Bound to the Pack (Bound to the Pack, #1) Read online

  Realizing I’d just been standing there holding his hand and staring at him, I snatched my hand back as if burned and blurted, “I’m just Jen.” I cringed at my own word choice and cracking tone. No wonder I’m single, I can’t even get through an introduction without sounding like a fourteen year old and embarrassing myself.

  “Well, ‘Just Jen,’ it was a pleasure to meet you.”

  His smile sent another rush through my body and I felt myself blushing in spite of myself. “I’ve got to get home...”

  “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow then?” He cocked an eyebrow at me. “I’ll come by earlier.”

  A moment of bliss caught my breath before disappointment shattered the small bubble of hope that had built at his words. Kristen. Right. I need to leave before this emotional roller coaster breaks me apart. “Maybe.”

  He gave me a sort of half bow –Who is this guy?—turned and walked off down one of the walkways. Fighting the urge to just stare at his retreating form, his fine retreating form, I pulled myself together and hurried off towards the parking lot and my car.

  I was definitely going to need a long hot bath when I got home.

  Liam

  Walking until I heard her turn and leave, I stepped into the early evening shadows and followed her. Her scent still filled my nose, distracting me, clouding my thoughts. The darkness easily concealed me and a lifetime spent stalking prey made sneaking up to observe her almost comically easy.

  Why are human females so distracting? This one was more so than most and I felt compelled to discover why. Or did I? Is this why the clan had forbade me from coming? Coming hadn’t really been a question once I had heard the rumors, even if I was acting against the alpha’s will for the first time in all the years since I’d been born into this world.

  I decided to just let her go, but my traitorous feet kept walking after her with a mind of their own.

  If I’m caught, the blame will be on you, feet.

  I stopped and shook my head. What? This woman had addled my brain. The desire to discover why this particular human was affecting me so strongly burned within my mind. Feeling that if I didn’t sate my curiosity, its claws would stay within my thoughts until I couldn’t think of anything else.

  I realized with a start that I had closed the distance between us and slowed my pace. Better to just get this over with and move on once I know more.

  A grin split my lips as I realized the ridiculousness of the situation. Not that I truly have much frame of reference to go on, having only met my first human yesterday.

  Stopping before I entered the circles of light raining down from several tall poles above the area, I watched her as she reached a car and began fumbling with her keys. There was something endearing about the lack of easy coordination and nimbleness that came naturally to a shifter and I felt myself grinning again.

  Backing deeper into the shadows I took one long intake of breath through my nose, pulling her scent to me from across the parking lot as she got into the car. The floral bloom of her perfume, the faint remnants of the soap she had bathed with some hours before, and underneath it all the scent of her. A bundle of jumbled emotions radiated from her that pulled at me enticingly.

  I needed to talk sense into Kristen before I found myself entangled in some human nonsense. Moving to leave I had a feeling that I wouldn’t mind if it dragged out just a bit.

  Forbidden fruit or not.

  Chapter Three

  Jen

  After nearly an hour long soak in the tub I gave it up as a lost cause. My emotions were just as jumbled as ever. The closest I came to a revelation was when I had dried off my hair and wrapped it in a towel on my head. I don’t want to be alone anymore, but I also don’t want to meet anyone, either.

  Fat lot of good that does for me.

  Fortunately, my recent obsession with cleaning helped, clearing my thoughts as I worked to scrub the already spotless apartment. It felt amazing to live in a totally clean space after the years I spent living with Mike and his slovenly ways. I paused at the lack of reaction I usually felt when his name crossed my mind.

  The truth was that it was very difficult to focus on Mike when visions of Liam kept dancing through my head. I knew he was only there to see Kristen, but that couldn’t stop my mind from filling with very unrealistic fantasies.

  It seemed like the perfect compromise though, so I let my imagination run off into another world. It was a wonderful world full of a Liam that was speechless in front of the gorgeous appearance my mind’s eye allowed me to have. I was sure of myself and he was laughing at my quick wit. Best of all he had come to the store to see me.

  It was all there in my mind. He would have been unable to resist my flirting, my coy hints, my beautiful appearance. It drove him mad with desire, he would step forward to pin me against the store and press his lips to my neck before slowly kissing a trail to my chin. The passion and desire in the kiss would melt him as much as it did me, his hands would begin caressing my body before teasing my breasts...

  The feel of a hand on my actual breast snapped me back to reality. It took longer to realize than it should have that I was feeling myself up.

  What the fuck is going on with me? In the middle of the living room, duster in one hand, tit in the other?

  I had tuned myself up to the point where I felt as if my pussy was on fire. I was also wet enough that any fire there would have been drowned. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been turned on, let alone this turned on. Usually any time I felt even the slightest desire I would find Mike’s face swimming before me, killing the mood instantly. Now it was only Liam.

  “This is ridiculous.” I needed release, unfortunately I’d only ever been able to bring myself to orgasm in perfect situations and my life was far from perfect right now. Attempting it would be pure torture, an endless tease with no payoff.

  I should just go to bed and try to relax, maybe read a book.

  Tragically the book I had been reading was too close to what I had just been fantasizing about and all I saw was Liam and I as the characters in the pages. Whatever peace I had hoped to find was nowhere to be found.

  I was also going to have to change my panties. Reaching a hand down to see how wet they were I found myself moving under them instead. My fingers found the source of my distraction and began a slow tease, sliding up and down my slit and bringing me back to the peak of my fantasy with barely any effort.

  Liam was above me, spreading me open just slightly with the tip of his straining cock. He needed release just as badly as I did and I was the only one who could give it to him.

  I could feel him pushing further in, my fingers working my thoughts into reality. I was desperate for him to fill me, to stretch my pussy to its limit, to send me over the edge...

  The heat inside me exploded, shivers and spasms wracked my body. My fingers, still deep in my wetness, were being crushed with the intensity of the orgasm that was tearing through me.

  I was left gasping for breath, I had never come like that before, not on my own and never with anyone else. Now just the thought of a man I had met mere hours ago was enough to rock me to my toes.

  Removing my now destroyed panties, I tossed them carelessly aside and rolled over, lost in the energy of the aftershocks still echoing through me. The pulsing of my body was slow to fade, but in a surprisingly short time I was asleep.

  It was for the best that I would remember none of my dreams when I woke.

  ****

  The next morning sped by in the usual manner and it felt like only a few minutes ago I was in bed as I walked into the store for my shift. Kristen was there and had already begun her morning routine of opening the register while sipping on her ever present morning coffee.

  “Mornin' Jen,” she said absently, not looking up from the register as she counted it out.

  “Hey Kris. How was your night?”

  “Not what I expected,” she frowned. “But not bad either,” she finished with a grin and chuckle.
“Yours?”

  It was hard not to say ‘liberating.’ “The usual, mostly.”

  Kristen looked up. “Mostly?”

  “Yeah, someone came by after work looking for you. Liam?” I watched her face for a reaction and got more than I had expected.

  The effect his name had on Kris was immediate and startling. “Liam. Are you sure? Tall, muscular...” There was a sharp intake of breath from her.

  “Gorgeous.” The word slipped from my mouth, unbidden, and I blushed. My thoughts drifted back to how I had found release the night before.

  “That’s him.” Kris looked towards me and hesitated. “Jen, stay away from him, he’s dangerous. You think you’re hurting from Mike? Liam will use you up and toss you aside without a second thought.”

  “He was here for you Kris, not me.” There was barely a hint of bitterness in my voice. I was sure of it. “Is he an ex?”

  Definitely no bitterness.

  “We used to be close. We aren’t anymore. Too overprotective. Jen, I’m serious, he’s from a different world. I know I said you needed a distraction, but please, stay away. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

  Kris’s concern was touching in a way, but unfounded. It wasn’t as if a man like Liam would find ‘Just Jen’ an object of desire. Even my name was average. He was so far out of my league he might as well have been from another world.

  “Any idea why he wanted to see you?” I managed to force the words out.

  Kristen’s face darkened noticeably. “Yes, and it’s none of his business.”

  The look on her face said it wasn’t any of mine, either.

  ****

  The day passed in the usual fits and starts of retail. Hours going by in a blink then minutes feeling like hours. Kris slowly began to relax and become herself again by lunch time.

  “Jen, I’m taking my break. Give a yell if it gets too busy,” she said as she walked off towards the break room.

  “Sure, take your time,” I called after her.

  Slouching against the counter I listened to the music playing through the overheads, doing a quick glance around the small store just in case I had missed something to fold.

  Unlikely.

  The minutes ticked by on the clock behind me and my mind drifted, unbidden, back to the encounter of the previous night. Now that I knew there was nothing between them and definitely not thinking about Kris’s warning in the slightest, I let myself daydream.

  I saw myself as confident instead of fumbling with words, Liam smiling at a quip I had cleverly made. If only I could be as smooth in real life as I was in my mind. The door chime startled me from my fantasies and I looked up to see my distraction standing there in the flesh.

  Impossible as it was, he was even more handsome in the daylight. He looked like one of the models on the posters and displays around the store. One that had gotten bored and stepped out of his frame to come walking towards me.

  The thought bubbled in my mind as I stared at his approaching form. “Kris is out,” I blurted awkwardly. Fuck! What is my issue?!

  A smile split his face and I felt like I was melting into a puddle right there in the store. “Good afternoon Jen. How are you today?”

  “Um. Hi. Liam. Good.” What the hell did I just say? I’m an idiot. My thoughts felt scattered and I could have caught a cloud more easily than I could make simple conversation with this man.

  “Since you were kind enough to inform me Kristen isn’t here...” I felt myself blush. “May I wait for her here?” he asked.

  A minor flash of frustration flared within me. “No waiting, sorry. I have customers to help.”

  Liam pointedly glanced around the empty store before looking back at me, smiling from ear to ear. “What if I were a customer and desired your time?”

  My heart leapt at his words. Innocent though they were, they were deliciously close to the words I had been daydreaming of. “If you were a customer you could shop, yeah.” I said weakly, unable to pry my eyes from his.

  “Then I’m yours,” he grinned. “A customer, that is.”

  I blinked a few times, attempting to restart my mind. Is he flirting with me? No... he can’t be. “Ok, well, what are you looking for?”

  I fell into the familiar routine of helping a customer around through the different areas of the store and before long he had several sweaters and some jeans to try on. Gesturing towards the changing room, I began to walk back to the counter when he grabbed my wrist. Heart in my throat, I turned to face him.

  “Would you be kind enough to wait for me here? I would value your opinion on the clothes you helped me choose.”

  “Um, sure.” That sounded like a fantastic idea. “Why do you talk that way?” Why did I just blurt that out? Stupid!

  “What way?” he asked, the question having clearly caught him off guard.

  “Well, you always seem so... I don’t know, formal?” God I am such an idiot!

  “It was how I was taught. Is it inappropriate?” His question held a hint of concern.

  “No. Just unusual.” I grimaced inwardly. Just what I need, another reason to make him stand out in my mind.

  “Unusual isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” he smiled, “but please, I’ll change quickly.” And with that he stepped into the changing room.

  Allowing myself to be distracted by the sounds of his changing, I thanked the powers that be that no other customers had come in. Kristen’s earlier warning was completely gone from my mind.

  Liam

  Why am I doing this?

  I pondered over this simple question as I changed into clothes I neither wanted nor needed. She is a distraction and I need to be focused. There will be time for her after I deal with Kristen.

  I paused at the thought. Had I actually just decided to pursue her as a mate? Apparently, I had.

  Bonding with a human was expressly forbidden by doctrine so old as to be holy. Mating was allowed, but only with permission of the clan’s alphas and consent of the tribe elders. Doing so without either was a far worse offense than what Kristen might do and a guaranteed way to be exiled. At the least.

  Why then, am I unable to care?

  The lack of caring about the consequences was worrying. I had never done anything that could be considered wrong in the eyes of the tribe. I had never even thought of doing something that could be considered wrong. Until now.

  Breathing in deeply, I could smell her by the entry way to the changing area. The scent of her was a glorious mix of emotions that I could barely pick apart. The pull of my desire was enough to send blood rushing down as I took an involuntary step towards the door, pants considerably tighter.

  No, not here, not now. It was a struggle to regain control from the wolf, it had a mind of its own and it was focused on Jen like a loosed arrow flying towards its target.

  Picking up one of the sweaters to try on, I couldn’t help but smirk. It was clearly too small.

  This was going to be fun.

  Jen

  I turned as the changing room door clicked, signaling Liam’s exit, but no daydream had prepared me for the sight of him stepping out.

  Shirtless.

  He was magnificent. Chiseled muscles that were hinted at last night were visible in all their glory. I flushed like the setting sun with only some of it reaching my face, the rest stoking the fire at my core.

  “I am afraid this shirt is too small. Do you, perhaps, have it in a larger size?” Mirth filled his eyes as they found mine and he stepped towards me.

  Words, I need to say words. What are words? His eyes rooted me to the spot, all moisture had fled my mouth for regions south. Stepping even closer he dropped the shirt to the floor carelessly.

  The moment was shattered by a shrill and sudden “Liam!” As Kristen charged out from the back room.

  Chapter Four

  Liam

  Even at the call of my name I could barely stop myself. Jen’s arousal was a perfume impossible to resist, as the swell in my pants could easi
ly testify. The sight of my quarry helped me gain focus though, fortunately.

  “Kristen! You have been avoiding me.” My frustration was tangible, made worse by my own hypocritical thoughts of the human before me.

  “Out! Get out! You won’t change my mind.” Kristen looked ready to start fighting me right here.

  “So,” anger rose within me, “you have come to your decision. Truly?”

  Kristen paused and some of the tension drained from her. “No. Not yet.” She said the words quietly, grudgingly.

  “Then I have to continue trying to dissuade you. It isn’t right and you haven’t been given permission in any case. This farce has to stop.” She has to listen to reason.

  “It’s none of your business, Liam! Or anyone’s for that matter!” Kristen glanced over at Jen. “Not that you’re one to talk. You know she is off limits.” Jen shrank back from Kristen’s ire, confusion and concern rolling from her in waves. “And you definitely don’t have permission.”

  The last came as a hiss that I knew implied impending violence. Holding up my hands defensively, I backed towards the dressing area. This was not the time to provoke her. Knowing she was still undecided gave me hope that she could be talked out of her foolish course.

  Grabbing my shirt, I began to walk towards the exit. “I will depart, but we have not finished this discussion, Kris.” I paused near Jen to drink deeply of her scent. “Jen. It was a pleasure. Perhaps we could meet...”

  “OUT!” Kristen was visibly shaking with rage.

  I stepped through the store’s front door while shrugging my shirt back on. More time to work on Kristen meant more confusing time spent around this tantalizing human.

  Could nothing be simple?

  Jen

  I alternated my gaze between the retreating form of Liam, and what could only be described as the thunderhead that was Kristen. I’d never seen her this angry.

  “You!” Kristen whirled on me and I jumped in spite of myself. Kris took a deep breath to calm herself and winced, looking me up and down. “Jen... Sorry. He just gets under my skin.”