by Delta James
Declan had begun to play around with erotic spankings with willing partners and had found that what he had been told held true for him. After he had returned from overseas, Declan became involved with a woman who had a need for a dominant partner. Claire had been an intelligence officer and they had begun what became a very nurturing, loving, and learning relationship for both of them. When Declan made the decision to leave the Rangers and Claire had been offered an excellent opportunity for advancement overseas, they had mutually concluded that it was time to go their separate ways. They had remained close friends and last year when Claire had married, it had been Declan who gave her away.
Believing himself to be an alpha, he’d often thought that if he were ever to decide to seek out a wife or life partner he would want to incorporate this dynamic within that relationship.
He smiled as he watched Elizabeth stride away. She had a very enticing and spankable bottom. He laughed at himself. He’d have to remember her comment about doing damage the first time he took her over his knee. Somehow he didn’t think her demeanor would be meek or submissive once he let her up. He laughed out loud. In fact, he was pretty damn sure she’d come up swinging.
It should have come as a surprise that he had begun thinking in terms of when not if where Elizabeth was concerned... but it didn’t. No doubt about it, he was definitely attracted to his new tenant and happy that she would be in close proximity.
* * *
The arrogance of that man! She had been wrong to think of him as attractive. Well, maybe he was attractive physically but he was just like all the rest. She wished they could have a confrontation. Even in human form, her strength was greater than that of most non-shifters. She smiled when she thought of the one human who had tried to mount her from behind when she’d desperately needed to fuck one night. He’d found himself flipped over onto his back and she had been the one to do the mounting. She’d pinned him down and ridden him hard. The fool had found it wildly erotic and tried desperately the next day to get her to relent and turn a one-night stand into something more.
Ava wasn’t foolish enough to suppose that Declan Collins would be so easily subdued, but if she were to shift on him, he’d never be her match. But still, he might be fun to have a few times before she left at the end of her six-month lease, which she now planned to do. While the adrenaline buzz from renting a place from any kind of law enforcement agent had its appeal, it was far too risky. If Calon Onest had put out any kind of missing persons bulletin on her, the chance that it might come across Declan’s desk within the next six months probably meant that staying here any longer than that was a risk she shouldn’t take.
Her acute sense of hearing and the hyper-vigilance that had come to the forefront since her interaction with Declan on the beach alerted Ava to Declan’s leaving as his Jeep made its way off of the estate. She didn’t want him to have any reason to come back to her little cottage. She placed the remaining scones in a Tupperware container, washed the plate, and headed up to the main house. She’d make sure to put it in Declan’s housekeeper’s hands so that she’d know to tell him they had their plate back.
The wind was really howling now. Ava loved storms. She turned her face into the wind and joined in the chorus. Releasing that energy and allowing it to wash back over her renewed her. She felt more alive than she had in a long while. She told herself that her beaded nipples were from the weather and not due to thinking about Declan. She ignored that there was a stirring between her legs that she had never experienced before.
Ava knocked on the kitchen door that led from the kitchen to the back of the estate. A woman about twenty-five years her senior opened the door.
“Good lord, miss, what are you doing out in this gale?” asked Bess.
“I thought I’d return your plate. The scones were delicious.”
The two women eyed each other. Each subtly scented the air and recognized the other as wolf.
“A wolf working for a game warden? Interesting.”
Bess smiled. “My family has been working for his for generations. Declan is a good man. He has no idea that we’re different.”
“And he’ll learn nothing to the contrary from me.”
“No doubt you’re the lone black wolf people have seen.”
“No doubt whatsoever.”
“Then I owe you my thanks. Declan told me about you running the bear off. That could have gone badly for him. I’m surprised it happened. He’s usually far more aware of his surroundings. Can I offer you some coffee or tea?”
“I probably should be getting back. I didn’t mean to intrude, I only came up to return the plate.”
“Hoping to avoid Declan, are you?” Bess inquired politely but with humor in her voice.
Ava smiled. “I did think it best to limit my interaction with the game warden trying to hunt me down.”
“His intent was never to harm but only to help.”
“So he says.”
Bess linked her arm through Ava’s and drew her into the warm, spacious, yet still cozy kitchen. “He won’t be back until much later. Why don’t you come in and sit down for a spell and tell me your story. A regular she-wolf being on her own is rare enough. But a female shifter? Even more so.”
“You’re on your own,” challenged Ava.
Bess laughed. “Declan said you had... what did he call it? A prickly side. I’m on my own because this is where my life has always been. I’m loosely associated with Oliver Halsey’s pack in the Hamptons.”
“I’m no geography expert but that’s almost five hundred miles from here. Does his territory reach this far?”
“Technically, no. There’s no established pack this far north on this side of the Canadian border. This is not a good place for wolves. There are hunters as well as those who have been banished from packs. And now there are tales of goings-on in Europe that may spill over into North America.”
“But you’re here...”
Bess nodded. “Yes, but under Oliver’s protection. He’s let it be known that he would take any challenge or attack on me as if I were living under his roof. It would take a wolf with a lot of moxie and shit for brains to challenge the alpha of the Hamptons. Besides I don’t leave the estate all that often and we’re pretty safe here even though we’re remote.”
“Isn’t his mate a turned human?”
“Oliver’s? Yes. So you are shifter-born as I am?”
Ava nodded. “I am. Why are alphas settling for turned wolves?” she said with a trace of the bitterness left over from Griffin choosing a human as his mate.
Bess smiled kindly but with the same kind of wisdom and grace Ava had often found in Bethan.
“Because, dear girl, the heart wants what it wants. If one is called to a human, should he or she deny themselves that connection especially if it’s a fated mate?”
Ava shook her head and said scornfully, “Pfft. I don’t believe in fated mates. That’s just one more fairy tale they tell us to keep us in line.”
“Then you, dear girl, have never heard the call of your beloved. When you do, it is the sweetest sound you will ever hear.”
“If you have, then why are you here?”
“Because my mate was killed only a few years after we found each other. I would advise you to listen to your heart and soul should you ever hear your fated mate’s call. Do not waste time as I did.”
Ava saw a profound sadness seep into Bess’ eyes as she spoke. She reached out and placed her hand gently on the older woman’s arm.
“I’m sorry for your loss. But at least you got to choose him.”
Bess giggled like a girl half her age. “Oh, hardly. I wanted nothing to do with him or his pack. I had been raised up here without a pack. My family has always been associated with Oliver’s but I thought I wanted nothing to do with that life. I saw it as restrictive to women.”
A softness came over her face before she continued. “But my Cameron convinced Oliver as well as my father that I was his fated mate. He forced me
to run and came after me.”
“I’d rip the throat out of any wolf that tried that with me,” said Ava with vehemence.
“Oh, you wait, they hit you with their call and it literally takes over your whole body. I don’t know of any she-wolf that hasn’t been brought to heel in that time-honored way.” Bess laughed again. “Oliver Halsey forced his mate, Roz, to run. She too succumbed to his call. They are blissfully happy.”
Ava smiled, happy that Bess and Roz had found their happily ever after. “I’m happy for you, but I don’t intend to be anyone’s fated mate.”
“Then you will continue to howl your mournful song.”
Ava looked at her sharply.
“I am old, dear, not deaf. I heard you singing with the wind.”
“As I said, I came to return the plate. I’ll try not to be a bother to you or your employer for the remaining time I’m here.”
“But then where will you go?”
Ava shook her head. “I’m not sure. I just can’t think it’s a good idea for a wolf to be the tenant of a game warden, especially one who wants to tranquilize her. I mean what if I shifted while I was unconscious?”
“That would be awkward. I’d make sure to get you out of any vet’s office before our secret could be discovered. I would let Oliver know, he would keep you safe.”
“No, Bess, swear to me you will never tell Halsey I’m here. If I can’t get your word, I will be gone before Declan returns. Swear to me.”
Ava was fighting off her sense of panic. She knew that Halsey had met with Griffin and that he knew both Skylar and Ioan. If he got his paws on her, there would be hell to pay. She’d be mated to the first available alpha and her life would be over.
“You’re running from something or someone, aren’t you?” said Bess, her eyes narrowing. “Swear to me now that it will not bring trouble to Declan and I will keep your secret. Otherwise you’d better run long and hard for Oliver will know of your existence before you can return to the carriage house.”
“It won’t bring trouble to Declan... I swear it.”
Bess took one of Ava’s hands within her own before saying, “Then your secret is safe with me. But I can tell you that Oliver Halsey would offer you his protection as well.”
Ava laughed bitterly. “Hardly. I’m shifter-born. That’s becoming more and more rare. I’m highly coveted as a mate because of it, but I refuse to live under a man’s thumb.”
“Perhaps. I don’t think he’d see you forced...”
“And you base that on what, old woman? The fact that he forced his own mate?”
“But she was his fated mate and chose not to yield to his calling. She simply did not want to heed that call.”
“Why can’t she make that determination for herself? Why must she submit?”
Bess smiled kindly. “Because that is the way of our kind.”
“Then I want no more of our kind.” Ava withdrew her hand from Bess’ and headed for the door.
“Elizabeth... that’s not your real name, is it?”
Ava shook her head.
“Well, I won’t press you. If and when you want to tell me your name and your story, I will be here to listen. I won’t tell Oliver that you’re here. You will be safest from whatever and whomever you are running from if you stay. Take the next six months and see if you don’t come to feel that I am right. Promise me?”
“I don’t know, Bess. How about I won’t leave unless I at least say goodbye.”
Bess nodded. “I suppose I’ll have to settle for that. But don’t be a stranger. I’m always here if you want to talk.”
Impulsively, Ava crossed back to Bess and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. I’ll come back if for no other reason than to get more of those scones.”
Ava left Bess standing in her kitchen laughing with great amusement.
Chapter Seven
Once she had seen Elizabeth safely into the carriage house, Bess dialed the stately home of the Hamptons pack. When the phone was answered, she identified herself and asked to speak to the mistress of the pack.
When Roz Halsey’s familiar and friendly voice came on the line, she said, “Mistress.”
“Hell, Bess, when are you going to learn it’s just Roz. What’s up?”
Bess smiled. Oliver’s mate truly was a breath of fresh air. She knew she could be trusted.
“I have something I feel the pack should know, but I must ask that you keep it secret.”
“That’s asking a lot. For one, I don’t like keeping secrets from Oliver because for two he reacts badly to that sort of behavior on my part and I end up not being able to sit down very comfortably.”
Bess laughed. She really was quite fond of Oliver’s mate as was the entire pack.
“I understand that, but I think someone there should know just in case something goes sideways. I promised this person that I wouldn’t tell Oliver...”
“But didn’t promise him or her that you wouldn’t tell his mate?” laughed Roz. “My God, Bess, I’ll bring you over to the dark side yet.”
“Nay, Mistress, I’m far too old for your shenanigans.”
“Nah! You’re never too old. So what do I need to know?”
“There’s a she-wolf here at the estate.”
“Has she threatened you?” growled Roz.
“No, Mistress. She’s renting the carriage house. She’s on the run from someone or something, but I don’t sense any kind of malicious intent toward others. She seems to be holding on desperately to the idea of remaining alone.”
“I had that same desperate hold not all that long ago.” Roz laughed softly. “Thankfully, my Oliver rid me of that notion. Would it help if I came up to talk with her?”
“Not at this time. Her feelings are still too raw. She’s frightened, but I think I’ve gotten her to agree that she is safe here at least for the next six months or so.”
“If that changes and I can help, you let me know. Bess?”
“Yes, Mistress?”
“If trouble comes knocking at the door, do not hesitate to call the estate. We can be there within hours.”
“But you’ll keep her secret?”
“For now. What name is she using?”
Bess smiled. Oliver’s mate was nobody’s fool. “Elizabeth Owen. I told her if and when she wanted to tell me her real name and her story that I would listen.”
“Good girl. You keep her safe up there with you, but know that your pack and I most especially have your and Elizabeth’s backs. And Bess?”
“Yes, Mistress?”
“Is she Welsh?”
“I’m not sure I know that. She’s not American and her accent is British. Is it important? Should I try to find out?”
“No,” said Roz. “It may become important later on, but for now let her tell you what she wants you to know. Give her some of your scones, that’ll keep her there.”
“You are too kind, Mistress.”
“We both know that isn’t true!” said Roz, laughing before she sobered to continue, “Take care of you and Elizabeth.”
“I will.”
* * *
Roz replaced the phone in its receiver and took her cell phone into the suite she shared with Oliver.
“Sky? It’s Roz.”
“Roz. What’s happening in the Hamptons?”
“Not much since Oliver got back from Europe.”
“Sorry to hear that,” teased Skylar Grainger. “Dylan’s been doing his best to make up for lost time.”
Roz laughed out loud. “I meant in the pack, you nympho. There’s been plenty up, hard and knotted here in the bedroom. I might have to send him off to do battle more often.”
Skylar laughed as well. “What’s going on?”
“Isn’t Owen the family name of your old pack at Calon Onest?”
“Yes,” said Skylar, whose voice sounded intrigued. “Why?”
“And isn’t your former sister-in-law’s name Elizabeth or something like it?”
“Actually it
is Elizabeth, but everyone calls her Bethan. Again, why?”
“I just got a call from Bess; you remember our pack member who’s up in Maine?”
“Yes,” said Skylar.
“They’ve rented the carriage house to a she-wolf with a British accent calling herself Elizabeth Owen. And Skylar? Bess says she’s in trouble.”
“Holy shit.”
“You know her?”
“Not well at all. While I was at Calon Onest, one of the women bolted from the estate right before the men had to take off to fight. Bethan was quite concerned about her. If that’s who it is, she isn’t in danger—well, I shouldn’t say that, she won’t sit for a week when they get her home—but she’s in a whole shitload of trouble. Ioan has put out a reward for information leading to her return.”
“Why’d she run?”
“She’s an unmated alpha female, which would make her difficult enough. But apparently she fancied herself in love with Griffin and mistress of Calon Onest.”
“Ouch! That had to hurt when he showed up with Maddie.”
“Bethan said it was the proverbial last straw both for Ava, that’s her name, and for Ioan. Ioan was about to start actively recruiting an alpha for her.”
“Shit! Now what do I do? I promised Bess I wouldn’t share her secret...”
“You say Bess thinks she’ll stay at least six months?”
“Yes.”
Skylar took a deep breath. “Then I say we let her stay safe. Maybe she’ll realize she isn’t happy on her own. Or maybe one or both of us can steal up there to talk with her. But if you think she’s safe, I say we keep our mouths shut, but you stay in contact with Bess.”
“Sounds like a plan. Sorry to drag you into this.”
“No need to be sorry. That’s what friends are for... besides which, it isn’t the first time and damn sure won’t be the last. Are you hearing anything up your way about a rogue female?”