Aline Hunter - Enemy Mine

He tried to sound irritated by the request, although he was excited as she was. “All right, Ms. Impatient. Go ahead and open them.”

The frown vanished when she saw the puppy he held, replaced by a show-stopping smile. “Really? He’s so adorable. Is he mine?” she exclaimed and reached out to take the wriggling pooch.

“He’s all yours, sweetheart.”

Emory handed the puppy over, relieved he’d made the right choice. When his mate had said she wanted a dog, he hadn’t been sure what she was hoping for. Personally, he didn’t like the idea of something small. He wanted an animal that would protect his mistress, something big and sturdy. The house Diskant purchased was isolated on five acres of land—land that was secured by guards, cameras and fencing. There was plenty of room for a large dog to run, the wooded area perfect for roaming free. Since he also had to keep Ava’s pregnancy in mind, he’d decided to go with a canine intended for a family—a Boxer. Diskant continued to mourn Oscar but Emory hoped he and Ava would eventually come to love the dog with his soft fawn coat and inquisitive brown eyes.

“Come on.” He smiled when the puppy licked Mary’s face and whined. “He’s been cooped up in a stall for long enough. Let’s take him outside.”

“Poor thing,” she murmured in a low croon and followed. “Kept in a dark barn. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. Such a sweet puppy.”

The sunlight hit them but it didn’t alleviate the cold winter air. Mary tried to pull the puppy closer but it struggled to break free. She feigned a sigh and put him down. The dog rushed off immediately, sniffing at random objects as he went. Determined not to leave his female empty-handed, Emory closed the distance and swept her into his arms. She sighed and leaned into him.

“Are you sure Ava and Diskant don’t mind?” she asked quietly.

“This is our home too,” he reminded her. “And no, they don’t mind. I asked.”

“It’s not like we see them much.” Mary snuggled closer, resting her hands on his hips. “The house is so big.”

That was an understatement.

When Diskant had told Emory about the farm, he’d said it was big. Emory had assumed there would be a barn and perhaps a newly remodeled home. He’d never dreamed the house he’d moved into a week ago with his mate was recently built and enormous, complete at over twenty-four thousand square feet. There were so many rooms Ava was grumbling about remodeling, wishing for a smaller space. To Emory’s relief Diskant had put as much distance between the couples as possible, giving Emory plenty of time alone with his mate. Since the kitchen, family and entertainment rooms were located near the center of the home, they were able to inhabit the far ends of the house.

“Are you saying that you’re getting tired of my company?” He brought his hand down until his palm rested on the crest of her lower back and ass.

“No.” She wriggled against him and he growled. “I’m just making an observation.”

“I’d suggest we enjoy it while it lasts. Diskant expects Doc to be here so often the poor bastard might as well move in until Ava delivers.”

In fact, Diskant had already approached the pack doctor about doing just that. Doc continued to decline the offer, insisting Diskant ask one of the midwives in the pack to assist his mate through her pregnancy.

“He’s just worried about Ava. It’s natural.” She shifted to the side and looked at the puppy, who’d found a tree limb to attack. “So what do we call him?”

“That’s up to you.” He tried to place his chin on her head but she kept moving to watch the puppy.

“How about Rocky?”

“Rocky?” He laughed, amused by her choice.

“Think about it. A Boxer named Rocky. It’s perfect.”

He lifted his head when a warning tingle shot down the back of his neck, his eyes darting around the area. Since the attack Diskant had hired lone shifters from out of state to watch his home. The pack needed every member in the city to keep things safe without worrying about the Omega and his mate. Emory knew there was no way someone could breach the perimeter. Motion detectors were installed all around the property line, as well as cameras that were monitored by guards in the security building behind the front gates.

“Emory? Are you okay?” Mary’s concerned question brought his attention back to her. He gave her an encouraging smile, hoping she hadn’t sensed his alarm.

“I’m fine. I was just thinking it’s too cold to stay out here. We should take Rocky and get back to the house. I can start a fire in the den if you want. We can even watch a movie.”

“Really?” She didn’t seem convinced. “What about the pack? I thought you were helping Trey move his things.”

“Get Rocky.” He let her go and stepped back. “We’ll talk when we get inside.”

Knowing her as well as he did now, Emory was aware she was tempted to argue. Thankfully she did as he asked and hurried over to the puppy and his now chewed branch. He took a deep breath and tried not to think about his brother. His hope to have an actual relationship with his sibling wasn’t working out as planned. Trey was too agitated, too fucking short-tempered. At first Emory had attributed the behavior to Trey’s newly appointed status as Alpha. Sadly, as the days passed, it became clear something else was bothering him.

Emory gritted his teeth.

Something was off with Nathan too. It was as if the Alpha and Beta shared some kind of secret they didn’t want the pack to know about. With Shepherds knocking at their door, it wasn’t smart to fuck around. One wrong move and Trey would be challenged as Alpha, something that could kill him if he faced the wrong opponent. As strong and capable as his brother was, there was always someone younger who was more eager for power.

“Gotcha.” Mary snatched the puppy, leaving the stick on the ground. “Are you ready to go inside? I’ll have to make you a nice, warm bed. Then we’ll find you something good to eat. I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Actually, I have everything inside.” He shook off his bad mood at the image she presented, her blonde hair flowing around her shoulders as she baby talked the pooch, her face finally starting to fill out since she was eating better.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

He waited until she was within reach and pulled her to him, stopping only because the puppy was trapped between them. “Angel eyes, you have no idea of the surprises I have in store for you.” He slid his fingers through her hair until his palm rested against her throat. “Why don’t we skip that fire and movie? I can warm you up and entertain you without them.”

This time when she grinned her eyes changed color. The chocolate brown morphed into a glowing gold, the color beautiful against her fair skin. The first time she’d seen her eyes change, she had been fascinated. He’d told her it was due to heightened emotion and arousal, the only way anyone would ever know she was bloodbonded to a shifter. She hadn’t believed him so he’d proven it to her then and there in front of the bathroom mirror, fucking her from behind as they watched themselves. The golden color didn’t fade, becoming stronger as she neared climax.

“What do you have in mind?” she asked, her question a low, sensual murmur.

The comfort of his jeans changed, his cock hardening until the material was too tight. Mary didn’t have to give him her approval, he could scent it on the air. Her coat prevented him from seeing her breasts but he knew if he reached inside her nipples would be hard and pebbled, ready to be teased by his mouth and fingers.

“Let’s get inside and I’ll show you.” Placing his hand at her lower back, he urged her to walk. “It’s not getting any warmer out here.”