Page 27 of Tamed Wolf

Camden barely hesitates this time.

I scoot to the back of the cage, already anticipating what kind of punishment I’ll be given if I actually leave.

“You’re alright, sweetheart. Look, I’m not going to hurt you. Please come with me?”

I shake my head and try not to look at him, but his face is magnetic. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted like this. I thought they conditioned it out of me long ago.

He sighs, but he’s not giving up. He sinks back onto his heels, squatting down and giving me a little space. “We’ve got these massive cookies our friend sent over. Surely that’s tempting.”

“Are you seriously trying to bribe me with a cookie? Do I look like a toddler to you?”

“Huh. I guess I’m really easily bribed. Also, it’s likely I don’t spend enough time talking to adults. What are they going to do to you if you leave this cage? Sweetheart, I promise we can take care of you. Whether that’s at our place or wherever you feel comfortable.”

“Don’t call me that. Please. That’s whattheycall me. I hate it.”

I feel a bad sort of shiver wrack me, my head shuddering in disgust.

“Okay, sweetheart is gone. Can I call you by your name, then? Lark, was it?”

I nod.

“That’s beautiful. You going to answer my question?”

I take the chance to look at my son, my grown-up baby that I always thought I’d have on my side. He looks ashamed and can’t hold my eyes very long, and it hits me that I’m never going to get another opportunity like this again. Ivan and Trevor left for the night already, and I’m not sure why Camden was still waiting around, but if I don’t try and get out now with this man I know nothing about that is offering to help me, I might be dancing until it kills me. Or until it stops making money for my mates, at which point who knows what they’ll do with me.

I look around my cage in case I don’t come back right away, grabbing my small toiletry bag. The sweater I’m in falls to my knees so my legs are covered, but I keep the hood on, covering up as much of me as possible because it’s shameful to be seen as something that needs rescuing. I’m almost 40, for fuck’s sake. I should be able to stand up for myself.

I used to have more fight in me.

Beckett extends his hand and stares Camden down as he helps me out, and I can’t help looking back at Camden as we walk out. Instead of watching us, he’s just staring into the cage I just vacated, thinking.

It’s colder outside than I expected, but Beckett’s SUV is parked right in front of the exit since the club is closed now, and it’s still mostly warm from him driving over here. He opens the door for me and lifts me into the seat, lingering in front of me.

“You’re safe with me and my brothers. Always. I don’t know anything about your situation, but as the future alpha of the pack, I vow to you I will do nothing but respect you and protect you. I don’t know how much weight you can put into a vow from a stranger, but you’re mine to care for now, okay? That doesn’t have to mean anything at all, either. I’m not trying to put any moves on you or angle in some ulterior motives. I just…I couldn’t leave you in there. Tell me you understand that.”

I curl my hands into my pocket against the sudden urge to hold his face. It’s got stubble sprouting all over his jaw, but he’s so much younger than me and I know they were all in the moment when I was dancing for them, but I’d be completely stupid to think they wanted anything romantic with me. Not now that they know I’m somebody’s mom and that I’m completely tamed.

I’ve got to make sure I keep this friendly and don’t allow myself to hope for more even though I haven’t wanted a man like this since I met my mates.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you. I knew taking your phone was going to end badly for me, but when I realized it belonged to one of you, I was desperate for something to tie me to you, even a little bit. I’m really sorry.”

“You don’t apologize to me. Ever. I’m really fucking glad you took it, because otherwise I wouldn’t have found you and I’d be returning home without you; are you comfortable going there? It’s a bit messy…but the couch pulls out so you can have my bed. Don’t know how much actual sleep you’ll get because we do have a baby, but it’s got to be better than what you had going on in there.”

My heart hurts at the thought of being near a baby again. I feel like I never got to fully enjoy mine when he was little because I was struggling so much and always looking over my shoulder. “I love babies. Can’t wait to meet him.”

“You want to get out of here, then? I won’t push you for your story until you’re ready to tell it, and you don’t even have to tell us at all if you don’t want. We’ve got a few of our own, though. I bet we could have a throwdown on the shitty ways of fated mates.”

“That’s right. You guys are widowed?”

He snorts. “Yeah, but we weren’t really with her when she was alive. Rowan is the only good thing that came from being with that woman. Let’s get you home and cozy, alright?”

His elbow rests on the armrest the whole time as we drive, fist flexing like he’s fighting to not grab my hand, but I’m sure he’s just mad about how he found me; if he’s the alpha’s heir, he’s got to have a high dedication to the pack’s wellbeing.

He sneaks a look at me every few minutes to make sure I’m still there, as if I could just disappear into thin air. It’s not long before we’re driving down a crazy dark dirt road amongst nothing but trees, and I’m a bit worried that he’s taking me to a remote cabin to do me in or something, but I shake that notion off quickly.

I kind of do want that cookie.

It’s almost like I’m on autopilot as he leads me inside, the lights all off except for one in a bathroom. In the shadows I can see baby stuff piled up everywhere, but the room’s more or less tidy. The kitchen looks lived in and colorful from my vantage point, and the whole place feels more home-like than I’ve ever experienced.

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