Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,111

remember Lane - uh, Red - chasing the young wolf from your backyard?"

"Roman," I said, proving I knew what he was talking about. "Which was why Gabby was so upset about the wolf getting hurt by your 'dog.'"

"By Lane, yes," he corrected. "She knew, baby. He'd told her about us days before. That's why he was slinking around in your backyard, to prove it was real. The other kids just accepted her as if she'd been born into the pack, and so you know, that's not normal."

"Is it bad?" I asked.

"No," he promised. "No, it's actually very good. See, your daughter is amazing. She's got the kind of charm and charisma that's dangerous, but she uses it for the right reasons. For her pack. But, it also means I want to train her. No matter what happens between us, I will always be involved in her life, because I truly believe she's going to be the next Pack Alpha of Wolf's Run."

"What if she's not?" I asked. "Ian, what if she changes her mind and - "

"This isn't that sorta thing," he assured me. "It's like you deciding to stop being Hispanic. Could you hide it? Possibly. You could lighten your hair, change your clothes, and maybe even lose your accent - I'd prefer you don't. You'd still be you, though. It's the same thing. Gabby is an alpha wolf, Elena. I'm sure of it. Just like I know Ashley is, even if she has no interest in leading."

"So what happens when Olivia runs off with Roman?" I asked, since Ashley's beta had run off with her mate, causing my best friend so much trouble.

He smiled. "I think her mother's taught her that there might be other options. I think my betas are making it clear that love isn't the same as possession, and that honestly caring about someone is very different from owning them. Monogamy? It's not a luxury alphas get, not if we actually care about our betas."

"Do you regret that?" I asked, reaching up to tangle my fingers with his.

He didn't even flinch from my wet hand. "No, I actually don't. For me, it's a turn-on to see you with them. I love being the one in charge of how they please you. That night in the hot tub? It was perfect. The next day? You and Pax in the kitchen? Amazing. Baby, I'm not the shy one in this relationship, and we are taking this very slow because you don't want to get exposed."

My teeth were holding my lower lip, yet I couldn't stop the smile trying to take over. "So you know, it seems I'm a fan of exhibition."

"Mm, good to know." He leaned a little closer, his hand dipping under the water to trail across my collar bones. Then down. "Because I love to watch. I also know..." His finger tripped over my breast, exciting my nipple. I felt it growing harder quickly. "That my mate needs time with her other boyfriends. That if I'm going to keep you as long as I want..." He teased the other breast, making me suck in a breath. "Then we have to take turns."

Then his hand moved down my belly. "You've already fallen in love with the man who might as well be my brother." I let my knees fall open, and his fingers slipped between my folds, seeking my clit. "I believe that you have a crush on my little converted beta." Then he pressed, making my back arch at the perfect pressure. "But the 'twins' are still trying to prove themselves."

Oh, his hand was doing amazing things, but I couldn't look away from his beautiful golden eyes. "They aren't twins," I breathed.

So he pushed a finger inside me. "They might as well be." And he curled it. "Mm, that feels nice."

"Ian..."

"Shh," he whispered, shifting so he could play with me easier. "Haven't you figured it out yet?" He added another finger, slowly working me higher, smiling when I had to grab the edge of the tub. "You are my mate. The only person in this entire pack who can make me do anything. All I want is to make you happy. To please you, Elena."

Oh, he was definitely pleasing. I could barely keep track of what he was saying, but the way he was looking at me made it clear this was important. My lips parted so I could breathe easier, sucking back air as my body responded to the sensual pressure inside me. His