Chapter 5

Staring up at the house in front of her, Ava wondered how she was going to handle the coming month. Her job was secure as she had vacation time coming up. This man who owned her for the next month clearly had plenty of money to back his pack.

He wiped out your pack.

Jane was safe. Ava could cope knowing she’d saved the young girl. What was she going to do when the month came to an end? With no pack she wasn’t welcome to just any pack. Several would hurt her at the very least, or even kill her. Crap. She didn’t even know if she wanted to join another pack. Life as a half breed was already hard seeing as she couldn’t talk with anyone about the problems she encountered, like the heat she suffered.

Reaching out, she touched Fred’s naked arm. His flesh was firm and hard to the touch. Taking her arm away, she felt like her fingers were on fire.

He looked at his arm and then at her fingers, smirking. “Baby, I’m going to be buried balls deep inside you.

You better get used to my touch, or you’re in big trouble.”

She took a breath and looked him in the eye. Her cheeks felt hot from his words.

“I’ve got no pack and nowhere else to run,” she said. Fred raised a brow, staring at her.

“Erm, I was wondering if you could teach me some of those skills to keep my wolf at bay.”

He folded his arms, observing her.

Ava started to squirm under his scrutiny.

“Yeah, I’ll help you with one condition.”

Rolling her eyes, she stared behind her wishing she could escape. “What’s the condition?” she asked.

Fred moved in closer, and she took a step back. He wrapped an arm around her back, drawing her back in close. “You tell me here and now, are you a virgin?”

“That’s not a condition. You want an answer to a question.”

“Either way, answer me.”

What the hell was going on? Why did he want to know about her being a virgin? Shit, she was too embarrassed. Staring up and down the length of his body, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. He would have been with lots of women. Surely no one would notice a small little detail such as a hymen.

“No, I’m not a virgin.” She lied to his face, and the moment the words left her lips, Ava wished she could take them back. He stared into her eyes, and she couldn’t say a word.

“Good.” He led her toward the front door where Max stood.

“Take her to the kitchen for food. Make sure she eats some food.” Fred moved away, leaving her in the hands of Max.

“Wait, what about Jane? Is she safe?” Ava asked, concerned about the young girl. “She’s been fed, watered, and walked.”

Jerking out of his arm she glared at him. “She’s not a dog.”

Max chuckled. “I never said she was. Jane, the blonde, is resting. It has been a long night for her.” They walked past several men. All of them inhaled as she passed.

“Do I smell or something?” she asked.

“Or something.” Max opened the far door where a woman was stood over a stove. Ava frowned.

“I thought he said there were no women in his pack.” Ava was confused as the dark haired woman turned to smile at her.

“Fred doesn’t allow women into the pack. I’m Max’s half breed mate.” The woman moved toward Max with a smile. “I’m Jane.”

Taking the woman’s hand, she smiled. “I’m Ava.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ava. I’m sure you’re hungry. Please, sit.” The woman had curves, which gave away her half breed status. Sitting at the table, Ava saw several men looking at them from the corner.

A bowl with three chunks of bread was placed in front of her. “I’m allowed to stay because I’m a half breed, and I don’t want anything to do with the other men. Don’t get me wrong. They’re like family, but I love Max.”

Max had left through the far door to the outside air. She saw Fred through the glass window on the phone. Ava couldn’t hear a word they were saying to each other.

Why would other women be a problem?” she asked.

“Haven’t you ever been to a pack with bitches trying to get your man? I tell you, in the human world men are the horn dogs, but in this world, women are the worst. They cannot leave a man alone. It’s fucking infuriating.” Jane sat opposite her, eating some food. “We visited a pack up north in the Rocky Mountains. I went with Max, and the women of the pack were trying to fuck him right in front of me.” Jane stopped eating and fisted her hand. “They think because we’re half breed we’re not worth the male’s time. Those women with their slender hips piss me off.”

Ava smiled. “It was, erm, the men in the pack I was with didn’t like me. I was too fat.” Heat filled her cheeks at the sympathy in Jane’s eyes.

“Honey, there are men out there who like a bit of meat on their women. Max doesn’t even allow me to go on a diet anymore. He banned diets and all healthy food from the house. Max considers his passions the best kind of exercise.”

It was Jane’s turn to grow red in the face.

Smiling, Ava found herself liking Max from Jane’s description.

Glancing to the far wall she saw the men were still watching them. “Why are they staring?” she asked.

“The men stare, Ava. When I tell you men like their women with meat, well, some of the men in Fred’s pack are the ones who love us women with curves.” Jane started eating.

Feeling their stares, Ava struggled to eat. With only half of it eaten she stood, finished.

Jane stopped her. “Fred has orders, and I’m not in the dark, Ava. Sit, eat, you need to keep your strength up.” Sitting back down, Ava picked her spoon up like a scolded child.

“She giving you trouble?” Fred asked, entering the kitchen with Max behind him. Keeping her head bowed over her food, Ava tried to ignore the warmth his voice created in her body. No man should have that kind of power.

“Not at all. I like her, Fred. You better be keeping her.”

Ava couldn’t believe they were talking about her as if she wasn’t there. Max seemed to take pity on her as he took Jane in his arms. “Stop matchmaking, woman. You’ve got me to take care of.”

“Baby, I want others to find the kind of happiness that we have.” Max slapped Jane on the ass. “Come on, you can show me some lovin’.”

The two disappeared out of the door. She noticed the men who’d been staring at her had disappeared as well.

Fred served himself some soup. Ava ate her own and was surprised as Fred took two more bowls and ate a loaf of bread with his food.

When he was finished, he stood, did the dishes, and then moved to her. She’d never known another man to be able to eat more than her.

There’s not any man to compare it to.

“Come on.” He took her hand and led her upstairs. Fred stopped on the third floor, opening a door.

One aspect of her turning was that she was now able to see in the dark well. Jane lay on her side, fast asleep. “She’ll be cared for.”

Nodding, she followed him upstairs. There were not many people around. “Where is everyone?”

“After a run some stay behind until the morning. Others leave after a run. This is not a prison, Ava. This house is for my pack to run and be free.”

Not saying anything she walked into his bedroom, which was dominated by a square bed at the far wall. She saw the four posts surrounded it and what had her gasping were the silk ties wrapped around each post. Ava had watched enough bondage videos to know what they were.

Turning around, she jumped as the door shut and locked.

“Take your clothes off,” Fred said. He was leaning against the door. She watched him pocket the key. “You’re my toy, Ava. I think I’ve been very nice, and now I want payment.” He took a step into the room.

She moved back as he advanced toward her. There was nowhere for her to run. Facing him, Ava knew this was what she signed up for.

Think about the need. The burning fire and the ache you’ve been having. Give in.

For one month she could be his toy, and she’d be able to walk away.

Tugging on the damp shirt, she pulled it over her head. Her thick stomach embarrassed her, and she covered her hand over it. Shit, how could she do this? He was a Greek god while she was a tubby half breed.