That moment was enough for Aric to want to run out and hunt a deer or two for his mom. She’d said exactly what he hoped she would in regard to Jordan.
The rumble of a vehicle brought his attention out to the front yard. Caleb’s pick-up stopped in front of his house. Aric stood and marched outside with his father and brother.
An angry Caleb and four of his men stomped out of the truck. “We found the girl.”
Aric’s stomach tightened. “And?”
“She was dead.”
Aric had that feeling. “Do you know who did it?”
A short shake of his head was Caleb’s his only answer. He pulled him to the side, leaving his father and brother with the other men.
“Do you need us to back you up?”
Caleb’s wolf rose to the surface. The rough growl of his voice was almost unintelligible. “No.”
“The time for my fight is drawing near. I will take back what’s rightfully mine. My pack. My people. My land,” Caleb snarled.
“I am here… We are here. Anything you need.”
“I need to do this on my own,” Caleb stated, glancing toward the house.
Aric nodded. “She’s not here.”
Caleb turned to face the windows where Aric’s mother and Jordan watched them. A frown marred Jordan’s brow while she bit her lip.
“Yours?”
“Mine.”
“Congratulations.” Caleb’s words were heartfelt. He knew how hard it was for them to find someone both man and wolf wanted. Someone they could grow to love.
“Ellie waits for you.”
“I know. But it’s not the right time.” Caleb turned to the men waiting by the pick-up.
“Be careful. Call on me if the need arises.” He would never stop offering his best friend help at a difficult time.
Caleb nodded and joined the others in the pick-up before leaving.
Ellie, Jake, and Nathan arrived a short time later. They sat down for dinner and discussed the need to remove anyone placing threats on humans.
“We’ll take care of asking them to leave.” Nathan and Jake stated at the same time.
Ellie spoke softly to Jordan. “Are you alright? Were you scared? Did they hurt you?”
Jordan grinned and sucked her teeth. “Me? Come on, chica. It would take a lot more than a couple of mutts barking to scare me.”
His father choked on his laughter. “Good to hear that, Jordan. We’d hate to see you scared.”
“Brave girl.” His mother praised.
Jordan blushed and guzzled down her water. Aric was proud of her. Her fearlessness was priceless and exactly what was needed for a future Alpha mate. He twined his and Jordan’s fingers together on his lap. She tried to tug them out of his hold but he didn’t budge, so she stopped. His parents’ words warmed his heart.
The conversation turned to removing the guests from the area to ensure human safety.
“They all leave,” his mother ordered.
When Barbara Wolfe spoke, everyone listened.
Chapter Five
Aric watched Jordan’s SUV enter her driveway. He waited. Her sexy, curvy body covered in sweaty yoga gear exited her car. With flushed, sweat covered skin and hair that hung in a limp ponytail, she appeared to be exhausted. She dragged her feet as she made her way into the house. He continued to wait. A few moments later, he heard the shower running. He used the spare key Ellie had given him and entered the house.
Without hesitating, he went straight for her bedroom. In the midst of a shower, he heard mumbling from her bathroom. She groaned about letting her friends talk her into exercise. She muttered that her body hated the stuff. He shrugged off his clothes. His cock went instantly erect at the thought of Jordan naked. Naked and wet.
Steam filtered under the door of the bathroom into the bedroom. He’d given her space, even allowing Ellie to take her home after dinner at his parents. That had been five days back.
All week he’d watched her go to and from work, carefully guarding her from the shadows to ensure she didn’t encounter any more trouble. But she’d continued to ignore his calls. There would be no more playing nice.
He gripped the cool knob, turning it without hesitation. The heat of the bathroom enveloped him. She was so wrapped up in her solo conversation she didn’t hear him. Though he had stealth, the soft squeak of the lock was not something he could stop.
He slipped inside the tub. She had her eyes closed. Water rained over her head and down her bare body. A low rumble sounded in his chest. Her golden skin was flushed. Her nipples were puckered tight, calling him for a taste. And the scent of her arousal made it impossible to stay quiet. His wolf growled, the sound riding up from his balls and through his throat.
Her eyes jerked open. Darkness filled them until her pupils ate up the brown.
“Aric.” She used that fuck-me voice that turned his cock concrete stiff. “What are you doing here?”
“You. Mine.” That was the best he could do. The wolf was jerking at the skin. He wanted her and the beast did too.
“I––”