“You’re insane. You’re getting rid of me because some little injured bitch is here?”
Going to the door, he ignored all of her jibes. He didn’t have the patience to deal with Lidia. She was cruel to the core, and he hated himself for wanting to be with her even a little bit.
Mandy stood waiting for him.
“Any news?” he asked.
“She’s hurt real bad. I’ve cleaned the cuts and put ointment on her. The scars will heal up in no time when she’s had some rest and some food.”
“I’ll get her some soup from the kitchen,” he said, closing the door behind him.
“Okay, get me if you need me to take care of her.” Mandy touched his arm, smiled, and left.
He ignored the shouting behind him, heading toward the kitchen. Several pack members asked him about their new arrival. To each person he gave a new update, being calm with each of them. Pouring out two bowlfuls of soup, he crumbled some bread into each and then headed back up to the bedroom where he’d put her.
Opening the door, Scorch was brought up short by what he saw. The woman, name unknown, was standing, looking out of the window. She held onto the frame, and he knew she intended to jump. Placing the bowls on the nearest counter, he walked toward her, needing to get her to see him.
“Don’t jump,” he said, reaching out.
She jerked, looking at him. “I’ve got to jump.” Her voice was scratchy but healing up nicely. Scorch loved the sound of her voice. He felt the wolf within him growl, wanting to get closer to the female.
Don’t make her jump.
The last thing Scorch wanted to do was make her jump.
“No, you don’t have to jump at all. I know what has happened to you is horrible, and I’ll fight for you to protect you.”
Her green gazed settled on him. The redness of her hair stood out against her pale skin. He wanted to run his fingers through the soft length while also caressing her sweet, tempting body.
“You don’t know me,” she said.
“I want to get to know you. I’d be willing to get to know you.” From where he stood he saw the fullness of her curves and the sweetness of her skin. Even with the marks and bruises covering her body, he saw past that to the raw beauty within.
“Why?”
“You’re a beautiful woman. Give it a chance.” With each word he spoke he took a step closer until he could reach out and touch her skin. The spark ignited within him. His alpha growled, clawing at his skin. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves as excitement took hold, refusing to be let go.
Mine.
Mate.
Claim.
Staring at her, Scorch knew deep down in his core that this woman was his destined mate. Grabbing her arm, he turned her around, tugging her out of the window. His touch was gentle, never once holding too tightly or with the intention of hurting.
She went with him, tears falling from her eyes. He wiped them away, stroking her soft skin.
“Whatever is happening in your life, it’s not worth killing yourself over. We can survive a lot, but we cannot survive a fall like this. Don’t kill yourself.” He lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the bed.
“I’m too heavy to be carried.”
“I don’t care.”
He placed her once again in the center of the bed and put a blanket over her. Grabbing the bowlfuls of food, he sat on the edge of the bed. Taking a scoopful of his own, he then put the bowl on the drawer beside the bed.
“We need you to eat. It’s meat and potato soup. It’ll be good to keep your strength up.” He fed her slowly, spoonful by spoonful. All the time he wanted to ask her questions, find out where she came from. What she was running from.
“You’re very kind letting me stay here,” she said.
“You can stay here for as long as you like. My home is your home.”
“You’re the alpha?” she asked.
Smiling, he nodded his head. “I come from a long line of alphas. We believe in bringing the best out of our pack. I hope you can see that when you’re well enough to move around. You may also get visitors wanting to know more about you.”
“I’m not up for visitors—” She stopped speaking as the door slammed open.
“Well I have to say this was the worst visit ever, Scorch. I hope you feel happy with yourself letting this pissing stray into your life. I’ll never be here again.”
Scorch sighed, standing up to look at Lidia.
“I’ve got nothing to say to you. Your presence in this pack is fleeting and unwanted. Many of my pack have voiced their need for you to leave. It’s official now. Get off my property and stay off.”
He waited, patiently, as Lidia turned her back and shouted all the way out of the door. She’d really thought he wanted to mate with her? Lidia was good for a fuck, but she didn’t have what it took to be an alpha’s queen.