The Werewolf Tycoon's Secret Baby (The Woolven Secret Book 2) (9 page)

“Do you want me to drive?”

“Hell no.” She grinned and straddled the broom. Then she realized she was still in her underwear and bra. “Uh, maybe some clothes.”

The broom obliged. She and Drew were both dry and dressed in what they’d been wearing before.

“Thanks, punkin.” She petted the broom and it revved. “Hopefully, I take us back to Aphelion.”

His arms slid around her waist, and she settled back against his warmth.

Before long, the massive mansion came into view. It was as if they hadn’t moved at all, but time and space had folded instead.

“I still can’t believe people actually live there.”

“People work there, too. Our Research and Development for Woolven Industries is on site. Blake’s mate was VP of R&D and determined to kill him.”

“You Woolvens sure do inspire that in a lot of creatures.”

“You’re not wrong,” he laughed.

The broom drifted slowly to the ground and the lower they got, the bigger the mansion seemed. Like it was a beast in itself that would swallow her whole.

The grandmotherly Mrs. Westwood was waiting for them. The look on her face was one of patient understanding—as if she knew the lessons she’d sent them to learn and now was there to give them cookies and hot cocoa to ease their hurts.

“Did you find what you needed?” she asked in a gentle tone.

“Maybe it was what I needed, but I didn’t want it.”

“Isn’t that usually the way of things?” Eleanor said, taking her hand. “Come along. Noah is having a grand time with David, but he wanted to know the minute you were back. Looks out for you already, that one. Such a fierce little baby Alpha.”

“
D
avid
?” Drew tried to keep his tone even. He didn’t want to alarm Emmie, but David Rutger was still learning control. He’d been infected with the vampire virus as a kind of punishment—or maybe because the vampire leader, Evgeni Kumarin just wanted to see what would happen. He was an asshole like that.

But Randi’s father was still so new, and Noah was so young …

“He’s fine,” Westwood promised. “You’ll see.”

Emmie slipped her hand into his and pride surged through him. It was a small victory, but it was still a win in his book.

“Do we like David? Is Noah safe?” she asked.

“Of course, he’s safe!” Westwood sounded insulted. “I’d never let anything happen to that boy. He’s a Woolven, and all Woolvens are mine to protect.” The witch looked over at Emmy. “Remind me to tell you about my ex-husband one of these days.”

“Or the Bone Fairy general. She popped his head like an overfed tick for daring to violate the borders of Den Hollow.”

“He had that coming. He was after our Miss Goodwich. They’ll think twice about ever getting near her again.” Westwood nodded, her mouth set in a grim line and her jaw clenched. It was obvious that just thinking about the bastard’s audacity had her wishing she could pop his head all over again.

Drew took quick stock of Emmie, but instead of finding her afraid, she wore a devious smile.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Gin deserves to be safe. I wish I had powers like you, Eleanor. I’d fight to protect my family, too.”

Drew could hear the longing in her voice. She wanted to be more than strong, she wanted to feel it for herself. She wanted to be able to fight against those who would hunt her—those who would hurt her. In this world of darkness and beasts, she wanted to be something feared.

She didn’t inspire fear in the beasts, only a savage hunger.

And Drew was no better—though his hunger was of a different kind.

“Don’t ever forget how strong you are, Emmie.”

“I’m not. All I do is run. All I do is hide. A shivering little mouse with a toothpick sword.” Her grip tightened on his hand.

“My dear girl.” Westwood stopped walking and turned to her. “Sometimes, that’s all you can do. You never gave up. You kept running. You kept fighting for your son. For you. Peter Breslin has taken down hundreds of wolf-kind. He’s a slayer, a murderer. You endured marriage to him, you left him. You’re still alive. So is your son, a tiny helpless version of those things he’d kill without a second thought. You are a force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait until the day that you realize that for yourself.”

The witch turned and kept walking, leading them to R&D and to David’s office.

They boy’s laughter could be heard echoing throughout the long, antiseptic halls. The door opened, and they could see Noah sitting on David’s desk in front of him, papers and files spread out haphazardly, with vials of this and that rolling around behind him.

“Now what do I smell like?” David asked.

Noah took a giant, overdramatic sniff. “Still leech.” He laughed again. “A leech with a wet dog.”

He sprayed something else. “Now what?”

“Just wet dog. You smell like me!”

He sprayed yet another. “Now, what do you smell like?”

Noah wrinkled his nose. “Eww.
I
smell like leech. Get it off.”

David laughed, revealing his long, extra sharp, extra white canines.

Randi, David’s daughter and Blake’s mate entered behind them. Noah turned and squealed. “Do it again!”

“Do what again?” Emmie asked.

“Mama!” Noah noticed her and clambered down from the table to launch himself at Emmie.

Emmie caught him in her arms and held him close, breathing in deep.

Drew didn’t know how she did it. All the scents that clung to him about put Drew on his ass. He had to remind himself that her senses weren’t as acute as theirs. David was doing some great work with the pheromones. It would be a boon to be able to conceal one’s species if needed.

“You smell like sugar and spice and everything nice.” She kissed his head.

“You like leech smell?” he asked, eyes luminous.

“I suppose I do, if they smell like you.”

“You rhymed!” He laughed.

“You must be Emmie,” Randi said. “I’d extend a hand, but yours are obviously full of pup.” She smiled.

Emmie extended hers anyway. “I learned how to do everything with one hand and sometimes no hands. He liked to be held a lot.”

Randi shook her hand. “Well, it’s so wonderful to meet you. We adore Noah, and we’re glad to have you as part of the family.”

Emmie bit her lip, obviously unsure of what to say. He knew she still had her reservations. So, Drew changed the subject. “How are the wedding plans coming?”

Randi rolled her eyes. “It’s hell. Pure hell. I don’t need all this fuss and nonsense, but apparently, it’s good PR.” She snorted.

“Well, yeah. To the rest of the world it looks like you’re just shacked up with my brother.”

“Fuck the rest of the world. We could always just say we got married in a private ceremony with only family present. That’s really what I want.”

“Yeah, but you know that extra percent on the stocks will benefit the whole pack,” Drew reminded her gently. Randi was still new to pack life, but she was adjusting.

“I know.” She gave Emmie a conspiratorial look. “Really, if not for that, I wouldn’t be doing any of this. I still don’t have a maid of honor.” Her eyes narrowed. “Emmie, I think that would be a great way to publicly welcome you to the family.”

“I don’t know.” Emmie chewed her lip. “I mean, it’s not that I’m not grateful for the warm welcome. You’re so kind. Everyone has been, I…”

“Oh, the Breslin thing? Fuck that guy. With a brick.” She seemed to still be considering. “In his face. Trust me, he probably already knows where you are. Showing the world that you’re Woolven is as much for our allies as our enemies.”

Westwood nudged her. “This is where you say yes. This is the first step to that wonderful day we just talked about.”

“You think?” Emmie seemed doubtful.

“I know.”

“When Mrs. Westwood knows a thing, she
knows
a thing. There’s really no trying to escape it.” Randi grinned, obviously pleased with herself. The grin faded. “Unless you don’t want to. I understand how overwhelmed you are, I really do. When I first got hung up in the Woolven net, it was terrifying. I understand things needing to be on your terms.”

Emmie turned her face into Noah for a moment.

“Mama, you should do it. I’m going to carry the rings!” He kissed her cheek. “If that’s okay?”

It seemed like he’d grown so much in the time they’d been gone. Almost as if it had been months instead of a few hours.

Emmie looked up at Randi over Noah’s head. “If you really want me to, I’d be honored.”

Randi rewarded her with a smile. “I’m thrilled. Thank you! If you need anything, girl talk, adjustment to this whole ‘werewolves are real’ thing… I’m here.”

“Do the thing,” Noah demanded again.

“I’m not doing the thing,” Randi said.

“Do the thing.
Please
?” He added about fifty syllables to the “please.” As if that would make her change her mind.

“Okay, but only once more. I draw the line at ten times in one day.” She watched him. “Are you ready?”

Noah nodded.

“This is like, his favorite thing. So far, it hasn’t been his room, or the giant stuffed wolf in his room, or even more truffles from that sweet Goodwich woman. This.”

Randi leaned down and got very close to Noah’s face. He started giggling, his belly shaking with laughter.

“I didn’t even do it, yet.”

“I know!” Noah found this even more hilarious. “Wait, wait… Mama… don’t be scared, okay. This is funny.”

“Are we ready?”

Noah put out his hands and grabbed Randi’s cheeks, patting them.

Suddenly, her wolf face exploded forward, and Noah had hold of her teeth.

Emmie screamed, but she didn’t jerk Noah away.

That was progress.

Or maybe Noah wouldn’t let her?

He jiggled her jowls, giggling and laughing, and then she was Randi again. Noah squished her cheeks together and she did it again—Emmie was pale and shaking.

“Hey, Randi…”

Randi looked up at him. “What?”

“Emmie isn’t as far aboard the whole Werewolves Are Cool Train.”

Randi looked up at Emmie, and horror washed over her face. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry. I thought you knew. I thought it was… I mean, your son…”

“It’s okay.” She gave a wan smile. “It’s okay. I know you’re not trying to hurt me or my son.” She pressed her lips together so hard they were chalk white. “He obviously loves it.”

“Mama, I told you not to be scared.”

“That’s not how fear works, baby.” Emmie whispered.

“Yes, it is. Mrs. Westwood told me I could decide not to be afraid and then I wouldn’t be.” He snapped his chubby fingers.

“If only,” she said.

“I didn’t know—” Randi said again. “I can be such a spaz. If someone had done that to me when I first—I’d have shot them. A whole bunch of times.”

“It’s okay. I think I need to lie down for a bit.”

“I’ll show you to my room,” Drew said.

Westwood laughed. “As if. She’s getting her own room. She’ll be just down the hall, though.” She patted his arm.

“And here I was hoping for some serious girl time tonight. Sleepover, snacks, wine, facials…”

“As long as you don’t make that face again, I’ll think we’re good.”

Randi grinned. “Great. I’m glad I didn’t scare you off.” Then she mouthed to Drew, “I’m sorry.”

Drew nodded.

“Remind me tonight to tell you about the ‘come to Woolven’ discussion Drew had with me on a plane. You’ll see it’s not just you. I’m off to invite Maribella to see if she wants to come to the Big House for tonight’s girl time.”

David moved to her side. “That’s my good girl.”

“Sorry, Dad. No boys allowed.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I would never presume.”

“Where’s Lenore?” Emmie asked.

“Still in my laboratory. Do you need to see her?” Westwood asked.

She looked up at Drew for a long moment before answering. “No, I don’t think so. I’ll see her tonight. I’m really very tired.”

“I’m happy to keep Noah entertained for a bit longer. We still have important work to do,” David said.

“Yes, important work, Mama.” He nodded solemnly.

“If he’s no trouble. He probably needs a nap, too.”

“I do not,” he maintained.

“I would love to take a nap,” Drew said. “Being a grown up is hard. Enjoy your naps while you can.”

“I’ll nap when I’m old. And you just want to nap with Mama.”

Emmie blushed and everyone in the room laughed.

“Mamas and daddies nap together sometimes.” Drew nodded. “And so do mamas and pups, and daddies and pups.”

Noah nodded, very serious. “We will nap together tonight, since Mama will be napping with Randi.”

“Sleeping, Noah. We’ll be sleeping,” Drew corrected gently.

“No, he doesn’t. He means napping. Four hours is all you’ll get out of him. He has too much he wants to see and do to sleep any more than that. He’s worried the world will go on and do things without him,” Emmie warned.

“My brother Blake was the same way.” He turned to Randi. “Where is he, by the way?”

“Emergency meeting in the city. He’ll be back tomorrow.”

He nodded. “I’ll show Emmie to her room so she can lie down for a little bit.”

Don’t you bother that girl
, Westwood said inside his head.

Get out of there
, he answered.

Not until you promise
.

She may want me to stay with her
. Or at least he hoped she did. When Noah had talked about Drew wanting to nap with his mama, he was right. Nothing in the world sounded better than holding her close, feeling her in his arms, and knowing that she was safe.

Except making love to her, but that wasn’t on the docket.

Westwood wrinkled her nose.
More information than I required.

That’s what happens when you stick your long, witchy nose where it’s not invited
.

He didn’t bother trying to duck the slap he knew was coming to the back of his head. He just laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Randi asked.

“Westwood is taking me to task.”

“Magick.” Randi nodded.

“He said I had a hooked nose.” Eleanor sniffed.

“Uh-uh. He said, ‘long, witchy nose.’” Noah corrected.

Drew’s chest swelled with pride in his son. “That’s exactly what I said.”

“I didn’t hear it,” Emmie said.

“I’ll explain it all later. After your nap. Shall we?” He offered her his arm.

“These Woolven males are all very chivalrous, even after the honeymoon.” Randi leaned down to Emmie. “Even if you try to kill them.”

Emmie laughed. “Oh really? I think that’s a story I need to hear, too.”

“What’s your favorite treat from Gin’s?”

“Whatever, really. It’ll all go straight to my ass anyway.”

And a delightful ass it was, now that she was talking about it. He kept thinking about what it would be like to have his hands on it again. So round and firm…

“Why haven’t you tried her calorie free stuff? It’s magic. The calories disappear.” She waved her hand as if she were the one doing magick.

“All I have to do is think about sweets.”

“Me too. But look at all the fucks I give.” She slapped her curvy hip. “Zero. Zero fucks.”

Emmie laughed again.

He loved that sound. It meant things were right in her world, at least for the moment. The only music that sounded any sweeter to him was Noah’s laughter.

“Okay. I’m game for anything you bring. There will be alcohol, right?”

“Copious amounts,” Randi promised.

“See you then,” she took Drew’s hand again.

He led her toward the residential wing.

“This place is huge.”

“It’s even bigger than you think. If you decide to stay, I’ll show you all the secret passages.”

“Really?” Her eyes were alight. “Secret passages? That sounds exciting.”

“It is. I have a game I’ll teach Noah so he remembers each one. He’ll love it. Blake, Parker, and I loved it when we were young.”