Her eyes were soft as she gazed at Wyatt, a small smile playing on her lips. Wyatt studied her. That scent of otherness he’d observed in the car - he’d put it down to the baby, but perhaps that wasn’t the whole story.
He narrowed his eyes, trying to suppress a grin.
“I don’t smell fur.”
“Nope,” Haley replied with a glint of laughter in her eye, “no fur.”
“I see.”
Tucker looked at Colton, and cocked one of his eyebrows in a silent question. Colton rolled his in response.
“We’ll just leave you two to it.” Colton headed toward the door, “Come on Tucker.”
“Nice to meet you, Haley Dubois.” Tucker bowed his head slightly in a form of greeting, and then followed Colton out of the room.
“Nice to meet you too,” Haley called out after him.
Wyatt heard the door slam shut, and Colton loudly singing his own praises as his brothers made their way down the drive.
Wyatt hadn’t moved an inch.
“Are you going to tell me what you are?” he asked.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“Later, I think. Are you a bear? I bet you are,” she asked, her eyes gleaming.
“That doesn’t seem right,” Wyatt crossed his arms, “You know what I am. Surely it’s only fair…?”
Haley shrugged, “Life’s not fair, Wyatt Sterling.”
“I disagree, Haley Dubois.”
She laughed out loud.
“Enough. I will tell you – eventually. But I’m famished, as your companion, I think I should cook your dinner.”
“Hang on – who said you got the job?”
Haley stopped mid stride, and looked up at Wyatt in shock and dismay.
“Kidding.”
“Hilarious,” she shot back dryly, “I can see I’ll have my work cut out for me.”
“You can count on it, Miss Dubois.”
Wyatt watched her pad gracefully through to the kitchen, her hair now tumbling loose round her shoulders and wearing one of his t-shirts as a dress, so oversized it came to her knees. She looked utterly delectable.
Wyatt felt as if he’d just been shot through the heart with cupid’s arrow.
Chapter thirteen
Joe was sitting in his trailer, the blinds drawn low with an NHL game playing on mute. Wyatt sighed at the disarray; plates still piled up in the sink, dirty mugs dotted about and an unpleasant smell coming from the stove.
“Jesus Joe, this place hasn’t been cleaned in weeks – where’s Macy?”
“Sent her away, don’t like strangers touching my stuff.”
He took a drag on his cigarette and eyed Wyatt beadily from his easy chair.
“Macy’s not a stranger,” Wyatt sighed, “Why do you live like this?”
“Don’t be starting shit with me, Wyatt. I’ll live how I want to live – and you can take your fancy-pants condos, your big mansions, your sports cars, and shove ‘em up your backside.”
“I’m worried about your health Joe, just living in one of the new developments on Birch Drive would be an improvement – nothing fancy about them.”
“Huh,” he took a swig of beer; “the IRS would be over me like a rash, no thank you.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes. Joe had started to get intensely paranoid in his old age, convinced that the government was going to take away his millions – though as far as Wyatt could make out, it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference. Joe’s cash, which came from high-yield shares in all of the Sterling businesses, just sat in his bank account, untouched.
“But I’m guessing you didn’t come over here to tell me shit you already told me – what’s up?”
“We need to talk about Simeon. He needs to be shut down, and Drake needs our support to do it. I want to publicly side with the Yupiq Pack now, before it’s too late.”
Joe exhaled an expletive, and switched off the TV set.
“Wyatt – we don’t get mixed up in Pack politics, we keep the peace.”
“There’s not going to be any peace if Simeon gains more power and overthrows the Yupiq Pack. People will die, Joe. And the Clan alone won’t have the power to stop him.”
“You’re overestimating that mongrel.”
“I’m not. He is deadly and brutal – and he’s going to destroy everything that stands in his path.”
Wyatt ran a hand through his unwieldy hair, wanting to knock some sense into Joe.
“I say we stay out of it.” Joe looked smug, “and if you don’t like my decision as Clan leader, then you know what to do about it – same god damn thing I’ve been wanting you to do for the past five years.”
Wyatt sat in silence for a moment, trying to reign in his temper.
“Joe,” he spoke softly, “Please don’t tell me that you’re using this…situation as leverage to get me to take over as Alpha.”
Joe smiled blandly at his nephew, “Now why would I go and do a thing like that?”
“Fuck sake Joe – you’re playing with fire! People will die – people have already died.”
“I heard about the woman,” Joe replied.
“So you know – this is going to tear this town apart.”
“So do the right thing,” he looked at Wyatt straight on, “I heard you’ve got a lovely lady staying with you. Make her your mate. Do whatever needs to be done, and take over the Clan. They need you Wyatt. We all need you.”
“Or what?” Wyatt knew he was being blackmailed, he just wanted to hear Joe come right out and say it his face.
“Or you know where I stand. The Clan will do nothing.”
“You’re an asshole Joe.”
He smirked and took another swig of beer, “Yeah, but I’m an old asshole holding all the cards.
Now unless you’re going to shut up and watch the game with me, get the hell out of my trailer.”
He switched the game back on, dismissing Wyatt.
Wyatt’s knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. Joe had always been wily and manipulative, but he’d taken it too far this time. The Sterling family, starting with Wyatt’s father, had built this town from the ground up. They stood to lose everything in the face of Simeon’s grab for power.
Wyatt had been in two minds about presenting the Clan with Haley as his mate; he didn’t like deceiving them, and it seemed grossly unfair to Haley to get caught up in all this when she’d come to Port Ursa expecting to be looking after an elderly person.
It also seemed like a gross parody of what he truly wanted. He was convinced that Haley was his true mate – the call of his bear in the truck on the way to the clinic, and the way he felt whenever she was near. At dinner he’d barely been able to talk to her. It sounded a lot like how Colton had explained his first experiences when meeting Hannah – his claimed mate. He had no idea if Haley felt the same way, but if there was any chance that she did, he didn’t want to present her to the Clan under false pretenses – he wanted to wait until they were truly mated.
Which, he sighed, was all well and good – but they were running out of time.
Wyatt pulled up to the house, smiling softly as he saw that the lights were on, making his arrival home cozier and more inviting than it ever had been before.
When he cut the glare of the headlights, he saw Haley sitting on the porch, wrapped up in a blanket from head to toe – she looked like an Eskimo and Wyatt marveled at how Haley could wear the most ridiculous things and still look so utterly divine. She took his breath away.
He locked the truck and walked toward her, unable to hide the smile erupting at the corners of his lips.
“Cold, Haley?”
“Freezing to death.”
“Then what are you doing out here?”
“Hannah said I should get fresh air. So here I am – outside, possibly dying from pneumonia.”
“So dramatic,” Wyatt smirked, “is this a Prima ballerina thing that I should watch out for?”
Haley snorted with derision.
>
“You ain’t seen nothing yet Wyatt Sterling.”
“High maintenance, huh?”
“The highest.” Haley’s eyes shone with suppressed laughter, “Can you handle it?”
Wyatt leaned back on the porch bench, and crossed his arms in mock contemplation.
“I thought you were meant to be my companion. Shouldn’t I be the high maintenance one?”
“You should be far more thorough in your reference checks,” she replied.
Wyatt burst out laughing.
“I can handle you, Haley Dubois.”
The easy and playful atmosphere they’d created suddenly became charged with tension. Wyatt unconsciously licked his lips, his mouth dry. Haley’s face flooded with heat.
“Do you think so?” she whispered.
“I know so.”
Chapter fourteen
“I’ve got a better idea, follow me.”
Wyatt rose from the porch and gestured to Haley to follow him back into the house. She complied, wondering where he was taking her. She’d been serious about the fresh air – after blob’s kicking last night, she was determined to follow Doctor Cooper’s advice to the letter.
He strode over to the sliding back doors at the far end of the living room.
“There are heaters out here, and it looks out over the water.” He announced, flicking a series of switches concealed beneath the doorframe.
Four space heaters roared to life, and Haley stepped out into the significantly less chilly fresh air.
“Oh, Wyatt – this is perfect, thank you.” She smiled up at him, “are you going to join me?”
“I am. I just need to change first.” He was still dressed in the dark navy suit and white shirt he’d worn to the office that morning. Haley thought he looked absolutely delicious, but she just nodded and made herself comfortable on the wicker sofa.
She relaxed, finally able to stop shivering so aggressively, and stared up at the night sky. She’d never seen anything like it. The moon hung heavy and full over the water, its beams rippling across the surface. But it was the stars that stole the evening show.
Wyatt reappeared. He was wearing jeans and a faded grey hoodie. Haley smiled. He looked so much younger and much less intimidating dressed like this - but still just as smoking hot as he did in more formal apparel. Perhaps more so.
“Better?” he asked. Haley was floored, before belatedly realizing that he was referring to the heaters, not his appearance.
Oh. “Perfect.”
“How was your afternoon?”
“Relaxing. I didn’t do much – I explored your house, poked my nose where it didn’t belong…” she gave him a side-long glance.
“Oh really. That’s quite an abuse of my hospitality, Dubois.”
“Yep,” she countered cheerfully, “I’m not even sorry.”
“Well, you know what they say about curiosity…”
She laughed. “Nope, not a cat shifter.”
Wyatt sighed, “Am I ever going to know what creature’s hiding within you?”
“Hmm, still undecided. It’s fairly unusual, I’d imagine – particularly in these parts.”
“The plot thickens,” Wyatt arched an eyebrow in her direction, “I’m guessing it’s an animal that’s far more comfortable in a warmer climate?”
“How did you guess?” She teased.
“Well,” he tugged at the wool blanket still enveloping her, “This was my first clue.”
Haley smiled. She wished she hadn’t brought it out with her; Wyatt’s arm lightly grazed it every time he moved, sending heat rushing through her. She wanted it out of the way, closer to his touch.
“In my defense, it’s the middle of winter in Alaska – this is next level cold.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I can’t say I ever really feel it.”
“That a bear thing, I take it?”
“It is. It’s also a growing up in Alaska thing – your body adjusts.”
Haley nodded. She couldn’t imagine ever getting used to the temperature here. She was wearing two layers of thermals and still felt like a popsicle.
“It’s not just your shifter that I’m curious about.” Wyatt announced, going back to their original subject. Haley sighed inwardly. She had known this was coming, ever since Colton and Hannah had remarked that they’d seen her perform. She’d seen the curiosity alight in their eyes, understandably wondering what on earth a prima ballerina was doing applying for a companion post advertised on the help wanted pages of a newspaper.
“What do you want to know?”
“Nothing that you don’t want to tell me.” He turned to her, “Haley, if you don’t want to say anything you don’t have to – I’m just here if you need to talk.”
She looked up into his eyes. They were completely sincere, without a hint of impending judgement. She turned back to face the water. If she was going to tell her story it would be easier if she didn’t get lost in his gaze.
“Well – I guess the long and short of it is, I fell for the wrong man.” Haley shrugged, “Without realizing that he could destroy my career at the drop of a hat. Or, I guess, knowing that, but going right ahead and falling for him anyway.”
She wrapped the blanket more tightly around her, hugging herself. It was still painful; it probably always would be.
“He was, is, the director of the American Ballet Institute. As charming as they come - and ruthless. He was the one who pushed me to become the Prima, another girl was in the running, but she had a complete nervous breakdown and left the Institute before the decision was made. They promoted me. Deep down I knew he was behind it somehow, but I was so blown away by my good fortune that I ignored it. We started having an affair, he was married – to a retired dancer; she lived in Paris. Her family was incredibly wealthy, he always claimed it was a union of convenience. Can you believe I fell for that? I should have known better. I should have behaved better.”
Haley couldn’t bear to look at Wyatt; she was so ashamed of her actions. She’d been young and in love, but that didn’t excuse what she’d done.
“Please don’t judge me,” she whispered.
“Are you kidding?” Wyatt sounded furious, and Haley turned to face him – bracing herself for the onslaught of derision.
“He clearly took advantage of you, took advantage of his position. Haley, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Don’t you dare beat yourself up over this. He’s not worth it.”
Relief flooded her. Wyatt didn’t think any less of her. Thank God. She didn’t agree with his assessment that he’d taken advantage of her – she couldn’t abdicate responsibility for her mistakes, and what she’d done vastly opposed her sense of right and wrong; she’d lacked integrity, lost her sense of self and needed to face the consequences from that – a heavy guilt that would always be a part of her. The only positive thing to come out of it was her own little blob. She rubbed her stomach over the wool blanket, as if it to let it know that it wasn’t a part of her regret.
“It’s kind of you to say that.” She murmured.
“It’s not kind – it’s the truth. I take it he also removed you from the Institute?”
Haley half-laughed, “The second he found out I was pregnant. Bam,” she clicked her fingers, “I was out on my butt. I had a small savings, got an apartment and the rest kept me going, but it was time to find a job that I could keep while I was pregnant. I found the companion offer in a paper – and here I am.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Wyatt turned to look at her. She lowered her gaze, but he reached out his hand and placed it gently but firmly on her cheek, drawing her face back up to meet his.
“I mean it Haley. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I’m glad I’m here too,” she whispered.
Wyatt leaned his head forward and kissed her softly on the lips.
“Wyatt -” she broke away. “Kiss me. Properly.”
He drew her face back into his, and she wrapped her fin
gers up into his hair as she drowned in his kiss.
“Can you feel that?” he asked, whispering softly into her skin.
“Yes. I can feel it everywhere.”
Fire ran through her veins, coursing along with her pounding blood. Her skin hummed with electric volts. Wyatt trailed his fingers up the nape of her neck, gently rubbing her hairline. It sent shivers coursing through her body, so intense it was almost agony.
“Take me to bed, please Wyatt, I need to feel you.”
Wyatt nodded. He picked her up, carrying her in his arms the same way he’d first held her. She ran her hands over his chest, feeling the hard muscle moving beneath her palms as he navigated his way to his bedroom.
He gently placed Haley back on her feet, removing the blanket and dragging her deeper into his kiss. Wyatt felt like he’d come home. Her scent and touch enveloped him completely, blinding him to everything except the tones of her skin, the waterfall of black hair running down her back, the large, stormy eyes that became the axis of his earth.
“Will you freeze to death if I remove your thermals?”
She laughed into his collarbone, gently biting his skin in response to his teasing. Wyatt exhaled a fragmented breath at her touch.
He ran his hands down her sides, tugging at the bottom of her layers and then lifting them up over her head. She stretched her arms up to help him free her, her breasts lifting upward as she did so. Wyatt lowered his head, taking her nipple in his mouth and sucking gently. Haley felt her abdomen muscles clench tightly in response and gasped.
Wyatt removed his mouth and ran his palms over her breasts; his weather beaten skin grazing her softness, making Haley lightheaded with lust and wanting. He kneeled at her feet, pulling down her leggings and panties, deftly pushing the fabric off each of her feet, kissing them softly as he did so.
He looked up, his eyes full of worship and lust as he surveyed Haley’s body. She was magnificent.
Haley placed her hands over her slightly protruding stomach.
“Does it weird you out?” she asked, misreading his expression.
“Absolutely not! You’re gorgeous, you look hot as hell.” He replied, smirking.
BOX SET: Shifter 4-Pack Vol 2 (Wolf Shifter, Dragon Shifter, Mafia, Billionaire, BBW, Alpha) (Werewolf Weredragon Paranormal Fantasy Romance Collection) Page 39