Hollis shouldn’t have followed her. His touch had left her more agitated than ever. And his response had been completely unexpected. Now that his desire for her was no longer in question, Ellen had no idea what to do about it. Her wolf, on the other hand, did. In the seconds they’d been tangled together, his wolf had made its presence known. The yearning to breed had her skin flushed and tingling.
“I thought you’d get hungry.” Jessa’s voice startled her.
Ellen turned to find the Alpha’s mate nursing her tiny daughter before the fire. Another reminder of what her wolf wanted. To mate and breed. The urge clamped down on her heart, cold awareness slicing through her body. No.
Diana’s small hand pressed against Jessa’s skin. Soft and helpless.
The wolf’s instant yes slammed into her. For the first time in her existence, her wolf was going to fight her.
“Sorry if I scared you.” Jessa grinned. “Diana was fussy, so I thought I’d bring her out here. Give Finn a chance to sleep. He and Oscar were up late.” She pointed. “There’s food in the microwave. Anders cooked. What would we do without Anders?”
She tore her gaze from Jessa and Diana. This was ridiculous. As if Hollis was willing to take her to bed. He wanted her, but the man had the self-control of a monk. Even if he did suffer a moment of weakness and take her to bed, would a bond form? And, if it did, that didn’t guarantee a child. Hollis hated this life too much to bring a child into the world. She knew him too well to pretend otherwise.
A child? Where the hell had that come from?
But the idea took root. And, damn it all, the idea was tempting. Her hands were so tightly fisted that her nails bit into her palms.
“It’s really good.” Jessa encouraged. “You should eat.”
Ellen opened the microwave, her stomach growling at the aroma or chicken, onions, and herbs. “Pie?”
“Chicken potpie. The man has a gift with comfort food. I need to start exercising or I’ll be the size of a house in no time.” Jessa cradled Diana against her shoulder and patted her tiny back. “You okay? Finn said there was a bit of a disagreement and that you were probably upset.”
She’d rather talk about Finn than think about Hollis. It was easier that way. Anger was always easier. “Why should I be upset? We had an agreement and he’s now breaking it.” She turned on the microwave. “To him, our disagreement was over nothing at all.”
“What agreement?” Jessa asked.
“I stayed to help you, Jessa. You no longer need that help.” Her gaze wandered to Diana. She should not feel so connected to this child. Or Oscar. Or Jessa, for that matter. They were nothing to her. And she was nothing to them. “I should have left long before now. It would have been easier for all of us.” Then she wouldn’t be craving babies. Babies with Hollis. Her wolf had officially lost its mind.
“You want to leave?” Ellen hadn’t expected the other woman’s sadness. “But you’ve a home here. And a pack.”
Jessa’s words plucked at her heart, attempting to draw her in. But the will of one could not make her part of this pack. “A pack doesn’t work that way.” She pulled her piping hot dinner from the microwave and sat at the long counter. “If you’re not born, bred, or bitten into a pack, you are not part of that pack.”
Was that why her wolf was so determined to have Hollis? She was looking for a solid tie to this family? Whether she was part of the pack or not, she would fight to protect it. And they would need protecting.
Cyrus had made sure the Others knew what he wanted, and that he’d reward anyone who helped him get them.
Jessa.
The children.
The bone that caused the transformation and started this pack. Cyrus believed the bone was the reason Finn and his pack were stronger, bigger, and able to reproduce. He believed it was the key to their species.
Ellen worried he might be right.
Cyrus must never have it. She could tell Finn. Or Hollis. Her wolf urged her to.
Jessa situated Diana on her breast before continuing with their conversation. “Where will you go? You saved me—went against Cyrus’s orders to keep me safe.” She pressed her eyes shut. “I saw what he did to you, Ellen. It almost killed you. And then, Mal…” She shuddered. “He enjoys violence, you know it. I know it. Please. You can’t go back to that.”
Jessa’s plea tugged at her heart.
Her wolf perked up, recognizing the footsteps before the man actually entered the room. Hollis. Finn followed, but her wolf didn’t care in the least. She was too preoccupied with Hollis, mesmerized by his mussed copper hair and flashing green eyes. Stupid animal.
“Agreed.” Hollis’s voice was firm.
Her irritation bubbled up. Instead of attacking him physically, she assaulted him verbally. “You agree?” Ellen shook her head. “Your sole purpose is wiping out my kind. I’m giving you one less to wipe out—one way or the other.”
A broken cry came from Jessa.