Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
I frown, my heart sinking. He does not like my scent. It is a bad sign. I swallow down my emotions. I should have known. The pack always told me I am cursed. No one will want me. I should have stayed alone rather than trying to seek out a new pack. Now I am in a world I do not understand. I cannot even change anymore.
“Hey,” the First says quietly. He places a hand under my chin and forces me to look up. His voice shifts to a musical, cajoling tone. “It’s all right. We can get you clean, and then I’ll sniff you all you like. You can teach me all your kinky ways. You’ll find that I’m a tolerant man. It’s just customary where I come from to not reek of…all the things you reek of. Come on.”
He stands up, his muscular frame unfolding gracefully. I take a moment to study him. He does not seem to require immediate compliance. He seems a patient First. Perhaps it is why the others follow him. He is tall, perhaps a full head taller than me. When I stand, my head fits neatly under his chin. I appreciate his lean build. He took off the strange clothing that covered his chest, and now I can admire the strong muscles found there. He is different from the males of the pack. He has no hair on his chest. I like it. His skin is pale, almost luminous. There is no fat on his body. Only long, muscular lines. His stomach is covered in muscle that leads to lean hips. His pants cover the part of him I wish to see. I am curious if he will allow me to look at his male parts. Are they as beautiful as the rest of him?
He grins down at me. “I’m glad you like the package, sweetheart. It’ll make things a lot easier between us. Now let’s get you cleaned up.”
I gasp in happy surprise. I understand. He wants me to groom myself. It is easier when I am in my wolf form, but I can do it if it pleases him. I nod and decide to start with my hands. I lick one hand and frown. I do not taste very good.
“Whoa!” the First says.
I look up. He seems positively horrified.
“Do you think she was raised by wolves?” The red-haired female’s eyes are wide as they study me. Shame washes over me. I am as stupid as the pack said. I do not understand even the simplest command. It must show in my eyes because the female softens. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to offend. We don’t lick ourselves clean.”
“Sometimes you do, lover. Beck often orders you to lick him clean,” the softer of the two dark-haired men says. It earns him an elbow in the ribs from the woman.
The First frowns at his lessers. “Nice, guys. Make her think we’re all pervs.”
“She’ll find out soon enough,” the man says and steps back to avoid another elbow. His twin laughs aloud.
The First sends them a dirty look. His eyes soften when he turns back to me. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Name?” I do not recognize the word. The magic they employ only works part of the time. I am still confused by much of their talk.
He pats his chest. “Dante. That’s what people call me. What do people call you?”
The People call me many names. I flush thinking of all the things I was called. I chose my own “name” at the age of eight, though the members of the pack refused to use it, preferring to call me “that creature.” I do not have to tell him that. I can hide my shame here. “Kaja. I am Kaja. I like it. It means pure.”
I always liked the way it sounded.
“Kaja, that is ironic.” The First laughs. I feel a sweetness center in my chest. I never heard the word I call myself from another’s lips. The First stops and smiles. He touches his chest. “You are Kaja, and I am called Dante.”
“Dante,” I say, trying the word out on my tongue. Dante, the First.
“Come,” the First says. He holds out his hand. I let him pull me up. “Meg, do you have anything with you that will take the stink off her? I think there’s a pretty woman under here somewhere.”
The female hands the First a square. It is pink, and I can smell a pleasant floral scent. I hope they don’t want me to eat it. It doesn’t look like something good to eat. The First holds his square and begins pulling me toward the water. Perhaps I am supposed to take a drink. I lean over and smell the water. It seems fine, though it is a bit warm.
“No, sweetheart,” the First says. “Get in. I want you to bathe yourself.”