Page 85 of Big Bad Wolf

“Absolutely not.”

She pulled away, needing more space to fight with him. “Why not?”

“Too dangerous,” he grumbled.

“Too dangerous? Everything’s too dangerous! Maybe you should just wrap me in bubble wrap and put me on a shelf for safe keeping.”

He scowled. “Trust me, I would if I could.”

“You’re being insane.”

“The last time I saw Knox he was trying to kill me! I will not bring you around that man!” he roared and Ruby flinched.

Rafe winced. “I’m sorry. But the answer is no.”

“But you were going to trust the pack with protecting us?” She put her hands on her hips and Rafe’s gaze tracked the motion, lingering too long on her hips, her thighs, her tits. Heat simmered inside her. Even when she wanted to kill him, she wanted to fuck him.

He shook his head. “I don’t… I just need to talk to him. See what he knows. I was going to ask him to send a wolf or two here to look after you until we got it figured out.”

Ruby scowled. “What a cute plan.”

“I’m doing my best,” he grunted before storming out the back door.

“Son of a bitch,” Ruby muttered, collapsing into the nearest chair. So much for telling him off. Instead, she’d almost begged him to stay, and he was leaving anyway. For now? Forever? She didn’t know what was going through that wolfy head of his.

She didn’t even really know what was going through hers. Everything was a jumbled mess of fear and anxiety and anger and lust and … and something stronger. Something she refused to name.

Something that kept her coming back to him again and again.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Hours later, Ruby was sitting at the table, stewing, when Theo’s soft knock came on the back door. She knew he was coming. She’d seen Rafe pacing the yard, cell phone to his ear, face grim. He was still worried about her even as he was leaving. Apparently, Theo was here to babysit until the pack was alerted to their current predicament.

“Come in,” Ruby mumbled and, thanks to his super wolfy senses, Theo heard her.

“Good morning,” he drawled, striding into the kitchen.

“Is it?”

He gave her his best charming smile. “The sun is shining; the birds are chirping. What more could you ask for, Ruby love?”

Ruby glowered.

Theo gave a knowing nod and dropped into the chair across from her. “Let me guess, my brother is being an asshole?”

Ruby couldn’t help the surprised laugh that escaped her. Theo grinned. “It’s a family trait but I think Rafe got the worst of it,” he continued with an easy smile. He leaned back in his chair, taking up space like he belonged in her kitchen, like he belonged anywhere he wanted to be. He was a cocky bastard for sure, but Ruby liked him.

“He’s very frustrating.”

Theo nodded. “Stubborn as rock, his whole life.” He ran a hand through his curls. “But ultimately, not a bad guy. Though I hate to admit it.” He grinned again and Ruby could see how easy it would be to fall for a guy like Theo. Unfortunately, she didn’t want a guy like Theo. Unfortunately, she liked big broody idiots. “What did he do?” Theo asked.

“He didn’t tell you?”

Theo blew out a breath. “Well, he said he was going to talk to Knox, which I admit nearly knocked me off my seat.”

“Is it true that he saved your life?”

Theo paused mid-stretch, his eyebrows touching his hairline. His eyes were like green pools, light against his tan skin. “Is that what he told you?”