Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
“You feel okay to sit up? You have bruises everywhere on your body.”
She swallowed hard. How come they all knew that?
“What, was I on display for you and your brothers as your cousin treated my injuries?” she asked, now feeling embarrassed and annoyed, not because she thought they were perverts but because she was self-conscious about her body. She was five feet seven inches tall, kind of big-boned and muscular from working out. She didn’t have defined, tight abs or anything, and she was far from dainty. Although, compared to these men, she was a dwarf.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared down at her.
“There are things we need to explain to you. We’ll discuss what we know and think you should be privy to and take the proper precautions necessary.”
“Excuse me, but what do you mean by privy to? If you’re talking about this case, my case, then you you’d better think again, buddy.”
He gave her the evil eye with those dark green eyes of his. Son of a bitch did that turn her on.
“You do not realize the seriousness of this situation, Daniella.”
“It’s Dani,” she stated firmly. So far, Bently and Miele called her Dani, but the others, Randolph, Baher, and Van felt it necessary to use her full name. She hated to admit that it turned her on, the way they said her name and especially with such authority and power. This was bad. It was very, very bad. Already, she felt her defenses lowering. It had something to do with the macho testosterone in the men. Their good looks, authoritative attitudes, and superb bodies were irresistible. She needed to focus and remain somewhat in charge, despite their tactics.
How did they know my full name anyway?
Son of a bitch, they looked in my file. They investigated me.
She took a deep breath about to rip into king shit over there when he stopped her.
His hand, palm forward, came up and then he began.
“First and most importantly, you are our mate. My brothers and I will do everything in our power to protect you. Life as you know it will change and we’ll be moving back to Texas once we clear up this wolf situation. Secondly, for some wild reason, this rogue, deranged wolf wants to kill you or keep you. He wants you for some reason, and it seems to be beyond just to take your blood or rip your heart out. That concerns me greatly. There is also a special scent about you. It is something that calls especially to each of our wolves but may be the reason this creature seeks you out. That places you in danger and we can’t allow that.”
Was he fucking serious? Move to Texas? Mates? Scent of some sort?
Holy shit, I’ve entered the Twilight Zone!
“Excuse me, chief, but what if I’m not interested in your protection, or in believing any of this bullshit you’re spewing? I don’t appreciate you telling me that I smell and that some murderous, hideous-looking monster wants me because of it.”
“I did not say that you smell, Daniella.”
“Dani!” she yelled.
He raised his eyebrows at her and she closed her lips.
“I will explain further once you’re feeling better.”
“Oh, I feel great. As a matter of fact, I feel like getting up and getting out of here.”
Dani cringed as she tossed back the sheets in anger and stood up. She completely forgot about being naked and about having injuries and bruises. This man got under her skin in a flash. She couldn’t think straight.
His arms were around her in an instant, assisting her.
“Damn it, Daniella, you cannot be jumping out of bed with your injuries.”
She held his waist, the rough texture of his jeans brushed erotically against her aroused body pats. Damn, she was so fucking horny and had no idea why. Did they give her something?
She was breathing heavy and it seemed to have more to do with her sudden sexual desires than her injuries. She gripped his waist and slowly looked up toward him.
He stared at her straight-faced. “What you’re feeling is normal. Soon enough we will each ease that ache.”
“Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re talking about. You lost me and I want to leave.”
“You’re not leaving.”
“Did you drug me?” she asked, and he shook his head as if annoyed with her childish question.
“Of course not. You passed out from the trauma of the attack and your injuries. Charlie gave you something to numb the area where he stitched you up.”
“Stitches? I have stitches?” she asked, stepping back, off-balance again as she tried to look down at the bandages.
Van held her firmly by her hips. She felt her breasts bounce and the reality of her nakedness quickly sank in.
She swallowed hard and hoped that her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. With what dignity she had left, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“I would like some clothing, please.” She swallowed hard. She saw his eyes were glowing and he kept his mouth closed tight. Taking a small step back, he pulled off his black T-shirt and then placed it on her.
Was he fucking serious?
The scent of him filled her body, her nostrils, and her entire being. It was outrageous, but she felt wrapped in him. She closed her eyes, and then she felt his hands on her hips.
Looking up toward him, her eyes barely opened all the way as a feeling of drunkenness nearly overtook her as he spoke.
“You are our mate, Daniella. Do not fight the sensations you are feeling.”
She could hardly make out his massive chest filled with muscles. The intricate tattoos expanded over his breast, shoulder, and down his arm over muscle upon muscle. She imagined licking across his skin, tasting every inch of him, all of him, unmarked or inked up.
He leaned down and cupped her neck and head then slowly, confidently moved closer. She anticipated the feel of his lips and wondered if they would be soft or rough. When he kissed her lips, she knew she sensed his dominance and masculinity. She was in a real man’s arms. She felt his other hand caress along her backside, molding her front to his front. Her very wet pussy pressed against his jean-covered cock, and she wanted him. Oh God, did she want him.
His kiss grew deeper as he made love to her mouth and held her body against his own. The fabric of his T-shirt teased her nipples to the point of causing her to moan. He released her lips slowly, trailing kisses down her neck to her shoulder. One hand remained holding her ass snug against his cock while he used the other to cup her breast. He had incredibly large hands.
“Oh God, what is wrong with me?”
“Absolutely nothing.” He pinched her nipple as he nibbled on her neck with his teeth. When he slowly pulled back, indicating he was done tasting her, she opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. His green eyes were glowing like that of a wolf and his incisors looked elongated. It was wild and crazy as she gasped and tried to retreat. His hold was firm, and when he spoke, his voice was slightly distorted.
“Don’t be afraid. It is you that brings my wolf to surface, tests my ability to maintain control, when all I want to do is sink my cock deep into your pussy and become part of you.”
Holy fuck, what am I supposed to say to that?
She swallowed hard.
“I don’t know what to say. I never…”
He pulled back and steadied her by her hip bones.
“There’s plenty of time to explain. Would you like to shower? I can help you.”
She sniffed the air then scrunched her eyebrows. “Do I really smell that badly?” He was giving her a complex.
He chuckled then pulled her against his chest.
“Not bad, but that good.”
He picked her up gently in his arms and carried her toward the bathroom.
* * * *
By the grace of God, Dani took a shower and actually felt slightly better. She used the soap and lathered it nice and thick so maybe these men wouldn’t keep referring to her as having a scent of some kind easily detected. She went over the day’s events in her head combined with bits of information Margo had shared about wolves in general. Alphas were superior. She got that, totally could see that with all five of the men and especially Van and Randolph. She thought about the sketch artist from the department, about Baily and the fact that the killer knew where she was headed. How the hell did it know that? Was it really after her now? Could this have something to do with what Margo told her? Did Dani actually possess some kind of healing power for wolves? Well, not any wolves, but the Fagan Pack wolves. Well, maybe others as well. She thought about the woman who died in the warehouse. She swallowed, feeling the thickness in her throat as her belly growled with hunger. This was too much to take in. The men were overwhelming her on top of all the rest of the stuff. Her head ached and she closed her eyes a moment, letting the hot water run over her body.
She rinsed, being careful to avoid getting the bandage wet best she could. That fucking beast nearly ripped her breast off. It gave her the chills. Her bullets hadn’t done shit to it. There had to be a way to kill it. She needed to be armed and ready to defend herself. Her gun brought her feelings of safety and power. Without it, she felt naked and lost. She wasn’t giving that monster another chance. Next time she would kill that beast. Perhaps the men would know how.
She saw that the bandages were not holding up well, despite the plastic coating. She probably shouldn’t have showered yet, but the way they referred to her scent being so strong and different didn’t sit right with her. Charlie had covered the stitches with some kind of plastic to keep it dry. As she dried off, she noticed that the edges were coming off. She probably shouldn’t have showered that long, but she scrubbed her body thoroughly with concern over the scent she was apparently omitting. But with the soap being unscented, which made no sense to her at all, she had scrubbed her skin triple time. She didn’t want the stitches to get infected. She panicked and then she heard the knock on the door.
She held the towel against her body as the door opened slowly.
“Daniella, are you okay?” Van asked in a very deep voice that seemed to travel over her oversensitive body.
Get a grip, woman. You don’t need this kind of trouble.
“I’m just drying off. Um…are there any more bandages around?”
The door opened further and Van entered, his expression filled with concern. Just as she began to ask what he thought he was doing, Baher joined him.
Both men were dressed in black camo pants and were wearing black T-shirts stretched across their muscles. She swallowed hard as they ate up the space between them and her.
She clutched the towel tighter and took a retreating step back, nearly falling into the tub.
“Stop! Both of you, right there!” Both men froze. She held the towel with one hand, and all it seemed to be covering was her pussy.
“Damn, Dani, let us help you with that. The bandages are coming undone,” Baher stated as he walked around her and over toward a closet in the far corner. She turned a little sideways, giving Van a clear view of her right ass cheek and thigh as she watched to see what Baher was up to.
He ran his hand through that brown hair of his then stretched up, causing his biceps to peek out further from the confinement of his shirtsleeve. Her eyes roamed over every delicious inch of him as he stretched farther. The move exposed more tattoos, and she licked her lips.
My God, the man has a great ass.
She heard Van clear his throat, and when she looked back at him, his arms were crossed in front of his chest and his one eyebrow rose up. He caught her staring at his brother. Well, drooling was more like it.