Taken By The Pack (Werewolf's Harem Book 2) by Vivian Wood Page B

didn’t want to wake you,” he explained. Taking her hand, he pulled her down the steps and out into the yard to walk.
    “I’m not sure how you didn’t wake me, since I woke up dripping in diamonds,” she said, peering at him from under her lashes.
    “The necklace? Let’s call it a signing bonus. I’ve only had you for a few days, but you’re everything I could have hoped for,” he said. He stopped, turning to pull her close. Leaning down, he brushed a soft kiss against her lips.
    Aurelia could feel herself begin to melt into his embrace, knowing the pleasure that awaited her in Lucas’s bed, but he released her after a moment. She bit her lip when he took her hand and tugged her toward the tree line.
    “I want to walk,” he said.
    “Okay,” she agreed.
    “I want to talk, too,” he said, his eyes scanning the trees as they went.
    “What about?” she asked, curious.
    “Us. The Compound, and the Harem,” he said.
    “Ah. Um, okay,” she said, keeping her tone light.
    “Walker left yesterday,” Lucas said, his hand warm on her own.
    “I saw him in shoes,” Aurelia said. Lucas chuckled, nodding.
    “He’s left to acquire the next member of our group,” he said.
    “Another female? I didn’t know you were bringing someone so soon,” Aurelia said, a lump forming in her throat. Was Lucas about to tell her that she was going to be set aside already?
    “The timing is not as I planned,” Lucas admitted. “I wanted to give you a chance to bond with Ben and Walker first; frankly I wanted more time for you and me, alone. Something’s happened, though, and we’ll need to bring the next female in right away.”
    “And you sent Walker to get her?” Aurelia asked, surprised. “He’s not, um… the most friendly guy on the planet.”
    “He’s very private, and hard to get to know. His no-nonsense attitude is what’s called for in this situation, though. The next female is going to be tough as nails, and I think he’s uniquely suited to bring her in. I think they’re well matched, to be honest.”
    “It sounds as though you picked her for him,” Aurelia said, scanning Lucas’s face.
    “I did, although neither of them knows that yet. Still, her presence is going to change things at the Compound, and we’re barely a stable unit as things stand. I wanted to make sure that you and I talked before her arrival, that we both made our wishes known.”
    “O-kay…” Aurelia said, not sure what to say. She figured it was best to let him lay out his plan first. When he stopped on the wooded path and pulled her close once more, her heart thudded painfully.
    “You’re my choice, Aurelia,” he started. “I watched you for a year. I tracked you down, brought you to my home. Made you the first of my Harem.”
    She nodded, swallowing and staring up into this face. His voice dropped as he continued, and she was riveted.
    “I want to learn you, learn everything about you. I want to take my time with you, but it’s hard. I’m feeling a lot of social pressure announce a human engagement. My wolf is pressing me to act, to claim you before someone else can. My instinct now, even at this very moment, is to bury my teeth in your neck and mark you, drag you to the ground and fuck you until you promise to be mine, keep you here until you’re heavy with my child,” he whispered.
    Aurelia’s breath hissed from her lungs, surprise catching her hard. Part of her was elated, part was wary. It was too soon for him to be saying this!
    “I want that, and I hope you want that, too. But I don’t think we’re ready for that yet, are we?” he asked.
    “No,” she breathed, shaking her head. “No, we’re not ready.”
    “I want to live out this year, the length of your contract, with an open-minded arrangement,” he said. “I want us both to have everything we want, everyone we want. To get our fill, before there’s no one else. Forever.”
    Aurelia’s gaze narrowed, uncertainty plaguing her thoughts.
    “I