“What a woman,” Grady whispered almost soundlessly as he stepped forward.
“And who do you choose?” Brady Donovan’s face was inscrutable, but she thought she caught a glimpse of some softness in his eyes. She could easily have fallen for him if she’d never met Joshua. But she had met Joshua and there was no accounting for taste when it came to love.
Turning, she glared at the man who had captured her heart. Joshua was overbearing, infuriating and sexy as hell. The thought of any other man touching her left her feeling cold. She gave him her back again and sensed his growing frustration. “I will have no one but Joshua Striker.” There, let him think about that.
His large hands came down on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “The challenge must be met,” he gritted out from between clenched teeth.
Alex had finally reached the limit of her patience and endurance. The adrenaline rush that had carried her through the challenge with her father had petered out. The anger that had sustained her was gone, leaving exhaustion in its wake. She swayed on her feet.
“You do whatever you have to do. In the meantime, I’m going to bed.” Ignoring all the stares, she walked toward Joshua’s home. “I’ll be waiting,” she called back over her shoulder. “If anyone other than Joshua gets in bed with me, they should be prepared to be castrated.”
The men all shuddered as they watched her leave. Joshua was torn between laughter and going after her, throwing her over his shoulder and dragging her off to bed. The only reason he didn’t do either was because, like it or not, the issue of the challenge had to be settled.
He watched the sway of her hips and then growled when he realized that half the men there were watching it too. He’d seen the exhaustion in her face and wanted to go and gather her into his arms and hold her while she slept. He wanted to pamper her, see to her needs and then…then he wanted to make her his.
Donovan and Grady watched until Alex let herself inside the front door of Joshua’s home. They both grinned when the door slammed shut behind her. “Now that is a woman worth challenging for.” Grady nodded his head in agreement with Donovan.
Joshua began to strip off his shirt. “Which one of you wishes to challenge first?” A heavy hand on his arm stopped him and he lowered his shirt back down.
Donovan was staring at him, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I said she was worth fighting for, not that I wanted to be turned into a eunuch when I beat your sorry ass.”
Grady chuckled. “I like my parts right where they are, thank you very much.”
Joshua was astounded. He knew neither man was afraid to challenge him, nor were they afraid of claiming Alex. What they were doing was showing their respect for her and for him in front of the entire pack.
“You’ve got balls to take on that one, Joshua.” Isaiah slapped him on the back. “But I think she’s exactly what you need.”
James came to stand before him and all the men fell silent. “You accept her choice?”
They all nodded. James smiled and turned to Joshua. “She is unconventional and unused to our ways, but she will make you one hell of a mate.”
“I know.” Joshua had waited long enough. He strode toward his home, ignoring the catcalls and advice being hurtled at him from all quarters. “Isaiah, you’re in charge for the next few days.” Laughter and hooting followed his words. “We’ll have the formal ceremony then.”
He lengthened his stride, all of his thoughts on finally claiming the woman who was his.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex came awake in stages. It took her a second to remember where she was and, when she did, she wished she was still asleep. Yesterday’s scene replayed in her head. God, had she really stalked off and left Joshua and the rest of them standing there with their mouths hanging open?
Burying her face in her pillow, she tried to block the memory. Yes, she had. It had been worth the embarrassment just to see that.
She had no idea what had happened after she’d made herself scarce. True to her word, she’d stripped down to Joshua’s shirt and climbed into bed. She remembered stirring when someone had climbed in beside her, but since it was Joshua, she’d drifted right back to sleep. If he’d come with the notion of bedding her last night, he’d gotten a surprise. She’d been too exhausted to stay awake.
Now she really had to go to the bathroom and there was a muscled arm thrown around her waist. Joshua had gathered her close to him when he’d settled next to her and hadn’t loosened his grip the entire night.
Carefully, she inched over to the edge of the bed, which actually wasn’t that far away. Joshua was sprawled across most of the king-sized mattress. Although, she supposed she couldn’t complain. It was his bed after all.
His fingers curled around her waist. “Where are you going?” he mumbled.
“Bathroom,” she whispered, hoping he wouldn’t really wake up. He loosened his grip and she slid out of bed. The wood floor was cool against the soles of her feet and her toes curled as she stood there looking down at him. If she was staying they’d need to get an area rug or two.
Standing beside the bed, she stared down at Joshua. Most people appeared different when they were asleep—softer, more vulnerable. But not Joshua. Even in sleep there was no softening in his rough-hewn face. If anything all the harsh angles and planes were even more prominent. His shaggy black hair appeared even darker, cushioned against the white pillowcase. The plain white sheet had slipped down to his waist, exposing the long muscular lines of his back. She was pleased to note the wounds on his back were already healing and would probably be gone within another day or two.
Trying not to make any noise, she padded to the bathroom. When she’d taken care of her most pressing needs, she faced herself in the mirror. Her short hair was tousled, but she looked better than she had in a while. It was amazing what a good night’s sleep could do to restore a person. Her face was still pale, except for where colorful bruises marred her skin. Shadows still smudged the skin beneath her eyes, but overall she thought she looked better than she had yesterday.
Her skin began to tingle as she stood there. It had been doing that on and off all night, frequently waking her, but she’d been so exhausted, she’d managed to ignore it and fall back to sleep.
Alex unbuttoned the fastenings at the top of the shirt and shoved the material to one side, letting it slide down her arm. The furrow left by the bullet was still raw and tender, but it was healing. The long scratches from the wolf’s claws would probably leave scars as well, but they too were beginning to heal.
She slid a few more buttons free and stared at her chest. Bruises were visible from where her seatbelt had restrained her. Her face was still colorful, but considering what she’d been through, she wasn’t feeling too bad. Nothing a week or two of rest and food wouldn’t cure. Even her feet were doing better. The salve Joshua put on her wounds after her bath had worked wonders. Like the rest of her, they were still battered but on the mend.
Alex started to button the shirt again, but her hands stilled. Her skin began to itch wherever the fabric touched her body. Sliding the shirt down her arms, she let it slip off her body where it pooled around her feet. Her skin was hypersensitive and she moaned when she touched it. Heat began to seep through her like a living, breathing entity. Her breathing had quickened and she began to perspire.
She buried her face in her hands. What was wrong with her? Maybe she’d picked up an infection or something running around the woods?
Her womb spasmed and liquid seeped from her core. She raised her head to stare at the woman in the mirror. For a split second, she saw the face of a wolf semi-imposed over her face. Then she knew.