Page 130 of Dominion

He didn’t know why she was crying—not exactly. And he wasn’t good at handling distraught women—he’d had zero practice. But his instincts demanded he comfort her.

“Are you here to yell at me?” Bitterness threaded her voice.

“No, baby.” Her heartbeat tapped through her back and into his chest. Her nearness both calmed and incited his beast.

“Why are you crying? Are you jealous because of what Lorna said?”

Her little body turned wiry against him, muscles tightening in reaction to his words.

He bit her ear, then laved it to soothe the sting. “You are, aren’t you?” Pleasure swam through him. Good. He was glad she was jealous. If she had any idea the level of desire she inspired in him, she’d know he would tear the head off any man who looked at her twice.

“Go to hell.”

“Baby, that she-wolf means nothing to me. I’ve full-moon fucked her a few times over the past few years, and that’s it. It didn’t mean anything and we’ve never been a couple.” He wasn’t sure why he needed to explain it to her—they weren’t in a relationship either, nor did they want to be, but it seemed important she know how things lay.

He turned her in his arms to face him. “I’m sorry she was such a bitch to you. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Her lower lip trembled and it killed him to see her pain. “How many times?”

“What?”

“How many times is a few?” Then she shook her head. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.” She tried to shove him again. “Will you just go away?”

But it was her business. Her jealousy meant she had feelings for him, and despite his desire to stay emotionally clear of her, he cared about her, too. He wanted to ease her pain over this. He caught her chin and lifted it, brows knitting as he studied her beautiful face. “She never inspired one-tenth of the hunger I have for you. She never had me this tightly strung, seconds away from losing control every time I got close to her.” He pressed his bulging erection against her belly. “Feel what you do to me. You think you need to be jealous over her?” He shook his head. “There’s no comparison.”

Tears swam in Melissa’s eyes, but they didn’t fall.

Soft and romantic wasn’t his thing, but he did his best, tipping his head down to just brush his lips lightly across hers. “I’m sorry. That was a horrible introduction to the pack. Will you please come out and meet them now? The rest are nice and I will boot Lorna in a heartbeat if she’s rude to you again.”

She rubbed her lips together and nodded. “Okay.”

Some of his tension eased. He twined his fingers into hers and led her out to the kitchen where at least ten members of his pack had now gathered. “Say hi to Melissa, everyone. She’s a quarter wolf.”

Their interest piqued at that, and Mary, the only other female in their little pack, drew Melissa over. Melissa complimented her salad and soon had her chatting nonstop about which ingredients she’d bought at the farmer’s market.

By sunset, all twenty-five members of his pack had arrived and the noise in the cabin grew to a dull roar as they mingled and ate in casual potluck style. He considered asking Melissa to shut herself in the bedroom for the meeting, but decided against it. She’d already been marginalized enough and he wasn’t worried about her sharing their secrets. If she did, he could take it up with Ben Stone.

9

Melissa watched as Cody emerged from the shower in the master suite, hair wet and tousled, the faded jeans and black t-shirt back on. Her pulse sped at the sight of him, so masculine and powerful.

It had been fascinating to watch him lead the pack meeting. He filled them in on Colleen and her kids and told them he’d protect her if she asked for it. His pack seemed less than enthusiastic, pointing out they knew nothing about her, and the very good possibility of a much larger pack coming for her. Cody listened to their feedback, thanked each member who spoke, but maintained his decision, unless something new came to light. He also filled them in on the details of Melissa’s situation and the pack protection she required. No one spoke against it—probably still remembering Cody’s anger earlier—but from the dark looks many cast her, she understood protecting her wasn’t popular either.

After the pack meeting, the wolves had gone back out to run again. It was midnight now and Cody had only just returned a few minutes before. He hadn’t glanced her way when he entered—in wolf form—nor did he glance her way now as he padded out of the room.

She’d tried to sleep, but the eerie sound of the wolves howling outside made it impossible. That and the thought of her punishment. So she’d been standing at the window in one of Cody’s t-shirts and the panties he’d bought her at Walmart, staring out at nothing for the last hour.

Cody returned to the room, holding a coil of rope, which he dropped on the beautifully carved rustic dresser before turning and leaning against it.

“Come here.” There was dark promise in his look.

A shiver ran up her spine when she guessed what the rope was for.

Her pussy clenched. “Am I in trouble?” her words sounded smoky.

“Definitely.” He crooked a finger at her.

She stepped forward. She trusted him, especially after what happened in the bathroom.