His mouth curved. “And you make me happy. But I’m not pretty. I am, however, naked. As are you.” He rolled them and urged her to wrap her legs around him. “I think we should make the most of that.”
“I think it would be a crime not to.”
“Good.” He angled her hips and drove his cock deep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Joining his pack mates on the flattened grassy area not far from the rear of the house, Zander asked, “Any sign of him?”
“Someone’s been creeping around the southern border of the land,” said Derren, “but I can’t be sure it was Rory.”
Zander lifted a questioning brow at Bracken. “What did you see?”
“There were some wolf paw prints on the eastern side,” began Bracken, “and they were too big to be those of a full-blooded wolf. My guess is that it was Rory.”
Zander clenched his jaw. His blood boiled at the thought of his brother anywhere near Gwen. It had been more than a week since Rory had tried to take her, and they’d checked the land daily for signs that he’d been nearby. Today was the first time that they’d found any, which likely meant that Rory was done waiting for Zander to hunt him.
Shaya had been furious to hear that Rory had harmed Gwen. She’d taken an immediate liking to Zander’s human, apparently. And when Zander had shared that he and Ally were certain that Gwen was his mate, the rest of his pack became just as pissed about Rory’s test.
Given the shit that Nick had previously spouted, Zander had expected the Alpha to be disappointed to hear that Gwen was his mate. If he was, he’d given no indication of it. He’d simply said, “Keep her safe, Zander. Take it from someone who watched his parent fall apart after she lost her mate—you’d be a shell of a man without her. I don’t want that for you.”
His Alpha was right on that score, but Zander was resolute that he’d never know how that felt. He’d never have to be without her. No one would take her from him, especially not Rory. The asshole had hurt her once—he wouldn’t get another chance. Zander would make sure of it.
Ally took a step toward him. “I know your instinct is to hunt Rory and eradicate the threat to your mate, but it won’t be that simple. For one thing, he’s your twin.”
“Don’t think that means anything to me right now,” Zander rumbled. “Blood doesn’t make family. Rory isn’t my family. Never was. Gwen—she’s everything. If I have to kill him to keep her safe, that’s what I’ll do.” His wolf was behind him all the way.
“Gwen won’t like to think that you killed your twin for her,” Ally gently pointed out. “She’s the type of person who’d worry that it killed something inside you and that you’ll one day hate her for it.”
“She’s also the type of person who fully understands that sharing someone’s DNA doesn’t have to mean anything.”
Ally inclined her head, conceding that. “While we’re on the subject of Gwen . . . have you decided when you’re going to tell her that you believe she’s your mate?”
He sighed. “I’m working up to it.”
“She’s a lot more relaxed with you now. She seems really happy.”
Bracken slipped his hands in his pockets. “Do you think it will be hard to convince her to leave here and move to pack territory? She works for Yvonne and her soon-to-be brother-in-law, and she keeps a close watch on the whole family. She might feel like moving away would be abandoning them.”
“I worry about that.” Ally paused to swat at a mosquito. “But Marlon and Yvonne will bodily throw her out if it comes to it—they want her happy, and they think Zander can give it to her. I haven’t told them that she’s your true mate, just in case you’re wondering.”
“She’ll join the pack,” said Zander, confident.
Derren tilted his head. “What makes you so sure?”
“She’s full of questions about the pack, our culture, the laws we abide by.” She quizzed Zander daily. “In my opinion, she’s always been fascinated by wolf shifters for a reason—deep down in her soul, she knew she belonged to one. She subconsciously knew she’d be part of a pack one day. She’s ready for it. Hungry for it on some level.”
“He’s right,” said Ally. “When she’s with us, when we’re together as a group, something in her sort of . . . settles. I can’t explain it. But it makes me think that joining our pack won’t be a big problem for her. Leaving her family will be, though. You can’t ignore that, Zander. You have to face it so you can think of the best way to deal with it.”
A cool breeze slid over Zander, bringing with it the scents of wet grass, salty water, and . . . human males. He stiffened. “We have visitors.”
Derren nostrils flared, and then he tensed. “Where’s Gwen?”
“She’s inside the house; she’ll be fine,” said Zander.
Bracken lifted his brows. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Suds splattered on the ground as Gwen scrubbed the side of the truck with the wet sponge. Soapy water pooled at her feet and dotted her legs. Her tank top and denim shorts were wet with soap and water, but the air was so hot and dry that they wouldn’t be damp for long. Her sunglasses protected her eyes from the shards of sunlight that bounced off the wet, clean paint.
Washing her truck was not her favorite pastime, but she’d needed something to do. She was used to new guests arriving at least once a week—used to having rooms to clean, linen to launder, Welcome Hampers to prepare, and people to take on tours around the marsh.
It was strange to have so much time on her hands. Hell, she’d been so bored, she’d even cleaned her own room. Marlon and Yvonne had made it worse by fussing over her. Needing some air and space, she’d turned to her dirty truck.
Having something to do also helped distract her from thoughts of Kenny and the Moores. On the evening of the day she’d met with Kenny, Geena had called to say that he’d seemed very happy after the meeting. He’d supposedly contacted Ezra Moore and instructed him to back off.
So far, his instruction had worked. There had been no more attacks or problems. Gwen wasn’t confident that things would remain so calm, though. Not when the people in question were laws unto themselves.