Spiral of Need (The Mercury Pack, #1)

by Suzanne Wright

“Don’t get smart with me.” She snickered. “Are you sure you’d know if I did?”

“You’re just jealous. Admit it.” Oh, this was getting old. “Careful. You’re confusing sheer loathing with jealousy.” “You are, you’re jealous!” “Of what exactly? Your manipulative streak? Your distance from reality? The voices in your head that tell you you’re pretty?”

Yeah, but being “suited” to the role and being “content” in the role were two very different things. And how was a person supposed to deserve the trust of others when he couldn’t offer the same in return?

“I don’t like Seers.” And she didn’t like being surrounded by prejudice, but, hey, life was full of disappointments.

I’m only loyal to those who’ve earned it. But I will do what Cain’s asked of me.” “Why?” “I owe him a favor.” “Very noble, but I have a feeling my phone battery will last longer than your attempt at tolerance.”

Derren was attracted to confident, bold females who took life as seriously as he did. His wolf, on the other hand, was so easily bored that he tended to like playful, defiant females that would present a challenge.

For once, though, they were in total agreement when it came to a woman: Alyssa Marshall was fucking captivating.

Totally straight-faced, Ally replied, “Sorry, I don’t take orders unless I’m naked.”

Both he and his wolf stilled. “My touch will hurt you?” “If someone’s emotions are strong enough, they can bleed into my system through touch. You’re so angry at me, so bitter. It’s uncomfortable enough to just be around you. If you touch me while those emotions are running through you, it’ll hurt.”

Cain’s uncles, all four still unmated . . . well, they hadn’t really known what to do with a little girl. Their version of raising her had been to teach her “important life skills.” By the time she was eleven, she knew how to drive, how to skin animals, how to pick a lock, and how to brew beer. She could also reel off the military alphabet and speak Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, and Mandarin. Surprisingly enough, most of it had come in handy at some point.

“—why don’t you come over here and we’ll have a little one-on-one.” “Jesse, leave it,” Derren bit out. But the enforcer didn’t. He shrugged innocently. “It’ll just be a friendly spar.” “I don’t spar,” Ally told him. “I fight—no rules, no limits, no holding back.”

“Normally, I don’t give warnings. But you really don’t want to fight me, Jesse.” “Why is that?” “Because I will defeat you. I will enjoy it. And I will crush your pride, which has already taken a beating this morning.”

“Who I speak to is my business. Should I grab a ladder so you can step out of it?”

A voice in his mind told him to pull back, reminded him that she was another guy’s mate. His wolf growled at that, opposed to the idea of any other male possessing her. But it wasn’t just any male, dammit, it was Cain. And Cain was his friend and . . . “Fuck it, I can make new friends.”

I’ll bet she’s made no other contribution to the pack.” “That’s not true. She makes the best chocolate cake ever,” stressed Roni. An exasperated flush crept up Greta’s neck and face. “She’s a Seer!” “Who makes the best chocolate cake ever,” repeated Roni. “You’re missing what’s important.”

“Trick, another of our enforcers, is the worst tease ever. But Dominic takes supreme joy in winding up males—especially mated ones—by flirting with their females. So, either he has the IQ of a Cheerio or some kind of death wish. We’re not yet sure.”

“Hey, Ally, do you know the difference between a hamburger and a blow job?” At her frown, he asked, “No? Wanna have lunch sometime?”

“You trusted him not to hurt you, but he did. And now you wonder if you can trust your own judgment anymore.” Derren understood that well. She nodded. “If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?”

“That’s not the same as having support. It’s possible to be surrounded by people and still feel alone.”

“You get to feel how you feel. You don’t get to offload those feelings on other people.”

“I don’t make threats. They’re boring. I’m stating a fact. If you wish to challenge my belief, feel free to do so.”

“Hey, don’t you ever fake orgasms with me.” She huffed. “I don’t get why guys get so pissed when girls do that. Hell, your gender can fake an actual relationship.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone bait Cain before,” mused Brad, turning to Ally. “You couldn’t have chosen someone who’s, I don’t know . . . sane?”

“Just because we can accept that you’re mates doesn’t mean we like the look of any male wrapped around you like a clinging vine,” said Brad. Dan nodded. “He needed to fight for you, prove he could protect you.” Ally sighed, turning to Shaya as she pulled away from a fully healed Cain. “I don’t understand men.” Shaya patted her hand. “I’m not sure we’re supposed to, sweetie.”

“When she was nine, she and a few other pups were snatched right off our territory by a rival pack. They were home within the hour.” “Ally got free and untied the others,” said Dan. “Then they just jumped right on out of the vehicle and made their way back. Of course, she was totally pissed and made us buy her a goldfish.

“The Collingwood Beta female wants her dead. She’ll try to kill her.” “Yes, she’ll try. Don’t worry. My niece will be fine.” “She’s drugged.” “Oh.” Dan looked sheepish. “Well, that complicates things a little.”

“You came home smelling of tigers, Rachelle.” His voice was low, devastated. “You’re my mate, and I love you, but you’re—” “Indisputably neurotic?” supplied Ally. “A total fucking nutcase?” offered Taryn.

“You’re not good enough for him,” Kerrie sneered. Roni snickered. “Yeah, you’re a bitter, unhinged bitch, and I’m a socially challenged tomboy. Go judge me.”

“I’m proud of you.” Meeting his gaze again, she cocked her head. “Why?” “Because you did what you had to do. It sounds simple, but not everyone does it. It’s not bad that you didn’t find it easy.

Blinking in surprise, Roni demanded, “How is this my fault? God, you’d blame me for the fall of Eve if you damn well could.”

“Now, now . . . Just because you’re so old the Three Wise Men helped you with your homework doesn’t mean you need to take it out on me.”

Dominic smiled at Ally. “If you were my homework, I’d do you on the table.” Trick yanked him aside before Derren’s fist could connect with the prick’s face. Tao shook his head at the enforcer. “Dom, why do you want to die?”

“Easy there, Old Mother Hubbard. You’re just mad because the Wrinkle Fairy did a tap dance on your face again.”

“You know, you could try being a little remorseful for your earlier actions. You broke his nose. Twice.” “Now who needs to lighten up?” “Derren.” He sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry.” She snorted. “No, you’re not.” “I’ll ignore him next time.” “No, you won’t.” “Which is exactly why this conversation is pointless.”