The Mating Heat(22)

“Because if you don’t stop, sweeting, I’m going to tear your clothes off, press you against the wall and fuck you so hard the shelves will rattle. So put down the honey and let’s go out to meet the pack.”
Her heart beat harder at the fierce intensity on his face. “Right now?”
“Soon as I get my dick to go down.”
Not going to look, not going to look…oh hellfire and brimstone.
She looked.
And licked her lips again. Grim-faced, he turned around, unzipped his jeans and made an adjustment. She heard him swear softly before he turned back.
Ryder Carrington wasn’t the low-bred animal her father had called him. A shiver raced through her as she remembered Alastair’s angry shouts.
“You are the daughter of an alpha, not a lowly slut. He’s a common cowboy who just wants to fuck the alpha’s daughter! His dirty, manure-covered hands aren’t worthy enough to touch you,” he’d screamed.
Emotion clogged her throat. Kara struggled to speak, but could not form the words. She took his hand, scarred and calloused, and rested it against her cheek.
“You are fit to touch me,” she told him. “More than worthy.”
Ryder closed his hands, leaning into her touch. Lupines craved touch. They needed it as much as they needed fresh meat to shift. Touch gave them reassurance and comfort, a sense of home and family.
“I’ve walked alone for so long. I need you,” he whispered.
The proclamation tightened her chest. They needed each other, it seemed.
When Ryder had first kissed her, he unleashed an explosion of passion. But the kiss had done much more. It had anchored her, provided reassurance in the uncertain, tumultuous tempest that had become her home.
Opening his eyes, he looked down at her, his expression tender. “You okay? Ready to do this and meet the pack?”
“Okay.” She drew in a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
***
About 50 Lupines gathered in the great room, lounging on the white leather couches and armchairs near the fireplace. Despite the gathering dusk, only one lamp blazed with light. In a corner, sectioned off from the adults, younger Lupines stared at a television set showing a movie. The sound was turned all the way down. When she entered the room, they looked up. Fear clouded their gazes, the smell so thick she could drown in it.
Was it always like this, she wondered? Was that me long ago, always quiet, afraid to make noise lest my sire would roar with rage?
Ryder nuzzled her neck, rubbing his nose along her pulse point, putting his scent on her as an obvious public claim. He held up his open palms.
“Everyone. Kara has returned home to us.”
And then they recognized her, and the anticipation in their expressions wrenched her heart. Excited murmurs swept the room as they began to smile.
He gestured to the floor lamps. “I’ve told you, it’s not necessary to save on electricity anymore. Turn the lamps on.”
Several bounded up to obey. Others jumped to their feet and approached, hesitant, yet hopeful.
“See? They’ve waited, hoping, as much as I have,” Ryder said softly. Releasing her hand, he stepped back. “They want you back, Kara.”
One by one, they embraced her, and the terrible scent of fear evaporated. And then a young Lupine pushed his way through the crowd. The others parted to make room.#p#分页标题#e#
“Kara!”
She turned at the eager, young voice and her heart turned over. Jason. The youngest pack member, he’d been only 5 when she’d left.
Thin and lanky, he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tight. Kara hugged him back, emotion a thick lump in her throat.
“I’m so happy you came back to us! We need you.”
I’m not staying.
The words died in her throat at their expectant expressions. How could she let them down again?
A knot formed in her stomach. Gently she disentangled herself. “I’m here, for a little while.”
“But we need you, Kara.” Jason’s dark gaze grew troubled. “Ryder needs you, too. Everyone remembers how good you were to us.” Murmurs of assent rose in the room.
The pack didn’t hate her after all. Kara gazed at the children. Gods, she’d missed this, missed the closeness of pack and being surrounded by young, and their exuberant hope and joy. Aiden’s pack was mostly male, with only one mated couple who remained childless.
“You’re growing fast, Jason,” she murmured. “Getting older.”
His face fell. “Today’s my birthday, but I’m not supposed to say that. Today’s the official mourning day.”
Glancing around at the solemn expressions, she didn’t understand. And remembered. Her parents had formally mated this day, and Alastair declared it a day of mourning after her mother’s death. No one was permitted any celebrations.