Warner nods.“Werewolves are territorial.We’ll get violent to protect what’s ours.Especially if it’s someone we care about.”
Is that what I am?His?
I don’t voice the question, not sure I want to hear the answer.
“But how does you two fighting solve anything?Did you … kill him?”I hesitate because this is another answer I’m not sure I want.
“No!No, I swear.”Warner presses a kiss to my forehead, so gentle that I have trouble imagining him getting violent with anyone.“Think of it like MMA.I just knocked him out.We weren’t even in wolf form.”
“Okay.”I’ve never been a fan of the sport, but at least I have a mental image.“Still, what’s to keep Ross from hurting me in the future?”
“It’s a dominance thing.And a warning.He knows that if he hurts you, I’ll come after him.Actually, if he comes after you, he’ll face punishment from the pack.”Warner grimaces, obviously realizing he’s not explaining the situation well.
“I think you need to tell me more about werewolves.Do you all have different rules than humans?Do I have to follow those rules when we’re together?”
Warner tilts his head as he ponders my questions.“We do.Have different rules, that is.And we monitor ourselves.The Pine Falls police force doesn’t have jurisdiction over the pack, and they know it.”
“That’s disconcerting.”
His lips pull tight before he shrugs.“In some towns, with other packs, yeah.It would be.But our pack leader is Roderick.You’ll never meet a more honorable guy.And if anything, he holds us to a higher standard than any human laws would.”
I think back on my brief interaction with the stoic werewolf.He was intimidating, but reminded me of my oldest brother Abram, one of the most honorable men I know.Maybe werewolf law isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Problem is, it’s hard to follow rules I haven’t learned.
“And do I have to meet these standards too?Since we’re hanging out.”
Now, Warner stares at me with intensity.“Hanging out?”
“No changing the subject.”Especially to a topic I’m not ready to discuss.“Am I going to get challenged to a cage fight?”
The werewolf relaxes back on the armrest, his gaze tracing over me, finally admiring my lingerie.“No.But if you piss off werewolves, I might have to fight a few more on your behalf.”
Guilt and annoyance war in me.
“So, your injuries are my fault?”
His stare, which went heavy as he looked at my body, widens and jumps to my face.“No, Zoey.This is all Ross.He needed to be put in his place.Even if you hadn’t set him down, I still would have called him out just for the way he came on to you.”
Still, this seems to come back to me.And I don’t like the circular way our conversation is going.Instead, I take advantage of Warner’s willingness to share to ask another werewolf question.
“Do you live forever?”
His smile returns.He smiles so easily, and I enjoy the warm glow of his good humor.
“No.We heal faster, so we live longer.But not by much.Maybe add ten more years to our average life expectancy.”
“Okay.And how are werewolves made?”
He smirks.“Lack of birth control.”
That surprises a laugh out of me, but I clench my teeth down to stifle any more.Warner gives me his cheekiest grin as his callous palms drag up over my exposed stomach.When he reaches the lacy cups of my bra, his thumbs tease at the material, and I feel the heat of his touch through the fabric.My nipples tighten, and he gives a satisfied hum in the back of his throat.
Then, I notice two things.The first is an obvious hardening under my butt.The second is a blackness that seeps out from his pupils, erasing the lovely brandy color of his irises.
The change is fascinating.I find myself leaning forward, cupping his cheeks to hold him in place so I can watch it happen.
“Why do your eyes do that?Turn black?”
