Otherwise, Jed was taller, broader, square-jawed, mouth set as if having received terrible news, just rolled out of bed grooming, a general air of looking like he’d eaten a bucket of nails for breakfast and followed it up with a workout that included breaking crowbars across his knee. At least he’d cleaned blood off his face from my kicking him. While Zar, although still pushing six feet and with the kinds of muscles I wasn’t used to seeing on Portland hipsters—or any other humans in daily life—was slighter, more elegant, clean-shaven, obviously the younger brother, and smiling the whole time he looked at me like he’d been waiting for me all his life. His long hair was wavy. Jed’s was short and on the verge of curly.
They did share a few other traits. Both dressed in nothing but black and gray, both in leather motorcycle boots—so was Kage, though he had on faded blue jeans and a dark red graphic tee—and both disconcertingly handsome in their own ways.
Disconcerting because they all were—male and female. I saw only a small group, and only briefly, in the light of day, but this was something else that struck me about them. Something else I’d never heard about werewolves. Were they like this everywhere? Their gene pool, limited as it was, must be made of stout stuff.
Before I climbed into the Jeep—no running board and a weirdly monstrous, American feeling vehicle—Isaac stepped up to properly introduce himself.
He didn’t offer a hand, instead giving a little bow and asking me to let him know if there was anything I needed, or that he could do for me on the trip. All very old-fashioned, not a term I’d ever applied to myself. Yet … I liked it.
I had no more than a chance to thank him before we were all clambering in, Diana having a last serious word with Kage, myself settling my backpack between my feet in the front passenger seat, then we were off.
There were many things I hadn’t known about a Jeep Wrangler, having never been in one. I’ll summarize here with the caution that they may vary from US to UK. Plus, there was this particular vehicle with a charm all its own. I’m not sure how old it was; at least ten years. And there was certainly a “special charm” to the driver in this one.
1. The seats are as comfortable as park benches.
2. The 2.8-liter diesel engine is very, very loud.
3. Manual transmission and small roads with a driver on your right leaves the unpleasant impression that he is constantly reaching toward your leg when he’s really reaching for the gear shift.
4. The suspension is … strange. Built for rough terrain, I felt as if we would roll and sway right over on every turn. An alarming experience when taking turns at three times the speed intended.
5. Dashboard is minimalist: cheap plastic, climate control, radio, not much going on. It’s certainly not going to navigate for you.
6. The pervasive odors of male college dorm mixed with a gamy reek of wet dog, and fur and greasy fast food wrappers fluttering around—due to opening the window for fresh air—are almost overpowering enough to distract from those terrifying turns. Almost.
7. No worries about driving on the wrong side of the road. Why choose a lane when the whole road is your kingdom?
8. Noise from the wind, two brothers snapping at each other about their cramped space, and creaking and bouncing of the caravan only compete with the diesel engine. While none, sadly, drown out the others.
Five minutes into the drive my breakfast was flooding my throat while I clenched my teeth. Five hours to Cornwall. We hadn’t even reached the motorway to really start the trip.
Any more and my stomach was going to turn inside out and I would murder my driver. Where would we be then?
On top of it all, the bickering. I couldn’t hear all the voices in the back distinctly with my window open, wasn’t even sure who was talking. But there was some kind of argument going on. Besides this, I could hear Kage right beside me quite clearly.
“Moon and stars, Jed! If you don’t stop kicking my bloody seat I’m going to rip your fucking legs off and shove them down your fucking throat!”
Oh, how I wished they did have a gun in here. I didn’t know if I wanted to turn it on Kage or myself more but one of us had to go.
Heading for the motorway, Kage picking up speed on a straightaway, trailer banging behind, engine roaring like a bear.
“You wanker, Jed!”
I gulped back bile and shouted, “Pull over!”
“What?” Kage glanced at me.
“Pull the damn car over! Now!”
He hit the brakes. It took a minute, but he got the thing slowed and pulled onto the left shoulder before a traffic circle.
“What’s wrong?”
I was already out, fist against my mouth. I’d never thought of myself as susceptible to motion sickness. Now, I’d never be able to think of my stomach the same way again.
But I didn’t toss Melanie’s lovingly prepared breakfast on the side of the road. I walked into long grass by a hedge, caught my breath, feeling the cool morning air already warming as the clouds burnt off and July sun rose higher, and turned back to the Wrangler.
Isaac had stepped out, maybe concerned.
Others watched from inside.
“Everyone get out!” I shouted.
Slightly to my surprise, they did.
Kage frowned. “What’s going on?”
Jed looked resentful, keeping silent.
Zar was wide-eyed, glancing around. Like he thought I’d spotted a murder clue out here.
Isaac appeared calm.
I was the one wide-eyed when a fifth young male scrambled over the backs of the seats where their rucksacks were stowed and joined the four on the shoulder.
“What—?” I gasped. “Who the hell are you?”
No one else seemed surprised to see him. In fact, surprised by my reaction, they glanced between us.
He stepped back, though I was well away from them in grass. “Um … I’m Jason. Sorry. I waved. I thought you saw me when you were getting in.”
“Thought I…? What are you doing here?”
Jason shrugged. “Wanted to come along with Kage. I told him I was coming. Diana said four was plenty but … I just … wanted to come.” He bit his lip and looked away over the hedge to the crop beyond.
All the arguing and voices. Isaac, who’d been sitting right behind me, hadn’t been saying anything in the car. It was the other three in the back. That’s why I hadn’t been able to catch anything.
If he wanted to ride in the cargo space all the way to Cornwall, that was his problem. And maybe the driver’s if cops spotted him and pulled us over. But not mine.
I took a breath, also looked across the field, then faced them with my hands on my hips.
“We’re going to change drivers,” I said clearly as traffic zipped by.
“Whoa.” Kage stepped forward. “That’s my four-wheel.”
“You should have thought of that and taken better care of it.”
“I’m not letting anyone else drive my Jeep.”
“Fine.” I walked past them, back the way we’d come.
“Where are you going?” Kage turned with me.
“I’m going to get a ride into Brighton.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.”
“Hey! Bloody hell, what are—?” Kage jogged after me.
I drew up my magic. A tight ball ready to burst. If he so much as laid one finger on me…
But he didn’t. He walked backward in front of me.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “Why are we stopped?”
“I’m not riding with you all the way to Cornwall.”
His eyebrows jumped. “That’s it? That’s what you’re upset about? My driving?” Kage shook his head, incredulous. “I’ve been driving for years. Moon and stars, I learned to steer when I was just a pup on Mum’s lap. My family always had a four-wheel.”
“Well, maybe she should have taught you how to use the peddles.”
“What?”
“Just because you do dri
ve doesn’t mean you’re competent.” I stopped and so did he. “How many people spend years doing things like cooking or writing poetry or raising kids who suck at it?”
Kage stood there with his mouth open. Hostile and clueless as he was, he remained irritatingly stunning in the fresh morning sun. Carved face and body, medium brown hair and hazel eyes that I could see clearly for the first time, variegated with greens, browns, and grays.
“Now, if we’re all five—six—going to Cornwall,” I said calmly, “someone other than you is going to drive. If you don’t want them driving your Jeep, why don’t we go back to your pack and see if anyone will lend us another car?”
Shaking his head. “Have to tow the caravan. We only have a few four-wheels that can do that. I’ve got the best one.”
“Then let’s return to the car.” I jerked my head over my shoulder. “And I’ll assign a new driver.”
Kage mouthed at me for a second.
I held out my hand. “Do you want to give me the keys, or go home and discuss the situation with Diana?”
Blink, lips moving. “Hunt Moon.” Under his breath.
“I’d drive myself, but I’ve never driven a stick, or on the left side of the road, so let’s try to be a tiny bit sensible.”
At last, he passed over his car keys. “Jed can’t drive.”
“He wouldn’t have been my first choice. Don’t worry.” I took the keys, which needed another moment as Kage didn’t let go even once my hand was on them. I finally had to use both hands to pry loose a couple of his fingers.
“Thank you.” I walked back to the four waiting at the Wrangler.
Jason must be another relative. Black-haired and dark like Jed and Zar, with eyes that looked black as well. I thought I’d seen him the night before. Wiry, sharp nose and chin, lighter in his build than Kage and Jed. Yet he still looked like he spent a lot of time in a gym. Although I doubted this was true.
It crossed my mind, seeing how toned this lot were in their short sleeves, that canines in human guise might look this ripped.
Dogs are disproportionately strong compared to humans. My dad used to keep sporting dogs, pointers or setters that he trained to work in the field. They were amazingly strong. For lean, light animals, they could give a lunge on a leash and nearly send me spinning, even as a teen. So I knew a bit about dogs from my dad, even if I’d never been an animal person.
It didn’t take long to choose a driver.
Irritable Jed was a nonstarter. His beaming, adorable brother I did consider. Zar, though, no matter certain other appeals, concerned me by how young he looked. He’d probably never driven anything like this combo before. Jason was out because he’d elected to ride in the back in order to come along. No one else should be forced to take that fall for the fifth wheel to drive.
Isaac was the obvious choice. Older than them, quiet, only watching me as I returned. I could see him properly now as well. As broad-shouldered as Kage and Jed, he had a couple inches even on Kage, well past six feet. The short beard lent maturity to a still young face without looking scruffy. His light brown or dirty blond hair was also neat. He wore dark khakis and a white polo shirt instead of black or blue jeans—or frayed cargo pants in Jason’s case.
For all his differences from the rest, pale, tall Isaac’s common ground was looking like he would have no trouble finding paid work to stand in front of a camera should he ever wish it.
I glanced around to Kage on the side of the road: arms crossed, glaring at the ground. Torn jeans, boots, graphic T-shirt from some death metal band in red and black. The kind of tousled hair he’d probably gelled but wanted it to look careless. I was surprised his arms weren’t tattooed. Noticing this, though, I realized I hadn’t seen a single tattoo or piercing on any of the werewolves, including those hanging about in the light this morning.
Was I being shallow about Isaac? The kind of sap who’d trust a guy with neat hair and a clean shirt over a punk in scuffed up motorcycle boots? Just because?
Maybe. But I had last night, and this morning, to back me up on this one. I’d give my own judgements, unfair or otherwise, a try.
I handed the keys to Isaac. “Would you be so kind?”
“My pleasure.” He inclined his head. At close range, I saw how devastatingly green his eyes were. Not hazel like Kage’s. Isaac’s were as green as my eyes were blue. Again, I remembered Zar’s mirror eyes comment as I wished I could look into Isaac’s for a while.
When I passed over the keys Zar grimaced and looked away as if Isaac had insulted him but he was determined to let it slide.
Jason faced Kage, who still stood like a stump, glaring at gravel while traffic flashed past him.
Of the four, only Jed, weirdly, seemed pleased. He didn’t exactly laugh. Yet I thought I saw one corner of his mouth lift as he turned away.
No love lost between him and his cousin. Was he only enjoying Kage’s suffering? It made me uneasy along with what Rebecca had said about staying away from Jed.
My passenger door was already open but Isaac stepped to it, waiting for me to climb in and close it.
He watched the road for a break to get in on the driver’s side.
The motley crew took their time about getting in the back. Jed slid in, then Zar. Jason trotted down the shoulder to fetch Kage and talk him around to the Jeep.
While they got this sorted out, Isaac looked at me. Slight smile, eyes like emeralds. “Are you all right?”
His voice was softer than the others, yet clear. It wasn’t just his accent that didn’t match the locals. He didn’t seem to think he needed to project and prove a point. Not fighting for his place. Secure in his place.
“I’m fine. Thank you. And I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a scene. I just couldn’t ride with that for five hours. And a wreck to cut it short and kill us all didn’t sound much better.”
“Some better, though?” A touch more smile, mostly in his eyes. Like sharing a secret.
By the time I got back to Melanie would I still want to meet men she had lined up?
I had to remind myself these were werewolves. I’d never heard of such a pairing.
Then again, there were many things about werewolves I’d not known. Like that they existed in the British Isles. And the whole faith thing. And the gorgeous thing. Those emerald eyes…
“Is your necklace a religious symbol?” I asked while Jed and Zar settled behind us, Zar trying to get his brother to move over in the narrow space.
Isaac lifted the gold chain from under his shirt to show me the moon pendant. Not a full orb like Diana’s silver one, but still somewhat three-dimensional. A gold circle with relief of a crescent moon within the full one. I was sure it was real gold along with the chain. There was nothing masculine about it.
“That’s beautiful. And a unique design.” For how simple it was, the piece was arresting, something Nana might have kept, and I could also appreciate.
“Come on, Kage!” Zar shouted outside as Jason reached the door.
Jason scrambled again into the cargo space.
Isaac reached to the back of his own neck to unclasp the chain. “For you.” He offered the necklace.
“You can’t give me that.” I laughed a little, breathless.
“Why not?”
“Why…?” I met his eyes again.
He still smiled gently. He might have been offering a drink or change for a five.
“No, Isaac, that’s yours. It’s valuable.” I shook my head.
“If it makes you uncomfortable, perhaps you could borrow it? If you wear this sign our kin will recognize you as a friend if you happen to cross paths.”
Since werewolf and caster relations were not great I hoped we weren’t meeting more in Cornwall, but there was something to what he said.
Still hesitating, I offered my hand. “Okay … I’ll wear it as long as we’re on the road together.”
“I’m glad.” He let the chain coil into my palm and folded my fingers over it. His hand was warm
and strong and I longed to keep that contact when he touched me.
I looked from our fingers to his eyes, then broke the gaze quickly with the slam of Kage’s door and sat back, heart beating fast.
“Thank you.” Giving Isaac another fleeting smile, hoping it was casual, easy: how the contact should have felt. It should have felt like two people who’d hardly exchanged a word and essentially been acquainted for half an hour. It should not felt anywhere near as intimate as it had.
I’d have been glad to visit a quiet cove with Zar last night. Now I wished it were Isaac.
Werewolves. These are not human beings.
Their culture and society were not my culture and society. When I’d planned on meeting British men on this trip I should have been more specific. This felt like Goddess having a joke.
You wanted English guys? Here’s a whole pack.
No, I wanted normal, decent, gainfully employed human men.
Should have said so.
I fastened the chain around my neck while Isaac put on sunglasses and started the rumbling diesel.
Kage didn’t say a word. Jed did not kick Isaac’s seat. Zar kept his voice down in some kind of argument with Jason.
We set off again for the motorway. This time, I was pretty sure we’d keep going.
Chapter 9
Everything went well until we stopped for lunch. We were outside the historic and charming city of Dorchester. We didn’t get to take in the good parts.
When Isaac stopped at a “petrol station” for diesel all heads turned in the back.
“Burgers,” Jason said as Isaac opened his door.
“That’s a Saucy,” Zar said, sniffing toward the open window on Kage’s side.
I had mine down as well. It really felt like July now, somewhere between hot and flaming. I’d folded away my light hoodie in my backpack.
“It’s just McDonald’s,” Kage said.
Jason shook his head. “Pretty sure it is a Saucy.”
“Like corpse-nose can tell the difference.” Jed snorted.
“You can do better, knob-head?” Kage leaned over Zar to get at Jed, a growl in his voice.
Moonlight Desire: A Reverse Harem Shifter Romance (The Witch and the Wolf Pack Book 1) Page 5