“If you hurt her, I will hunt you down.” Michael’s words rang deep, even though Tyler had no idea where the man was at this moment.
Tyler didn’t bother to respond. This time belonged to him and him alone. As the lady wished.
Slowly, Tyler turned from the window to face his mate.
The woman who’d been no more than a gangly teenager when he’d last glimpsed her two years ago was now a grown adult with her head held high. And, instead of greeting him with the anger and fear he’d expected, she smiled at him warmly.
“Shall we sit?” She motioned to a loveseat over by a fireplace on one wall of the room.
Alyssa settled herself on one side of the couch and crossed her legs. Even with her knees squeezed together, Tyler could still smell her essence, and he tried to hide his expression as he realized she was aroused. Thank God he had that effect on her because she was killing him. He didn’t even think he could sit that close to her without taking more than she offered at that moment.
His cock grew to incredible proportions as he stared at her. Her long blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders, a cascade of silk he longed to press his face into.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, Tyler took a seat next to her on the loveseat. Their legs brushed and sent sparks flying that weren’t caused by static electricity.
“Do you mind if I ask you about my parents first? I haven’t had any contact with them for two years.” Alyssa bit her lower lip and chewed on it, her head tipped to one side. The confident, dominant shewolf he’d seen outside just a while ago was gone. In her place was this soft, gentle woman who ran away from home at eighteen to escape an unimaginable fate and missed her family terribly.
“They are both well. I’ve not been around much for several years since I’ve been at the university, but I crossed paths with them intentionally this past week. Guess I thought if I got close to them, I’d have a little piece of you with me.” Tyler lowered his gaze to her lap and then back up. He didn’t want to appear weak or childish, but he wanted to be honest. “They seem sad. I’m sure they miss you. But they are so ingrained in the way of life set by Wells… It’s like most of the pack is brainwashed. They don’t know any better.”
Alyssa nodded. “That’s what I’ve realized since I left.”
“Frankly, until you walked out of this house to head for the rodeo that day, I was no better. I had a few experiences with wolves from other packs in college, but it didn’t click with me until I saw the happiness in your eyes that entire packs most certainly don’t operate the way our does.”
Alyssa smiled at him, her dimples so cute he wanted to touch them but refrained.
“I knew on the spot even before I scented you that I wouldn’t rat you out. You’re better off anywhere but there. I came here like a robot at Wells’ bidding with no thought for your feelings. I swear to you that has changed. In fact, I left the pack a few days ago and never intend to return. I figure, whatever happens between you and me, I’m better off than I was there.
“Of course there is little future within the pack for over half the guys my age. Wells doesn’t even pay attention to us unless we’re his chosen few from the inner circle. When your intention is to marry off all the young girls to just a few elders, who needs an extra twenty-four-year-old man hanging around?”
Alyssa gasped. “I hadn’t thought about that aspect of polygamy.”
“What I don’t understand is why I never knew you were my mate before now. We lived in the same pack, ran in the same circles all our lives. Granted, I’ve not been extremely close to you since we were very young, but still, close enough. Why did Michael know two years ago and not me?” His question was rhetorical, but that didn’t make him less confused. He could understand why Alyssa didn’t know. She’d been so young, but Tyler was older than Michael.
“I’m no expert, but maybe the time just wasn’t right. Like, you weren’t supposed to know until now. Michael says…” She trailed off, not finishing her sentence. He wasn’t sorry. They didn’t need to discuss Michael right now. This was their time.
Tyler shook his head. “Could be,” he agreed. “And it’s been a long time since I’ve been close enough to you to scent you. I remember seeing you a few years ago at a pack meeting when I was home over the summer.” He smiled warmly at her. “I remember because your hair was blowing in the breeze, and I stared at you from the front steps of the meeting hall while you fought to get it out of your face. You were watching the children out on the playground while we entered the building. You were probably only about seventeen at the time. Guess I wasn’t close enough…