N. Walters - Quinn's Quest

A little voice in the back of his head told him she hadn’t dealt with it at all. She simply had too much to handle with her werewolf heritage and going into heat. The kidnapping would have to wait. But eventually she would have to come to terms with it.

His own experiences had taught him you couldn’t outrun your past forever. Eventually it caught up to you, giving you nightmares and memories you could only pray would fade over time.

He watched Bethany hurry to the bar, empty tray in hand. The slightly worn fabric of her jeans cupped her heart-shaped ass to perfection. He licked his lips as hunger roared through him like a tsunami. He wanted to take her like that. He wanted her naked, ass in the air as he drove into her from behind, claiming her as mate in the way of their people. He might be half human, but the werewolf side of his nature ruled supreme.

What he was thinking was crazy. Impossible. He wanted Bethany, but he couldn’t offer her anything permanent. Not until he found Chris. Maybe not even then. He couldn’t simply erase his past and all the things he’d done. Bethany deserved better. He knew he should just walk away from her and allow the other males to court her. That was the right thing to do.

Damned if he was going to. It might be wrong but he didn’t care. He wanted Bethany too much to walk away.

Michael leaned closer to Bethany as she placed her order for more drinks. Quinn’s eyes narrowed. There could be trouble there if he wasn’t careful. Michael was a pureblooded werewolf with a good job and a future to offer Bethany. There was no doubting the fact he found her attractive. Who wouldn’t? Bethany was an incredibly sexy and intelligent woman.

He sauntered over to the bar just in time to hear Michael’s latest comment.

“You’re a natural, Bethany.” Michael smiled at her as he added several bottles of imported beer to her tray. “The customers really like you.”

A reddish tinge highlighted her cheekbones. “Thanks. I’ve been a waitress for years.”

Quinn hadn’t known that. He was suddenly filled with the overwhelming urge to learn everything about her. Michael was right. Bethany was a natural. She was friendly and efficient, completely at ease with the customers.

Michael glanced at him but turned his attention back to Bethany. “That’s the rest of your order. One bloody Mary, three draft beers and a screwdriver.” He placed the last of the drinks on her tray.

“Thanks.” Bethany kept her head down, not looking at him as she tried to move past.

Quinn didn’t like the way she wouldn’t meet his gaze. He stopped her by simply stepping into her path. With all the tables surrounding them she had to stop. He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and raised it. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” This close to her he could smell her sweet, seductive scent. His testicles tightened and his dick jerked. He licked his lips again, barely refraining from throwing Bethany over his shoulder and dragging her upstairs to his bed.

He felt eyes on him and raised his head to glare at Michael. The other male was watching them intently. Or, more specifically, he was watching Bethany. If he could smell her then so could Michael.

A wave of protective possessiveness rose inside him. Before he realized what he was doing, Quinn leaned down and kissed Bethany, laying claim to her in public. Michael might be a purebred werewolf, but Quinn would fight him for Bethany if it came down to it. Which was crazy. He needed the pack’s help to find his sister. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself, especially not with Bethany’s lips moving beneath his.

“What was that for?” she asked, her voice breathy and tinged with arousal. The tray of drinks jiggled as her hands trembled. He placed his hand on the tray to steady it.

With his free hand, he stroked the line of her jaw. “Because I wanted to.”

As if suddenly remembering where she was, Bethany straightened and glared at him. “Well, don’t do it again. Not here.” She glanced nervously over her shoulder before hurrying off with her drink order.

She might not think anyone had noticed their quick kiss, but she’d be wrong. Sure the bar was dimly lit, a three-piece jazz band played on the small stage in the corner and patrons chatted and laughed with one another, but every single werewolf male here, pureblood or half-breed, was watching Bethany.

It was getting harder not to. Her scent, whenever she passed by, was an aphrodisiac. He was semi-erect whenever he was around her and knew the other single males had to be reacting to her in much the same manner. It made him want to hit something. He shot Michael a quick glare. Or maybe hit someone.

“How are you holding up?” Meredith placed her hand on Quinn’s arm and turned him toward the bar. It was only then he realized he was still watching Bethany, unable to tear his eyes away from her slim form.

“I’m okay.” That was his standard answer. The only one he could give.

“No, you’re not.” She nodded toward Michael. “None of you are.”

Quinn jerked his head around and noted the other male’s eyes were burning with lust. A low growl broke from Quinn’s chest. An answering one came from Michael.

“Stop it. Both of you.” The command in Meredith’s voice was compelling, reminding both of them in a very visceral way that she was female alpha of this pack. Hank materialized by her side, ready to step in if needed.

Quinn lowered his head, ashamed of his actions. He needed to keep his head on straight, not challenge the female alpha or threaten her son, a man he actually respected when he wasn’t looking at Bethany. He had to remember he wasn’t a part of this pack and he could easily be shown the door and asked to leave. He was jeopardizing his sister’s safety with his obsession with Bethany.

“Sorry about that.” His control was strained to the max. That wasn’t acceptable. He needed to get a grip on the wayward emotions making him act so crazy. The last thing he wanted to do was draw human attention to himself or to any of the others in the pack.

Meredith gave him an understanding smile as she pushed her long braid over her shoulder. “It’s not a problem unless you lose control.” She glanced toward Bethany and sighed. “This will probably be her last night of work for a while.” She nodded her thanks to Hank and he ambled back to his position by the front door of the club.

“It’s that bad?” Quinn knew the basics of what happened to a female werewolf when she went into heat, but not specifics.

Meredith rubbed her hands over her arms. “Worse.” She glanced at Michael and then back at him. “She’ll be in a bad way.”

“What can I do for her?” Quinn didn’t like the idea of anything hurting Bethany. His eyes sought her and his soul seemed to sigh in relief when he caught sight of her working her way around the room. God, she was beautiful.

“Quinn.” Meredith waited until she had his full attention again.

She raised her eyebrow at him, reminding him of his question. He felt his cheeks flush like he was some damn teenager lusting after his first girl. Sex was obviously an option. “Besides that?”

She shrugged. “That’s pretty much all that will ease her. The only other option is to leave her alone and let her ride it out. We’ll have to ban all unmated males from the third floor until she’s through this phase. And even then it will be hard on all of you.”

The thought of leaving Bethany alone, writhing naked on a bed with sexual arousal thrumming through her until it was painful was more than he could stand.

“I don’t think I can do that.”

Meredith patted his arm. “I didn’t think that you could.”

It occurred to him suddenly just how much of a mother figure Meredith had become to him. Not that she looked like anyone’s mother. She looked young and gorgeous and sophisticated. Tonight, as usual, she was wearing a knee-length sparkly dress with a slit up the side.