She squirmed and pushed against my chest.
“What are you doing,” I asked her.
She squeaked as I moved my hand and got a handful of her bare ass.
“Put me down.”
Running my tongue over my teeth I kept walking to the guest wing. I faltered in my direction. I didn’t want her near the other packs. I didn’t want her far away from me. Instead, I turned and headed to the upper floors, the ones that belonged to the single wolves of the pack including my own room.
“Wait, this-”
She looked like she was trying to sniff the air and feeling around for something invisible to a human but obvious to a shifter. Perhaps her wolf wasn’t as out of touch as I’d assumed. We’d all assumed. I prayed that she would come out to play soon enough. Although, when she did, I would have to make some tough decisions. Her soft voice spoke again as I took each step slower this time. I listened for movement, but nearly every pack member was out training or helping get ready for the night. We were alone.
“I can’t make it out really but this isn’t the right way. This is pack isn’t it? No, take me back downstairs. There are fewer scents there,” she said.
I shook my head.
“No. It will be safer. Colton said you could stay, and he spoke the truth. You will be safer here. In the pack wing.”
She stopped squirming and snuggled in closer. She was so small. Malnourished for certain, but she was just petite to my nearly seven feet. I was the future alpha, no one challenged me often, and only some of it was my size.
Except this little thing. She challenged me in so many ways.
“Safer? Lord. A house full of unmated males and I’ll be safer? Sounds wonderful.”
I froze.
“Pack is safer than the enemy. And you will be in the room next to mine and Colton’s. It’s recently vacated. Perhaps Colton can find a new fucking room and you can be even more alone with just me.”
Fuck. Why did I say that?
Hurried steps interrupted this wonderful little challenge to my authority.
“Fuck, Dev. Where are you taking her? The guest rooms-“
I glared over my shoulder, and he stopped.
“Right. Sure. Up here is great too.”
I nodded and opened up the pack connection.
The pack that sold her is coming tonight. She will be safer here.
He nodded and followed me with the bag I hadn’t made much notice of earlier.
Dev? I know something is up with her and you.
I glowered, but I couldn’t and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction to confirm what he was thinking. Not until I knew what I could or would do about it. Mate or not, I wasn’t a young kid anymore going through my first shift. No. He’d died when she’d died.
Colton’s voice pierced through my inner turmoil, and I should have appreciated it. Instead, I was pissed he was so close to her. Again.
“This is from Sarah, in case you are wondering. She hit up the store earlier today with a few of the guys when they ran to pick up the supplies for the week,” said Colton.
Right. That was nice of them to fucking meddle. Still knowing my mate was safe and clothed was a good thing. Then why the hell was it pissing me off that Colton was the helpful one? He was my most trusted friend and warrior.
“Right. Well, uh. This room then? He was mated last week, so it’s open.”
Colton walked in and I followed him. I tried to pull down the stupid shirt she wore. Naked was fine except when it was her body. I was certain Colton noticed my protectiveness over her and her body. The body without my mark on it.