Trayis (VLG Series Book 11) Read online

“There you go. Just tell her you aren’t interested in a mate. Be firm. Problem solved.”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  Wen remained silent for a few seconds. “But? I hear a but. I know you too well. You’re freaked out over something. What is it?”

  “I’ve never fucked someone like her before.”

  “A virgin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh. I never would have guessed.”

  “I liked older Lycan women when I was younger, before they left. Experienced ones. Then when I first took over the clan, our single women always came to me. They were experienced, too.”

  “So you feel guilty. Maybe you were too rough or went too fast. Am I right?”

  “Didn’t I say as much when I told you that she was in pain and I panicked?”

  “It happens. Hell, the first time I had sex, I think I came in under a minute. It wasn’t ideal for the woman. My first virgin didn’t go so well, either. We’re big, and she was human. I used my eyes to distract her from the initial pain until she adjusted to me.”

  “I’m going to go now. You’re not helping.”

  “Talk to me, Trayis. I’m your friend.”

  He took another sip of beer and sighed. “It was…intense, okay? The biting and fucking part. I’ve never come so damn hard in my life. It’s messing with my head. Plus, Arlis really is going to be mad. She’s someone he considers to be under his protection. My fucking her might piss him off. But the thing is, I like Shay. I don’t want to hurt her if she’s set on me mating her, but it wouldn’t work out.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s more human than Lycan.”

  “Not an issue.”

  “She’s gentle and sweet.”

  “You think you’d crush her spirit or something? That you’d be too strong of a personality for her to handle?”

  “Maybe. I’m also not ready to settle down.”

  “Tell her that. As for your brother, you said this female is an adult. Period. You didn’t force her to fuck you. She made her choice. End of story.”

  “Right.” He sighed again. “I have to go.”

  “I’ll keep my cell close. Call me if you need to talk.”

  “Will do. And Wen? Don’t repeat any of this.”

  “You have my word. Gerri understands there are things I can’t tell her. Important clan business.”

  Trayis snorted and ended the call. He put his cell and the beer on the counter before returning to the bedroom. Shay still slept, looking entirely too innocent and vulnerable in his bed.

  “What in the hell did I do…and how am I going to fix this?”

  Chapter Three

  Shay woke and stretched. There was a slight soreness between her legs…

  One glance at the ceiling had memories returning in a flash and she sat up. She clutched at the covers, instantly realizing she was naked.

  Trayis crouched against the wall in the corner of the room, sporting a pair of navy sweatpants and nothing else. His eyes were golden, revealing a lot of bright streaks in his irises. It made them appear predatory and dangerous, reminding her of a wild animal about to strike.

  “How do you feel?”

  His chilly tone sent a shiver up her spine. He didn’t look happy in the least, but not exactly angry, either. “Fine.”

  “I’m trying to remain calm, Shay.”

  She swallowed, clutching the covers tighter. “I should have told you I hadn’t had sex before but I was worried it would matter.”

  A low rumble came from him.

  “You might have changed your mind. But I wanted you. It’s really no big deal. I’ll get dressed and leave.”

  He rose to his feet, hands fisted at his sides. She stared at his white knuckles and fear crept down her spine.

  “Don’t do that,” he barked.

  Her gaze shot to his face. Now he looked furious.

  “Don’t you dare get frightened. I’d never hurt a woman. Even one who tricked me.”

  That was just insulting. “I didn’t trick you. Did you tell me how many women you’ve slept with? No. The subject didn’t come up.”

  “You were a virgin.”

  “Not anymore. What do you want? A thank you?”

  “Shay.” He growled her name.

  “I said I’ll leave.” His reaction and his words hurt. She’d heard things could become a little awkward after casual sex encounters, but never this bad. She tried to hide her emotions as she shoved off the covers and crawled down the bed to avoid him. Her clothes were on the floor at the end of it where she’d left them. She refused to look at him, feeling vulnerable and exposed as she began to dress hurriedly.

  A dizzy spell hit as she bent, and she almost fell on her ass. Trayis lunged and wrapped his arm around her waist, hoisting her off her feet. He sat on the bed, planting her across his lap. She tried to stand again but his arm tightened, locking her there.

  “I’m fine. I just moved too quickly.” She tried to wiggle off his lap.

  “Keep doing that, and we’re going to have a problem. You’ll make me hard again. Hold still.”

  She froze, staring at his face inches from hers.

  “Why me, Shay? Why come to my bed?”

  “Why not?”

  A muscle in his jaw flexed as his lips pressed together tightly. He glowered at her with narrowed eyes.

  “You’re attractive, nice, and we have things in common.” She shrugged. “Happy? I’m fine, Trayis. You can let me up. I’ll be out of your hair within a minute and you never have to see me again.” She tried to get off his lap once more.

  She gasped when he twisted his upper half and her back hit the bed, then he pinned her under him. He adjusted his big body, throwing a leg over her to press hers down. He leaned in, almost nose to nose with her, as he stared deeply into her eyes.

  “That’s it? You find me attractive? You didn’t want to guilt me into making you my mate?”

  Her mouth fell open on another gasp as shock rolled through her. “What?”

  He scowled.

  She put her hands on his warm, solid chest and gave a hard push. It didn’t budge him an inch. “I’m not like the Bitch Trio. I don’t play mind games, and I sure as hell would never try to trap a guy. I brought condoms, remember? To prevent me from getting pregnant. That’s not how a woman forces a man into mating her. Get off me!”

  He rolled away, releasing her in a flash.

  She sat up and found herself in the bedroom alone.

  He hadn’t gone far, though, since she glimpsed him down the hallway through the open door. She stared at his back as she grabbed her remaining clothes on the floor, putting them on.

  He turned as she left the bedroom and blocked her way to the exit door. “Do you want to cause trouble between Arlis and me? Were you lying when you said you didn’t feel anything for him? Was fucking me payback because he mated Ginny?”

  Her mouth opened as myriad emotions—from anger to shock to disbelief—all slapped her at once. “You’re insane!”

  “Am I?”

  “If you believe any of that bullshit, then yes. You are! Paranoid, too. I don’t feel that way about Arlis. I never have. He’s more of a father figure to me than anything else. What is wrong with you?”

  “You were a virgin,” he snarled.

  Anger vibes rolled off him and her knees weakened, almost collapsing her. She locked her legs and her fear spiked. None of the dominant Weres had ever made her almost buckle before. It meant he had to be stronger than all the Weres she’d ever known—including her alpha. Arlis had never unleashed his vibes her way, but she’d been close before when someone else had pissed him off.

  “It doesn’t make sense. Why me, Shay?”

  “Why not you?” She pushed down the fear, battling her instincts to cower. She didn’t think he was doing it on purpose, but his rage still affected her. “You were always nice to me, Trayis. You saved me from getting bullied when I was ten. Do you even remember that? It was at a party and the other kid