Chapter Nine

 

 

BOXES littered Avery’s floor, but only a few actually had something in them. He’d decided if he was going to start a new life, then he’d go to it with only the things he cared about. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much.

A knock on his door dragged his attention away from the empty boxes. He wasn’t surprised to see Mandy standing there. “Hey. Come on in.”

“Hey.” Mandy walked into the room, moving some of the boxes out of the way with her foot, and sat on the edge of Avery’s bed. “Dad made the formal announcement to his inner circle. At least he had the courtesy to tell his family first. I was surprised to see you weren’t there.”

Avery shrugged. “He didn’t ask me to be. Anyway, it’s not like anything could be done to change the circumstances.”

“Does that mean you’re unhappy with this?”

Avery paused in packing a box that sat on his desk. “I…. Well, I can’t honestly say I’m thrilled with what he’s done, but I guess if it hadn’t been Warwick, it would’ve been somebody else.”

“Just the mindset needed to go into a new mating.”

Avery walked over and sat next to Mandy on the bed. “True. But, honestly, though, did any of our sisters, or you, mate for love?”

Mandy sighed. “Point taken, but let me add that I do love my mate.”

“Now, yes. But I remember a time when you weren’t too happy with Father for arranging a mating between you and Tim.”

“At least we knew who we were going to mate before we actually met them. Father threw you under the bus to save the pack’s ass, but there’s no point in rehashing that. I’m more concerned with the fact that we know next to nothing about dragons.”

“Look, you and our sisters knew what you were getting. I mean, each of you mated with somebody in the pack.”

“You’re making my point, you do realize that, right?”

“Yes and no. Because each of you mated a werewolf, the cultural rules of our society still applied. Men are men and women are women, and each of us has clear-cut types of jobs. All werewolves are born into a certain station in life and pretty much stuck there.”

“Our pack is not quite that bad.”

“No, it isn’t. Still, do you honestly think Father would’ve ever considered you as a candidate for the Alpha position if I hadn’t forced his hand? In my entire life, all I’ve heard is how Omegas aren’t as aggressive, how we have to act a certain way, how the pack mustn’t put too much strain on us. I can’t speak for others like me, but I’m not made of glass. I won’t break under stress.”

Mandy stared at Avery for second, then nodded. “You certainly proved that last stereotype false. You’re handling this a lot better than I did.”

“I see this as a chance for me to really live as I want. To spread my wings, so to speak. Warwick hasn’t grown up with the preconceived ideas of what a werewolf pack member should be, and most especially who and what an Omega is.”

“What if the image he’s trying to portray isn’t who he actually is, though?”

“I don’t get that sense from him. I think what you see is what you get. There’s this vibe about him, one that says he doesn’t tolerate bullshitters. He might not say half of what’s going on in his head, but what he does say? He means.”

“He comes across as so… cool.”

“I guess in a way he kind of is. But remember, he’s old. Very old. I get glimpses into how ancient he is by the way he phrases certain sentences. But on the other hand, I can honestly say he’s never treated me as less than him. He listens, Mandy. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

“Especially since most werewolves higher up in the pack hierarchy tend to pat you on the head, right?”

“Exactly. Is he perfect? No. None of us are. Neither am I, for that matter.” Avery poked Mandy’s knee. “I find him fascinating. He’s such an odd mixture of old and new. Talking to him was great. I didn’t have to watch what I said—didn’t have to worry about being reprimanded for my smart tongue.”

Mandy snorted. “Like that ever did any good.”

“While Father never laid a hand on us, there was also no guarantee that a werewolf mate would be as forgiving with me. I’m going into this mating with a positive attitude.”

Mandy stared at Avery. “You’re really not afraid, are you?”

“Not afraid, no. Excited, overwhelmed, and maybe a little unsure? Yes. This is new territory for me. Plus, I haven’t had the chance to see him in shifted form. After the rumors I’ve heard… well, I’m more worried about that than anything.”

“Is that all you’re worried about?”

“Please don’t tell me you’re about to try to have the human equivalent of the ‘birds and bees’ talk with me.”

“Believe me, neither one of us wants that.” Mandy shuddered playfully. “But what goes on in the bedroom is damn well important too. Besides, our parents kept an eagle eye on you, especially when you dated. And, unlike me, you didn’t rebel.”

“Mainly because you caused enough trouble for the rest of us.”

Mandy scowled. “I don’t like being told what to do.”

“You don’t say?” Avery dodged the lighthearted punch Mandy threw at him. “What? It’s the truth.” Avery hollered when Mandy poked him in the ribs. “Stop that shit! I hate being tickled.”

“You’re hopeless. Well, seeing as you’re not in meltdown mode, I’m going to go. I only wanted to make sure you were truly okay.” Mandy stood.

Avery stood with her. “I’m fine, really. By the way, Warwick and I are going on a date tonight.”

Mandy poked him in the ribs again. “Oooh, your first unchaperoned date. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Avery slapped at Mandy’s long fingers. “Which pretty much leaves the whole field open. Stop poking me, for crying out loud.”

Mandy stopped with the tickle attack and studied Avery. “Huh. You really are okay with this, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I really am.” He met her gaze unflinchingly. “Now scoot. I need to get ready for my date.”

Mandy sauntered across the room. At the door, she stopped and turned to Avery. “One word of advice for my baby brother.”

Avery groaned. “And what would that be?”

“Wear something sexy.” Mandy winked and walked out of the room.

“Nothing but trouble,” Avery muttered, then wandered into his closet to see if he had anything that fit the bill.

 

 

AT the appointed hour, Avery was dressed and ready to go. The suit was a black Bespoken, but the silk tie and pocket square had a wild red-and-black design. A crisp white long-sleeved dress shirt finished out the look.

He’d brushed his dirty-blond hair into a gleaming waterfall and left it loose. The doorbell rang as he finished putting on his shoes. After a last glance in the dresser mirror, he hurried downstairs.

Warwick stood in the entrance with a servant waiting near him. Avery’s pounding heart stumbled in his chest. Warwick’s long hair was pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Damn, he looked good even in his coat. Avery tried to get his heart under control before everybody in the pack house heard it. Wasn’t much he could do about his desire. Warwick froze, sniffed, and then turned to where Avery stood. A small smile graced Warwick’s lips. “Good evening.”

Avery swallowed. If his voice squeaked, he was going to turn around and walk out. How could one man be so sinfully handsome? He managed to unstick his feet from the floor and walked toward Warwick. “Hey.”

“You look exceptionally nice. Are you ready to go?”

“You too, and yes.”

Education? What education? Jeez, he sounded like an idiot.

“Thank you. Shall we, then?”

The servant moved to the coat closet to retrieve Avery’s.

“Here. I’ll do that.” Without giving the servant a chance to complain, Warwick took Avery’s coat and held it.

Avery turned so Warwick could slip it on. With a gentle hand, Warwick pulled Avery’s hair out from his collar. He shivered when Warwick’s cool fingers brushed against the nape of his neck. Avery shrugged so his coat would settle correctly across his shoulders, then glanced back, surprised to see Warwick still standing so close.

“Lovely,” Warwick whispered, his breath warm against Avery’s neck. “I can’t wait until tomorrow night. Can’t wait to have you screaming beneath me.”

The softly spoken words ignited a flame inside Avery. Blushing, he ducked his head. No snappy reply came to mind—not a single, solitary thing. All he could do was stand there and yearn.

Turning, he faced Warwick. Warwick’s eyes lingered on his lips. Avery licked them, and Warwick’s pupils dilated. He might not be able to think of the most elegant thing to say in response to Warwick’s comment, but his body knew what it wanted. He was tempted to climb Warwick and let nature take its course. After he stripped the insanely elegant suit off that lean body, of course.

“You… I… holy shit, Warwick.”

Those brilliantly odd eyes of Warwick’s flickered, and Avery wondered if he was about to find himself pinned against the nearest wall. His heart rate spiked, and Warwick growled, a low, rumbling sound coming from deep within his chest. Avery inhaled deeply, that sinfully sweet chocolatey scent of Warwick’s wrapping around him.

“We, ah, had better leave. Don’t want to miss our reservation.”

Really? That was the first thing out of his mouth? What a monumentally stupid remark.

Warwick blinked, a momentary look of confusion crossing his face, and then he stepped back. Desire left and perfect calm blanketed his face. “Yes. You’re right. After you.” Warwick stepped out of the way so Avery could pass him.

Okay, what the hell? The servant, who had tried to disappear earlier when the sexual tension escalated, stepped around them, grabbed the door, and opened it. Avery glanced at the blushing servant as he swept by with Warwick close behind. As they approached the limousine, the driver jumped out and hurried around to open the door.

With every step he took, Avery cursed himself silently. Warwick probably thought Avery was nothing more than a simpleton. When was he going to learn not to blurt out the first thing that came to mind? He climbed into the limo and sat.

His hopes rose slightly when Warwick sat next to him instead of across like Avery assumed he would. A moment later the limo driver was back in his seat and the car pulled away from the pack house. The privacy screen between them was still raised, thankfully.

Avery racked his mind trying to think of something to say. Maybe he should admit such talk caught him off guard and he didn’t know how to respond. Hell, he should tell Warwick straight-out he had no experience with such things like that.

What, exactly, did Warwick think that meant? Who wanted to talk dirty when there was a chaperone always several feet away?

Warwick stared out of one of the limousine’s windows. “I don’t like playing games, Avery. I’m much too old for such juvenile things.”

What? Wait. What? All thoughts of how to make things right vanished when he heard the frigid tone in Warwick’s words. Anger took the place of those thoughts. “W-what?”

Warwick continued staring out of the window instead of looking at him. “Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to take me on. I’ve dealt with men far more cunning than you and had no problem cutting them down to size.”

Fuck you and the dragon ego you rode in on. Fury burned away whatever lingering desire Avery had. There was that arrogant, elitist, egotistical attitude he’d been expecting from the moment he’d first seen Warwick, and it came out of nowhere. He gritted his teeth, trying to rein in his temper. Don’t pop off and say something you’ll regret. Don’t pop off and say something you’ll regret.

“I’d heard Omegas tended to be spoiled. I’d hoped you would be different.”

And fuck that too. Forget popping off. He was going to explode. “Listen to me, you overgrown lizard.”

Warwick jerked, his body stiffening as he yanked his gaze away from whatever was so damn entertaining outside.

Avery continued, ignoring the look of astonishment on Warwick’s face, “Did you somehow miss the part of our conversation where I told you I had next to no dating experience?” Avery seethed. “Talk about something coming out of left field.”

“We’re on a road, not a field.”

“Stuff it, Puff.” Avery almost laughed at the confused look on Warwick’s face. He’d explain Puff the Magic Dragon later. “Maybe I need to spell it out for you. I have no experience with dirty talk, asshole, nor with playing games. That’s more in your wheelhouse.”

Warwick blinked. “You considered what I said to be dirty talk?”

“Damn straight. As I told you”—Avery stressed—“I grew up sheltered. It’s the way it’s done concerning Omegas. Besides, the opportunities for such… intimate talk… were few and far between. You caught me off guard, and I didn’t know how to respond, so I said the first thing that popped into my damn head.”

More incensed than he’d been in a long time, Avery folded his arms across his chest and took a page out of Warwick’s book by glaring out of the limousine window. Silently he berated himself. And he’d been worried about sounding like an idiot. Warwick was the idiot. Avery fumed, wondering how many brain cells Warwick had fried, since his power seem to be related to electricity.

“Avery—”

“Nope. Take me home.”

“Excuse me?”

Avery jerked his gaze away from the window and scowled at Warwick. “You can also stuff that put-upon, exasperated tone of voice right up your—”

“Avery, please, I apologize. Truly. Forgive me.”

Avery blinked. Well, now, if that didn’t take the wind right out of his sails, he didn’t know what would. Still, he wasn’t giving in that easily. He sat there, waiting to see what else Warwick would say, because he damn sure was going to make him work for it.

“I… was wrong.” Warwick smoothed his tie as he talked. “I made assumptions based on—well, a lifetime of experiences—and I judged you wrongly. That was a mistake on my part, and I promise you, I didn’t get to where I am by repeating mistakes.”

Avery was tempted to roll his eyes. He was beginning to wonder if that wasn’t going to be a state of being for him. “Can you say what you mean without all the fancy and complicated twists and turns?”

Warwick chuckled softly. “This modern language is so… base. There’s no elegance anymore. What I’m trying to say is, I messed up. I judged your actions based on past experiences and came to a faulty conclusion.”

“You’re doing it again.”

“So I am. Please understand, the majority of relationships I’ve had through my numerous years were with individuals of a certain maturity.”

Avery goggled. “So now I’m immature?”

“I’m mucking this up. That’s not what I meant. I meant they were well-versed in the games people play. I forgot how innocent you are.”

How sad was that? He almost felt sorry for Warwick. Almost. Maybe if Warwick hadn’t quite so thoroughly stomped on his feelings while waving his dragon-sized ego around, he could feel a little more forgiving. But still, it did explain his reaction. “I don’t play games.”

“Indeed you don’t. I forgot with whom I was dealing.” Leaning closer, Warwick stared into Avery’s eyes. “And for that, I am deeply sorry. You didn’t deserve such treatment.”

Avery licked his lips. Warwick was almost close enough to kiss him. He forced his attention away from those luscious lips of Warwick’s. He had a point to make, and he wasn’t going to be distracted by pouty lips. “No, I didn’t, and I’m not going to put up with that kind of crap either.”

“Nor should you. You do deserve better.”

“And I’m a big believer in starting out how I mean to go on.”

“A worthy goal. As I said, I don’t make the same mistake twice. But please understand, you’re unlike any other person I’ve ever met.”

Oh dear. Different didn’t necessarily mean good. “Is that a bad thing?”

Warwick moved a little closer. “Absolutely not.”

Don’t get distracted. Don’t get distracted. “Don’t do it again. I already felt like a dumbass because of what I said, and you made me feel like more of one. Plus, you hurt me.”

Warwick lifted his hand and cupped Avery’s chin. “I’ll do everything within my power to wipe away that feeling. If you wish for me to take you home, I will. I have no desire to inflict my company upon you if you do not want it.”

Dammit, he was getting distracted. “The more uptight you get, the more proper you get.”

Startled, Warwick laughed outright. Avery was enchanted by the easy, carefree laugh.

“Are you calling me a stick-in-the-mud?” Warwick asked, his thumb gently moving back and forth across Avery’s chin.

“Well, if the shoe fits.” Avery smirked at the look of surprise on Warwick’s face.

Warwick rested his other hand on Avery’s thigh. “Forgive me?”

“Yes.” Oh gods, his cock had taken notice of where Warwick’s hand rested. It was more than ready to get distracted. “But if you act like an ass again, I’ll call you on it. I want to make that clear.”

“Please do. It’s been a long time since somebody outside of my close friends had the balls to stand up to me. I find it… challenging.”

“I can work with challenging.”

“Good. I’m pleased to hear that.” Warwick brushed a brief kiss across Avery’s lips. “We’ll work on dirty talk. How does that sound?”

“Fantastic.” Now that he’d made his point, Avery smiled. “Those are lessons I am looking forward to.”

“Then we should start.” Warwick slowly dragged his thumb over Avery’s lips. “I’m going to enjoy cutting off every article of clothing on you, spreading you out on my bed, and devouring you.”

Avery shuddered. Talk about being thrown into the deep end of the pool. He was ready to be devoured. In fact, if Warwick didn’t start soon, Avery was worried about how many brain cells of his were currently frying under the heated look in Warwick’s eyes.

“I… I… I… yes?” Yes, what? Oh, who gives a shit. “Dammit, Warwick, kiss me.”