Chapter 6: Part 1

Marcus reached for the ringing phone and frowned at the caller ID. They always left a few members of the pack behind as protection. He had a bad feeling. "Yes."

"Sir, a Miss Amy Cox showed up at the city estate and asked to see you. When I informed her, you were not in residence, she ordered me to relay a message." After a pause and no response from his boss, he went on, "Tell him Amy Cox from the alley was here."

"Thank you, Conner." Marcus's fingers tightened on the phone. A crack echoed through the room. Having read her article, he knew what she left out and that she was aware of more than they thought. It tormented him that he should have killed her in the alley but didn't. Now because of acceding to Alba's wishes, they were all at risk.

Alba trotted into the room on four legs. Marcus knew she felt his emotions and had to wonder at his anger. His gaze met her soulful one as she rested her head on his knee. She came to soothe him; she was always like this when she carried a baby. Her last two months would be spent as a wolf. It was her choice and it was how she preferred to give birth. As a wolf, her pregnancy was shorter. It never affected the cub, and Marcus understood her reason for taking this form to bring her offspring into the world. He also knew Alba would learn about Amy soon enough. Conner was Alba's son. With a sigh, he absently stroked her head. "Amy Cox just left the city house. She knows I was with her in the alley."

Alba growled.

"Don't get your back up. I'm not going after her. We'll find a way to keep her quiet and safe. You made your stand and we'll deal with it." She growled again and he chuckled. "Yes, in a nonviolent way, at least as far as dealing with Miss Cox is concerned."

The growl was quieter this time and she padded from the room as he reached for the cracked phone, thankful it still worked. "I want it in an hour...Yes, every detail...I mean from Miss Cox's birth weight forward."

***

Marcus glowered at the reports. It hadn't taken one hour but a week, and at last he had the information he needed. As Ivan entered his office, he lifted his gaze. Thank the Goddess; Ivan no longer had that desperate, wild-eyed appearance. Being on the ranch took the savagery out of them, calming them. It allowed the Pack to run, hunt, and fuck like good wolves. They had stayed away too long this last time. A mistake he wouldn't make again.

"She just landed at the Phoenix Airport. She has a room in the city and will probably be here tomorrow." Ivan didn't need to give a name.

Marcus knew she was coming. He had peered over her shoulder, invisible to her, when she arranged the flight. The woman was a wealth of surprises. She had sensed him in the small apartment with her. She'd stopped and looked around feeling the uneasiness at his presence, a presence she shouldn't have recognized. Good thing she hadn't figured out it was not a what, but a who, that made her apprehensive. He'd shuddered at the thought of her reaction if she realized he searched her apartment and could describe the color of every pair of panties in the top drawer of her dresser. She was staid on the outside, with sexy thongs hidden beneath ugly suits.

Marcus knew he had to stop thinking of the woman's lingerie, stop remembering the feel of the silk against his fingers, stop remembering her scent. It was driving him crazy. Good thing he'd left her apartment before she'd stripped for bed. The temptation would have been too great.

"Ivan, send Mary to my room."

***

As Mary tentatively entered the bedroom, Marcus didn't even give her a chance to approach the bed. He was on her. Her blood tasted wonderful. He felt her fear. He wanted it. After feeding, he had her clothes off in minutes. They were on the bed and the sex was hot to the point of being violent.

She didn't like feeding him but loved the sex. She couldn't get enough of the feel of Marcus inside her. As always, her fear disappeared once her legs were wrapped around his waist. She relaxed and responded to his desperation. How strange, yes, he was usually attentive; ensuring she received pleasure, yet always remained aloof, somehow apart from her. This time was different. It felt as if he were using her for more than blood and sex. It was as if he actually needed her. When they were finished, Mary wasn't sure what had happened, only prayed she got a repeat performance... soon.

Marcus rolled on to his side and watched Mary slide off the high pedestal bed. Two feet hit the floor. By the time she reached the door, she was on four, her tail wagging high in the air. God, he would never understand females, two legs or four.

He flopped back onto the bed and rested his forearm over his eyes. Damn, he'd lost it. Gods help him if Mary realized he had imagined her brown hair was someone else's. It wasn't until Mary gazed into his eyes, he admitted to himself that he wanted to see Amy's striking blue, not a brown gaze looking back at him. Damn, killing Amy Cox would've made life so much simpler.

***

Ivan waited by the front door of the ranch. His son, Asia, escorted Miss Cox from the gate to the house, a mile from their sanctuary. As Asia parked his four-wheeler to the side of the driveway, Ivan nodded to his youngest. The kid was a hundred but didn't appear to be a day over twenty.

With a low growl, Ivan approached the car and opened the door. Shit, Marcus was in trouble. Minus the dirt, swelling, and bruising, she was a beautiful woman. Dressed in a simple white blouse, tucked into beige slacks, with a black belt around her small waist, she no longer looked like a child...she still appeared very young, but not a child.

Ivan bowed slightly as Amy exited the car. "Welcome to the Lincoln Ranch, Miss Cox."

Before he could put his hand out in welcome, a large gray wolf bounded to Amy's side and pushed her furry head under Amy's hand, then nosed her crotch. Trapped by her car and unable to escape, she held her ground and impressed the hell out of Ivan. Her fear permeated the air, yet she controlled it and didn't scream or make a scene.

He couldn't wait for Alba to give birth. She was getting out of hand. He would give her two weeks after the pup was born, and then he was going to kick her ass. Who was he kidding? She'd wipe the floor with him. He mentally shrugged. At least it made him feel better to fantasize about it.

He squatted before Alba and scratched behind her ears. "You can be near her later. For now, I must make her comfortable to await Marcus," he said in the old language. She backed off as he stood. "Step inside, Miss Cox." Ivan headed for the front door followed by Amy with Alba on her heels.