Beg

ALPHA 4:

BEG

Treva Harte

www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Alpha 4: Beg Treva Harte This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © September 2008 by Treva Harte All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-781-8 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Crystal Esau Cover Artist: April Martinez

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

“Hey, baby.” “You’ve been drinking.” “It’s my birthday.” “Your eighteenth birthday, Arlin. Not legal drinking age.” “For non-weres, maybe. But when did you turn into a member of the Temperance League? Ohh. I get it, cousin. You’re jealous. After all, I am one day older than you. I always will be.” “Shut up. And I’m not your cousin. In fact, I’m really glad I’m not your cousin.” “Cousin? We’re almost twins, babe. Is it the longest day of your life? You’ve been like this for every birthday since I can remember. You’d think you’d outgrow it.” “And button up your fly, Arlin. You’ve been out sexing too. What type of bar did you go to?” He smiled, his patented lazy smile, and took his time about obeying the order. He deliberately left the top button open. “A sex bar, of course. C’mon, Tala. You’re so jealous you’re just about crawling out of your skin. It’s okay for me to have sex, you know. I’m not a minor now. Of course, you can’t

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have it even when you do turn eighteen. You’ve been sold off to the highest bidder. I bet he wants a virgin bride. How quaint.” “If you’d been born female, it would have been you on the auction block. It’s at least one good reason to be male.” Tala stood up and began to pace. “I suppose he’ll summon me as soon as I hit the right age. I don’t even know if he’ll do that. Everything is up to him. It’s disgusting. It’s archaic.” “Jealous and scared as hell.” Arlin grabbed her by the shoulders, halting her in midstep. “I didn’t think anything scared you, Tala. Not our little Miss Smartass.” “Nothing does.” She looked him in the eye when she lied. “Nothing will.” Arlin’s expression softened and his grip on her changed to a soft slide down her shoulders. “Can I help?” Help? Arlin was male and the presumptive Alpha of his pack. And she -- almost cousin, almost twin, almost part of Arlin and his family -- wasn’t. No. There was no help for it. “You’re so predictable. You and your so-called help.” She leaned forward to nip his chin. He tweaked one of her nipples and she sucked in a breath. “You don’t like it? I can stop.” “Shut up, Arlin.” Mouth fastened on mouth, like -- well, two starving wolves. Tala flexed her fingers, let her nails scrape against Arlin’s bare chest. Such a nice chest, with light fur barely covering warm skin and hard muscle. “Harder, baby.” Arlin growled the command against her neck and she swiped down a little harder, leaving a red mark on the skin. He twitched against her, hips against hips. Hard against soft. Against wet. Ache meeting need. He pulled on her clothing, tearing it off.

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She bent and bit one of his nipples. He reached, hand holding her ass cheeks and pulled her up, tighter against him. She wound her legs around his waist and clung. His teeth dug into the skin near her neck as she tilted her head back, close to her pulse. It was classic submission and dominance, but she wasn’t interested in submission. Not quite yet. Not for either of them. She rocked against Arlin and, without words or preliminaries, he shoved a finger inside her. “Yessss. More.” They kissed again, fiercely, and he inserted two more fingers. She wiggled against him as he backed her against the wall. “What do I get, Tala?” He gave her one blinding shock of pleasure as he touched her clit and she almost forgot words. “What…do you want?” Another touch and she jolted against him, the space between her ass cheeks rubbing tight against his erection. “What you want.” Good healthy, familiar lust swirled up inside of her. What he wanted was what she wanted. Of course. They’d known each other since they were born. Never known a world without Tala-and-Arlin in it. They knew what made each other laugh, cry, and everything in between. The alarm on her watch buzzed shrilly and stopped. But it was enough to remind her. She’d set the time herself, earlier today. At midnight, about five minutes from now, give or take, Tala was going to be someone else. Was already promised to someone else. She’d been promised even before they were born. “Tala?”

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She shuddered again at the warmth that brushed against her skin with the word. She was primed, ready to go and -Arlin’s fingers pushed up hard and she cried out, unable to do anything except respond to the pleasure he brought. Jolts of hard, angry pleasure. They rode out her excitement together, pressed close, gasping. Then she was back. The watch had shrilled somewhere in the middle of the orgasm buzz in her head. She was pretty sure. It could have just been the buzzing in her ears. It didn’t matter. She shook her head as if to get it started again. Tala. She was Tala again, not Tala-and-Arlin. He let her back down on the floor, his shoulders pressed against hers, his forehead resting against hers, as she tried standing on her shaky legs. “Arlin?” “The answer is nothing. I want nothing.” “Don’t lie. You’re so hot for me I can almost see the smoke.” His erection was still there, hard and pushing against the confining jeans. She wanted to unbutton his jeans herself this time. She wanted -“I want nothing you can give me.” Arlin straightened up. He looked older suddenly, his mouth grim and his eyes cold. And, just like that, everything was different. He wasn’t the guy who was always more than willing to help her explore sex by going almost, but not quite, too far. The fellow smartass who would rather make a joke than tell the truth. As he stared at her, she could see him as an adult, not her playmate. For God’s sake, she was seeing him as Alpha. It wasn’t a joke any longer, the games about who was top dog. It was the truth. “Why not, Arlin?” Did that make her the bottom this time? She’d risk looking submissive because she had to know. Something was different. Everything was different. What had changed? She knew she’d be able to figure it out if the haze of lust had completely

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cleared out of her brain. But looking at Arlin, deliciously almost undressed, was fuzzing her brain over again. She was already almost forgetting the feel of danger and loss as it mixed with the rising desire in her. She wanted to taste him. She wanted to hold him down this time and -His next words cut through the warm fog in her brain. “Because what you can give me now isn’t enough.”

***** “It’s midnight.” Dunne stated the obvious rather than the things he didn’t want to say. Probably they were things Hunt didn’t want to hear. “I’ve been up at midnight before.” Hunt rolled his chair back and stared out the window. Lights danced across the panes, one color after another. Midnight in Vegas didn’t mean what it did to the outside world. No one slept at night. At least no one slept when they were on the Strip. “She’s eighteen now.” Hunt didn’t say anything in response. Red light from the neon signs fell across his face. It made him look angry. Or bloodied. The light changed to gold and Hunt lit up under its rays. He was much older than when Dunne had met him first but he still looked young. Still rangy. Handsome. Powerful. So sexy that Dunne wanted to go take a bite of him right now. Hunt wasn’t eighteen or anything close to it. It had been a damn long wait to find a were female. It had been a battle to make sure that female was going to become part of the pack. When they first contracted for Tala as a bride, an eighteen years or so age difference hadn’t seemed important. Having a were female was. The two other packs, united with blood ties and with two pregnant females between them, had reluctantly agreed that Hunt would get the first girl child in either pack.

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Dunne wondered how important Hunt’s new mate was going to think the agreement and the age difference was now. She was damned young.

But Hunt was the right age for him. Dunne turned his head away. It didn’t matter who Hunt was right or wrong for. The teenage bitch was going to have him. He’d always known the Alpha of his pack would eventually find a female were to mate with and ensure the pack’s survival. It wasn’t that Hunt didn’t care enough for him. Hell, it didn’t matter if Hunt cared for him or not. Or if Hunt cared for the bitch or not. Dunne couldn’t provide what the pack needed and she could. “Do you want me to bring her here?” Dunne asked. “I could order up the jet.” Tala’s pack and theirs had made the contract long ago. Her pack wouldn’t object. They couldn’t. Not without tearing their own pack apart over what would happen next. But if there was any problem, well -- Whatever his feelings about it, Dunne would be happy to enforce the contract if there was any sign of wavering. “She’ll take care of things.” Hunt stretched out a hand and Dunne stepped closer, tentatively. Did his gesture mean what Dunne wanted it to? “She will? How?” “It doesn’t matter how. She will.” “You sound pretty damn sure. She’s just a kid. A little young to take care of something this important.” “I know her. I’ve studied her ever since she was born. Tala has been thinking about it for weeks. Months. She has a plan.” Hunt was the boss. He usually knew exactly what he was doing. But if Hunt was wrong, that was just fine with Dunne. He could wait forever for their lives to change. In the meantime, Hunt wanted him.

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Dunne clamped down tight on all those emotions Hunt didn’t want from him and focused on what Hunt did want. Dunne knelt down in front of Hunt’s chair. Dunne unbuttoned Hunt’s crisply ironed pants, not bothering with any other part of the suit. There was something sexy about sucking off a man dressed in a tailored suit and tie. The smell of Hunt. Dunne ran his tongue across Hunt’s cock, tracing the pulse of the big vein in his shaft. The taste of Hunt. Salty and tangy all mixed together. Dunne sniffed Hunt’s balls, then mouthed them. “Yeah. That’s good.” Hunt touched Dunne’s hair, lightly, as Dunne opened his mouth and gently worried the smooth head of Hunt’s cock. “More.” Lust bubbled like lava, sending up a few good flames with Hunt’s command. Dunne licked his lips and tasted Hunt all over again. “Move down on that damn chair.” Dunne pulled at Hunt’s pants, desperate to strip the seated man. “I’ll give you more.” A muscled thigh. A tight ass cheek. Dunne licked his way to one of his favorite spots. Hunt’s hole resisted for a moment and then relaxed as Dunne shoved his tongue inside. Tight, hot, and Hunt’s. What else did he need to get hard as hell? “You plan to top tonight, Dunne?” Hunt’s voice was almost as tight and hot as his ass. Taking Hunt. God. That would be perfect. Dunne stopped just long enough to grin at his Alpha. “Yeah. And I don’t plan to hear any objections.” “Make it worth my while and there won’t -- ah, yeah -- be any. Fuck, Dunne, that’s good.” It had been too long since he’d had his cock inside Hunt. That was a pity. No one could fuck your brains out like Hunt, but he also definitely had talent as a bottom, squeezing every

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drop of cum out your body. Dunne felt his Alpha’s sphincter contract and then relax under his tongue. Hunt rolled over, braced on the chair. “Well, then?” Hunt challenged. Dunne fumbled, trying to pull out the lube and the condom from his pocket and unbuckle his belt all at the same time. Somehow he managed to get everything together right before his fingers slipped and dropped the used container of lube on the floor. That was fine. They didn’t need it anymore. He hissed as the tip of his cock slid inside. Hunt grunted, shifted below him. And Dunne slid further in. Hunt reached back with one hand and grabbed Dunne’s fingers. Firmly, he pulled Dunne’s hand to his erection. Dunne snapped at Hunt’s shoulder with his teeth as he grasped that hard cock in his fist. He wished he could rip into the skin under Hunt’s pressed shirt. Hunt shifted again and Dunne realized that with Hunt’s cooperation, he was already balls deep inside. Dunne shut his eyes, fighting for stillness. He just concentrated on breathing for a minute, enjoying the feel of heat and his Alpha’s tight muscles locked around his cock. “Do I have to do all the fucking work?” Hunt growled below him. “You’ve forgotten how?” Not yet. Not until he was dead and maybe not even then. Dunne began to move and heard Hunt’s grunt of satisfaction. Or was that his own? Thrust deep. Pull back, only to push down deep again. He pushed home, squeezing Hunt’s cock at the same time. Nothing. Better. Dunne rested his head against Hunt, feeling the sweat drip down onto Hunt. He was sopping, both of them were gasping like they were dying. Hunt arched up under him.

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“Damn it!” Hunt snarled, and wetness spilled onto Dunne’s hand. Tightness squeezed Dunne’s cock in a near death grip, so hard that Dunne howled and let go, let the bubbling lust from before turn into a boiling stream as he came, joltingly, explosively, inside Hunt. “Ahhh, Hunt…” It took Dunne a few minutes to get his brain back in gear. He found himself cheek to cheek with Hunt. Though maybe a romantic would think this particular cheek to cheek wasn’t the right position, Dunne kind of liked it -- besides, he was too weak to move. Right now his knees barely held him up off the floor as he rested his head against Hunt’s ass. He waited and listened to Hunt’s breathing gradually even out. “Dunne --” He looked up, staring directly at Hunt, even though that was a breach of were protocol. Hunt touched his hair again, lightly. Was that touch the last one he was ever going to get from the man he’d been close to for so long? Was he never going to know for sure if Hunt gave a damn about him? Dunne glared. “We’ve been doing this for over twenty fucking years, Hunt. You asshole.” “Dunne!” The urgent tone over the intercom cut off whatever it was Dunne was going to say next. It was just as well. He wasn’t sure how to finish that tirade. He was afraid he might start to beg instead. That would never work. “Fuck.” Dunne stood up, throwing Hunt’s pants toward him as he began to pull on his jeans. He flipped on the switch. “Yo, Bassett. What?” “Someone here to see Mr. Hunt. Maybe you should come down and handle this one.” Dunne knew then. He glanced over at Hunt. They both knew who it had to be. Hunt was usually right. Damn it.

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“Maybe you should clean up or something, before she steps in the office.” Hunt winked. “Don’t worry yourself. I have a plan too.”

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Chapter Two

“Miss…Kinkaid?” The man standing in front of her was at least a head taller and much, much wider. She looked him up and down. He was big, intimidating, and she had the definite sense that he didn’t like her. Tough. “That’s what I was named. In human terms, maybe the last name doesn’t strictly belong to me, but we won’t deal with that since we don’t have to.” Tala dropped her suitcase on the floor. “You can take care of my luggage, right?” He glanced down at the bag and frowned. So he didn’t like being made into a bellboy either. Tough to that too. “Take her things to the boss’s office.” He didn’t back down. Didn’t even acknowledge the nervous security guard’s name when he gave the order. The other man, who had delayed her so long, now picked up the bag without a second’s hesitation. So this unfriendly soul had power, even if he wasn’t Hunt. She had checked out photos of Hunt on the Web. This definitely wasn’t him. Whoever this guy was, she could tell he wasn’t the hired help. Her research hadn’t told her enough, obviously. However, she could still use common sense to figure things out.

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“Hunt’s right-hand man, are you?” She nodded to herself without bothering with his affirmative answer. He had the look of her dad. Formidable, tough, alert to danger. Daddy Grey was always at his most daunting when he was protecting his Alpha. Apparently she was considered a danger to Hunt. Tala almost smiled. This Beta was smart. “I’m Dunne.” “Done with what?” He looked at her and she saw a flash of bitterness. “I suppose I’m done with everything. Now that you’re here.” He didn’t move. That sounded interesting but was not something she needed to get into right now. She had an agenda of her own to move on. She tapped her booted foot instead. “I’m not likely to hurt him, you know. Not if you take me to him and leave us alone. Sometime soon?” “I doubt you could hurt him.” The brooding look directed at her didn’t change. “Not unless he allowed you to.” “I’ll be gentle, just in case.” Tala followed him down the hall. Nice butt for an older guy. Too bad he had a stick up it. As they walked, she began to relax. Maybe it was the surroundings. The carpets on the floors were luxurious. The paintings on the wall, artfully lit to show their best points, were beautiful. The casino business did well for Hunt and he’d used the money with some idea of good taste. Nice to know her research hadn’t lied. The man was rich and knew how to spend his money right. Hunt’s Beta stopped at one particularly large, ornately carved door and opened it. He gave her one more hard stare. She stared right back.

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She knew she was a valuable were. All female weres were rare enough to be valuable. So even though he might not like her at all, his face was nothing but an empty threat for now. Probably. Tala figured she’d just see and kept staring him down. She tried not to wonder what would happen if she was wrong. Sure enough, he broke first. She tried not to look too relieved when he turned his head toward the interior of the room. “Boss? She’s here.” Boss. Tala swallowed. Inside was the real threat. Time to face it down as well. She stepped forward and stopped before the huge desk in the center of the room. The man sitting there had to be him. “You’re not --” She bit off the what I expected. It was a cliché and besides what had she expected? For one thing she’d expected the Beta to stay, like a dog guarding his bone. Instead he took one look at the man behind the desk and disappeared. What had she expected from Hunt? Someone who talked, for one thing. Instead he just sat, looking at her. Assessing her. Well, she was looking right back at him, summing him up. He looked younger…older…not quite like his pictures. But close. He was gray at the temples but he didn’t look particularly old, unless you saw the -- the what? -- in his eyes. His eyes held wariness. Weariness. Amusement, for God’s sake. He was wary and weary and amused over her. That wasn’t really what she’d been aiming for. Who the hell was Hunt Winters? He didn’t look like Fate. He stood up. And up. Jesus God, he was tall! Her boots with the three-inch heels didn’t do a thing for intimidation when she was dealing with an almost seven footer. “Welcome to Las Vegas, Tala.”

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His voice rumbled into her brain. Nice. She liked the voice. No. Not nice. He wasn’t nice and she wasn’t either. He wasn’t her welcoming committee to a new city. He was her Nemesis, unless she could become his first. Her breathing quickened as he glanced at her mouth and then down her body. Unfortunately this potential Nemesis apparently could make her think of sex. That probably was only to be expected. She thought about sex a lot and everything about Hunt promised to deliver sex big-time. But she needed to keep her usual focus. She wasn’t here to have sex with him. She was here to gain her freedom so she could have sex with whomever she wanted. She needed to focus on her goal. Sum up her adversary so she could gain the advantage. She took a deep breath and looked him over critically. Once again she regretted the tall boots. She added the red leather halter top to her list of fashion mistakes when she saw the tailored suit he had on. She’d made a tactical error there. He looked so powerful compared to her… Then she saw the intent look enter his eyes. Maybe she hadn’t gone entirely wrong. He took her hand. Instead of shaking it, he leaned forward and licked her palm. Slowly. Tala stiffened and her other hand clenched into a fist, trying to deny her explosive reaction. He bit into the fleshy pad of her thumb, very deliberately, very softly. Her breath whooshed out. Then he let her hand go and smiled. “I hope you enjoy it here.” She resisted staring down at her hand, although it still tingled from his touch. She tried to ignore the other parts of her body that had also received an unexpected thrill. Surely that just proved what she needed to tell him? She had to have her freedom. “I’m not staying, Hunt.” “No?”

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“I came here to talk to you directly. That was the fair thing to do. I suppose everyone thought I was too young to handle my own affairs -- er, life -- before. Everyone told me not to talk to you until I was an adult and I went along. But I’m old enough to talk to you now.” “I think so too. So tell me what you came to say.” Tala straightened her shoulders. Hunt knew what he was talking about. Just say it and

be done. “I’m not right for you, Hunt.” “No?” “No. I --” She pushed her hair up, out of her face. Somehow she hadn’t worked out the explanation. It had always flowed in her head but not now when she had to say it aloud. Not with those cool gray eyes looking right into her, questioning her. “I’ve always wanted to be Alpha. But my mother was an omega and my father -- my biological one -- was Beta. I’ve seen how Alphas behave. My other father is Alpha. Hell, even Arlin is going to be. It’s not that I don’t know how. But it’s not in my blood. I’d probably get it wrong because it’s not instinctive.” “I didn’t understand at first why your pack allowed a presumptive Alpha to form a bond with both an omega and a Beta from another pack.” That sounded stuffy. If he was stuffy, that would be a disappointment. Not that his personality mattered to her, of course. Or his opinions on her family. “I’m not sure allowing was involved; they needed to make my mother happy or she wouldn’t breed. It did make for some strange family gatherings, though. But when it comes down to it, I’m Daddy Grey’s child, not Rome’s. I look way too much like Grey for there to be any doubt.” Hunt shrugged. “I understood more about why the rules were bent as I heard about the results. Anyhow, your unorthodox childhood isn’t that important since you have been saying you’re an adult now. Besides, have you considered that maybe I’m Alpha enough to make my

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pack treat you as an Alpha no matter what you are? I’m definitely smart enough to know you have what it takes to be an Alpha bitch. If that’s what you choose to be.” That was flattering. She’d always known if she wanted to be Alpha, she could, even if she had to work her butt off.

No. That wasn’t what she’d come to say. No wonder she was getting lost. She’d tried to avoid telling him the real problem but it wasn’t working. Avoidance never worked. Try again. “Listen, I know you want to breed yourself a dynasty. My pack put up with a lot to get there too. I know that’s why you’ve waited for me. But it’s not like you know me. I’m not trustworthy.” “Explain.” “That’s good. You’re down to using just one word sentences and you don’t sound nearly as stuffy. That probably means something. I hope I’m taking the right approach this time.” “Tala.” It was stupid to keep putting it off. Why should she care about what he thought of her anyhow? She took a deep breath and just said it. “If you stayed with me, you might not be sure of who fathered that dynasty. I can’t promise to be faithful.” She blinked when Hunt gave her a tight, fierce smile. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead as if she was a child. “I’d be sure.” His voice deepened as he looked her over -- not like she was a child at all. Tala felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle. She didn’t want this -- this total awareness of him. She’d thought she could handle whatever happened until Hunt turned on just a little heat. Now she realized she might be totally wrong about her abilities.

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That first zing of sexual attraction was undeniably there. He touched her ear and traced down her neck and the first zing turned to a second and third. She moved closer, nuzzled his neck, absorbing the feel of this male. She could bite down, into the sinews. Or nip at him -- gently, gently, at first. He’d understand. He might do it back. It would probably get her crazy. No. The way he’d do it, she’d definitely get crazy. He smelled like sex. Really recent sex. Was she imagining things or -- whatever. It didn’t matter what he’d been doing before she arrived. He smelled good. She tried to keep from sniffing too hard. He was supposed to understand by now why this wouldn’t work. Then she’d leave. That’s what she’d planned out for years. That’s why she had arrived here, in Hunt’s den, as soon as she turned adult. He stroked her shoulder as she rested her face against him. God, she was weak. Of course that was the problem. That was why she needed to leave him. The hairs on his arm tickled against her. She visualized the Change with him while they had sex. No one else had changed with her. That was yet another first she needed to try. There could be many firsts with Hunt. She didn’t think she’d exactly be safe with him but…he’d know. He’d know what to do. How to behave. How not to behave. How to make her wild. He’d protect her, too, if she needed help. That was pretty much everything she’d ever wanted in a sex partner. A lover. A mate. Tala took one hesitant step toward him. One more. Then she was held very tightly against his body and she was twined around him, breathing hard, wanting more. What the hell had just happened? “This is a bad idea,” she managed.

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“This is a little bit beyond the idea stage, Tala.” He flexed his fingers against the small of her back and she flinched even closer to him than before. They were breathing in unison. Rising and falling together.

No. Don’t get caught in this weird sexual vibe with him. Get it over with. “I don’t think you get what I mean. Hunt, I know I was bound to you before I was born. But I don’t feel bound. I just feel -- itchy. I’m were. I want sex.” “With me?” “Well, I wouldn’t mind, thanks so much for asking. Then again, you just want to have someone to breed with. It’s nothing personal. I understand that. Now me, I just -- I want sex. With anyone. Everyone. It’s, uh, nothing personal either.” Oh, perfect. Now she was hiding her face in his chest. At least he couldn’t see the red that must be there. She could feel the burn of embarrassment all over her face. Hunt slid his hand down her back and somehow her halter top was untied and down to her waist. Now she could feel the burn of lust all over her body.

Please put your hands right -- yes, right there. The touch on her nipple sent a hot spark down to her pussy. You know exactly what to do. Damn it. “My dear Tala, I can work with that.” He held her hands above her head and nudged her legs so they were spread apart. They stood, pressed tightly together. “We both can.” “I don’t think…I can’t think…” Well, at least she’d told him. Sort of. If he was going to handle her…it… But she’d explained, right? And he wanted her. Wanted… He licked the base of her throat. Thought skittered away as sensation took its place. The touch sent yet a different tight, hot sensation slamming down to her pussy. There must be something about having experience. She’d never felt that pull from just one touch of a male tongue. She loved the rough rasp against her skin. And he wasn’t even close to where a tongue would do her the most good. What could happen when he reached that?

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She didn’t know. Not quite. The not knowing was tempting. So very tempting. And God, he was making her imagine just that. “You’re pretty, spread out here just for me. Are you ready to be my mate, Tala?” “Who the hell could be ready for that? I’d probably combust.” “Are you willing, then?” “But, Hunt --” He kissed her, hard, while his cock teased her with light touches, promising more without delivering nearly enough. What kind of idiot gave in because a man promised a fine fuck with every thrust of his body? A really fine first fuck if she just gave in… One flick of his finger under her thong and she moaned out loud. She quivered at the promise of finally satisfying her now screaming-for-sex pussy. She’d teased and waited and waited and waited for so long. Sometimes she thought she’d die from waiting. Hunt was promising to be the end to the wait. She was ready to fall back on the floor and let him have his way with her. Right now. Wasn’t that good enough? “Oh, hell. Yes. Can’t you tell? I’m very willing.” “Then are you ready for what happens next? Tala?” “Oh, yeah -- oh.” Tala opened her eyes. “You almost slipped the what happens next right past me. Sorry, bucko. Not going to happen.” “No?” She looked at him. What would happen if she insisted? She probably didn’t really want to know right now. She already was sure Hunt pretty much always got what he wanted to get. “All right. I meant the slipping past me part isn’t going to happen. Do we have to do the what happens next?” The bonding ceremony to enter a pack was something she’d heard about but never experienced or watched. No one new had entered her parents’ pack for years. What the ceremony was, what it meant, made her terrified and eager all at once.

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He laughed and let her go, just a millimeter. Her hands slid down her body, no longer trapped and submissive. She wasn’t much of a submissive usually. She should be glad he realized that. She wished he’d kept her hands just the way they were. “You know the answer to that. But, trust me, this will be a very small gathering. Very intimate.” He touched her shoulder. “I got rid of most of my pack when I decided to turn legit.” “Got rid of them?” She decided to not think about what he did before if running casinos was turning legit. The Web hadn’t provided much information there, but she’d figured out it wasn’t something very legal. After all this time, it might be best to drop it since he hadn’t gotten arrested. Probably the statute of limitations had run out on any non-were crime Hunt might have committed. But getting rid of weres? That was definitely a need to know thing. “I found other packs willing to take them on. Mostly.”

Mostly ? No. Leave it. Leave and move on. She didn’t want to know. She wanted him to keep touching her. She forced herself to keep her eyes open. She had to know more. This was serious.

Please give the answers I need, Hunt, because I’m seconds away from jumping you and I want my first screw to be with the right one. Hunt’s voice got low and serious. “Tala, I’m not a good person. I’m not going to embarrass you. That was part of the pact I made with your family. But I can’t undo all the years before you existed.” “Well, I might embarrass you. Just so you know up front. I’m definitely going to be a lot of trouble.” “It’s a deal, then?” Hunt smiled at her and something caught in Tala’s throat. “Trouble and embarrassment ahead. Got it.”

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“I promise. Everything you said. A deal, trouble, and embarrassment. And sex. I really must insist on that.” She still wasn’t sure how she’d gotten from wanting to leave Hunt to making promises, even half-assed promises to him. She was falling right in with his plans. The big pack alliance was exactly what she thought she was here to resist. Resist. That was it. She opened her mouth to try one last time. He slid his fingers under her thong and pressed against her clit. This time the burn of promised sex weakened her knees. She gasped, words gone. He pulled his hand away and licked one of his fingers. She pulled his hand to her and licked too. There was still the faint taste of her mingled with the smell and taste of him. So good. Oh, God. She couldn’t leave. He gripped her shoulders just as she wondered if her knees might buckle. “Then let’s begin, my dear.”

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Chapter Three

“Hunt?” The intercom voice broke into whatever she might have said or done. Hunt frowned and Tala focused on that. Yes. He was just as bad as his reputation promised, despite his calm exterior. When he was annoyed, she could see the danger swim up to the surface. It was her stupidity making her start to like the look on him. “I was actually going to speak to you in a bit. Can it wait, Dunne?” Tala blinked. Oh. Dunne! Strange that all her research hadn’t dug his name up. He was even more shadowy than his Alpha. “We have another visitor this evening, Boss. He seems a bit insistent. I can make him wait if you want.” “Bring him in.” “Uh, Hunt, don’t you think that might spoil the mood?” Tala gestured to her halfdressed state. By now her skirt was pushed much too high up on her thighs. “Not for me. And you don’t have to get dressed just for uninvited guests.”

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“Oh.” Since he was still in his suit, with just a slightly unbuttoned shirt to show what they’d been doing, it seemed he still had an unfair advantage. Did he enjoy an audience? Shit, did he like to watch? Maybe he was going to end up embarrassing her instead of the other way around. More than one man, with Hunt’s gaze all over them. Her muscles tightened with desire, so taut and so fierce that she almost fell. Maybe they’d just have to see if he could embarrass her. So far she was on board with all his plans. “Well then, don’t mind me.” Refusing to cover herself, Tala strolled to the window to stare out at the frenzied calculation of light and traffic and noise that was Las Vegas. All the shimmer of the city almost eclipsed the round moon that was doing its best to light up the sky. Wow. She could look out at miles and miles of the city from Hunt’s curtainless office window. And, if it wanted, Las Vegas could look back in at her. She realized she liked the idea. The door clicked open, almost noiselessly. “Tala?” She knew that voice although it already seemed like she’d last heard it a million years ago. “Are you…all right?” “Arlin, sweetie.” She rushed to him and he didn’t blink, even when she threw herself into his arms, still half-dressed and mostly aroused. He just hung onto her. “I missed you.” It was a stupid thing to say but it was true. He was warm, familiar. Home. Arlin smiled at her, almost sweetly, before he stopped smiling at all. “Why? Is something wrong?” He sounded dangerous. “N-no.” If you don’t count your life turning upside down, just when you thought you

were going to take charge of it. “Is that why you’re here? Did the parents send you to check up on me? I called on the way.”

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“There was some…concern…but I decided to show up all on my own, Tala. Do you think anyone can make me do what I don’t want to do?” He flipped her skirt down without saying anything more. She didn’t want to stop holding him but Tala stepped back anyway. “And do you think anyone can do that to me, either? Arlin, I want you to meet my…my fiancé.” She was afraid of what Arlin might say if she said mate. It was bad enough watching as the two of them measured each other. Arlin was more overt, his teeth just barely restrained from showing in a snarl. Hunt was much quieter. Almost too quiet. “Dunne?” Tala looked for outside help. “Boss?” She wasn’t quite sure if he was answering her or talking to Hunt. At least it broke some of the tension. That was the best anyone could do for now. Hunt crossed his arms. “Since Tala has a guest, he’s welcome to witness our bonding ceremony. Then he can report back to say everything is absolutely in order.” “Report? You know, Hunt, this isn’t exactly a business meeting.” Tala looked down at how she wasn’t dressed. Or maybe it was. Pack business. She saw Dunne wince. Crap. Of course he’d be there. Tala took a deep breath. “Listen, Hunt. I understand the rules but there’s nothing that says we have to start with an audience, is there? Can we take this up, just the two of us, right now?” Hunt was silent. Tala squared her shoulders. Why wouldn’t he say something back to her? She wasn’t going to beg. But she just might not go to bed either. She could call off the deal. Having the first time they had sex, that she’d ever had sex, be with a crowd -- No. She needed a little -- she wanted -Hunt smiled at her. A slow, lustful wolf grin.

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Oh yeah, right. She’d refuse to have sex if Hunt wanted to. Not. The rat bastard already was too fascinating. Little shivers of heated need kept sneaking through her body at just the thought of him taking her. His hands on her skin, his teeth at her throat. His cock inside her, moving…the two of them moving together… She tried again, even though it nearly choked her. “Please?” Hunt nodded his head toward Dunne. The Beta opened the door. “Tala?” Arlin’s voice was dangerous. “Are you sure?”

Am I willing? Am I sure? Am I insane? She could stop now. She could try to force things to fit back into her old plans. They all looked at her. But Hunt’s gaze was the most compelling. She could lose herself in those gray eyes that were suddenly so warm. She had wanted her life to be different and had thought she could do it on her own. But did she need to go that route? Fight her family and Hunt as well? If she wanted everything to change now that she was an adult, she and Hunt could make that happen as mates. She knew that now. “Yes. Yes, I am.” It was the only answer she would allow herself to give out loud.

The door shut behind their audience and Tala swept the halter away from her body. She crooked a finger before she began to shimmy out of her skirt. “You get naked next. I want to check the merchandise before I buy.” Hunt began to unbutton his shirt. Strong, competent fingers uncovered a furred chest that just barely concealed a tight, lean frame. Tala ran her tongue over her teeth. Her canines were itching to bite down into that tasty body. Hunt’s shirt dropped to the floor. He raised his arms out, waist high. “Do I pass inspection?”

Oh God, yes.

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“I think I need a hands-on check.” She wanted to touch. She wanted to burrow into that fur. To lick those hard, masculine nipples. She particularly wanted to zero in on the faint pucker of torn skin reaching from his chest bone down his side. The old scar had to mean something important. She’d find out. He had a long history before her arrival but she had time to explore every bit of his past. She looked forward to finding out every exposed bit of him. “Of course, Tala. My pleasure.” “Pants off first.” She’d never known how thrilling it could be to order an Alpha to do something and watch him submit. Especially because just from how he watched her, she knew his controlled obedience wouldn’t last forever. How far could she push him? Or was she doing exactly what he wanted? She got a glimpse of the entire package and decided it didn’t matter. No one could have a bigger cock than the one that was going to be hers soon. All hers, to play with and possess… “Now, Tala.” The steel underlying the order told her that more teasing play wasn’t in the cards tonight. She touched him, her hands sliding down from that perfect chest, down a stomach that quivered underneath her, down to a rock hard erection. She tightened her grip and he sighed. “That’s good. Perfect.” “Not quite. I want that monster inside me and then we can talk about good and perfect.” Tala bent, licked the tip of his cock and watched it jump in her hand. She could now taste as well as smell the lingering musk of sex and semen on his skin. It made her wet with wanting. It made her growl with possessiveness.

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She managed to say more. “I just want you to know that I know you played me tonight. And I forgive you as long as you fuck me mindless.” “You’ll forgive me a couple of times tonight, then.” “Mmmm. Mine now.” She murmured the words against his cock and it jumped again at the vibrations from her lips. “Oh, no. Mine. Right now.” Hunt covered her pussy with his hand. “Game over.” Then he flipped her onto the desk and stared down. He growled. Ah. There he was, looking down at her. The real Hunt. No soft words, no tenderness in his eyes. Sex. He was as boiling ready for sex as she was. Her first time would be…should she be afraid? Hunt gave one crooked grin and she was swamped with happiness, not fear. Thank God. Here was the right male to take her. There was only one thing to do. Tala opened her legs. For one terrifying moment she thought she couldn’t continue. Then, with one swipe of his hand, her thong was gone. He slid two fingers inside this time and stretched her opening. Pain and then pleasure slammed into her. Oh yes. She definitely was going to continue. “So very pretty,” he whispered, his voice husky. “Should we start off human and gentle? You look…delicate.” His cock followed where his fingers had been. She allowed herself one gasp before she gripped his forearms with sharp nails. “Not gentle.” It was uncomfortable for a moment, but the need she had was even worse. “More!” she barked at him. He paused when he got in, but she didn’t want slow or tender. She was burning, the prickling through her body something she’d never experienced before, but she knew what it

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had to be. The Change. She twisted underneath him, noiselessly demanded to turn over, moving until they both had her with her knees and head on the floor, presenting herself rear up to him until his cock was fully lodged inside, doggy-style. Wolf style. She needed more animal. She needed more possession. Tala began to pant as she could feel her body shift, twisted her neck to she could watch the transformation in Hunt as he crouched over her. He began to move, hard and deep, stoking her own excitement. The sound that tore through her throat as she went under, down to some dark, wonderful place without air or light or anything but need, was a wolf’s howl. His cock changed inside her; the hard knot that bound them kept them locked together. He snarled in her ear and she sank further yet into sensation. Heat. Dark. Pain, too, just enough to tinge the pleasure with something exciting. Then there were no words, no clear thought, just a weight above her and motion, the scent of an aroused male and, then finally, finally, release. She whimpered, half-fearful, half-joyous at the first hot liquid filling her. Hunt had caught his prey.

***** He heard the footsteps but they weren’t the ones he had thought would follow him. These were heavy, masculine. He didn’t even look up to check who it might be. It wouldn’t be fucking Hunt. Not if Tala was staying. At least he didn’t ask why Arlin was sitting on a bench near the edge of the casino playing floor, far away from the office where Hunt and Tala were right now. Instead Dunne sat on the bench next to him. Neither of them said anything. Then Dunne lifted a finger and someone on the floor walked over to them. “Sweetie, get the man and me some espresso.”

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The woman didn’t bother to say she wasn’t a waitress. Arlin already knew Dunne was a big man in this world. He got some idea of how big when she just nodded and headed toward the restaurant as fast as she could. “I don’t know if I need anything with caffeine tonight.” Arlin could feel the adrenaline jumping through his veins now. “Well, I don’t drink anything hard while I’m on duty and espresso seemed like the next best thing.” “I suppose you could say you’re on duty.” Arlin shoved his hands in his pockets. Pulled them out again. Stared at his fingers and shoved his hands back into his pockets. “Yeah.” They sat there some more. “I’m not going in there now. I think I’d kill someone.” Arlin realized his voice was too desperate. He ducked his head down to keep avoiding Dunne’s stare. “You have to go, but not me.” “Understood. Of course if you killed anyone, I’d have to track you down. Unless it was me you offed.” Arlin heard the rough note even though the ka-ching of the slots and the noise of the crowds. “You sound like you wouldn’t mind it being you.” Dunne signaled the woman who had reappeared, carrying small cups of something steaming. She sped up a little and as soon as she got near, Dunne grabbed his cup. She quickly turned when he waved her away immediately. Before she had time to completely disappear into the crowd, Dunne had gulped down half the contents, his eyes shutting as the taste hit his tongue. “You don’t need to be here,” Dunne agreed, as if they hadn’t spoken about it before. “She’ll be fine. Hunt has been waiting for her for years.”

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“For Tala? Or for a were female?” Arlin said it low, glancing around. “He doesn’t know what a prize he has. When she gets some of the green gone, she’ll be unstoppable. She’s smart and tough and loyal. I know. I grew up with her.” “He knows too. He knows everything she is.”

How ? Arlin didn’t voice his skepticism. Instead he drank some of the strong brew. “Don’t let it get to you, kid. This is how it’s supposed to work.” “Is it?” “That’s what I tell myself. Every day.” “And you believe it?” The older man shrugged. “He’s charming her. When Hunt wants to, he can make you do anything.” “I didn’t see the charm.” Dunne snorted. “He doesn’t waste it. It’s just as well. It tends to stick with you -- make you do things you never intended and like it. Anyhow, she sees it. That’s what matters.” Arlin could feel the confusion and misery in the air. It felt a lot like his own. But this time it came from a brown-haired were beside him. “You care about him then.” Arlin touched the man’s shoulder, lightly, without thinking and without permission. A spark of something -- understanding? Something else? -shot between them. Arlin pulled away, fast. A strange were could get a hand bitten off for less. The connection lingered without the touch because Dunne looked his way, expressionless at first, and then half-smiled. His face softened with the smile, turned almost sweet. “Sometimes I care.”

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Arlin smiled back. Stopped. “She was afraid…before. I need to know if she’s all right. Will you tell me? Afterward?” “You’re younger than I thought.” He wasn’t sure what Dunne meant by that, but Arlin bristled anyhow. “I’m old enough to know that this isn’t my show. It’s Tala’s. Tala’s and his. But I’m old enough to make it mine if I need to.” Dunne opened his mouth but almost on cue, the pager on Dunne’s belt squealed. He stood up, rolled his neck to loosen the muscles and walked away without a word. Arlin stared down at the espresso and waited, tuning out the noise and the worry that kept tightening down his spine. He ignored the cell phone’s buzz. That would be someone in his pack, wondering what the hell he was doing. He’d have to respond to the calls soon or they’d come looking for themselves. But he wasn’t going to say anything until he knew the answer himself.

Never again. He was never going to sit and stare at his dick, doing nothing. Dunne was fucking right. He had been young. Young and stupid. Next time he’d have more of a plan than just a blind instinct that made him rush to protect without any right to do it. He’d have to put up with it for now. Next time others could wait and wonder while he acted.

She smelled man. New man. Not her man. Her muscles hurt. Not just the obvious ones, but everything. But even though he had moved to face away from her, they stayed tightly together, his cock firmly locked into her. He’d come…she didn’t know how many times he’d come. And he was still filling her.

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The other male whined. The second were -- Dunne -- didn’t seem concerned about her aches. He wasn’t focused on her at all. He stood in front of her Alpha mate and tilted his head to the side. Hunt snapped at him. Dunne’s whine made her echo the sound. The pain-pleasure increased as she heard the rasp of his tongue along Hunt’s fur. Sex. She smelled the start of more sex. She twisted her neck to see it as well. Her own senses were still jangling and hyperaware -- wolf aware -- as she sensed the tension build. Dunne was bathing Hunt with his tongue -- not just what he could reach of the base of Hunt’s cock, but his legs and chest and paws. Lust and caring, anger and passion, tenderness and sadness… they were all in front of her, rising, almost visible, as Dunne crouched in front of his master and then took Hunt’s balls into his mouth. Dunne’s head turned and next came the slide of something wet and rasping against her, where she was locked into place by Hunt’s cock. She howled. It was good. The heat of a warm, eager mouth on a body that was already quivering from the last intense sexual release. Too good. Hunt jerked inside her as Dunne continued to lap at them both. Hunt thrust blindly, deeply, and she backed up closer. She wanted. Still wanted, after everything. She wanted more. She wanted them. Dunne’s jaw worked as he swallowed. Hunt’s back and legs bunched and relaxed with each movement, his hips rising and falling with the practiced ease of someone who had done this often. As he moved, his cock rippled inside her. More semen spilled, lubricating her. And then, suddenly, the vise grip on her loosened. She almost fell forward. She lay on the floor for a moment, realizing she -- the old she -- was returning. Tala shook her head as her thinking process gradually changed from sight and smell and scent back to something less were.

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“Stop.” Still readjusting to her old body after the Change, Dunne’s almost-animal whine at Hunt’s order nearly hurtled her back to were form. Hunt sounded like he forced the next words out through gritted teeth. “Now with Tala.” Oh God. Her. Just her. Finally. Tala tried to stand on shaky legs and then sank back on the desk as Dunne turned toward her. He padded forward, on his hands and knees, obviously also gradually adjusting to being non-were again. He moved close. Very close. One large hand leaned on each of her thighs as he looked down at her. They panted, the gasps sounding like they were running. Gradually she absorbed the feel of callused fingertips slipping against her sensitive flesh, dared to stare down at the contrast between him and her. Strong and delicate. Rough and smooth. When she looked up, Dunne’s expression was painful to see. His face was strained with lust and unhappiness. Her throat tightened as she blinked away tears she didn’t want to shed. All that tangled emotion was hers now, all the twists she’d sensed between Dunne and Hunt. But, whatever his own desires, he obediently bent down to taste her as well. He could lick up the scent and feel of her and Hunt together. Soon she’d be his as well as Hunt’s, and he’d be hers. All three of them entwined. He was so gentle. Impossibly gentle for such a tough man. He was aroused. Painfully aroused. He paused. “Damn it.” Dunne shut his eyes and shook. “No.” “Come, Dunne.” Hunt growled the words.

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Dunne’s face was tight, agonized, and he rocked back as he shot, as if he’d been pulled back with a leash. He climaxed in a sudden, helpless outpouring of semen, all over her. He fell to his knees again and leaned his head forward, his breath still coming out as harshly as a sob. She touched the hair of his head, petting him, soothing the only way he would allow her. As he licked her, slowly and thoroughly, dissolving the traces of all three of them from her belly and thighs and then her fingers, Tala looked over and saw Hunt. He was hard again, stroking his erection as he watched them both, and she bit her lips as one thumb rubbed the thick head of that reddening cock, making it spill a few drops of cum. Tasty. She knew that cock and what it could do. Oh my. He definitely liked watching. Almost as much as she liked watching him look. “Please?” She whispered the one word. In her head she added: “I want you too.” “I know. And I want -- but I don’t want to want.” She knew those thoughts were someone else’s -- but which one of them? God. She was starting to hear someone’s thoughts but she wasn’t sure it was Hunt. All three of her parents could link but that was the only trio she’d ever heard of. Weres could only hear the thoughts of their bonded mates. Hunt began to rub his cock harder, faster, and she forgot what she was thinking. Instead her own breath grew hard and fast as she watched him. His cock jumped against his hand. Her thighs tensed under Dunne’s tongue. Her thoughts completely scattered as, once again, she saw a man strain, helpless, right before he came over her. Hunt’s face was tense, showing almost as much agony as Dunne’s did when their Beta had fought his climax. Not yet. Hunt bared his teeth. She gasped and rocked hard against Dunne’s mouth, grinding her pussy against his lips. She gripped Dunne’s shoulders with her hands and legs both, staring at

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Hunt as he emptied himself with final, shuddering spurts that dripped against her skin and Dunne’s. Dunne moaned against her clit. Too much. This time she shut her eyes and came as well, feeling as if her body was being ripped apart…and put back together in some new, exciting, not quite understood way.

“Dunne?” Was Hunt saying done or Dunne? She felt pretty finished between the two of them. Tala wiped the sweat from her eyes and left the rest of what they’d done on her thighs and stomach and other places. She smiled lazily at her mate and his eyes gleamed back at her. She was bonded with them both. Officially part of the pack. Hunt’s mate. Dunne’s Alpha. “Dunne!” Hunt snapped out this time. She focused on their other partner, suddenly realizing he was gathering his clothes up, hands shaking. “I can’t --” Dunne gestured, wordless. He took a breath and said, “I’m sorry. I’m leaving.” Hunt didn’t say anything. Why wouldn’t he say anything? “But you will be back?” Tala asked. “We’re bonded, right? We’re a pack,” Dunne responded. “Doesn’t that mean I have to come back?” “Yes.” Tala looked at him, wishing Hunt would speak. Dunne did what Hunt wanted. Why was she the one in charge right now? “That’s exactly what it means. Safe and sound, while you’re at it.” “Don’t worry. I always do what I have to.” Dunne’s smile hurt to look at. “Eventually.”

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“Be careful, Dunne.” She wanted to say more but didn’t know what would help. “Please.”

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Chapter Four

“Hello.” Arlin looked up. His body quivered as he took in the scent and sound of the man in front of him. “So. It’s final then.” Arlin stood up. “Yeah. Tala is our pack’s now.” Arlin could tell that without Dunne saying it. The scent of the three of them was all over Dunne. It made Arlin edgy. He didn’t want to think about it or he’d have to combat the graphic images in his head that made him want to kill…or join in. “Nice for you. But you look like hell.” “So? She’s fine. It’s dealt with. You can go back to your family.” Dunne didn’t move. Arlin touched the solid shoulder, this time for longer than he’d dared the last time. It was like touching a wall. The man was all muscle. Muscle and hurt. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Arlin began to walk. Almost as if he didn’t know what else to do, Dunne followed at his heels. He didn’t ask where. That was good, because Arlin didn’t know until they hit the still hot desert air outside.

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“What?” “Come on.” Arlin pulled at his elbow. “We’re not staying there. Not this morning.” Dunne almost gave a smile again. “Next resort over then. It’s not bad.” Arlin paid for the room. His father wouldn’t be thrilled with him using the credit card but Dunne didn’t have to know he didn’t have one of his own. He didn’t need Dunne to have another reason to call him kid. He didn’t feel like a kid just because he had no credit rating. Besides, it looked like Dunne really wanted someone to be in charge and that tickled something powerful inside Arlin. He could figure out what later. Right now he needed to act. Dunne just waited while Arlin took care of things. Arlin knew, deep down, that wasn’t Dunne’s usual method. What the hell had happened to him? No. He knew what had happened but he wasn’t going to think about it. Tala was fine. They’d been close for long enough that he’d have known if she was hurt. And Dunne wouldn’t lie to him. But Dunne? He wasn’t so fine. This was the one who needed someone for the aftermath. It should be weird to become an older man’s savior for the evening. But it seemed right. After a long evening where nothing had been the way it should, Arlin needed to have the chance to protect. To help. Why he knew he could protect and help this man -- well, he’d think about that later, along with the kick he was getting from doing it. Dunne followed him, just like a well-trained puppy, right up to the room Arlin had for the evening. He stood, frowning at the carpet, as Arlin shut the door behind them. “So?” Arlin asked. “She’s all right. She’s fine.” “Sometime you’ll have to give her a name, you know. And that’s not what I meant.”

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“You wanted to know.” He seemed to be clinging to that like a lifeline. “I did. Now I know she’s fine and I want to know about you. Go sit down.” Dunne did, sitting down heavily on the bed. Arlin watched the bed sag under the muscled weight and wondered what the hell he’d gotten into and just what damage he’d do to this strange were if he fucked up. Dunne jerked upright when Arlin got on his knees, relaxed again when Arlin began to loosen the laces of his shoes. “You don’t have to.” His voice was slurred. “No problem, man. You look like you could use the help.”

Yeah, he could use…something. Help probably covered whatever the something was. If he didn’t think too hard, though, he should be able to get through whatever happened after the numbness eased up. He watched the kid with the chestnut hair who was crouched down in front of him. Arlin. He couldn’t remember when someone had done something like that for him last. He wanted to brush the kid off but he wasn’t quite ready. Having someone around helped. “You want…espresso?” “I want some Scotch. I’m off duty.” Drinking might help too. “How about a shower, instead? You don’t smell all that fresh.” Dunne thought about just what he smelled like and realized his neck was hot from what had to be a blush. “Maybe that would work.” “You need to get to the shower then.” Dunne wasn’t entirely sure he could stand up again. Arlin made a click of displeasure with his tongue and then stood up and put Dunne’s arm around his shoulder.

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“C’mon. I’ll help you there.” He didn’t want to go, but the kid’s tone of command mixed with his aid made Dunne rethink his position. He pulled himself upright and found the kid was stronger than he looked. They staggered a little but got to the shower. “I need to get undressed.” Dunne stared down at his clothes. “That’s how showering usually happens. Unless you want me to throw you in right now?” Arlin made the tsk noise again and said, “Can you stand up on your own? If you can’t manage more, I guess I can undress you too.” The kid went to work unbuttoning his shirt as Dunne leaned against the wall and listened to the water of the shower hit the tiles. Dunne decided not to be insulted about being taken care of like a baby. Arlin’s hands felt too good. They weren’t doing anything but competently finishing a task Dunne wasn’t able to even start but -- well, he liked the feel of those hands. Dunne relaxed into the comfort of having dirty clothes stripped from him and, just maybe, the briefest caress against his skin. Any idiot could dream, right? “Ready?” “Not yet but -- oh hell, sure, go ahead.” Dunne didn’t want to go into how almost ready he was for something other than a shower. He stepped forward, gripped the shower stall and shut his eyes as hot water cascaded down. He grunted, grateful that he didn’t whimper with joy. He thought about the kid in the next room instead. He’d left the bathroom door open, probably to make sure Dunne didn’t pitch forward under the water’s spray and kill himself. No such luck. He was in for years and years of being the third in his pack. A not entirely welcome third. Tala might reject him, which was his own stupid fault, but it would kill him for Hunt to freeze him out as well.

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Even worse, he’d always known he wanted one member of their newly formed threesome and now he wasn’t so sure that he didn’t want the other. How was he going to live craving more from not one but two of them? The words were a little muffled through the sound of the water but clear. “Listen. I’m ordering some food. What do you want?” Dunne bit off an automatic negative. Although his stomach lurched at the idea of putting anything in it, maybe that was what he needed. Shower, food, something to drink. He should keep everything simple. He glanced at the skinny kid through the clear shower door. Maybe some uncomplicated sex later. When was the last time he’d had that? His cock stirred at the idea. Dunne thought about a quick jerk off in the shower and decided it was a little too early for a public viewing. “Eggs over easy. Nothing too fancy.” He’d start with food and work his way up. Maybe he could get his life back on track.

Sitting in the hotel’s bathrobe, he gulped down the espresso and eggs and took a fresh look at his unlikely benefactor. Dunne stared at the kid’s shaggy hair, the start of stubble on his chin. He wondered how long it had been since Arlin first needed to shave. The steady, clear eyes that looked him over was reassuring, but the kid was unmarked. Untried. Dunne knew he shouldn’t like the idea of that so much. Had Arlin ever been fucked by a man? If the kid hadn’t, Dunne wasn’t exactly the right person to give a newbie a good experience at…well, at anything. But definitely not at sex. No matter how much Dunne was thinking about sinking into virgin territory right now. No baggage. No expectations. That sounded damn fine. Dunne glanced down. It was lucky he had a robe and not his jeans on. Things could have gotten a little uncomfortable.

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“So.” Arlin looked him over with that slightly unnerving gaze and Dunne shifted. “How are you now?” Nice guy. The kid was definitely nice. He’d come to protect a girl and ended up with a grizzled male stranger to take care of, but the boy was doing a good job of it. “Better. Thanks. Where’s the Scotch?” “You can have it later. You look out of it enough right now without.” Dunne stared down at the now empty plate and stood to put it outside. “Where are my clothes?” “Sent them to be washed. They should be back by this evening. I figured you could send for more -- or you could just stay here.” The two of them looked at each other. “You sure about that? Not worried about what I’d do with you?” “I’m sure.” Arlin stood up as well. “I’m more worried about you. Are you sure?” Dunne took the plate from Arlin’s hand and tossed it on the desk. It thudded to a halt as Dunne took a step forward. “No worries here.” He gave an almost light tap on his new partner’s chest and sent Arlin skittering backward on the bed. The thud of his ass hitting the mattress echoed the plate’s. Arlin’s eyes lit up. “Bring it on, then.” Dunne straddled him and Arlin reached up to grab his arms. Damn, the kid was stronger than he thought and he obviously thought he should be on top. For a moment they grappled. Dunne knew he could overpower his partner but -- hell, topping was work. Let the kid try out his moves. Dunne relaxed and let himself be reversed, with his back pressed hard against the mattress.

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Arlin climbed on top and grinned down at him. “This is going to be fun. I’ve been wanting to ride you cowboy style since I first saw you.” Dunne realized his erection just inched up another notch at the words, too hard to ignore another minute more. Looked like he was going to get inside some young ass after all and his cock was more than happy about the idea. “This isn’t a rodeo, kid.” “I dunno about that. You look kinda like a bull to me.” Arlin reached into his back pocket and held out protection and lubricant with one hand. “Wanna put that on for me, pardner? Yeehaw.” Dunne began to laugh, the sound bursting out without him able to stop, as he dropped his robe on the ground. It didn’t take much longer for Arlin to get his clothes off. Shit, why should he stop? When had it become a crime to laugh? Dunne smoothed out the latex and Astro-Glide, enjoying Arlin watching the view almost as much as he enjoyed pumping his cock. “Ready?” Arlin winked. He could fuck the smug attitude out of the kid. He would -- in a minute. He’d let the other guy do the preliminary work and take over when it got too much for the kid. Dunne had to quickly revise his opinion as Arlin moved. The kid wasn’t too young to know his way around cock. With some swivels and satisfied grunts, Arlin managed to wiggle his ass in the right spot and edge Dunne’s cock up inside him. Damn. That was good. Dunne shut his eyes at the tight, gripping passage. He breathed out through his nose, getting the sex rhythm of this partner in his head as well as his body. Arlin grinned down at him once he opened his eyes again. “You like it?”

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“Fuck, yeah.” “You’ll love this then.” Without warning, Arlin changed from quiet to frenetic motion. Dunne watched, fascinated, at the rise of the kid’s hips and then the slam of his whole body down onto Dunne’s fully roused cock. Oh, Jesus! He forgot to watch, forgot to be fascinated, forgot everything but enjoying a master at work on his suddenly desperate cock. Dunne reached to grab the kid’s hips and slam him down harder, only to realize Arlin was backing off every time he tried. Jesus, the kid was playing him. If he tried for rough, Arlin teased and kept a light touch on his cockhead, making Dunne bite his lips to keep from whimpering. If he backed off, Arlin came in, full throttle, and damn near squeezed the cum out of him like a tube of toothpaste. Dunne found himself digging his nails into the sheets and, as they tangled around his wrists, he just fought not to spatter all over within seconds, like the virgin he’d thought Arlin to be. Slick with sweat, Arlin slid over him. Tighter, closer, faster by the second. “Come on, Dunne. Give it up. Now, damn it.” Dunne finally got a grip on Arlin’s thighs and hung onto them. It felt like everything in his body was closing up as he got closer to coming -- it hurt to move, to breathe, to do anything but race toward the finish. “Agggh. Oh, Jesus. Oh God. Oh God.” Release split through him, spilled out and up into Arlin’s tight ass. Arlin fell and they both panted. Dunne found himself gripping Arlin’s shoulders this time, in what was almost a lover’s embrace. He never did that. What was worse, he couldn’t let go. He just didn’t have the willpower.

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He just lay there, listening to Arlin breathe, absorbing the contact as the kid plastered himself against his sweaty skin like a living blanket. Arlin was stripling light despite his strength. Dunne wasn’t used to that after all these years. It was kind of nice. In fact, Dunne had the feeling he would be perfectly okay with never moving, never going beyond that lazy satisfaction you got after a really good fuck. At last the kid sat up on his own. “There you go. Finished up, safe and sound.” Arlin sounded annoyingly self-possessed. Dunne vowed to smack him if the kid gave him a pat. “That’s what she said before I left. She wanted me safe and sound.” “Yeah? Well, she and I grew up together. We tend to think alike. And we both want you healthy.” Arlin smiled at him angelically. “Bullshit. Why would either of you care?” “Damned if I know. But you’ll probably come to love her.” Dunne wasn’t going to admit that, for just a split second back with that damned almost-threesome, he might have felt a twinge for her. That had been a hell of a lot of the problem. Of course now he was feeling remarkably soft toward this boy. That could be a whole new problem. It didn’t have to mean anything. Sex could temporarily do that to you. He was more than old enough to know that. “Anything is possible. But why would I?” Dunne wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the kid’s answer. “Because she’s very loveable. Gutsy, smart, kind. God knows, I love her, even when she drives me frickin’ nuts. And she’s damned sexy.” Dunne looked at him. “So you love her? Jesus, this is a clusterfuck.” Despite Arlin’s words, the kid didn’t look too heartbroken about the idea that Hunt had claimed her. Not nearly as bad as Dunne was feeling about the whole thing.

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“Could be shaping up that way,” Arlin agreed. “But is having a clusterfuck such a bad thing?” “What are you doing with me if you’re so in love with her -- with Tala?” “Fucking you. Is that a bad thing? You seemed to like it a few minutes ago. And I’m glad you finally allowed Tala a name. It could get awkward otherwise.” “Jesus. Kid weres nowadays and their snotty attitudes.” Arlin laughed and did pat him -- well, smacked more like it -- on his still quivering ass. Dunne realized he was getting hard again with just that contact. “You’ll learn to love my snotty attitude, too, once you get to know me.” “When will I have time for that? Aren’t you headed back home?” “Sometime. Right now I’m kind of interested in the Vegas lifestyle. Want to see a bit more of it before I leave for Texas.” That was when Dunne realized that the kid was almost as enigmatic as Hunt and just as calculating. Good God. Arlin was less than half his Alpha’s age and already a mystery. And he was already able to get Dunne off almost as well as Hunt did. Jesus. What had he gotten into -- or who? Arlin gave Dunne that sweet, lazy smile that was starting to both terrify and turn him on.

***** “Call them.” “Who?” “Your family. You know you want to.” “Well, sure. Of course I do. I didn’t know I had to ask permission, though.”

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“Not from me. Not from anyone. You’re the Alpha now, Tala. I just thought I’d let you know that I’d let you have some privacy to talk. To -- to gather yourself together.” And with that, Hunt had bent and kissed her, sweetly. She blinked, stunned at the unexpected gesture as he strolled out, still naked. Then she called. She pulled on a robe first because, talking, even cellularly, to her family while naked didn’t seem right. “Daddy?” Tala didn’t want her voice to catch when she heard her father’s voice on the phone, but there it was. It couldn’t be helped. She was getting choked up at a call home. No. Not home anymore. A call to her old family. “What the hell have you been up to, girl?” Daddy Rome snapped at her. “We’ve all been wondering.” Ah, the joys of having three parents. Tala grinned and stopped tearing. “Just what you’ve been expecting from me ever since I was born. I have a mate now. The exact one you picked out for me.” “We thought -- we weren’t sure --” He cleared his throat. “Your mother wants to talk to you. Are you all right?” “Absolutely.” Saying anything else would have them all there by the fastest means possible, ready for blood. “You’re sure?” “Absolutely. Arlin is here, too, you know. To give the bride away. Sort of.” “You’re married ? Talk to your mother.” That little wedding joke would mean at least a half hour of fast talking. Tala wanted to resent it but when she heard her mother, she fought more tears instead. She missed her old family. Her old pack. What the hell had she done?

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“Mom, really I’m fine, just the way you all figured. I know you would have tried to haul me back long before this if you hadn’t thought it would work out.” Arlin announced his arrival by kissing the top of her head and then pulling on her hair. “Hello, girlie.” He broke into the already halting conversation Tala was having. “Arlin is here to visit. Gotta go, Mom. I love you all. I’m really fine. “She clicked the cell phone off and then Tala rested her forehead against Arlin’s. For the moment, she just shut her eyes and relaxed. She hadn’t realized how much she had wanted to hold on to comfort. “Hello, big guy.” He hugged her with one arm before he let her go. That felt wrong. Wrong and different. But of course things were different now. She didn’t want to believe they were different and wrong, despite the niggling worry. “Arlin, what happened?” Tala began to pace. “I mean, maybe I wasn’t ever a nice girl, exactly, but I never -- This has been crazy. And I may be nasty but I’ve never been this

stupid.” He didn’t blink at how she jumped right in. “Weres get crazy and stupid sometimes.” Arlin shrugged. “There was a full moon last night.” “Oh for heaven’s sake! I hate living up to stereotypes. And if it wasn’t impossible, I’d swear Hunt arranged the moon as well.” Tala shook her head. “I knew he was setting me up and I did it anyhow. Why? I hate shit like that. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. Then I finally get the chance and I become his.” “He’s Alpha, he’s older, he’s very smart…and you wanted to.” Arlin stared at the coffee cup in his hand. “You know, I could get to like the taste of espresso.” “What do you mean?”

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“Espresso is better than you’d think. It’s obviously an acquired taste.” Arlin took another sip. “I ordered up some late breakfast. I’ve worked up an appetite already.” “Jerk. Don’t even try. You know what I’m asking.” “Tala, don’t you try. You never do anything you don’t want to do. You wanted sex, you wanted him and you wanted to become an Alpha bitch while fulfilling the promise your family made…hey, underneath it all, you’re a good were. You do what the pack needs.” Arlin’s eyes were too knowing as he glanced over at her, still drinking. “You can’t tell my parents everything. You know, they can’t be told I don’t know what I’m doing. Never show fear or confusion. That’s the rule. All right?” Arlin looked at her. “Did you really fuck your brains out, cousin? You make a sort of cute brunette bimbo.” “Arlin.” She curled her lip at him. “Answer me.” “Come on. Do I ever tell anyone? We promised each other to never do that years ago. But don’t they find out when we fuck up anyhow?” “Yeah.” Tala tried not to laugh. “But don’t tell them even so.” “I’ve been thinking.” Arlin tapped his chin thoughtfully. “You mean your brains didn’t get fucked out last night?” Arlin gave her a look. Awareness bells clanged in Tala’s head. Something must have happened. Now might not be the time, but she’d get it out of him later. Arlin ignored her to ask his own questions. “Why did your Alpha mate want me to watch last night?” “I don’t know. Because he’s really kinky?” “It didn’t make sense, kink or not. I’m not from your pack. I should be a threat.” Arlin looked as if he didn’t like the idea of not being a threat. “He shouldn’t want me around at all,

especially when you have sex. I have a feeling he had more in mind when he invited me.”

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Arlin had a point. It was weird to want someone outside the pack around for bonding. Alphas were vulnerable to attack when they mated. Everyone knew that. “I don’t know. I’m in lust with Hunt and I even kind of like him by now, but I don’t get the guy at all. We’ve just met. That’s why I’m so confused, remember?” “You’re kind of cute when you’re stupid.” Arlin smiled at her again but she saw the bite to it this time. “Do you think you can you regenerate a few brain cells between now and when we meet the rest of your new pack family? If I don’t want to be eaten for dinner, I could use some backup.” “Sorry. I don’t know why he wanted you to be there, unless he wants you to be considered part of his pack. But he told me he had been getting rid of pack members up until now, so that makes even less sense. And who would want to add another Alpha to the mix? That’s looking for trouble.” “Hmmm.” Arlin pulled on his ear. “Speaking of trouble, Dad called early this morning. Woke us—me—up.” “Is he mad?” Tala tried not to sound worried. She loved Lowell. She loved Arlin’s pack almost as much as she did her own…no, not her own…she loved her parents’ pack, the one that used to be hers. It was unusual for two packs to live so close together and to maintain such tight ties through kinship and friendship. And it made her care too much about the weres outside her immediate pack. Now she had two packs she loved that weren’t hers. Darn it. “Maybe. But that’s not why he called.” Arlin went back to tapping his chin. When he started fingering too many body parts, she knew there was a problem. “He told me to send on the word that a new pack was in your mate’s locality.” “Crap. A turf war hasn’t happened in my lifetime.” “Correction. It hasn’t happened to your pack or mine in your lifetime. Hunt knows all about pack fights. Dunne too.”

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Tala remembered the long, evil scar on Hunt’s skin and frowned. “I don’t want him hurt. I don’t want anyone hurt.” And she wanted her almost-cousin safe before anything did start. Arlin shrugged again. “We’ve lived a pretty soft life by were standards, Tala. Our luck can’t hold forever.” “It’s not luck. It’s being smart.” Tala turned as the door opened. “Dunne! You’re one of the people I wanted to see.” She realized it was true. She looked him over as she walked to him and took both his hands. He was dressed in the clothes he had on last night, but they looked clean and pressed, and he looked better. A lot better. She squeezed both hands, suddenly realizing she was more enthusiastic about his arrival than either of them were prepared for. He smiled, a flicker of an uncertain smile, and didn’t flinch at her touch. They might get used to each other yet. “What do you need?” he asked. “Why do you ask? Maybe I just like your company,” Tala said, suddenly meaning it. He frowned, flicked a glance over toward Arlin, and then focused back on her. “Why?” “Because I’m stupid today. That’s what Arlin tells me.” Tala stepped back. “I do need to talk to you. We might have a problem. But I want Hunt here so we can all discuss it.” Dunne glanced over at Arlin again. “Is it pack business?” “I hope not -- Sort of. But we need Arlin around. He’s the one with the news.” “You’re the boss.” Dunne sat down with the morning paper and began reading. “And here comes room service. Shall I order some more breakfast steak?” It was that easy? She was the boss?

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Damn. She had things all wrong. It was that hard. Dunne wasn’t going to worry until she told him to. She was the one in charge of worrying. As if he read her mind, Arlin gave her one of those shit-eating grins of his. She scowled at him. “Tala.” Hunt came in, dressed for success yet again. He bent to kiss her, as if they’d kissed good morning just that way for the last decade. The kiss and the almost-routine that went with it felt good. In fact, in a weird way, the whole domestic scene with her new family felt absolutely right. “Sweetie.” She kissed him back, harder than a pleasant hello. Just when he seemed ready to take it up a notch more, she pulled away. “Arlin says there is another pack sniffing around, probably looking for trouble.” Dunne stopped reading the paper. Hunt didn’t look perturbed. “It would be more surprising if there wasn’t. You’re here. I’d say you’re very worth a sniff or two.” Hunt nipped her ear.

“But when I promised I’d be trouble, I didn’t mean this kind.” “Don’t worry, Tala.” Hunt grabbed another section of the newspaper. “This one I can handle with my eyes shut.” Dunne went back to reading. Arlin grabbed another slice of bacon. She looked at the three males lounging around the breakfast table. “I need to go out. I’ll go running to clear my head.” Tala suddenly knew that would help. “When I get back, Hunt, let me tell you about what I have planned.” “Dunne will go with you.” Hunt looked up and smiled pleasantly, but she knew an order when she heard it. “I won’t be too stupid and say no, despite what Arlin says about me. I can understand someone might need to stand guard. But, Hunt, I don’t plan to live this way forever.”

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Hunt looked up at her and said nothing. Tala let out a short, sharp breath and wondered if he really thought she would put up with a bodyguard for the rest of her life. Crap. If he did guard her, was it for her protection or to keep her from running? “I hope my head gets very clear after my run. I need some clear thoughts around now.” Tala flicked a nail, almost gently but not quite, against her Alpha mate’s cheek. He turned his head into her palm and bit. Not gently at all. “Enjoy yourself.” Dunne stood up, towering over her. “Where do you want to go?” “Someplace where a wolf won’t be noticed.” “Could be a bit of a drive. Boss --” Dunne looked at Hunt “-- anything you need?” “Not now.” “I’m going too.” Arlin stood, looming up on Tala’s other side. “I could use some head clearing myself.”

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Chapter Five

The scent of rabbit was somewhere in the distance, tantalizing. Dry wind whipped through her fur. Hot gravel burned beneath her paws. Wind. Wolf. All one. Wild. She almost understood what was nagging at her, could almost accept what she was. If she just ran a little faster -Damn. She was beginning to think again and still had neither lost nor found what she needed in the Change. Panting, she stopped and began the almost familiar return to human form. The prickling skin told her she was back. Tala pulled the hair from her eyes and shook her head to clear it. The Spring Mountains were there in her range of sight, imposing and beautiful and stark. “If I decide to do this again, remind me that a run when it’s almost noon in the desert is not smart.” The half-were, half-human form next to her crouched and shifted fully. Arlin’s body looked good all glistening with sweat. “We already established that this isn’t one of your brightest days, sweetheart.”

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Dunne was the only one who didn’t shift back immediately. Tala looked at the toughened wolf before her and fought an urge to hug him…then wrestle him to the ground to show her domination. He was going to stay stubborn. And she was going to stay Alpha. She was starting to like the idea that he might be a bit of a challenge. And she liked even more that she was sure she’d win in the end. “Sand in my butt isn’t smart, either, as long as we’re cataloging how dumb I am. Of course you followed me right along, Arlin. What does that make you?” “Weak. You smell too damn good not to follow.” She snorted. The wolf in front of her dropped his jaw open in a grin. She felt better. She hadn’t managed to come up with answers yet, but she did feel better in her new role. Something about going native did that. “I need to ask --” The ping in the sand next to her made her blink. She stared down, taking a split second to realize what it was. She hit the ground before the next second arrived, Arlin’s body knocking her over. One second more and a large, furry, hot wolf body covered them both. “Let me go!” Tala said. “We need shelter fast. Let’s get out of here!” None of the idiot, testosterone-laden bodies above her budged. She heard another ping and someone above her flinched. “Damn it! Which one of you is hurt?” “Quiet, Tala.” Hunt’s voice was distant but it carried. “I believe I’ve taken care of things, but I just want to be sure.” There was a long, hideous silence while Tala thought about the heat of the sun, the wetness soaking her clothing and how long was too long to stay quiet.

“Do you think we can move it along? We have blood here.”

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More silence. She had to be able to talk to Hunt in her head. Didn’t she? If not, who the hell had she been starting to mindtalk to back during their bonding? It was supposed to be her mate. Still more silence. Footsteps crunched beside her. Hunt said, “All’s clear. Let’s see what the problem is…Dunne ?” For just a minute sheer panic cracked through Hunt’s voice. Tala began to struggle again. This time Arlin moved away and gave her a tiny space to breathe. But Dunne didn’t. He remained a dead weight -- no, not dead! -- on top of her. She stopped wiggling to get free, suddenly afraid she was making it -- whatever it was -- worse. Both Hunt and Arlin bent over her, not speaking, totally concentrated on the were above her. She tried to relax, tried to feel if the wolf body still had lungs and heart pumping above her.

“Please.” She began to ease, very carefully, from underneath Dunne. She thought she felt him twitch once, in protest, but wasn’t sure.

“Oh, please. Please.” No one answered her. He could die out here, with all of them staring down at him, unsure what to do next. “My grandmother could help,” Arlin said. Yes. Of course. Leila had made a life study of how to treat were diseases and injuries. Tala caressed the fur below her and nodded. “Arlin, call. Whatever we have to do.” Arlin grabbed his cell phone. Hunt stared down, motionless, his hands staunching the blood from Dunne’s wound. Tala wasn’t sure if he wanted her support right now or not. She gripped his shoulder hard

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because she needed to touch and reassure. He didn’t acknowledge her gesture. “She’s very good, Hunt. And what she doesn’t know, she finds out.” “He might need better than very good.” Hunt kept his hand tight on the still seeping wound. “I can pay for the best but --” “There is no one I know other than Leila.” Tala kept hold on Hunt. “If we got the wrong person to help, it could be a disaster. That’s why Leila started her work all those years ago. There is no one else.” Once Hunt saw the matriarch of the Kinkaid pack, he’d understand. Leila was very much the grande dame -- she refused the title of Alpha bitch -- of all the generations of weres below her. She deserved the title. But Hunt didn’t know and had no reason to trust outsiders. For years the only one he’d had was Dunne. Right now Kinkaids, including Tala, were strangers. A strange were was an enemy were. “She’s willing to fly out here on the next plane but since we can’t wait that long, I asked her to come up with something else.” Arlin put the cell phone down. “She knows a vet in Vegas she thinks is reliable. We just have to hope Dunne doesn’t change in the middle of things.” “Think? Hope?” Hunt asked, his voice rising a little. “Thinking and hoping couldn’t hurt.” Tala squatted on her haunches, closer to Dunne. “Do you have any better ideas? We’ll at least be here if he changes or if he needs something unusual…” “Understood.” Hunt scowled. “What should we tell this possibly reliable vet?” Arlin shrugged. “Damned if I know. Grandma said she can be trusted but Grandma doesn’t know how much the vet really knows about us. But she wouldn’t have told us to use the woman if she didn’t think it would be safe. If anything happens we can’t have a nonwere talking.”

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“I can take care of that part. No one will know anything.” Hunt’s voice was cold. Hunt had taken care of whoever had shot them too. Tala swallowed. She looked down at her Beta, who was maybe dying in front of them. “You followed us because you thought this might happen, Hunt. We all know that. Who was it? Who did this?” She realized her voice had roughened to a growl. “It was a sudden hunch. I wouldn’t have risked any of you if I’d known. And I know who did it. He was nothing. Not even were and willing to not ask questions if he was paid. I don’t know who ordered him to try to kill you. Yet.” “Later.” “Oh yes. Definitely later.” Arlin put down the cell phone. “All right. Dr. Laurenstein will be here within a half hour. All it took to get her here was mentioning Leila Kinkaid. She said to keep pressure on the wound. She’ll try a blood transfusion if she can find a match of some sort.” “I think that means we better hope at least one of the three of us matches. Were blood isn’t quite non-were.” Tala looked at the other two. “I hope this doctor is very understanding. And closemouthed.”

***** “Your…companion…is resting a little better. His problem was mostly loss of blood. I’m hoping to God that the matches in blood type I made actually work properly. The conditions for testing were slightly unusual.” The tall woman in front of them almost smiled. “But since there haven’t been any complications yet, I can only assume that Mr. Winters’s blood was close enough to work.” Leila had been right. The veterinarian hadn’t turned a tendril of her carefully pinned up hair at the events of the day, starting with the cell phoned instructions to get her battered Subaru out into the Vegas desert with no landmarks in sight. It continued with her working

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for hours on someone they had to explain wasn’t quite what he seemed. Hopefully her announcement was the end of her part in the drama and she wouldn’t have to rush back to Dunne. Tala figured the vet had done more than enough already. “That’s only fair. He’s given enough of his blood for me over the years.” Hunt stood up. “Can I see him?” “We need to be careful. He could be running an infection --” “No antibiotics unless you have to. And no tetanus shots. Ever.” Hunt gripped her wrist. “Mr. Winters, I understand your concern, although I’m not sure why you are adamantly against shots, and I won’t give your companion any medicine unless I absolutely must. I realize that we don’t know how someone like him might react to what we might give either wolves or humans.” “Right. Tetanus shots aren’t good for our kind.” “At any rate, right now he doesn’t seem to have any fever, so we can hope nothing else will be required.” “Can all of us see him? If we’re very careful?” Tala asked. “He’s not awake. I want him to stay in the shape he is for as long as possible. I’m afraid any change might be too much for him right now.” She looked at the trio of set faces and shrugged. “I see. All right, if you can make sure you’re quiet enough to not waken him, yes.” Dr. Laurenstein rubbed the back her neck. “It was hard enough work to get this far the first time. I don’t want any redos.” “No one will do anything to harm him or delay his recovery.” Hunt glanced impatiently at the office door. “I want him out of here as soon as possible.” “A girl could be hurt at your attitude toward my clinic.” The doctor almost smiled this time. “It’s not quite a private hospital but it’s very functional and the equipment is state of the art. Lucky for your friend.”

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“This isn’t his place. I know it’s the best and safest one for now, but --” Hunt stopped and smiled suddenly. It was his most charming smile. “Forgive me. I do thank you for all you’ve done. My gratitude is…beyond words. I’ll make sure you don’t regret this.” Tala felt an unfamiliar pang of -- annoyance? Anger? Pure jealousy? -- when Hunt stared at the other female, smiling the way she had thought was how he smiled only at the people he loved.

Mine. She stared down at her fingers, suddenly curved into claws. Well, that was an inconvenient possessiveness display. Of course Hunt needed to charm the outsider. They needed the doctor.

“But if you smile at her like that one more time, I promise that the moment Dunne is better, I’ll rip your head off right after I rip her hide open.” Hunt looked over at Tala. Without any more words, he headed toward the room where Dunne was resting. Damn it. Was he able to hear her or not? She followed him. “I’ll be there in a minute if you want me,” Arlin murmured after them.

Hunt was watching Dunne in the hastily made up bed, not even looking up at her entrance. He’d probably wait there until Dunne opened his eyes, not able to do more than stay calm on the outside and tear himself up inside. That would never do. She’d give him something else to think about.

“I hate this. I had enough problems wondering why I can’t imagine staying true to my mate when all the other women I know do. Now I have to wonder if I’m the reason someone wants to kill off my new pack. Is this worth it to you?”

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“Thank you.” “This case has been fascinating. I was honored to be called in.” “Hunt will be keeping an eye on you in case of any trouble.” “What do you mean?” “Whoever shot at us will be looking for a weak link. You must have realized that when you saw Dunne was shot.” “I didn’t actually think anything about it other than perhaps someone went hunting without a license. I was too busy saving a life.” She pushed her glasses up her nose. “At least, that’s all I thought at first.” “Later, though, you thought about it hard. You always think hard. I can tell.” Arlin tapped her forehead just lightly and smiled. She didn’t smile back. “Right now I’m thinking that I don’t understand why you’re saying all this to me.” “Ruth.” Arlin pointed to the diploma hanging on her wall. “I think we should be on a first name basis by now.” “I -- anything I could say to that would sound wrong. Arlin. I’ll just tell you I’ve lived through much more immediate threats than this one.” He kept smiling at her. She realized his smile could be a huge distraction. Not that she should say that. She’d learned to be very careful not to blurt things out long ago. Sometimes what she thought was acceptable completely stunned other people -- or worse. Careful was much safer. She cleared her throat. Careful was one thing but confusing was another. “What do you mean? This is very mysterious and somewhat infuriating. I’m too tired to play games right now.” “You probably know something about Hunt’s rep. He’ll watch out for you but if something goes wrong, call me. I owe you a personal debt too. We all do.” He handed her a

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card, just gently brushing her fingers as he did. She shivered. His fingers were so warm. “It has my telephone number.” He murmured something. “What did you say?” “I think you heard me, Ruth.” He smiled at her, unmoving, waiting for her to get her mouth to work again. To hell with being careful. She was sure other people would find that remark of his totally outrageous. “You’re at least ten years younger and doing…doing things deliberately, probably to make sure I wouldn’t tell anyone. What is wrong with me? Do I look that easy to you, Mr. Kinkaid?” She looked down at the card and ran her index finger over her thumb. Just that light touch had been amazing. She found herself blurting out, “Oh hell. Nothing is wrong with me. Not a damn thing. You’ve totally thrown me, Arlin.” She must have been fantasizing -- and if she wasn’t, she’d pretend she was fantasizing that he’d murmured “You smell good.” Or maybe even, “You smell hot.” And she’d definitely pretend she hadn’t liked hearing it. He smelled good himself. Spicy and aroused. And good. Frighteningly good. “Maybe I’ve been around animals too long.” She shook her head. Smell or not, the boy -- the very sexy boy -- was definitely hot himself. She’d love to get closer to touch and taste and smell him. Thank God he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “I agree not a damn thing is wrong with you.” Arlin’s nostrils flared, just a moment. “But I wonder if you know just what I want from you and how right it would be.” “I’m getting an idea.” “You probably don’t know the total package, which is a damn shame.” Arlin glanced toward the now closed door where Dunne was. “I should join them and leave you alone but I

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have the feeling they’re conducting some important pack business which would make my presence awkward. Still, I’m making you nervous. What should I do, Doctor?” His eyes sparkled and she almost smiled before she remembered how provocative he’d been. “I have no idea. I suspect you like making me nervous, so I won’t offer any suggestions.” She kept her posture and speech stiff, terrified she’d do something…something very improper if she didn’t. “Well, I’m learning that when I’m not sure, I should order espresso. Do you want to hit a coffee shop with me? I’ll buy.”

***** “Why do you think you can’t stay true? And what do you think true means?” “It means that I want you and Dunne. Arlin too. Any of you. All of you. At the same time. An Alpha bitch may sniff and tease, but she doesn’t have sex with anyone but her Alpha.” “That’s such bullshit,” Hunt said in a near-whisper. “I didn’t really expect you to take that side of the argument,” she mouthed right back. “I’m not even sure why you’re arguing. Isn’t that what you want? A faithful mate?” Hunt jerked his head toward the door.

“If we have to discuss this, let’s do it outside.” “Too late for quiet now. Awake.” Dunne! Dunne opened his eyes. Oh, God. He’d changed while they’d bickered in their thoughts and no one had noticed the shift. Tala gasped and forced herself not to rush forward. Dunne looked directly at her.

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“Hunt?” he slurred. “Here.” “Tell her. Too tired to.” “I’ll be happy to do it. Dunne --” Hunt grasped Dunne’s hands as if to hold him to consciousness and life. Dunne shut his eyes again and drifted off. Hunt touched Dunne’s face and held his hand over his mouth. His face relaxed into a smile when he felt breathing. He jerked his head again and Tala got up.

“Stay here.” His eyes opened again. Dunne wanted them to stay? Tala sat back down. She’d stay. “It’s too late to obey doctor’s orders now anyhow.” Tala crossed her legs and watched her skirt inch up a little. The other two watched too. The usual little thrill at their stares shot through her. “So, Hunt. Why is my behavior all right?” “You think any other female in a pack would behave differently from you?” Hunt kept looking at her legs. “I don’t know what they told you to do while you were growing up, but, Tala, your mother has two weres for mates. Does that fit your strangely puritanical view of female were behavior? What about Arlin’s mother? I’ve heard plenty about what she and her mate do outside the pack. It’s never hurt anything among the Betas within their pack.” “Leila --” “Isn’t were. I’ve done my research on all of them. But how do you think she keeps her mate interested?” Tala laughed. Even now, the patriarch of the Kinkaid pack was clearly all were. Leila was obviously able to handle wolf sex and more. “I don’t know what to say. Hunt? Now that you’re stuck with me, how do you really feel about this? I could tear the pack apart with my behavior.”

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“Tear Dunne and me apart?” Hunt’s eyes narrowed, but with amusement, not anger. “I was a little worried that the two of us mating would drive Dunne away. But since he’s already shown he’s willing to give up his life to protect you, I think we’re safe. I don’t see how anything you’d do with him would hurt the pack. Dunne would never hurt anything of mine.” “You don’t mind if I have sex elsewhere?” Tala blinked at him. “That’s not…um…”

Not very possessive. Not very Alpha. Hunt laughed. “I just want to ensure there are children for the pack. I’m not -- What would you do if the Alpha of a pack can’t sire any?” Tala opened her mouth. Shut it again. An Alpha who was willing to allow someone else to father children within his pack was…unusual. She’d never heard of it outside her own family. Creating and protecting a pack was what an Alpha did. Producing children was part of the job description in creating and protecting. “I don’t understand.” Hunt touched where the old scar was on his chest and said nothing. But Tala knew then as clearly as if he’d broadcast it. “Tetanus shots!” Tala clapped her hand to her mouth. “You had tetanus shots and now you can’t --” Hunt dropped his hand to his side as if he’d been burned. “So you thought Dunne…?” Tala gestured toward the man, who had opened his eyes at the last sentence. “I could completely accept Dunne’s children as part of my pack. In fact, it would be an honor.” Dunne’s eyes widened. “You care a lot about him.” “He’s been at my back for decades. I trust him with my life. Even more importantly, with my mate.” Hunt’s voice was soft, as if the words were forced out and he wished he could unsay it.

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“That’s more than trust, Hunt. I won’t even ask which of us you love more. After all, you haven’t even known me three days, much less several decades.” Hunt didn’t protest. “I’ve kept watch on you for years, Tala. Very careful watch. You’re important to me.” Tala frowned. “Watching both my family and me. That’s another little item of information I might just not want to know about. Are you talking about stalking?” “I take care of what’s mine. That means I know everything about my…valuables, for lack of another word.” “But you’d share your so-called valuables with your Beta, which I understand, and with an outsider?” Tala looked at Dunne instead of her mate to hide the hurt. Dunne didn’t notice. He was still staring at Hunt as if he didn’t believe what he was hearing. “Not to agree that Arlin has a point after all, but I don’t understand why you asked him to be there for the bonding.” “At first because I wasn’t sure if Dunne could accept you and I needed a backup plan if…well, if necessary. If he had stayed, we would have all bonded as one pack, with him as a member.” “You’re so sure that Arlin couldn’t have challenged you then to become Alpha?” Tala looked at him. “Yeah, you’d be sure. Especially since you didn’t know Arlin then.” Hunt kept talking. “The second reason was because I wanted you to be…I wanted to be sure you’d stay.” “You wanted me to be what? Satisfied? Happy? Do you really care about my feelings or just whether I’d stick around to have someone’s kids for the pack?” Hunt turned to Dunne. “And then I saw Dunne looking the kid over like he was a piece of tasty meat. It seemed like a bonus.”

I don’t understand. And I refuse to cry. I’m just tearing up a little. “Think about it some more. You’ll understand.”

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One thing she did get. “You love Dunne more than I could ever have imagined when I first met you both. Neither of you show it much.” Hunt brushed his fingers against her mouth. “You love Arlin. Certainly I never imagined that complication when I first contracted for you. I’m not going to share, not completely. Not with him. I admit my first thoughts about him won’t work because of how we both feel about you and each other. But I’m willing to let you decide how close you want to get to Arlin without mating with him. I trust you.” She rubbed her hand, hard, against her forehead as if to make her brain work. “But what does that mean about us? We’re supposed to be bonded.” “We are.”

Arlin and I can keep on doing what we’ve done all these years only more? Just no kids? God, is that all right? I get the feeling I should have stuck around for Mom to give me “The Talk” -- the really special were talk -- about what Alpha bitches are allowed to do. Hunt rubbed the back of her neck. “This situation is just --” “Not what you expected?” He kissed the back of her neck. “But is it bad?” His lips were so gentle. And they left tingles where he rested them against her. “I always thought so.” Tala tried not to sigh. “Think some more, sweetie.” He would really let her be in charge of sex? He said he’d trust her. God, she’d told him she shouldn’t be trusted. What a rotten thing to do to her. “You already said I should think more -- well, someone already said that.” Tala frowned. “Why can I hear the thoughts of all of you? I’m pretty sure I can mindspeak to Arlin too.” Hunt sighed. “Come on, Tala. We’re waiting for you to figure it out.”

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“You can only mindspeak if you’re bonded and mated. I bonded and mated with you, Hunt.” Tala folded her hands tightly together. “But -- but something is different when we’re all near each other. We’re all bonded? Not just me and you. Me and Dunne…and Arlin?” “I don’t know for sure. I’m not sure Arlin and I are exactly soul mates. But something has happened between all of us. I can hear thoughts. Mostly from you. Sometimes it echoes like you’re transmitting thoughts from the others.” Hunt sucked on her neck, hard. He was going to leave a hickey, the devil. “So --” Tala tried not to hurry her thoughts because they sounded too good to be true. “If we’re not quite bonded we’re still all…important. All together. We need to be together.” “I don’t know yet what we need. What you need. But you never jumped any other were or non-were except me. Not until me. You can control yourself. Or control any of us.” Somehow she didn’t think she could control anyone, much less herself. “I thought about doing more. Arlin and I came very close.” “You can think. You can even play with the boundaries. No one is going to stop any were from thinking about sex. But you knew what was important before you bonded with me and you know now. Tala, face it. You’re the Alpha. Basically what the Alphas say goes in any pack, as long as they can make it stick. You know that. Loosen up, Tala. You’re going to make things work your way.” Her mind reeled with sudden erotic possibilities even while she knew she had to confess her real problem. Not that Hunt didn’t already know it, although she had skirted around the issue for most of her life without dealing with it. “I do love Arlin, you know. We’re so close, Hunt. It frightens me. He’s like my other half.” “Wrong. I’m your other half, Tala. Like it or not.” Could she do this, really? Have Arlin, have them all, and give Arlin up all at the same time? More erotic ideas flashed in her mind. Oh hell. Why not?

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“I love you too, Hunt. I love Dunne. And I think I’m really going to look forward to when Dunne is better.” She glanced over to Dunne. “Understood. But maybe we better leave before we kill him with anticipation.” Hunt brushed his hand against Dunne’s face as he said the words. Oh God. She hoped she didn’t get stage fright when what she had just agreed to finally happened. “Tala…give us a minute,” Dunne whispered. Tala nodded. They all had something as a group but what each of them had as a pair was important too.

As the door shut, Dunne gathered strength. He was so fucking tired -- tired enough that the room seemed to whirl around as he pulled himself together. Hunt went to his bedside and then didn’t say anything. Probably the shit was waiting for Dunne to keel over before he could talk. Sorry, but this time he’d have to disappoint his boss. They were going to talk about this. At last. Dunne managed a rasp. “Eighteen years. You knew for eighteen years. Since the fight and the hospital.” “Yeah. Didn’t you wonder why I was suddenly willing to back down and wait for a daughter when I could have taken her mother?” “Some. But I was too grateful to wonder much.” Dunne laughed and choked at the same time. “Didn’t know you were going to make me a present of your woman at the end, though.” “You minded hanging with me instead?” Jesus, did Hunt actually sound uncertain? Just a hint? “No. I love you, Hunt.” Dunne took a long breath. “I didn’t want to say that. Ever.”

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“I knew.” Hunt obviously thought the conversation was over. “Asshole. Say it back.” Hunt shifted uncomfortably. “You know how I feel. A were doesn’t hand over his mate to just anyone.” “Say it.” Dunne clung to consciousness, fighting the graying around his eyesight until he finally heard the words. Hunt shifted again. “Shit. I love you. And if you die on me after all this, I take it back.” There was shakiness in Hunt’s voice. Dunne wasn’t imagining things. The ice man was cracking. Dunne held onto the hand that was grabbing for him. He squeezed back as hard as he could. Crap, what a time to feel this weak! He hoped Hunt could at least tell he responded. “Yeah. Waited longer than eighteen years for that.” He shut his eyes to hide the tears. Despite everything, the wait had been worth it. Dunne got the next words out hard and strong, to show he meant it. And he said them fast, before the gray washed over him completely. “Hunt. Don’t worry. I’ll live for you some more.”

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Chapter Six

“Do you feel all right, Dunne?” Tala bent over him to check his pulse. “You’re the one who has been feeling me up for the past few days. How do I feel to you?” His voice was a low rumble of amusement. “I thought you were going to kill me with those long, lingering sponge baths.” Tala let her hair trail across his face and smiled. How things had changed! The Beta’s grim threat face was gone. Dunne had a sense of humor and a really wicked tongue when he chose to use it. Really wicked. She was going to enjoy all the ways she’d make him open up. “No more sponge baths for you then. You’ll have to join me in the shower,” Tala told him. “Or maybe in my bed, now that you’re really home.” “You’re nervous.” “Yes. No. A little.” “Tala, I thought I was going to be bottom last in my pack. After Hunt said what I’ve been waiting years to hear, there is nothing that can possibly throw me. Nothing you do can be wrong.” “Arlin and I have never --” Tala pursed her lips. “Well, this will all be a new experience for me, especially since I haven’t put all of you through all your paces, so to speak.”

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“That would be horses, not wolves, sweetie.” “Jokes won’t help.” “Would this?” Dunne ran his hand from her neck down to her hip, coming back to do it again but this time lingering along the way to stroke every part of her body in between. Tala’s head fell back. “Yes.” She was easy but apparently that was just fine. All that teenage angst and unhappiness had been for nothing… The weres in her pack wanted her just the way she was. And she wanted them. By unspoken agreement they had all waited until Dunne was healthy. Waited and let the tension build. Touching was all right. Teasing was all right. But nothing else. “But maybe you got yourself just a little too tense,” Dunne told her. “I can help with that.” “Are you sure?” Tala tried again. “I meant are you sure you’re --” “I’m feeling just fine.” He ran his hands over her again, this time resting on her breasts. “Right?” He sat up and sucked one nipple. “I was obviously wrong. I really thought you were totally gay when I first saw you with Hunt.” Tala bit her lip. That sentence was so not the way to start off sex with a guy. “I’m not sure any were is going to ignore half of all the possibilities of sex that exist out there. I’ve lived long enough to appreciate a little pussy now and then. Especially when it’s all nice and warm for me. And when you can attract such well-hung guys as you get excited, Tala.” Without warning, he laid back and buried his face underneath her skirt. Tala yelped when his teeth clamped down for a nibble. Almost before she finished the sound, though, she did a slow shimmy with her hips to help him fully appreciate how nice and warm she was as he explored. His mouth was so wet and hot against her that she made

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the mistake of relaxing into it right before he suddenly sucked hard on her clit. Tala yelped again and arched backward. God, he was good at that. “Starting without the rest of us?” Arlin came up from behind and leaned over her shoulder, his words tickling at her ear. “I don’t think so. I’ve been waiting a long time to enjoy you with others around to watch, Miss Tala.” “Pervert.” “Is it perverted to be thinking about very specific and graphic sex acts you want to perform on and with a particular female since you were twelve…maybe eleven…all right, ten… Well, yeah, I’m a pervert. Trust me. I know exactly what I’m doing. Shove over, Dunne. It’s definitely past my turn to be with Tala.” Tala traced his lips with her finger. “Shut up, Arlin. We’re supposed to be going out to eat.” “We could stay in and eat.” Arlin traced her pussy lips with his finger. “You want to. Dunne is fucking good at warming you up for sex.” Tala realized she was almost sitting on Dunne’s face and Arlin was pressed against her back. And both men were interested in more than dinner. Both hard-ons were getting harder by the second as they teased her body. Whoo. Her body wanted to respond to the teasing too. “I think a little more waiting will do us all good.” She smiled and eased her way slowly away from Dunne, rubbed against Arlin’s erection for luck and then pulled herself up on rubbery legs. She ignored the groans behind her as Hunt opened the door. Tala tensed as he looked them all over carefully. She relaxed again when he did nothing about what he saw. Once again, he was dressed beautifully. She strolled up and tugged on his tie, using it to pull his head down for a kiss.

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“You know, everyone should wear ties tonight,” she said. “I might be able to use them later on.”

Tala looked up at him as they swayed together. She was so tiny compared to the men who surrounded her constantly. Compared to him. But her eyes were sparkling with mischief. If he wasn’t careful, she could take him down. In this case size didn’t matter. “You can dance, Arlin. Better than you did at Cotillion in seventh grade. When did that happen?” “A girlfriend who liked to dance. And no, I wasn’t going to ever talk to you about it.” “That must be Jessica. The senior when we were freshmen. You were unnaturally secretive about her.” She was silent a moment and Arlin got ready for the punch line. “I bet she gave good head.” “That’s my ladylike cousin.” Arlin gave her a particularly energetic twirl. He was not going to laugh, damn it. “Be nice or I won’t let you show me what good head you give.” “Please. That wouldn’t be me being nice. Besides, I’m in charge tonight. Why else would all three of you show up with me with suits and ties?” She was sparkling, irresistible. Tala with her sex on. God knows he could never resist it. Arlin followed Tala’s glance over at the two men at the table. They sat together, not too close, but still so relaxed in each other’s company that if you thought about it, you knew they’d known each other a long time. Dunne was all right. Better than all right, really. But that goddamned cold Hunt. Arlin would take him apart if Hunt ever injured his girl. He could hurt Tala. That was what terrified Arlin. She thought she could order all of them around and she hadn’t a clue what that meant. She was so tough on the outside and soft as a baby inside.

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“Arlin, did I do the right thing?” Had she picked up on his thoughts? He’d tried to block them. They’d always been close but lately they were so in tune with each others’ thoughts it was like they were bonded. Except they weren’t. He had to remember that. They hadn’t gone through bonding. She’d picked Hunt instead. She had a tremor in her voice that she was trying to hide from him. Tala, the frightened little girl. God, he couldn’t resist that either. Because he had to learn how, Arlin sharpened his tone. “How am I supposed to know? I know your future was spelled out to me since I was a kid. If our packs had a problem with what you did in bonding with Hunt, they would have been out here in a flash.” Arlin kissed her shoulder. “So the bottom line is that I’ll miss you, baby.” He would. Far more than he’d admit with those flippant words. This whole evening was a good-bye, whether Tala knew it or not. He pulled his tie off as the music ended. “I’m done with being polite for the evening. Let’s get back to the table. I bet those two are playing with each other under the cloth napkins.” “You look good with the top button of that dress shirt undone. Crumpled enough to be sexy.” Tala looked at him, dreamy-eyed. Dreamy enough that it took her a step or two before what he’d done hit her. “Arlin!” Underneath the arm he had politely given her, he’d tied her wrists with his tie. “What are you doing ?” “You’re too nervous to be the top tonight. And I want you too much to let you be. Time to let some men take over.” Tala’s gaze heated. Then she clamped her mouth shut when she saw a few curious glances by patrons in the tables near theirs. Great. He’d counted on just that -- she wasn’t going to create a scene in Hunt’s own casino.

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“You’ll get payback for this.” “We’ll just see about that, sweetie.” He’d look forward to it. He’d enjoy every minute of what they did next. From the little quivers Tala was giving underneath his hand, she would enjoy it too. They were too much alike not to know how to get each other excited. Hell. They were just too much alike. And saying good-bye to her afterward was going to kill him. It was killing him now. Just not yet. He didn’t have to do it yet. He wasn’t even going to think about the end yet. Instead he’d visualize everything that happened before that. Everything he’d planned for years in his head. It started with looking at those impossibly small, delicate wrists under his hand. The ones he’d crossed together and tied up. Or, better yet, it started with looking at her shivering with desire and trying to hide how much she wanted what would happen next. He’d make that enough and more than enough for now. When Arlin got to the table he presented the still bound girl and announced, “Gentlemen, she’s ready. Let the games begin.” “Oh my God.” Tala’s voice sounded a little more amused than awed. Arlin managed a hard little grin that he saw reflected on the other men’s faces. That sounded like a challenge to all of them. They had plenty of time to go back to their room and put some awe in her tone.

***** She squirmed under Arlin’s tongue as he licked from her nipples and then, somehow, absolutely knowing, he continued to trace the line where a pang of lust was shooting from her nipples down to her pussy. She tried to keep her legs from shaking, but they both knew it was hopeless. He was there to make her squirm and convulse and finally give in to

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pleasure. And the other two were avidly watching, waiting their turn. That made Tala’s trembling even worse. He knew what turned her on. Hell, he knew that the show was turning them all on. All that need made the power and the ache for release intensify in him. Just not yet. He wasn’t done with her. With all of them. Not nearly yet. Was Hunt’s jaw a little too tense as he watched? Arlin tried not to laugh. Tala couldn’t help reacting to Arlin. She couldn’t even help enjoying a little display of jealousy by her mate. That thought made some of the nasty in Arlin rise to the surface. He drew out the show, sucking hard on one nipple and pulling it back. When he let it go, with a wet pop, it stood out hard and red against her pink areola. Then he started on the next one, working it so that Tala would be well sucked and panting before he was through, all without her Alpha mate laying a finger on her. Just for good measure, he bit that elongated nipple and Tala whimpered in both distress and delight, clawing at the floor beneath her. A shudder went through her, she arched under him and the smell of her arousal filled the room. Arlin looked up at Hunt, trying not to pant, trying to remember to talk before he was lost in that quick, involuntary climax of Tala’s. “One,” Arlin said. There was going to be more. Hunt’s jaw definitely twitched. As if Dunne knew what was happening to his Alpha -- oh hell, of course he knew -- he knelt before Hunt and began to suck his cock. Arlin figured that ought to work pretty well as a distraction. But Hunt was tough. He gripped Dunne’s head and began to fuck his mouth with quick, firm strokes even while Hunt continued to stare at Tala and Arlin with both threat and fascination in that focused gaze.

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Jesus. Hunt must be made of ice to keep watching. Arlin knew how well Dunne sucked cock. How Dunne knew just how fast or how slow to move. How deep to take it -- Arlin almost forgot what he was doing for a moment as he remembered and shivered. Thank God Tala wasn’t going to let him or any of them be distracted from her. She licked her lips and blew a kiss at Hunt. Then she looked up through her lashes at Arlin. She spread her legs open a little wider so Arlin had better access to her -- and both he and Hunt had a better view. Which of them was she playing to? Or was she playing to them both?

“Tease.” She ran her tongue against her teeth, just barely keeping the smile contained. Arlin decided her punishment would be to work his tongue up inside her and flick it rapidly, ending by tightly licking and sucking against her clitoris. He worked his face in deeper, tongued her more fiercely. She screamed instead of smiled. He could do that to her. Pride rose up in him almost as thick and tight as the lust and the sheer desire. Tala’s taste, burning and excited. The musky smell of equally aroused male all around them. The burn of his own need from his chest to his balls. Especially his balls. Dunne grunted at the more rapid thrusts Hunt was using on him but from the wet, avidly sucking noises he was making, Dunne was still deep throating his Alpha and they were both enjoying it. God. Arlin wanted Dunne to do that to him too. He wanted everything. Time to change scenes on this show before he lost it. “Bend over, Tala.” Arlin turned her over, her arms still bound awkwardly in front of her. He slapped her, one sharp staccato sound. He heard a groan. Whose? Did it matter? “Lube, Dunne!” Arlin called.

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Arlin caught it with one hand and applied it to his fingers. For a moment he just stared down at that pretty little ass, raised up in the air for him. She moved up and down, against the floor, wanting more. Wanting him. Arlin spread lube on his fingers, willing them to not tremble. “All right, Tala?” Arlin asked, his fingers circling her anus, almost gently. Almost. She jerked under his touch. He knew how she felt. He’d experienced it himself the first time someone had screwed his ass. The slight pain, with the promise of more, was frightening and exciting both. He was so in synch with her feelings, he felt her terror and trust and desire coiling and entwined inside. This was a first she would share with him, no one else. He deliberately opened himself to all her thoughts. All her emotions. “All right.” Tala nodded.

“That kind of penetration doesn’t count, does it?” “It will count, baby. I’m going to make it count a lot.” Arlin’s first finger, slick with lubricant, went up her, exploring the hot tightness she held. They concentrated on breathing in…and out. Just the way his finger was penetrating and retreating. He focused on letting her relax and absorb the pleasure that came with the discomfort. He began to shake as if he was the one on the receiving end. She turned her head to the others and he followed her gaze, her movements reflecting his, and his hers. The pleasure was doubling for the two of them, the way it used to when they allowed it before… Arlin stared over at the men before he was totally lost in Tala, before he forgot to please her again and again before he came inside her.

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Dunne was grasping his own cock now and jerking off, his chin up as he swallowed, his head bobbing. Hunt was still focused entirely on Tala and him, even while he kept fucking Dunne’s mouth. God. He hadn’t realized it completely but he was almost as open to the men’s emotions and thoughts as he was to Tala’s. He thought he might explode from the sheer intensity of his suddenly magnified want. The only thing keeping him from going over the edge was how much he enjoyed teetering on the still-building wave of emotion each one was riding. He shut his eyes, feeling the heat from them. Jesus. Could you survive this much swamping lust and need? That wasn’t going to help him gain control. Arlin got a grip and centered on what he was doing with Tala. Centered on her and what he was going to do next, blocking out the rest. When the thick head of Arlin’s cock first touched her sphincter, Tala sucked in an audible breath, almost a gasp. Arlin shut his eyes and fought for more gentleness. “Leave off, Dunne,” Hunt said in the distance, somewhere behind Arlin and the pounding in his ears. Dunne stood in front of Arlin’s range of vision, right in front of where Tala hunched on the rug. “Untie her. It’s too painful this way.” Arlin wanted to protest. He was in charge here. But Jesus! The bastard was right. He wasn’t about to hurt Tala. He slid out, reluctantly, his cock protesting the loss. Hunt picked her up as Arlin undid the knot. She clasped her legs around Hunt’s hips, sliding his cock into her pussy as if it was meant to be. Hell, it was meant to be. No. He wasn’t going to think about who had what rights. What he was going to do was make her come until she lost her mind.

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He felt a lick of heat from Hunt stroke him inside and out, even while Hunt stared down at Tala. Just that touch made Arlin bite the inside of his cheek hard to keep from whimpering. All right. The two of them together were going to make Tala crazy. Hunt sat down on the large recliner. Arlin hoped it was sturdy enough for what happened next because whatever Hunt had in mind, Arlin was going to be right there with them. “God. You sitting fills me even more.” Tala said the words but Arlin almost didn’t recognize the husky voice. “Now start again, Arlin.” Hunt still sounded calm. When the hell did Hunt decide he could take charge? But Arlin knew he didn’t want to argue. He knew he was close enough to going over the edge that someone else needed to be in control just for a minute or two. Just until he got his grip again. Arlin pushed harder against her anus. “Bear down, sweetie. Just a little more. Another minute and it’s going to feel a lot better.” Her eyes widened. He entered her. She was tight and hot and suddenly, after the slow initial entry, easy to work up inside.

“The burn is so intense. I don’t know if I can stand it. Your cock is too big. Oh God, I’m going to cry.” Arlin fought to still himself, not sure he could, when Tala turned her cheek toward him, blinking the moisture back. Her eyes were so intense. So needy and stunned and trusting. She worked on bearing down, the way he’d told her, letting Arlin’s too big cock work its way inside and then -“This is -- it’s too much.” “Should I stop?” Arlin asked through gritted teeth.

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He could do it. As long as Tala looked at him like she trusted him to do anything, he could. “No. Oh no! Don’t stop.” “Gently, boy.” Hunt began to move, slowly, and Arlin followed his lead. Tala rocked experimentally, trying to match the two men’s movements. He was so focused on Tala that it took a moment for what they all were doing to register. Arlin’s eyes widened as he realized just how intimately he was rubbing against Hunt’s cock. The two of them were separated by just one thin layer of Tala’s skin, locked together, staring each other down with unblinking eyes. He wasn’t going to think about how damn weird -- and good -- it felt. Sweat trickled down Arlin’s back. Tala cried out, squeezing his cock, her movements bumping him up against Hunt’s. “Oh God,” she cried out, jolting between the two of them. “That’s two,” Hunt said directly to him, before he smoothed Tala’s hair and kissed her cheek. “Dunne?” “Just like you said, boy. Bear down. It’s going to feel a lot…better.” Dunne’s voice was behind Arlin’s ear, panting. The tip of a cockhead pressed against his anus. “Jesus!” Arlin sputtered. Dunne was going to fuck his asshole and, from the rough note in Dunne’s voice, once he was in he would make sure Arlin wouldn’t be sitting down for the next week. Pain. Almost too much pain. Arlin gasped as Dunne worked his cock inside his ass. Then pleasure. Almost too much pleasure. “Nothing like fucking a virgin ass, is there?” Dunne’s voice was hoarse. “But you’re getting even more. You’ll feel all this coming and going, kid.”

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Everything. He was going to experience everything, just the way he’d wanted. Dunne pulled back and then surged forward again. Arlin pitched forward into Tala and Hunt. The chair rocked dangerously beneath their combined weights. Jesus. This was what he wanted and not at all the way he’d planned. That was where Arlin lost track of events. That last bit of his illusion of control slipped first. Sensation spun around him: the groans and straining of the other men, the whimpers from Tala, the sparks of fire shooting up in him from pleasure points he hadn’t even known he had. Motion and noise combined as the chair rocked under their weights, and the nips and growls of what was non-were and were sex blurred for a moment into purely animal. It seemed like there wasn’t an inch of any pleasure point in his body that wasn’t being used to wind him up tighter, make him go higher, build him up and destroy him. The only thing he was entirely sure of was opening his eyes to see Hunt’s face as he came, hard, gasping against Tala’s skin, whispering over and over, “Ohfuckohfuck. Talafuckohfuckloveyou.” “Tala!” Arlin screamed out across her back then bit hard at her shoulder. He marked her every way he could, with teeth and sperm and sweat. And it wasn’t enough. Couldn’t be enough. Never enough. “God!” Dunne moaned after him. Tala screamed along with her men as her climax ripped out of her body, squeezing and milking whatever cum was left in his cock. It was music. He’d meant their time together to be an ode to her. But, though he hadn’t meant it to be, it was also an ode to the men who were giving him and her such pleasure. All of them together. Arlin wasn’t entirely sure, but he thought he heard a voice he didn’t want to hear echo in his head, “You little fucker, third times the charm.”

*****

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He lay there on the floor, shuddering still, fighting the tears that were still leaking out from closed eyelids. When he heard the footsteps, he knew who it had to be. Christ. He was completely destroyed and now he had to face him. “I’ve got to get out, Hunt.” His voice was as raw as his emotions. “Tell her. I can’t.” “Why?” So much for being the top. Somehow Hunt -- Hunt, Tala and Dunne -- had turned the tables. Now the bastard was going to make him admit it. “Because -- because I want to stay. One more time like that and I’d rip up every shred of pride I’ve got and beg for the privilege. I won’t care. I’d beg to take whatever you’d be willing to give me. It’s that good with all of you.” “I know. I’m older than you are, kid, and that’s the best…” Hunt’s voice changed, became businesslike. “How about you do me a favor?” Arlin swallowed, tried to regain some control. “Depends. What?” “An errand I can’t do myself. I need you to help me track down the scum who tried to kill Dunne and probably take Tala.” That hadn’t been the favor he expected. More control returned. He could do that. Hell, he wanted to do that. “I’m not your errand boy, but that’s a very tempting offer.” “I figured. Dunne isn’t able to right now. They’re watching for me. But you…you’re an outsider. They wouldn’t expect it.” Hunt held his hand out and, without thinking, Arlin grasped it. Hunt pulled him to his feet. “There is one catch.” “Yeah?” Arlin wiped his face.

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“You have to tell Tala. She has to accept that you’re leaving from what you say.” Hunt shrugged. “You’re too important to her to have me explain. She might not understand or forgive me.” “You do care about her then?” “What do you think?”

I think he’s never screamed those words to anyone else in his life. “I think you’d beg for her yourself, if you had to.” Arlin almost smiled. “Think whatever the fuck you want. She’s mine. I want her to stay mine.”

And he’s not sure of her. I wonder if anyone will be sure of Tala. “She’ll be here to see me in a minute. If I promise to be fully clothed when she arrives, will you give us ten minutes alone? I’ll handle her. I know how.” Sometimes. “I know. That’s what I’m afraid of.” Hunt almost smiled back at him.

“I don’t like it, Arlin.” “You’re not my Alpha, Tala. You don’t have to like it.” “But you’ll take orders from Hunt?” “For now. Because we want the same things. To get whoever took Dunne down. You want that yourself.” “Yes, but --” “I’ll be back, baby. Keep that ass warm for me.” He winked, gave her ass a pat, and was gone before she could come up with an argument. “Is he gone?” Hunt strolled in, his timing too perfect to be an accident, not giving her time to think about how empty she was feeling inside without Arlin. “For awhile. He said he’s doing some scouting for you, Hunt. Is that safe?”

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“No. But it’s safer than if I look like I’m doing it or if Dunne does. And he wants to. He’s young. He needs a little danger while he finds his place.” Hunt picked up the newspaper. “And you both need to absorb that he’s going to find that place away from you.” “I know.” Tala sat down. Hunt was going to spring something. She finally knew enough about him to know he was being too casual. She braced herself. “I’ve been thinking I need to move my base of operations from Vegas after we get married.” “Oh. We’re getting married and moving too? I’m sure you were going to ask me my opinions about that really soon.” “I’ve been busy.” Hunt smiled at her over the financial section. “But I think I may need to make sure I have a legal claim on you among non-weres if things get…troublesome.” “You intend to marry me and leave here just because someone is after us?” “Not entirely. The Strip is slowing down right now. It may be time to focus more on some of my other ventures. And I want to be sure there won’t be any legal complications if I need to hand things over to you someday.” He was worried he might die over this? Tala’s eyes narrowed. Not if she could help it. “Then maybe you’d consider moving to Palo Alto?” “What?” “I did have plans before I met you, if you recall. Did I mention I intend to go to Stanford this year? Or Berkley. I haven’t done my final acceptance yet. I guess you can pick since I suspect having you as a husband won’t allow me to claim any financial aid. Besides, I’m now sure where I want to focus my studies, which means I can take a hard look at both programs.” Tala stretched as Hunt eyed her. “And that would be, what, theater?”

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“I am not a drama queen, you jerk. I had always planned to major in business -- now I want to focus on fundraising. I have a plan for the future and it will require money and networking. I bet either university would work out just fine for acquiring both.” “I have money.” “We need more money. And we really need the networking contacts.” Tala kissed his nose. “I’m going to start setting up medical research for weres. That’s going to take us a lot of sweet-talking and influence. I have no idea how many weres there are out there. Do you?” Hunt had narrowed his eyes and put his blank game face on. But Tala knew he was impressed. She was getting better at reading his emotions. “I have a better idea than you, but no, I don’t know for sure.” Hunt scowled. “And none of the weres I know would have any reason to trust me with their money or their secrets.” “But they need medical information. We all do. I think I’ll be in an excellent position to make some trades, especially with you backing me.” Tala smiled. “You’re going to use me to strong-arm weres until they buy into your plans?” “Very telling that you should think that’s how it should work. Reason and charm might be effective instead. But of course I’ll need to be sure no one lets on what I’m really fundraising for while I say I’m doing work to preserve wolves in their natural habitat. I know you can keep weres quiet.” “Tala -- I want you marry you, you know. Does that fit in with your plans?” “I know you do. And I want to marry you. I love you.” “I hope so.”

Each love I have is different, but that doesn’t make it more true. I finally get it. And Hunt needs me to marry him. He might not even admit it to himself but more than any of the others, he needs me.

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Tala stood on tiptoe to cup her hands on his face. “So let’s. I’ve always wanted to be the trophy wife.” “Lots of chapels in Vegas.” There was a smile in his eyes. “I’m inviting my family. I want them here for this. Besides, this is going to be the start of a lot of networking.” “You’re taking all this well, Tala.” Taking Arlin being gone? Becoming an adult? Being with the man she’d taken as a mate even though she wasn’t sure about what that meant? “I’m accepting things, Hunt. And being with you? That’s not so bad. Not at all. In fact, it’s kind of a plus.” He bent down and kissed her hard. Passionately. Tongue, teeth, soul. When he was done, they looked at each other. Tala realized she had no words. What were the right words for a whole new world opening in front of you? Hunt nuzzled against her cheek. “I look forward to watching you at work, love. Oh hell, I just look forward to watching you.” “I won’t disappoint you, love. I promise.” He kissed her hands. “You couldn’t. You’re Tala.” “That’s very sweet but I don’t know if you’re right.” “I’m always right, my dear. My only worry is --” “The mighty Hunt is worried?” “Smartass. My only worry is that you don’t know what you want yet. Not really. Nothing will stop you once you find out.” “I just told you my plans. You don’t think I want you and a life with you?” “I’ll know what you want as soon as you know, my dear. Maybe even before then.” He smoothed the line between her eyebrows.

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“And you don’t think you can make me choose? You got me to choose to bond with you.” I just hope I’m worth it to you. “You’re young. You can change your mind still.” “I’ll get older. And you’ll have to make sure I don’t. You up for that?” “Pick a chapel. Any chapel. We’ll have ourselves a wedding and see.”

Treva Harte Treva Harte lives near a city with many, many attorneys. Thanks to Loose Id and her writing, she is now able to be a recovering attorney and spends her time writing, editing, raising adolescents, taking care of an elderly mother, and dealing with a hyperactive husband (he says he's just very energetic.) She is also co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of the epublishing company Loose Id. She and her husband both like writing in whatever time they have left, so they often fight over -- sorry, since he is still a practicing attorney they NEGOTIATE -- keyboard time. No wonder Treva’s particular brand of sensual romance is a bit offbeat and usually mixed with fantasy.