He waited, patiently, as Lidia turned her back and shouted all the way out of the door. She’d really thought he wanted to mate with her? Lidia was good for a f**k, but she didn’t have what it took to be an alpha’s queen.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset your mate,” the woman said.
“My name is Scorch. What is your name?” he asked, grabbing his bowl and finishing off the cold soup.
“It’s Victoria. I really didn’t mean to upset you or your mate.”
“Lidia is not my mate. Do not concern yourself with her. She was merely … a distraction from life.” He smiled at her, hoping she would see that he wasn’t angry. Lidia only visited him when the need for a hard f**k came to her. With her gone he didn’t need to worry about being anything with her. “It’s lovely to meet you, Victoria.”
He offered her his hand, which she took. The electricity was instant as they touched. His wolf growled, demanding to protect and claim the woman before him.
She withdrew her hand, and he missed her touch.
“Do you want to talk about what brought you here?” he asked.
“No, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it.” She turned her head away almost as if she couldn’t bear to look at him.
“That’s okay. I just hope you get better soon.” They stared at each other for many minutes with neither of them speaking.
Only when her eyes started to droop did he stand up and walk toward the window. He locked the window, staring back to see she’d fallen asleep. Scorch moved back to the bed and caressed her cheek. “I’ll take care of you and make sure no harm comes to you.” He pressed his lips against hers, meaning every single word.
Chapter Three
Victoria sat at the breakfast table a week later, chuckling as she was watched three young children mess about over their food. The mother was trying to control them while the father laughed along with them. The sight before her was so totally sweet and reminded her of her own family before they were taken from her. She had been an only child as her mother couldn’t have any more children after her.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” Scorch asked, taking a seat beside her.
Her heart pounded inside her chest at his closeness.
“Yes, children are always wonderful and beautiful.” She smiled at him before returning to watch the antics of the children. Giggling, she took a piece of toast from the stack on the table and started to eat it.
“You look much better today,” he said, grabbing a piece of toast.
She noticed most of his pack was watching them together. They didn’t look unhappy at her presence, and they were all nice to her. “Thank you. The rest has been wonderful, and everything has healed up. Thank you for finding me.” Being in Scorch’s company made her feel protected.
“It was my pleasure.” They ate in silence, and she listened to everyone talking. This was how a pack was supposed to be. Chain kept them terrified to move or to even breathe.
Memories of his treatment made her sick to her stomach. Nibbling on the toast, she tried her best to ignore the man beside her. His charisma made it hard for her to stay away from him. They’d spent a great deal of time together, watching movies or playing chess. They didn’t need to talk their time was wonderful without speaking.
After breakfast was finished, she helped to clean away the dishes before heading out into the fresh air. She breathed in deeply, loving the cold against her skin.
Victoria jumped as a jacket was draped over her shoulders.
“I don’t want you to catch a cold,” Scorch said.
“I can’t catch a cold.” She chuckled, sinking inside the warmth of the jacket. His scent surrounded her.
“We can catch cold if we don’t keep ourselves healthy. You didn’t eat enough breakfast. You need to keep your strength up, Tori.”
He’d taken to calling her Tori rather than her full name.
“I’m fine. I’ve got more than enough meat on my bones to keep me going.” She put the jacket on completely, turning around to face him. “You’re being so good to me, and you don’t even know me.”
“I know I like spending time with you. The pack adores you, and there’s something about you that pulls me in.” He took a step closer, and she couldn’t stop the flood of arousal that gripped her from his closeness. Victoria had never been with a man before. Chain wouldn’t allow any of the men within the pack to mate with other women.
“You’re fun to be around, too. Is it okay if I have a walk around? I’ve been cooped up all day, and I just want some fresh air.”
“Do you want to do that alone, or can I join you?” he asked.
Deny him.
Don’t be f**king silly. Accept his invitation.
“I’d love your company.” He took her hand, and together they walked out of the gate, walking away from the house. Glancing at one of the windows she saw several pack members watching them. “We’ve got some, erm, we’ve got some attention.”
She nodded in the direction of the window. Scorch laughed.
“You’re a mystery to them.”
“I’m not much of a mystery at all. I hope no one thinks I’m someone special.” The guilt clawed at her. Chain believed her seducing Scorch gave her more power over the other man. She wasn’t required to hurt or weaken Scorch. The only thing she needed to do was seduce him.
“I know. You’re different, and they see it.” He kept hold of her hand as they headed toward the tree line.
The snow crunched underneath her feet.
“Do you stay here all the time?” she asked.
“Most of the time I stay here. When I need the warmth I head down to the city. I rarely feel the need to leave. This place is in my gut. It’s part of who I am.” The way he spoke she knew he was passionate about his pack and the place where he lived.
“It’s a beautiful home, and your pack is thriving.”
“I’m lucky. I know not all packs have what I’ve got.”
“No, they don’t.” She thought about Chain and the damage one of his moods could create without even trying.
“Your pack is not a good one?”
“No, it’s not.” She gritted her teeth as she thought about Chain. How could she lure Scorch to his death?
Tell him the truth.
“I’m sorry you don’t have a good pack. Have you ever considered leaving?” Scorch asked.