Authors: Virginia Cavanaugh
He spun to face her. “Julie, listen to me. I want you to get
in your car and lock the door. If I am not back in ten minutes I want you to
leave.”
She blinked rapidly as she tried to clear her lust fogged
mind. “Wait…what are you doing?”
“Do what I said. Now.”
She stood there watching his retreating form, feeling
confusion. Why in the hell was he running off into the brush? If he didn’t want
to take her home then he could have just said no. Things were becoming weirder
by the minute. First no call, then he shows up and says things are complicated
and now she all but begged him to fuck her and then he stops and runs off into
the brush? What the hell?
But then Julie remembered the feeling of being watched
earlier. Eyes going wide as conscious thought replaced lust brain, she yanked
open her door and got inside, slapping the lock into place. Had someone truly
been out there in the woods? Hell. Old fear crept inside her as a lump formed
in her throat. She tried to push it away. “Ivan’s in jail. I need to just calm
down.” Too bad her pep talk wasn’t working.
Luken took off into the brush, tracking the scent of the
human male he’d caught. His cock throbbed in his jeans, but any threat to
Julie’s safety outweighed the needs of his body. As he’d held her and prayed
for control over his instincts, the wind had shifted. The smell of human male
laced heavily with anger reeked. Quickly he’d remembered Julie staring in this
direction when he’d approached her. She might only be human, but he couldn’t
rule out the possibility that she had sensed something. If someone was out here
watching her he would damn well find them and deliver them an ass kicking they
wouldn’t soon forget.
He turned to the left, following the trail. He didn’t like
leaving Julie back there in that parking lot alone, but he had to see if he
could catch whomever it was who had been watching them. Possessiveness reared
up inside him. The sighs and moans Julie had released for him were private—his.
Her passion wasn’t something he wanted others to witness. He knew better than
to take things that far in the open, but damn if she wasn’t a little temptress.
It seemed he quickly forgot the head on his shoulders when she was around.
He had planned to invite her for coffee. A totally human
thing to do. He’d wanted to get to know her and maybe find out a few things
about her family situation. He hadn’t planned for things to turn so sexual so
fast. But the sight of her wrapped in his jacket, their scents mixed and
mingled on the material had driven him nuts. It made him think of his scent on
her skin as their bodies rubbed against each other. He wanted that—wanted to
see her passion-flushed nude body smelling of his as he took her nice and slow.
But he had no right to her if he couldn’t bring her into his pack. It wouldn’t
be fair to fuck with her emotions like that. But damn, her lilac scent laced
with the honey sweetness that appeared when she was turned-on called to him on
a primal level. He couldn’t keep his hands off her when she intoxicated him
with her scent. But he had no right to feel so possessive of her. She wasn’t
his—might not ever be.
The scent grew stronger as he pushed through the foliage
that lined the ground beneath the dense canopy of trees. His gaze landed on an
area that had been trampled near a large tree trunk. He took in the smells
surrounding him and determined this was where the human had been hiding.
His gaze panned the area looking for any sign of him, but he
found none. The man must have made a run for it before Luken had darted off
into the woods. If only the wind had shifted earlier, then he might have had a
chance at discovering the identity of their Peeping Tom. He committed the man’s
scent to memory, making a note to hang out in the bar a few times this week and
see if he could catch the scent. He’d also question Julie to see if there was
any reason someone might be following her.
Luken turned and headed back toward the parking lot. It
didn’t take him long to spot Julie, sitting in her car and peering out the
window. He also didn’t miss the relaxation in her facial muscles that told him
she was relieved to see him again. She opened the driver’s side car door as he
stepped over the curb and onto the dark asphalt.
Julie hugged herself as she looked at Luken. “Did you find
someone?”
He shook his head. “What were you looking at when I came up
behind you and frightened you?”
She looked at the ground a moment then back at him.
“Nothing…I just felt like someone was watching me. What made you run into the
woods?”
He couldn’t explain the scent he caught. Not without
explaining a lot of other things he didn’t even want to go into right now. “I
thought I heard something. Is there any reason to think that someone might be
following you?”
Her brow furrowed and she looked out into the woods then
back at him. “No.”
Why did he have the feeling she wasn’t being entirely honest
with him? “Are you sure? No threats or any enemies floating around?”
She sighed. “I said no.”
“Yeah, I heard you, but I have a feeling you aren’t telling
me something.”
She shook her head slightly, her lips parting as if she
would say something to rebut him. But then her mouth closed and she turned,
reaching for her door handle.
“It’s late. I should go.”
He closed the distance between them, grabbing her arm to
turn her to face him. “Wait, Julie.”
She stared up at him, her blue eyes shining in the
moonlight. He pushed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Damn she was
beautiful. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip and he found himself wanting to
place his own teeth on that plump flesh again. “Let me go home with you, Julie.
Just to check things out. I can tell you’re a little rattled and I know you
don’t want to tell me why. But let me make sure you’re safe.”
She gave a tight nod.
Julie opened her door and stepped aside to allow Luken to
precede her into her house. She’d felt kind of stupid on the way home with him
following her. Surely she had imagined the feeling of being watched earlier.
Now she felt like an idiot as she followed Luken through her home as he checked
any and all hiding places and found nothing but a few dust bunnies. At least
she’d picked up before she left for work this evening.
She wondered what he thought of the place. It was the one
thing she’d allowed herself to spend some of her stashed money on—money she
should have given to Arik Markovic, Ivan’s boss and distant cousin. Well, she’d
given Arik most of the money and had come up with a good story for the missing
portion, claiming she’d spent the money on Ivan’s defense lawyers. Her income
wouldn’t allow for a decent place to live, and she thought the security of the
gated community where her duplex was located was far better than a rundown
apartment building. While she hoped no one from her previous life would track
her down, she just felt safer not assuming.
The white walls held fashionable paintings mixed with a
red-and-black color pattern. The black leather sofa and loveseat in the living
room were comfy. She didn’t miss Luken’s raised brow as he strolled through the
living area. He looked over the bar that separated her kitchen from the living
room before entering the hallway. The two-bedroom two-bathroom home wasn’t
overly large. He peered into the guest bathroom and Julie looked past his
shoulder. Her blue shower curtain was pulled back revealing an empty tub.
Lighthouse pictures hung on the wall and the sink area was spotless. She never
really used this bathroom, preferring the one in her bedroom instead.
They rounded the corner into the guest room. Except for a
few boxes of stuff she’d left packed, the room was plain and bare. Still, Luken
checked the closet. She followed him into the room and when he walked past her,
she swore he inhaled a deep breath through his nostrils. She felt her own brow
furrow as she watched him exit, and she quickly lifted her arm and completed a
sniff check, hoping she didn’t stink.
Detecting no offensive odor, she quick-stepped to catch up
with Luken. When she entered her bedroom she heard him rummaging in her
bathroom. Before she reached the doorway he stepped back into the room holding
her wolf soap dish. He had an amused smile on his face. “What? I like wolves.”
She noticed the tooth brush holder in his other hand. A wolf
in a sitting position, head upturned, mouth open as if it howled at the moon.
Her lone toothbrush poked out of its open mouth. “Do you have something against
animals or something?” she asked as he rolled his eyes and went back into the
bathroom and returned empty handed.
Luken slid his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans.
“Looks like your home is free of intruders.”
Julie hugged herself as she looked around her bedroom. She
hadn’t expected him to find anyone lying in wait. Or had she? Why couldn’t she
shake the fear? Would she always live like this? Waiting for someone to come
hunting her down? Maybe she shouldn’t have kept some of the money Ivan had
stored in their home. But damn, a new life didn’t come for free. There were
expenses and she’d paid her dues in misery. In a way she felt entitled to a
little compensation for all the bullshit Ivan had put her through. It didn’t
matter now though. She’d taken the money. Now all she could do was live with it
and pray for the best.
She gave herself a mental shake as she met Luken’s gaze.
“Yeah. Looks that way. I’m sorry you had to come all the way over here. Really,
I was probably just being silly to think someone was hiding in the bushes.” She
sure didn’t want to tell him why she’d thought that. Who would want anything to
do with a woman carrying her kind of baggage? Besides, this new life was about
leaving the old one behind.
“It wasn’t a problem. I would rather know you’re safe.”
She smiled and he returned the gesture. Her heart fluttered
as the butterflies dive- bombed inside her belly. The power of that smile. She
sank her teeth into her bottom lip as an uncomfortable silence descended. The
proximity of the bed could no longer be ignored. Her gaze went to the
yellow-and-blue comforter and back to him.
He took in a sharp breath as his eyebrows raised and he
started for the door. “I guess I better go now.”
Disappointment had her lips pursing as she followed him down
the hall. But as he reached the living room and headed for the front door the
fear rose inside her. She really didn’t want to be alone. He stopped his
progress, but he didn’t turn around. She seized on the chance to get him to
stay. “I don’t know about you, but I could use some hot tea or something. I
could make you a cup if you’d like.”
He turned, giving her a questioning look. “What is bothering
you, Julie?”
Her heart rate increased as she headed into the kitchen.
“Nothing.” She raised her voice to ensure he’d hear her as she set to making
herself a cup of the hot brew. “I just thought you might like something to
drink. But you must be tired. It’s late, so I totally get you wanting to leave.
Maybe I’ll see you again in a week or so.” She sighed and whispered, “Or maybe
not.” Her eyelids lowered as she cursed herself for acting like a scared rabbit.
For crying out loud, she was a grown woman. She’d been taking care of herself
for some time now. This moment of weakness sneaked up on her in a blink and she
had to beat it back. She didn’t want to look pathetic.
“Julie?”
Her head whipped around as his voice sounded from her
immediate right, startling her. He leaned against the doorway of the kitchen.
She willed her heart to slow the forceful pumps as she took in a steadying
breath.
“Something has you scared. You can tell me what it is.”
She swallowed the lump that tried to clog her throat and
shook her head. She couldn’t tell him. What would he think of her? Her past was
something she sure as hell didn’t want to discuss with him.
Luken held his hands up in defeat. “Okay. I’ll go then.” He
moved to exit the kitchen.
“Luken, wait.” He turned and the words froze in her throat.
She didn’t want to be alone, but knew if she asked him to stay he’d want
answers. “When will I see you again?”
“I’m not sure.” He sauntered to a notepad on the countertop
and picked up the pen beside it. “Here’s my cell number. Give me a call when
you’re ready and maybe we can find some place to sit and talk. Or if you need
anything…you could call too.”
She gave a tight nod, not trusting her voice to remain
stable if she spoke. He walked past, stopping only for a brief second to place
a kiss on the top of her head. She stood still, staring across the bar and into
the living room. She flinched when she heard the door open and close on a
whisper of wind. The metal rattle of him checking to make sure the door locked
behind him had her hanging her head.
They may not know much about each other, but his actions had
definitely said he at least cared for her well-being. It touched her deeply. It
had been so long since someone cared about her safety. She’d been fifteen when
her father died on 9/11. When those towers collapsed, it crushed something
inside her mother as well. The drinking began then, and for the remaining years
of her life, her mother had checked out of reality, leaving Julie to fend for
herself.
And then she met Ivan. He was so charming and handsome. Too
bad she let him swoop her up in the fairytale. He treated her like a princess
and showered her with gifts. It wasn’t until after they married she’d
discovered what she’d signed up for. A shiver of dread slithered down her
spine. She never wanted to go back to that.
* * * * *
Luken exited the truck and waited for his other pack mates
to arrive. The meeting with Brock would take place shortly. Scott was the first
to arrive, pulling in on his crotch rocket, his blue-black hair waving in the
wind. He swung his leg and dismounted, pulling his shoulders back to stretch
the muscles in his back. His stature was shorter than Luken’s, but he was still
in the average height range of males. But what he didn’t have in height he made
up for in muscle, which made him perfect for today’s meeting. The strong
silence was just what was needed. People looked at Scott knowing they didn’t
want to give him shit, and it was also nice because he was never quick to lose
his temper.
“Hey, Scott. Have you seen Javin yet?”
Scott pulled off his shades and locked his black gaze with
Luken’s. “Yeah, when I left he was arguing with Kendall on why he wasn’t
allowed to come to this meeting. Although I think Kendall will win regardless.
If Javin doesn’t bring him, I have a feeling he’ll just follow him.”
Luken ground his teeth. He should have dealt with the
stubborn juvenile before he left this morning. Was it too much to think the kid
would realize he’d brewed enough shit already? Luken pushed his hand through
his hair. Maybe the kid should come. After all he probably needed to see
firsthand what he and his friends had wrought with their stunt.
As if Javin had read his mind, he pulled up and parked his
truck, Kendall in the passenger seat. Luken gave them a nod as they got out and
walked over. When Javin went to speak, Luken held up his hand to silence Javin
as he turned his attention on Kendall. The eighteen-year-old had grown into a
decent-looking man. Maybe the mating bond had hit him after all. The lankiness
Luken had noticed about him a few months back had been replaced with nice
muscle tone. And his face had begun the transformation from boy to man, his
features sharper and more rugged then they had been. His brown hair was cut
short. Luken couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face as he took in
the juvenile’s suit and tie. “Just who have you dressed to impress?”
Kendall cleared his throat. “My mate.”
All three men laughed, and then Javin spoke. “Hate to disappoint
you, but she won’t be here today.”
Kendall’s smile faded. “What do you mean she won’t be here?
I thought you would negotiate her release into our pack?”
Luken crossed his arms in front of his chest. “That would be
a no. She’s seventeen and off limits. The best you can hope for is supervised
visits, and after the stunt you guys pulled, Brock would be generous to offer
even that. And clearly, you haven’t met Brock if you thought this was going to
be some walk in the park.”
“Generous isn’t a term I’d use to describe him,” Javin
chimed in.
“I’m not leaving here without my mate,” Kendall shouted.
Luken growled, prowling forward into Kendall’s personal
space. Kendall averted his gaze from his alpha but didn’t cower.
A possible
alpha in the making,
Luken thought to himself. Even though he was
displeased with the teen’s outburst he couldn’t help but be happy at his
strengths. He’d be a great asset to his pack, at least until Luken had to
release him to form his own. “You will listen to me, Kendall. Your mate will
not leave here with us today. And you will not do something stupid to affect
our relationship with another pack. You want to be a man? Then start acting
like one. Stop throwing your sniveling little fit and think of all of your
family—pack. Your actions here today reflect on them and also protect or risk
them. Do you understand me?”
Kendall spoke through clenched teeth. “Yes. Luken. I get
it.”
Luken stepped back as he heard another vehicle approaching.
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page now.”
They all turned in the direction of the approaching truck.
It had been murdered out. Black paint, wheels and windows. At least Brock
hadn’t picked his den for a meeting spot, but it was still close enough. The
clearing was only about a mile from the border of his land. Luken didn’t
recognize the younger male who exited the backseat, but something told him it
was the son of Brock’s second. Father and son stood near the same height and
had the same short bleach-blond hair. Brock’s second, Victor, pulled his wide shoulders
back as he approached his son’s side. The boy had some catching up to do, but
there was no doubt he would be at least as large in body build as his father
one day. The young brat cracked his knuckles. Great. All the raging hormones
were at the party. Luken cast another stern look in Kendall’s direction as
Brock exited his truck.
The other alpha hadn’t changed much from the last time Luken
had seen him. His hair still stood high in a black-and-red mohawk. Three
piercings lined his left brow and large gauges filled each earlobe. Today they
sported silver skulls on a black background. Tattoos crept up his neck above
the collar of his tattered black T-shirt. Luken knew there were sleeves to
match under the leather jacket covering his arms. One tat stood out though. The
one on his right arm. A wolf in full fury. Luken had to admit it was badass
ink. Black shitkickers with metal fastenings hid the hem of his dark jeans. He
managed to look pissed off all the time. Luken inclined his head in greeting.
“Let’s cut the shit and get on with it,” Brock growled.
“Neither of us wants to be here and neither of us is happy about it. Did you
punish your young for trespassing on my land?”
Luken took in a deep breath, praying he could control his
temper while dealing with this surly son of a bitch. “Yep. But you know we
aren’t here to discuss their punishment. I have a member of my pack who says he
found his mate that day.”
The younger blond let loose a growl and Kendall matched it.
Both alphas silenced their own juveniles with a look before returning to stare
at one another.
Brock bit down on his tongue ring and then released it.
“Selena denies him as a mate.”
“Wait, oaf—”
Luken didn’t have to look to know that either Scott or Javin
had silenced Kendall. “You know as well as I do that when it happens at this
age sometimes the female is late to follow. And I have to say with as
unreasonable as he is acting I am inclined to believe that the girl is his
mate. Selena was what you said her name is?”