Primal Law (Alpha Pack #1)(20)
Far too intimate for her liking. She jerked her head back, breaking contact and glaring up at him. "The opposite of whatever's being done now, I can tell you that. I think they need someone to show them some compassion, to see that someone cares. If any of them can be sent home-wherever that might be-we should make it happen. If we can't, they need a purpose. Jobs, anything to make them feel useful. Important."
"Wow, a real Pollyanna." From his lips, it didn't sound like a compliment, the words tinged with bitterness. "Spread a little love and the whole universe will hold hands and be healed. How about you start practicing right here?"
Before she processed the challenge, he cupped her face, dipped his head, and took her mouth in a searing kiss. Caught by surprise-and insanely curious-she went with it. His lips were full and firm, his tongue talented. He tasted good, like mint. Yep, the man was a world-class kisser.
But the earth didn't move. His touch didn't carry a fraction of the spark she'd experienced with Jaxon, and he hadn't even kissed her. Gently at first, she tried to disengage. Then with more insistence, pushing at his chest.
"Aric, let me go."
"Sugar, I-"
"I am not your sugar, sweet cheeks, or darlin', and as talented as your lips are? Sorry. They don't make my universe hold hands and sing, or whatever. So for the last time. Let. Me. Go!"
The redhead opened his mouth to say something else, but never got the chance. Suddenly he was yanked from her and bodily thrown against the wall, a seriously pissed-off Jaxon in his face.
"How many times does a lady have to ask you to let go before you get it through your thick skull?" he shouted, gripping Aric's shoulders and shoving hard for emphasis.
"Get the f**k off me, ass**le." He shoved back, bared his lengthening canines, and the fight was on.
Kira squeaked in alarm as the two combatants slammed off the walls, throwing punches, shaking the building. After about the fourth bounce they went down, Aric on top of Jax, and shifted right in their clothes. Pants and shoes were kicked aside as one red and one gray wolf rolled, snarling and tearing into each other. In short order, their T-shirts were bloody and hanging in tatters off their broad shoulders, deadly claws and fangs slicing.
Terrified they'd kill each other, she bolted. She had no idea which way to go, but she had to find help. Just before she reached the end of the corridor, Ryon, Zander, and a big bald man she'd never seen before rounded the corner.
"Whoa, dogfight!" Ryon called. He slapped the big man's beefy shoulder with the back of his hand. "Dude, go get Nick."
"Shit," the guy spat. But he did as Ryon said, disappearing the way he'd come.
Ryon took her arm and gently moved her a few feet farther from the fray while Zander got as close as he dared, yelling at his friends.
"Hey, you idiots! Cut it out before Nick gets here!"
Anxious, she wrung her hands. "Can't he do something?" she asked, referring to Zander.
"They're too far gone to listen to anyone but the head Alpha," Ryon said, wincing as the gray wolf sliced the red's shoulder. "Anyone else who tries will be toast."
It seemed like forever but was likely no more than a minute before a white wall of fur barreled into the fight, separating the two warring wolves and knocking each one on his ass. Fangs bared, he let out a low, menacing growl, gazing from one of his errant soldiers to the other.
Kira stared in awe. The white wolf was slightly bigger than the other two, which was saying a lot. He was beautiful, and it was tough not to be impressed with the way he made his subordinates back down. The red wolf caved first, flattening his ears back and lowering his head in submission. Then the gray. Though clearly neither wanted to give in, since they kept shooting side glares and rumbling at each other.
Without warning Nick shifted and pushed to his feet, standing gloriously naked in the middle of the hallway. "Clean up and come to my office. Right f**king now. You'll be lucky if I don't suspend you both." With that, he turned and walked toward where Kira stood with Ryon.
She couldn't help but notice the man, who must be in his early forties, was damned fine. He nodded, then strode past as though he couldn't care less what she saw. As she turned her attention to Jax and Aric, she saw they'd shifted also. She'd have to be dead and buried not to goggle at the taut, tattooed male flesh on proud display. Any second, her brain would overload.
What a way to go.
As though reading her mind, Ryon spoke up with a chuckle. "You'll get used to it. Mac and Doc Mallory did. We're part wolf, and what need do wolves have for clothing? It's in our nature not to worry overmuch about nakedness when we shift back to human form. Saves time if everyone just gets over it and gets on with business."
"Makes sense," she murmured. It did. But . . . wow.
"Not that we ride into town and parade around naked," Zander put in with a wink. "That only flies when we're here, among our own."
"Sure." Seriously hot, naked wolf shifters. Oh, the agony one must endure.
But wait. The other women had gotten used to it? The idea that Mac or any other female had seen Jaxon in the raw didn't sit well. At all. In fact, it downright sucked, though she couldn't fathom why she should care.
Jax and Aric had pulled on their pants and were still glaring. Jax stepped close, invading the redhead's space. "Don't ever touch her again, unless she asks."