“In this case, it worked out well enough. Typically, we don’t broadcast what we are to the human population. It hasn’t ended well for us in the past. Thankfully, all those tales of werewolves have become campfire stories over the years.”
She smiled a little. “More like romance novel fodder. Do you have any idea how many books are out there about werewolves, other shifters, and vampires? There have even been some really popular shows on TV about werewolves.”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen some of them, but they don’t really get very much correct. Those shows aren’t a threat to my people.”
The way he said “my people” made her think he wasn’t talking about werewolves in general, but this specific pack. She scanned over him again from head to toe, and nearly jolted with awareness when she realized exactly who he was.Holy crap!She wasn’t mated to just any wolf. Torren was the Alpha. Panic welled inside of her. If he was the Alpha, then… did that make her the Alpha female? She couldn’t help lead a pack! Olivia had done a piss-poor job of taking care of herself, much less other people.
Torren moved closer and eased onto the side of the bed, reaching for her hand. “Easy. I don’t know what you just thought about, but your heart rate spiked and your breathing is shallow and way too fast. If you don’t calm down, you’re going to pass out.”
She focused on him, cataloging his features. At first she’d thought his eyes were brown, but they weren’t. The outer rim was a dark chocolate, but there were striations of honey, pure gold, and a softer brown. Rather striking.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I’m sure you have questions,” he said.
“I won’t turn into a wolf, but you do. What does your wolf look like?”
His lips twitched as if he fought back a smile. “You want to see my wolf? You realize I have to get naked in order to shift?”
Olivia’s cheeks burned and she cast her gaze down before looking up at him again. Was it wrong that she wanted to see him naked? Maybe even more than she wanted to see his wolf. If she was his mate, then it was only a matter of time before they were both naked together, and doing things she’d only ever dreamed about. She didn’t even know how to properly kiss a man, much less how to do anything else. All she knew was what she’d seen on TV and read in books, and she doubted much of that was based on fact.
His eyes narrowed. “Just how innocent are you?”
Olivia felt her blush intensify, and she murmured a response. “I’m a virgin.”
She heard his indrawn breath.
“Is that a bad thing?” she asked. “I just never found someone I trusted enough to sleep with. Most of the guys I know are either too immature, not interested, or they’re into the same stuff as my parents.”
Olivia knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t seem to stop. She’d never thought of her inexperience as a bad thing, but what if Torren wanted a mate who knew what she was doing?
“Jaxon said you left home when you were seventeen,” he said.
She nodded.
“That must have been hard. I’m glad my Omega was there for you, and was able to help in some way. I don’t like the fact you were in danger though. It sounds like you lived in a rough part of town.”
“It’s not like I could afford a better place. Not unless I wanted to whore myself out, and I’d never do that.”
“It would have been an easy way to make money,” he said. “It’s commendable that you didn’t go down that path.”
She snorted. “Yes, because most women just can’t wait to turn themselves into whores. You must not think much of human females. Would your wolf females do something like that?”
“No.”
“Well, neither would I.” Her chin jutted out stubbornly. “I’d rather starve than sell myself.”
His hand rested across her abdomen and her stomach clenched.
“It seems that’s exactly what you were doing.” His gaze darkened as it clashed with hers. “But we’re going to fix that. You won’t be hungry anymore. All of your needs will be met. I want you to be happy here, Olivia.”
For the first time in her life, she had hope, and yet -- she’d struggled for so long. It would be too easy to just lie back and let him take control of her life, and maybe she would to some degree. But she’d been independent for far too long, and giving up complete control wasn’t going to be easy. Even if the wolf did mean well.
* * *
Torren hadn’t slept much since bringing his new mate home. It would have been easy enough to slip into bed next to her, but he’d refrained. While she was his, they were still strangers. The fact she was an innocent thrilled his beast, but it also meant he needed to move slower than he normally would have. Not only had she led a troubled life where she likely trusted few people, but she was completely inexperienced when it came to men.
