by Vivian Arend
Tad froze. He’d forgotten that tidbit. Now that Robyn had mated she’d be able to change into a wolf. The first shift always took place in conjuncture with the full moon to help the newbie out. Hot damn, this was exciting news.
Then reality dropped like a lead balloon. “I’d love to be there, but I can’t shift. You know I haven’t—well, I don’t want to get anyone upset if it’s not kosher for me to attend.”
“Of course you can come! You’re family, even if you aren’t triggered yet.”
“I mean, it’s not like I don’t want it to happen. I can’t seem to, you know.” His face grew hot, even talking about it on the phone with Keil. Full-blood wolves never seemed to understand his hesitancy to embrace FirstMate tradition. Sex was great…unless it was because he had to have it. He liked his partners willing and interested in him.
He sighed. If he were more of a man-whore, like Shaun, this wouldn’t be so difficult.
“I know, Tad. It’ll happen sometime, man. Gotta go. Robyn’s making me pay for this call.”
Yeah, right. Like that was an issue. “Umm, didn’t you tell me you had a trust fund as well as the guiding business?”
Keil’s deep voice echoed back across the line. “Of course I can afford it, but why would I want to spend more time talking to you when I can be with my mate?”
Tad snickered. That sounded more like Keil. “Got it. Honeymoon. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in Haines on Saturday. Give Robyn a kiss from me. Oh, and welcome to the family.”
Missy opened the door of her hotel room and flushed to see Tad extending a single yellow rose.
“Tad, how sweet. Thank you.” Missy took the flower. She debated going back into the room to put it in water, or leaving with it in her hand. If she went into the room she might haul Tad to the bed and never let him leave.
She didn’t think he was quite ready for that yet. Just because she knew he was a wolf didn’t mean he knew he was a wolf.
Damn hormones.
“I’ll go bring the truck around front. It’s snowing a bit,” Tad said, before winking then turning away.
Missy dealt with the rose and made her way to the parking lot. Tad drove a four-wheel drive that was a little older and more beat up than hers, but just as high to climb into.
She giggled as Tad came to help her. “I swear they should install elevators on these things.”
Tad’s hands stroked her leg as he lifted her in. “Hmmm, that’s a poor idea. I’d miss getting to help the damsel in distress.”
Missy held her breath while Tad trotted around the vehicle and got behind the wheel. Did he have any idea what he did to her body? Any idea how she reacted to every glance, every touch?
She snuck a quick peek. He seemed unaware his scent alone drove her wild. She had to be careful not to do something stupid like kiss him again, or let on she was anything other than a good friend from long ago.
Who drooled at the thought of seeing him naked. There was definitely some kind of connection between them. Strong. Magnetic.
Tad concentrated on the snow-blown road.
“If it’s too bad out we can call tonight off,” Missy offered.
“You haven’t been driving in the Yukon for a while, have you?” Tad asked, a faint smile on his face. “This is great driving weather. All the tourists will stay home, and we just have to look out for Old Man Henry in case he decides to go wandering after closing hours at Klondike Kate’s wearing his bearskin coat. Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.”
Missy returned to staring at his profile as they made their way down the highway to the pub Tad insisted she needed to see.
There was something different about Tad. Other than that he was an untriggered wolf. Missy had never reacted to a man like this before. He smelt different too.
Not just the different that made her mouth water, and she wasn’t supposed to keep heading down that particular road. No, he smelt kind of…not like a wolf at all. Like he was hiding it.
That was impossible because only Omegas had that ability and only triggered wolves were Omegas.
She tried again to access his thoughts. He had a barrier in place that she couldn’t reach behind, leaving only the surface emotions readable—Tad and Missy kissing passionately, naked bodies pressed close together, intense lovemaking that left them both covered in sweat—Missy broke the connection and bit back a moan of desire. What he wanted, she wanted.
By the time they pulled into the parking lot Missy was half out of her mind restraining herself from jumping Tad. She popped open her door and leapt into the blowing snow as soon as the truck shimmied to a stop.
Long deep breaths of icy cold air helped until Tad stepped around the cab with a concerned expression on his face.
“You okay, Missy?”
Oh, please don’t look concerned. Concern was one step away from affection, and tonight her body could jump from affection to full sex with no trouble at all.
“I’m fine. Just needed some fresh air. Shall we go?” Missy forced herself to sound bright and cheerful. She hoped the place would be loud, dark and smoke-filled to dull her senses enough to get through the evening with Tad’s virtue intact.
She wondered if he would appreciate the effort she was making. She had every intention of making love with him, but until she could visit the closest wolf pack and arrange for someone to tell Tad about his heritage, she couldn’t act.
Tad held the door for her, and as she stepped past his arms, she knew she was done for. There was music, quiet and jazzy. The only smoke was from BBQ ribs. And the lighting was perfect to see Tad’s eyes widen as he helped remove her coat.
“Fuck. Oops, sorry, but holy cow, you look good. I don’t think I’ve ever…” Tad swallowed hard, his gaze tracing up the length of her legs to where her skirt ended high above her knees.
Fine. It wouldn’t have met the Catholic Girls School Uniform Requirements, but Missy was short, and she need help to make her legs look longer. At least that was her excuse, and she was sticking to it.
If she’d thought it through more she would have known this evening was going to be a bundle of dynamite waiting to detonate. Then she would have worn her baggy one-piece fleece hoodie that hung past her knees and a sloppy pair of sweat pants.
Liar.
She wouldn’t have. She wanted Tad to drool over her. It made something deep inside very satisfied to see the admiration and fire in his eyes.
She took a quick glance around. They would be safer sitting at the tall stools in front of the bar itself.
Instead, Tad held her elbow and led her back toward a small booth tucked to one side of the bar. It was too late to protest, so she slid onto the soft leather upholstery behind the tiny table, her knees brushing Tad’s as he followed her.
“What are you drinking tonight?” One of the servers stood waiting beside their table. Tad slipped his arm behind Missy, resting it along the back of the seat cushion, caressing her shoulders.
She was going to die. She really was. “Do they have—?”
“Sweetheart, I’m gonna need to see some proof you’re of legal age,” the waitress interrupted.
Tad chortled as Missy dug into her purse, cussing under her breath. She handed over her photo ID, poking Tad in the ribs to get him to stop. It really wasn’t funny anymore.
The waitress handed it back with a wink. “Our bartender can mix you any drink without looking it up. You name a drink he can’t produce, and it’s on the house.”
Missy glanced at the ceiling. She shouldn’t do this. Not with needing to keep control over her body around Tad.
“What are you up to?” Tad teased with a squeeze to her shoulder.
Electrical lust shot through her, and her mouth went dry. To hell with it. A challenge was a challenge, and she could use a stiff drink. She smiled at the waitress.
“I’d like a Skip and Go Naked please.”
Tad choked.
The waitress winked at her. “No problem, sweetheart. Tad, what’ll it be for you t
onight?”
“Rum and Coke, please.”
The waitress left, and Missy watched as she made her way back to the bar. She put in their orders and the bartender’s head flicked in their direction. He lifted a hand and pointed at Missy, shaking his finger.
“What’s a Skip and Go Naked, other than something that causes my heart to do double time?” Tad slipped his fingers over hers, and Missy’s mind drifted.
She was supposed to concentrate on…something. Tad’s beautiful brown eyes stared at her like she was the main dish at an all-you-can-eat dessert bar. Time slowed as she fell into the depths of his gaze. She leaned closer, his mouth inches away. If he’d ease a little more in her direction she be able to—
“You tried to trick me with that one.” The bartender stood in front of them, a pale pink concoction in his hand. Missy made herself smile instead of baring her teeth at the man.
Her hormones were becoming a serious issue tonight.
“You thought if you missed the ‘Hop’ I wouldn’t know it. Hmmm? Well, you’ve got yourself one Skip and Go Naked. I left out the grenadine ’cause I figured that must be the hop.”
Missy forced a laugh as she accepted the glass. “Actually, I’ve never heard of the Hop part. I’m glad you knew how to make one. It’s been a long time. Thank you.”
He kissed her hand then strutted back to his bar, king of all he surveyed.
Missy took a short sip of the sweet drink before glancing at Tad. His eyes were dark, his face intense as he glared after the bartender. Missy frowned. “Tad? You okay?”
Tad shook his head like he was in a daze. “Sorry about that. I don’t like how that fellow leers and touches everyone.” He threw back half his drink and stood. “Come on, let’s dance.”
He pulled her into his arms and Missy’s vocal cords seized up. Tad folded her into him like a pillow into a slip. Every part of him nestled warm and smooth around her, solid and strong in all the right places. Warmth radiated from his core, and Missy concentrated on breathing in a slow, even rhythm.
Hyperventilating on the dance floor. Wonder if anyone ever called the ambulance for that one?
Missy laid her head against Tad’s chest and listened to his heartbeat. She was short enough that even with her high heels, his chin rested on top of her head, his arms reaching down to support her. She draped her hands around him, twining her fingers into the hair at his neckline.
Tad hummed with pleasure.
As they swayed together to the bluesy music, Missy wondered if what she felt was possible. An untriggered male and a runaway Omega wolf—there was a strange combination. She closed her eyes and relaxed the tight reins she’d been keeping on herself. Tad dropped his hands and ran them over her back, down her hips, snuggling her tighter against his body, a rock-hard ridge pressing into her belly. The scent of his arousal wafted by on the air, and she gasped back a groan. She wanted to taste so badly.
It was too much to continue to resist. Every nerve in her body screamed for him, and she lost control. One flavour denied, she took the pleasure she could reach. Missy locked her fingers together, drew his mouth down and kissed him like dynamite. No gentle introduction, no soft finesse or enticement. Simple and hard desire drove her, his taste not even taking the edge off her need.
She slipped one leg on either side of his, pressed her heated core into his thigh with the thought that some release would be better than none. Tad seemed to read her mind. He feasted on her mouth like a starving man while he danced them into the shadows at the edge of the floor, away from any curious onlookers.
Tad dragged his lips from hers, his dark eyes snapping with need as he cupped her face in his hand. “You’re playing with wildfire. Is this what you want? In public? Because we can go back to your hotel.”
Missy gave a little jump, forcing Tad to catch her. Going back to her room was out of the question. She couldn’t—she wouldn’t dare—have sex with Tad without him being aware of what his heritage was. She wasn’t the one to tell him.
But for tonight she was going to grasp the only thing she could and to hell with the consequences.
She wrapped her legs around him tighter, pressing against the solid ridge of his cock until he made an instinctive thrust at her. She let her head drop back, her hands clinging to his neck as he supported her hips in his hands. Somehow he shuffled them farther from the dance floor into a dusky little nook.
“More. Harder,” Missy whispered. All her nerve endings flowed to one spot at the juncture of her thighs where he rubbed and thrust until the sensation of pleasure started to peak and a low sound escaped her lips. Tad covered her mouth with his hungry kisses as he increased the pounding against her, pressing her back into the wall behind them, each stroke caressing her clit like they were skin on skin.
The edge approached and she squeezed hard with her legs, adding the final bit of pressure she needed. She nipped at Tad’s lip, breaking the skin and drawing blood that she sucked with a cry of pleasure. She melted from head to toe and let him catch her, her body uncontrollable as her orgasm rippled through her. Tad thrust another time or two, pressing as deep as the fabric between them would allow before he hissed and tensed as he came.
They stood wrapped in each other, supported by the wall and a strange little ledge under her hips. His scent rose around them, thick and sweet on the air, and Missy’s mouth watered. What they’d done was dangerous but the safest thing under the circumstances. She opened her eyes to see his chest heaving as he dragged air into his lungs.
She looked around curious where they ended up. It was an old phone nook. The privacy shield beside them was all that separated them from the front hallway and the line of people waiting to enter the bar. Missy tried to stifle her laughter, squirming in his arms. Tad opened his eyes, saw where they were and spun them to the right so they were both completely hidden.
He lowered her with gentleness to the phone shelf, hands tender as he adjusted her dress and smoothed her hair. He had such a sweet smile on his face she couldn’t help running her hand over his cheek, stroking his jaw. Tad turned his face into her palm and kissed it. He winked at her.
“Thank you, AT&T.”
Chapter Four
Tad tried to look casual and relaxed as he sat and waited for his sister to appear. Being around large groups of werewolves no longer freaked him out, but now he was in the midst of the Granite Lake pack elite. Beside him, Keil fidgeted with the medallion that was the symbol of his new position as they waited for Robyn.
Since Tuesday night and his date with Missy, it felt as if Tad had worked twenty-hour days. The rest of the researchers had arrived and were in the process of establishing camp. Tad flew passengers and ferried supplies as quickly as possible, but each day passed without time for more than a friendly public hello with Missy when he passed her at the camp where she slept.
The few remaining hours he spent alternating between sleeping and taking cold showers.
He was going to force himself to relax tonight, try to forget big blue eyes, soft skin and passionate kisses, and celebrate his sister’s wedding…wolf mating…whatever it was called.
Tad rotated the ice in his drink as he checked out the faces of the men sitting around him. There were no visible signs they could change into wolves, nothing to set them apart from the rest of society.
Other than, as Robyn put it, they were all freaking gorgeous.
While he’d been friends with these men for years, the stakes for the evening were much higher than flying a sightseeing party or back-country adventure group for Keil’s guiding business. Tonight was invitation-only to celebrate Robyn’s first shift to her wolf, and the acceptance of Keil and Robyn as the new Alphas for the Granite pack. Not only had Keil mated with Robyn, the two of them had shut down an attack on their lives and won the leadership of the pack.
He was never going to let his sister go anywhere alone ever again. Well, Keil would probably have something to say about it too, but sheesh. She was a danger to herself.
“She really made them shift?” Tad asked.
“Oh, not only that, she made them stand around and introduce themselves. Butt naked in the cold. Then they had to apologize to us both for ‘disturbing the serenity of our honeymoon’. I thought Jack was going to pop a vein when she suggested he might like to look into purchasing some of the penis enhancers they advertise online.”
Tad choked on his drink. “My sister?”
Keil exchanged knowing looks with his younger brother TJ. “Oh, yeah. She’s amazing. Don’t piss her off any more than you usually do. Now that she’s wolf she’s even more of a handful.” Tad sat back and swallowed hard. Keil grinned at him. “Wait until she starts ordering you around.”
All of a sudden Keil’s sharp concentration on Tad blurred, his attention turning toward the door Robyn had disappeared behind. Soft scuffling noises came from the other side, and Tad realized Robyn and Keil were speaking to each other through their mate connection.
Another bloody amazing thing werewolves could do. One of the neatest as far as Tad was concerned, because Robyn had been deaf since she was four. She’d not only found her partner but she could hear again in a special way. Tad would still use sign language with her and she could read people’s lips, but to hear someone speak again…
It must be amazing.
The door opened and Robyn stepped through, a pale blue robe draped over her shoulders. Her dark hair swung loose, and her eyes were bigger and brighter than Tad remembered.
His mouth fell open. He’d never seen Robyn look so gorgeous. She was his little sister, for heaven’s sake, and he’d never thought of her as a girl before. As he watched her saunter toward Keil, it dawned on him she wasn’t only a girl but a woman, and the partner to the highest-ranking wolf of this pack.
And she was head over heels in love. She and Keil both were. In fact it was damn uncomfortable to be in the same room watching the two of them. They looked like they’d forgotten others were present, and Tad thought some hot and heavy action would be starting in the next five seconds.