“Tessa,” a loud male voice yelled just before the front door burst open.
Tessa looked at Melissa and rolled her eyes. “See what I mean.”
The man was huge and he radiated power, but when his eyes found Tessa sitting on the sofa next to her he looked relieved and his fierce expression softened.
“Did you want something, Lucien?”
“Little bird, how many times have I told you that you have to tell me when you are leaving the house? I thought something had happened to you.” Lucien stalked over to the couch, scooped Tessa up into his arms and kissed her long and passionately. The amount of sexual heat radiating off the pair was so hot it was a wonder Melissa didn’t get burned.
Finally, Lucien placed Tessa back on her feet and he smiled down at his mate when she swayed on her feet. He gripped her elbow until she regained her equilibrium.
Tessa cleared her throat. “Luc, I would like you to meet Melissa. Melissa this is one of my mates, Lucien Woolf.”
Melissa wasn’t sure what the protocol was for meeting the Alpha but didn’t feel that offering her hand was appropriate, so she bowed her head to him.
“Melissa, I’m pleased to meet you. I hope you will stay around and get to know your mates. You are welcome in this pack.”
“Thank you,” Melissa replied, and smiled at him shyly. The man was so authoritative, she was intimidated by him and hoped her nervousness didn’t show.
Tessa grabbed hold of Lucien’s hand and tugged him toward the door. “Come on you big lug, we have things to do.” She paused to look at Melissa over her shoulder. “If you have any more questions or concerns you want to talk about, don’t hesitate to come up to the house or send someone to get me. I’m here for you, Melissa.”
“Thank you, Tessa.”
The door closed after the pair and Melissa slumped as her tense muscles relaxed.
* * * *
He watched her through the long-range binoculars and rage permeated his heart and soul. She looked so damned fucking happy as she held the hand of one of the assholes who had stolen her away from him. She didn’t deserve to be happy after what she had done to him. He scanned the surrounding property, looking for a way in. He was going to need to be smart and careful. The last thing he wanted was for one of those fucking wolves smelling him while he tried to get closer to her.
He’d ended up locked away in an institution because of her, but he had managed to escape.
He would take some time to scope out the lay of the land and plan. There had to be a way for him to get onto that estate. When he did, he was going to make sure she died. His life would never be the same and he was going to make sure she never had the chance to live a long, happy life. She’d ruined his life, so he was going to ruin hers.
* * * *
Minutes later, the door opened again and Luke and Damian entered. They walked over and sat on the sofa on either side of her, each taking one of her hands in theirs.
Damian lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. Melissa wondered if her eyes had glazed over with need. Their delectable scents wafted around her and her body responded to what she thought of their sexual energy, or maybe it was the pheromones they were emitting, but whatever it was got to her every time. Each time was harder to ignore than the last, and it was even more difficult to hold her tongue and not to demand that they appease all her aches and lust.
“How are you feeling, baby?” Damian asked.
“I’m fine.”
Luke squeezed her hand. “Has your headache gone? Are there any lingering effects?”
“No, not really.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Melissa sighed, but because she knew neither one of them would let up until she answered them honestly, she answered, “I still feel a little thick-headed, but I’m not in any pain.”
“I’m so sorry I hurt you, sweetheart. I could have injured you worse than you were.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But I do. It’s my, our job to protect you from any harm, and I hurt you before I even knew your name.”
“I don’t blame you, Luke. If you want to place blame, then put it on me. I wasn’t looking where I was going either. Just forget about it. Okay?”
Luke nodded his head, but he still looked concerned and contrite. He was such a caring man and she was already beginning to have feelings for him, for the both of them, and she’d only known them for such a short time. The more she was with them the more she wanted to be with them. Even though she knew she should and would have to go home, she didn’t want to. The thought of leaving and never seeing them again caused pain in her chest, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to become their mate. In fact, she didn’t have a clue what to do. Her mind was telling her to go and yet when she thought about getting up and walking out the door, her body didn’t cooperate.