"I want to protect her," I admit. And fuck her senseless. "She's a good person, and she doesn't mean to have these visions." And my wolf wants her safe. At first I was going to deny the truth, but for some reason didn't want to lie to her.
I'm not crazy, she said, and it was all over. I couldn't let her go on thinking that. I couldn't hurt her. I'm an alpha. I protect the weak. Whoever Amber Drake is, she's one of mine.
"She's one of us," I repeat. "She swore not to tell, and I believe her. And my wolf trusts her, so…" I shrug, watching their body language carefully. Most of my pack is loyal, but I'm bending the rules. One hint of them being a threat to Amber, and I'll do what I must to make sure she's safe.
"Whatever you say, boss." Trey drops into a seat next to Jared.
I grunt my approval, but, secretly, I'm glad they're taking this so well.
"Yeah," Jared also lounges back, relaxed and smiling. "It's about time you took a mate."
My eyes almost bug out. "What?"
"We followed you to Tucson because your dad's pack was too rigid. No room for a wolf to run. But all this bachelorhood is wearing on us. I'm ready to chase down a little she-wolf, give her a claiming bite. I think a lot of guys are, but we've been waiting for you."
"Bullshit." These guys are party boys. The idea of any of us settling down anytime soon is ludicrous.
Jared just grins. I'm pretty sure he's goading me to find out how serious I am about Amber.
"I'm not mating," I say firmly. "You both know I can't mate a human, even if she is a psychic." But my wolf disagrees. Lots of wolves mate humans; it must be possible. I'd just have to be careful not to give her a mating bite, or it could kill her. But mating a human would mean I'd lose my position as alpha. It would be seen as a sign of weakness. Our pups would have weak blood.
"Well, I'm ready to settle down." Trey yawns.
"You just want your dick sucked on the regular," Jared mutters.
"Yeah, so? Who doesn't?" Trey grabs the cushion he's sitting on and throws it at his pack brother.
"Guys," I warn them absently. My head spins with the idea of mating Amber. It's ridiculous, but now that it's on the table, my wolf won't stop salivating over the thought of having the prim little attorney as my own. I want to pull that bun down, tie her to my bed, and spread her legs. Spend so long eating her pussy she screams herself hoarse. Every night. For the rest of my life.
Not going to happen, buddy.
"Don't worry," Jared says. "We'll find another place to live after you bring the human to heel." He and Trey swap grins, and I want to punch both of them. They're having too much fun with this.
"In the meantime, we'll get earplugs or something," Trey adds.
"I already need earplugs." Jared throws a cushion at Trey. "You keep me up, howling while you jack off."
"I do not howl." Trey throws the cushion back and dives onto his pack mate, punching him through the cushion.
"Guys," I warn, and they stop. "Do me a favor. Sit tight on this. Amber's under my protection, but that doesn't mean she's my fucking mate."
"But she may become your fuck-mate." Jared grins like he knows I'm trying to figure out how to make it happen. "We'll let you warm her up to us first. When it's time, we'll make Trey wear a bag over his head."
The punching starts again. I grab my beer bottle before it goes flying, and watch them push at each other, hoping the crashing doesn't wake Amber up.
I know Trey and Jared are solid, but I don't want them telling Tank, who will run to my dad. If my dad decides Amber is a threat, he won't hesitate to give a death order. For him, rules are rules. Life is black and white. I can just hear him lecturing me and Sedona, That's how we survive.
But no one is putting Amber down. I would fucking kill anyone who came near her. A growl rumbles in my chest at the thought.
But that doesn't mean I can have her, either.
Chapter Four
Amber
I dream I'm being chased by a wolf. A huge, silver-eyed beast who morphs into a giant, ripped man. Who then catches me, pins me under his muscled body, and...
I wake up in the throes of orgasm.
Let the record reflect: Full moons makes werewolves get freaky. Or am I the one who's getting freaky?
The bathroom mirror reflects my flushed cheeks. Apparently I love freaky.
Sighing, I drag a brush through my hair. Multiple visions, a horrible night out and then I meet a werewolf. Just another week in the life of Crazy Amber.
After two hours of frantically wiping down every surface in my apartment, I feel a bit better. Maybe I can just keep on keeping on, act normal. Garrett told me not to tell anyone, so I may as well pretend nothing happened. Right?
I mean, they're three huge, scary guys who happen to turn into wolves. Big deal. I turn into a monster once a month, too, when I'm on my period. Maybe I have more in common with Garrett than I thought.
Dressed for yoga, I grab my mat and head out the door, pausing to check if I packed my keys. My back and bottom tingle as if my body remembers Garrett pressing against me. He caught me when I almost fell, and walked me to my apartment, and taught me to a pick a lock. Keeping me safe. Taking care of me.