Part 3 (1/2)

The weird energy in the room went poof! Lowell put the iron up.

aIall get her some, Mistress.a He turned to the refrigerator and poured juice into a small plastic cup. Then he walked out to where Lin was undoubtedly enthroned on the living room sofa. d.a.m.n. The perfectly trained houseboy. There definitely was something seductive about that idea.

When he came back, he poured himself a gla.s.s of water, and she watched him tip his head back, the muscles of his throat working as he swallowed thirstily. When he put the cup down, he hesitated, glanced over at her, then turned back to the iron.

aWhy are you ironing on such a hot day anyhow?a Leila pulled up a high stool from under the kitchen counter and plunked herself down.

aTheyare Dekas business s.h.i.+rts. He needs them for next week.a aOh?a Dek hadnat said anything to her about s.h.i.+rts or next week or business, for that matter. She could play it cool and wait for Dek to tell her. She didnat have to lower herself to pump their omega for information.

aItas for a consult in Houston. One of the oil companies is flying him in.a Lowell sounded almost as proud as if he had been the one summoned.

It didnat count if the omega started talking all by himself, did it?

aThat happen a lot?a aSome. Mostly he works from here, though. Dek said he can do just as well online with his own computers usually, and he doesnat want to leave the ranch much now that he bought it for us.a Lowell wet his finger and tested the heat of the iron. aI bet heall leave even less now that youare here.a aHe must be pretty important, then.a aYeah.a Lowell beamed. aHeas one of the best.a The best what? And why hadnat she ever wondered how this huge old ranch had been acquired by the pack? Even if theyad just rented the place -- which shead a.s.sumed up to now -- that required money. Apparently Dek provided all of it, supported all of them in fine style on his own.

Maybe she should put all that leisure time toward thinking some useful thoughts and getting some real information. She really was a a50s woman, just calmly expecting men to provide for her without a thought as to how.

aI think Iall go pay Dek a visit.a Leila stood up again.

aHe doesnat like to be bothered -- I mean, whatever you think, Mistress.a Lowell held up the crisply ironed s.h.i.+rt and carefully put it on a hanger. aIam sure head make an exception for you.a She watched those muscles ripple again as he stretched over to put the s.h.i.+rt on a rack by the was.h.i.+ng machine. Yeah, a trip to visit Dek right now was in order.

Leila paused before she left. Sure, Lowell was the packas omega, but that didnat mean he didnat deserve some common courtesy. Why hadnat she ever offered him some before this? Where had she been for the last two weeks? Maybe Dek had sucked her brain away when head whisked her away to his den.

aAnd Lowell -- thanks.a aFor what?a He looked startled.

aFor everything. You keep this place spotless; you take care of stuff before I even think of needing it; and youare just a generally useful guy. Those are pretty difficult to find.a Leila decided to make a joke of that slightly uncomfortable moment theyad had. aAnd youare not bad-looking without a s.h.i.+rt, either. Nice eye candy.a He blushed and dropped his gaze.

aUh ... well ... thank you for the compliments. Mostly thatas all just part of my job.a aWell, you do it well, then.a She patted his shoulder -- just to rea.s.sure, and definitely not because she wanted to touch that pretty flesh again -- and headed for the office.

She woke up, thinking shead heard something. But all she heard now was the hum of insects and the coo of quail in the early morning. Leila reached out and realized maybe it was too quiet.

Dek wasnat by her side.

aWhy didnat you tell me what you do all day?a aBecause I didnat think youad be interested.a aAm I stupid? Self-absorbed? Why wouldnat I be interested in what my guy does to keep us all in kibbles?a aStop with the dog jokes.a Dek clicked the computer off and stood up. Leila clenched her fists. He might think the discussion was over, but he was very wrong.

aStop with the ano trespa.s.singa signs.a Leila deliberately stepped closer, invading his s.p.a.ce.

aFine. I consult with companies that are either corporate raiders or afraid theyare about to be involved in a corporate takeover. My corporation is called Predators. Iam good at figuring out strategies to take over unsuspecting companies.a Dek brushed past her and began to pace. aSatisfied?a aNo.a Leila swallowed. He looked up at her, and heat d.a.m.n near sent a flaming arc between the two of them.

aNo? What more do you need, baby?a aI need -- I need to do something for myself. To contribute something around here besides being your breeder. Donat even try to fool me by saying you mean me to be anything else. Iave read enough and see how you act around me. You want me around to have more kids.a aIad like more kids. Sure. We all want that.a Dek moved closer to her this time, very close. Another half-inch, and his crotch would be rubbing against her just where she wanted it. aBut thatas not the only reason I f.u.c.k you, Leila. You know how much I enjoy it.a aGee, overwhelm me with charm.a aYou donat want charm right now, Leila.a aMy, no, but I want something. I -- Iam restless, Dek. Bored. Itchy. If I donat have something real to do soon, Iall explode.a aItas almost the full moon, babe. We all feel that way. Restless. Itchy.a He was close enough now, close enough to rub against. She almost cried with the need that rippled through her when she felt his hard length.

aDo me, then, Big Bad Wolf. But I have to have something else to do, too.a Thoughts of Lowell flashed in and out of her mind. No. She didnat mean that. She meant -- He flipped her over so that she was bent over his desk. His zipper slid down with an impatient hiss.

aIf you promise to stay in the hotel room while Iam in Houston, Iall take you with me. There will be just the two of us at night. Iall take you -- anywhere --aHe plunged inside her, and she cried out, sharply. aAnywhere you want to go.a She couldnat think now. All she wanted was the change in his breathing that signaled his transformation, the weight on top on her that meant she was f.u.c.king a wolf, not a man. The slide over the edge to the beast that she was able to create in him.

His howl sent her into the first s.h.i.+ver of climax.

But he wasnat here right now, making those urgent noises. Instead she heard a sudden, broken-off yip in the distance, more a cry of distress than the howl of a mating wolf. It made her sit up in the bed.

Was that a real wolf, or one of the pack? She heard a thud out near the corral.

No matter who or what it was, it was on their land. Then she heard a yell. Dekas voice.

Trouble. Wide awake now, Leila pulled open the nightstand and pulled out the gun, loading it with fingers she willed not to tremble. She didnat like using guns, but some trouble called for them.

No one in her family was going to fight alone and unprotected if she could help.

aWhere the h.e.l.l have you been?a Dekas voice was dangerous as he dangled Lowell in the air.

aDoes it matter?a For the first time ever, Lowell didnat hunch over and try to pretend he didnat exist. For the first time, the kid dared to stare at him, to challenge him. aYouave got your piece of a.s.s tucked away in your bed. Why donat you leave me alone while I look for some of my own?a aListen, pup --a Dek could feel the adrenaline rising. He tried to temper it, to remind himself this was just an adolescent under the influence of the moon. This was family, not a real enemy.

But even family could threaten, if they wanted to take over the pack.

aIam not a pup, even if you do treat me like one.a aIam not the one who stayed out when he was supposed to be on guard. We donat have just us to think about anymore --a aI know. We have a woman and kid. I think about them!a aHe thinks about the woman too much. Thatas probably why he was bar-hopping tonight. Get any, kid?a Grey loomed up on Lowellas other side.

Dek sniffed. aHe sure as h.e.l.l got something that made him come tonight. But I donat smell any p.u.s.s.y.a aYou whoring around again with cowboys, kid?a Grey cuffed Lowell on the side of his face. aThought we broke you of that habit when we took you in.a aSo now all I do is wh.o.r.e for the two of you for free? f.u.c.k you both.a Dek looked over at Grey. Full moon or not, some things couldnat be tolerated.

It was a wonder she didnat shoot when she saw three men thras.h.i.+ng around in the front yard. But the bright rays of the moon soon made her pause. She knew those men, and that wasnat a fight.

She d.a.m.n near pulled the trigger again from the shock, once she realized just exactly what was going on. Instead she carefully put on the safety and slipped the weapon in the desk by the hall. A nice girl would have gone away and tried to wipe the sight from her mind. That was why Leila ventured out onto the porch for an even better look. Shead done pretending to be nice.

Once she did, she put her freed hands to her mouth, willing herself not to make a sound. She sure as h.e.l.l didnat want to be caught. But the men werenat thinking about the almost soundless squeak of the porch door right now. They had more than enough to do.

Lowell was sprawled on the ground, kneeling, a.s.s up high. He was struggling, cursing, spitting, in a way shead never seen Lowell do. Dek had the omegaas arms pinned back.

aYou think youare tough enough to be top dog, pup?a Dek snarled the words.

aMaybe heas tough enough to take it in the a.s.s without lube.a Grey jerked Lowellas head up. aWhat do you think, kid?a aYou can make me do this. You canat make me like it.a Lowell twisted and cursed again.

aAw, kid. You love bottoming. You were born for it.a Grey tossed something small and white at Dek. aHere you go, boss. Even though he doesnat deserve it.a Leilaas throat dried. Dek wasnat going to -- The sound of liquid spitting out of a tube was unmistakable. He was.

Grey already had his pants down to his boots, and Lowell audibly swallowed at the sight of Greyas erection. The noise made Leila s.h.i.+ft her feet. Should she do ... something? Grey shoved his c.o.c.k into Lowellas mouth, and the younger manas lips closed over him without any more words.

aLetas see if we can f.u.c.k the sa.s.s out of you, pup.a Dekas voice was almost gentle, yet the words held just enough threat to make Leila wonder.

But Lowell didnat seem worried. The moan he gave as Dek thrust from behind wasnat from pain or fear. Leila knew just what that sound was because shead made it often enough when Dek f.u.c.ked her. Lowell writhed again, but this time both men over him grunted with satisfaction.

Dear heavenly wonder from above. Leila had seen things in bars and outside them, but shead never ... shead never ...

It was beautiful. Frightening and strange, but beautiful. The three of them rocked together in as intimate an embrace as any trio could have, a mix of force and anger and pure s.e.x.

And tenderness. As they moved together, she could see all of that in how Lowell tilted his head back for Grey. How Grey clutched the omegaas hair. How Lowell sighed when Dek moved inside him. How, in turn, that sigh against Greyas c.o.c.k made Grey cry out with pleasure. She stared as they paused. The tableau s.h.i.+fted from moonlight to shadow, skin gleaming bright and then hidden again, teasing her with a glimpse of the male mating dance.

Leila realized her hand was still over her mouth and she was biting it to keep from shouting out with them. Her other arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, the way she wished she was being held.

Oh, G.o.d. Oh, G.o.d. Oh, G.o.d. Grey was moving again, rapidly, pumping in and out of Lowellas mouth.