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JACOB

T he scent of Kelly’s vomit clung to my nostrils, but I’d smelled worse. Cleaning up after everything we’d been through wasn’t important. We had four other bathrooms to use. The sound of rummaging and the sharp stench of bleach told me she’d gone ahead with it anyway. I couldn’t blame her.

Knowing she was in the shower made me wish I was with her. The sensuality of holding her close and feeling her small hands on my chest would be heaven. Now it felt like we were miles apart.

I’d tried not to listen to her conversation with Emma, but my wolf’s heightened senses had perked up. The running faucet had done little to muffle their words.

Kelly had told Emma about her abduction. What was she thinking? My jaw clenched. If Emma went to the authorities, it would bring scrutiny none of us needed, especially the Pack. It had enough to deal with, like handling the crazy scientists. Emma meant well, but she was in over her head. She’d already gone to campus security. What was stopping her from taking this further?

My mother needed to know what was happening before this shit spiraled out of control. She could help smooth things over with the college, maybe even head off a police report. But the Pack couldn’t control everything. And what about Kelly? She’d agreed to focus on healing instead of rushing back to school. Had she meant that?

I leaned against the wall next to the bathroom door. Hovering wouldn’t help. She didn’t need me here stalking her, but I hated feeling useless. And right now, that feeling overwhelmed me.

With nowhere else to direct my energy, I wandered into the kitchen. I’d already tossed our trash and wiped down the counter earlier. Checking the fridge gave me something to do. Nothing seemed to be expired or needed to be tossed, but my fridge was bare. Guess I should figure out some groceries.

Rosalind, the cleaner my parents employed, must’ve taken care of the place while I was gone. If she came tomorrow as usual, that could be a problem. She might see Kelly—or her things—and she’d tell my mother. If word got back to my mother, there’d be no keeping this quiet. I wasn’t ready for the questions that would bring. Fuck. I needed to figure out what to do.

Placing my palms on the granite counter, I splayed my fingers wide. What else could I do to keep myself busy?

The shower shut off, and the silence piqued my interest.

Were we ready to talk about what happened? Should I ask her to sleep in my bed? After spending so many nights curled up together in the cage, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to sleep alone. Being trapped at the research facility was hell, but it had brought us closer together. That meant something.

The bathroom door’s hinges squeaked. “Jacob?” Kelly’s voice drew my attention, and I stepped out of the kitchen. She peeked out with wet, dripping hair. “There aren’t any towels in here? Could you get me one, please?”

Shit. I knew I’d forgotten something. That was why I’d left the bathroom in the first place. My muddled thoughts had distracted me.

“Sorry I didn’t grab you one sooner, babe. I don’t use that bathroom much, so I don’t keep towels in there.” I headed for the main bathroom’s linen closet. Few towels in here too, but I didn’t need much. With a cleaner handling most chores, I kept things simple.

“Thank you.” Kelly raised her voice as if I wouldn’t hear her. She still hadn’t adjusted to what we were.

Before I introduced her to the Pack, she needed to learn more about werewolves. For her own safety, if nothing else. She wasn’t alone in this. I’d teach her what most wolves learned as cubs.

When I returned, she stood behind the cracked bathroom door. Despite being mostly hidden, the curve of her breast caught my attention. My gaze dipped lower, taking in the glistening beads of water trailing over her skin. She must’ve noticed since her breath hitched. Fuck, I needed to stop looking.

“I have the towel.” The scent of her arousal punched me in the nose. My wolf wanted us to push inside, set her on the counter, and claim her as ours. I needed to feel her tight core clenched around my cock… I needed her .

“Oh… Um…” Her voice cracked, but there was no fear or discomfort. Only hesitation. She chewed her lower lip in that sexy way that made me want to kiss her.

I held out the towel, fighting every instinct to touch her. “Here you go.” Her perky breasts heaved, demanding I take those dusky pink buds into my mouth and slide my tongue over them.

Walk away. Take a cold shower. But my feet remained rooted in place.

“Thanks.” She reached out, her fingers brushing mine as she took it, then moved behind the door to dry off.

I shouldn’t have looked. But the foggy mirror caught just enough of her bare shoulders, the rivulets of water cascading down her spine. Damn it. Don’t watch her, perv.

“We should talk soon.” The words came out in a gravelly rumble. Calm down. “Also… if you want to come to bed with me, I’d…” What was I even saying? Regardless, we needed to get things sorted out. The sooner the better.

Kelly licked her lower lip. “Right, yes. That’s a good idea.” She paused, tilting her head slightly. “Y-your bed? You want me to stay there tonight? Or… just to talk?” She ran the towel over her arms, her chest, her legs. My teeth ground together, and I shoved my hands into my pockets. I wanted to be the one drying her off. After a moment, she wrapped it around herself.

I should’ve given her space. But I couldn’t stop myself. I nudged the door open, needing her. “Be with me.” I circled her damp shoulders, pulling her close. “Do you want that?”

“Of course I do. Very much.” She rested her head against my chest, her arms looping around my waist. Having her in my embrace soothed my restless beast.

“Okay, I’ll grab your bags and show you around.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Whatever happens tonight… I want you to know it’s your choice. We’ll move at your pace.”

Kelly frowned, lines creasing her forehead. “W-what? We’re not rushing anything. This isn’t our first time. We’ve been intimate before, a few times actually.”

“I know.”

She was right. Our first time was unforgettable.

The beasts within us were desperate to mate under the full moon’s power. Kelly had been driven mad with need. We’d given in to our desires while the scientists watched us like guinea pigs behind the one-way mirror. Once Kelly noticed them, it had shaken her. But I’d brought her back to me and only me.

Those bastards hadn’t deserved our attention. They didn’t matter then, and they sure as hell didn’t matter now. We were free. Together.

On our way through the living room, I grabbed her bags. We reached the hall leading to the large main bedroom.

“Are you worried I’m going to freak out during sex? I won’t, I promise,” Kelly said. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “I can’t wait until we’re driven to the edge, though. What I felt before…” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Before we made love that night… I just… That was scary. Does it feel so intense every month? I know barely anything about what—who—I am.” She glanced down the hallway at the row of doors.

“No, it won’t be that way.” I reached for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “You can smell my desire for you. I know you can.” I drew in a breath before continuing, careful with my words. “What happened last month… It only happens like that when you fight it. If you’re intimate with someone, the beast doesn’t take over like that.” I squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be okay, babe. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.” A slow smile curved my lips before I could stop it. “Your body might ache for a couple of days after we’re done.”

She giggled, a pretty pink blush spreading over her cheeks. I guided her toward my bedroom. “I’m looking forward to that. Maybe we’ll have to warm up to that level of activity.” She tilted her head as she eyed my bed. “Perhaps, tonight?”

Blood rushed to my cock, making me hard. I wanted to strip away the towel and lay her down. “Maybe we will.” My thumb brushed the back of her hand. Thoughts of making love to her swirled in my mind. I leaned against the door frame, trying to focus on what she’d said before. “Listen, I know this is new to you. I will help you. The full moon’s influence happens every month. Twice if there’s a blue moon. Those are really powerful.” I raked my gaze over her. “You’ll get used to it after a while. I used to plan for the moons before—” The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Kelly probably didn’t want to hear about my sex life before her.

Her lips parted, but after a beat of silence, she closed her mouth. “Oh… okay. Um… Thank you.” A wave of awkwardness rolled off her, hitting my nose. Shit. Why was she embarrassed when I was the one making an ass of myself?

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. That’s all in the past now.”

Her gaze lifted to mine, and she licked her lips. “In the past? So… you won’t be sleeping with other people now? I don’t know how any of this works.”

“Hell no, there’s only you now.” I cocked my head, confused by these questions. “We’re mates, Kelly. I wouldn’t want anyone else. You are the one I desire.” No one else even came close.

A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders, and her face lit up with a bright smile. “Okay. I’m glad. That’s how I feel about you as well, Jacob.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth, then glanced down at her towel. Her fingers toyed with the edge, pausing just long enough to steal my breath. “Take me.” The words were soft but certain.

Before I could respond, she let the towel slip, baring herself to me. Her gaze slid up my body before locking onto mine. The hunger in her beautiful brown eyes set me on fire.

My pulse raced as I set her bags down. In a few strides, I closed the distance between us. This moment felt like heaven after the shit we’d been through. I brushed my lips over hers, tracing my tongue along the seam before deepening the kiss. My hand slid over her breast, palm grazing her hardened nipple.

Then Kelly froze. Her hands pushed against my chest, and she leaned back, eyes wide. “Wait, I haven’t brushed my teeth after?—”

“Don’t care.”

The scent of her arousal overpowered everything else. Her breath didn’t matter. All I could think about was being inside her. I laid her back on the bed, settling between her thighs. Her core glistened with desire, and a growl rumbled in my chest.

Her fingers clenched the blankets. Each of her breaths came out in short pants as I trailed kisses from her neck, over her collarbone, down her stomach. She watched me the whole way on the journey to her thighs. Her breath hitched in anticipation.

My tongue flicked out, tasting her sweetness. Feeling the press of her thighs against my head was like an aphrodisiac all on its own. One of my hands slid up to her breast while the other caressed her waist. All the while, I nuzzled deeper, my nose brushing her clit as I lapped at her entrance.

Being home and having her in the warmth of my bed made me believe—for just a moment— that everything would be okay. We were safe again.

For now.

But the Pack would come sniffing around sooner than later. And when they found out about Kelly, everything would change. They’d want answers.