Текст книги "Riding Red"
Автор книги: Alexa Riley
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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 9 страниц)
3
Ruby
“I’ll lock the front door on my way out. You sure I can’t help you with anything else tonight?” Gwen asks.
I finish wiping down the display case, cleaning away fingerprints on the glass from customers today. I toss the paper towel into the trash, then put my key into the register, locking the drawer. “No, I think that’s it for today.” I drop the key into my bag and smile at her.
“Maybe we could go get a drink?” Gwen asks in a hopeful voice, a big smile pasted on her face.
She wants to hang out, but I’m beat after spending the afternoon making non-sexual Halloween treats to serve tomorrow. “Not tonight.”
Her face drops at my reply and makes me feel guilty. I’m new to this town, and she’s the only person who seems to have welcomed me with open arms. I can’t imagine someone as bubbly as she is not having other friends to go out with, or not having a swarm of men wanting her attention. But I can tell that despite her outgoing personality, she’s a little lonely. Something I can relate to, and if I wasn’t so beat I’d take her up on it.
“But Friday night I’m in.” I shoot her another smile, hoping it makes her come back. I should make a better effort if I want to fit in in this town. Maybe a night out with Gwen will give me a chance to really meet the locals in a more relaxed environment. I’m sure Gwen knows everyone and can introduce me around. I doubt there’s a person she doesn't know. I’m also guessing a night with her would be filled with fun. She has a contagious smile.
“Sounds perfect!” Gwen leans in, wrapping her arms around me and giving me a much-needed hug, squeezing me a little too tightly. It’s hard making friends in a new town, but she’s been solid gold. I wrap my arms around her and give her a squeeze back.
“Thanks, girl.” Letting her go, I pick up my purse from the counter.
“See you tomorrow,” Gwen calls over her shoulder as she heads out the front door, locking it behind her.
It’s been a long day but a good one. The good thing about working in a bakery so early in the morning is by five in the evening you’re done for the day. A lot of tourists came in today, despite the sheriff standing guard out front the whole time. It’s odd, but part of me likes the fact that he’s so close. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s as if I feel a bit safer knowing he’s near.
“He’s the freaking sheriff. He’s supposed to make you feel safe,” I mutter to myself, knowing that it’s more than that. I want to yell at him to move from the front of my store, but whenever I see him turn like he might be coming inside, my heart picks up a beat. I tell myself it’s the anger, but I know I’m lying to myself.
No locals came by today, and that part was beyond frustrating. But for some reason, Dominic says that’ll all change on Sunday. What does that even mean? What makes things magically change on Sunday?
Dominic.
Just thinking about his name has me tingling all over. I’ve never felt this way about someone before. He gets on my nerves the way he hovers over me, but I can’t stop my body from wanting to rub against him. It’s crazy because I don’t remember ever being so turned on. When he’s close I feel this hum radiate through me, and all I want to do is fall back and have him climb on top of me.
Jesus, Ruby, get it together. I mentally shake myself out of my sex fog and wrap up the rest of the baked goods from today. Surprisingly, a lot of the Halloween treats sold, the tourists snapping pics and posting them to Instagram. Maybe Red’s Goodie Basket will become internet famous. I can read the headlines now: ‘Red’s Goodie Basket has the Sweetest Pumpkin Spice Dicks Around!’ I can see people coming from all over, getting a cookie dick to swirl around their coffee and nibble on.
I have one tray of extra treats left, and I plan on taking it by the nursing home and then coming back here, opening a bottle of wine, and soaking in the tub before I crash. I still have a ton of decorating I need to do to the shop to make it more festive for Halloween, so I know I’ll be on my feet all day tomorrow. My toes need a nice warm soaking, and maybe if I drink enough wine, I won’t have any more of those dreams about that brooding giant of a man, Dominic.
My apartment above the bakery is small with an open floor plan and a full bathroom off to the side. It’s functional and always smells nice from the array of treats I bake each day. It’s convenient living above where I work, and it’s all I need since it’s just me, but I hope one day to be able to afford a home with some land. I’ve always wanted enough space to walk out on my back porch naked and not have to worry about prying eyes. Well, maybe there’s one set of eyes I wouldn’t mind prying. I stop in my tracks, trying to clear away that thought. I shouldn’t be thinking about Dominic like that. I don’t even know him, but it seems my mind does what it wants these days, even in my sleep. I should want to thump him in the head for being such a pain in the ass.
Opening the basket, I place the tray of treats inside and head out. I walk out the backdoor with my basket of treats in one hand and my keys and purse in the other. Once outside, I turn and lock up. As I flip the key, and the lock clicks into place, I hear leaves crunching behind me. I twist around, holding tight to my basket, but I don’t see anything. It startles me, but I must have imagined it. Maybe it was just an animal running through the trees behind the back of the building. Walking over to my car, I hear some rustling again, and I stand there, staring into the woods for a second, trying to see if I can catch whatever it is. Being in Colorado it could be a lot of things.
Red’s Goodie Basket is located on Main Street, but the side I’m on backs up to the forest. There’s a ton of protected land here since we are so close to the national park, and behind the bakery lie acres and acres of trees and wildlife. Thinking maybe it’s a raccoon, I look around for something to scare it away with. I scan the ground around me. Maybe I can throw a little rock into the woods, and it will run off. I don’t need an animal ripping into the trash.
When I look up, I see a man I don’t recognize standing just a couple of feet away from me, like he came out of nowhere. Jesus, he must move fast. He’s really tall, and I’m not thinking that just because I’m super short. This guy has to be close to seven feet tall. His clothes are dirty and ripped, and it looks like he hasn’t bathed in a few months. Hell, maybe even years. His hair is way past his shoulders and matted up, and his long beard looks about the same. His face is covered, so I can’t really make out any features other than his mouth, and it’s scary-looking. He’s got big full lips, but his teeth are long and pointed. Did I just find Bigfoot? Those Instagram people are going to be so pissed they missed this.
“Hi. Can I help you?” I can hear the tremor in my voice, and I’m trying not to panic. Being a female and being on your own in a situation like this is scary as hell. I’m not sure what this guy is capable of, but I don’t want to make any sudden movements. I get the distinct feeling he would lunge after me if I were to turn and run right now.
When he doesn’t answer me, I start to repeat the question, but suddenly he moves. He takes a slow step forward and then tilts his head up, inhaling deeply. Some of his hair falls away from his face, and I can’t help the gasp that escapes my mouth. His features are jagged and rough, with a hard square jaw and high cheekbones. His appearance—and his teeth—remind me more of an animal than a man.
Slowly, trying not to startle him, I make a move to get into my car. I’m desperate to get in and lock it, but he’s instantly in front of me. Holy shit, he can move fast for someone so big. I could reach out my arm and touch him if I wanted, but believe me, I don’t want to.
“Mine,” he growls, inhaling deeply again like he’s trying to breathe me in. Is this, like, a Colorado thing where people just smell each other all the time?
Making my voice as soft as possible, I say, “Sir, I’m sorry, but—”
My words are cut off by a deep, resonating sound to my left, which makes me snap my head up. I see Dominic standing there, shoulders hunched forward, arms in front of him, his chin tucked. His stance is strong and he looks like he’s about to attack. His silver eyes seem to be glowing, but it must be a trick of the light. This is absolutely the scariest I’ve ever seen him look, and I lean back against my car to try to get as much distance from the two of them as possible.
I watch as Dominic’s chest expands as if he’s breathing really heavily. The stranger sidesteps, and he’s suddenly right in front of me, standing between me and Dominic, like he’s blocking me from him. Something inside me starts to panic at the separation, and I’m more scared than before. The urge to get to Dominic claws at me.
“Mine,” the stranger says through his sharp gritted teeth.
“She’s already spoken for, Xavier. Back away.” Dominic takes a step toward us, and the stranger—who I guess is named Xavier—takes a step back, getting closer to me.
I move my body a little so I can see Dominic better, the sight of him melting a little of my fear. Dominic doesn't look scared at all. No, he just looks pissed. If I had to guess, Dominic can take him. Even though Xavier is taller and scarier-looking, he doesn't look healthy. Maybe if he was in top shape, Dominic would have a reason to worry.
“I smelled it, she’s mine,” Xavier says, taking a step toward Dominic, blocking my view again.
“No.” The word comes from deep in Dominic’s chest, and I peek around Xavier's body to see what’s happening. “Step away from her or I’ll rip out your throat. It’s my right, and I’ll take it.”
Jesus, how did this escalate so fast? One second I was taking cookies to old people, and then all of a sudden I’m in the middle of a backyard brawl with people talking about ripping throats out.
I can see Xavier hesitating, and then he inhales deeply again. What is happening? This is just like that episode of Cops I watched where the guy ate some bath salts and then stole Funyuns from the gas station. It’s crazy!
“Scent her again, Xavier. She’s mine.”
Scent me again? Is he fucking nuts? I’m not letting him smell me! He could snap me in two! “Hold up a second,” I say, leaning around Forest Creature Xavier so I can give Dominic a piece of my mind.
Dominic locks his glowing eyes with mine, and I feel a chill of desire shoot down my spine, somehow pushing my fear out. “Not now, sweets.” he says, his tone completely changing when he addresses me.
“But I scent mine,” Xavier growls, turning his back to Dominic, his eyes running over me in clear confusion. It’s a mistake he turned, because Dominic is on him and tackles him to the ground instantly.
They both make growling sounds and gnash their teeth as they wrestle. I don’t know what to do, so I just stand there like an idiot, holding a basket of cock cookies watching two dudes fight it out. I should call the cops, but Dominic is the cops. I don’t even think this little town has a deputy. After a few moments, Dominic has Xavier in a chokehold from behind, his legs wrapped around his waist, caging the guy.
“This is your warning, Xavier. The next time you scent her like that, I’ll end you. I don’t care what arrangements we have. Do you understand me?”
Xavier looks at me and then looks away. For a second I thought I saw something sad flash in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can be sure. He’s probably not exactly happy in his situation right now, so I don’t dwell on it.
He nods his head and relaxes his body, opening his arms and turning his head to the side, exposing his neck. It’s a position an animal would assume were they to be held down on the ground. It’s almost as if it’s a submissive pose, and it strikes me as odd. Dominic then releases him, and they get up off the ground.
I look the guy up and down and see his clothes are in about the same state as when he first walked out of the woods: torn and dirty. He looks thin too. Not gaunt like he’s at death’s door, but slim and in need of a meal.
“Would you like some cookies?” It’s comical that I would offer up food to someone who just tried to attack me, but from what Dominic said, he’d take him out if he smelled me again. And from the part of the conversation I did understand, they know one another. This night is just getting weirder and weirder.
“You should go.” I look over to Dominic, and I don’t know whether he’s talking to me or to Xavier. He looks at me, and it’s then I realize he’s telling me to go. What the hell? This is my home.
I take a step toward Xavier, and I hear Dominic growl. I don’t know what the hell is happening, but this strange guy needs something besides meth for dinner.
“Here,” I say, holding out the basket. Xavier hesitates for only a second before taking the basket from me and nodding his thanks. “Sorry, they all look like cocks. But they taste wonderful.”
He looks up from the ground, and it’s then I see his eyes are glowing as well. The sunset is doing crazy things tonight. I wonder if mine are glowing too. Xavier smiles, just briefly, and then looks away again.
“It’s not her, but I can smell what’s mine,” Xavier says, making no sense, but none of this is.
“It’s not her, so stay away from her.” Dominic’s voice sounds like he’s been eating gravel. Can anyone talk normally around here? Why does everyone growl?
“She’s not mated,” Xavier responds, but it doesn’t sound like he’s challenging him; it’s more of a question.
“Sunday.” That must be Dominic’s go-to word, because for some reason Sunday is the answer to everything around here.
I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m annoyed with Dominic. Turning to him, I put my hands on my hips and give him my best sassy stance, but he doesn’t speak. Fine. Be that way.
“I’m going inside. I’d appreciate it if we kept the fights to a minimum, or at least take them elsewhere.” I walk toward the backdoor of the bakery and pull out my keys, but I turn back in time to catch Xavier before he walks back to the woods. “Hey, anytime you need something to eat, just leave a rock on that picnic table. I’ll leave a basket out for you.” I nod to the table I have set up in case employees need to go outside for a break, or on those rare afternoons when I get to go outside and enjoy a book in the sunshine.
Dominic just stares at me, not seeming to like my offer, but Xavier bows his head in acknowledgement. Ha! Now I got a local customer! He may not pay, but I’m counting it. After a second, I go inside, locking the door behind me and walk upstairs to my bedroom. Once I’m there, I gently pull back the curtains and look down to see that both men are gone. I step back and flop down on my bed. “What the fuck was that?” I whisper to the empty room.
4
Dominic
I watch Ruby march her sexy ass inside as I try to get myself under control. The thick metal door slams behind her, hiding her perfect round ass from me. Seeing that she’s back safe in her home calms my nerves but not my wolf. He’s still on edge, wanting to break out and at least mark his mate.
My wolf wants to leave his scent on her so others will know she’s spoken for, but this is the exact reason I haven’t. My grip on him isn’t tight enough. If I could’ve just left my mark on her from the start, this wouldn’t have happened. Xavier would’ve smelled me all over her because no one mate-marks a female unless she’s going to be theirs on the next full moon. I’m sure Ruby saw the change in my eyes. She probably told herself she didn’t really see it or that it was a trick of the light.
I knew my wolf started to show the second he scented her fear from two blocks away. It took everything in me to hold my skin and not shift right in the center of Main Street. The sight of the local sheriff turning into a wolf would have sent any lingering tourists running and screaming down the street.
Taking a few deep breaths, I try to calm myself further. I want nothing more than to use the key I have in my pocket to the bakery. I kept a copy when we closed the sale; no way would my mate be living somewhere I couldn’t easily gain access to. I needed to protect her, something I’ve been doing every night since she moved in, quietly slipping in the backdoor of the bakery and sleeping at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to her room. It calms my wolf—and me—to at least be close to her scent. I’m sure Gwen smells me all over the place in here, but I don’t care; I have to be near her.
I’m running out of time, and I have no fucking clue what I’m going to do. I need to get close to her and get into her good graces because come Saturday night when the moon hits high in the sky, my wolf will take control.
But right at this second I have a more pressing issue. Looking out into the woods, I hope Xavier hasn’t gotten far. I let my wolf out a little, picking up his scent, and then I dart into the woods, hot on his trail. I’m not a half-mile in when I finally catch up to him, sitting next to a stream, his head buried in his hands. He doesn’t act like he hears me, but I know he does as I slowly walk up and sit beside him,
“I thought—” He lets his words hang in the air because they are hard to finish. I know just how hard it is.
“You thought you found her, I know.”
He turns his head and glares at me, his wolf always present in his eyes. That’s what happens when you let yourself stay in the wild too long. You become more beast than man. I’m surprised his wolf hasn’t taken him fully already, never letting the man in him break to the surface again.
“You have yours and you haven’t even marked her,” he snarls at me, clenching his jaw tightly. He’s clearly agitated that I haven’t claimed my own mate. That makes two of us.
“You know I can’t fully mate her until the full moon,” I respond in a level voice, not wanting to provoke him. It’s not fair to beat down on a broken man, even with all the aggression coursing through my body. My wolf wouldn’t even enjoy it.
“You haven’t even scented her. I smelled nothing of you on her. What if a human takes her from you?”
“They won’t. I stay close, and she’ll be mine.” I say the words through gritted teeth, thinking about some human coming and snatching her up. Another wolf wouldn’t. Wolves can only mate with fated mates; they’re the only mate a wolf wants.
His eyes narrow a little on me. “If she was mine, I would’ve taken her home, scented and marked her, and she wouldn’t be running around giving my cookies out to everyone.” I know he believes that’s true, that he could just stomp off with his mate. Maybe he could if she was a wolf like him. That would make things a whole lot easier. But what if his mate was human? Even if she wasn’t, wolves don’t like being picked up and carted away. Females hold a lot of the power when it comes to mating.
That’s all I need—Xavier actually scenting his mate and charging into town to steal her. With the way he was acting today, I guess Ruby’s scent must match the scent of his mate pretty closely to have drawn him out of the woods. Xavier never leaves the woods, not since he lost his sister and mother to hunters a few years back.
I know there’s no telling Xavier he can’t chase down his mate like a dog in heat; it would be lost on him. He’ll do what he wants to do. While I might be stronger than Xavier right now, I couldn’t take him if I really stood between him and his mate. Shifters lose all reason when it comes to mates.
Before Xavier lost his sister and mother, he could probably take our alpha on a good day if he wanted, but Xavier wasn’t an alpha nor did he want to be one. He had to have a desire to lead, and that often comes with backing down and doing what’s for the good of the pack. That wasn’t Xavier.
Now it looks like Xavier barely eats at all. As if he heard my thoughts, he reaches down and snatches up one of the cookies, chomping down on it. I go to reach for one, but he growls at me and snaps his teeth.
“Mine.”
Raising my hands in the air to show him I’m not going to eat one, I debate my next words, but he beats me to it.
“My mate. I taste it on my cookies, but it’s not the woman who gave them to me.” He picks up another cookie, eyeing it, clearly confused. I’m just as confused. How could he taste his mate?
Then it hits me like a fucking ton of bricks. It’s something I don’t even want to wrap my mind around, something that’s going to make the alpha lose his fucking shit.
He barely lets Xavier stay in the area as it is. The only reason he let him stay was because Xavier swore he’d stay away from humans, something he clearly didn’t do tonight with Ruby. He also okayed it because Xavier makes sure no wild animals get too close to town, and he’s also great at tracking. He might have one of the best noses in the pack because he’s more in touch with his wolf than any of us. That’s probably how he smelled his mate from so far out in the woods.
“You want your mate, Xavier?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Every male shifter wants their mate from the day they’re born. Some start to go crazy as they get older, some never find them.
“Don’t annoy me with your stupid questions,” he grunts, picking up another cock cookie. He doesn’t seem to care that he’s eating dick-shaped desserts.
“What would you do with your mate?”
“Mate her. If all you want to do is ask stupid questions, you can leave now. I’ll stay away from your mate, but if I were you, I’d bite her real good so everyone knows.”
My cock jerks at the idea, shooting pleasure up my spine. Getting hard-ons isn’t something I’m used to, and it doesn’t feel like I ever will get used to them.
“You’re telling me you’re just going to grab your mate and drag her here, out into the woods, and make her live like you do? Through the cold winter without shelter? A woman who probably has a family?” Which I know for a fact she does. “You’d drag her away from that and bring her to what? Some cave you got out here, Xavier? Would you have let some mate have done that to your sister?”
He freezes at my words, the point I’m trying to make hitting home.
“You aren’t even taking care of yourself, and you think you’re ready for a mate and pups?”
I hear him take a deep breath, and I wonder if I’ve gone too far. Kicking a man while he’s down isn’t my style, but it’s the truth, and being blunt with Xavier is always the best way to go.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make my mate happy.” He stands up, and I follow suit. I can tell he’s still a little lost at the idea; he’s been out here alone for over five years.
“Xavier, your family’s house is still there, and I’ve been paying you your park ranger fees, just depositing it into your family's account. Get yourself together, and then get your mate.”
“I will prove myself to be the perfect mate.”
“I’m sure you will.”
With that, he leaves, walking deeper into the forest.
Looking down at my watch, I see it’s almost seven. The alpha should be back in town by now, and it looks like we need to have a little talk.
“I knew this was going to fucking happen!” I hear Stone, the alpha, bellow from all the way out in the driveway in front of his home.
“I can do whatever I want. I’m twenty-one years old for Christ’s sake!” Gwen’s high-pitched scream makes my normally active wolf bury its head, her voice hurting our ears.
They continue to scream at each other as I make my way up the stairs and onto the porch. I land a hard knock on the door, even though I’m sure Stone already knows I’m here.
He wanted me to report in right when he got back, and I’m already a good fifteen minutes late after having to deal with Xavier. Now hearing Gwen and Stone fighting, I’m not sure I want to tell this over-protective brother that his little sister has a mate, and it’s none other than Xavier. Fur is really going fly then. It’s actually a miracle it took this long for either of them to catch wind of each other’s scent, but with the tight hold Stone has on Gwen, maybe it isn’t so shocking.
Sure, X and Gwen might have crossed paths a time or two, having grown up in the same town. But the mating bond doesn’t kick in until both mates are over the age of eighteen. Xavier would have been already in the wild for a few years before Gwen came of age.
When the door swings open, I see Gwen standing there with her hand on her hip. She’s been hanging out with my Ruby too much, because now she’s doing that hip thing, although my eyes don’t go to Gwen’s hips like they do to my Ruby’s. Every time Ruby grabs her hips, all I can think about is batting her hand away and grabbing them with mine. I see her curves there, and I wonder how they feel. When she’s wearing one of her little knitted dresses, hugging all her curves, I think about finally getting to feel her warm skin under my fingers. I’d be using her hips soon to—
“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to come in already?” Gwen asks with a bored look on her face. I don’t blame Stone for how protective he is of her. She might be twenty-one, but she barely looks a day over eighteen.
The freckles she got as a teenager still line the bridge of her nose, making her look so much younger than she is. I don’t have a sister, but if I did I’m sure I’d be the same way.
“How was your day at the bakery?” I ask, strolling in.
“It’d be a lot better if you stopped scaring everyone away. Never thought you’d be one to upset your mate, Dom.”
Her words make my heart clench and my wolf sit up.
“I don’t hurt her,” I protest, appalled at the very idea that I would even do such a thing.
She snorts, and it’s an unladylike sound. She rolls her eyes and turns to make her way up the stairs to get away from her brother and me. I reach out to stop her, wanting to know what she means by ‘hurting my mate’ but quickly pull my arm back. The idea of touching another woman, even someone who’s nearly a sister to me, makes my stomach cramp.
“Gwen, how am I hurting her? I’m trying everything I can not to hurt her.” My words make her stop her retreat, and she turns to look back at me.
“She’s new here and thinks the whole freaking town hates her, Dom. I mean, come on. She’s alone here, she’s just lost the only living relative she had, and now you won’t even let anyone near her. Yeah, you’re being a dick and hurting her.” With that, she turns, her blonde hair bouncing as she stomps up the stairs.
“Fuck.”
“Glad to see I’m not the only one she lays into,” Stone says from behind me, making me turn to look at him.
“You look like hell.” I take in his wrinkled flannel shirt, his overgrown beard, and the dark circles under his eyes.
“Yeah. Three weeks on the road from pack to pack will do that to you,” he says, dropping his big body down on the sofa and kicking his feet up on the coffee table. He takes a drink of his beer and then sighs. “Want one?”
I’d love one, but it’d take me twenty to get drunk, and either way I’d end up on Ruby’s stairs. At least if I’m sober I won’t knock down her door trying to get in and scare the shit out of her. After the verbal blow from Gwen, I’m really wishing I could pound back a few.
“Nope, I’m good.” I take the chair across from him, hoping this will be a quick chat. Not much has gone on around here. Well, not much I care to share about at the moment.
“How is everything? Besides you letting my sister take that job in town. Oh, and the fact that you found your mate, two things you seem to have left out of our weekly chats.” I can hear the slight irritation in his voice but no real anger. Either he’s as tired as he looks, or he isn’t as bothered about it as he lets on.
“I had to let my mate buy the bakery. I didn’t have a choice. She would have been gone, and I would have had to follow her. I couldn’t let her leave…unless you wanted to get a new beta.”
“I know, I know,” he says, polishing off his beer and getting another. The message is clear. Where my mate goes, I go. If that meant leaving my pack, then I’d be gone without a second thought.
“But did you have to let her hire my sister?”
“I can’t control your sister any more than you can, Stone.” I see the stress on his face. He worries about her more than he should, but with both their parents gone I can see why. They lost them at a young age, and I’m sure Gwen hardly remembers them. Stone is more like her father than her brother.
Losing parents is hard on shifters because they usually follow each other to the grave. When one goes, the other will soon go next. I used to think it was terrible that fate would do that to people, but having only known Ruby a short time, I don’t think I would want to live without her either. She’s already ingrained in me. But it looks like all I’ve done is hurt her, and here I was, not even hours ago, scolding Xavier on being a good mate.
Stone doesn’t respond to me, but there really isn’t much to say. He’s about to get a whole new reality check when Xavier comes knocking on his door. No, scratch that, I have a feeling Xavier isn’t gonna knock on a door to get to his mate. He’ll most likely tear it off the fucking hinges.
“She’s going to find a mate soon. You’ll have to let her go,” I say lightly, trying to ease into this conversation.
His face actually looks somewhat happy and makes me feel a little more comfortable. Until he opens his mouth. “I made some really good alliances while I went from pack to pack checking in with other alphas. I got to meet a lot of good shifters too. Some were looking for a change of scenery, and a few of them I’m planning to invite here would be a good fit for Gwen. I’m really hoping one will be her fated mate. I think I’d be at ease with her being with one of them.”
That’s great. All we need is Stone to bring in shifters he hopes will mate with Gwen.
“Speaking of mates, I really need to get back to mine,” I say, standing up. “Like I said, not much happened while you were gone, and there was no stopping Gwen from working at the bakery. Trust me, I’ve been in the place. Nothing is going to happen to her.” I try to reassure him because he needs to get some rest. Maybe he needs to let his wolf out for a good run before we get into the whole Xavier and Gwen thing.
