Ariel (6 page)

“Are you going to tell me your real story now that I’ve put out your fire?” he asked. “It seems a fair trade.”

He turned to face her to, let her watch him tuck his straining erection away before zipping his jeans. His mouth twitched as Ariel’s gaze darkened with lust again. He wasn’t surprised when she shook her head and said “not yet”.

He’d never let great sex change his mind about important things either. No alpha would. His respect for her nearly doubled, as did his determination to get inside her again.

“We’ll find something better for you to wear later. What did you do? Break out of a hospital? I saw the other women had on lab coats too. I’m guessing they were the only clothing you could put your hands on when you ran away.”

“You would be guessing right about the only clothing available,” Ariel said. “I’ll tell you the rest some other time, preferably after I’ve talked to Reed. It’s his story to tell as much as mine.”

Matt walked to her and yanked her into his arms for a hug, just to make sure she would let him. Arial fought for an instant by grabbing his arms to push, but finally relaxed and let him soothe her. It was a small skirmish over power, but he was happy when she hugged him back.

“I want you to consider me a friend, no matter what happens—or doesn’t happen—between us in the future. Reed was right to send you to me. I just can’t believe he’s still around here. Some grandson of his is now alpha in his pack. They’re up north and keep to themselves, out in nowhere land. His last mate died a few years ago and afterward Reed took off. When he passed through here, I recognized he was an old alpha and made him welcome. He told me he was tired of all the responsibility. That’s why he left his pack.”

Ariel nodded as she pulled from Matt’s arms. “That’s exactly what he called me—his responsibility. I asked if he was my father now or something. I think he laughed, but I couldn’t tell. He huffed like a dog panting.”

“Sounds like Reed,” Matt said. “We are the closest pack, so his decision was wise, especially if he is dying. I’m glad he sent you to me. I’m glad to help—and for the record—the sex was outstanding.”

Ariel chuckled. “Thanks. I haven’t been with anyone since my ex-husband. You were pretty good too.”

“Pretty good?” Matt repeated, sputtering at the low praise. “An alpha is never just pretty good. Try for a better description.”

“Yeah, it sounds like your ego really needs it.” Ariel laughed genuinely as they hit the cold air.

Matt motioned to a giant SUV. “It’s not far, but you don’t need to walk in your socks.”

Ariel looked at her feet once she was inside the vehicle. Matt turned it on and blasted her feet with heat. She raised her head and smiled at him in gratitude.

“Two days ago, I was at least four inches shorter and my feet were much smaller. I don’t even know if I’m done changing yet. You’ll never believe what keeps running through my mind.”

“The urge to kill when things don’t go your way?” Matt suggested.

Ariel turned an interested gaze to him and nodded. “Yes. Exactly.”

“Alpha problem number one. What just happened between us can be problem number two for a young alpha trying to keep desires in check. If you’re a genuine were now, you’re in for a few more of those sort of problems. Not all of them are this intense.”

“Great,” Ariel said, smacking the back of her head against the leather headrest. “Maybe it’s the great sex talking, but I’m glad we ended up here. Reed said you would turn out to be a friend.”

Matt looked at the female he still desired. “With benefits,” he said solemnly. “I want you to be a friend with benefits. Your presence as my consort will temporarily keep the other females from thinking I’m ready to mate. I’m only seventy-five. My father lived to be four hundred and thirty. The last thing I need right now is permanent responsibility for a female and a bunch of pups.”

Getting a laugh out of her as she shook her head made him smile. “What’s so funny?”

“The last thing I want is another relationship. And I have no idea how long I’ll live. When the nanos start to die off, changing into a wolf may kill me or become permanent. If that happens, I’ll probably get nabbed by Alaskan hunters. I want to go back to Anchorage in a bit and see if the creepy place I worked is really shut down for good. Escaping means nothing if they start up their work all over again.”

Matt nodded, more anxious than ever to hear her story. “When it’s time for you to check, I’ll take you. You might need to wait a week or so. Things happen really slowly up here.”

Chapter 5

Inside the medical facility, Ariel found Brandi and Heidi sipping coffee in some sort of waiting area. Someone had found uniform pants for both of them. They looked like Crane and his asswipe assistant, but she wasn’t going there, no matter how much she wanted to order the women to take off the clothes. Knowing they had obeyed her every utterance nearly without question so far, she was going to have to bite her tongue really hard.

“As soon as Reed is out of danger, we are all getting normal clothes. Matt offered and I accepted.”

“We look like Crazy Crane dressed like this, don’t we?” Brandi demanded. “I see it in your eyes.”

Ariel put a hand on Brandi’s arm and lied. “Not even on the worst day. How’s Reed doing?”

“Dying,” Heidi said flatly. “My heart is aching for him. They got the collar off, then cut him open and took the bullets out, but he’s not healing. Something about the blood loss being too much. He’s slipped into a coma.”

Ariel dropped her hand. “Wait here.”

Matt started after her. “You’re not going back there without me.”

Ariel halted and swung. Her gaze avoided Matt’s and sought Brandi’s instead. “Sex restores your thinking to normal. Find someone willing to have sex with you and ease the ache. Matt took care of my problem. I can’t tell you how much better I feel.”

His second stepped forward immediately and looked at Ariel. “I want to service your beta. If you want, I can service both females.”

“No. No. No,” Heidi declared, glaring at him. “I’ve shared all I intend to in my life. The crawling thing inside me wants to rip your throat out for even suggesting it. I want my own volunteer for this—whatever
this
is.”

“Gareth, you won’t be able to handle more than one of them. Trust me,” Matt declared.

Ariel tilted her head at his comment. From what she recalled, Matt had recuperated within a few minutes and probably could have taken care of all three of them. White lies were obviously another trait they had in common. Maybe it was yet another ‘alpha thing’.

Matt picked up his phone and sent a text. The response was immediate. “The Calder triplets are coming by shortly. Let her choose one of them. Come get me if they start to quarrel about her choice.”

Matt turned to Heidi. “The men are not identical. In fact, they are very different. But they are all decent and will not take real advantage of you. They can be terrible teases and are not the most sensitive of males. They were raised in an all male household.”

Heidi nodded and hung her head. “Thank you…Matt.”

“Gareth, I leave you watching over these two while I go with Ariel. Take care of them.”

“Isn’t taking care of people what I typically get the most lectures about?” Gareth replied.

As he stood, Gareth inched his way closer to the new beta who bristled at his nearness. He turned to her.

“If you don’t like me, you can pick from the men coming as well. I will be disappointed, but I want your needs to be met. If you fear me, just admit it. I promise I will not think less of you.”

Brandi drew herself up to full height. “Listen buddy. I’m not afraid of you. I can kill you with my bare hands—in
human form
. Lucky for you, I already got my need to kill out of my system today. It’s just been awhile since I did anything with a man in a bedroom. But you’ll do.”

Gareth nodded. “I thought I smelled a pure arousal. Then you can be on top until you feel comfortable enough to switch places. I can perform in any position for as long as needed.”

Brandi lifted her hands to make finger quotes. “Yeah, I bet you ‘
let’
all your women be on top. That’s just a polite way of saying you’re lazy, dude.”

Ariel rolled her eyes. “Stop bickering so much. And don’t get attached to the males who help you. Just let them take care of your needs and thank them for helping. I’m good with Matt shadowing me to see Reed. I want you both completely functional as soon as possible.”

She pushed open the swinging doors to the medical area with Matt on her heels.

***

Brandi studied Gareth after Ariel left. “I assume we’re waiting until Heidi’s men get here, because I am not leaving her alone. She’s like a helpless deer in most situations.”

Gareth nodded. Seconds later, the front door opened and three men entered. Brandi turned to see Heidi wince as she looked at them. She was small for a female and they were giants, all of them. Any one of the men could break her in half or do much worse.

They all three skidded to a stop, staring at the two of them. One leered at her and Brandi narrowed her gaze. “Want to see me kill a man, Gareth? We can consider it foreplay.”

Gareth sighed, ignored Brandi’s threat, and lifted his hand to point at the frightened Heidi. “
She
is the one in need of your services.”

“Hi,” Heidi said, as all eyes turned to her. All three men walked in her direction, but she noticed one of them hung back.

“Tell me your name, sweetness. I want to hear the sound of it on your lips,” the nearest one whispered.

“Heidi,” she whispered back, clearing her throat when the answer came out a squeak.

“Back off, Junior. She’s Heidi. I’m Brandi. And our alpha, Ariel, is going to kick your ass if you don’t show some respect to us. Can’t you see you’re frightening her? Put yourself at a respectable distance and talk nice.”

“Heidi, Brandi, and Ariel? Sounds like a sexy bunch of strippers. I’ve never seen werewolf strippers before. Are you going to perform a little show before we get busy, honey?” the second one grinned as he asked.

Heidi felt the growl growing in her midsection before it left her mouth. The two standing closest to her both smiled at her small show of aggression. She looked for the one who hadn’t said anything. He frowned at the floor, about as uninterested in being chosen as a man could be. Fortunately for her, overcoming penile reluctance was something she had mastered long ago.

“Okay. I choose you,” Heidi declared firmly, pointing at the solemn man. She heard him viciously swear and felt bad for making him so unhappy. “Sorry. If you really hate the idea as much as you seem to, I guess I can pick one of your brothers.”

Swearing again, Ryan stalked to her. His two brothers snickered, but stepped aside. “I haven’t been with a female since my mate died. I haven’t been able to. I don’t know why Matt made me come.”

“All I’m asking for is simple sex to help me deal with the effects of my changes. But if you want to keep grieving for your dead wife, I’ll pick one of your stupid hyena brothers. Just know I’d still pick you over them to try this with, even if we can’t do what I need. Their attitudes are a complete turn off. I doubt they’re going to be able to handle me anyway. I have a strong sex drive.”

Heidi watched him rub his forehead as he swore a third time. The man was practically sweating. He must want to do this with her a little. Plus, he seemed equally distressed by her willingness to let him off the hook.

“My name is Ryan. Let me smell you and see if this is even remotely possible,” he demanded.

Heidi saw his brothers snicker at Ryan’s request and cover their mouths trying to hold in their laughter as he took a few steps closer to her. They were razzing him about not being able to do anything anymore under their breaths until he turned a fierce gaze on both of them.

“Leave us alone. You heard the woman. She doesn’t want either of you. Your disrespect is no basis for making a female desire you. You two will never learn,” Ryan barked.

Heidi’s eyebrows rose when his brothers lifted their hands in surrender and moved away.

“Stand still and let me do this,” Ryan ordered. Inching carefully closer to the nervous female, he leaned in and put his nose against her neck. She smelled exotic—different—like a werewolf and yet something else too.

When she quivered and whimpered at his sniffing, things stirred below his waist. He wished he dared take a lick and taste her. His loud sigh barely covered her groan of arousal. Next thing he knew, he was fighting not to growl and tell his brothers to get the hell away. His need to protect the woman suddenly kicked in as hard as the rusty clutch did in his pickup when he stomped on it. The whimpering new werewolf was the first female to even make him twitch in three damn years.

“Fine. Tell Matt I’ll do this. Or at least, I’ll try,” he said, his gaze going to Gareth’s instead of Heidi’s. When he heard her whimper of relief, his jeans tightened. He had a lot of time to make up for what he’d missed—surely he could satisfy her during some of it.