Alyssa's Wolves (Wolf Masters, Book 4)(10)

“Okay. Be careful, Michael. Don’t get all crazy or anything. Whoever this guy is, he didn’t even have the decency to show himself.”

That did not comfort Michael. He wasn’t about to take any chances. He’d book a flight right that second and wrap up his affairs. “I’ll call you with my flight information soon. And Tessa…” Michael swallowed.

“I know. I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry.” He may have been gone two years, but his sister knew him well. She’d never let Alyssa just run off with some stranger while Michael was clawing his way home. That much he could count on.

* * * *

Three days later Michael fought in desperation to stop jiggling his leg. He gripped his knee with his left hand to hold it steady. Staring out the tiny window of the airplane, he pleaded with God to make the plane go faster. He couldn’t get back to Oregon fast enough.

From the moment his sister had called until today, his world had been a frenzy. He’d never accomplished so much under such duress in his entire life.

Two years, three months, and six days. That’s how long it had been since he’d seen his mate. But who was counting?

Michael motioned for the flight attendant and asked for another beer. His nerves were shot to hell. The flight was long, and he still had a layover in Chicago before he continued on to Portland. And then the long drive. His heart thumped so hard, it was a wonder it didn’t beat out of his chest. He could hear his pulse ringing in his ears and half expected the people surrounding him to comment on its loudness.

He glanced back out into the sky.

The woman he knew was his seemed to believe there was another man, no, not a man, another wolf, out there destined to mate her. She was sadly mistaken. It had been over two years, but there’d been no doubt in the world she was his, and his alone.

Don’t get cocky, dude. Your brothers each share a mate with another man.

Michael cringed, again. That lifestyle was not for him. He refused to believe it could happen to all of them. Couldn’t just one escape that strange twist of fate?

Not that there was anything wrong with it. It just wasn’t what Michael wanted for his life. He longed to claim Alyssa and spend his life doting on her and worshipping her sexy, lithe body all by himself, not vying for her attention because he had to share her with another man.

His oldest brother, Justin, had been relieved to find he shared Kara with Trevor. Of course, Trevor and Justin had shared women nearly their entire lives. It was a lifestyle they enjoyed. They were happy as could be to find the perfect woman to complete their ménage.

Ryan, the second oldest of the brothers, hadn’t been quite as tickled at first. But he’d gotten over it in a hurry. Probably he’d just been pissed Alejandro had gotten his hands on Lindsey first.

Charles, the third brother, and his friend Reese had been secretly toying with the lifestyle themselves when they met Jessica. Well, not exactly secretly. The entire family had been suspicious, but whatever.

Michael had never been happier than that Christmas day when he’d agreed to pretend to be Alyssa’s mate. As soon as he wrapped himself around her for the fake claiming and nuzzled his nose into her neck, his knees had grown weak, threatening to buckle.

Alyssa had giggled at the unexpected touch, her neck ticklish. She’d been so young. She’d not reacted with the sexual abandon of a woman who moaned to have her neck nibbled on.

Nope. Michael knew for certain, even without her reciprocation, Alyssa belonged to him. He’d also known without a doubt that she needed time, and he’d given her that.

Now he’d fled his new life in Spain at the drop of a hat. No one expected any less from him. Both the Ramos and the Masters families had known this day would come. Michael just hadn’t expected this kind of call, the devastating news from across the ocean that Alyssa believed she’d met her mate.

Met was a rather strong word in this case since, after having scented him at the rodeo last week, Alyssa had not once set eyes on the supposed wolf in question.

Strange circumstances, but Michael wasn’t taking any chances. He needed her with a renewed sense of haste. And he intended to make his wishes known immediately.

Could she have been wrong? What were the chances of that?

Slim. But a guy could hope, couldn’t he?

* * * *

It was nearly noon when Michael pulled up to the front of his childhood home. He’d rented a car in Portland and would need to return it locally later. There was plenty of time. Hell, first he’d need to buy a new truck to replace the one someone in his family had claimed ownership of when he’d left town.

Michael took a deep breath and stared out the window for one silent moment. This was it.