Cravings: Alpha City 2 Read online

  Nolan laughed as he took her hand and escorted her back to the table leaving Kayden on the dance floor fuming. Zoey didn’t look back at Kayden. She couldn’t. If he wanted her, then he would have to fight for her. He couldn’t act as if he liked her one minute, then act as though she wasn’t there the next by bringing a women she hated the most to their table. How his mind worked made no sense to her.

  Kayden approached the table and sat down hard beside Jena. The look on the woman’s face was priceless. Apparently, Jena knew something was going on between Zoey and Kayden, so she made her move.

  Leaning over, Jena whispered in Kayden’s ear then licked it. Everyone at the table was watching the interaction between Kayden and Jena. Zoey kept telling herself to look away, but she couldn’t stop staring.

  “Zoey, you look great tonight, sweetheart,” Brody King suggested, bringing everyone’s attention away from Jena’s show.

  “Why thank you, Brody,” Zoey smiled back at the grizzly bear. Brody King was forever surprising her. He would take her on rides around the forest on his back and show her things in the forest she would have never seen even in wolf form. He had a kindness that none of the others had. Even though he was the biggest and scariest of all the Alphas, he was by far the most gentle and sweetest of them all. Brody was the one who looked after her the most, and she loved him like a big brother.

  Pulling her out of her memories, Brody stood up, went to her side, and held out his hand. “Let’s dance, sweetheart.” Zoey smiled, reached out to curl her fingers around his, and followed Brody to the floor.

  “What’s going through that head of yours, sweetheart?” Brody asked. She felt so little in his arms. His hands were massive as he held on to her. She could always talk to Brody. He never judged her even when she was wrong.

  A moment of silence followed before she spoke. “Everything, I guess.”

  “Kayden?” Brody answered.

  Zoey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why...do you think that?”

  “We all see how he looks at you. He always has. Now he looks at you in a different way. You’re the person he wants the most, but he thinks he doesn’t deserve you.” Zoey gasped not believing what she was hearing.

  Sputtering her words trying to form a sentence, Zoey asked, “Why…why would he think that, Brody? I’m just a wolf. Nobody special. He’s an Alpha and needs a strong mate, one who can give him whatever he needs. I...” Self-doubt surged forward as she spoke. Here she was again letting all the stuff Jena said about her get into her head. It was hard to shake the years of bullying that made her feel so small. It was such a hard habit to break.

  “You remember the day I took you to Pier’s Point?” Zoey nodded, thinking back about those fun days. “That day meant a lot to me. I finally talked you in to jumping off that cliff into the water. It was wonderful to finally see the smile that came on your face when you came up out of that water. You looked like you were on top of the world. You went for it even when you thought you might get hurt. That is the Zoey Malone I know. The one who needs to see just how important she is to her family and friends. If Kayden can’t see that and if he thinks you’re not good enough, then he isn’t the man I thought he was, and you’re not the girl I know you are if you allow him to get away with it.” Tears ran down her face as she listened to the giant tell her how important she was. Brody knew how to touch her heart.

  “I just…” Zoey tried to talk but couldn’t come up with anything logical.

  “Now, let’s have some fun tonight, and when a man asks you to dance, don’t think about it; just go for it. She isn’t important to him. We all know that, and what is amazing, she knows it too. Now, the playing field is even because Jena knows how important you are to him, and you have an advantage there. Have fun, Zoey. Stop looking at him for once, and let him chase you,” Brody explained, then twirled her around until she couldn’t stop the laugh that came out of her mouth.

  She could feel the tension ease from her shoulders. For the first time in her life, someone told her how it really was, and she finally got it. Brody was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you paid attention. He was a freaking genius, and she was going to follow his directions to a T. She felt happy and relaxed when she looked up at Brody. It looked like he was nodding to someone then quickly glanced around the room. She made sure she didn’t look back at the Alpha’s table when Lex Crenshaw walked up to her.

  “Can I have the next dance, Zoey?” Lex asked. Zoey liked Lex. He was kindhearted too, until you pissed him off. It must have been something about the bears because most of them were sweet and gentle unless you were their prey or made them angry.

  “Sure Lex, if Brody doesn’t mind.” Lex and Zoey both looked up at the Alpha.

  “As long as you take care of my girl here. You know I think of her as my sister, right?” Brody’s voice was higher as he said the last part.

  “Yes sir, Alpha.” Lex replied and held his hand out for her. Kissing her on top of the head, Brody walked off leaving her with Lex.

  Zoey did what Brody suggested and danced with almost every bear in the room and a few wolves. She laughed at how the bears joked with the other wolves when they tried to dance with her before the song ended. It was all in fun, but she enjoyed the attention.

  Finally, near the end of the night, Zoey informed Lex that she needed a break, and he escorted her back to the Alpha’s table. Pulling her chair out for her, Lex kissed her hand and walked away.

  It was hard, but Zoey never looked over at Kayden. She sat and made conversation with London and Donnie the rest of the night.

  Leaning over, Zoey whispered in Donnie’s ear, “I need to go to the bathroom. I will be back in a few minutes.”

  “Do you need me to go with you?” Donnie asked.

  “Nope. I think I can handle that on my own.” Zoey got up and slowly walked to the bathroom talking to friends as she passed their table. She walked into the stall and did her business. She felt free for the first time and was actually having fun. She righted her dress and opened the stall door. Figures, it couldn’t last long as she stared at Jena Carnes and one of her friends standing by the sink, waiting for her no doubt. Zoey walked over to the sink and started washing her hands.

  “Do you really think a man like Kayden Lynn would want someone like you?” Jena remarked. Instead of immediately responding, Zoey took her time washing her hands. When she finished, she could see Jena struggling to react but didn’t touch her. She knew if she did, she would be disciplined by the Alpha.

  Without looking at her, Zoey spoke with self-confidence. “You know, Jena, this isn’t high school anymore and what Kayden does isn’t my concern, but don’t worry, Sugar, I’m positive he wants you for one thing and one thing only.” Zoey leaned closer and commented, “The Alphas talk about you when they are together.” Zoey continued to walk toward Jena who had never seen her do this and apparently, it was unnerving her, so she backed up a step. “They talk about the ‘sure thing’. They say you’re only useful for a fuck and not a good fuck at that. They also say you’re not the mating kind, just the fucking kind.” Zoey tossed the paper towel in the trash can and started to walk out.

  Finally, she had enough of Jena telling her what a low life she was. Tonight was the last night she would ever take shit from Jena Carnes again. She heard Jena make her move and was prepared for her. Zoey turned around and blocked the punch Jena was throwing. Jena thought that she could hit her with her back turned, but Zoey had continued her training and flipped Jena, launching her against the door, knocking it down in the process. The noise was loud as Jena and the door flung against the outside wall.

  Zoey could hear people running toward the bathrooms. Apparently, the noise was louder than she thought. Looking back, Jena’s friend was wide-eyed and stepped back away from her.

  “Oops.” Zoey showed the wolf her teeth then walked out.

  Stepping over the moaning Jena, Zoey walked down the hallway with a half smile on her face. London, Ryder, and the enti
re table of Alphas were looking down the hallway as she walked toward them. Kayden’s eyes were wild-looking as she approached him.

  “Kayden, your date is lying on the floor. You might want to go and pick her up.” With that statement said, she continued to walk back to the table where Brody was still sitting with his hands crossed over his chest. She could see the smile widened as she sat down.

  “You know Brody, I think we need to go back to Pier’s Point soon and go swimming. Would you be up for that?” Brody laughed and stood up from the table.

  “I think that is a wonderful idea, sweetheart. Let’s blow this joint and go get breakfast somewhere. I think you did all the damage you can do tonight,” Brody suggested. Donnie ran back to the table as Zoey picked up her purse.

  “I’m coming with you guys. I think the party is over here,” Donnie muttered, then turned and looked down the hallway snickering.

  “Let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Zoey sang in a giddy voice as she took Brody’s arm and walked out of the bar.

  Chapter 3

  The next day, Kayden watched from his office as Zoey pulled up in her SUV. He loved to watch her when she thought nobody was looking. She was beautiful, sweet, and she would never be his. Before his father left for Africa to start a new pride, he told Kayden to keep the species alive by finding a member of his own pride to mate with and have many cubs.

  It has been drilled into his head since he was a cub to mate with his own species, but nobody touched his heart like Zoey. He knew the moment he saw her face in the tenth grade that she was the one. His father stressed that if he didn’t mate among his own kind then the family would die out. He was the only hope to keep his family pride alive and going strong.

  It didn’t matter to his father about love. His father loved his mother, but it was an arranged marriage and love wasn’t even a thought in the beginning. Duty was all his father spoke about.

  He remembered the day he asked his father why he shouldn’t mate for love. His response was harsh and cruel. He grabbed Kayden up and told him that he had an obligation to his family and not to love. All he needed to worry about was finding a suitable mate he approved of so the family could continue to grow.

  Since he had taken over, his pride had thrived. He had ten families who were having babies. Two more panthers petitioned his pride this week wanting to join. Their reason was they were tired of the solitary life. They wanted companionship and sought him out. They explained that they had heard about the Alpha Panther in Alpha City who had new ideas that spoke of working together. Both were hardworking men who now thrived in the city.

  His father would never understand how he ran the pride. He ran it with an iron fist, but Kayden wanted to be different and allow members to have a voice. He would always be the Alpha, but allowing others to have a role would allow his members to feel they belonged and part of the growing process. The members had never been happier, and he wanted to keep it that way.

  “Alpha, you wanted to see me?” Thorn Russell walked into the office. He was a big shifter. Every time he saw the man, he couldn’t believe he was actually a panther. He looked more like a bear. Thorn was six foot five inches tall and weighed about two hundred and seventy pounds of pure muscle. His thighs were massive. Most of his pride was big, but nobody, including him, was bigger.

  “Yeah, tell Marty and Phillip that Ryder needs some help on his crew with building a greenhouse on his property. His crew is on another job, and this seems to be urgent for his mate, London. She wants to grow herbs and stuff.” Thorn smiled at Kayden’s explanation. “Hell, I don’t know what she wants to grow. Something dealing with magic. I didn’t ask and don’t care. It’s a job for our members, and that’s all I needed to know.”

  “You got it, boss. They will be grateful. With all the work they have been getting, they both have saved enough money to build their own house,” Thorn explained.

  “That is great. Have they found any prospects yet for a mate?” Kayden asked. He kept up with all his members and wanted to help them in any way he could.

  “Nope, not yet, but like all of us, it hasn’t stopped them from testing out all the women.” Thorn and Kayden both laughed. His thoughts were drawn to Zoey when the talk of mates were discussed.

  “You okay, Alpha?” Thorn’s eyebrow was arched, as he looked at him, concerned.

  “Yes. Why?” Kayden hadn’t meant to be sharp with his second, but he couldn’t get Zoey off his mind.

  “Well, I heard that you got a little crazy last night when you saw Zoey. What’s up with that?” Thorn asked with a teasing smile on his face.

  Kayden was staring out the window when it finally registered what Thorn said.

  “I didn’t get crazy. She had on a short dress and every man in the bar was looking at her,” Kayden tried to explain.

  “Dude, Zoey is hot and that’s what hot women do. They torture us with those short dresses that make you wonder what they’re hiding underneath it, and Zoey’s…” Thorn didn’t have time to say anything else because Kayden was up and out of the chair before he could finish. He had his hand wrapped around Thorn’s shirt and pulling him up to his face.

  “Nobody will touch her, ever. Do I make myself clear?” Kayden’s eyes were bright emerald green as he growled out his threat.

  “Alpha, calm down. We all know how you feel about her, and nobody will touch her. That I can promise.” Thorn didn’t fight back against his Alpha. Kayden drew a breath. His breathing was chaotic as he tried to calm down. His nostrils flared at the thought of someone else touching Zoey. His Zoey. What the hell was he saying? Zoey wasn’t his, Kayden thought.

  Slowly, nodding his head, Kayden released his second and backed up. Sitting down hard in the chair, Kayden knew he needed to go for a run to get rid of this frustration he had before he snapped on someone else.

  “Sorry, Thorn. I don’t know why I reacted like that,” Kayden responded frustrated. “I need to go for a run. It has been a week since I last shifted, and I think it is pissing my boy off.” Thorn got up and ran his fingers through his hair. “Can you take care of this stuff for me?” As an Alpha there were complaints coming in all the time. Members needed jobs, as well as help with one thing or another. He knew Thorn could handle most of it.

  “You got it, Alpha. Go run. I got this.” Thorn looked up at him and smiled. Kayden knew his second and trusted him completely, or he wouldn’t consider him one of his best friends and family.

  Kayden didn’t waste any time as he got up and left the office. He looked over at where Zoey parked, but her SUV was gone now. She must have left while he was talking to Thorn. Pulling out of the parking space, Kayden turned the music up and rolled his window down. He needed to think about anything other than Zoey. He needed to run her out of his system and get her out of his head. Unfortunately, he craved her all the time. She was like a piece of chocolate that tasted divine. He could never get enough of her. He thought about her at work, at home, and even at night, he pictured her as he pleasured himself.

  Flying down the dirt road, Kayden slowed down as the cabin came into sight. Just being here made him smile. This place was everything to him that said comfort and safe. Thoughts of Zoey drifted away even if it was just for a few minutes.

  Turning the knob, Kayden pushed the door open. He was blasted with a musty smell from being shut up for too long. He needed to do some spring-cleaning. He opened all the windows allowing the breeze to blow inside the cabin. It was too stuffy and dusty inside for him. No matter how much he loved this cabin, he loved the forest surrounding it more. Kayden went to the window and inhaled deeply. It smelled wonderful outside as the breeze blew through the window. He couldn’t wait to hunt then lay beside the waterfall at Pier’s Point. It always calmed him lying down in the grass while the sun dried his fur or underneath the waterfall lying on the cool rocks. Kayden couldn’t stand it anymore and started taking his clothes off. Shifting, Kayden jumped through the window and went in search of prey.

  ****

/>   Zoey stood at the edge of Pier’s Point looking out over the forest. It was beautiful here. She hadn’t been here in so long that she had forgotten just how pretty it was. If she owned this land, she would put a house near here, so she could run and jump in the pool of water anytime she wanted. She laughed as she remembered the days when she was too chicken to jump. Zoey scanned the area one more time then jumped into the water below. Coming up from the water, Zoey knew something wasn’t right. The birds weren’t chirping and her wolf senses went up. Fading back under the waterfall, Zoey waited until she could see what or who was near the point.

  “Zoey?” The voice scared her to death until she realized it was Kayden lying on top of the rocks. Twirling around, she gasped.

  “I didn’t know you were back there. I would have never invaded your space,” Zoey sputtered, treading water.

  “You’re not invading my space.” Kayden’s voice was strong but sweet as he sat up. He kept his hips down so she couldn’t see anything, but she could see the ‘V’ that a man had and Kayden’s was nothing but pure heat between her legs. The man was built with a great butt and thick thighs. He was just as tall as her brother, but had more bulk on him. His skin was golden brown, which made his bright green eyes shine brighter. She couldn’t stop staring at his body.

  “You see something you like?” Kayden laughed softly when Zoey blushed.

  “No, umm. No. I need to go,” Zoey muttered then started swimming out from underneath the waterfall.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Zoey could hear Kayden jumping into the water, which made her swim harder to the other side. Before she could climb out, Kayden grabbed her arm and spun her around in the water.

  “Hey! What are you doing?” Zoey yelled.

  “You don’t have to go. We can share the Point. You know, swim a little and relax in the sun. That’s why you came, right?” Kayden questioned. His smile was filled with mischief as he stared down at her chest. His gaze made her jerk her hand away and cover her breasts.