D O V E

"Is there anything other than meat and beer in this damn thing?" I questioned in an irritated huff as I stood in front of the open refrigerator, my stomach practically eating itself. It was clear that Rhys had priorities in his life and none of them involved grocery shopping. I didn't suspect that he was entertaining many guests from the looks of things.

"Meat and beer are the essential food groups. What more do you need?" I whirled around at the unwarranted response to my rhetorical question to find Dace walking into the kitchen. He looked even better in the light of day. The whole classic bad boy image thing was working for him. Of course, I was more partial to the rugged and tough appeal of Rhys.

"Do you make a habit of walking into someone else's house uninvited?" I closed the fridge, keeping my gaze on the predator in the room. Had Rhys sent him to keep an eye on me?

He grinned. "Only when I where the spare key is."

I sank back against the stainless steel, the chill passing through the thin cotton shirt I wore. I pressed my lips together in annoyance. “I don’t need a babysitter, anymore.”

He ignored my remark as came up beside me, invading my personal space. I shifted away from him. My heart started to race as I envisioned all the horrible things that could happen to me out in the middle of nowhere with no one around to hear me scream. Had I lost my mind? These people weren't people, they were mythical creatures who put on “human” suits. I threw my arms out on instinct, intending to push him away.

He captured my wrists in his hand, leaning in and giving me a sniff. "What it is about you that has Rhys so enthralled..."

He let me go, and I stepped away from him, rubbing away the itchy feeling his touch had left on my skin. I felt allergic to his touch somehow; his proximity to me completely unsettling my whole being. My lips dropped down into a frown. "Did you…smell me?"

Dace shrugged his shoulders. "Like I said curious,” he stepped back and leaned his elbow into the island. “So how long are you going to be staying here, Dove?"

I met his probing gaze. "I guess until things blow over…" I felt more self-conscious as the minute hand on the clock on the far-left wall ticked forward. I didn't know what the rules were for this pack but I got the sense that they weren't going to be welcoming to an outsider, especially a human one.

He gave me a smile that showed just a few too many teeth. "Why are you on the run?"

I blinked, cringing. Dace kept his grin, but he was reading every emotion that played across my face. He had seen more than Rhys had, more than he should have. I looked away from him to the clock again. Rhys had been gone for several hours and I wish he'd return. "That’s none of your business."

"I think it became my business the moment I killed someone for you.” He was pressing the issue.

I straightened up, my body like someone had shoved me into the fire. "I appreciate your daring rescue the other night but I didn't ask for it. So, I don't owe you anything. Now, I think you should leave," I urged with a firm tone, mustering as much authority as I could. I wanted my revolver, it was hard to be as commanding without the ability to follow it up with force if necessary.

"Don't be like that,” he held up his hands in mocking surrender. “I'm looking out for my friend, you understand, don't you?”

"Let me be clearer, leave." I was breathing heavy, the muscles in my body coiled up tight. I was ready to fight if it came to that, running would be pointless. His pierced brow arched up as if surprised by the force of my demand.

The sound of the front door banging open and close cut the tension. "Leave her alone, Dace. Rhys won’t be happy to find out you were harassing her." Astrid's voice echoed from the entrance to the kitchen. I found myself relaxing at the sound of it, turning to see her entering with a paper bag filled with groceries. She set them down on the table, unloading them.

My stomach growled as I looked at the items she was laying out; fresh veggies, orange juice, bread, peanut butter, Jelly, a couple potatoes and other feminine necessities. I could have hugged her but I wasn't sure how she would react to a complete stranger in her personal space. Dace eased away from me.

"I thought you were in town with the other females." He seemed annoyed that his interrogation had been interrupted.

Astrid moved to the fridge carrying the veggies. "I was but I ran into my son and he asked me to bring a couple of things to make his guests stay here a little more comfortable." Her gaze shifted to me for a moment. It had been a long time since I had someone looking out for me. It made me feel a swell of emotion that I tapped down before it could overwhelm me.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." I mumbled.

She nodded her head. "We can't let you get any thinner than you are or people in town might start to suspect my son starves his guests." I didn’t know if she actually cared about me or if it was only concern for the way people would view Rhys that brought her here, but I still appreciated the kindness.

"Don’t get too comfortable.” Dace muttered at me with a bit of a sneer.

"Knock off the attitude.” Astrid growled, holding his gaze until he dropped his head, reluctantly, in a submissive manner.

"Sorry." He grumbled. I doubted he was actually sorry for the way he’d been acting. He had his suspicions about me and I didn't blame him for that but he should’ve approached me differently.

I felt the warmth on my cheeks, feeling uncomfortable with the situation. "I promise I’m not here to cause any trouble..." I meant what I was saying. I didn't want to cause Rhys any trouble, especially after the fact that he was being kind enough to offer me his protection even though I was just the girl he had fucked. He didn't owe me anything, none of them did.

Astrid smiled in my direction, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course, you aren't."