Chapter Four

FLETCHER POV

I rest against the pillow, one hand behind my head while the other raises the joint to my lips. Inhaling the smoke, my body relaxes while my imagination wanders to the petite blonde who has captivated my soul.

There isn’t a moment, awake or asleep, where I am not thinking about her, her saucy personality, or the way her eyes sparkle with mischief. Goddess, I cannot wait to kiss those smart ass comments from her lips, while relishing in her sweet and spicy taste.

Or that’s how I imagine it’ll be, based on her scent. It’s unique, distinctive, and leaves a person wanting more. It reminds me of cherries that are coated in cinnamon, with the spiciness of whiskey.

The aroma is intoxicating, alluring, lethal, and sweet just like the owner. A fireball of energy and perfection, who already has Mars, my wolf, wrapped around her pinky finger. All the little vixen would have to do is say “jump,” and he’d ask “how high.”

The sounds of the other rogues fill the night air as they party around the bonfire. Our remodeled bus is buried deep in no-man’s-land. We are clear of any neighboring Alphas or their precious territories, allowing us to be as loud as we want. Since we aren’t bothering them, they have no reason to venture this far from home.

I should want to join my friends as they prepare for the upcoming battles, but I cannot. Instead, I have a million places I’d rather be, and all of them are right next to her.

The monotonous buzz of my phone pulls me from my ideations, forcing me to sit up. My intrigue spikes when I see the name flashing across the screen. Sliding the green button to the side, I raise the receiver to my ear.

“What can I do for you, Beta?” I ask, taking another puff from the withering joint. Tossing the butt in the ash, I stamp the ember out completely while I wait for Theo’s reply.

“Look at you being all professional,” Theo jokes. “Let me guess, you’re trying to impress a woman.”

If he wasn’t such a longtime friend to Alpha Xander and me, I would have kicked his sarcastic ass years ago. However meddlesome jokes aside, he is one of the best people I know.He has never treated us differently because of our circumstances, and I doubt my Alpha would be alive right now without him.

“I don’t need to do all that,” I snort, with the roll of my eyes. “Ladies, just flock to me. How could they not with my smile and undeniable charm?”

“I know a certain blonde that doesn’t,” he retorts with a chuckle, enjoying himself too much. “Seems your charm could use some refinement.”

His reminder of Charity’s obvious immunity to me has a growl of disdain rumbling through my chest. “Did you call with a purpose, or just to annoy me?”

“Both,” he chuckles, before turning into the serious Beta I know he can be. “Look, Alpha Elle wants to do some recon on a neighboring pack. We were wondering if you and Alpha Xander wanted to tag along? Since it’ll probably provide useful information for the upcoming takedown of Silver Run’s.”

“Hmm, and all of you will be there?” I ask, trying to be subtle, but it’s pointless. He knows me too well.

“Yes,” he groans, “The Gamma will be there. Are you guys’ game or not?”

“Always,” I say, popping from my bunk, to shove my shoes on. “Send me the information. We’ll be there.” Opening the drawer to the nightstand, I find the black bracelet that is imbued with magic to block my scent. These bracelets have become a heavily guarded secret among the rogues. Xander and I wouldn’t have survived in our line of work without them.

Slapping it on my wrist, I grab my go bag and exit the bus in search of the Alpha. Not having to look long to find him sitting against a log near the fire, reading a book. Popping a seat next to him, he doesn’t bother glancing upward as he turns the page.

“Wanna do some recon with Alpha Elle?” I ask, twiddling with my thumbs. My question is enough to get him to glance upward, a glint of curiosity hidden there.

“Is it dangerous?” He asks, “or is it something you can handle alone?”

“I think it’s something I can handle alone.” I respond, seeing an opportunity to check on Charity without an audience, and grabbing it.

“Perfect,” his eyes sparkle with humor, while I hop up, ready to hurry away when he continues talking. “I assume you’re staying with one of your friends again?”

“Uh, yeah,” I cough through the lie, “can’t deny the lucky lady a chance at my company.” I’ve been letting Xander think my rotation of women is still in play, but the moment I met Charity- they were dropped, and the calendar officially closed.

“Sure,” he responds, dryly, unconvinced by my lies. “Just be sure to check in, okay?” He doesn’t say more, returning to his book, leaving me with the chance to escape. Using my phone’s gps, I begin my journey to the coordinates sent by Theo.

After an hour of walking, I cross into the territory rather easily. The wolves that are supposed to be controlling the space, nonexistent. It’s eerily quiet as my boots crunch along the forest floor.

Finding the location, I do a sweep of the area and then set up as instructed by Theo. Popping on the bluetooth headset, I wait for the call so I can listen to their conversation. Focusing my attention forward, it doesn’t take long for the famous cherry scent to waft toward me.

Mars whines make it hard to hear what’s being said through the speaker. His attention and mine focused on her. Only her, as she enters the deteriorating building. Her presence making it too hard to concentrate on anything else. She puts me in a tailspin, and I can’t have that. At least not now.

Inhaling through my mouth, I close my eyes, regaining my composure, trying to keep my cells from shifting. I cannot have Mars breaking free to be next to her, even if it’s all I want myself. Finally calming, I settle in to listen to the conversation.

After a few hours, the call drops as they exit, returning to New Moon, where they temporarily live. Waiting until they get a distance ahead of me, I trail behind, with my bag slung over my shoulder. I’m not stalking her, I remind myself for the hundredth time. I am just ensuring she gets home safely. That’s all. Nothing creepy.

Following them all the way to the border, I sigh in relief as she crosses, until she stops and turns to look back at the woods. She stands still for a moment, before her footfalls begin again in this direction. What the hell is she doing? Why is she coming back this way? And why the fuck is Elle letting her come alone?

Watching from my hideout, Elle backs away, her eyes scanning the forest until they land on where I am. Without Charity seeing, she gives me a little wave before running off with Theo. Returning my attention back to the Gamma, I watch as she comes further into the territory she just exited.

A protectiveness I had never experienced until I met her bubbles through me, pushing me forward. Before I can stop Mars, we are bursting from our hiding spot in our pursuit of her.

Sparks singe my flesh as I yank her towards me, pushing her back against the tree. Pressing my hand to her mouth, the mere realization that her lips are on my skin has goosebumps sprouting along my limbs.

“Jesus Christ, Fireball,” I scold in a hushed whisper, as my nose runs along her ear. I have to remember to keep my desires in check, despite the temptation to let them run wild. “Are you insane? You don’t walk back into a dark forest by yourself!”

My hand keeps her from giving the sarcastic responses I love hearing from her. Instead, her blue irises glare back at me in contempt. But that’s not all. Something darker rests within. A want that neither of us will act on, even if we both want it more than air.

With agony, I let her go, but don’t step away. I am going to take every second of uninterrupted touching I can. Even if we are both fully clothed. The fireworks that were once performing along my body dim as we stand staring at one another.

“You can move now,” she says, trying to keep her voice icy and unbothered. Charity can act all she wants, but the hammering of her heart, and that she hasn’t knocked me on my ass tells me she likes me pressed against her.

“What if I enjoy where I am at more?” I lower my head so my lips barely graze her neck. Mars purring happily feeling the slight tremor roll through her. I know I should contain myself, but something about her closeness makes me want to lose control.

“Fletcher, please,” her words come out in a raspy plea, and it’s like a bucket of water washing over me. I want to be close to her, but not at the cost of making her uncomfortable. Sighing with angst, I back away, gritting my teeth at her sigh of relief.

“Why are you here?” She demands, having regained her composure, but I can still spot the blush on her cheeks in the early morning twinkle. “Are you stalking me?”

“No,” I growl. Despite it being the truth, I don’t need her viewing me as a creep. “But maybe I should start if you’re stupid enough to walk through a dark forest by yourself.”

“What can be worse?” she scoffs, shrugging her shoulders, uncaring. “I’m already talking to you.” Her quips have Mars wanting to show her what not talking to me would be like, but I keep a tight hold on him. “Plus, I am more than capable of caring for myself.”

“It doesn’t mean you should have to,” I snap, possessiveness melting with my anger. The next question coming out gruffly, my disdain leaking into the space between us. “Why didn’t your boyfriend come with you? Isn’t he supposed to be great or something?”

“Goddess,” she mutters, rolling her eyes, as she shoves past me to head back to New Moon. “Could you sound more bitter?” Stopping in her tracks, her gaze finding mine in the twilight. “Matt wasn’t invited because this has nothing to do with him or his Alpha. And he isn’t my boyfriend!” Her hands go up in frustration as she darts off towards the exit.

“So, you have an opening in the boyfriend department, then?” I question, racing to match her pace, our movements in sync.

“No!” She snaps. Her aura surrounds us, but it does nothing but make me buzz. “And even if I did, it wouldn’t be you!”

“Oh, you wound my fragile heart,” I gasp, clutching at my heart and bending over in mock pain.”A kiss is the only thing that will cure the hurt!”

“Ugh,” she groans, putting distance between us once more. Her look of disgust slices through me and Mars. I try to disguise the pain, but I don’t think it’s working. A brief shadow passes over her face, but she covers it quickly.

“Fireball,” I say softly, changing the direction of the conversation. Needing answers to questions that have been plaguing my sleep lately. “What happens when Alpha Elle retakes Silver Run? You’ll have to move away from New Moon and your precious Matt will no longer be around.”

She falters in her steps as I talk, twisting slowly to stare at me, shock plastered to her face. And it suddenly becomes obvious that she hadn’t thought about it. Not once. But she is thinking about it now, and a genuine sadness shines in her blue gaze. Seeing the devastation, regardless of how brief, makes me want to kick my own ass.

I know I shouldn’t continue, but I cannot stop myself. I have never been the jealous type, but now it gnaws at my insides. I step closer, needing to touch her. It’s the only thing that will stop the collision course my emotions are on.

Reaching up, I half expect her to flinch as my hand nears her, but she remains still as I push a blonde hair behind her ear. “Unless a crazy twist of fate happens, he’ll be stuck here while you move hours away. What will you do then?”

My observations smack into her as she tries to fight the looming tears from escaping. Her reactions are a constant reminder that I am fucking things up, and that things between us won’t be cut and dry.

“You really like him?” I ask, hoping she cannot hear the crack in my voice as my thumb runs along her cheek. Clearly feeling ashamed, she glances away, before returning her stare to me.

Grabbing my hand, she removes it from her soft skin to hold it between us. “I do,” she says, her next response like a stab in the heart, “and that’s why nothing can happen between us, Fletcher. Ever.”

She tries to sever our connection, but I hold on tight, refusing to let her go just yet, if ever. Bringing her knuckles to my lips, I place the softest kiss there before looking up to meet her gaze once again.

“I am sorry, Fireball,” I whisper, keeping my voice gentle. “But I am afraid it won’t be that simple.”

Stepping back a few paces, we stare in silence before she spins around and crosses into the New Moon territory. Mars and I stay put, watching her until we can no longer see her blonde hair.