Pack Secrets

The strong fresh aroma of high-dollar coffee filled the kitchen as Alex Wilson went about brewing a pot. The last few days of having a house full of guests worrying over his best friend and other Pack mates had started taking a toll on him.

When his Alpha had first asked him to house their out-of-town company, Alex had figured it wouldn’t be too bad. Since his sister had recently mated with Max Lawson, the two spent most of their time in the guest house, leaving Alex alone. Even his younger brother was already married and had two boys.

Alex was alone.

Although he wasn’t opposed to the solitary existence, he’d found himself looking forward to socializing with others outside his immediate family.

He should have been more careful in what he wished for.

Not only were complete strangers staying in his spare bedrooms, but they’d also had to add guards to the property after Marcus Webb had been shot.

It was just the night before that the Alpha and others had found the man responsible for the attempted murder. They’d also found out that Emilio, the man accountable, worked for the same organization as Angelica Salvatore. Emilio was being held by the Guardians in one of his rooms, but his Alpha had assured Alex that Emilio posed no threat to his family.

Thinking about Angel reminded Alex why he needed to brew the coffee extra strong.

Ever since Angel had shown up on his doorstep with her brother and his closest friends, Alex hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. He shouldn’t have been so damn hung up on some woman he didn’t know, who was obviously keeping many secrets.

Alex didn’t like drama and Angel appeared to be full of complications. She was also gorgeous, funny and mysterious. Fuck, he wanted to grab a handful of her black silky hair to yank her head back and plunder her mouth.

Cock more than half hard, Alex needed to calm down quickly before someone walked in.

Finally the beep indicating his morning beverage was ready sounded from the machine. Knowing everyone else would soon be up, he transferred the contents into a stainless-steel carafe before beginning another pot to brew.

As he picked up his favorite mug, the kitchen door swung open with a soft wisp of air. Alex didn’t even need to turn around to know who had joined him.

“Coffee?” he asked, already reaching for another cup.

“Please.”

Angel’s voice sent a shudder through his body. Fighting against the temptation for doing all the things he’d been dreaming about, Alex went about making her drink. “One sugar and a dash of creamer, right?”

“You noticed.”

Damn, damn, damn. He shrugged his shoulders. “I try to pay attention to my guests’ preferences,” he responded.

Her soft laughter came from right behind him. No longer was he only half hard. His erection now pushed against the zipper of his jeans.

Finishing stirring in the condiments, he turned to offer her the cup.

Angel was indeed close. She had Alex trapped against the counter, leaving him no way of moving without brushing against her.

“What are you doing?” he asked with suspicion.

“Accepting my coffee?”

He didn’t miss the sparkle in her eyes. Breathing in deep, he tried his best not to let her know how she affected him. Since he couldn’t get a handle on his emotions he really didn’t feel up to battling wits with her right then. “Excuse me.” He waved for her to back up.

“Anytime we’re in a room alone together you have an excuse to leave. When are we going to talk about what this is between us?” she questioned as she raised a beautiful eyebrow.

“I don’t play games,” he told her. “If you need something just tell me.”

Sighing, she shook her head before reaching down to place her mug back on the counter next to his. “I’m not trying to play games. I’ve been trying to get you to talk to me.”

That sounded like a really bad idea to him. He didn’t even know the woman in front of him yet was more entranced by her presence than he had ever felt about anyone else. It made him uneasy not knowing exactly what Angel was. He relied on his shifter senses so much that it was strange Angel was different from anyone he’d ever met.

“I should probably get breakfast started,” he said, ignoring her words.

“You’re doing it again,” she accused.

“What?” He glanced over her shoulder, praying someone would walk in.

“Look at me, Alex,” she demanded.

He was powerless not to follow that order. She had the prettiest crystal-blue eyes. They should have looked out of place with her long, dark, black hair, but instead the blue just seemed to stand out even more.

“Is there anything you want to ask me?” she questioned, pretty much throwing his words back at him.

He had too many questions on his mind that he wanted to ask but he didn’t know even how to begin. What really held him back though were the questions he wasn’t sure he was ready for.

There was something unusual about her. As a wolf shifter, he knew all about people who were different. Growing up in Canyon, Texas, Alex had been around shifters his entire life.

Angel and her brother Justin had no scent.

For a shifter who used his sense of smell to determine danger, the fact that he couldn’t pick up anything from the Salvatore siblings messed with him.

“Why can’t I scent you?” he asked cautiously.

Angel grinned up at him. At his six-foot height he peered down at the smaller five-foot-seven woman. “I knew that would be one of your first questions.”

Alex nodded, although he wasn’t certain why. She hadn’t asked him anything. When she laid her hand on his chest he jolted in surprise.

“Wouldn’t you rather discuss this attraction between us?”

It didn’t escape Alex’s notice that she hadn’t answered his question. Placing his hand over hers, he gripped her. “Why don’t you answer?”

“Because I don’t want you to freak out. This is the first time you’ve really opened up and you’re not ready.”

“You’re talking in riddles!” he exclaimed. “You say you want to talk, but you only want to dangle tidbits in front of me.” He pushed her hand off before stalking away.

“Alex…” she called his name softly.

He spun around and saw— “Holy shit!”

Backing into the wall, he didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t until he felt the flat surface not giving him room to escape that he realized he was in deep trouble.

Angel’s eyes actually glowed. Not yellow or red or anything like in the movies. Her normally calm blue eyes turned purple. He held up his palms to keep her from advancing.

She ignored them and walked right up against his body. “I told you that you weren’t ready. But don’t reject me.”

“Back off,” he growled. He might have been raised never to fight against a female, but he wasn’t completely powerless. He let his wolf come to the surface in warning. Just enough that his own eyes would start to change and the animal inside could break loose if need be.

“You going to fight me?” she asked, grabbing a hold of his arms.

Fuck! She was strong.

“Go ahead,” she taunted.

He had no other choice. He pushed his entire body against hers. As they banged against the wall, their breaths mixed as they panted with their faces so close together.

Even though fear spiked through him, he was sure to be careful with his strength. He didn’t want to hurt Angel. That was the last thing he wanted, but he was so very much out of his element here.

“Is this what you want? Me pinned so you can ravish me?”

Why did her words have to be exactly the same as what he was feeling? As close as they were, she had to feel his erection, sure, but he got the distinct impression she always knew what he was thinking.

“Stop.” Instead of the order he intended, the word came out as a plea.

“I won’t stop you,” Angel told him while she ran her hands up his arms. “In fact I want you to.”

Alex was going to lose his mind. He didn’t know which way was up or down. Biting his lip, he knew he should let her go. He tried to make himself. Really he did.

Then Angel strained up and covered his mouth with hers. Their lips touched once, then again, after that he was lost.

Opening up to her questing tongue, he let Angel control the kiss. Alex did the one thing he’d been dying to do. He buried his hands in her soft hair, using his body to keep her in place.

Bending at the knees, he pushed his hard cock against her.

She moaned, which he happily swallowed. He closed his eyes to block out everything else in the room.

A sudden barrage of pictures of the two of them popped up in his mind. Images of him and Angel on the kitchen floor, tearing at clothes and biting exposed flesh.

She gasped, jerking back.

The vision had been like a movie playing behind his closed eyes. What in the hell? Angel frowned with her eyes wide. She reached for him again but he shook his head, taking another step back.

“What are you?” he asked desperately. Angel had to be the one responsible for the clear images in his head. He’d never had an experience like his brain being taken over by such erotic and real-life pictures. Not knowing exactly what Angel was could be the only explanation.

“No,” she said, her voice shaking a little. “I can’t tell you.”

“Tell me!” he demanded, gripping her shoulders.

“I…”

Touching her had been a mistake. Now that he had his hands back on her, all he could think about were the pictures of taking her once again. Had he ever felt so turned on before? He couldn’t remember a time he’d been so out of his mind in need. Slowly he skimmed one hand from her shoulder to cup her chin before caressing lower.

He wrapped his hand around her neck without any pressure to harm her. He didn’t squeeze, just held her still while he gazed at her. “Answer me, please.”

The door opened behind them. Alex did not move.

“What the…?” Chase muttered from the entry.

Taking the time to explain to his best friend would have been smart. Instead, he was annoyed at being interrupted. He could scent Chase and Kayla as they entered the kitchen.

“Alex?” Chase said quietly.

“No, I want answers from her and I want them now,” Alex snapped at his best friend.

“We’ll get them, but not this way. Let her go,” Chase replied.

He realized what it must look like. Instead of the intimate embrace they’d been sharing it may have appeared Alex held Angel in a hostile manner.

Chase started forward, but Angel held up a hand. “Don’t worry about it, Chase. If I wanted loose, I could do so myself. I’m quite enjoying this reaction from your friend.”

That had Alex responding. He snarled, releasing Angel and stomping away. Why does she have to be so infuriating?

He stalked to the other side of the kitchen before whirling back on Angel. “You have put my entire family—everyone I care about—in danger. I will not accept that you can’t tell me what is going on. I want to know!” He ended his rant by slamming his hand against the marble countertop.

Angel nodded. Straightening her clothes, she stared at Alex.

The acceptance shocked Alex, but if he were going to get answers he would be happy.

“Please have a seat.” Angel waved her hand at the table.

Never looking away from Angel, he strolled over to one of the chairs and dropped down.

“I’ll get the coffee,” Chase offered.

Nodding, Alex didn’t speak, instead he breathed deeply, hoping to gain back some of his control.

Angel took the seat directly across from him. Having to push away the disappointment of not having her near him confused Alex. He’d only just met Angel and already he felt obsessed with running his hands over her body. What he needed was answers, not being distracted by his hormones.

No one spoke as Chase quietly moved around the kitchen until he placed four mugs on the table. Kayla helped Chase pass around the drinks before sitting back quietly while Angel remained staring at Alex.

“Are you sure you’re ready to hear this, Alex? Once I tell you, there is no turning back,” Angel stated.

“You mean you’ll actually answer our questions this time?” he challenged.

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But you don’t get to just walk away when I’m through. You have to listen to all of it.”

“Fine,” Alex said to Angel. “Answer me this… Are you human?”

Angel’s expression didn’t change—she still gazed at Alex with an open look. “No.”

Alex wasn’t even surprised. “Is that why you and your brother have no scent?”

“It is.”

Well at least he was getting some answers. “This organization that you work for…is everything you told us the truth?”

“Yes, the Guardians are a good group. We’ve always thrived in protecting others. That is our sole purpose.”

“If it’s good work that you do, why the secrecy?”

“Unlike the Wolf Council or other shifter leaders, our agency does not discriminate against other paranormal types. Anyone who has the same beliefs is welcome to join.”

“Beliefs?”

Angel’s smile grew. “The idea that no matter what—or who—you are, we are all equal. Everyone, including humans, should have someone looking out for them.”

“What are you?”

Angel shook her head.

“You said you would answer!” Alex raised his voice, determined.

“You’re not ready!” Angel fired back.

“Damn it, tell me,” Alex shouted, jumping to his feet.

“Alex,” Chase called to his friend.

Alex turned on him. Chase could sit at the table with Kayla at his side and have the ability to remain calm. Alex felt like everything was coming apart around him. “No, there is something going on. I know she is doing something to me.” He didn’t have another explanation. The images of them making love on the kitchen floor were still in his head. From the second he’d met her, Alex had been going out of his mind with need. “I have to understand,” Alex said as calm as possible. “What are you doing to me?”

She stood slowly. “I’m sorry,” Angel said as she walked closer to Alex.

“Just…please…” he begged.

“They call my kind Day Walkers,” Angel admitted in a whisper.

“I don’t… What does that mean?” Alex questioned just as softly.

“It’s what mythology would compare to a vampire—although the culture we live in has almost everything wrong about us.”

“V…am…pire?” Alex managed to stutter. “But…” How could that be? Vampires didn’t exist. Surely someone would have spoiled that secret.

“And you, Alex Wilson, are my mate.”

He blinked at her. He hadn’t heard that right, had he? No, he really had to be losing his mind. But maybe… After all, he could shift into a wolf, and before they’d gone public no one had thought that was possible.

“I didn’t expect that. Alex?” Chase spoke.

Alex heard him but it seemed so far away. He couldn’t catch his breath and his hands were shaking. Angel was a vampire? She was truly remarkable.

“Alex?” Chase called again.

He softly laid his palm against Angel’s cheek. He’d just kissed her. Been having dreams about her the last two nights and had never expected something like this. “Amazing,” he murmured.

Angel’s eyes widened but a smile ghosted across her lips. “That’s what I thought the first time I saw you.”

“Let’s give them some privacy,” Chase said.

“Okay,” Kayla agreed.

Alex and Angel didn’t move away from each other as Chase and Kayla left the kitchen.

“What does this mean?” Alex asked quietly, still in awe.

“There’s a lot I have to share with you. I know you don’t understand, but you have to trust me,” she replied.

Trust, it seemed like such an easy thing to ask for. Could he give her that? What about the whole mate thing? “You called me your mate.”

“Isn’t that what the shifters call the persons they claim as their own?”

“Yes,” he agreed.

“That is what you are to me. As soon as I saw you, I got a premonition that you were the person I was meant to be with.”

“Oh,” he responded, since he wasn’t sure what to say.

She looked disappointed as she took a step back. Alex didn’t want to her to move away.

“You don’t feel it? I could have sworn you did.”

Going with instinct, he grabbed her hand before she could get too far. “What?”

“I thought shifters recognized their mates. That’s why you acted so weird around me.”

Unsure how to explain things, Alex drew Angel back toward the table. This time he made sure she was right next to him. “Angel, shifters choose their mates. Yes, I’ve heard of two, maybe three, people who are believed to be fated mates. Only one of those recently. For the most part, it’s the two people who find one another and perform a ritual that connects their spirit.”

“I see,” she said softly.

“We believe that the mate we choose is our match. The person that completes us. I’ve also heard there is an instant attraction and the relationship evolves from there.”

“So you do feel a connection to me?”

He grinned. “Of course. I don’t understand it, and not being able to scent you really messed with me, but I’ve wanted you from the first minute.”

She rose, only to slide into his lap and straddle him. “So what are we going to do about it?” she asked, pressing her chest against his while gliding her hand down his stomach.

Alex sucked in a breath. “I…”

“Sadly, we can’t do anything now,” she told him. “I can hear everyone in the hall and I believe they are about to demand answers.”

Now that she’d pointed it out, Alex could pick up on the voices getting loud outside his kitchen. “We do need to know if there is more of a threat out there to the Pack.”

“I know. I tried to tell you as much as I could but I do have rules I have to follow. Although I can confess more to you than anyone else.”

“Me?” he asked confused. It took a minute of her just staring at him before he understood. She’d claimed them mates. “Oh.”

“What I can’t tell the others I will share with you. You can repeat that information to your Alpha and we can go from there.”

That sounded like a deal to Alex. “Okay.”

Angel stood, however Alex didn’t let her go far. He wrapped his hands around her waist. “Wait.”

“Yes?” She peered down at him.

He didn’t know how to ask for what he wanted. Instead he pushed out of the chair to take her mouth.

There was no hesitation in her response. When they broke apart he grinned. “I had to taste you one more time.”

“There will be a lot more than just one,” she declared, slipping her hand into his while pulling him toward the door.

Alex opened the door when they reached it, amused to see half the house standing there talking.

“Maybe we should all go into the den?” Kayla suggested.

“Good idea. Alpha Shawn is waiting for us,” Justin, Angel’s brother, agreed. “Angel and I will tell you what we can.”

Turning to glance at Angel for confirmation, who nodded at him, he led the way. He guessed they were going to do this now.

Angel hadn’t released the hold on his hand.

A few of his friends cast surprised looks their way but no one asked any questions. Chase smiled brightly at him before throwing him a wink.

Alex would have to talk to his best friend about everything. Chase now knew Angel’s secret and, if it was so important that it not be revealed, Alex would do his best to keep her safe.

Justin sat in one of the large overstuffed chairs and was glaring at their linked hands. Guess I’ll have to deal with her brother too.

His sister was also going to have to be one of the first he spoke with. Cassie nudged her mate, Max, nodding in his direction. Max only shrugged in response, getting a glare from Cassie. They hadn’t been together long but Alex was still a little jealous about the ease in which they’d settled into their relationship.

He could only hope that if things worked out with Angel, he’d be as lucky.

“Angel?” Justin called.

Beside him, she took a deep breath. “Here’s what I can tell you.”

Angel was more nervous than she’d ever been in her life. After all she’d revealed to Alex in the kitchen, she should be calm while explaining everything to the people in the room. They’d all helped her capture Emilio, proving they were good people. Plus, they were shifters, so being different themselves, they should understand the need for secrecy.

The fact that they were Alex’s family and closest friends was what actually scared her. If they had issues with what she was they could stand between her and her mate.

She’d spent her entire adult life fighting for the people in the room. Shifters, humans and Day Walkers all needed someone out there making certain that they were safe. Like every group of people, the paranormals had the good and bad. Angel’s job was to stop any bad from hurting people. It was something she’d been trained for from the moment she could walk.

As the oldest Salvatore child, her future had been decided when she was born. While her brother had received a good education and been able to concentrate on his art, Angel had always had responsibilities to the organization.

She wasn’t jealous of her brother’s freedom, well not much anyway—she liked what she did, even though she was lonely.

Glancing at the man next to her, she had to wonder what the future would hold for the two of them. Hopefully Alex could accept her as his mate and they’d somehow be able to manage around her job.

It was easier to look at Alex as she spoke. His was the only opinion that mattered to her. “As I told you before, I work for an organization that polices non-humans. Before the shifters went public, our number one goal was to keep the paranormals of the world secret. Since you have all announced your presence, we try to keep your kind safe while still hiding the others.”

“And by others?” Alpha Shawn questioned.

She clenched her fist, bracing for the reaction. “Justin and I are Day Walkers.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Max asked after several moments of silence.

Angel jerked in surprise when Alex covered her hand with his. Grateful, she smiled slightly at him before addressing the Alpha in training. “A Day Walker is the closest thing to what mythology calls the vampire.”

The gasps were expected.

“I’m sorry, did you just say vampire?” Cassie Wilson demanded as she jumped to her feet.

Angel wasn’t afraid of the pretty wolf shifter but since she was Alex’s sister, Angel really wanted Cassie to accept their bond. “I can tell you that almost everything people believe about our kind is untrue.”

“Do you drink blood?” Cassie challenged.

Since Alex stiffened next to her Angel knew her desire for a calm conversation wasn’t going to happen. “We do.”

The room exploded. Questions were shouted out as several of the shifters moved quickly to place their mates behind them. Looking up, Angel tried not to let her hurt show.

The Alpha of the Pack was closest to her, standing in the middle of the room and trying to calm everyone down. Max had pushed Cassie against one wall while using his body as a shield. Chase and Kayla warily looked around while Alex was now up from the couch with the entire length of it between them.

Raising her gaze to the most powerful man in the room, she met Shawn eye to eye. He turned to his Pack members. “We need to hear her out,” he insisted.

“You knew about this!” Max accused.

It was a good thing she wasn’t a shifter when Shawn let out a low, spine-tingling growl. All shifters in the room dropped their gazes and she could even feel the power radiating from the Alpha.

“I’m sorry, Alpha”—Max dropped down to one knee—“I was out of line.”

“Raise, my son,” Shawn ordered gently. “Everyone sit back down and listen.”

As they moved to follow the Alpha’s direction, Angel’s heart broke with the distance Alex put between the two of them as he returned to the couch.

“Yes, I am aware of what Angel and Justin are. I have been since Marcus came to live with the Pack and informed me of his previous profession. This information is to be kept as a Pack secret. You’re complete obedience is required or you will deal with me,” Shawn stated firmly. He peered back at Angel. “Please continue.”

“Because of what history has twisted about Day Walkers,” Angel told them, “it is impossible for our kind to be revealed. We would be wiped out of existence without thought. That’s why the Guardians were originally founded. At first our ranks were only made up of Day Walkers but over the years we’ve added other shifters, and even humans, to our goal of protecting those who don’t know the real dangers out there.”

“Kind of like the Wolf Council?” Max commented.

Nodding, she agreed. “We work closely with your council on matters that have to do with wolf shifters. The newly founded Shifter Coalition has also given us more options to expand our help.”

She chanced a peek in Alex’s direction but his entire posture was closed off to her. He sat hunched into himself with his jaw clenched.

“I can’t believe you never told me.” Kayla pointed at Angel’s brother.

“I couldn’t!” Justin exclaimed. “It’s against the rules.”

“So why are you telling us now?” Max inquired, suspicion tainting his tone.

Since Angel didn’t think Alex would appreciate her revealing their destiny to everyone, she went with a second truth. “My boss and a few others are on their way to pick up Emilio. I’ve reported in everything that has happened and was given permission for you all to be brought up to speed. Working with Alpha Shawn, we hope to be able to prevent your Pack from being harmed because of a few rogue agents. They’ve targeted your family and we have to stop them.”

She didn’t mention the only reason Caspar had allowed her to share the information so soon was because she’d claimed Alex. Since they were close to her mate they’d benefit from Alex’s connection to her.

“The first thing we need to do is send out the guards we have available into town and have them start patrolling. We don’t want to cause a panic,” Max spoke up.

“Why don’t you call Jacob and the two of you work out rotations?” Shawn asked Max. “Chase, I need you to contact Kurt Moore with the council. They need to be aware of our situation. I don’t know if he had any knowledge of the Guardians so for now, keep that under wraps.”

“Yes, sir.” Chase rose. “Are we to remain here?”

Shawn nodded. “At least until the other Guardians arrive and I get to speak with them.”

“What about me?” Alex asked from where he still sat.

“I hate to impose on you further, but can you make up a few more guest rooms? The Guardians will have traveled far in a short amount of time and will probably appreciate some time to rest.”

Alex nodded sharply before fleeing the room.

There was no doubt that he was trying to put as much distance between the two of them as possible. Tears threatened to fall as a feeling of devastation overwhelmed her.

“Thank you for trusting us.” Shawn stood in front of her, pulling her attention to the large man.

“I only did what I thought was best for everyone,” she responded sincerely.

“I know it’s not easy.”

Angel rose. “I didn’t expect any other reaction. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like some air.”

She didn’t even wait for the Alpha to agree. She quickly made her way over to the sliding glass doors and pulled one open. Stepping out onto the beautiful wood deck, Angel stopped to appreciate the large space. She didn’t have an area like this at her residence. It reminded her of television shows and movies were family gathered. A spike of jealousy shot through her. Alex had family and friends that surrounded him. She ached to be part of his world there.

The dark color of the deck flowed from one beam to another while the entire surface gleamed in the sunlight. A huge barbeque pit was located on one side while a long picnic table dominated the middle. Closest to her she could see a stack of toys inside a box that must belong to the children of Alex’s brother Jacob.

She stepped out, before closing the door behind her. The Texas heat had already warmed the area. Lifting her face to the sky, she soaked in the rays. The day before, she’d gotten to see the entire Wilson ranch while they’d been searching for Emilio.

It was a lovely piece of land located on the edge and inside the canyon. Angel had never seen such a beautiful property and would have loved to get a personal tour from Alex.

All she could do was give Alex time while praying he’d eventually want a relationship with her. If Alex rejected her she would move on and be alone for the rest of her life. She was used to being on her own but in the back of her mind she’d always held on to the fact that she could meet her mate.

Alex was everything she could have dreamed up. With him being a couple inches taller, she’d loved it when he’d pinned her to the wall and their bodies had fit together. His expressive deep-brown eyes flickered with gold when arousal hit him.

It was his body, though, that had filled her fantasies for the last several nights. Since she worked with heavily muscled, military-trained men, she truly appreciated Alex’s compact, athletic build.

A warm breeze carrying the scent of horses lifted her hair from her back. Angel wasn’t used to be around the big creatures but she’d had the urge to visit them since she’d arrived. Well, no time like the present.

After slowly walking down the wide steps, she felt the first touch of grass under her feet and smiled. If Angel ever got a home of her own she wanted acres and acres of grass. She still remembered the garden that had been one of her favorite spots in her parents’ house.

Even though she hardly ever visited anymore, Angel would always cherish the few short years that she’d lived in the big rambling house.

Taken for training at seven years of age, most of Angel’s earliest memories were of the compound. Almost thirty years she’d stayed in the same small one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment located in the large structure claimed by the Guardians.

She’d never had a real home. Even her family treated her differently than they did one another. While her parents remained close with her brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, there was a noticeable distance with her as the oldest Salvatore child.

Even though Angel knew her parents loved her, she had grown so far apart from them. Being on the Wilson ranch, and seeing the affection and loyalty that the entire Pack had for one another, was a reminder that she’d never belonged anywhere like that.

Pushing the longing aside, she strode toward the large barn. The doors stood open already so she was able to slip inside unnoticed. She scented two shifters close by but managed to avoid coming in contact with them.

A neigh had her popping her head up from where she was pressed against one of the stables. She peered over the door with caution, unsure what she’d find. Her breath caught as she stared in amazement.

The beast was magnificent. Dark brown hair gleamed in the light that came in through a small window. Looking up at the huge brown eyes, Angel felt the power radiating from the animal.

Holding up a hand, she called softly to the horse. Wow! Barely able to keep standing still she waited in excitement until the mare had brushed up against her palm.

She jerked her hand back before reaching out once again. Cautiously, she patted the neck of the large animal.

There was no way she’d step inside the enclosure, although she really wanted to. Leaning forward, Angel watched as the horse sniffed her. Before she knew what was happening, the mare had her nose buried in Angel’s chest.

“Uh—” She froze in her spot. “Easy there.”

“She’s looking for treats.”

“Ugh!” Angel turned and jumped back, getting her feet tangled. She hit the side of the stable before going down hard.

“You okay?” Alex stood in front of her with a hand out to help her up.

Shit! This really wasn’t how she’d wanted to see the man again. Accepting his help, she allowed Alex to pull her back onto her feet. She expected him to release her immediately, but instead, he actually hauled her closer.

Stiffening against him, she prepared for rejection.

“I’m sorry,” he told her quietly.

Sure that she hadn’t heard him correctly, she just blinked up at him.

“I don’t know what I started to freak out about. I think everything just caught up to me and I panicked.”

“I understand,” she replied, unsure what else to say.

“I hurt you,” he said as he placed two fingers under her chin to make her look up at him.

She started to shake her head.

“I hurt you and I am sorry,” he repeated.

Finally Angel lifted her gaze to meet Alex’s. Right away she could see the sincerity in the chocolate-colored depths.

“I know I don’t deserve it but I would like to learn more about you.”

Shrugging, Angel wasn’t going to deny her mate anything. If the shoe were on the other foot then she would want to know about his kind. “I’ll answer any questions you have.”

“No.” He drew her closer, and Angel was powerless to resist.

Settling her hands against his chest, she could feel the muscles in his pecs moving.

“I want to get to know you. Not just what you are but who you are.”

Overcome with emotion and relief, Angel wrapped her arms around Alex’s back, burying her face in his chest. Feeling Alex’s hands on the back of her head relaxed her even more. When she was sure that she once again had control, she pulled away and peered up at him.

He smiled. “First let me introduce you to Rebel Princess.”

Confused, she looked around until she heard the horse behind her snort. “Rebel Princess?”

“Cassie named her but it fits. I call her Reba,” he explained with a wide grin.

“She is so beautiful,” she told Alex. He came back around, standing close.

“I’ve always thought so. I was driving Cassie out to college and on the west side of the highway there was this horse ranch. This one ran up and down the fence line over and over. I couldn’t get the picture of her out of my head. She was just a little one back then. After the weekend I drove back by myself and pulled over to the side when I saw her playing again.”

“Wow!”

“I knew I had to have her. I spun around and drove straight to the office. Two weeks later she was mine.”

Once again she raised a hand toward Reba. The horse pawed the ground but came closer. This time the animal didn’t hesitate to sniff her.

“I think she likes you,” Alex commented with a chuckle.

“The feeling is mutual,” Angel whispered back in awe.

“Have you ever ridden?”

“No, no, this is the closest that I’ve ever come to one.”

“We have a tradition of taking the horses on a sunset ride down the canyon. I’d love for you to join us sometime.”

“Really?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

“Yes, like I said, I want to get to know you.”

“I want that too,” she agreed.

Reba backed away, so Angel spun back to Alex. “What now?”

“I want to show you something,” he told her as he held out his hand.

Linking her fingers with his, Angel followed behind her mate. She was counting her blessings that somehow he had overcome his fear and was at least open to the possibilities of learning more about her.

He led her farther back into the barn where she caught the faint sound of something rustling around. Alex winked over his shoulder before pausing in front of one of the half doors.

“Oh my,” Angel exclaimed softly. Right in front of her eyes, a tiny colt was leaning against a much larger mare.

“He’s only three weeks old,” Alex told her.

“He’s so little.”

“The best part of having the ranch with the horses is watching the young ones grow up,” he confided.

That sounded good to Angel. Alex had such a great life that she wasn’t certain she would be able to fit in. Had fate made a mistake matching the two of them together? She didn’t want to believe that Alex wouldn’t be able to accept her.

But he was willing to try, so she would give him the benefit of doubt. She at least had to show him that even though she was infected as a Day Walker, she would never harm him.

“Will you come with me to see something else?” he asked softly.

Turning back to him, she smiled. “Yes.”