In the Alpha’s Arms

Sense of Smell

Lita didn’t wake up all at once, like she normally did after a nightmare. She awoke gently, to the smell of French toast, bacon, sliced strawberries and orange juice, specifically pulp free orange juice. How she knew all of that from one whiff as she cracked open her eyes, she did not know. Or care.

Immediately, her mouth watered. As much as she could smell it, the food had to be practically at her bedside. She groaned, stretching her limbs and sitting up until her rib shot pain through her. Lita slowly started feeling her whole body again, the pain somehow worse than before she went to sleep,

She leaned back down against the pillow. Where was she? Brian probably took her to his apartment to monitor her, which had happened more times than she wanted to admit. He could be really sweet and attentive sometimes. The only issue was that it always came after he was violent and cruel.

She sighed, at least there was food. That was a positive worth focusing on. But looking around, she couldn’t find any food nearby. And she didn’t recognize a single thing about the room. This wasn’t Brian’s apartment or hers.

Lita not knowing where she was, upset her, but not nearly as much as the lack of food. Which was odd. She was ravenous as her growling stomach told her. More hungry that she could remember being in months. Perhaps it was because she needed energy to heal?

Her eyes went back around the room. Not a single feminine touch meant she was in a man’s room. That was more alarming, Where was she? Under the scent of the breakfast she couldn’t find anywhere, there was another scent, something familiar. She inhaled deeply, firewood? Something smoky. And fall air? Where had she smelled that before? It was nagging her mind like déjà vu. And it was wonderful. If they sold it at Bath and Body Works, she’d buy their entire stock

Oh my god, Brian’s apartment was trashed. Her mind seemed to snap back in place all at once. The memory of Cole smashing everything made her whole body shiver, What was she going to do? Brian would be pissed and he would be jealous, too. Terrible things always happened when he was jealous. He would tell her parents about Cole. They would all find out about the gym. As soon as they knew what she was doing, they’d nullify the contract, and she’d be forced to marry Brian early. Her mind raced with how one series of unfortunate events had potentially destroyed her entire life and her plan to get away.

She couldn’t stop herself from hyperventilating. What was she going to do? Where was Stace? Where was Cole? What happened to her apartment? What day was it? Her emotions ran away with her, a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. This was bad, really bad.

They were wolves! The thought splintered everything else she was thinking. Lita was about to toss back the covers and jump out of bed in a rush, but Cole came into the room holding a tray of food.

“Oh good you’re u-” he froze mid sentence, staring at Lita like a character glitch, “Y–your chest, Lita.” He cleared his throat and looked away, as Lita looked down at her bare breasts.

“Jesus!” She snatched the large comforter

ter up to her neck again. How

“Are

you

the

he hell did she end up naked?

some kind of pervert? You don’t just stop at destruction of property? You’re into kidnapping and perverted shit too?!” she yelled, scooting as far away from him as she could go, wincing at the discomfort.

“Calm down will you,” he grumbled, sliding the tray onto her bedside table, “the doctor stripped you to assess your wounds.” His jaw clicked as if it angered him to think about it. “And fuck that asshole’s property.”

Lita eyed him carefully. He didn’t seem like he was lying at all. But there was no way to know. The cold sweat intensified

“I figured you wouldn’t want me dressing you while unconscious?” Luta cut her eyes at him and nodded, “Exactly. You can get dressed as soon as y

eat.”

you

Lita exhaled hard, why did he seem to raise her blood pressure? He sat on the side of the bed, turning to her, “Seriously, eat. You need energy to heal.” She snorted, knowing she’d just said the same thing to herself

you remember?”

a glass of pulp free orange juice. How

You,” Lita’s face involuntarily flushed, “um Stace. And you trashed Brian’s apartment!” Lita couldn’t help but glare at him. That temper of his seemed to rule him in a way

face for any signs that she was hiding something. What was she supposed to remember? That they

shape–shifting c

creatures?

that’s it why?

replied quickly. How could she not remember Stace telling her about werewolves? Cole couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t that be the first thing someone would remember? Unless she hadn’t really believed it. That might have made it easier to suppress. Shir. He sighed, knowing he was going to have to put new rules in effect with the pack until she got her bearings. Maybe he could reject her and be done with it

been out?” she asked between mouthfuls, then

“This yours?”

most likely. It’s

noticing the way Cole’s eyes got darker for a moment, “Sorry to put you

“Put me out?”

on the couch?” she asked, stuffing an entire piece of toast into her mouth like a slob. She didn’t

chuckled deeply, raising the hair on the back of Lita’s neck, “I slept right there.” He pointed to the other half of the large bed and Lita thought she was hallucinating again. Surely, he didn’t mean he’d slept right beside her? Was he really

slept on top of

very low under his breath,

it difficult, I wonder?” she smirked, forgetting she was supposed to be annoyed

Cole gave her

I’m awake now. I’ll get out of your hair,” Lita swiped up gulped down the Of. Cole immediately tensed at the idea of her leaving. Even though he should have been secretly happy,

the

a slow torture, for sure. A torture he found himself more than eager

call

wrist, “No–you can’t tell any of them…” She felt her chest closing in, breathing deeply but not finding any air. She could try to smooth things over with Brian, but her

her chin, snapping her out of the spiral of thoughts, “Where’d you go? It’s okay. I’ve decided you’re

chin go, staring darkly into her eyes. He leaned closer to her mouth. “Cole?” she swallowed, wetting her lips. That smell hit her like a punch in the gut. That firewood, smoky, fall air was Cole. It

skin flush, eyes

looks a lot better… uh, the doctor will be here soon to check you out again. 1-1 have to, uh,” he stuttered,

a boost of confidence for a

with Alex, calling her psycho fan or ring bunny behind her back and to her face. It was like he’d

Judgmental look. Especially when she’d signed the receipt for such a large sum. What had been meant to make her leave hadn’t worked and instead of earning his respect, that sizeable sum must

farther. if she weren’t injured. Had she wanted it to go

that? What was happening between them? Cole… her body seemed to respond to just his name with heat. She ran her fingers through her

head into a frenzy. His warm, muscular body, and that sexy hagrance he wore… He was fucking up her plans, and she wasn’t even sure what those plans were anymore. Now that Brian was most likely in and looking for her, she needed to lie low. Very low. Staying here was the only option next to staying at a Motel 6, anything nicer would require her card. She surely couldn’t go back home. And she probably needed to trash her phone the first

second he saw his apartment trashed. And then the way it’d fully explode ence he realized she wasn’t home, either. She took a few calming breaths. He wasn’t here. She didn’t need to be afraid here.

feet out, standing up to go to the bathroom. Realizing once again that she was completely hare, she groaned.

herself up in the comforter as she

but she didn’t see him. Stepping into the hallway, there Cole stood, his head pressed against

out to touch his arm, but he jumped away and hissed as

turning away, “Go back in the room. Please, dear moon goddess. Go back

down. I won’t touch you. But you’re not okay… what’s wrong?” She drew

had almost passed…” he growled so low it sent heat straight between her legs. How could she find even his anger appealing now? What had almost passed? Was he

alone out here… you took care of me….

arm again and this time, when her hand touched his arm, she realized exactly why he didn’t want them to touch. Hot electric currents of sensation shot throughout her body. Her thoughts seemed to

as he turned back to her,