by Kate Steele
TO TRUST A WOLF
An Ellora’s Cave Publication, February 2005
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
1337 Commerce Drive, #13
Stow, OH 44224
ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-4199-0142-7
Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned):
Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML
TO TRUST A WOLF © 2005 KATE STEELE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Edited by Heather Osborn.
Cover art by Syneca.
Warning:
The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. To Trust a Wolf has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme).
S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination.
E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature.
X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.
To Trust a Wolf
Kate Steele
Chapter One
“I’m through with men,” Bryn Roydan stated.
“I take it your date didn’t work out last night?” her friend Clare Harrelson asked sympathetically.
Bryn and Clare were co-owners of the Whispering Springs Book Shop and as close as sisters. They’d been fast friends since their first meeting in the fifth grade. A dodgeball game, legendary in the minds of an awed bunch of eleven year olds, had ended in a standoff between the two of them. Thus began their long and enduring friendship.
Taking a break from their flourishing business, the ladies were ensconced in a high-backed booth at the best eatery in town, O’Neal’s. The place was packed. Waitresses raced back and forth with menus and food as a steady stream of customers ebbed and flowed with the lunch rush.
“It was a disaster,” Bryn replied in answer to Clare’s query about her date. She tossed back a lock of tawny blonde hair. “We went to Antonia’s for pizza before the movie. He ate like a pig.”
“Exactly how like a pig?” Clare asked, her fork poised over a juicy slice of tomato.
“You know how some people can eat with their fingers and be neat about it? Not him. He got sauce and stuff all over his hands. It was just gross!” Bryn declared with a dramatic shudder.
Clare smiled indulgently. “Aren’t you being a little fastidious?”
“Wait ‘til you hear the rest!” Bryn exclaimed with a disgusted frown. “We went to see that new fantasy movie. You know, the one made from those popular children’s books? Well, he put his arm around me. Thank god he washed his hands before we left Antonia’s. Anyway, he kept drumming his fingers on my shoulder. And he wouldn’t shut up! He made stupid comments about their British accents and kept trying to imitate them.”
Bryn was on full vent mode.
“Then he says to me, ‘you should be in this movie’. Of course, like an idiot I say why and he says—get this—’you’re as lovely as a fantasy’. Eewww!!! Is that the lamest thing you’ve ever heard in your life?”
“Oh, I don’t know, I think it’s kinda sweet,” Clare answered with mock sincerity while batting her eyelashes.
Bryn pinned Clare with a frowning glare. Amusement sparked in Clare’s eyes and an answering spark lit in Bryn’s as both of them began snickering.
Clare reached for her water. “So what did you say?”
“I told him he was silly and excused myself to go to the restroom so I could barf.” At Clare’s raised eyebrow Bryn confessed, “Okay, I didn’t barf, even though I felt like it.” Bryn sat back with a sigh. “After the movie he asked me if I’d like to stop somewhere for dessert. But the thought of seeing him eat again? No way.”
“So he took you home and…?” Clare prompted.
“And he kissed me. It was like kissing a trout. Yuck!” Bryn’s grimace of distaste had Clare smiling again. “Clare, you are so lucky to have Brian.”
“Honey, you don’t have to tell me that.” A tender look filled Clare’s eyes as she thought of her husband.
When they met in college, Brian had been an English major. He was tall, with dark brown hair, and his eyes always seemed to reflect a serene, tranquil expression. He was studious and quiet, not in a nerdy way, but in a calm, sure, masculine manner. Marrying after graduation, they moved to Brian’s hometown, Whispering Springs, Minnesota.
Bryn was genuinely happy for Clare and Brian. They had the relationship that she had hoped for when she’d married four years ago. All during college she’d had one boyfriend and then another, never finding anyone she felt any real attachment to, until she met her ex-husband during the last months of her senior year. Bryn held a part-time office job and he was a computer consultant, hired to upgrade the system of the company for which she worked. They’d spent some time chatting during business hours while he worked with the upgrades and when he asked her out, she accepted with real pleasure. He had at first reminded her of her father. He had a great sense of humor and a gregarious personality. They’d enjoyed the proverbial whirlwind romance and Bryn had found herself swept away with emotions the likes of which she’d never experienced before. After a short engagement and a small wedding attended by family and friends ten months after meeting him, Bryn found herself in the role of wife.
All too soon his resemblance to her father paled and disappeared. Bryn eventually found out that he lacked any loyalty or honor. Too late she discovered his self-serving attitude and his blatant disregard for his marriage vows. He revealed himself to be insecure and bigoted. The sense of humor she took such delight in at first turned wicked and cruel.
The sexual aspect of their relationship had never been earthshaking. At first he’d been eager and attentive, and even though the act itself seemed to go so quickly she never quite managed to reach orgasm, she told herself she was content because she loved him.
And she had loved him deeply, despite his personality flaws. Which was why, when she discovered he was having an affair after only two years of marriage, she was totally devastated.
Realizing her marriage was a farce, Bryn obtained a divorce. Needing a change, she’d quickly agreed when Clare urged her to move to Whispering Springs. They had always talked about opening a bookstore together, and it seemed the perfect time. Bryn found herself starting over in a new town, with her best friend as her business partner.
Lost in their separate thoughts, Bryn and Clare gave themselves a mental shake and smiled at each other. “Well, I’m through,” Bryn reiterated. “My judgment, as far as men are concerned, is definitely flawed. From now on I’m sticking with my vibrator.” She paused thoughtfully. “Although you know, even that’s beginning to lose its appeal. Do you think it’s possible to be over-vibrated? I think my clit was getting numb the other night.”
Clare whooped with laughter, slapping a hand over her mouth
when the faces of some of the other diners turned her way. “Oh my god, Bryn, I can’t believe you said that!”
“Don’t you dare tell Brian,” she demanded, her face flushing as she watched Clare blot tears of laughter with a napkin. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me anymore. Maybe my ex-husband was right. Maybe I am frigid.”
“Now wait a minute,” Clare began, pausing as the waitress, who’d brought their check, asked if they’d like dessert. After replying with a negative she continued, “Are you going to sit there and tell me you’re going to believe the word of a guy who you describe as having a four-inch dick and five-minute time limit?”
Bryn pursed her lips, considering the question. “Well…I guess not. But there must be something wrong with me,” she offered. “Guys I think are special turn out to be frogs. And I’ve never been able to orgasm while having sex with a man. I don’t think I can even come anymore without a vibrator.”
Seeing her friend’s distress, Clare began quietly, “Bryn, honey, how many men have you had sex with?”
“You already know the answer to that,” Bryn answered, meeting Clare’s steady look. “Two.”
“Right. One high-school sweetheart. A teenage boy who didn’t know the first thing about sex. And then a self-serving, womanizing asshole who wouldn’t take the time and probably didn’t have the skill to satisfy his own wife.” Placing her hand over Bryn’s, she continued, “Baby, you just haven’t met the right guy. You need somebody mature and confident. Somebody like, say…Logan Sutherland?”
Bryn’s eyes widened in apprehension. “Oh, no. No, no. He scares the hell out of me,” she exclaimed. “He’s so big, and gorgeous and…and big,” she repeated helplessly. “Besides, you know I turned him down when he asked me to have dinner with him.” She shook her head decisively. “He’ll never ask me again.”
“As I recall, he asked, you said you were busy and he said perhaps another time, to which you replied yes. That, I believe, was an invitation to please ask again,” Clare pointed out triumphantly.
“Even if he does ask I’ll have to say no,” Bryn asserted.
“For heaven’s sake, why?” Clare asked incredulously. “If a man like that asked me out, I’d have to take a minute to remember I’m a happily married woman.”
Bryn studied the bill and calculated the tip. Digging into her purse for money, she paused. “I feel kind of stupid saying this, but there’s something dangerous about that man.”
“Bryn, honey, you’re letting your imagination run wild.” Clare studied her friend thoughtfully. “Could be that ‘danger’ you feel is a threat to your peace of mind.”
“And my heart,” Bryn muttered resentfully. “Logan Sutherland is not the type of man who will walk away and leave a woman’s heart intact.”
“And what makes you so sure he’ll walk away?” Clare challenged.
“I could never hope to hold the interest of a man like him,” Bryn sighed.
Clare shook her head. “You have a very bad habit of selling yourself short. And you’re assuming an awful lot about someone you don’t really know. Go out with him once and see what happens. And as to whether or not you hold his interest?” She reached out and tapped Bryn on the nose. “Why don’t you let him be the judge of that?”
Wrinkling her nose, Bryn said nothing as she and Clare slid out of their booth to head back to work.
* * * * *
Seated in the high-backed booth directly behind the one Bryn and Clare had just vacated, Logan Sutherland thoughtfully sipped his iced tea. “Yes, Bryn,” he murmured, “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
Logan was thirty-three and a big man. Tall, strong, muscular. Sable brown hair, with a natural wave, brushed the tops of his shoulders and shone with reddish-gold highlights. His golden brown eyes were set in a ruggedly handsome face. Calmly serene at the moment, those same eyes, in times of stress, passion or anger, would change to a glowing amber-gold.
Drawing in a deep breath, Logan’s senses filtered through the various scents filling the restaurant until he found the one for which he searched. Bryn.
She never wore perfume. He savored the natural, warm, fresh scent of her. Lids closed over eyes that began to gleam with a rich, golden light. A contented smile ghosted across sculpted male lips. There certainly were advantages to being a werewolf. Enhanced sense of smell being one.
Logan was not inexperienced when it came to women. He enjoyed them, reveled in them when and where his needs arose. Most of his partners were lupine females, some few had been human, but all were given the unmistakable understanding that their involvement was temporary. He’d been more than satisfied with this arrangement until Bryn arrived.
Being acquainted with Brian and Clare, he’d heard firsthand Clare’s enthusiastic plans for the bookstore she and her friend Bryn were going to open. Clare had enthused over Bryn’s pending arrival, and how she hoped the new business would help her friend get over her painful divorce. A voracious reader himself, Logan had promised to be there for the grand opening.
When the big day arrived, Logan entered the store with all the other eager patrons. They were greeted with pristine shelves of books, those wonderful purveyors of knowledge and entertainment.
Several nooks with sofas or tables and chairs had been set up in various locations around the store for the customers’ comfort and enjoyment. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee wafted through the air.
For Logan, a scent of a much more intriguing nature had drawn his attention. Female. An alluring, subtle fragrance that was bewitching. He literally followed his nose as it led him to Bryn.
At the sight of her, certain parts of his anatomy began to behave in a most unruly fashion. The inner wolf began a low, rumbling growl that quickly became a howl, declaring his intent to claim his mate. Logan had struggled to hold his animal at bay. His mate. There was no mistaking that delicious, compelling scent. Clare, catching sight of Logan, had motioned him over and made the introductions.
Although friendly, Bryn had exhibited a certain wariness, as though privy to his plans. Aware of her past, Logan had reined in his impatience, keeping the conversation casual, making no overt moves that would startle or alarm her. He was determined to give her time to get used to him. He understood the value and virtue of patience. With that in mind he’d made his excuses and left, promising himself the pleasure of repeated visits.
Now, as he finished off his lunch, Logan thought about all the interesting things he had overheard. Was it his fault that his hearing was particularly acute?
While her description of her date had been amusing, Logan had found his body going taut with rage at the thought of another man touching that which he considered his. The time had come to make his claim. First he would put her fear of him to rest. Then he would show her all the pleasure a proper mate could bring.
Bryn’s vibrator was about to be retired.
* * * * *
Logan returned home to find trouble there ahead of him.
“Are you listening to me, Logan?”
Staring absently out the window as the conversational buzz continued over the speakerphone, he relaxed in the snug, familiar atmosphere of his den. A warm, mid-August breeze stirred the leaves of the maples that shaded the house as it flowed into the open windows.
Drapes billowed against cream-colored walls, which lightened the influence of dark oak wainscoting. A long, wide sofa upholstered in soothing greens and muted gold sat perpendicular to the fireplace. Facing it was a coffee table and two matching overstuffed chairs. Logan’s heavy oak desk sat in one corner, presiding over the room. Backed by shelves filled with books, it was the center of Logan’s work area.
Straightening in his chair, he swiveled around to face the phone. “I’m listening, Jace, and I really don’t see the problem. Twin Pines pack wants recompense. You admit it’s owed. Pay it. End of story.”
“That’s just it, Logan, that’s not the end of the story. I got a call this morning from that Twin Pines beta bitc
h, Lillian. They not only want recompense, they want a show of submission from Iron Tower pack. Specifically from Iron Tower’s alpha.” A low growl rumbled through the phone line. “I will not bare my throat to Delancy—that scraggly-pelted, fox-faced, chicken-stealing excuse for an alpha.”
Jace McKenna was Logan’s closest friend and the alpha male of the Iron Tower pack. He had won the position with strength and wit when Logan’s father had stepped down. Fortunately, Jace had plenty of intelligence and patience to go with his strength, but even he had his limits.
With a sigh, Logan ran his hand over his forehead, rubbing at the headache that had begun to form there. “You got the buck ready?”
“Yeah, we took it down last night. Made the same cubs who hunted on Twin Pines turf do the job, then took their kill. Cade had ‘em chastened and frustrated, tails between their legs.”
Logan could hear the amusement in Jace’s voice. “They need to learn. Good of your beta to take on the job.”
“Welfare of the pack is paramount. Cade knows that, just like every other adult. Cub education’s all part of it.” Jace paused. “Besides, Cade didn’t want to miss out on all the fun.”
Logan chuckled. “Have Cade escort the cubs responsible to Twin Pines’ gathering site. The cubs present the buck with full apology and appropriate submission. Delancy will have to be satisfied with that.”
Jace’s voice took on a hard note. “See to it. I won’t have my beta humbled either.” There was a pause, then a spate of creative cursing crackled over the line. “Sorry, Logan. Delancy gets my back up.”
“Same here, Jace. I’ll deal with it.”
“I don’t envy you your job, my friend. Pack liaison, having to deal with all us stiff-necked alphas.”
“Alphas deal or get their asses kicked,” Logan replied with mock severity.