Alpha (7 page)

“There
is no longer a situation. I never thought for a second that the last Lore would
apply, but I was wrong.” He tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, and
was looking at her with such tenderness, such…
love
.

“What
Lore?”

“The
one that says I will turn into a full blood demon if I take true love as my
mate. I firstly didn’t think I would find true love in a matter of days and
secondly, I thought that it would have to be with another wolf to apply. I was
wrong.”

She
pulled in a deep breath, too scared to even blink in case this whole thing
turned out to be a dream.

Gray
went on, “You are my mate. Mine, and if you don’t mind I would like to make it
official.”

“Official
as in marry me?”

He
laughed. It made her want to kick him in the shin.

“No.
We have to mate. Here. Now. I will mark you and you will be mine.” His eyes
turned liquid gold. His voice had lowered to a husky growl. “It is what needs
to happen.”

“You
bastard.”

****

It
was not the reaction he had expected. 

“So
that’s it then? No going down on one knee? You’re not even going to ask me?
It’s just taken for granted that I’ll become your mate?”

“I’m
almost a full blown demon wolf, or will be when we mate which means—”

“You
really are a dick. I can relate to Alisha. In fact I’m starting to think that I
was on the wrong side all along.”

How
had this whole thing done a one eighty? Then it dawned on him. “You’re afraid
of commitment?”

“Not
just a dick, but full of it too. Just because a woman turns you down doesn’t
make her a commitment phobe. Asshole!” She turned, the soft strands of her
white blonde hair flying around her shoulders as she strode back in the
direction of the village.

“Ash,
wait. Please. I thought you would be happy. Let’s talk about this.”

“Nothing
to talk about Gray. You thought wrong.”

Shit!
How did he fix this? He didn’t understand why she was so angry with him. His demon
raged inside him. It wanted him to chase her, take her down. Gray felt his
nails elongate, felt his canines extend. Ready to mark her and make her his.
Ash was human, his demon would scare her. She wouldn’t understand the ways of
the wolf.

Allowing
his wolf to overtake him, he felt himself erupt…not quite finishing the full
change. It still felt good to be in his partial wolf skin with the sun on his
back. He’d run. Expel some energy, give Ash some time to calm down, then he’d
go and talk with her. He’d make this right.

****

Gray
felt so much better after a long run and a hot shower, he pulled on some jeans
just as a knock sounded at the door.

“Don’t
look so disappointed buddy.”

Was
it that obvious? It was Phoenix and not Ash as he had hoped.

“Come
in”

“She’s
gone,” Phoenix announced with no preamble.

He
didn’t have to ask who Phoenix was talking about. The news came as a surprise
even though it shouldn’t. Hell this meant that Ash was angrier with him than
what he had thought.

“What
happened?” his friend was still standing in the doorway.

Gray
turned and walked into the middle of his spacious suite before turning to face
Phoenix. “I wish I knew. One minute she was smiling, happy and the next she was
angry…make that spitting mad. She called me a dick, an asshole and told me that
I was full of myself.”

Phoenix
choked out a laugh, but quickly managed to pull himself together.

“How
is this funny? I found my mate and she’s gone. We’re already half mated which
means that I won’t be able to take anyone else.”

“If
you said anything along those lines, I can understand why she left.”

“You
know what I mean. I don’t want anyone else.”

“Yeah,
I do but Ash is a human.”

“I
had noticed genius,” he added and when Phoenix smiled. Gray had to clench his
hands at his sides to try to prevent himself from punching his friend in the
mouth. “Talk fast or leave I’m not in the mood.”

“Calm
down, I’m here to help you. I work with human females. I mostly date human women.
Tell me what you said to her and I’ll explain what went wrong.”

“I’ve
been with humans before. You can leave.”

“Just
because you fucked a couple of humans doesn’t mean you understand them. Have
you ever spent any length of time with any human female other than Ash?”

“No,
I…”

“Exactly
my point, I’ve fallen on my ass a couple of times. Wolves are very different,
we’re blunter, more practical. Humans lose all practicality when it comes to
love. Did you tell her you love her?”

“No.
I told her that she was my mate, and that we needed to have sex to make it
official and to complete my transformation. I told her she was mine.”

“Was
that when she called you an asshole?”

Gray
ran his hand over the stubble on his scalp. “Yeah. I told her she was afraid of
commitment and that was when she got really mad. She wanted me right up until
she could actually have me, then she didn’t want me anymore. Sure sign of
someone that is afraid of commitment. I can see by the look on your face that
you don’t agree.”

“Human
women, especially really strong ones like Ash, need to be told how you feel
about them and they need to be asked if mating is what they want. Their opinion
and agreement is important.” Phoenix smiled, hitting Gray in the shoulder. “The
good news is that she does want you. What woman would stand against Rage if not
one protecting her man? Fierce little thing, if she wasn’t already taken I
might…”

Gray
growled low in his throat. “Don’t! Our friendship might not hold up to talk
like that and if you even think of going near her I’ll—”

“Calm
done. I would never go there. Just agreeing with your taste in women.”

Gray
couldn’t help but let another growl escape even though he knew his best friend
would never piss in his territory.

“Listen
to me. Go to her, tell her how you feel about her and then ask her if she will
mate with you. If she says no, then wait a day or two and take her flowers.
Humans love cut roses.”

“They
like dead plants.”

“Love
them. If that doesn’t work, sing to her.”

This
was getting more bizarre by the second. It didn’t matter, dead plants, singing,
he would do whatever it took to get his little Chaser back.

 Ash
had arrived back at the Demon Control Agency looking so glum that once she’d
filed her report, some of her colleagues had insisted on taking her out for a
few drinks. Since the last thing she felt like was going home to an empty
apartment, she had agreed.

“Thought
you should know that Brice escaped earlier today.”

“That
can’t be,” Ash put down the cue and turned to face Jack. “She’s still torn to
pieces, shouldn’t be able to get out of bed.”

“Yeah,
but she’s not human anymore Ash.”

“Fuck,”
she whispered the profanity. Brice was the most recent victim, the one that had
been left for dead. She’d survived despite all odds and was on the verge of
being cleared.

“She’s
been declared a double demon hybrid.”

Her
eyes shot to Jack who looked concerned.

“Right
now she’s been declared a level 1 threat. Shoot to kill. I’m sorry Ash.”

She
couldn’t help but think how upset Gray would be since he felt responsible for
her attack. Ash took a big glug from her beer wishing she’d ordered something
stronger. It wouldn’t help to wallow so she turned back to the game. “Yellow
ball side pocket.”  

“My,
my, Ash, you have just about the tightest ass I’ve ever seen on a woman.”

She
had always thought that Jack was teasing her. The six foot something Chaser
would be considered good looking by most women’s standards. He always commented
on the way she looked, she’d never taken him seriously though, maybe she’d been
wrong. Then again, he was probably just trying to make her feel better after
delivering the news about Brice. Regardless, Gray had shown her that she could
be sexy, had told her that men were interested even though she didn’t always see
it herself. Her Alpha had acted like such a jerk today, she knew he probably
hadn’t meant for things to go and sound the way they had and hoped and prayed
that he’d figure it out and come and look for her. She’d give him a day or two,
then she’d go and find him. If he made her come looking for him, she’d kick his
doggie ass from here to next Wednesday. Ash lined up the shot and sank it.

“Brilliant
shot partner,” Jack took a step towards her and opened his arms.

 In
the heat of the moment, Ash jumped into his bear hug. She started to pull back,
but he lifted her and swung her round.

“Hey,
put me down right now.” It felt wrong to be in another man’s arms even though
Jack didn’t mean anything by it. “Jack damn it.”

“Put
her the fuck down.”

She’d
recognize that deep growl anywhere. Jack stiffened, dropping her immediately. Brownie
points to the Demon Chaser for stepping towards Gray in a protective stance.
What
was it with men trying to protect her lately?

“It’s
okay Jack. I know him.”

Gray
was holding a rose bush, roots and all.

“Are
those for me?” she asked.

“Yeah,”
he had yet to look at her, his glowing eyes were still fixed on Jack.

“Um,
Gray, this is one of my work colleagues Jack, Jack this is my…friend Gray.”

 Jack
took a step forward extending his hand.

“Friend?”
Gray’s eyebrows shot up and he looked at her for the first time. His eyes had darkened…
thank
God
. Glowing eyes had meant trouble. Ash quickly introduced him to the rest
of the group. Even Tamara, fondly known as Amazon because she was so muscular
and tall, looked at Gray like he was an ice cream sundae. Up until now, Ash
hadn’t been sure if the newly appointed Chaser was into men, she seemed shy and
ignored all of the many advances from guys on the team. Right now, Tamara
devoured Gray with her eyes and even licked her lips.

Gray’s
eyes locked with Ash’s as he said, “Come with me.”

Ash
was very pleased to see Gray, but it looked as if her doggie boy hadn’t learned
a single thing from their earlier confrontation. “I was just in the middle of a
game…” She turned to her friends, most of which had gaping jaws. “Red ball
middle pocket.” Ash bent down low, her ass would be nicely positioned in front
of Gray. She was rewarded with a low, rumbling growl. There was something about
those sexy noises he made that turned her inside out. It was unlike her, but
she missed the shot by a mile.

“May
as well make yourself comfortable, we could be here a while,” she said as she
turned back to Gray.

“Can
I get you anything from the bar?” His voice deep and rich, it had her vibrating
all over. His eyes danced their way down her body until he reached the juncture
at her thighs. He sniffed softly.

Damn,
he could probably smell the damp spot in her panties. As much as she tried to
play it cool, her body was giving her away. Ash wanted him, but what her body
wanted and what her body would get were two different things. If Gray thought
she was going to take orders from him and allow him to mate with her just so
that he could complete the transformation, he had another thing coming.

“I
bought my own drink,” she waved a bottle of beer.

Amazon
took a shot and missed. Gray returned with a beer of his own just as Jack sunk
the same shot she had missed. They high fived this time instead of hugging
although she was sorely tempted just to see Gray’s reaction. Gray’s shoulder
brushed with hers as he stepped in next to her. God he smelled good. A scent
that companies tried to emulate all the time but failed. Ash had to stop
herself from closing her eyes as she breathed him in.

It
was Gray that leaned into her, his hot breathe on her ear. “We need to talk.”
Then his hand was on the small of her back sliding its way up her spine as he continued,
“I was a jerk. I’m sorry…”

“Your
turn,” Jack held out the cue to her.

“I’ll
be there in a minute,” she turned to face Gray.

“I
realize it’s obvious, but I’m a wolf which means I…look Ash I’ve had sex with a
few human women before but…”

Ashlyn
laughed, “You’re not helping things by telling me about past conquests.”

His
jaw tensed, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I
know. I’m sorry. What did you want to say?”

He
took another step towards her putting him just a few inches away. “I’ve never
spent any real time with human women, hell, never spent much time with female
demon wolves. I’ve never had much of a relationship before you.” He cupped her
jaw with one of his big hands and a collective sigh rose from the women in the
group behind them.

“Hold
that thought.” Ash grabbed the cue from Jack, sank the last three solid balls
on the table followed by the black and all in less than a minute. Taking the
beer bottle to her lips, she downed its entire contents before slamming the
bottle onto the counter and turned to Gray. “Let’s go.”

They
exited the pool hall. His bike was parked next to her corvette.

“I’ll
follow you,” was all she said as she headed around to the driver’s side.

“Where
are we going?” Gray folded his arms across his massive chest.

“Back
to Wilderness. Back into the forest and we’ll try again.”

****

They
hiked out in companionable silence. Once they were surrounded by thick trees on
all sides, with the smell of the earth in her nose and the trickle of a stream
in the distance, Ash felt ready to stop.

“So,
you’ve never had a relationship,” she had to try and not smile because she knew
it would look smug.

“I’ve
never met anyone that I wanted to be with for more than just sex.” Gray slid
his hands around her upper arms and squeezed lightly. “Until I met you. Ash
you’re mine.”

“I
told you I’m not a possession. You can’t order me around and take me as a mate just
because you need to become a full demon.”

Gray
took his hands back and placed them on his hips instead. “I don’t need to do
anything. I defeated Rage, the strongest wolf in the pack, there will be no
more challenges. I’ve always been happy as an Omega. Ash…,” Gray seemed to
struggle with finding the right words. “I need you in my life. We’ve already
partially bonded because we are meant to be together. Hell, I couldn’t be with
another woman even if I tried. You
are
mine. The sooner you come to
terms with that the better.”

Ash
knew that, to some degree, she was being unreasonable. She wanted Gray, had
developed some serious feelings for him in a short time. One of the things she
loved about him was his strength, that no nonsense Alpha vibe he projected. It
turned her on how fiercely possessive of her he was, but it also scared the
hell out of her. It wouldn’t work between them if he viewed her as a possession
that he could order around whenever he felt like it. Maybe that was how it
worked in the demon wolf world once a pair became mated. Something else was worrying
her even more.

“So,
you accidentally partially mated with me. I’m so sorry to have inconvenienced
you. We can undo the whole thing and you’ll be free to do whatever you want or
whoever you want.” Ash’s own words were like a knife to her heart.

His
eyes narrowed dangerously, “You’re so busy trying to be the badass Demon Chaser
that you’re not listening to what it is that I am saying.”

Damn,
her eyes were filling with tears. She did not cry. Ever. “I hear you Gray. I’m
your possession right? Half mated so you can’t fuck anyone else so may as well
take me right? Oh and the only reason I’m rejecting you is because I’m a
commitment phobe. That just about sums it up.”

Gray
closed the distance between them and she had to force herself to stand her
ground. There was murder in his eyes and every one of his plentiful muscles was
tensed and bulging. Ash fought down a scream when he picked her up pulling her
against the hard plains of his body.

“Understand
this you foolish woman”—his voice had dropped to a low rumble—“I love you. I am
yours just as much as you are mine. Maybe even more so.” He dropped his head to
her neck and nuzzled the skin there before pulling back to stare into her eyes
which were filling up with more of those damned tears. “I want to be mated to
you for always. Being mated to you would be out of choice not necessity.”

“Gray
I—”

“Let
me finish,” he pulled her tighter against himself. “The last Lore spoke of
finding true love. You are my true love. Understand that, Ash.”

A
hot tear slid down her cheek. Damnit how could she not blub like an idiot with
him saying things like that to her?

“Oh
hell,” he put her back down cupping her cheek with one hand whilst wiping the
tear away with the other. “I’m no good at this.” Gray scrunched his eyes shut
for a second. “If you need a human wedding we’ll do it. Oh hounds, I forgot to
ask you if you want to marry me.”

Gray
was trying hard to do things right by her and even started to go down on one
knee.

“Get
up. No stop,” she said and he pulled himself back upright drawing a deep
breath. “I’m crying because I’m so happy I—”

He kissed her
quick and deep.

“You
were a little rusty to begin with, but you finally got it out alright. I love
you too.”

****

 “Then
why waste time? I need you. In my life. Always.”

Even
though she’d continue to give him hell. Hounds but he couldn’t wait to spend it
all with her. Gray grabbed hold of her ass and pulled her up against him. She
squealed first in anger and then excitement as their bodies connected and that
ever present energy between them fired up.

“Say
yes? Please?”

“I’m
human.”

“Why
does everyone think I need reminding of that?” He turned her so that her back
was to him and cupped her breasts. No bra under the tank top. His wolf
approved.

“Human’s
need to date a bit first before”—he tweaked her nipples and she swallowed hard—“before…we
mate for life.”

“No dating,” keeping
one hand on her breast, he used the other to move her hair from her neck.
Already his canines had extended in anticipation. He kissed and nipped at her
neck and hades help him she moaned each and every time. Her scent of arousal
was everywhere. “Too many clothes. Undress for me?”

“No
dating?” her voice was drenched in need.

“No.
We’re meant to be together, you’re mine remember?”

****

“You
are mine too,” his mouth hitched. “Forever. Now please take your clothes off
before I’m forced to rip them from your body.”

“Ooh, sounds
kinky. You’re lucky I like these jeans or I’d let you do it.”

“Do
you always plan on giving me this much shit?”

“Yes,”
Ash turned and pulled off her top.

 His
eyes instantly drawn to her pert, little breasts.

“Always.”
It was her way of agreeing with him but without actually saying yes.

His
heart swelled. “Can’t wait,” he couldn’t help but growl. “I love you Demon
Chaser”

Ash
smiled as she stepped towards him. “Love you too wolfie boy.”