Page 32 of Pack to the Wall

Colt nodded and, keeping the door to Jane’s room open, he stood in the doorway, so he could keep an eye on her and the other doors along the hall as well. “Go.”

I padded softly, as only a cat could, through the house, checking every open area, but Tyson wasn’t inside. I slipped out the side door and caught Tyson in his wolf form just as he was coming around the corner of the house from the back.

Every wolf was different, their coloring varied, and I knew Tyson’s well enough: dark charcoal grey — almost black — over most of his frame, but with a long brush of white along his belly, a lighter patch on his snout, and another flash of white in a diamond shape above his eyes.

He trotted up to me then nodded his head to indicate going inside. I went in, letting Tyson in, and only then noticed the pile of clothes on the kitchen counter by the door. He shifted back and dressed quickly, a habit we’d all picked up.

“What is it?” he asked, and I noted the concern in his voice. “Is Jane okay?”

“Yeah, she’s good,” I said, not knowing how to start this conversation.

He sagged with relief. “What do you need?”

I needed Jane.

That was the problem.

The only wolf that had ever been good to me was fated to the woman I was pulled to mate with. Fuck it, I’d always been blunt, a man of few words. I’d just say it.

“I want to mate with Jane.” Then I quickly added, “Too. If she’ll have me… if she’ll haveus… if you’re?—”

“I know,” he said, cutting me off. “I could see it the instant you two kissed yesterday, when she bound us as betas. Something… changed for you.”

“It’s her scent,” I said. “It calls to me, tells me she’s my mate.”

Tyson nodded slowly.

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” I added. “Something about her, that strange mix of vulnerability and strength… I want her more than anything.”

He nodded again but remained silent.

“I spoke with her last night,” I pressed. “She’s so… different, caring and kind, and yet so resilient and determined. And… and when she saw me as a lion, she… she accepted me. Just like that.” I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore.

“Just because I’m fated for her doesn’t mean I won’t share her, if that’s what she wants,” Tyson said as if it were nothing. “Hell, it’s not like male alpha’s don’t sometimes take all the women from the pack. If Jane wants more than just me, I won’t stop her, and I won’t stop you from pursuing her. I couldn’t think of a better man to share her with.”

“What about Colt?” I asked. “I’m pretty sure he sees her in a similar way.” I’d caught his glances at her. They didn’t seem to be on quite the same level as my desperate pull, but if Jane was open to multiple mates, then I was fairly certain he’d put his hat in the ring.

“Him too,” Tyson said with a grin and a shrug. “It’s really up to Jane. As long as I’moneof her mates I’ll be happy.”

I nodded. “Good, thank you, Tyson.” That had gone a lot better than I’d feared it might. On to the next topic. “There is another thing I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh?” Tyson said, open and encouraging.

“I know you. I trust you. You’re the only wolf I’ve ever trusted. Most of what I’ve known of wolves is violence and pain. I… I need to know that Jane is not going to become like that.” He sighed, about to launch into a long speech it seemed, but I went on quickly. “But I don’t know how she’ll defeat Brick if she doesn’t become a monster like him. Tyson, I don’t want her to change, but I can’t see how she’ll win as she is. Please just tell me turning won’t make her different?”

He let out another sigh and waited a moment. “You done?” he asked with a bit of a laugh. “You and I were both born this way,” he whispered to me. “I have no clue what it will do to her. But Nico would know. He was turned twenty-some-odd years ago. He’d probably remember. And I know Harley and the betas were nothing but cruel to you, but the rest of our pack would have had your back, if they were able. They’re mostly good folk. Harley ruled with fear. Jane will liberate them. I think you’ll find you have more friends than you realize. But if you don’t feel comfortable talking to Nico, I can talk for you.”

Nico Juarez was an older man, husband to Dana Juarez, who was a natural born wolf. From what I understood of their story, they’d met in their twenties and she’d eventually told him what she was. He’d asked to be turned and they’d lived happily on their own for a while, having a son. Then Harley had found them and made them part of his pack. The only reason Nico was still alive was because he was a non-dom and had instantly deferred to Harley, which appealed to the man’s ego. Nico seemed like a decent person, but I still didn’t trust him. Yet perhaps Tyson was right and I should start giving some of the others a chance.

“I’ll talk to him,” I said. “Thanks Tyson… I don’t want her to change, but…”

My friend laid a strong hand on my shoulder, squeezing slightly. “I know. I fear the same thing. I don’t want her to become something she’s not, but if she doesn’t, then will she beable to defeat Brick? I don’t know, but I hope we can find some way to make that happen.” He blew out a heavy breath. “But that’s for after she’s turned. For now, I’ll talk to Colt… about that other thing, make sure we’re all on the same page. You go talk to Nico. I hope that eases your mind.”

I nodded and we parted ways. I headed into the basement.

At the base of the stairs Kira, in wolf form, kept watch over the others down here. She nodded to me, letting me pass and I skirted the room. Most of those here were still sleeping, but Dana Juarez was up. She came out of the basement bathroom, naked. Most of us slept naked, ready to shift if needed.

As I’d told Jane, nudity didn’t mean much to us… though, seeing Jane last night had been something entirely different. With the scent of her arousal — the sweet-heat of nature after a summer storm — filling my nose, suddenly her naked form had been… incredibly stimulating. She may not have been young and taut and tight, but that didn’t matter. Her mature, womanly form, with full breasts and hips and thighs had aroused a primal lust within me, and my cock had turned to stone.

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