“Do you know who bit you?” he asked, changing the subject. He knew she wouldn’t phone the police. There was no use for the law, and no human would win against a wolf.
She shook her head. “No. I was coming out of work, and there was this dark black dog. At least, I thought it was a dog, and I didn’t think much of it until I collapsed on the pavement within minutes of the bite. I thought I was burning from the inside out.”
Zeke listened as she talked. He liked the sound of her voice and knew he could listen to her all day without a problem. Pulling toward the gate where he and his pack lived during the days of the full moon, he turned to look at her.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“I come from a long line of wolves. Over time we’ve bought property to help build our packs. This is mine. You’ll meet some of my pack. Be warned, they’re all men. I can’t stand bitches around me during the moon.”
Climbing out of the car he heard her mutter, “sexist pig”. Smiling, Zeke loved the bark within her. Taming her would be a challenge he looked forward to.
Pressing the intercom button he asked who was there.
“It’s Dave, sir.”
“Dave, let me in. Has Max settled the girl?” he asked.
“Yes. She’s been fed and walked as well.”
Chuckling, Zeke headed back to the car. The electric gates opened, and he drove through. His home was his pride and joy. It had once belonged to his great grandfather and now it belonged to him. Alphas who were born into a pack had the option of staying and learning to submit to the current Alpha. They could fight for the position, but then a problem occurred if the pack didn’t agree with you or you could leave the pack as a friend and start your own. Zeke had gone for the latter. He’d never been the kind of man to take orders. His father had prepared him to leave the pack at an early age. Zeke could never fight his father, who was still the Alpha. This way helped keep the packs strong. When the time was right, his father would step down and the pack would vote for a new alpha, but until that time, his father stood as the leader.
Parking the car he climbed out, going around to Mary. She was already opening her door and getting out. His night was looking up.
Chapter Three
Staring up at the house in front of her, Mary wondered how she was going to handle the coming month. Her job was secure as she had vacation time coming up. This man who owned her for the next month clearly had plenty of money to back his pack.
He wiped out your pack.
Jessica was safe. Mary could cope knowing she’d saved the young girl. What was she going to do when the month came to an end? With no pack she wasn’t welcome to just any pack. Several would hurt her at the very least, or even kill her. Crap. She didn’t even know if she wanted to join another pack. Life as a half breed was already hard seeing as she couldn’t talk with anyone about the problems she encountered, like the heat she suffered.
Reaching out, she touched Zeke’s na**d arm. His flesh was firm and hard to the touch. Taking her arm away, she felt like her fingers were on fire.
He looked at his arm and then at her fingers, smirking. “Baby, I’m going to be buried balls deep inside you. You better get used to my touch, or you’re in big trouble.”
She took a breath and looked him in the eye. Her cheeks felt hot from his words.
“I’ve got no pack and nowhere else to run,” she said.
Zeke raised a brow, staring at her.
“Erm, I was wondering if you could teach me some of those skills to keep my wolf at bay.”
He folded his arms, observing her.
Mary started to squirm under his scrutiny.
“Yeah, I’ll help you with one condition.”
Rolling her eyes, she stared behind her wishing she could escape.
“What’s the condition?” she asked.
Zeke moved in closer, and she took a step back. He wrapped an arm around her back, drawing her back in close. “You tell me here and now, are you a virgin?”
“That’s not a condition. You want an answer to a question.”
“Either way, answer me.”
What the hell was going on? Why did he want to know about her being a virgin? Shit, she was too embarrassed. Staring up and down the length of his body, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. He would have been with lots of women. Surely no one would notice a small little detail such as a hymen.
“No, I’m not a virgin.” She lied to his face, and the moment the words left her lips, Mary wished she could take them back. He stared into her eyes, and she couldn’t say a word.
“Good.” He led her toward the front door where Max stood.
“Take her to the kitchen for food. Make sure she eats some food.” Zeke moved away, leaving her in the hands of Max.
“Wait, what about Jessica? Is she safe?” Mary asked, concerned about the young girl.
“She’s been fed, watered, and walked.”
Jerking out of his arm she glared at him. “She’s not a dog.”
Max chuckled. “I never said she was. Jessica, the blonde, is resting. It has been a long night for her.”
They walked past several men. All of them inhaled as she passed.
“Do I smell or something?” she asked.
“Or something.” Max opened the far door where a woman was stood over a stove. Mary frowned.
“I thought he said there were no women in his pack.” Mary was confused as the dark haired woman turned to smile at her.
“Zeke doesn’t allow women into the pack. I’m Max’s half breed mate.” The woman moved toward Max with a smile. “I’m Jane.”
Taking the woman’s hand, she smiled. “I’m Mary.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary. I’m sure you’re hungry. Please, sit.” The woman had curves, which gave away her half breed status. Sitting at the table, Mary saw several men looking at them from the corner.
A bowl with three chunks of bread was placed in front of her. “I’m allowed to stay because I’m a half breed, and I don’t want anything to do with the other men. Don’t get me wrong. They’re like family, but I love Max.”
Max had left through the far door to the outside air. She saw Zeke through the glass window on the phone. Mary couldn’t hear a word they were saying to each other.
“Why would other women be a problem?” she asked.
“Haven’t you ever been to a pack with bitches trying to get your man? I tell you, in the human world men are the horn dogs, but in this world, women are the worst. They cannot leave a man alone. It’s f**king infuriating.” Jane sat opposite her, eating some food. “We visited a pack up north in the Rocky Mountains. I went with Max, and the women of the pack were trying to f**k him right in front of me.” Jane stopped eating and fisted her hand. “They think because we’re half breed we’re not worth the male’s time. Those women with their slender h*ps piss me off.”