Now that we had, I wasn’t really sure what to do about it.
“You should probably get back. I’m sure people are starting to worry.”
She nodded but remained in her fur.
“I can track down your clothes so you can shift back if you’d like.”
Her nose sort of scrunched up in disgust.
She’d been hot as hell in that dress, but something told me she wasn’t much of a fan of it.
“Or the doghouse is nearby. I can take you there and you can borrow some of my clothes.”
Who the hell was I? I didn’t loan clothes out to the guys, let alone some girl—but she wasn’t just some girl.
Begrudgingly she seemed to agree because she started moving again, though she kept glancing my way as we walked.
I didn’t care that I was naked as the day I was born walking barefoot through the woods. Honestly, it felt natural to me, but as we neared the edge with the house just ahead, she stopped and looked around. Another female was off in the distance. I could just barely make her out, but it was enough to get Zoey growling.
I smirked, then shifted back to my wolf and nudged her to get moving. Together we ran right to the door. She whimpered a bit, looking agitated as she kept guard. I assumed she expected me to shift, but there was no need. We had changed the doorknobs throughout the house to the lever type for just these occasions. It wasn’t like any of us ever bothered to lock the doors, maybe the door to our rooms, but not the exterior ones.
I jumped up and pressed down on it with my paw. The door popped open, and I stepped aside to let her pass first. I could tell there was no one home. Everyone was probably still at the party wondering where the two of us took off to. So I didn’t hesitate to shift once more and lead her to my room.
She didn’t follow my lead though. Instead, she stayed in her wolf form as she sat down and stared at me. I imagined if she were in her skin just then that she would have had her arms crossed over her chest while glaring at me.
I rolled my eyes and huffed. “Fine. Just let me get dressed and then I’ll leave you to do the same.
Not caring what I wore at this point, I grabbed jeans and a T-shirt with a fresh pair of boxers and left her alone in my room.
If she had been anyone else I sure as hell would never have done that, but for some reason, I was okay with Zoey being in there even knowing she was rummaging through my things.
At first I hovered in the hallway, but then I thought maybe she knew I was still here and was feeling a bit awkward, so I moved out to the main living room. It was the area my brothers and I hung out in the most. Comfortable couches, a big screen TV, and every possible gaming system imaginable adorned the large room.
Jax was already there waiting for me.
“Heard you both coming. Is she alright?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. We just went for a run around the lake. Not even sure how long we were gone.”
“A few hours.”
“Shit. Are people talking?”
“Not really. I told them you felt obligated to make sure she was okay and verify you hadn’t hurt her while trying to save her. They all bought it. The girls thought it quite chivalrous. And I assured them you would keep a close eye on her and make certain she got back safely. They bought it.”
“What do you mean?”
“None of them suspect anything odd between you.”
“What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t bother denying it. I already know she’s your true mate. I heard you both obsessing about it just before she choked.”
A dark feeling brushed over me at the memory. I didn’t want a mate, but I knew I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her either.
“She’s fine. Just as stubborn as you are. It’s going to make for an entertaining mating.”
“Stop saying that,” I warned.
