Pack Rogue

Kiley Palmer sat scrunched down inside her SUV, well-hidden by the tinted windows as she held up a camera and snapped pictures. The old man had been right. The fourth Mrs. Douglas had a visitor every morning when her husband left for work. Of course, Kiley had already known the woman was guilty. The first night after Kiley had been hired, she’d shifted into her wolf form and stalked the area.

The scents of the humans who came and went from the house hadn’t been numerous and she hadn’t been able to separate the older gentleman’s smell from other male odors easily. But she’d still had to get photographic proof for her client, since she couldn’t actually convince a human her nose told her the guy’s wife was cheating.

Maybe if the shifters went public like the Council wanted, she would be able to use one of her enhanced senses as evidence, but until then, she had to do things the old-fashioned way. So, she’d been stuck inside her vehicle, watching like a peeping Tom until she’d finally gotten the chance to use her camera.

“Gotcha,” she whispered to empty air, clicking four more pictures before the front door of the large house closed.

How stupid could this woman be? Not only did she kiss her lover in broad daylight, but he’d only waited ten minutes after the husband had left before he’d shown up. What if Mr. Douglas had been running late?

It might be possible the young man didn’t realize the woman he was sleeping with was married, but Kiley doubted it. She’d peeked inside the windows and seen the pictures of the couple.

Disgust made her stomach roll. She’d grown used to seeing spouses cheating by now, but Kiley really hated these cases. However, over sixty percent of her work centered around some sort of infidelity.

What Kiley really wanted to do full-time was the investigations that led her to reconnecting families. Those were the circumstances Kiley enjoyed. A bare month ago, she’d found a young man who’d moved away from his family and had disappeared right after his eighteenth birthday. The young man, Adam, had run scared because of his sexual orientation. Certain his family would disown him, he had left them before he’d be kicked out.

His mom and dad had been frightened and desperate. When Kiley had gotten the call for help, she’d put aside another cheating spouse job to locate their son.

She’d found him. Living in a small apartment without heat and food, struggling to get by. He’d cried when Kiley had told him his parents wanted him to come home. Adam had refused, confessing why he’d left in the first place. Since Adam’s mom had already told Kiley the reason she believed he’d run, Kiley had known that the kid’s parents only wanted him safe. She’d put Adam on the phone with his mom and even though she’d tried to give them privacy, she’d heard both sides of the conversation.

The sobbing, apologies and heartfelt loving words had had her tearing up, too. She would never have a family reunion like that, but at least she’d gotten to witness something beautiful.

She’d dropped Adam off at his parents’ house an hour after she’d located him.

Kiley still smiled every time she thought about that family’s happy ending. She hadn’t wanted to charge the parents, but she had a living to make, so she’d given them a price of half of what she normally made.

Mr. Douglas’ situation would help pay the rest of her bills this month, anyway. He had enough money to pay her full rate and then some.

She tipped back her head and closed her eyes, knowing she had plenty of time until Mrs. Douglas would be done with her lover. She squirmed a little in her seat, trying to get comfortable. Spring had finally come, warming up the afternoons, but the morning air still held a chill. Kiley hated being cold. She knew it was because of her childhood, but she couldn’t help it. She often thought about moving someplace where it never grew cold, like Arizona, but she hadn’t gotten up the nerve to seriously consider it. Here, she was safe. The Alpha of the local Pack didn’t expect too much of her and Kiley hardly ever had trouble with other shifters. Kiley might have been an anomaly when it came to wolf shifters, but she had to watch out for herself.

Fuck, she didn’t want her thoughts to go down that road. Kiley was happy in her little world and rarely let herself dwell on her past. She wouldn’t do it now.

Kiley reached for her coffee and found the cup empty. Damn, she thought, sitting back with a sigh. She contemplated running to the closest convenience store to grab another cup when a knock on the passenger window startled her.

She jumped, bringing her hand to her heart. The grin from the man on the other side of the glass annoyed and amused her at the same time.

It seemed her thoughts had conjured the man. She rolled down her window while scowling at the good-looking shifter. “Detective,” she greeted.

Detective Gray Mason continued to grin as he leaned against her door. He ran his gaze over her slowly and Kiley almost blushed. It was a very appraising look and made her hot.

“How’s it going?” he finally asked.

Kiley shrugged. She ignored the pulse of heat that flared between them. “Fine, until you scared the living daylights out of me.” She made sure to glare at him, although she didn’t mean it. She liked Gray, even when he annoyed her.

He chuckled in response. “I thought you might be sleeping on the job.”

Kiley crossed her arms over her chest and gave him her best pout. “So you also thought giving me a heart attack would be okay?”

Unfazed, he continued to smile. “All done here?” he asked.

Kiley looked at the house and then at him. With Gray turning serious, she knew it wasn’t so much a question as him telling her she was done. She nodded, because she knew she couldn’t say no.

He opened her door and held out a hand. “I need you to come with me.”

She rolled her shoulders and climbed from her vehicle, ignoring his offer of help. He stepped aside, giving her room as another man moved forward, drawing her attention. Kiley frowned at the guard. She didn’t know Wyatt well, but he had a reputation for being a hardcore fighter. Gray finding her wasn’t unusual, but he normally came alone when he collected her.

“What’s going on?” she asked Gray, snapping her gaze from one man to the other. Dread scrawled up her spine and unease settled in her stomach. This couldn’t be good.

“He needs to see you,” Gray told her quietly. “At the house.”

Kiley shook her head and backed toward her SUV. “No.” She knew what this weekend was about. She’d seen the many cars which had driven through town on their way up to the compound. The gathering of Alphas to discuss Council business ensured she would be nowhere near the local Pack.

Gray’s hand on her elbow stopped her. “It’ll be okay. I’ll stay with you,” he promised.

Of course Gray knew exactly how she felt. He was one of the few people who knew why she refused to join the Pack. Kiley hated being called a Rogue, but never would she ever put herself in the hands of another. No—she was responsible for herself and no one else got to make decisions concerning her.

“It’s important,” Gray said. “Please.”

The please almost got her. Kiley’s heart sank. She hated to refuse but couldn’t be anywhere near the compound with so many dominant male wolves. She’d do anything else for the Alpha who gave her the space she needed while not pressuring her to commit to the Pack. She and Tyler had an understanding and she didn’t want to disappoint or anger him.

“Come on,” Gray urged with a gentle tug.

Kiley tried to plant her feet. “I’ll follow you.”

Gray shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he quipped.

Kiley bit her bottom lip. Damn, she’d already used that trick.

“Wyatt will drive your vehicle and follow,” Gray explained. “You won’t be without a way home.”

Kiley knew she should be grateful. At least they were giving her a way out without depending on one of the Pack members. It was a small thing, but it made her relax a little, just as Gray had probably known it would. In the year the man had lived in her city, he had gotten to know her better than anyone else. Sometimes she hated that fact, like right then.

One foot in front of the other, she let Gray lead her to the big Hummer parked behind her SUV.

“This new?” she inquired. It had to be, since she’d never seen it before—damn, it was huge.

Gray shrugged and she grinned.

“Over-compensating much?” she teased.

Gray growled, opening the passenger door. “Get in.”

Kiley giggled. “Oh, yes, sir,” she said innocently, teasing Gray, which relaxed her. It had, after all, become one of her favorite activities.

Gray’s lips twitched as if he fought a smile. Kiley had settled in the seat and pulled her seat belt on by the time he’d made it to the driver’s door and gotten in. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Gray was one of the few Pack members she would actually call a friend. A police detective, he matched her ideal of the perfect strong male. He was well built. The play of muscles under his dress shirt, the wide shoulders and the plain bulk of the man both intimidated and aroused her. His kind heart and quick wit were added bonuses.

There had been numerous times in the past she had wished she’d fall in love with him. They’d fooled around a few times, but as good as it had been, it hadn’t been what either of them were looking for. They were not destined to be mates. Which saddened her. She had never expected to be given the chance to find her mate. At one time, it had been forbidden, in fact. She had already been spoken for, or she had been until her Alpha had finally come across someone he couldn’t threaten or beat into submission.

Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t realized they’d started to move until Gray reached over and intertwined his fingers with hers. Kiley leaned back her head and closed her eyes.

“What does he want to see me for?”

Since the night she had been released from her own living Hell, she had tried to avoid contact with other shifters. Especially any Alpha. Tyler was okay, but he kept his distance. His daughter, Jesse, was what they had in common. Kiley loved Jesse and had babysat the young girl several times. Tyler wanted Jesse to have a strong female influence and it brought Kiley to the compound, so he could check on her. Kiley knew Tyler could get anyone from his Pack to watch the child, but she really liked the job.

Gray lifted Kiley’s palm to his face and ran his cheek over her knuckles before kissing the back of her hand. “I believe he has a job for you.”

Kiley began to get lost in the sensations Gray caused. She shivered as her body instantly heated. They might never be mates, but Gray still aroused her. “A job?” she breathed.

“There have been threats.”

Kiley blinked in surprise, pulling away to concentrate. “Threats? Against who? Tyler? Oh, my God, Jesse!”

“Yes,” Gray said with a frown. “The danger is to anyone who agrees to come out publicly. All Council members and Alphas.”

How horrible. While Kiley didn’t understand the need for the shifters to become public, there was no way she’d allow anyone to hurt the sweet Jesse. But even though she enjoyed watching over the girl, Tyler had enough guards to protect Jesse and the rest of the Pack. “Why does he need me?”

“Always so suspicious,” Gray commented.

Kiley grunted but didn’t reply.

Gray’s heavy sigh sounded loudly through the vehicle. “It’s complicated.”

Kiley nodded, even though he wasn’t looking at her. Fine. So Gray couldn’t tell her. Meaning the Alpha had to be the one to do that.

Tyler might be lax with her, but rules were rules. And from everything she knew about Gray, he followed Tyler’s orders. Always.

Hell, Gray had moved across the country behind Tyler when the Council had asked Tyler to take over the broken Pack Riker had left behind.

Had it only been a year since the new Alpha had come to Clear Water, Colorado? It seemed so long ago. In a matter of hours, her life had changed. Her Pack leader had been run off and now Tyler led.

Riker had been the Alpha who had led during her entire life.

Her entire tormented life.

Kiley didn’t know the other members of the Pack. By the time Riker had had control of her, she’d been separated from the Pack by her father. Too many bad memories had overshadowed the few from her childhood. There were some names she remembered, but she had never given them a thought once Riker had her. Lost and living in misery, Kiley had only tried to survive. Until the day the cellar door had opened and Tyler had stomped down the stairs.

She didn’t know who had been more shocked. Her or Tyler.

Tyler had almost fallen when he’d spotted her chained in the corner.

Kiley hadn’t known if Tyler was one of the men who Riker had brought by once in a while to use and abuse her, so she’d bared her teeth in warning.

Tyler had crouched down and made soothing sounds until he’d gotten close enough to release her. Kiley had been locked up for so long that even when the big, thick chains had been taken off, she hadn’t moved. God, she could still see the pity in Tyler’s gaze when he’d reached for her.

“Hey, you okay?”

Gray’s deep voice startled her from her memories.

“Sure,” she said quietly, rubbing her upper arms. She was so cold, like she’d been in that hellhole.

“Tyler will take care of you,” Gray said. “You should realize that.”

“Yeah,” Kiley said. She didn’t know what else to add. Tyler was a good Alpha and she trusted him as much as she trusted anyone. Which wasn’t a lot.

At least Tyler hadn’t pressured her into joining his Pack. He hadn’t pressured anyone. Most of the Pack had left and joined other established Packs before Tyler had even shown up. Kiley had heard some had returned, wanting to be back in their homes, but since Kiley had never met them, she didn’t care. They hadn’t even been aware of her existence.

Tyler had brought his own people with him, mixing her old Pack into a new one. The Pack grew even now. Kiley kept an eye out for new residents in town and for rumors that had to do with the local Pack. The city didn’t belong to shifters alone, but knowing the right people, Kiley heard what the Pack was up to.

She used the knowledge as a way to protect herself. Kiley wanted to watch those around her so she had advance warning if she needed to run. Or stay away from the Alpha compound like she’d wanted to do the upcoming weekend.

The meeting between Alphas to discuss going public was a big deal. Tyler had told her himself what the weekend meant, understanding she’d be nervous with all the guests showing up.

Tyler was thoughtful like that. He knew what she had gone through and, even if she didn’t belong to him or his Pack, he watched out for her. For that reason alone, Kiley vowed to help in any way possible.

As they left the city behind for the secluded woods where the Alpha’s home stood, tension invaded her body. Too many memories haunted her for Kiley to be able to control her fear.

As if he could feel Kiley’s growing nervousness, Gray smiled over at her. “We took some of the pups for their first shift this past weekend,” he told her.

“Really?” Kiley turned to lean against the door so she could see Gray better. “How’d that go?” It was nerve-racking the first time a newbie shifted with the Pack. Kiley still remembered the sickness she’d felt as she’d stared at the other kids her age when it had been her time.

The tradition of the Packs was for the high-ranking members to take the teenagers into the woods to spend time with them and show them the easiest way to call forward their wolf. Usually there was some sort of funny story or unexpected crisis that popped up.

“So Wyatt is working with Dean Johnson,” Gray began. “You remember Dean from Jesse’s birthday?”

“Yeah.” She recalled the skinny red-headed boy who’d spent most of the gathering under a tree, reading. “Quiet kid.”

Gray snorted. “Well, he wasn’t very quiet when Wyatt was giving him instructions on how to picture his wolf to bring forward the animal—and he only managed to shift his paws and tail. The boy was jumping around screeching and yelling.”

“Oh, my God!” Kiley managed in between gales of laughter.

Gray was also chuckling. “Wyatt’s trying to get a hold of Dean to calm him enough to finish the transformation, but Dean’s jumping around in a panic. Wyatt tripped and ended up with a face full of dirt.”

That made Kiley laugh even harder, thinking about the stoic man who was driving her vehicle at that moment.

“Dean starts bumping into the other teens, who are freaked out seeing their buddy in a partial shift,” Gray continued. “The smaller other pups begin to refuse to even try the change.”

“That…that’s terrible,” Kiley got out.

“Wyatt’s there yelling for some help, but the other guards are falling all over one another, laughing so hard they can’t assist Wyatt at all.”

“Oh, my God!” Kiley repeated. She could actually picture the scene that Gray was describing. “Wait.” She grabbed his hand. “You were there. What were you doing?”

“Trying not to piss myself,” Gray stated with amusement. “It was fucking hilarious.”

Kiley rolled her eyes, although she didn’t know if she’d have been any more help than Gray seemingly hadn’t been. “And?”

“Wyatt stands up and stalks toward Dean, who has his back to Wyatt as he’s shrieking. I managed to grasp Dean’s shoulders to try to get him to quiet down and listen. Which wasn’t working.”

“I bet it wasn’t,” she agreed. Kiley couldn’t even imagine how terrified Dean must have felt. While she was amused by the story, it had to have been mortifying for the poor teen.

“Anyway, I’m distracting Dean and Wyatt comes up behind him. I turn Dean around and Wyatt leaps at him with his canines lengthened. Dean screams in terror and finally, finally shifts completely.”

“That’s good,” Kiley praised. They had gotten the kid to transform.

“Except for the fact that Dean took off at full speed,” Gray informed her. “None of us had transformed yet, so we couldn’t catch him.”

“Oh, no!” Kiley said after gasping.

“It took two fucking hours to hunt him down, since he didn’t know where he was going and kept backtracking and going in circles.”

“But you found him?”

Gray nodded. “He’d fallen asleep on top of the slide at the playground.”

By this time, they’d reached the outside of the stone gates barring the road that led to the Alpha house and she wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. “That’s great.”

“It was an eventful night,” Gray said. “But I made Tyler promise not to put me on that detail again for at least six months. I was exhausted and slept for twenty-four hours straight after that.”

Kiley started to tease him about getting old, but a young, handsome guard waved Gray inside once the barrier slowly opened. All amusement fled. Kiley gripped the seat as she tried to calm her racing heart.

“Breathe, Kiley,” Gray urged quietly, driving toward the big house.

She took a deep breath and counted to ten. Several unknown vehicles were stationed there and she took stock of each one. She liked to be prepared in case she needed to make a quick exit. If one of these vehicles followed her, she would know. Several yards from the compound, she saw a new house in the process of being constructed.

The beautiful brickwork and large glass windows looked welcoming and secure at the same time.

“What’s that?” she asked Gray, with a nod to the building.

“Tyler’s having a new main house built.”

“Really?” Kiley asked, shocked. The compound was big and solid. It had been a point of pride for Riker and had cost the Pack a lot of money. She hated it but thought that was where an Alpha belonged.

“He hates the compound. Says it’s like living in a tomb. He wants a happy place to raise the cubs and welcome the Pack,” Gray informed her. “He’s taking suggestions on what to do with it. He doesn’t want to waste the building because of the expense, but he’s thinking about making it into a school or community center for the Pack. He wants the compound to belong to everyone.”

“Wow!” Kiley couldn’t help the awe in her voice. What a great idea. Giving the compound over to the Pack would sure erase some of the evil deeds that had been done inside the building. Plus, she wouldn’t mind spending more time with Jesse if she didn’t have to visit where she’d been held captive.

Gray turned in his seat after he’d cut the engine. He slipped his arm behind her neck and she leaned in to his touch. It felt good, knowing Gray cared for her. He might not be in love with her, but the affection was obvious.

“Maybe I can take you out to dinner after this?” he inquired.

It had been a few months since they’d been together and Kiley was more than ready to reconnect with him. Even if they would never be mates, she still had strong feelings for the man.

“I’d like that,” she agreed. No reason not to enjoy him, especially after finding out whatever Tyler wanted to tell her.

He smiled at her once more, his eyes warm and inviting as he reached for the door handle on his side. “Well, then, let’s get this party started so we can get to the good stuff.”

Kiley shook her head, grinning, following his lead and climbing from the monster vehicle. She had to jump to get down. The front door opened ahead of them reaching it and Kiley barely had enough time to brace herself before her arms were full of a small six-year-old girl.

“Daddy said you were coming!” Jesse squealed, hugging Kiley’s neck tight.

Kiley patted the little cub. “Hey, sunshine, miss me?”

“Uh-huh.” Jesse nodded excitedly. “I’ve been waiting for hours!”

Gray chuckled, pressing his hand against the small of Kiley’s back, urging her forward. “It didn’t take that long.”

Jesse rolled her eyes as only a young child could. “Seemed like it to me.”

“I tried to tell Gray to hurry,” Kiley teased. “But you know cops. They gotta obey all the rules.”

Gray growled playfully, but the two females ignored him.

“Yeah, he never goes fast. Not like Dominic,” Jesse whispered.

Dominic Adams, the Alpha’s Beta and brother, stepped out from the shadows at the mention of his name. “Are you telling my secrets?” he asked Jesse, winking at Kiley.

Jesse clapped a hand over her mouth and shook her head.

Everyone laughed at her antics.

“Come now.” Dominic held out his arms for Jesse. “Let Kiley see your daddy and then you can hang all over her.”

Bright, innocent eyes looked up at Kiley. “Promise?”

Immediately, guilt flooded Kiley. She didn’t see Jesse enough. The young girl had attached herself to Kiley on her first visit. There was nothing like the heart-melting feeling of the total love the cub gave. Jesse had quickly become one of her favorite people in the world.

“I promise,” she told Jesse with one last hug before she allowed Dominic to take her.

“They’re waiting for the two of you in the study,” he said with a more business-like tone than he’d used with Jesse.

Gray nodded and took Kiley’s elbow to lead her. Kiley concentrated on remaining calm as they walked down the long hall. She’d been in Tyler’s office more than a dozen times, but this was different. The entire compound buzzed with a stressful energy Kiley didn’t know how to respond to.

Gray knocked on the door and they waited for the command to enter. Gray pushed the door open, Kiley remaining behind him. As she stepped into the room, she suddenly got hit by the strongest, most intoxicating scent. She gasped as her body responded quickly and she became light-headed. Gray blocked her view of the room, but even without looking, she knew she was in deep trouble.

She didn’t need to see the man to know Austin Winters waited inside.

Austin Winters snapped his head up a moment prior to the knock sounding on the study door. By the time it opened, he’d risen to his feet. Kiley’s scent hit him hard and he’d taken a step forward the second she entered. He couldn’t see her, but the gasp of breath and the overwhelming emotions he felt combined to almost make his knees buckle. His Beta and best friend, Colt, grabbed his arm.

The room remained silent, the others recognizing the strong aroma of attraction that flowed from both him and Kiley. Oh, she knew he was there and the dominant part of him rose quickly, as well as the urge to claim what belonged to him. What he’d wanted since she’d walked away from the hotel room where they’d spent one glorious night together.

Austin didn’t like that a man stood between him and Kiley. A growl reverberated deep in his throat and he couldn’t hold it in. The man looked over at him with an expression that surprised Austin. Instead of fear of the Alpha, his look showed sympathy. He nodded and stepped to the side. Austin understood immediately. The expression on Kiley’s face appeared panicked.

Austin took a step toward her, dislodging Colt’s hand, his only thought to comfort her. Her eyes widened and she scrambled away. Austin paused, confused. She’d obviously recognized him, so shouldn’t she be just as excited to see him as he was to have finally found her?

Tyler sighed before he cleared his throat. It proved tough to do, but Austin took his eyes off his mate and looked at the other Alpha.

“Austin, you’ve met Grayson, and this is Kiley Palmer,” he introduced.

Austin didn’t understand the currents shifting around the room. Tyler was trying to convey something to him, but he wasn’t picking it up. He wanted to cross the room and grab the woman who he’d thought he’d never see again. His fingers literally itched to touch her.

After hours of meetings and talking shit out, Kiley’s arrival astonished him. It was a cause for celebration.

Tyler walked to him and clasped him on the shoulder. “Kiley, this is Austin Winters—a good friend of mine and Alpha of a Pack further south. But I’m guessing you already know that.”

She nodded, mutely.

“She is very uneasy at being around any shifter, much less powerful ones,” Tyler murmured quietly to Austin. “I’m not sure how the two of you know each other, but this doesn’t need to take place in front of everyone in here. She’s about to bolt.”

Members of both his Pack and Tyler’s filled the room. While the meeting had already started, the only thing he cared about was finding out what was wrong with Kiley. Austin wanted to snarl and demand they all got the hell away.

Luckily, Tyler was ahead of him and more diplomatic. “Gentlemen, if you’d please give us a minute. Grayson will take you to get a drink and I’m sure we have some snacks made in the kitchen.”

As soon as everyone headed to the door, Kiley glanced at him. Her intent was clear and Austin tensed. He would chase her this time. He met her eyes squarely and tried to convey that to her. If she ran, he would follow.

“Kiley…” Tyler called in warning.

Her expression didn’t change. She shifted on the balls of her feet.

“Kiley, I need to speak with you for a minute. I’ll allow Tyler to stay with you if you’d like,” Austin tried, speaking softly.

Confusion and doubt covered her face. She obviously wasn’t sure about trusting him. The room had cleared out and Austin watched Gray gently push her farther into the room, closing the door behind him.

Terror began to set in the second she was alone with them, Austin noticed. Trying to put her at ease, Austin relaxed in the overstuffed chair he’d occupied earlier and gestured to the couch. “Would you like to have a seat?”

She watched him warily as she walked around the room so she wouldn’t pass in front of him. Tyler, to his relief, stood behind him, giving him the opportunity to address only her. He didn’t know Kiley well, but her behavior seemed so different from the night they’d met that Austin had a hard time deciding what to say.

She sat. Too far away, in his opinion, but at least she did face him.

“It’s good to see you again,” he began.

She shook her head. “Wh…what are you doing here?”

Austin leaned forward. “We’ll get into that shortly,” he told her. “I wasn’t aware you were a member of Tyler’s Pack.”

“I’m not.”

He waited for her to continue, but when she didn’t, he glanced over his shoulder at Tyler.

“It’s complicated,” Tyler said softly.

Must be, because Austin was picking up all kinds of conflicting emotions from both his friend and Kiley. Jesus, were her and Tyler an item? Had Austin slept with a woman who his buddy had a claim to? Horror filled him as he stared at Tyler.

“It’s not whatever you’re thinking,” Tyler said. “Kiley isn’t a member of my Pack, but she does watch Jesse for me often. We’re…friends.”

She snorted, but Austin kept his gaze on Tyler.

“Kiley lives in town, but she doesn’t belong to my Pack,” Tyler said slowly.

Austin knew he’d missed something important. Tyler was trying to convey a message, but Austin wasn’t getting it.

“I’m Rogue,” Kiley practically shouted.

He whipped his head around to stare at her. A female wolf shifter who was Rogue? Austin had never heard of such a thing. The women shifters were to be cherished and protected at all costs.

“Okay,” Austin said gently.

Kiley laughed. “That’s all you have to say?”

He shrugged. “I have no clue what to say about that. I don’t really know you, now, do I? You made sure of that when you snuck out of my bed in the middle of the night.”

Tyler coughed while Kiley blushed. Austin enjoyed seeing the light pink tint to her face and neck. It reminded him of how she’d looked sated from pleasure.

“I didn’t realize you were an Alpha,” Kiley said quietly.

Austin didn’t understand how she’d missed that fact. Not only did his dominance radiate from him, but it had also seemed to turn her on. “Really?” he asked in disbelief.

She shrugged. “I don’t know you that well, now, do I?”

She might have repeated his words to him, but Austin wasn’t buying her flippant attitude.

“Better than most other shifters,” he replied. “Even if you didn’t stick around to learn more.”

Kiley pressed her lips together while narrowing her eyes. “We had a one-night stand,” she spat. “Get over it. Hundreds of men and women a month do so.”

“We didn’t have a one-night stand,” Austin corrected. “That was just the first night out of many, many more we’ll enjoy.”

She jerked, staring at him in shock. Pleased with her reaction, Austin secretly enjoyed it. He was putting his feelings out in the open, with an audience no less, but he didn’t have a choice. He’d been pissed off ever since he’d let her get away.

Never in his life had he experienced what he had with Kiley. If she’d still been in his bed when he’d woken, Austin would have dragged her to his house and never let her go. He’d been heartbroken and devastated, finding Kiley nowhere in the hotel room.

“You…” Kiley pointed at him. “You can’t…”

“Yes, I can,” he interrupted. “I’m telling you now I have no intention of letting you run from me again.”

“You don’t have a choice,” she said, but Kiley squirmed in her seat, looking at him.

That was how she’d acted previously, so he finally knew how to deal with her. Kiley had been begging for an Alpha to make her feel safe. She might not be aware of how she came across to him, but Austin sensed it, and that was all that mattered.

“Look at me, Kiley,” he demanded.

She raised her head.

“It’s going to be okay,” he promised. “We have time to work all this out and no one is going to pressure you to accept anything you don’t want.” Austin had to choose his words carefully. He wouldn’t break a promise to her, but Austin had every intention of claiming her eventually.

“Uh, okay.”

He nodded in approval. Fuck, he wanted to pull her into his lap and comfort her, but Kiley wasn’t ready for that as long as they had an audience. He’d have to save it for later, when they were alone.

“Tyler?” He motioned for his friend to take over the conversation. Austin had known the Alpha had called in help to protect Jesse, but he’d had no idea the help would be coming from the woman he dreamt about. Huh. Funny the way fate works. Two months ago, he’d met the most perfect woman in the world and now she’d just dropped right in his lap.

“Kiley, I asked you to the house because I need a favor.” Tyler moved closer to her as he spoke.

She nodded. “Gray said you had a job for me.”

Austin bit back a growl at the casual way she said Tyler’s Enforcer’s name. She remained wary of him—a lover—while she spoke the other man’s name naturally. Austin wondered how close they were. The wolf inside him grew agitated, so he took several deep breaths to calm himself while Tyler continued to talk.

“I have a few guests coming to speak with Austin and myself about the Council decision to go public. I told you about this.”

“Yes,” Kiley agreed.

“It’s been planned for several months.”

Austin watched Kiley take in the information. He could practically see the wheels turning in her head, trying to work out what Tyler needed.

“We’ve received several anonymous calls, starting as soon as the meetings were set. Austin was already planning to come down to be in the talks with us, and he also got threatening phone calls,” Tyler told her.

Kiley glanced over at him and he sent her a reassuring smile.

She nodded and gave her attention to Tyler.

“I can’t not have the summits. It doesn’t matter if we choose to go public or not, I cannot back down. It would put the entire Pack in danger,” Tyler explained.

Kiley nodded. “Makes sense. What do you need from me?”

“Jesse,” Tyler said simply.

“Oh, God!” Kiley exclaimed. “The threats aren’t against her, are they?”

Tyler frowned. “They’re against all of us. I can’t take the chance of something happening to her.”

“I’ll do anything for Jesse, you know that.”

Austin grinned. That boded well for their future together. He wanted cubs, lots and lots of cubs.

“I want you to stay here with her as her guard. You can spend time with her and keep her from getting worried and hopefully out of trouble.”

“Yeah.” Kiley laughed. “No problem there.”

Tyler shook his head with a wide smile. “I know you’ll try your best. So will you help?”

Kiley glanced over at him and he raised an eyebrow in challenge. The question being, would Kiley put what had happened between them ahead of protecting an innocent child?

“I’ll help,” she agreed.

“Wonderful,” Austin commented, standing. “And that will give us some time together, too.” Austin thought of all the possibilities. It would be hard for Kiley to avoid him in the house, even though the huge compound had numerous rooms and hidey spots. It was true he had meetings to concentrate on, but nothing would keep him from getting to know her better. Fate had finally smiled down on him.

“Yeah.”

She rose, too, and he wanted to laugh at the disbelief on her face.

Oh, she’d fight this, but Austin looked forward to the challenge. One taste hadn’t been enough and by the way she ran her gaze down his body, Austin wondered how badly she wanted another taste of him, too.

“So.” Kiley waved behind her. “I’ll go find Jesse.”

She turned and ran, fumbling with the door handle and eventually yanking it open. She was gone before he or Tyler could say another word.

Tyler sighed, drawing Austin’s attention to his friend. Austin shook his head.

“It’s a long story,” Austin said.

“With Kiley, I have no doubt.” Tyler strolled over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Please be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Austin frowned in confusion. He’d expected Tyler to tell him not to hurt her.

“I like Kiley,” Tyler said. “She’s a good person who’s been through a lot. She won’t hurt you on purpose, but she does have a tendency to run.”

Yeah, Austin knew that.

“Even if she has feelings for you, Kiley won’t be easy to tame.”

Austin didn’t want to tame her, though. He wanted Kiley wild and strong. He’d had no idea she was Rogue and that scared him. A Rogue female didn’t have the protection of Pack. “We’ll both be okay,” he said simply.

Tyler patted his shoulder. “I sure the hell hope so.”

Tyler walked out of the office and Austin let him go. He knew there must be a story when it came to Kiley. He wouldn’t ask Tyler, though. He wanted to hear it from Kiley.

Not ready to join the other shifters and restart the conference yet, Austin strolled over to the wide window to peer out over the backyard. Not far away, construction was still moving along. Austin rejoiced that Tyler had decided to build a new house. Austin couldn’t have explained why he hated the large compound building, but he didn’t feel at ease there.

Kiley stepped out onto the deck with Jesse’s hand in hers, Jesse talking and jumping around while Kiley nodded. He stood there and watched them walking to the small play area beside the pool.

A few feet away from the swings, Jesse let go of Kiley’s hand, racing ahead. Kiley laughed before chasing after the young pup. With his superior hearing and the window’s thin glass, Austin picked up the sweet sound of Kiley’s delight. She looked so different from the night they’d met. Oh, that night…

Inside the smoky bar, Kiley had been the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. When Austin had arrived, to let off some steam, he’d expected to down a few drinks before going back to his lonely hotel room. Instead, he’d been immediately taken with the woman playing pool in the corner against a rather large scary-looking human.

From his seat at the bar, Austin had had the perfect view when Kiley had bent over the table to take her shot. Licking his lips, he could have practically tasted her even from across the room. He hadn’t been the only one who’d noticed her, either.

When her game had ended and the human had stomped off after being beaten by a girl, Kiley had peered around the room and their gazes had met. She’d jerked back a little, seemingly shocked by his presence. Austin still remembered the warmth that had spread through him, causing his cock to harden in his jeans. Her lips had twitched, telling him she’d noticed his reaction. Since he wasn’t a man who wasted time or played games, he’d stalked across the room until he had stood in front of her. With every step he’d taken forward, she’d retreated until her back had been against the far wall.

Austin had caged her in with his arms stretched over her shoulders and his palms braced against the wall. Her intoxicating arousal had been enough for him to throw caution to the wind, kissing her hard and deep before a word had been spoken between them.

The way Kiley had reacted had literally taken his breath away. She’d been just as filled with need as he had. With their bodies brushing against each other’s, it had been her idea to get out of the dingy establishment and find a place that was more private.

He’d grabbed her hand, towing her away from the other patrons and across the street to his room before she’d had time to change her mind. That fast, Austin had been sure she’d be unlike any lover he’d previously enjoyed. There’d been something about her that had spoken of true inner strength and he’d planned to find out every detail about her once they’d been sated.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t had the chance, since, when he’d woken, Kiley had been gone.

Even as he’d blinked open his eyes that cold, early morning, Austin had been aware no one else had been present in the room.

Austin’s heart actually ached and he rubbed his palm over his chest. He’d felt like a piece of him had disappeared along with her. Now, as he glimpsed her while she pushed Jesse on one of the swings, he was filled with renewed with hope. A chance to get back the feelings Kiley had brought out in him that night.

Her unexpected arrival made him doubt his own sanity, even. He’d been dreaming of her for so many months that he feared this was just another nighttime fantasy. He’d have to prove to himself she was really there. In the last place he’d expected.

Kiley lifted Jesse into her arms and carried her airplane-style into the kitchen. Thanks to her wolf shifter abilities, she could easily hold the girl above her head without too much strain. Jesse giggled happily as they stepped through the open doorway, used to the shifters in her life being able to carry her.

The delighted sound warmed Kiley like nothing else had ever been able to do. She loved the little girl in her arms. The second they entered the kitchen, all conversation quieted. Kiley stopped short when her gaze fell on the men who occupied the space. She lowered Jesse to her side and wrapped her arm around the girl’s shoulders—more for her benefit than Jesse’s. Not having been paying close enough attention to her senses, she hadn’t realized the men had taken a break from their early morning meeting.

Austin, Gray, Dominic and two other men sat around the large oak table. The men had looked over when they’d entered and all were smiling at them. Kiley shifted from foot to foot, trying to think of something to say. Anything that would take their attention from her and back to their breakfast. She couldn’t resist seeking out Austin, though. Some part, deep down, wanted him to take control of the situation for her. Her gaze met his and he looked at her with such longing she had to glance quickly away. God, he was as attractive as she remembered. Remorse snuck in, but Kiley pushed it down where it belonged.

He’d been the only man she’d actually regretted having left in bed without a word. Even as the hotel room door had closed behind her that night, she’d had to fight to stop herself from turning around and going over to Austin. Their connection had been instant and while Kiley had known Austin was dominant, she’d never expected he’d be a fucking Alpha.

Even knowing what she did now, Kiley still wanted to go to him and drop to her knees so she could once again worship every inch of his body. She craved his touch.

It had been a long, stressful night and Kiley had barely managed to keep herself from seeking Austin’s attention. Now it seemed she had run out of luck. Not only was he in the room with her, but so were a few others. Strangers—she hated strangers.

When she didn’t say anything, Gray started to stand, a true friend who always seemed to know what she needed.

Austin growled, freezing the other man in place. Kiley glanced between the two. Tension poured from Austin. There’d be no way Austin could know about her past with Gray, so Kiley could only assume the Alpha was staking his claim. Kiley wanted to protest, but a bigger part of her felt pleased she’d attracted such a powerful male. Damn shifter instincts.

Gray looked unsure, while Austin had his teeth clenched. She had to do something prior to a fight breaking out or either man losing control of his wolf.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, knowing everyone would still be able to hear her. She didn’t know who she was trying to reassure, though, her, Austin or Gray. She swallowed hard, then smiled. “Good morning,” she greeted everyone, pretending the last few minutes hadn’t happened.

Austin seemed to make an effort to relax and nodded. “Hello, ladies,” he replied.

Kiley felt relieved that he’d played along. Shit, he was so perfect.

Jesse, who remained unaware of any tension, escaped from Kiley’s hold and ran to her uncle. “Uncle Dom! Uncle Dom!”

The laughter in her voice seemed to spread until everyone had a smile on their face.

“Yes?” Dominic answered the little girl.

“Kiley is going to stay the whole weekend with me!” Jesse bounced happily.

Dominic chuckled and lifted Jesse into his lap. “I heard that. What do you girls have planned?”

“Kiley said we’d make cookies!” Jesse squealed.

All eyes turned to her.

Kiley shrugged a shoulder. “It shouldn’t be too hard.”

Dominic and Gray groaned in unison.

“It’s just cookies,” Kiley growled in reply.

Dominic grinned at her, not saying anything.

Kiley glared then looked around the table. “I’m sure I can handle cookies.”

“I’ll be sure to keep the fire extinguisher handy,” Gray quipped.

Austin and the two strangers didn’t say anything, but Kiley could tell they were amused, too. She huffed out a breath and fisted her hands on her hips. “Oh, ha-ha,” she muttered.

Austin stood and walked over to lay his arm around her shoulder. It took everything she had not to pull away. She got the feeling that he was once again staking his claim. She didn’t want to embarrass Austin by denying him in front of the others, but he needed to realize Kiley was not the woman he should want. No way would she ever be part of his life in the way he needed, him being an Alpha.

“I’m sure you can do whatever you set your mind to.”

The compliment from him came unexpectedly, but made her heart swell. She knew the others were only teasing her, but it felt good to have someone on her side for once. She found herself leaning in to Austin’s embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispered, for his ears only.

“Maybe I can even help,” he offered. “I do know my way around the kitchen.”

Before she could reply, Austin tightened his arm for a second then pulled her forward. “I’d like you to meet some people,” he told her.

Kiley let him lead her over to the table where the men sat and Jesse happily swung her legs in her uncle’s lap.

“Kiley, this is my Beta, Colt.” He introduced an attractive blond man. Like the other wolf shifters, he was big, but the smile lines around his eyes and the broad grin on his face made him a little more approachable.

“Hi,” she said awkwardly.

His smile still in place, he bowed his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he responded.

“And this is Tony. He’s visiting from the Blue Ridge Pack in Oklahoma,” Austin continued.

The other man at the table was just as big as Colt but much more serious. His eyes held so much worry in them Kiley felt a strong urge to offer him a hug. And she never wanted to do that. It surprised her, so she simply dipped her chin in respect. If she had to guess, this man had come to talk about the wolf shifters going public.

Being Rogue, she didn’t have to worry about whether or not her Pack would choose to agree. Or, she hadn’t been worried about it. A threat to Jesse was not something she would allow. She might not be a part of Tyler’s Pack, but Kiley wouldn’t let any of them be harmed.

“Daddy!” Jesse yelled and leapt out of Dominic’s lap and across the room.

Kiley turned around to see the Alpha enter the kitchen, grinning. She found herself with her back against Austin’s chest and, if she leaned just enough, felt a slight pressure, which Austin didn’t seem to mind. Austin placed his palm at her hip and she tried to ignore the tingle.

Tyler laughed and bent to scoop Jesse up as she ran to him. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Me and Kiley…”

“Kiley and I,” Tyler corrected.

Jesse scrunched up her face and sighed heavily. “Kiley and I…” she repeated. “We’re gonna make cookies!”

The Alpha’s eyes darted to her. “I don’t know if I carry that much home insurance.”

Kiley’s mouth dropped open. Oh no, he did not just say that! She threw her arms up in the air. “One time!” she cried. “And it wasn’t even my fault!”

“Kiley, you set a table on fire,” Gray reminded her.

She glared at him before glancing at Austin. “It wasn’t my fault.”

He nodded in agreement, but his lips quirked as though he was trying to keep from laughing. She sighed and relaxed against him again, thinking of the day they were talking about.

Kiley avoided going up to the main house as much as possible. But it had been Jesse’s birthday and she couldn’t have missed it for any reason. Sometime while she’d been there, Gray and Dominic had put her in charge of the grill when they’d gone to get Jesse’s new bike out of the house.

Then all Hell had broken loose. The flame had somehow caught on a tablecloth, which had blazed up so quickly Kiley had still been staring at it when the fire moved to the chairs. Dom had dropped his end of the bike and hurried over to put out the flames, with Gray and Tyler standing gaping at her. Luckily no one had been hurt and the food had been saved, but Kiley hadn’t gotten cooking detail since. They loved to tease her about it still. She didn’t mind too much—except it made her feel like family, like Pack. And she wasn’t either of those things.

Kiley shivered when Austin pressed his mouth close to her ear. “I have plenty of home insurance,” he promised.

She resisted rolling her eyes while he chuckled softly.

“You know, I’d buy you whatever cookies you wanted,” Tyler said.

“Daddy!” Jesse’s squeal came loudly. “We have to make them. That way they will be extra special.”

“Of course,” Tyler agreed, like he agreed to anything Jesse wanted.

“So when is this fun going to happen?” Tyler asked, glancing at her.

“As soon as I get back,” Kiley answered.

“Back?” Austin and Tyler echoed at the same time.

“I need go to my apartment and pick up some clothes and my laptop. I still have a business to run,” Kiley said. “It shouldn’t take me longer than an hour or so if someone will watch Jesse.”

“I can watch the pup,” Dom offered.

“Great,” Kiley said, standing. She ran her fingers lightly over Jesse’s stomach, making the little girl giggle.

“That’s fine with me,” Tyler said. “But I don’t like the idea of you leaving the property.”

Kiley shrugged. “I won’t be gone long.”

Austin let go of her to step into her eyeline. “One of my men will accompany you.”

She stiffened. Just what she’d expected. Now she would see the Alpha come out of him. “I don’t think so.”

“It will be safer for you to have an escort,” he tried.

“An escort?” she repeated. “That’s not going to happen. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”

“It would—”

Kiley held up her hand to cut Tyler off. She could only deal with one Alpha at a time.

“I don’t know your men. I don’t even know you, really. You don’t get to make decisions for me,” she said.

“I’m only offering you backup,” Austin said.

Oh, she hated that he sounded so calm. Didn’t he ever get angry? Not that she wanted to see him mad. But she wouldn’t be afraid.

“I don’t need backup to pack a damn bag,” Kiley argued.

“It’s merely a precaution. Let someone who knows what they’re dealing with help,” Austin pleaded. “They’ll drive you to your apartment and back.”

“Just a ride?” she asked.

Austin nodded before he motioned to his Beta.

“And I sit quietly like a good little pup while my chauffeur makes any stops I want?” she asked.

He flinched—at least the sarcasm was not lost on him.

“Umm…well,” Austin stammered.

“So the little-bitty woman needs a strong man to act as her guard?” Kiley continued to taunt. Oh, such typical Alpha behavior.

She followed Austin’s gaze as he glanced at Tyler, whose lips twitched. He wouldn’t find help there, she knew. He looked over at Gray, but he had his head bent to the table. Sitting next to Gray, Tony also avoided looking at Austin. Dominic had turned away, with Jesse on his lap staring at them. Colt sat there with his eyes wide and mouth open. It seemed like the other men knew he’d messed up. Kiley pushed down amusement, since Austin obviously had no idea what to say.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

He’d narrowed his eyes, which had her angry again.

“Of course it is!” Kiley exclaimed. “Because to you, since I’m female, I’m a weaker shifter.” She poked him in the chest. “Well, let me tell you something, Alpha,” she continued. “I do not hide behind a man, human or shifter. I can and will take care of my damn self and if you get in my way, I’ll take you down. I don’t care if you’re an Alpha or not.”

Austin took a step back and raised his hands. “Hey now! I wasn’t trying to—”

“I can’t believe you!” she hissed. “Just because I let you fu—”

His hand covered her mouth so fast Kiley could only blink at him in surprise. She’d not expected that move. Austin pressed up close enough to her that he barely had to lower his head. “Stop right there,” he said.

A shiver racked her body from the intimacy of the contact.

“My concern for you might stem from our past night together, but I wouldn’t put my own Pack at risk for no reason. We believe the threat is real. If you leave the territory, we can’t protect you and they could use you to get to us.” He dropped his hand from her mouth as she continued to stare into his hard gaze.

It was hard to concentrate on what he’d said, but she managed to shove down the need coursing through her. “How?” she argued. “I’m not part of this Pack. How is anyone going to use me?”

Austin shook his head. “You might not officially be a member, but we both know your feelings for the people in this room are strong. You’ve bonded with them, whether you like it or not.”

His words were a slap in the face. All of the anger and resentment fled and she stared at him open-mouthed. Austin was right. She might not be a registered member of the Pack, but she had connected with them. Jesse, Gray, Tyler and even Dom. They’d shared dinners together, laughed and spent time with one another. Even if she’d been fighting it and tried not to let them in, Kiley had failed. She’d begun to care deeply for them.

Austin nodded as though he knew what she was thinking.

“No.” She murmured the word at him.

“It’s true,” he said.

Kiley pushed at him. It wasn’t his fault, but she felt like punching him for pointing out that as hard as she’d tried to not form bonds with other shifters, she’d still managed to put herself in danger again. If she trusted another shifter and they treated her the way Riker had, then Kiley knew she wouldn’t survive a second time.

“I don’t know what happened to make you hate being in a Pack so much, but if you really think about it, I believe you’ll see you’ve found a home without realizing it,” Austin told her.

Kiley’s stomach cramped. Too many emotions were bubbling to the surface and she needed time to herself. She straightened up and fisted her hands while she glared at Austin. If he thought he would be able to use this information to trap her into a relationship, he would soon learn she couldn’t be controlled.

“I’m going to my apartment to get my stuff,” she said, as coolly as possible. “I do not want company. I will be back in less than an hour.” With those final words, she spun on her heel and marched out of the kitchen. She did not scan the room—they’d all remained silent during her and Austin’s exchange.

There was little chance no one else had heard their conversation and Kiley felt beyond embarrassed. Escape—she needed an escape. Time to get her head wrapped around what Austin had made her realize, as well as figure out how to bury her feelings for him down deep.

She stomped through the house and outside until she reached her vehicle. Kiley glanced around to make sure no one else was in sight before opening the door and climbing behind the wheel. One hour—hopefully she would have regained control by then.

If not, Kiley stood in real danger of losing everything, but especially the freedom and security she’d worked so hard to have. She wouldn’t explain to Austin why she was the way she was. No, instead, she needed a sure-fire plan to push him away for good.

Kiley couldn’t believe how much relief she felt when she drove through the gates leading her away from the Alpha compound. She felt grateful no one tried to stop her. Her wolf raised its head, close to the surface, and no poor innocent guard deserved her anger.

The radio remained off for her to sort through her jumbled thoughts.

Until yesterday, Kiley had been happy with her existence. Or as happy as she’d been about anything. From the beginning of her new life, she’d decided she wouldn’t be known as a victim. The day she’d escaped, Kiley had remade herself from a scared victim into the strong woman she was now. No way would she return to letting anyone have control of her.

That meant she’d have to distance herself from Tyler and the Pack and never see Austin again. Her heart ached at the thought, but surviving stood higher on her list of priorities.

As soon as Jesse stood clear once more of any danger, Kiley would leave town. Start over and become someone new, where she would be able to stop herself from growing attached to anyone again.

Kiley glanced into the rear-view mirror the way she’d been doing every few minutes since she’d begun driving. She hadn’t missed the tail she’d had since leaving Tyler’s house. Another vehicle had pulled behind her not long after she’d exited the territory and had been following at a slower pace. She circled her block a couple of times just to make sure. Since Tyler and his men already knew where she lived, it must be either one of Austin’s men or Austin had been right and she stood in danger.

She could call Tyler and ask for him to send some help, but that would only show Austin she did need someone. And Kiley was not about to let anyone know that. Even if she was being targeted, Kiley would take at least some of her attackers with her. The SUV on her tail wasn’t getting close enough for her to see how many people were following, but if they knew anything about shifters, it would be more than one.

Gathering her confidence, she pulled into her underground garage and parked in her designated spot. She exited her SUV and waited, her hand behind her with her knife against her palm. She was registered to carry a firearm, but Kiley hadn’t grabbed her gun that morning, since she had only planned on watching a cheating spouse.

It didn’t take long for the big black sports utility vehicle to show up. Kiley waved at the driver just to be a smartass. The windows were too dark to see inside, but she smiled, anyway, as though she knew what she faced within. The SUV pulled up in front of her and the passenger window rolled down.

“Austin?” she asked, surprised.

It wasn’t a real question, but he nodded anyway.

“What are you doing?”

“You know what I’m doing. I’m keeping an eye on you, like I said you needed,” he stated sternly. “What would you have done if it wasn’t me tracking you?”

Kiley brought her arm around, showing him her deadly weapon.

Austin shook his head. “You’d have to get pretty close to use that. And what if there’d been more than one?”

“I’m not a novice,” she told him. She’d trained for a year with the best self-defense guru in the city. She still had sessions twice a week with Master Woo.

Austin merely continued to stare at her.

She blew out a breath and counted to ten—slowly. Austin didn’t speak, but he sighed and she felt his gaze on her.

“Park over there,” she told him, waving to the nearest visitors’ spot. “You might as well come up.”

He pressed his lips together and sat quietly for a moment before rolling up the window and complying. When he’d gotten out of the SUV and joined her, Kiley led the way up the stairs and into her building.

Neither spoke and Kiley’s nerves were frayed. Less than five minutes ago, she had convinced herself to stay as far away from Austin as possible while distancing herself from the others. Now all she wanted to do was to cuddle into Austin’s strength and let him take care of her for a while. A short while, but just enough to give her a break. She couldn’t, though, and that made her tense.

Austin followed her to the elevator and she pressed the button to be taken to her floor. The ride didn’t last long, but she was still relieved to get out. Being so close to Austin made her feel uneasy. Well, uneasy wasn’t the right word. His musky scent played havoc with her hormones and she itched to touch him. Instead of giving in, she stomped down the hall and unlocked her door before she stepped aside and let him enter first.

It trembled on the tip of her tongue to ask if he wanted to check her closet for monsters. But that probably wouldn’t help the situation. Instead, she watched him take in her small but clean and comfortable home.

The front door led into a spacious open-concept apartment. The living room stood to the left, containing a black leather couch and chair, balanced to the right by the open full kitchen with its island in the middle. Straight ahead were the bedroom and bathroom doors. Her style was simple but elegant, or so she thought. She was secretly pleased when he whistled.

“Nice place,” he told her.

“Thanks.” She waved him forward. “Would you like a drink?”

Austin shook his head and walked over to the full-length windows behind the couch. “Pretty view of the mountains.”

Kiley took her gaze from him and looked at the scene he was enjoying. It is a wonderful view. Tyler had helped her to get the place and she rejoiced every day that she’d agreed to take a look. She’d jumped at the chance to move in. Thinking about it now, finding her apartment had been the beginning of when she’d started trusting the Alpha.

Now she had another Alpha she either had to trust or find some other way to get rid of. Kiley knew if she told Austin exactly why she avoided Packs and more than one night with any man, he’d see her for how she really stood. A fucked-up, soiled woman who wasn’t worth his time.

She hadn’t told anyone other than Tyler and Gray, but now her choices were being taken away from her. As much as Kiley didn’t want a confession time, what else could she do to get Austin to turn tail and run? Ten minutes, and she would be on her own again. Ten minutes of cutting her wrists and letting him watch her bleed, but Kiley needed to get it done.

“Will you sit down? We need to talk,” she requested.

Austin turned and, with a look of apprehension, nodded and sat on the couch. Kiley took the chair across from him and curled her feet under her.

“First, I want to say I’m sorry about what I said in the kitchen,” she told him. It would be the only time she ever told him she was sorry. Not many heard the words from her—they weren’t something she made a habit of saying. “You didn’t deserve to be treated like that, especially not in front of the others. I’m sorry.”

He looked surprised but nodded slowly.

“I have a tendency to go off sometimes and say things without thinking them through. I overreacted,” she added. She pressed on, just letting the words flow.

“Kiley…I…” Austin started. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head. “I understand you have a problem with my position. I don’t know why, but I can see it bothers you. Please tell me what’s going on.”

Oh, where to start? “You know I’m Rogue?” she asked.

“Tyler told me that much,” he responded gently. The compassion in his eyes showed her that while he might not have all the details, he was aware her past held pain.

“I left the Pack after Tyler took over. I didn’t have the choice to do it with the previous leader. My father had demanded I marry the Alpha,” she explained. “I couldn’t stand the man. He was loud and abusive and made my skin crawl.”

“Your father didn’t know?” he asked.

“Oh, he knew,” she assured him. “He just didn’t care.”

“But why would he…”

Kiley shook her head. “I didn’t grow up with a father like Jesse’s. Instead of letting me go when I begged, he gave me over to the Alpha when I turned eighteen. He didn’t care about me, just what Riker would give him for me.”

“Fuck, Riker,” Austin spat.

“Yeah,” Kiley agreed. She knew Austin would piece things together when he heard Riker’s name. “It wasn’t good. I won’t go into detail now, but it was bad for a really long time. I had no choice in anything I did. I had to follow orders, and that was that.”

“I’m sorry.” He scooted off the couch and knelt in front of her.

“What are you sorry for?” she asked, confused.

“It upsets you to talk about this.”

“It does,” she confirmed. “I don’t have great memories from my childhood, but as an adult, it was even worse. For the first time in my life, I’m on my own. I feel I finally have control of my life.”

“And here I come along, confusing things.”

“Exactly,” Kiley said. “The night we spent together was perfect, but it has to be only one night.”

“What if that night was just the beginning for us? It might be your chance at a much better life.”

“I did that on my own. I don’t need a man to make my life better,” Kiley told him.

Kiley squealed in surprise when Austin grabbed her and planted her in his lap. “You don’t listen to me.”

She didn’t mind the position she found herself in, but the disappointment in his voice bothered her. “What?”

He cupped her face, gently making her look him in the eye. “I said that night might be your chance at a better life. I know you’ve picked yourself up off the ground and are strong. Hell, I can feel the power inside you. You’re one of the strongest females I’ve ever met. If you put your mind to it, you could probably become an Alpha.”

Kiley scoffed. “Like I’d ever want that.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” Austin agreed. “But you could. That’s what I’m saying.”

“What does this have to do with anything?” Kiley snapped. As much as she enjoyed feeling him under her, Kiley didn’t like the direction this conversation was headed toward. She was ready to confess what had happened to her, but Austin wasn’t letting her push him away.

“It means you’ve proven you can survive and have power. The thing is, you’re still letting Riker have control over you.”

“I am not!”

Austin stroked her cheek. “You’re pushing me away, all of us, because you don’t want to trust anyone. Riker’s abuse is still right here.” He tapped her temple. “And by not opening yourself up and taking a chance, he wins.”

Kiley pushed at his chest to try to get away, but Austin slid his free arm around her waist.

“Don’t,” he said. “You’re going to have to let someone love you. Why not me?”

Kiley laughed uneasily. “What? Love me?”

“Maybe,” he said. “One day. But if you don’t give me the chance, how will we know?”

“You may be building yourself up for a big fall. You don’t even know me.”

“No, no, I’m not. And, yes, I do. I know what I see when I look into your eyes. I am connected with you, even after one night,” he told her, then kissed her.

The kiss was soft, a mere meeting of lips. Kiley relaxed into the first intimate touch from him. Austin ran his tongue over her bottom lip before he nibbled the soft flesh. She opened with a gasp and he slid his tongue inside. Her whole body came alive instantly. His taste, spicy and manly, burst in her mouth and she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck. She smelled his arousal and it made her body ache with need.

Her panties were catching the liquid escaping from her sex and she shifted in his arms, trying to relieve the pressure. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers.

“God, Kiley.”

He didn’t need to say any more. She knew exactly what he meant. “Yes, Austin, kiss me again,” she urged.

He growled and slammed his mouth down on hers. This time the heat came quickly. Her head swam with the passion she felt for him until she found herself straddling his lap, humping him.

“Hot…need,” she panted out against his lips. The rutting instinct was strong and she didn’t want to fight it. She was so tired of fighting. In Austin’s arms, she could let go.

“Yeah,” he agreed, his voice low and husky. He stood, picking her up with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Bedroom?”

“First door,” she told him before sealing her mouth on his neck.

She sucked and nibbled the muscled flesh, running her tongue over him and tasting. His jugular pulsed as she paid special attention to that spot, biting down gently but not breaking the skin. He stumbled and tightened his arms around her.

“Don’t stop,” he ordered, his breath coming in short bursts.

Kiley was more than happy to listen to that demand. He made it to the bedroom door and threw it open while she gave him little love bites up and down his neck.

“Good, your mouth is so good,” he told her.

“Mmm hmm,” she murmured.

They didn’t turn on any lights. Austin clumsily made his way to the bed. He fell on it with her underneath him. Kiley pulled his shirt over his head to run her palms over his strong, wide shoulders.

“I’ve wanted to touch your bare skin since I saw you again.”

Austin looked up from where he was pulling off her boots and socks. “I know…I know…”

They undressed each other quickly but still took the time to explore each new inch of flesh revealed. By the time he covered her body with his once again, Kiley trembled. She wrapped her legs high up on his back, feeling his hard, ready cock at her pussy.

“Please, I need to feel you inside me,” she told him breathlessly. Her entire body was flushed and she knew once he was inside her, it wouldn’t take long for them to reach climax. The connection was simply so strong and only having him fill her was going to take care of the ache between her legs.

He groaned long and loud, saturating the quiet room with the sound. He pushed in slowly, but Kiley didn’t want him to be gentle. She dropped her feet onto the mattress and bucked her hips, taking him in deep. They moaned in unison.

“Fuck!” he exclaimed. “So tight. Hot and tight.” Austin peppered her collarbone with small kisses and nips.

Kiley dug her fingernails into his shoulders. “Move, hurry.”

He pulled out, plunging in once more.

“Yes! Yes!” she cried out. He filled her completely. More than just her body. With him thrusting in and out, she felt their souls connect. She almost panicked, but Austin placed his mouth over hers and her fear left.

Austin snapped his hips while Kiley continued to meet each thrust. He ripped his mouth from hers, grunting.

“Austin!” she cried in pleasure.

“God… Oh, God…” he chanted. He pistoned faster and faster.

Kiley barely heard his words. She thrashed her head back and forth on the pillow and arched to meet every stroke. Her body shook and, like an explosion, she came apart.

Dimly, she heard herself scream. Austin’s voice was hoarse while he rocked into her. She clamped her inner muscles down on his cock and he yelled before he came. His hot seed flooded her pussy and she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him tight.

Maybe they would have this second night together. It was all she’d really ask for. Austin had been right about so much. If she didn’t start opening herself up to others, she’d let Riker win. Kiley closed her eyes while Austin nuzzled her neck.

She wasn’t ready for Pack, though, and the man in bed with her was an Alpha. So, no matter how far she’d gotten from Riker’s abuse, there was still something she couldn’t have. Him, for longer than a night.

“Stop thinking,” Austin murmured. “We don’t have much more time. We have to get to Tyler’s and I want to enjoy this sated feeling. I can’t if you’re all tense.”

Kiley laughed. “So sorry.”

He grunted at her and Kiley patted his back. He was right. There’d be plenty of time for her to worry later.