Maura

It’s hard not to notice how glorious Beck is without clothes.

If he startled me with jeans on, I’d be fine. But with every inch of his skin on display, it’s hard for me to remotely focus on anything other than how my mouth starts to water when I look at him or how my pulse speeds up. I’m worried other people can actually hear my heart pounding against my chest. I don’t understand why this is happening.

I’ve seen tons of men naked. It’s not like they always bothered to put clothes on before they came and drug whatever female they wanted out of her cell so they could do whatever they wanted to her. Werewolves and nakedness are two peas in a pod. I shouldn’t be getting all hot and flustered every time Beck or Alejo is nude.

It’s different, though. Godrick only let females come out of their cages when they went into heat. It’s all about breeding for him. I mean, I wasn’t, but all the other women were. I’ve never gone into heat, so I don’t know what that’s like. But aside from those times, females didn’t go anywhere or do anything. We were all isolated in our own space, no talking, no nothing.

“Maura?”

His voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance up, meeting his gaze. His eyes practically glow in the darkness of the porch. They’re so captivating. I’ve never seen a light brown like his. Without looking away, I take a hesitant step forward, the warmth from his body like a beam pulling me in. I’m almost two steps closer until I realize what I’m doing. Jolting a little, I quickly step back and drop my eyes downward.

“I, um, I-I couldn’t sleep,” I say softly, wringing my hands together in front of me to try to channel the nervousness coursing through me with the heat that Beck is causing, too. My eyes move up again when he steps closer. “It’s…it’s too crowded, and I-I’m not really used to…”

Sighing, I force myself to look him in the eyes.

“Can I please sleep out here instead?”

Beck’s eyes soften, his lips turning down just a little.

He steps closer again, his hand coming upward toward my face. Without thinking, I step back and flinch, bringing one of my hands up to shield my face…

***

Beck

My hand freezes midway to Maura.

I’d planned to tuck her hair behind her ear, but the way she reacted…touching her is going to be a no-go for now. Bringing my arm back down, I take a small step backward to give her a little more space. As I do, she lowers the arm she’d raised to block her face. I’m no stranger to traumatized wolves like Maura. Alejo isn’t either, but I tend to do a little better than him with gaining their trust.

“You’re okay,” I say gently to reassure her. “Go ahead and lie down.”

She stares at me for a moment before carefully putting her blanket around her shoulders and then pulling it around her body like a burrito. Quietly, she moves to the corner of the porch and settles down, curling in on herself until she’s as small as she can get. Sighing, I watch her for a moment.

I wish we could get more out of her, get her to talk about what’s happened to her. Forcing her to do anything, though, is going to create too much tension. Not just for her, but for the pack. I don’t want to stress anyone out more than necessary, especially not Maura. She’s got no reason to trust anyone, that’s clear. If I push her too far, I’ll frighten her, and she’s been scared of men enough.

After her eyes are closed for a few moments and her breathing evens out a little, I move to slide down next to her. Her eyes shoot open before my ass is even down.

“What are you doing?” Fear makes her voice sharp and blunt, matching the panic in her wide eyes.

“I get not being able to sleep in there,” I say, my tone gentle but stern. “But you’re here for now, and I’m not leaving you on the porch unprotected. Not even for a night.” Pausing, I take another steady breath. “Surely Godrick protected you and the other women.”

Maura rolls her eyes and scoffs. “Yeah, right. You don’t have to protect what you don’t let move. The bars on the cells are all the protection females need.”

Now my eyes widen. Godrick’s keeping them locked up…like physically trapped? Shit. No wonder she’s so damn broken.

Maura is delicate in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. Everything in me, every muscle, thought, desire, wants to protect her. I can’t really explain it, but no one has brought it out in me like this in a long time, maybe ever. Since the moment I met her, her fear and anger have been tangible. I can smell her fury at what’s happened to her, almost taste her fear when I’m near her.

I hate that she feels those things at all.

I want to comfort her, pull her against me, and whisper that she’s safe. I know damn well if I move for her, though, she’s going to freak out, and that’s the last thing I want. Instead, I scoot away from her even though my wolf is growling for me to move closer.

“I’ll stay over here,” I say, keeping my eyes on her. “You can have that space, but an Alpha doesn’t let any of his pack members stray. I’m gonna stay and watch over you, make sure you’re safe.”

Maura looks around us, scooting back until she’s against the side of the house.

I wonder if she knows she’s trembling again.

I open my mouth to tell her it’s okay, but Alejo steps onto the porch, his gaze sweeping over the two of us as his eyes darken and his brows come together.

I sigh.

He’s been all over the place since we found Maura, and he needs to talk to me about it. He won’t, though. Alejo is nothing if not the most stubborn wolf I’ve ever met.

He steps forward, and Maura immediately scurries back, a whimper leaving her lips and putting an ache in my chest.

Putting my hand up, I growl a little. “Alejo, stop. She’s okay.”

***

Maura

“Explain,” Alejo says in a growl, making me flinch again.

Beck stands and moves toward the other Alpha, resting his hand on Alejo’s shoulder. “Maura’s trauma makes it impossible for her to sleep in a group. She asked to come out here, and I said it was okay but that I’m gonna stay with her. So, that means…”

Alejo glances at the porch in front of where I was lying for a moment before rolling his eyes and grumbling. “Ugh. I hate sleeping on the damn floor.” His eyes dart between me and Beck for a moment. “Well, lie down and go to sleep then.”

As Beck sits back down in his spot, Alejo shifts into his wolf and then curls up on the other side of me. He’s just a pile of black, silky warmth. Beck moves next to him and lies down, his head against Alejo’s stomach. His eyes meet mine, and he grins.

“Better than the softest mattress.” His smile grows when Alejo gives him a low growl and then hits him in the head with his snout. “Grumpier than a mattress, too.” Beck reaches up and scratches behind Alejo’s ear, earning him another low snarl.

Just the sound makes my hands shake, but Beck chuckles before bedding down with Alejo, closing his eyes. For a few moments, I lie here and watch them. I can’t believe that two Alphas are sleeping on a porch with me, snuggled together like brothers…how strange.

In my head, I hear Beck’s voice, saying that they protect their people. He’s said it so many times since we got here, trying his best to reassure me. It makes me question running. Not from Godrick, but from them. I’ve always trusted my gut until now. My gut says this pack, these Alphas are okay. They’re different. But my head is screaming for me to get the hell out of here before someone has the chance to hurt me again.

Or cage me again.

What the fuck am I supposed to do?

Beck was so careful tonight despite me practically jumping away at every movement he made. Now that the adrenaline of escaping is passing, I’m a jittery mess. It’s aggravating and embarrassing, but I can’t help how I react to some things. Maybe controlling the fear is something I can look forward to one day. Sure as hell won’t be today, though.

I let my eyes roam over Beck and Alejo one more time.

How is it that this is the safest I’ve ever felt? I want to let myself linger in it, to feel it to its fullest, but I can’t. I’m just afraid of when this will come to an end.

What will I do then?