Chapter Nineteen
Willow
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take a quick peek before heading into Bigfoot’s kennel.
Cujo
Do not go near that beast.
Ignoring the warning, I leave the message on read, just like the others he’s sent me since inserting his number into my phone. It’s not that I don’t want to answer him, I just don’t know how… though perhaps if I had, last night wouldn’t have happened.
Shaking my head, I compartmentalize the text, along with everything else, and focus on this moment.
The warm sun beats down on my already overheated body as I open the hinge on Bigfoot’s kennel. Regardless of these Alphas, I’m going in there. He’s Oakley’s heart dog. I know deep in my bones that they belong together.
“I still think we should put a muzzle on him,” Linc growls, causing frustration to prickle under my skin. His overthinking my every decision is getting irritating, and his mere presence has my omega wanting to submit to his whims and desires.
Thirsty bitch.
“You’re a real pain in the neck,” I snap, the words vomiting out.
“I know what I’m doing. If you can’t be supportive, leave.
” Dog training may not be the gift I was born with, like playing piano, but I’m still damn good at it.
I’ve learned so much from Bert in a short time, and I can just read dogs.
This one is telling me it’s safe for me to enter.
The Alpha crowding me? Well, Bigfoot would love to sink his teeth into him.
“I like your neck.” The offensive man chuckles, and I rub at the enormous hickey he gave me last night. It’s still tender, yet when I touch it, electricity zaps to my oversensitive clit. Jeez. Just a walking lust factory today.
With a huff, I choose to ignore him, instead moving to unlatch the kennel. As soon as I do, Linc’s hand comes down on mine, and I glare up at him. Damn this height difference.
“When you say yes, I’m gonna bite you right where I left that mark,” he promises. It’s outlandish, the man knows nothing about me, but I can’t control the bolt of arousal that slices through me. Seeing my state, his head descends toward me, and I brace for another fantastic kiss.
But just as our lips are about to touch, the familiar prickle of eyes on me makes me go ramrod straight. “Someone’s watching us.”
Lincoln rolls his eyes, and my desire turns to annoyance so quickly I get whiplash. “Yeah, the whole damn MC’s been spying on us since we pulled in, but I’m pretty sure those eyes you’re feeling are Cujo’s.”
Of course. That makes sense, considering the text. A gentle breeze floats in our direction, bringing the scent of leather, whiskey, and amber my way. My other mate smells like a sin I’m dying to commit, complex and impossibly enticing. A dance with the devil, I’m terrified to take.
“Do all of the members live here?” I ask, confused about this entire lifestyle. Why are so many of them here during the day? I mean, I guess it’s a weekend, but don’t they have things to do?
“Pretty much. Our grounds are huge. Most of us have built cabins and houses here. Some people live in the clubhouse.” He points at the main building, then gestures toward the thick trees that line the property.
If I squint, I can just make out the silhouettes of a few cabins in different shapes and sizes.
A billion questions come to mind, and Lincoln smirks at his successful stalling. Infuriating.
And it’s not going to work. I’m going in that kennel whether he likes it or not.
“I’ll save my questions for later. Now, it’s Bigfoot’s time.
Shoo.” I wave my hands, asking for space to open the kennel door; though he relents, my Alpha doesn’t move very far, forcing me to rub against him as I scoot past. It’s a dick move, but I kind of love it.
The heat. The proximity. Being touched. A craving for the sweetness of connection rises in my belly, and I bank the fire, knowing it’s still simmering just below the surface.
Later. We’ll figure this out later. For now, I focus on the big dog. After walking confidently into the kennel, I close the door behind me. Bigfoot eyes Linc warily for a moment, a snarl curling his lip, but he relaxes when the Alpha remains firmly planted outside the gate.
“I’m pretty sure his main trigger is men,” I explain, observing the large dog and allowing him to set the pace. It’s his willingness to bite that intrigues me; now I need to see whether he can learn to control it. Something tells me that Oakley’s very life depends on it.
Bigfoot circles around me, sniffing. To an outsider, it might look like a predator stalking, but I know he’s just trying to figure out whether I’m a friend or a foe. Turning away from him, I slide to the ground, taking a seat on the concrete floor below me.
“Get up. What are you doing?” Caramel burns in the air, but I pay it no mind. Big overprotective Alphas don’t do it for me. Well, maybe just a little.
“Quiet your noise hole. I’m working here.
” I keep my focus on the dog slowly approaching me, keeping still but relaxed.
Bigfoot lets out a deep chuff, then drops his boulder of a head on my shoulder.
The heavy weight sinks into me, reassuring and steady.
Slowly lifting my hand, I bring it to his nose, and he presses his muzzle against my fingers.
Impatient, he nudges me until I turn around, then promptly climbs onto my lap.
“Looks like a hundred-and-fifty-pound lap dog, not a monster, huh?” I gloat, but when I search out Lincoln, my heart takes a tumble. All his hard, rugged features are soft, and he’s watching me like I hung the moon.
Something deep and real passes between us. Linc’s tender expression causes a lump in my throat; he’s everything I want, yet completely out of my grasp. Swallowing, I pat Bigfoot’s head, then rub his silky, soft ears until his whole body melts.
“That’s a good boy,” I praise. He enjoys the pets, and I happily oblige, giving in until he stands up. “Wanna go for a walk?”
Rising, I keep an eye on Bigfoot. When he shows nothing but interest, I reach for the leash hooked onto the chain-link of his kennel. Seeing it, his butt wiggles, and I smile.
“Not sure taking him out is a good idea,” Lincoln pipes up, but I snap the lead onto Bigfoot’s collar anyway and open the kennel door. Bracing my legs, I wait for the big lug to charge out, but he surprises me when he sits at the threshold instead.
“It’s a great idea as long as you back away. I need some space to see what he already knows. Figure out his foundation.” Lincoln’s feet shuffle, and he does as I ask but remains closer than necessary. Keeping my focus on Bigfoot, I pull out a cheddar treat and tap it on my leg.
“Come, Bigfoot.” The dog obediently moves to my side and takes the morsel, careful to keep his teeth away from my flesh.
“Sit.” His butt plops to the ground before I’ve fully uttered the word.
“He doesn’t act like that when I try,” Linc grumbles.
“He just likes me better,” I sing-song, cooing at the dog as I put him through several walk-to-sit transitions. Bigfoot masters the drill quickly, and my hopes soar.
Smart, sweet, and protective. He’s everything I’m looking for.
“So, now can I have him?” Bigfoot sits politely beside me while I bat my eyelashes at the overprotective Alpha hulking nearby, a glower on his handsome face. “He’s got a few basics, and the rest won’t be hard to teach him. After that, we’ll get started on protection training.”
“Wait, what? Protection?” The scowl intensifies.
“Yeah, of course. I don’t want to teach him not to bite. Just regulate when and why.” Lincoln starts shaking his head, but a sudden shift in the wind brings us all to attention. Leather, whiskey, and a smoky anger that makes my inner omega quake.
Bigfoot lets out a growl, automatically shifting in front of me.
He’s perfect.