About six month ago, Jason Bishop came to him to ask if Quinn would marry his niece, Ivy Bishop. It happened after he gave Ivy a job at Animatrica. Alpha Bishop was a good friend of his father, and he wanted to help out the pack any way he could.
However, Quinn wasn't interested in the alpha's niece. He only had his eyes for Vanessa. He tried to let her down gently but the woman did not get the message. Sometimes, Quinn suspected Ivy had been playing dumb. She ignored his rejection and just kept coming at him. Now that Vanessa was his, it was time to give the alpha a straight answer.
Alpha, I'm flattered by your offer, said Quinn. But my heart belongs to someone else. I have already taken a mate.
Have you? The alpha looked surprise. Is it by chance the girl in that video?
You saw it? Quinn was surprised. He didn't think the old wolf would follow social media. Yes, she is.
The alpha sighed. I was afraid of that. My niece didn't take that lightly when she discovered it. She was extremely upset.
Quinn and John traded glances. Quinn was irritated that the alpha spoiled his niece rotten. Ivy Bishop was the delight of the pack, and in his eyes, she could do no wrong. Her sense of entitlement was the first thing that put him off. Ivy might be beautiful, but he wouldn't touch her with a fifty-foot pole.
Quinn lowered his head. I'm sorry to hear it, but I never promised her anything.
I know, I know, but my niece got the wrong idea. Since you took her in at your company, she thought you might harbor a little interest. I see she's mistaken. The alpha sighed again. Youngsters these days never take my advice seriously. I also blame my sister Josephine for her upbringing. Since her mate died, she's focused her energy on raising Ivy. Josephine was looking forward to this match. She has her eyes on hosting the grandest wedding in Aspen.
More likely the she-wolf was more interested in Quinn's fortune. Werewolves didn't like to mix blood with other shifters. They religiously revered their pure bloodline and were more likely to mate within the pack.
After all, dogs never liked cats that much.
My apologies if I've been sending the wrong signals, Quinn chose his words carefully. The last thing he needed was to offend the alpha. The Bishop pack had more than thirty wolves in the area. It wasn't wise to stir up temperamental wolves unnecessarily. Now that I have made my decision, I hope we can solve this misunderstanding amicably. If you like, I can explain this to Ivy directly.
No need, said the alpha. I'll set that girl straight. Congratulations on taking a mate. I suppose we'll be having a grand wedding soon?
In the near future. The day hasn't been set, but I'll make sure you receive an invitation.
The old wolf grinned. I never pass up the chance to attend a great feast in the merry company of good friends. I'm looking forward to it. Well, I'll be going then. He shook his fur, dislodging the snow. Thank you again for receiving met. Good day, Quinn Alexander. Trent. John.
Good day, Alpha, said Quinn.
Once the wolf was out of their sight, Trent turned to Quinn. His brother was worried. Surprisingly, the Alpha took it well, but I don't think his sister and niece will do the same. I heard Josephine Bishop has told people in Southland that it was only a matter of time before you agreed to the arrangement. I went downtown yesterday and an old friend asked me if the rumor was true.
Where did Josephine Bishop get that idea? said John. That woman is delusional.
She's a renowned gold-digger. Rumor has it she left her mate for a younger, wealthier man. And when that man left her a year later, her mate wouldn't take her back. Many said she had something to do with her mate's death. She also had been on the lookout for a cash cow. It's common knowledge. People in this city know who Josephine Bishop is. And now she's pushing her daughter on Quinn so she can secure her future, said Trent.
Quinn pondered. Would she push her daughter to me if I were penniless? I know for sure Vanessa doesn't care about my fortune or my social status. Vanessa is different.
We can see she isn't a money grubbing kind of girl, said John. She'd make you a great wife.
Trent retracted his claws in and out, pawing on a patch of snow. Did you propose to her, yet? Should we be expecting a fantastic wedding in the near future?
Quinn snorted. Not even close. But she has to marry me if I get her pregnant, am I right?
Sly, said John.
I'm joking, said Quinn. The idea is very tempting, though.
Trent shook his head. Win her the old fashion way. She seems the only woman who hasn't fawned over you. I guess, you've finally met your match, brother.
Quinn growled. She'll be mine. Just you see.
* * *
While Quinn and his brothers were out all morning and afternoon, Vanessa spent time with Savannah. She was busy on her laptop when Quinn's mom insisted she mustn't do work while she was relaxing. Savannah suggested they go shopping.
The downtown area featured many high-end boutiques. Luxury designers like Dior, Louis Vuitton and Prada were among them. Vanessa felt as if she was walking down Fifth Avenue instead of through a small town in Colorado.
Savannah also insisted that Vanessa have a mini-makeover-something her own mother and sisters had wanted her to do for years, but she never agreed to. Savannah was so nice; she didn't have the heart to refuse her. Not with the notion she was going to be her daughter-in-law soon.
Damn, Quinn. Somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind, she imagined Quinn laughing evilly for dragging her into this deception.
Savannah had her hairdresser cut Vanessa's shoulder-length hair into a feminine bob style and colored it into a deep shade of mahogany that flattered her pale complexion. The makeover extended to a full mani and pedi and ended with a trip to Ralph Lauren boutique to pick up a preppy dress to complement her new look. By the time they walked out of the store, Vanessa felt like she was a totally different person. She hadn't worn a dress in years, maybe since senior prom in high school.
Quinn's expression was priceless when he saw her at home.
"What do you think, son?" Savannah beamed. "Doesn't she look pretty? I know she's a bit tomboy-ish, but I thought it might be a good thing if she gets in touch with her feminine side once in a while."
"I commend your mom's power of persuasion," said Vanessa. "My mother and sisters have hounded me for years about getting a makeover, but they'd never succeeded."
Which wasn't far from the truth. She wanted to cleanup for Quinn. Now that they were going out, she wanted to look attractive.
"You look beautiful." Quinn kissed her. "I love your new hair."
"Thank you. I've never had my hair this short, but I kind of like it."
"It suits you."
Trent gave her a thumbs up and John nodded appreciatively.
They had an early dinner since everybody skipped lunch. John cooked more steaks on the grill. The Alexander's sure loved their red meat. During dinner, Quinn rarely took his eyes off her, and she was aware of it every second.
Today, her body responded in a different way. She became more acutely aware of her surroundings. More aware of his presence. Quinn. The memory of yesterday replayed, searing her mind.
Vanessa used the opportunity to go to the second floor and slip into the bathroom. Despite the chilly January afternoon, she was burning up. What the hell is wrong with me? She pulled off her cardigan and splashed her face with cold water from the faucet. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. A strange face stared back. Flushed skin. Wide-eyed. Red lips. A wanton version of her she almost didn't recognize. A sex goddess.
This is crazy, she thought to herself. One night with Quinn and I'm addicted to him.
Her sense of smell somehow became sharper. And Quinn's scent was wickedly irresistible. Pure male at his prime. Oozing with raw sexual power. She closed her eyes, slowly taking in deep breaths.
Quinn. Musk and sandalwood. Spicy. Cinnamon and a hint cloves.
She sniffed the air. It was thick with his fragrance; she could almost taste it. Vanessa opened her eyes and the woman in the mirror gazed back. Smiling. Almost indulgently. She ran a hand over her chest. Her heart beat fast. Her breasts felt heavy. Her pussy lips were swollen and her panties dampened with her juice. Her clit buzzed with light thrums. Aching.
How am I going to face him now?
Crap. How am I going to face him at work if all he needed was to hit me with that come hither smile and I get instantaneously horny?
She winced and shook her head. Crazy, crazy, crazy!
This has to stop. I need to get myself together. Maybe what I need now is a cold shower.
Hurriedly, she reached into the shower and turned the water on. She was about to unsnap the button on her jeans when someone knocked on the door.
Quinn.
"Are you all right in there?"
For seconds, she froze like a deer caught in the headlights. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away. Bugging people in the bathroom was quite rude. Hadn't his mom taught him some manners?
"Vanessa, I know you're in there."
His voice was muffled by the door, but there was a sharp edge in his tone. Like a predator that had cornered its prey. The inner mouse in her squeaked with fright.