Wolfe's Den (Wolfe Creek #1)

by C. M. Steele

  “Damn it, I have to make her want me. How am I supposed to do that? I’ve never had the urge to mate before. I’ve never tried to charm a woman into anything.”

  “Hunter, it will come naturally. You mustn’t worry. No male knows what to do with a woman before they begin the mating dance. It comes to them and the mate that is meant for them, so they could never not please them. You’re fated to each other.”

  “But she’s different.”

  “Are you afraid that you won’t feel as strongly to her?”

  “No, if anyone feels like I do at the moment, I would grieve with them. I feel like I’m in a perpetual state of longing to be at her side. I want to please her, and I don’t even know her. My heart is pounding just at the thought of seeing her.”

  “Your bond will be the strongest of all. It will bring resentment from others and that’s why the Alpha is the only one to possess a human mate.” I will need to be strong for her.

  “How many have there been?” Kane asked.

  “Only a handful throughout our five thousand years. It’s so rare because it takes a supreme Alpha to handle a human mate.”

  “Because some may want to hurt her?” Kane interjected.

  “Yes, there’s that, but also the human tendencies. They possess free will. She doesn’t have to choose you. You may fuck her, but she may not accept you as her mate for life,” Creed explained.

  Kane and I snarled as I stood up and asked in outrage, “What do you mean?”

  “Just as I said, unlike us, most humans take more than one lover. Many human females get divorced and have children with several men.”

  “That’s not happening. She’s mine,” I roared.

  “Then you must make her love you, like you love her. How is she in your dreams? Does she fear you or does she welcome you?”

  “She welcomes me,” I breathed, it was a bonus that in my dreams she wasn’t scared. Kane growled and rushed out the front door.

  “Don’t worry about him. I take it his dream mate doesn’t like him.”

  “How long has he been dreaming?”

  “They just started two days ago, but as for you it’s a good sign that she’s into you because that means she’ll make it a little easier for you to win her heart,” he said before taking a drink from his coffee. I didn’t need coffee, I needed something stronger. “But do note that she’s like all female mates, if not worse. She won’t be as submissive as our shifter mates. It’s that whole free will attitude. I would recommend fucking her into submission when she gets out of line.”

  I actually laughed, but my dick was starting ache as I thought about breeding her. The sooner she was bred, the safer she would be.

  “Do you happen to know how long their pregnancy lasts?” I wanted to know how long I would need to be crazy protective. Kane should have stayed, but I knew he shifted and went on a run. That would be crazy if there were two Alphas with human mates.

  “Let me see. There’s a book here somewhere,” he said absentmindedly as he started looking for it. He went back to the shelf I’d been looking at.

  “Ah, yes, here it is.” He pulled out this massive book that looked very old and partially burnt. It must have been around during the fire, so it was really old.

  “Your ancestor was the last one to record any information about the human female. Let’s see what she had to say regarding pregnancy and pups,” Creed remarked as he opened the book and searched for the passage on the mating:

  June 21st, 1665

  Callum is so worried about the birth of our babe. I know he’s afraid that someone will come after me, and he’ll lose me forever. I won’t let that happen. I love him too much. I don’t know if he knows it, but I loved from the start. They may believe that I have a choice in the matter, but I know I don’t. Even though he irritated me the first time we met, all I could think about was how I wanted to see him again. He is why I exist.

  August 10th, 1665

  I’m growing fast and today was the first day that I felt them move. I can sense there is more than one child, or pup as I have to get used to referring our babes as. I wonder if my time will last as long as normal humans or as short as the shifters’ three months. I have a feeling that it is longer because I do not believe they are ready to be born soon.

  October 14th, 1665

  No, my birthing hasn’t occurred yet; however, I am starting to feel very different. Callum is worried about the threat to me and our unborn pups. He senses danger, but I think he’s being absurd. No one has been cruel to me, in fact, they have been wonderful. Even his Beta, who looked at me peculiarly, has been extremely courteous.

  January 28, 1666

  Still heavy with the pups. I think the birth will be coming soon, I feel more pain than I did the day before. I have not spoken to Callum about it because he already seems upset about something. Tension amongst the pack has grown to new levels. Frederick Lake, his Beta is getting a little more defiant toward Callum. It scares me that he could be harmed should Frederick betray him. My dear mate tells me that it will be well, however I fear that will not be the case.

  February 3, 1666

  Our life changed so quickly on the 31st of January. We have our two pups, Callum and George, but the pack has changed in more ways than that. Frederick challenged Callum. They both nearly died before Frederick reached me and the newborn pups. Something happened when he approached; for the first time I shifted. It slowed his attack, but it was then that Callum was able to strike the fatal bite.

  Those that had been loyal to Lake were forced out of the pack. We now hold their properties as our own. It was unpleasant to take their lands, but it was a part of their pack regulations. Even though Lake is gone I fear this trouble is only just the beginning.

  “So it seems it takes as long as it does for a human female,” I said. Then I thought about it, Rocky’s last name is Lake. “Wait, is my Beta related to the original Lakes?”

  Creed took a long drink before nodded his head. “Yes, he is. Your grandfather allowed them to return to the pack. Something I never agreed with because the Grey family still held all the Lake’s possessions as their own, and I feared the resentment. They became the Betas again when your father was born.” We sat there as I thought about the tension I had with Rocky since I’d become the Alpha. Could he still harbor hatred from the past?

  He looked at me with all sincerity and stated bluntly, “Just be careful with him. I don’t know what his mentality is to the past or if he’s even aware of it.”

  “I will,” I said solemnly.

  “I need to call Chloe. Excuse me.” I stepped out on the front porch to breath in the cool night air just as Kane was returning in wolf form.

  “Hey, Kane. Did the run help?”

  “No, but I’m sure you know that already.”

  “Yeah, but I hope it doesn’t last as long for you as it did me.”

  “Thanks,” he muttered before he went into the house to shift.

  I dialed her number knowing she was probably asleep, but I needed talk to her. “Hunter, don’t worry. I have everything under control for tomorrow,” she sighed sleepily.

  “That’s not it. First, I don’t want Gage to even speak to her. Second, don’t tell Rocky, or anyone for that matter, where you’re going and keep her protected at all times,” I barked out in fear that my sister recognized.

  “What’s the matter, Hunter?” Chloe asked worriedly. My fear must have woken her up completely.

  “She’s human and not strong enough to protect herself,” I murmured in frustration. This was going to cause problems, and I knew that I just had to prove that I was Alpha enough to handle it.

  “You’re our Alpha, who would be stupid enough to harm your mate?”

  “Anyone with the wish to become Alpha,” I offered.

  “I got you, but why can’t Gage speak to her?” Chloe asked reasonably, but at the moment I didn’t have the capacity for reasonable. My fear of losing her was choking me.

  “Because
I said so,” I snarled, my wolf ready to rip through my skin.

  “Understood, Hunter,” Chloe responded dutifully.

  I hung up the phone and knew I needed to get back to the Den. I couldn’t stay away from her. The pull was too intense to be away from her. Hearing her voice this morning was like a trigger. My blood rushed to my heart, and I replayed the voicemail in my head over and over again. Catherine was my mate, and she needed me to protect her.

  Creed, Kane, and I spoke throughout the night. I only slept a few hours before I called Chloe the next morning. I wanted to at least speak to Catherine. My craving to breed her was growing with every second and being away felt brutal.

  “Sir? Are you there?” she asked with breathy anxiety.

  “Catherine, I’m here,” I whispered, trying to calm the tidal wave of pleasure just at the sound of her voice.

  “Mr. Grey, I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity. I’ll do whatever you ask. I really need this,” she said.

  Her words struck my heart and my loins, I growled, “Mine.”

  It’s what I needed to hear. She would do anything to earn a living. I knew she didn’t mean it, but I was going to use it to my advantage. I hung up and started my drive back to Wolfe Creek, Washington. By the time I would get there it would be late into the night, but I needed to see her.

  Chapter 3—Catherine

  We finally reached our destination in the afternoon. Wolfe Creek was the name of the town. I felt like a dummy. The resort was named the Wolfe’s Den. I thought I would be staying in town, but I was taken to a massive home just on the edge of town. Crazy as it was, I could have sworn I could smell his scent here. It was his, I knew it. I was staying in his home.

  “Come on in, Catherine. This is where you’ll be staying. Tomorrow we’ll take you to the resort to look around,” Chloe said as she placed her hand on my arm. Just as we entered the large house, a man as large as Gage approached.

  “Rocky, what are you doing here?” Gage asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice, which none of us missed. Something about the other man made me feel very uncomfortable. I was actually afraid of him, and I think he knew. He smirked menacingly at me.

  “Hunter asked me to keep an eye on things. I thought it was Hunter returning from seeing Creed, but I saw it was you. Is something going on?” he asked, never taking his eyes off me. I didn’t like him. There was something strange in his appearance. He was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

  “No, there’s nothing going on. This is one of our managers for the new resort, and we’re letting her stay here until we can get her room ready there,” Chloe responded. I could tell it was a lie, but I wasn’t sure if the big guy believed it. We all stood there silently, and it was Chloe who noticed my feeling of jumpiness.

  Squeezing my arm to calm me down she said, “Well, if you’ll excuse us I’m going to get her settled.”

  Still suspicious, the guy didn’t stop with the questions. “And Al…Hunter is okay with it?”

  “It was his idea,” Chloe practically snarled at him.

  Taking me by the arm she was already latched on to, Chloe dragged me inside, leaving the two enormous men outside. I walked into the beautiful home, amazed at the size of the place. It was enormous with an open space layout. I could see the living room and a long hallway to several doors. “Is this your place?”

  “No, this is Hunter’s place. Don’t be uncomfortable about it. He wouldn’t like it,” she said. “Besides, you’ll have your own room.

  “Do you always do what Mr. Grey likes? Are you two married?” I asked in a jealous snit. It hit me was she the one taking the photo of the room with my night lover?

  “No, he’s our older brother. Gage and I are twins,” Chloe laughed and shook her head. She was spectacularly beautiful.

  “So do all of you own the resort?” I knew that they did, but I wanted to see what she had to say.

  “We own the majority of the town,” she remarked, moving along the corridor pulling my luggage along.

  “Wow,” I exclaimed. I was feeling more awkward by the moment. They were an accomplished and wealthy family, and I was nearly begging for a job. I was surprised they had time to escort me here.

  “Do you want something to eat?” she asked me as she walked me to the bedroom that I would be staying in. I looked around the large room, but my thoughts were still on Mr. Grey.

  “Not now. Is this the room I’ll be staying in?” I questioned.

  “Yes, Hunter’s room is just through those doors,” Chloe remarked, pointing to the door across the room, next to what I assume was the closet.

  I didn’t say what I was thinking, but she anticipated my question. “Hunter is having part of the house remodeled and these rooms are unaffected by the dust.”

  “Oh, I…” I blushed with embarrassment.

  “Don’t apologize. We practically pulled you out of bed and dragged you back to our Den. It’s natural to have some concern, but I promise nothing bad will happen to you.”

  “Thanks. I was wondering…is there a reason Gage doesn’t speak to me?” It was something that I found weird and rude.

  “It’s because he’s a flirt. Hunter asked for us to keep the men away from you until you were comfortable being here. Gage isn’t the biggest of the men that live here. They can be pretty intimidating.”

  “Yes, the other guy was giving me the willies,” I admitted in a hushed voice with a shudder.

  “That’s okay. You don’t have to be concerned with him. I’ll let Hunter know when he comes back. Gage and I will be spending the night so that you’ll get settled.”

  “Thanks. So I’m a manager, or is that what you just told him to shut up his questions?” That was a high position for a person with my experience.

  “What makes you think you’re not a manager?” she countered with an arched brow.

  I gave her a shrug and with a snarky tone, I replied, “I don’t know. Maybe the fact that I didn’t send in anything or because I don’t have the experience.”

  She looked annoyed but regained her composure, and stated plainly, “Catherine, I’m saying this as nicely as possible. Hunter makes the rules; they are to be obeyed, and he’s asked to bring you here. So Gage and I are doing just that.”

  “Fine,” I hissed.

  “Would you like to go on a tour of the house now, or would you like to rest before dinner is served?”

  “I’m actually still tired, so I’m just going to take a quick nap,” I muttered. I needed some time to think about what the hell managed to happen in the last twenty-four hours of my life.

  “Great,” she said and walked out of the room.

  I fell onto the bed face first with my legs hanging half off. My thoughts were all surrounding Hunter Grey, and if he really was my dream lover. If he was, what did that mean and how was that even possible? I didn’t think I would fall asleep, but apparently I did. Chloe walked into the room and tapped my shoulder until I woke up.

  “Dinner is about ready. You must have been exhausted, it’s been four hours since our arrival,” she said with a smile.

  “I can’t believe it. I wasn’t really even tired—stressed, but not tired.”

  “Don’t be so stressed. It’ll be just fine.”

  I washed up and fixed my hair a little before joining them for dinner. I semi enjoyed the quiet dinner. It was great because I finally got Gage to open up to me.

  “Look Gage, it would be great if you actually spoke to me. I find it extremely rude and frankly I don’t care what Hunter has to say about it,” I barked after getting more silent treatment from the hulking green eyed giant.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Kinney,” he apologized meekly.

  “It’s Catherine. Chloe calls me that, so can you. Try it. It’s not like Hunter’s going to bite your head off,” I teased, but both Gage and Chloe looked to each other and gave out a little laugh, like there was some inside joke I was missing. I didn’t even bother to ask. There was a veil of secrecy going on t
hat I wouldn’t understand until I met Hunter.

  Once we parted ways, I examined my temporary room. It was stunning. Something about it was familiar, but at the same time it was different. The bedspread was a pretty pink. I wondered if this is the room he used for his female guests, that way they could just make their way to his room or vice versa without anyone any the wiser. I walked to the closet, and it was loaded. Instantly I was furious. It dawned on me what position he wanted me to fill. He was expecting me to be his mistress. I rushed out of the room only to be stopped by Gage who was standing guard outside the door.

  “What’s wrong, Catherine?” He placed his hands on my arms to halt my angry departure.

  “I’m not going to be his whore. When I said I’d do anything, I didn’t mean I would fuck him for money,” I hissed.

  “Calm down, Catherine. Hunter wouldn’t pay to have sex with you.”

  “Then what’s with all those clothes purchased and in my size?” I asked, daring him to come up with some crazy story.

  “Those clothes in the closet were brought here this morning. Chloe added them from the resort so you could try what we were going to have in the shop. My brother wouldn’t disrespect you like that,” he informed me.

  I took a deep breath and realized that I let a tear leak out my eye. Gage wiped it from my cheek. “Hunter wouldn’t do anything to ever hurt you,” he said softly.

  “Thank you, Gage. You can be really nice when you actually speak. Goodnight.” I ashamedly walked back to my room and looked back into the closet. I was going through the clothes when I saw it. There was the nightgown. It was here. Could my dreams have been a premonition? No that was silly.

  I walked into my personal bathroom and took a fast shower. For some reason I was worried that he was nearby. It would be embarrassing if he saw me naked. I wasn’t comfortable with my curvy short figure. I had a little bit of extra weight on my thighs and hips. My shoulders were a little broad for a girl, and my tummy was completely flat. It wasn’t the figure he was probably used to. If he was the man in my dreams, he knew how to please a woman, so he probably had better taste. I could see him liking someone like his sister. She was gorgeous, with a banging body, and I felt like a blimp next to her.