Jason's POV

　　The adrenaline that soared through my body when I was close to this creature gave me a natural high unrivalled by anything else I had experienced. Hunting in wolf form, a successful training session even the countless other liaisons I had had over the years didn't match the thrill I got from making those ivory cheeks burn. I wasn't lying, though. I could smell her body responding to me, something had changed since we entered the store, and I planned to make the most of the situation. This creature was addictive, and I had no plans of missing out on this opportunity to get close to her. 

　　Caging her between the till and my body, those beautiful eyes staring up at me, shocked at my teasing and forwardness. She had been stripped of all bravado and left raw, her innocence and inexperience as clear as the nose on her face. Which only fuelled the fire within me. Without removing my eyes from her deep hues, I reached into my pocket for my card, placing my hand on her hip and giving it a gentle squeeze; I leaned around her and handed it to the cashier, who watched us with amusement. Taking the bags he offered, I handed them over to Abigail with a wink, realising my grip on her hip as I stepped back, turning my attention to Lizzy.

　　"Where to next squirt?" I asked, wriggling my brows at her playfully. "There is a park round the corner. Shall we go check it out?" 

　　"Am I allowed to play in it?" her little face lit up in excitement, with me chuckling and nodding. But the anger that came off Abigail in waves was not lost on Archer. 

　　"She hates us, you pushed her too far too soon, she barely knows us, and you are trying to get into her pants. I thought it was me who was meant to be the feral insatiable beast!" He growled, pacing around in my head.

　　"I can't help it, Buddy. She does something to me." Pausing, I looked over at Abigail feeling her hand on my arm softly; shaking her head, I noticed the anger had gone replaced with concern. Staring at her blankly, hearing her feminine voice echo into my head.

　　"Neither of you have angered me, don't argue. My heart breaks for Lizzy; her mother does not deserve that title." The sudden and unexpected intrusion was something I was used to, given how we wolves communicated, but hearing her song-like voice in my head left me dumbfounded, as did the powerful presence it left behind in my mind.

　　"What are you? You're not human or wolf," Archer asked, clinging to the last strings of her energy that swam through my head. 

　　"A friend, not a threat, " she quipped back, not answering, but I knew she wouldn't, no matter how hard I pushed. Or couldn't. Nodding, I watched her take Lizzy's hand and look to me for directions.

　　"The parks this way, come on." Taking the bags off her, I took Lizzy's other hand in mine, her high-pitched squeals making people look over adoringly as we swung her down the road to the park.

　　Hours passed, and Lizzy was exhausted and cradled in my arms, her little chubby hands wrapped around my neck, her head nuzzled under my chin, grinning as she stretched out, yawning sleepily into my ear. Carrying her through town, I soon realised Abbi had no idea where we were going, but I decided not to tease her about it; I was enjoying her company and didn't want it to end. As much as I enjoyed my time with sweet little Lizzy today, I loved the personal time to chat with Abbi while the kiddo slept; I didn't want it to end. 

　　Smelling the foul air, I knew we were close; turning the corner, we came face to face with her run-down apartment complex. This place looked like it needed condemning and bulldozing, not somewhere I would contemplate living.

　　"You're having me on; you don't live here?" I tried to keep the disgust from my voice, but seeing her wince, I knew I had failed. I had a feeling she was here last night, but I didn't expect this to be where she lived. The idea of her living in this squalor made my wolf, and I pine to take her back to the safety of the pack house. Throwing her over my shoulder and turning in the opposite direction was Archer's first reaction, and I was beginning to agree with his approach.

　　Stepping over a ton of crap that littered the path, empty food packets, half-eaten food and other household items, I frowned, looking around in horror; what on earth possessed her to move to this neighbourhood. Had she not researched the area before she moved in. This place was known to be a dive.

　　Looking around, I couldn't help the slight smirk that crossed my lips seeing the drunken fool from last night leaning back against the wall, utterly intoxicated. Rambling to himself about how unfair the world was, how he hated his wife and should have married the pretty girl with the glasses from school.

　　Tightening my grip on Lizzy, snuggling her into my chest protectively, I kept a close eye on Abigail, not wanting her anywhere near the crazy drunk.

　　"Ab's," I warned, not liking how close she was to him. "Come.

　　Stopping mid-stride, she turned to look over her shoulder at me. The look that flashed across her face told me I would regret that one little word! I had made a mistake and offended her! But in all honesty, I didn't give a shit! Her safety was all that mattered to me.

　　"Excuse you! Do I look like a golden retriever? She snapped, raising a brow at me, a challenge twinkling in her eyes. "Why don't you just whistle? Let's practise my recall while you're at it!!"

　　Pursing my lips, looking between her and the drunken slob who had quietened down to listen.

　　"Please, just do as I ask." I groaned, not wanting to ruin a perfect day, but Archer and I were getting a bit pissed off with our authority being challenged.

　　"Or what?" She sassed, turning to face me, her hand on her hip. Taking a step closer to her, my eyes narrowed darkly at her; she remained stubborn, refusing to move; she just stared cockily. Leaning into her side, my hand not wrapped around Lizzy tightly brushed against her thigh provocatively. Grinning triumphantly, feeling her shiver under my touch.

　　"Keep pushing, and you'll find out." I teased, looking down at her with a wink.

　　Rolling those big green eyes at me, she turned to walk off; she'd taken a step too far and too close to the drunken fool for Archer's liking, a low growl rumbling from my chest, startling her.

　　"Take another step; I have no issues putting you over my knee, princess!" Seeing her pause and stiffen, I grinned, closing the gap between us, my hand returning to her hip, pulling her against me possessively.

　　Turning her head over her shoulder to look at me, her red curls falling around her face a little, but the heat in her cheeks was unmistakable.

　　"You're serious?" Seeing her looking at my eyes, I knew Archer was shining out of them; his gruff voice answered her, leaving no room for doubt.

　　"Deadly!"