Page 25 of Mating Season
“Are you hurt?” I scanned her body, taking in her curvy hips and ass tapered into the jeans she was wearing at the fight and noticing the new rip on her thigh. She’d braided her hair back and I wanted to fist my hand around the length of it. The flannel shirt and white tank underneath it were dusty, but no blood stains. She seemed undamaged physically which was a relief.
Aspen looked… healthier somehow. Not like she was at the resort where she watched her back at every turn. If anything, she was more unguarded out here like this was her element.
And there was a healthy, hungry gleam in her eye as she bit down on her bottom lip. “I’m not hurt, but I’m pretty sure it was the producers who drugged my drink. It was the same sensation as whatever was in the needle they got me with.”
Her fingers ghosted over her neck and I couldn’t hold back the feral growl that slipped out as protective rage clawed at my mind, drawing out the need for vengeance and blood.
“Ivan discovered it was the show who set up the cupcake scenario too.” Despite what I was feeling internally, I maintained a mask of calm control, allowing enough power to pulse in the air around us to let her know I was serious. “I will make them pay for what they did.”
Aspen stood tall in the dominant vibrations coming from my beast that promised retribution, not cowering or bending the neck. She balanced on her tiptoes and bopped me on the nose as if I were a child.
“Are you going to burn the whole world down for me?” she teased.
The little brat.
“If you ask nicely.” I groaned as I gathered her in my arms, delighting in her little squeal of shock and needing her close to soothe my beast after the days of journeying to get to her.
“Are you hungry? Have you had any water to drink?” I motioned for Beau to come forward with the bags.
Aspen put her hands on my chest and pushed back enough to tilt her chin up to face me. “I should be making sure you’ve had enough to eat and drink. You’re the one who almost put your paw in my trap.”
At what point do we get to spank her?
Soon,I promised.Once I make sure everything’s okay.
I pulled out a bottle of water and unscrewed the cap before pressing it into her hands. “Where’s Fallon? We need to go. Foster and Jones are finding an access road and we’ll get a vehicle sent up here.”
“About that…” Aspen held the bottle to her lips, drinking slowly as she watched me with those big, brown eyes. My dick was already semi-hard as she lowered the bottle and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “We have a little situation going on here.”
*
Aspen’s hand was soft in mine as we hiked up to where the utility storage shed sat in a clearing. I brushed my thumb across her knuckles, marveling in the novelty of an action so domesticated and small.
A flashback hit me of smashing Scott’s nose when he’d tried to look into this very shed and I pulled Aspen closer, subconsciously nuzzling my cheek against her neck to coat her with my scent.
There was a tense standoff around a little campfire. My sister stood on one side of the rock ring with her eyes narrowed at John. He stood at the other side watching her, amused. His nieces were huddled together awkwardly as they stepped away.
“Does anyone want to explain what’s going on now?” I asked, fed up with this drama. From the looks of it, there was a whole story here and I’d beeneating John’s dust for miles without knowing what the hell happened between the two of them.
“Ask her,” John said.
Fallon growled.
“Is this the problem you’re worried about?” I whispered in Aspen’s ear. Knowing my sister, it would be a while before this got sorted out.
“Not exactly.” Aspen wiggled in my arms as she turned to point. “That is.”
The group of three other females edged away.
Sarah gave me a short wave. We’d mingled in some of the same circles, but besides knowing her name and pack, I couldn’t tell you another thing about her.
“Are all the other Alphas here?” she asked.
“Mmmm.” I nodded as Aspen wiggled again, brushing her ass against my cock. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional, but the scent of her was a potent punch that drew all my beasts’ attention.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Sarah spoke to the other two girls, ushering them down the hill. “Let us know what you decide, Aspen.”
“What’s she talking about?” I brushed my nose along the side of Aspen’s neck, breathing in more of her scent.