The Bucklin Wolves Next Generation: Return

by Jessica Ryan

  “Jacko told me,” she said. “It’s what prompted this interview.”

  So there’s more to Jacko than meets the eye. I’m right to keep one eye on him. Where did he get his information?

  “Yes,” Seth said. “It is true that most of the town left with the former mayor. They sought to reestablish their roots in the forest where we came from.”

  “And have they been seen or heard from since?”

  “Not at all. They live in the wild now. They have their new territory to take care of.”

  “But what about their old territory? Do they feel any attachment to it?”

  “Not that I know of. I haven’t seen any of them in this town in two years. It takes a lot to establish a new pack, especially one the size Aster is playing at.”

  “I just worry that they pose a threat. Statistically wolves never give up a territorial claim.”

  “They’re deeper in the forest than you think.”

  “But do they have spies?”

  “Why would they bother to spy on us? They renounced this place. They’re gone. And why would they care about the casino anyway?”

  “Because it violates what they built in Bucklin: a community for werewolves. What if they hear the town is being opened to humans? It could pose a threat to them, with so many humans so close to their new territory.”

  Seth sighed and leaned forward again. “Maribel, you’re going to have to trust me on this. They’re gone. You’ll see.”

  “Very well, Seth,” she said, and put her folder away. “I’ll take your word for it. I hope the groundbreaking ceremony goes off without a hitch.”

  “Don’t you worry,” he assured her. “It’ll be the best groundbreaking ceremony in history.”

  Chapter 6

  Maribel was so busy over the next week that she could barely keep things straight. In addition to risk analysis, she helped Ms. Wilson with all the ceremony planning and with communicating their progress to Mr. Sokolov.

  He’d been very pleased with her report on the risk factors and decided no additional security was needed, leaving Jacko and his team of twelve ex-soldiers to keep an eye on Bucklin and the project.

  There was a buzz in the air of Bucklin that hadn’t been felt in quite some time. Unfortunately there was a constant buzz from Maribel’s phone as well. She hadn’t spoken to Seth since the night they’d had dinner together, but he had called her plenty of times. She wasn’t actively avoiding him, she was just busy. But at the same time she didn’t really know what business he would have with her and she didn’t like the way he flexed his abs when he smiled at her or the way her body reacted to his presence. It just wasn’t professional and she knew sexual harassment laws worked both ways. She didn’t want to throw herself at the hot mayor only to be rejected and a complaint levied against her company.

  Surely he was just teasing her when he smiled at her and flexed, wasn’t he? Maybe she was just scared that a man was actually showing interest in her, albeit a man who could turn into a wolf and crush his enemies between his vise-like jaws.

  She was still surprised when she arrived at the groundbreaking ceremony and Seth approached her in the holding area behind the stage they had set up. He was wearing another perfectly tailored suit that did nothing to hide his V-shape, while she was wearing a plain brown dress that did nothing to hide her round shape.

  “Maribel,” he said, grabbing a cookie from the table and smiling at her. “I had fun at dinner last week. I tried to call again to see if you’d like to go for another ride, but you didn’t answer the phone.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that,” she said, trying not to look at him. “I was just way too busy. You know, a lot goes into this.”

  “Tell me about it,” he said. “I’ve been pretty busy myself. Still, I would have found time for you. We don’t get a lot of outsiders in Bucklin, so I like to find out about what’s going on out there in the world.”

  “Well, Ms. Wilson and Jacko are here too.”

  “She rubs me the wrong way,” Seth said, staring off into space. “So does he, to be honest. I just had an easier time talking to you. Maybe we can get together and talk tonight?”

  “Well, I’m—” she said, trying frantically to find an excuse. He was a nice guy, she had to admit, but it wasn’t professional to mix work and pleasure—if there was even any pleasure to come of this. “I don’t know if I’ll be available.”

  “What do you have going on?” he asked.

  “Well, I…” She trailed off again, searching for some excuse. Seth wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Maybe she just needed to get it over with and move forward. “I guess I don’t have anything going on. Would you like to go to dinner again?”

  “I have dinner plans already,” he said. “But I can come by the house you’re staying in afterwards and have a drink. Won’t you be going back to Dallas soon?”

  “Monday,” she said. Unfortunately it was Thursday, so that left a lot of time for the two of them to hang out. More time to avoid the man of her dreams. What the hell was wrong with her?

  “Excellent,” he said. “We’ll hang out tonight, then, and talk. It’ll be fun. I like your take on life. Maybe you can give me some statistics.”

  “About what?”

  “Anything. I just find it fascinating how many numbers you have in your head.”

  “Oh, there’s a lot,” she promised. “Don’t you worry.”

  After Seth had walked off to find someone else, Maribel nearly collapsed into the table. She hadn’t realized she’d barely been able to stand while he was standing there. No man should have that effect on her body.

  “Well, it looks like someone has learned from the best,” Ms. Wilson said, sauntering up beside Maribel.

  “What are you talking about?” Maribel asked.

  “You’re going to sleep with the mayor.”

  “No, I’m not.” Maribel was shocked that Ms. Wilson would even suggest something so boldly and loudly.

  “You were getting pretty dewy-eyed with him there. And it’s obvious he has a crush on you.”

  “No, he doesn’t.” Maribel refused to believe it despite all evidence to the contrary. His attraction for her flew in the face of every statistic she knew about dating.

  “You’re doing it backwards, though. You’re supposed to sleep with him before the deal is signed, to make him sign it.”

  “He was ready, willing and able to sign it. We didn’t even have to negotiate.”

  “No, we didn’t. Now you’re just having fun. It’s okay. I like to have fun too.”

  “He just wants to talk,” Maribel said, reassuring herself more than anything else. “He finds me interesting.”

  “Oh, please,” Ms. Wilson said, rolling her eyes before she started to walk off. “Nobody finds you interesting.”

  Her words stung, but Maribel had come to expect that kind of behavior from Ms. Wilson. She was a grade-A bitch through and through. Maribel considered saying something, but she still had to ride home with the woman. Instead, she straightened up and tried to compose herself as she heard clapping on the other side of the stage. The ceremony was beginning and she could already hear Ms. Wilson speaking into the microphone in a sugary-sweet and one hundred percent fake voice.

  That woman should run for public office. She’d win any election in a landslide. If only politicians knew how much more devious corporate America was than what they dealt with on a normal basis.

  Still, they had put together a hell of a groundbreaking ceremony. News crews from Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Dallas and even Kansas City had all come out to cover the city of Bucklin making a big-time move. Sokolov Enterprises had become a force in the entertainment world in a very short time. It wasn’t too long ago that they had opened their first casino and already business was booming. The world knew that the Sokolov stamp of approval meant money. It made Maribel smile that she had been so crucial in creating the force behind that stamp that it now carried.

  Seth looked very assu
red of himself as he took to the podium and launched into a speech about how much he loved his small town roots. He was completely on point as he gripped the sides of the podium and made eye contact with the audience members. He detailed how he’d grown up with a single mother and watched as his town’s once booming tourism sector had suddenly regressed, forcing many residents of the town to flee for bigger cities and other opportunities.

  “And I promise that those opportunities will not be lost ever again!” he said, slamming his fist down on the podium. “Jobs will be available here in Bucklin. The casino will hire from within, giving our residents an opportunity they’ve never had before. But that’s not the only opportunity. We’re going to need convenience stores, restaurants, clothing stores and other businesses to keep our guests entertained. Who better to open these stores and restaurants and run them than my very own Bucklin residents? I beg you all, go forth and prosper. I promise within three years you’ll look back on the ghost town era of Bucklin like America looks back on the Great Depression. A mere bump in the road that led us to greater glory. Mark my words, Bucklin will not die!”

  The crowd erupted in cheers as Seth stood straight and smiled, waving at specific members of the crowd and giving others a hearty thumbs up. As she watched him, Maribel could feel the heat growing between her legs. He was so sexy, so confident, everything she had never thought she could have in a man. But he wanted to have drinks with her tonight. Not Ms. Wilson. Not a hard-bodied werewolf female—her.

  Is this really what I want? she wondered.

  Fuck it. I’m taking him up on his date offer. Let’s do it.

  Chapter 7

  Statistically most men expect sex on the second date, Maribel thought as she did her makeup in front of the mirror. But our first meeting wasn’t a date. Still, the odds of a man expecting sex when a woman invites him in for a drink are much higher than if she kisses him good night at the door and sends him on his way.

  Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?

  Seth was thrilled that she wanted him to come over for a drink. In the short time she’d known him she hadn’t seen a smile quite as large as the one he’d worn when she confirmed their plans. He’d even leaned in for a hug. She could’ve sworn he’d sniffed her hair when he did it, too. It made her skin tingle, amongst other things, when he had done it. Luckily she’d showered that morning and her hair smelled like vanilla coconut.

  He’d been flirting with her pretty hard, but still, having the mayor over for a few drinks seemed mildly inappropriate. Especially considering Ms. Wilson’s conjecture about the entire situation. But he was on his way over now and there was no backing out.

  Maribel wasn’t looking too bad, by her standards. She was sure she looked like a painted whore next to Ms. Wilson. She’d done her eyes with a beautiful green eye shadow that didn’t make her brown eyes look so dark. She’d also put on a lower cut blouse with a few ruffles in the front to hide her massive cleavage. The chain she wore around her waist seemed a little strained around her muffin top, but it still added to the entire ensemble, which she capped off with a tight skirt and heels. She couldn’t believe she’d gotten so dressed up just to have drinks inside of the house she was staying in.

  The house was barely bigger than her apartment in Dallas, but she could definitely get used to living in a place like this. It was old, but it was well maintained and very quaint. There was a detached garage out back and it was already fully furnished. Everything in the house was very old and retro except for the obviously new flat screen television in the living area.

  As she sat on the couch staring at the wall, Maribel began to wonder what residents used to live in this house. What had their hopes and dreams been? Were they a mixed couple or all werewolf? Or had it been a lone wolf living on his own? There was so much history behind a place like Bucklin. She began to wonder if she could truly break a town this wondrous into simple numbers.

  Sure you can, she thought. Everything in life can be explained by numbers.

  Except for Seth’s suspected attraction to her. That one flew in the face of every study she’d ever read about dating and the wants and desires of men. Men were simple creatures, much easier to break down into numbers than a female. A guy like Seth should not have wanted a woman like Maribel. No way in hell.

  Fortunately she was saved from her own fears and doubts by a powerful fist knocking on the heavy door that led to the front yard. She’d heard that same knock a week ago; it was Seth. She got up and made sure everything was in place and not hanging out before walking across the house and opening the door.

  Seth was wearing a tight black polo shirt that hugged his V-taper perfectly. His jeans were light colored and also tight, like he’d had to squeeze into them. She knew darker jeans were in style right now, but Seth looked perfect in a pair of light-colored jeans straight out of the 90s.

  “You look great,” he said, giving her the once-over with his eyes.

  “A collared shirt?” she asked. “I thought you were more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy.”

  “I can be full of surprises,” he said, moving past her and into the house. “How do you like your accommodations?”

  “It’s very cozy,” she said. “Whoever had this house before took very good care of it.”

  Seth was already heading for the cabinet, where he chose some bottles of liquor and put them out on the counter. “That would be our former beta, Rowan. My estranged half-brother. He kept up with the place, from what I understand.”

  “Rowan,” Maribel said, turning the name over in her head. She’d read it in her report and had heard Jacko mention the name too. “Was he the second in command? The former mayor’s son?”

  “That’s correct,” Seth said.

  “And he’s your half-brother?”

  “Correct again,” Seth said, smiling as he handed her a glass of whiskey on the rocks.

  “This is pretty strong,” she said, eyeballing it. “I usually like a little fruit in my drink.”

  “Give it a shot,” he urged. “It’s pretty good.”

  “I didn’t know werewolves drank,” she said.

  “We usually don’t,” he said, then took a sip. “We can’t get drunk. It’s the same metabolism that keeps us in shape.”

  “Lucky,” she said.

  “I suppose so. Sometimes you want to have a few drinks and forget about your troubles, right? We don’t have that luxury.”

  “So why are you drinking?”

  “I enjoy the burn. Most wolves drink whiskey for that reason.”

  They made their way across the room and sat next to one another on the couch, sipping at their whiskey on the rocks while smiling at one another. Maribel was starting to be reminded of the first time she had kissed a boy in high school. Their nervousness and anxiety had been through the roof as they stared at one another and giggled before finally making their move.

  Seventy-two percent of men believe that they’ll get into a girl’s pants if they have a drink with her alone. I hope he’s not one of those men.

  The numbers were there again, dancing around in her head. She had to do something to distract herself from them. “So, Seth, you didn’t know your father? I believe I heard that somewhere.”

  “You’re just full of information, aren’t you? But I guess there’s no use hiding it. Yeah, I’m Luke’s bastard son.”

  “It sounds bad when you put it that way.”

  “Well, it’s the truth. He never even knew about me. My mother was just a one-time thing, to have fun and relieve some stress.”

  “I’m sure it’s easy for wolves to get whoever they want, especially the alpha.”

  “It’s a problem unique to alphas,” he said, smiling at her over his glass. “Most wolves are very loyal to their mates. The majority mate for life, and their eyes don’t wander. It’s a pretty sweet deal for the female involved.”

  “Forty-three percent of men cheat,” she blurted out.

  “Men, but not wolves,” he correcte
d. “The cheating seems to be a problem wholly unique to alphas. It’s a holdover from our times in the forest. The alpha was king of the pack and he had to ensure his bloodline remained diverse. So most alphas caroused and cheated on their mates to make sure there would always be a strong male carrying their blood and not someone else’s.”

  “So you’re the last person in town with that original alpha blood?” she asked. Things were starting to make sense.

  “Yes,” he said. “William used to watch after my mother when I was young. He provided us with money and took care of me.”

  “Was he seeing your mother?”

  “No,” Seth said, shaking his head. “He was already mated. He never strayed towards my mom.”

  “Why did he take care of you? You weren’t his son.”

  “His son was a treacherous snake. That’s why. He saw something in me. He saw a better leader for Bucklin than what we had. When the opportunity presented itself, he was able to put me into power.”

  That’s odd, Maribel thought. Sounds like William was manipulating things in his favor. Does he not see this?

  She wouldn’t dare bring that up. Seth seemed to speak with such reverence for the man who’d kept him and his mother off the streets.

  “I never wanted to be mayor,” Seth continued. “It never really appealed to me. But I have the blood of an alpha running through me and I guess I was born for the role. Right?”

  “You make it sound like you’re a king,” she said. “Only those from the bloodline can rule.”

  “That’s how wolves see it.”

  “But this Aster guy—he wasn’t related to you, was he?”

  “No, but he was close enough. My father raised him.” Seth looked away and swallowed hard. “My father raised a wolf who wasn’t even his own while never knowing the real son he had out there. It’s something right out of a Lifetime movie, isn’t it?”

  “You’ve already beaten the statistical odds,” Maribel said. “Most men in your situation are likely to become criminals or drug addicts.”