by Vella Day
Well, hell. If there was any chance she wanted to be with him for any length of time, she’d have to take him exactly as is—someone who kicked his feet up on the coffee table, drank bear out of a bottle, and left his crap all over the place. If she couldn’t handle that, then it wasn’t meant to be.
He rang the bell, shuffling his feet for a few seconds before forcing himself to still. A future Alpha had no reason to be nervous. He had a good job, money in the bank, and was about to be in a role of authority.
When Izzy opened the door, all those thoughts evaporated, and every cell in his body exploded. He immediately tossed out all the reasons why she wasn’t his mate. She was his. She had to be. He couldn’t help but stare at her black silky top that hugged every curve. Wow. Hot and sexy didn’t come close to describing her. While her beige shorts were of modest length, the platform shoes made her legs look a mile long. If she’d pulled her hair back instead of letting it hang loose, he might have been able to keep his eyes in their sockets. And her lily scent woke up his wolf. He hoped to hell she didn’t glance down and see the bulge in his pants. Goddess in heaven. This might have been a mistake. How had he forgotten what being around her did to him?
Rye instantly glanced behind her in the hopes he could keep his body from transforming in front of her.
“You want to come in?” she asked.
It would have been polite to say yes, but if he did, no telling what he might say or do. “Could I take a rain check? I forgot to eat lunch so I’m rather hungry.” That was a blatant lie, but nothing else came to mind.
Her mouth parted in sympathy, and the urge to kiss those luscious lips nearly tossed him over the edge. Rye glanced down for a moment, disgusted at his lack of control.
“Let me get my purse then.”
Izzy appeared so cool and calm. Hell, even if she were his mate, he didn’t deserve her. A moment later, she came out then locked up. He thought it strange she’d take such precaution since he’d never heard of any crime in the Wendayan Cove area before, but he didn’t want to embarrass her by asking. Perhaps after living in Europe, she’d learned to be wary.
Without thinking, he placed a hand on her back as he led her down the pathway, and sizzling sparks shot straight through him. Fuck. “Are you happy to be home?” he asked, needing something to take his mind off his traitorous body.
“I am. I missed my family so very much.”
He opened the passenger side door for her and watched her slide in, her long legs stirring the wolf in him once more. Rye jogged over to the other side and hopped in. “I heard you planned on staying longer.”
Kalan had found out from Mrs. Berta that Izzy wasn’t to return for another month or so, which meant there had to be a reason why her studies were cut short.
Firing up the SUV, he backed out of her driveway then headed into town. Rye glanced over at her, but she was staring out the window. “What is it? You can tell me.” He thought about the flying papers this morning. “Did someone get hurt when you used your powers? Is that why you rushed home?”
“No! It’s nothing like that.”
He waited for her to elaborate, but her lips remained in a thin line. Clearly, this was a sore subject. Just as he was about to drill her again, she twisted in her seat toward him. “Naliana summoned me home.”
His grip firmed on the wheel, and his pulse soared. “You spoke to the moon goddess?”
Had it been the white moon, he would have understood. His father had taken him to visit Naliana and her husband, James, a few times, but she had never communicated with him or his father when she wasn’t on earth.
“Yes, but our conversation was short. She asked I go home, and when I asked her why, she told me to just obey.”
“That sounds like something she’d say. When you returned, did you find out what was wrong?” Both the bears and wolves looked out for the Wendayans.
“No, and that’s what puzzles me.”
Rye tried to think back about Naliana’s other requests while she was in her human form, but he couldn’t remember her asking any member of his Clan to do anything like that. “How did she sound?”
“What do you mean?”
“Was her tone urgent? Or did she seem upset with something?” Rye made a left onto High Point Street.
What sounded like a snort came out. “I didn’t think about it. I was in shock when she spoke.”
“I would have been, too. What were you doing at the time?”
She stilled for a moment and then said, “Oh, my.”
“What?”
“It hadn’t occurred to me there might be a connection between my unease during my last few days in Scotland and Naliana’s contacting me.”
Rye didn’t like the way this sounded. He pulled into the parking lot of his uncle’s bar, cut the engine, and then faced her. “Back up a minute. Tell me what made you worry.” His tone might have come out too demanding, but his protective nature had kicked into high gear.
She ran a hand down her top and his thoughts short-circuited for a moment. When his nails extended due to his lurid thoughts, he dug them into his pants leg to distract himself, but it didn’t work as well as he would have hoped.
“I went to Europe to learn from other Wendayans who are well-versed in manipulating air, wind, fire, and earth.”
He whistled. “I saw what you did with those papers. Are you saying you can do other things too?” He’d been aware that her cousin Teagan had premonitions, and her sister could help heal injuries, but he wasn’t aware of any Wendayan who possessed multiple talents.
Her face turned pink. “Yes, but it’s not something I brag about.”
Now he felt bad and cupped her hand. “I didn’t mean to pry. Are you hungry?” He would finish the conversation inside.
She smiled. “I know you are.”
Rye slid out of his seat and rushed to the other side. This time when he placed a hand on her shoulder to help her out, his libido didn’t explode though it did flare. Perhaps his concern for her had interrupted the mating call for a moment.
He led her inside and the aroma of beer and peanuts assaulted him. Rye should have given more thought as to whether this was a good place to bring a woman like Izzy.
Separated into two rooms, the poolroom was in the back and contained five tables. The large, noisy front area had a long, polished wooden bar against the east wall, a stage on the north side with a small dance floor in front, and booths along the other two walls with some scattered tables on the south side.
“It’s a bit loud,” he said. “If you want to go to the Lake Steakhouse, we can head on over there.”
Her eyes sparkled. “What? Are you afraid you might lose at pool?”
He remembered her comment about being able to move the balls around. “I won’t unless you cheat.”
She grinned, looking like a mischievous imp. “I promise to behave.”
He waved to his little brother, Finn, who was managing the bar. “Let’s sit at a booth in the back,” Rye said.
Wanting as quiet a spot as possible, he led her to the south side, away from the noise. His cousin Molly rushed over. Oh, boy. Every one of his brothers would hear about his date in a matter of minutes.
“Hey, Rye.” Molly glanced over at Izzy. “Welcome back. Long time no see.” She gave her a hug.
“Four years to be exact.”
“Wow, it didn’t seem that long.”
As nice as it was for the girls to catch up, this was his date. “I’d like a Heineken.” He looked over at Izzy. “What would you like?”
“A Cabernet.”
Molly winked, understanding the hint that he wanted to be left alone. “You got it.”
As soon as his cousin disappeared, and before other well-wishers arrived, Rye wanted to finish their conversation. “I want to get back to what happened overseas.”
“You aren’t going to let that topic drop, are you?”
“Not a chance.”
She waved a hand. “Okay, it wa
s probably my imagination, but I thought someone was following me.”
He didn’t like that one bit. “Animal, mineral, or vegetable?” He didn’t want her to think he wasn’t capable of some levity.
That brought a smile to her lips. “I don’t know, but from his ability to disappear at will, I’m thinking it could be your kind.”
“You make that sound bad.”
“Not all are good.”
His first thought was a Changeling. “What made you suspicious?”
She lifted one shoulder. “Just a feeling. I wish I were like Teagan, as she would have known what it was. I can’t sense one, but right before you-know-who contacted me, I was at an inlet practicing my skills when I felt the hairs on my neck rise—literally. I turned around and spotted a gray wolf with a distinctive white patch on his forehead just standing there.”
His gut churned. “What did he do?”
“He ran away. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, but when I reached my car, I noticed fresh tire tracks next to a set of paw prints.”
“That’s what made you think he might be like me. If he shifted into his wolf form, he might have returned to his car then shifted back into his human form, which would explain the paw prints.”
“That was what I was thinking. I should have looked at the spot where he’d been hiding. I might have seen some discarded clothes, but I just wanted to get out of there. Before I even reached my car, I was contacted by her.” Izzy glanced upward.
“Her timing could have been coincidental or she might have been watching out for you.” The members of his Clan believed Naliana was aware of everything that went on in their lives. “Regardless of the reason, I’m glad you’re back in the States.”
“Me too,” she said with a smile that seemed more than just someone who was happy to be home.
Molly returned with their drinks. “You know what you want?” She glanced between them.
“Give us a minute, please,” Rye said.
“Sure.”
Izzy picked up her menu. “Will you get ribbed for being out with me?”
That came out of left field. “Why should I be?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m not your kind.”
He appreciated she was trying to be discreet in public by not saying the word werewolf. An Alpha having a non-werewolf mate might never have happened in the past, but if they were destined to be together, he didn’t mind being the first. “I honestly don’t care what people say since it’s none of their business.” Though as late as yesterday, he was in denial about the possibility.
“I agree.”
When Izzy folded her menu, he raised his hand for Molly. She came over, and they both ordered. “So what do you like to do for fun?” he asked, wanting to learn more about her.
“Fun? Practice my skills.” Her brows rose, clearly trying not to say anything that would tip off the rest of the human population about her extensive abilities.
“Anything else? Do you like to ride horses, bowl, watch movies, work out, or what?”
“Are you interviewing me for a job?”
Oh, shit. He hadn’t meant it to come off like that. “No. I guess I’m out of practice being around a beautiful woman.” And one whose fragrance is driving me crazy.
The tension in her shoulders seemed to disappear. “Thank you, but I didn’t peg you as the shy kind.”
“It happens now and again.” When I’m with someone who means a lot to me. It seemed as if someone had lined his boots with lead. He was sinking faster and faster with each word—proof that he cared too much.
This is Izzy. Enjoy.
She leaned back in her seat. “Since you asked what I like to do for fun, I’ll give you the quick lowdown about me. Growing up, I always had the sense my parents expected great things from me. Taking time to run around with the regular kids was hard, because I was too excited to see what new things I could conquer.”
“You turned out okay.”
“Thank you, but I never really fit in. Being me could be daunting at times. I’d see someone struggling and want to help, but to do so would expose my powers.”
He’d never thought about how hard it would be to stand by helpless. At least if a fight broke out, he could lend a hand as a human. “That would be tough. I’d live in guilt.”
“I do sometimes.” She cleared her throat as if she didn’t want to speak about herself any more. “What about you?”
Compared to Izzy, his life was mundane. “I grew up like everyone else, except that I had a few extra talents.”
She smiled. “Like the ones that came in handy on the football field?”
He gave her an evil eye. “I’ll have you know that I pumped iron more than anyone on the team, though I won’t deny being a natural beast didn’t hurt.”
She chuckled, just as he’d intended. “I was only kidding, you know.”
Rye enjoyed teasing her back. “Uh huh.”
“In all seriousness,” she said, “Despite your normal upbringing, you did very well for yourself. Not many thirty-two year olds are asked to lead a large group of men and women.”
“I wish I could say I’ve earned the honor, but those things are handed down from one generation to the next.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your father wouldn’t have stepped down unless he was confident you were ready.”
He’d like to think so. “Maybe, but time will tell.”
His cousin waltzed up with the food and placed the first plate on the table. “Chicken for the lady and a hamburger for Rye. Bon appetite.” She grinned, spun around, and rushed off.
“Molly’s looking good,” Izzy said.
Rye wasn’t sure how to respond. Telling Izzy she looked better probably wouldn’t be welcome. “I think it’s because she’s happy. She likes working here, at least for now.”
They both dug into their meals. Halfway through, the front door opened and Rye glanced up, his senses reacting to the presence of a Were. Four people came in, but none were shifters he recognized, and he didn’t like it one bit.
“What is it?” Izzy asked, concern lacing her tone.
Chapter Four
‡
Rye looked Izzy straight in the eye. “Nothing. I thought a friend had come in, but I was mistaken.” He smiled then dug into his meal with gusto, proving his earlier claim that he had been hungry.
She wasn’t sure she believed him. Twisting around to check it out, two of the men who entered were carrying some electronic equipment they then brought up on stage. “Are those the Lakewood Boys?” Izzy hadn’t seen them since high school.
Rye glanced up. “Sure are. They’re good too.”
“I remember enjoying them.” She hoped it wouldn’t become so loud that they couldn’t talk. Having been on her guard for the last four years, it was so nice to be able to relax and not have to worry if she slipped up.
Rye seemed intent on eating quickly, but she couldn’t tell if it was because he didn’t know what to say or if he couldn’t wait to show off his pool skills. She’d played the game perhaps three times in her life and was terrible, but hopefully, she could convince him to give her some pointers.
Normally, she wouldn’t have bothered asking him, as she doubted she would play again, but something about Rye made her want to be near him. And that voice! Holy crap, it was so deep and sexy, she could listen to him talk for hours. The only real issue was that he kept sending out mixed signals. At times, he exuded such control, especially when his protective side flared up, but every time she tossed him a smile, he looked away—and that confused her. He had seemed interested in her talent and not at all afraid of what she could do, yet something about her seemed to shove him off balance.
Regardless of how he acted around her, for the first time in her life Izzy was actually interested in him—as a man. She always figured she would end up with a Wendayan for obvious reasons, but she saw no reason not to branch out. It didn’t hurt that she loved the way h
e smelled, and just watching him move made her wonder what he would be like in bed. As for playing pool, if he were willing to help, having the hunky man draped over her wouldn’t be a hardship.
Wanting to get on with their date, she set down her utensils, and finished off her glass of liquid courage.
Rye looked up. “You finished?”
“Yes, but don’t let me stop you.”
He pushed his plate away. “Don’t want any more. You want to play some pool or would you rather go out for a walk? I’m good either way.”
No he wasn’t. He seemed to love pool and wanted to play, but she appreciated how concerned he was that she have a good time. One of the Lakewood Boys tapped the microphone, did a quick sound check, and then strummed his guitar. “Pool’s good, but go easy on me. I’m a newbie.”
He gave her a cheeky grin then slid out of the booth. “I have a feeling I’m going to get my ass handed to me.”
“Trust me, that won’t happen.” Not unless she redirected the air from the vent, which she’d never do in public.
With his hand on her back again, he led her past the bar into the back room, and that one gesture made her feel warm, safe, and rather turned on. What was it about Rye that had her pulse soaring? Perhaps it had been too long since she’d been with a man. When she was near him, all her feminine parts tingled, and she suspected she glowed a bit too, but hopefully nothing that was noticeable.
Two of the five tables were empty, and he walked up to the one near the far wall. “First we need to find you a cue stick,” he said.
She didn’t think it mattered which one she used, but apparently, he wanted her to have the best experience. Rye had her test out a couple, and because she was tall, she decided she preferred a longer stick. Izzy inwardly giggle. What woman didn’t like a big one? “This one’s good.”
While he arranged the balls, she watched some of the other players. Their power and accuracy impressed her. If only they’d been Wendayans, they might have been able to channel their talents into something quite helpful.