Page 14 of Wild Wolf
“Balance,” he agreed, his chest hollow. “Our lives are all about balancing the wolf with thehuman.”
Jordan’s lower lip trembled. “More like riding a roller coaster at times. Some days it felt like going 100 miles an hour without a seat belt. Allalone.”
“That’s what pack is for,” he reminded her. “To keep us centered. Remember what my father used tosay?”
Her rosebud mouth curved into a slight smile. “Don’t let your fur get ruffled when some cretin gets under yourSkin.”
They laughed, and all his cares dropped. It felt so good to laugh with her again, share a privatemoment.
“I haven’t had a pack in a long time,” she said softly. “I’ve missedit.”
For a moment, he wanted to draw her close, the way he used to when she got scared, lonely or sad. Offer her the comfort of his embrace, the simple touch all Lupines craved. “This was your home. It always willbe.”
And then amber flickered in her blue eyes, the rising of her wolf. “Sometimes, it’s better to be alone than withpack.”
Damn and hell. She’d made him swear again, silently. Nolan let his own wolf rise, locking his gaze to hers, letting her know exactly who she dealt with this time. Not going to let himself get fooled by a pretty face, sweet smile and sadeyes.
Notagain.
Jordan dropped her gaze briefly, showing submission. So why didn’t he feel satisfied instead ofempty?
She was a wild wolf, a lone wolf, and lone wolves weredangerous.
“You made that choice when you left.” Nolan plucked the ballerina away from her grasp and set it back into the trunk. “You rejected our ways. Got news for you, Jordan. The old ways and the rules still apply here. My father is no longer alpha, but I keep the oldtraditions.”
Blue eyes narrowed. “You told me you have chores. Why are you here, sorting through this trunk? Is that a tradition as well? Busy work for thealpha?”
Nolan growled deep in histhroat.
“My business is my business.” He clasped her chin between thumb and forefinger, centering his gaze on her. “Gotit?”
To her credit, she didn’t even blink. Most females in his pack would tremble in fear or drop their gaze. She didneither.
“Your father used to have another saying,” she observed. “The ‘A’ in alpha sometimes stands forass.”
Nolan stroked his thumb across her velvet-like skin, enjoying the texture. His mouth twitched upward in a smile. “I remember. You saying I’m living up to hislegacy?”
“Listen here, Mitchell. If you want a quivering, meek female for a mate, better let me know now because it’ll never workout.”
“If I wanted a meek and submissive mate, I’d never have chosen you, pixie,” he said in a huskyvoice.
Jordan stared at him as if he’d dropped his drawers and showed his male assets. He’d be doing that soon enoughtonight.
She was so pretty, her pouty lips parted breathlessly, her spark for life neverextinguished.
The hunger, always biting him, gnawed at his insides. Hunger for Jordan, for mating, for bonding with her in theflesh.
Sex was good. Engaging his dick wasexpected.
Engaging his heart and falling for her all overagain.
Forgetit.
“Back to the house. Go get settled,” he told her, dropping hishand.
Jordan’s mouth lifted in a faint smile. “You’re still there inside, Nolan. The real you. I’mglad.”
He scowled. “Go on now,git.”
