Her Wolf (Book 1 of The Circle Series)

CHAPTER 6: BITE-WORTHY

SEBASTIAN 

“What’s up with you tonight?” Lucius asks as we pull up to the Packhouse. “I thought we’d be there longer than that.”

“Yeah, you rushed them to sign the contract. Alpha Tomas didn’t seem too happy,” Christian adds. 

Alpha Tomas of the Blue Moon Pack is in a bit of a mess after a fire devastated a good portion of his land. We’ve been lending resources and good men to help him rebuild. I offered a deal that will allow him to repay the debt but also get back on his feet. What more does he want?

“I thought you liked the guy,” Lucius says. 

“I do.” 

I’ve been restless all day. It doesn’t help that Knox has been pacing back and forth in my mind, anxious as well. We both feel this pressing need to be home. The scent of food and something even more tantalizing hits me as soon as we enter the foyer. A warm, familiar scent lures me further in. It smells like vanilla and hints of something else... coconut? I charge towards it and stop abruptly in the kitchen. 

All I see are long legs covered in very tight, ripped jeans and a white tank top tucked in, accentuating a tiny waist and killer curves. Long, somewhat blonde hair is flowing in waves all the way down to a very bite-worthy ass. I can imagine wrapping that hair around my fist while I take her mercilessly from behind. My body hardens instantly at the thought.

What the f**k! Where did that come from? I shake my head a bit. 

She must hear Lucius and Christian approaching because she turns away from the stove, wooden spatula in hand. Goddess, her face is even more spectacular than her body. Her lips part with a soft gasp as our eyes lock.

“Bash!” she exclaims.

Giada rushes towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I didn’t think I’d see you tonight!” she shrieks as I lift her slightly off the ground in a tight hug.

I hold her up with my arms around her waist and bury my nose in her hair. Has she always smelt this good? I can’t remember, but the way her body is pressed up against mine somehow makes me even harder. 

“Are you sniffing me?” she laughs. 

My d**k twitches at the melodic sound. s**t. This isn’t good.

“You smell surprisingly good for a little witch,” I smirk and put her down. Big, green eyes look up at me, sparkling with mischief.  

“And you smell like a wet dog, little wolf,” she crinkles her nose, pretending to be disgusted.

“Little? There’s nothing little about me. Feel free to check.” 

Giada shoves me playfully and laughs again. 

“I thought you would be gone way longer.” Shada gives Christian a kiss.

“Seb wrapped things up quicker than expected,” Christian says. 

Giada notices Christian, and a huge smile spreads across her face. I tense up as she walks over to him. 

“Look at you, Chris! All tatted up!” she whistles. “You had two the last time I saw you I think, and now you’re completely covered.” She scans his body slowly. “I really like it!” She winks cheekily at Shada. 

I growl. All of them turn to me, surprised, except her.

“I didn’t realize you two knew each other that well back then?” 

Christian winces slightly.

“Oh yeah! We had almost all our classes together our last year of high school,” Giada says innocently.

“You two were in university and I had to stay back a year, remember?”  He looks at Shada sheepishly. “I was a bit of a dumbass and Giada tutored me.”  

“It’s okay, baby. I have enough smarts for the both of us.”

Chrstian pushes out his chest and smirks. “Did you know my girl’s a doctor?” 

Giada smiles at him, which only angers me further. As though she can sense the anger, she walks back beside me and places her delicate hand on my arm. It’s such a simple gesture that has my stomach doing somersaults. 

“Are you okay?” she whispers. Her eyebrows knit together with worry. 

“He’s probably upset because Chris never told him you two were close in school,” Lucius chimes in.

“Why would he mention it? That was so long ago.” 

“Because he had me keep tabs on you when he was gone,” Christian explains. 

Confusion marrs her pretty face.

“Why? No one even looked at me back then,” she says, frowning.

“No one looked at you because he threatened all of them the second you started school,” Christian adds. 

“He’s exaggerating,” I reassure her.

She looks to Christian, unconvinced. I don’t understand what the big deal is. The guys at our school were horny assholes. I was protecting her.

“No, I’m not. He told everyone to stay away from you, or he would hurt them. Luke can tell you,” Christian says. 

It’s official; I’m going to murder him, I’m going to kill my gamma tonight. I guess I should start considering a replacement.

“What was that kid’s name? The one that always won the science fair?” Lucius asks. 

What the hell is going on? I could have sworn these are my men, loyal to me. Yet, five minutes in the room with Giada and they’re spilling their guts. Does she have them under some sort of spell? 

“Nate Dawson?” Jacqueline asks.

“Dawson! I remember him! Seb roughed him up a bit, totally scaring the s**t out of that kid when he heard he asked you out on a date,” Christian adds. 

I’m about to scare the s**t out of the two of you if you don’t shut the hell up! 

I threaten through the mind link. I’ve had enough of this trip down memory lane. Luckily for them, they have the good sense to bow their heads guiltily and remain quiet. 

“You’re unbelievable, Bash! I cried for weeks after he stood me up!” Giada’s one hand rests on her hip and the other is pointing that damn spatula at me. I want to toss that thing right now.

“She did. It was brutal.” Jacqueline nods. “I saw online recently that he’s going to be a neurosurgeon,” she adds.

“Great, just great!” Giada throws her hands in the air. “I could’ve been married to a doctor and living a beautiful life, but the Silver Moon Pack had to step in and defend my honor,” she says sarcastically.

I groan loudly and follow her to the stove. I’m not sure if she’s really mad or more annoyed, but I don’t like how she turned away from me. 

“Do you guys want to eat? I have enough sauce. I just have to put another pot on. The pasta in this one is just about ready,” she says, ignoring me behind her. 

“I can eat,” Lucius says.

“Me too,” Christian chimes in.

“The sauce smells delicious, Green Eyes. Is there enough for me?” I whisper in her ear. 

I don’t know if it’s the old nickname or our proximity, but she shivers slightly and Knox howls with happiness. 

Giada doesn’t answer. She used to be so sweet with me when we were younger,  so I don’t know what to make of this new attitude of hers. I tug on the belt loop of her jeans, trying to get her attention. 

“You upset?” I ask. 

“Nope.” 

“You sound upset.” 

“Why would I be? I only just found out the reason why no one ever asked me out in school.”

“I was trying to protect you from those perverts,” I say matter-of-factly.

I step beside her hoping she’ll look at me, but she keeps stirring the sauce. 

“Giada?”

“Hmm?” 

“Will you look at me?” I demand. I’ve had enough of her ignoring me. She stops and sighs rather loudly and I growl, growing even more irritated.  

When she finally turns to look up at me, though, my heart stutters. 

Her eyes are captivating up close like this, and I can see some light freckles on the bridge of her nose. Giada’s all grown up and so sexy. She’s turning me on in ways I could never have imagined. I can't help but notice how her thin gold chain looks against her creamy skin and how her top button is open, revealing the tiniest hint of cleavage. My fingers itch to pop open the others and explore what’s underneath. How would she react to my touch? Would she shiver like before? 

“I’m only here for a few weeks, Bash, and I want to have some fun without you getting protective. I can take care of myself, okay?” she says seriously. 

I don’t say anything. I will always be that guy. The guy who protects her and anyone else I care about at all costs. 

Knox grunts in agreement. 

I’m glad to see we’re on the same page, he says. 

Oh, you’re talking now? You’ve been annoying as hell all day. What was with the pacing? Did you forget how to use words? 

It’s not like you would listen to them, he huffs. 

Try me.

Alright. You should take her to bed. 

Have you lost your mind? I’m not going to- 

Why not? It’s been a while, and I bet she’s incredible, he says confidently. 

I block him out. I can’t believe he would suggest doing that to Raquel. My poor mate is in a hospital bed while thoughts of another woman consume me. s**t.

I can’t understand why. What is it about Giada that has me like this all of a sudden?

I’ve always been drawn to her, if I’m honest, but it has never been this intense. I watch her at ease in my kitchen, and I know I’m screwed. The way she’s laughing and feeding the people closest to me like it’s the most natural thing in the world for her causes a yearning deep inside of me like I’ve never known.

GIADA

I don’t remember the last time I laughed like this. Yesterday, I regretted my decision to come home, but now, I feel truly happy to be here. 

It was just Sebastian and I catching up now. Jacqueline and Lucius went upstairs a while ago, and both Christian and Shada fell asleep on the couch after an epic game of Monopoly, where I kicked their butts. 

The two of us sit rather closely while he draws lazy circles on the inside of my knee with his finger. It’s taking everything in me not to crawl into his lap and have my way with him. 

After what happened with Rafe, I had no desire to be intimate for a long while and when I finally started feeling the urge, it was hard to enjoy myself without being triggered. Throughout it all, Marco was there and very patient with me. In the beginning, he treated me with such care and gentleness and I was grateful. But he continued to treat me like I was fragile even after I explained I could handle more. I’m willing to bet Sebastian is anything but gentle.

I’m surprised at my shameless thoughts but really who can blame me? With his jet-black curly hair, steel-grey eyes and a strong square jaw, he is undeniably gorgeous. It’s unfair, really. No man should look this good. He discarded his blazer long ago and the way he’s sitting causes his black pants to strain against him, leaving little to the imagination. His white dress shirt is rolled up to the elbows and reveals a set of magnificent forearms with prominent veins. I had no idea that part of the body could be so sexy until now. 

“Is being alpha everything you expected it to be?” I ask, trying to distract myself from my thoughts.  

My eyes can’t help but continue to scan his body though, soaking all of him in. He’s huge now. Everywhere. I wonder what it would feel like to run my hands all over those muscles and feel them ripple beneath my touch?

“It’s been great in many ways, but worrying about the decisions I have to make and how they’ll impact the rest of the pack does take its toll sometimes.” 

“What do you do when it takes its toll?” I try to sound normal, but it’s so warm in here, too warm. “You know, to de-stress?” He snorts. “Lucius told me you’re also working with your dad and you’re the alpha here. That sounds like a lot. What do you do for yourself?”

“I don’t have a lot of free time for myself.” 

“So make free time.” 

He squeezes my knee in response and my core clenches. I can feel myself getting wet, but even worse than that, his nostrils flare. Oh Goddess! Can he smell how turned on I am by a knee grab? 

“It’s not that simple, Green Eyes,” his voice is gravelly and he seems fascinated as he grabs a strand of my hair and coils it around his finger.

I could have sworn he didn’t like me answering him back judging by his growls earlier, but now I’m not so sure. I could sense his desire growing. Is my bit of attitude turning him on?

I bite my bottom lip with the realization and he frowns. He lets go of my hair and reaches for my mouth. Without saying anything, he pulls my lip out from under my teeth and rubs his thumb across it. I suck in a breath. I can’t handle him touching me like this. Sebastian’s mesmerizing eyes suddenly flash silver and I look away, nervous about what that implies. 

“You told me once you wanted to build houses or do renovations, was it? I think you said something about building furniture, too?” I clear my throat and he drops his hand.

“You remember that?” he seems genuinely surprised for a second, but he recovers quickly. 

“Yeah, did you end up doing it? That could be a way to de-stress.” I shrug. 

“I did...Actually, I’m currently working on a place here on our land.” 

“That’s awesome! I’d love to see it before I go,” I say enthusiastically. 

A slight blush is noticeable on his cheeks, and he runs his hand through his messy black curls. I wish I could tug on them and feel their softness. All evening he’s been so confident, and now the big Alpha Sebastian seems unsure of himself. But before he can say anything, the double doors to the entertainment room swing open to reveal a scantily clad Michelle, she’s in lacy black lingerie and sky-high kitten heels.  

“Alpha, I’ve been waiting for you upstairs all evening. Why don’t you come to bed now?” Michelle purrs. 

Sebastian’s jaw ticks, and he practically leaps over the couch to get to her. He pulls her outside the room and I can’t hear what he’s saying, but at this point, I don’t care.  

It’s as though a bucket of cold water has been splashed on my face, and I suddenly feel foolish for being sucked in by his magnetism. Touching me and flirting all evening while he had another woman upstairs! Plus, he has a mate! How could I forget that?  I have absolutely no desire to stick around, so I teleport home, slightly embarrassed.