Terry Spear’s Wolf Bundle (95 page)

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

She frowned at her brother. “You could have told me. And you could have warned me that Ashton was going to be gunning down anything that moved out by our house. He shot Hunter!”

Michael quickly looked at Hunter. “Oh, hell, I’m sorry, man.”

“No problem. It was just a graze.”

“What made you realize there was a stalker?” Tessa asked her brother.

“I saw footprints outside your window when I was clipping the hedges. And another time I saw someone peeking in the house when I came up with a load of wood, but I was too far away to catch him.” Michael looked back at Hunter. “Hell, he looked a bit like you. Long dark hair, same approximate height and build.”

“That’s why Ashton said he shot him. But Hunter was with me when the man broke into the house on a couple of separate occasions.”

Michael considered them both and shook his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But I’m glad you’ve got someone who’s combat trained to watch over you. I
never
thought you’d get married.” He rose abruptly from the chair. “I’ve got to go. Write, will you?”

“I’ll be back. We’ll get you out, Michael. You just take good care of yourself.”

He gave her a warm hug and she broke into tears, despite struggling not to. “You…you just take care of yourself,” she reiterated.

Michael kissed her wet cheek. “I will.” He shook Hunter’s hand. “Don’t let anyone hurt her. Take care of that stalker.”

Hunter bowed his head slightly. “Will do.”

Michael straightened his posture and gave a half smile. “I don’t know what happened, but all of a sudden I began getting some special treatment in here. So don’t worry, little sister. Things are already looking up.”

“Why would Michael be getting special treatment in prison?” Tessa asked, as Hunter helped her into Caruthers’s police car.

She was holding up pretty well, and he was damned proud of her.

“The judge had something to do with it. Maybe Allan and me, too.” Caruthers shrugged. “We don’t usually mess with humans who are incarcerated in the prison system. Most are there because they deserve it. But since you’re one of us, we pulled some strings. Of course, no one in the place really knows why, just that there’s a sneaking suspicion the kid’s innocent, and he’s got some pretty powerful friends in high places.”

Tessa brushed away tears and smiled. “Tell Allan and the judge thanks for me.”

“I’ll do that. While you were inside, that red, Leidolf, came by. He said he’d meet you at The Olive Groves for lunch. He said the rest of your people would be there also. Want me to take you there now?”

“Let’s go,” Hunter said. “We’ll see what Leidolf has to say.”

Tessa looked at him.

He cast her an abbreviated smile. “I promise I won’t tear into him.”
Too badly.
Then he let out an exasperated sigh. “Why didn’t you tell me you took a picture of a wolf in the wild and that he was shapeshifting at the time?”

“I didn’t say so.”

He snorted. “The look on your face revealed the truth. I told you that you couldn’t play poker with me.”

She’d never get anything past Hunter unless she wore a ski mask, and probably even then her eyes and voice would give her away.

“I’m not sure what it was. I thought it was a wolf. It was really foggy out. And then I saw a man. Or at least I thought so. The photo wasn’t clear and no matter how much I tried to enhance it…” She shrugged.

“The man was naked.”

“He didn’t look like he was wearing any clothes. But it was a long ways off. I just figured my mind was playing tricks.”

“He saw you.”

“I don’t know, Hunter. He was looking in my direction, but I was using a telescopic lens. He couldn’t have seen me as far away as I was.”

“Hell,” Caruthers said. “if he hadn’t wanted you so badly, he would have killed you.”

The thought she had been living a life of danger all this time without his protection stirred Hunter’s blood. “He saw you, Tessa. Believe me. How long before Bethany had been murdered had this taken place?”

“Two days. I showed her the photo and asked her what she could make of it. All Bethany saw was mist. I showed it to Michael also, but preoccupied with his painting, he didn’t pay any attention. Said it looked interesting, but barely glanced at it.”

But had Bethany’s witnessing the photo led to her death?

In Caruthers’s patrol car, Hunter and Tessa soon arrived at the Italian restaurant, although Hunter regretted that Tessa was so tense. She would have to see for herself that the pack would accept her as one of their own.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the hostess tried to seat them, but Caruthers motioned to a group of people, both Leidolf’s reds and the rest of Hunter’s pack, at a large rowdy table. “I’ll sit with them.”

The waiter escorted Tessa and Hunter to a private booth, and Tessa looked back at the table with his pack mates as if she wished they could sit with them and not have the confrontation with Leidolf. So that was what was worrying her.

Hunter gripped her hand tighter. “I promise I won’t kill him for leaving me behind in the jail and going after you.”

The smell of oregano, garlic, Italian sauce, and onions wafted in the air, and Hunter’s stomach grumbled. Dishes and glasses clinked as servers cleared tables
and conversation and Italian music drifted overhead. Nice setting for a romantic dinner for two if Hunter and Tessa could have enjoyed the meal without Leidolf chaperoning.

Leidolf leaned back against the burgundy vinyl seat in the booth at the end of the section, looking self- satisfied and smiled at them. “My lawyer was trying to have you released, but he told me you got yourself out by contacting someone who had a lot more clout. Pays to have a judge back you.”

Unable to let go of the irritation, Hunter gave him a dark look.

“I missed you at the hotel last night, but I guess you found a safe place to hole up. Your people are returning with you, and they’re dying to meet your new mate. You’ve got three cops leaving here to watch your backs on the coast, one who wants one of your widowed females, and she’s ecstatic. Sounds like your pack is off to a good recovery. Not bad considering the mess you’ve been in recently.” Leidolf unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap. “Other packs usually don’t mix it up much, but I’ve grown attached to yours, considering one of your people is joining mine. If you need my help any further, just let me know.”

Hell, he was attached to Hunter’s pack because Tessa still interested him.

“What did you say to the lawyer about me?” Hunter asked.

Leidolf laughed. “He holds a grudge, Tessa. Remember that.” He sipped his water. “I told him just what had happened. You were wielding the knife that
killed the guy. That’s why he released me so quickly. I was only a witness to the whole thing. I’d planned to watch over Tessa until you arrived at the hospital. Imagine my surprise to find you had beat me to it.”

Hunter squeezed Tessa’s hand in her lap. “So you’re returning to Portland?”

“I have to. I’ve got problems of my own. A red from Texas is stirring up trouble. Thinks he might have what it takes to run my pack. Can you imagine the nerve of the guy?” He winked at Tessa and turned his attention back to Hunter. “But I mean it. If you need my help, just say. I’ll come to the coast and give you a hand.”

Hunter bowed his head. “Likewise, Leidolf.”

Tessa took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed a little.

“I would have gone to see your brother, Tessa, but thought you might like to spend the time with him alone. With Hunter, of course. Are you any closer to solving the murder mystery?”

“The two who were in the house when you and Hunter came home after cutting up the tree had done some work on our circuit breaker. And Michael said that the guy called Jessup had been driving the truck, and he’d seen him at a number of his art exhibits.” Tessa looked over at Hunter. “When Jessup said they’d been casing Bethany’s house for valuables, I didn’t think they were really thieves, but maybe they were. And maybe they were planning on ripping off the art gallery, but it had too much security so they hoped to find some of Michael’s paintings in the house. Easier to break into. Butch was at Michael’s trial. Why? To see if he really got time or if he was going to be released? If Michael had been found not guilty, we would
have been home and it would have been harder for them to steal anything from the house.”

“Or,” Leidolf said, “he was calling ahead to the others, who were breaking into your house while you were at the trial. Once you left, he would warn them you were on the way home.”

“Was anything missing from your house besides the gun?” Hunter asked.

“I didn’t look. I figured Yoloff had only stolen the gun. I never thought anyone would be running around in that weather stealing paintings.”

“Do you have anything else of value?” Hunter asked.

“Computers, electronics. My photographs. But again, I would doubt they’d be interested in any of that because of the weather. The ice storm hadn’t started yet, but it was on its way.”

“Searching for evidence of wrongdoing? Maybe they’d been involved in Bethany’s murder, and they were afraid Michael had some proof against them that he didn’t know about,” Leidolf said.

“Michael mentioned the sheriff could have been covering up for his son, Ashton, also,” Tessa mentioned.

Leidolf shook his head. “I’m glad all I have is a simple case of knocking some sense into a red’s head if he thinks he’s taking over my pack. Keep in touch, and I’ll help any way I can if you need me. Your new cops won’t be returning with you for a couple of weeks until they settle their affairs here. Your widow is staying with the one cop, but the rest are taking the Ford Escape, making it kind of crowded. I’m gifting you my Humvee, travels in any kind of weather.”

“But—” Tessa said.

Leidolf held up his hand. “I’ve got another back at the ranch. I’ll ride home with my people. Maybe Hunter won’t hold a grudge against me about the jail situation for too long then.” He grinned. “The last time I had to deal with a gray pack leader, Devlyn Greystoke had targeted a red he mated who reminded me of you. She was a redhead also. Bella was her name.”

“Devlyn changed a human, too?” Tessa asked.

“No.” Leidolf looked at the table for a second, then back up at them. “I was too late for her. She should have mated a red.” He shrugged.

“Only a
lupus garou
would do, isn’t that right, Leidolf?” Hunter asked.

Leidolf managed a smile. “Sure, that’s right, Hunter.”

But Hunter suspected it wasn’t so. If he had given Leidolf the chance, he might have claimed Tessa for his own, especially since she reminded him of the last one he’d lost.

They finished their meals in silence, and then Leidolf paid the bill. Hunter kissed Tessa’s cheek. “Are you ready to meet the rest of my pack?”

No, not now. But that wouldn’t be very alpha of her. Yet, Tessa shivered internally anyway. What if they put her to the test? Tried to prove to her that she couldn’t be their pack leader’s mate? She didn’t have a clue what she was supposed to do.

She stiffened her spine as she walked between Leidolf and Hunter. At least while she was wedged between the two alphas, she almost felt alpha herself.

Caruthers and a pretty brunette on his arm Tessa figured was Greta, both in their midforties, were sitting at a long table with several others. Allan, the other cop,
and the woman he was interested in, a woman with chestnut hair curled on top of her head in swirls with a quick smile and sparkle in her amber eyes, sat next to them. And three other males, maybe in their late twenties, early thirties, all tall. One with black hair and eyes, who seemed too interested in Tessa, but quickly changed his posture to a contrite expression when Hunter gave him a quelling look. The other two had light brown hair cut short, dark brown eyes and appeared to be twins, except the one was slightly taller.

“Kenneth,” Hunter said, motioning to one of the twins, “and Kensington.” He waved at the black-haired man. “Adam.” He smiled at the woman. “This is Genevieve who seems to have found her new mate. Everyone, this is Tessa, my mate.”

All bowed their heads slightly.

“About time,” Genevieve said, and hurried forth to give her a hug.

Greta did the same. The men didn’t dare.

Hunter shook Leidolf’s hand. “Thanks for the Humvee and the offer to help. We’ll keep in touch. If you need any of my aid, likewise, give me a call. We have a long drive ahead of us, and I don’t want to leave my sister in charge of a couple of new
lupus garous
much longer, so we’ll be on our way.”

Hunter shook hands with the police officers who would join them in a couple of weeks. Greta whispered to Tessa, “I’ve been where you are, honey. I’ll show you the ropes.”

“It’s not exactly the same.” Caruthers kissed his mate on the cheek. “She’s an alpha leader’s mate.”

Greta grinned. “Like I said, Tessa, I’ll help you all I can.”

Caruthers shook his head, and Tessa gave Greta and Genevieve a hug, already feeling like one of the pack and it was a damned good feeling, too, but for her brother’s continued incarceration. “I look forward to seeing you both soon.”

Once Hunter’s people were packed into the Escort, Hunter led them in the Humvee.

“I thought they might want to eat me alive, but they were really nice,” Tessa told Hunter as he drove out of town.

“A couple of my males would have eaten you all up, but not the way you mean.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, then released it, but still seemed as tense as before. “What do you know about your great-grandfather?”

Here they went around about the gold again. “He was from Colorado originally, but got the gold fever. First he went to California and made it big, then came here. He met my great-grandmother who was working for her father’s mercantile. Supposedly, he found a lot of gold here, too. Just had a real nose for it. But all the money in the world wouldn’t buy him happiness. Shortly after finding the gold, my great-grandmother died of a fever, and he returned to Colorado. I couldn’t find out what happened to him after that.”

“What about your grandmother?”