Chapter Three

No one would ever know what had compelled Collin to pinch Paul of all people in the ass. No one except for Collin, that is. See, being a shape shifting man wolf brought a certain level of...pain tollerance. Pinching himself wouldn't have had any effect. He wouldn't even feel it. Paul punching him in the face hard enough to break his nose? He felt that. He definately felt that. So he knew he wasn't dreaming.

Still. He popped his broken nose back into place, just for the added pain. To make absolute certain that he wasn't dreaming. The blood covering his hand confirmed it; No. No, he wasn't dreaming. She was really there.

Standing close enough that he could see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. Close enough that he could smell her, reach out to her if he wanted. Close enough that he noticed the necklace she was wearing, his stone touching the top of her breasts.

Paul was standing on the other side of the small shop, he noticed. Probably to avoid some more ass groping. He pondered, absently shaking his foot in an attempt to dislodge the milk he had spilt.

"Laura." He repeated, hearing the wonder in his own voice. Without thinking, he reached for her. His fingers curled around the amber, warm from her touch. He imagined he could feel their pulses; both his and hers. Strumming through the amber, the only tangible thing that had tied them together for the last five years. The only thing besides memories of soft skin, silky hair, quiet moans. Of laughter and hand holding, of actually being happy.

He pulled her forward by the necklace, shivering deeply as her chest brushed his. She was tilting her head back, just the slightest bit - damn she was tall - staring into his eyes.

She didn't look afraid anymore.

More than anything, he wanted to kiss her. He didn't though. Being a wolf had taught him some pretty good self restraint, and he wasn't about to startle her. He wouldn't be able to handle it if she ran away again.

She didn't run away before. She had a life. He told himself. He knew that he had had his own life too, and that maybe it had been for the best. He had grown a lot in the past five years.

Jacob broke his train of thought, "So this is the Laura?"

"'The' Laura?" She asked, turning to stare at Collin's alpha. A growl worked its way from his throat when Jacob's eyes slide over her body.

The alpha looked at him in surprise. Collin ignored it.

"Laura..."

"I think you and I need to talk." Her hand grasped the wrist holding her necklace. Instead of pushing him away, she merely gave him a soft, reassuring squeeze.

"Jacob?" Collin rumbled softly. Asking his alpha if it was all right.

Jacob crossed his arms and smiled lightly. "I'm not Sam, Collin. Go do what you have to do."

Laura had never heard of Sam, but she supposed it didn't really matter. Collin was there, and by the look in his eyes - "Wait. Do I still have the job?"

Jacob laughed loudly and clapped her once more on the shoulder. This time, Collin was there to balance her. She didn't topple over. Jacob's eyes were warm and soft as he smiled at her. "Of course, Laura." His voice had...something in it, something she couldn't recognize. He squeezed her lightly, looking past her at Collin. "Of course."

The man holding her chain shivered, a smile slipping onto his own face. She had no idea what had just happened.

Her foot was still soggy.