Martine, Missy - Changing Their Wolfen Heritage [A Wolfen Heritage 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
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A Wolfen Heritage 3
Changing Their Wolfen Heritage
What happens when brother wolf shifters fall in love with the same woman? Wolves don’t share their mates, or do they?
Ethan and Latan can’t keep their hands off the Pack’s new schoolteacher. Unfortunately, Kitania is proving to be quite the mystery. She has no scent identifying her inner beast, no background they can verify, and she seems entirely too interested in their family’s arch enemy.
Kitania’s in love for the very first time. Even knowing they’ll send her packing if they find out what she truly is, she’s still dreaming of family, and happily ever after. She can’t afford to be distracted if she wants to complete her mission for the National Council.
When their enemy captures a family member, Kitania must decide where her loyalties lie. She can reveal her true nature and help with the rescue, but will it cost her the love of the brothers?
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 82,197 words
CHANGING THEIR WOLFEN HERITAGE
A Wolfen Heritage 3
Missy Martine
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
CHANGING THEIR WOLFEN HERITAGE
Copyright © 2010 by Missy Martine
E-book ISBN: 1-60601-978-3
First E-book Publication: November 2010
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2010 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter from Missy Martine
Regarding E-book Piracy
Dear Readers,
Reading romantic fiction has brought joy and romance back into my life for many years. Each story different, yet the same. Books filled with passion, romance and happily ever after endings. These are the things that fueled my fantasies for years.
Now, I write to bring the same kinds of romantic feelings to you. It makes me happy to think that I can bring a little romance and fantasy into people’s lives.
I’m really lucky because I can earn a living writing my stories for you. I don’t have another job. Selling my books is my only income. When I recently discovered that my books were being pirated, I was devastated.
Pirating books is the same as stealing. Don’t share this book with your friends. Don’t post copies anywhere on the internet. Don’t sell or auction it to anyone. Please respect my right to earn a living from my hard work.
With deep gratitude,
Missy Martine
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my loving husband, who continues to support me in everything I do. His love and devotion make me feel as if I can do anything.
CHANGING THEIR WOLFEN HERITAGE
A Wolfen Heritage 3
MISSY MARTINE
Copyright © 2010
Prologue
“Well, Michael, it was a beautiful wedding, although a little quick.” Remus couldn’t help but smirk at the newest member of his pack.
“Why waste time when you know what you want?” Michael replied. He was keeping his arm tight around his new bride. “Remus, we wanted to thank you for the piece of land you gave us for a wedding present. It’s the perfect place for a house, which, I will add, has already been designed.”
“That was fast. When do you plan on starting construction?” His ambitious brother-in-law continued to surprise him. Just a few weeks ago, Michael still hadn’t accepted his family’s Wolfen heritage. He, and his sister Maddie, grew up without knowing about their ancestry. The shock of finding out his sister could change into a wolf alienated the siblings even more. Then, Michael fell in love with one of his pack members. The fear of losing Ariane to another wolf shifter had finally driven Michael’s own wolf to the surface.
“As soon as we come back from our honeymoon.”
“What company is doing the work?” Remus figured that it wouldn’t be his family’s company if Mali had anything to do with it. He didn’t think that Michael had forgiven him for trying to move in on Ariane when she came back from Houston.
“Yours, unless you have an objection. Mali and I had a nice, long talk, and I don’t think he’ll have any problems working with me now.” He glanced at Ariane. “I know I won’t have any problems working with him since I got to keep the woman.” He grunted when she elbowed him in the ribs. “Actually, he’s doing a job for me while we’re away.”
Remus frowned. “What job is that?”
“You know I rented a small building in town to use for an office. Turns out it has two stories and you don’t have any zoning problems about turning it into an apartment. Melissa saw it last week and loved the idea of living over the office. I’ve got Mali going in the first of next week to remodel the upstairs into a living space for her.” He laughed. “She’s so excited I can hardly stand to be around her.”
Remus laughed at the thought of Michael’s little human friend driving everyone crazy. He’d been reluctant to have her at the wedding since she didn’t know anything about the shifters and he wanted to keep it that way. “Where’s she staying now?”
“I’ve got her put up in the little bed and breakfast in town. She’s comfortable enough, but she’ll be happier with her own place.” He glanced around the crowd. “I haven’t seen her for a while. It’s almost time for us to leave. If I miss her, can you introduce her to Mali for me? I think they should meet before he just shows up at the office on Monday.”
“Sure, no problem. But you better go and find your sister to say goodbye. That woman will be hell to live with if you get away without giving her a hug.”
Both Michael and Ariane laughed. Ariane reached up and kissed Remus on the cheek. “Thank you for everything, Alpha.”
He scowled at her. “It’s Rem
us, and don’t you forget it. Now, both of you get! You’ve got a honeymoon waiting. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” He watched as they scampered off.
“Remus, may I have a word with you?”
Remus turned around to find Vanard Wind River standing behind him, accompanied by a beautiful, young woman. She was not very tall, with long reddish-brown hair falling in waves down her back. Her eyes were a shade of green even more startling than Ariane’s. “Hello, Vanard. We’re pleased you came to Michael and Ariane’s wedding today. Who’s your lovely friend?”
Vanard smiled. “Kitania, I’d like to introduce you to the Alpha of Wind River Pack. This is Remus Wind River. Remus, this is Kitania. She’s going to be our new schoolteacher when classes start in a few months.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alpha, but everyone but Vanard calls me Tania.” Her voice was soft and almost lyrical as she bowed her head, exposing her neck in a show of respect.
Vanard chuckled. “I’m sorry, Kitania, but I’ve never approved of nicknames.”
“Please, call me Remus. I’m afraid we’re not as formal here as a lot of packs.” He looked at Vanard, and then back at the woman, and frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name affiliation for your pack.” Shifters have always added their pack name to their first name for identification. Before she could answer, Vanard spoke up. “Kitania doesn’t have a designation because she doesn’t have a pack.” He turned to the young woman. “Kitania, would you excuse us for a moment?”
She glanced up at him, and then at Remus. “Sure, no problem. It was a lovely reception, Remus. You have a lovely home.”
“Thank you, Tania. I’m happy to have met you. I look forward in the coming months to getting to know you better. Please know you’re always welcome in my home, and my wife Maddie will probably be calling on you shortly.” He looked at Vanard. “Have you put her up in the teacher’s cabin?”
“Yes, she moved in yesterday,” he replied.
“Please let us know if there’s anything you need to make your cabin into more of a home, Tania.” The young woman puzzled Remus. He sniffed the air as discretely as possible but couldn’t tell much about her from her scent.
“Thank you. I’ll wait over by the trees for you, Vanard.” She walked away quickly before he could say anything.
“All right, Vanard. What’s going on? Why doesn’t she have a name affiliation?”
Vanard sighed. “She doesn’t have a pack of her own, Remus. Her parents abandoned her when she was very young. The National Council raised her in one of their homes for children. You know they don’t attach names to any of the kids they take in.”
“Abandoned,” Remus said, shocked. “Wolves abandoned a child to be raised by strangers?” He couldn’t imagine such a thing happening.
“That’s the problem. She’s not entirely wolf. She’s a half-breed, and that’s all I’m at liberty to say. You know as well as I do that she’s not required to tell anyone of her parentage.”
“Can she shift?” Remus wanted to know as much as he could about anyone coming into his pack.
“I’m told she can, but I’ve not witnessed it. The people I talked to on the Council say she’s quite a loner. She doesn’t mix with other pack members much, and she’s never caused any trouble. She made high marks in school and is reported to be an excellent teacher.”
“Well, that’s something. We definitely need a good teacher. What’s she going to do for the next couple of months before classes start?”
“I thought she might just spend some time meeting some of the families with children she’ll be teaching, and maybe get to know her surroundings.”
“All right, just keep me posted on what she’s doing. I don’t like surprises. I’ve got my hands full with other things right now. I don’t want to be babysitting a new female.”
“All right, no need to get huffy. She won’t be a problem.” He gave Remus a shrewd look. “Is there anything I can do to help with your problems?”
“Not at this time, but I’ll let you know if I need anything.” Remus meant his words to be a dismissal. He was happy when Vanard nodded and left to go after his new project. He glanced up to see Koril headed his way. He wasn’t happy to see the frown on his face.
“Remus, we need to talk.” Koril was always a man of few words.
“What’s wrong?”
“I fucked up big time with Kaugh.”
“How?” Vincent Kaugh had recently arrived from California. He’d been a close, personal friend and colleague of Dr. Richard Constantine. The doctor had known about Michael and Maddie’s family history when he treated Maddie after a childhood accident. He’d kept her a prisoner for years while he studied her like a lab rat. His attempt to kidnap her following her mating to Remus had resulted in his death.
Koril sighed and looked disgusted. “We thought we’d found all of Constantine’s records and destroyed them when we cleaned out his home and office.”
“And you didn’t?” Remus was beginning to get angry at getting just a little of the information at a time.
“Apparently, he set up a dummy corporation before he died that we weren’t aware of. He rented a post office box in the name of the corporation at the bank.” He paused and gave Remus a deadly look. “Yesterday, my man followed Kaugh to the bank. Dr. Constantine had made him an officer of the corporation and forwarded him the key to the safety deposit box. He walked out of there yesterday with an armload of files and computer discs. His three bodyguards were surrounding him.”
“That’s fucking great. Where is he now?”
Koril stepped back when Remus exploded in anger. “He’s rented an office on Main Street in town.”
Remus thought for a moment. “Tomorrow, when all this wedding and reception nonsense is over, we need to sit down with the Elders and form a plan. We’ve got to get those records back and find out if there are any more surprises out there waiting for us.” He looked at his longtime friend. “I want your best men guarding Maddie every time she steps foot out of this house. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I’m counting on you, my friend. She’s not only my mate. She’s carrying my pup now.”
Koril’s eyes got big, and he slapped Remus on the back. “I’m so happy for you. Don’t you worry. We’ll guard her with our lives.” He nodded to Remus and hurried off.
* * * *
Vanard walked quickly over to where Kitania was waiting by the forest trail. He was worried that everything was going to blow up in his face.
“Well, is he going to let me stay? Did I pass his test?” She gave Vanard a look of amusement.
“Of course he’s going to let you stay. He has no reason to doubt anything I tell him.” He glanced back at Remus. “Of course, when all this comes to light, he’s never going to forgive me for lying to him.”
She patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Vanard. I’m not going to cause any unnecessary trouble. I’ll just do my job and then be out of your hair permanently.”
He looked at her with pity in his heart. “Don’t you ever want to settle down, Kitania? Don’t you long for a pack of your own? Family? Pups?”
For just a moment, there was a yearning expression on her face, and then it was gone. “I don’t yearn for what I can’t have. I’m a half-breed, Vanard. Believe me when I tell you that no one’s ever going to want to mate and have pups with me.”
“You do shift, don’t you?”
She hesitated. “I can, but I don’t do it very often.” Her tone told him not to question further.
“Oh, I forgot to tell Remus about your cat. Well, it’ll be okay. Just be careful about letting it outside. No telling what could happen to it if it met up with one of the wolves out running. At least keep it inside until I can spread the word that you have a pet.”
She sighed. “Thanks, Vanard. I’ll keep her inside until you say it’s safe. I wouldn’t want anything happening to her.”
“Come on, then. I’ll
walk you back to your cabin.”
She glanced back toward the house one last time before they left. “Who are those two men?”
He looked to see who she was looking at and chuckled. “That’s Ethan and Latan, the brothers of Remus.” Both men were staring at Kitania as if they could eat her up. “Better watch out for them. They have a reputation with the ladies, and they like sharing.” He just laughed when Kitania snorted, and then followed her into the woods.
* * * *
“Who the hell is that creature of beauty, Remus?” Latan grabbed Remus by the arm and jerked him around to point toward the forest path.
Remus looked where his brother pointed and sighed. “Her name is Kitania, but she prefers to be called Tania. She’s the new schoolteacher.” He already knew what was coming next.
“Hot damn! Teachers never looked like that when we were in school. Is she gonna be staying in the teacher’s cabin?” Ethan was positively drooling.
“Yes, and the two of you stay away from her.” Remus tried to sound fierce, but knew it was a waste of time with his over-sexed brothers. He sure hoped the young woman knew how to take care of herself.
“In your dreams,” Latan replied. He glanced over at Ethan, ignoring Remus. “What do you think, bro? You think the welcome wagon ought to pay the little lady a visit? Maybe take her some wedding cake?”
“Now you’re talking. Let’s go.” Ethan grabbed his arm and walked away before Remus could say anything.