He saw the truth in her eyes. In front a room full of men who could take her away she’d told him she loved him.
“I’ll see you tonight with only Dean?” she asked.
“You will, baby.”
She left without another backward glance. Shit, he should have told her how he felt. Feeling like a bastard, he pushed it aside and concentrated on why the collective of alphas were in his office.
****
Great, Nick was probably laughing at her right now. Clara walked down the street swinging her basket from side to side. She’d made a complete fool of herself admitting her feelings. The moment Charles touched her, she’d sensed his power. There was a reason why the collective of alphas were needed. They were far stronger than all wolves.
She walked through the city park basking in the sunlight. Her body was still alive from their harsh fucking in his office.
Running fingers through her hair, she took one last look around the city before going home. The large house no longer looked dominating. Every day that passed she added a little touch of her own. Letting herself inside, she went straight to the kitchen to put the slaw and potato salad in the fridge. She’d not been kidding about the curry. The chicken was marinating in the fridge in plenty of spices.
Once everything was put away, she took a shower leaving her dress in the bedroom to make her way downstairs to the pool. For the next hour she tried to collect her thoughts as she took a long swim. Why was the collection of alpha in the offices?
Dean’s words had been muffled. What did they want with Nick?
She’d seen the tension in Nick’s whole body. Being honest in the room had been essential.
When she could put it off no longer, she went back to wash the pool from her body, changed into another summer dress, then went into the kitchen. She started making her curry, humming as the process soothed her.
Clara tensed when she heard the door open. Dean and Nick talking invaded her calmness.
Seconds later Nick entered the room. He looked tired, worn out.
“Did you mean what you said in my office?”
She dropped her head, not wanting to meet his gaze.
“Don’t do that,” he said. “Look at me and tell me the truth.”
“Yes, I meant every word I said. I’ve fallen in love with you. I tried not to, and it’s insane. I’ve not known you all that long, but I know how I feel and I love you.” She pressed a hand to her lips, wishing the ground would open up and stop her from talking.
“For fuck’s sake, Nick, go to her and tell her how you feel,” Dean said. He was leaning against the doorframe watching them. She’d been so concerned about Nick she hadn’t heard him enter.
“Get out of here. Go to the dining room or something, but give us some much needed privacy,” Nick said, glaring at his friend.
Dean held his hands up. “I’m just trying to help a friend out. Don’t let him get away with shit, Clara.” He winked at her before leaving.
“Blasted man doesn’t know when to stay out of other people’s business.”
“He cares about you.” She picked up her wooden spoon to start stirring the sauce.
“The first night you were here I sneaked into your room,” he said, taking her completely by surprise.
“What?”
“I saw you taking a shower. I left you my shirt, but when you were asleep I came back. We slept together that night. I held you in my arms leaving you before you woke.”
“Your scent wasn’t only on the shirt?”
“No, I was there all night.”
“Why are you sharing all this with me?” she asked.
“You have a right to know. I shouldn’t have kept you in the dark, but I did. The first day I took you, I was ready to mate with you, but I held myself back out of fear. I didn’t want you to be afraid of me. I’ve wanted to mate with you for a while now, Clara.” He held his hand up stopping her from talking when she would have. “I don’t just want to mate with you because you’re the only available female wolf to me. I love you, Clara.”
His words lifted her spirits.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked.
“I need you to know how I feel. I love you. It has nothing to do with the money I spent on you. I’d pay your parents again, over and over, to make sure I got you. You’re amazing.” He stopped, taking a step closer to her.
“Pussy.” She heard Dean calling out the name.
Nick shot the door a glare but didn’t back down.
“In the next couple of days you’re going to get a visit from the collective of alphas.”
She jerked back, worried. “What? Why?”
“They’re hunting men and women who sell females to be used. Your father has been caught, and he’s exposed me.”