by Ranae Rose
Conscious of her pregnancy, Mandy chose to wade. The water rushed around her legs, cool and refreshing, and lapped around her belly, saturating her coat. After the run and the time spent lounging in the sun, the briskness was a welcome change. As she emerged on the opposite bank, she shook herself before joining Jack in his efforts to pick up the scent again.
The trail had disappeared into the rushing stream. Jack and Mandy paced up and down the bank, noses to the ground, and were soon joined by the others.
For a while, the seven wolves searched thoroughly, moving farther and farther from the place where they’d crossed the creek. But their efforts yielded nothing, and eventually Jack gave a sharp bark, signifying the end of their search. They gathered together and took off at a pace that topped their earlier speed, running in the direction of the cabin.
When they finally reached it, Mandy hurried to the bedroom with Jack and shifted. “What in the world do you think another wolf was doing out there?” she asked, reaching for a dresser drawer as she kept her eyes trained on Jack, who’d gone from dark wolf to dark-haired, completely naked man. Maybe he’d come up with some possibility she hadn’t considered during the run; her mind was still whirling, and none of the half-baked explanations she’d been able to muster made much sense. Wolves – other than the Half Moon Pack – didn’t inhabit the Great Smoky Mountains anymore. Though native, they’d disappeared from the area during the beginning of the twentieth century.
“Don’t know,” Jack said, stepping into a pair of jeans and pulling them up around his hips. He wore them low, and a tantalizing V of muscle peeked from above the waistband, until he pulled on a t-shirt.
“Do you think it might’ve been a shape-shifter’s scent trail that we picked up?” It had definitely been a wolf of some sort, either a werewolf or a normal animal. She slipped into a fresh outfit as Jack donned a pensive expression.
“That’s what I’ve been wonderin’. Seems more likely than a regular wolf havin’ somehow made it into the mountains, though I don’t know what a shifter would want here.”
“Maybe there’s a lonely shifter living out there – a wolf without a pack, or something. There’s an awful lot of forestland out here; it’d be a good place to hide.”
“It’d be a great place to hide if it wasn’t for us,” Jack said, a disapproving edge to his voice. “Whatever or whoever it is, it knows we’re here.”
“So, do you think it could be someone dangerous?”
“Could be. We’d better be careful until we find out exactly who or what’s out there.”
Mandy chewed her inner lip as she remembered the last time someone strange had been lurking on the mountain. Two shifter-hunters had nearly killed her and Jack almost as soon as they’d met. Of course, the fact that this person – if it was even a person at all – was a shifter ruled out the possibility of it being another hunter. Still, it was disconcerting to think that someone might be encroaching upon their territory, observing and avoiding them for unknown reasons. “I hope it’s just an animal. Otherwise, this is a little creepy.”
Jack crossed the few short feet of space between them and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close. “Don’t worry. If there’s anyone out there, they picked a bad time to get up to no good.” He grinned. “The Half Moon Pack just more than tripled in size, and they’re alone on our territory.”
Mandy smiled back, more at how pleased he sounded over their pack’s sudden expansion than at the idea of a nefarious stranger having to face a seven-wolf-strong pack. “I guess you’re right.”
When they emerged from the bedroom, the others were gathered in the cabin’s main room, wearing hastily-donned clothes and expressions that ranged from apprehension to confusion.
“Someone’s encroaching on our territory,” Daniel said, glaring at a window.
“Maybe,” Jack admitted, strolling into the center of the room.
“Maybe?” Daniel frowned. “We all picked up that scent. It’s definite.”
“Isn’t it possible that it was an actual wolf?” Violet asked from where she was perched on the couch.
“Actual wolves haven’t inhabited these mountains for at least a century,” Noah replied, frowning faintly as he too glanced toward the window.
“A few have,” April said. “I was reading up on the Smokies before we left and during the nineties, an attempt was made to reintroduce red wolves to the area. It wasn’t successful, and they removed the few surviving wolves after deciding to end the project.”
“Maybe a wolf was left behind?” Violet asked.
“No,” Jack said. “I’ve spent my entire life in these mountains. If any of them had been left behind, I’d know it.”
Violet sank back into the couch cushions, looking discouraged.
Mandy knew how Violet felt – she would’ve preferred to think that the intruder was simply an innocent animal as well. “There are some red wolves inhabiting the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. Maybe one wandered across the state line for some reason?”
Jack looked thoughtful. “It’s possible.”
“What if it’s not an animal?” Clarissa asked. “There’s a good possibility that we picked up the scent trail of another shifter, and if that’s the case, he or she might need our help.”
“Help?” Daniel repeated, wrinkling his nose.
“They could be hurt, or lost or – I don’t know – hiding from someone.”
“Or they could be up to no good,” Daniel said.
“Maybe,” Clarissa admitted, “but don’t you think we should consider the fact that they might need help?”
Daniel looked to be on the verge of saying no when Jack intervened. “We’re gonna go looking for whoever or whatever we scented in the woods today, and whatever they’re doing out there, we’re gonna find out. I’ll organize search teams to patrol our territory, looking for…”
Mandy listened as Jack organized teams that included everyone but her. Since she was pregnant, it wouldn’t be wise to go looking for someone or something who might be dangerous, but that didn’t make the idea of sitting around the cabin while Jack was doing just that any more pleasant. But what other solution was there? This was the first possible threat the brand-new pack of seven had faced together, and it was important for Jack to lead them through it.
Stifling the urge to protest or demand to go along, Mandy nodded when Jack announced that he, Daniel and Clarissa would take the first patrol. When he kissed her briefly on the forehead, she took a deep breath, inhaling his comforting scent. Even if they did encounter another wolf shifter in the woods, they’d be okay. There were three of them, after all. She kept reminding herself of that fact as she watched Jack exit through the front door and toss his clothing aside, shifting and disappearing into the woods, a dark wolf with two others at his side, where she longed to be.
****
Mandy rolled out from beneath the covers feeling vaguely anxious, just as she had when she’d gone to bed. Taking a nap had seemed like a good idea – the pack run had left her tired, and she couldn’t worry about Jack if she was asleep, could she? She’d hoped he’d be back by the time she woke up. Straining her ears for any sign of his voice, she slipped out of bed and smoothed her clothing.
There was no sign of him in the cabin’s main room, or the bathroom when she checked. He, Daniel and Clarissa mustn’t have returned from their patrol yet. She wandered out onto the front porch – maybe she’d wait there until they returned. Judging by the position of the sun in the sky, they’d be back soon.
It wasn’t long before voices caught Mandy’s attention, though none of them were Jack’s. Distinctly feminine, they were worlds away from his rougher tone and distinct Southern cadence. Within a few short moments, their conversation became discernible.
“It’s not my fault – she doesn’t even have the mark. What was I supposed to think?”
That had been Violet’s voice.
“I’m not saying you were wrong.” The one that answere
d was distinctly April’s. “But they’re mated. It’ll be better for the entire pack if you just let it go.”
“I don’t see how they’re mated when they’re not even marked.”
“Well, she’s pregnant. I’d say that makes it obvious enough.” April tsked. “Though it is weird.”
“It’s more than weird,” Violet said, her voice thoughtful. “I swear, he had this smell yesterday…”
“He couldn’t have.” Surprisingly, it was a male voice that spoke this time – Noah’s. The rest of the guys were on the patrol. “Only a shifter’s mate can detect their unique mating scent. You must’ve smelled something else.”
Violet scoffed. “I may not have a mate, but I’m not an idiot. That was no ordinary scent. I’m telling you, something’s up. If they were mates, why wouldn’t they have each other’s marks? Maybe they’re just living like mates, like humans do. I mean, you don’t have to be mated to have sex. Maybe he got her pregnant without meaning to and feels obligated to take care of her.”
A sharp pain flared in one of Mandy’s fingertips, making her aware of the death-grip she had on the porch banister. Uncurling her fingers and taking a step backward, she raised her hands and saw that a long, slender sliver of wood had pierced her skin. She pulled it from her fingertip as carefully as she could manage while her head spun, Violet’s words bouncing around inside her skull and making her see red.
Not mates? Obligated? Who the hell did Violet think she was to just show up out of the blue, an uninvited guest, and question her and Jack’s relationship?
“I’ll ask him about it later,” Noah said.
Mandy gripped the banister again, heedless of splinters. Just now, she felt ready to either collapse or strangle someone. Squeezing the hell out of the wooden railing seemed like the safest alternative. She chewed her inner lip as her cheeks burnt hot, as if she’d been slapped. Meanwhile, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the silence.
They weren’t talking anymore – probably because they were afraid she’d hear. They must’ve thought she’d be inside, that she wouldn’t have been able to overhear their conversation. But she hadn’t been, and she didn’t retreat as they appeared from behind the screen of pines that hid Jack’s cabin from view of the mountain road. They must have walked from the cabin Jack had rented for them.
Mandy stood still as a statue as they approached, their gazes sweeping over her and – she imagined – settling on her belly. Mandy’s jaw tightened, and she had to fight the urge to grind her teeth. The baby inside wasn’t an anchor tying Jack to her – it was a result of their love, of the fact that they were mates. Hearing Violet, April and Noah doubt that had gotten her hackles up in an instant.
April had the nerve to smile as the three approached. “Hi Mandy. We figured we’d come and wait here for the others to get back. They haven’t shown up yet, have they?”
“No.” Mandy gripped the banister a little tighter. “I’m waiting. For my mate.”
The others’ neutral expressions faltered for an instant, but soon returned to normal. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon,” Noah said.
No sooner had he spoken than a soft rustling became audible in the distance – the sound of wolves moving through underbrush, quick and graceful and glad to be back home. Mandy hurried down the short flight of porch steps and rounded the cabin, meeting them as they emerged from the edge of the forest. Thankfully, they all looked whole and no worse for the wear, save for a few twigs and leaves that had become caught in their coats.
Jack trotted up to Mandy and shifted, instantly becoming a man and taking her in his arms, pulling her close.
Mandy’s cheeks heated as he gave her a quick hug, his naked body pressed against hers.
“Didn’t find anything,” he said. “Nothing besides the original scent trail, anyway.”
“Oh.” Mandy didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. Still blushing, she continued to let him hug her, preserving his modesty with her own body. “Do you plan on finding your clothes, or is this—” she motioned at his bare body “—going to stay the norm even though we’ve got packmates now?”
Jack grinned. “This has been the norm for years. Noah and Daniel won’t think anything of it. As for the girls, well, I’m not used to havin’ females around.”
“What am I, then?” Mandy asked, giving him a light, teasing slap across the ass that the others wouldn’t be able to see – or at least, she hoped not.
“My mate.” He pressed a quick, claiming kiss against her lips. “Hope this ain’t a hint that you’ve wanted me to wear more clothing all along. Hate to think that I’ve been drivin’ you crazy all these months.”
“Oh, you have been – just not in the way you think.”
****
“Jack.” Mandy sank onto the bed, clad in a cotton cami and shorts. Though she was ready for bed, she couldn’t have felt farther from being sleepy. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” He’d stripped off his clothes and tossed them aside. Normally, the sight of him nude would’ve distracted Mandy, but she couldn’t think of anything besides the conversation she’d overheard earlier that day.
“I heard Violet, April and Noah talking about me earlier today – about us – while you and the others were out on patrol.” That afternoon, Mandy had driven to a nearby town to fill out her new hire paperwork for her new job. This was the first time she’d had a chance to bring up the conversation that had been eating at her all day.
Jack sank onto the bed beside her. “What’d they say?”
“They don’t think we’re really mates.” She said it as quickly as she could, wanting to get the words out of her mouth. She didn’t like the way they sounded, even though she knew they weren’t true. “Violet thinks you’re only with me because you accidentally got me pregnant and feel obligated to take care of me and the baby.”
“Mandy.” Jack tucked a hand beneath her chin and lifted it gently, so that their gazes locked. His bright eyes shone, even in the soft light that radiated from a single-bulb fixture on the ceiling. “You know that’s not true.”
“I know. It just made me so angry to hear her say it. Even Noah seemed to think there was something to it – he told them that he’d ask you about it.”
“I’ll ask him about it,” Jack said, an edge of roughness to his voice, “and set him and the others straight. You’re my mate, and if they have a problem with that, they have a problem with me.”
“Okay. But there’s something else.”
“What?”
“They kept saying things about marks – like, if we were really mated, we’d have each other’s marks. Do you know what they were talking about?”
Jack was silent for a moment. “I reckon I do.”
Chapter 4
Mandy endured Jack’s pause for as long as she could bear. “Well?”
“It’s an old tradition,” Jack said. “When two wolf shifters are mated, they mark each other, on the shoulder, with their teeth.”
“You mean a bite-mark.” Something clicked instantly in Mandy’s mind. “Like Clarissa’s…”
Jack nodded. “The others have them too. Except for Violet.”
Emotions flared inside Mandy – surprise, even a hint of jealousy. If mates were supposed to have the marks, why didn’t they? “Why don’t we have them?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“That’s it?”
“I reckon so.”
“Jack…” So many protests were whirling through her mind – where should she even begin? “We’re the alpha pair of the pack. If mated couples are supposed to have the marks, we should have them. Besides, I don’t want others thinking we’re not real mates.”
“The girls come from Alaska, where there are a lot of shifters; there’s more pressure to conform to tradition out there. Here, it’s just us.”
“It’s not just us anymore. Our pack has more than tripled in size, and the others are doubting our legitimacy as mates. God
, Violet was even flirting with you! And judging by the sound of their conversation, I don’t think she’s sorry.”
“Hey.” Jack stopped touching her face and squeezed one of her hands instead. “You’re my mate, Mandy. I don’t want anyone but you, and I’ll make sure they all know it.”
“So we’ll have each other’s marks, then?”
He frowned.
Mandy sighed.
“I don’t like the idea of mauling you,” Jack said. “Especially not when…” He laid a hand on her belly.
“It’s not mauling; it’s just a bite. And it’s my shoulder – it’s not like it’s going to hurt my belly. Were you ever going to tell me about mate marks, Jack?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t see the point when it was just you and me. We knew we were mates; it wasn’t like we needed to prove it to anyone else.”
She laid a hand over his. “Well, it’s not just us anymore.”
“I know.” He pulled her gently down onto the bed and pressed her against his chest, letting her head rest on his bicep. “I’m glad to have my family back, but sometimes…” He pressed a kiss against her neck. “They put a damper on things. I’d be lyin’ if I said there weren’t times I wished it was still just us.”
“Really?” It was heartening to hear Jack’s admission. She’d had the same thoughts, of course, but had imagined he was too overjoyed to experience such moments of annoyance.
“Yeah. Like this mornin’ in the kitchen, or this afternoon on the rock. You remember last time we went there?”
Mandy’s cheeks heated at just the mention – she remembered, all right. And for that matter, there were a good many times they’d done things in the kitchen they never would’ve dared to in front of anyone else. There had definitely been benefits to being a pack of two. “I remember.”