She rushed to the front entrance, pawing at the door in her excitement. She couldn’t wait to see the inside. The house was fabulous and she couldn’t have asked for a more ideal place to live. It fit her perfectly. When Granger took his time getting the key out, she whined.
“I’m hurrying, honest. Give me a minute,” Granger said, chuckling. For some reason he seemed overly pleased by her reaction to the place.
Granger opened the door and Brenda rushed into the foyer, immediately falling in love with the many windows pouring light from the different levels. The stacked granite wall wrapped around into a living area with a huge stone fireplace. A hallway led back toward the mountain, while slate steps leading to the upper levels begged to be explored.
“The master bedroom is on the second level, if you want to go up. I’ll bring your duffle and box upstairs,” Granger said, picking up the items that sat by the front door.
Brenda hadn’t even noticed her things sitting in the front room. She had been too busy admiring the view. She rushed up the stairs, her tail wagging, as she peeked into each room. The second level had a kitchen and sitting area with a large balcony for eating outside at the front of the house. The final room on the back side of the house was a large master suite. It had a smaller balcony attached.
Brenda rushed into the room, taking in the king size bed, and the large closet doors, before moving to the bathroom. She entered the room and stood frozen in awe. The shower and backsplash were made of the same stacked granite as the walls downstairs. She jumped up, her paws landing on the basin, and water began to trickle down the wall, pouring over the stones like a waterfall, and then into the stone bowl. She jumped down and the water stopped. She wiggled in a little dance of joy, but stopped quickly when she heard Granger enter the room.
“Brenda?” Granger called, as he put down her possessions. “Oh, there you are. Here are your things. Don’t worry about me. I’ll get a fire started and see if there is any food in the house.” Granger turned to leave after giving her a saucy wink.
Brenda hurried back into the bathroom and nudged the door closed with her nose. She couldn’t wait to enjoy the shower and rinse the blood from her hair. Calling the change, white lights began to swirl around her like little bolts of lightning, as she visualized herself in human form.
Granger heard the shower in the master bedroom and smiled. Having Brenda in his house, and seeing her obvious enjoyment of the space, warmed his heart, and a spark of hope lodged firmly in his chest. Now if she would only fall in love with him, as she had the house he designed. Ideas of adding on rooms for future pups already danced in his head. He’d have to write them down before he forgot.
The wind picked up outside and the sky darkened as storm clouds moved in. Granger knelt in front of the fireplace and carefully lit the already waiting wood. He’d have to show Brenda where more wood was stored.
In the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator. He knew that two steaks and fixings for sides waited for them. He pulled out food and lined it up on the counter. Maybe he could cook his way into Brenda’s heart.
A little later, Granger retrieved the steaks from beneath the broiler. He turned, pan in hand, to see Brenda standing in the doorway. She wore a turtleneck sweater in a soft blue that complimented the color of her eyes, and soft knit pants. Her hair, still damp from the shower, hung around her shoulders. His wolf spirit rushed to the surface ready to claim his mate. Granger ruthlessly pushed it back. “I’ll have dinner served in a jiffy. Why don’t you see if there’s a bottle of wine you might like in the wine cooler. Glasses are in the cabinet above the refrigerator.”
Brenda immediately moved to inspect the bottles and Granger shuddered. He had to get a handle on his lust before he scared Brenda off. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice his discomfort. He went back to preparing their plates, forcing his body to comply with his wishes. Picking up the food, he went into the dining room, putting distance between them, so when Brenda walked in with a bottle of Merlot in her hands, he was able to smile serenely and pull her chair out for her. She placed the bottle and glasses on the table before sitting. Granger sat across from her.
“Everything smells delicious. I didn’t know how hungry I was until I smelled the meat cooking. Thank you for fixing dinner,” Brenda said.
Granger picked up his steak knife and fork, hoping to encourage her to eat. “I can’t cook like you. I can fix a meal now and then. Where did you learn to cook?”
“In Paris, believe it or not,” Brenda said. “My father was being deployed, so he sent me to cooking school. I think he was kind of desperate, it was the first time he encouraged me to do something creative. I was a teenager at the time. I loved it. I didn’t think I would at first. Then one day we were making soufflés and everything kind of fell into place. I realized I could really do this and do it well. It all backfired on my father. When he came home, I was so excited to cook some of the recipes I learned. He grumbled constantly about my frenchie food, it was too rich, too fancy. Luckily, everyone else begged me to cook for them. I became the favorite hostess of all the officer’s wives. They even wanted me to teach them a few recipes at their monthly meetings.”
“Working ski patrol won’t leave you much spare time, but there are plenty of staples in the pantry if you feel like whipping something up. If there are any special pans or utensils you need, let me know and we can order them.” He would get online tomorrow and take care of it. Anything Brenda needed to feel at home, he would provide.
“Thank you for the offer. I can buy my own pans and things. I don’t need your charity.” Brenda put down her utensils and glared at him.
Granger put his fork down. “I wasn’t offering out of charity, I offered out of friendship. Won’t you at least give me a chance to be your friend?” He wanted to shake her. Why did she constantly push him away?
“I don’t want to be your friend!” Brenda said.
Granger rose from his seat. “Please, excuse me. I seem to have lost my appetite.” His heart aching, he picked up his plate and put it in the sink, before making his way to the bottom floor and the guest bedroom.
Brenda stared at the empty chair across from her and wanted to cry. Why was she being so mean? Granger had only ever offered her love and support. He helped her through the change from lycan to human, shouldering the intense pain and sending her his strength and reassurance. He came for her today when he felt her fear through the mating bond, even though she had tried to keep him blocked from her mind.
He never pushed her, always giving her the choice. She hated it! Why couldn’t he demand his rights as her mate? Then she could hate him, and have good reason to. But no, he was always nice, always doing the right thing, always giving her reasons to admire him. He even cooked for her.
Tears streamed down her face. She hadn’t cried since the day she was turned into a lycan and Esme’s brother was killed. Now her heart ached, and huge sobs quaked her body. She ran into the master bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind her. Curling up on the bed, she cried out her pain, her loneliness, her confusion. She didn’t know who she was anymore. She didn’t want to be the bitter woman who sniped at the man who tried to make her happy. She didn’t want to feel so terribly alone. She might as well have died from the cancer if this was all there was to life. Her sobs shook her as she cried and cried.
Warm arms surrounded her and held her to his steady beating heart. Brenda cried harder. She had struck out at him and still he offered comfort. She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, unable to look at him. She didn’t deserve his kindness. Lovingly, he caressed her hair and back. He didn’t speak, just held her. He was too good.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” In her heart, she begged him to understand.
§
The next morning, the sun bouncing off the snow nearly blinded Brenda, as her eyes fluttered open. Her head and eyes hurt, and she felt like she had been dragged through a wringer. Glancing around the room, she frowne
d in confusion. The clock on the nightstand said eight-thirty. Where was Granger? Hadn’t he held her through the night?
She distinctly remembered falling asleep in his arms. But there was no sign of anyone else ever being in the room with her. She climbed out of the bed and went to the door. It was still locked from the inside. That couldn’t be right. Did Granger come to her in a dream? Esme mentioned Jared doing something similar.
She opened the door and hurried into the kitchen. All evidence of the dinner the night before was gone. The kitchen sparkled as if it hadn’t ever been used. She hurried to the front room. The fireplace was laid with fresh wood. “Granger?” she called. There was no answer.
§
The sound of a vehicle turning into the drive made Brenda run to the window. She sighed when she saw Jared’s Jeep. Granger’s truck had disappeared as magically as he had. Brenda hurried to the door, maybe Jared could tell her where Granger had gone.
Now that he was missing, all she could think about was how dejected he looked when he left the table last night. She needed him to know how sorry she was, how wrong. She opened the door.
Jared smiled at her. “Hey, Brenda. I’m here to take you to the resort. You still want the job with the ski patrol, right?”
“Yeah…” God, what was wrong with her? Panic seemed to be sneaking into her heart. Where was Granger?
“You’re not ready. Didn’t you find the patrol uniform in your duffle?” Jared asked, looking her up and down.
“Uhm, yeah, I found it.”
“Well, go get dressed. You’re going to be late. We’ll need a few extra minutes with the snow being so deep. I’m not sure the resort has plowed their part of the road yet. Luckily, our guys were working at six this morning or I might not have been able to get here.”
“Jared, where is Granger? I thought he was taking me to the resort this morning.” Please let Jared tell her. She was being pathetic and she didn’t even care.
“He was called away on Beta council business.”
“Beta council?” What was that?
“Brenda, I don’t have time to explain. You need to get ready.”
Brenda looked down at her outfit and grimaced. She hadn’t changed her clothes since last night. “Okay, give me a few minutes.” Brenda rushed up the stairs. She hated to be late to anything, and being late on the first day of a new job was the worst. Even as she fumbled into the bright orange snow suit her mind went to Granger. Where was he?
§
Brenda followed Jared into the Ski Patrol office. A man with silver strands in his dark hair sat behind a desk. From his scent Brenda knew immediately he was a lycan.
“This is Remi Michaud. He runs the ski patrol for the resort. Pack members fill all the positions. We seem to have a nose for search and rescue,” Jared said, with a wink. “Remi, let me introduce Brenda Ross, Granger’s mate.”
Brenda couldn’t help but smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Monsieur Michaud,” Brenda said.
“Remi, please. Welcome, Granger’s mate. Granger told me you were coming today.”
Brenda winced. “Brenda will be fine.”
“Granger is a lucky man to have found you in Scotland,” Remi said, smiling. “More of the young males are thinking of taking trips abroad to find their mates. My own son, Luc, wishes to go, but he’s still too young to mate at only eighteen. He’s working as a waiter in the resort restaurant this season. If you decide to eat there, ask for Luc, he’ll take good care of you.”
“Thank you, I’ll do that.”
Jared’s cell phone buzzed and he reached into the pocket of his parka. “If everything is okay here, I’m going to head out and take this call. Phone me if you need a ride at the end of your shift, Brenda. Or perhaps one of the ski patrol members can give you a lift.”
“Don’t worry about her, Jared. We’ll make sure she gets home all right,” Remi reassured him.
Brenda waited for Jared to leave before she turned to Remi. “What would you like me to do first?”
§
Brenda waved at Remi and his son, Luc, as their Jeep headed down the driveway. They had given her a ride home after her shift. She liked everyone she had met at the resort, and today had been a good day. She winced at her sore thigh muscles. She hadn’t been skiing for a while and she was out of shape. She hobbled into the cottage, chuckling to herself about the name of her house. Why anyone would call this place a cottage she wouldn’t know. Everyone she met today asked her if she lived at “The Cottage,” and all seemed glad when she said she was.
One of the pictures in the lower sitting room caught her eye. She recognized the scene sketched in pen and ink. It was of a little cut about halfway up the mountain. Only expert skiers were authorized on that run. She moved closer, drawn by the strong lines. Whoever drew the landscape had real talent. She couldn’t quite make out the signature. It was two letters, the last one being a T. Her stomach growled, and Brenda realized she smelled food cooking.
“Hello? Is someone here?” she called out.
When no one answered, she headed upstairs to the kitchen. Sitting on the counter was a crockpot from which the delicious smells emanated. She pulled off the lid to find a hearty stew inside. On the table a place had been laid along with a basket of bread. Sitting next to the crockpot was a bowl and ladle.
“Hello?” Brenda called. “Granger are you here?”
Again the house was silent. Shrugging her shoulders, she filled the bowl with the thick beef broth and vegetables. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she smelled the food.
Taking the bowl to the table she noticed a small card next to the place setting. Hope you had a good first day was typed on the paper. She lifted the card to her nose and using her enhanced lycan senses sniffed at the edges. Just as she thought, the scent of woodlands filled her nostrils. Granger made the note.
He must have gotten back from wherever the Beta council sent him. She was surprised he wasn’t here himself pushing his claim. Not that she would have given in if he did, which was probably why he wasn’t here. She buttered one of the pieces of bread and then dipped it in the stew before taking a big bite. She had to hand it to him, he knew her too well.
She missed seeing him today. Every time she turned around, she thought he would be there. He never was. She had trekked from one side of the resort to the other and never saw a sign of Granger. She should have felt relieved, instead she was kind of angry.
The whole pack made such a big deal over this heartmate bonding thing going on between them. So where was Granger? Her harsh words from last night rang in her mind. He wouldn’t walk away would he? Her stomach clenched at the thought and suddenly she wasn’t hungry anymore.
She got up and packaged the stew for lunch the following day, then she washed dishes and headed into the bedroom to shower. Sighing, she pulled out her pajamas.
Another pen and ink drawing hanging over the bed drew her attention. This view was of the valley below the mountain. The picture was lovely. As she took her clothes into the bathroom and turned on the hot water, she wondered if one of the pack members was the artist.
Chapter Four
“I don’t like this, Granger. There is no indication that the men who forced the Jeep off the road are connected to those crazy doctors. Who else would do such a thing?” Jared asked.
Granger sat sprawled in front of Jared’s desk in the large wingback chair that was his favorite. He had barely made it back in time to fix Brenda dinner.
“I don’t know, and I don’t like it either,” Granger said. “I asked around at the council and there was nothing to suggest another pack is unhappy with you taking over from your father. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. That little pack up north in Chisasibi was ready to fight the La Sarre pack for land until they heard you were taking your father’s place as Alpha of the Quebec province. I guess they knew you would rule as your father did, that the Chisasibi pack has hereditary claim to the land. The Beta council would have backed you if t
he argument continued, so there was no point.”
Lycans had been in North America as long as the native peoples. Then when other lycan packs came over with the Europeans, it was decided that a ruling body needed to mitigate pack territory clashes before blood feuds eradicated their race. The Alphas were too volatile, so the Betas were chosen for the job. Each province had an Alpha that acted like a governor, who was voted into office by the local Alphas in the province. In Quebec, that Alpha was Jared, as his father was before him.
“So, if there are no concerns at the province level, and it’s not related to the Doctors for a Better Humanity, who is behind it?” Jared slammed his pen on the table. Rising from his chair, he began to pace.
“What about the developer that was here yesterday? I heard him yelling as he left.”
“Samuel Ouelette?” Jared asked. “He was angry when he found out the ski resort didn’t own the land it was built on, the pack did. Still, it seems like a lot of trouble. Parker would never sell his rights to the resort and we won’t sell the land. Ouelette would do better to look somewhere else.”
“Let me do some checking. We need to know what kind of man we’re dealing with.” Granger ran his hand through his hair. It looked like another trip into Quebec tomorrow. If he wanted Brenda to have a nice dinner tomorrow night, he’d have to start the chicken in wine sauce early and hope it didn’t curdle in the crock pot.
As if he felt Granger’s distraction, Jared asked, “How’s it going with Brenda?”
Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) Page 4