“What the fuck is with everyone and this necklace?” I mutter as I pull the pendant off my neck and shove it in my pocket. Chuck hurries me across the street and back through the gates to the mechanic shop and assorted buildings. He’s assertive and determined. I’m having a hard time reconciling this version of Chuck with the one that was blushing and fidgeting in the booth with me.
“Inside, now,” he snaps. I glare at him and wrench my elbow from his grasp.
“Excuse me? You do not get to order me around, kiddo. Watch your fucking tone and maybe tell me what the hell is going on?” The back of my neck prickles uncomfortably, like I’m being watched by someone, or something. I don’t like it.
“Please, Ronnie. I promise we’ll explain. I just have to get you inside. You can’t be out here. They can’t see you.” He pleads with me, lowering his voice and looking around frantically. He tries again, pulling me towards the building with the faded logo on it. I plant my feet and refuse to move.
“So who can’t see me? What are you talking about? This is insane. Thanks for breakfast, but I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Ronnie, please,” Before he can grab me again, I whirl around, my hand flat against his chest.
“No. Back up. I am not going anywhere with you until someone tells me what the fuck is going on. Glenda-the-Good-Witch over there just freaked out and dumped coffee on me, you are acting like I’m going to be attacked at any moment, and I am coming off a VERY long day yesterday. Leave. Me. Alone.”
I turn around to stalk off with my head held high. I don’t see the shadow move until I run smack dab into a very large, very broad chest.
The electrical charge I got from Darren and Bryan was nothing compared to the electrical shock that runs through my entire body upon contact with this... person. It knocks me off balance for a moment and my vision goes blurry. Large, rough hands grab my shoulders and shake me.
“Shit, Chuck, go get the VP and tell him to get his sorry ass out here on the double,” an unfamiliar voice snaps and even I can feel the power in his voice. I don’t even need to see him. I just know. This is the Big Bastard In Charge.
“Let me guess, you’re the prez of this outfit?” I ask, my words slur and I still can’t focus my vision yet. Did they taze me? Drug me? What the hell is wrong with me?
He doesn’t answer me. Instead, he swoops down and throws me over his shoulder as if I am nothing more than a bag of flour. Being upside down makes me dizzy and I flail, beating his back with my fists. It does nothing. I try to kick out with my feet and I get a sharp slap on the butt for my trouble. Did this asshole just spank me?! I’m losing my goddamn mind. That must be it.
“That’s enough,” he says gruffly as he tightens his grip on my legs.
It is, in no way, enough.
I shift and wiggle, craning my neck until I’m in position. Opening wide, I promptly bite him and sink my teeth into his sinewy muscles at the back of his neck.
He halts immediately and lets out a roar of outrage that scares the bejeezus out of me. When it comes to fight, flight, or freeze: I freeze. Time stands still for a brief moment while I hang over his shoulder with my mouth clamped firmly on the back of his neck.
The others come hurrying out of the Clubhouse. My captor is literally shaking and quivering and I don’t think it’s from pleasure. Hands are on me and Chuck approaches from the side looking very worried.
“Can you unclench, Ronnie? Let him go. We’re going to explain everything but we really need you to stop biting, okay?” His tone is encouraging and I slowly let my breath out of my nose and unclench my jaw. Pulling away I can see the bright red marks on his neck. I broke the skin. Not sorry. Bastard kidnapped me out of his own parking lot.
As soon as my mouth is off him, he moves again. Soon, I am falling, landing hard on a worn couch just inside the door. The big guy doesn’t stay and I don’t get a good look at him.
Chuck moves into position in front of the door. Clearly he’s meant to by my guard.
I seethe with anger while I try to find a way out of this mess.
CHAPTER SIX: EARL
THE LITTLE BRAT BIT me.
She fucking bit me.
Did I get a thank you for rescuing her splendid ass from impending doom? No. No I did not.
I got a bite that feels like she made it through to bone and a hard-on made of steel.
This is insane. We’ve been without a woman for twenty years. We have a good system. If we have needs, we can always go to the Sirens or the humans in the next town. Finding a mate at this stage doesn’t make sense. But I can’t deny the pull I feel to her.
Darren is right.
She’s trouble in the first degree. Trouble with sharp little teeth and a fucking Matestone in her pocket. She doesn’t even know it but she could destroy our Pod in an instant. Destroy it or complete it. We have no control.
I let out a sigh and kick the chair in aggravation. Fighting other pods and packs for a Matestone carrier is a young man’s game. Even if we inducted the prospects today, our Club would only be 6 members strong. Hardly enough to do battle.
The Coastal Wolf Pack is the only other senior, incomplete pack in the region. They’re
