Page 51 of Feral Mates
“For the people responsible for killing the hikers.” I glanced toward the front of the store. A Walmart. According to Dr. Wheeler, the store was third-class trash. I took that as a derogatory statement against those who’d shopped here. “Only they won’t find anything but additional bloodied and broken bodies marked by wolves.”
“You don’t know that,” Apollo said gruffly. “I smell other animals.”
“Yes, I do as well.”
I didn’t bother acknowledging Roman. What was the point? I couldn’t care less about any other beasts. We had enough to deal with. “Where the fuck is she?”
“She’s still inside.” Apollo was suddenly flippant about his reaction where he’d been entirely too possessive before. I had a feeling his brusque personality scared her more than what Roman and I had displayed. However, the woman had fire in her belly.
I’d felt her fear, not just when facing us both the first and second times, but about the situation around her. Yet she wasn’t the kind of woman to back down to anyone. Every question racing through her mind had added to those sticking icepicks in mine.
Had we been chosen for a reason? Because we were pack leaders? Because of our strength and agility? It was anothermystery that likely couldn’t be solved. Maybe it didn’t matter at this point.
“I don’t like this. I’m going in after her.” I threw open the door just as she appeared in the doorway, several bags in her hands. The bright light illuminated her perfectly. Including that she realized I’d been ready to go after her.
Now she wore an annoyed expression, her mouth twisting as she hurried toward the car. She tossed the bags into the back, grumbling under her breath, but I could hear every word. We all could. Perhaps she didn’t realize how keen the hearing of a wolf was. Our range was four times that of a human.
What is it about possessive wolves that makes them think they are in charge? Bullshit.
A grin immediately flashed across my face and both Apollo and Roman shared a laugh.
“What’s so goddamn funny?” Her demand was as adorable as the wrinkle of her nose.
I leaned over as she started the engine. “To answer your question. That’s because we are in charge.”
Immediately a warm flush swept across her jaw. She was even more beautiful when she blushed. Which was often.
“Damn you. All of you.” She pressed down on the accelerator with enough force our bodies were jerked.
“Careful, little mate, or you’ll be taught another lesson in obedience.” Neither my words nor my tone were well received. She hissed in return.
“Put the clothes on. Your nakedness bothers me.” While she was being facetious, her words were factual. Her body heat was already increasing. Her scent was also much stronger, my attraction to her both physical and instinctual. I’d sensed Apollo’s concern about the three of us losing control.
The timing couldn’t be worse.
Clothes were tossed around and within seconds, the three of us realized there was no way for big, muscular men to dress inside a tiny car.
“You’ll need to pull over,” Roman told her.
“Why?”
“So we can get dressed. Maybe find a bigger car.” My answer was met with a snarl.
“Don’t you dare make fun of Bitch.”
“Bitch?” Instantly, I laughed.
The look she gave me could easily burn a hole through me. “Humans often name their cars. This one is after my personality. My real personality.”
She also didn’t appreciate our laughs, cursing under her breath once again.
“Nice,” I said in a daring way.
“You really can’t get dressed in the car?”
“No, we can’t.”
Her head shifted back and forth. “I’m stopping at a bank branch up to the right. I’ll park as far away from the lights as possible.Maybe we’ll get lucky and no one will be around. There are some trees behind the building. For God’s sake, stay in the shadows until you’re dressed.”
