Challenged (3 page)

younger littermate a reprimanding look.

“We don’t howl over any werewolf. That only gets you a reputation as a piece of

tail.”

Jolene studied her painted fingernails. “Well then, I guess you know all about his

den then, don’t you? And have Papa’s blessing?”

When she looked up, she gave Ali a “gotcha” look.

Ali pulled her sweater over her head and then brushed out her hair. Bending down

she pushed items out of the way in the cabinets under the sink until she found the hair

dryer.

“His den is in Prince George. He’s visiting our pack and helping a littermate settle

into his den. Satisfied, smarty pants?”

Ali turned on the hair dryer, aiming it at Jolene and blowing away the smell of her

defiant emotions. Jolene turned around, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

Ali could guess she would go outside, if she hadn’t been out there already, and flirt

with Stone until Ali chased her off.

There was no way she could make her hair dry fast enough. Deciding the damp

look would have to do, she straightened her hair with her hand, making a face in the

mirror at her streaks of red, a gift from her birth sire, a werewolf who hadn’t managed

to stay around long enough for her to get to know him.

Wiping the steam from the bathroom mirror with her hand so she could see better,

she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her sweater hugged her too-large breasts,

and her nipples puckered against the fabric while she watched. Stone would definitely

like the view. Turning so she could see how her black jeans, her favorite color, hugged

her hips and ass, she decided her attire would have to do.

Stone had probably had his fill of her littermates by now.

Hurrying out her front door, she groaned when she saw the youngest of their

littermates, Joseph, jumping up and down on the bed of the truck. Jolene and Janie

Lynn grinned and fought to out-flirt each other as they talked at the same time to Stone.

Jason noticed her at the same time that Stone did. Her littermate strutted over to her, his

tough guy attitude making the air around him spicy…like pepper.

“You’ll be home by ten,” he informed her, his voice deeper than usual.

“You’ll be asleep before I’m home. And you’ll keep an eye on your littermates.” She

patted him on the head, an action she knew he hated, and he dodged the sentimental

touch, curling his lip at her.

Ignoring him, she smiled as she approached Stone, more than aware of his powerful

gaze taking her in.

“Get Joseph out of the back of the truck,” she told her sisters.

Her littermates pranced away from the truck, and Joseph jumped to the ground,

running to the house and entering before the others.

Stone placed his hand on her back, his firm touch burning through her sweater as

he reached for the passenger door.

“You clean up pretty damned good,” he whispered, his breath torturing her flesh,

sending chills through her as she climbed into the truck.

He’d pulled away from the curb and turned, heading back toward the center of

town without saying anything. She clasped her hands in her lap, and then ran them

down her jeans, wishing he would say something. Maybe already he regretted bringing

her to her den. Her littermates had probably annoyed him, or reminded him that she

was still young enough to live in her sire’s den.

“Do you come from a large den?” she asked, desperate to break the silence before

she broke out in a nervous sweat.

“I’ve got two littermates.” He turned toward downtown and then slowed when

they hit the main road. “My older littermate is a cop in Prince George, and my twin just

took a mate and set up his den in the mountains.”

“You’re a twin?” Just the thought of another Cariboo lunewulf as sexy as Stone sent a

rush of heat burning through her.

Stone pulled the truck into an empty stall and turned off the truck. “And we’ve

always shared everything.”

“Oh really?” she asked, his steady gaze when he turned and looked at her twisting

her tummy in knots.

“Oh yes, really.” He opened his truck door and then took her hand, forcing her to

slide over the seat and get out on his side.

This time when her feet hit the ground, his arm wrapped around her, pressing her

against that virile body. He cupped her cheek and then nipped at her lip.

A gasp escaped her, and she stared up at him when his mouth took hers.

Demanding and very much in control, he ravished her, his tongue pressing past her

lips.

Lust wrapped around them with its rich sweet smell. He nipped at her mouth again

while tangling his hand through her damp hair. The slightest taste of blood from her lip

sent a rush of raw energy coursing through her. Leaning into him, she wrapped her

arms around his neck, suddenly feeling more alive than she had in ages.

He licked at the part of her lip that he’d nipped, growling into her mouth when he

tasted her blood. Stone tightened his grip on her, muscles cording through his arm, his

strength turning her on as much as his actions. Her breasts smashed against his steel

chest, her nipples getting so hard that tingles shot through her straight to her pussy.

A new kind of heat, creating a pressure deep inside her, made her womb quicken

and she could hardly breathe.

“Stone,” she cried out, and pressed against him until he allowed a few inches of

space between them.

There wasn’t enough air to breathe that wasn’t full of his scent.

“You are hungry,” he growled, running his hands over her hair and then gripping

her shoulders. “And I can’t wait to feed you.”

Her stomach twisted in anticipation. Ali had taken on more than she could chew. At

that moment, while her heart started racing in her chest, she knew there was no turning

back. If she wanted to see this through, she had to be strong, not let him smell her

hesitation.

And she did want to see this through.

She made a show of looking around her. “Where are we going to eat?”

There was no doubt in her mind that a restaurant was not what Stone had in mind

when he told her he couldn’t wait to feed her.

Stone tapped her nose and then let his finger stroke down to her chin, and then

down her snug sweater. Creating a line that ran between her breasts, his finger stopped

at her stomach. For the life of her, she couldn’t look away from him. His alluring touch

sizzled through her, sending her insides into bursting flames.

“You wanted something nice,” he told her, his mouth turning up slightly as if he

found her request amusing.

She didn’t smell amusement on him though.

Sliding his hand around her, placing it on the small of her back, he led her down the

sidewalk to the well-known steakhouse in Banff.

Pushing open the large wooden door to the restaurant, he allowed her to enter.

Instantly her tummy growled at the rich scent of steaks cooking on the grill. The

lighting was dimmed, and the service outstanding. Ali couldn’t remember when she’d

last had such an awesome treat.

“Are you old enough to drink?” Stone asked her after glancing at the menu for a

moment.

“I’m twenty-two.” She wrinkled her brow, taking the blow personally. “How old

did you think I was?”

“Young.” He showed no sign that he knew he’d offended her but scanned the menu

further and then looked up when the waiter approached. “Two steaks, rare. Baked

potatoes. I’ll have a beer and bring the lady a glass of wine.”

He answered the waiter’s questions and Ali just stared at him. Not once did he ask

her what she wanted.

“Do you always order for your dates?” she asked, after the waiter left.

“Not always.”

“I do know how to think for myself.” She wouldn’t have him thinking just because

she was young that she couldn’t think for herself.

“I’m aware of that. The challenge is to let go and allow me to lead.” He leaned

forward, taking her hand in his. “Do you think you can do that?”

The tips of his fingers scraped over her flesh, lust mingling in the air with

anticipation mixed with the slight edge of fear. Goose bumps raced over her skin, while

she stared into those strong blue eyes.

“Why would you want to control me?” she managed to ask, although her mouth

was suddenly parched.

The waiter brought their drinks, and Stone released her hand, glancing at the

human but then returning his attention to her.

“Try your wine,” he said instead of answering her.

She sipped, the smooth alcohol barely taking away the dryness in her mouth.

Another sip and she felt better as the light vapors slowly moved through her, helping

her to relax.

“It’s good,” she said, and meant it. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

Stone took a long slow swallow of his beer, the hops filling the air with their sweet

aroma. When he licked his lips her pussy swelled, the act more enticing than she

expected it to be. Heat rushed through her and she sipped again at her wine, enjoying

the smooth, almost sweet, taste.

“You asked the wrong question.” He took her wineglass from her hand, his

fingertips once again scraping over her flesh, sending fire rushing through her.

“What is the right question?” He was confusing her.

The tip of his mouth rose, again that half-smile snagging her insides, putting her on

the defensive and curious to know more at the same time.

“There is a difference in being controlled, and submitting to trust.” Stone leaned

back against the bench seat on his side of the booth.

His long legs stretched under the table, brushing against the outside of her jeans.

She moved her legs, unable to resist rubbing against his legs. His blue eyes lightened,

the slightest slivers of silver streaking through them while she watched.

“You think I’m the one who needs taming, wolf-man?” she whispered, a sudden

rush of daring surging through her. “When’s the last time you submitted to trust?”

His eyebrow shot up, and she fought to hold on to her bravery. His look reminded

her of how her sire or one of his friends might react to one of her questions—an almost