Wolfe's Mate

by Caryn Moya Block

  A doctor at the Hôpital Necker, where Norris worked before joining the lycan breeding project, saw the obituary in the paper and called Monsieur Boulanger to say that hospital staff would like to come to the funeral. How many people that might entail, Esme didn’t know. Many of Norris’ colleagues loved him.

  The previous evening, Esme had stood in front of the whole pack and suggested it was too risky for families to attend the funeral. She knew some of the Paris pack blamed Norris for the latest tragedy, while others thought she and Jared should leave for Quebec immediately.

  What a ruckus that caused. Lycans were proud and the fact she questioned their bravery wasn’t taken well. Not that she meant it that way. She wouldn’t be able to face someone getting hurt because of her.

  She did want to leave for Quebec with Jared, though not before the funeral. She needed a few days to grieve. Jared understood her feelings since he lost both his parents. Josephine and Valerii supported her decision to stay, but some of the other lycans worried.

  Esme was completely overwhelmed by the whole situation. For two hours this morning, Jared had been downstairs planning the logistics of the funeral as if they were battlefield maneuvers. During the meeting, Susan jumped at every sound, while Brenda paced. Granger stood silent, his eyes sad, watching the woman who was his mate. After a while, Esme, unable to handle the tension another minute, escaped to the room she shared with Jared in the Alpha’s house.

  She took a long soak in the bathtub, then slowly got ready to say her final farewell to her brother. It surprised her that everyone left her alone but it was a welcome relief. She picked up a brush and slowly pulled it through her hair.

  A soft knock drew her attention. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Laurel.”

  Esme hurried and unlocked the door. She threw it open and stepped into Laurel’s embrace. “You came. I didn’t know if you were going to make it.”

  The women hugged, and Esme tugged Laurel into the room, closing the door behind her.

  “Of course, we came. Anton is downstairs with the men. Grigori sends his regrets. His wife, Melisande is pregnant with their second child. She is human, and carrying a lycan child wears her out. They think this one will be a girl.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Esme said. “Please relay my best wishes. You look lovely in black. It shows off your red hair to advantage.”

  “It also shows off my freckles.” They both laughed. “I’ll be happy to relay your message. Why are you hiding up here? It’s almost time to go to the cemetery.” Laurel rubbed Esme’s back.

  “I couldn’t take it anymore. The men act as if we’re going to war.” Esme led Laurel to a pair of chairs situated near the window.

  “To some, we already are at war. Doctors for a Better Humanity kidnapped and tortured Josephine’s parents. Her pack members suffered greatly from their losses. You can’t fault them for taking this situation seriously.”

  “I know … I guess I just don’t want to face the idea of such evil.” Esme rubbed a hand over her eyes.

  “Pretending evil doesn’t exist is a sure way to become its victim. I’m sorry, Esme. But you need to face reality. This group is fixated on you and the newly turned lycans. Its obsession isn’t going to go away. When was the last time you went running in your wolf form?”

  “Not since the last run with the English pack. Why?”

  “The wolf is a part of you. With all this emotional tension, it would help if you could go out and be free for a while.”

  “That probably won’t happen until we get to Quebec. Jared purchased tickets for us. We fly out tomorrow morning. He wanted to leave this evening but couldn’t get all of us on the same flight.”

  “Brenda and Susan will go with you, then? I met them when we arrived.”

  “Yes. Brenda and Granger have heartmated though she ignores him most of the time.”

  “Yes, I noticed that. Asena doesn’t pick a mate for someone without good reason. Brenda will not be able to ignore him forever. When you get to Quebec, don’t wait. All of you need to reconnect with your wolf. Brenda and Susan should run as wolves every day, if possible, and then shift back. They will need to practice to learn to keep control. I’ll speak to Jared before you leave.”

  “I wish you could come with us.” Esme felt tears threaten. Everything was changing too quickly. She’d lost her brother and her house, and had no idea what to expect when she got to Quebec.

  “I’ve already talked to Anton about visiting Quebec. Jared told me there are several packs in Canada and several in the United States. He suggested we have a conference where all the Alpha’s gather to share information that will help each pack survive. We have been separated too long. Maybe that way, we can find a cure for our breeding problems.”

  “That would be wonderful. Did Norris discover anything to help you?” Esme said. He’d worked on the problem only a few months. Could he have found a cure if he were still alive?

  “Actually, he did notice some environmental factors and some vitamins we might give to mated couples. I still need to do a few tests before I prescribe something. The one thing I’ve noticed is that human mates don’t seem to have fertility problems. Only lycan females. I am curious to see how you, Brenda, and Susan do since you were humans first.”

  A soft knock on the door heralded Jared’s arrival. He wore a black suit and tie. His hair wet from a shower. Esme felt guilty for a moment because she’d locked the door earlier. He must have used Granger’s bathroom.

  “Are you ladies ready to go? Valerii has ordered several limousines to transport all of us.”

  Laurel nodded. Esme stood up and rushed into Jared’s outstretched arms. He held her close and kissed her temple. “I’m sorry to be so distant,” she whispered.

  “Je t’aime, Esme. I know this is hard on you, mon coeur. Come, everyone is waiting downstairs.”

  Esme let Jared sweep her downstairs and into the limo. He was her mate, and today she needed someone to lean on. Anton and Laurel, as well as Brenda and Granger, joined them in the first limousine. Valerii and Josephine, with Susan, Darcel and Josephine’s grandparents, rode in the second limo.

  “Remember to stay close,” Jared cautioned everyone. “That way no one is alone if something happens. The gravestones are not very far apart and there isn’t much room in the cemetery. Esme’s family has a small mausoleum where the casket will be placed. Laurel, will Asena help us if we need her?”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. She doesn’t tell me when she’s going to work through me. She just takes over. I will do everything I can, even if Asena doesn’t make an appearance.”

  “That’s all we can ask,” Esme said quickly. She’d never seen the Lycan Goddess take over Laurel’s body, but she’d heard stories about it. “Jared and I appreciate your support.”

  “What else could we do?” Anton said, smiling. “Jared is my cousin, even though we just met. A pack is an extended family, Esme.”

  “Our driver is one of the Paris pack,” Jared explained. “He will drive as close as he can to the place where the service will be held and guard the limo until the ceremony is over.”

  Granger reached for Brenda’s hand. She didn’t look at him but didn’t pull away. Esme hoped Laurel was right about them. Granger looked so sad.

  They pulled into the Cimetière du Montparnasse and wove their way down the tree-lined Rue Émile Richard until they could see the gravesite. Monsieur Boulanger, with a clergyman by his side, stood next to the hearse. The limo pulled over to the curb and parked. The driver opened the door, and the occupants exited the vehicle.

  People lined both sides of the street, some carrying flowers. Other attendees were grouped among the graves and lingered around the small stone building with the metal door that read, Famille Fortescue across the top. Jared swore softly. “With so many people around, we won’t know who is a friend and who is an enemy. Esme stay near me.”

  Esme slipped her hand into Jared’s and let him draw her into his embr
ace. He kept one arm around her waist and led her to the place where Monsieur Boulanger stood. Through the trees, dappled sunlight fell haphazardly across the man’s face.

  “Esme, you are looking well. Mr. Wolfe, nice to see you again.”

  “Monsieur Boulanger, thank you for taking care of all the details for Norris,” Esme said.

  “Not at all, my dear. May I introduce Pastor Krentz. He will be saying a brief service as the casket is interned.”

  “Thank you for coming, Pastor Krentz,” Esme said, shaking the man’s hand.

  “Shall we get started? he asked. “With all these people wanting to pay their respects, I fear we’ll be here quite a while. I hope you don’t mind if I slip away after the door is sealed. I have another service to perform this afternoon.”

  “Not at all, Pastor Krentz. Esme won’t be alone,” Jared quickly pointed out.

  “Excellent, right this way, Mademoiselle Fortescue.”

  Esme started to follow the pastor to the front of the mausoleum where the door already stood open. Jared stayed close beside her. The closer to the building, they got the more uneasy Esme became. Sweat began to bead on her forehead and upper lip. She shivered. Something was wrong. A feeling of danger wove around her. She stumbled and almost fell. Jared caught her and held her steady. “What is it, mon coeur?”

  The pastor made it to the entrance and motioned for the casket to be brought forward.

  “I’m not sure,” Esme said, tremors running through her body. “Something is wrong. We need to get away.”

  “Link with me, mon amour. Let me feel what you’re sensing.”

  Esme immediately reached for Jared through the mating bond, linking their minds telepathically. As Jared swept into her mind, she shared her feelings of impending disaster.

  “All lycans, pull back. There is danger!” Jared sent as a telepathic warning.

  Esme started to turn back toward the car when an explosion threw her into the nearest gravestone. She grunted as a chunk of granite rammed into her side. Dust filled the air. People screamed and began running in panic away from the mausoleum. Jared recovered quickly from where he landed and picked Esme up. He hurried toward the limousines.

  Esme heard a woman scream. She turned her head to see Susan struggling with two men wearing black suits. “Jared, they’re after Susan.”

  Jared sent out a telepathic warning, and several lycans surrounded the men.

  Esme turned and saw Brenda kicking one man, while Granger punched another in the face. “Jared, Brenda and Granger need help, too.”

  Once more, a group of lycans quickly surrounded Brenda and Granger and subdued the black-suited men. Esme and Jared had almost reached the street and the limos, when a woman stepped in front of them, holding a gun. “Leaving so quickly, Miss Fortescue? I believe your brother sent you some information about Doctors for a Better Humanity. You’ve ruined everything. We were going to save the world.”

  Jared slowed to a stop and put Esme down before stepping in front of the woman. “Who are you?” he asked. Esme felt her blood turn to ice. Jared was in danger because of her.

  “My name is Eliza Campbell. I worked with Doctor Fortescue at the laboratory in Aberdeen. It was unfortunate that he was killed. But under the circumstances, he’d outlived his usefulness. Please step out of the way. I have business with Miss Fortescue.”

  “Esme is my business. I suggest you give up. Your men are captured, and police are on the way.”

  “I’m not afraid to die for what I believe in. Are you?” The woman held up the gun and pointed it at Jared’s heart. Esme froze. Time seemed to slow. Esme couldn’t let Jared be hurt. She stepped back and pushed him with all her might. He fell to the ground. The sound of the gun going off reverberated against the stones around her. A large blossom of red appeared on her chest. Jared lay safe and sound at her feet.

  Suddenly, Anton tackled Eliza from the side. In moments, he removed the gun from her hands and subdued her. Jared jumped up, grabbed Esme, and shouted something. She blinked up at him as her legs collapsed.

  Jared scooped her up and carried her to the limo. Granger held the car door open. Jared slipped inside.

  Esme couldn’t understand what they were saying. Why was everyone acting so concerned?

  She felt Jared’s soul connect with hers and wrap around her. Warmth filled her body as he pushed his strength into her through their bond. He quickly stripped off her dress. “Esme, listen to me, mon coeur. You must shift. Now, Esme, you must shift.”

  Esme smiled at Jared. She loved him so much. If he wanted her to shift, she would. Everything seemed far away. She drifted as if on a breeze. The door opened. Laurel jumped in the car. She placed her hands over Esme’s chest.

  Pain suddenly engulfed Esme. She screamed. Sound burst around her. Sirens wailed. People shouted. Jared swore. “Come on, Esme. Shift.”

  Warmth poured into her body. White lights began to swirl around her. Her bones broke, and fur rippled down her skin. Her fingers shortened as her nails grew thick. In a moment, she was wolf. Jared crushed her to his chest.

  “Thank the Great Asena!” Laurel sighed, holding the bullet up in her hand, tears running down her face.

  Esme whined. Jared had squeezed too hard. He pulled back and started kissing her face, her muzzle, her nose. She wagged her tail. He stopped a moment and looked at her. “Her wolf is black, like me. I didn’t know.”

  Laurel laughed. “Is that all you can say? Esme, you have to change back. The police are already here.”

  §

  “Never again, ma petit louve, are you to place yourself in danger on my account. My heart almost stopped. Do you hear me? Never again.” Jared paced back and forth at the foot of the bed.

  “Jared, please stop shouting. Everyone in the Alpha’s lodge will hear you,” Esme said quietly from the bed where she lay wrapped in a towel.

  “You should have trusted me to protect you.” Jared stopped and glared at her.

  “I did trust you. I also trusted you to die for me. I won’t lose you, Jared.” Anger rushed through her. Didn’t he understand she tried to protect him?

  “Bébé,” Jared sighed, coming to the side of the bed. “I had frozen the woman. When you shoved me out of the way, I lost the link to her mind. That’s why the gun went off. I was never in any danger.”

  Esme felt dismayed. She’d forgotten Jared possessed that ability. “I’m sorry. With the dust and people panicking, I guess I panicked, as well.”

  “It’s all right, ma petit. Just promise me you will let me protect you. When you were shot, my heart nearly stopped. I can’t lose you. Twice now, a bullet has almost taken you from me.”

  “Jared …”

  Jared still shuddered every time he thought about the gun going off and seeing blood pouring from her body. He could have lost her today. Now, he knew he would have followed her into the next life. He understood why his father was unable to hang on. Jared didn’t want to live in a world without Esme.

  Leaning down, he took her lips, feeding his emotions into the kiss. Esme threw her arms around his neck. He pulled her close, needing the feel of her skin touching his. Smelling sweet woman and her body’s ready response to him, he yanked the towel from her body.

  Esme had already unbuttoned his shirt. He released his hold as she eased it from his shoulders. Her need was as great as his. He pushed off his pants and briefs before settling between her legs.

  His hands found her breasts, her nipples quickly hardening into little buds. He rolled one in his fingers as he massaged the other. He trailed kisses from her mouth to her neck and then to her shoulders, loving the taste of her skin. Esme pressed closer. Her hands tangled in his hair, her nails lightly scored his scalp. She tugged, leading him lower.

  He obliged by taking a nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. Esme moaned and arched her back giving him better access. His licked and nipped before sucking hard again. She tugged on his hair, pulling him closer. He released the little nubbin and pressed kiss
es across her chest to the other side. This time he refused to suck, circling the distended flesh with his tongue. He licked and nipped, driving Esme’s desire higher and higher.

  Esme groaned, her nails sinking deeper into his skin. He gave in to her and sucked hard at the sensitive bud. Pulling it deep into his mouth, he suckled. One day his child would feed from here.

  His hands went to her flat stomach, picturing her belly expanding as his pup grew inside her. He ran his hands adoringly over the surface, caressing and teasing as he dipped lower.

  Esme squirmed. Her hands ran down his back to his behind. She grabbed his butt and squeezed.

  Jared pressed his hand over her nestled curls before slipping a finger into her moistness. Esme lifted into his touch. Then she wrapped her legs around him, giving everything to him.

  Jared pushed his finger deep before pulling some of the moisture from her core and spreading it around her clit. He circled the little bundle of nerves, teasing and caressing as it hardened beneath his touch.

  “Please Jared,” Esme panted, pulling him with her legs, her hands caressing his neck and back, her mouth pressing kisses to his chest.

  Jared reached for her with the mating bond, gathering her mind into the link. She was on fire with desire. Her need to be filled was as strong as his need to take her. He guided himself into her warmth and sank to the hilt. Esme gasped and pulled him closer.

  He drew back and sank again. Esme’s nails went a little deeper into his skin. Their telepathic bond expanded. Emotions filled them. Love, desire, passion, tenderness, so many feelings bloomed in the mix.

  Jared’s control broke, and he pounded into Esme. She met him stroke for stroke, both needing physical completion as their minds and souls became one. Then, as the tension built to a crescendo, they flew into ecstasy, wrapped so tightly together that there was no Jared without Esme and no Esme without Jared.

  They hung there. A moment of merging in perfection with all of creation. When they began to descend, Jared rolled to his back, taking Esme with him. Their bodies still connected, he held his mate to his heart where she belonged. Always.