30. Vivianna #2
Blocking her exit, the guys surrounded her as Tristan walked up and laid a hand on her bare arm.
Now it was my turn to snarl at the woman, even though Tristan was the one who’d touched her.
I grabbed his other hand and pulled him away from the woman, wrapping his arm around my waist and staking my claim.
Tristan smirked down at me as he bent down and nuzzled behind my ear.
“Don’t fret, Viv, I was just checking to see if she meant you any harm.
You and only you have my attention or interest, trust me.
” As I relaxed a little, he kissed my temple and looked at the others.
“She’s no danger, just jealous that she’s alone and unmated. ”
Sofia looked stricken at these words and fell to her knees. “I’m sorry, Dama, it’s just as he said. I am jealous that you have seven handsome mates, and I am still alone in this world after sixty long years.”
Okay, so it’s hard to be mad at her when she puts it that way.
Oh, I’m still pissed, I just don’t want to rip her throat out anymore. She still should never have said what she did.
“Allow me to apologize for my actions; I have wronged you and your mates.” Sofia rose to her feet, and when I didn’t stop her, she darted to the back room.
Seconds later, she was back with a basket of items. “Take this. It’s full of herbs and tinctures that will help soothe and rejuvenate you.
I’m sure things are stressful for you, taking over our pack.
This packet here is a special tea that when you drink it keeps you far more alert than coffee does, without the crash.
It can also help to stabilize your moods during that time of the month. ”
Well look at that, she finally did something useful.
I have no idea what that will look like, either, since I can no longer take birth control, and that helped to keep me from being a royal bitch during shark week. Maybe that’s why I’ve been feeling weird lately.
Guess we will find out sooner or later.
“Thank you for this, but in the future, be more mindful of your words and the fact that next time I will not be as forgiving. Everyone deserves one do-over,” I said, pinning her with my gaze and letting my alpha energy flood the store.
Immediately, she hunched her shoulders and bowed her head in submission.
This was the perfect moment to also trigger my connection with the guys, since it would go unnoticed.
This time, since I wasn’t distracted with dealing with a life or death situation, I felt the connection fall into place between us.
“I promise it will never happen again, Dama. Thank you for being so gracious and giving me another chance,” Sofia whimpered as I pulled my energy back.
“Let’s go boys,” I sent, testing out the waters. They each looked at me and nodded their heads. Only Tristan and Bentley were left out of the conversation, but since I was still holding onto to Tristan, he followed my lead.
“Ready to head back?” Tristan asked, kissing the top of my head.
When did tall, dark, and yummy get so affectionate?
Apparently, when we staked our claim on him in a public setting. Maybe he was like Bentley and wasn’t sure we liked him?
Um, did you forget his super power? Trust me, he knows just how much we want to climb him like a jungle gym. Oh shit, do you think he can tell how hot we are for him right now?
I glanced up at Tristan and saw the predatory look in his eyes as I slipped out of my robe to shift.
Gonna say that’s a yes.
Run.
Shifting in midair, I bolted down the street, buildings blurring at the speed I was going. I knew, from what Astrid said about Dire wolves, that they were superior hunters and warriors. If he was feeling half as primal as he looked, I knew he was right on my tail.
“Viv, what’s happening? Is everything okay?” Tav asked, his concern coming across our bond.
“Yup, Tristan and I are just playing a game. I’m curious to see what all the hype is about with these Dire wolves.”
“Be safe. We will be around, but not too close, if you need us for anything.” Tav chuckled.
I don’t plan on being too safe, takes all the fun out of it.
Scenting the air as I ran, I couldn’t smell him close, but I knew better than to trust one sense alone.
The prickling of the hair on my back told me that he was lurking nearby.
Tristan’s unassuming front of a pencil-pusher persona was unraveling quickly.
Rustling to my left caused me to dart the opposite direction, diving through a row of brambles, knowing I was much smaller than him.
After some time, I couldn’t tell if my mind was playing tricks on me or if I was really hearing him chasing after me.
I paused on the edge of a clearing, hunkering low on my belly under a bush deep in the shadows.
My ears pricked forward as I heard a branch snap across the way, tensing my body, ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Then I felt something catch my tail. I tried to pull it free, thinking I’d gotten caught in the bush, but when I couldn’t get it loose, I peered over my shoulder.
Looming behind me was a giant of a wolf, his black and gray coloring mixing into the shadows perfectly.
His fur was longer and shaggier than the others’, reminding me of when I first met him.
Tristan’s steel gaze froze me, his power rolling off of him.
He wasn’t stronger than I was, but the ancient feel of him echoed something deep inside me, keeping me transfixed.
Using his paw, he tried to scoop me out of the bushes, but this triggered my senses, and I scrambled out of his hold and ran out into the open clearing.
Tristan leapt after me, landing far more lightly than I would have imagined for a wolf his size. I was at war with my instincts—half of me wanted to challenge, but the other wanted to surrender to what I knew was coming next.
Then I made my choice.