Nefretiri
I hate magic.
You'd think it would make things better, but it usually makes things worse. There is no quick fix, and the first law is unforgiving. The cost for me is rarely worth the effort. Today, that price is my senses going into hyperdrive, making me wish to hide in a dark room. It doesn't help that I haven't eaten anything yet, so there are cramps to accompany my need to rock in a corner. All that would be worth it if the spell had worked all the way, but I lack the power.
So, I'm stuck feeling like everyone's trying to touch me, the overpowering smells of perfumes, human bodies, and weed someone doesn't think I can smell. I want to scream, but that'll just draw attention. That's the last thing I want. Not that I know what that is. No, that's a lie. I know what I want, I just can't have it.
'Stop thinking about him.'
I can't get that guy out of my head.
As shameless as this is, I'm half tempted to turn around and go back outside. I won't, but I'm struggling with myself. Ricky was the one who cheated, not me. No matter how bad things are, I prided myself on my loyalty. Not because Ricky terrorized me, but because I wouldn't stoop that low. Yet, here I was, considering begging a stranger who gave me a hug and some soft words to pretend I could be more than a quick lay.
Hell, I'd take it if it were from him.
I could blame the magic, but it'd be a lie. Something about him awoke something dormant in me, but I had to push it down. The idea of running off to find some guy was laughable, and further proof I'd lost it. The fact that he's a werewolf only complicates things. Ricky would destroy me and any guy I cheated with, but if he found out it was a werewolf? I've never experienced that rage from him and never want to.
"Sorry," I nearly bump into someone in the pasta aisle, grateful for a few seconds with fewer people. What was with all the tall guys in the store? This one was the third one I'd seen. "Could you grab that box for me?"
"Sure," he easily took the box of spaghetti from the shelf, handing it to me with a smile. "Are you alright?"
"Peachy," I didn't hide the sarcasm. I wished I could sit down, but it was getting late, and if I sat, I might fall asleep and never wake up. "Thanks."
This is torture. I'm starving, my head hurts, and the only thing keeping me upright is stubbornness and this strange tugging at the base of my spine. It feels like magic, only more intense. That was my only mercy, but I didn't know what it was. At one point, I thought it was a person, because I kept feeling eyes on me, but that was only paranoia.
It didn't stop me from going down aisles; I didn't need to shake anyone off. Knowing my luck, Ricky knew where I was and was stalking me. He wouldn't do anything publicly, but it was more reason to hurry up, especially since I'm tempted to find the armchairs at the front of the store and nap. That would be so nice.
"Can we keep it under fifty?" I ask the cashier once I make it to the front. I tortured myself picking up things I couldn't afford, only to put them back. Now, I can't even afford a candy bar without going over.
"Sure…" She smiles, but her face darkens when she looks me over. "Are you okay? You look like you're going to pass out."
"Just hungry." That wasn't a lie, just not the whole truth.
Penelope fusses, stealing my attention from the girl. I told her my limit, and she'll let me know. However, from the corner of my eye, I see her looking to the side and nodding at someone. I don't think anything of it, pulling Pen-Pen out of the stroller to soothe her. She's doing that thing where she's trying to turn her head, whimpering in a way I've never heard. At least she's not screaming. My ears can't handle that.
"Seventy-eight, ninety-nine."
"What?" No, that was wrong. I told her fifty, and I did the math.
She's not looking at me. Her attention was on the familiar guy standing behind us. He'd taken his jacket off, revealing his sleeveless shirt. Gods, he had muscles. I'm positive he could pick me up with one arm.
Before I could register what was happening, he swiped his credit card and paid for my stuff!
"Wait!" I try to stop him, but it's too late.
"Shh," turning to face me, he placed a finger on my lips, silencing me. That's all it took, and I was goo on the floor. The sparks were back, along with the comforting warmth. My exhaustion disappeared, and the hunger lessened—all from a touch with his finger. What was happening? "I got it. Just worry about my Princess, okay?"
The guy gently kissed my forehead and turned back to the cashier. She was blushing, affected by his good looks. I saw a hint of jealousy when she glanced at me, but she hid it behind a professional smile. I don't know what's happening, but I can't do more than rub Pen-Pen's back and stare at my champion in awe.
Protector? Champion? What was I thinking? This wasn't a romance novel. He was just being nice, wasn't he? Then, why did he call Penelope his Princess?
"The next time you need something, let me get it, okay?" he said, taking the receipt from the girl before talking to me. His tone was gentle but authoritative. "I take care of you, so you don't have to spend your money. Okay, Beautiful?"
I'm speechless.
What do I say? Should I tell him to stop? After all, I'm nothing to him. The last thing he needs to do is get some crazy idea that this is something. He's a werewolf. Ricky will kill him!
So, why am I just standing here like an idiot?
"We'll grab something to eat after we pay for the groceries, okay?" he's making those delicious circles from earlier, tracing my cheek and jaw like he's trying to memorize them. "You should've let me buy you something before we came in."
He talks to me like this is normal, but it's not. Ricky's words would've sounded domineering, but not from him. He's more joking and playful than mocking. He acknowledges my stubbornness but treats it like a good thing. He sees me, and it's okay to be myself.
'What the hell?'
This was crazy!
"What are you doing to me?" I hate how hesitant I sound, but something about his presence drains everything in me. Funny, because I don't feel worse.
"I'm taking care of you." Smiling, he traces my nose before moving to Penelope, leaning in and kissing her head. "Just give me a second to pay for this. We have a lot to talk about."
He's not alone.
There's no sign of the woman from the truck, but I've seen a couple of his men in the store, including the guy who handed me the spaghetti boxes. They were stalking me and that should piss me off, or at least scare me, but it doesn't. None were as tall or powerful as my protector, but they're obviously not human when they're together. This was his pack, and everyone around us instinctively kept their distance. Yet, I'm not inclined to run from them.
I could put Penelope back in her stroller and take my things, but I obediently wait for him to finish.
"$1000 even." The cashier looked stunned, and so was I. That was a lot of money, but my werewolf doesn't hesitate to swipe his card again.
'He's not your anything. Don't be stupid. You know what'll happen if Ricky finds out about this! Remember what he did when he thought you were flirting with the vampire at the gas station?'
I needed to go.
"Is your wife okay?" the girl was looking at me, talking to the werewolf.
"Yeah," his smile was tight. He took the second receipt and handed it to the blonde at his side. "Thanks."
Wait, did she call me his wife?
It made sense.
We were acting too intimately to be strangers. I had a wedding ring on, and Penelope was reaching for him like she knew him. It wasn't a huge leap to think we were married. I should correct her, but the words didn't come. Part of me wanted to pretend it was true, even for a few minutes. It felt right, and I knew it would destroy me once I got back to my reality, but for now, I wanted to lie to myself.
"Taylor's at the other register," the blonde said, grabbing the stroller as the others loaded the cart with the bags, including mine. "I think your bank account is missing another grand."
"I don't care," my protector snorted, glancing at me. 'It's worth it."
Did he look so good outside?
I'd been too busy having a panic attack to focus on the details, but now that I was calm, I did. There was no denying he was the pack's leader. His aura held power that seemed to stretch across each of his wolves, controlling and protecting them. Strangely, it felt like that protection was reaching for us, too. That may be why I thought of him as my protector.
The tattoos on his biceps catch my attention, but not because of the art. They cover more scars, the ink working with the lines to diminish whatever caused them. I wanted to touch them, but I restrained myself. What happened to him to cause that kind of damage? None of the others had scars like that, so what had he faced?
"What's that smell?" I talked more to myself, but he heard me and looked pleased. I don't know what cologne he's wearing, but I need to ask him about it. Whatever it is, I'll buy it and keep it on me. I've never smelled something so divine and soothing. "What are you wearing?"
"What do I smell like to you?" He was so close that we were hugging without hugging. Penelope grunted, grabbing his shirt and blinking up at him like she could see that far. No wonder the cashier thought we were married.
"A storm… the kind with lightning… and flowers… I don't remember their name." Why was I telling him that? It sounded psychotic to say to a man that he smelled like a storm and flowers. The first part wasn't even possible!
"Interesting… because you smell like—" he was interrupted by the woman from before. She had four carts of things and was pushing a new stroller and car seat. I've never seen someone look as excited as she did. "Taylor… what did you do?"
"Okay, so I couldn't help myself," she had the biggest grin, waving her hands across the stroller. I saw it and I had to buy it. Greg put it together while we were paying. Isn't it adorable?!"
"It's… very pink," my werewolf muttered. "Couldn't find anything brighter?"
"Well, I would've get rainbows or red hearts, but they didn't have any," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Thank the goddess," sighing, he looked at me and smirked. "She would've done it too."
"Well, my niece has to have a proper stroller! Just because your a cheap ass, doesn't mean I'm letting her grow up to be that way," I didn't even get a chance to register what was going on before Taylor grabbed Penelope out of my arms and carried her to the stroller. "Come on, sweet pea. Let's give mommy a break. Honestly, Alpha, how are we related? You have to be adopted because no brother of mine can be that stingy with money, especially for his daughter."
"Taylor…" His tone as he reprimanded his sister was not amused. I shouldn't feel as relieved as I do at that fact. I thought they were a couple when we were in the parking lot. "Shut up."
"What?" I heard what they said, but my brain wasn't registering the words. Alpha, niece, daughter? Why would she put it like that?
"No, I want to talk about the fact that whenever I buy something for the pack, you get onto me about it," she continued, strapping Pen-Pen into the car seat. "At least this time you didn't argue. But, I'm telling you now. When we get to California, we're going shopping. Yeah, sweet pea. I'm gonna teach you to spend all daddy's money. Yeah, you like that. Oh! She's smiling!"
"Taylor!" The Alpha growled this time but kept his voice low, his eyes darkening. "Shut the fuck up!"
"California?" Why was she talking about going shopping in California? We weren't going anywhere, were we? I don't feel so good.
"What?" Taylor continued, pouting at her brother. "They need new everything. I bought them some outfits, but that won't be enough… hey, is she okay? She looks like she's going to throw up."
"I haven't explained anything to her!" Alpha hissed, pulling me away from the registers. "You're overwhelming her!"
"Oops," Taylor's attitude died instantly, seeming horrified. "I thought… since you guys were being so touchy that you'd already… I'll stay quiet."
"That's a first," Alpha huffed, turning to the blonde. Take your mate and get us some tables away from the humans."
"No," my brain finally caught up with the situation, and I tried reaching for the stroller. They were taking my baby! "No…"
"Hey, hey," the Alpha werewolf grabbed me around the waist, pinning my back to his chest. Instead of causing me pain, it took it away, my emotions immediately settling. "Everything's okay, beautiful. We're just going to sit down over there and get some food. Okay? Come on, Taylor's right in front of us. You can see her; we're not going anywhere else."
I made the mistake of trying to run and nearly ended up on the ground. However, I got my answer from earlier. He did catch me, sweeping me up in his arms bridal style before walking toward the food area.
"Please let us go," I beg, trembling as pain gripped my entire leg. On top of everything else, I think I just twisted my ankle. "Please, I won't tell anyone."
"Don't," he stopped, his face less than an inch from mine. "Don't say that again. Please… I don't want to get thrown out for destroying everything."
Was he threatening me?
"Please don't take my baby." That's what this had to be. They were stealing my baby away from me, and I was powerless to stop them. I'd fallen for a trap because of this man.
"I'd never do that, baby girl," he looked stricken, like I'd slapped him. "She's safe and we'll be right there with her."
"Then why…? Please, I have to go." Strange that I didn't beg for them not to hurt us. I don't think they want to do that, but it doesn't make this better. "Please… I'll pay for the truck; you don't have to do this."
"Shh," he said with a sad smile, carrying me the rest of the way to the tables. "Don't worry, Beautiful. I'm taking care of everything. I'm taking you and my Princess as far away from here as we can get."
"What?"
You'd think that would have me screaming for help, but it doesn't.
As scary as this should be, I don't want to fight him.
Oh gods, I'm in so much trouble.