by Vivian Arend
“Oh, gag.” TJ rose from his chair and cut across the room pretending to slip his finger down his throat. He slid in front of Robyn and kissed her cheek before stepping back to ensure she could read his lips. “While I’m glad you’re going to be my sister-in-law and my Alpha, can you save the sex for when you get in front of the pack?”
Tad choked again. Holy crap.
The colour drained from Robyn’s face. She whipped around to glare at Keil. Tad’s soon-to-be brother-in-law swallowed hard and shrugged. They were doing it again, he realized. Talking silently to each other.
Meanwhile TJ leaned over and patted Tad’s shoulder kindly. “Don’t worry, you can stop freaking out now. They’ll be wolves. It’s just one of those things,” he whispered.
Tad shook his head in disbelief. “Yeah, well, excuse me if I don’t watch.” He shivered. Damn wolves and their openness about sex.
Robyn flushed when Keil offered his arm, pausing for a second before shaking her head. She laid a hand on his elbow, and with a regal air, they strolled through the door toward the main hall and the ceremony.
Tad loved to see the connection between them, see how much they cared for each other. If only he could find someone to complete him as well.
Missy turned him inside out with sexual need and he loved being with her. The longing for more squeezed his throat shut. Could he really give up on the possibility of being able to shift into a wolf? He watched Robyn and Keil walk away, cuddled close and intimate, and his heart and mind fought to make a decision.
Tad leaned against the wall in the shadows watching wolves and humans in various stages of undress wander the hall floor after the actual ceremony had finished. Seeing Robyn shift to wolf form for the first time had brought him to tears. He managed to wipe his eyes before anyone noticed and stood back to observe. Some of the pack removed their clothes and shifted to head outdoors with Robyn and Keil for a run. Others seemed content to visit at the tables lining the side of the hall.
Then it started.
“Well, what have we here? A half-blood lurking in the corner? Someone take out the trash for me.”
Tad glanced down at an older woman, brown skin leathered by the sun. “Hey, I was—”
An overgrown ape pounded up to Tad and grabbed him by the arm. He gave Tad a brief sniff then choked. “Gag. Untriggered too. Move along, little puppy. This event is for big boys and girls. Invitation only.” He began to drag Tad toward the exit doors.
“Hang on, I was invited—”
“Right. And I’m the Queen of Sheba.” The woman tossed back her bleached hair. “It’s riffraff like you that make me worry about bloodlines. Nasty thing.”
Tad pulled hard and slipped away. He backed up quickly, darting a glance around the room to try to find a friendly face. A hand grabbed his shoulder.
He acted on instinct and swung his fist landing a solid blow on…TJ’s jaw.
Damn. That wasn’t on the to-do list.
TJ flew backward to collapse at the feet of an angry crowd.
“See, just what I’ve said all along. We get no respect from half-bloods anymore.” A skinny man pulled TJ to his feet and tried to brush him off. “I do hope you’re all right, TJ. How extremely rude of this bum to hit you. Don’t worry, we’ll show him out.”
TJ slapped the man’s hands away and stomped up to Tad. Shaking his finger in Tad’s face, TJ glared angrily. “Do you know what you’ve done? Jerk. You cost me twenty bucks.” He clapped Tad on both shoulders and his scowl turned to a grin. “I thought the brown-nosing would require at least a couple of hours to start. You’ve managed to get the suck-ups to show themselves not even fifteen minutes after Keil left the room. Good job, buddy.”
TJ turned and stared back at the gathering crowd. “I suspected some of you were assholes, now I know for sure. Did any of you think to ask my friend who he was? You know, a visitor in town for a special occasion, let’s welcome him, that kind of thing?”
The Queen of Sheba shoved to the front of the group and seemed intent on continuing to stir things up. “Why should we show him any manners? He’s a half-blood. Untriggered. At his age that means he’s packless.”
“What’s wrong, TJ?” The pack Beta, Erik, slipped beside them, his solid six-foot-five-inch frame an encouraging wall of safety.
TJ stared at the twenty or so wolves gathered in front of him. “Nothing’s wrong. Tad and I were just reviewing Manners 101 with these morons. Let’s go get something to eat while we wait for Keil and Robyn to return.” He directed them toward the food, speaking over his shoulder. “I know Robyn will be happy to see her brother after she shifts back.”
Stunned silence greeted his words.
“Oh come on, Tad, you knew wolves were just as bad as humans in some areas. Worse in others.” Erik forced away another wolf who attempted to pull up a chair and join them. “Ranking means only a little less than breathing to some of these jerks, and now that they know you’re related to the Alpha—”
“—they all want to be my friend. I get it. I just don’t like it. They didn’t even want me in the building before. Is this an Alaskan thing? The Whitehorse pack had no problem accepting me as a half-blood. Untriggered. Heck, I don’t know if it’s a good idea for me to switch and join your pack, even if Robyn is now Alpha. Even if it’s the closest pack to my work base.” He shoved away his plate. He couldn’t eat if he tried.
What had started as an amazing day had turned dark and cold.
“They’re kissing up to you, are they?” Erik retrieved Tad’s plate and pulled off an untouched chicken drumstick.
“I got accosted when I hit the can. The Queen of Sheba, who must be close to eighty-five, offered me FirstMate.” Tad shuddered. “I know I’ve been waiting a long time, but hell will freeze over before I accept her.”
Erik grimaced. “Nasty. I hear you. Still, I’m sure there’s someone else who’s willing.”
Tad shook his head. “Don’t you see, what’s the point? I don’t want to have sex with someone who’s willing because Robyn is Alpha. I want someone who wants me for, well, me. Is that too much to ask?”
“The issue is no one can sense how strong you are. The girls don’t want to be trapped by a false mating,” Erik pointed out. “And since you turned down the rare offers you’ve gotten from mated females, you’re out of luck.”
“I still don’t get why you didn’t accept FirstMate,” TJ complained. “If she offers, her mate must be cool with it. Why aren’t you? I mean, heck I know Keil would never allow it, but if Robyn did offer and he did agree and if I still had FirstMate to complete, which I don’t, but if I did I would have no problem accepting a little loving from Miss Sweetcakes. Oww…” TJ howled as a firm grip on his ear twisted him to face Keil and Robyn, fully clothed and glaring daggers. TJ pulled a face.
Robyn lifted her arms and signed to Tad who hooted out loud. “Um, Robyn says it’s Alpha Sweetcakes to you, TJ.”
TJ grasped Keil’s hand and attempted to rescue his ear. “My apologies, oh most high rulers, but you are one hot babe, Robyn. Just in case my brother ever forgets to tell you.”
Robyn glanced back at Tad with a questioning look. He shook his head. There was no way he was translating that comment to her.
Tad pulled her in for a hug, embracing her for a minute while he considered his options. Keil had asked him to stick around for a couple of days to help with sign language and make Robyn feel at home in Alaska with the Granite Lake pack. He’d originally said he’d do it, but now he knew it wouldn’t work. Not if the last couple of hours were any indication. There was far too much politics involved, and while he liked to socialize and problem solve, there was no use in trying it here. His lack of official status would make it impossible for him to accomplish anything of value.
Tad stepped back and lifted his hands to talk to Robyn in American Sign Language, glad to have a way to enjoy a private conversation in the middle of the crowded room.
“You look amazing,” he told her.
/> “I feel amazing. Oh, Tad, wait until you can shift. It’s so…” She stopped and wrinkled her nose at him. “You don’t feel comfortable here. You’re leaving.”
Tad dropped his hands in amazement. She really was a powerful wolf. “I see your damn Alpha insight is working already.”
Robyn stuck her tongue out at him briefly. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m happy for you, sis. Really I am. In fact, this whole evening has helped me realize it’s time to move on. I need to stop waiting for something to happen to make me satisfied and go make it happen.”
Robyn frowned, her dark eyes staring into his. “Explain. You feel like you’re a bubble ready to burst.”
Tad sighed. It wasn’t really time for this conversation, but it needed to be said. She deserved to know he’d finally arrived at a decision. “I don’t want to mess up your celebration. It’s just I’m not going to worry about trying to trigger my wolf anymore, okay? Keil explained to you it’s tough for a half-blood like me to get triggered. I’ve decided I’m going to ignore my wolf side and go make my human side happy instead.” The image of Missy’s face, and body, struck hard. She really wasn’t a bad alternative to focus on.
A myriad of emotions flickered across Robyn’s face. Confusion, disbelief, sadness. Then a hint of amusement. “What if you can have both? What you want as a human and what your wolf needs?”
Tad shook his head. “It’s not possible. You were lucky. You found Keil, and you weren’t even looking for him. It’s better if I just forget the whole wolf thing.”
Robyn stomped her foot. “Bullshit. You can’t ignore your wolf and still be happy. That’s what was wrong with me before. I knew something was missing, and you will not believe how big a difference I feel now that my wolf is a complete part of me. Don’t give up. You really can be happy with yourself and trigger your wolf. I know it.”
“Making a proclamation as my Alpha?”
She rested her hands on her hips for a second, the gold flecks in her eyes swirling as she stared at him. Power rolled from her, and his spine tingled. Holy shit, she was strong.
She raised her hands to sign again. “As both your Alpha and your sister. You’ve always looked out for me. I haven’t said thank you nearly enough. I love you, and I want you to be happy. It’s going to work out in the end.”
She punched him in the shoulder then pulled him in for another hug. She held on to both sides of his head and stared deep into his eyes for a moment. The wolf within her was beautiful to see, but he wasn’t the type to seize advantage of her good fortune. He wasn’t going to ride her coattails to get triggered. As much as the idea that there was one special someone out there for him excited him, being with Missy was not a bad alternative.
Partners for life was what he wanted, even if it meant his wolf remained trapped.
“Tad, hang on.” Erik rushed into the parking lot and placed a restraining hand on Tad’s door. “Keil needs to talk to you before you go.”
Tad was tired, fed up and ready to go home to collapse and dream about Missy. “Can it wait?”
Erik froze. He raised a brow.
“Oh shit. Sorry.” Damn, damn, damn. He really needed to remember who he was talking to at times. The whole werewolf code was like some kind of mystical Ten Commandments, and Tad seemed to constantly break the rules, one way or another. He relocked his door and fell into step with the giant man.
Erik spoke softly. “You can get away with a lot, being related to Robyn and all, but it’s not a good idea—”
“I know, I know, the whole ‘Alpha is King’ thing. I have trouble remembering at times. It doesn’t seem real, maybe because I can’t shift. I guess I’m not a very good wolf.” Tad had to walk double-quick to keep up with the strides of his new Beta.
“How can you not remember?” Erik asked. “Don’t you feel as if you’ve got to listen when Keil talks? Or your previous Alpha in Whitehorse?”
Tad shrugged. “I guess. Well, sometimes. Sometimes I just feel annoyed.”
“Annoyed?” Erik sounded strange, like he had swallowed something the wrong way.
Tad flicked a glance up at him. “Annoyed or even pissed off. Usually when I think it’s something stupid for them to ask. I don’t think Keil’s ordered me to do anything yet, so I’m not sure, but my Alpha in Whitehorse, heck, I ignore him all the time.”
Erik was no longer at his side. Tad turned back to look at the man who was several paces behind and making the weirdest face.
This night was turning truly bizarre.
“What?” Tad watched as the Beta walked a slow circle around him, sniffing the air. “Sod off—I hate it when people do that.” Tad pressed both hands to the giant’s shoulder and forced him away. Not an easy task since Erik was built like a brick shithouse with reinforced metal corners.
Erik shook his head slowly. “Keil’s gonna blow a gasket.”
“Tad’s going to pitch a fit if he doesn’t get to go home soon. Stop with the wolfie mumbo jumbo and let’s go see the Big Cheese.” Tad stormed into the hall, Erik trailing behind him chuckling.
Keil met them at the front foyer and motioned for his Beta to stand watch.
“You’re making me nervous. Is something wrong?” Tad asked, glancing around the empty space. He didn’t see any trouble, but something was odd about the way Keil looked at him.
Keil put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and guided him to some overstuffed chairs at the side of the area. “No, you’re fine, Robyn’s fine, all that kind of stuff. I need to talk to you about something serious before you leave.”
Tad waited.
“It’s kind of a delicate subject with you, so I didn’t think I should mention it in front of the others.”
Tad waited.
Keil rolled his eyes. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?”
Tad grinned at the big man. This was the most entertainment he’d had all night. Then his smile faded as he got an inkling of the topic at hand. “Oh crap, you’re not going to tell me someone’s offered FirstMate, are you?”
Keil frowned. “I thought you’d be pleased. You’ve been waiting forever—”
Tad’s blood started to boil. Enough was enough. “Keil, I don’t want to fuck someone who’s just trying to impress you. Forget it.”
“She’s not trying to impress me.”
“Yeah. Right. Let me guess. Is she a skinny blonde with a tan?”
Keil sat back. “Well, I wouldn’t call her skinny, but she is blonde. You know who offered?”
Tad pulled a sour expression. “She offered already and I thought I would lose my dinner. You don’t really think I should accept her, do you? I know it’s not forever, but I do have to look at her for a couple days. And touch her…” He shivered. The thought of being intimate with the Queen of Sheba turned his stomach. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Anger flared across Keil’s face. “If this is how picky you are, no wonder you’ve never been triggered. I thought we’d finally found a solution you’d be pleased with.” Keil picked up one of the cushions from the couch and smacked it with his fist. He raised his dark eyes to glare at Tad.
He glared back until he remembered this was both his new Alpha and his new brother-in-law. Tad sighed and lowered his gaze. “I don’t think I’m being picky.”
“Who are you waiting for, Miss Wolf Canada?” Keil demanded.
Tad gaped at him. No way. “Is there such a thing?”
“Arghhh!” Keil threw the pillow at him.
Tad held up his hands, trying to calm Keil down. “Look, I’m not trying to be difficult.”
“Well, you’re managing to piss me off, and you’re going to get me in shit with my mate. Robyn was so excited at the possibility you’d get triggered soon.”
Like that was going to change Tad’s mind about the whole thing. “I’m not fucking someone for Robyn’s sake.”
“It’s just FirstMate. Get over it.”
Tad shook his head.
Keil cros
sed his arms over his chest. “Then you get to explain yourself to Robyn because she thought you’d be thrilled. She said Missy was one of the—”
“What?” Tad leapt forward in his seat. Who did Keil say? “Wait a second, rewind. Who are we talking about here? Did you say Missy?”
“Damn right. Gorgeous woman like that offers you—”
“She’s a wolf?”
Holy crap, Missy offered FirstMate? Sweet, beautiful, sexy-as-all-get-out Missy who turned him inside out with longing? His heart pounded harder and suddenly it was difficult to breath.
Keil pinched the bridge of his nose. “Shit, are you never going to learn how to pick up a scent? Yes, Missy is a wolf. She came by yesterday to tell me she was in the area. As the nearest pack, it’s a courtesy thing to check in. She caught the whole hullabaloo about me and Robyn taking over leadership, and you not being triggered, and she said she’d be delighted to offer you FirstMate. Seems she’s had a soft spot for you since high school. But since you aren’t interested, and the mere thought of touching her causes your face to turn green I guess I should just—”
“Will you slow down?” Tad hopped from his chair and began to pace. His nerves jangled for a second then relaxed as a faint trail of hope began to build. But why had Missy not mentioned anything? “I didn’t know she was a wolf. We went on a date the other day and she never said a word to me.”
“She wasn’t sure you knew about your wolf genes until she met Robyn.” Keil looked puzzled. “Just who did you think I was suggesting?”
Missy wanted to have sex with him. Tad fought down the images that flared in his mind to concentrate on answering Keil. “I thought you were talking about the chick with the shimmery pink highlights in her hair.”
Keil laughed and shook his head. “Okay, now your reaction makes sense. So now that we’re talking the same language, what do you think? Missy’s a widow, so your little issue about not doing the deed with a married woman is a moot point. Plus she’s excessively easy on the eyes. Not that I would notice, being totally enamored by your sister and all.”