As soon as they're out of sight, Quinn jumps down from the truck and rushes over, her cheeks flushed. "I thought you were going to start fighting."
I pull her against me, aware of the wolf in my eyes and the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Lucca is as guilty as the others, and I wanted nothing more than to rip his throat out. Feeling Quinn's soft body against mine anchors my rage and reminds me why I'm doing this.
"Well, we didn't,” I say. “We're here to talk, remember? It's my plan. I'm not going to throw it out the window at the first meeting."
"Not the first one, anyway." Zack laughs humorlessly, walking toward the cabin to begin his security checks.
I shake my head at my friend's retreating form and take Quinn inside. She makes drinks for us in the simple yet luxurious kitchen. The counters are lit up by a central pendant light, and a deep green marble countertop covers the large island. The cabinets are made of dark wood, and there's a small fireplace in the corner that fills the room with warmth.
We sit down at the table, sipping our drinks while Zack continues to run through the security protocols and plans for tomorrow. I'm sure Mateo's men have already done the same, but with the cameras we placed on the road and our combined knowledge of this area, we can be confident that we're secure tonight.
Tomorrow will be a big day—it could mean peace or war between our two packs. I struggle to see a way back from this, but I suspect more attacks will never bring the closure I need. Perhaps the only way will be a direct challenge, an alpha fight to the death. But as I look at Quinn, I find myself less keen on that option. It's not that I don't think I can win—Mason is younger, but from what I've seen and heard, he's had a lot less fighting experience. Frankly, I'm a mean and battle-tested warrior when I want to be, and my rage toward him runs as deep as possible. But something is stopping me from pursuing it, at least not right away.
Perhaps the father in me wants the challenge and the taste of blood for revenge. But as the alpha of my pack, I don't think it's the right thing to do. Perhaps that's what Quinn was trying to say earlier when she asked if Tyler got a fair fight. Is revenge justified if it affects the whole pack?
I walk Zack out to the porch before he heads down the mountain. As I look up at the stars, I realize I've been asking myself this question for months now. Tyler's death still weighs heavily on me, but I can't forgive Mason. He killed my son.
I'm not sure there is a way to end the conflict without more bloodshed. But I'm determined to find out.
I turn away from the porch and head back inside. Quinn's sitting on the couch, and I join her under the thick blanket, pulling her against me. Her soft body against mine anchors my rage and reminds me why I'm doing this. I wrap my arms around her, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine and imagining our child growing in her belly.
Chapter 14 - Quinn
I pour the steaming sweet tea into the tall mug and hold it in my hands to warm them. I knew this was a pretty spot, even in the dark when we arrived last night, but nothing could have prepared me for the early winter picture-perfect scene when I woke up this morning.
The view from the kitchen balcony is breathtaking, and I pull open the large glass doors to step out, even though it's freezing. I hold the mug close to me for extra warmth.
There's a light dusting of snow stretching from the edge of the cabin to the forest beyond. I've no doubt that in a few more weeks, the snow will become a deep blanket. The sun rises slowly above the distant mountain peaks, casting a soft pink hue across the vast landscape. I can make out the shades of blues and greens in the valley below where the snow hasn't quite reached yet.
Suddenly, I'm pulled backward by strong hands, and my body presses against a solid bare chest. One of Diego's hands immediately slips protectively to my stomach, while the other palms my breast through the flannel shirt I pulled on. Instinctively, I lean my head back against his broad shoulder as my nipples harden at his touch.
"Woman, you are going to freeze out here," he mumbles into my ear as he nuzzles my neck. "We need to get you warm."
Before I can answer, he takes the cup from my hand, discarding it on the side before walking me back through the cabin toward the large bathroom. The shower is already running, creating a haze of inviting steam.
His eyes flash with something like a challenge as he strips the shirt from my body and backs me into the stream of water. His rough, tanned hands contrast with my pale skin as he begins to soap my breasts. "You are much too soft and delicate for me. Too young. But my wolf sure disagrees."
I look down at his hard cock between us and laugh. "It's not just your wolf that disagrees."
Before he can say anything else, I decide to show him how I feel. I slip to my knees under the warm spray, my breasts brushing against his legs as I lean forward and lick some precum from his cock.
He hisses as his hips buck slightly at the contact. "Fuck, Quinn. You don't have to."
I look up at him. "I want to, Diego. You've no idea how much." Before he can reply, I take him deep into my mouth until I feel his cock nudge the back of my throat.
He moans with pleasure as I start to bob my head, taking him deeper with each pass. My hands slide up his thighs to grip his hips, pushing him further into me. His breath quickens, and I can feel the tension building in his taut muscles as he starts thrusting.
I can feel he's getting close, so I adjust my grip and begin to swirl my tongue around the tip of his shaft, teasing him until he grasps my head and drives himself deep into my throat. I try to breathe through my nose as he shoots hot ribbons of cum down my throat. I keep going even as he roars with pleasure, gripping me tightly as he comes down from his orgasm. Once he has finished, I stand and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing our bodies together.
"I think we fit pretty well together," I say with a smile. He laughs and then kisses me deeply, the taste of his cum on my lips making me feel even more turned on.
"I have never..." he says, spinning me around and dropping to his knees behind me, pulling my ass checks apart and making me blush with embarrassment before licking all the way up my slit, "felt this way."
I don't get the chance to reply before he begins tongue-fucking my holes from behind. Soon, I'm screaming his name.
I never imagined I could feel this way, either.
I should feel more nervous as we wait for the trucks to arrive, but after Diego's treatment in the shower, my whole body is still tingling with pleasure. I can't wait to see Gina, but I'm also worried that she'll sense Diego all over me the moment she walks in. I need to explain the situation before she judges. As a wolf, I know she'll scent our mating. Even a human wouldn't miss the smile on my face or the after-sex glow.