Reach for the Sky (Wolffe Peak Book 1) Page 10

She cocked a brow. “You know how long a drive it is to California, right?”

  He hummed his assent.

  “Have you ever ridden a motorcycle for that long?”

  “Cross country,” he informed her, taking a moment to reminisce.

  “Well, I haven’t!”

  “Time to experience it then, isn’t it?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Remember when I said to stop being so nice?”

  He flashed her another grin. He couldn’t help it, she was just so damn amusing this morning. “Mhmm.”

  “Well, I take it back.”

  “Too late, darling.”

  He gestured toward the chaps once more and waited patiently as she struggled to pull them on. Then he handed her a leather jacket that was a size too large, but it would have to do. The helmet came next, and he chuckled at her dismayed expression as he put it on and cinched the chin strap. He stood back, his libido stirring at the sight of Sky sheathed in leather. The blonde hair stood apart from the rest, but he liked it—his own Biker Barbie.

  With a terse nod, he looked to Bale. “You’re in charge while I’m away. Don’t let them walk all over you. If you need to put them in their place, do it. Don’t hesitate. I will have my cell on me the entire time. Call me for any emergencies.”

  “Yes, Dad,” Bale drawled. He sauntered over to Sky and knocked on her helmet. “Ride safe. Don’t lean into the turns with him, and tell him if you need to stop.”

  “Yes, Dad,” Sky mimicked him.

  Wyatt chuckled and hopped onto his seat, waiting until Sky’s weight settled in behind him before he fired up the engine. When he did, her arms slipped around his sides, her hands pressed flat against his chest. He glanced down at her nimble fingers, only now realizing how challenging this ride was going to be. Pressed tightly against each other on a machine that vibrated for both his and her pleasure…he shook his head and looked to Bale.

  “Harley took a peek outside and, sadly, the crowd has grown,” Bale shouted over the engine. “There’s no way to avoid them, and you can’t drive through them, so be careful. Axel and I will be out there to ensure no one gets injured during your getaway. Give us a few minutes to get out there, and then you’re cleared to leave.”

  “Crowd? What crowd?” Sky demanded once Bale sauntered out of the garage.

  “Stupid reporters,” Wyatt sighed. “They’ve been camped out there for two days. How they knew you were here, I don’t know. Harley is looking into it. We’ll be careful.”

  And with that, he revved the engine, grinning when Sky squealed and pressed herself flush against him. Nothing like a bike ride on a beautiful day, with a gorgeous woman plastered against his back. This was going to be a blast.

  ***

  He leaned back and watched as the garage door slid open and a flood of hungry reporters descended upon Wyatt and Sky. His lip curled as he glared at the fucking alpha, all kingly as he rode out on the piece of shit he’d dubbed Monster.

  He hated him like no other. The jackass actually thought himself an alpha. He was nothing but a thug—a grease monkey who had struck gold by landing himself a weak pack with an even weaker alpha. The asshole had ripped out his former alpha’s heart, and they’d fucking cheered as though he was some god. He was no god—he was a thief who had taken something that hadn’t belonged to him.

  And now Wyatt was doing it again, stealing something not his.

  Sky was his. His wolf wouldn’t allow it any other way. All he’d needed was a few more minutes of her time to show her how good they could be together. A few more minutes without that fucking alpha breathing down her neck.

  Then he would finally have her. Wyatt thought he was so clever, keeping her under lock and key, but the fucker didn’t have a clue who he was messing with. The idiot couldn’t see ten feet in front of his face, let alone the vultures that encircled him.

  His burning gaze narrowed on the sight of Sky’s body flush against Wyatt. He pushed out of his vehicle with a snarl, kicking the door shut hard enough for it to dent. It wasn’t supposed to be like this! He grasped at the roots of his hair and pulled, the sharp pain enough to return his senses.

  No, he would not give in so easily. He would have his mate, and he would destroy anything—or anyone—that stood in his way. The alpha thought he was tough? They’d see how tough he was with a silver bullet drilled into this heart.

  His mouth curled with the violent thought, pleasure warming his gut.

  “Are you waiting to speak with the alpha?” a docile voice rose next to him.

  He turned, his mouth morphing into a predatory grin at the sight of the petite werewolf standing next to him, her light brown eyes gentle and trusting. How sad that Wyatt had left those reliant on him alone and without protection.

  Golden hair spilled over her shoulders, framing a tender face that reminded him of a young Sky. His cock thickened at the sight of her, the proverbial lamb left to the slaughter. One more, he promised himself, to take the edge off and help me think.

  Next time, it would be Sky, right next to Wyatt’s dead body.

  Chapter 12

  Every bone ached.

  Sky staggered away from Monster with a low groan. Never in her life had she been so uncomfortable. The eight hours it’d taken them to drive to California from Colorado had been insufferable. Thankfully, Wyatt had stopped now and then, so she could stretch her cramped legs.

  Unkinking her knees, she placed her hands in the small of her back and worked out the knots. One advantage to living among humans was seeing how long it took their bodies to recuperate in comparison to werewolves. Right now, she was grateful that her sore muscles would be healed in a few hours as opposed to days.

  Sky turned and swept her gaze across Hidden Creek. As expected, nothing had changed in the year since her mother’s funeral.

  “How’s your ass?”

  Blinking, Sky turned back to find Wyatt scoping out her butt. “Excuse me?”

  “Your ass.” He chuckled, unabashed. “Must be sore after that ride. Need a massage?”

  Desire bloomed in her stomach, and her breath caught at the memory of his fingers kneading her thighs and caressing her breasts.

  “I’d be more than happy to oblige.” He stepped up next to her, mouth curled in a playful grin.

  “Your mood swings are going to give me whiplash,” she grumbled. “Yesterday you wouldn’t have given me the time of day, then last night…”

  “Last night, I saw something I didn’t like.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip. “Shane’s a friend.”

  “That dick’s got more than friendship on his mind.”

  “So, now you want me.”

  He stepped forward, his gaze slowly climbing her length until it settled on her mouth. “Mhmm. Might as well accept it.”

  “Until you lose interest again.” She shook her head.

  “Not gonna happen.” He stepped forward and hooked a finger under her chin. “I wasn’t ignoring you because you bore me. Do I look bored to you?”

  She swallowed and flicked a glance down. “Then why bother ignoring me in the first place?”

  He chuckled as he traced his finger down her throat. “Because I’m an idiot.”

  “Now, that I believe.” She lifted her head and caught his gaze. Time for a jolt of honesty. “I don’t know if I want a mate.” Last night, she would have said yes to anything Wyatt asked—including mating. But today, her doubts had once again reared their ugly head.

  “Give me a chance to convince you.” He leaned down and murmured in her ear, “I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.”

  Desire drew her closer until his mouth brushed against her neck. He groaned and threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her still as he nipped at her flesh.

  Sky cleared her throat and pushed away from him, her eyes locked on her feet. “I’ll…uh…let you know.”

  “You do that.”

  He brushed past her and strode toward the hotel recepti
on, no limp in sight. Sky shook her head and turned to study her hometown once more. It wouldn’t be long before word spread like wildfire that she was back, and with an alpha in tow. She would have rather they not come, but Wyatt was right. She’d confessed in his office that it had all begun after the funeral. That was the connection. It made sense for it to be someone in her former wolf pack, but she couldn’t imagine any of them straying away from Hidden Creek.

  “Ready?”

  She turned back toward the hotel. “That was quick. Did you get our rooms sorted out?”

  “Rooms?” He lifted a brow over his still-blazing eyes.

  Her gut burned at the sight of his quirked mouth. “Yes, rooms.”

  “No. But I did get our room, singular, sorted out.”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “Plural. We’re not mates. We’re not even dating. I am not staying the night with you in a hotel room.” This was her hometown for crying out loud, a place her former alpha had ingrained with conservative values.

  His brows knotted. “Actually, you are.” He turned and started back toward the hotel, as though he expected her to follow.

  Cursing under her breath, Sky knew she had to take this into her own hands. She stormed past Wyatt and stalked into the hotel lobby, her fuming gaze landing on the poor woman behind the desk, someone Sky had never met.

  “Hi. I’d like my own room, please.”

  “What are you doing?” Wyatt’s voice thundered through the entry.

  Sky refused to flinch, but the human squeaked and stepped back as though expecting a showdown.

  “I’m getting my own room.” She turned and leaned against the desk, arms crossed over her chest. “Isn’t that obvious?”

  His gaze flicked over her head, and he addressed the receptionist. “No, she isn’t.”

  A shot of anger tightened her muscles. She straightened out her hands and forced her body to relax. If anything was to happen between them, this alpha needed to learn a few lessons. No one spoke for her, not anymore. With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and planted her feet wide apart, hands fisted on her hips. “Yes, I am.” She turned back to the receptionist and slapped her card down on the counter. “This is me, paying for my own room. So, back off.”

  “Sky, I’m not going to keep arguing with you.”

  She bristled. “Good, maybe you’ll get a clue.”

  Wyatt stalked toward her, leather boots clomping against the tile floor. “Need I remind you that you had no problem staying in a room with me last night? In fact, if your bloody sheriff hadn’t shoved his nose in, I would have fucked you senseless.”

  The receptionist gasped, and Sky’s jaw dropped.

  “So, explain to me why we need separate rooms? Afraid?”

  “That…” She stuttered, her mouth moving wordlessly as she struggled to find a retort. “You arrogant…pig!” She stammered out the final words, her cheeks burning. Tossing up her hands, she uttered a frustrated cry, spun back around, and shoved her card across the desk. “Get me my own room. And it better be as far from his as possible. I’m talking at least three levels between us.”

  “Sky—”

  “And you!” She spun back toward him and jabbed a finger at him. “Come near me tonight, and I swear, you’ll be hunting for your balls in the morning.”

  “Try it,” he growled, hands grasping her upper arms.

  Sky curled a lip and jerked out from under his touch. “Don’t push me, Wyatt. I’ve taken about all I can handle from you. Room key, now.”

  The human fumbled with the key, dropping it once before it finally made its way into Sky’s palm.

  “What room?” Sky demanded.

  “Eight thirty-four,” the woman whispered. “He’s…uh, I gave him one-oh-four.”

  “Thank you.”

  Whirling on her heel, Sky stomped down the hall and jabbed the elevator button.

  “Sky, would you just—”

  “No,” she snarled. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.” The doors slid open, and Sky entered without so much as a glance in his direction. “Stay away from me,” she barked out before punching the button that closed the doors.

  “You are so infuriating!” he shouted as the doors began to close.

  “Ditto!” she shot back.

  The doors closed with a gentle swish of air. Sky sank back against the wall, her eyes fluttering shut as the elevator began its ascent. Heart pounding and blood pumping, every inch of her was coiled. She needed a run; her wolf demanded to be set free. She’d intended on inviting him for one tonight, but now…she growled and kicked at the wall. Had he simply asked her to room with him, they could have discussed why it wasn’t such a great idea. It was the way he went about these things, all macho and demanding, without any thought to people’s feelings.

  It was her fault. She’d told him not to be nice. But had she known…no. She took a deep, cleansing breath. Anger wouldn’t do anything but eat at her stomach, and an ulcer was not something she coveted. Also, approaching her family and pack angry wouldn’t accomplish anything. A few hours alone in her room would help calm her rage.

  Or so she thought.

  The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal Wyatt standing there with his arms crossed over his massive chest. Eight floors, and he stood there as though dashing up that many stairs hadn’t broken a sweat! Wanting to scream, Sky shoved past him, located her room, and slammed the door in his arrogant face.

  “Keep me out all you want, Sky, but I’m not leaving this hallway.”

  Whatever calm she’d managed to find in the elevator all but evaporated.

  “Infuriating!” she growled before slamming her bathroom door shut and turning on the bathtub faucets.

  Like she’d ever mate with an asshole like him.

  ***

  Wyatt disconnected from the call and stared down at his phone. A crack ran across the glass screen, one that hadn’t been there ten minutes ago. But the moment Bale informed him of the most recent attack, his hand had tightened until the phone had shattered in his ear.

  “Sky. Open up.”

  This news would devastate her. He remembered what Harley had told him, how Sky had bonded with Trinity. And now…

  He sucked in a deep breath and dropped his head against her door. By his watch, three hours had passed since she’d locked him out. His legs had cramped up an hour back, and he’d taken to pacing, his ears quirked for any strange noises.

  “Sky.” This time he rapped gently against the door.

  For crying out loud, this was not how he’d imagined tonight going down. After an entire day of her glorious body pressed against his, he’d wanted nothing more than to lock the door and screw her senseless. Now, he couldn’t even get her to talk to him, not that he wanted to break her heart.

  He knocked louder. “Sky!”

  The door flung wide. “What?”

  All right, so she was still angry—the sharp scent filled his nose and melted the wall of ice in his chest. Was he sick in the head for finding perverse satisfaction in the fact that he angered her?

  He liked that he was the alpha, but there was something about Sky’s reluctance to fall in place that turned him into a randy schoolboy. The challenge, the desire to dominate, the rush of adrenaline…

  “Listen…” His words trailed off. Well, shit. What the hell was he supposed to tell her? Man up, Harley’s voice boomed in his head. As the alpha it was his job to deliver bad news. But staring into her bright blue eyes, he wondered if he could do it this time.

  She arched a thin brow, a spark of challenge blazing in her eyes. “Well?”

  “Let me in.”

  “I’m not finished being angry with you.”

  He grunted. “I booked the single room because you shouldn’t be alone. Damn it, Sky! There’s a psychopath out there murdering women who look like you, and you want to be alone?” For fuck’s sake, that was how the bastard had gotten his damned hands on Trinity. Wyatt refused to let that happen to Sky.<
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  Her mouth slipped to the side. “So, you didn’t have any ulterior motives?”

  His brows snapped down. “’Course I did. What’d you expect?”

  Sky uncrossed her arms and turned away from the door, heading back into her room. Well, she hadn’t slammed the door in his face—progress, at least. Wyatt stalked forward and sealed them in the room with a click.

  “If you’d only asked me…”

  “For crying out loud, is that what this is about? Your feelings are hurt because I didn’t ask first?”

  She whirled around. “You know, you have a mighty fine way of apologizing.”

  “Apologizing for what, exactly? Wanting to protect you?”

  An exasperated sound spilled from her lips. “For being so…dominant!”

  Wyatt blinked at her. “You want me to apologize for being an alpha?”

  “No!” She made another frustrated noise, heat rising to her cheeks. “It would have been nice if you’d asked me, first. Rather than treating me like some member of your pack who has to do what you say.”

  “So…you want me to apologize for being an alpha.”

  She sighed and turned to face the window.

  Clearly, they weren’t going to solve this problem tonight. “Listen, Sky.” He raked a hand through his short hair and grimaced. Tell her. “Bale phoned.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, her thin brows knotting. “Something’s wrong.”

  For Christ’s sake, how was he going to do this? He dragged a hand down his face and nodded. “There’s been another incident.”

  “Incident? What does that mean?”

  He stepped forward and twined their hands together.

  “You’re scaring me,” she whispered.

  “Another victim.” He drew her away from the window and toward the nearest chair. This wasn’t going to be easy for her to hear. “The good news is that she survived.”

  Sky dropped into the chair with a heavy breath. “The victim survived?”

  “The first three were all human. This time he went after another werewolf. Maybe he miscalculated, maybe he was in a rush, we don’t know. But she survived, and maybe she’ll be able to tell us who he is.”

  “Then what’s the bad news?”