Page 27 of Big, Bad Alien (Alien Wolf Tales #1)

CHAPTER 27

S carlett sat next to the window, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun as she worked the small hand loom. The rhythmic motion of passing the shuttle back and forth soothed her, bringing a sense of normalcy to her new life. She smiled, remembering Nyra’s infectious laugh when she’d offered to lend her the loom.

“You humans always need something to keep your hands busy,” Nyra had teased, her fangs flashing in an oddly endearing grin. Despite her fierce appearance—she was as tall as Finnar and her shifted form was a magnificent silver-white—the female Vultor had shown unexpected kindness.

The weaving took shape beneath Scarlett’s fingers, the pattern emerging with each pass of the shuttle. Most of the Vultor pack still watched her with wary eyes when she ventured out of the den, their gazes a mixture of distrust and curiosity. A few had even growled at her, but Seren had been particularly supportive of their mating and he quickly put an end to it.

Her fingers paused on the shuttle as she remembered Nyra’s latest visit. The female had sprawled in one of the chairs, managing to look both dangerous and completely at ease as she regaled her with stories about the pack. Her dry observations about pack politics had Scarlett laughing despite herself.

“You’re not what I expected,” Nyra had admitted, studying her with those intense silver eyes. “Maybe there’s hope for us yet.”

The sound of the shuttle clicking against the frame filled the silence as she considered those words. Perhaps there was hope—not just for her and Finnar, but for both their peoples. The thought warmed her even more than the sunlight streaming through the window.

She set down her loom and walked over to the open doorway, watching Finnar work in the garden. His muscles rippled as he pulled weeds, but she noticed he favored his right side slightly. Despite his claims of being fully recovered, she wasn’t convinced.

He’d been oddly distant since he’d regained consciousness. Oh, he still held her close at night, his body curled protectively around hers, and she’d wake to find him hard against her. But whenever she’d turn to him, eager to explore that passion, he’d give her a quick kiss and practically leap from their bed.

At first she’d thought it was because her grandmother was staying with them, but she’d been gone for two days now and he still hadn’t made love to her.

Last night she’d finally managed to coax him into a deeper kiss. The heat between them had flared instantly, his fingers finding her breast, teasing her nipple until she was gasping with need. Then he’d suddenly pulled away, muttering something about going for a run.

Now she sighed as she watched him bend to pull another weed, remembering the way his hands had felt on her body. A flush of heat washed over her and she pressed her thighs together. What was holding him back? Before she’d left, her grandmother had assured her the poison was completely gone from his system.

Maybe he was worried about hurting her? She’d noticed his claws had emerged last night just before he’d pulled away. But surely he knew she trusted him completely?

He straightened and caught her watching. His eyes gleamed that intense blue that made her heart race, but then he quickly looked away and resumed his work.

Damn. She decided the half-finished cloth could wait. She grabbed her red cloak from its peg by the door and called out to Finnar.

“I’m going to visit Nyra.”

He looked up from his weeding, a frown crossing his face, but she hurried away before he could object. She’d been shocked to realize how close they were to the Vultor village—and how concealed it was. The path to Nyra’s cottage wound through a patch of wild roses, their sweet scent filling the air. The Vultor female had planted them herself, telling her that beauty was just as important as practicality.

Nyra was in her potting shed when she arrived, her strong hands expertly shaping clay on the wheel. She looked up with a welcoming smile, her silver eyes warm despite her fierce appearance.

“What brings you here, little one?”

She settled onto a bench, watching Nyra’s hands move over the clay. “It’s Finnar. He’s been… distant since the injury. Every time things start to get heated between us, he pulls away.”

Nyra’s hands stilled on the wheel. “Ah. And this troubles you?”

“I don’t understand what’s wrong. My grandmother says the poison is gone.”

“Mmm.” Nyra resumed her work, smoothing the sides of the bowl. “Perhaps he feels as if he failed you.”

“Failed me? But he saved me!”

“After letting you be captured. After being wounded.” Nyra shot her a quick look. “For a Vultor male, especially one as strong as Finnar, being unable to protect his mate… it would be a deep wound to his pride.”

“So what should I do?” she asked.

A wicked grin spread across the other female’s face. “Run from him.”

“What?”

“Trust me.” Nyra’s silver eyes sparkled with mischief. “His beast won’t be able to resist the chase. And once he catches you…” She let the words trail off suggestively.

That evening, after they finished their simple supper, she slipped into the bathroom with the package Nyra had given her. A white nightgown made of some whisper-soft fabric that floated around her curves. It was far shorter than anything she’d ever worn. Nyra had suggested running naked like the Vultor did, but her courage didn’t stretch quite that far.

She emerged from the bathroom, conscious of the way the fabric molded to her body. His eyes locked onto her immediately, blazing with heat. His nostrils flared as he caught her scent and she saw his claws start to emerge before he clenched his fists.

“What are you wearing?” His voice was rough, almost a growl.

“Do you like it?” She gave him what she hoped was a sultry look. “Nyra gave it to me.”

Her heart raced at the hunger in his eyes. Despite his attempt to look away, she caught the flash of heat before his expression hardened.

Ignoring him she walked towards the door, letting her hips sway. The soft fabric of the nightgown whispered against her skin with each step.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

“For a walk.” She kept her tone light and innocent even as excitement fluttered in her stomach.

“Absolutely not.” He crossed his arms, his muscles flexing. “Not dressed like that.”

A thrill ran through her at the possessive note in his voice. The beast was definitely stirring beneath his controlled exterior. Nyra was right—his protective instincts were warring with his desire. She could see it in the way his hands clenched, the way his eyes kept darting to her barely covered legs despite his attempts to look away.

She pulled open the door, the silvery moonlight flooding the room and turning the thin fabric of her nightgown almost transparent. Her skin tingled with awareness as she felt his gaze burning into her.

“I’m going.” She tossed the words over her shoulder. “You’ll have to catch me if you want to stop me.”

His growl sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. She laughed, the sound carrying on the night breeze, and darted out the door. Her bare feet touched cool grass as she raced across the courtyard, her heart pounding with exhilaration. The night air caressed her skin through the flimsy fabric, and she knew he would be able to see every curve, every movement of her body in the bright moonlight.

She heard the door slam behind her, followed by another growl—deeper this time, more primal. The sound made her pulse race faster, but she didn’t look back. If she wanted to break through his self-imposed restraint, she had to make him chase her.

Her nightgown fluttered around her thighs as she headed for the trees, the fabric dancing in the moonlight. She laughed again, and ran.