Land of Wolves: Chapters 6-10

Chapter 6

“Oh, stop looking at me like that.” Caleb huffs, peering into the bedroom.

I blink, continuing my blank stare. It’s been exactly five days he’s had me locked up in this room, refusing to let me step foot out of bed unless it’s to go to the bathroom. At first I thought his concern was cute, but now I’m going stir-crazy and it’s anything but.

Caleb steps inside the room a second later, his lack of shirt immediately capturing my attention. He wears only a pair of tight underwear, probably on purpose, and I stare with an open jaw as he walks around the bed toward his closet.

He’s got a body human men would kill for, the Alpha all long limbs and thick muscle.

It’s enticing, and the part of me I work hard to keep hidden enjoys that I’m the only female who gets to see it. She’s possessive, even if this man isn’t one I have any right to claim. I’m here to gather information and destroy everything he’s worked for, and I need to keep that mission in mind.

Caleb grins as I eye him, confident as ever as he pulls open his closet door.

I was under the impression he was going to sleep in here with me, and he did try, but after rolling over and accidentally throwing his arm over my rib the first hour he laid down with me, he was banishing himself to the guest bedroom.

I hate it as much as I love it.

The space is good, giving me time to think, but that’s serving to be useless when all I can think about is him.

I need a distraction, something to get my mind back on my mission.

“I’d like to go outside,” I state.

Caleb ignores my request as he’s done the past hundred times I’ve voiced it.

“Not until you’re healed.” He mumbles, disappearing into his closet only to come out a minute later, fully dressed.

He seems so human sometimes, especially when he gets all dressed up for work. He wears a full suit each day, the tailored clothing doing nothing to help curb my attraction to him. What is it about well-dressed men that has me so fucking desperate?

“Are you going to work?” I probe, already knowing the answer.

Caleb frowns, looking genuinely apologetic as he nods. He spent the first two days by my side, sitting on the edge of the bed asking me at least three thousand questions about myself. I wasn’t able to get any in, and they were a complete bust in terms of getting information for HPAW.

On the third day, though, he had to leave, complaining that the wolves can’t seem to function without him. I still can’t tell if that was a joke or not, and am undecided if that’s information I’ll share with HPAW. I don’t want to tell them something that’s not true.

“Don’t you have somebody else that can cover for you?” I ask.

Caleb turns and climbs on the bed, continuing until he’s hovering over me. My pulse races in response, and I try my best to ignore it as he ducks and presses his lips to mine.

Fuck.

His kiss is soft, and despite my better instincts, I shut my eyes and lean into it. He hasn’t made any moves to touch me again after the bathroom incident, actively avoiding anything that could be taken in a sexual way.

He even wore gloves the last time he helped me bathe, the infuriating man refusing to take them off even after I laughed and told him they weren’t necessary. It was the best orgasm I’ve ever had, and considering I have to kill him when I get all the information I need, I’ve decided to try and get as many as I can in the short period of time they’re available.

My good hand lifts to cup his cheek, desperately holding him close as he molds his lips against mine. Feeling daring, I run my tongue along his bottom lip, begging for entrance, but he refuses.

This man is infuriating.

“I’m the Alpha for a reason. If there was somebody else that could do it, they’d be challenging me for the position.” Caleb states as he pulls away.

I hum, trying not to react too heavily to that information. He can be challenged? HPAW is under the impression that the Alpha title is handed down through bloodline. They know that Caleb’s late father was the Alpha before him, and his children are expected to be the next ones.

“Can I come with you?” I try.

Caleb frowns, his eyes darting all along my face before traveling to my hips. Carefully, he runs his fingers over the fabric of his shirt I’m wearing, his touch so light I can barely feel it.

“Please? I just really want to get out of this house.” I promise, holding back a smile as I see him wavering. “I’ll be quiet, and won’t bother you at all.”

I grab his hand and bring it to my lips so I can kiss his mark. His pupils expand as my lips touch it, and, unsure how this will be taken, I open my mouth and lick it. Caleb moans, his eyelids fluttering shut as I run my tongue across the entire length of it.

“Everybody said my mate would be outspoken and persuasive. They teased that I needed a strong woman to match me, but, fuck, are you more than I bargained for.” Caleb admits, grinning despite the complaint.

I don’t take offense. I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I’m a handful, and have had similar things said to me about how it’s not surprising I have an Alpha as a mate. The crueler of the HPAW members would spit that they hoped he crushed me, forcing me to submit and break, but most were just teasing my strong will.

“Would you rather I be different?” I ask. “Quieter, meeker?”

Caleb looks surprised by my question, and rushes to shake his head.

“Of course not. Most women can’t even look me in the eye, which is incredibly frustrating.” Caleb chuckles, helping me off the bed. “Sometimes I think you believe I’m some sort of pet.”

I shrug, shooting him a sideways glance.

“I mean, you are practically a dog.”

He grumbles, the low noise emerging from his chest. It looks like the wolf part of him doesn’t like that comment very much. That doesn’t make it any less true, though. The wolves are terrifying, but when you remove the sharp teeth, insane speed, and strength, you’re left with a fluffy four-legged creature.

Caleb’s grumbling grows louder as I share that observation with him, the noise making me feel things I have no business feeling. I like the angry tone, and hope he can’t sense my arousal as he leads me into his closet to get changed.

There are several loose dresses in here, which Caleb is quick to explain are maternity ones passed down from his mother and grandmother. I flush as he stands over me speaking about children, and clench my thighs together as he turns and grabs a hair of his sweatpants.

They’re huge on me, and he has to roll both the waist and the ankles so they don’t drag. It’s not exactly a good look, and that coupled with his shirt has me looking like a sack.

If that’s what it takes to be allowed out of his house, though, I’ll take it.

Going to his office could be huge, and I hope I can eavesdrop on some important meetings. He might not let me sit in on them right now, but maybe if I can establish myself as a regular presence in his office, he will grow lax with what I overhear.

“The pack is very excited to meet you, so I anticipate we’ll be getting lots of visitors today.” Caleb laughs.

I force a smile on my face, not eager for that. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to make friends here, and more than anything would like Caleb to act as he usually would at work. He’s been incredibly honest about all the questions I’ve asked already, and at this rate I don’t think I’ll have to be here for any longer than a month or two.

That thought has me feeling two very conflicting emotions, but I shove the newer of the two aside. I have a duty to the humans, and I can’t just abandon the mission because Caleb’s a lot more than I anticipated.

Maybe things will work out between us in another life, but it’s not destined for this one.

Caleb slips his hand in mine as we leave the bedroom, the man fighting his instinct to carry me as he very slowly walks us down the stairs. He’s brought me to the living room to watch tv a few times, giving in when I grow too annoying in my complaints to leave the bedroom, and I can’t help but release a sigh of relief when we make it to the front door.

An oversized coat is wrapped around my shoulders, and I curl up inside it as we step out into the frigid air. There’s no snow on the ground, but I have a feeling it’s only a matter of time before it starts to fall.

I can see my breath as we walk, and hurry into the passenger seat of Caleb’s car the second he opens the door. This one’s different than the others I’ve seen before, fancier, and I can immediately tell it’s his personal one.

I’m pretty sure he’s been running to work each day, shifting into his wolf form, but it seems he’s deemed that walk to be too long for me.

He drives down his long driveway before turning right, and after only a few minutes the trees open up into a town. I’m surprised at how similar it looks to the human ones, and stare wide-eyed at the number of wolves out and about. Some are in their fur form, playing and rolling around while others are walking with purpose.

Everybody we pass at some point turns to look at the car, and at first I think it’s because of the people in it, but quickly realize it’s because we’re the only people driving down the worn-down road. Caleb’s got tinted windows so they can’t see who’s inside.

Not that they can’t guess, though.

“I can hear your heart pumping. Why are you so nervous?” Caleb probes, drawing my attention.

It takes me a moment to respond.

“You can hear my heart?” I ask, shocked.

Caleb nods, sparing me a quick glance.

“Yes. My ears are very good, and I find that listening to it brings me comfort.” He admits.

His words make me flush, the compliment unexpected. Caleb’s quite smooth when he wants to be, always saying sweet things like they’re nothing.

“How far can you hear my heart?” I continue to dig, wanting to know precisely how good the wolves’ hearing is.

That explains a lot about why the wolves are so good in battle. They’re always able to detect us, even when we’ve buried ourselves underground or are hiding inside buildings.

“Unobstructed? Probably about a hundred feet. It’s a bit less when you’re in the bedroom.” He states, his lips twitching as he visibly hesitates to continue. “I can hear it from the room I’ve been sleeping in.”

That’s not at all creepy.

I don’t respond to that, unsure how, and return my gaze to the window to watch as we drive through town. It’s surprising how similar lives the wolves live to humans, but I suppose it shouldn’t be.

They lived among us for thousands of years, blending in and acting like they were one of us. It wasn’t until Caleb’s father decided he wanted more and declared war that everything changed. There were more wolves than anybody could have guessed, and tens of millions moved to Ontario, Canada within a year to fight.

It took less than thirty years for the wolves to have all of Canada, and under Caleb’s rule, they’ve been expanding into the United States.

It’s terrifying, and the outcome isn’t looking great for humans. We’ve been evacuating city after city, a large amount of the population leaving the country to get away from the wolves, and HPAW thinks that in less than ten years, if things don’t change, the wolves could have all of North America.

It’s a horrific thought.

“We’re here,” Caleb states, drawing my attention.

I hum, turning away from my window to look out his. He’s parked us in front of a large office building. This is where he works? I should have paid more attention to its location of it.

Caleb takes hold of my hand, gently squeezing it before rushing outside and pulling open my car door.

Here we go.

Chapter 7

I curl my fingers into Caleb’s chest, slightly embarrassed by his insistence on carrying me. It was one thing when my wounds were fresh, but I’m more than capable of walking now.

My movements may be a bit slow, that much I’m willing to admit, but I can still get around without such extreme help.

Caleb’s breath hits the top of my head as he carries me up a flight of stairs, and I try to be subtle in the way I bury my face in his chest and breathe in his scent. He smells good, and I hate myself for how weak I am whenever the opportunity arises for me to indulge.

Arguably I know he probably likes it, and it plays perfectly into this character of mine, but I need to keep distance for my own sake. Caleb’s not what I expected, and it’s making things hard.

I can’t let myself get too attached.

“My people are going to be very upset with me for bringing you out so early in your healing.” Caleb whispers, grinning wildly down at me.

I hum, licking my lips as I scan his face. Fuck. Why does he have to look so good?

Caleb gives me a gentle squeeze before turning and entering a large office. I assume it’s his, and scan the space in approval. A large desk sits directly across from the door, and tall, full bookcases span both the walls on either side of us.

He’s got two oversized leather chairs across from the desk, and behind it is an equally large office chair. All the furniture is made of dark wood, but there are a few plants that add some life to the space.

Not to mention the sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows behind his desk. The president of HPAW didn’t even have an office this nice.

I want to see the view, but Caleb instead carries me to one of the chairs in front of his desk. He’s slow to set me down, lingering with me in his arms. I do my best to remain unaffected by his clear desire to keep holding me, but my heart still flutters nonetheless.

Am I to spend the entire day in his office?

I’m sure he’ll hold any important meetings outside this room because of it, but this is still more than I anticipated. I thought he’d stick me with a receptionist or something.

“Are you comfortable?” Caleb asks, pushing my hair behind my ear.

I gulp, reminding myself not to get attached as I subtly turn my face away and nod. Despite the lower dosage of medication he’s been giving me these past few days, I’m feeling okay. The pain is manageable, and I want to save as many of those pills as I can.

Caleb kisses my temple, and it takes everything in me not to move so his lips are on mine instead.

He’s gone a second later, and I watch his long legs carry him to his own chair. The wooden surface of his desk is clean, but I still scan it for anything that may be of interest.

The laptop in the center of it stands out, and I’m willing to bet that’s where he keeps his most important information. I’m also willing to bet it’s password protected. It’ll be hard to get that code out of him, but maybe when he’s more relaxed around me I’ll ask him for it under the guise of wanting to look something up.

Caleb’s soft, and I don’t doubt he’ll give it without so much as a second thought.

It would be too risky to try and send or download anything to share with HPAW, but luckily for them, I have a good memory. What we really need are his expansion plans. Humans are always caught off guard whenever he begins to move the wolves, and even though we try our best to protect our borders, it’s hard to have every inch of them guarded.

The wolves are smart about it, too, constantly pushing in during the winter months when we’re weaker. Their animal forms are resilient to the cold, and that natural advantage has come to bite us in the ass more than once.

They have to have some weaknesses, though, and I’m determined to figure them out.

It doesn’t seem to be heat, the damn animals able to shift into their skin forms and handle it just as well as we can. It’s good to know that their reflexes are slower in their fur, though. We’ve been trying to fight them in the summer, hoping to catch them off guard while they’re pretending to be humans, but with this information, we’ll know it’s best to push in winter.

We have a better chance then.

The animals are stronger, yes, but we have weapons to fight from a distance. Enough shots and they go down just as anybody else.

A knock on the door draws my attention, and I turn toward it just as it opens and two women come barreling in. They trip over one another, giddy.

The first woman I recognize from the woods. She was the one who was sneaking into the cabin with that boy, and is the one who left to find Caleb after my discovery. The second I do not recognize, and while the first woman is practically bounding with excitement, this one looks more reserved.

Her eyes trail over me before sliding to Caleb, and immediately my hairs are standing on edge.

I turn to Caleb, noting the anger on his face. Something isn’t right here.

“Sash!” He greets, plastering a smile on his face as he stands and rounds his desk.

I purse my lips as he pulls her into a tight hug, the man entirely ignoring the second woman.

“I should’ve known you’d be the first here to meet Evelyn.” He introduces, turning to me. “Ev, this is Sash, my sister.” He greets, nudging her forward.

Sash holds her hands over her mouth, looking at me with wide eyes. I can’t tell if that’s good or not, and I try not to look too scared as she approaches and cups my cheeks. My lips smoosh together, and I glance between her and Caleb with shock.

What the fuck is she doing?

“I’m so happy to officially meet you. Caleb banished me from coming to his house, but the second I saw his car driving through town, I knew you were in it. I’m so happy to meet you!” She rambles, looking me in the eye before carefully bending and pressing her cheek to mine. “I know I’ve already said that, but I mean it.”

People with large personalities are not new to me, and if she weren’t a wolf I have a feeling I’d like her. I mutter an uncomfortable thanks, and breathe a sigh of relief when she releases my cheeks and steps away. Caleb is the only wolf I’m at ease around, and that’s simply because of this damned bond.

“This is Grace.” Caleb states, gesturing to the other woman.

He gives her no other introduction, and after an awkward second she steps forward and presses her cheek to mine just as Sash did.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Evelyn. I thought it would be best to wait until you were more adjusted before coming here, but Sash can be quite persuasive when she wants to be.” She chuckles, pulling away. “She practically pulled my arm out of its socket when she saw Caleb’s car.”

My lips twitch, and I glance toward Sash as she presses her lips together with a poorly concealed smile. That smile drops when Caleb leans in to whisper something in her ear, and even Grace seems off-put by whatever he says as she straightens up and steps away like I’m on fire.

Both females look pissed, and I stare between the two in surprise. What did Caleb say?

Sash is yanking Grace out of the room a second later, the female pushing against Caleb’s shoulder in her exit.

“What’d you say?” I ask the second they’re gone.

Caleb sighs, for the first time looking uncomfortable. He sits in the chair next to me before changing his mind and dropping to his knees at my feet.

“I have made a mistake.” He admits, trailing his hands up my thighs.

The touch is distracting, but I have a feeling that’s exactly why he’s doing it. He repeats the action a few more times before leaning forward and pressing his cheek to mine in the same way the two females did.

“You’ve never done this before.” I comment. “The cheek thing.”

Caleb hums, his facial hair tickling my skin.

“It’s a sign of respect to bring your cheek to another. My sister and Grace were placing you above them. Between mates, it is an apology. I have made a mistake, and this is me saying I am wrong.” He mumbles, continuing to run his hands up my thighs.

I don’t like the sound of this, and I clear my throat before asking what exactly he’s done.

“When I turned twenty-five and still didn’t have a mate, I was expected to pick a female to marry after my thirtieth birthday should you have not arrived before then.” He states, and immediately I know where this is going. “Grace and my sister have been friends since childhood. Her mate died many years ago, and since she is kind and already close to my family, I thought it would be best to choose her.”

I stiffen, unsure how to react. I knew Caleb was in the middle of planning his wedding, the man only a few months away from his thirtieth birthday. It’s the exact reason HPAW chose this time to intervene, hoping my sudden presence would cause controversy.

That small fact seems to have slipped my mind since arriving, and I’m surprised by the sheer anger that courses through my body as I’m reminded of it.

“To not inform you before your meeting puts you at a disadvantage and places her in a higher position than you.” He whispers, bringing his cheek to my other one. “It was expected for me to inform you of the issue before ever taking you out, but I didn’t want to upset you in your injured state and thought I could prolong the meeting for longer.”

Grace is tall, and looks just like all the other wolves with her dark hair and dark eyes. I’m unsure what the wolves consider beautiful, but she is stunning if it’s anything similar to the humans. Her skin is clear and full of color, her body toned, and voice smooth.

I don’t like her.

“And what did you do to prepare for marriage?” I ask, the true intention of my question clear.

Caleb pulls away, his eyebrows furrowed.

He opens his mouth to respond, but is stopped as the door bursts open and three men come storming inside. They look surprised to see me, and hesitate for a brief second before lining up along the far wall and bowing their heads.

Caleb makes no effort to move, the man not caring that his men are seeing him on his knees for me. While we don’t know much about the wolves, we do know their hierarchy is everything. Alphas never place themselves below anybody, but it seems that doesn’t apply to mates.

“Sir,” The man on the end speaks, waiting for Caleb’s permission to continue. “We found them.”

Found who?

Caleb’s on his feet a second later. I don’t miss the way he blocks my view of the men, and crane my neck to peer around his waist. These wolves are all large, probably good fighters, and do a poor job hiding their interest as their eyes continually dart to me.

I expect hostility, but instead all I’m met with is shock and potentially even excitement.

“Where are they?” Caleb asks.

His voice is lower than I’m accustomed to, and I clench my thighs together as it vibrates through my body. Oh. I like that one. I want him to speak to me in that voice as he fucks me.

The wolves along the bookcase shift, adjusting their weight from foot to foot as the one on the very end answers.

“In the square. We’ve got them tied up, and have Cole watching them.” He answers, his words steady even as Caleb spins to pick me up. I squeak as I’m lifted into his arms, not expecting it. “They’re military and we haven’t gotten any information out of them, but they smell of your mate.”

Human military? I do my best to hide my fear as Caleb carries me out of his office and back down the staircase he brought me up earlier.

The building is a bit busier now, everybody finally starting to arrive for work, but Caleb ignores them as he storms outside and turns down the road we drove up earlier. He didn’t even bother putting his oversized coat on me, but his arms keep me warm.

The men from his office follow, their hands clasped behind their backs.

“What’s going on?” I whisper, hoping my question isn’t heard by anybody but Caleb.

I have an idea, but I’m hoping it’s wrong.

“I sent my men to find those who hurt you, and it seems they found them.”

Chapter 8

"Would you recognize your attackers if you saw them?" Caleb asks, pausing his frantic walking.

What? I swallow past the lump in my throat before giving a timid nod.

HPAW was supposed to drop me off hours before the wolf couple were set to arrive. That should have given them more than enough time to escape. There were a few miles that needed to be traveled by foot, but once they reached their vehicles they should have been in the clear.

They had more than enough time to reach their vehicles.

Maybe Caleb's men found some other human military and grew confused. Only the HPAW unit knows about me and our plan, which would explain why these men haven't given them any information. They genuinely don't know anything.

"Can I bring you to see them? Is that too much?" Caleb asks, readjusting his hold on me.

I pause, pretending to think it over. I need to see these men.

"I don't want to talk to them." I whisper.

My attempt is to sound scared, and I know I've succeeded as Caleb tightens his hold on me in what can only be described as a protective manner.

"I would never ask that of you." He assures, waiting for my approval before beginning to walk once more.

Caleb presses his lips to my temple, and ten minutes later we round a street corner and come upon a large open square. I spot the crowd immediately, a good hundred beasts standing around in a circle, but they move to the side quickly so Caleb can get through.

A few bow their heads, but most choose instead to stare at me with wide eyes. Am I really that much of a wonder?

My breath hitches as I finally spot the men in question, and I'm sure the wolves around me can hear my racing pulse as I scan the men I most definitely recognize. They look worse for wear, their faces bloody and clothing half torn off.

It looks like they've been dragged, and I spot a few blackened fingers and toes from where frostbite has done them in.

No.

This wasn't part of the plan.

Caleb holds me tighter to him, and I faintly feel his body twitch as the low grumbles that sometimes emerge from his chest begin to come out full force. They're frightening, but nothing compared to the panic I feel as I stare at these men.

If one of them grows weak and opens his mouth, this entire operation will be ruined. My horror rises at the thought, and I suck in a shaky breath as I look over the men who refuse to meet my eye. A second later I bury my face in Caleb's neck, pretending my response is because I'm frightened of the human men.

"It's okay, my mate. You're safe now." He whispers, turning his back to them so I can no longer see. "Are these the men who hurt you?"

I don't answer right away, unsure what to do. There's no doubt in my mind that these men will die either way. Even if I say they weren't the ones to kill me, they're still members of the human military and that alone is a death sentence.

If I say no their deaths will likely be quick, but then Caleb and his men will continue to search. Plus, there's no other way for me to explain how or why they smell of me. I don't know just how well the noses of these wolves are, and it could put me in a challenging situation if I say it isn't them and they can sense I'm lying.

In their eyes, there's no reason for me to lie.

My bottom lip bleeds as I sink my teeth into it, hating this decision.

"It's them." I confirm.

"What are you going to do?" I blurt, hoping I can work this in my favor and make the deaths of these brave men better.

Caleb readjusts his hold, the man seemingly unconcerned about the hundred or so wolves who stand around watching his every move. They do such a poor job hiding their attention, all of them turned in our direction instead of the men they were crowding around earlier.

"We will question them for information, then we will kill them." He answers.

I shake my head, hoping it comes across as frantic.

"No," I beg, proud of myself for the tears I'm able to sprout on command. "I want them dead now. The things they did to me…" I start, trailing off with a loud cry. "I just want it to be over."

Caleb's wolf does its grumbling again, and after a moment of silence he sighs and cups the back of my head. His hand is large, covering almost the entirety of my skull. His gaze darts over my face, lingering on the slight bruise I know still lives around my right eye.

I blink up at him, hoping the innocent gesture helps sway him in my favor.

"Of course, Ev." He gives in, waving his hand behind him before walking back through the crowd.

A second later I hear the screaming, and bury my face in his neck as real tears begin to emerge. This wasn't supposed to happen. HPAW members were never supposed to die, but it's better to be done this way than after days of torture.

I know what they do to us. I know how they rip our skin from our bodies and eat us alive. They take a sick pleasure in it, and this is the most humane ending I can give them. Especially if it prevents any from squealing about my true purpose here.

Caleb returns to his car instead of his office, and places me in the passenger seat before rounding to the driver's side.

I want to ask how his wolves managed to find the humans, but the fear of sounding upset by their deaths keeps me silent. He probably expects me to be relieved and happy to have justice after all the awful things those soldiers did to me.

I may not have been close with those men, but they were still my own. They risked so much to bring me out here, their belief in the humans driving them, and they've lost their lives for it.

Their deaths will not be in vain. I'll make sure of that.

"I believe we were discussing Grace before our interruption." Caleb states, clearing his throat as he puts the car in drive.

His attempt to move on from the men who I just listened be murdered is apparent, but I still take the bait. I don't want to think about them, and Caleb's offering the perfect distraction.

Besides, I'm eager to hear more about him and this female.

"Yes," I confirm. "We were."

Caleb sucks in a slow breath, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel as he drives us back toward his home. This time I pay attention, needing to know the way around the land he considers his own.

If he lives here, it's safe to assume all other high-ranking wolves live here as well.

Not to mention his family. His parents are dead, and we had no idea there was a sister. I wonder if he has any other siblings, and place that question on the back burner to ask at a better time.

It's unfortunate we didn't realize the female wolf we've been watching for the past year or so is his sister. There were many alternatives to getting me into the hands of the wolves, some of the easier ones simply being me walking onto their land and outing myself, and if we had known, we'd have killed her while we had the opportunity.

It's rare we're able to discover wolves alone outside the pack lands, and even rarer that they have such a distinct pattern.

HPAW would have been delighted to murder our greatest enemy's sister.

After I kill him and escape, I will tell them all about her and any other siblings I discover.

"You asked what we did to prepare for marriage." Caleb reminds, turning to me. "Evelyn, I have never intimately touched a female, and there have never been plans for me to do so. Had the marriage gone through, Grace would have been artificially inseminated and we would have lived together as nothing more than co-parents."

I don't know what to say, and stare out the window as I process.

"I would have continued to save myself for you, and our marriage would be annulled the moment you were discovered. She and the entire pack were made aware of that from the start." He continues.

Are the wolves truly this desperate to honor their mate bonds?

Caleb must take my silence as disappointment as he pulls the car to the side and puts it in park. I turn to him, shocked as he shoves his marked hand in front of my face.

"Look at my mate mark. See how light it is? The color darkens whenever the bond is dishonored, and mine has not changed since birth. I've been honest to it, to you, and that will never change." He explains, letting me take hold of it.

I run my fingers over his skin, tracing the path of the vines that lead up the backs of his fingers.

That's what the color means? My guilt grows, and I spin my hand over to look at my own mark. It's a deep red color, impossible to hide. I've noticed it's grown more pronounced with age, but I figured it had to do with distance or something.

Fuck.

That explains why Caleb doesn't like to look at it. I'll catch him glancing at the mark every once in a while, and he always looks unhappy with what he sees. Does this mean he knows what I've done? He's got to suspect, or at least wonder what actions I've taken to get the color so dark.

"I'm sorry," I state, struggling to work up the courage to face him.

When I do, I wish I hadn't. Caleb's eyes dart between our marks, the corners of his lips twitching downward as he lingers on mine. He doesn't say anything about it like I expect him to, and after a second takes his hand away and resumes his driving.

Why isn't he asking?

I should come up with a lie as to why it's the way it is. He already seems aware of my intimacy with others, so maybe I can tell him I was a prostitute prior to meeting him.

I'll also need to keep an eye on it, and try to avoid any actions that darken it further while I'm here with him. I'm sure he'll notice if that happens, and answering those questions would be damn near impossible.

"I would like to know how upset you are about my mistake about Grace." Caleb asks, avoiding the topic of my mark. "It would not be seen as indecent if you requested for her to be moved to a different pack. I'd prefer to let her be since her life is here and she is a good friend to my sister, but I will do whatever you want."

I gulp. The irrational jealousy that seems to always come out in Caleb's presence wants me to ask him to send her away, but I know that's not reasonable. I believe what Caleb told me is true, and I can't fault her for having been picked as his wife.

It's not like he chose her because he thought she was the prettiest or his favorite. She was the most convenient option, and one I probably would have picked if I were in his position. She has no mate he has to contend with, and they are already close through his sister.

Plus, it helps that he didn't intend to be intimate with her.

Not that I have any room to be angry about that. I haven't exactly been a saint.

"She can stay." I decide.

Caleb visibly relaxes, his shoulders softening as he places a hand on my thigh and gently squeezes the muscle. I hesitate, staring at his hand, before lowering mine on top of it. My fingers curl around his, encouraged by the broad smile that spreads over his lips.

My heart thumps, and I remind myself that this is all just an act as I relax back into the seat and stare out the window.

Chapter 9

Caleb does a poor job pretending he’s not worried, the man insisting all is well while also standing two feet beyond the shower door.

I could tell the wolf was disappointed when he took me to the doctors and they removed the cast from my arm, both of us knowing this means the end of our nightly baths.

It’s not even as if they’re fun anymore, the man too clinical after his one slip up.

It’s been four excruciatingly long weeks of abstinence, and even our daily trips to his office have been uneventful. Caleb leaves the room every time he has a meeting, spewing some dumb excuse about not wanting to bother me, and I’m nowhere closer to getting his damn computer password.

Every time I ask he’s rushing around his desk to hand me the computer and type it in for me. I very well can’t snoop while he’s in the room, and I need to know the password so I can look while he’s gone.

On the bright side, I’ve grown quite skilled at online games and found a new puzzle I really like.

HPAW would be very disappointed if they knew I spent my days playing instead of seeking out information, but there’s only so much I can do without looking suspicious. The questions I have aren’t ones that come up naturally in conversation, and fabricating situations where I can ask is harder than I initially thought.

Caleb’s rigid in his routine, and is too careful to slip up.

The only good thing I’ve been able to discover is the pack hierarchy. I’m pretty sure I’ve met everybody in his immediate circle, and the hundred or so wolves that live here are all high up and meaningful to him.

All the other wolves live elsewhere and report into the Alphas below him.

His sister Sash is clearly his number one, and her mate Cole serves as Caleb’s right-hand man. The wolf is constantly popping into Caleb’s office to give him high-level updates, and I have a feeling the man is in all the same meetings as Caleb.

Sash seems to be in the know as well, but she’s been a bit distant after our initial introduction. She apologized profusely for bringing Grace with her, promising that she never intended to dishonor me, but other than that, she’s made herself scarce.

I haven’t seen Grace again, and I feel Caleb is to blame for that. It doesn’t bother me any, though; if anything, I’m glad she’s kept away. I’m not exactly jumping at the possibility of being around her.

“Are you feeling okay?” Caleb blurts, approaching the clear shower door. “You’re not dizzy or anything?”

He peers in on me, the man no longer shy in his staring after bathing me every night for the past month. I’m pleased he doesn’t seem bored with it, his mouth always gaping and bulge growing.

I don’t mind him looking, and I just wish I had an opportunity to do the same. He hasn’t shown me himself after the initial bath incident, and the only looks I get are when he’s changing in his closet.

Sometimes when I lay awake at night I think I hear him pleasuring himself, a few low moans making their way to my ears, but it’s so quiet it’s hard to tell. Either way it always has me aching, and if it weren’t for my damned cast, I’d be doing the same.

He taps on the door when I don’t answer, his nose practically pressed against it.

“All is well, Caleb.” I laugh.

It’s hard not to tease him when it makes it so easy.

My laughter grows as I spot him frowning through the glass, his face blurred but still pretty clear. I trail my gaze down his body, and pull open the shower door before I change my mind.

“Would you like to join me?” I ask.

Caleb’s throat bobs as he gulps. I know he’s affected by me, and even though my ribs and lung aren’t entirely healed, they’re pretty close. He’s not going to get yelled at like he did the first time.

My lips twitch as I recall the way the doctor scolded him. He looked like a young boy being yelled at by a parent, his head hung low, and it was unbearably cute. I still think he should have just lied when they asked if I’ve been engaging in any types of exercise or physical activity.

“I shouldn’t.” He mutters, stepping back.

I tighten my grip on the door.

“I thought you wanted to help me. The floor is awfully slippery…” I sigh, sliding my foot along the ground. “It really takes a lot out of me to try and balance.”

I’m desperate to see his body, and even more than that, I’m desperate to feel it. I want him so badly, and I’m pretty sure I might die if I don’t get it soon.

A small part of me is ashamed for being so eager about this, but the bond makes his body impossible to ignore.

“You can’t trick me.” Caleb huffs.

“I’m not lying.” I lie, squeaking my foot along the shower floor.

Caleb wavers, his hands moving to the hem of his shirt. I watch him toy with the fabric, the man able to sense I’m lying but still struggling to reject the offer. After a brief hesitation, he pulls the material over his head and gets to work removing his bottoms.

It’s impossible for me to ignore his body as it’s exposed, and I feel my pulse racing as he hooks his thumbs into his bottoms and shoves them down his legs.

Fuck.

His cock is hard, and curves upward toward his stomach as he steps into the shower and closes the door behind him. Being locked in this tiny space with him has my pulse racing, and I accidentally let out an audible gasp as he cups my waist and holds me steady.

“Better?”

I nod, having no words.

Despite both being naked and wet, Caleb does not try to touch me. I know he wants to, his aching length telling me all I need to know, but he keeps a distance. I love it just as much as I hate it.

“You’re not how I thought you’d be.” I admit.

Caleb frowns, his grip on my hips tightening. He looks upset by my statement, and I busy myself by washing my hair in the hopes he drops it. I shouldn’t have said that. Humans don’t know much about the wolves, and typically don’t have expectations in the first place.

All they know is that the wolves are dangerous and it’s unsafe to get close.

Other than being terrified of murder, there isn’t much else.

“What did you think I’d be like?” Caleb finally asks.

I shrug, struggling to think of an appropriate response.

“I thought you’d kill me.” I finally settle on.

I’m not facing him to see his reaction, but I can just tell he’s not happy. I’ve come to learn he doesn’t like anything that has to do with me being killed or injured, hence how I got him in the shower with me in the first place.

Our mate bond has him by the balls.

“I wish that weren’t true. The human government is not honest about us. We don’t go around killing humans for sport like they enjoy saying. We lived among you in peace for thousands of years, and only split because of the prejudices we were facing.” Caleb mutters, trailing his fingers down my sides. “We try to leave you be, and it is the humans who attack us.”

I frown, but don’t argue.

What he’s saying is not true, but that’s not an argument I’m looking to have. I’ve seen the evidence of the wolf attacks, and I know the number of innocent humans who have lost their lives simply because they were in the wrong place at the same time.

The wolves are the aggressors here, always have been and always will be.

Caleb rests his chin on my head before spinning me around to face him. He seems to take his job of holding me steady very seriously, and I laugh as he tightens his grip when I do accidentally lose my footing for a brief second.

“Do you still believe I want to hurt you?” He asks.

I stare at his chest, watching the water run down it. He’s got a thin smattering of hair over his pecs, the man not nearly as hairy as I’d have thought he’d be considering he’s half animal. I wonder if all the wolves are like this, but I have a feeling Caleb won’t be happy if I go around asking about the body hair of other males.

He seems a bit possessive, always standing between me and other men. In the rare instances he isn’t using his body as a physical shield, it’s only because he’s somehow got his body wrapped around me, his long limbs caging me in.

“I don’t think you want to hurt me.” I admit, the truth in my words shocking even me.

I genuinely don’t believe he would ever harm me, and would go as far as to say he’d give his life for mine. It’s a far change from the mentality I came here with, and it takes everything in me not to let this new realization soften my stance.

Caleb might be a good guy, but the wolves as a whole aren’t. I’m doing the right thing, and even if a few good people will be lost, it’s for the best. The wolves are abominations, and HPAW will be able to finally bring them down when I complete my duty.

Caleb looks pleased, and bends to press his lips to mine a second later. My eyes slip shut as he kisses me, and I tilt my head to the side to try and deepen it. I want his tongue on mine.

I want every part of him on me.

Before I can stop myself, I grab his shoulders, holding them tightly before sliding my right hand up the back of his neck. My forearms feel good where they touch his skin, and I cup the back of his head in a sad attempt to keep him still.

Not that he’s trying very hard to escape.

“You are trying to get me in trouble, Ev.” Caleb groans, stepping forward.

Fuck. I love that nickname. I’ve never had one before, at least not one that I can remember, and there’s something about him calling me this shortened version of my name that does me in every time.

I think he knows that, too.

A quiet gasp slips from my lips as I feel something touching my hip, and I remove my mouth from his so I can glance down at it. The tip of his cock just barely grazes my skin, and Caleb gently sways side to side so it rubs against me.

The tingles from it are intense, and I can only imagine how good it’ll feel when it’s on a more sensitive part of the body. I’d kill to have it there, and I inch forward just slightly until it’s pressed more firmly against me.

“Why would this get you in trouble?” I whisper, reaching for him.

He grabs my wrist before I can make contact, and gently lifts my arms above my head before pressing them against the shower wall. His touch is light, but firm enough that I know I have no hope of escaping from it.

“You’re still healing, Evelyn.” He moans, dropping his forehead to mine.

I pant, eager for something. This has been the longest month of my life, and I feel like I’m starving after the taste I got when I first arrived. I love how much Caleb wants me, and I want him equally in return.

“I feel so much better. There’s no more pain, and I want to feel all of you.” I blurt, uncaring if this makes me sound desperate.

I am desperate.

“You have no idea how fucking hard it makes me when you beg like this.” Caleb breathes.

Readjusting so he’s holding my wrists with only one hand, he uses the other to grab hold of himself. Seeing him curling his hand around his cock, his large hand working up and down his length, has me ready to truly beg.

He brings himself to my thighs and I eagerly spread for him, knocking the back of my head against the wall as he slips himself between them. His fingers spread my folds so he can press his shaft between them, nestling himself against me.

Fuck, yes.

He taps the side of my thigh a second later.

“Close them.” He orders.

What? I don’t quite understand it, but don’t question him as I squeeze my thighs together, trapping him within them.

His shaft presses perfectly against my clit, and I rock against it with a low moan. The tingles I get from touching him amplify everything, the man acting like the world’s most effective vibrator.

“I like how desperate you are, and for now I will let your rub yourself against my shaft for pleasure. I will wait until you have finished to release.” He states, a cocky grin spreading across his lips.

Chapter 10

It’s near impossible to form words, and Caleb seems to take full advantage of that as he rocks himself into my thighs. The drag of his length against my clit is amazing, and I knock the back of my head against the shower wall as he moans and repeats the action.

“My mate feels perfect around me.” He blurts, dropping his head so his lips connect with mine.

I can’t help but whine into the kiss, my hips twitching as he fucks himself against my core. There isn’t quite enough pressure against my clit, but the tingles that emerge whenever we touch help make up for that shortcoming.

One slight adjustment and he’ll be inside me, but I can already tell Caleb isn’t going to fall prey to that as he tightens his grip on my wrists and raises them higher. There’s a slight stretch in my shoulders as he pulls my arms straight above my head, but Caleb stops before it grows anywhere even close to painful.

“I can smell how wet you are for me. You’re dripping all over my cock, so much coming from you that even the shower water can’t wash it all away.” Caleb teases, palming my stomach with his free hand.

He pushes until my back’s flush against the wall, trapping me entirely against it.

His touch is soft, but I can tell by the ease at which he moves that holding me in place is nothing to him. Our strengths are nowhere near equal, making me realize just how hard fulfilling my mission will be.

I need to kill him, stab him in the heart, but that’s going to be damn near impossible to do when he’s so much faster and stronger than me.

“I’ve dreamed of the day I could give myself to my mate, and when I do, it will be perfect.” Caleb declares, thrusting himself faster against me.

His pace makes it so my clit has no moments of rest, and I can just tell my neck and chest are growing red as my breath quickens. It’s only been a few seconds, but already I’m so close.

“I want you,” I grunt, angling my hips in the desperate hope of getting him inside.

Caleb laughs, fucking laughs, and presses me harder against the wall. His hand is low enough that he doesn’t touch my injuries, the heel of his palm pressing into the skin just below my bellow button while his fingers rest at the bottom of my ribcage.

Still, he angles his hand so all his force is in his palm, leaving all pressure off my ribs.

I’m flattered by the consideration, but shake away those feelings of warmth before I can let them worm themselves too deep into my heart. I’m not here to fall in love with this man. I’m here to destroy him and everything he’s ever worked for.

“Wolves can be rough, and I’m scared to hurt you.” Caleb admits, his grip on my wrists tightening as he slowly rubs the tip of himself against my clit.

It feels fucking amazing, and I can’t hold back my loud moan as I squeeze my thighs tighter around him.

“You won’t.” I breathe, confident in my words. This man has already proven he won’t hurt me.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize this is the best sex I’m ever going to have, and I’m adamant to take advantage of it while I can. Soon he’ll be dead, and I have a feeling no man will ever compare.

“I will, but I only want to hurt you in good ways, and I only want to do that when your ribs are healed.” Caleb argues, his words clipped as he inches forward and slots his cock completely between my folds again.

He’s so warm and soft, and I can’t hold back my needy moans every time he fucks between my thighs.

The blunt tip of his cock rubs against my entrance with each thrust, just barely catching it. This is more than enough to make me cum, and I arch my back and grab his shoulders as his silky length presses harder against my clit.

“You’re a fucking tease.” I pant.

Caleb grins, feeling awfully proud of himself as he pleasures me. His eyes squeeze shut as he sinks his teeth into his bottom lip to hold back a moan. I love the noise, and am encouraged by his verbal confirmation that he’s enjoying this just as much as I.

I’m the only one who gets to make him feel like this, and no other woman will ever see him so pleasured.

Mine.

My needy claim shocks me, but my orgasm ripping through me overshadows that.

I cry out and still, my nails digging into Caleb’s shoulders so hard I’m sure he’ll be left with tiny crescent indents. He grabs my hips to rock me, moving my hips back and forth on his shaft before he releases me and steps back.

“Spread your legs.” He orders.

I don’t hesitate to do so, and groan as he uses his free hand to spread my pussy lips for himself. He bends his knees and swipes his cock through my folds, pressing against me before stilling with a loud groan.

He covers me, and I watch the thick cum smear all over my sex before dripping down my legs.

Caleb has so much, and I try not to look too shocked as he grunts and fists himself until he’s empty. I struggle to catch my breath, and squeeze my eyes shut as he releases himself so he can touch his mess.

Despite just finishing, I still feel needy, and hope that by not seeing him I’ll be able to prevent my body from giving away just how eager I am for more. He can smell it apparently, but there’s nothing I can do about that.

“Do you enjoy being the first female to make me cum?” Caleb hums.

I gulp, unsure how to respond to that as he dips his fingers into the cum he’s left on me and begins to smear it over my lower abdomen. The sudden action is shocking, and I let out a quiet gasp as I drop my head and watch him cover me with himself.

“Answer me, Evelyn.” He continues, wiping his hand on his thigh before grabbing my chin and forcing it up until I have no choice but to meet his gaze.

His eyes are soft as he stares down at me, the look a sharp contradiction to his hard touch.

“Do you enjoy being the first female to make me cum?” He repeats, punctuating every word.

I gulp, my throat suddenly feeling dry. Instead of a verbal answer, all I’m able to give is a jerky nod. I do enjoy it, and I know damn well he’s fully aware of that.

Despite knowing how badly I’m going to betray him in the future, I still can’t help but be greedy. I want everything from him, and I want it on my terms. I’m fully aware my actions are ones I might grow to regret, and probably will, but I am only one being among billions.

My life means nothing, and if I have to destroy it for the betterment of my people, it’s a small price to pay.

Caleb smiles, pleased with my inability to form words as he releases my chin and grabs a cloth to clean me with. We both know I was lying about the floor being slippery, but he still refuses to let me go as he washes himself off of my skin.

His concern makes me smile, and I drop my head to try and hide it.

He’s such a loser.

“I will sleep in bed with you tonight.” He decides, bringing the soapy cloth to his skin.

I cock my head to the side, only slightly distracted by the image of the suds trailing down his hard muscles as I meet his gaze. He flexes, clearly enjoying my appreciation for his body. I wonder if he can smell just how much I like it, but I’m not sure that’s something I want an answer to.

“Is that so?” I joke, shivering as he shuts off the water and opens the door.

He hands me the one clean towel he can reach from the opening, and braves the cool air to grab another from the cabinet a few steps away. It’s another small thing that has my pulse racing, his actions always unspoken and thoughtful.

“You said your ribs no longer hurt, and I’ll be careful not to crush you with my limbs.” He promises, a tiny hopeful smile appearing on his face. “Again.” He adds as an afterthought.

Do I want him to sleep in bed with me? The bond screams at me to say yes, to invite him to spend every night by my side for the rest of our lives, but the human side of me isn’t so sure. I need to be better at keeping my distance.

Caleb’s lips meet my head a second later, lingering there as he grabs my towel and takes over drying me off. He’s as gentle as ever as he runs the cloth over my sides, and I can feel my skin pebbling with goosebumps.

I almost wish he were a crueler man, living up to the expectations I had of him. The only hint of that I’ve gotten is from the execution of the few HPAW men, but even that wasn’t unwarranted. In his mind he killed the people who hurt and tortured me.

An eye for an eye.

I watch a small bead of water drip down his neck, and before I can stop myself I’m reaching out and brushing it away. Another immediately follows, Caleb’s hair still soaked, and I wipe that one away in the same breath.

Caleb smiles at my actions, his lips meeting mine once more before he steps back to admire me. I let him, unashamed of my body. I’m covered in what must be hundreds of tiny scars from my years of training, but I see each white spot and slash as a victory.

I grew stronger every time I was hurt, and my body lives to tell the story.

Caleb frowns as he reaches out and traces a longer gash along my hip. I’m still dangerously skinny from my starvation, but I’m happy to note that the muscles that once covered my bones are slowly beginning to return. I haven’t been exercising much, but my body remembers.

“What happened here?” He asks.

I smile, happy to have rehearsed a lie for every one of my injuries.

“I fell out of a tree.” I state.

Caleb doesn’t say anything, and after a second I reach out to trace a scar of his own. It’s thin, and hard to notice if I weren’t looking, but stretches from the center of his right collarbone down to the side of his ribcage. It ends where his bicep meets his body, and I watch the muscle flex as I run my finger down it.

“What happened here?” I repeat his question.

I drop my hand and look up to meet his eye, shocked by the intensity in them. I can’t exactly tell if he’s happy or not, but it’s obvious there’s a lot of emotion happening to him right now.

“I fell out of a tree.”

Oh.

I gulp, and clench my hands into tight fists before forcing an easy smile on my face and wrapping my towel around my body. He knows I’m lying, and this was his subtle way of letting me know. He isn’t pushing any further for an answer which I appreciate, but it’s not a good sign that he was able to tell my answer wasn’t truthful.

It was an easy lie, one that slipped off my tongue with ease.

The wolves are observant, and even though I knew it was only a matter of time before he learned my tells, I was expecting it to take longer than a measly month.

It means I’m running out of time to get all my information, and I must hurry up.