Page 140 of Ice Wolf
And I was itching like crazy. Still. Half my body was covered in hives.
“You’re sure everything is under control, Dad?” Hearing the same squeak in my voice irritated me. I wasn’t prone to surrendering to any crisis. Maybe I was a wallflower or had been, but I’d always been strong.
That’s what I was determined to continue today and every day.
Right now? I wanted to drive a stake through Damien’s cold, dead heart. I’d never felt such rage in my entire life.
My father took my hand, a gleam in his eye. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do. And just maybe, my beautiful daughter, I’d kept you in the dark about my connection with various packs over the years.”
“What are you telling me?”
“That there is strength in numbers.”
“Dad. I’m late for the game. I don’t have time for rhetorical games.”
He laughed. “I’m not being rhetorical. What I’m trying to tell you is that there are hundreds, thousands of packs across the world. We band together when necessary. We keep track of each other. Call it a wolf form of insurance. Bottom line. As of the end of today, Damien will no longer have a job.”
“And why is that?”
“Because three members of the board of directors of his prestigious law firm are wolves. Different pack. Doesn’t matter. Not everyone at the firm is involved in working with corrupt clients.”
“You’re certain?” A hint of excitement roared through me.
“I’m certain. I’ll tell you more about wolf politics when we both find the time. Just know we have your back.”
We. The word sounded entirely different when related to any concept of wolves. A visual of the video Damien had been so happy to highlight remained in my mind. Did the depiction of Saint’s shift terrify me? Not nearly as much as the thought of Saint being ruined because of who and what he was. Something he had no control over.
I’d picked a fight on purpose just so I could ensure I’d save his career. I couldn’t care less about mine.
“You love him,” my father continued.
I glanced out the window at my mother’s beautiful garden, the terraces created with love by both my mother and father because they adored each other. Because they were friends and lovers, husband and wife.
And mates.
“Yes, I do, and it has nothing do with wolf lure or mating or anything else. I love him because he’s annoying and funny, adorable when disagreeing with me. He’s a good guy, even if he needs to be tamed.”
“As your mother would tell you, all men need a controlling woman in their lives. Now, go. The game has already started.”
I glanced at my watch, cringing from seeing the time. “Thanks, Dad. I’m glad to have you on my side.”
“Always. Incidentally, the owner of the Wild Dogs approached me about hiring you outright for a permanent position. What do you think?”
As I stood, I grinned and kissed his cheek. “Let’s see what happens at the game. Go Wild Dogs.”
“Just one more thing. You need to mate with Saint.”
“Really, Dad. Now?”
He nodded toward my arm where I’d scratched until there were strings of blood trickling. “Once he ruts you, the hives will disappear.”
“Ew. Dad! I don’t want to hear this right now.” To make a point, I covered my ears and headed for the door to his office. I’d searched the internet for a definition of the term.
What I’d read should have been disturbing.
But no.
Just thinking about the carnal act forced my pussy to throb from crazed anticipation.
