by Kate Douglas
Evan didn’t make her feel that way. He accepted all of her—her silly sense of humor, the fact that she’d chased him down and moved right in on him. She’d never tell him how much she loved him calling her Nellie. Stupid name, but it was special to Evan and that made it special to her. Of course, Ferdinand worked, too. Evan was a guy she could easily imagine sitting under a tree, smelling the flowers while bad stuff went on all around him.
He made her feel special, like the dress-up princess she’d loved to play when she was little, before the drugs took her mom. Darnell had loved the fancy makeup, the brushes and glitter and intricate princess hairstyles.
Was that what she was doing here with this amazing man who seemed to love her enough to want her forever? Was she projecting him into the role of prince to her princess? She wanted to believe that forever part. That’s what he kept saying, but she hoped she wasn’t a fool for believing in the magic. Except Cherry had found it. So had every other woman here. It was obvious in the way they looked at their men, the way they seemed to feel about themselves.
Was it wrong to want that for herself?
No, she thought. No, it wasn’t wrong at all.
* * *
Trak and Chelo were among the last to arrive at the lodge for dinner. Her nose practically twitched with the scents of rosemary and garlic and roasting meat. Whatever Brad was cooking was going to be wonderful.
This was the first time Chelo had seen the entire pack in one place. Counting herself, there were eighteen of them, two more than usual according to Trak because Darian and Lawz had come over to spend the week ahead of the wedding. It should have been overwhelming, but it wasn’t. Instead, it felt how Chelo’d always thought a big family would feel. The guys teased one another the way siblings might, and the women all seemed to get along like sisters.
Even Darnell, the one human in the group—a human who had no idea she was surrounded by werewolves—fit right in. There was so much love in this room. Love and friendship and respect. Chelo had never experienced anything even remotely like it in her life.
Not even before her change.
“Hey, Trak. Can you give us a hand?”
Trak led her to a chair next to Elle and across from Tuck. “Sure,” he said. “If it gets me out of dishes.”
“Dream on.” Cain’s snarky retort had everyone laughing.
“A guy can try, right?” Trak leaned close and kissed her cheek before following Cain into the kitchen.
Chelo smiled at Elle. “They never stop trying, do they?”
“That’s for sure.” Elle rolled her eyes at Tuck.
“I think that’s my cue.” He kissed Elle and followed the guys in to help bring the trays of food out.
Elle leaned close to Chelo. “Trak installed a security system this afternoon so we’ll know if anyone comes in through the gate. There’s no practical way to monitor the entire property, but at least it’s a start.”
“I hate that I’ve brought this to your home. I’m sorry.”
Elle shook her head. “Don’t be. It sounds as if Rube and his band of idiots would need to be dealt with no matter where they decided to cause trouble, because you know that’s what they’re going to be doing. It’s just as well they’re coming here, because our guys can deal with them.” She glanced about the room. “And so can our women.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. The women in the Rainy Lake pack are treated no better than chattel. Here you are better than equals.”
Elle frowned. “Better than equals? How so?”
Chelo glanced around the room, so aware of the laughter and overall sense of contentment. “Because your men treat you like queens. They wait on you, they love you, and yet they still respect and treat you as equals. They expect you to carry your weight because they trust you to do a good job. They defer to you when there’s something they don’t understand, and appreciate your suggestions, trust your decisions. It really doesn’t get any better.”
“I never thought of that, but you’re right. Oh . . . looks like dinner’s on.” Trak, Tuck, and Cain had set up a bucket brigade from the kitchen, moving platters of all types of food. Pork and beef roasts, a tray of baked chicken, and half a salmon. Salads and vegetables, a casserole of some sort. So many different foods that Chelo’s head was spinning.
Finally Brad walked out and surveyed the way Cain had organized everything on the buffet table. “Looks like we’re good to go. Thank you, gentlemen.”
Everyone lined up, filled plates, and found their seats. Cherry and Cain made Brad sit while they waited on him before serving themselves. Brad, who was sitting across from Chelo, leaned across the table and said, “Don’t be impressed, Chelo. They’re just trying to make themselves look good.”
“I think they’re trying to get out of the dishes,” Trak said. He took a bite and savored it. “Brad, even if it’s all for appearances, you deserve the attention. This is delicious.”
“Thank you. I’m trying out some of the recipes I’m planning to fix for the wedding. Have you got a head count from Meg yet?”
“Looks like they’re just inviting Zach’s employees. Neither of them has family—well, Meg does, but they’re not invited and she’s got good cause. Looks like about twenty extras will be here, counting spouses. No children. Not with the threat of wolves roaming the place.”
Chelo touched his arm. “Because of Rube? Is Meg not able to have the wedding she wanted because of . . .”
His finger over her lips stopped her. She thought about biting it. How could he so easily dismiss the threat? The problems because of her?
“I’m talking about the wild wolves. They roam in and out of the area and we’ve never had a problem with them bothering guests at the lodge, but a small child running in the woods? It’s too great a risk to take. Besides, Meg’s fine with it, and so are the employees. It’s an excuse to spend time with a significant other without the kids around. It’s not because of you, okay?”
She nodded, but still she worried. Where was Rube? She didn’t think he was stupid enough to come here, which meant she was in more danger at her shop. But maybe he was just that stupid. If so, everyone could be in danger.
Her life wasn’t worth a single person here. She gazed around the room, at the people who had welcomed her into their world as if she belonged. They’d brought a viper into their nest. They were too good, too welcoming. They were everything she’d always yearned for and she wanted to stay more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.
“I need to make a couple of announcements.” Trak leaned close, kissed her lips, and pulled her out of her dark thoughts. While she was still savoring the taste of his kiss, he stood and walked to the front of the room, which happened to be in front of the dessert table.
“I figure this will get you to look my way, even if it’s only because you’re checking out the amazing desserts Brad’s putting on the table behind me.” He smiled and Chelo’s heart melted.
“Okay, we’re going to have a busy week. Meg and Zach will be here tomorrow afternoon, and we’re planning the bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday night. That way, if Zach . . . or Meg . . . gets shit-faced, they’ll have time to recover before the wedding Sunday morning. Guests will begin arriving Saturday and we have all six cabins rented for both Saturday and Sunday nights, though I’m not sure how many, if any, will stay over Sunday. Meg wasn’t sure, either. It’s going to be a morning ceremony and they’re planning to leave Sunday after the reception. Meg and Zach will have one cabin, and five couples will take the others. The rest of the guests will be staying in town, which earns points with the local businesses.”
Cain raised his arm. “What do you think of my setting up a security checkpoint at the front gate? I’ll need a guest list and maybe the kinds of vehicles they’re arriving in. That way we can lock it once all the guests are here and make it a little more difficult for any unwanted visitors to drive in.”
“I think it’s an excellent idea, Cain. Thank you. Make sure you g
et some help so you’re not stuck out there for the entire party.”
“Will do.”
“That’s about it. Evan? Can you grab someone to help you check the cabins, make sure they’re freshly made up and well stocked?”
“Not a problem.” He glanced at Darnell and she said something that made him laugh. Even with all the worry about the wedding and guests, they worked together. They laughed.
Chelo glanced up as Trak walked back to their table. He was smiling at her. Smiling at the ones who stopped him to ask a question, make a suggestion. They loved Trak, their alpha, without fear. Without reservation. It was everywhere in this room, that love.
They loved. She hardly knew Trak, but the way he watched her, the way his eyes lit up when he looked her way . . .
She sighed. She could so easily love him, but not with Rube out there. Not with the threat that he could come after her at any time. He knew where she was, and if anything happened to these good people because of her she’d never forgive herself.
She had to leave. Not yet, though. Not until after the wedding. She’d promised to do the flowers for Meg, a woman she’d never met but one she already felt she owed so much. Please, she thought. Please just let us have this celebration.
And then I’ll leave.
Chapter 8
After all his teasing, Trak stayed to do dishes after the meal. The party moved out to the deck, but Trak, Drew, and Manny took over the kitchen and ran everyone else out. Somehow, Chelo ended up sitting with Darnell and Evan. She wasn’t really sure how to talk to them, what to talk about.
She and Darnell had both arrived at Feral Passions on the same day, but their circumstances couldn’t have been more different. Evan was obviously courting Darnell, and the human had no idea she was surrounded by werewolves. It was actually sort of sweet, the fact that everyone was so careful not to let anything slip, while still making certain that Darnell didn’t feel as if she was at all different or excluded from anything.
Chelo understood the need for secrecy, the unspoken law that said you couldn’t divulge your shape-shifting abilities to any nonshifter. It was interesting, though, the way Cherry and some of the others had figured it out before they were turned. None of the women here had been bitten without full knowledge of what their men were and how their own lives were going to change.
So different from what had happened to her. They’d talked earlier, before Evan and Darnell had joined the group. A couple of the older men here had admitted that, while it had still been considered acceptable when they were first old enough to hunt for a mate—to kidnap a woman and turn her without her permission—none of the men here had ever considered it.
Hence the resort. She’d laughed when Trak explained the reason they’d built Feral Passions, that it was essentially a hunting ground for the men of the pack who were desperate for mates. Only Evan and Trak were unmated after what sounded like a very successful summer.
Maybe they were waiting for that one perfect woman. She’d always heard it was a myth, but some of the newly mated guys here had been really open about their feelings, that the women they’d found were fated to be their mates—and the women agreed.
It made her wonder.
Was that actually something that the packs had neglected to search for over the years, a woman for each male, destined to be mated? Was it merely ignorance that had led Jorge and Rube to the small farm she shared with her husband?
She’d never know. Just as she’d never know whether she and Trak were meant to be together. She wasn’t staying long enough to find out.
Darnell glanced up from her drink—something frothy and pink that actually looked more like a dessert than a cocktail—and smiled at Chelo.
“I’m not sure if anyone’s said anything to you,” she said, running her fingertip through the pink froth and licking it clean, “but I’m supposed to do hair and makeup for Meg and the bridesmaids. Can you describe the flowers so I’ll know how to work with them?”
And, just as easy as that, Chelo found common ground with Darnell. Before long, they had a sketch pad and ideas for the flowers that would work in hair and as bouquets and Chelo shoved Rube and his disgusting friends totally out of her head.
* * *
Trak stood in the shadows below the deck and listened to Chelo and Darnell laughing about different fiascos in their line of work. It appeared that flower-fails and makeup-fails were equally disastrous, no matter the situation. The other women had gathered around and were laughing right along with them.
So was Trak. He’d never had the chance to observe Chelo around other people, not like this, where she was relaxed and enjoying herself and apparently not thinking about that bastard who was somewhere out there, stalking her. At least she was safe, here. With her surrounded by pack, there was no way Rube could get to her.
There’d been no sign of Rube and his guys tonight. After finishing up in the kitchen, Manny and Drew had taken off for an evening run with Jules with plans to check the perimeter areas that had road access. Brad, Cain, and Cherry had gone off in the opposite direction, and all of them had worn pouches for their phones.
Trak had gone down to close up the bar and while he was at Growl had received calls from both teams that all was quiet and there were no scents of rogue wolves. It was late and he knew Chelo had to be tired. He certainly was, but then stress had a way of doing that to a man. He walked up the steps and took an empty seat at their table.
“We could hear you laughing all the way down at Growl.”
“Growl?” Darnell gave him the stink eye. “Last time I saw you, you were elbows deep in dishwater. In there.” She pointed toward the kitchen in the lodge and flashed him a cheeky grin. “It’s a really good look on you. I was impressed.”
“Thank you.” He glanced at Chelo, loving the big smile on her face. “I think.” He looked over Darnell’s head at Evan, Lawz, and Darian sitting at the next table. “Your woman is picking on me. Have you no control, man?”
Evan got up and stood behind Darnell. “I thought she was sounding a little cheeky.” He leaned over and kissed her. Then he grabbed her around the waist, lifted her out of her chair, and slung her over his shoulder. “Sorry about that, boss. I’ll deal with it.”
“See that you do!” Trak shouted as Evan trotted down the steps with Darnell squirming against his shoulder, laughing and pounding on his back.
After they were gone, Trak leaned over and kissed Chelo. “I’m exhausted. I’m sure Lawz and Darnell will walk you back if you’re not ready to go. Their cabin’s not far from mine, or are you ready to leave?”
She huffed out a breath, but her eyes were definitely twinkling. “Well, since you ran off the woman I was talking to, guess I might as well go with you.” She got up and grabbed the glasses off the table. Trak held the door for her and she carried them inside and set them on the kitchen counter. “Should I rinse them out?”
“I’ll stick them in the dishwasher. Brad can run it in the morning.” It only took Trak a minute and the mess was cleared. By the time he and Chelo walked back out to the deck, the others were cleaning up their things as well.
It was a beautiful night. A bat squeaked overhead and the grass rustled as some small critter scurried away, but the wind had died down and it was calm and quiet. Hopefully not the calm before the storm. Trak held tightly to Chelo’s hand, but knowing that Rube and his guys were out and about—and aware of where Chelo was staying—meant he couldn’t relax. Not until they’d been dealt with.
“Did you have a good time tonight? I hope you didn’t feel abandoned, but it sounded like you and Darnell hit it off really well.”
She laughed. “We did. I was wondering how easy it would be to talk with her and not give anything away about what we are, but she’s just so funny and easy to talk to. And Trak, she is so in love with Evan. Why hasn’t he told her?”
Trak couldn’t meet her eyes. Instead, he shrugged as if it were no big deal. “Timing isn’t quite right,” he said. “No
t with the wedding and all. We’re still not comfortable talking about who and what we are until it’s time to turn our mate. It was different with the other women—they’d all pretty much had us figured out, but Darnell doesn’t seem to have a clue. I think Evan’s worried that she’ll be disgusted by the idea of him shifting. He wants to tell her first, but then he wants to turn her as soon as he can after that.” He laughed. “I don’t think he wants to give her too much time to think about it, but with the wedding coming up and the time frame between the bite and waking as a wolf, it’s just cutting it too close.”
He couldn’t tell her the whole truth, that the threat of Rube and his guys made it dangerous for Darnell to be in that deep sleep in case they were attacked, which meant Evan would have to wait until after they’d figured out how to stop Rube. It was a waiting game that the Trinity Alps wolves fully intended to win, but none of them were willing to take the chance that if something went wrong and Darnell was in that deep sleep she’d be helpless.
Chelo, however, wasn’t stupid. She stopped when they reached the meadow in front of Trak’s cabin and took both his hands. “You’re worried that Rube might somehow get in here, that he could hurt her while she’s changing, unable to awaken. It’s all on me, Trak. I’ve brought this on your pack. I am so sorry. Look, as soon as I do the flowers, I’m going to leave. I can’t stay, knowing that he’ll be haunting your people until—”
“Stop.” He hadn’t meant to pull on his alpha strength, but when Chelo’s eyes went wide he knew he’d screwed up. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to coerce you, and I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Do what? You’re the alpha, Trak. You’re doing what you’re supposed to do. You’re protecting your pack. I’m the source of the danger facing you right now. You have every right to pull rank on me. Every right to want me gone.”
He barked out a harsh laugh. “You think that’s what the little power play was all about? That I want you to leave? You’re wrong, Chelo. So fucking wrong.” He planted his hands on her shoulders. She had to tilt her head to look up at him, and he didn’t want to use his height to intimidate her. Though looking at the fire in her eyes, Trak knew she wasn’t the least bit afraid of him. She’d been through hell. He was nothing.