Chapter 1 #2
Katy sighed and let herself relax into his touch, even as her mind spun with questions. Was this really her life now? How long was she going to feel like she was about to jump out of her skin if she couldn’t get her hands on Gage?
She thought about Maddie, about how her best friend would probably make some crack about her being a walking cautionary tale, and she felt a pang of longing so sharp it hurt.
She hoped Maddie was okay. She hoped Roan was being his usual grumpy, overprotective self and not getting them into trouble.
Then she couldn’t help but wonder if Lola was going through something similar, or if she had gone through something similar.
She might not be a wolf, but she was still part animal.
The door opened and Otto came back in, arms full of firewood. He shot them a look that was half amusement, half exasperation. “We not need the wood in winters if two you keeps making its hot.”
Katy flipped him off without looking up. Gage just grinned.
They settled into an uneasy routine for the day—Gage cooking breakfast, Otto making sarcastic comments, Katy trying to keep herself from crawling over the table and into Gage’s lap.
Every time he touched her, even accidentally, it was like a spark that ran all over her body and made her heart beat race and her stomach dip in delicious ways.
She was embarrassed by how much she wanted him, but even more embarrassed by how little control she seemed to have.
By midday, Katy had convinced herself she was losing her mind. She’d snapped at Otto, burned the toast, and nearly started crying when Gage brushed her hair back from her face. She was officially a mess.
Gage must have decided he’d had enough. He came over, cupped her face in his hands, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come on. You need to meet Nox and his mate, Everly. If I don’t take you, they’ll come here, and that will piss me off.”
“Everything pisses you off,” Katy pointed out.
“Not everything,” he winked at her.
Otto perked up. “Trip in the field?”
“It’s called a field trip, you lizard Neanderthal, and you’re lucky I love you,” Katy said as she knelt down and tapped his nose affectionately.
Gage shot him a look. “Stay here. Guard the place. And try not to burn it down.”
Otto saluted with two fingers and flopped back into the recliner. “Finally the peaces and quiets.”
Katy followed Gage out the door, grateful for the change of scenery.
It was a testament to how messed up her mind was that she wasn’t even thinking about being nervous to meet the alpha of the Kingdom of Fangs and his mate.
Instead, she was thinking of every obscure word in her vocabulary to keep her more lascivious thoughts at bay; apricity, petrichor, susurrus.
Gage opened the door to his black truck.
Once she was seated, he reached across her to buckle the seat belt.
Her breath caught as his scent bombarded her, and the slight scruff of his jaw grazed her cheek.
“I can buckle myself in, Dire,” she said with a bite in her tone.
“I’ve no doubt you can, mate,” he said with a sly grin. “However, I like to make sure you’re nice and safe. Precious cargo, ya know?” He closed the door before she could respond to his sweet, albeit flirty, comment.
As they drove, Gage rested his hand on her thigh while Katy kept her arms tightly folded against her chest. For some reason, she felt this existential need to maintain control of her urges.
Katy was sure that if she gave in to touching him, she might never stop.
Pretty sure that could get all kinds of awkward in public situations.
She couldn’t even look at him. Her eyes took in the surrounding scenery, the lush green forest and deep brown bark of the trees.
It was beautiful. And so very different from the concrete jungle she came from.
When they reached Nox’s house, Katy’s nerves kicked into high gear.
Nox was an alpha male, dominant like her own mate.
Considering Gage had been a bit of an ass when she’d met him, she wondered if Nox would be an ass, too.
Did that just go hand in hand with dominance?
Guess she’d find out. She took a deep breath and pushed her worries aside.
Katy wanted to make a good impression, though considering the wolf’s superior senses, it would be quite obvious to Nox and his mate what she was dealing with.
“Somebody kill me now and just put me out of my complete and utter abashment,” she muttered under her breath before her door opened and she slipped out. Katy ignored her mate’s outstretched hand. “No touching,” she said, attempting to keep the bite out of her tone, and failing miserably.
Irritation fluttered across his face as he narrowed his eyes at her.
She knew Gage would never hurt her, no matter how much she’d no doubt frustrate him.
She also knew that he didn’t appreciate her denying him anything, which was why he simply snatched her hand and entwined their fingers.
He tugged her close to his body until their shoulders brushed as they walked toward the massive front doors of the beautiful home.
“You can touch me whenever you want or need to,” he said, his voice low. “I expect you to extend me the same courtesy.” The words weren’t said in a cruel tone, but he sure as hell wasn’t tiptoeing around her feelings. Not that Gage would ever tiptoe in any capacity, figuratively or literally.
They barely made it through the door before a beautiful woman swept Katy into a hug.
“It is so good to finally meet you,” she said in a warm, raspy voice.
“I was sure Gage would keep you all to himself.” When she stepped back from Katy, Everly looked at Gage.
“Which would be all kinds of wrong because she’s new to this and you’re not the only one who can give her guidance. ”
Katy could practically feel Gage’s hackles rise. “I can take care of my mate.” His voice dropped into that low, less than friendly tone.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t,” the woman said, her chin lifted high and her posture dripping with confidence. “But one way to take care of your mate is to make sure every need is met, including the need for her to have females to talk to about her new circumstances.”
That seemed to shut her mate up.
“I’m Everly,” the alpha female turned her warm, brown eyes back on Katy.
She had long, shiny, brunette hair, cheekbones most women would pay for, and full lips that gave her a bit of a pouty look.
She was stunning and tall, though Katy was quite short, so everyone was tall to her, but she thought Everly was above the normal height for a woman.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Katy said, one hand still held tightly in Gage’s and the other slipped into her back pocket as she rocked back on her heels. “Thank you for the warm salutation.”
Everly’s brow rose as her lips tipped up slightly. “Salutation?”
Katy shrugged. “I like words. The less commonly used in everyday conversation, the better. Also, it usually helps calm my nerves. Although right now, I don’t think even a bottle of whiskey would help.”
“I’m sure we could find you a glass,” Everly offered.
“No alcohol,” Gage interrupted. “She’s not even legal.”
Katy glanced up at him, her lips pursing briefly. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a killjoy?”
“Only every chance I get,” a deep voice said from behind them.
Katy turned to see two men walking into the room from a hallway. One was young, maybe a little older than her, while the other seemed to be closer to his forties. Both were incredibly handsome and walked with an air of authority.
“Justice,” the older male growled. “I’ve told you one of these days he’s going to challenge you just to kick your ass, and I’m not going to step in.”
The younger one, Justice, simply grinned and then looked at her and winked. “I’m up for a good fight. Especially if it puts a smile on this beauty.”
The older man sighed. “Hello, Katy,” he held out a hand to her. “I’m Nox, the alpha of Kingdom of Fangs and mate to this beauty.” He motioned to his mate. “This is Justice, my beta.”
“For now,” Gage muttered. “Hope you have a backup.”
Katy looked up at him. His face was blank, unreadable as he looked at Justice with complete indifference.
As if the male wasn’t even worthy of his attention.
But Katy could feel his irritation and jealousy.
She nearly rolled her eyes. Did he honestly think anyone else could turn her head?
Especially with the pheromones she’d been throwing off like Halloween candy?
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, turning her attention back to Nox. “You as well,” she said to Justice. The beta held out his hand but Gage casually batted it away.
“Okay,” Everly said, rubbing her hands together. “Introductions have been made. I’d like to steal Katy away and spend some time with our new pack female. Nox, you said you had some things to discuss with Gage. I’m sure he can fill Katy in later.”
Gage’s hand tightened around hers as if he loathed the idea of letting her out of his sight.
Katy looked up at him again. She locked up the rampant lust that seemed to rage in her and raised up on her tip toes, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.
“I’ll see you in a bit.” Before he could pull her tighter to him and demand a deeper kiss, which she knew he would attempt, she deftly slipped away from him and walked beside Everly, leaving the three males behind.
“You’ll start to feel a little more clearheaded when we get out of his immediate vicinity,” Everly said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Katy blinked back sudden tears. “Is it that obvious?”
The alpha female looked at her with a tenderness that Katy usually only saw on her dad’s face and she suddenly had a deep longing to talk to her dad. “This is all new, and it’s intense. Mating is intense, but you’re mated to a Dire wolf, and that comes with its own bag of crazy.”
Everly led her into the kitchen, already putting on a kettle for tea. “So. Tell me what’s going on. And be honest—I can smell a lie a mile away.”
Katy stared at her hands, cheeks burning.
“I, um . . . I think there’s something wrong with me.
I can’t stop . . . wanting Gage. It’s like, this heat inside me, and it’s embarrassing, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel this way or if I’m just—broken.
Gage says it’s normal, but he’s a dude and therefore I don’t feel like he can tell me what is normal for a chick.
” She let out a deep sigh. “I just feel so out of my depth, and I’m not usually someone who gets discombobulated. ”
Everly’s smile was gentle. “You’re not broken, Katy.
You’re just mated. It’s overwhelming at first, but it is normal.
The bond is new, and your bodies are figuring it out.
All that need? That’s love, magic, and biology.
Give it time. And don’t be afraid to talk to Gage about it.
He wants what’s best for you. Even when he’s being an overbearing barbarian, your needs will always come before his own.
It’s the way he’s been wired by Visata. He also might tease you a bit because he’s feeling all sorts of studly at knowing how badly you want him.
We females are usually better at hiding our desires. ”
Katy let out a shaky laugh. “He’s definitely enjoying it, though he hasn’t teased me too much.” Which was a good thing because she probably would have kicked him in his wolfy balls.
Everly squeezed her hand. “You’re not alone.
And though it’s similar to an animal’s ‘heat,’ it’s not the same because we aren’t just our beast. I wish I could give you a time frame on when it will improve, but it’s different for every mated couple.
Gage is a Dire wolf, which means he’s different from us, and that could also affect how you respond to your mating.
Regardless, if you need to talk about anything, you can call me.
” She held out a piece of paper with her name and number written on it.
Katy pulled her phone from her back pocket and immediately put Everly’s contact info in.
Though she didn’t know the woman, she could sense that she was genuine.
She cared about her pack members, and even about Katy.
“Thank you,” she told her. “Don’t be surprised if I call you in the middle of the night when I’m having hot flashes and worried I’m going to molest my mate in his sleep. ”
Everly laughed, a beautiful, light sound. “Oh, believe me, he wouldn’t complain.”
Katy felt something inside her unclench—a knot that had been growing tight and tighter.
Maybe things weren’t as bad as she thought.
She knew in her gut that she was exactly where she was supposed to be–at Gage’s side.
And if that was true, then whatever she was feeling for him wasn’t wrong. Uncomfortable? Yes. But not wrong.
She took the offered cup of tea and smiled at Everly. “So, what’s it like being the alpha female of a wolf pack?”
Everly gave her a sly look. “You met Justice, what do you think it’s like?”
Katy grinned. “Corralling a bunch of middle schoolers hopped up on sugar, caffeine, and hormones?”
“That’s just the males,” Everely smiled.
“And thankfully, Nox deals with them. The females are my domain, and mostly, I just have to keep them from clawing out the eyes of said males. Personally, I think it would be hilarious to blindfold the single males, put them in a big, completely dark warehouse and then set the females loose on them.”
Katy laughed as she leaned against the counter. “If they’re all as cocky as Justice seems to be, I’d pay to see that.”
“You feel up to meeting some of those females?” Evelry asked, her brow raised.
Katy downed the tea and shrugged. “There’s no time like the present, and I need a distraction.”
The alpha female chuckled. “Hate to break it to you, but you’re mated to the ever mysterious Gage. The girls are going to swarm you with questions.”
“Like if he ever smiles?” Katy said, rolling her eyes.
Everly motioned her to follow. “Yup. And fair warning, she-wolves are very comfortable in their sexuality. They don’t have any boundaries when it comes to wanting details.
Especially about a male as elusive as your mate.
Put them in their place, show them you’re dominant to them, and they’ll back off. ”
“Bitch slap them,” Katy gave a sharp nod. “Got it.”