work out before we’re there.
He steps forward, his intense brown eyes drinking me down, but then he smacks the back of my ass hard. I hold back the yelp of pain—barely. His smirk widens as he soothes the spot while pushing me toward the deck stairs.
“That hurt, asshole.”
“You’re lucky it was just one. Every time I turn around, you’re naked in front of the whole fucking pack,” he counters before leading me to the front door. “Now go get your red ass cleaned up and dressed—in clothes that the other females have made but not worn—and then come back. It’s nearly time for the reckoning.”
He practically shoves me into the house, his large body guarding my back and keeping his pack’s eyes off my flesh. The door closes hard behind me, and when I look up and see that I’m alone, I finally release the smile I feel twinkling in my soul. My wolf wags her tail and we both saunter up the stairs.
We did it.
I rub my ass cheek as I head for the bathroom, all kinds of intriguing thoughts filtering through a dirty mind that’s once again filled with Tyran’s scent. My wolf thinks he’s worthy, and although I’m not disagreeing with her instincts or assessment, I think it’s time to see what I think about this male without the blindfold of anger. I want to find out just how worthy he can be.
I look in the mirror and sigh. He has to be doing this on purpose. I don’t know Tyran well, but I feel it’s safe to say that he has a thing for pirate pilgrims. I adjust the neckline of the cream-colored shirt I’m wearing to try and make it fit normal, but then it just falls off both my shoulders.
With a huff, I pull it back over so only one half of my chest, upper arm, and shoulder is exposed. I leave the two ties at the neck open because putting them in a bow just makes everything look worse. That probably has something to do with the fact that the bow sits eye level with my boobs like it’s some game show model just asking people to check out these prizes.
Once again, I embrace the Musketeer vibe and tuck the front of the big shirt into suede pants that just so happen to be the exact color of Tyran’s wolf—like that’s a coincidence. My gaze lands on the door that leads to his room. I haven’t had to set foot in it yet, since these clothes were thankfully piled on the bathroom counter.
I’m feeling less volatile about the alpha’s past now. Even though I haven’t finished the claim by biting him back, he bit us, and as far as my wolf is concerned, that makes him ours.
Rationally, I know that Tyran had a sex life before I entered the picture—I did too—so I’m blaming that freak out on the bites both of my shoulders now carry. Newly claimed wolves have done worse things, so I’m giving myself a pass on this one. Still, I have no intention of ever setting foot in that bedroom again. Guess I’ll find out how he feels about that soon.
Running my fingers through my hair, I ignore the fact that my top is still a little too see-through, and give myself a small approving nod before dropping my game face in place. It’s time to go meet the Ruin Falls pack, and that means I need to radiate nothing but strength and dominance. I can’t let myself be thrown by anything that happens tonight. I’m mentally preparing for the worst based on this pack’s heinous reputation, but also trying to go into this with an open mind, despite the rumors.
If I want a place here, it’s time to show these wolves that I’m worthy of it, no matter what gets tossed my way. Because the truth is, I don’t want to live as a lone wolf with humans. Now that I have my other half, I know I could never fit in without a pack, that I’d go just as crazy as Tyran said I would. So I want this to work. For my wolf and for myself.
I inhale evenly and turn to leave the bathroom, with my shoulders back and head held high. My bare feet are silent on the stairs as I make my way down. The large house is completely empty, and I see through the large windows that dusk and night are fighting for