Chapter 26

"I would have been more comfortable at home," I told Dash.

He frowned at me. He held out a white shirt and raised his brow.

I accept it. I guess I was sleeping over again but this time I wouldn't be waking up next to him. I wouldn't be trapped in his embrace tonight and it stung that I wouldn't be in his warmth but I brushed the feeling away.

"I bet your old Victorian doesn't have heating."

"I have a fireplace!"

Dash laughed. He didn't look like he got his ass handed to him. I saw a faint bruise under his eye but he was healing quickly. My heart did a leap when I heard he was hurt. A lot of me still cared for Dash but we were complicated no matter how much I enjoyed his embrace and how well he satisfied me.

Besides, I did stuff with Kaleb and Dash wouldn't be too happy about that. Of the three guys, Kaleb felt the least complicated one. Cassidy wasn't mad about it which was the perfect green light but the heart was a mess of emotions.

"You're going to be okay right, Zora?"

"Me? You're the one who got hurt. Do you want me to-"

"I can heal on my own sweetheart."

"Okay, I just wanted to help."

He moved closer. "You know what would help, but we're not doing that, are we Zora?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I turned around so he wouldn't notice. His warm sweaty arm wrapped around my neck. He brushed his nose against my ear and exhaled.

"Zora?"

I tilted my head back and moaned. It would be so easy to fall into him again. Judging by his standing erection he was ready to go too.

"Dash… no."

"Ugh, fine, that's fine. You know where my room is when you need anything."

Including midnight pleasure? I bit my lip. Falling into his bed after being with Kaleb was wrong. We hadn't spoken in a while I didn't want to give myself up like that.

***

I woke up clutching my pillow. The blazing sun filled my room with warm rays. How long did I sleep? I checked my phone for the time and it was already past nine o'clock.

"Crap," I mumbled and rolled out of bed.

"Dash?" I called as I ran downstairs.

The scent of bacon and eggs smacked me in the face.

"You're up, good," Dash said.

He stood in the kitchen in front of the stove frying bacon without a shirt. He was one brave fellow.

"Should you be cooking shirtless, Dash?"

He turned the stove off and set the pan aside. "I wanted you to have breakfast when you woke up. I ended up going for a run before making anything."

"Wait, you are wearing pants right?"

He grinned mischievously. "Nothing you haven't seen before."

He made me blush again. I settled on the stool in front of the counter.

"I'm sorry," Dash said suddenly.

I looked up surprised. "What?"

"I left without saying anything. I left you alone."

"No… I wasn't alone."

He rounded the counter and turned the stool so I faced him. He cupped my face and brought himself so close I smelt the forest on his skin.

"My Dad's death has plagued me and I thought I had a lead. It landed me in hot water instead."

"I understand Dash. My parents' death haunts me too. Gunner won't help anymore."

"What happened?" His brows dipped. "You don't need his help anyway. I said I'd help you."

I frowned. "You left! I understand but you weren't here."

"Fine, what happened?"

"I don't know he just switched up. He banned me from the pack house."

"He wouldn't do anything without a reason."

I shrugged. "He's your friend."

The doorbell rang. Dash and I stared at each other. We were expecting Keegan I thought.

"Eat, I'll be right back."

He left but the kitchen was positioned in such a way that I could see part of the living room. However, I didn't need to peer into the living room to know who it was.

"You're so reckless, babe! You left the pack house before you recovered."

"I'm an Alpha wolf too Rachel I heal fast."

"I know but I was worried."

Blood pumped so hard in my veins I thought they might burst. I'm such an idiot. I kept running back to this man but he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. I bet on his so-called mission he was with Rachel too. My head pounded with rage I felt faint.

"Who's here, Dash?"

Oh, his girlfriend smelt my scent. Well, great, I wouldn't want her to think her man's being faithful. I waited for Dash to say no one to try to hide me so I could jump up and expose him.

"Zora," he replied.

My body went cold.

"What?" Rachel roared.

Was not expecting that.

"What is that no good human doing here?" Rachel stomped into the kitchen.

Dash grabbed her arm before she could reach me. She stretched her claws but missed me narrowly.

"Hey, what is this?" Dash demanded. "Zora's done nothing wrong."

Was he that blind? She wanted him!

"She's human you're a wolf there's nothing on this earth she can do for you. Didn't you hear Gunner banned her from the pack house? He wants nothing to do with her. Do you know how bad you have to be to be banned by the Alpha?"

"So?" Dash shrugged. "Let's go outside."

"No!"

Dash groaned and took her arm. I stood there frozen and all my rage evaporated. He led her out of the kitchen but curiosity got the best of me. I followed to the living room after Dash led her outside.

"You want her don't you?" Rachel accused.

"I'm helping her, Rachel."

"And I'm helping you. Don't forget I've given you more information on your Dad's death than anyone else."

"I know and I owe you but nothing's happening between us, Rachel. We happened and we ended."

"Shut up."

"I need you to understand if we're going to keep working together."

"You don't get to threaten me. I have an influence you can never dream about, Dash. We'll talk later when that girl's gone."

Rachel marched off and I hurried back to the kitchen. Mid run I heard a car drive onto the driveway. Dash opened the door moments later.

"Sorry, I'm late I had things to take care of," Keegan said.

I popped my head into the living room.

"Oh, you're here too. Even better."

"I have your money," Dash said.

"Before that, Zora you should know I sought out all the people your Dad worked with in the past few years."

"Yeah? Does anyone know anything?"

Keegan exhaled deeply. "They're all dead. Every one of them."