“Yeah, guess you will.”
The guarded look on his face succeeded in doing what she’d hoped, and feared. Pushed him away. Her heart ached, but she knew it was for the best.
A while later, his pack slung over one broad shoulder, she walked with him down the forest slope toward the ranch, where they had seen a lodge when they’d first checked out the woods a few days ago. He stopped and turned.
“I’ll say good-bye now, before anyone sees you, Jenny.”
Suddenly she was in his arms, without even knowing how she’d gotten there. Gaze smoldering, Troy bent his head and kissed her.
Stunned, she surrendered to the subtle pressure of his warm mouth, her lips opening beneath his. His tongue delved inside, lightly teasing, tasting her.
He kissed her as if she were his next breath.
Jenny moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight, drowning in the pleasure of Troy’s touch. Wanting more.
Needing more.
He released her as quickly as he’d kissed her.
“What was that for?” she whispered.
“A taste of home, Jenny. What you really need. A home, with me at your side, in bed each night. Once I get you into my bed, you’ll never want to leave.”
Then he smiled, but the smile lacked his usual charm. This smile looked hungry and predatory, as if his wolf surged forth.
Troy kissed her again, his time on the forehead, the friendly and casual kiss he usually gave out. Then he waved a hand and seemed to blend into the forest until he was gone.
Shaken, she rubbed her mouth. That kiss… whoa. She’d almost changed her mind.
Almost.
Jenny felt a wistful tug as she stared into the thick growth of pines, aspen and oak trees.
Troy seemed like he headed for a possible destiny, a secure spot in the world.
While she was still a wandering soul, uncertain of her own.
Chapter 2
The wood sign hanging above the open gates read MITCHELL RANCH.
A mile-long gravel road led to buildings he could barely make out. Green forest and mountains painted a pretty backdrop to the serene valley where horses grazed. Freshly-cut grass scented the air, threading through the smell of wildflowers and strong alpha Lupine markers.
Troy stood on the steel grates designed to prevent cattle from escaping and shuffled his boots back and forth. His future stretched before him, seemingly bright and beckoning, but much like the distant storm clouds, not always sunny.
Life was never totally trouble free. Hell he would settle for drama free.
But joining a pack presented a huge commitment when you’d been a lone wolf on the road for a long time. Not just a lone wolf, but a lone wolf with a crazed need to mate and breed. Might be a problem in a large pack filled with competitive males, except he already had the mate in mind.
If only Jenny would cooperate. Leaving her felt like leaving his heart behind, but he had to move forward.
Except now, he couldn’t. Couldn’t make his feet take another step.
Isn’t this what you wanted? Go.
Instead, he simply waited a minute, knowing the security cameras on the fence posts already picked up his presence. A wolf howled in the distance, signaling his arrival in a more basic, Lupine way.
Maybe his expectations ran too high and he feared being disappointed yet again. Easier to turn around, return to the forest with Jenny and resume their nomadic life.
Not this time. Something about this ranch called to him.
The trick to blending in with Skins was looking like them. He’d learned that long ago it worked with Lupines as well. Surely it would work now.
Troy pushed the Stetson back on his head to show his face as he started forward. Now wasn’t the time to hide. Alphas were smart. Wary. Protective of their packs.
The way you protect Jenny.
His thoughts skidded sideways. Nearly two months with her, teaming up like some kind of odd friendship when he’d wanted more. From the moment he’d seen her zapping those three Skins who wanted to rape her, he’d known she was his. His alone.
Lust kicked him low and hard as he recalled the softness of her skin, the sweetness of her mouth as he’d kissed her, the curves that had him salivating. Yeah, he was patient. Too patient. Other males would have pushed her hard, edging past the thin line of seduction to something darker and more primitive.
It lurked in the genes of every male Lupine, that raging lust that drove them to mate. He’d learned to control himself. But ah, around Jenny, control had a way of teasing away from him, letting the lust consume him.
Times like that he usually left her alone, headed into whatever town they’d bunked near, to get away from her.
Like now, except he wanted her with him. Permanently. Her panic attack had scared the ever loving shit out of him.
For now, he had to check out this place, see if they were good Lupines, a good place to settle, mate with Jenny, raise young.
See Zoe and how she was getting along. She sounded happy in her texts. There even was a cowboy she liked, and wanted to date, but she was afraid he’d find out her sordid past.
Troy started for the buildings, taking his time, assessing the surroundings. He gauged the sun riding lower in the sky. Best time to visit. Chores mostly would be finished, Lupines relaxed and ready for dinner, tending to family matters. The alpha wouldn’t be as busy.
Finally he reached the main building – a wood lodge that looked like both a hotel and a place of business.
He drew closer to the porch, catching the scent of two Lupines sitting there, booted feet propped up on the railing. One was lanky, with the blackest eyes Troy had ever seen, and razor sharp cheekbones. Troy pegged him as Native American, maybe Sioux. Fascinating. He’d met one or two Lupines with Sioux blood in his travels. Not wolves to tangle with, for
