Ch. 2 Sin

Dillon’s POV

Fuck me! Every time I saw her that girl got under my skin and I had no idea why I let her. That was a lie. She was the brightest light in any room and I wanted her to notice me the way I noticed her, but she never did. Or if she did, it was only to make some snide comment or go out of her way to be rude to me. She drove me absolutely fuckin’ crazy!

I wasn’t even sure what it was about Zoe Davies that made it nearly impossible to get her off my mind. Something about her called to me in a way no other woman ever had, or I feared ever would. She was snarky and short-tempered and argumentative. But she was also sweet and selfless and brave. Two sides of a coin and I never knew which side was going to be up. I kinda liked that about her.

If all that weren’t enough, the girl was fuckin’ gorgeous! With her sleek blonde hair, icy blue eyes that seemed to see right through you and lean, long legs that went on for days. Fuck, those legs! And when she innocently called me daddy tonight at dinner, I thought my cock would explode out of my pants. Oh the things I wanted to do to that innocent little mouth. 

When my sister Julia and I moved to Glass Lake two years ago, she and Zoe became fast friends so she was always around. I always thought she was a cute girl. But she was still a kid and I didn’t see her as anything more than my little sister’s friend. But all that changed in a heartbeat.

I’ll never forget the night Zoe shifted for the first time. I’d been nearby when I heard her scream and ran to check on her. I found her on the ground, writhing in pain so I’d lifted her in my arms and held her close to me, only intending to comfort her. But the minute I felt her body against mine, a warmth spread through my entire being, a feeling of contentment I’d never known before. It was like the moon sending me a message that it was always meant to be that way. It felt like home. 

She shrieked and moaned but she never begged for it to stop like I’d seen so many wolves do. She just kept pushing through until she’d finally transformed into her magnificent, tawny wolf. Dorian, my wolf, told me her wolf’s name was Cinna. A beautiful name for a beautiful creature, I thought to myself as I ran my hands through her silky fur. 

It was that night that I started to see her differently. Zoe was strong and brave. And so beautiful. After that, I didn’t see a kid when I looked at her anymore. No kid could go through what she had and weathered it with such strength and grace. She’d become a woman in my eyes. A Goddess. 

All at once, I just knew I wanted to be the kind of man she could be proud to be with. I shook my head in shame at the reminder that I’d just come from a meaningless fuck with a woman I couldn’t care less about. She was a good lay and it helped ward off the loneliness but nothing more. I didn’t want to be that guy anymore. 

I hadn’t made the best choices when we’d come to Glass Lake. I missed home, missed my family and friends. I fucked around to fill the void. Then I was offered the Gamma positions and suddenly every unmated she-wolf wanted a piece of me. I had to admit I let it go to my head a little. Reputations like mine were hard to live down so I had my work cut out for me. 

And I tried. I really had! I may have continued to engage in harmless flirting, but that was all. I stopped sleeping around for the most part. But I was lonely, and every time Zoe said something hurtful to me, looking at me with pure hatred in her eyes, it just made me feel so empty. 

I wanted to feel anything but the devastation she instilled in me, so I’d run to Blair. Blair was just a friend, but a friend with benefits. Even if it was meaningless, a good fuck made me feel wanted, at least for the moment, And Blair liked it rough, allowing me to work out the anger Zoe stirred in me. I’d give her up in a heartbeat if Zoe ever gave me a hint of interest, but that seemed more and more unlikely to ever happen. 

Zoe ran from me the night of her first shift, almost as soon as she stood on four legs. And ever since then she’s never looked at me the same or had a nice word to say to me. At first, I chalked it up to her newborn wolf. It was a difficult transition and newborns could be moody. That was almost two years ago but she still treated me like the gum on her shoe. And I had no idea why. 

“Dillon! Did you hear me?” Zayne elbowed me to get my attention.

Shit! Had he been talking to me? He’d invited me to his office for a glass of whiskey after dinner and I’d quickly agreed, hoping it would help me relax. No such luck. If anything, I was drowning my sorrows in it. I hadn’t realized he’d been making conversation.

“Sorry! What did you say?” I asked apologetically.

“Where were you, man? Did you pay attention to anything I said?” He asked, a little put out at being ignored over a glass of his favorite Teeling 32-year-old single malt whiskey. 

“I was just thinking about work. Kat could become a target if word gets out that she could be the next Luna. I’ll need to increase security at the borders.” 

It wasn’t a complete lie. I would need to increase security. I doubted Zayne would appreciate me thinking about his sister so telling him the truth wasn’t an option.

“That’s actually what I was talking about. She’s barely been here a week and the rumors are already flying. The whole pack is speculating whether or not she’s their mate. Of course, it didn’t help that they didn’t leave their room for two whole days.” He had an enigmatic look in his eye, like he knew something the rest of us didn’t.

“You know, don’t you? Ryan told you!” I charged but he just smirked, refusing to answer.

“Not my story to tell, bro.” He hedged.

“Fine.” I said, throwing back the rest of my drink, enjoying the burn as it went down, then pushed out of my chair. “You keep your secrets. I’m going to rework the patrol schedule.”

“Are you really? Or are you going to find a certain she-wolf for an all-nighter?” He teased, referring to Blair, my on-again 0ff-again hook-up.

“Why? Jealous?” I taunted, knowing that was the farthest thing from the truth. Zayne was as saintly as they come.

“Get the fuck out of my office!” He bantered back, laughing as he threw his stapler at me, knowing I’d dodge it.

I was still laughing as I walked down the hall, debating whether I should really go get some work done like a good Gamma or see what Blair was up to. Then a flash of maroon caught my eye and I looked up just in time to see Zoe slipping into the suite I shared with Julia. What the fuck were they up to at this time of night? 

I rolled my shoulders back and took a deep breath, preparing to face off with the little she-devil again. I stormed in the door, not expecting her to be standing behind it, and nearly knocked her over. Out of reflex, I reached out to steady her but overcompensated and pulled her into my chest hard. 

Little sparks ignited where our skin touched and she must have felt them too because she jumped back like she’d been burned. 

“What are you doing?” She yipped at me.

“I was tryin’ to stop you from fallin’ on your ass. Would you prefer I let you hit the floor next time?” I snapped back.

“Well, if you didn’t come flying in here like the hounds of hell were chasing you, which they probably were, you wouldn’t have knocked me over in the first place.” 

“Now tell me, baby doll, what would a hellhound want with a nice guy like me?” I asked in the low, sexy voice that worked on all the girls. Except Zoe. 

“Pfft! Right!” She scoffed. “You want me to list your sins? Because I haven’t got that kind of time!”

“I didn’t realize you paid such close attention to me. I bet you like to imagine what sinful things I do in the dark, don’t you?” I taunted her, loving the blush that colored her cheeks.

I made a show of looking her up and down, taking in every inch of the stunning woman in front of me. I’d noticed how beautiful she’d looked when she’d walked into the dining hall earlier in that dress that hugged her petite frame in all the right places. But now, up close, with all that flawless smooth skin on display and the heels she’d changed into making her legs look even longer, she took my breath away.

“Don’t worry, baby doll.” I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “If it’s sin you're interested in, I’d be happy to corrupt that innocent little mind of yours.”   

Zoe shivered as my warm breath blew over her ear and I reveled in the effect I had on her. Her baby blue doe-eyes were blown wide as she looked back at me and her pink lips pursed into a pout. In that moment, I’d have given anything to have learned how those lips tasted but my sister’s arrival broke our trance. 

“Ready to go, Zoe?” Julia asked, stopping when she noticed Zoe and I staring at each other. 

“Where are you goin’?” My head snapped up at her words, noticing she had changed into a far too skimpy little black dress and heels too.

“Just to hang out with friends.” She answered but I knew there was more to it than that.

“What friends?” I questioned like every big brother should, though Julia’s eye roll told me she didn’t agree.

“Friends from school, Dillon. Goddess! I don’t need you dissecting everything I do!” She threw up her hands in frustration.

“Um, I’ll meet you there, Jules.” Zoe broke in. “I promised Landon I’d meet him and we’re already late.”

The minute she mentioned that kid's name, I saw red. Landon was one of the warriors and he was way too full of himself. I know I had no right, but the thought of him touching Zoe made me want to rip him to shreds. There was no way I was letting her go meet him tonight, looking like that.

“Didn’t Landon tell you? We’re increasing patrols for Kat’s protection. He got called into work so he won’t be able to meet you tonight.” I said, smirking at her.

I knew it was petty but I didn’t give a damn. Zoe was so pissed, her face turned bright red and her fists were clenched.

“Fine! I’m going to bed!” She announced, stomping out the door. “See you tomorrow, Jules.”

I was proud of myself for killing two birds with one stone. Zoe wouldn’t be spending the night with Landon and my sister wouldn’t be going anywhere in that dress that made her look way older than seventeen. Now, I just had to link Landon and tell him to get his ass to work!