Chapter 37

I felt bad for stinking up Hayley's nice SUV and messing up her leather seats. So far she's been nothing but nice to me.

"I wish I could tell you Lilah's a nice person at heart but she's really not. She's always been cold, determined and possessive."

"I thought all she-wolves were possessive."

"We're not all crazy!"

I couldn't hold back my laugh.

"Sure, I get possessive over Oliver or Russel but only if the she-wolf's getting too comfortable. A part of me feels Lilah's that way because of me."

"Why would you think that?" I turned to look at her.

She eased into her seat and sighed.

"Well, our Dad had me while he was still with her Mum and then he broke her family to be with my Mum. We have two younger siblings. Dad's always been in her life but he's been in mine more."

"That has nothing to do with you, Hayley. Lilah's a grown up and she should know that."

"I don't know… I messed up her life."

"You didn't. Your Dad made his decisions but he was still there for her."

"He was. I feel like everyone had to spare Lilah's feelings because of her parent's early divorce. She got everything she wanted while I was pushed to the side."

"She's your sister and she'll always be but don't let her bully you. What do I know? I don't have any siblings I grew up an only child."

She chuckled. "It's crazy, I swear. Thanks, Zora. I've never really spoken about it."

"Not even with Oliver or Russel?"

Their dynamic relationship still intrigued me.

"No… things are insane with those two."

We drove into my property and I still hadn't heard from Dash yet.

"Thanks, Hayley. It would have been a lot awful tonight without you."

She smiled brightly. "Anytime."

I fished out my keys as Hayley drove off. I stopped to look at the overgrown front lawn. This place could make a good bed and breakfast. I didn't have a lot in the bank but I could get a loan.

"It's a plan," I whispered as I jammed the key into the hole.

Before I took a step into the house the ground shook the weeds swayed.

"What the…?"

Three wolves darted out of the overgrown grass and skidded to a halt in front of me. I screamed and clenched my chest. The black wolf dropped on its back and raised its legs. It looked like it was laughing. The brown wolf with white fur on its face sniffled at the black one. The third wolf was jet black all over except for a white patch on the tip of its tail. They were all the same size.

I've lived in the pack my whole life but I rarely saw wolves! I've seen Cassidy shift but it wasn't an everyday thing. They were majestic creatures, sirens and magical one wouldn't believe they were capable of ripping a man to pieces. All three of them shifted into dominating and masculine men.

I screamed again.

"Come on, Zora," Kaleb said.

"Why are you guys naked?" I blasted.

Dash raked a hand through his blond hair. His muscles flexed as lifted his arms. Heat spread across my nose.

Don't look down, Zora, I told myself.

Gunner was the black wolf, Kaleb was the brown wolf with the white face and the jet-black wolf with hazel eyes was Dash. They were all nude and the lights from the front porch shone on them perfectly.

"You do know we don't shift with our clothes right?" Dash asked.

Gunner chuckled. "Silly human girl."

I frowned at him which made him smile brighter.

"Leave her alone," Kaleb scolded.

"What are you guys d-doing here?" I asked, trying to maintain eye contact.

I was sure I was as red as a tomato. They were like perfect sculpted statues. I craved to run my hands along their muscles and satin-like hair.

Get it together Zora!

"You bailed on the mission," Kaleb said.

"I told you she needed more training," Gunner muttered.

"Okay, can we go inside? Please." I didn't wait for a response. I hurried into the house.

I felt them behind me. It was like giants stomping behind me.

"I have a bunch of towels that's the best I can do," I mumbled as I scurried upstairs.

I grabbed a couple of towels from the bathroom. I found them spread out in the living room, totally comfortable in their nude form. I was sure they were used to it but they were making me warm inside.

Gunner chuckled. "Nervous, Zora?" He grabbed a towel from me.

"What? No," I murmured.

"Why do you smell like beer?" Dash scrunched his nose as he took a towel from me.

"Because she went drinking after she bailed on us," Gunner replied.

"Oh, you can thank your girlfriend for the smell," I gave Gunner a small smile.

"Lilah?" Gunner's features dropped.

He wasn't so playful anymore.

"Do you have another girlfriend, Gunner?"

"Why would she do that?" Dash asked.

"Never mind… the plan didn't work. Obviously, no one was going to jump me knowing the three of you were lurking around."

"She's right. I guess we'll have to take turns and hope someone dares to touch you," Kaleb said.

Kaleb stood and walked over to me. "You don't have to spend the night here. Come home with me."

I swear I felt Dash tense and Gunner's eyes on me. I bit my bottom lip.

"Kaleb… I want to stay. I want to fix this place up and make it a bed and breakfast."

That broke the tension in the room faster than anything.

"Are you sure, Zora?" Kaleb asked.

"It's going to cost you a shit load of money," Dash said.

I scowled. "I know! I want to. That way I won't have to sell the place and I'll have something to keep me busy."

Kaleb blew out a breath. "It'll need a lot of work."

"If that's what she wants then I'm all for it. It could make a cool bed and breakfast," Gunner said, taking the living room in.

I planned to keep the vintage Victorian style. It gives the place heart and personality.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"Fine, if you're staying here then you need protection," Kaleb said.

"I'll stay," Gunner said.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Again all eyes were on me.

"Gunner, your girlfriend will really kill me if she finds out you slept here."

He huffed. "She won't touch you."

Was he crazy? She already has and I was thankful I didn't have any scars.

"I think the only fair thing is to call Mason because he doesn't have a crazy girlfriend. Because Christine and Rachel have dibs on the other two." I smirked.

They all protested but I led the way to the door.

"This is ridiculous," Dash argued.

"You don't want to put the fragile human at risk right?" I grinned.

Gunner ran a hand down his face. "Zora…"

"Goodnight boys," I opened the door.

I didn't want them to think I was picking one over the other. Dash paused by the door and took me in while the others walked out.

"Sooner or later you and I have to talk," Dash said.

"Do you think now's the right time?" I mumbled.

"No, but you already know what I want."

"Do I?" I whispered.

"I want you, Zora."