Chapter 4
1289 Words
4
SHELBY
We’re going to need to pleasure you all night.
I couldn’t deny the surge of lust I’d experienced at hearing those words. I’d been incapable of refusing the offer.
Although... it had been less an offer than a demand, and perhaps, that was the reason right there I was nervous.
“Star, you okay?” Roscoe demanded, stalking away from Ben who’d probably just told him some macho bullshit about me quitting. A growl rumbled from Gibson at my stage name.
“I’m fine, but I do have to go.” I held up a hand to try to ward off his concern and approach. The last thing I needed here was an altercation between two hormonally-challenged wolves defending their unclaimed mate and the strip club owner and his bouncers.
I put a hand on Gibson’s chest and went up on my tiptoes to whisper although he didn’t need me to do that to hear, even with the music blaring. “You two make a scene, and I’m not going anywhere with you,” I warned, even though we both knew they could toss me over a shoulder and carry me off.
That was the part that freaked me out.
Meeting them here—away from others like us—meant they had no one to vouch for them. Especially being from another pack. Clint had outed himself as an enforcer last fall, his job to protect shifters was a stark reminder that there were rogues around. When I walked out the doors, I had no one to protect me from them if required.
When Gibson looked troubled at my words, I relaxed slightly. He took my threat seriously. Or took me seriously, anyway.
He tucked an arm around my waist and made an attempt at dropping his scowl. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but Star won’t be returning.”
“Are you safe with these guys?” Roscoe demanded. All things considered, he was a decent guy.
I swallowed. I should be safe with them. As their mate, they would be hard-wired to protect and provide for me. That didn’t mean they wouldn't be high-handed assholes while doing so. After all, they’d just informed me and my boss I was out of a job. Not to mention spanked my butt pink over having it out in the first place. Of course, I'd enjoyed the heck out of that.
And that thought got my bare p***y wet. Wetter.
Gibson’s nostrils flared.
“Yeah,” I managed to say, sounding slightly out of breath. “They’re safe.”
Roscoe didn’t look convinced, so I flashed an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I’ll just get my stuff.”
“You bail, I’m not f*****g paying you for tonight’s shift,” Roscoe snapped.
“Don’t talk to her that—” Ben began, but Gibson cut in. “Not a problem.”
Not a problem for him. I doubted he had bills he couldn't pay. I needed the cash, but I also didn’t think they were going to let me get back up on the stage without a bar brawl.
“I’ll go clean out my locker,” I said quickly, escaping to the ladies’ room which also served as a very lame dressing area for the dancers at Hoedown.
I didn’t bother to change my clothes, not caring to examine if it was because I didn’t want to put on a new pair of panties after my oh-so-dominant new mate had stripped off the last ones and commanded I remain bare. I couldn’t help it if surrender was in my nature. I grabbed my purse and clothing bag from my locker and met Ben and Gibson at the door.
Gibson took my hand in his large one and tugged me outside. There, he turned me to face him, set his hands gently on my shoulders. “Don’t be scared, kitten. We’re going to take good care of you.”
I didn’t answer. I was sure he believed that, but good care could be interpreted in many different ways. What if we had different definitions? My father hadn’t taken good care of my mother. When I was little, she’d been a stay-at-home mom. Hadn’t thought she would need a career outside the home. Then boom! One day, when I was a teenager, he just up and left. She’d been scrambling ever since.
She’d quickly gotten underwater on her mortgage and racked up credit card bills while trying to find a job that paid more than minimum wage. At sixteen, I’d gotten an after-school job and worked—helping her pay the bills—ever since. College had never been an option. At a certain point, I’d realized living with her wasn’t healthy, and I’d moved out, but she still relied on me with her mortgage and other surprise bills. My wages as a ski instructor and rafting guide and the money from my little juice bar stand barely paid my own rent, which was how I ended up at Hoedown. The cash was good, and the hours didn’t conflict with my other work.
“Listen.” He cupped my face and ran his thumb across my cheek.
I didn’t mean to, but my body automatically responded to his touch, and I leaned into his hand. My gaze met his in the pink glow of the neon sign.
“I feel you trembling, kitten,” he murmured. His voice was deep but the tone soft. “I know you’re not sure about us. But you do believe you’re safe, right?”
That question again. I closed my eyes. My she-wolf certainly felt safe. Hell, my she-wolf also felt horny, so maybe she wasn’t the best judge. Did I think I was safe?
When I opened my eyes again, I found him watching me so intently it made a shiver run through my body. “Yes.”
“Good.” He nodded.
“Ben will drive your car. You ride with him and give him directions, okay?” He waited for my response. He was alpha, I was sure of it, but he paid attention to my emotions.
I drew a long breath and exhaled. "I… Are you going to claim me?" I met his gaze and willed my legs to stop wobbling. I’d wanted to be claimed my entire life, but now that it was imminent, I was scared. I felt too much too fast.
Their claiming bite—bites?—would forever embed their scent in my skin. Mark me as theirs. Once bitten, there'd be no going back. I had no idea how it even worked with two males.
"Not without your consent." He glanced at Ben, who moved to stand beside us. He nodded.
"Promise?" I don't know why I wanted to delay the inevitable. Why I fought against fate. Maybe it was just to believe I still held some control over my future. My wolf might trust them, but I didn’t. I didn’t even know them. The way my dad bolted, could I ever trust a man even after being claimed?
"You have my word as pack alpha," Gibson vowed.
"You have my word as your mate and a council enforcer," Ben swore.
Alpha. Council enforcer. Holy crap. When my she-wolf picked mates, she found mates.
I licked my lips and both of them tracked the movement, their eyes changing color. A blast of lust rocked through me. I glanced down. Judging by the tents in their pants, we all felt it.
"Let's go," Ben said, taking my elbow. “Where’s your car?”
I still wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but there was no turning back now. Even if I wanted to send them away, they’d never budge. Not without taking me with them. Taking them to my place was the best case scenario. Especially since I’d be back in pack territory.
If only I could convince them to stay in Cooper Valley.
But I already knew that was impossible. Gibson was an alpha. An alpha. He had a Wyoming pack to lead… for his lifetime. He couldn’t run off to Montana to play house. No male gave up his pack for a female.
Not even when she was his one true mate.
- Writer
