“Oh, I think I can manage.”
She watched his face as they walked back toward the patio. “Are we becoming friends, Jared?”
Or more than friends…
His hand found hers in the dark. “Well, Shakespeare said it first. Adversity makes strange bedfellows.” He took a step closer, and let his lips claim hers in the dying firelight.
Chapter Ten
Jared rolled over, tugging the blanket Tanya gave him over his shoulder. Her living room may have had a comfortable vibe, but as far as the couch went, the comfort stopped there.
Groaning, he tried to stretch his large frame. Oh, I think I can manage. Famous last words.
Tanya smirked, peeking in at the huge wolf-man trying to get comfortable on her mother’s couch. “I think that sofa has seen better days,” she chuckled from the doorway.
“Really, and what gave you that idea?” Frowning, he sat up, his back protesting with every move.
Laughing at his contortions, she bit her lip. Hair was a mess, and he was still half asleep. It was obvious Jared wasn’t much of a morning person, but he was unbelievably handsome, regardless, and she bit her lip thinking about their kiss.
“You look like you slept in the trunk of a car. I think I can come up with better accommodations for you for tonight. You can sleep in my parents’ room. I’m sure their bed will be slightly more comfortable than the sofa.”
Jared grunted.
“Bathroom’s upstairs to the right. I put out clean towels and my dad’s shaving kit. Take your time. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”
Like scrubbing his back. Or his front…
She plastered a smile on her face, ignoring the wild thought. “I’ll make breakfast. See you in a bit.”
Tanya rummaged in the fridge when Jared came downstairs. He paused in the doorway, prompting her to look up.
“Everything okay?” she asked, taking out a carton of eggs and some bacon.
“Your dad needs to change his razor. I had to Houdini my way out of an attempted suicide.”
Closing the fridge door with her foot, she laughed. “I’ll tell him the next time he calls.” She carried the breakfast fixings to the counter and set them down. “I hope you like bacon and eggs.”
“Sounds great. I hope you don’t mind, but I used your phone to call Aidan. He can be difficult at times, but that’s because he’s our alpha. Responsibility weighs heavy on him at times.”
“How so?” she asked, beating the eggs. Pouring the yellow mixture into a nonstick pan, she then lowered the flame under the griddle as bacon sizzled and popped.
“Ouch,” she hissed, yanking her hand back.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said, sucking the side of her thumb. Bacon grease. “What did you mean by weighs heavy on Aidan?”
“An alpha has a lot of accountability. Not only does he have to make sure everyone under his protection is safe, but he also has the responsibility of making sure the Sentinels under his command are protected, as well. What you saw the other night was a small hunting party dealing with one lesser demon.
“The Sentinels are a militia of trackers and hunters, almost a pack within a pack. Aidan’s burdens sometimes make him forget there’s more to life than hunting and the law. He’s changed since our dad died. I know you think he’s a hard ass, but it’s because he feels he has to fill our dad’s shoes. Aidan’s barely thirty. Two years older than me.”
“Sounds to me like you love him, and that you’re worried for him.”
“Yeah, well, he’s my brother, and I just want him to be happy.” Jared cleared his throat. “Sometimes I think he forgets how.”
Tanya heard the emotion in his voice and her heart went out to them both, wondering what kind of struggles they must have suffered in keeping their respective responsibilities.
“Uhm, Jared…do you think you could find the dishes and put them on the table…oh, and grab the juice from the fridge, too? I need to finish up here or the eggs will be hard,” she said, noticing the awkward way he was looking around.
“I can handle that,” he offered with an appreciative wink.
Tanya had intentionally changed the subject, and she smiled to herself that he got it.
“What about some coffee?” he asked, eyeing the pot.
“I’ve got tea this morning, but feel free to make coffee if you want.”
Jared got the juice and then went looking for the dishes to set the table. He made a small pot of coffee for himself, and then sat waiting for it to brew.
***
He watched as Tanya moved about the kitchen. She looked beautiful in a strapless, baby doll top and jeans. He followed every luscious curve as she puttered at the stove. Her skin was luminous, like a pearl, set off by the dark brown curls resting against bare shoulders.
Absentmindedly, she brushed stray strands from her eyes, and as if she felt his gaze, she turned. “What?” she asked, with a self-conscious smile.
“Nothing. Just watching you do your thing.”
Her eyes were the color of chestnuts, fringed with long, thick lashes, and when she smiled, the curve of her mouth made him want to kiss her again.
Tanya’s scent filled the air, and he could taste every bit on his tongue. It was unique, unlike any scent he experienced, and it gave him pause, wondering if that was why he hadn’t caught her trace in the forest that night.
He was famished. The coffee smelled delicious along with the food, and his stomach actually growled in response. When everything was ready, they sat across from each other and ate in relative silence.
“You’re curious about something,” he said, eyeing her.
“That obvious, huh?”
Jared sat back with his coffee mug, while Tanya nibbled on a piece of toast. “At this point there isn’t much you don’t know so just ask.”
She broke off little pieces of crust, as if debating. “Why is it when you transform, your wolf is silver, while all the others maintain their basic human coloring?”.
“Out of everything you’ve seen and heard, that’s what you wondered about?” he replied, a little incredulous.
She smiled a little sheepishly. “Well, yeah. I’m curious about how it all works. You said Luke can only phase at certain cycles of the moon. What about you?”
“I can shift wherever and whenever I want. Day or night. Doesn’t matter. It’s like that for most of us. Our coloring has to do with which phase of the moon we were born under. I was born during a full moon, so my coloring reflects its full light. Most of my brothers are varying shades of dark brown and, Aidan, as you already know, is black. He was born under a dark moon same as Luke. All alphas are for some reason. I think it has to do with being linked to the council of elders.”
Hmmm. “How is it you keep this phenomenon to yourselves? Don’t you think people would think it was cool?”
“The secrecy thing is another law protecting our kind. All supernaturals have similar rules, with varying degrees of punishment for breaking them. For the vampires, it’s either death or conversion for the offenders and their humans. For us, it’s a little less severe. Especially as there are varying nuances to the law depending on which clan you belong to.”
“Nuances depending on clan. Good to know.
“Ever the attorney.” He smiled at her.
She met his grin with a smirk. “So are there more of you?”
“There are three major clans in the U.S. and Canada. Ours, in New York, another resides north, in the province of Quebec, and the other is south, in New Orleans, and yes, we’re all related.” He leaned his chair back against the wall. “There are others spread throughout North and South America, but none quite as large, or as quarrelsome.”
“Bet family reunions are a pain in the butt to plan.”
“Funny. You’re a funny girl, but very perceptive.” Jared clicked the inside of his cheek. He lifted his mug to his lips, but then froze, his shoulders tense. “Someone’s here.”
&nb
sp; Tanya’s eyes flew to the hallway as Jared pushed past her to get to the front door. He put his finger to his lips.
“It’s the police,” he whispered. Don’t be nervous. We go through this a lot whenever there’s a demon strike, or a rogue supe on the rampage. Be calm. We’ll handle this together.”
***
There was another faint knock on the door, and Tanya’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t used to being on this side of the interview table. Perjury was a big deal. She could lose her license to practice law, or worse, end up charged with obstruction of justice and jailed.
“Relax, Tanya. Walk to the door slowly and calmly, and then open it like it was any other morning,” Jared reassured, pushing her gently toward the entrance.
Tanya took a deep cleansing breath before flipping back the latch and opening the door. That same delicious, calming scent she’d smelled in the woods suddenly filled the hall, and she immediately felt more in control.
“Hi. May I help you, officer?” she asked casually.
“Ms. Richards?” a big burly cop asked. At Tanya’s nod he continued. “I’m Officer Anders from the Riverton County Sheriff’s Department. Sorry to bother you this morning, but I need to ask you a few questions about your boyfriend, Jesse Devlin. May I come in?”
“Ex-boyfriend, but of course.” Stepping back, she allowed him into the foyer. “Is everything okay?”
“Well, that’s just it, miss. We found his car at the Mountain View trailhead. We’re trying to determine why it was left there, and if it was involved with any of the ritual shenanigans going on in the woods. There was no sign of him or anyone else, though we did find his clothes strewn across the backseat and on the ground. When was the last time you saw Mr. Devlin?”
“At a house party almost a week ago. It was a high school reunion get-together. Jesse had been staying with me, but I asked him to leave when we broke up. He was with Marlene Fusco at the party. They left together at about eleven p.m.”
“Hmmm, so we’ve been told. You said he was staying with you, has he been back to pick up any of his things?”
“I’m afraid we had quite a falling out when I asked him to move out, but when we got home late last night, both he and his things were gone.”
“Excuse me, miss, but you said we?”
“That would be me, officer. I’m Jared Durant. Tanya’s been with me for the past week. We came back here last night. Neither of us has seen hide nor hair of Jesse or Marlene. Perhaps they decided to take off together.”
“Well, a backpack with women’s clothes, food and some money were found at the scene. Would you happen to know anything about that?” he asked, showing Tanya a picture of the pack and its contents.”
“That’s certainly my backpack and my gym clothes. I usually keep the pack by the front door. Easy grab and go. I can’t speak for the food, but as for the money, you’re welcome to come upstairs with me to check if any is missing.”
The three headed to Tanya’s room. She opened the door to her walk-in closet, and the look on the officer’s face said it all. The closet had clearly been rummaged through. Except Tanya had done the rummaging herself that night.
“Well, there you have it.” Tanya added a hint of venom to her voice when she showed the officer the empty bank envelope.
He scribbled notes, and then glanced around. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Richards, but I need to remind you this is still an ongoing investigation. I would ask that you make yourself available for further questioning, if need be.”
“Of course, officer.”
The three headed back downstairs, and the officer spared a look for Jared at the door. “Here’s my card. Please give me a call if you think of anything that might be helpful, or if you decide you want to press charges against Mr. Devlin for petty theft. In the meantime, if you do hear from him, please tell him to give us a call. His car is about to be impounded.”
With a nod, the officer left, and Tanya closed the door. “I’ve got a good poker face, but that was horrifying. I’m usually on the other side of that. To be honest, he should’ve taken pictures as well as taken the envelope for evidence. Not that it matters. The envelop was originally Jesse’s, so his prints would have been on with mine.”
“Ugh,” she exhaled hard, leaning against the closed door. “You said you deal with this all the time? How?”
“Practice.” He offered a smile. “You did great, though, and I can promise that’s as far as Officer Anders’ inquiry will go.”
Tanya closed her eyes wearily. “I can’t believe I’m still so exhausted.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and take a hot shower. Maybe lie down for a bit. I planned to give you some space, maybe run the perimeter and watch the house from there, but I can hang around if it makes you feel better. I doubt I’ll have to stop you from climbing out the window this time.”
“Who’s the funny one, now? she teased, but then sobered. “You won’t leave while I’m resting?”
“Nope.”
“And you’ll be here when I come back downstairs?”
“Yup.”
Tanya laughed. “I sound like a damsel in distress. Well, as long as we’re giving corny answers, okeydokey. Do me a favor, though. Do not tell me if more weirdness happens. Right now, ignorance is bliss.”
Jared watched her head up the stairs. He had a strange feeling the only weirdness happening was he couldn’t get enough of her.
Chapter Eleven
Jared channel surfed Tanya’s Smart TV when he heard his brother approach. He smelled Aidan even before his big feet clomped up the porch stairs.
“Funny. Think of the devil and he appears,” Jared said, opening the door before Aidan rang the bell.
“I see I was expected.” Aidan pushed past his brother into the hall.
Turning around, Jared crossed his arms. “Yes and no, but come in, anyway. Be quiet. Tanya’s resting.”
The two stood in the hallway glaring, and Jared raised an eyebrow at his brother’s uncharacteristic silence. “Do you have something you need to say, or is this a social call?”
Aidan’s upper lip curled slightly. “Playing house, Jared?
“Don’t go there, Aidan, or this is going to get ugly. Tanya’s been through enough for you to blithely bring more to her front door. What do you want?”
“The council meeting’s been set for the first night of the new moon. I figured you’d want to know. I fixed it so your business is one of the first matters to be settled.”
Jared relaxed his stance, but still eyed his brother. “Thanks, but you could have texted that, or left a voicemail. What else?”
Aidan looked at his younger brother appreciatively. “Perceptive as usual.” A grudging grin touched his lips, but then he sobered. “There’s been another sighting, but this time a full demon. We’re forming a hunting party to go out as soon as the sun goes down. You in?”
Jared’s face hardened. “Of course, I’m in. Where and what time?”
“It’s been spotted by the Eagle Ridge Reserve. We’ll head out just after moonrise.”
“Typical place for it to be skulking around. Lots of campers prefer that spot this early in the season,” Jared muttered.
Aidan grunted his agreement. “We’ll meet at our usual run,” he added, walking out onto the porch. “See you tonight.”
He started down the porch stairs, but then turned to look at his brother. “You look different, Jar, I don’t know, contented or something.”
Now it was Jared’s turn to grunt. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Hmmph. Don’t let it go to your head, little brother.” Leaping catlike onto the sidewalk, he turned. “And don’t let it make you forget who you are and what you have to do, either.”
“Jeez, Aidan. Neighbors?” Jared hissed.
“Okay, okay, Mr. Rogers. See you later.” He took off down the street and was gone in a blur.
Jared shook his head, smirking after his brother.
“JA
RED!”
“Fuck!” At Tanya’s piercing scream, he rushing inside and took the stairs four at a time to her bedroom.
“Tanya!”
Screaming, she flailed her arms, lashing out at her unseen attacker. Jared wrapped his arms around her to stop her from hurting herself.
“I’m here. Ssh… It’s okay.”
“It was terrible! Its teeth! I still feel it ripping at my body!”
Tanya’s breath came in ragged pants. She gripped Jared’s arms, clutching at his shirt so tightly he half expected her to shred this one as well.
First Aidan announced a full demon sighting, now this. Could the two be connected? But how?
“It’s okay, Tanya. I’m here.”
Adrenaline had his heart pounding as well. Sleep clung to her, making Tanya’s scent even more tempting. Her openness, and with the way she clung, left him fighting a wave of thick desire.
Every lush curve was obvious through her skimpy boxers and tank top. Her hair was tousled, and her face flushed. It wasn’t hard to envision her spent and languorous.
Her breath hitched but then ebbed into a normal rise and fall. With a ragged inhale, she sat back, dragging a hand through her tangles.
“I’m sorry, Jared. I must have dozed off. I’m not one to lend myself to nightmares or panic attacks. It was so real. Almost as if the demon knew my fears ahead of time.” She looked at him. “Like he was in my head.”
“It was just a dream. I’m used to all this. Jaded even. But you’re not. It was bound to happen after everything you witnessed.”
As he spoke, she dropped her gaze to her lap. Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak.
“You’re okay, Tanya. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
Guilt slashed at him for the white lie, but telling Tanya there was a full demon sighted after the dream she had was not a good idea.
“Blink if you understood me.”
That earned him a half smile. “You probably think I’m crazier than ever.”
He smoothed her hair from her face, kissing her forehead. “Actually, I think you’re pretty terrific.”
The Wolf's Secret Witch: Howl's Romance (The Sentinel Brotherhood Book 1) Page 9