbeingabletotellthedifference,andhewouldhave.”Hewouldhavegrabbedatanyopportunitytotearherdownjustoutofnastyspite.Forthelifeofher,shenevercouldfigureoutwhatshe’deverdoneto

deserveit.Shedidn’tasktobeinthepack.She’dbeenperfectlycontentwithherveryhumanlifeinChicagowithhermother.

Alphaworkedhisjawfromsidetosideforafewbeatsbeforegivingheroneofthoseslow,knowingnodsthatwereusuallyfollowedby

somewordsthatshedidn’twanttohear.

“Noteveryonewhohasthejobshould,”hesaid.

Huh.

She’dalwaysthoughtthat,butitwasbetterthathesaiditthanher.Comingoutofhermouth,thestatement

mighthavebeenconsideredtreasonous.Shewasnolongerapartofheroldpack,butuntilshe’dbeenfullyacceptedintohernewone—pairedwithamanandreceivedhisbite—sheneededtotreadcarefully.Ifshewantedawolfforamate,shecouldn’tgainareputationfor

beinginsolent.Andinspiteofeverything,shedidwantawolf.Onlyanotherwolfwouldunderstandherbasesturges.Butatthesametime,afullwolfmightrejecteverythingaboutherthatwasjustplainhuman.Shewantedtobehopefulthathermatewouldaccepther,butitwas

hard.Plus,shehadtogetpastthegatekeeperfirst—thecuriousalphapacinginfrontofher.

“Yourotherhalfisn’tsomedifferentkindofshifter,isit?”

“Justhuman,Alpha.”

“Oh.”Heshruggedand

movedondowntheline,rubbinghischinasheassessedeachwoman.

Stephanieblewoutsomeofhertensiononalongexhalationandfoldedherfingersatopherlap.Alphahadhisbackturned,sosheturnedtothetwoladiestoherrightandmouthed,“Hi.”

They’dbarelyacknowledgedeachotherduringthevanridefromAlbuquerque’sairport,probablybecausethey’dallbeensodiscombobulatedandnervous.Showingupinresponsetoamatecallwasabitlikeplayingcrapsandputtingeverythingontheline.

Oneladywinked.TheothergaveStephaniealittlewaveandpulledherearlobeinanobvioussignalmeaning,we’lltalklater—peoplearelistening.

Christina’snervesebbedsomewhat,knowingthatthetwowomenhadoverheardwhatshewas—orwhatshe

wasn’t—andwouldstillbepleasant.Therewasachancetheyhadtheirownskeletonstofretabout,andherswastameincomparison.Shehopedthatwasthecase,andhatedherselfalittleforit.She’dneverbeenthekindofwomanwho’dwishillonanyone,regardlessofhow

muchhardshipshepersonallyendured.Thewolfgoddesshadalwaysstoodforforgivenessandkindness,andStephanietriedtoemulatethemysteriousladyasoftenasshecould,evenwhendoingsowasahardship.Moreoftenthannot,beingkindwashard,becausemostwolvesweren’t

sonicetoher.

Adamturnedbacktothem,scannedthemallagain,madethattrademarkgruntingnoise,thenlookedpointedlyovertheirheads.

Naturally,sheturnedtoseewhathadcaughthisgaze.

Threetallmenwaitedin

theshadowofonethesmalladobehomes’roofoverhang,apparentlywatchingthespectacleofthematematchandseeingwhomtheiralphadeemedsuitableforeach.

Three?

Shecheckedtheshadowsoftheotherfourhousesborderingthecourtyardas

well.Nomorewolves.ThebulletinthatAlphahadsentouttoalltheknownpacksrequestedfourmates,andseeingashowhehadgivenherthego-aheadtoflydowntoNewMexico,therehadtobeoneforeachofthem.

Sheknewonlyinvaguetermshowthematematching

processworked.Thevastmajorityofherfriendsweren’twolves,andofthefewfemalewolvesinherfather’spackshe’dactuallyassociatedwith,nonehadeveransweredacall.They’dalltakenmateswithinthehomepack,forbetterorforworse.

FromwhatStephanieunderstoodabouttheprocess,whenapackwasinneedofwomen,thealphawouldputoutwordthroughthewolfnetwork,statinghowmanywereneededandwhere,approximately,thepackwaslocated.Sometimes,awomancouldtellwhichpackwas

requestingthematesandputoutfeelersaboutwhatthecultureandconditionswerelike.Often,however,therewasnoinformationtobefound.Everydaysomenewpackwouldsplinteroffandrelocate,soshe’dknownnothingabouttheseNewMexicanwolves.They

weren’tapartofaknownpackandhadnoreputation—atleastnotareputationanyonewouldspeakof.She’dtakenachanceinshowingup,andhopeditwouldpayoff.Wolveswantedapacktobelongto,andthathalfofherthatwaswolfoverrodeherhumannotionsof

independence.

Supposedly,whatwouldhappennextwasthatAlphawouldtapintohisspiritualconnectiontothegoddessandmatcheachvolunteeringwomantoaneligiblewolf.IfAlphawasanygoodattranslatingthegoddess’swishes,hewouldmakegood,

sound,lastingmatches.Alphasweren’talwaysgood.Sometimes,womenweretrappedbytheirmatches,thrustintoworsesituationsthanwhatthey’dleftattheirlastpack.ItwasariskStephaniehadtotake,ifonlytogetthetormentingdreamstostop.Theyteasedofthe

idealpackandtheperfectmate.Shewasn’tpronetofairytalewhims,butshecouldn’thelpbuttoobsessaboutwhatcouldbe.

Turningbacktofacehernewalpha,sheswallowedhardandletoutalong,slowbreath.ShehopedAdamwasgood,becauseshewas

probablyonlygoingtohaveonechanceatthis.Ifsherefusedthepairing,nooneelsewouldwanther—atleast,nooneareasonablysanewomanwouldwant.She’denduphavingtosettleforsomeweakwolfbackinherfather’spack,whowouldlikelypunishherfortryingto

leaveinthefirstplace—forwantingmoreforherselfthantobetreatedlikeapossession.

Sheranhertongueacrossherlipsandsethersightsonalargecactusaboutadozenyardsaway.Shewasusedtohavinghernamedraggedthroughmud—usedtobeing

insultedandmalignedforwhatshewas—andeventually,shewouldhavetoputherfootdown.

Sheknewinherheartthatsheneededawolflover.Maybeherownsmallconnectiontothegoddesshadconvincedherofthat,butthehumanpartofhertoldherto

neversettle.Shewasworthyofloveandrespect,inspiteofwhatherfatherhadtoldher.Ifshecouldn’tgetthat,she’dleave,customsbedamned.

Doyourthing,Alpha.I’mready.

CHAPTERTWO

WhenthepackhadvotedmonthsagoonwhetherornotitwastimeforAlphatoputoutthematecall,Dariushadbeenthesecond-slowesttoputuphishand.Theonly

wolfmorereticentwasAnton,anditwaseasyenoughtoguesswhatAnton’sdysfunctionwas.“Beast”hadgottenmauledsixmonthsagowhileinhishumanform.Hewasblindinoneeye,andthoughhe’dhadagooddealofplasticsurgeryonthesideofhisface,he

couldn’thidehisscars.Itmadesensethathewasholingupinsidehishouse.Dariushadhalfamindtodothesame,butitwastoolate.Alphacaughthisgazeandwavedhimover.

Damn.

Darius’spackmateColtsnortedasDariuspushedoff

thewallhewasholdingup.“Goodluck,Loner,”hesaidwithadrylaugh.

“Fuckyou,”Dariusmutteredunderhisbreath.

Theteasingandname-callingwasallingoodfun,usually—theyallhadnicknames—butsometimesitgotsodamnwearying.

ProbablyanotherreasonAntonhadkepthimselfinside.AlphawouldprobablyhaveAnton’sassforitlater,butseeingashowAlphawashisunclethroughmarriage,Antonprobablydidn’tworrytoomuchaboutit.ButwhenDariusthoughtaboutit,herealizedAlphahadneverput

muchstockinnepotism.MaybeAntonshouldhaveworried.

Shovinghishandsintohisjeanspockets,Dariusmadehiswayuptheshortstonepathandaroundthebenchthatheldthefourwomen.

Hefeltabitlikehewasmarchingoffthegallows,but

insteadofhimbeingtheonesentencedforanunforgivablecrime,somepoorwomanwasgettingpunishedbyreceivinghimasamate.

Alphahadoneofthewomenstandingnow,onewithhairthecolorofcinnamonandthenicestpairoftitsDariushadseenoutside

ofaVegasshowgirl.No,notashowgirl.Likeoneofthepin-upgirlsfromthe1940she’dseeninabookhe’dpickedupatafestivallongago.Shehadred,heart-shapedlipsandaneyebrowarchedcuriouslyathim.Shewasprettierthananyofthoseglossypictures.Unreal.Is

shemine?

Shelookedhimupanddownandpursedherlips.

Maybethatwasactuallyhernaturalhaircolor.Besthecouldremember,he’dneverbeenwithaginger.Thenagain,hedidn’tremembermuchaboutverymanyofhissexualencounters.That’sall

theywere,really.Transientwolvesdidn’tformattachments.ThepackhadonlyrecentlysettledinNewMexico.

“StephanieBenson,meetDariusLucas.Darius,thisisStephanie,”Alphasaid,andwiththatterseintroduction,movedondowntheline.

That’sit?

Nowwhat?

Shebobbedhereyebrows.“So…it’snicetomeetyou,Iguess.”

“Likewise,”hemuttered.Itwasallhecouldcomeupwith.Hewastongue-tiedatthebestoftimes.Ifhe’dbeen

thinkingahead,hewouldhaverehearsedsomething—perhapsthankherforcomingsofarandapologizeinadvanceforwhathewas.

Hepickedathisthumb’scuticleandstaredathisfeet.Fuck.

ColtjoggedoveratAlpha’sbeckoningnext,and

amomentlater,ledhismatetoAlpha’shouse,wherethey’dstowedallthewomen’sluggage.

Oh.

Dariusstartedafterthem.Stephanieprobablyhassomebags.Halfwaythere,hefiguredheshouldseeifshewasfollowing.Shewas.She

bobbedhereyebrowsagainandclaspedherhandsbehindherback.

“Sorry.”Hegesturedtowardthehouse,andshewalkedonaheadofhim.

Luggageacquired—andshehadalot—heledhertohisownsmalladobebungalowandpulledopenthe

screendoor.Shewalkedinandwaitedinthefoyerashemadeatidypileofherluggage.

“Niceplaceyou’vegothere.”

“It’sallright.”Hecertainlycouldn’tcomplain.Upuntillastwinter,thewolveshadbeenlivingoutof

theconversionvanthattheyusedtotransportthemselvesfromoneassignmenttothenext.Theyfollowedthedollarsigns,takingsecuritygigsforvariousgroups,anddoingallsortsofmercenarytasks,shortofwetwork.Theydidtrynottokillpeople,butsomefolksjust

askedforit.NowthepackwasmoreorlesssettledinthecommunityofNorseton,wherethey’dbeencontractedtoprovidesecurityservicestoagroupcalledtheAfótama.Lotsofspacearoundthem,andnotahellofalotofpeopletogetinhisface.Itwasaprettysweetjob,andhe

prayedtothegoddessnightlythatnoonefuckeditupforthem.

Heturnedonthelivingroomlightandclosedtheheavywooddoor,leavingitunlockedbeforeturningtohiswould-bemate.

Stephanierockedonherheelsandclampedherarms

overherbelly.“So…howdoyouwanttodothis?”

Hervoicewaseverythinghe’dexpectfromawomanshapedlikeasilverscreensiren.Itwashuskyandlow,withatantalizingraspthatseemedintentontugginghiscocktoattention.

“Helloooo?”shecrooned.

Shemusthavebeenhypnotizinghimsomehow.Itwasn’tuncommonforsomewolvestohavealittlemagic—usuallytheonesthegoddesshadtakenaspecialinterestinforwhateverreason.Hejustbetthegoddesshadbestowednumerousblessingsontoa

womanlikeStephanie.Itwastheonlyexplanationforherbeingsoalluring.

Hepulledhisgazefromherbrightredmouthandstaredinthegeneralvicinityofhereyes.“Yes?”

“Youdon’ttalkmuch,doyou?”

“Italk.”

“Infullsentences?”

“Yeah.”

Sheletoutabreathandgaveherheadasmallshake.“Justaswell.IguessIcantalkplentyenoughforthebothofus.MymothersaysIcouldtalkthepaintoffawall,

butIthinkI’minteresting,attheveryleast.”

Hisgazefelltohersucculentlipsyetagain,andeverymuscleinhiscoreandcrotchtightenedwithhisimagination’sunwelcomerompintothenasty.Shewouldprobablyleavearingofredaroundhiscockasshe

suckedhimoff,andpushthosebreastsuptocatcheverylastdropofhiscum.He’dreturnthefavor,ofcourse—he’dburyhisfacebetweenhersolidthighsandlickheruntilshecameonhistongue.Hewasprettysurethatwashowitworked—intheory,anyway.Noonehad

everexpectedhimtoperformthatspecifictask,andhehadn’tfeltcompelledtovolunteer.

“Imean,Ispentalotofmoneygoingtocollegetomakemyselfinteresting.BachelorofFineArts.Theonlythingthatdegreeisgoodforistalkingabout,though.”

Sheshruggednonchalantly.“Andteaching,Iguess.”

Shedraggedhertongueacrossherlipsandhedrewinasharpbreath.Willsheputthattongueonmeoneday?Ifshewasgoingtobehismate,hecouldask.Oristhatsomethingpeopledon’taskfor?Hewasn’tsurewhatwas

allowed.Ifhe’dhadtogooutandhuntforamateonhisown,hewouldhaveprobablycomehomeempty-handed.Findingawomantofuckwasonething.Theydidn’tnecessarilyexpectconversationandchivalry.Butamate?Wholedifferentballgame,hewasguessing.

“LikeIaskedbefore,howdoyouwanttodothis?”

Gods,hervoice.Hecouldhardlymakesenseofthewordsthroughthespellbindingsound.“Huh?”

Shetuggeddownthenecklineofherloosetankandexposedthestretchofpalefleshbetweenherbreastand

collarbone.

Deargoddess…

“Thebite.”

Heforceddownaswallow,hismouthsuddenlyhavinggoneasdryasthedesertoutside.

Justabite?

“Doyouwanttodoit

righthere,orshouldwefindanicesofa?Hey,noworries—I’measy.”

“Easy?”

Sheletgoofhershirtandrolledhereyes.“Noteasyeasy.YouknowwhatImean.”

Hedid.Oratleast,he

thoughthedid.He’dalwaysconsideredhimselftobeprettystreet-smart,givenhe’dbeenonhisownsincehewasakid,buthisbrainsureasshitseemedtobeafewbeatsbehindatthemoment.“Uh—sofa,Iguess.”

“Leadtheway.Unlessyou’dlikemetojustmake

myselfathome?”

“Yeah.Yourhomenow,too.”Hehopedshelikedit.Itwasbasic:abasemodelhousewithnocustomization.Hehadn’tevenknownwhatupgradestopick,andbythetimehecouldgiveitanyseriousthought,itwastoolatetoputthespecsin.He

didn’treallycare,though.Shecoulddowhatevershewantedtoit.

“Oh-kay.”Sheturnedonherheelandpassedbeneaththearchwayintothegreatroom.There,shepaused,lookingaroundandfinallyheadingforthesofa.

Hehurriedaheadofher

andpickedupthepileofnewspapershe’dbeenstoringthere.Hedidn’tevenknowwhyhewascollectingthem,beyondhischronicinabilitytothrowthingsawayasoflate.He’dbeensousedtohavingfewpossessions,andonlyoneortwobagstostorethemin.Havingawhole

housetohimselfwasanoveltythatstillhadn’twornoffinsixmonths.

Hedroppedthepapersontothecoffeetableandstraightenedtheslipcover.“Sorryforthemess.”

“Niceprint.”Shesettledontothesofaandgavethefabricarubbeneathboth

palms.“Didyoupickitout?”

“Uh—yeah.”HecouldhaveliedandsaidthatAlpha’swife,Mrs.Carbone,hadchosenit,buthedidn’tseethepoint.He’dbeendrawntothepattern.Thehuntergreenchevronsremindedhimofmountaintreetops—ofhome.Of

course,hehadn’tseenthathomeinovertwentyyears.He’dbeenexpelledfromhisbirthpackatagenine.Fortunately,Alphahadscoopedhimupbeforeanyrealharmcouldcometohim.Still,hemissedit,hisfirsthome,inspiteofeverythingthathadhappenedthere.In

spiteofbeingallbutforgottenbythepeoplewhoweresupposedtocareforhim.

“Plainwhitesofaunderneath?”sheasked.

“Yeah.”

“IrecognizedthepatternbecauseIusedtohavesame

whitechair,justwithadifferentcover.Gonenow,though.IsoldorgaveawaymostofmythingsbeforeIcamehere.”

Shemusthavehadalotofstuffifshe’dneededfourbigsuitcasestohaulwhatwasleft.“Sorry.Youcanchangeit.Soit’slikeyourswas,I

mean.”Shecouldhavewhatevermadehercomfortable.Hewouldn’tcomplain.Itwasn’tlikeheknewwhathewasdoinginthatpartofhislife,ormanyother,forthatmatter.Hewasfarsmarterinhiswolfform.Hiswolfwasn’tconstantlysecond-guessinghimself,or

beratinghimselfforsayingstupidshit.

“Nah,Ilikethegreen.Icandostuffwithgreen.It’snotinmyusualdecoratingpalette,butIlikestretchingmyself.It’llbeinterestingtoseewhatIcandotofeminizeit.Hopeyoudon’tmindalittlefeminizingaround

here.”

Heshookhishead.She’dbespendingmoretimetherethanhewould,anyway.HespentmostofhisdaysoutontheNorsetongrounds,andbythetimehegothome,hedidn’tcaremuchwhathissurroundingslookedlike.Theyonlythingsthatwere

importantwerethattheyweredarkandquiet.Cavelike,Mrs.Carbonehadonceaccused.“You’dliveinacave,wouldn’tyou,ifyouhadyourdruthers?”she’daskedhim.

He’djustshrugged.Itwastrue.Theguyshadlaughed,butDariushadn’tseenthepointofarguingit.He’d

spentalotoftimeasachildinhiswolfform,hidingoutincaveswheneverthehumanworldgottoofuckingcrowdedandloud.Nooneeverwentlookingforhim,andeventually,they’daskedhimnottogohomeatall.

“Splendid,”Stephaniesaid.“Andyouneedmore

furniture.”

“Ibuyalittleeachmonth.”Hetookaseatonthecoffeetableinfrontofher,rightontopofthenewspapers.

“Areyougoingslowbynecessity,orareyoujustindecisive?”

“Idon’tusecredit.”Everythinghehadheownedfreeandclear.Mostfolkscouldn’tsaythat,andhewasproudthathecould.Ifsheexpectedmorefromhim,thenshewasjustgoingtohavetobedisappointed.

“Idon’teither.I’vegotlotsofmoney.”

Hefurrowedhisbrow.Itseemedlikeanoddthingtoconfess,buthewasn’texactlyagoldstarstudentwhenitcametosmalltalk.

Sheshrugged.“Mightaswellbecandid,right?We’llprobablybemarriedtomorrowmorningifwhatAlphasaidduringthedrive

fromtheairportwastrue.Hesaidhismissusisatraditionalistinthatoneway.”

“Yeah,that’stheplan.”

“Sowemightaswellcleartheair,right?Well—I’mquitewealthy.”

“Okay.”Hechewedon

theinsideofhischeek,andwithgreatdifficulty,pulledhisgazeawayfromthesmatteringoffrecklesbeneaththesun-reddenedskinonherchest.Isshespottedallover,likeacougar?He’dbeenwithawere-cougarwomanonce,buthecouldn’trememberifshe’dhadspots.

Hewasdrunk,asheoftenwasduringone-nightstands.Theboozetooktheedgeoffthesocialshit—theperformance.Notthesexualone,butthesonganddanceleadinguptoit.

Herakedhishandoverhisfaceandsighed.Fuck.Isshegoingtoexpectthatfrom

me?

“Youdon’tseemespeciallygleefulaboutthat,Darius.Anyothermanwouldhavehadawantonglintinhiseyebynow.”

Whatareweeventalkingabout?Hedroppedhishandandfixedhisstareonthebrightgreenofhereyes.

Green.Oh,right.Money.

Heclearedhisthroat.“I’vealwaysworkedforwhatIwanted.”

Sheshruggedagain,makingthosedistractingtitsbounce.

Sighing,heclosedhiseyestoshutoffthevisual

onslaughtandlethiskneebob.Thelastthingheneededwastogohardlikeahornyfifteen-yearoldandembarrasshimselfinfrontofthefinestwomanhe’deverencounteredintheflesh.

“Keeponkeepingon,then,”shesaid.“IfiguredI’dmakethingscozy.Iassure

you,I’mnotthekindofgirlwhospendstoexcess.Infact,Ionlyowntenpairsofshoes.”

Heopenedhiseyes,onlytofurrowhisbrowather.

“Justkidding.Ihavefivepairs,notcountingthesesandals.Butthey’rereallyniceshoes.”

“Ihavetwopairs.”Dumb.Likesheevencares.

“Thebootsyou’rewearingandwhat?”

“Apairoftennisshoes.”

Theywerearound…somewhere.He’dprobablyhadthemfornearlyaslongashe’dhadhisGED.

“Theyprobablysuitaboutninety-eightpercentofyourneeds.”

“Prettymuch,orIgobarefoot,otherwise.Idon’tneedshoesinmywolfform.”

Shecringed.“Wolf,huh?IguessI’llbeabletoshiftbymorning,ifitworks.”

“I’veneverheardofitnotworking.”

Femalewolveswereunabletoshapeshiftuntilthey’dreceivedtheirmate’sbite.Apparently,evolutionwasachauvinist.

“Sure.”Shepulledherplumpbottomlipbetweenherteethandrolledhergazeto

theceiling.

“Well,itdoesn’thurt.Notmuch,anyway.”

Shefixedherintent,glassgreengazeonhimandarchedoneofthosedefinedeyebrows.“Areyouserious?Idon’tknowyouyet,soIcan’ttellifyou’rejokingornot.”

“Aboutshifting?Yeah.I’musedtoit,Iguess.”

Shenudgeddownhercollartoexposethatspotagain,butbeforehecouldtransfixuponitasecondtime,sheletthefabricfallbackinplace.“Thisismyfavoriteshirt.Idon’twanttogetitbloody.”Without

hesitating,sheliftedhershirtbythehemandpulledthegarmentoverherhead.

Fuck.

Hehadn’tthoughtherbreastscouldpossiblygetanybetter.Uncovered,theywerefullandround,dottedwithpalebrownfreckleswhichdidgoallthewaydownto

theinsideofherbra.Herpuckerednippleswereslantedupward,andhewonderedifhepushedthatsatinymaterialaside,wouldtheybethesamebrownasherfrecklesorifthey’dbeaspinkasherflushedcheeks.

Hebobbedhiskneeandtriedtogethismindoffof

sex,andawayfromhistinglingcock.Dobetter.Don’tactlikeananimal.

Sheclearedherthroatandhelookeduptoseeherflattenedlipsandnarrowedstare.ShemadeaninvisibleXinthebitezoneandheleanedin,extendinghisfangsashebent.

Suchapitytobreakthatpristineskin.

Therewasn’tanyotherwayaroundit,though.Ithadtobeabite,andnotjustanibble,either.She’dalwayshavethescar,evenaftershe’dshiftedtowolfandback.Itwashismark.

Shewashismate.

Bloodhithistonguebeforeheevenregisteredthathe’dbrokentheskin,andhismindandbodywenttowar.Athergaspofpain,hishumanbrainsaid,retreat,buthisprimaljawsclampedevenmore,andhisgriponherwaisttightened.Youhavetobesure,hisinnerwolftold

him,soDariuspulledhertotheedgeofthesofa,insinuatinghersoftbodyagainsthisharderone,andtonguedtheflesh.

Heinchedhishandsuptheheatedplaneofherbackandaroundherribcage.Heflittedhistongueagainstthegashesagainandagainuntil

themetallictangebbedandherbreathyswearsturnedintosighs.

Dariusrolledhisgazeuptofindhertippingbackherhead.Herbackarched,breastsjuttedouttohim,andhepulledonehard,fabric-coverednipplebetweenhisteeth.Hecouldn’thelp

himself.Couldn’thelpwantingtofeelandtasteeverypartofher,becauseshewassofuckingbeautiful,andrightthere,andhis.

Sheyankeddownherbrastrapsandpushedherselfbackintohismouth.“Here.God!”Sheleanedbackontothecushions,facestilltilted

totheceiling,withhotbreathscomingoutinpants.“Suckthem.”

Hedidn’thesitate,andturnedhersideways,thenontoherbacksohecouldstraddleherthighs.Hetookfirstonetendernubintohismouth,andthentheother,sucking,licking,andnipping

whilehemassagedherpillowybreasts.

Onhisknees,shewouldn’tbeabletofeelhowhardhewas,orguesshowpoorhiscontrolmightbeatthemoment.Shelikelythoughthimcompletelylackinginexpertise—havingnomasteryatallintheartof

seduction—andshewouldn’tbewrongifshedid.One-nightstandsdidn’tcareaboutforeplay.Theyjustlookedathisdickandaskedinvariousdegreesofaggressivenessforhimtoputitinthem,andthatwasthat.

Butthiswashismate.Hewasn’tgoingtobeoneof

thosewolveswhoattackedhiswomanthemomenthesteppedintothehouseafterwork,asifthatwasallshewasgoodfor.

Groaning,hepulledhimselfbackandsqueezedhiseyesclosed.

Don’tlook.Don’tevenfuckinglook.

Ifhesawhismarkonher,andthosebreasts—shit.

“Sofuckinghorny!Whatareyoudoing?”Shenudgedhimwiththeinsideofherknee.

Heopenedhiseyes,butimmediatelycasthisgazetowardtheceiling.Toolate,though.Hesawthem.Pink

nipples,andthedeepredslitsfromhisrazor-sharpteeth.

Andhersmell…

Shenudgedhimagain.“Fuckme,orgetoffofme.Iknowyoucansmellit.Imayonlybehalf-wolf,butmysenseofsmellworksjustasgoodasyours.YouknowI’mripeforyou.”

“Youwantmeto—”

Shegrabbedhishairandyankedhimclosetoherlips.“Fuckme,orgetoffofme.Whichisitgoingtobe?”

Heloosenedherfingersfromhishairandmovedbackquicklytoworkhersandalsoffandpullherjeansdownherlegs.Herpantieswerea

coupleofbarely-therestrings,attachedtoalittlesliveroflacebetweenherlegs,andthentheyweregonenext,theelasticatthesidessnappingbeforehetossedthegarmentontothefloor.

“Red,”hesaidasheslippedhishandbetweenherthighs.Herpussywasaswet

asherfertilescenthadsuggested,andthesmallstripofhairjustoverherclitconfirmedthathercoloringwasallnatural.

“You’llhavetogetusedtoit.”Therewasatartsnaptohervoicethathereallydidn’tunderstand,butthenagain,hedidn’tunderstandmostthings

aboutwomen.

Hestoodandtookoffhisbootsandpants,leavingtheminthepilealongwithhers,andsettledbetweenherspreadlegs.

Shebattedhisshirtoutofthewayofhiscock,anddrewinsomeairbetweenclenchedteeth.“Takeoffyoursocks.”

“Oh.”Noreasontoactcompletelydesperate,evenifhewas.Heflunghissockstowardtheclothingpilenext,andinoneeasymovement,flippedherontoherbellyandpulledherhipsback.Henudgedhiscockheadrightagainsthertightentrance,buttherewasnogive.

Withasigh,shereachedbetweenherlegsandgrippedhisshafthard,pointinghimwhereheneededtogo.

Hiseyesrolledbackintohisheadashesettledintoherheat,andherhandfellaway.Gods,sogood.Herenewedhisgriponherhips,andafterafewtrialthrusts,increased

hisspeeduntilhefuckedfasterthanhisswingingballscouldcatchthemomentumof.Thesoundstheymadebecameasymphonyofskinslappingskin—hisgrunts,andhergaspsandpants—eachoneofherlittlenoisesofpleasurespurringhimonevenmore.

Shewassotight,andtheviewofherbodyfromwherehewas—narrowwaistandtheperfectglobesofherassthathispelviskeptbumping—feltlikeperfection.Eachforcefulbumpmadehersupplefleshjiggle,andhestared,hypnotizedashelandedhisdickintoheragain

andagain,hardlynoticingherplaintivepleasforrelease,orevenhowwetshewasgetting.Herowncreamseepeddownherthighs,asurplusforhimtotasteandlickup—butlater.Shewantedtocome,andhecouldmakeher.Hewasgoodatthat.

Hepushedhershouldersdownagainstthesofacushionandleanedoverher,pressinghishandstoeithersideofherback.Shepeeredupathimthroughheronevisibleeye,andalthoughhermouthwastellinghimtomakehercome,herexpressiondidn’tseemtobackitup.

“Ican,”heassured.Hehookedhischinoverhershoulderandthrustintoherfromamoreacuteangle.Sotight.

“Doit,”shesaidtartly,andimmediatelyfolloweditwithawhispered,“now.”

“Anythingyouwant.”

Hefuckedhersohardnowthatshehadtopressherpalmstothearmresttokeepfromslidingforward.Shemeteachofhisthrusts,growlingashepoundedherdeep,againandagain,untilfinally,sheclampeddownhardaroundhisshaft,andshouted,“Fuck!”

Andshemusthaveclimaxed,becauseshewaswetterandtighterthen,andherlegshadgoneallwobbly,andthenfuck—hecame,too,rightinsideher—hismate.

Foramoment,theydidn’tmove.Didn’tsayanything.Thensheshiftedbeneathhimandsaid,withherface

pressedtotheslipcover,“You’reheavy.”

“Sorry.”Somewhatsheepishly,heeasedoffherabitandslidhisdickout,onlytobrushtheslickheadbetweenhersoftcheeks.

Shemadesomenoisethatwashalfahissandhalfagrowlashepressedagainst

herunexploredentrance.Wrigglingherass,shescootedawayfromhim.“Youarenotputtingthatthere.”

“Wasn’tgoingto.”He’dneverdonethatbefore;noonehadeverlethim,andhecouldunderstandwhy.Hewasprobablytoobig.Hejustwantedtoplaywith

Stephanie—feelhisfleshagainsthers.

“Canyougetmeaclothorsomething?Tocleanup,Imean.”

“Oh.Sorry.Yeah.”

Reluctantly,heeasedoffthesofa,moaningatthesightofherstill-presentedass,and

paddedtothebathroom.

Wow.

He’ddefinitelygottenluckywithhismate.Notonlywasshetheprettiestthinghe’deverseen,butdamn,thatbody.Hewasprobablygoingtospringawoodyeverytimeshetookherclothesofftoshapeshift.

Heslappedonthebathroomlightandgrabbedacleanwashcloth.Aslongasnooneelsegottooexcitedaroundher,they’dallgetalongjustfine.Ifnot,well—hemighthavetohurtthem.Alot.

Hehopeditwasasgoodforherashethought,because

thatwasjustaboutallhecouldgiveher.Hewasusedtocommunicatingthroughactions,notwords,soifshewanteddiscourseandstimulatingconversation,she’dbeoutofluck.

Ormaybehe’dbetheoneoutofluck.Shemightgolookingforthatconversation

elsewhere,andwhethersheborehismarkandessenceornot,shecouldprobablymakeanymanstrikeupaconversation.Ahumanmalewouldn’tknowshewasawolf.

Hewrungouttheexcesswaterfromtheclothandturnedoffthelight.

Wolveswouldstayawayfromher,butthatdidn’tmeananyoneelsewould.WhatthefuckhadAlphabeenthinking,pairingherwithme?SheshouldhavebeenwithVic,orColt.Atleasttheytalked.

Darius—well,hejustbrooded.Lonewolvesweren’tgoodformuchelse.

CHAPTERTHREE

Great.

NotonlywasStephanie’snewmateamonosyllabiccaveman,butajudgmental

prickaswell.Thatbecamecrystalclearwhenhe’dflippedherover.Itwasobviousthathecouldhardlystandlookingather.Already,hewasseeingherasareceptacle—holesforhispleasure—andaslongashewasgivinghisattentiontothose,therestofherdidn’t

matter.

Whilehehadpaidveryniceattentiontoherhole—honestly,she’dneverbeenfuckedsowell—goodsexdidnotarelationshipmake.Sheknewthattherewerematedcoupleswhoweren’tinrelationshipssomuchasarrangements,andifthey

werehappy,thatwasfineforthem.However,she’dwantedamanwhowouldnotonlyfuckherbonelesswhenshedemandedit,butalsosomeonewho’dbeattractedtoher,andwho’dtalktoher.Tocareabouther.Shedidn’twanttorepeathermother’shistoryandbesomeonea

wolfcouldeasilycastaside.

One,twostrikes.Goddess,givemepatience.

Dariusreturned,stillnakedasajaybirdwithhisfatdickhalf-erect,andhandedherthecloth.

Ittookhertwotriestograspit,becausehergazehad

fallentohiscrotch,andthefinespecimendanglingfromit.Shepattedherselfclean,andwithawince,stood.She’dbefeelingtheachebetweenherlegsforacoupleofdays,probably.Itdidn’tmatterhowwetandreadyshehadbeen,ithadjustbeentoolongsinceherlastfuck,and

hewastoobig.Yet,she’dgreedilytakenhiminandenduredthebiteofpainbecausethepleasurethatcamewithithadbeenso,sogood.Shehadnobusinessevenlookingathimnow.Heneededtokeephisdickawayfromher.Indefinitely.Probablyuntilaftershe’d

shiftedandhadsometimetoheal.

Ifsheshifted.

Heturnedhisbackandpulledhispantsbackon,andshesaidalittleprayerofthankstothegoddess.Hehadatight,muscularassthatshewantedtosinkherfangsinto.

Fangs?

“Whoa.”Awaveofdizzinesshadherfallingtoherknees,butDariuswastheretocatchherbeforeshehitthefloor.

Shestaredupathim,hisconcernedexpressionseemingtoswimaroundinamist,sothatallshecould

pinpointwerehismorecontrastingfeatures—hisshorthair,thosedark,bedroomeyes.Hisgripwasstrongandsureandhedidn’tseemtobestraining,buthewasawerewolfandhadsupernaturalstrength.Shedidn’tneedtobeawaifforhimtofindhereasyenough

topropup.

“Ithinkit’shappening,”hesaid.

“Huh?”Herlegswentlimpasnoodles,butheproppedheragainsthimwithonearm,andusedhisfreehandtopushhersweat-soddenhairoutofherface.

“Yourwolf.”

“Where?”

Helaughed.Itwasoneofthoseunrestrained,boyishlaughsshe’dexpectfromateenagerandnotofamanof—howfuckingoldishe?

Hereyescrossedandshegaveherheadahardshaketo

focus.“Howoldareyou?You’reatleasteighteen,right?”Gods,don’ttellmeI’mrobbinganybody’scradlehere.Eighteenwassixyearsyoungerthanher.Therewerefarmoremalewolvesintheworldthaneligiblefemalewolves.Certainly,theoddshadn’tshitonherinsucha

waythatshe’dendupwithaman-childasamate.

Anotherwaveofdizzinesswashedoverher,makingherkeelforward,andhescoopedherintohisarms.“I’movereighteen.”Hestartedmovingtowardthebackofthehouse.

“Howmuchover?Overtwenty?Overtwenty-five?”

Theceilingwasspinningnow.Shejammedhereyelidsclosedanddrewinabolsteringbreath.“Gonnabarf.”

Quickasaflash,hedepositedherinfrontofthetoiletandpulledherhairbackfromherfacejustbeforeshehurled.

Shefeltlikedeath,orthatshe’dbewishingforitsoon.Herjointsached,stomachburned,andheadthrobbed,asifonemilliontinyjackhammerswerepoundingagainstherskull.Andherskin—fuck,itburns.

Shestaredatherhandinfrontofherfacethrougha

blearygaze,andwasmomentarilyrelievedthatshewasn’tactuallyonfire.

Shestraightenedup—asmuchasonecoulddowhilestillhuggingacommode—atthesoundofwaterdrummingagainstthetubfloor.AndshewasreasonablysurethatDariuswasshuckinghis

pants.Typicalman.Leavinghertheretodiewhileheshoweredoffthesex.

“Alldone?”heasked.

“Huh?”Shepushedoneeyelidupalittlebitmoreandclosedtheother.Thespinningwasn’tsobadthatway.Hewasholdingtheshowercurtainopenandpeering

downather.

“Stillfeelsick?”

“IthinkI’mdonebarfing.Fornow.”

“Playitbyear.”Hehelpedherintoherfeetandintotheshower.Thecoolspraymadehergaspuponimpact,buthisbracingarm

keptherfromcrumblingontothefloor.Shehardlynoticedthepressofhiscockagainstherbackasheheldherupright,becauseshewassobusymarvelingatthesteamherownbodyseemedtobemakingwiththewater.

“I’msohot,”shesniffled,andhadn’tevennoticedthat

hernosehadbeenrunning.

Hegaveheraone-shouldermassage,keepinghisotherarmtightaroundherwaist.“It’llpass.”

Shepushedherfaceintotheshowerstreamandrubbedhereyes.“When?”

“Soon.Betterthisway.

Somepeople’sfirstshiftcomeswhilethey’resleeping.That’snotahellofalotoffun.”

“Whynot?Youknow,youcouldstandtoelaboratealittlewhenyoutalk.”Sheeasedoutofhisgripandturnedtolookathim.Helookedpositivelyserenein

thatbeautifulcavemanwayofhis.

Heshrugged.“IwouldifIhadanythingworthsaying.”

Shereachedforthegrabbarandclosedhereyesagain.Whoa,spinnyspinny.Sheswallowedhardtopushdownthenastybilecreepingupfromherbelly.“Youletme

decidewhat’sworthhearing.Ihavenoqualmsabouttellingyoutoshutupifyougettootalkative.”

Malewolvesweren’tespeciallychattyingeneral,butthisguymayhavebeenoneofthemostterseshe’devermet.

“Imagineyougotosleep

human,andwakeupananimal.Disoriented.Scared.”Hetightenedhisgriponherwaistandpulledhermorefirmlyagainsthisbody.Hardchest,hardthighs,hardcock.

Shewhimperedasanotherhotsurgecoiledthroughherbody,andthisonehadnothingtodowith

shapeshiftingandeverythingtodowiththesexsheshouldn’twant,becausehedidn’twanther.

“It’llbeokaysoon.”

Shehuffed.

Butmaybehewasright.Maybeitwouldbeokay.They’dgetalongswimmingly

ifhekepthisnegativeopinionsofhertohimself.Infact,she’dbecomingoutwayaheadofsomematedwomensheknew.Shecouldn’thelpbuttowantmore,though.ThegoddesshadpromisedhermoreinallthedreamsStephaniehadafterbeingabsorbedintoherfather’s

pack.Wolfmenweren’tassweetastheonesinStephanie’sdreams.Theysimplydidn’texistthatway.Hell,theyweren’teventhatsweetinfairytales.Sheturnedslowly,holdingontohistelephonepole-likearmstokeepfromslipping,andfixedhergazeonhim.He

wasbeyondgood-looking.Tall,dark,andhandsomehadalwaysdoneitforher.They’dmakeprettykids.Therewasnothingwrongwiththegeneticshere—therawgoods.

“Aren’tyoupretty?”shemuttered.

Hisdarkeyeswideneda

bit.

Godsforbidheeverplaypoker.Hecan’thideadamnedthinginhisexpression.Sheputherhandsonherhipsandexaminedtherestofhim.Definedchest,longtorso,leanhips.

Shecantedherheadsidewaysandsethergazeon

thethingthathadbeenimpalingheronlyminutesago.“It’sverynice.”

Hedroppedhishandsfromhershouldersandcuppedhimself.

“Now,now,it’sonlyfair,”shesaidthroughclenchedteeth,yankinghergazebackuptohisface.Wet

warmthtrackeddownherchinandontoherchest,andDariusyankedtheshowercurtainaside.Hegrabbedawashcloth,pressedittohermouth,anddrewitback.

“You’recuttingit.”

“Huh?”

“Yourlip.Your—”he

peeledbackhislips,extendedhiswolf’sfangsintohisbite,andpointedtothem.

“What?”Shepressedherhandtohermouthandfeltthetruthforherself.Sharp,long,new.Sheletoutawhimperandfixedapleadinggazeonhim.

Henudgedherbackunder

thespray.

“Words!”sheshoutedasthecoolwaterpeltedherboilingskin.“I’mnotpsychic.Tellmewhat’shappeningtome.”

“Shit.Uh—you’reamoonshifter?Yourclan?”

“Doourwolvesshiftfor

thefullmoon?Yes.”

“Youmighthavehadalittletimetoadjust,otherwise.Thewolvesinourpack,includingMrs.Carbone,aredifferent.Weshiftwhenitsuitsus.”

“I’m—I’mgoingtoshiftnow?No.”Sheshookherhead.“Notyet.I’mnot

ready.”

“Ithinkyouare.”

“Oh,gods.”Shegrippedthatgrabbaragainandheldontightasapowerfulcrampinhermidsectiondoubledherover.“Idon’twantto.”

“It’llgetbetter.Ipromise.”

“Liar.You’d—oh,gods—tellmeanything.”

Heletoutalongbreathandnudgedthewaterhandletotheoffposition.“Onlythetruth.That’sallthat’sworthsaying,”hesaidquietly.Hisvoiceseemedtender,almost,thoughshemayhavebeenmisreadinghim.Hecould

havesimplybeentired.Shesurewasaftersuchalongtwodays.“I’mgonnatakeyououttothepatio.Don’twanttobeinsuchanenclosedspacewhenthewolfcomesout.”

“Naked?”

“Noonewillsee.Besides,wolvesarenakedallthetime.

Notabigdeal.”

“Right,right.”Sheknewthat.

He’dhelpedheroverthetubledgewhenasuffocatinginternalimplosiondroppedhertoherknees.Shescratchedatherchestandtriedtofindsomeair.Sofull,somuchinside—stiflingher,

somethingwaspressingagainstherskin,demandingtobeletout.

“Comeon.”

Shewaswrithingatophisshoulderwhenherclawsbrokelooseandalowgrowlrenttheair.

“Shhh.It’sokay,

Stephanie.”Hecarriedherontothebackpatioandthecoolnightaircalmedhermind,butenergizedherinnerwolf.

Thewolfwantedout.Shewantedoutimmediately,andshewasn’tgoingtowait.Oh,gods!“Putmedown.Please,Darius.”

Hedid,butpressedhishandstohercheeksandforcedhergazeuptohim.“Lookatme.”

“Iam.”

“Keeplooking.You’regoingtoforget.”

“Forgetwhat?I’mnotgoingtoforgetyou.”How

couldIpossiblyforgetthatface?Shegrittedherteethanddugherclawsintohissinewyfleshasherhipsandspinemorphedpainfullyinsideher,lengtheninginsomeplaces,compressinginothers.

Pain,pain,pain.

“Yourwolfwillforget,at

first.Lookatmyface,anddon’tstoplooking.I’llshiftwithyou.Learnmywolf’sfacebeforeyourun.”

Herbrainwasafogofuncertaintyandterror,butshegaveherheadahardnod,anyway.Therewasnoturningback.“Ineverforget.”

Shefeltsomethingspringforthfromherchestthen,andherlegsseemedtovanish.

Andthatwasit.

CHAPTERFOUR

Stephaniewasreasonablysureshewasstillalive,butthelasttimeshemadeanassumptionaboutsomething,

she’dendedupdrivingthewrongwayandontoahighwayexitramp.

Thelastthingssherememberedwereafuckloadofsearingpain,andthatdark,darkgazelockedontoher.Hermate’sgaze.

DidIshift?

Shewasonhersidenow,curledintoaballonasoftsurface.Shegaveherfingersexperimentalwiggles,andthenhertoes.Theyfeltnormalenough—humanenough.Sheopenedfirstoneeye,thentheother,andhergazefocusedonthemasculinelumponthebed

besideher.Helaybackagainsttheheadboard,akneeproppedupashestaredatthemutedtelevisiononthedresser.

“Whattimeisit?”Hervoicewashoarse,butrecognizable.ShesoundedlikeStephanie,andnotawolf.Words,notwoofs.

Hereachedfortheremote,butshegrabbedhiswrist.

“Leaveitonforthelight,”shesaid.

“Okay.It’saroundfour.”

“Howlonghavewebeeninhere?”Inhisbedroom.Sherolledontoherbackand

scannedwhatshecouldofitfromhersupineposition.Therewasn’tmuchtoseebeyondthebedanddresser.Hewasprobablystillgettingaroundtobuyingstuff,justlikeinthelivingroom.Theemptinessactuallysoothedherconfusedinnerwolf.Shecouldputhermarkonthe

house—hernewden.Itwashomenow,aplaceofbelonging,ifshedaredletitbe.Asilverlining.

“Aboutanhour,”hesaid.

Closinghereyes,sheswattedherhairbackfromherface.“Whyismyhairstillwet?”

“Washeditagain.Iputyouintheshowerwhenwegotback.”

“Idon’trememberthat.”

“Memory’llgetbetter.”

“Ihopeso.”Sherolledontohersideand,suddenlycold,realizedhernakedness.Shetookamomenttoget

underthecovers.Decentsheets,surprisingly.Soft.

“Youcold?”

“No,”shesaid.“I’mactuallyquitehot.”

Hefurrowedhisbrow.“Coverswon’thelpthat.”

Don’tgetdistracted.Beforeshe’dstartedshifting,

she’dintendedtotalktohim.Ortalkathim,rather,givenhisunwillingnesstospeak.“Ithinkweneedtosetsomegroundrules.”

“Aboutwhat?”

“Foronething,abouthowwe’regoingtorunday-to-daystuffinthehousehold.”

Hisbrowwrinkledevenmore.“Okay.Likewhat?”

“Foronething,I’mnotyourcook,oryourmaid.”

“I’vebeendoingfinewithouteither.”

“Ihadtosayit.Igrewupoutsideofapack,mostly.Mysenseoffairnessisprobably

calibrateddifferentlyfrommostwolves.”Shewaitedfortherebuttal,butnonecame.Hisgazefelltohishands.Strongandbusy.Theyalwaysseemedtobemoving.Ishenervous?She’dneverknownanervouswolf.

Whatdoesthatmean?Shecompartmentalizedthe

questiontoponderlater.

“Um,second,keepworkdiscussionsoutside.”Wherevermalewolvesgathered,badbehaviortendedtofollow,andthatincludedtaunting,leering,andcriticizing.

Heturnedslowlybacktothetelevisionscreen,andshe

finallytookalookatwhathewaswatching.Itwassomedocumentaryaboutamuseumtracingtheprovenanceofapieceofart.She’dseenitbefore.Itwasn’tentertaining,perse,butinteresting.Atleast,inheropinion.

“Ikeepmissingthetailendofit,”hesaid.“SorryifI

seemdistracted.”

“You’veseenitbefore?”

“Mostofit.Somethingalwayshappenstopullmeawayattheend.Noworkinthehouse.Gotit.Guysdon’tcomeheremuch,anyway.”

“Why?”

“Ilikequiet.Hardtoget,

sometimes.”

“Ismybeingherebotheringyouformorereasonsbesidesyourrevulsionofmyappearance?”

“No.Yourenergyismoreorlesspsychicallyneutral.Doesn’ttakeupalotofspace.Idon’tfeelcrowdedwithyouhere.”Hedropped

theremoteandswiveledtofaceher.“Andwhat?”

“Youdon’thavetosayanythingtoplacateme.Igetit.Youwereexpectingacertainkindofwoman,andyoudidn’tgetthat.Unfortunately,IamwhatIam,andItrytobeconfidentinspiteofit.That’shard

sometimes.”

“Isthisaboutyoubeinghalf-wolf?I’veneverheardofthatbeingaproblem.”

“It’smoreaproblemthanyouwouldthinkinsomepacks,butthisisn’taboutthat.It’saboutmelookinglikeI’dbringuptherearinapackrace.”

“Youseemtobeingoodenoughshape,andyourwolfis…well,she’s…incredible.She’ssopretty.Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenawolfwithsuchredfur.”

Incredible?Thewolvesinherfather’spackwouldhaveprobablythreatenedtoburnheratthestakeforbeinga

furry,redaberration.“Don’tbullshitme.”

“I’mnot.The…thegoddessissaidtohavehadredfurinherwolfform.”

Shedid?

Stephaniegnawedonherlips,consideringit.Shehadneverheardthat,butmostof

whatshe’dlearnedaboutthegoddesshadbeenthroughtheveilofdreams.Everythingelsewasinscrapshereandtherefromhermother,andMomwascertainlynoexpert.

Shelookedathimandfoundhimstaringathishandsagain.

“You’remissingyour

show.”

“It’snotimportant.Tellmewhyyou’reangryatme.Idon’tunderstandwhatIdidwrong.”

“That’spartoftheproblem.Youdon’tevenknowyou’redoingit.”

“WhatamIdoing?”

“YoulookedatmelikeIwasgarbage.”

“When?”

“Inthelivingroom,whenItookoffmyshirt.Yourgazewentrighttomydoughybits.”

“What‘doughybits?’”

“Don’tplaydumb.”

“Really.ShowmewhatIwaslookingat.”

Shepointedtothetelevision.“Commercial’sover.It’sgettingtothegoodpart.”

Hisjawflappedsilentlyforafewbeats,andhisgazeflittedbetweenthetelevisionandherface.

“Youactuallywanttoseethat?”

“It’llrepeat.”

“Eventually.”

Hegrowledandturnedoffthetelevision.“TellmewhatIdidwrong.”

“WhenIwasonmybackonthesofa,youclosedyour

eyeswhenyousawme.Youlookedaway.”

“Youwerenaked.”

“Yep.”

“AndIwashard.”

“And…”

“Ithinkonethingisrelatedtotheother.”

“Inmyexperience,most

mencangetitupinspiteofwhatthey’relookingatiftheytryhardenough.Oncetheygetinside,itallfeelsthesame.”

“You’renuts.”

“Why?”Hervoicecrackedinthatwayitalwaysdidwhenshearguedwithherfather.Itdidn’tmatterthat

shewasright,usually.Hehadaknackformakingherfeellikeeverythingshesaidwaswrong—likeeverythingwasherfault.“BecauseIcalledyououtonit?”

“Youaskedmeto—”

“IknowwhatIaskedyoutodo.Iwasdesperate.Ishouldn’thaveexpected

tenderness.”

Gaping,hescrapedahandthroughhishairandfixedthatintense,darkstareonher.Sofamiliar,andyetshecouldn’tputafingeronwhy.“We’resupposedtogetmarriedinafewhours,andyoualreadyhateme.”

“Otherwayaround.”

“WhateveryouthinkIdid,tellmewhatitwasnow,soIcancallyoualiar.”

“Youwererepulsed.”

“No!”Heshookhisheadandgavehishairaquickyank.Hisenergyflared,electrifyingtheroombeforeheclosedhiseyesandsnappeditbackin.

Sherubbedthepricklinghairsonherarmsandpulledinadeepinhalation.Ohmygod.Hemaynothavebeenanalphaintitle,buthecertainlyhadtheenergyofone.Itwasunmistakable.Hewasn’tsomerun-of-the-millwolf.

Doesanyoneelseknow?

Doesthepackknowwhatheis?

“Whydidyouthinkthat?”HisplaintivevoicethatmadeherfeellikethebiggestbitchonthefaceoftheEarth.

Fuck.Shegroundherpalmsagainsthergravelyeyesandblewoutabreath.“Itwasalogicalconclusion.”

“Basedonwhat?”

“Lifeexperience.”

“I—”

Whateverhethoughttosay,heletfalloff.Maybehedidn’tknowwhattosayeither,andforthemoment,thatsuitedherfine,becauseneitherdidshe.

Sheburrowedherfaceagainstthefluffypillow.“Finishyourshow.”

Hedidn’tmoveatfirst,butafterafewseconds,turnedthetelevisionbackon,thistimewiththesoundonlow.

Shepeekedoutfromunderthepillowtowatchhis

faceashestaredatthescreen.Nowthatshe’dfelthisfrustrationandtastedhislickofpower,hewasabiteasiertoread.Thatundercurrentofanxietyshe’dstokedinhimwasstillthere.Hemayhavelookedcalm,buthernewwolfsenseofsmellcaughttheremnantsofhis

testosteronespike…andofherlingeringhormones,aswell.Unpracticedthoughshewas,shepulledherenergyinastightasshecouldandwatchedhisbodygraduallyrelax.

Heletoutaslow,relievedexhalationandfocusedonthetelevisionscreen.

“Yes!”Dariuswhisperedandgavehisfistapumpintheair.

Thatwastheendoftheshow.Thepainingwasalegitimateearlyworkofawell-knownartist,andhadbeenacommissionedgifttosomepracticallyforgottenprincess.

Stephaniepushedupontoherelbowsandlookedoverhershouldertoseethecreditsrolling.“Iloveagoodmystery.”

“Yeah.”Hissmolderinggazeflittedtoherandquicklybacktothescreen.Hisanxietyhadallbutdissipated.

Hesuckedateyecontact,

atleastwithher.She’dneverknownawerewolftohavethatproblem,butagain,itseemedtherewasverylittleabouthimthatwastypical.

Heturnedoffthetelevisionandslidtheremoteontothenightstand.“ShouldIsleeponthesofa?”

“Why?”

“Ijustthought—”

“It’syourbed,Darius.Getin.Idon’tbite.”

“Actually,youdo.”

Shecringedandletherheadhitthepillow.Herverbal“bites”hadprobablybeenworsethantheoneswithteeth.Shewasashamedabout

themnow.Inthesamewayeveryoneinherfather’spackunfairlyjudgedher,sheddonethesametohim.Shehadn’tevengivenhimachance.Sheshouldhavetrustedthegoddess.Herdreamshadtoldherthatthingswouldgetbetter,notworse.Stephaniewas

obviouslyself-sabotaging.Itwasalmostasifshewasafraidofhappinessbecauseit’dbeensolongsinceshe’dfeltit.

Whethershewasaraveningbeastornot,hegotin,andsettledontohisbelly.

Fixthis.

ShehopedDariuscouldforgiveandforget,andthathewantedtogothroughwiththenextstep.TherewasstillachancehewasthatwolfthegoddessthoughtStephanieneeded.Sheforcedaswallowdownhertightthroat.“Whattime’stheceremony?”

“Early.Maybesixor

seven.”

“Whysoearly?Areyouallafraidwe’llchangeourmindsandrunoffbeforeweputoursignaturesonthemarriagelicenses?”Shetriedtoputabitofteaseinhervoice,butgiventhenervousbreakinit,likelydidn’tquitemanageto.

Hefurrowedhisbrowagain.“Ididn’tsetthetime.Mrs.Carbonearrangedit.”

“Thatwasajoke.Abadone,butstill.”

“Oh.Sorry.”

Hedrewhisenergyinmoretightlyaroundhimasifhefeareditwasinherway.

Theoppositewastrue.Herinnerwolfwasdoingthepsychicequivalentofrollingaroundinit—nestinginitasifitwereacomfortable,familiarblanket.

Giveitbacktome,wolf.

Shegavehishardbicepalittlepokeandsettledbackbeneaththecovers.“Where

willtheceremonybe?”

Herubbedhisarmandpulledtheshyestgrin,buthisenergyopenedbackup.Itwasn’tthefloodofpowerithadbeenbefore,butacasualsortofdrapingoverthetwoofthemthatmadeherinnerwolffeelquiteathome.“OverattheNorseton

mansion.”

“Andthat’swhatthiscommunityiscalled?Iwasasleepwhenwearrived,soImissedthedrivethrough.”

“Mm-hmm.Youshouldgoexploretomorrow.Cangetmosteverythingyouneedintown.”

“Andyouworkforthematthemansion?”

Hegrunted.“WeprovidesecurityservicestotheAfótama.That’swhatthey’recalled.”

She’dneverheardofthemandhadnoideawhattheywere,andhertaciturnmatedidn’tseemwillingto

elaborate.Shewasgoingtosqueezethewordsoutofhimanyway,though.Sherefusedtobekeptinthedark.IfshewasgoingtobeaPackmember,shewasn’tgoingtobesomewolfonthefringeswhowasignoreduntilsomemansawfittoyellatheraboutwhatshewasorwasn’t.

Sheknewallthatalready,andshedidn’tchoosetobeonlyhalfwolf.WhydidtheyactlikeIdid?

Darius’swarmhandmoldedagainstherforeheadandslippeddowntohercheek.Herlungstightenedthen,andherbreathcaught.

Shetiltedherchinupfor

thestrokeofhiscallusedfingers.Histouchwastender,butwhatmadeitallthemoresurprisingwasthatitwasvoluntary.Shehadn’taskedforit.

“What’swrong?”heasked.

“Whydoyouask?”

“Yousmell…stressed,Iguess.Likeprey.”

“I’mnotstressed,just—”Justwhat?Pitiful?Sheshookherheadandletoutalongbreath.Timeforasubjectchange.“So,it’sjustyoufive?You,Alpha,and?”Whatwerethenames?

“Yeah.Me,Alpha,Anton,

Vic,andColt.That’sallforthemoment.Workingonhiringmoreforthesecuritycrew,butthat’shard.Peoplehavetohavetherightqualifications.”

“Suchas?”

“Helpsiftheyknowaboutourworld,andcanbequietaboutit.”

“Oh.”Duh.Stephaniewasusedtoholdinghertongueinthatregard.She’dknownaboutshiftersallherlife,evenifshehadn’tgrownupwiththem.Theyweresomethingsheunderstoodintrinsicallynottodiscusswithoutsiders,evenwhenshesobadlywantedto.There

weren’tmanypeopleshecouldconfideinbesideshermother,andshetriedtokeephermother’sheadclearofPackbusiness.Shedidn’twanttotraumatizethewoman,tellingherallabouttheworldshewaspartitionedfrom.“Howlonghaveyoubeenworkingforthem?”

“Notlong.Sincewinter.”

Sixmonthsorso,then.Shewaitedonhimtoelaborate,butasusual,hedidn’t.

MaybeIshouldlethimsleep.

Butshecouldn’t,notuntiltheglutofanxietyinher

bellyunfurled.Itwasofherownmaking,ofcourse.She’dgottenherselfindignantandself-righteousoveramisconception,andnowheprobablythoughtshewasadingbat,thoughshewasn’t.Shedidn’twanthimtothinkthat,soshehadtofixit.Shehadtokeeptalkingandmake

herwolftalk,too.“So,what’syourjobinthepack?”

“Theymostlyletmeworksolo.Surveillance,andstufflikethat.I’mgoodatit.”

“Notusedtoworkinginteams?”

“Neverreallyhadachancetoinmybirthpack.

Leftsoearly.”

Shecringed.She’dhearditwascommonforpackstoexpelmalewolveswhenthepopulationsweretooheavilydominant.Itwaslessofaprobleminherpack,becausetheywerecitydwellers,andtheirmenexertedtheircompulsionstoleadandrule

atwork,andnotjustathome.Theyprobablyfeltlessthreatenedbytheyoungmeninthepackandmoresecureintheirstature.Iftheyhadpeoplebowingdowntothematwork,theywerelessneedyforsubmissionfromthepack.“Howoldwereyou?”

“Nine.”

Sheboltedupright.“Nine?”

Heopenedhiseyesandbobbedhisshoulders.“Yeah.”

“Yourparentsletyougoatnine?”

“Wasn’treallyuptothem.ItwasAlpha’sdecision.”

“That’sbullshit.Littlekidsaren’tthreatening.Youcouldn’thaveevenhitpubertyyet.”

“Theylikedtogetridofboysbeforetheywerethreatening.”

“LikeIsaid,that’sbullshit.”

“Youdon’tthinkI’mthreatening?”

“I…”Sheletthewordstrailoff,andlookedathimasbestshecouldinthedark.Theruggedlyhandsomeface,withhislong,solidlybuiltbody.Shecaughtamentalflashofhiswolfstalkingher,backingherawayfromsome

chasm—warningheroffwithbaredfangsandaforbiddinggrowl.

Hadthathappened?

Shecouldn’trememberathingaboutherrunasawolf,butthefamiliarityofhisfaceandformsettledintoher.Thepiecescametogetherbitbybitthelongershestaredathis

unreadableexpression.

He’dfollowedherthewholetime,buthadgivenherspacetorunandexplore.Sometimes,he’drunaheadtoredirecther.Morethanonce,he’dletherjumponhimandnipannoyinglyathisfurbecauseshedidn’twanttobestalked,andhe’djusttakeit

untilshegotboredandskitteredontothenextthing.

Hewaslikehiswolf.Calm,butpowerful.Watchful.

Thosedarkeyeshadseensomuch,andshe’dseenthemcountlesstimesbefore.Herdreamshadbeenhauntedbythem.They’dbelongedtothe

silentwolfwhojustwatched…whowaitedtoberejected,justlikeher.

HowcouldIrejecthim?

“I’mnotafraidofyou,”shesaid.“Youdidn’tbiteback.Youdidn’tfightmeoffwhenIwasawolf.”

“Yourememberthat?”

“Idonow.Anyotherwolfwouldhaveknockedmeawayandbeenfrustratedwithme.”

Hisenergyclungtoherabitmoreexperimentally,itseemed,andshewantedtoholdontoit.Itsaideverythinghiswordsdidn’t.Itsaidhewastrying,andthat

meantsomuch,becauseitwaseasierforwolvestoclingtothestatusquo.

“I’mnotthatkindofwolf,”hesaid.

Shewasstartingtoseethat.

CHAPTERFIVE

Dariushadbeeneightthelasttimeheletawomanpickouthisclothes,andhadnoparticulardesiretoreverttothatstageofdependence,butStephanieinsisted.Withit

beingzero-dark-thirtyinthemorning,hedidn’thavethefightinhimtoargue.Besidesthat,lettingherdresshimseemedtobeaneasywaytopleaseher,andheneededalltheeasyhecouldget,becausethehardshitkeptknockinghimonhisstupidass.Hestillwasn’tcertainhe’dmade

adequateamendsforoffendingheryet.

Shepawedthroughthecontentsofhiscloset,heldupthisshirttohischestandthenthatshirt,mutteringallthewhileaboutthelackofoptionsavailable.

Hedidn’tneedmanyoptions.Hespentmostofhis

timecoatedinasheenofdesertdust,andoccasionally,someoneelse’sblood.Fancyclotheswouldhavebeenawaste.

Stillwearingatoweltuckedaroundherdelectablebody,andwithherwethairdrippingoverhershoulders,shenotchedherfistsontoher

hipsandpoutedathim.

Oh,hell.What’dIfuckupthistime?Hegulped.“What?”

“Idon’timaginethere’llbeanystoresopenatthistimeofmorning?”

“Nope.Thankthegods.”Shoppingwasakindofor

elseventureforhim.Hediditonlywhenhehadnochoice,andasquicklyaspossible.

Shesquintedathim.

He’dprobablysaidthewrongthingagain.Hewasbetteroffjustsayingnothing,butshedidn’tseemtolikeitwhenhewasquiet,either.

“Canyoupullsomestringsandgetashopkeepertorolloutofhisbed?”

“Me?”Hepointedtohimselfforemphasis,justincasesomethingwasbeinglostintranslation.

“Yes,you.Canyou?”

Hellno.“Why?”

“BecauseI’dlikemymatetobeinasuitonhisweddingday,oratleastashirtthatdoesn’thavesuspiciousstainsonit.”Sheheldoutafrayedbutton-upthathadsomemotoroilsplatterononeofthesleeves.

“Idoubtanyoftheotherguysaregoingtobedressed

up.”

“I’mmarryingyou,notthem.TheycanwearwhatevertheywantandI’llpaynoattention.”

“Asuit,though?Onawolf?”Hecouldn’ttampdownthelaugh,andheknewtheguysinthepackweregoingtogivehimeverso

muchshitaboutit.Theclosestthinganyofthemhadtoasuitwasmatchingleathervestsandpants.Theideaofgettingdressedupandhavingsomanypeoplestaringathimasifhewereararezooanimalunsettledhisstomach.

“Ifit’stoomuchtoask,I’llfigureoutsomething

else.”

“No,I’ll…I’lltakecareofit.”Hedidn’twanttodisappointher.Shit.Herakedhishandthroughhisshorthairandforcedoutabreath.Aconversationfirstthinginthemorning,andhehadn’tevenhadapotofcoffeeyet.Thescenariowasdefinitelya

firstforhim.

HestrodetothekitchenandfoundtheNorsetoncommunitydirectorybeneathapileofflattenedbeercases.Hetosseditontothecounterandflippedthroughtheretailerlistings,thencross-referencedthemerchantnamewithhispersonalnumber.

Finally,hegrabbedthecordlessphonefromthewallandpulledinalonginhalation.Shit.

Hehatedmakingphonecalls.Theyseemedevenworsethanspeakingface-to-facewithsomeone.Inperson,atleasthecouldresorttousingcrudesignlanguageto

gethispointacrossifnecessary.Onthephone,allhecoulddowassighconstantlyandpunctuateeverysentencefragmentwithUm.

Asthephonerangontheotherend,hepinchedthebridgeofhisnose,tappedhisrightfootrapidlyagainstthe

tilefloor,andhopedthatthemandidn’tanswer.Atleastthenhecouldsaythathetried.

“Hello?There’dbetterbeafire,”TimGimbelsaidwhenheanswered.

“Uh,no—”Shit.Hangupandlie.

DariusshiftedhisweightandfoundStephanieathiselbow,waitingwithhopefulnesswrittenalloverherexquisiteface.

Herfaithinhimseemedmisplaced.

Fuck.She’snotaskingformuch.Justdoit.Anyoneelsecoulddoit.

“S-sorrytocallsoearly.Iwouldn’thave,butmymateis,uh,andI—I’msorry.ThisisDariusLucas,oneofthepackmembers.”

“Huh?”

Shit.Dariuspinchedhisnoseagainandwilledtheknotsinhisbrainthatsqueezedofftheroute

betweenintelligenceandspeechtounravel.Heknewwhatheneededtotelltheman,generallyspeaking,butnotnecessarilytheorderthatthewordsneededtocomeoutin,orevenwhichwordstochoose.Therewasareasonhedidn’tdonegotiationsforthepack.

“Givemethephone,”Stephaniewhispered,andextendedherhand.Reluctantly,heplacedthephoneintoit.

Damn.Wonderfulperformance,Einstein.Ifhewerelucky,shewouldn’tbeaccessorizinghisnewsuitwithaduncecap.

“Hello.Goodmorning,sir.Sorryit’ssorudelyearly,butwehopedyou’dtakepityonusandopenyourshopupforafewminutes.We’regettingmarriedinanhour,andDariusdoesn’townanyclothingfittobephotographed.”

Thankstohissuperior

wolfhearing,DariuscoulddeciphereveryoneofTim’swords,evenwiththephonepressedtoStephanie’sear.“Dearlord.I’dhopedtoonedaysellhimsomethingmorethansocks,”Timsaid.

Dariussighed.Theguyhadtriedtocornerhimwithameasuringtapemorethan

once,insistingDariusworehisjeansfartooloose,butDariusneededthemloose.Hewouldn’tbeabletohideallhisweaponsifheworethemastightasthetrendseemedtocallfor.

“Ijustneedatwo-piecesuit,and”—shelethergazetrackdownhisbody—“I

don’timagineyou’dhaveanyOxfordsinhissize?He’sgottobeatwelve.”

Twelve-and-a-half.Nowshewantedhimtobreakinnewshoesatfuckingdawn,too?Noway.“Stephanie—”

“Imight,”Timsaid.“I’mpullingonsomepantsandheadingdownstairsnow.I

liverightovertheshop.”

“Yay!Thankyousomuch.We’llbethereintenminutes.Ipromise,I’llcomebackintheafternoonandmakeyourbrokensleepworthyourwhile.Imovedherewithjustfoursuitcases.Canyouimagine?”

“Honey,Idon’tevenwant

to.Comeondown.Mycashregisterawaits.”

Stephaniehungupandbeamedathimwhileadjustingthetopofhertowel.“You’regettingasuit,wolf.”

“Great.”Hegroanedattheslipofoneofherbreastsoverthetopofthetowel.Instinctively,hereachedfor

it,onlytostophishandatthelastsecond.

Shewasapparentlyoblivioustohisdistress,seeingashowsheturnedonherheelandhauledasstothebedroom.“Brushyourhair.We’releavingintwominutes.”

Hehadbrushedhishair,

sohejustfloppedontothesofaandpulledonhisboots.Shecameoutafewminuteslaterwearingbrightredlipsandalacy,cream-coloredmini-dressthatbarelycontainedherdelectableassets.

Shesighed.“Don’tlikeit?”

“Huh?”Hetriedtodiscreetlyadjusthimself.Helikeditalot.

Themeninthepackweregoingtostare,andhemighthavetokillthemalittle.

“Ididn’ttryitonbeforeIpackedit.ItwasoneofthefewthingsIdidn’tgiveawayorsellbeforeImoved.I

figuredI’duseitfortheceremony.Iwouldn’tbeabletokeepastraightfacewearingalongwhitegown.”

“No,it’sokay.”Hewantedtobendheroverandhitchituptoherwaist,justsohecouldlookatitfromanotherangle.Ifhisdickendedupinhersometime

duringthatinspection,sobeit.Noonecouldblamehim.

“Justokay?Ugh.”Sheshrugged.“It’llhavetodo.Idon’timagineI’llgetmuchopportunitytowearitouthere.”Shegrabbedalittlehandbagandtotteredoverinsky-highheelsasredasherlips.“Ready?”

“Sure.”Hecringed,realizingamomenttoolatewhathe’dsaid.Heimaginedmostwomenlikedtothinktheylookedalittlebetterthanokay.Hefeltaroundinhisbrainforsomebetterwords,butshewasalreadyoutthedoor,tossingherstill-damphairoverhershoulderasshe

went.

Hepausedinthedoorwaylongenoughtobanghisheadagainsttheframeafewtimes.

Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.Hecouldn’tevenpretendtobecivilizedlongenoughtogetpasttheirhoneymoonperiod.Shewasgoingtobeoneofthosemateswhonevercame

homebecauseherhusbandwassuchaloser,andhewasn’tthekindofwolfwho’dgooutanddragherhome.Hemayhavesoundedunintelligent,buthewassmartenoughtokeephisprideincheck.Hubriswasforflawlesswolves,andhe’dneverbethat.

___

DariusleanedagainsttheNorsetonTownSquare’sgazeboandfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.HewatchedMrs.Carbonefiddlewithhercamera,tryingtogetthesettingsright,andsomehowmanagedtoblockoutColt’sheckling.He’dstartedthe

momentDariushadsteppedintotheexecutivemansion’satriumbeforetheircivilceremonies.

“Areyoulettingawomandressyounow?Can’tpickoutyourownclothes?Youmightawellconsiderthatnecktieyournoose,man.”

Stephaniehadglaredat

Darius,asifexpectinghimtolashoutatColt,butDariuswasusedtothetaunting.ItwaseasiertostayawayfromColtthantotrytochangetheman’sways,sothatwaswhatDariusdid.Thattacticdidn’tmaketheiroccasionalinteractionsanymoretolerable,however.

AndDariuswastheonlyoneinasuit.TheotherPackmembers—excludingBeastandhismate,whoforsomereason,weremissing—hadworntheirusualclothes.Well,theladieshaddressedupalittle,buttheguyshadontheirtypicaldenimandleather.Itwasmoreorless

clean,probably.Mrs.Carbonemighthavehadafitifitwasn’t.

Mrs.CarbonepushedDariusandStephanieintopositionnearthegazeboopeningandshooedeveryoneelseaway.Stephaniereachedupandpatteddownhishair,hertongueappearingatthe

cornerofherredlipsasshemanipulatedit.Sointense,herinspectionofhim.Nooneeverlookedathimlikethat—touchedhimlikethat.Itwasanoddfeeling,havingawomanbecompletelyhis.Hebothlikeditanddreadedthedayitwouldstop,whichhesuspectedwouldbesooner,

ratherthanlater.He’dseenasimilarthingwithhisparents.Hismotherhadgrowndisenchantedwithhisfather,buthewouldn’tletherleave,soshe’dholedherselfupintothebedroomandonlycameoutwhenheleft.Dariuscouldn’thelpbutthinkthatwouldbehisfateaswell.

Enjoyitwhileyoucan.

Sighing,hedrapedhisforearmsoverhershouldersandletherfondlehimasshesawfit.

“Yougothimtoputonasuit,butyoucouldn’tgethimtobrushhishairproperly?”Mrs.Carbonecalledout.

“Idid,”Dariussaid,probablytoolowforanyonebutStephanietohear.

“Heprobablythinkshedid.”Stephaniesettledbackintoplacebesidehim,slingingherarmaroundhiswaistandcockingherheadcoquettishlyforthecamera.

Oh.Pose,stupid.

“Trylookinglikeyoucare,Loner!”Coltcalledout.

“Idon’tknowwhyyoudon’tkickhisass,”Stephaniesaidthroughherphoto-readygrin.“Andifyoudon’twanttosmile,don’tsmile.”

“Ilookdumb.”

Shelookedupathim.

“What,smiling?”

Henodded.

“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”

“Iownamirror.”

“Obviously,youdon’tknowhowtointerprettheimagesitshowsyou,then.”Shesighed.“Notimetotalk

youintoitnow.Howaboutasmirk?”

Hepushedhislipsintosomethinghehopedlookedlikewhatshewanted.

Stephaniegotinfrontofhim,pressedthatlush,softbodyofhersagainsthis,andusedherthumbstomovehislipswhereshewantedthem.

“Don’tworryifitfeelsdumb.Youlookamazing.Holdthatpose.”Shesettlednexttohimagainandangledherbodytowardhis.

Ilookamazing?Noonehadevertoldhimthatbefore.Afewwomenhadmadeprettyclosestatementsabouthisdick,butnotabouthimin

general.

Mrs.Carbonefinallytookthedamnedpicture.“Atleastwehaveonecouplethatlooksdecentenoughtoputtheirpictureinaframe.Backinmyday,folksdressedupfortheirmates.”

“Iwantado-over,”oneoftheladiessaid.“CanItake

himhome,redresshim,andbringhimback?”

Mrs.Carbonegroaned.“Youcouldtry,butgoodluck.Remember,theyhavetobebackatworktomorrowmorning,souseyourhourswisely.”

Stephanieploppedherfistsontoherhipsandcast

hergazetowardNorseton’sMainStreet,thenatDarius.Shepushedupaneyebrow.“CanItrustyoutohangthoseclothes?”

“YoumeanIhavetokeepthem?”

“Ofcourseyoudo.”Shesmoothedhislapelsandskimmedherhandsaround

hisjacket’swaist,lettingthemlingeratthebaseofhisback.Pressedagainsthimthatway,hercleavagestrainedtemptinglyatthetopofherdress,andhewantedtobendtolickit.Heneededtoactlesslikeananimal,notmore,however,soheresisted.“Youlooksogood.Youshould

wearsuitsmoreoften.You’rebuiltforthem.”

Coltwalkedpastthem,makingawhip-crackingsound,andhismatefollowedbehind,vibratingwithafrustratedgrowl.

Stephaniewatchedthemleave,andturnedbacktoDarius.“Istheresomebeef

betweenyoutwo?”

Hefeltstupidstandingtherewithhisarmsathissidewhenshewasholdinghim,soheputonehandonhershoulder,thentheother.Thatdidn’tfeeltooawkward.Fuckingherwaseasy.Heknewwheretoputhishandsandbodywhenhewashaving

sex,buthehadn’thadpracticewithcasualtouch.Apparently,Stephanieexpectedsome.Hedidn’twanttodisappointher,especiallyafterseeinghowhe’dalreadymanagedtooffendheroncewithouttrying.Orwasittwice?

“No,”hesaidaftera

moment.“Coltantagonizeseveryone,exceptAlpha.”

“Noone’striedtohandhimhisassyet?”

“Notworthit.”

Hernarrowedeyesandtheaggressivejutofherchinsaidthatshedidn’tagree.Itwaskindofcute,her

indignation.Noonehadeverbeenoffendedonhisbehalfbefore—notevenhisownmother.

“I’veknowntheseguysforalongtime.Iknowhowtodealwiththem.”

Sheletgoofhiswaistandyankedherdressupbythebodice.

Thankthegods.Giventoomuchmoretemptation,hemighthavehadhismouthonherrightthereinTownSquare.Notlikehehadn’tdonesimilarthingsinpublicbefore,butnoneofthosewomenhadbeenkeepers,andthey’dbeenjustaseagertoshowhiswarestotheworld.

Intercourseinpublicwasasortofapackriteofpassage.They’dalldoneit,exceptforAlpha.Alphakepthisbusinessbehindcloseddoors.Lately,Dariustriedtofollowhisexampleasmuchashecould.

“You’restaringatmychest,”Stephaniesaid.

Heforcedhiseyesclosed.Easierthanmakingeyecontactandseeingthejudgmentonherface.“I’msorry.”

“Iactuallydobelieveyouare,butcanIaskwhyyou’relooking?”

“Thatshouldbeobvious.”

“Assumptionsaregoingtogetusintotrouble,aswe’vealreadylearned,sowhydon’tyoujusttellmewhatyou’rethinking.”

“Seriously?”Heopenedhiseyesonlytoforcehiseyebrowsup.

Shenodded.

“Idon’tknowwhattosay.”Heneverknewwhattosay.

“Startwithafewwords,andthengivemeafewmore.”

“Uh.”Herakedahandthroughhishair,thengaveitatug.Hewasgoingtogetinsomuchtroublewithhis

mate.“Iwashopingthey’dpopout.”

“Why?”

“SoI’dhaveanexcusetotouchthemasIputthemaway.”

“Youcouldjustask.”

“Forwhat?”

“Totouchme.”

“Here?”

Sheletoutarestrainedlaugh.“No.Ingeneral.”

Shehasgottobekiddingme.

“Okay.”Shepushedbacksomelocksofherbrighthairandstraightenedhislapelsagain.“Gohangupyoursuit.

I’llcatchuptoyouforbreakfast.”

Thishastobeatrap.He’dwalkaway,andshe’dbepissedlaterfornotresistingmore.

Shegotbehindhimandgavehisassapushinthegeneraldirectionofthewolfhousing.“Go.Ineedtodo

someshopping.It’sjustgoingtoboreyou.”

“You’llneedarideback.”Hewasgraspingatstraws,anditwasstupid.Ifsheweregoingtorun,sheprobablywouldhavedoneitbeforehavingthechancetosay,“Ido.”

“Leavemethegolfcart,if

youdon’tmindwalking.”

“Idon’tmind.”Still,hedidn’tmove.

“Waitingtowatchmewalkaway?”

“No.Just…makingsureyoudon’tneedanything.”AmIsupposedtokisshergoodbye,oristhatsomething

onlypeopleontelevisiondo?Hewouldn’tmindkissinghersomuch.Coltwouldprobablyhaveoh-so-muchshittosayifDariusendedupwithlipsticksmearedalloverhisface,butDariusdidn’tcare.Hewasn’tmarriedtoColtand,fortunately,didn’thavetolivewithhim.Living

ontheroadwiththeguyforclosetotwodecadeshadbeentortureenough.“ShouldIkissyou?”

SheletouttheprettiestlittlelaughDariushadeverheardandtossedherhairoverhershoulder.Herhairsmelledlikehisshampoo.Hethoughtshemusthavehated

that,butitmadehisinnerwolfhowlwithtriumph.Sheworehisessencemingledwiththeresidualscentofhisshampoo.Itwouldhavebeenobvioustoanyoneinthepackwithanosewhomshebelongedto.“Onlyifyouwantto.”

Hebentdowntodoit,and

shegrippedhisface,holdinghimbackabit.Shegavehimthebarestskimofherlipsacrosshis,andgiggled.

Whatthefuck?

“Runalongnow.Maybenexttimeyou’llkissmelikeyoumeanit.”

Confused,hestarted

towardPackhousing.

Hemighthaveputhismarkonherandaringonherfinger,butevencombined,hewasn’tsosurethey’dbeenoughtopinStephaniedown.Shewasbeautiful,smart,andsocial,andhe’d…well,he’dbeenraisedbywolves,upuntilhewasnine.

Hewasn’tlikeotherwolves.Coltwasrightincallinghim“Loner”becausethatwashowDariuswaswired.But,lonewolvesgenerallydidn’ttakemates,especiallynotprizeslikeStephanie.Hecouldonlyhopethatwhenshefiguredthatout,shewouldn’taskto

beletoutofthearrangement.

Sheprobablywould,though.

Stephaniedeservedbetterthanhim.

CHAPTERSIX

AfewthingswerebecomingpainfullycleartoStephanie.One,thatshewasmatedto,andnowmarriedto,anantisocialwerewolf.Second,thatwolfhadthe

socialawarenessofapreteenboy.Third—consideringhiscock’sinsistentpokeagainstherbackduringthePack’spost-weddinggroupphotos—hedidn’tseemtohaveanyrevulsiontoherbody.Shecouldhaveminimizedhisresponsebytellingherselfhewasjustalustywolf,and

lustywolveswerealwaysprimedandready,butshe’dwatchedhowhisgazetracked.Whenhewasn’tlookingshylyinherdirection,hewasstaringathisfidgetinghandsorfixinghisattentiononwhoeverwasspeakingatthemoment.Itwaspainfullyobvioushehadnoideawhat

todowithher.ThatsuitedStephaniejustfine,becausesheknewexactlywhattodowithhim.

Sheparkedthegolfcartonthepathwindingaroundthebackofhernewhomeandgrabbedthegrocerybagsoutofthestorageareafirst.ShefoundDariusstandingatthe

kitchencounter,tappingawayonalaptop.Heclosedthelid,hurriedtoher,andtookthebags.

“Youdidn’twasteanytimegettingoutofthatsuit,huh?”

“You’vebeengonethreehours.”

Wasthatawhineinhisvoice?Shetuckedherhairbehindherearsandkickedoffherhighheels,studyinghim.Hisexpressiongavenothingaway,buthisenergyshrankbackfromher.Hedidn’twanthertoknowhowhefelt.Thatwasobvious.Itwasbecomingincreasingly

evidenttoherthatthemoodreadingdidn’tworkinbothdirections.Ifitdid,hewouldhaveknownhowopenshewastohim.Hemayhavebeenabletosmellheradrenalinewhenitspikedorherpheromoneswhenshewasprimedandready,buthedidn’tseemtofeelthe

changesinherenergy.

Odd.

Wolvestendedtohavedifferentstrengths—nothingwasuniversal—butshefounditunusualthatupongettingherbite,she’ddevelopedagiftthatnoonesheknewpersonallyhad.

Wherediditcomefrom?

AlphaorMrs.Carboneseemedtobethemostlogicalpeopletoask,andshefiledthequestionawayonhermentalto-dolist.“I,uh,pokedmyheadintoafewshopsandbusinessestosayhellotopeople.”

Hefurrowedhisbrow.

“Sayinghellotakesthreehours?”

“Well,Imighthaveboughtsomethings.”Grinning,shecantedherheadtowardthegrocerybags.“Ifyouhaven’teaten,therearepastries.”Sheheadedbacktothedoor,andhefollowed.

“Iatewithoutyou.

Couldn’twait.”

“Sorryaboutthat.I’mnotusuallysoinsensitive.”

Thetruthwas,she’dtakensolongbecausesheaskedeverypersonsheencounteredwhatheorsheknewofDarius,andthepackingeneral.There’dbeensolittleinformationtogleanabout

thembeforeshe’dmadethetrip,soshefiguredsheshouldmakeupforitontheground.Plus,shewantedtotakeafewminutestochat,unsupervised,withtheothermates.Therewasonewhohadn’tshownupforaceremony—Christina—who’dbeenpairedupwitha

wolfevenmoremysteriousthanDarius.Somysterious,infact,thatStephaniehadyettoseehim.

Fullornot,Dariusopenedtheplasticclamshellonthepastryboxandpluckedoutaparticularlysucculentoneinthemiddle.

“Juststayput,”shesaid.

“I’llgettherestofthestuff.”

HedroppedtheDanish.“There’smore?I’llhelp.”

“No.Iwasn’tdroppingunsubtlehints.IfIwantedhelp,Iwouldaskforit.Whybeataroundthebushwithamanlikeyou,right?”

“A—amanlikeme?”It

wasasifallofthebloodhaddrainedfromhisface.Helookedatherwithapaleglowerthatmighthavebeenfrighteningunderanyothercircumstances,butbestshecouldtell,Dariusdidn’thavemuchofatemper.Hewouldn’tgrowlorsnapatherlikesomewolves.Hewas

morelikeapatheticstraypupwhocarriedhisfoodbowltothecornertoeatalonebecausehedidn’twanttofightanyoneforhisfairshare.

Poorbaby.

Shehadnointentionsofmakinghimfightforher.Shelikedhercuriouswolf,and

wasn’tgoingtomakehimworkforwhathealreadyhad.Shedidneedtogivehimalittlepush,though.Shewantedhimtohavetherespecthedeservedandnotgetteasedorcriticizedbysomedipshitwolfwhohadnothingbettertodothantaunt.Dipshit’smatecould

dealwithhim—andfromwhatStephaniecouldtell,itwasalreadyatthetopofheragenda—justlikeStephaniewasgoingtodealwithDarius.Awolf’smatewassupposedtomakehimbetter.Thatdidn’tmeanchanginghim;rather,bringingoutthebestofwhathealreadyhad

andcompensatingforhisweaknesses.Theyallhadweaknesses.Beingahalf-breed,andamostlyuselessprofessionalartist,shesureasshithadhers.

Shecarriedinbagsofclothes—gigglingatDarius’scontinuingpallor—apharmacybagloadeddown

withhairpreparationsandassortedothertoiletries,andafewoddsandendsfromthesmallofficesupplystore.Theirartsupplyselectionhadbeensmall,butshe’dmanagedtopickupacoupleofgoodpads,andputinanorderforcanvas.She’dneedtofindsomeplacetoputan

easel…

“Darius,”shecalledfromthebedroom,“what’sinyourgarage?”

HeleanedagainstthedoorframeandbrushedpastrycrumbsfromhisT-shirt.Theshirtwasprintedwithanadvertisementforsomecraftfestivalthathadtakenplace

longenoughagothatChristinahadstillbeenachild.

“Don’tanswerthat,”shesaid.“Isthatyourshirt?”

Helookeddownatit.“Yeah.Why?”

“Howoldareyou?YouwouldhavethoughtIwould

havetakenapeekatthemarriagelicenseapplication.”She’dbeentoodamndistractedbythewayhermatelookedinawell-cutsuit.Thefactshehadn’tjumpedhisbonesinthedressingroomwasatestamenttoheranal-retentiveneedtobe

absolutelypunctualallthetime.

Itwasagrownman-sizedshirt,forcertain.Soifhe’dhaditthatlong,hehadtobefarenoughovereighteenthatshecoulddispelheranxietyaboutrobbingthecradle.

“Thirty.I’mtheyoungestinthepack.Orwas,rather,

untilyouladiescame.”

“Thankthegoddess,you’renotapup.”

Hegrinnedbashfullyandshookhishead.“Notapup.”

“Whydoyouhaveafestivalshirt?”

“Westoppedthereoneyearwhenwehadsome

downtime.Mrs.Carbonewantedtogo.Theguyshatedit.”

“Whatdidyouthink?”Ifhehadmorethanapassinginterestinart,thentheycouldcertainlyfindsomecommongroundforconversation.Alltheyneededwasonelittlespark,andshe’drunwithit.

Shejusthadtoshowhimshewaseasytotalkto.

Heshrugged.“Ithoughtitwasinteresting.Forwhateverreason,alittleoldladythoughtIneededtobetalkedto,andshe,uh—”Dariusfurrowedhisbrowandpressedhislipstogether.

“Tellme.”

“Shewassayingthatshedidn’thaveanytraining.Shestartedpaintingthesetinylittlepaintings,thisbig.”Hespayedhisfingersandmadeanimaginarysquarearoundhishand,thenstareddownathisfeet.Thetipsofhisearsturnedred,andherheartbrokealittle.Hewasso

damnedshy.“Shestarteddoingthemafterherhusbanddied.Shesaidthatpaintingwaseasierthanfindingwords.Ialwayswonderedifshewasright.”

Shedidn’thavetolookathimtoknowheheldhisbreathwaitingforherreaction—herjudgment.She

couldfeeltheutterstillnessofhisaura.Thepartofhimthatwaswolfwasn’tgoodatanticipatingreactions.Foramanlikehim,everythinglikelyseemedtobeathreat.

Letitgo,baby.

“Ithinkshemightbe,insomeways,”Stephaniesaidsoftly.“Youshouldgiveita

try.”

Helethisbreathoutslowlyandthatdreamygazeofhissettledonhishands.“MaybeIwill.”

Shewantedtoputherarmsaroundhisneckandjusthughimuntilhewassureshewassafe,butifshedidthat,shemightnotwanttoletgo

ofhim.“So,what’sinthegarage?”

“Uh,justagunsafe.”

“Doyouplanonparkingacarinthereatsomepoint?”

“Notsoon.Why?Doyouhaveonethatneedstransporting?”

“No,Isoldmycar.I

figuredifIneededonehere,I’dgetsomethingbettersuitedtotheterrain.”

“Ihadn’tboughtanythingbecauseeverythingIlookedatwastootalltofit.”

“Agasguzzler.”

“It’spracticalfortheworkIdo,unfortunately.”

“Mostmenfrommyoldpackwhodrovebigvehicleswerecompensatingforsomething.”Shewinkedsohercluelesswolfwouldknowshewasteasing,andheactuallysmiled.Itwasabitcrookedandsheepish,andhemusthavefeltsilly,becauseheclearedhisthroatand

lookedaway.

Damn.

Sheknelttofoldhernewpajamasintoadresserdrawer.Shewasn’tmuchofapajamawearer,generally,butMrs.CarbonesaidsometimessheorAlphapoppedoverwithinformationorsupplies.Stephaniefiguredsheshould

attheveryleasthavesomethingeasytothrowon.“Youcouldalwaysparkinthedriveway.”

“That’stheplan.Whytheinterestinthegarage?”

“Needsomewheretoputaneasel.”

“Oh.”Heturnedbackto

her,showingherthatsomecolorhadfinallylefthisearsandreturnedtohisface.“Youcouldusethesecondbedroom.Lightingwouldprobablybebetter.”

Shecluckedhertongueandreachedfortherestoftheclothesinthebag.Itwasmostlyjeans.Shepreferred

dresseswithfunprints,andhadbroughtplenty,butshefiguredsheshouldbepreparedforanycontingency.“Idon’twanttogetattachedtothesecondbedroom.OnceIsetupaworkspace,movingtoanotherwouldbedisruptivetomycreativeflow.”

“Whywouldyouhavetomove?”

“Iknowhowitgoes,Darius.”Shebumpedthedrawerclosedandflattenedtheshoppingbag.“Wolveshookup,andwithinayear,theyhaveanewbornortwo.Ithinkthat’swhysomanywolfmenareyouragewhen

theystartlookingformates.Theyknewthatthemomenttheycommit,they’retrapped.”

“I’mnottrapped.”

“Aren’tyou?You’restuckwithme.Matedwolvesdon’tdodivorce,or,”shemadequotemarksintheair,“consciousuncoupling.I’ve

gotyourmark,andI’vealreadyclaimedyourhomeasmyden.”Shehadalotofworktodointhatden,too.IfDariuswasgoingtocoophimselfupintoit,itneededtobecozy.

“Whyareyoualreadythinkingofdivorce?”Hefurrowedhisbrow.“Tellme

whatIdidwrong.Imean,alot,I’msure,but—”

Shetossedawadded-uppairofsocksathim,andhesnatchedthemfromtheairbeforetheycouldbounceoffhishead.“Simmerdown,baby.Noreasontogetagitated.I’mmerelytalkingaboutaddingkidstothe

equation.Sometimes,thingsarepeachykeenuntilalittlescreamercomesalong,andthenyourealizeyou’relivingwithapartneryoubarelyhadtimetogettoknow,andyoudon’tknowhowtonegotiateyourinterestsandhobbiesaroundthenewfamilyconfiguration.”

“Kids?”heasked.

“Yeah.”Sheheldhisgazeandkeptverystilltosoothehisnervousinnerwolf.

I’mnotgoinganywhere.

“Oh.”Heletoutabreathandrubbedhiseyes.“Wow.Okay.ButI—Idon’treallyhavehobbies,besides

shootingthings”

“Idon’tbelievethat.”

Heshrugged.“Idon’t.Iwork.IwatchtelevisionuntilIfallasleep.That’saboutit.”

“Ithinkyoutrytomakeyourselfouttosoundfarlessinterestingthanyouactuallyare.”Hispoweralonemade

himfascinating,butthefacthekeptherguessingmadehimabso-fucking-lutelyintriguing.“WhatwereyoudoingonyourcomputerwhenIcamein?”

Heshookhisheadandpushedawayfromthedoorframe.“It’ssilly.”

“Silly,meaningwhat?”

Sillywasawordkidsusedwhentheywereashamedofaparticularthing.Inherexperience,adultsusedthatwordwhentheythoughtotherpeoplewouldfindtheirinterestfrivolous.Heobviouslythoughtshewould.

“Sillymeaning…uh…”Dariusshiftedhisweightand

furrowedhisbrowagain.“Idunno.It’snotabigdeal.”

“Ithastobe,becauseifyouwerejustcheckingyouremail,youwouldhavesaidthat.”

“It’saclass,okay?I…”HefiddledwiththehemofhisT-shirtandseemedtobestaringthroughherinsteadof

ather.

Don’tclamuponmenow.Shewasgoingtokeeppushing,andatsomepoint,hewasgoingtoshutherout.Shedidn’twantthat,butgettingbitsandpiecesofinformationabouthimatatimewaskillingheralittle.Shewantedtoknowallabout

him.She’dalreadydecidedhewasworthloving,buthermotherwouldwantmoredetailthanthat.MomwouldinterrogateherandmakesurethatStephanie’swolfwasnothinglikeherfather.Asfarasshecouldtell,hecouldn’tbeclosertooppositeifhetried.

“Noneofusinthepack,besidesMrs.Carbone,graduatedfromhighschool.IhaveaGED.”

“That’sperfectlyrespectable.”

Hisdarkgazeseemedtofocusonher,finally,andhishandsstilled.“Doesn’talwaysseemlikeit.It’snot

thesameasthechallengeofsittinginaclassroomwithotherpeople.Ididn’thavemuchofthatasakid.”

“Iimagineyoudidn’t.”Shestoodandwalkedtohim.Takinghishand,sheguidedhimovertothebed.

“Idon’tneedyourpity,Stephanie.”Histonemay

havehadabitofsnaptoit,buthesatontheedgeofthebed,eversomeeklyforher.

“YouthinkI’mpityingyoubecauseIaskquestions?”

“That’susuallywhatquestionsleadto.Easiertojustnotsayanything.”

Shegroanedthrough

clenchedteeth.Hedidn’ttrusther.Whilefrustrating,itwasn’thisfault,anditwasn’tsomethingshecouldfixwiththesnapofherfingers.Shewastheonewho’dgottenthemoffonthewrongfootbymakingassumptionsabouthim.Ofcoursehefeltlikehewasdancingalongafineline.

“Ijustwanttoknowaboutyourclass.That’sall.”

“It’sapre—prerequisiteIneedforprettymuchanydegreeprogram.Basicwritingskillsandstuff.I’mnotdoingsogreat,though.”

“Imightbeabletohelp.”

“That’sokay,I—”

Shepressedherhandoverhismouth.“Don’tbeprideful.Icanhelp.You’retakingitonline?”

Afteralongstarethatwasprobablymeanttobeatleastalittlebitfrightening—itwasn’tbecauseshecouldn’tseeanythingbutthosesexy,bedroomeyesfromher

dreams—henoddedbehindherhand.

“Somestuffyoujustneedtobeinaclassroomfor.Youretaininformationfastersometimeswhensomeoneisteachingitin-personandcorrectingyouonthespot.”

Hewrappedhishandaroundherwristandlowered

herhandtohislap.“Theguysdon’tknowI’mdoingit.Theywon’tseethepoint.Don’tneeditforourjob.”

“Asifmyarthasapracticalpurpose.”Sometimes,therewasn’tapointtolearning,butthatdidn’tmeantheenrichmentdidn’ttrickledownand

improveotheraspectsofthelearner’slife.Arthadtaughtherthatthingssometimeslookeddifferentonsecondglance—thattheyweren’tnecessarilywhatsheassumed.She’dforgottenthatatfirstwhenitcametoDarius,butshewouldn’tforgetitagain.“Iwon’tsay

anything.Whatkindofprogramareyoulookingat?”

“I…”

“Sayit.It’sokay.IpromiseI’llonlypokealittlebitoffunatyou.”

Hiseyeswentcomicallywide.

Shelaughedjustalittle

andskimmedherfingertipsalonghisunshavenjaw.Strong,handsomewolf.

Hepressedhishandagainsthersandswallowed.Hisdarkgazewasfullofquestions,andshethoughtshehadtheanswertoatleastone.“Youcantouchme,”shewhispered.

Hisnodcameslowly.Hetightenedhisfingersaroundhersandclosedhiseyes.Hisenergymellowed.Touchseemedtohelphim,andshe’dhavetorememberthat.Shekissedthebackofhishand.

“Idon’tknowwhattostudyyet.Somethinguseful,

justincasethewholewolf-for-hirethingstopsworkingout.”

Maybetalkingwaseasierforhimwhenhewasn’tlooking.Shedidn’twanthimlookingaway,butforcingawolftoadapttosomethingbeforehewasreadyrarelyendedwell.Itwasn’therhe

wasadaptingto,butthecircumstance.Shewasdoingthesame.VerylittleaboutDariuswaspredictable,andthatwasagoodthing.Ifhewerepredictable,he’dbejustlikethewolvesbackinherfather’spack.

“There’snothingparticularlyusefulaboutmy

degree,”shesaid.

“Butyoumademoney?”

Sheshrugged.“Hereandthere.Moneywasnevermyfocus,butifthathastochange,Icouldalwaysgetateachingjob.”Sheleanedbackonherforearmsandcluckedhertongue.“Iprobablywouldn’tmindthat,

actually.Isthereaschoolhere?”

“Yeah.PrivateKthroughtwelve,thoughtuitioniswaivedforus.It’slikepublicschool,buttheyhadtohavesomeadmissionbarriersinplaceincasedevelopmentsspringupnearthisonethatwouldputkidsinthesame

publicschoolzone.FolksinNorsetonhaveeverythingtheyneedinthecommunity.”

Longsentences.Thisiseasyforhimtodiscuss.

“Goodtoknow.Theyprobablyhaveanartteacheralready,though.”

“Dunno.Wouldn’thurtto

ask.Theyhavethesamestaffingproblemsthecommunityonawholehas.Theydon’tlikehiringoutsiders.They’vegotthemoneytopaythesalaries,justnottheapplicants.”

“I’llputthatonmyto-dolist.”

“You’dreallybesatisfied

withtakingateachingjob?”

“Sure.Whywouldn’tIbe?”

“I—”Hesputteredhislipsandtwiddledhisthumbs.

Hypotheticals.Hedoesn’tdowellwiththose.Perhapshedoesn’thavetheexperience?

“IguessIjustwouldn’thavethoughtthatwithyouhavingsomemoney,youwouldn’twanttoworkwith…the…”

“Thewhat?Thehoipolloi?”Shenudgedhimwithherelbowandchuckled.“Commoners?Hey,moneyjustmakesfreedomeasierto

comeby,atleastthewayIspendit.Why’sthatsounusualforyou?”

Heshrugged,andthetipsofhisearsturnedredagain.“It’sjustnotwhatI’dexpect.”

“I’msuretherearealotofthingsaboutmeyou’llfindtobeunexpected.”

“Ithinkyou’reprobablyright.”

“So,you’llletmehelpyou?”

Andshedidn’tjustmeanwithhisassignments,butthatwasagoodenoughplacetostart.Shewantedtoinsinuateherselfintoeverypartofhislife,ifhe’dlether.She’d

dreamedofhavingamatewho’dtrustherenoughtoletherhelpwiththethingsthatmatteredmosttohim.Amatenotonlyinname,butinactions.

Sheskimmedafingertipdownhisarmandletherhandlingeroverhis.

“Ifyouthinkyou’llhave

time.”

“I’vegotnothingbuttime,foryou.”

Sheliftedhislargehandandsetitonhernakedknee.“But…wemightaswellbeproductive.”

Helookeddownatit,thenintohereyes.

Sheleanedbackontoherforearmsandbobbedhereyebrows.“We’reearly,butIdon’tthinkanyone’sgoingtocallusonit.”

“Earlyforwhat?”

“It’sourweddingday.Weddingdaysusuallyleadtoweddingnights,andsinceit’safullmoon,I’llbeotherwise

occupied.”

“Idon’thavetoshiftforthefullmoon.”

“Yeah,youtoldmethatlastnight.”Hishandremainedinthatsamespot,soshereacheddownandsliditupafewinches.Ifthatwasn’texplicitpermissionthatheshouldtouchher,

she’dhavetoresorttowords.Beforeshedid,though,shewantedtoseejusthowwellthewolfreadcues.Hedidn’tseemtobeverygoodatit,butthatwasokay.Maybehewasn’tsoobservantasaman,butthatwasjustfine,becauseshewasn’texactlyagoldstarwolf.AccordingtoMrs.

Carbone,it’dprobablybeweeksuntilStephanie’swolffullygotherbearings.

Hecurledhisfingersagainstherthighandstaredatthegapbetweenherlegs.

Shesighed.“Darius?”

“Yes?”

“Thatwasaninvitation

forforeplay.”

“Oh.”Hestoodandimmediatelystartedpeelingoffhisshirt.

Shegrabbedthehembeforehecouldmanage.“Areyougenerallynakedforforeplay?”

Hecringed.“Ican’tsay

I’vehadmuchofit.”

“Whatdoyoudowhenawomanisn’tready?”

Hefurrowedhisbrow.“That’sneverbeenaproblem.”

Lookingathim,shecouldimaginehowthatwouldbethecase,butshedidn’tjust

wantaquickfuck.Notthatshedoubtedhisenduranceatall,butsheimaginedheprobablyhadonespeedwhenitcametosex,anditwasofthehighlyaerobicsort.Shelikedforsextobeanexperiencealmostasoftenasshelikedittojustscratchanitch.Peoplelearnedalot

abouttheirloversinthebedroom,anduntilshecouldgetherwolftoloosenhistongue,she’dlethisbodydothetalking.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Dariushadneverbeenthekindofmanwhowaseasytohumiliate,buthewasveeringcloserandclosertothatplace

witheveryinteractionwithStephanie.Hefeltasthoughhecouldn’tdoanythingright—thatnothingabouthimwasrightforher.Hecouldbarelyholdadecentconversation,hewasundereducated,andobviouslynotasworldlyashe’dthought.

Hestoodthere,clutching

thebottomofhisshirtandwatchingherdrumherfingertipsatopthecomforter.

Sheistotallyoutofmyleague,andI’msupposedtomakeherhappysomehow?Itwasobviouswhogottheshortendofthestickintheirrelationship.

“Tellmesomething,”she

said.“Howdoyouusuallysignaltoawomanthatyouwanttohavesexwithher?”

“I…Idon’thaveto.”

“Theyjustthrowthemselvesatyou?”

Heshrugged.Thatprobablyhadmoretodowiththesortsofplacesthepack

loungedatwhentheywereontheroadthanwithDarius’sflirtationskills.Sometimes,peoplewenttoplaceslookingforspecificthings,andnobodyplayedcoyaboutit.But,thoseweren’twomenlookingforrelationships,andtheycertainlyweren’thiswife.

Hiswife.Hehadawifenow.Hestillcouldn’tquitedigestit.

“I’lltellyouwhatIdo,then.Sometimes,I’lldosomethingtodrawapotentiallover’sattentiontocertainbodyparts.Myhands…”Shedraggedthemlightlyupherribsandletthemrestonher

heart.“Mylips.”Shepushedherlipsintoapetulantpoutthathadhisnutstightening.“Mychest.”Shenudgeddownadressstrapandletherbodicesagenticinglyononeside,therebyexposingthepalelaceofherbraandinchesofcreamyskin.“Perhapsmythighs,when

I’mhavingagoodlegday.”Shecrossedherlegsovertheedgeofthebedandhitchedherhemupafewinchesintheprocess.“Onceaman’slookingatme,maybeI’llteasehim.”

“How?”Stupidquestion.Anyonewouldeyescouldseetheeffectsofherteasingon

him.

“DependsonwhatIwant.”Sheuncrossedherlegsandspreadherthighsevenfartherapartthantheyhadbeen.

Hisgazefixedontheshadowbetweenthem,andhisbrainprojectedwhathehopedtoseethere,thoughit

wasn’tactuallyvisible.

Hemovedforwardonlytostopatthesoundofherquietlaughter.“SeewhatImean?”

“I’mgettingthedrift.”

“Doyouwanttosee?”Shesmirkedandhookedanindexfingerunderherhem.

“Yes.”Therewasreally

nosuavewaytoconfessthat,sohedidn’tbotherdiggingaroundinhisheadforthewords.

“Thencometakealook.You’vegottopaytheadmissionfeefirst,though.”

“What’sthefee?”He’demptyhiswalletifitmadeherhappy,thoughhedidn’t

thinkshewantedhismoney.Shehadherown.

Sheshruggedandmadethatsemi-exposedbreastjiggle.

Gods.Heclosedhiseyesagainstthesightandgroundhisteeth.Hecouldprobablynutinhispantsjustfromwatchingthosetiny

movements.It’dbejustlikeagefourteenalloveragain,minusthebunking-with-other-young-male-wolvesthing.Backthen,hecouldcreaminhissleepjustfromdreamingofanubilebody.Hethoughthe’dmaturedpastthatbynow,though.

“Ithinkit’spretty

reasonable,”shesaid,andleanedbackontoherforearmsagain.“Onekiss.”

“Akiss?”

“Mm-hmm.Tooexpensiveforyou?”

“No,notatall.”Heunstuckhisheelsfromthefloorandmovedtothe

bedside.

Shetippedherheadbackandgrinnedathim.“Ididn’tsaywhatyouhadtokiss.”

“I—”Oh.“WhatdoIhavetokiss?”

“Iwon’tsay.Whenyouhittherightspot,I’llletyouknow.”

“Thatcouldtakeawhile.”

“I’vegotallafternoon.”

Andsodidhe,ifshewaswillingtoindulgehim.

Heclimbedontothebedbehindherandputhishandstentativelyunderherarms.Otherthantocockupaneyebrow,shedidn’trespond,

sohepulledhertothecenterofthebedandlaidheronherback.

Herubbedhishandstogetherasheexaminedherloungingformandconsideredthepossibilities.She’dgivenhimaninvitationtotouchher,andhewantedtotoucheveryinch,buthealsodidn’t

wanthertogetsoboredwithhisfumblingthatshesenthimawaybeforehe’dhadenough.Hewasskin-starved,andtherewasavoidinhimthatitseemedonlyshecouldfill.Hedidn’tknowifthatwasnormal,butmaybeshedidn’teither.Maybeshewouldn’tbeangryforhimbeingso

needy.

Herlipsweretheobviousplacetostart,butheneededalittletime.Henudgedthatprecariouslyleaningbreastoutofherbracup,bent,andpulledhernippleintohermouthbeforeshecouldreact.

Shegaspedandthrustherchestathim.“Th-that’snot

technicallyakiss.”

“Sorry.”Hepuckeredhislipsandpressedtheslightestkissagainstherbreast.“Notit?”

Sheshookherhead.

“Okay.”Hetriedthebendofherneckonbothsidesnext,lashinghistonguealong

thecurvesandswirlingthetipalongthehollowswhereherneckjoinedhershoulders.Hefixedhisgazeonher,triumphantatthesightofherpinninghersucculentbottomlipbetweenherteeth.“There?”

Sheshookherhead.

“Thenlet’stry—ah.”He

liftedherhandsandkissedthebacksofbothwristsandtheinsidesofeachelbow.

Shewriggledandletoutasexylittlesigh.

“Damn.Okay.Howabout…”Hetappedhischinashetookinherbodyinonelonggaze.Sofuckingbeautiful.Awolf’sdream

cometrue,rightthereinthemiddleofhisking-sizedbed.“Ah.Iknow.”Hebentandkissedwhereherthighstouched,rollinghisgazeuptoherashedrewinherarousedscent.Shewaswet,hecouldalreadytell,andhewasachinghard.Hejusthadtoseeher,though,andlick

herdrippingslittotastethehoneyshemadeforhim.“There?”

Shegaveherheadahardshake.

“No?Damn.Iguessmywolfinstinctsareoff.”

“TheyseemtobeworkingfinefromwhereI’mlying.

Howaboutonemoretry?”

“I’lltrytogetitright.”Heconsideredherbodyfromheadtotoes,andsnappedhisfingersinarevelatoryfashion.“Aha!”Bending,hepressedhislipstohers,andwithamoan,sheopenedhermouth.

He’dneverbeenmuchfor

kissing.Noonehadeverdemandeditofhim,anditseemedlikesuchapersonalthing.Butthiswashismate.Hiswife.Hecouldprobablyfigureouthowtomanageadecentkiss,andhewantedtoifitmadehersmileathimthewayshedid.

Hedippedhistongueinto

hermouthandexploredallthesoftparts—hertongue,lips,andtheinsidesofhercheeks—andtoyedattheedgesofherteeth,savoringthesharpstingwhenshebitdownabit.Andshekissedback,slidingherfingersintohishairandpullinghimdownevenmore.Shenibbledathis

lips,bitalonghisscruffyjaw,andtuggedathisearlobes.Shelashedhertongueintohisear,andhewassurprisedwhenherealizedthemoanheheardwashisown.

“Doyouwanttolook?”sheaskedbreathily.

“Yes.”

“Thengoahead.It’sreadyforyou.”

Shespreadherlegs,andhemovedinbetweenthem,reachinginsideherdresstosnatchherpantiesoff,buttherewerenonethere.

“Oh,gods.”Hepushedupherhemandgotonhisbellytosee,finally,whathehad

gottenandwhathewouldbegetting.“Sosexy,”hemurmured,slidinghisindexfingerdownherwetslit.She’dwaxedorshaved,orsomething—therewasjustonesmallpatchofduskyredhairrightoverherclit,anditseemedtobesaying,touchhere—lickhere.So,hedid.

Hepulledthelittlenubintohismouthandrolleditonhistongue.

“Yes.Likethat.Moreofthat.”

“I’mdoingokay?”

Shepushedhisfacebackagainsthersex.“Lick.Suck.”

“Right.”Hewasn’tdone

looking,though.Hehadtoseemore.Hepartedherandtookinherslickfoldsandtheinvitingwetnessbetweenherpuffylips.Heputhistonguerightthereforatasteandwiggledthetipinsideherforsomemannastraightfromthesource.Itwasthebestdesserthe’deverhad,andafeastfor

theeyesunlikeanyhe’deverseen.“Youmakemesofuckinghard,”hesaidbeforedivingbackin.Helovedthewaysheclenchedathistouch,howherpussyclampedaroundhisfingersandtriedtodrawhimin.

“Showme,”shesaid.“Showmehowhardyou

are.”

“But—”

Shehookedhertoesintohiswaistbandandpushedhispantsdownacoupleofinches.Notenough,buthegottheideaofwhatshewantedtosee.

“Iwasn’tdonelooking.”

“Lookmorelater.Iwanttoseeyounow.”

“Me?”

“Don’tsoundsosurprised,baby.That’showrelationshipsgo,usually.Peopleinthemtaketurns.”

“Havingneverbeeninonebeforenow,I’llhaveto

takeyourwordforit.”

Shesatupandperformedsomeunbelievablecontortionofherleftarmtotugthezipperatherspinedown.Sheundidherbra’sclaspwhileshewasbackthere,andfreedherheavybreastsfromtheirunfortunatebindings.

Wolfornot,hewantedto

pounceonherlikeafuckingcatandlickherhardnipplesandthescarfromhisbite.Hewantedtosuckpurplemarksontoherskinthere.Likeleavingagraffititag,hewantedtoshowwherehe’dbeen,butalsoenjoyhimselftothefullestwhilehewasstillthere.

“Showme!”shesaidforcefully,verballynudginghimfromhissemi-paralyzedstate.“LetmeseehowhardImakeyou,Darius.”

Gods.Heyankedoffhisshirtandshovedhispantsdowntohisknees.Hisachingcockjuttedstraightasanarrowinfrontofhim,and

seemedtobobfromherintenseinspection.

“Putthatinme,andkissmewhileyoufuckme,ifyoucanmanageit.”

“That’seasy.”Hekickedthepantstothefloor,andyankedherdresstherestofthewayoff.Kneelingbetweenherlegs,hepalmed

herbreastsandgroaned.“Fuck,woman.”

“Tellmewhatyou’rethinkingwhenyoulookatmelikethat.”

“That—thatyoulooklikesomethingoutofapin-upgirlbook.”

“YouthinkIlooklikea

pin-upgirl?”Thatflirtygrinofhersmadehisheartthrash.Ithintedthatperhapshe’dsaidsomethingright.“That’sahugecompliment.”

“Youdeserveit.”Hereluctantlyunhandedherandhitchedherlegsuptohiships.Helieatopher,hiscockpositionedatherentrance,

andlickedtheseamofherlipssoshe’dopenforhim.“Idon’tknowhowIgotsolucky.”

“Atfirst,IthoughtIrepulsedyou.Ithought—”

“No,no,no.Gods,no.”Heplungedintoherandroaredattheintensepleasure.Hewasreadytocomejust

fromthetriumphofbeinginsideher.Noonewasasluckyashim.

“Kissme,baby.”

“Showmehow.Likeyoudidbefore.”

“Gladly.”Shesetthepace,andhematcheditdownbelow.Hethrustslowlyat

first,toletherchanneladjusttohisshaft,andthenpickedupspeed.

Heateeveryoneofherlittlemoansanddideverythinghecouldtohelphermakemoreofthem.Sheseemedtolikewhenherockedhiships,sohedidmoreofthat.Shegrowled

whenhegrounddeepinsideher,soherepeatedthat,too.Andwhensherepeated“Darius!Darius!Darius!”hethrustfasterandfastertopushhertothatledgehesodesperatelyneededhertofalloversoon.

“Comeon.”Sheclampedherthighsharderagainsthim

andtippedbackherhead.Throughclenchedteeth,shegrowled,“Giveittome.Everydrop.Makemescreamwhenyoucome.Iwanttofeelyourcockjerkinginsideme.”

He’dgiveheranything,andthatwascertainlyeasyenough.

“Fuck.Fuck.”Hisclawsextended,andhepuncturedthemattressashiscockexpendedhisload.Sheshudderedbeneathhim.Hereyesrolledbackintoherheadandshepantedwordlessly,seemingunabletocatchherbreath.Herpussyclampedaroundhiscockrepeatedlyas

shefoundherorgasm,squeezingeverybitofejaculatefromhimandpracticallyholdinghimcaptive—notthatheminded.He’dstayinsideherforeverifhecould.Helikedhersayinghisname—likedtheattentionshepaidhim.Itmadethelonewolfwanttoheelforherand

doherbidding.

Hewantedherinhisspace—hisinnersanctum.Justher,andnooneelse.

CHAPTEREIGHT

AfteracoupleofweeksoflearningthenuancesofDarius’ssilenceandhisenergy,Stephanieworried

thatshewaslettingherwolffallintoapatternofcomplacency.Whentheywereathometogether,learningeachother’sbodiesandherbeingwarmedbythesoundofhisvoice,shedidn’tthinkabouttheoutside.Shedidn’tcareabouthowhefunctionedinthegreater

world,becausewhentheywereinbedoronthesofawiththetelevisionon,nothingouttheremattered.Theylivedtwoseparatelives,though.Joinedatthehipwhentheyweretogether,butwhenStephaniewasoutwithouthim,shecravedinteractionandsocialization.

Sheworriedsheshouldhavebeentryinghardertofoldhimintothatpartofherworld.

Sheneededarealitycheck,andsoshe’dappealedtofellowmateChristinatogetone.

Christinaworkedattheexecutivemansion,andprobablysawmoreofthe

packastheyworkedthanevenMrs.Carbone,whoalsoworkedinthere,inthekitchen.

TheysatonthewindowseatofthelibraryChristinaworkedoutofandlookedoutontothegrounds.ThewolveshadhiredsomecontractsecurityguardsforNorseton,

andweretrainingthemoutinthecourtyard.Alphawasalwaysaroundforthat,buttheotherwolvesrotatedinandout,dependingonwhattheday’slessonwas.Dariuswasanexpertmarksman,whichwaswhyhewasonhandatthemoment.Hedidn’tseemtobeenjoyinghis

teacherrolemuch,though,judgingbythetightsetofhislipsandthepersistentgrindingofhisteeth.

“He’slikeAntoninalotofways,”Christinasaid,referringtoherhusband.

“ButAntonisreclusivebecauseofhisscars,notbecausehe’stryingtoavoid

people.He’llputonhispatchandgooutwiththeothersifhe’saskedto.”

Christinamadeawafflinggesture.“He’dratherstayhome.He’salwaysgotsomuchtodo,andIthinktheperceptionthathe’sfallingbehindonanythingmakeshimanxious.But,you’re

right,hedoesn’thaveaprobleminteractingwithpeople.Hejusthatesmostofthem.”

Stephaniestifledherlaugh.“Idon’tthinkDariushatespeople.Ithink…Ithinkhe’safraidofthem.”Itpainedhertoadmitit.Hewasherman,andsheadoredhim,but

thewaysocialinteractionscrippledhimbrokeherheart.Shecouldn’tevenpretendtounderstandwhathefelt.She’dalwaysbeenoutgoing.

“That’sthewolfinhim,”Christinasaid.“Probablyhasalottodowithhowhewasbroughtup.Ibethespentmoretimeinhisanimalform

thanhisboyform.”

“Hedid.”Anotherthingthathadbrokenherheart.Whenhewasexpelledfromhisbirthpack,he’dhadnochoicebuttotaketheshapehewasstrongerinashetraveled.“Damn,IjustwishIcouldgobackandundosomethings.”

“Why?”Christinafurrowedherforehead.“Tomakehimnormal?Orwhatyouthinkisnormal?”

“Tomakeiteasierforhim.Whenhe’safraid,mywolfgetsafraid,too.Shedoesn’tunderstandwhat’swrong,andIdon’tknowhowtofixthat.Thereweren’tany

wolveslikehiminmyfather’spack.Idon’tunderstandthepersonalitytype.”

“Ican’tsayIknowwhatthatmeans,either.Antonwon’tbiteme,somyinnerwolf’snotfullyawake.ButIdoknowthatAntonisn’tthekindofmanwho’dwantpity

forthethingsthatheconsiderstobeflaws.Hethinksthey’rehislotinlife,andhecompensatesaccordingly.Idothesamethingwhenitcomestohim.Itreathimthewayheneedstobetreated,andthatmaychangefromonedaytothenext.Ourmateswillkeepus

onourtoes,forsure.”

Stephaniegruntedinagreement.

“WhatisityouthinkDariusneeds?”

“Idon’tknow,really.Iguessmyinstinctistoforcehimtobemoresocial,butnotonlydoeshenothavethe

trainingforit,Iwonderifhe’sjustnotequippedforit.Hisfirstpackkickedhimoutbecausehehadthemakingsofanalpha,butwhatifhewasdesignedtobealonewolfallalong?”

“Ithinkhewas,”Christinasaidsoftly.

“Butwhatdoesthatmean

forapackstructure?Whatwouldnewcomersthink?”

“Therearefewrulesinthispack,sowhydoesithavetomeananythingatall?”

“Huh.”Stephanieleanedbackagainstthewindowandstaredunseeingatabookcaseacrosstheroom.“Whydoesit?Hejustneedstopullhis

weight,right?”

“Yes.Andtherearealotofwayshecandothat.Thegreaterconcerniswhatkindoffatherhe’dmake.”

“Idon’thaveworriesaboutthat.”AmanwhocuddledthewayChristina’swolfdidprobablywouldn’thaveanyproblemsholdinga

baby.Infact,shelookedforwardtoseeinghimwithoneoftheirs.Justbybeingpresent,hewouldalreadybeafarbetterfatherthanherswas.But,iftheirchildrenwantedtohavefriendsover,thenwhat?Wouldhegetstressedandflee?Wouldpeopletalk?

Shedidn’tcareiftheytalked.Shewasusedtopeopletalkingabouther,butshedidworryabouthim.

“I’mafraidofwhat’llhappenasthepackgetslarger,”Stephaniesaidsoftly.“He’sfamiliarwithit,thewayitis,andhasworkedwiththeguysforalong

time.”

“Iworryaboutthat,too.Noneofourmenareespeciallyadeptatbeinginageneralpopulation.Whentherearemorepersonalitiesinthemix,willthedynamicschange,orwillthemensimplyadjust?”

“We’regoodatadjusting.

Wecamehereand…”Stephanieletthewordstrailoffassherealizedthegravityofthem.ThemateshadallgonetoNorsetontotrytofindsuitablewolves.Theyweresuitableforareason—matchesmadebytheiralphaandtheirgoddess.Stephanie’sabilitytoread

Darius’senergywasamysteryAlphacouldn’texplain,beyondsayingthatanalphawolf’smategavehimwhatheneeded.The“viceversa”didn’tneedtobesaid.Itwasobvious.EvenawomanlikeStephaniewantedtofeellikeshefitwithsomeone,andshedid.

“Theyhaveustohelpthemadjust.Andiftheydon’t,thenwe’llbufferthemfromtheworld.We’llbecometheiremissaries.”

Christina’ssmilewasdreamy.“IthinkthatwouldmakeAntonhappy.”

“I’mprettysureit’llmakemywolfhappy,too.”

___

AlphawasattheNorsetongatescreeningvehicles,andStephanieletherselfintothesecurityshack,bearingoneofhiswife’sspecialsubmarinesandwiches.Ashamelessploy,butshedidn’tcare.Whenhermotherhadputherinthatcarherfatherhadsent

todeliverStephanietohimandhispack,oneofthelastthingshermotherhadsaidwas,“Don’tbeashamedtoappealtopeople’sbasestnaturesifitmeansdoingsowillgetwhatyouneed.That’stheonlyreasonIwasabletokeepyouwithmethislong.Rememberthat.”

Stephaniehadforgottenit,alongwithsomanyotherimportantlessons,butshewasgoingtoputthatwisdomtousenow.

Alphapusheduponebushyeyebrowthenliftedthegateforadeliverytruck.“Longwalkallthewayuphere.”

“Itookoneofthegolfcarts.”

“Ah.Smart.Justtobringmeasandwich?Letmeguess.”Heloweredthegateandleanedintheopendoorway.“Someoneinthepackneedsmaiming,andyouwantmetodoit.IsitColt?”

Shesighed,andthen

laughed.“No.Idoneedafavor,butnothinglikethat.LisacandealwithColt.”

“That’swhatmygutsays,anyway.Whatkindoffavor?Thelasttimesomeoneaskedmeforafavor,Iwasn’tsoinclinedtograntit.Somewolvesdon’tknowwhatthebestthingforthemis.”

Shefurrowedherbrow.

Hewavedadismissivehand.“Don’tmindme.Whatdoyouneed?Beforeyoutellme,givemethesandwich.Icouldeatabrick,I’msohungry.”

Laughing,shehandeditover.“Idon’tknowmuchaboutwhatyouandthepack

didbeforeyousettledhereatNorseton,andI’mnotreallysureIwanttoknow.Dariusdoesn’tdiscussitatall,butIknowyourteamworkswelltogether,andthat’ssomethingthatshouldn’tbediscounted.”

Adamtookabigbiteofsandwichandnodded.

“I’mnotsuggestinghestopdoingwhathedoes,but…Iwonderif…”

“You’vegottheworsthearingofanywolfI’veeverknown,”Dariussaidsoftlybehindher.

Shecringed.Turning,shefoundhisexpressiontobeacontrivedblank,andhe

pulledhisenergyinclosetohisbodythesamewayhealwaysdidwhenhewasangry.

Shit.Isheangry?Herwolfwasneverreallyangryforlong—atleastnotwithher—butshedidn’twanttothinkshe’dhurthisfeelings.Shewasinauniquepositiontodo

so,andknewit.

“You’rethequietestwolfinthepack,”Alphasaidtohim.“Youcan’treallyfaultherfornothearingyou.”

DariusflittedhisgazetoAlpha,butsaidnothing.Hedidn’tneedto.Hemighthavetriedtotampitdown,buthisdiscomfortradiatedoffhim

likeheatoffaradiator.

“Nowsheisn’tgoingtoaskforwhatevershecameherefor.Youcouldn’thavewaitedfiveminutes?You’reearlyforyourshift.”Alphatookanotherlargebiteandsteppedouttohailanoncomingvehicle.

Dariuscrossedhisarms

overhischestandgroundhisteeth.

“I’mnottryingtogetyouintrouble.Ijustwanttohelp,”shesaid.

“Helpwhat?”

“Helpgetyouwhatyouneed,sinceyouwon’taskforit.”

“WhatisitthatyouthinkIneed?”

Shenarrowedhereyesathim.“AreyougoingtoactlikeIhaven’tspentthepastcoupleofweekslearningyourinsandouts?Imaynotknoweverythingthathasmadeyouthewayyouare,butIknowwhoyouare.By

now,youshoulddamnwellknowwhoIam,andwhatI’mcapableof.”

Alphasteppedbackinandcarefullywrappedhissandwich.“Catchmeonthewalkie-talkieifyouneedanything.I’mgonnagoseeifIcantakemyladyforastroll.”

Dariussaidnothing.HejustwatchedAlphaleave,andthensatonthelowblackstoolinfrontofthesecurityvideomonitors.Headjustedtheviewononeforawiderimageofthewestboundroad.

Shedrummedherfingersonthesidesofherarms.“Icantellthedifference

betweengoodsilenceandbadsilence.Thisisbadsilence.Youneedtotalktome.”

“Whatdoyouwantmetosay?”

“Anythingatallisbetterthannothing.IknowI’menablingyou.Ithinkyou’relesssocialnowthanyouwerebeforeyoutookmeasa

mate.”

Hestraightenedhisspine,andtheelectrictensionintheroomraisedthehairsonthebackofherneck.Sheneededtocalmherwolf.Itwasajobonlyshewasequippedtodo,andthatwaswhyshewashismate—whythegoddesshadchosenherforhim.The

goddesshadequippedStephaniewiththetoolstohelphim.Stephaniecouldn’treadanyotherwolfthewayshedidhermate,andsheknewthatwasn’tcoincidence.

“Anddon’tyouthinkI’vefiguredoutthat’swhatyouneed?”Shemovedslowly

acrossthesmallroomandsetherhandsgentlyonhisshoulders.Shebrushedherthumbsalongthesidesofhisneckandhookedherchinoverhisshoulder.“Iknowinpacksthatperceptionisjustasimportantasreality.Iwouldneverdoanythingtocompromiseyourstanding

withyourpeers.Iwouldnevershameyou.”

Herfatherhadalwayssaidshe’dendupbeingsomewolf’sshame,andforawhile,she’dbelievedit.Infact,she’darrivedinNorsetonbelievingit.Herbaggagehadmadeherforgetalltheimportantlessonsthat

arthadtaughtheraboutlayersandexpression.Aboutholdingherjudgmentuntilshe’dhadtimetothink.

Sheskimmedherlipsacrosshisstubbledcheekandkissedhisjaw.

Thatalphaenergyflaredaroundhim,snappingandcoiling,butitwaslesshot

now.Lessstifling.Buthewasn’tthekindofalphawolfwho’dpickafight.Hewasthekindwhowouldwalkawayifhegotangry.Shedidn’twanthimtowalkawayfromherineitherofhisforms.

“Ijustwanttomakesureyou’rehappy,”shesaid.

“Iwillbeifyoudon’trunoutofpatiencewithme.”

Sheslippedherhandsunderhisshirtandslidthemuphischest.Skin-to-skincontactmadetalkingsomucheasier.Shealwaysknewshewasontherighttrackbythewayhismusclesrelaxedandhisbreathingslowed.

“Remember,Ineedyouasmuchasyouneedme,”shewhispered.

“Youdon’tneedme.You’dbeokaywithoutme.You’dprobablybebetteroffwithsomehumanguywhowearsasuittowork.”

“Ineededawolf,andIliketheoneIhave.Nohuman

guyinasuitwouldletmemakeSharpiedoodlesonhischestwheneverIwant.”Shenudgeduphisshirtandtookapeekathispecs.Herblackinkdrawingofacross-eyedwolfwasstillthere,thoughsomewhatfaded.Shegiggledatthememoryofhimtryingtoscrubitoffintheshower

withherpurplebathpouf.Shemadethemincreasinglysillyjusttoseethosepreciousexpressionshemadewhenhelookedinthemirroratthem.

Helookedupfromhischestandmethergaze.Sheknewhowhardthatwasforhim,sosherewardedhimwithakissonhischin.

Weeksago,shewouldhaveneverguessedshe’dfindpleasureinsuchachasteact,butshehadn’tknowntherewerewolveslikeDariusthen,either.

“Idon’tthinkItoldyou.I…Iliketheonesyoudowithabunchofcolors.Takesyoulonger.”

Shelethisshirtfallbackintoplaceandstuffedherhandsintothebackpocketsofhisjeans.“YoucouldjustaskmetonotscurryawaysosoonwhenI’mdone.”

“LikeIsaid,Idon’twantyoutorunoutofpatiencewithme.”

“Gods,Darius,don’t

worryaboutthat.”

“Canyoublameme?”

Shecringed.No,shereallycouldn’tblamehim.Shehopedtoquicklydisabusehimofthenotionthatshecouldn’tbeaskedforsimplefavors,though.Hishappinesswascontagious,soitwasinherbestinterestto

makehimpracticethatsmile.

“WhatdidyouwantfromAlpha?”

“Justreassurance.”

“Aboutwhat?”

“Thatthispackiswhatwebothneed.BeforeIcamehere,Ihaddreamsthatitmightbe.Thepackis

growing.Therearenomoldsforushere,andIthinkwehavetocarveoutourplaceswhilewehaveachance.”

“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”Thelastnervoustendrilsofhisenergydissipated,andshefinallyletherselftakeadeepbreath.

“We’llfigureitout

together.Youdon’thavetoworryaboutit,becausewe’regoingtohelpeachother.You’regoingtoteachmehowtobeawolf,andI’mgoingtokeepallofthenoiseandchaosawayfromyou.That’llbemyjob,justliketeachingartattheschoolnextsemester.Howaboutthat?”

HeflashedStephanieoneofthosebashfulgrinsandpulledherontohislap.“Soyou’reokaywithmelettingyoudoallthetalking?”

“Aslongasyou’renothidingfromme.”

“I’dneverhidefromyou.Notmeormywolf.Youmakemefeelsafe.”

“Me?”

“Mm-hmm.Youfeellikehome.Ihaven’thadthatinaverylongtime.I’dbestupidtohidefromthat.”

“You’redefinitelynotstupid.”

“Idon’tknowaboutthat.IknowI’mlucky,though.I

don’tknowwhatIdidtodeserveyou.”

“ProbablyaboutasmuchasIdidtodeserveyou.SinceI’mhere,whydon’tyoupullupyourhomework?I’llwatchthemonitors,andyoucanfixyoursentences.”

“Okay.”Heswitchedoneofthescreenstoabrowser

displayandnavigatedtohisonlinedocuments.“IfiguredoutwhatkindofdegreeIwanttoget.”

“What?”Shesquintedatmovingspeckononeofthescreens.Itturnedouttojustbeacatwalkingpastthemansionsteps.Cutelittlething.

Weshouldgetacat.SomethingtotangleupDarius’sfeetwhenhewalkedandmakehimswearinthathilariouswayhedid.Hewassooddlyeloquentinthatoneway.

Shelaughedeventhinkingit,thenkissedhisfurrowedbrow.Heprobablythought

shewasnuts,whichwasalittletrue,ifshewasbeinghonest.

“Uh.Computerscience.Thepackneedstousetechnologymoreefficientlyinourjobs.IthinkIcanhelpwiththat.”

Andhewouldprobablyhavelessfacetimewiththe

public.Aperfectsolution.

“JustneedtorunitpastAlpha.”

“He’llsayyes,”shesaidconfidently.

“Howdoyouknow?”

“Ibroughthimlunch.Heowesmeafavor.”Shewinked,andheblushedlikea

teenagedboy.Ashy,gentle,lonewolf.

Herlonewolf.

Hedidn’tneedchanging,andneitherdidshe.

TheEnd

OTHERNORSESTONWOLVESSTORIES

Anton’sstoryisavailablenow.

LookforColt’sstoryinJuly2015.

SubscribetoHolley’sparanormalromancenewreleasealertssoyoudon’tmissaNorsetonWolves

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ABOUTHOLLEYTRENT

HolleyTrentisaCarolinagirlgonewest.RaisedinruralcoastalNorthCarolina,she’saladywithSouthern

sensibilities,butin2011heradventurousspiritdrovehertoColoradofornewexperiences.Shewritescontemporaryandparanormalromancesrangingfromsensualtoeroticthatareusuallysetinherhomestate.Herhumorissometimessubtle,oftenribald,andregularlyinappropriate.Ifanyofherstoriesseemoverlyseriousatfirstglance–keep

reading.She’sawinneroftheinauguralCIM-RWAAbaloneAward(forMyNora)andathree-timeColoradoRomanceWritersAwardofExcellencefinalist(MyNora,CalculatedExposure,andADemoninWaiting).ADemoninWaitingwasaRomConReaders’Crownfinalistin2014.

WanttochatwithHolleyaboutherbacklisttitlesoranyotherthing?Emailheratholley@holleytrent.com.Toseeherfulllistofbooks,holleytrent.com.

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