by Vivian Arend
Just like the men, probably. Gone back to their wild state.
Shaun broke in over the mic. “Ahh. Hovel, sweet hovel. You guys got everything you need for the next while? Alcohol to dull the senses, paint to watch dry?”
Chase pushed the mic button. He didn’t say anything, just let his growl—that low terrifying combination of cougar and wolf mixed with pissed-off human—rumble over the line.
Shaun must have a way to override the system because suddenly his laughter rang like summer bird song, light and refreshing. “Okay, fine. It’s a palace. The Taj Mahal of shifters everywhere. Just buzz me when you need a drop. Or a lift. I’ll make the time for you.”
“Of course you will. Caroline would kick your ass if you didn’t,” Shelley teased.
Now that all her wild energy wasn’t being used to interfere in Shelley’s life, Chase could see the humour in how the pack bowed and scraped toward her sister.
He’d seen a lot of things over the past four days while he and Shelley had talked and pondered and planned. Seen how Evan treated his pack with a firm, but rather irreverent hand, never doing exactly what they expected. It kept the group on their toes, and yet they trusted Evan explicitly.
It wasn’t a leadership style that would work with the outcasts, Chase mused, but it did affirm one thing. When there was a group that needed a leader, the best leaders adapted.
He jumped out of the chopper and hurried around to help remove the supplies they’d brought. Shaun was back in and lifting off before they’d been on the ground for more than a minute.
Jones sat on Shelley’s feet as usual, Enigma perched on her shoulder. Chase rolled his eyes at the pair that insisted on following Shelley wherever she went. They all stared after the helicopter as Shaun banked over the ridge of the hill and headed back to Whitehorse. The rapid pulse of the blades faded to be replaced by far more subtle noises. The rasp of a branch falling from a tree, the scolding of squirrels and the slam of a beaver’s tail on the far side of the lake.
Typical ear-filling, body-restoring sounds. Chase took a deep breath of the soft summer air, and smiled.
Warm fingers slipped into his hand as he tugged Shelley to his side and looked around contentedly. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“I’m glad it worked out for me to come as well.” She kissed him, then grabbed a box and headed toward the cabin. He watched for a moment, the wiggle in her hips too distracting to turn away from.
She flashed him a smile, and he hurried to catch up, a couple boxes balanced in his own arms. The sooner they were moved in, the sooner they could relax.
The front door opened of its own accord, and Delton’s familiar face appeared. He didn’t say anything, but the cabin was filled with the most incredible scents. Brownies and stew and fresh baked bread.
Shelley plopped down her box, went straight to the old-timer and hugged him tight. Without a word she disappeared out the door, Jones hard on her heels, Enigma remaining behind to stalk through the living room as if he were casing the place.
The flush on Delton’s face could only be caused by Shelley’s open display of affection. Chase ignored his friend’s discomfort and nodded politely. “Smells good.”
Delton cleared his throat. He eyed Chase for a moment then raised a brow. “So. You ain’t dead. You want your bed back, don’t you?”
Nothing had changed. The pace stayed the same. The acceptance. “If you don’t mind.”
Delton shrugged. “I’m getting soft. Thought about asking if I could build me a lean-to in the back next to the creek. Like to stay around if you need me.”
“Be fine.”
Delton opened the box Shelley had dropped and whistled softly. “Fancy grub.”
Chase grinned. “She’s got a sweet tooth.”
The cougar moved to put things away. “You look good, by the way. Not being dead and all.”
“It’s good to not be dead.”
The front door swung open, and Shelley tottered in under a double load, and Chase hurried to help her.
It was hours later they were sitting on the porch, stomachs overly full from Delton’s cooking, the sun just starting to pass behind the ridge of the western hills.
Shelley sighed happily, all curled up at his side on the wide couch he’d brought onto the porch.
“You sad you’re not getting ready for your grand opening?”
Shelley shook her head. “It makes sense to delay for a bit. Now that I’m going to get a partner so I can split my time in Whitehorse with my time out here, there was no rush to open the clinic.” She rested her head on his chest. “Not having to worry about paying the first year’s bills also makes it a lot easier. Thanks to you sharing the bear payout cash.”
“You did the work. You earned that money more than anyone.”
She nuzzled against him. “Did you hear Delton say there are men setting up a camp just around the corner?”
“Yeah.” That was a surprise. He’d thought the men coming together had been a one-time-only thing, but they’d decided to make a semi-permanent gathering spot. “Mark’s building a hut there. Maybe Frank will when he gets back.”
Shelley laughed. “I can’t believe Frank wanted to stay in town for the meetings. It didn’t seem like him to want to do the civilization thing.”
“I can’t believe he’s staying at the Takhini pack house.”
“They won’t know what hit them.”
Chase lifted her chin and took her lips. The privilege of having her there and willing to put up with an old bastard like him still floored him. The kisses got a little steamier, and she wiggled around and tried to crawl into his lap.
Jones refused to move his head off her knee.
Enough. Chase stared down at the boy. For whatever reasons, the kid had decided he should stay wolf and become Shelley’s protector—fine. There was no talking him out of that decision. But it didn’t mean Jones could get away with hanging around her like he really was a damn dog. “Go find Delton and sleep with him. If I see you before noon tomorrow, I’ve got two words for you. Duct tape.”
Jones rapidly pranced away.
Shelley finished slinging a limb over him and rested her arms around his neck, their torsos brushing lightly, her butt solid in his lap. “Two months in the bush. In the Yukon agreeing to spend that much time without electricity or running water makes me officially crazy, doesn’t it?”
“It makes you officially insane anywhere in the world.”
She cupped his face in her hands and leaned her forehead against his. “I love you, Chase Johnson.”
The words thrilled him and cracked him up. “Crazy woman admits she loves me. Well, that sounds mighty fine.”
She mock glared, moving her grasp to his collar and holding on tight. “Have you been in the bush too long, Chase Johnson? I said I loved you, now you say it back.”
“Really?” Chase deadpanned.
A snort escaped her. “Really.”
“I guess I need more practice.” He kissed her pouting lips until she was completely relaxed and soft in his arms.
Had it really only been a month since he sat on this deck? Alone and wondering what the future would bring? The contented smile on her face as he brushed his fingers over her cheek made his heart pound. Yup, this was most definitely love.
She sighed happily. “I think we can practice all you want.”
It was the best invitation he’d heard in a long time.
Somewhere between the I love you’s and the other practicing, he was pretty sure they were going to work out just fine. Because they had chosen to fall in love.
His wolf and cat retreated to let the man enjoy his woman.
About the Author
Vivian Arend in one word: Adventurous. In a sentence: Willing to try just about anything once. That wide-eyed attitude has taken her around North America, through parts of Europe, and into Central and South America, often with no running water.
Her optimistic outlook also meant that when
challenged to write a book, she gave it a shot, and discovered creating worlds to play in was nearly as addictive as traveling the real one. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both contemporary and paranormal stories, Vivian continues to explore, write and otherwise keep herself well entertained.
You can learn more about what’s coming next and find links to Twitter, Facebook and Vivian’s newsletter at her website: www.vivianarend.com.
Look for these titles by Vivian Arend
Now Available:
Granite Lake Wolves
Wolf Signs
Wolf Flight
Wolf Games
Wolf Tracks
Wolf Line
Forces of Nature
Tidal Wave
Whirlpool
Turner Twins
Turn It On
Turn It Up
Pacific Passion
Stormchild
Stormy Seduction
Silent Storm
Xtreme Adventures
Falling, Freestyle
Rising, Freestyle
Six Pack Ranch
Rocky Mountain Heat
Rocky Mountain Haven
Rocky Mountain Desire
Takhini Wolves
Black Gold
Paradise Found
Coming Soon:
Rocky Mountain Angel
Their wolves are howling at the moon. Their human halves are on different planets.
Black Gold
© 2011 Vivian Arend
Takhini Wolves, Book 1
Lone wolf Shaun Stevens’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.
One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.
When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her caribou research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.
Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.
It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…
Warning: Two strong wolves getting exactly what they deserve. Includes wilderness nookie, shifters being naughty in public places, the Midnight Sun as a canopy for seduction and grizzly shifters on the loose. Oh, and don’t forget the sarcasm.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Black Gold:
Both hands slid onto a smooth surface, and Shaun halted. The connecting door to the next room was warm under his palms, a soft thump, thump, thump radiating from the opposite side. It took a little maneuvering to get the deadbolt undone, and he swung his door inward.
The second door, the one from the neighbouring room, remained closed, but the volume of the music and the amazing scent increased tenfold. Shaun soaked in the bouquet. Delicious and invigorating. Appetizing enough to chase away the brain-buster of a headache hovering nearby. One deep breath after another cleansed the fog from his brain and lit a direct path from his nostrils southward.
Whatever the hell was on the other side, he had to have a taste.
The music changed, slowing in pace. Shaun pressed his ear against the door and froze in surprise as the surface retreated from him. He glanced to the side and spotted a faint crack of light glowing back. Holy shit—the lock on the second door was open, and as the space widened, he was gob-smacked with more of the mouth-watering goodness.
Leaning on the doorframe, he pushed and let the door swing on silent hinges away from him. His eyes adjusted to the increasing light, focusing in a flash as a pair of shapely cocoa-brown hips barely covered by pale pink panties swished from side to side not ten feet from him.
Shaun dug his fingers into the doorframe, using arm strength to keep his body vertical. Standing was a major issue in light of the reverberating shock waves rushing up his limbs. Every breath he took forced more of the incredible scent into his head and brain. His gaze remained trapped by the woman as she undulated before him, her head tilted to one side, her hands running over her skin. The long, lean line of her neck tempted him, the shimmer of the lamps highlighting her curves.
One pulsing beat after another, the music drove into his ears, his blood racing head to toe in powerful surges. And when she widened her stance and scooped upward with her palms, catching hold of her lace-covered breasts, Shaun wasn’t sure what could possibly calm the storm raging inside him.
Imagining that he was touching her would be a good start, him pinching her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. She hummed in time with the music just before the sound disappeared behind a scene of white noise, his hearing obliterated by the blood pounding out of his brain en route south to his groin. The lacy wisp of her bra floated to the floor, and he followed the frilly thing with his gaze, distracted for a second by the desire to pick it up and see if the lingerie was warm from her skin.
There had to be a reason for his entire body to be shaking with need. He glanced behind him into his room, his abandoned clothes untidy heaps barely visible in the darkness.
Was he still asleep? Shaun wiggled himself upright and pinched his thigh, snapping his mouth shut on the ouch he wanted to exclaim.
Nope. Awake.
A hallucination. That’s what this was. Damn fine one too, made even more incredible the moment she revealed those breasts. Perfectly formed, dark nipples already tightened to peaks. Shaun stared slack-jawed, frozen in admiration for the sheer angelic beauty before him. Or maybe this was heaven—that was the answer. Evan’s moonshine had given him a heart attack, and he was now entering the Pearly Gates. The cheap wooden doors weren’t expected—but then people everywhere were dealing with cutbacks, right? And who the heck cared what the gates were made of when the streets beyond were lined with visions like this one.
He stepped forward and took a deep breath. Angelic perfume flooded his brain and erased all thoughts except needing to see if his other senses were going to be treated to an incredible feast tonight.
Then the angel opened her eyes, and he stared into dark glistening obsidian pools. Right before she vanished.
Gem snapped her mouth shut, trapping the scream that threatened to burst free. It wasn’t turning to discover a man in her room—a naked man—that stunned her the most. The complete flip-flop her belly turned as her wolf sat up and howled in delight wasn’t enough to shock her into letting a girlish cry escape.
It was staring into the man’s eyes as all his humanity drained away. Watching as he transformed into the biggest, most enormous and bushiest black wolf she’d ever seen in her life, the beast immediately crashing to the floor between the wall and the bed.
She snatched up her shirt and held the fabric in front of her. Then the stupidity of attempting to cover herself when she had a much bigger issue at hand hit—there was a strange wolf at her feet and her own itching to come out and say hello. Being mostly naked was nothing compared to that.
Gem took one step, then another, slow and cautious until she reached the end of the bed. She nudged one furry paw with her toe. “Hello? Are you okay?”
No response.
She peeked into the space behind the now open door, figuring out the rooms were pretty much identical. He’d opened his side, and she must have left hers unlocked. With that mystery solved, she turned back to deal with the more difficult one of the furry beast sprawled on her floor.
Deep inside she felt it again—a nearly violent urge to change and let her wolf crawl all over his. The scent in the air had returned to intoxicating levels, even higher than she’d experienced earlier in the office wi
th Evan.
Oh my. Oh no. Through the haze of lust coating her mind like a thick coastal fog, the only possible solution pulsed out a lighthouse-warning signal.
Her mate? For real this time?
A low rumble bounced off the wall, urgent growls and moans increasing as the wolf scrambled to his feet. Gem retreated instinctively before making a stand.
She was not going to freak out. One hand shot forward, palm upright.
“Freeze right there, mister.”
The wolf ignored her, pacing closer until he stood on top of her feet. Then he rubbed against her legs, bumping hard enough to force her to sit on the bed. The mattress swayed under her hips as he jumped up and joined her, the bulk of his wolf body dipping the surface.
He sniffed her cheek and sighed happily, the warmth of his breath hitting her squarely on the neck. Gem twisted to bring up one leg and face him better.
“You don’t take direction very well, do you?”
A wolfish grin, with a full flash of teeth greeted her just before he stuck out his tongue and licked her from jaw to hairline.
She giggled and grabbed him. All thoughts of how utterly enormous his wolf was compared to the other wolves she knew disappeared as she wrestled with him on the mattress. Instantly comfortable with this stranger in her room, she targeted all the prime wolf ticklish spots, laughing as he squirmed under her.
Then he rolled and shifted at the same time, and instead of the weight of a furry wolf pinning her to the bed, the full length of a very smooth-skinned, muscular and naked man held her captive. His black hair hung in unruly tangles around his head, beautiful dark brown eyes with simply enormous pupils filling their cores hovered inches over hers.
A squarish jaw. The smile she’d seen moments earlier on his wolf—the expression was still there, although his teeth were now human-shaped and even. His nose had a slight bump in the middle, broken at some point she suspected.