Chapter 15 — Slim To None

~ KILLIAN ~

Damnit!

I look on helplessly as Simply Tess pulls onto the road. With a grin, she punches the gas and flicks me off. I’m not great at reading lips, but her mouthed "fuck you" comes out loud and clear. Surprisingly, the offensive gesture doesn’t make me angry. Instead, my already stiff cock rises, pressing against my zipper. My wolf stirs inside me—not for the first time since I met the ballsy female—brushing against the inside of my skin. The beast wants to nip at her flesh and mark her as its own. I wonder what it means, confused by something I can’t explain.

The woman is attractive, and I’d love to spend time between the sheets with her, but she’s human. There hasn’t been a dream-pairing. And since she’s very clearly all human and not part wolf, there probably won’t be. Moreover, the likelihood of finding my mate—a mate connected to Lyra of all people—is slim to none.

Maybe this strong reaction is due to something else, something like my recent sex drought brought about by work, the pack, and other responsibilities. I haven’t gotten laid in months. That certainly doesn’t help matters.

Still...

I stomp into Moonmark Ink and take a deep breath.

Cinnamon and lemon greet me, Simply Tess's alluring scent calling to my beast. My wolf rumbles a throaty growl, wanting to track the female down, bend her over my lap, and smash her softly rounded ass for her disobedience. I’d keep her hanging on the edge of climax between swats, teasing her clit, making her regret her reckless behavior. Only when she begs for relief will I give her what she wants, sliding my cock into the haven of her cunt, taking her so hard and fast her eyes will cross.

My dick pulses, balls going taut. I can only imagine how sweet she’ll sound when she comes, how husky her voice will become when she asks for more.

Mate or not, I’ll make it happen. It’s been years since I’ve had this kind of interest in a female. Simply Tess screwed herself over coming for Lyra. When the dust settles, I’ll find out where the sultry woman lives and visit her—a visit she’ll never forget.

Pissed off, sexually frustrated, and at the end of my rope, I lock the door, flip the sign to CLOSED, and stride toward the back of the building. It’s time to start thinking with the proper head. Good thing my Alpha listened to my advice and left for home. That gives me a window of opportunity to make some calls. If I want to get answers, I have to start digging for information.

I take a seat at the desk, flip through my references, and pick a place to start. As the phone rings in my ear, I settle back in the chair and rake my fingers through my hair.

Sometimes being the Beta of a pack like Hollowbane sucks the beauty out of the air itself.

---

~ LYRA ~

"Perhaps you should wait here." I don’t look at Ronan as I whisper, staring up the drive. I made him stop at what I considered a safe distance from home, wanting to make sure I’m calm enough to face the firing squad I know is waiting for me. Not only have I been away from home a whole day, but I’m also coming back with a damn supernatural. I can’t trust my parents’ reaction. "The house is just down the road. I’ll just walk the rest of the way."

"No," Ronan says, sounding way too relaxed and confident for my liking. He has no idea what he’s about to walk into.

I pull my focus away from the gravelled road, meeting his levelled gaze. It shouldn’t be possible for a man to look so delicious. His mere presence makes my body throb in all kinds of wicked places.

"They’ll be upset. You shouldn’t expect a warm welcome and I don’t want anyone to get hurt."

His fingers brush my chin and angle my head. He leans close and nuzzles my nose, his breath warm against my face. "It doesn’t matter. In case you haven’t realized it yet, I’m not here for them. I’m here for you."

I wobble, knocked off balance once again by how sincere he sounds, how he looks at me as though nothing else exists in the world. Since breakfast, he’s been nothing but a gentleman, opening my doors, touching me in innocent ways that make me restless. The only time he’s been firm was when I asked to call a cab. He made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere, and I’d better get used to it.

Why in the world does that make me feel so giddy? Why am I so happy that I’m not just a one-night stand to him?

Spending time alone with a man I hardly know, despite feeling close to him in a way I’m trying to wrap my head around, goes beyond impulsive. When I think about it, it seems crazy. But crazy is something I have to admit I’m currently enjoying. Although, I can’t help but wonder how he would react if things doesn’t go his way.

How would he react if I decide I can’t pack my things and leave with him for a weekend alone together?

"I don’t want to rush you, but waiting isn’t going to change anything," he murmurs, his deep baritone sending a tendril of heat from my belly to my sex, his eyes shifting from gold to amber. "I’ve had to deal with a lot as an Alpha. Trust me when I say things often seem like they’ll be worse than they are."

"An Alpha?" I whisper, alarmed for entirely different reasons now.

We haven’t had a chance to discuss aspects of our personal lives, but I never imagined he had his own pack. I swallow hard, seeing him on an entirely different level. I knew he was dangerous, I just hadn’t appreciated how much power he truly has. I’ve done enough research on werewolves to know Alphas aren’t to be trifled with. They’re known to be aggressive, dominant, and in total control.

"That’s right," he replies softly, as though he can sense my apprehension. "Once we finish here, I want to take you somewhere private where we can learn everything about each other." He lowers his head and feathers his lips over mine, moving from right to left, making my breath catch. "I want to know you inside and out, Sweet Lyra."

"Then I’ll start at the beginning," I find myself saying, unsure of where I’m going with the conversation. "My mother had me around my age. I never knew my real father, only my stepfather and aunt—and to them, I’m all that’s left of her. They taught me everything I know. They’re the only family I have."

He pulls away and peers down at me. "You make it sound like I want to take you away from them."

My cheeks heat. Damn. I did make it sound like that, didn’t I? Maybe it’s because I’m thinking about it.

Before I can lose my nerve, I ask, "Don’t you?"