“Please, please not the dark. Don’t leave,” she cried.
Logan flicked one of the soft hallway lights back on and returned to her side. Goddess, he knew he’d regret this in the morning. This was exactly how he’d ended up with a menagerie of animals as a kid. As if he’d found a stray puppy, he was already becoming attached. But he knew there was something special about this woman, something that would keep him from simply letting her go in the morning. He’d learned long ago that one could not fight nature. He sighed, aware of what he was about to do. Against his better judgment, he slid into the bed next to her.
“Come here, Wynter,” he ordered, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Goddess almighty, her small body fit his perfectly, and he was pissed at himself. Not only had he let Wynter into his home, his bed, he now had her conveniently and warmly against his chest. The dreams hadn’t prepared him for the intense arousal and possessiveness that appeared to be rearing its ugly head. No, he couldn’t let this happen. Establishing his dominance within the pack and securing his position as Alpha had been his number one priority. And now that that was accomplished, he needed to focus on continuing to nurture his already successful real estate venture, not become emotionally involved with a stranger.
As he allowed himself the indulgence of pressing his nose to her hair, he mentally shook his head. He didn’t know anything about this woman. She seemed human, but now he distinctively scented wolf. And if she was wolf that meant she came from a pack. She belonged somewhere else, possibly to someone else. He cringed slightly at the thought she could be mated. No, that couldn’t be possible. She felt so right in his arms. So terribly, wonderfully perfect. And it was all wrong.
Wynter had never been needy or scared. But in that moment, her vulnerability overtook her sense of reason. A small voice in her head told her that it wasn’t right to let a stranger hold her, comfort her. Yet the attraction was too hard to resist. Certain that he was Alpha, she wasn’t sure if it was his powers she felt humming through her veins or her own arousal, but his protective embrace spoke to her soul, calmed her mind. Acquiescing to his wishes, she cuddled her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. Safe.
The last thought that ran through her mind was that she needed to call home. God, she missed him. Surely, he’d be ripe with panic. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow, I’ll call him.
“Jax,” she murmured right before she was lost to sleep.
Logan sucked a breath. What the fuck did she just say? He glanced downward. She was completely asleep, but there was no mistaking what she just said. No, it could not be possible. Jax. Jax fucking Chandler; the Alpha of New York City. He’d met him a handful of times. When it came to business, the man was fair, albeit having a flair for the dramatic.
The last time he’d seen the guy in Jersey, he’d presented Tristan with a ‘present’ of sorts. Of course the ‘gift’ turned out to be a wolf who’d been involved in killing one of Tristan’s wolves. It’s the thought that counts. In reality, Tristan couldn’t have been happier with the present. During the event, Logan had observed Jax, who seemed to take perverse pleasure in watching Tristan attack and kill the wolf. He distinctively remembered Jax comforting Tristan after he’d taken a life, assuring him that he’d done the right thing as Alpha.
At the time he couldn’t quite understand the interaction. But now that he was Alpha, he could easily relate to what transpired that day. Jax was merely supporting Tristan, giving him a peace offering after he’d aggressively pursued Tristan’s sister. Like leaders of countries, Alphas chose other Alphas as allies, all the while protecting their own packs. Logan had never thought it would be possible to have more respect for Tristan or Jax, but now that he was Alpha, their relationship was even more important.
Did Wynter belong to Jax? Was she his mate? He blew out a breath, knowing that it shouldn’t matter. All that really mattered was finding out what the hell happened with the vampires in the alleyway and how a wolf could get sick. Both spelled serious trouble for not just wolves but all supernaturals in the area. The shit was about to hit the fan.
Chapter Five
Wynter woke refreshed, although alone. The bright sun streamed into her room, causing her to yawn. Months of sleeping on the floor, and she was finally home in her warm bed; it felt incredible. She pressed her eyes shut, willing her dream to continue. A sexy mysterious stranger beckoned to her in the distance. She could make out the definition of his abs, but couldn’t quite see his face. She strained to listen, to run to him, so she could see who he was.
“Hey sunshine,” a male voice called to her.
Startled, she jolted upward, eyes wide open. Scanning the room, she instantly realized her erotic dream of being held in a strong Alpha’s arms must have been just that: a dream. Where am I? Panic set in once again as an imposing man with tattoos on his forearms approached her. Not the man from her dreams.
“Don’t come any closer,” she warned him. “I don’t know how I got here but I’m leaving.” She jumped out of bed, then quickly realized she was naked underneath a man’s t-shirt and boxer shorts. Oh God.
“Listen, cher. No one here’s goin’ to hurt you. Just settle down,” he suggested and gestured toward a bureau. Yogurt, granola, fruit and juice sat on a tray. “Now that you’re feelin’ better, maybe you can eat some breakfast.”
She wanted to deny it, but her stomach ached in hunger. How long had it been since she’d eaten like a normal human being? Months? But how could she trust this stranger looming across the room? She glanced up at him. Definitely wolf. She could tell by his piercing green eyes. But who was he? Alpha? No, he wasn’t Alpha. She’d been with pack long enough to tell this wasn’t him. But the man from last night…was he real? She grasped the collar of her shirt, drew it up to her nose and took a deep breath. Clean, male with a touch of cologne. She nearly fell back into the bed taking in his scent. She sighed, closing her eyes. The male from last night. It was him. And it smelled so…good. Memories of their conversation played in her mind. She’d asked him to stay with her. And he did. He’d held her. The arousal she’d felt. Oh God. That couldn’t be right. She was in so much trouble. No, no, no. Jax was going to freak out when he finally found her.
Dimitri smiled. Yep, that’s right, baby. Smell your shirt. Little did she know that Logan was waiting for Dimitri to bring her to him downtown. Whatever had transpired last night between the two of them seemed to have rattled his Alpha. He’d watched as Logan tore out of the mansion at the crack of dawn. Even though he’d mumbled something about meeting preparations, Dimitri knew damn well that his Alpha rarely needed time to prepare for anything. He was the sharpest tool in the shed, both mentally and physically. On the way out, he’d ordered Dimitri to watch over the little wolf, see if he could get her to eat and bring her to the office.
Aside from the entertainment factor, Dimitri liked the idea of his Alpha concentrating on something other than challenges. And this lovely little lady was turning out to be a damn fine distraction, at least for the short term. But they still didn’t really know who she was, and that was a wrench in the cog. If she belonged to another wolf or pack, they’d soon claim her. And as it was looking, she was a runner by nature and didn’t plan to stick around very long. And then there was her mystery illness, unheard of among wolves. Maybe that’s why Logan was all about business? He probably thought a passing attraction to the little wolf would be futile by nature.