She had been so quiet and unassuming when he first met her. She hadn’t changed except to try to be the person she thought Harper wanted. He laughed at her.
“Why are you laughing?” Emily said.
“Because this isn’t you.”
“How do you know who I am? You didn’t spend one minute with me before you asked to marry me and a minute before you dumped me. Well, I don’t know who you are.”
“Quiet.” Harper reached for Emily and brought her to him. His manhood pulsed at the feeling of her naked body. He held her warm face with his fiery large hands, and she shuddered with passion at the feel of him even as he stood there fully clothes. Never had she felt like this before.
Harper’s tongue coursed through her open mouth and she closed her mouth taking it in her warm lips, and he kissed her, and the scent she gave off he knew she wanted him and he wanted her. He touched her hard breasts as her nipples became stiff through his fingers. He picked her up and placed her in the bed.
She glanced up at him. “You can’t have me. Not until I’m no longer a virgin. I will give you what you want. Go. Leave me. If you want to get a divorce then I will agree. If you don’t then I will agree to that.”
“But I want you now,” Harper said. His voice moaning in desperation.
“I’m a virgin and you made me feel as if there was something wrong with me.”
“There is something wrong with me, Emily. You don’t understand.”
“Tell me what it is.” She watched at his eyes glow with a golden sheen.
“I can’t,” he said leaning over her with desire dripping.
“When I’ve lost my virginity, I’ll call you. You can make up your mind if you want to stay married to me. But tonight I don’t want you.”
Harper locked gazes with Emily. He stood and with a quick turn he left the room, and left her in bed wondering why she would say something like that to a man she has wanted and desired her entire life. She had wanted a man like him and now she has turned him away. What the fuck is wrong with me, she thought.
When Harper rushed from her room he ran outside, raised his face and gave a somber howl. He let out a mating howl. Not from a wolf who had found a mate, but one who needed a mate.
“I should tell her that I’m a werewolf,” he murmured. But he didn’t and he climbed into his truck and took off east to go to the only place he felt comfortable.
Chapter Fifteen
Harper had been driving for two hours east to Nevada. Maybe he would find what he wanted among the species more like himself. He had forgotten about his home and the new structures. He had an architect design plans for his town. That would be his next project. That could keep him busy, and he wouldn’t have time to think about how much he wanted Emily, and how much he wanted to fuck.
The only time he thought about his home was when he drove up to it. The land had looked barren in one particular spot, but now it had the skeleton of a beautiful spacious home.
He thought he would be returning there with a woman he could mate with and spend his life with. He sat in his truck and thought. “I guess I will have to look somewhere else. Emily doesn’t want me. I can’t blame her,” he murmured.
Hopping out of the truck he met the foreman. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Samsa. You said that you wanted this home completed soon and you didn’t care how many men we used. As you can see,” he said walking around to the house which looked like it would take no more than two days, “we’re just about finished, and the carpenters have built your bed.”
“Thank you,” Harper said staring at his home.
“Everyone here would like to thank you for the opportunity to work.”
“We have more work to do,” Harper said to the foreman. “You and your men have to build me a town with a hospital, a school, and stores. I have designated where the town will stand and I’m going to need one more hospital here. Do you have the plans?”
“I have everything.”
“Then let me get out of your way.” Harper walked back to his truck and drove around and headed west to the Rusty Nail. He needed a drink.
When he reached there it was getting dark. He strode into the bar. Looking around no one appeared to be in there except Angela. She looked up. “Oh Harper, I’m glad to see you.”
“Why is it so empty in here? Where is everyone?”
“A sheriff from Madison County, about a mile from here, came in and arrested all the male shifters in the bar. He said they found a dead woman and everyone would be held until they found out who it was. They’re always picking on the shifters. We usually keep our business within our pack.”
“They have no reason to round up shifters. The shifters have rights,” Harper said as Angela handed him a bottle beer. He popped the cap with his thumb and drank it all.
“We have no rights. This is a closed society. Very few humans know we exist. The sheriff wants to keep it that way. When something happens, it’s usually because some human has come to town. We have a small population of humans in this area. The shifters make up the majority of the population and if women go missing, or someone disappears, they herd all the werewolf shifters into town until they can frame one. Then they send the shifter off somewhere and we never know what happens to him again.” Angela shrugged and continued scrubbing the bar.
“What about the were-females?”
“They retreat into the forest until everything is over. Living the best way they can.”
“Close up this place and let’s go into town.” Angela cut the lights and walked out with Harper. It took her only a few minutes before they bounded into the car and headed north to the local sheriff’s office.
The town had one street and it was blacktopped. One gas station sat near one oblong building and to the side sat a building with bars that said JAIL. And in that jail sat twelve werewolves. Some pacing and the others howling and gnawing at the bars as if they thought it would do any good. The only thing that happened was they lost teeth.
Parking the truck he jumped out and Angela trotted over to the jail to stand outside and talk to Nero. Harper glanced at the werewolves sitting inside a cage like room and thought that it could be him, and although he didn’t care for most of them, he had to help them because now they were all he had that resembled his species and family.
Opening the door, he looked at the man behind the desk watching a football game. The man looked up. “Who are you?”
“I’m Harper Samsa.”
The man stood and walked from around his desk and rubbed his hand on his pants and then held out his hand. I’m Sheriff Jimmy Hugh. And I’ve heard of you. You bought all this land around here. You plan on giving jobs to everyone in the area. You know we have a small town and we appreciate a man such as yourself.”
“Well Mr. Hugh, I understand you have a lot of my men in your jail.”
“These aren’t men. They’re...” He stopped short of saying they were werewolves. He couldn’t recognize Harper as being one of them.
“What are they? They aren’t animals where you have to put them in a cage.”
“Well we found a body. I mean a skeleton of a woman and I have to keep them until we find out who it is and how long she’s been dead.”
“And just how long is that going to take?”
“Maybe six months. Maybe a year.” The sheriff shot Harper a disgusting smile. His teeth yellow from tobacco stains and little or no brushing.
“Do you have the resources to feed those men for that long?”
“Well if they die or start to eat each other then my problem is solved.” He shot another smile that made Harper uneasy.
“You will have another problem because I will hold you responsible for murdering these men.”
“Like I said, these aren’t men.”
“Then what are they?”
“I know this may sound strange, since you’re not from here, but... since you’ll one of us men, you need to know that they’re werewolves,” the sheriff said whispering.
He waited for Harper to laugh.
“And what do you think I am?”
“A man of course. No werewolf has the money you have so I assume you’re a man.”
“Then you have made another wrong assumption. I am like these men and I want you to release them now.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You’re violating their rights.”
“They don’t have any rights here.” Harper looked around.
“This isn’t a town. I’m building a town. Now if you want to remain on as sheriff and if you do your job and find out who killed that woman, then I will consider making you the head of my police department. I will hire as many men as you can bring in here. With one stipulation, that you have them sign a paper that they will never tell anyone that this town has werewolves and that I am a werewolf.”
“If they tell then what?”
“They will no longer be able to stay in this town or any other. Do you understand me?” Harper’s eyes blazed red and he locked them on the sheriff.
“Yes sir, Mr. Samsa. I’ll let those wolves, I mean men go as soon as...” and he raised his head and looked at the door. The door opened and Angela walked in. Harper saw the look on the sheriff’s face. He had the hots for Angela and there appeared to be a motive for taking Nero in with the rest of the group of werewolves.
“What are you doing here, Angela? You know once I pick up Nero and his pack I keep them.” There was panic on Angela’s face. Her eyes darkened and she growled at him. “Don’t worry. We’re good. I’m letting Nero and the others out in a few. Go on back to the Rusty Nail. He’ll be there shortly.”
“Are you telling me the truth?”
“Would I lie to you, Angela? You know you and I are good.” His voice softened when he spoke those words. “Just ask Mr. Samsa.” He looked to Harper to ease the way with Angela.
“Go back to the bar. I’ll take care of everything, Angela. The pack will want to get a drink and eat. Do you have fresh meat?” She shook her head yes but she never took her eyes off of the sheriff.
Harper saw the signs of jealousy in the sheriff and he had brought Nero and his pack in because he wanted some time with Angela. Harper even doubted that there was a missing and dead woman.
The werewolves he knew wouldn’t kill a woman. They were interested in sex and from all the were-females and the local humans running around they could have all the sex they wanted.
Harper walked Angela to the door and stood outside with her. She glanced up at him. “There is one thing I forgot to tell you about your change,” Angela said.
“What is it?”
“You have three more days before the full moon.”
“I know that.”
“Well...” she paused. “You have to mate with your selected female or the next female you mate with will be yours forever whether you want her or not. She will be devoted to you and may even harm another female of your choosing.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that earlier? I’m married. I will have to get back to Emily. I have so much to do before then,” he murmured. “Wait for us in the truck. I don’t want to travel with Nero’s pack until I speak to him. And from now on I think it’s best that you remain loyal to Nero. It almost cost him his life.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t been with that sheriff. I saw how you were looking at him and he was watching you. You’ve been intimate with him. If you don’t put a stop to that he will eventually kill Nero.”
“Please don’t say anything to Nero.”
“I would never do that. Now get in the truck and wait for me. I need to stay here to make sure that the sheriff keeps to his bargain.”
Chapter Sixteen
It had been two weeks and Harper hadn’t called Michael. Michael stopped by the mansion to see Emily. She was on her way out. This would be the last day and she had to take her finals.
“I can’t talk now, Michael. I have to go. You know how it is. Can’t be late for my finals.”
“I’ll drop you off at school. You can take the limo. After all you are his wife. He made arrangement to take care of your father.” She stopped and turned and looked at Michael.
“I know, but I don’t feel comfortable taking his money. I didn’t say anything to the staff. Didn’t want to confuse them because soon I won’t be Mrs. Samsa.” Michael opened the door for Emily.
“I already told them. They will wonder why you are still staying in that small room when you should be in his bedroom. I want you to go there. Bring your things. If just for appearances.”
He entered the driver’s side and started his motor and took off. California Dreaming by the Mama’s and Papa’s played on the radio.
“When is he getting the annulment? I can’t afford it,” she said glancing at the mansions doting the hilly landscape as she watched the Golden Gate Bridge in a distance and the clanging of the cable cars.
“I don’t know. I don’t think he wants it. And I don’t think you do either. Give him another chance. You don’t know why he’s the way he is. If you did, then you would go to him.”
“What good would that do to go to him? He appeared to be inflexible about the virgin thing. What could be more embarrassing than to have a man tell you he didn’t want you because you were a...? She choked. “Well you know what he said. I don’t feel like repeating it.”
The car came to a stop and Emily hopped out after waving and thanking Michael. When she finished her final, she exhaled. Walking out of class she glanced around to see Fiona leaving her class. She tried to walk fast to keep Fiona from catching up with her.
“Emily. Wait.” Emily slowed and Fiona had to rush to catch her in the hall. They walked together and stood on the outside. “I guess your limo will be coming soon.”
“No. It won’t,” Emily said her eyes looking down, her voice cracked.
Fiona walked around to face Emily. “What happened? When I left you, you were smiling and acting as if marrying that gorgeous man was the best thing that ever happened to you in your life.”
“It was for a second. And then it fell apart. My fairy tale life was just that something you find in a fairy tale. It’s not real.” Fiona listened quietly. “He didn’t want me. He said he didn’t want a virgin.”
“Wow. What a bummer. Your prince charming isn’t a prince after all. What is this world coming to?”
“He tried to make up for it but I couldn’t swallow my pride. I love him but how could he love me if he can’t accept me. I’ve never been worldly. I don’t know what to do. I never had a mother to teach me things only a father who I had to take care of all my life.”
“Let’s go and have a beer. You’ll get over him.” Fiona put her hand on Emily’s shoulder. “I know what you need. You need someone to make you laugh. Just wait until I tell you what Thomas did when we left you and Mr. Samsa. If that isn’t good for a laugh then nothing is.”
When they reached the bar they sat at a table. Fiona made a gesture to the bar maid and she brought them two beers. She held out her hand. “Do you see something that wasn’t there?”
“No. I wasn’t paying attention to anything.”
“I have an engagement ring. Thomas asked me to marry him,” Fiona said.
“But you just met him.”
“I know but we had been seeing each other here for years. And you just met Harper,” Fiona said glibly with a closed smile.
“But I knew him the kind of man he was. Elisabeth would talk about him all the time.”
“Thomas gave me a ring. Where’s yours?” She threw her hand up so Emily could see it. Emily glanced down and she looked up at Fiona. Her eyes teared. “I’m sorry Emily. I do that all the time. I find a friend and I say things I don’t mean.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be ok,” Emily said turning to wipe a tear away.
“No you won’t. You love that man and he should have given you a ring.”
“We’re getting an annulment and I don’t need one
.”
“It’s not that you don’t need one, you should have one. With a man that rich, you can get the biggest diamond and then you don’t have to worry. Did you consummate...”
“No we didn’t.” Emily’s eyes looked down and then up to face Fiona. “I didn’t marry him to get a ring or anything. I wanted to be with him. There is something so warm and yet so cold about him. I wanted to bring out that warmth in him. I need him and he needs me. We are two lost souls. I can feel his goodness. We won’t be the same without each other.”
“If you feel that way about him then tell him.”
“It may be too late. Some of this might be my fault,” Emily said with a sadness to her voice.
“It’s never too late. I had a good feeling about you and Harper. Do you want another woman to have him? If he is a good man then fight for him. Go wherever you need and make him see that you and he belong together. He’s still married to you. Make it hard for him to walk away. Make it hard for anyone to take him.” She wondered if she could do that considering how she was the one who refused to sleep with him. It was her pride that had been hurt. How could she explain that to anyone?
When Fiona and Emily parted, Emily had a new outlook on life. As Emily was entering the side of the mansion, Elisabeth was walking up the steps to the door.
Chapter Seventeen
When Emily walked in the door, she passed through the hall and the butler had answered the door bell. The wroth iron door was open and standing at the door was Elisabeth.
“There she is. I want to speak to you, Emily.” The butler stood aside and let her walk in as Emily was crossing to go to her room. Emily met her in the foyer.
“I heard you and Harper was married so I came over to wish you well.”
“You never had good wishes for me why do I think you would now.”
“Let’s get this out on the table as my father would say. I intend to break up your marriage to Harper.”
“I thought you were marrying a friend of Harpers.”
“Those were just rumors I spread around to make Harper jealous. You know when he married you it was because he thought I was getting married. He just married you to get back at me.” Elisabeth made a gesture with her hands and Emily saw she was still wearing the large engagement ring.
A Bride For a Werewolf Page 8