Page 39 of Fighting Her Wolves

“Don’t read anything into this. It doesn’t mean anything.”

I lean in close, my face inches away. “We want to keep you safe. But we won’t stop trying to convince you to be ours.”

“I will be sleeping in a bed alone.”

“Darlin’, I thought you liked our brand of dirty.” I kiss her softly, nibbling at her lips as I slip my hands down her arms to her hips.

“Maybe I do. I haven’t decided if I’ll let you show me more,” she gasps.

I glide my hands under the edge of her shirt, my thumbs caressing. “You’ll want more; by the time we’re done, you’ll be begging,” I say into her mouth and take it again.

I have no idea if we have an audience, so wrapped up in my mate. We’ve been going at this the wrong way. We have to move faster so she doesn’t have time to talk herself out of a relationship with us that she clearly wants—her body doesn’t lie. I can smell her arousal. I can hear her heart beating fast. I don’t smell any fear, only desire.

Her moan stops me. As much as I want to pleasure her, an alley isn’t the place to do it. I will share her with River but no one else.

“You need to call into work. Make an excuse.” I pull back.

“Why? I need to work, Kerian,” she says breathlessly.

“Don’t you remember? You have enough money now to take a vacation.”

“Holy shit, you're right. It hasn't sunk in yet.” Her eyes glaze over.

“Call. We can go to your house and pack some bags.”

“One bag. I’m not staying forever,” she says sternly.

I sweep her out of the alley and down the street to my car. “We’ll see,” I smirk.

Chapter Eleven

Ava

When we arrive at their house, I have to do a double-take. On the way, we passed a dozen cabins Kerian told me were for his pack. They live on a large plot of land that’s fenced off, giving everyone privacy. I expected their home to be the same as the others, small and cute.

I was wrong. It is a log cabin, A-frame, grand and beautiful. Kerian opens the door and allows me to enter first. We walk into the kitchen that’s long with a row of cupboards. The island is black and gleams in the light. A wood table that looks like they cut down a tree, glossed it, put legs on it, takes up the rest of the kitchen. A fireplace is the main focus in the living room. Brown leather couches surround it. Large windows encircle one wall, letting the light bathe the room. The floor is shiny and polished wood. A set of stairs must lead up to bedrooms. There are two more doors down from the living room.

It certainly feels like I have stepped into an oasis in the woods. Dark and comfortable, encouraging you to stay and enjoy. They don’t play fair.

I slowly pivot to glare at Kerian.

“What?” he asks innocently.

“It’s stunning,” I say accusingly.

“That’s a bad thing?” He raises his eyebrows.

“You knew I would love it and want to stay. Why couldn't you live in a dump?” I dropped the one bag he allowed me to carry and crossed my arms. He insisted I bring more than one bag, and I didn’t have the energy to fight him on it.

“Darlin’, you give me too much credit. I hoped you would like it, but I didn’t have a plan.” He shakes his head, his lips twitching with humor.

“Uh-huh.” I narrow my eyes.

“It’s true. Let me show you your room. River was upset he couldn’t be here to show you the house. He’ll be here soon with food,” he says, nodding his head toward the stairs. “Those doors lead to my bedroom and a gym.” As we pass them, he points to the rooms with closed doors. “We have two bedrooms upstairs. One is River’s. I have a bathroom attached to my room and there’s one adjoined with the two upstairs.” I follow him.

He opens the room at the top of the stairs to the right. I step into a magical world. In a daze, I feast my eyes and senses on the gorgeous room. The plush bed with red and brown blankets, comforter, and large pillows sits against the wall, facing the windows on the opposite wall. I picture waking up in the morning to the fantastic view.

In front of the windows, two chairs and an ottoman face the bed. Their cream color brings some light into the dark room. A rustic chandelier hangs from the exposed beams. A stone fireplace is to the left of the seating area. The room is larger than the first floor of my house.

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