CHAPTER FOUR

AS MAIKEN WATCHED Jessica take the stairs to the second floor, he couldn’t help but flash back to the times he saw Coleen do the same thing. There weren’t enough words to describe how much he missed her, but he was starting to learn she just wasn’t coming back. In an odd way, however, he felt comfortable having his female houseguest around. Even though she was miles apart from his wife’s personality, Jessica was surprising.

Letting out a deep sigh, Maiken stood from the sofa and place his hands on his hips. His head whipped toward the front door, sensing someone was there. His inner animal was always ready and willing to defend himself and his son but the scent and sensation that wafted over him, told him the visitor was harmless. When a few knocks sounded on the door, he took a few steps and pulled it open.

“Hey,” Izzy stood on the stoop, drenched and shaking.

“Get in here.” Maiken pulled his sister inside the house and immediately grabbed a blanket for her. “How did you get out here, the roads are blocked.”

“I found a spot I could fit through,” she laughed while pulling the blanket around her shoulders.

“Did you shift?” he asked.

“Yeah. It was the only way to make it happen. Tank sent me out here to talk to you.”

Maiken grumbled, then crossed his muscled arms. “What the hell does he want?”

Izzy shrugged. “Word got around that you have a woman here. He’s not happy.”

“That asshole is never happy. It’s none of his business who I have in my house.” He defended.

“Look, I don’t want to be caught in the middle of this shit. I was the messenger, that’s all.” She headed for the kitchen. “Are you going to the pack meeting tomorrow night?” she asked while shoving her hand in the box of cereal he’d left on the counter.

“Do you have to ask?” he said in a sardonic manner. “I’m just not ready to lead right now. Tank can handle things, he’s been wanting the alpha position for some time now. ”

“I get it, I really do. But you can’t grieve forever. The pack is our family.  It would be nice to have my brother there with me.” She tossed a palm full of cereal into her mouth and began crunching down on it.

“Sometimes I can’t decide if what we are is a curse, or a blessing,” he laughed.

“I like being a wolf, it’s freeing in a way.” As she spoke, he could see the mish-mash of chewed cereal in her mouth. “You need to stop dwelling on what you are. It’s not like we can change it.”

“Once a wolf, always a wolf.” He laughed.

“Um, I used your body wash, I hope that was okay,” Maiken turned to see Jessica standing with her eyes wide. Her voice was meek and it seemed as if her entire body trembled.

“Shit,” he cursed as he walked toward her. “How much of that did you hear?” he grabbed her upper arms, her wet hair falling around her shoulders in thick strings.

“I…I…” she stuttered as her face drained of color.

“Looks like she’s gonna pass out,” Izzy said from behind him.

“I’ve heard stories about you guys but I didn’t think they were true.” Jessica whispered while her knees began to buckle and give way.

“Come on, you need to lie down,” Maiken swept her into his arms and headed for the stairs.

“Want me to take Linc to my house?” Izzy offered.

“Yeah. I need to deal with this shit and he shouldn’t be a part of it.” He continued up the stairs and down the hallway to his bedroom. By the time he reached the doorway, Jessica was out cold. When he placed her on his bed, Maiken pulled the blankets over her, then stepped back. Each member of the pack was responsible for keeping their own secret about what they were. He’d forgotten that Jessica was in the house while talking to Izzy, and now an outsider knew. Even if the water receded, his guest wouldn’t be leaving any time soon. He had to make sure she would be tight lipped about what she overheard, and he wouldn’t let her leave until he was for certain she would do just that.

***

Adjusting her eyes to the dim lighting in the room, Jessica sat up and looked around. It took a few seconds to figure out that she wasn’t on the sofa, but instead, on Maiken’s bed. There was an eerie silence that blanketed the room as she continued to gather herself.

“We need to talk,” Maiken’s voice sliced through the calmness of the room.

Whipping her head to the corner, she finally noticed him sitting in a chair with his arms braced on his knees. His eyes glowed a vivid blue in the dark, causing her heartrate to spike and fear to course through her body. “Stay away from me,” she jumped from the bed, heading to the closed bedroom door. As she placed her hand on the knob to release herself from the room, she felt Maiken’s hands around her waist, spinning her around to face him. The heat from his fingers dug into her, while she fought to keep her composure.

“I broke a rule and now I need to make sure you keep a lid on what you heard,” he stated with authority.

“I won’t tell anyone. Please let me go.” Tears formed in her green eyes, spilling down her cheeks in rapid succession.

 When he reached up and swiped the salty streaks away, Jessica sucked in a breath. “Don’t be afraid of me.”

“I’m not.” The lie fled her lips.

“I can smell fear, Jessica. And right now, you are covered in it.” His mouth traveled closer to her ear. “I apologize for frightening you, but like I said, we need to have a talk.” He paused for a few seconds then said, “I won’t hurt you.”

With his words, her body switched from fear to attraction. She didn’t know why it had happened, but she was powerless to stop it while he stood so close to her. “I’m fine with talking.”

Maiken stepped back, his heat retreating with him, making her wish he was close once more. “I’ll give you a few minutes to gather yourself, then I want you downstairs.”

She stepped aside, letting him open the door and escape through it. Crossing her arms over her chest, Jessica stood there, watching him walk down the hallway. When he disappeared down the stairs, she let out a pent up breath. Confusion slammed into her, as her emotions raged out of control. She’d never expected to be in a situation such as that and she didn’t know how to handle it. Sure, there was talk and rumors about shifters, but living in New York City, she hadn’t come into contact with any. There was no prejudice on her part toward those who weren’t human either. But now she had to make her way downstairs and face Maiken. Clearly he was worried but Jessica would keep their secret. Now she had to convince him of that

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