Ruthless (Wolf Ranch 6)

It seemed she didn’t like feeling out of balance with me, if I had to guess. She wanted consistency from me. Consistency of putting her first, which wasn’t a hardship and what I’d been doing from the very start. This was a fucking kicker because I was the one out of balance with her, and she had no idea.

She literally had me by the balls.

“How many people did you say were going to be there?” she asked, glancing down at the brownies as if there wasn’t enough.

“Give me a kiss, darlin’,” I said. Part of the consistency was to kiss or touch her all the chances I could get, to know I’d always crave her. It wasn’t a hardship. Fuck, no. I wanted it, too. Wanted her lips, her entire body, all the fucking time.

She cupped my jaw and gave me that fucking kiss.

“Not too many, pretty much the Wolf guys and their mates. Clint and Becky. Nash. Oh, Charlie and Levi, too. Don’t be nervous, Red. They already love you,” I assured her.

She rolled her eyes. “What? They have a nifty reaction to my smell, too?”

I chuckled. “No, but they know you’re my mate. That means you’re going to be one of us now. As soon as you decide you’re ready.”

“Ready to let you mark me,” she clarified. Becky and Audrey had shared the marking process with her, and she’d had a lot of questions for me afterward.

I nodded, watching her face intently for any sign that she was ready.

She kept a good poker face. I had to will my wolf and my dick back. Again.

“Anyway, everyone will love you because I do and also because they know I would literally kick their asses if they weren’t on their very best behavior.”

Natalie smiled. “You’re ridiculous,” she said in that warm way that made me feel as tall as a mountain.

“Come on.” I held out my hand and took the brownies from her, stealing another kiss before I walked her to my truck. “I can’t wait to show you off.”

She rolled her eyes again, but the sweetest smile stretched her lips. I opened the truck door for her and helped her in before I walked around to my side. Rob’s house was close enough to walk, but Natalie had her flip flops on that matched a pair of turquoise short shorts. Besides, we were already running late.

“My parents are going to be there,” I admitted when I climbed in, setting the brownies down on the console between us. I didn’t want to stress her out, but not telling her didn’t seem right either.

Her hand went to her hair then tugged down the visor to look at herself in the mirror. “What? Eek! I’m not ready for that!”

I pushed the visor back up. “You look beautiful. They’re really nice and will love you just the way you are.” Like I do. I started the truck and offered her an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry about it. You’re going to have a great time.”

I was fairly confident that was true, but if truth be told, I was as nervous as she was. What if she didn’t like the pack? My family? My friends? My mom was impossible not to like, but from what Natalie had told me of her parents, I wasn’t sure if she was going to be receptive to a healthy dose of mothering. They were my whole life. Always had been.

I drove up the road to Rob’s and parked in the front circle with the other trucks. Levi, a long time ranch hand and now Cooper Valley’s new sheriff, and his mate, Charlie, stood out front with Clint and Becky, ogling Lily.

I parked, went around and opened the door for Natalie. She held the brownies in a tight grip as if it was some kind of shield.

“Hey guys.” I plucked Lily out of Becky’s arms and tossed my little niece into the air. The baby laughed and shrieked at me, her cherubic face the kind that could melt the wickedest heart. “This is Natalie Sheffield—the real Natalie,” I said with a smile.

Natalie stuck out her hand and shook Clint’s. I blew a raspberry in Lily’s neck before handing her back to her mother.

“This is my brother, Clint,” I said, pointing his way. “You’ve already met his mate, Becky.”

“Hi, again,” Natalie said.

“And the sheriff here is Levi. His mate, Charlie, is our local veterinarian.”

They shook hands and shared greetings.

“Her grandfather is probably wandering around here, somewhere, you’ll meet him, too.”

“If you see a dog, he’ll be with my grandpa,” Charlie said.

“So great to meet you,” Clint said. “We’re glad you showed up in Cooper Valley. Didn’t like your place sitting empty every day driving by.”

“Well, thank you for looking in on it,” Natalie said.

Clint tipped his hat. “Least we could do. Old Man Sheffield was a good neighbor to us.”