Free Voracious by Jenika Snow Page A

neck stand on end.
    “I ask for a short reprieve in your home if you allow it. Just until the storm eases up again.” He pushed his hood down. His hair was dark and fell to his shoulders. A jagged scar ran from his eyebrow to his chin. He was a wolf, that much was clear by the smell of him, but there was an underlying odor that tickled her nose.
    Alric glanced over at them, and Sam’s grip tightened on her for a moment before he turned around and started leading her toward the back bedroom. When the door of the room the three of them shared was shut, Sam turned and looked at her.
    “We want you to stay in here until that wolf leaves. Just to be on the safe side.” Sam ran a hand over his short hair and sighed. “The storm should let up soon, and then he’s out. Until then Alric and I would feel more comfortable if you weren’t around him since he is unknown to us.”
    That was fine with her. The stink of his inner wolf had been strong. “I didn’t like the feeling he gave me anyway.”
    “I know, baby. We felt there was something off about him, but the storm is fierce right now and sending him out there would mean his death.” Sam sounded strong, powerful. “But we are watching him. We won’t let anyone hurt you, least of all a drifter.”
    The sound of Alric’s deep voice penetrated the walls, but she couldn’t hear what he said.
    “I’ll bring you in some dinner.”
    Dalia smelled of both Sam and Alric. It was a comforting aroma that had her smiling. The room they shared was large, with dark wood and masculine colors. The bed was big and easily fitted the three of them, especially when there were bouts of late night sex. Even thinking about them had her aroused. It was a constant ache inside her that would not be sated.
    The door opened a moment later, and Alric walked in. “Sam and I are taking turns staying out there with him.” He held a tray with a plate of food on it for her. He set it on the dresser and sat down beside her on the bed.
    “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you guys are trying to fatten me up.”
    Alric took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. “You need to keep a healthy weight, especially for the baby.”
    Her gaze dropped to her belly, and she covered it with her free hand again, rubbing it in small circles. “How do you two feel about me carrying another male’s child?”
    She really hadn’t meant to ask the question, but as of late that was all she had thought about. Alric held her gaze, not saying anything for so long that she started to grow uneasy with what his answer was going to be.
    “Dalia,” he glanced down then lifted his eyes back to her. “I won’t lie and say Sam and I are pleased that you carry another wolf’s young.”
    Her heart plummeted to the ground, and she fought back her tears.
    “Oh, no, sweetheart. Please, you misunderstand what I’m saying.” He brushed a tear away that she hadn’t realized had slipped free. “The fact that a bastard raped you and the child growing inside you is the result infuriates us.”
    His words had her speechless. “You barely know me, but you love me and my baby.”
    The sigh that came from him seemed loud in the room. “You’re ours, Dalia. Our animals know that they have found their mate, and the emotions are hard and strong. There is no denying that we love you, because you are ours.” He placed a hand on her belly. “And this baby is ours.” His smile was soft. “When I realized Sam was my mate I loved him right from the beginning. There was no other for me after that.”
    Her heart jumped at the words.
    “And as soon as we saw you we knew you were ours. We loved you from the very beginning, Dalia,” Alric said again. “I won’t say this isn’t happening fast, because it is, but when you find something that you know without a doubt is meant to be yours forever, the rest just falls into place.”
    The sincerity of their words cut right into her heart. She felt an undeniable connection