A bowl with three chunks of bread was placed in front of her. “I’m allowed to stay because I’m a half breed, and I don’t want anything to do with the other men. Don’t get me wrong. They’re like family, but I love Max.”
Max had left through the far door to the outside air. She saw Zeke through the glass window on the phone. Mary couldn’t hear a word they were saying to each other.
“Why would other women be a problem?” she asked.
“Haven’t you ever been to a pack with bitches trying to get your man? I tell you, in the human world men are the horn dogs, but in this world, women are the worst. They cannot leave a man alone. It’s fucking infuriating.” Jane sat opposite her, eating some food. “We visited a pack up north in the Rocky Mountains. I went with Max, and the women of the pack were trying to fuck him right in front of me.” Jane stopped eating and fisted her hand. “They think because we’re half breed we’re not worth the male’s time. Those women with their slender hips piss me off.”
Mary smiled. “It was, erm, the men in the pack I was with didn’t like me. I was too fat.” Heat filled her cheeks at the sympathy in Jane’s eyes.
“Honey, there are men out there who like a bit of meat on their women. Max doesn’t even allow me to go on a diet anymore. He banned diets and all healthy food from the house. Max considers his passions the best kind of exercise.”
It was Jane’s turn to grow red in the face.
Smiling, Mary found herself liking Max from Jane’s description.
Glancing to the far wall she saw the men were still watching them. “Why are they staring?” she asked.
“The men stare, Mary. When I tell you men like their women with meat, well, some of the men in Zeke’s pack are the ones who love us women with curves.” Jane started eating.
Feeling their stares, Mary struggled to eat. With only half of it eaten she stood, finished.
Jane stopped her. “Zeke has orders, and I’m not in the dark, Mary. Sit, eat, you need to keep your strength up.”
Sitting back down, Mary picked her spoon up like a scolded child.
“She giving you trouble?” Zeke asked, entering the kitchen with Max behind him. Keeping her head bowed over her food, Mary tried to ignore the warmth his voice created in her body. No man should have that kind of power.
“Not at all. I like her, Zeke. You better be keeping her.”
Mary couldn’t believe they were talking about her as if she wasn’t there. Max seemed to take pity on her as he took Jane in his arms. “Stop matchmaking, woman. You’ve got me to take care of.”
“Baby, I want others to find the kind of happiness that we have.”
Max slapped Jane on the ass. “Come on, you can show me some lovin’.”
The two disappeared out of the door. She noticed the men who’d been staring at her had disappeared as well.
Zeke served himself some soup. Mary ate her own and was surprised as Zeke took two more bowls and ate a loaf of bread with his food.
When he was finished, he stood, did the dishes, and then moved to her. She’d never known another man to be able to eat more than her.
There’s not any man to compare it to.
“Come on.” He took her hand and led her upstairs. Zeke stopped on the third floor, opening a door.
One aspect of her turning was that she was now able to see in the dark well. Jessica lay on her side, fast asleep. “She’ll be cared for.”
Nodding, she followed him upstairs. There were not many people around. “Where is everyone?”
“After a run some stay behind until the morning. Others leave after a run. This is not a prison, Mary. This house is for my pack to run and be free.”
Not saying anything she walked into his bedroom, which was dominated by a square bed at the far wall. She saw the four posts surrounded it and what had her gasping were the silk ties wrapped around each post. Mary had watched enough bondage videos to know what they were.
Turning around, she jumped as the door shut and locked.
“Take your clothes off,” Zeke said. He was leaning against the door. She watched him pocket the key. “You’re my toy, Mary. I think I’ve been very nice, and now I want payment.”
He took a step into the room.
She moved back as he advanced toward her. There was nowhere for her to run. Facing him, Mary knew this was what she signed up for.
Think about the need. The burning fire and the ache you’ve been having. Give in.
For one month she could be his toy, and she’d be able to walk away.
Tugging on the damp shirt, she pulled it over her head. Her thick stomach embarrassed her, and she covered her hand over it. Shit, how could she do this? He was a Greek god while she was a tubby half breed.