“Where are they from?” He knew Veronica’s pack were wanderers, as Fireborn so often were.
“They’re from America originally, but they’re here and have been for years now.”
He curled his lip a little at the thought of an American pack joining them. They were generally considered upstarts by old world standards, an easy thing for old wolves who had lived longer than the country itself, but he just nodded. “Any who wish to join this fight are welcome. But you know this means that he and Balthazar will have to decide which of them is to represent you all.”
“He’s out chasing Kit again. Do you really expect a decision from him?” Clearly Veronica viewed her Alpha a little differently than most, since her mate seemed a bit more of a playboy than a focused leader in recent days.
“You have a point.” He sighed. “But if this cousin is volatile for even one of your kind, Balthazar’s experienced chasing may be better to represent you. Though that is not my decision to make, of course.”
“Well, perhaps I’ll talk to him at the meeting this afternoon. Give him choices other than burn marks and he’s suddenly a kid in a candy store. The gods cursed him with an insatiable desire for females.”
Most things about Fireborn were insatiable, he learned quickly upon their arrival. “Yet you seem to…handle his indiscretions with more poise than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Yes, well, we mated for the power, the pups, and the tradition. Attraction and alcohol were involved, but we later discovered that we care about each other just enough to keep from killing one another. It’s fun to mess around, but we never harbored any illusions about true love or any such notion.”
“And you’re content with that?” He was asking too much, and probably showing more weakness than he really wanted to, but she and her mate had been some of the more amicable members of their Council thus far. They didn’t have the numbers and therefore the ego of some of the other packs, volatile as they could be.
“I’d be more content if someone was interested in me, too. He’s always been the charmer.” She, however, was a knockout when it came to looks. Wolves were known for being somewhat more attractive than humans, but this one had a perfect body, long brown hair that fell in waves, and she even did her makeup around her eyes to bring out a smolder that accentuated her dark red irises. She was dizzyingly beautiful, but no one liked to take a chance with the mate of a Fireborn.
“And do you think Balthazar would be as…accommodating as you’ve been that way?”
“I’m not sure. Half the time I’d say he would be too drunk to notice. He’s never been particularly possessive of me. Our personalities just don’t fit together as well as a mated couple would hope for. He’s too laid back and I’m too bossy.” She shrugged in her uncertainty, but didn’t seem worried either way.
“I gathered that.” He sighed. “I’ve never been one for match-making. My own choices that way have never met with friendly public opinion. I don’t think I’d be much help.”
She didn’t respond immediately, but then Veronica took one step closer to him with a smirk. “You look brave enough to take a run through the fire.”
He had to smile at her approach, but she could tell he wasn’t exactly returning the interest. “Running through fire and playing with it are two very different things, I’m afraid. My bravery is of a different kind.”
“Are you sure?” Her smile widened just slightly as she stepped closer, and he could feel the heat come off of her in a wave that made the air between them shimmer. “It could be a lot of fun, you know.”
“I’m…sure it would be.” He didn’t back down, but took in a deep breath of the heat around him. He stepped in the rest of the way towards her as he sighed out the breath he’d taken. “But I don’t need a Heartborn behind me to know you’re looking for more than just fun. And so am I.”
Veronica looked down at his lips and then up at his eyes, as her fingertips grazed the side of his arm. He could feel the heat in them, and it was just enough to send a shiver down his spine, but not enough to burn him. “I’m a ninth generation Fireborn. You and I could create legendary wolves together.” She’d watched him for a month, spoken with him, had a real chance to get to know him. He was a good man and a better wolf, and it was the main reason she was attracted to him.
“So what exactly are you propositioning me for, Veronica?” He said with a friendly smile, but without touching her in return. “The sex or the puppies?”
“Well, it’s not the Fulness anymore. So both, perhaps, in time?” She laughed softly, and even her laugh was infectious and beautiful. She leaned in and spoke softer into his ear, and her whole body brushed against the side of his. “I’ve not met many wolves that are as genuine and strong as you are. I’ll admit freely that I’ve wondered often what it would be like to be this close to you.” Veronica actually took it a step further and then kissed the spot on his neck right below his ear, which sent a wave of warmth through him that proved how powerful she really was.
He wouldn’t deny that he was curious, and his hand went to her waist as she kissed him, but when he leaned in towards her, it was only to leave a kiss on the same spot on her neck. His hand slid up over her shoulder and she felt a slight sting at her ear
