Runt of the Litter by Sam Crescent Page B

arms.
    She inhaled his spicy scent along with the pack. He
smelled perfect to her, like home.
    Her wolf perked up, running her body against the bars
of the cage.
    Mate.
    Mine.
    Jack growled. “Stop it, Tori.”
    “I don’t know what’s happening.”
    “Calm her down.”
    Closing her eyes, she sensed her wolf about to strike
out at the cage to get out, to get to … what? Jack?
    Confused, Tori stepped away, staring at Jack.
    He was panting, and his eyes were a
dark amber.
    “What’s going on?”
    “Nothing, Tori. I’m not walking away from you, so don’t even think of asking.”
    He reached for his shirt, wiping away the sweat across
his forehead.
    “Spend the day with me,” she said.
    “After last night you want to train again?”
    “No, I want to spend the day with you without
training.”
    “I don’t know if I can do that.”
    “Please, Jack. I just want to have some fun.”
    He stared at her for several moments. “Fun?”
    “Yes, fun. Something to take my mind
off this.” She pointed toward the barn. “Let’s go and have some fun.”
    “I’ll talk to Paul.”
    She watched him walk toward the house unable to take
her gaze off his ass. He had a very nice ass.
    The time passed, and she couldn’t hear Jack or Paul
talking. At night she noticed they played music while they talked. She wasn’t
an idiot and knew they talked about her. The transition was getting closer with
every passing day, and with it the fear inside her was increasing.
    The other day she’d talked to her parents, and they’d
been asking her how she felt. Even as she talked with them, she’d sensed the
fear in them as well. They were scared of losing her.
    “What did he say?” she asked.
    Jack was buttoning up a shirt. “He’s cool with it, but
he’s told me to keep my shirt on.”
    She laughed. “Why? You look good without a shirt.”
    He opened the door to the truck, and she took the hand
he offered. “That’s what I said.”
    Tori couldn’t stop laughing as he climbed into the
truck. “I could just imagine Paul giving you the evil eye.”
    “You’re calling him Paul now?”
    “Yeah. With you around it seems really strange to be calling him Uncle all the
time.” She settled down as he pulled out of the ranch heading toward town.
“Where are we going?”
    “I don’t know. I figured we could just drive.”
    “I’d like that.”
    Opening the window, she leaned out loving the breeze
rushing over her. Neither of them spoke as he drove. She watched the scenery
change from the expanse of fields until they entered the edge of town. The
houses were a little smaller, and people were walking around the streets. She
smiled, watching them live their lives.
    For a short time she wondered what it would be like to
be living life like them. They didn’t have any fear of their birthday or the
possible transition. She passed a couple who were wrapped in each other’s arms,
kissing passionately.
    Releasing a sigh, she yearned for something like that,
something so powerful and consuming that it took her breath away.
    “What are you thinking about?” he asked.
    “Nothing.” She didn’t want to tell him what was going on inside her head. It
sounded too childish even to her.
    “You can tell me anything, Tori.”
    “I know. There are some things I just want to keep to
myself. I know I can trust you with everything.”
    He parked up outside of a salon.
    “Why are we here?” she asked.
    “I’m going to treat you to a spa day, and I’m going to
wait for you.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, really. I’m going to wait outside in the waiting area while you pamper
yourself. You deserve it.”
    “Jack, I don’t know what to say.”
    “Thank you would be nice.” He climbed out of the truck
before she got a chance to speak.
    He’d surprised her.
    She turned as he opened the door for her. “Come on.”
    Jack took her hand leading the way inside. She stood
watching him, amazed as he organized her an appointment. At first the woman