Page 8 of The Werewolf Cowboy
“He did. I said no.”
Katy recoiled. News to her. “Why? You can stay at your own place. And you wouldn’t be alone anymore.”
“I need to be alone.” Grayson started to reach for his wallet.
“Why? There’s nothing good about being alone when you’re Lupine.” Such an attitude bewildered her. Much as she felt smothered by her overbearing family, Katy could never see herself living outside pack. Wolves were meant to live together, not apart. The loneliness must be crushing.
He raised his gaze to her and once more, his eyes turned amber, then purple, before turning to their normal ice blue. “There’s nothing good about living with Lupines when you’re what I am.”
Grayson dug into his wallet, threw down some bills. “For me, and the little lady, Ned,” he told the bartender.
“What are you?” she asked again.
He gave her a solemn look, the shadows dancing in his eyes again, making him look haunted. “I’m something you shouldn’t get close to before you’re fully ready. And you’re still so damn young.”
Then he cupped her cheek, the warmth of his calloused palm zinging through her blood. Katy closed her eyes, relishing his touch.
“I’m not a child,” she whispered. “I think I am ready. I’d do anything for you, Grayson.”
She felt the warmth of his breath against her mouth, parted her lips. Oh yes, he was going to kiss her. Finally, now was the moment.
His deep voice stroked over her shivering skin like hot velvet. “If you want to do anything for me, go home so I know you’re safe.”
Then he was tipping his hat to her and walking out the door. Katy fought tears of bitter disappointment, made more morose by the alcohol she’d consumed.
Depression settled over her. The one Lupine she really liked, who understood her, wanted nothing to do with her, even though she was now legal. With a furtive hand, she wiped away a stray tear and then glanced around, hoping no one noticed.
Lucky her. Charleshadnoticed, and was sneering. She scanned the room, but Holly and Sherry had left. They probably went outside, where the smells weren’t as awful.
Or perhaps they found two interesting Lupines to get to know better.
Katy slid off the stool, heading for the side exit. She went into the cool night air and looked around the dark, deserted area where she’d seen some couples stepping out for private necking. No one was there. She started back for the door when a hand slid over her mouth.
“Don’t scream or I’ll kill you,” the drunken whisper warned.
She had barely time to register the words when a hand squeezed a nerve on her neck, and then the world went black.
Out in the gathering cold, Grayson jogged across the parking lot toward his black pickup. He paused and dug into his jacket for his cell, and dialed Aiden’s number.
“Moore,” the Mitchell pack alpha answered on the first ring.
“Mitchell.” Grayson shivered as a cold blast of wind arrowed through him. Tonight his Lupine senses went askew and he felt more Skin than wolf. “Three of your vanillas are here at The Bar. Wanted to give you a heads up. They’re not in trouble. Not yet. But I’d reel them in if I were you, before some shark baits them.” He paused a minute. “Katy’s with them.”
A low curse. Then a brief, “Thanks. I’ll send someone out straight away.”
He warned Aiden about the drunk cowhand’s ill intent toward the women who had already left the bar. Aiden cursed.
“I’ll have Dale kick his ass. No one mistreats or abuses females in my pack. Anyone else from my pack there?”
“Charles is, but he’s acting drunk as a Skin. Want me to stay, keep an eye?” Soon as the offer was out of his mouth, Grayson regretted it.Not your business.
“No, thanks. We’ve got this.” Polite and clipped, a reminder that yeah, you are not pack and I take care of my own.
Grayson didn’t bother saying goodbye, but thumbed off the phone. Mitchell had enough strong males to take down the entire populace inside The Bar without even breaking a single sweat. But every male instinct in him warned not to leave until Katy was safe.
Mine.
The raging need nearly made him stagger. Grayson rubbed a hand over his face and quietly swore.
