9 Chapter 9: The Alpha's Heart

Uh oh. How was he going to explain this without sounding like a stalker? One thing for sure. He'd have to be honest.

Werewolves simply didn't lie. Living in a Pack made it impossible. When people lied, they gave off clues in their body language and their scent. As pups, they were taught to identify emotions and behaviors, so lying was not really an option.

"I heard you. I, uh, watched you. From my office. Common rooms have security cameras. I was just checking you were safe. Werewolves can be dangerous. Randall in particular. He plays music to soothe himself. When I saw you go in there I was concerned, but when I saw you open your mouth to sing, I just had to listen. It was beautiful, Carlotta. Just like everything else about you."

Technically, that was the truth, the rest he would keep to himself. For instance, he couldn't tell her that he followed her with his eyes as she walked from room to room. That he was becoming obsessed with her. That he had to stop himself at least a dozen times from getting up from his desk and taking her back to bed.

When he saw her approach Randall, one of his most dangerous wolves, he had jumped up ready to intervene. Then she sat down and began to sing. Rafe turned the audio on and had gotten the shock of his life.

Her voice was strong and soft, sexy as hell. When Dib high-fived her, Rafe had growled low and deep. Jealousy had almost overcome his reason. He had to use all his strength to deny the temptation to rip off Dib's offending hand.

It was no good being jealous and possessive. Besides, she wanted her old life when this was done. No!

Rafe wanted to change her mind. Hell, he needed to. In his heart, he knew his Wolf had claimed Carlotta. Letting her go was going to be damn impossible.

"Charley, call me Charley."

"No, I don't think so. Your name is Carlotta, my Carlotta," he dropped a whisper of a kiss on her mouth.

Oh yeah, this is what I've been missing. Charley thought as she tugged him closer. Her first experience with sex and she was a wanton! Insatiable and curious and gloriously wanton. For him. Only for him.

Rafe kissed her lips, lingering on her bottom one. He stood abruptly with her wrapped in his arms. That damn robe covered much too much! He placed her on the bed and tugged. It fell open and revealed her sublime nudity. He groaned as he looked his fill.

She was gorgeous, sensuous, and waiting, for him. With a low growl, he took off his clothes. He enjoyed watching her response. The catch in her throat, the way her eyes widened. He knew he was large and muscular. At first, he was afraid he'd frighten her, but the way her eyes ate him up let him know she liked what she saw.

He sniffed the air, and it was like a rush straight to his groin. She was ready. Rafe lowered himself slowly and carefully on top of her. Her body opened for him without prompting. His erection found its rightful place between her thighs.

"Slowly, I don't want to hurt you, baby," he had every intention of going slow, but Charley ran her hands down his backside and pulled.

She licked him from neck to jaw. Her lips found his as she wrapped her legs around him. He entered her slowly, closing his eyes tight as he tried to still himself.

She was like a drug to him. The more he got, the more he wanted. Yeah, but it was so much more than that too. She was like the air. He needed her that much.

Charley explored his back, chest and hips with nimble fingers. She squeezed with her legs and his control began to slip.

He nipped lightly at her neck and inside his mind's eye his Wolf came forward. Deep blue eyes glowing, Rafe raised his head and bit down, not to hurt her. To mark her. He sucked, hard.

She bucked underneath him, driving him closer to the edge. Rafe's chest rumbled with pride as Charley moaned his name. He was the first one to fill her, to taste her, to make her moan. And he was going to do it again.

"Rafe, I didn't ask before and it was foolish of me, but what about safe sex? Condoms?"

Rafe went still for a minute. He had just had the most mind-blowing sex of his life. No, not sex. Love. They had made love. He couldn't think straight. His heart was pounding, and his brain wasn't working yet. The moon. She is calling.

"Uh, Werewolves don't get sick like humans. Also, you're not ovulating. I'd smell it if you were."

She was beautiful in the afterglow of their lovemaking. He had explored every inch of her body. Her smell and taste would be forever ingrained on his heart and mind. How could it be that his Guard knew him so well? Whatever the reason, he was grateful.

"Sounds, mm, reasonable," she arched her back as he rubbed her stomach in gentle circles. It was the first time she didn't seem to doubt he was telling the truth. That was good.

Charley woke the next morning alone yet, deliciously sated. She blushed when she recalled all the things they had done during the night. She couldn't believe this was happening to her.

This may have all started out as a kidnapping, but it wasn't now. Hadn't been since she laid eyes on him. After all he never forbade her to leave. He simply asked her if she would stay.

And she said yes. For a while anyway. Charley wondered when it would happen. When would he ask her to leave? Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were true? If he really was a Werewolf and he wanted her to be his mate?

She yawned and stretched. Charley felt glorious. Like a new battery, completely charged. Rafe had mentioned something about his strength pouring into her, something called a matebond, but she had been too exhausted to listen.

The sound of something breaking and someone cursing made her lose her train of thought. She pulled on the green flannel robe and opened the bedroom door. Charley stifled her laugh at the sight before her.

"Goddamn cat! Get her!"

"Ouch! Oh fu-,"

A series of painful groans and furniture being knocked down followed. Charley knew the problem immediately. Seff held his neck. Red blood ran through his fingers as he tried to get his breath back. Randall was holding an equally bloody scratch on his forearm and Conall was on the floor.

She watched as he tried to wrangle the one and only Buttercup out from under an accent table. Pieces of the broken porcelain vase, fresh cut flowers, and accent marbles were everywhere. Water soaked the carpet and dripped over the side of the table. Uh oh.

"Meow!" Buttercup ran and leapt straight into Charley's arms.

"Hey, baby, my little Buttercup, my sweetie," she cooed and stroked the cat's fur. She raised an eyebrow at the three grown men sprawled all over the place.

"Sorry, guys, I should have mentioned he doesn't like strangers. Oh, can you bring up my bags please. Thanks."

"Oh, he doesn't like strangers! Thanks for telling us that! Could have used a little warning," Conall mumbled as he, Randall, and Seff hefted her suitcases, kitty toys, and one freshly cleaned, bright blue litter box up the stairs.

Charley hid a smile at all their grumbling. Served them right! She had them leave the litterbox in the hall. She set Buttercup down and watched him get acclimated to his surroundings.

"Wait, you're going to let that beast roam the place?"

"That's right. You got a problem with that?"

Seff stopped Conall with one hand up, "No, ma'am, we do not. We apologize if we were out of line. Not used to cats, you know. Werewolf thing and all," he bowed. Randall and Conall followed suit.

"If it's okay with you, ma'am, I'd like to go over some things for the meeting when you are ready? You will need to know how to conduct yourself around the rest of the Wolf Pack and our guests, ma'am, if that is okay?" Seff's formality made Charley smile.

So, they were really going to treat her like the whole Alpha female thing, huh. Okay then. Maybe she should take a moment to clear her head. She went inside and began to unpack. Humming thoughtfully to herself.

The walk-in closet was huge, but a space had been made for her belongings. When she opened her bags, she realized they had packed much more than just some of her things.

She hung up a few items and left everything else in her suitcases. After all, her time there would be short. Unless, well, she'd think about that later.