Marie Harte: Right Wolf, Right Time

“He has not.” Sophie blushed. “He’s always been nice, but at dinner Friday night, he couldn’t sit far enough away from me. I thought maybe something would happen between us, and then Grady and Dean showed up singing ‘Scooby Doo.’ It went downhill from there.”

Julia choked on her water.

Gabby scowled. “I told Grady to make sure Dean left you alone. Then he went over there too?”

“Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like Monty did anything more than kiss my forehead. Oh, and he helped make salad and tried to do my dishes. He’s a nice guy.”

“Ouch. Nice. That hurts.” Julia flinched. “But maybe he didn’t know you were interested.”

“He had to know.” Sophie had been eager, aroused and ready for him. She swore he’d scented her need a few times that night. She’d seen the hunger in his eyes. Or had she just imagined what she wanted to see? “He never acted on it. And he hasn’t called since our date. That was nearly a week ago. Even though I wasn’t sure about it, I think tonight will be good for me. Rafe won’t push. I can trust him.” Or so she kept telling herself.

Overwhelming and powerful, Rafe Sheridan could crush her easily. But from all she’d seen and heard about the man, he protected those under his charge. Since she’d recently joined the order, he’d been nothing but polite and courteous. But his eyes didn’t lie. The man wanted her. The question then became, did she want him back?

“If you trust him, I trust him.” Julia lent her support, as always. “Besides, if he steps wrong, Ty will take care of him. Alpha or not, Rafe can’t avoid my mate. Ty’s the law.”

Gabby snorted. “Smug much? Just remember—your husband may be the sheriff, but he’s not the boss of me . Bad enough he tried to protect me from my own mate, but now that I’m expecting, he’s as bad as Grady.”

“What can I say? Ty’s like a sow with her cubs when it comes to kits.” Julia smiled, and Sophie envied her friend the love she shared with her mate. “But Sophie…”

The sisters regarded her with twin expressions of concern.

“Are you sure you want to go out with Rafe?” Gabby asked.

No. “Yes. If Monty doesn’t want me, at least Rafe does. And he’s nice enough that I could…” She paused, needing to share with her best friends but not sure they would understand.

“What, Soph?” Julia touched her hand and smiled kindly. “Tell us.”

Her friends. Women who’d seen danger and heartache. Ac-taw who had survived and helped her because they liked her. Because they accepted her for who she was. Her friends meant the world to her, and she needed their opinion. Badly.

“I’m tired of waiting,” she blurted.

“Waiting?” Gabby asked.

“For sex. I want to be with a man.” There. She’d said it.

Gabby stared. “Are you telling me you’re a virgin ?”

“Why not yell it to the world?” Julia muttered. “Think about it, Gabby. Sophie was raised not knowing she was Ac-taw. She didn’t want men, not after being around her family.”

Julia knew some, but not all, of Sophie’s past. Sophie had skimmed over much, saying only that she’d come from an abusive home life. Theo, bless him, had promised not to share what he knew with anyone. Not the council, not the sheriff, not even Rafe.

“True. But you’ve been here more than two years.” Gabby looked amazed. “No one in all that time?”

“No.”

“And you’re what? Twenty-five?”

“Twenty-six,” Sophie corrected. “I have needs. Not to be too graphic, but both of you are pregnant, so you obviously know what I’m talking about.”

They nodded.

“Lately, I feel urges. I know actual wolves and Ac-taw aren’t the same. Wolves go into heat in late winter, once a year.” It was so embarrassing to talk about this, but freeing as well. Her friends wouldn’t judge, and they had a lot of information she needed to know but was afraid to ask others. “But this last year, I’ve felt this intense need every few months. Does that mean I’ll only want to have sex a few times a year?” Because lately, she’d really wanted to have sex with Monty. She thought about it a lot. Too much.

“I don’t think so.” Julia paused. “I’m not a wolf, but I do know we Shifters are alike. Our animals may be different, but our basic physiology is the same. It sounds like you’re going into heat once every few months. That’s when you’re most likely to get pregnant.”

“But you can have sex whenever you want it.” Gabby amended, “Or whenever you nab a wolf inclined to meet you halfway. Monty’s an idiot.”

“Rafe isn’t.” Julia’s gaze narrowed. “He might know you’re in heat, Sophie. You need to be careful around him. Unless you want to mate the alpha and have a few kids? You did say he’s a nice guy. He’s certainly attractive, in a wolfish kind of way.”

“No.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, sure, he’s handsome. But I’m not ready for permanence. I’m still getting a handle on shifting and being wolf. No mating, not yet.” At least, not with Rafe. Maybe she could wrap her mind around sex with a male other than Monty, though. He’d been the star of her fantasies for so long, she’d probably talked herself into deeper feelings for the male. “I’m just confused. I really thought Monty liked me.”

Gabby nodded. “He does.”

“Does he?” Julia asked. “He’s had plenty of time to ask her out since she’s been here. Granted, her first few months she acted like a scared rabbit if a man walked too close.”

“Thanks,” Sophie said drily.

“But it’s been two years already. One date in all that time? And then he has her alone in her house, and the best he can come up with is a kiss on the forehead after a rousing night of TV?”

“We watched Seinfeld,” Sophie elaborated, feeling miserable. “I wanted him. A lot.” She started to get mad, which surprised her. “A lot of desire for that gray wolf. In return, he teased and joked and kissed my freakin’ forehead.” Sophie took a grip on her rage and slowly, patiently dispersed the feeling of animal anger building within. She didn’t do well with rage. Her temper had a habit of spiraling out of control, and it made her feel like she belonged with the family she’d left long ago.

She took a deep breath and let it out before continuing, “I don’t want to lose Monty’s friendship. He’s been good to me. He defended me from those bears horsing around in the grocery. Remember that?”

“Oh yeah, a few months ago, when you broke your arm.” Julia nodded.

“Monty went to jail for me. He threw those bears out of the store and helped me. And he’s always been there to lend a hand or a smile. It’s not his fault he’s not interested.” She blinked to hold back tears. “But I can’t wait anymore. I’m twenty-six. I’m Ac-taw. I’m wolf.” Saying it empowered her. “I’m a virgin who doesn’t want to be one anymore. I have a date with a handsome, sexy wolf tonight. Dinner and a movie.”

“And maybe some fun after.” Gabby nodded. “You don’t have to have sex to play, you know. Why not? Try him out. Hell, maybe if Monty realizes you’re not going to sit around waiting for him, he’ll get off his ass and do something about it ,” she ended in a louder voice.

Sophie blinked. “Why are you shouting?”

“Because I’m tired of moronic men.” Gabby took a sip of lemonade and slammed it on the table. “Now let’s talk about something else. Something much more interesting than wolves. No offense, Sophie.”

“None taken.” Sophie grinned. Her friends stood by her. They didn’t judge, didn’t make fun, and empathized. Relief eased the tension in her body, and she eagerly listened as Gabby practically bounced in her seat with excitement.