The Werewolf Tycoon's Secret Baby (The Woolven Secret Book 2) (11 page)

W
hen the door
to her room opened, it was both everything and nothing like she expected.

Lenore was sitting criss-cross applesauce, as Noah liked to say. She was wearing baggy sweats and a Scottish pub t-shirt—The Wolf and Lamb. It was bright green, with a giant wolf on the front holding up a pint of beer.

Wait, how did she know it was Scottish? Maybe it had been the green color. It always made her think of Scotland.

Randi was painting Lenore’s nails and was in no way an expert. “Fuck,” she muttered. “Shit. I’m just no good at this.”

Lenore laughed. “Keep trying.”

“Oh, just let me do it.” Another woman who was seated on the floor said.

“No, I’ll get it.”

The woman she didn’t know looked up. “Hi, I’m Maribella.”

She was quite possibly the most elegant creature Emmie had ever seen. Her white-blond hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, not a single strand out of place. Maribella’s cheekbones were sharp points, but her generous lips and large luminous eyes softened her face. She was so beautiful; it was hard to believe she was real.

Emmie had never felt more like a squat little mushroom.

“Maribella is Warner’s mate,” Randi explained.

“Uncle Warner, right?” Emmie clarified.

“Yes,” Lenore answered. “And it appears she’s none too happy about it.”

“Look, you wouldn’t be happy either if you agreed to marry one party and discovered you’d been married to another.” Maribella popped a chocolate in her mouth.

“Isn’t it like, some great honor or something that he kidnapped you? Because I told him I’d have his balls in a sling if he didn’t consider your wishes,” Randi grumbled, still trying, and failing, to get the polish on Lenore’s nails.

“He kidnapped you?” Emmie squeaked.

Maribella rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Yeah, in Denver, or a rocky mountain road, he tore the roof off of my limo with his bare hands. Said he was Warner Woolven, and I was his. If I consented. I mean, that’s more choice than many mates are given.”

“So, you just… you said yes?” Emmie asked, trying to imagine Drew
ripping the roof off a limo.
It kind of turned her on. What was wrong with her? She’d gone from not being able to think about sex to only thinking about sex.

At least now she was sure she didn’t have any cobwebs.

“Well, what was I going to say? I’d agreed to marry a Woolven. I thought it would be Parker, but that wasn’t the one I got, was it?”

“That sounds kind of horrible,” Emmie said.

“It is what it is. I knew I’d marry for pack alliance and there’s a certain standard of living to which I have become accustomed. There are worse fates,” Maribella said. “I hear that Parker married a waitress in Vegas. That he thought she was me. Imagine his surprise.”

“DeVaughn and Woolven are on opposite sides in the war. How do you reconcile that your father still sent you?” Randi asked.

She shrugged. “My father knew I’d be safe here. With Peter Breslin—” She stopped and shot a look at Emmie. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? He is what he is.”

“Hey, no apology for me? He’s my brother.” Lenore held up her fingers to the light. They looked as if they’d been dipped in blood. Randi had done a horrible job.

“You’re
that
Lenore?” Maribella paled and her eyes went ice blue—glowing.

“Hey, you’re safe,” Emmie rushed to reassure her. “You know Aphelion is enchanted to boil the insides of anyone who means any of the residents harm, should they cross the threshold.”

“I’m really surprised it didn’t liquefy me the first day I was here. I was determined to bring Blake down,” Randi confessed.

“I’ve never known a hunter before,” Maribella said. “They tell us stories of the terrible Breslins when we’re young. You’re the monster under the bed. The thing we are to fear, and your brother most of all. I just saw you wearing that shirt and I’d never have thought a hunter would frequent The Wolf and Lamb. Or be playing sleepover with the Woolven Alpha’s mate.”

Lenore nodded. “I take contracts for the Council. I stick to the old code. I only hunt evil.”

Maribella pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry, but we have to get a selfie. My friends are never going to believe I’m hanging out with Lenore Breslin.”

Lenore laughed. “Sure, whatever.”

“Can I ask you something else?”

“Whatever you want.” Although, for some reason, she snuck a quick look at Emmie first.

“Is it true? About the forest and demon wolf?”

Lenore laughed again. “Yes, it’s true. But I didn’t do it all by myself.”

“They say you’re Luchtaine’s mate.” Maribella eyed her.

“That’s what they say. I haven’t seen him since I was seventeen.”

“Was he very handsome?” Maribella sighed.

“He was fucking terrifying.” She snorted. “Okay, he was hot. He was very hot. But I’ve come to realize that any male I’m attracted to is probably bad for me.”

Emmie remembered the man in the cloak. “Lenore, speaking of bad for me… Do you know a Sebastian Monk?”

Maribella laughed. “Of course she did. He used to be a hunter. Until Royce D—”

Lenore put her red polished fingers over Maribella’s mouth. “We don’t say that name. We don’t say it, ever.”

Maribella seemed confused, but nodded slowly. “No offense intended.”

“It’s… I can’t talk about it. But it’s bad. It’s really bad.” She dropped her hand and turned to Emmie. “Why are you asking about Sebastian?”

“You know the broom trip Drew and I took? He was there.”

“He couldn’t have been. He died a long time ago.”

“He said to tell you that he sends his love, and he told me he’d see me soon,” Emmie said. “And he was horrible, Lennie. His eyes, the black inky tentacles that crawled out of his mouth, he was a nightmare on two legs—maybe four.”

“This is bad shit. I need to put in some calls.” She gave a weak smile. “I’ll be back. Don’t have too much fun without me.” She grabbed her phone and went outside.

Emmie realized she was alone with two werewolves.

She studied Randi for a long moment before turning her attention back to Maribella. Then back to Randi again.

There was something about Randi—something brighter that she hadn’t seen before.

“Randi, you’re actually glowing,” she blurted before she thought better of it.

“Am I?” She grabbed another bottle of polish, which Maribella promptly snatched from her and shook her head, indicating that she would do the polishing. Randi presented her fingers. “I’m surprised you can see it, because you’re human.”

Maribella stopped what she was doing. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it! Have you told Blake yet?”

“No, not yet. Everything has been so crazy lately, and I wanted to be sure.”

“A baby?” Emmie squealed. “I’m so happy for you.”

“That’s such a relief to hear. I was worried you’d… I mean, your son is the heir. He’s already displaying such fierce Alpha tendencies.”

“I’m not worried about that at all. Our children will be who they are and who they were meant to be. Noah will be thrilled to have a cousin.” She reached out and embraced the woman.

Something clicked between them then, a bond of family, of friendship, of sisterhood, tying them together irrevocably. Was this what pack meant?

“I’m happy for you,” Maribella said, her tone wistful.

“Do you want babies?” Emmie asked.

“I don’t know, but Warner is past having pups. Or so he says. He hasn’t even consummated the marriage yet.”

“But he bit you.” Randi narrowed her eyes.

“Yeah.” She rubbed at a spot on her neck absently. “But it was very perfunctory. He sleeps outside the door in his wolf form most nights. He’s never bipedal very long.” She fiddled with the nail file.

“He’s a good man. I didn’t like him when I first came here. He was too big, too angry, too scared. Too
wolfy
.” Randi grinned. “You know what I mean. And I was human. But he is the most loyal, self-sacrificing…You couldn’t ask for better. He’ll be a good mate to you if you give him a chance.”

“He doesn’t want a chance. He barely speaks to me.” She put down the file. “Although, I guess I haven’t given him a chance. He insulted me. He said I was too soft and too pretty to be of any use as a mate. I may have told him he was too old and ugly to be of any use as a mate.”

Randi cackled. “I’d say he had that coming.”

“I don’t think that at all. I like his scars. There’s so much strength in him. I shouldn’t have said it, no matter how angry I was.”

“No, you totally should have. How dare he tell you you’re too pretty to be of any use? What is that? You’re beautiful, and he should be grateful to be gifted with a mate with a face like yours.” Emmie was indignant on her behalf.

“I wonder what Parker’s wife is like? I also wonder if their giant wedding fiasco could’ve satisfied our social requirements, so Blake and I can just sign our papers and go to Fiji.” Randi seemed hopeful.

Maribella crushed that hope like a grape under heel. “Sorry, sweetie. No. You’re doing this. Why don’t you just look at it like this? It’s your chance to show the world that Blake Woolven belongs to you.

Randi’s shoulders sagged. “I’m afraid of it, that’s why. I mean, look at me. Fire-crotched BBWs don’t marry billionaires.”

Emmie couldn’t believe a woman like Randi who exuded so much power and self-confidence would ever doubt herself. “Yes, they do. Especially beautiful flame-haired BBWs.”

“I hate it when I doubt myself like that. I guess part of me is still afraid that if I’m too loud about the blessings I have, someone will take them away from me.”

“Let’s be honest. It’s not all roses. I mean, you have two kinds of monthly cycles to deal with now,” Maribella offered.

“Shit, you’re right.” Randi scrunched her face in displeasure.

“So, tell me about this flower,” Emmie said.

“Oh, the great Woolven flower.” Maribella snorted. “It only works on humans. I hoped since I had fey in my bloodline that it might work on me, because hey, why not? Nope. Nothing.”

“It worked on me,” Randi confessed. “I think that was the beginning of the end. He chased me through the maze and I ran. I was terrified. I mean, I was sure there was a monster hunting me down.”

“Did he catch you?” Emmie asked, eyes wide.

“Of course he did. Then I felt stupid for thinking he was anything but a man. Of course, we all know how that turned out.”

“I don’t. What happened?” Emmie needed to hear what happened next. Randi had been human, she’d been afraid and, looking at her now, she was the embodiment of everything that Emmie wanted for herself.

“A wolf from another pack tried to kill me. So I used a silver nitrate gun my father had developed and I obliterated him.”

“Of course you did.” Emmie shook her head. “I’d probably just pee myself.”

“Believe me, that might’ve been in the offing.”

“I know I’m being so personal, but can I ask… did Blake… did he Turn you?”

“No. I actually thought about leaving him. I didn’t want to be his mate. When he told me that I was his, I was like, nope. I’m out. But I found out from my father that wolf blood is in my family. Being close to Blake, spending time around him, it Changed me. By the time he bit me, I was already well on my way.”

Emmie rubbed her neck, trying to imagine it, and she was sure she’d die of fright thinking about those snapping jaws anywhere near her throat.

“It’s not for everyone and not everyone can be Changed. Many can’t survive the bite,” Maribella said. “Good thing Randi’s father is a scientist.”

“Yeah, you know, if you were curious, he could probably check genetic markers. A quick blood draw, and you’d have all the supernatural answers you didn’t know you wanted! He’s working on a cure for vampirism now. We could go right now.”

“That would be a no go, Randi.” Lenore said from the door.

“Party pooper.” Randi seemed for a moment like she was going to argue, but after a pointed look from Lenore, she didn’t say anything else.

Emmie had the feeling they were having a conversation that she wasn’t privy to. Normally, she wouldn’t let that kind of thing bother her, but she had the distinct impression that it was about her.

“Okay, what the hell? Come on. Jig’s up. Tell me,” she demanded.

“What do you mean?” Lenore played innocent.

“Please, I know you too well, Lennie. You’re a great liar, just not to me. And Randi? I don’t know her that well, but she’s a fire under your ass kind of girl and who doesn’t seem like she’d do well with the word no. So spill it.”

“Whatever it is, she’s got you there,” Maribella said. “It seems like you guys have been treating her like some kind of china doll. She’s human, not porcelain. What’s going on?”

Lenore leaned against the door, her eyes closed. “Can’t you just trust it’s for your own good?”

Emmie flashed through a gamut of emotions. From betrayal, to the ever-present fear, to love, to anger and everything in between. “Could you?” she answered her.

“No. I couldn’t.” Lenore sank to the floor. “You’re never going to forgive me,” she whispered. “Never. And I don’t deserve it.”

All the anger and sense of betrayal fled. “Lenore, you’ve saved my life so many times. I know whatever happened, but you’d never do anything with the intent to hurt me. Of course I’d forgive you.”

“You speak of forgiveness so easily, but…” She swallowed hard. “I don’t know how to tell you without telling you.”

“That makes zero sense,” Maribella drawled, as if she were already bored with the whole thing.

“There’s a reason that you don’t have memories of certain things. There’s a reason for your fear. That wall in your brain is there to protect you. It was the only way and, if I tell you everything, it would be like taking a pickaxe to that wall. A little bit more every day until all that darkness, all that horror fills you up.”

Finally, hearing some truth and knowing that her fear wasn’t illogical, that it was based in some awful event was actually comforting. It made her feel stronger. More capable. Somehow, even less afraid. “Lenore, I ask you again, would you be content to let that lie?”

“No. I wouldn’t. But I can’t be the one that breaks that wall. If it comes down and you can stand my face, I’ll do anything you want.”