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Salem nodded. “He does seem to be having a relaxing time, as well.”
“How are you holding up?”
“Okay. I mean I’m trained for what I do, but today was intense. All those different kinds of shifters—what did they want with them?”
“Unknown, but given Payne’s presence, my guess is that the League is trying to set up another lab like the one they had in Reykjavik.”
“Reykjavik?”
“The League was doing genetic experiments. Payne and his brother found out and with the help of their mates and the Resistance were able to destroy the place.”
“You’re thinking of joining the Resistance, aren’t you?”
“At this point, I’m not sure I have a choice,” he answered. “I don’t take lightly to putting my people in harm’s way, but I don’t think this is a battle we can sit out. What do you think?”
“There’s a part of me that says humanity should be told, but I don’t know that it would work out as well as you’d need it to. I wish that weren’t so, but I fear it is.”
“I have to say I agree with you, but maybe it will force us—both shifters and humans—to find a way to work with and accept each other.”
They stopped to eat, and Salem found that Sampson was quite fond of Lettie’s blackberry cobbler. The drive back was done in companionable silence, and Cullen realized he didn’t need to talk to her to feel her soothing presence. About halfway back, he could feel Salem’s fatigue set in.
She yawned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. The adrenaline is wearing off. I don’t know that anything more than you filing whatever report you need to has to be done tonight.”
“I think I’ll write it and then read it over in the morning before I send it.”
They pulled into the stable, and Cullen handed Sampson off to one of the stable hands. As he turned to help Salem out of the buggy, he could feel her exhaustion and without thinking, swept her up in his arms and carried her back to the house, entering through a side entrance that would prevent most from seeing her.
She put her arms around his neck. “This is so wrong in so many ways, but I am so enjoying it.”
He carried her up the backstairs and set her down in front of her door. “Thank you,” she said with a soft smile. “I don’t think I expected Prince Charming.”
Cullen chuckled. “Forget the prince. Choose the wolf. He can see you better, hear you better, and eat you better.”
She laughed as she slipped into the room, leaving the door open just enough that she could see him clearly. “And what about fucking? Can the wolf fuck me better?”
His groin tightened, his cock becoming hard. “Most definitely. Care to see for yourself?”
“I actually can’t believe I said that out loud.”
He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re tired. Don’t give it a second thought. Just know that the offer is always open. What’s the line from the Bogart film? Something along the lines of if you change your mind, whistle. You know how to whistle, don’t you, Salem?”
He brushed his lips against hers and retreated to his room while he was still in control. The dominant nature of his wolf demanded that he sweep her back up, take her to his bed, and claim her, but Cullen knew Salem was not a woman to simply be taken—although he wasn’t opposed to it. No, for now he’d give her a little time.
Sometime later, Cullen had taken a cold shower, pulled on a pair of sweatpants, and stretched out on his bed. He knew sleep would be elusive, but he also knew he needed to at least rest and try to still the storm of emotions that was keeping him awake. The clock chimed quietly—three bells for three in the morning. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, thinking perhaps setting his restless wolf free and going for a run might help.
There was a gentle knock on the door and Cullen was surprised to see Salem looking at him.
“Salem, is everything all right?”
“I’m not sure. May I come in?”
He stepped back, opening the door.
“I know we haven’t known each other very long,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m not a wolf-shifter and don’t know much about you or your people. You’re probably expected to be with someone who’s like you…”
Cullen stepped forward, tucking an errant lock of her dark hair behind her ear. “I am alpha. I can have whatever I want. My pack has met you and seen the courage and kindness of your heart. You may not have been born a she-wolf, but you have the soul of one. From the time I saw you taunt those vampires, I knew that I wanted you.”
