by Renee Rose
“Sadie.” His tone is pleading. “I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed away.”
What the heck?
“Deke,” his friend calls, and Deke wrenches backwards like he’s being tugged with a rope. His face is pained. I don’t like it.
“Excuse me.” I march out of the alleyway. My cardigan is askew, and my hair is all tousled from the crazy kiss fest, but I don’t care. “What’s going on?” I use my stern-teacher voice with the blond biker.
The guy grins. “This is who you’ve been sniffing around?” he says to Deke. “She’s cute for a civilian. I like her.”
My head explodes. “I beg your pardon?” I growl. The sound is as impressive as Deke’s, if I do say so myself. “Who the heck are you?”
The blond grins wider.
“Sadie,” Deke steps between me and the biker. “I have to go.”
“Why?”
He shrugs, but he looks unhappy. “We’re not supposed to mix with civilians. But call me if you need help again. Anytime at all.”
“Deke,” his friend warns, but this time Deke ignores him.
“Promise me,” Deke says quietly to me.
“I promise,” I whisper back. Before I can step forward and hug him, he whirls and strides away. His friend remains on his bike, blocking me from following. I glare, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. After a minute, he gives me a mock mini salute and rides away.
I stand at the mouth of the cold dark alley, staring down the empty road.
What the heck just happened?
Deke
I ride with Lance until we get to the mountain road that leads to the pack’s land. Then I gun my hog past the entrance. I’m not following him home like some little lost puppy.
I know my Alpha sent Lance to watch over me. I’m even okay with it. I have no business messing around with a civilian, especially one like Sadie. She’s outta my league in every way. Thinking about it makes me want to howl.
My bike speeds up the switchbacks. I take each turn faster and faster, imagining Sadie pressed into my back. My cock perks up, and I grit my teeth.
I pull off the road onto an overlook. Out here, the city lights mirror the carpet of stars above. I’d like to show Sadie this.
The peaceful quiet is shattered by a motorcycle zooming past. I stiffen then strip off my vest. I kick off my boots and shuck my jeans. I’m left in my white shirt, and I step behind my bike to hide my nudity.
The motorcycle comes roaring back down the road. It slows when it reaches the overlook and glides to a stop a few feet away. The rider pulls off his helmet.
It’s Channing. I knew it was him. He’s the only one of us who rides a neon green bike and not a real hog. He’s such a tool on his stupid crotch rocket.
“Deke, what the fuck? You know you can’t get too close to a human—”
I don’t give him any warning. I leap into the air and let my wolf rip out of me. The t-shirt shreds, tearing painfully on my twisted limbs. But I was always quick to shift.
By the time Channing knows what’s going on, I’ve leapt over my bike. He scrambles off his bike a second before two hundred plus pounds of black wolf hits him in the chest. We both go down—him and his crotch rocket, and me on him. He swipes at me, his hands changed to massive paws, but I jump off him and dance away.
“Fuck,” he shouts. “Motherfucker.” He rises, struggling to get free of his clothes. He sees his bike lying on its side, the shiny paint scratched on the road, and he gets even more stupid with rage. “You’re going to fucking pay for that.” His claws tear at his clothes. Stupid fucker’s gonna have to ride home naked. He’ll take it out of my hide. I had the element of surprise, but once he’s in wolf form, we’re pretty evenly matched. When he’s riled up, like now, he can tear me up.
Good.
A growl splits the air, and a giant white and brown wolf stalks stiff legged towards me. Channing the wolf lowers his belly almost to the ground, his ears back and teeth bared, ready to pounce.
I grin like a maniac and brace myself, waiting for pain.
Sadie
When I’m back in my apartment, I set down the untouched platter of cookies on the table and check my phone. I’ve got missed calls from Adele, Charlie and Tabitha. I sigh and dial Adele.
“Sadie!” She answers on the first ring. “Thank God. Are you home?”
“Yes.” I toss my keys onto my countertop. “Is everything okay?”
“We’re coming over. Be there in fifteen.” She hangs up.
Well, shoot. I hurry to put a few dirty dishes away in my sink and wipe a few coffee stains off my counter. Then I open a bottle of red wine, a blend Adele bought for me. After tonight, I need a glass of wine.
Who was that guy on the motorcycle? He was one of Deke’s friends, but he didn’t act like it. He totally cockblocked Deke. And me.
What’s the lady equivalent of cockblocking? Muffin Muzzle? Beaver Damned? Clit-erference? I’ll ask Tabitha, she’d know. Whatever the female equivalent of cockblocking, that dude Deke knew did it to me.
Did I really want to have sex up against a wall with Deke in a dark alley way?
Yes, my ovaries shout. Yes, we want his surly biker babies!
My ovaries were never so vocal when Scott was around, and Scott, by outward appearances, would have made a far more respectable father of my children. It’s so weird. I never would’ve said that tough-looking biker was my thing.
Never in a million years.
I slosh wine into a glass and take a gulp.
Adele knocks on the door, and when I open it, I realize who she meant by we. Adele tromps in, followed by Tabitha and Charlie.
“Oh, hello, everyone,” I say. “I have wine.”
“We brought extra,” Adele says. Both Charlie and Tabitha lift the bottles they’re holding. Adele heads straight for my small kitchen and makes herself at home, grabbing three more glasses and pouring wine for all. I let her take over—Adele’s a chef, so my kitchen is in good hands—and head to my cozy living room.
“You doing okay?” Tabitha trails me, and we both settle on the couch.
“Of course,” I answer noncommittally although my voice is noticeably subdued. I haven’t even asked why they all dropped everything to come over. I think I already know.
Charlie drops into her usual seat—a bean bag chair I keep next to the fireplace. Both she and Tabitha look at me expectantly. I knew they’d figure out something was up with me and Deke; it was only a matter of time. It’s a small town, and word travels at lightning speed. If anyone saw us in the alley tonight, the news would get back to my friends immediately.
Instead of asking who saw what, I turn to Tabitha. “What’s the female equivalent of cockblocking?”
“Clam-jam,” Tabitha replies immediately. I knew she’d know.
“I prefer Pussy Putt,” Charlie says.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Tabitha retorts.
“Twat Blocker,” Charlie offers, and she and Tabitha start arguing about sports metaphors involving vaginas.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Adele strides into the living room. She doesn’t sit but stands with her back to the kiva fireplace holding her wine, looking down imperiously at all of us before her focus sharpens on me. “Sadie, do you have something to share with the class?”
I sigh. “Who spotted me?”
“I did,” Tabitha raises her hand sheepishly. “And I was worried, so I told everyone.”
“What exactly did you see?”
“You with the big bad biker at the plaza tonight,” Tabitha says. “I was going to come over, but after I was done texting everyone, I looked up and you’d disappeared.”
Adele searches my face, looking concerned, “You know we were joking about you hooking up with a biker, right?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, I kind of thought the idea had its merits.”
All three of my friends stare at me in shock.
“He’s actually quite sweet.”
“Sweet?” Ch
arlie repeats dubiously.
I hasten to explain. “Last night, Scott tried to ambush me, so I asked Deke to help me out and pretend to be my date. And he did. He’s really nice.”
“Hold on. Back up,” Adele says. “Scott tried to ambush you?”
“Yeah. I guess he installed a tracking app on my phone, so he knew I was in the plaza. And then he knew I’d get a rideshare home because it was Whine Wednesday, so he parked himself at the rideshare stop, so we could talk.”
“My goodness. He’s gone from delusional to full blown stalker,” Adele says.
“I’ll kill him,” Tabitha mutters.
“I’ll help,” Charlie says.
“But it’s all good. Deke helped me, and Scott backed off.”
“How did Deke help? Did he threaten Scott?”
“Not really.” I think back on those beautiful moments when I had the big biker beside me, silent and strong. The best kind of backup. “He had my back while I made myself clear to Scott. Then he reaffirmed what I said, invited me on his bike, and we rode off together.” I can’t stop the stupid grin from stretching across my face. It’s the only crazy thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I’m quite proud of it.
“You did what?!” My friends explode as one.
“I can’t believe you rode off with him,” Tabitha gasps.
“Did you let anyone know where you were?” Adele asks. “Take a photo of his license plate? Anything?”
“You got on his bike? So cool!” Charlie says.
“No, not cool,” Tabitha frowns at Charlie. “She got on a strange man’s bike. He could’ve motored to the middle of nowhere, and we’d never hear from Sadie again!”
“Yeah, but she’d get to ride that awesome motorcycle first,” Charlie points out with her tongue firmly in cheek and then ducks when Tabitha mimes throwing a pillow at her head.
“Calm down. Nothing bad happened,” Adele raises her hands in an effort to keep the peace. “Right, Sadie?”
“I was fine. He was a perfect gentleman.” I blush, remembering that ride. My body pressed against Deke’s giant body, the bike rumbling between my legs. “I know it’s not something I’d normally do, but I felt totally safe with him,” I add softly.
My friends are quiet, processing this.
“So what happened tonight?” Tabitha asks.
I shrug. “I invited him to meet me. I made him cookies as a thank you. And...”
“And?” Adele and the other two lean in closer.
“And...he took me to the alleyway and kissed me.”
Another explosion.
“I knew it.” Tabitha punches the pillow she’s holding.
“Nice.” Charlie sags back into her bean bag chair. “Was it good?”
“Look at her blush. Of course, it was good,” Tabitha says.
Adele grabs her wine glass and takes a long swallow, watching me over the rim.
“Did you use protection?” Tabitha jokes, wagging a finger at me.
My cheeks are an inferno. “It didn’t get that far.”
“But it would have?” Charlie’s eyes grow wide.
“It was a really, really good kiss.” I fold my hands in my lap, doing my best prim teacher impression. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
“You okay?” Adele asks. Her green eyes probe me.
“I’m good. After the kiss, he had to go.”
“I’ll bet twenty bucks Scott finds out and shows up again at Sadie’s school with flowers,” Charlie announces to the room.
“That is so rude. We shouldn’t be betting on Sadie’s love life,” Tabitha shakes her head at Charlie. “But I’ll take that bet.”
Charlie just grins.
“What I want to know is if you’re seeing him again,” Adele says.
My giddy feelings drop away. “I don’t know. He left pretty abruptly. One of his biker buddies rode up and said he had to go. It was kind of weird.”
“That was the clam-jam?” Tabitha asks.
I nod.
“Sadie, maybe it’s for the best.” Adele doesn’t make eye contact with me. She’s focused on her wine glass, moving it gently so the garnet liquid swirls.
“What do you mean by that?” Tabitha asks.
Adele bites her lip then says, “I did some digging. These guys are military. Like, special ops. Top secret missions and all that. Probably American assassins.”
“What branch of the military?” Charlie asks.
“Army. Special forces. They were honorably discharged last year.”
I cock my head to the side. “How do you know all this?”
Adele raises one slim shoulder in a half shrug. She still doesn’t look at me.
“Adele works in mysterious ways,” Tabitha says into the awkward silence.
“Well, now they’re like a motorcycle gang or something,” Charlie offers. “They bought an old ski valley resort and use it as their home base.”
“They’re called clubs not gangs,” Adele corrects.
“So they’re in a club.” Tabitha stretches out her long legs, slouching further into my couch. “So what? That’s not a crime.”
“There’s more than that,” Adele sighs. “Deke has a record. Assault and battery. He lost it in a bar and beat a guy up. Put him in the hospital. The cops investigated, but the guy didn’t end up pressing charges.”
There’s a silence while we all absorb this.
“I see,” I say. “Is that why you staged this little intervention?”
“She called us up and told us you’d been spotted with the biker dude. We couldn’t stay away,” Tabitha said.
“We care about you, Sadie,” Charlie says.
I can’t sit any longer. “Deke’s not like that.” I cross to the kitchen and grab my cardigan, tugging it on and rubbing my arms like I’m cold. “He wouldn’t hurt me.” I think it through. “If that happened, he was probably protecting a woman. He’s that kind of guy.”
My friends watch me from the living room. They don’t say anything, but I can hear the unspoken question. How do you know?
How do I know? It’s just a feeling. But then I’m not that great a judge of people. I was with Scott, after all.
“I’m not saying he’s not a bad person.” I realize I’m pacing and halt. “I don't know him that well, but I feel safe with him.” I run a hand through my hair. It’s still tangled. I can still feel his big hands on me, his breath on my face. I relive the kiss and arousal shoots from the pit of my belly and blossoms between my legs.
“I didn’t say that,” Adele hesitates, her normal poise broken as she chooses her words. She looks really worried. “I just think you should be careful. We don’t want you to get hurt.”
This is ridiculous. First, Deke’s biker friend and now my friends. Are my instincts about him wrong?
I’m sorry. He told me. I should’ve stayed away. Is he really so dangerous?
“Well, don’t worry about me,” I say with a fake laugh. “I doubt I’ll ever see Deke again.”
“I’m sorry,” Tabitha says, sounding subdued. “It sounds like that might be for the best.”
Deke
After the fight, Channing’s wolf pants on the side of the road, blood slicking his fur, staining the white patches red. With a silent snarl, he slinks into the brush, heading off to lick his wounds and shift.
The rage inside me still burns. My wolf walks stiff legged back to my bike. Scraps of white fabric litter the ground. My t-shirt. The one Sadie dug her hands into when I kissed her. The fabric still bears her scent.
I point my nose to the moon and howl.
After I shift, I ride for an extra hour, up and down Taos Mountain until my hands are stiff on the handlebars. Then I turn and head down the dark road home.
The pack bought a mountain lodge sometime back. We always knew we’d need to retire someplace remote where we can run free as wolves. Last year, Rafe decided it was time to get out of the service. It wasn’t that our missions were getting harder and more dangerous—altho
ugh they were. We were a unit, a secret regiment of shifters united under a colonel who knew what we were. When we were on a mission, we thrived. We flew in under the cover of night, our super senses making it easy for us to see when humans couldn’t. We did the blackest of black ops, and we loved every moment. We loved it too much.
Rafe could tell we were losing our humanity. Especially me. He decided our wolves required more space and freedom for the safety of everyone around us. The Colonel agreed and had reasons to want us as private contractors, instead. He arranged an honorable discharge with healthy retirement packages then hired us for the same type of missions we were doing before, only now the government could claim no knowledge of us if things went wrong. A privilege they are willing to pay handsomely for.
But for me and my wolf, it was too late. My wolf loves the thrill of the kill and always would. Even now, a year into retirement, my wolf is savage. Broken. Rafe tried to save me, I’m already too far gone.
I ride my bike right into the giant hanger we use as a garage. When I turn the engine off, the silence assaults my ears. I prefer the noise and vibration of the motorcycle—the riot calms the demons inside me.
“Deke.” My alpha steps out from behind the Humvee. He’s not fooling anyone—I scented him as soon as I rode up.
“Alpha,” I say. A growl tinges my voice without me meaning it too. My wolf is amped up, ready to fight. Like always.
“You smell like that human,” Rafe says.
I grunt and pick up a clean cloth hanging from a hook on the wall by the tool rack. I swipe it over my leather seat, pretending to clean off a bit of mud.
“You think I didn’t scent her on you last night?” Rafe jerks his nose into the air and sniffs. “Civilian. Sadie Diaz. Kindergarten teacher. Her ancestors were original Spanish settlers in the area. Father’s on the city council. Scott Sears is her ex.”
A growl rumbles in my chest. “You looked into her.”
“Course I did. I haven’t seen you so interested in a human before.”
“It’s nothing,” I lie. Which is stupid because any shifter can tell when someone’s lying. I toss the cloth away. “I’ll probably never see her again.” My wolf snarls at the thought.