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Trayis reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I have.”
“Is she your mate?”
Trayis sighed. “I don’t know.”
Arlis frowned at that.
“Sometimes with VampLycans, it takes time to sink in if we find our mate. It’s the fucking Vampire blood. The stronger it is, the more it can screw with the Lycan instincts.”
“You just gave me a direct order over one of my pack. I take it you have feelings for Shay?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “And you’d likely have a problem with some of them.”
“Like?”
“Like I want to beat the hell out of some of your pack for the way she’s been treated. I’d love five minutes alone with Tegan.”
“That’s why you were throwing vibes at my table this morning…”
“I’d have already tracked his ass down if he’d hurt her, Arlis. She doesn’t have a bruise on her, I checked, and that’s the only reason he’s still breathing. Your sentry or not.”
Arlis had the nerve to smile smugly.
“What’s so amusing? I just threatened one of yours with death.”
“It’s just that Shay isn’t the woman I imagined you’d go for.”
“You and me both, brother. She’s too damn soft and sweet. It makes me feel protective in ways I’ve never experienced before.” He remembered what had been said at breakfast. “I don’t see her as a pup, though. There’s nothing childlike about her. She’s sexy as hell.”
“I’ll take your word for it. And not that you need it, but you have my permission.”
Trayis frowned. “For what?”
“To take her with you when you go home.”
“Fuck!” He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck again. “I’m not ready for a mate!”
“Neither was I when Ginny came into my life, but I realized she was mine. That worked out great.”
“Did Darlene tell you that Shay tried to get ahold of you earlier? Not to change the subject, but shit went down today.”
Arlis frowned. “Besides Tegan?”
“Shay went to buy condoms off territory, since she thinks we should hide our relationship from everyone.”
“Why would she hide it?”
“Because she believes your damn pack will think less of me for being with her,” he snarled, angry all over again. “That’s beside the damn point. She ran into a fifteen-year-old Lycan kid at the human store. It turns out he’s her uncle.”
Shocked, Arlis’s mouth fell opened. “What?”
“Her grandparents weren’t just hanging out at that cabin doing nothing when you sent them away to keep Shay safe. They had a son they didn’t bother to inform you about. I remember you saying you didn’t kick them out of the pack until Shay was in her teens, after they tried to get her banished. The boy was born in your territory, and he would have been one of your pack.”
“Why would they hide him from me?”
“From what he told Shay, it seems his asshole parents told him you forced his big brother to mate a human, and they blame you for his death. Shay said the kid hates you for that, and her; he’s been fed a lot of the lies. His parents have made you out to be worse than that bastard Frank.”
“Fuck.” Arlis growled. “That’s the pack they went to. Frank’s. I guess I’m not too surprised Mildred and Elvis hid the boy. I knew they hated me for protecting Shay, and they accused me of picking her over them. Every child should be celebrated. But why the hell didn’t Fred tell me about the boy when he took them in? He should have. He was still alive when they joined that pack. Then again, he had a soft heart for strays with sob stories. I can imagine Elvis and Mildred lied their asses off to gain his sympathy. Goddamn it!”
“Shay’s worried you might have to hurt her uncle. She fears he’ll try to attack you because of the lies he’s been told.”
“I’d never hurt a youth.”
“I know that. She knows it, too. But it upset her enough to cry when she found out about him and realized how badly he’s been manipulated.”
“Fuck. I’ll go to her cabin now to get all the details and assure her.”
Trayis moved to block him. “She’s not at home.”
“Where is she?”
“Waiting for me in the trailer. She’s staying with me.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll bring her by at breakfast in the morning. Or do you want us in your office when it opens?”
“Breakfast is fine. Eight.”
“I remember.”
Arlis stepped close and gripped his shoulders, holding his gaze. “I hope she’s yours, brother. I want you to be as happy as I am. A mate is a wonderful thing.”
“I’m afraid, with my personality…”
“I understand. There’s one thing I can tell you about Shay, though. She’s more human than Werewolf.”
“I’ve figured that out.”
“You won’t accidently overpower her if you pull what you did at breakfast this morning. She’d have felt your vibes, but she wouldn’t have buckled. Have her tell you about the assholes who’ve tried that shit with her.”
His anger returned yet again. “I heard.”
Arlis chuckled.
“There’s not one thing funny about some of your pack trying to get her on her knees!”
“That’s the thing, Trayis. Shay doesn’t feel the vibes as strongly as a Were does. She gets mad and starts yelling when they try to use them to overpower her. As a Were, she’s submissive…but as a human? She’s got more backbone than any I’ve ever met. That human blood of hers protects her from being cowered. Some believe she’s like her mother, but that’s not true. Layla was frail on the inside, as well as on the outside. Shay looks like her physically, but inside, Shay’s sturdy.”
He let that information sink in. “I need to get back to her, now that everything here is settled.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“Always.” He hugged his brother and left.
He nearly ran to the trailer, anxious to see Shay. He knocked, calling out to her. She must have been waiting near the door, maybe sitting in the chair beside it, since the locks slid back within seconds. He stepped inside, grabbed her around the waist as he entered, and slammed the door behind him. He slid the locks back into place to secure them.
“Is everything okay?”
He noticed the slight scent of fear and sweat on her, as if she’d been extremely nervous. “Frank is a prick, but he’s a terrified one now, with a new understanding of how close Arlis and I are. The other alphas stood with my brother, too. They made it damn clear that to attack this pack would be seen as an act of war against them all.”
Her relief was evident. “Thank goodness.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He lifted her higher into his arms and walked toward the bedroom. “I’m sorry that took so long. I wanted to stay until all of them were gone. You should have tried to nap.”
“As if I could sleep. I was worried about another sneak attack. I kept wishing I’d packed my shotgun.”
He halted in the hallway, his eyes widening. “Shotgun?”
Her cheeks pinkened. “I can’t shift. Sylvia and Dean, my foster parents, bought it for me as a housewarming gift. You know, since I was determined to live alone.”
“I like them already.” He continued into the small bedroom. “Can you shoot it?”
“Of course. Dean took me out to practice on targets until I could hit anything I was aiming for.”
He eased her down on her feet and kissed her forehead. “I bet you look cute as shit with a shotgun in your hands.”
She shook her head, giving him an exasperated look. That was adorable, too.
“I’m just being honest. Does it knock you on your ass when you fire it, doll?”
“I know how to brace my legs, Trayis,” she said dryly.
He kicked off his shoes and removed his shirt. “I want to see that sometime.”
“You’re so weird.”
&
nbsp; “Why? Because it makes me a little hard imagining you firing a shotgun that’s probably way too big for you to handle? Yet, you do.” He opened his pants, shoving them down. “Strip. I want you—now.”
She removed the shirt, wearing nothing beneath it. He grabbed her once he was naked, pulling her smaller body against his and lifted her again. He loved the way she wrapped her legs around his waist without thought and eagerly met his lips with her own, opening her mouth to his exploring tongue. Her passionate responses instantly made his blood boil with need. His fangs elongated as his dick became painfully engorged. He wanted to be inside her, wanted to bite…
He broke the kiss, turned, and just fell back on the bed, Shay bouncing slightly on top of him. A giggle came from her as he rolled, pinning her under him. He lowered his head, sucking one of her nipples into his mouth. She had to feel the tips of his fangs against her breast, but she didn’t jerk away. Her fingers slid into her hair instead, holding him close as she moaned his name.
Don’t bite, he kept repeating in his head. Don’t fucking bite her.
The desire was too strong, though.
He pulled away, remembering the condoms. “Hang on.”
He grabbed the box, ripped one open, and rolled it down his shaft. He hated the things, since it meant putting a thin layer of latex between their bodies.
An instant image of Shay with a rounded belly flashed through his mind, making him pause.
“Trayis? Are you okay?”
He realized he’d frozen, and blinked, struggling to push away the thought of Shay pregnant with his son or daughter. “I’m fine.” He returned to the bed, flipped her over onto her hands and knees, and positioned himself behind her. “You are so damn beautiful, doll.”
She moaned his name again as he gently eased his dick inside her tight, welcoming pussy. Shay felt perfect…better than perfect. His fangs ached and his gaze locked on her skin. He even gripped her blonde hair, loosely fisting it, to bare the top of her shoulder. He wanted to bite her so badly.
“Don’t fucking do it,” he whispered.
Shay tried to glance back at him. “Do what?”
“Nothing.” He released her hair, gripped her hips, and began to fuck her. He closed his eyes, listening to her moans, and just allowed his body to drown in pleasure. “Hold still, doll. I’m going to do all the work. Just…enjoy…this.”
Her moans filled the bedroom. Trayis felt her inner muscles tighten, and he fucked her harder, fighting the urge to come. Shay had the uncanny ability to make him lose control.
She cried out his name when she climaxed, and he damn near roared as he spilled into the condom. They both stilled, panting.
He hated to get up to remove the condom but he rushed into the bathroom to dispose of it and came back. Shay was curled on her side, smiling at him. She looked damn perfect in his bed. He climbed in and pulled her close, needing to hold her. She curled into him, pressing a light kiss on his chest, Trayis enjoying how good she felt in his arms.
* * * * *
Trayis rose from the bed an hour later, still wide awake. Shay slept on.
He felt unsettled that he’d gone to a place he’d never gone before in his mind. Shay pregnant with my baby. Shit.
He found his cell phone in the living area where he’d left it and saw a missed call from Wen. He hadn’t even checked when he’d returned from the party, too fixated on taking Shay to bed. He sighed, walked to the far end of the trailer, and returned the call.
Wen answered on the second ring. “About time you called me back. I was beginning to worry. Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine. I forgot my phone in the trailer. My brother threw a party and I attended.”
Wen snorted. “Lucky you. I was ass deep in drama.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Mya was sleeping with Roe and Brigs, telling both they were the only one for her. But she went to Roe after screwing Brigs—still wearing his scent. She was proud as shit that she’d pitted them against each other.”
“Fuck.” Mya was a younger clan member who was always causing trouble, screwing with different men, delighting when they fought over her. He’d spoken to her many times on the matter, forbidding her to incite jealousy for her own amusement. “How bad? Please tell me they didn’t kill each other.”
“We broke it up before too many bones were broken. Roe was winning, if you were curious.”
“Not surprised. Did you punish Myra? I ordered her not to do that shit ever again.”
“Of course. She’s restricted to her cabin for a month. No visitors. No leaving. No more fucking two guys at once while lying to them about it. She threatened to leave our clan to go to another.”
“Let her. Lorn already saw her in action when she went after his brother, Lavos. He’d turn her away. Velder’s mate, Crayla, would probably beat her ass to a pulp the first time she caught Mya pulling her shit, then send her back to us still bleeding. As for Crocker, he’d give her a week to find a mate once he caught on to the little head games she plays, or kick her ass out. Anything else?”
“Not really. In retaliation for me restricting her to the cabin, Mya tried to imply to Gerri that we used to be a hot item. Trying to make her jealous. I assured her I’ve never touched Mya, or any of her friends who pull this shit. Nor have you.”
Anger stirred in Trayis’s gut. “Goddamn. Mya loves to cause shit. Did your mate believe you?”
“Of course. Gerri can’t stand Mya and her little group of bed-hoppers. She’s gotten very familiar with the troublemakers since I’ve taken over in your absence. They’ve been acting up more than usual with you gone. Speaking of, when are you coming back? Your job sucks.”
A bit of guilt surfaced. The clan was his responsibility. It’s why he rarely left Alaska. “A few more days.”
“Good. How is it going with the virgin issue? Did you let her down easy?”
He stared toward the bedroom. He could see Shay sleeping from where he stood. “Not exactly. It’s complicated.”
“You just tell her you aren’t looking for a mate and leave it at that.”
He reached up to rub the back of his neck, a newly frequent habit. “I invited her to spend another night with me. She’s in my bed right now.”
Wen stayed silent for a few seconds, save for sucking in a deep breath. His voice came out low. “Another night? As in, you’re actually sleeping in a bed with her after you fuck her? Like, all night until morning and waking up together?”
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“I’m beyond shocked, man. Stunned. Amazed. Floored!” Wen cleared his throat. “What’s going on in your head?”
“Fuck if I know. She’s sweet, and I keep thinking how damn adorable and cute she is.”
“That’s, um… That’s how I think about Gerri.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I can’t lie to you, man. I won’t. Are you feeling any jealousy? Protectiveness? Want to keep her close? Hold her all the time? Can’t keep junior in line?”
Trayis released his neck. “Junior in line?”
“You’ve never heard that saying before? You need to leave home more often and talk to younger people. Are you popping boners all the time when you look at her or pick up her scent? Like you have no control over that shit and just want to bend her over and go to town on her ass, even when you know you shouldn’t?”
He closed his eyes. “I can’t believe I left you in charge, Wen.”
“Answer the question.”
He sighed. “The attraction is…very strong.”
“Do you want to sink your fangs and your dick into her at the same time?”
He clenched his teeth. “Yes.”
Wen laughed. “It’s official then. I’ll have someone give your cabin a good cleaning and fill your fridge with food. I’m guessing you never eat there; I only ever see drinks in it. Your mate’s actually going to want to eat in your home, instead of at the office.”
“That’s not funny.
And I can’t bring her to Alaska.”
“Why the fuck not?” Wen’s humor disappeared fast. “Who cares if you weren’t expecting to find your mate while visiting your brother? You did. I was empty inside for the years Gerri and I were apart, Trayis, after her mom took her away. My life was shit until I went after her. Wasted fucking years, man. Don’t make the same mistake I did. No holding off for the right time. Screw that. What’s her name?”
He rubbed his neck again, feeling stressed. “Shay.”
“Pack Shay up and bring her home. Don’t overthink it. Listen to your instincts. Pay attention to how she makes you feel. Hold on to that—and her. Don’t let her go, man.”
Trayis knew it was sound advice, albeit too simple. Nothing in life ever was. “I need to go.”
“Trayis?”
“Yes, Wen?”
“A mate is a precious thing. I made so many mistakes. If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be to not let my mate walk away. I still have nightmares about something happening to Gerri during the years she was away, without me protecting her. I got fucking lucky to have a second chance. Not everyone gets that. You found her. Bring her home. Got it?”
“It’s not that simple, and we both know that.”
“Do I need to interfere the way you did with Gerri and I? Because I will, man. I’ll fly to Arlis’s pack, pick up your woman, and bring her here the way you did with my mate. I’ll always be grateful to you for doing that. I was such a dumbass, trying to keep the peace with my parents. You didn’t let me get away with that shit, and I’m not letting you get away with it now. You found your mate, Trayis. Don’t make me get on a plane. You know I will.”
A smile curved his lips. “Yes, I know you aren’t bluffing. I’m going to bed now.”
Trayis hung up and returned to the bedroom, got into bed, and pulled Shay into his arms. She did feel as if she belonged there. Maybe Wen was right.
The situation was completely different though. Wen had grown up with Gerri, had always had feelings for her. Trayis still had a lot to figure out. Things were just too new.
Chapter Nine
“Don’t be nervous.” Trayis kept a firm hold on Shay. She looked ready to flee as he led her to his brother’s front door and opened it.