by Strider, Jez
Hastily, she wiped at her cheeks. “No, I’m not. Something burned in the kitchen earlier at work and my eyes have watered all day.” She forced Kaden Dakota far from her mind. “You’ve led a hard life, no wonder you’re not interested in girls. Education is more important that dating right now.”
“Maybe that’s it. I think a lot of them are hot, but I need more than that.”
The urge to bond for life. It seemed like only yesterday to her that Jak had been a baby and now the wolf had begun to rear its head to take her son. There wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it either.
A pounding knock at the door interrupted them. “Expecting someone?” She asked.
Jak shook his head. “I’ll check.” He leapt off the couch and headed to the front door. Mara watched as he checked the peephole. “There is a huge dude outside.” He said, coming back into the living room. “Seriously, he looks like a body builder or something. Leather jacket, long dark hair. Should we call the police?”
Marala ran to the door and placed both hands against it as she gazed out as Jak had moments before. “Oh my god.” Her mouth made the motions, but the words never came out. Only an inch or two of door separated her from Kaden. “Go to your room.”
“Mom?”
“I said go and don’t come out until I tell you to. Now!”
He lingered for a few seconds before heading down the hallway. She waited until she heard his door shut, her forehead resting against the cheap metal of the front door. The transition into adulthood had treated Kaden well. He was even more attractive than she remembered. His hair flowed over his shoulders, he was taller, and his muscles… praise the moon, those biceps.
“I can smell you in there, Marala.”
“What do you want?” She kept her voice steady and strong. Impressed with herself, she gained a little confidence.
“I need to talk to you and I think you know why.” He said. His words were like a growl vibrating through her body.
She did know. Jak. Kade wasn’t there for her, which shouldn’t have been a surprise. If he’d ever wanted her, he could have found her before now. Suddenly angry, she gripped the knob and jerked the door open to face her first and only love.
For a moment they stood with eyes locked. Then, Kaden stepped forward, cupping her face roughly in his hands and pressing her into the wall as his mouth found hers. Mara’s brain yelled no, but her instincts responded with a resounded yes as she returned the kiss. He tasted exactly like she remembered. His scent was like pine and summer rain.
After growing breathless, she began to realize what they were doing. She shoved against him, trying to get through to the beast and make him stop, but no one would stop Kaden from taking or doing what he wanted. This was true even before he’d gone through his first shift.
“Leave my mother alone.” Jak came out of his room wielding a can of pepper spray.
Kaden finally pulled his lips from Mara’s. Immediately, she slapped his face. “Asshole.” She straightened her shirt when he gave her a little space.
“So that’s Jak.” Unfazed by the smack, Kaden eyed his son up and down. “Somewhat on the scrawny side.”
Mara walked over and took the pepper spray from Jak. “I’ll hold onto this. I’m fine. Go back inside your room.” He hesitated, but obeyed.
Her attention returned to Kaden. “You were the same. He’s not small. You’re huge.” She crossed her arms.
“I didn’t intend to assault you like that. It’s late in the season for you to be in heat.” Kaden jerked out a kitchen chair, spun it around, and straddled it facing her.
“I’m not in heat.” Mara backed up and leaned against the door frame.
He glanced around the apartment, flaring his nostrils. “Not safe here. I’m taking Jak and you home.”
“This has been my home for seventeen years. You can’t come in here and order me around.”
Kaden was on his feet again and snarling. Mara thought he was going to shift in the kitchen. She lifted the can of spray in his direction.
“If you think that would stop me, you’re even dumber than you look.”
Ooh, that stung. She blinked a few times to fight back tears. “Go away. I can take care of myself and my son. You certainly never have so don’t try to start now.”
He stalked toward her, stopping inches from her face before abruptly turning and heading out without glancing back in her direction. The door shook from the impact of being slammed.
Jak came out of his room again, moving to stand beside his mother. She lost grip on the pepper spray and it clattered to the floor.
“Who was that?”
“Your father.”
Father. Jak thought to himself, returning to his room to reflect on this newfound truth. For his entire life, his mother had lied. An unfamiliar rage filled him and he kicked the wall. Which only pissed him off further since it hurt like hell. Normally, Jak was a calm, level headed guy, but not now.
That dude had seemed dangerous and, man, was he big. Maybe his mom had her reasons for lying, but he wasn’t sticking around to hear it. He had stormed off and locked himself in his bedroom without letting her explain. His entire life she’d told him his father had died during a hunting accident. That’s why she had run away to make a life for them away from all the pain.
“What a bunch of bull.” He grumbled. His conscience quickly pushed his anger aside and he left his room, walking into the kitchen where his mother was sitting in her usual spot at the table. The back and forth between his room and the kitchen was getting old. Mara had a cigarette and glass of wine in front of her. For once, she didn’t try to hide it. He knew of her occasional habits and they worried him.
“Mom.” His eyes were cast down and his voice apologetic.
“Do not say you’re sorry. You have every right to be angry with me.” She glanced back at him and gestured for him to sit.
He moved to the nearest chair and sat down. “Why did you lie? You’ve always said how important it is for us to be honest with each other.”
“It was easier for me if he was dead. I wished he was.” She put out her cigarette and waved her hand as if to get the secondhand smoke away from her son.
“I want to know the truth.”
“Kaden and I were supposed to be together. Our people wanted it, I wanted it. I think he did, too. But… he was wild, untamed.”
Untamed? What was he, a horse? Jak shook his head, thinking his mother’s wording odd. He kept quiet, waiting for her to finish.
She gave a small, bittersweet smile. “I found out I was pregnant. A pretty big deal. My eighteenth birthday was coming up and it would stop us from going through the bonding ritual.” Suddenly, she placed her hands over her face and laughed, this time all bitter with no sweetness. “This makes no sense to you.”
“Were you in a cult?” Jak gasped.
Marala reached out and grasped her son’s hand. “We’re descended from a long line of wolves. Lycans.”
“More lies, Mom?”
“I’m not lying. Your time is coming. On the first full moon after your birthday, you will transform. It’s beyond your control. Women do not go through their transition until they mate with the male they’re meant to be with.” She twirled her wine in her glass before taking a sip. “That’s why I never changed. Since I was pregnant and ran away, I never bonded under the moon with your father.”
“That is disgusting and you’re insane. I can’t believe this. Should I call someone to take you away in a straightjacket?” Jak’s anger returned and he stood up, knocking his chair back. “Forget I asked. I wish he had never returned. I wish he was dead.”
Kaden raced out of the city. His form had bulked up and he barely fit in the Jeep now. He was midway through a shift and there was no stopping it. As soon as trees came into view, he veered off the road and parked his vehicle. Thankfully, the run down part of the city Mara had lived in was near the outskirts.
His spine cracked and his mouth arched open as he fel
l to all fours and ran as fast as he could into the woods. Foreign scents assaulted his senses and disoriented him in the strange forest, but he didn’t stop. Thick, black fur hid him against the dark backdrop of the night. Even his pitch eyes aided with stealth. He could have ripped out the throat of anything that crossed his path, but stealth made it easier.
Cool water chilled his large paws when he bolted through a creek. It helped a little, better than a cold shower. He burst into a clearing, stopped, and shook his entire body to shed the excess water. Then, he lifted his head and howled over and over again.
Several hours later, he awoke face down on the damp ground. He’d fallen asleep with his muzzle resting on his paws, but at some point shifted back into human form. Mud covered his body along with the occasional leaf stuck to him. He was buck naked in the middle of nowhere, in a place he didn’t live.
“What did she do to me?” He groaned, rising to his feet. The walk back would be a long one and he didn’t think another shift so soon was a good idea. Besides, it would give him time to think.
For a long time, he’d been furious with her. Mara had left for no reason that he could discern and without telling him she was pregnant. As much as he had denied it, the girl had broken his heart. The pain and anger kept him from tracking her down. He couldn’t bear the insult of begging.
He sighed. Seeing her stirred something old and primitive. All these years and she was as beautiful with that mane of hair as she always had been. Her scent though, now that had become more intense. If that boy, his son, hadn’t walked in Kaden would have taken Marala on the ugly linoleum floor whether she gave consent or not. And it scared him.
The kid looked like him. He couldn’t deny it. Would probably never be an alpha, though. But whose fault was that? Kaden had let Jak be raised by a woman. Not even an alpha female. Mara’s decisions had left her a plain old bitch.
An urge to shift made his spine tingle, but this time he kept his emotions in check. Brooding, he trudged through the unfamiliar forest until he reached the edge where he’d stashed his car. He glanced around before grabbing a gym bag out of the back of the Jeep and dressing in his spare clothing and shoes. It was a wolf necessity. Clothing often went missing or was destroyed during the change.
I made the effort. If they don’t want my help, then so be it. He began the long drive back home to Tennessee where everything smelled like it was supposed to and there wasn’t a woman making him lose his mind.
“What flowers are good for a first date?” Taylor asked the florist. He’d stopped by after closing up his photography studio for the day. “Wait, give me one of those.” He pointed at a single yellow rose. “It’ll go great with her eyes.”
“That’s sweet. Are you nervous?” The woman asked as she picked the best flower out for Taylor.
He smirked as he swiped his credit card. “Do I look like the type of man that gets nervous?”
The florist, in her fifties at least, blushed. “I suppose not. Good luck.”
“Thanks, but I won’t need it.” He gave her wink before slipping on his sunglasses and heading outside. Confidently, he walked to the small market down the street and purchased the items needed for the dinner he would be preparing. Mara may have been reluctant to accept, but he had no doubts when it came to his charm.
During both her jobs, Mara only went through the motions. Her mind was elsewhere. As if the night hadn’t been stressful enough with Kaden’s surprise visit and Jak calling her a liar, she now had to deal with dinner with Taylor.
As soon as she arrived home, she would call and cancel the date. The last thing she wanted to do was plaster on a smile for the rest of the evening. What she needed was a bubble bath and time alone to read her library book before it was overdue.
She climbed the stairs slowly, forcing one tired foot in front of the other until she reached her floor. The elevator had been broken for months. When she reached the top, a splash of yellow caught her attention. Forgetting her exhaustion, she picked up her pace until she was in front of the door to her apartment. After a glance around, she bent down and picked up the single yellow rose leaning against the door. Her eyes closed and she inhaled a deep breath. Not once in her life had she been bought a flower. Of course, she would have to date something other than a Silver Bullet to get gifts.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed her key into the knob, only to find the door already unlocked. She twisted it and stepped inside to be greeted with a godly blend of spices and Taylor standing at her oven wearing an apron over his silky blue button up and slacks. Coming home to a handsome man and prepared dinner nearly sent Mara keeling over. She loved it.
“Hi, Mara. Dinner is almost ready.” He said.
“Where’s Jak?” She asked immediately.
“In his room. Not very sociable, is he? At least he let me in.”
Marala headed down the hallway. Music came from the room, but she opened the door and checked to make sure her son was fine anyway. She returned to the kitchen. “You’re early.”
“Actually, you’re late. Rough day?”
“Uh, kinda.” No one ever asked her that except Jak.
Taylor gave a tiny, crooked smile. “Go ahead and clean up or whatever you do when you get home from work.”
Dumbfounded, she walked toward her bedroom without saying another word. No wonder Jak wasn’t sociable. Her skills were terrible, too. She rummaged through her closet with a frown. Mostly jeans and t-shirts, dark colors. Nothing screamed date clothing. Although, she was the one who said it wasn’t a date in the first place. Everyday clothing would have to do.
She left her room and slipped into the bathroom. After tugging out the hair tie, a quick ruffle of her long locks had them falling softly over her shoulders. Her head ached a little from where she’d worn the ponytail so severe and tight. Mara washed her face and applied a little make-up. It was hard to remember when the last time she’d used it had been. Deciding her appearance was presentable, she returned to the kitchen.
Taylor was staring at her. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”
“It’s more comfortable, but I wear it up so it’s out of the way at work.” She didn’t want him to think she’d done it just for him. “The food smells great.”
“It’s a chicken with secret spices.” He lowered his voice. “Red pepper and garlic.”
“I don’t think those are secret.” She whispered back, smiling a little.
“Do not insult the chef, Miss.” He joked and then gave her the same wink he had the florist. It was his kill shot. Right to the heart.
Even Mara, in all her anxiety and seriousness, wasn’t completely immune to it. That was the thing about guys with natural charisma like Taylor. No one was safe.
“Let me help with something.” She said.
“No.” He placed some tossed salad in three bowls. Then prepared the plates with their chicken and veges. “Why don’t you take this one to Jak? He would probably be more comfortable in his room.”
“You wouldn’t find that rude?”
“He’s a teenager. They don’t want to eat with their mom’s date.” His grin told her he’d let the word date slip on purpose. “I mean, friend.”
She wanted to smile again, but instead took the food and headed for Jak’s room. This time, she knocked. He glared at her when he opened it. “Taylor made dinner. I know you’re hungry.”
Jak looked defiant, but the lure of the meal won in the end and he took the items. “Tell him thank you.” He then shut the door in her face.
Her feelings must have been worn on her sleeve because Taylor’s perpetual flirtatious smirk faded. “Whatever happened, he’ll get over it. Kids get mad at their parents sometimes.” He placed her plate on the table and pulled out her chair. “I can’t believe you’re old enough to be his mom, though. When you said you had a son, I pictured a five year old.”
“Thank you.” She sat down and picked up her fork. “I had him at a young age.”
Taylor seated him
self across from her. “Still, you look like you’re still twenty or something.” He studied her as he shoved a forkful of salad into his mouth.
Wolves aged slowly, even those who never fully transitioned. Her youthful appearance had been easy to explain when she was twenty-five, even thirty, but now in her mid-thirties it had become more difficult. “Do you have children?”
“Me?” He laughed, continuing to eat as they spoke. Mara did the same, though at a slower pace. “I’m a little too self-absorbed for that. Right now, at least. I’ve been focusing on my business.”
“I’ve seen your camera. I thought you were a reporter or something.”
“Photographer. I have a studio on Main.”
She blinked. “Main Street? That’s all the way across town from the diner.”
“Yeah, I like the pie.” He gave her a smirk while he chewed.
Pie, right. She quirked a brow. “You know the pie comes out of a box?”
“Mara, you break my heart. I thought you made it by hand each morning for me.”
A laugh caught her off guard and she coughed. “You’re ridiculous. Gonna make me choke the chicken.” Her eyes went wide. “ON the chicken. Wow. That sounded bad. Back up and erase that from your memory.”
Taylor busted up, as well, making her face deepen to another shade of red. His laugh, though. She liked it. The slightly rough sound of it, the way his face lit up. The way he looked at her. Oh no. Those thoughts had to stop.
“Quit laughing at me.” She pointed her fork at him.
“I’m laughing with you. It wasn’t even so much what you said as the look on your face. Priceless.” He shook his head.
After a few minutes when the joking had subsided, she grew serious. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why did you insist on all this? You’re an attractive guy. I’m sure the girls are breaking down your door for a date.”
“So you think I’m attractive, eh?” He teased.
“Come on, answer me.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled.
“Okay, so I was doing an odd job for an acquaintance the day I came into the diner and saw you. You were drop dead gorgeous in a natural kind of way. I mean, you weren’t all fake and stuff. Plus, I have a thing for redheads. Then, you were friendly and you never let my glass run completely empty. I hate when the waitress never refills my drink. Loved the hint of southern accent, too.”