10. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Amelia paced in the beautiful room she was given. There was a king-size bed with a black comforter with a purple design that made her want to stare at it for hours. The walls were painted lavender with pink accents. There was a walk-in closet and a seating area. There was also a fireplace. She peeked out of the window and could see the forest. There was a lake or a river that she could just glimpse, and the bathroom was to die for if you loved marble sinks, deep soaker tubs, and a shower that held three people. It may only be two people if Rome was in there with her. He was muscular and massive.

She felt a little faint, hot. This had never happened to her before. She got what she considered the usual feminine things. She fanned herself and then decided she’d take a cold shower before bed. Right now, she had other more serious things to take care of. Her thoughts went to Rome. How he told her she could trust him. His amber eyes stared at her. They made her want to trust him; they were so beautiful, a shade or two darker than gold.

She flushed again, thinking of his eyes and his arms, which were massive. The male was big all over. A conversation she overheard once came back to her. There were several female wolves sunning themselves. Yes, wolves sometimes did the same things humans did. She and Nicole were going to turn the corner when they heard the others.

“Did anyone see Tyler at the full moon run?” Tabitha made a sucking noise.

Amelia knew Tyler was the newest member of their pack. She’d watched as her father swore him in.

“Damn, that man is thick everywhere. I do stress everywhere.” That was Jocelyn talking, and she sounded hungry.

“Bitches, you can all drool. I’ll be taking that for a ride tonight.” Amelia and Nicole went back the way they came, not wanting to be seen.

She hadn’t really paid any attention to the conversation, although she and Nicole made fun of them.

Now, she thought she understood what they were talking about. She was a wolf, and she knew what the male anatomy looked like. It just never made her drool before. Not only did Rome have arms that flexed when he moved them, but his chest was muscular enough to make her faint. Or get a dizzy spell where she conveniently needed to lean on his chest to make herself better. His legs were thick like tree trunks but shaped like they should be licked and worshiped.

It was really getting hot in here. The knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She took several deep breaths to regain control. “Who is it?”

“Rome.” Goddess, please don’t let me make a fool of myself, she prayed before answering the door.

“Hi.” Her smile was too bright and slightly tilted.

He stared at her for a minute. “Hi, I wanted to bring your backpack and give you the keys to your car. Is this all you brought with you?”

“Running for my life.” Her tone was frosty. What was it about him that brought out the lusty angel and the snarky devil?

“Sorry, that was insensitive. I think I expected more. You’re right, though, your life is more important than things you can get at a store.”

“I should be the one apologizing. Unless you’ve had your pack try to kill you or turn their back on you, it wouldn’t be part of your experience.” Her eyes drifted to his lips, wanting to feel them on hers. They looked soft and tempting, but hard and commanding. Her breasts tingled and her nipples hardened.

She stepped back, almost tripping as she watched his gaze devour her lips with a desire she’d never seen on a male face. “Thanks for bringing me my things and for having your pack retrieve them.”

“It wasn’t a problem.” He closed his eyes, taking in her scent. They flew open when her scent permeated his senses.

“I’m going to get some rest. See you in the morning?” She kept swallowing as she forced the words out. Her throat was dry, and her body was heating up.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep as late as you want.” He stepped back and pulled the door shut behind him.

Amelia sagged against the bed. That was too close. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was too close to, but she had a pretty good idea. She grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and went into the bathroom.

After using the facilities and brushing her teeth, she climbed into the shower. The water was freezing, and it barely cooled her down. Once she was done, she got out, dried off and dressed. Then she climbed into the bed and spent the night tossing and turning while dreaming about things she’d never wanted before.

His mate. She scented of… He was no fool. He had talked to Luna over the centuries, alone and with the others. What was there to expect when their mate showed up? They never doubted it would happen when they were around her. Those thoughts were left for the long lonely nights. She’d told them there were mysteries they’d have to solve on their own, but there were some things they would have to understand. Their mates would go into heat. That was when they would pump out a large quantity of pheromones meant to attract their mate. The pheromones would also affect others. Rome knew his mate would have to be protected.

Once this heat cycle started, it would come every two years, and that was when there was a chance of pregnancy. Their regular cycle was to prepare their bodies for a heat. The first heat would also be the initial claiming, the two becoming one. If they weren’t ready, they could allow her to suffer alone and wait for the next heat, which would come sooner than two years. When she was claimed and only when the claiming happened would her heat slow down.

His mate was going into heat, and he was the only one who could help her. Did he want to tear her clothes off and take her the moment he scented it? Yes! Did he? No. Amelia needed to get to know him, to understand with more than her mind that she could trust him. Then they could take the next step.

With the way she was looking at him, he had a feeling this was going to be fast-tracked. He would follow her lead and put on the brakes if she was going too fast. Rome didn’t want her to regret joining her life with his. He looked around his bedroom for any human crosses. He was sure he could give Mother Teresa a run for her money right now with how pious he was being. Or was it the Pope he was outrunning?

He stripped, took a shower and ignored his cock, which was trying to convince him to return to Amelia. He growled at his wolf to shut up as he went to bed nude and spent the night tossing and turning.

Amelia woke feeling marginally better. There was still a low hum of heat she could feel, but it wasn’t making her sweat or long for a cold shower. Although she wasn’t sure how long that would last after she saw Rome. He caused whatever was happening. Her wolf, the one she was still celebrating, was telling her that Rome was her mate. Then she’d say danger was coming. It was a mixed signal, but she finally realized her wolf was talking about two separate things. She should run, but the thought of leaving Rome made her sick. There was no way she was going to force herself into that car to leave him.

Once she was dressed, she realized Rome was right. She needed more clothes. She opened the door to her room to find Rome was opening his door too.

Her warm smile was automatic, and her heart fluttered, seeing him in a pressed pair of dress pants and a button-down shirt that emphasized his chest.

“Hi.” It was breathless, but she didn’t care.

“Hi. Are you hungry?” He was devouring her with his eyes, saying without words that he found her beautiful.

“I could eat.” He cocked his arm like a gentleman, and she placed her hand on it as they walked into the section of the house, which belonged to the pack. His inner pack was in the dining room with several of the outer pack.

“I wondered if you were going to show up for breakfast. It’s already nine,” Saul said. His voice was teasing. “It’s not often we get a beautiful guest.” He smiled at Amelia.

Rome growled without being aware. Saul held his hands up. Amelia looked at Rome, noticing that his eyes had gone from warm amber to alpha wolf gold. She took a step closer to him, her hand tightening on his arm. His growl turned into a howl of pleasure.

“Omega, is she yours?” Saul asked on their private path. Rome understood that Saul was asking if Amelia was his mate. He passed the information on to the others, who would protect her with their lives.

“Yes.” He could feel his chest puff out and his wolf settle down with those words. She was theirs and no one was going to come between them. Not only because he waited centuries, but he also couldn’t imagine another female who could attract him mentally and physically the way she did.

He seated her at the table and made introductions.

“Please don’t be offended if I don’t remember your names. It might take me a minute or two, but I’ll get them.”

A female came out of the kitchen holding a large platter, and a younger male came out behind her.

“This is Sheela, she’s our chef, and this is her son Todd. He’s studying under her. It’s up in the air if he will stay here or open a restaurant of his own. Sheela and Todd, this is Amelia. She will be staying with us,” Rome introduced them.

“Whatever you’re holding smells good. It’s nice to meet you.” Amelia gave her a smile.

“I like a big breakfast. Wolves can eat. It doesn’t matter the pack, they will eat you out of house and home. I can’t wait until we have some boys around here.” She winked at Amelia and placed the platter on the table, and her son did the same.

Sheela came around the table and hugged Amelia. “The goddess has told me much about you. I’m happy to finally meet you. What do you think about your mate? He’s a fine one,” Sheela whispered before moving away. She gave Amelia another wink before going into the kitchen.

“Amelia?” Rome asked, concerned by the look on her face.

“It feels like I lived in a vacuum and now the world is opening up and the things I thought I knew are being crushed every day.” She shook her head. “Don’t mind me. Sheela and I had a quick girl talk.” She gave him a mysterious smile that made his cock twitch.

“I have a feeling life is about to be different around here,” Theron said. “Personally, I am here for it.”

They dug into the food. Amelia thought she could eat, but Rome and his pack mates put away three large helpings. It was a good thing Sheela and Todd brought out more food on platters.

“Has anyone ever told you that you can eat?” She wasn’t disgusted. It was amazing to see him taking such pleasure in what was on his plate. His pack mates were nudging each other. It was like a conversation was going on that she couldn’t hear.

“I don’t want to inconvenience anyone, but Rome mentioned last night that I need more clothes. This morning I realized he was correct. I’m planning to go into town and buy some things.”

There was the sound of a small bell that put everyone on instant alert. It wasn’t the border ward going off. It was much more insidious than that.