Page 31 of Wrestling With Werewolves

Rowan takes the box, then looks at me with a thoughtful expression. He turns, scanning the audience until his gaze falls on Lola. Then he glances back at me. “I think, technically, the princess is highest ranking here, right? If so, she should tattoo you to record the win.”

I shudder as a chill sweeps over my entire body. Technically, Rowan’s right. The politically correct thing to do would be to have the highest-ranking wolf tattoo my victory, but the idea of Lola doing it does things to me.

Case in point, my dick begins to harden against my thigh. While I’m naked in front of every fucking resident of Shifter Hollow.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you did it,” I offer, praying he’ll read between the lines of my tone and tattoo me himself.

Rowan smiles and waves at Lola to come over. I feel her before I even hear her pad softly into the circle with us.

His voice is quiet as he turns to me. “I’d like her to feel welcome. She’d appreciate the gesture, right?”

She joins us then, her dark gaze moving between the three of us, expression full of question. “Everything okay?”

Rowan hands the wooden box to her. “Princess, as our most welcome guest and the highest-ranking wolf in Shifter Hollow, it would be my honor if you would tattoo our Alpha’s victory on my behalf.”

Lola gasps, throwing a hand over her mouth. She looks between us again, eyes wide and mouth dropped open. When it’s clear that Rowan’s serious, she eyes the box. “Rowan, there’s no need. I know it’s a point of pride to do this yourself. Seriously, don’t worry about me. I’m only visiting.”

No, you’re not, Big Daddy rumbles. We’re never letting you leave.

Rowan shoves the box toward her. “Pretty sure, as a visiting diplomat, you technically can’t decline a gift either, right?” He winks at her. “I’ve got a present for you, Princess.”

Oh hells no. Rip his head off. This isn’t care. He’s flirting.

Cálmate, I command my wolf. Calm yourself.

Lola’s eyes glisten as she takes the box from Rowan. “You’re correct, Rowan; in which case, I’d be honored to mark Richard up for you.”

Oh, fuuuuuck. She didn’t mean those words the way I took them, but a sudden vision of her marking every inch of me with her teeth fills my mind as Big Daddy howls with pleasure at the thought.

Connall grabs one of Lola’s hands and one of Rowan’s and lifts them high, turning them to face the crowd. “Princess Lola is going to tattoo Alpha Richard on behalf of Alpha Woodcock. Let’s hear it for a successful challenge!”

All the cheering in the world can’t distract me from the only thing Big Daddy can focus on right now.

That scent.

That fucking scent.

Oranges. Clotted cream. She’s a godsdamn fever dream spun up into the most sugary, beautiful vision I’ve ever seen, laughing politely as she cheers with the rest of the pack, pretending not to feel awkward at so much attention on her.

I resist a deep and desperate need to sweep her into my arms and?—

Do it already. Big Daddy’s tone is bored.

I do my best to disagree with him, but it feels like using a bucket to stay a rising tide. No matter what, you’re gonna drown. And that’s how I feel watching Lola stand in the middle of my pack with such obvious joy around her.

She belongs here.

No, Big Daddy corrects. She belongs where we are. Wherever that is. Luna.

Before I catch my bearings, the crowd floods in, lifting Lola and me up until we’re body surfing over their heads toward Bad Axe.

“Someone grab my clothes!” I shout, but it gets lost in the melee. Nobody hears a word until I’m dropped into a seat, naked as the day I was born. They dump Lola more carefully into a seat next to me, and someone shoves her close enough for our thighs to touch. I look over at my best friend’s daughter, desperately trying to stop myself from thinking of her the way I am.

Why does it have to feel so natural to stare at her, to flirt, to think of her in a sensual way? Alaya, help me find restraint. Por favor. Please.

I give Lola an apologetic look as the crowd cheers and chants, stomping on the wide plank floor. Lights flicker as Bad Axe cheers along with the pack and both herds.

Lola grins and beams at the pressing crowd. Connall stands just behind her, keeping the group from hovering over her too badly.

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