She comes into the kitchen in a flowy blue dress, curly hair cascading down to her waist, and that maddening scent that makes me fucking dizzy in my boots. One look at her and fuck me, all I want to do is touch her. Her smooth skin glows in the morning sun, making my hands itch to reach out. She looks better than the day she arrived, which says a lot because I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so pretty. It pissed me right off.
“Good morning,” she says when we just stare at her.
“Sit down, Miss Darling.” Derrick, of all people, takes the lead. “Let’s have some eggs.”
She looks fucking eager for eggs. A small smile comes to her lips, and she nods quickly, taking a seat.
Jesse peels the precious guitar from his chest and drags his feet to the coffee maker. I don’t miss that he selects the only pretty pink mug for her. As if it was always made to be hers. I don’t like that either. I don’t like a lot that is going on here. I rub my chin as I watch him bring the coffee to Veda. She smiles, mouthing, “Thanks.”
“Can I help with anything?” She blinks at the rest of us.
“Glad you asked.” I clear my throat, done with the madness. “There are a few chores you forgot to do. For a week.”
“Let the girl eat first,” Derrick says and places a plate of eggs and fruit in front of her.
“We also need to go down to Willow Ridge to grab proper food for her,” Jesse says with a pointed look.
Yes, because I’m supposed to run around and tend to her every need. I ignore the pure masculine instinct inside me that begs to do just that. That has to be kept locked down.
“Eat and then work,” I say directly to her, ignoring my packmates.
Jesse looks at me like I’m insane, his eyes burn into me even as I don’t look in his direction. I’m doing this for him, doesn’t he get it? She’s not a guest. She’s our new ranch hand, and she has ignored her duties since she arrived. It doesn’t sit well with me that she doesn’t take her responsibilities seriously.
“I can work.” She eats her eggs with the ferocity of someone starving. “I don’t mind working.”
My arms cross in front of my chest, and I stare at her with narrowed eyes. She shifts in the seat, uncomfortable. Good. I know I’m being a dick, but she’s the one who decided to lock herself in and not eat. I'd gladly have provided her with food a week ago if she had left the room and explained the problem. Derrick and Jesse are acting likewedid something wrong, but she could have told us about her condition.
“Tomorrow morning, I can show you around the animals,” Jesse offers. “But you eat today.”
As if someone needs a whole day allotted just to eat. And then Jesse, who has been like a raccoon around my cabinets and fridge today, doesn’t even look when a plate is placed in front of him. Derrick serves everyone eggs and bacon, though we have toast too, while Veda has the last pot of yogurt. I won’t let her starve, but I don’t like the idea that we need to take her down to Willow Ridge for a shopping spree.
My opinion is clearly irrelevant because as soon as we finish eating, Derrick and Jesse are leading her to the trucks parked just by the side of the property. The complaints are on the tip of my tongue, but something unwelcome moves inside my chest when I look at them with her.
She could make us whole.
The passing thought is chased down with rationality as I remind myself this Beta is not for us. She’s just someone I’m housing because her asshole of a grandfather has me in the palm of his hand. What really matters is keeping Wilde Ranch standing.
Veda follows my brother and Jesse to the trucks, but before she can hop inside, I grab her arm and tug her close.
“Meet us there,” I bark at them, already tugging her to my truck.
“Hey!” She tries to wiggle out of my hold.
“Don’t worry. I’ll drive you down to Willow Ridge.”
“Major!” Jesse calls, but I don’t even glance his way. I yank the door open and close my hands over her waist, putting her inside the truck with minimum effort.
“What’s wrong—” I don’t give her a chance to ask before I close the door in her face and round the truck.
“What do you think you’re doing?” my brother asks from his spot, leaning on his truck. He’s not as angry as Jesse, but wears a smirk on his lips. I don’t like that look of his either. Damn, they’re annoying me today. This whole damn house is on my nerves.
“Driving ourguest.” I emphasize the word I know doesn't belong to her. “See you there.”
“Don’t you dare ever drag me around like that again!” Veda says the minute I climb into the driver’s seat.
“Noted.”
She’s not happy with my answer, I can tell by the huff leaving her lips, but we are both locked in the truck, and I turn on the gas and peel out of my driveway before my pack tries to stop me. Then I take a deep breath, and it’s a mistake.
