Chapter 16

Dash POV

I kept that secret for six years now Zora stared at me as if I was insane. It rained cows and horses outside and the girl beside me was soaked to the bone. She looked like a sad wet little puppy but the look was cute on her.

"Dash!"

I blinked a few times and put the car in drive.

"Damn it," I muttered.

"What are you talking about?"

"Are you telling me you don't know?" I held the wheel so tight I thought I might bend it.

"How could I? I wouldn't have known about you if Cassidy hadn't mentioned it. Explain!"

I drove past her house which added to her level of confusion but I wasn't leaving her there with her dripping wet and with the storm. That old house was one accident away from caving in on her.

"I'll explain alright, can we just get home?"

"You passed my home."

"I'm not taking you there."

"But…"

I flashed her a mischievous grin. "Come on, Zora, I've spent the night at your place already now you have to stay at mine. It's only fair."

She wrapped her arms around her petite frame and trembled, but I wasn't sure if it was from being soaked or from the prospect of sleeping in my house, possibly in my bed.

"Fine," she said.

I drove into the garage of the modern mansion I bought a month ago. It didn't occur to me Zora would be living on the other side of the forest. I swore I would have nothing to do with her when I returned but then I saw her dancing with Gunner and then comfortable with Kaleb but when it was my turn I crumbled like a tower.

I killed the engine and climbed out of the car. I rounded the vehicle and opened the door for Zora. She looked up at me with those big enchanting eyes of hers. It was her eyes that drew me to her in the first place, nearly eight years ago.

I scooped her into my arms and she leaned into my heat.

"I could walk," she said, shivering.

"Uh-huh."

I didn't need all this space but coming back here I was a different man. I wasn't Gunner's friend and the son of a low ranked beta. I came back a man of power and money and I wanted to show it. I didn't want to accept Gunner's offer to be the pack Beta but Kaleb could be persuasive and maybe a part of me wanted to come back and show the town that I felt rejected me I was different that I went on to achieve more than they ever thought.

"N-nice place," Zora said.

"I'm glad you like it."

I passed the living room and walked up the stairs. The steps lit up as I walked towards my bedroom. Zora snuggled deeper into me and it got me excited. I know I told her to back off that we were better separated but my wolf gave me shit for saying that every night.

"It's so cold," she shivered.

"You shouldn't have locked yourself out of your car, sweetheart."

"W-what was I thinking? I thought I could skip the bath tonight by doing it in the rain."

I chuckled. She somehow managed to fall into mud which meant she couldn't skip the bath tonight. I set her down on the chair at my desk and draped a blanket over her shoulder.

It felt good to have her in my house I ran the water in the claw footed tub. She wasn't as fragile as she was back then, but she was still the girl who dug into my hardened soul and pulled out a heart.

"Come on, baby."

I carried her to the bathroom. She was burning up now. I didn't like it.

"I need you to get undressed for me Zora."

She murmured something inaudible.

"Don't do this babe."

I pulled her shirt over her head and ripped off her pants. Her skin was murky and pale but damn it she was still sexy. I placed her in the tub and got undressed next. I climbed into the tub next and cradled her.

I pushed doses of Alpha power into her. I may be the pack beta but I had an Alpha wolf and he was very overprotective of Zora even though I failed to claim her, something that hurt my wolf.

Zora mumbled and curled her hand into a fist on my chest.

"Better?" I asked.

"Yeah… thanks."

I caressed her back and poured water over her head.

"Don't think I've forgotten, Dash," she said gently.

My muscles tensed. I wished she would.

"You need rest."

She attempted to sit up but I pushed her down to my chest.

"Fine, fine. I tried to claim you but I failed. End of story."

"Dash!"

I kept my arm around her shoulders to prevent her from rising.

"It should have been easy. I mark you and it's official. I would have told you but it didn't work there was no point. That only happens if another wolf has already marked you as their mate. So Zora, it's your turn to explain."

This time I allowed her to sit up and look at me. She met me with a blank stare.

"I don't understand any of this."

I lifted a shoulder. "Did Gunner claim you?"

I know he didn't but it was worth asking.

"No! Not that I know of."

"Kaleb?"

"What? Kaleb never looked at me until… uh…"

I clenched my jaw until recently. I'm not the only one with their eyes on Zora. I couldn't blame them too much. Zora's a fucking goddess. She's doesn't have a wolf but that doesn't matter. She's feisty, smart and strong.

"Never mind. Maybe you made a mistake maybe you failed because I'm human and not a wolf."

I shook my head. "Doesn't work that way sweetheart. Either there's something you're not telling me or someone marked you without your knowledge."

***

"Here put this on. Your clothes should be dry by morning."

I tossed a large shirt at her, boxers wouldn't be necessary, my shirt was as good as a dress on her.

"Uh… do you have a guest room?"

I stared at her and sucked in a breath. I should have told her I have six guest rooms but the way she squeezed her legs together had me thinking and fantasizing.

"No," I responded. "I only have one bed in the entire house."

I grabbed her waist and led us to the bed. She lay on her back and held her breath. I pushed all reason aside. I needed to taste this girl.

"One bed… in this mansion?" She swallowed.

"One fucking bed." I brushed my lips against hers. "Does that make you uncomfortable, babe?"

"It should. You're a pain in the ass, Dash." She inched closer and stroked my lips.

I moaned and closed my lips on hers. They were soft and tender like every inch on her. I wrapped her legs around my waist and pressed my cock into her thigh.

"Dash," Zora moaned. "Oh, if you're going to take me, do it and don't tease me."

I locked her arms above her head.

"Your wish is my command."

I positioned my cock against her wet folds. My wolf spurred me on, but I didn't need his encouragement to fuck Zora. I'd do it any day of the week.

I kissed her jaw as I slid into her. It felt like basking in the sun when her walls squeezed my cock. She shut her eyes and breathed heavily. She looked gorgeous as I gave her pleasure I knew no other man could. In that moment I damned the complications. I sunk my teeth into her neck knowing I couldn't give her a mate mark but it would leave a hickey and that was good enough to send warning signs.