New Age Werewolf Series Book 1: Taming A She Wolf

Part 6: Day After

I was dreaming about him. I was dreaming about Ian. 

I was kissing him, stroking that body of his. I felt his lips on my neck, and I arched to his touch instead of trying to get away. Dear Goddess...

 "Ian..." I whispered.

"Wake up, buttercup."

I went still and opened my eyes. I looked over to see Ian laying on his side, laughter in his eyes. I sat up and frowned at him. "What did you do to me?"

"What did I do?" he laughed, shaking his head at me. "I watched, that's what I did."

"What?"

"You were dreaming," he whispered. "You were dreaming about me--"

Awareness and embarrassment made my face heat. "Dreaming about you?!"

He rolled his eyes closed. "You said my name." He reopened them, and smiled. "Gives me more hope that we can work this out."

I became flustered. "There's nothing to work out!"

"Oh, there's a lot to work out--" He grabbed my hand, caressing it. He brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently. He kissed my wrist, then my inner wrist, and his hazel gaze lifted to mine. "We're just getting started."

I snatched my hand away. I was thoroughly confused by the onset of emotions he was awakening in me. They frightened me. "You're-you're-"

"You...are...warm...readier than you realize..." He moved up on his elbow so that we were eye to eye. I just stared at him, afraid that he knew what I was feeling. At the moment I didn't know for sure. I just felt like he'd done something to me, a spell, a drug, something.... "but I want your respect and trust. I want them badly, so I'll stick to our deal this weekend."

"What-what deal?"

"We are to get to know each other as pack leaders, get to know each other's packs," he said simply. "But I have one little addendum."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Addendum? Are we in court?"

"No, sweetheart, but all is fair in love and war, you know that." He took a deep breath. He looked like he was staring at my mouth. "The Goddess has picked you for me. I want that made clear when we're in public, especially when we introduce each other. I don't want any wolf thinking you are still unselected."

"If the Goddess picked me for you," I hissed. "Why is that necessary?"

"Because I read your file."

"What file?"

"You have a history of alphas trying to take your women, your pack-you," he said thoughtfully. His gaze darkened. "That little game is over. If anyone tries anything now, I will deal with it and it won't be pretty."

"I can take care of myself--"

"Ah, that's true, but now you have me." He rolled out of bed. "Let's get going."

More of this authoritative tone! I looked at him defiantly.

"Unless you want us to stay in bed all day?" He smiled deviously. "I'm not against that, not at all."

I scooted out of bed, and stood on the other side of it. He almost looked disappointed.

"Well, I'll see you in..." He exhaled. "Well, I'll be back shortly. I'm just going to shower and change. I'll pick you up and we can go down to the main hall to eat."

"Fine." I watched him leave, and I suddenly needed a friend. I was scared out of my mind. All these feelings never came up--at least, not like this--before him. I had control of everything. Where was Mattie? Where was Vida? I needed a friendly face to tell me that things would get back to normal.

************

Thank the Goddess, she wants me. Thank the Goddess for pheromones, whether she wants to acknowledge them or not!

I hurried down the hall and around the corner to Cole's room. I knocked. I waited. I knocked again.

"Who?"

"Me, stupid!"

Cole opened the door part way. I noticed the bite mark on his neck right away. "Yes, Alpha?" He sighed.

"She marked you? Already?"

"It really just happened."

"Everything just happened with you two!" I took a cleansing breath.

"We stayed up talking most of the night, and then..." he trailed off. "She is so sweet."

"Can I see her?" I asked.

"What?!"

"I wasn't as successful as you," I admitted. "Amber acts more like a guardian to Vida. I am meeting her shortly, and I want to say she's okay."

Cole frowned. "Ian, do you really think I'd take her against her will?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Doesn't matter what I know right now, does it?"

"Damned female," Cole muttered. "I do not understand the Goddess on that one." He looked at me, and opened the door.

I stepped inside the suite. That was when I noticed the scratches on his back. "Good God, I hope she fared better?"

Cole smiled, his blue eyes glittering. "She was pure. I told her to trust me, just let go. I'm surprised you didn't hear her screaming."

"Thank the Goddess for stone castle walls," I muttered. Hearing them would have driven me crazy last night. The intoxicating scent of my mate awakened my imagination. I almost begged her, but I knew from her file, she might have laughed in my face. She was proud. I had to stay calm to keep her calm, and that was hard. I watched him disappear into his room. Moments later, he emerged with Vida.

Her hair was completely tousled. She had a bite mark of her own. Her skin had a beautiful flush to it, one that only comes after mating...a lot or very recently. She was dressed in one of Cole's shirts, which looked like a dress on her. "Alpha Ian."

"Hi," I nodded. "You're alright, I take it?" What a dumb question.

She nodded yes. "I am."

"Would you two be interested in accompanying Amber and me while we tour the grounds?" I asked. "She is skittish at best, and I want to make her comfortable. I don't think she wants to be alone with me." I felt a lump in my throat.

"Yes, we would!" Vida nodded.

Cole's jaw stiffened, his gaze hardening. "V."

"Yes, we would, Cole!" Vida said again. "She has been through so much, Cole. She needs her mate, she just needs time to see that." She went to him, and put her hands on his chest, looking up at him. "Please, Cole? I love her. I owe her so much, I told you--"

Cole growled, silencing her plea, and then rolled his eyes. "Vida...damn it, fine!!"

She pulled his face down to hers for a kiss. "Thank you!"

"That won't always work, honey."

"But it worked today!" she sang, and went into the bedroom. "I'll go change!"

I looked at Cole, eyebrows raising.

"She changed clothes last night, before I took her for a walk around the castle." Cole explained. "I've got to make nice with Amber anyway. I want Vida here with me."

"I'm jealous, but I am happy for you, beta. All these definites." I shrugged. Vida was sweet, a little spirited, but pliable. Amber was all uphill.