The Pack Girl's Retribution (Sequel to The Pack's Girl)

Don't Go

I'd thought he'd want more from me. After lying next to me and sharing that vulnerable moment, I'd thought he'd want to consummate that peace.

But instead, he's leaving?

"Vanquish?" My voice made him pause with his foot on the top rung.

"Yes, Vanna."

I slid off the bed and ran around it to catch him near the stairs. Bracing his cheeks in my palms I kissed him. Taking his smooth lips and savoring the passionate feel of his response.

Without breaking the kiss, he stepped off the ladder to embrace me. Deepening the kiss. And standing over me I realized how much taller he was and how I had to stand on my toes to reach him.

"Make love to me?" I asked. Somehow the fact that he hadn't pursued it made me want him all the more.

"No, Vanna."

I reared back as though he'd punched me. My eyes huge. "No?"

He shook his head sadly. "Much as I love joining with you, I'll not be used to assuage that pain again. I want you to want me for what I am to you. Not what I can steal from you."

I hadn't realized I'd been so obvious down at the river. He'd known I was using him to distract myself?

He'd recognized it for the same thing I'd done to Racer, just on a different level.

I watched him turn from me and climb down the ladder.

He looked up at me as he went down. His penetrating green eyes burned through me. Conveying some message, I didn't wholly understand.

***

The next day, I waited impatiently for the sun to rise. Knowing many of the females took that time when most of the males were resting to go to the river and bathe.

Typically, the only males awake during the day were those which had run Border Guard during the evening and needed until late afternoon to taper down from their night's work.

Drawing a steadying breath, I headed to the river. I caught a whiff of a she-wolf and was hopeful it would be Lyra Lani so I could have a chance to speak to her.

Instead, I found Zyra Momay bathing there brazenly. Her leather robes slung along the bank.

Crouched on the edge of the bank with an elbow resting on his knee and his chin on a fist, was her mate, Magus. He appeared to be watching her intently. Savoring the sight of her golden skin in the morning light. And the soft stroking of her body as she lifted the water to splay it under her breasts and along her belly.

He moaned in satisfaction, obviously giving her the directions as to what to watch.

She seems to be obeying now. I noted before spinning on my heel to return to camp. I'd seen enough of this scene to know where it was going.

He's soon going to take her on the edge of that bank. Whether she submits or continues her little game of resistance.

I'd heard the older females speculating that Zyra was an odd-she wolf. A unique mix of magic and beast. And it made her somewhat wicked.

They speculated that the two were well-suited. Magus enjoyed his newfound power over the defiant she-wolf and Zyra seemed to enjoy being forced to submit. Being dominated by a wolf and a mage, more powerful than she.

I didn't know if they were right, but I'd seen Zyra tormenting Magus for enough years to know it'd been her favorite game, until this last Mating Moon.

The same one I'd been mated under.

***

Feeling somewhat disheartened that Lyra Lani had been at the river, I headed for Marta's hut to see if Polly and her leatherwork were there.

I knocked on the door and Marta opened it, despite the early hour, with a tea in hand. Behind her, Polly and Lyra Lani sat at her small wooden table.

I felt a surge of hope that I might be able to talk to the Alpha's new mate.

Lyra Lani had always been kind to me though I knew she favored Samantha, Jaecar's mate more than she did me.

I was the newest stray and very few people in camp were fond of me. And I knew word had gotten around that I had tried to flee my mates the morning of Declarations. Since then, many of the other wolves looked down on me.

Considering me little better than Lara.

My friend, and the last she-wolf, to escape the Asara Pack.

"Come in." Marta invited with a warm smile. Her gray hair peppered with dark spots from where she was once a brunette. Her soft brown eyes always seemed to look at the rest of us like we were the same as her own children.

I walked in hesitantly. Unsure how the Alpha's mate would feel about my intrusion.

She smiled and waved me in. "Come, Vanna Rae. Stop looking at me as if I'll nip at you."

I realized I likely was and walked in more casually.

Marta retrieved another wooden chair and

began dragging it toward the little wooden table so I could join them.

I rushed over to help her. Not wanting her to exert

herself.

She patted the top of my head as I began carrying the chair over for her. "You're a good Girl, you are, Sweet One."

Feeling touched by her words, especially in-front of Lyra Lani, I happily sat. Feeling much more welcomed than I thought I would.

"Have you come for your leathers?" Polly queried. Still etching just beneath the edge of the table.

Likely on my procurement. I suspected.

"I was hoping it might be close, though I know it is early yet."

She didn't look up from her work. "No, My Dear, your timing is damn near perfect. I've been touching up the shading on them this morning, having finished most of the intricacies of the artwork last night."

I sat up eagerly, momentarily distracted from my purpose by my curiosity. I'd been told often enough of Polly's great artistic skill. "May I see?"