Page 44 of Wanted By the Wolves

His explanation makes me feel better and worse. He’s right. I’ve done what I had to in order to survive. My body is living proof of that strength. It also paints in stark reality that the old Nova is gone. I’m struck with a wave of grief for that village girl I lost.

I pull my towel back around myself, done with the self-pity. “Are those clothes for me?”

Gage gives me an understanding smile but lets the subject drop. “They are. Why don’t you get dressed? I want to show you something.”

He crosses the bathroom and sets the pile of clothes on the counter before he guides me back in front of the mirror with a hand on the small of my back.

He bends down, whispering in my ear, “I meant it. You’re beautiful.”

He sucks along my neck by my ear, and my head tilts to the side, giving him access. His tattooed hand cups my neck, and his gaze travels across my face. The wolf in him is at the surface, his gaze swallowed in darkness.

My thoughts get trampled by a wave of heat that hits my center.

His other hand skirts between the ends of the towel, and he cups between my legs. “Everything about you is a fascinating combination of strength and sweetness.”

He makes a slow pass along my center, and I feel myself getting slick.

“It makes me desperate for you,” he growls.

A whimper tumbles out, and I shift my hips, needing him to touch me and ease the ache between my legs.

His lips curl into a ruthless smile as he gives a singular teasing swirl around my clit. “Especially when you smell so eager.”

I suck in the heady scent of his pheromones and let them travel straight to my head. He smells so damn good I want to bathe in him.

“Sadly, filling this sweet pussy isn’t on the agenda this morning.” As quickly as his hand is where I want it, it’s gone. He squeezes my hip, kissing my forehead before pulling away. “Now get dressed.”

An almost whine tumbles out, and I stare at the retreating alpha. “You’re serious?”

His throaty chuckle makes me pout. He turns at the door, his eyes filled with humor. “Come on. I think you’re going to like this.”

“More than an orgasm?” I huff. My neediness has made me bold. I can’t seem to care. I feel robbed.

Why do I like his teasing so much?

He shrugs. “Maybe not, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

I obsess over his cryptic message as I hurry through getting dressed. He’s left me a sweater that smells like Dex’s sweet hazelnuts, a pair of fuzzy socks, and soft thermal leggings that still have a tag on them. Being in human clothes feels a little strange, and Dex’s sweater is so big it’s a dress, but the fabrics are cozy, and the smell of Dex helps settle my nerves.

I tiptoe past the sleeping brothers and find Gage waiting for me in the hallway. He weaves through the living room, and I trail behind him. “Where are we going?”

The weak morning light is obscured by the storm. It’s barely enough to see by, but Gage takes my hand, leading me up the stairs. “It’s easier to explain in person, I think.”

I’ve explored the house in my wolf form. The second story is full of empty bedrooms, each of them big enough for a pack. Despite my curiosity about them, Gage doesn’t linger. We take the stairs to the third floor, passing what looks like a nest.It’s bare, like all the other rooms, but it feels heavy with sadness. I turn away from it, the hair on my neck rising.

“This way.” Gage clears his throat and squeezes my hand, quickly pulling me down the hallway and away from the unsettling nest. Down another shorter hallway, we end at a door. Gage steps back, gesturing for me to go ahead. “Feel free to grab anything that calls to your omega. You can claim one of the pack suites when you’re done, and the guys can help me get it all sorted.”

I have zero clue what he’s talking about, but his expression is filled with equal parts hesitance and hope.

He licks his lips. “Go on. I promise it’s good.”

Curious, I step inside.

The room isn’t what I was expecting. I don’t know what I thought would be behind the wooden door, but this isn’t it.

“What is this place?” I throw a questioning glance at Gage.

“It’s the attic.” He stuffs his hands in his pants pockets without any more explanation, as if that’s adequate reason for why this attic is stuffed wall to wall with… I can’t even take it all in.

---