“Chill. I never seriously dated any. Can’t get too close without revealing my true nature.”
Slut. He narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps I should discuss this with your alpha, Rylee.”
“Be my guest, she knows. In fact, who do you think seduces men during investigations?”
“You?”
“Yep. After all, I’m the most human in appearance and personality.”
His beast raged to drag her into his den and shake her until she agreed never to leave wolf territory. “Rylee has you sleep with men on missions?”
“Seduce, not sex.”
His heart thumped. “I won’t have it.” The thought of her flirting with strange men seared his soul.
Cricket’s eye widened, but then dropped her gaze. “Look, you might be my alpha, but remember it’s only temporary.”
Slade clenched his jaw. He never gave a damn who pack members fucked, no matter what their rank. Yet, the thought of her with any man enraged him. His beast had never been possessive of any female. Never. Hell, he and his brothers had even dated the same she-wolves. “Precisely, while you’re in my temporary pack, you will obey my rules. And not go around wiggling that perky ass of yours.”
Cricket giggled. “My ass is perky?”
Slade should have threatened to spank her for her disrespect, but holy fuck, he loved her carefree giggles. Hell, he loved her voice, and the scent of her arousal drove him mad with lust. He couldn’t feel this way for a runt, no matter how beautiful, how smooth her porcelain skin, how lovely her soft curls, how perfect her honey scent and how incredibly confident and brave. “Damn it, Cricket, you know you are fucking attractive.”
She smiled. “So I’ve been told. Thanks for the compliment, especially coming from an alpha who has she-wolves lining up around the block to be his mate.”
He snorted. “Not sure a werewolf suffering from morphopsychosis is a great catch.”
“I sense you’re on the road to recovery. Anyway, hot werewolves might overlook your psych issues, knowing you are the handsomest prince.” She blushed and glanced at her watch. “We better go.”
Before she turned to open the front door, he grabbed her arm. “How about you, will you overlook my psych issues?” The heat of her soft skin felt so warm and comforting. Fuck, she melted his heart.
Cricket’s jeweled amber eyes met his. Her mouth formed an “O,” perhaps in shock or better yet, in needy lust. How tempting to devour her mouth, taste her sweet tongue and nibble on her delectable throat. Forbidden fruit proved an aphrodisiac rather than a convincing prohibition. Control the wolf. Or was it the other way around? He fingered a loose curl from her forehead.
She swallowed and blinked up at him, making him focus on her long lashes. “Of course I understand, but…”
He moved in to ravish her mouth.
Her phone buzzed, and he let go. Shit, saved by the bell.
Cricket answered and gave him a wavering smile. “Yes, he’s fine. We are on our way now.” She put her phone away in her small purse.
What was he doing? The last alpha of his pack couldn’t get involved with a runt. No matter how beautiful, brave, quirky and so available. She was with him to help. Nothing more. He needed to control his condition. Tame his wolf. “Cricket, I didn’t mean to come on to you.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. I know you didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just happy you didn’t go rage wolf and destroy my furniture.” Her enlarged pupils and heated pulse said otherwise.
Cricket had to know how his wolf really felt. Slade narrowed his eyes. Not sure if he was relieved, she thought he was crazy, or relieved, he didn’t mean to come on to her.
Chapter 5
Cricket and Slade walked silently to the LIA administrative dining area meant for top officials and royal ranks like the prince. The sexy hot prince, who almost had his way with her. Her heart hammered. If the damn phone had not interrupted, would he have kissed her? At first, she thought about being kicked off prince duty by seducing him. Not anymore. One kiss and she’d lose herself to him. The need to claim Slade overpowered her common sense. A runt could never hope for an alpha to claim her. The prince would find his princess, mate her, and live wolfly ever after. His plan, the packs’ plan and the right plan. Shit. Before that ever happened, she’d ask Rylee to station her elsewhere, maybe go deep undercover for a year. Until she got over him.
Why had she dressed so provocatively? Used her I-want-hot-sex lipstick? Especially in his weakened condition. Yet, he didn’t act like he lost control as he strolled ahead, a look of mischief in his eyes and a slight bulge in his pants. Did the well-known player want to add “runt” to his long list of sexcapades?
Jesper, the older werewolf once an omega, greeted them at the entrance. Like her, Jesper and other lower ranked wolves weren’t normally allowed in the exclusive dining room. Maybe I’ll just wait out here.
Jesper bowed to Slade. “My liege, may we enter?”
“Follow me.” He narrowed his eyes at Cricket. “Both of you.”