I opened the door and waited for her to walk in. She gasped when she saw the floor stained dark walnut and the log walls. “Do you want a little tour?” I suspected that I already knew her answer, and I was rewarded by her enthusiastic nod. Zee walked through the house with me slowly, taking in each room I showed her. I love watching her reactions. She gazed up at the open ceiling in the foyer with a little smile. When we walked into the kitchen with its wooden cabinet and black marble countertops, she actually clapped her hands and I expected her to jump up and down. In the living room she stopped completely at the stone fireplace. It took up most of one wall, and the stones were stacked with a rustic feel that I found appealing. When Zee sighed happily and smiled, I knew she agreed.
“How ‘bout I see what I can put together for us to eat?” I asked heading towards the kitchen. I didn’t expect her to follow me, so when I felt her small warm hand slipping into mine, I was surprised. I looked down at our joined hands and then her face. Her eyes looked a bit dreamy as she looked around. Suddenly a little line formed in her brow as she seemed to contemplate something.
“I thought your friends all lived here, too,” she looked around as if she expected people to start popping out of the woodwork, “Where are they all? I was hoping to meet some of them.”
“Well you’ve already met the most important person that lives here,” I teased her playfully. She shoved me a little and gave me a stern look. I feigned a hurt look and she broke out in giggles. Her laugh was amazing. It sounded perfect in my house and I couldn’t wait to hear it again. “They’re probably out exploring. We’re an adventurous bunch, and we all love being outside. Don’t worry you’ll meet them all soon enough.” I’d caught Wyatt and Tegan’s scents, mixed with the strong scent of arousal, when we passed the office. I suspected they would make an appearance once they both had the nerve.
In the kitchen, I sat Zee at the table and went to work putting together sandwiches from the groceries Tegan had bought that morning. I made a large plate, knowing the food was bound to attract a wolf or two. I also pulled out some pre-cut vegetables, and silently thanked Tegan for always having food prepared for people’s ease.
I was sitting the plates of food on the table when Wyatt strutted into the room, looking pleased as a male peacock displaying all his feathers. Tegan walked in, much more docilely behind him, her face flushed and her eyes on the floor. Wyatt touched her hand and she glanced up at him and smiled shyly.
“Zee, you already met Wyatt,” I motioned to the flirty wolf, who gave Zee a wink before snatching one of the sandwiches and dropping into a chair. I glared at him a moment but then looked at Tegan. “And this is my little sister, Tegan. Tegan this is Zee.”
“Hi, Tegan,” Zee waved and offered a friendly smile, “Do you want to join us for lunch?” I watched as the nervous tension left Tegan’s stance and she smiled back at Zee before sitting across from Wyatt at the table. I noticed that she avoided looking at me, but her gaze flitted over to Wyatt repeatedly. Wyatt just stared at her while he ate. I grinned as I went to get several cans of soda and brought them and plates to the table.
“Have you gotten a chance to go shopping or anything?” Zee immediately jumped into friendly conversation with Tegan. They talked about local stores, the best place for every kind of shopping I could imagine. They made plans to get together son. I watched the girls’ easy interaction with a smile. Tegan was shy with everyone, but Zee’s friendly nature made it hard not to like her. Wyatt caught my eye and gave a nod, he could see it, too.
******
When I pulled into the drive after dropping Zee off at the bar, Delaney was already on the porch waiting for me. Her eyes were flashing with anger, and she stood stiffly watching me climb from the truck. I held her eye contact, waiting for her to lower her gaze. Finally, she did, but not quickly enough for the wolf in me. A growl rumbled in my chest and I caught the tremor that ran through her body. She may have blatantly broken rules, but she didn’t actually want me angry with her.
“Delaney, my office, now,” my voice was gruff as I tried to rein in some of my anger. She avoided looking at me, but she still held her head high as she walked into the house with me following. Even as a pup, Delaney had challenged others, and she had never been a wolf to put her tail between her legs. I respected that about her, and I didn’t doubt that she could make an excellent Alpha female. She just wasn’t going to be my female.
I shut the door to my office and turned to find her right against me. Her hands snaked around my neck quickly, pulling me down for a searing kiss. Her tongue teased my mouth. She nipped my bottom lip, trying to gain access. I removed her arms and gently pushed her away. The anger was right back in her eyes, I doubted it had ever left.
“So, a little human bat her eyes at you and you bring her on pack land, to the pack house no less. Do you have no respect for your status as the Alpha?
