“Okay,” she said, sitting back down.
He took a deep breath and let it out. “I hadn’t heard from you and I was afraid you didn’t like me.”
“I already knew that. You told me earlier.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I should just spit it out then, shouldn’t I?” he said.
“That would be nice,” she said, sounding like she was getting a little aggravated.
“I’m a shifter.”
***
“Okay,” Lucy said, not really knowing what else to say.
“Are you okay?” Mike asked. He didn’t seem sure if she believed him or not.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.
“Do you believe me or do you think I’m crazy?” he asked.
“I believe you,” she said with a small smile.
“Um, how are you not freaking out or anything? Did you already know about us?”
“I’m a writer,” she answered. That should explain it all. Or she hoped it would. Why wouldn’t it? It made perfect sense to her.
“I know, and what does that have to do with anything?” he asked.
“Active imagination and everything. Things aren’t that hard to believe for us crazy people who make up stories,” she said with a little laugh. That was one thing she’d always liked about herself: you had to be just a little crazy to be able to come up with the things she wrote about. She never wanted anyone to poke around in her brain; they might have her committed.
“Yeah, but we aren’t talking about fiction here. This is reality.”
“I’m fully aware of that. I believe you. I write paranormal stories. Creatures like you live in my head. Why would it be that much of a stretch to believe you were real?” Secretly she had always hoped they were real. She often wondered if she had encountered a shifter or paranormal when people appeared out of nowhere or were silent as they walked up behind her.
“I always thought people would freak out and make a run for it when I told them. I never expected this,” Mike muttered under his breath.
“Now that we have that straightened out, why were you in the back yard?” she asked.
“I told you. I hadn’t heard from you in a while and wanted to check on you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Well, I actually went for a run and saw that I was close to your house, so I came to check.”
“And the shooting?”
“I don’t actually know. That’s what I wanted to talk to Bill about. I’m not really in any condition to go looking around.”
“Oh,” she said. She felt kind of stupid for getting upset when he’d asked for Bill. She’d thought he hadn’t wanted to be there with her or around her. She’d thought he hadn’t wanted her. Lucy knew she didn’t know Mike all that well, but there was something about him that drew her to him. She didn’t really know or care why; she just knew she couldn’t let him go.
“Do you mind if I call him?” Mike asked.
“Sure. Let me just grab the phone for you,” she said, and walked out.
As she left the room, Lucy realized something. She had a shifter in her guest room. Maybe she could do some research, get some facts she might be able to use. She was so excited she was shaking. She had a real shifter in her room! She wondered what kind he was. It would be so cool if he were some kind of cat. She’d always been partial to them. Lucy grabbed the phone and quickly got back to him. She wanted to know. Walking back in the room, she saw Mike trying to sit up.
“What are you doing?” she asked at once.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” he answered, trying to twist his legs off the bed.
“Okay. Do you need help?” He looked at her. Yeah, she didn’t really want to help either. She liked the guy, but she hadn’t really known him all that long. Yes, she’d seen him naked and he was currently standing up naked, but that didn’t mean she wanted to help him use the bathroom. She sat down in the chair and listened, just in case he needed help. She hoped he didn’t.
Mike came back out and hobbled straight to the bed, climbing under the covers. He shivered, and she wondered if maybe he was getting a fever. She didn’t keep the house all that cold, so he shouldn’t be shivering. Maybe that was something she needed to talk to Bill about. Or maybe it had something to do with him being a shifter.
“Here,” she said, handing him the phone.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, and looked at it.
“No problem,” she answered, and turned toward the door.
“Don’t leave, please.” She nodded and walked back over to the chair. Before she sat down, he scooted over and pulled the covers back. He wanted her in bed with him? Did he realize they barely knew each other? And that he was naked under that blanket? She stared at the fitted sheet, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Looking back at Mike, she saw the puppy dog eyes. She couldn’t resist puppy dog eyes. With a resigned sigh, she climbed into the bed with him. Lucy purposely kept her distance from him, though. She didn’t know him and he was naked.
“Relax,” he whispered in her ear, and kissed her cheek. She looked at him and saw his warm smile. Lying back, she tried doing what he said, but it was still hard.
“Bill, hey. Is there any way you can come back?” he asked into the phone. With Mike distracted, Lucy felt like she could finally relax. Her muscles unbunched and she watched him talk on the phone, completely at ease.
***
Bill was sitting in his office trying to get some work done. It was hard. He was worried about Mike and was thinking about Lexi. He didn’t have time for that, though. His team was investigating a report of a circus that was holding shifters, and he needed to plan an extraction. That, and he needed to take care of the payroll and do a liquor order.
Then Mike called. “I think it was the Hunters. I want to check it out before the scent’s gone, but I don’t think I can.”
“Fuck! No, you stay in that bed. I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have checked that when I was there,” Bill said, pissed off at himself for being so distracted.
“You were a little busy digging a bullet out of me. I don’t blame you for being a little distracted.”
“Yeah, but you know what I do. I should have known to look around. I guess I’m not used to things happening in my own back yard. I’ll let Basil know. I think he’ll want in on it.”
“Okay. I’ll let Lucy know to expect visitors,” Mike replied.
“No, you get some rest. Just tell her we’ll be in her woods, but that we won’t bother you guys,” Bill said.
“Thanks. If this is the Hunters, we need to know. You know if they are coming after one, none of us are safe.”
“I know,” he said with a sigh. No one wanted a threat in their own territory.
“Let me know what you find?” Mike asked.
“Sure. Get some rest,” Bill said, and hung up. Bill looked at the stacks of paperwork on his desk and sighed. He guessed he’d get to it… eventually.
***
Mike hit the ‘end’ button on the phone and looked at Lucy with a smile. They were going to be alone for a while and they were in bed together.
“What did he say?” Lucy asked.
“He’s going to get the alpha of the wolf pack and they’re going to come over and check it out. They aren’t coming in, but Bill might stop by and fill us in.”
“I have a few questions about what you just said. But first, he doesn’t think they’re going to come back?”
“Not right now. We know there’s something going on. They won’t risk exposing themselves. They know we’ll be looking for them, and if they’re still around they know we’ll find them. If it’s the group I suspect it is, they won’t be back. They’re going to re-group first.”
“Okay, next question. Alpha of the wolf pack?”
“Basil. He’s the sheriff and alpha. He’s a great guy. He’s helped Bill and me a few times and lets us stay in his territory.”
“So you aren’t a wolf?”
Maybe he hadn’t expl
ained it as well as he’d thought. “No, I’m a wolverine. The last one.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Mike rolled over on his side to face her. She looked confused, but tired. Maybe all the stress was starting to get to her. “Do you have any more questions?”
“Not right now,” she said with a yawn.
“You look tired. Why don’t you try to get some sleep,” he said.
“Okay,” she said with a nod and closed her eyes. He pulled her into his chest and held her close. He was probably moving too fast, but he couldn’t help it. He needed her close to him and it felt right with her in his arms. Lucy stiffened for a moment before relaxing into him. He’d be happy to have her like this every night for the rest of his life. Closing his eyes, Mike let sleep take him in the comfort of her arms.
Chapter 11
“Basil, thanks for coming,” Bill said when he stepped out of his truck and into Lucy’s driveway.
“No problem. If someone’s using silver bullets, I want to find out who it is,” Basil said, leaning against his F150.
“Okay, let’s go hunting,” Bill said, and started taking his clothes off, preparing to shift. Bill shifted into his bear form and Basil into his wolf form.
They made their way to the woods and started searching for any sign of whoever had shot Mike. A few of Basil’s pack members went along, including Emily, one of his employees and a tiger shifter. With all the help he had, Bill felt he should be able to get some answers. He wanted to get the shooter. He didn’t know what he would do if anything happened to Mike. He was his family. Neither of them really had anyone so they made their own. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to his family.
After about fifteen minutes of searching, Basil let out a bark, thereby letting everyone know he’d found something. Bill lumbered over and saw a bullet casing on the ground. He looked at the proximity to the house and saw that the shooter had been pretty close. He saw the blood soaked grass about twenty feet away. Mike was very lucky he was still alive and that Lucy hadn’t been hurt.
They all followed the scent from the area, but it went nowhere. There were tire tracks on the road, like someone had been trying to get away quickly. Fuck! They had nothing to go on other than a scent, and they couldn’t really go around sniffing people. Maybe they’d get lucky and would pick up on it in town. He doubted it. He’d dealt with the Hunters before and they were too careful. They would keep to themselves and lay low, making sure they weren’t seen or scented.
***
Lucy woke up with a heavy arm around her. Why did she have an arm around her? Why was someone in bed with her? Why was she in the guest room? She turned around and saw Mike asleep next to her. Then she remembered. He’d wanted her to stay with him and she’d been unable to resist. Damn those puppy dog eyes. Taking the opportunity, she looked at Mike. Really looked at him. His features had softened while he’d slept, but he still looked rugged. His lips were slightly parted, his long lashes rested against his cheeks and his hand was tucked under his head.
Mike’s eyes popped open and Lucy almost jumped. She was so busy inspecting him she hadn’t realized he was awake. He smiled at her. She smiled back and moved to her back, ready to get up and get some food. She didn’t know what time it was, but her stomach was telling her she needed to eat. There was a hand on her, stopping her from getting up. Then Mike moved so fast that she didn’t realize what was happening until she was under him and he was staring into her eyes with a big smile.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he responded before his lips covered hers. Mike’s tongue licked her bottom lip, asking for entrance, and she gave it to him with a moan and pulled him closer. She needed him closer. He tasted heavenly, like chocolate and strawberries. She couldn’t seem to get enough. And the kiss: he knew just how to move his lips and tongue to drive her crazy. Lucy slowly moved her hands down his face and felt the light stubble, then further down his neck and chest. That’s when she felt the tape from the bandages.
“Mike,” she said, pulling back, “we have to stop. You’re hurt.”
He started kissing down her neck. “I’m fine.”
“No, I don’t want you pulling any stitches, and Bill said you need to rest.”
“I’m in bed, aren’t I?” he asked, moving to the other side of her neck.
“Yeah, and sex doesn’t count as rest, even if you are in a bed,” she said, pushing him off.
“I’ll be careful,” he said, pulling her shirt off and kissing her again.
“Mike…” she said, trying to scold him, and that was when he pulled her bra down and started rolling her nipple. It felt so good.
“Hmm?” he said, moving his lips down to take her other nipple in his mouth.
“D… don’t stop,” she breathed out.
“I don’t plan to,” he said, and kissed his way to the other side. Lucy ran her hands through Mike’s hair and pulled him closer. It was almost too much… almost.
***
Mike couldn’t get enough of Lucy. She was so soft and wonderful. Her breasts filled his hands just right, and her skin was so smooth. She was perfect. Now, if only the knocking would stop, then everything else would be perfect. He hoped they’d get the idea that they didn’t want to get out of bed and would just go away.
“Mike, we have to stop,” Lucy said, pushing at his shoulders.
“They’ll go away,” he said, leaning up and kissing her again.
“Lucy, it’s Bill. I came to check on Mike,” he yelled through the door.
“Yeah, I don’t think he’s going to go away,” she said, gently pushing him off her.
“I know,” he said with a groan and stood up.
“I’ll let him in; you just get some rest,” Lucy told him, putting her shirt back on. He nodded and climbed back in the bed. He hated being injured. Staying still wasn’t something he really liked doing for long periods of time. He just hoped he healed fast.
“Hey kid, how are you feeling?” Bill asked as he walked into the room.
“I was feeling really well before you showed up,” he said under his breath.
“Well you weren’t ready for that. Give it another day,” Bill said with a little laugh.
“Fine,” he said with a sigh.
“Are you in any pain?” he asked.
“A little bit,” Mike answered, pulling the blanket down so Bill could look at the wound.
“Good.” Bill pulled the gospel and looked at his handiwork. The guy was good. Mike looked and it seemed that his stitches could come out.
“Am I free to go?” he asked.
“Give it another day.”
“Are you sure? I’m feeling much better.”
“Yes, the silver makes you heal a little slower. You can wait one more day,” Bill said with a smile.
“Killjoy,” Mike mumbled.
“Let me take the stitches out and you can go get some food. I brought you some clothes.”
“Thanks.”
Bill dug into the bag he’d brought with him and threw a pair of jeans and a shirt on the bed, then pulled out his medical bag. He pulled out scissors and tweezers and got to work on Mike’s stitches.
***
Lucy was in the kitchen cooking bacon and eggs when the phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, how’s it going?” Lexi asked.
“Good. How’s Manhattan?” she asked.
“It’s Manhattan. I wanted to check if you ever saw that Mike again.”
“Yeah I did.”
“And?” she asked. She sounded like she was waiting for some juicy gossip. No doubt she would be the one to tell her parents and well, everyone else who knew her.
“And he’s a really nice guy from what I’ve seen so far.”
“Have you jumped him yet?”
“Umm, well, we got interrupted,” Lucy said, her face becoming flushed with embarrassment.
“Please tell me no one walked in on you. Wait, how did you get interrupted? He doesn’t live
with his mother or something, does he? You don’t want to be with a man who still lives with his mother. They tend to have serious problems.”
“Lexi, we were here and his friend came by to check on him. No, he didn’t see, but yes, he was at the door. And I honestly have no idea where he lives. He also doesn’t live with his mother. He has no family.”
“Okay…” Lexi said, sounding unsure.
“He’s in the other room. Can I call you later?”
“Oh! Yeah, but I want some details when you do. And no getting caught up in your books and ignoring me.”
“You know I don’t do that intentionally, right?” Lucy asked awkwardly. If that were true, she felt really bad. When she was caught up in a book, she tended to forget that other people existed.
“I know. Just don’t forget. I know you, and you’ve been writing for so long that we’re all used to it. Don’t forget to call Mom and Dad: it’s been a while since they have talked to you.”
“Okay, how about I give them a quick call now so they feel loved?” she said with a smile.
“Sounds good. Just don’t forget about the hunk you have there.”
“I won’t. I think it’ll be a little hard,” she said with a smile.
“Good. I love you sis.”
“Love you more sis,” Lucy said with a laugh and hung up.
***
“I am with the Baltimore Police Department. There is a suspect who was shot here last night. What we don’t know is his identity. That is, is there anyone from the area missing since yesterday?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t noticed anyone missing. I hope you find whoever it is,” the shop owner said.
“Thank you for your time,” he said with a smile. Damn, he’d been walking around town all morning and hadn’t found anything. He’d seen some shifters walking around, and all he’d wanted to do was pull out his gun and shoot them, but he was in public so couldn’t. But oh he’d wanted to. He could just imagine the blood pouring from their chests, their hearts struggling to beat. He couldn’t wait to see that sight again.
He asked the next person he saw and got the same answer. Fuck!
***
“Sir, have you found out anything?” Paul asked when he walked up.
Lucy's Wolverine (Lilly Town Shifters) Page 5