Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

“Okay.” There’s a knock at the door, causing her to pull back slightly.

“Alpha, we’ll leave the boxes by the door.”

“What?”

“Mark knew you’d need to pack up and had boxes brought here for you.”

“Smart man.” I let out a low growl. My mating heat hasn’t worn off, and even complimenting another man sends me into a possessive mood.

“Josiah,” she says.

“Leave us,” I snarl. We hear footsteps and then the front door opens and closes.

“I need you now.” I pin her to the bed and forget everything else for the next half hour.

6

Turner

We finally get on the road to White Wolf Ridge around six at night. The sun’s down, but with my keen eyesight, I don’t have to worry about the darkness. Once we reach the outskirts of Wolfe Creek, the light fades and the only things to light the way are the moon and our headlights. Maria’s calm by my side, but I sense her fatigue kicking in. I know that our loving will have to wait until she rests.

We arrive at our home, and I see the sign up on the porch. A large banner reads Congratulations Josiah and Maria. Then, I spot my father, mother, and siblings. Shaking my head, I silently apologize to Maria as she frowns.

Oh shit. What if they don’t like me?

They will love you. I promise. If they don’t, I’ll send them out of my pack.

She gasps, and I laugh.

“Jerk.”

“I’m your jerk.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.

I step out of the SUV and so does Maria, so I quickly move to her side and lead her toward my family and our home.

“Oh my goodness, she’s a doll,” my mother, Adaline, blurts out, coming forward to hug Maria. She’s startled at first, but then relaxes. I told you so.

“Enough, woman. Let the poor little thing go.” My mother reluctantly releases my mate. I pull Maria toward me and give the slightest growl so that the men keep their distance. My mother’s one thing. The rest can get lost.

“Good boy. It’s a pleasure to meet you. We just couldn’t help ourselves. Turner’s been waiting for you to come into his life.”

“Well done, brother,” Max says, clapping my back while smiling at my mate. I want to snarl and tell him to back off, but he isn’t doing anything wrong and is the least harmless person to my mate except for myself.

“Thank you, although I can’t take credit for fate stepping in to find my love. Mother, Father, Max, Aria, this beautiful creature is my mate, Maria. Now, if you all will excuse us, we need to go inside and get settled. You’re welcome to stay, but Max, I could use some help bringing her things inside.”

“Okay.” We walk inside and there are balloons everywhere, and I smell food in the oven.

“Thank you, Mother and Aria.” I tilt my head toward them.

“You’re welcome. The men will go and get Maria’s things. Shoo. Us girls need to chat.”

Are you okay with that?

Yes.

I nod and walk back outside. “Where’s Mark?”

“He’s bringing Maria’s vehicle back from Wolfe Creek. He should be getting home in a few hours.”

“So tell us. How does it feel to be mated to a human?” Max says. There’s something in his tone that’s hard to figure out. Is there longing?

“I suppose the same as being mated to a shifter. Although I wouldn’t know.”

“You talked to the Alpha in Wolfe Creek?”

“Yes, Hunter Wolfe. He and his wife are extremely happy and still going at it daily over the past few years.”

“That bodes well. Normally the mating slows down and the need lightens,” my father says.

“Yes, well, not for them, and I sure as fuck hope not for us. Take this, and I’ll take these,” I tell my brother. My father grabs the last box and says, “Are these all of her belongings?”

“Yes. She doesn’t need the rest of the stuff, so her roommate can keep it. Fucking hell, the roommate.” I shake my head, chuckling to myself.

“What about the roommate?” Max asks.

“You won’t believe who he is.”

“Who?”

“The guy you roughed up for kissing Aria.”

“And you didn’t rip his head off?” He looks pissed.

“What for? He was no threat to Maria.”

“Still.”

“No. Still. Do we have to go over this again? I’m not interested in a war with people over something so damn inconsequential. Add on to the fact that he was attempting to protect Aria from some stupid human. We might not like that she’s almost of mating age and so is that young man, but it’s the way of things. If they’re mated, then so be it. He’ll be family, so you need to get over it.”

“Fine.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I hate this whole thing about mates and forever with just one person. I can’t even choose the person. Life does it for me.”

“Who is she?” My father beats me to the question.