Zara’s POV
“Alpha Nicholas, is there a reason you came to see me?” I inquired when I had recovered from my shock.
I took a deep breath, feeling my heart thump against my chest.
“Call me Nic,” he grinned.
I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw his stunning yet commanding smile. When he smiled sincerely, he appeared considerably younger.
“Very well,” I said, trying again. “Alpha Nic, what made you…?”
“For the love of the goddess,” he growled, irritated, and wrinkled his nose as though he could smell something foul. “Ignore the formalities; we are not with other pack members; we are in a cave. I do not see why you and your beta have to refer to me by my Alpha title while here.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed.
I was brought up to address an Alpha by his title when we were in the company of other people.
Was he trying to sidetrack the conversation?
Nic fixed me with his gaze, and for a few moments, I felt forced to follow his instructions.
“All right,” I muttered, lowering my head in surrender.
He sighed and stepped over to gently lift my chin with his index finger, so I could see him. His touch ignited sparks that sent sensual shivers down my spine.
“Never submit to me,” he whispered. It was impossible not to ignore the warmth and care in his husky voice. “You are my equal. My reason for coming was to see you.”
I was so happy that my heart fluttered in my chest.
I nodded slowly, and Nic stepped away from me. With a casual stoop, he picked up the snacks from the ground and turned them over to check the flavor before opening them.
His carefree demeanor shocked me. He seemed different, far more gregarious, even for a vicious, stuck-up alpha who was known to care more about himself than anybody else.
Were the rumors about him inaccurate?
Or was this just how he was acting to get my attention?
“Is there a bowl?” He asked, looking into my eyes and raising his eyebrows.
I failed to respond. The pools of blue in his eyes mesmerized me.
Levi nodded, moved around us, took a bowl off the shelf, and gave it to Nic.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the bowl and pouring the contents of the packet into it. “Does anyone want a chip?
I had my mouth open, staring at him. He was behaving very amiably, as though we had been friends for a long time.
“I will have some,” Levi said, grabbing a handful of chips, winking at me, and walking over to the cave’s little sitting area. He took a seat on a huge log facing the fire, leaving the old lover’s couch for us.
“Don’t you want some?” Nic asked, holding out the bowl to me. “When I visit again, I will bring some dip.”
His comment that he wished to visit me once more sounded like a secret pledge.
My thoughts appeared to have stopped, and it took me a moment to comprehend what he had just stated.
Was I analyzing this too much?
Was he truly here to see me?
Or does he have a hidden agenda?
“Uhm,” I said, looking up into his blue eyes. His once-cold blue eyes appeared to have changed; they were now warmer, darker, and possessed a hint of playfulness.
Was he putting me to the test?
Nic moved closer, turning his head to the side and furrowing his brows as though he were confused.
It felt and smelled like he was almost standing on top of me, his scent wafting over the side of my face in a mixture of warmth and scent.
I enjoyed the warm aroma filling my lungs and fogging my thoughts as I breathed in his rich vanilla and honey scent.
He was my personal drug, and for a second, I did not care that my body betrayed my needs and wants.
I wanted to mate.
I wanted to go farther into the cave with him and have him make love to me in the only way he knew how.
My gaze shifted to Nic’s full and juicy lips; they were moving. Was he saying something?
But it did not matter to me. I had a better functioning for them than spoken words of melody…
Oh, Goddess, help me now! I am so infatuated with this gorgeous specimen of yours that I am losing my mind.
“Zara,” Levi mind-linked. “Alpha Nic has asked you a question.”
Unwillingly, my eyes shifted to look at Levi.
“Sorry, what?” I asked.
Grasping a chip, Nic laughed behind his hand.
“It seems that I have enchanted you as much as you have me,” he chuckled.
Nic was resisting the attraction as well.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I protested, crossing my arms around my chest.
Nic grinned more broadly, and I felt vulnerable for the first time in my life. He was able to look right through me.
Nic sat the bowl of chips down on the counter and strode back my way.
He had the appearance of a lion licking his lips and about to pounce on its prey.
My heart leaped inside my chest. Nervousness and excitement are racing through my veins.
What was he going to do next?
I let out a nervous giggle, and Nic leaped forward, snagging me by the waist and hurling me over his shoulder in one fluid motion.
A shriek escaped my lips as I fought to break free of Nic’s hold, and Levi burst into laughter.
“In true Caveman fashion!” Levi remarked while chuckling. “You have always claimed that you enjoy your men being ragged and rough!”
“Seriously, Levi!” I hissed. “You are not doing anything to help!”
“I know you don’t need help,” he stated. “You can handle yourself.”
“You really do not need any enemies with a beta like that,” Nic remarked.
“It works both ways,” Levi muttered, stuffing chips into his cheeks.
“Hold still,” Nic chuckled and spanked my behind.
It did not hurt, but his bold move still made me gasp in dismay. My insides tightened, and my fluids spilled over, soaking my underwear as my left buttcheek burned.
“Oh my goodness, that was hot!” Kaya gave a purr. “I love the haughty side of him.”
“No, it is not!” I snarled and tried to get out of Nic’s embrace. “It is embarrassing that my body is betraying me in this manner.”
“Just because you are desperate for him to f*ck you!” Kaya stated with a grin. “Wait until you go into heat!”
“Don’t you dare escalate that!” I growled. “I will never forgive you!”
“Would you like one more?” Nic suddenly asked in a low and threatening voice.
Did he detect my arousal?
I gave up trying to free myself from his grasp. I was embarrassed already.
“Good girl,” he muttered, only for me to hear, and started toward the old couch. I admit that the outdated furniture made me feel a little ashamed.
Nic took a seat and drew me up onto his lap.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered in my ear, “This is now where you belong.”
The worry and embarrassment vanished as I melted into his chest.
Heavenly! This felt so right! Being in his arms felt incredibly comfortable and warm.
“I like what you did with the place,” Nic said. “I love how comfortable it is.”
“It is not much,” Levi remarked as he got up to take the kettle from the fire and set it down on the table. “However, it served as a haven for us as children when we needed to escape the routine of life at the packhouse.”
Nic gave a sympathetic nod.
“I had a similar place,” he said, planting a kiss on the top of my head. “When we were ten years old, Beta Ronan and I constructed a treehouse near the lake-of course, with the assistance of our fathers.”
“Are you still using it?” Levi asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “With all of our responsibilities, we have not been to our den in a while. The fact that our den remained exactly as we had left it shocked me.”
“I still occasionally use our little hiding place,” he said, his eyes saddened.
“Why does Alpha Nicholas seem so sad?” Kaya asked.
“I am not sure,” I answered. “But I would like to know the reason behind his sadness.”
****