New Alpha – New Rules(12)

She had a few freckles scattered over her back and a strawberry birthmark on the inside of her right shoulder blade. He wanted to lick and kiss that mark, then make his own. Her torso tapered down to her waist then flared out at the hips. The mating urge rode him hard then seeing the natural cradle they would form for him. Her legs were long for her height and shaped perfectly, they were the nicest legs he’d ever seen, he thought now. His mate was gorgeous but she wasn’t one of those women that knew it. That thing she mated when she was young had been blind and stupid, obviously.

How could anyone turn to another and risk not seeing that bright white perfect smile? He reached up and let a loose curl wrap around his finger, all deep brown and coppery at once, it surrounded his digit in lush softness. He wanted this female but he wanted her the right way. Not like Fiona, not fast and hard then off for a beer, not a rutting. This female deserved his meticulous attention. They would get there. He would build a foundation that would last. He would wait; he was good at waiting, stalking. Ryder was a natural predator. It must be her choice so there was no doubt. She would choose him. She had to choose him. He had the feeling that she was his last and only hope.

She’d agreed to a courting by coming with him but she had not agreed to a mating, not yet anyway. She growled softly and shifted closer to him. He inhaled sharply. If she did that too often, there would be no stopping him or the wolf. He heard the knock again. Take a hint! Ryder shouted inside his head.

“Ryder?” The door cracked and a low voice called to him. Jack. Ryder turned amber eyes on the crack in the door. “Sorry, her alpha is downstairs demanding that you present her. He’s got some of them from the bar with him.” Ryder nodded and the door closed softly. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her. Laying here with her in his arms offered his wolf comfort. This was the first time it felt so content. Sure, it was content after a kill or a fight but not like this, not this complete and utter peace. What a determined Alpha she had, up before the damned chickens. Ryder could see his side. He had wolves losing control and a she-wolf under the care of another Alpha that he did not know.

He disentangled himself and went to find her some sweatpants. They were going to be too big but they would have to do. They were grey and said Virginia Tech down one leg in bright orange. His roommate at the University of Montana had transferred to Tech in their third year. He was from another pack and when they were thrown together first year, they butted heads and came to blows within a few seconds. They established hierarchy in a very short time though and from then on, they had their own pack on campus and were the best of friends. Ryder was the Alpha of course but Alex made a great beta when he wasn’t trying to get drunk. A futile effort really.

Alex transferred but they remained friends. Sometimes, they exchanged things through the mail. The sweatpants were one of Alex’s gifts. Alex always asked for preserves and honey from the fruit stand near campus. He had a huge sweet tooth. Now that they were in Virginia, he would try to contact Alex, catch up. Maybe once he had the pack and this she-wolf settled. Perhaps he was still around. After graduation, Alex was offered a job somewhere near Richmond, he could’ve taken it. Ryder never heard. His mate was first though, first, foremost and most important.

Ryder brought the sweatpants with him back to the bed and knelt beside it. “Sweetheart.” He trailed his finger over her shoulder delicately. “Harper.” He murmured close to her ear. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped looking up at him. “Shh. It’s okay, you’re okay.” He soothed her running his hand over her hair. “Your alpha is downstairs. He is demanding you I’m told. I brought you these. They’ll be too big but if you tie them then roll the top, they’ll keep you covered. I’m going down. You come when you’re ready.”

“Okay.” She looked disappointed he thought solemnly then felt lighter. She was disappointed that she was leaving. He smiled broadly then schooled his face. Ryder slipped silently out the attic door still wearing the jeans that he wore yesterday. He was determined to prevent both of those things, her leaving, and her disappointment in anything. This pretty she-wolf was his and he intended to make her very happy to be his.

Ryder took the stairs slowly. If you wake a man up be prepared to wait. Ryder stopped on the second floor and listened. He didn’t hear anything so he continued. He saw that the front door was closed as he came down the last steps. He could see people outside in the yard through the small window at the top of the door. Ryder watched for a moment peering easily out the small window. He recognized some of them from last night.