Chapter 6 #2
But it also felt like it was meant to be. Like the storm drove me all the way to Perdue Town, then the lighting strike stopped me from leaving the house.
“Yeah, I think so,” I say at last.
“I felt you were mine even before I realized you looked familiar.” He dips his head, and suddenly he’s kissing me again, holding my head in his hands and possessing my mouth.
The whole world falls away. All I’m aware of is him.
Mate, a voice whispers in my head.
My wolf, I think. She’s never communicated with me before, and it’s startling, but I don’t pull away. Instead, I lean into this dizzying, incredible moment—of fate connecting the two of us.
At last, Vaughn draws back with a groan. “Damnit, I shouldn’t have started that.”
I glance at his cock, which is pushing against the zipper of his jeans, and my pussy starts to throb again. Oh, god. I want him so much it’s ridiculous.
“Let’s go,” he says with a dry laugh. “Plenty of time for that later. I promised to show you around town today.”
Later.
The anticipation is going to kill me.
When we start walking down the quiet residential street, Vaughn reaches for my hand. My fingers slide into his warm, enveloping grasp, and a million butterflies come to life in my stomach. He’s acting like I’m his. Not just in the privacy of the house, but out on the street where anyone can see us.
He really means it.
At the end of the street, we turn left into another quiet residential street overhung with Spanish moss, then we go right and left again and emerge onto Perdue Town’s Main Street.
It’s a weird mix of new and rundown. Mostly old, derelict buildings and shuttered little stores, interspersed with some brand-new shops.
“Yeah, it’s kind of regenerating,” Vaughn replies to my observation. “Not everyone’s happy about that though. Some folks are more interested in hiding out here than improving the area—”
“Hey, Vaughn,” some guy calls out.
Right away, Vaughn lets go of my hand and slides his arm around my shoulders. Then he growls out a gruff reply.
Thrills shoot through me. I freaking love this possessiveness of his.
He keeps a firm grasp on me as he leads me up Main Street, pointing out various businesses, telling me little scraps of stories about my mom. I lap it all up, eager to know everything I can about their shared childhood.
Plenty of curious eyes turn in our direction. Vaughn greets women pleasantly, but he gets all growly and fierce around the guys. And I watch as one after another dips their heads respectfully and hurries on their way. I feel ridiculously proud to be with him, his arm around my shoulders.
His girl.
Under his protection.
He keeps getting calls from his pack. He pulls away a little, but keeps his eyes on me while the conversations get more and more heated.
“I hate that I’m causing all this trouble for you,” I burst out, after the third call.
His eyes soften. “You’re not, Lily. Don’t ever think that.”
“Not eavesdropping, but sounds like they need you back?”
“They need to quit acting like children, is all,” he growls, but I sense the tension in his body and I can tell he’s worried.
We come to a tattoo shop.
“Just wanna swing by a couple of places, let them know to look out for anyone who might be asking questions about you,” he says.
The door of the shop opens and we’re greeted by a huge, grumpy-looking guy with blazing eyes and a ton of tattoos.
Vaughn doesn’t get all snarly this time. Instead, he introduces me.
“Good to meet you, Lily, I’m Forge,” the tattooist says, shaking my hand with unexpected gentleness.
A moment later, a tiny blonde figure appears from behind him, carrying a dark-haired toddler on her hip. She slings an arm around his waist and grins at me.
“Hi!” she says, beaming with curiosity.
Immediately, Forge’s fierceness dissolves and his eyes shine with love. “My mate, Maya,” he says, wrapping a massive arm around them both. “And our son Vulcan.”
That’s why Vaughn is so relaxed around him. I get it now.
Vaughn gives the couple a quick rundown on my situation and asks them to call if they hear anything.
“Sure thing,” Maya says, full of good-humor. “We’ll keep a close eye out.”
“I’ll put out a warning around the town, too,” Forge mutters, copying down the details in a notebook.
“One more stop,” Vaughn says, when we reach the end of Main Street. We turn into a narrow alleyway, which leads to a beat-up looking bar. Sinner’s Refuge, reads the sign over the door.
Inside it’s much cozier. Behind the bar is a fierce-looking woman with frizzy brown hair.
Bear shifter, I think. I’ve never met one before, but it’s kind of obvious.
And, darting around the room, cleaning the tables with manic energy, is a skinny black-haired girl with bulbous eyes.
Also a shifter. Maybe some kind of bird.
Vaughn introduces the woman behind the bar as Meredith, and gives her the same details he gave to the tattooist.
“This place is kind of a refuge for waifs and strays,” he tells me. “Meredith does a great job making sure it stays that way. Protecting everyone’s privacy.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know if I hear anything,” she says. Then she turns to me with a kind expression. “Good to meet you, hun. I hope you’ll be happy in Perdue. I remember your mom.”
I gasp. “You do?”
She nods thoughtfully. “You don’t look much alike, but there’s something in your eyes and eyebrows, maybe. She was a real sweet girl. A couple times she brought someone here that she’d found wandering the streets alone.”
My insides glow. It does me so much good to hear these things about my mom.
Then, as I look at the girl washing the tables wiping the tables, an idea occurs to me. I need to get a job, asap. I’m almost out of cash.
“Are you looking for any staff here?” I ask.
“Yeah, always,” Meredith says with a laugh. “Folks come and go here a lot. Want to give me your number, and we can fix some shifts for you—?”
“No!” Vaughn snaps. “Lily won’t be working here.”
“What?” Meredith and I say in unison.
He looks all mad and growly. “My mate does not work in a bar,” he roars.
I just have time to say goodbye to Meredith as he practically drags me out of the bar.
Back on the sidewalk, I round on him. “What the hell was that?” I demand.
He plants his hands on his hips. “I’m here to provide for all your needs from now on, Lily.”
“I’m not your mate. You haven’t claimed me.” I’m all shocked and heated up and the words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“Yet,” he snarls, his eyes raking me from head to toe.
“We’ll see about that,” I snap.
His nostrils flare. “Don’t pretend you don’t want me to.”
Oh, god. I can feel my nipples hardening with how much I want him to claim me. But I’m too mad to admit it. I glare at him, lips clamped together.
“Or maybe I should spank the sass out of you,” he says in a voice full of gravel.
I freeze. A spark ignites between my thighs.
“Pull down your panties and put you across my knee. Like a naughty little girl,” he continues.
A little sound of need escapes my lips.
He gives a pained groan. “You’re too much for a wolf, you know that?” He looks almost regretful. “I had all these plans to take it slow with you. Not rush you.”
“I don’t want you to take it slow,” I tell him. “I want you to make me yours.”
He dips his head and captures my lips in a burning kiss. “We’re going home. Now,” he growls.