Hunter's Heart (Alpha Pack #4)(33)

One he wasn't brave enough to name. Yet.

Chapter Seven

It was deliciously decadent, lazing on the floor with Ryon after making love. In the middle of the afternoon.

Her buttoned-up ex-fiance had never committed a spontaneous act in his life. Much less anything that involved getting naked and messy.

As soon as the uncharitable thought crossed her mind, she felt bad. It really wasn't fair comparing two men who were so different. Ryon was an open book, his smile honest, his handsome face reflecting his love of life. Of laughter, his friends, the poor creatures like Chup who were displaced in a strange world. The exact opposite of her ex, who'd never had time for much of anything but his own career.

Head resting on Ryon's chest, she trailed her fingers through the crisp, dusky hair that was a darker shade than what was on his head. She teased each nipple, enjoying the way the brown disks puckered into tight points, then skimmed her palm lower, stopping at the intricate tattoo on his left hip. The artwork was a wolf's head, ears laid flat against his head, muzzle snarling fiercely in the direction of its owner's belly button. The ink appeared black at first, but upon closer inspection she saw it was actually a dark blue. Very, very fetching.

"I love the tat," she said, running a finger over it in appreciation. His abdomen quivered at her attentions and she smiled against his chest.

"Thanks. It was a moment of insanity, I suppose."

"Why do you say that?"

"Hurt like a bitch. I'll never get another one-that's for sure."

"You can fight vampires, nearly get gutted, then go back to battle again without batting an eyelash, but you won't get another tattoo?"

He made a noise of agreement. "Damned straight. Nothing like having to hold still for the torture when I'd much rather go down swinging."

"Well, it's nice. I'm glad you got this one." Sitting up, she sat and traced it. "I noticed some of the other guys have them, though they're each a bit different. Was it some sort of team thing?"

"Yeah." His voice got quiet. "All of us who were in the Navy SEALs together and got turned went out and got them when we first formed the Alpha Pack. We did it to remind us what we'd become, and as a solidarity thing."

Daria thought that was really cool, but from his tone she guessed he might not, so much. It seemed like a serious occasion to his team, having the tats done. "Will you tell me the story of how you were attacked and turned?"

"One day," he said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry, it's none of my-"

"No, don't apologize." Sitting up, he reached for her cheek, stroked it. "That's just a dark story for such a nice day. I don't want to ruin our evening."

"Well, okay. As long as I didn't overstep."

"Of course not." He was silent for a moment, then studied her thoughtfully. "You make the ghosts go away."

"What?"

"I mean literally. I told you we all have Psy gifts in addition to our ability to shift? Well, mine are that I can see spirits-sometimes communicate with them, though that's rare-and speak in peoples' minds. I'm a Channeler and a Telepath."

"Wow." She didn't know what else to say. "Do you see any ghosts right now?"

"No. That's what I meant before. You make them go away," he said in disbelief. "I just realized that when I'm with or near you, they don't hound me."

If she wasn't able to astrally project, she'd think he was one brick short of a load. "I'm glad about that. I can't imagine what it would be like to have ghosts following you everywhere like you're the Pied Piper."

"It's not easy. But it's better than being able to tell the future, like Nick."

"True." She studied him. "Can you speak to me telepathically?"

"Yes, but I doubt you could speak back to me that way, yet."

"What do you mean yet?"

"Never mind," he mumbled. "Want me to say something in your head?"

"Sure."

Daria Bradford, I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met.

"Oh my God!" she cried out, clapping a hand over her mouth. "I've never-that was unbelievable."

He grinned. "Try to say something back. Think it really hard."

She concentrated. I think you're the sexiest man I've ever seen. I want you to make love to me again. "Did you get that?"

"Nope, sorry. You'll get it down, eventually."

"What makes you say that?"

"You will, that's all."

She thought about that. Would she be around to learn how? She hoped so. She was coming to like this place. This man. More than like-he was fast becoming a necessity. At that thought, her skin itched again. It was puzzling how she seemed to need him more by the hour.

"Ryon . . . I'm ready."

"Ready for what?"

"I want to see you shift. I'm ready to meet your wolf."

"You sure?" He searched her face.

"Positive. You were right before when you said I wasn't ready, but that was before I met your team, Blue, and Chup-Chup. Bring it on."

She was rewarded with one of his blinding smiles as he rose to his knees. Without a word, he started the transformation. As she watched, stunned, his limbs began to reshape. Arms and legs became four canine ones. His face elongated, changing into a muzzle, and fur sprouted all over his body. In seconds, there was a full tail where none had been before.