“I owe you everything.” He pulled her close, needing to feel her heart beat strong against his.
Truro looked at his askance. “Is this how you react to random sex?”
Murphy snorted at her words. This one had much to learn and he was going to enjoy teaching her. “There is nothing random about you or me. There is a connection between us. I know you feel it too.”
“Maybe.”
He shook his head. “You’re stubborn.” And sexy and smart. All the things I love.
Truro took one last look at Rodney. “That’s a lot of hate there. As horrible as he was, I would never have wished that on him.”
“People like Rodney bring it on themselves by their own careless thoughts and actions.”
“Karma’s a bitch,” Truro murmured as she turned away from the body on the ground. “I feel nothing for him. What does that say about me? I should at least feel sorrow.”
Murphy gathered her in his arms. I will protect this woman for life. “Some people are just not worth crying over, petal.” And then the wolves howled and Murphy knew as they did, trouble had come to Ludlum.
———
“There is a problem.” Murphy had no time for friendly greetings as he met up with the two men. They had all known each other for a long time and neither would take offense at his abruptness. In the darkness, Murphy could see both men looked as concerned as he felt.
“Yes, we heard.” William nodded at his words. “The whole town believes the wolves are responsible for the man’s death.”
That was no surprise to Murphy. People were inclined to think ill of those they did not understand. “The victim was my woman’s, my mate’s, ex-lover.” Was that a coincidence or just bad luck?
“Is Truro okay?”
Murphy smiled for the first time since finding the body. “Her name is Truro?” It was an odd name yet strangely fitting for the woman he intended to spend his life with. I just have to convince her of that. Truro was like the rest of Ludlum. Even though he had told her the wolves weren’t to blame for the death, Murphy couldn’t be sure she believed it. If she continued to feel that way it would make their coming together a problem.
Gil chuckled loudly. “You didn’t ask her name?”
“Well, we were preoccupied. Truro does call me ‘wolf man’.”
“Quite fitting under the circumstances.” William looked eager to resolve something. “Was Truro shocked?”
“The man hurt her badly. She says she doesn’t care.”
“Truro is a tough lady,” Gil murmured knowledgeably.
Maybe. “People hide behind layers.” Truro had more layers than anyone Murphy had ever come across. There was such pain and wounded pride within. That Truro trusted him was important. That she didn’t trust or believe in herself saddened him. The words she had spoken at their first meeting about being empty and ugly and needing to feel nothing still stuck in his mind. Who would wound someone so deeply that they believed that? I will make it up to her. “We spent a long time at the police station. They also believe it’s the wolves.”
William sighed. “That’s what someone wants them to believe.”
Gil looked at William in concern. “You’re worried.”
“Yes, I feel something is going to happen.”
“As do I every time it comes close to midnight,” Gil responded. “It’s that rush of power that surges into your veins.”
“It’s that but something else. I feel that approaching evil is going to jeopardize the clan.”
Murphy sucked in his breath. This was the last thing they need. “Because of the man’s death?” He felt it too. The death was not a random occurrence.
“Yes.” William sounded weary. “As much as we should embrace this coming together in the clan it weakens us. This death has been planned to place blame on the wolves—on our clan.”
Murphy knew that. He had hoped to hear otherwise. He looked at the moon. It was almost time. The change was usually a peaceful time of freedom. Yet how could it be peaceful when their world may be in jeopardy? “Who is our enemy?” Like any close-knit group they had them.
“Fifty years ago I felt exactly like this. I was young and in love with my mate yet a shadow was cast over us by great evil. There was also killing back then too.”
“Absolon is dead.” Murphy had heard the stories of what had happened. They were clan legend.
“So we’re told and yet in my heart I feel malevolence akin to Absolon stalking us once more.”
Gil looked thoughtful. “I have read back through our history. Every fifty years, it’s always been a time of caution. With the coming of new blood and of new mates.”
“And it weakens us too.” Murphy knew that was what worried William. He looked at the older man. Murphy was only too aware what battles this man had fought on behalf on the wolf clan. “We will be stronger when the clan is complete once more.” New blood and links forged with their mates would make it so.
William nodded. “Maybe I am getting too cautious in my old age.” His eyes settled on Murphy. “Do you foresee difficulties with Truro?”
“Oh hell yes.” While Murphy may be able to seduce her into making love, he knew having Truro accept the other side of him, his life with the wolves would be harder. She was not someone who trusted easily. Him telling her he was a wolf by night would probably have her running in the other direction from him.
“I believe I will have the same problem with my lady staying at the Red Kangaroo.” Gil grinned as if that was only a minor inconvenience. “However as we all know no one can escape their true love.”
William smiled at his words. “They are interesting women who have been through a great deal of pain but are stronger for it. Bess was the same.”
“Yet neither would see that.” Truro would not. She was so closed down in some areas of her life. Murphy was going to make sure that changed.
“Wounded people rarely see their own strength.” William looked at the moon. “It’s time to join the others.”
The men walked directly to where the moon was the brightest. Each stood apart from the other and closed their eyes. As they did, a beam of the purest light touched them, encasing them in a cool, white, calming glow. The men did not fight it. It was all a part of their two lives becoming one—man and wolf. They held their hands up in the air and greeted the light like an old friend.
First one, then the others began turning and twisting, moving with the light, their clothes falling to the ground. While there was strain on their faces it was not due to pain, more to concentration. As their bodies moved within the gentle light, they started to change shape and size. They each dropped to the ground, writhing as the change overcame them. What were once tall, strapping men started to morph into shorter, hunched beings with powerful shoulders and four strong legs. Where once were smiles of teasing amusement, sharp teeth protruded. Where was once the musky, firmness of male flesh, a soft pelt of thick hair covered their bodies.
First one wolf then another broke free from the light and padded to the edge of the forest and waited for the others. They were of the one clan. They never left a member behind. It was all or nothing. When all three gathered together they nudged each other with their powerful jaws in acknowledgement of who they were. Then they loped off into the forest in search of the other wolves.
Chapter Three
The next day
“I’m looking to hire a van.”
“Well, we got ’em.” Truro didn’t glance up from the bank deposit slip she was filling out on the counter in the office. She had to make it to the bank by five o’clock. Two days in a row she had forgotten to go and a third would just be sloppy. “I’m not that slack,” she mumbled to herself as the pen slid along the form. Bess Calvert, the van park’s owner, had some old-fashioned ways when it came to banking and filling out forms was one of them.
“Did I say you were slack?” The man’s voice was full of amusement.
“No, I’m talking to myself.” Running la
te, stressed and no idea what I’m doing so why not talk to myself and let everyone know how nutso I am.
“Do you do that a lot?”
A sudden shiver of anticipation ran down Truro’s spine. Crap I know that voice. But I couldn’t be. Her head shot up. “You again.” But how? Why? Yum—I mean oh hell, I don’t need this. Or do I?
“Yeah me.” He smiled and held out his hand. “Murphy Green.”
“Huh—interesting name.” Truro looked at his hand. The memory of his flesh against hers made her tremble. Get a grip. It was just no-name sex. Well, it had been no-name.
“My father was Irish.”
“Murphy and Green. I can see that… I thought you were just passing through town?” Enough with the pleasantries. Why was he there? One-night stands were just that. They left after one night, hence the name. Oh yeah, and then there was yesterday…
“And you are?”
“Confused.”
Murphy leaned his side against the counter. “I never said I wouldn’t stick around.”
“Well I thought—”
“A couple of quick uncomplicated fucks and you’d never see me again, petal?”
“Well yeah, and don’t call me petal.”
“Well, you were wrong and you remind me of a flower.”
Okay, Houston we have a problem. Hot, sexy man with a killer smile. I just know I am going to do something stupid. Again. “Look, I’m not interested in you.”
Murphy arched his eyebrow. “I’m not specifically here because of you.”
“Right.” Truro wasn’t sure if she was more relieved or annoyed that he hadn’t had a wild urge to stay in town and make love to her until she could think of nothing but him. And what’s with the word “specifically”? That made her wary. It indicated options of contemplation. There was nothing to contemplate as far as Truro was concerned. She didn’t want any more with him. He was exactly the sort of guy she could quite easily fall in love with. He was the opposite of Rodney the rodent. He was quiet, watchful and he listened. She knew from his stance and soft brown eyes his entire attention was focused on her. “I never indicated you were here because of me.” Truro picked up and twisted the deposit form in her hand. She wasn’t about to get all pathetic over a man she’d had great sex with. “How many nights?”
“What can you give me?”
Were they talking about accommodation or something more? Truro dropped the deposit slip and reached for the antiquated guest register Bess favored. “The van? Up to you. How long do you plan to stay?” Even as she said the words, Truro closed her legs together tightly.
“I’m uncertain, petal,” Murphy responded, his voice light yet pointed as he watched her every move. “It depends how my—er, business goes.”
God, he had the sweetest, most soulful eyes. Truro gave herself a mental shake. It was sex. It was good. You are over it. This is business. Rent the van. Collect money. Be responsible. O-kay. “What do you do?” She tried to concentrate on finding the current page and not on the man.
“I’m into nature.”
“And you make money out of that?” Truro doubted it.
Murphy reached over and took the book from her hands, easily flipping forward to the present date. “Not everything in life is about money.” He handed her back the book, fingers brushing as he did. “You’ll have to tell me.”
“W-what?” Truro swallowed hard. Who knew she had so many nerves in her hand? She felt all girly and giddy from one simple touch.
“Your name.”
“Guess.” It was an inane thing to say but she was feeling a little crazy.
“Truro.”
Of course. A small town always had big mouths. “Wow, you’re psychic.”
Murphy chuckled. “Someone told me.”
Truro rolled her eyes in cynical amusement. “Not psychic then? Bummer—I was going to ask you to read my palm and get me the winning lotto numbers.”
“I know your future.”
Again, the shiver ran down her spine. “Crap pick-up line,” Truro murmured, unable to avoid the knowing look Murphy gave her which indicated the pick up had already occurred quite nicely. “Right well, you want a van. Let’s see what we have.”
“Something simple will be fine.”
Which probably meant he was broke. “So does nature turn a profit?” Would he pay the bill? Would she have to go all premenstrual on him to get payment? She had done it before. She scanned the register. Most vans were occupied. They only a couple left including the one closest to hers. Hmmm…should I do that? It’s not like I’m going to let him touch me again is it? It was a one-off—er two-offs. Three-offs never worked.
“I get by.”
“I see.” It was none of her business what he did and getting by meant different things to different people. Truro herself had made an art form of getting by. She had vague plans of what she should do. Mostly they centered on leaving Ludlum and travelling the world in search of something. What exactly she wasn’t sure. Problem was there was something about Ludlum that kept her there. “Well, I don’t get the whole nature thing. I’m city girl.”
“Yet you’re in Ludlum,” Murphy pointed out the obvious and Truro was anything but. He could see she was on edge and trying to control it. Murphy wondered what effort that took. He himself believed in just going with his emotions and right now he wanted to take the trembling woman in his arms and let her know everything would be all right. But he knew she would fight that. There was a wary look in her eyes. This was a different woman from the one who he had made love to in the last couple of days. That Truro had no defenses. She just gave. This version was cornered and trying to decide how to act and what to do. Murphy smiled softly at her. Truro blinked rapidly as if trying to control herself from whatever wild thought she was thinking.
“Yeah well, I took a wrong turn.”
“Maybe it was one you were meant to take.” Murphy wondered what Truro would say if he told her straight out that he had been searching all his life for her and that he would protect and love her forever. That he was led to Ludlum by the call of his wolf clan. She would probably beat me over the head with the guest register. Although beautifully curvaceous, Murphy had a feeling Truro was quite scrappy when it came to a fight. But he had a goal. He had come to meet up with his clan and for Truro. She could fight against him as much as she liked but she would not win.
“Um, van six is available. It’s quiet and it has its own facilities.”
“I’ll take it.” Anything to be near you.
Truro peered over the counter and looked down on the swag at his feet. “That all you got, wolf man?”
“That’s all I need.” The sudden sound of multiple wolf cries broke through the air. Murphy smiled. It was not yet dark and yet they urged him to come and be with them. Some wolves never changed shape or form. Others, like Murphy, were werewolves and nature dictated they live as both man and animal.
“Oh right, you probably like wolves what with the whole nature thing going on.”
“Yes, it’s a comforting sound.” Murphy hoped one day it would comfort Truro as well.
“It freaks the hell out of me. Especially the other night when we—”
“Yes? Made love?”
“Anyway it’s just an unnerving sound.”
His hand moved to rest on hers. “How so?”
Truro pulled away before he took full possession. “It’s such a lonely sound of longing. It scares me.” She looked surprised at her own words.
Murphy wasn’t. Truro was beginning to recognize something he had always known. Every being recognized their soul mate the minute they met. Some instantly accepted it like Murphy. Others, like Truro, knew it subconsciously but fought against it.
“There is nothing to be scared of.” And I have found you. “The wolves are looking for their mates.”
“Isn’t everyone,” Truro murmured as she started writing in the register.
“Are you?” Murphy held his breath in anticipation of her answer.
“I have no feelings.” The words came out bland and disinterested.
Murphy knew, as he had the other night, he would do whatever he had to in order to make this woman feel loved and wanted. “The other night—the other day—what did you feel?”
Truro pushed the hair back from her face. “Look, wolf man, I was just lonely and angry.”
“And?” Murphy knew there was more to it than just that.
“And nothing.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked at him in defiance.
Murphy grinned. Truro was adorable and complicated and his heart beat a little faster knowing she was his. I just have to convince her. That she had felt something, he didn’t doubt. Murphy suspected she was burying it deep inside her so as not to acknowledge it. That was okay. He was a patient man. He took the keys she handed him, his hands enclosing hers in a firm, get gentle hold. “I think you felt what I did.”
“Um—”
Murphy pulled her from the office. “Come show me the van.”
Truro waved her hand in the direction of the accommodation. “It’s over there.” She tried to dig her heels in to stay her progress.
“Show me.” It took no effort to move her. If they were not in such a public place, Murphy would have lifted her into his arms and carried her to bed, for that’s where he was headed. To bed his woman once more.
“I—er, have work to do.”
“Come on, petal. Let’s not deny ourselves any longer.”
“Denial works for me.” Truro swung all her weight backward to avoid any forward motion. The problem was Murphy was a lot stronger than she was. Truro looked around for help from the van park residents. They just waved and continued on with their newspapers and general doings. The barbeque boys did snicker some before they focused their attention back on the charcoal sausages on the grill before them. Great help this lot is. “I don’t want to have sex.” There. She said it. The declaration was out there.
Murphy reached the door of the van. “Liar.”
Okay, I am. The thing was just touching Murphy made her want to rip open his shirt and lick his tattooed chest. That was not rational. Truro was not looking for a relationship. Murphy’s interest in her appeared to be heading that way. “I need to freshen up.” And maybe run the two miles into town before I do something dumb—again.
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