The lock clicked on his door and Brady opened it wearing nothing but a smile. “What do you need?” He sounded amused.
“Seriously, never mind. I didn’t know you had company.” I averted my eyes, but it was hard to find a spot to look that wasn’t hard bodied naked man. Nakedness was not something that bothered the wolves. Not that I was a prude, but I had not gotten used to how freely they showed their bodies. Around the full moon revelry it was like a furry nudist colony at the preserve. I settled for looking at Brady’s dirty blond hair, since looking a wolf in the eyes was seen as a sign of challenge.
Brady chuckled, probably at my appearance: slippers, fuzzy socks and my bright red UNLV sweatshirt. “Is this about the heater?”
“Do you really think I’d bug you about that right now?” I crossed my arms and frowned.
“No,” he laughed. “Knowing you, you probably have a plan to get me back.”
“Bingo!” I pointed a finger at him and winked.
“So, what’s up?” Brady leaned in the doorframe, still not bothering to cover up his nakedness. It was really hard not to inadvertently sneak a peek, and I was sure I was beginning to turn bright red.
I bit my lip to hide a smile trying to spread across my face and turned away. “Nothing. Go back to your fun. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
Brady called over his shoulder to the woman in his room. “Diana, take off, love. I’ll stop by your cabin later.”
An Amazon woman, wearing just enough clothing to fit the part, snarled at me as she walked past.
“Show a little respect.” Brady’s tone became dangerous. “You know who she is.”
“She’s not pack,” Diana said to Brady as she headed down the hallway.
Brady reached out, grabbed her by the shoulder, and spun her around. “She’s Aiden’s, and you will give her the respect she is due … now!”
Diana’s hazel eyes widened. She gulped and then bowed her head. “Sorry, Fallon.”
Reluctance was prominent in her voice, though she wasn’t looking at me as she spoke. Her words were directed toward Brady.
“Now go back to your cabin,” Brady growled.
With a curt nod, she turned and continued down the hall toward the front lobby.
The whole thing made me feel embarrassed. I didn’t need Brady drawing any unwanted attention to me, especially when I’d been trying to win the pack members over in the hopes they’d accept me as I was. “Really, you didn’t have to do that.”
“She’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “Just needed a little reminder of the pecking order around here. Some of the ladies have been hot under the collar about you.”
“Yeah, I got that feeling while I was making my rounds checking computers. I’ve been playing it nice with everyone, maybe win them over with kindness.”
Brady smirked. “That’s not the way to win the hearts and minds of the pack. You need to show them who’s boss.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way, but Brady had a point. “Guess I’d better start pulling rank then.”
“Not sure you have it in you, but I’d like to see you try.” He patted my head like a pup.
I scrunched up my face in disgust and backed away.
That just made Brady smile more. That man loved to get me riled up.
He crossed his arms and leaned into the doorframe again. “I know why you’re here. Aiden told you about the deadline, didn’t he?”
“That’s news to me. There’s a deadline?” Now it was my turn to give him a wide-eyed stare.
His jaw tightened. Guess he didn’t want to be the one to let that information slip.
“Aiden didn’t tell you that part, did he? Where is he, anyway?”
“In the shower. Don’t change the subject. What deadline?”
“Look. I like you, Fallon. I really do. You’re great for my brother. But if Aiden’s bid for the title of Alpha is going to be accepted, he has to have a mate capable of having wolf children. And he needs to take that mate now.”
This whole purebred wolf children thing was really beginning to get on my nerves. It seemed to me that all the pack cared about was kids, and I was only to be used for breeding. My annoyance got the better of me, and I couldn’t rein back the tension in my voice. “What does it matter if I can have children with him or not?”
“Pure wolf children are essential for pack stability. They are stronger and live longer than turned wolves. They often become the next Alphas, or move on to start other packs, and ensure our species continues.”
“But you’re a pure wolf.” I jabbed a finger at him. “You could take a mate and make pure babies for the pack.”
“True.” Brady shrugged. “But I don’t want the title of Alpha. And I do not want kids!”
“But you’re pure and the son of the former Alpha as well.”