“It’s short for Charlene. Do I need to give you my last name, too?”
He chuckled, and she hated herself for liking the low timbre of his voice. “No need to get defensive. I’m just doing my job.”
She shrugged in response.
The sparse landscape of a few trees and endless sand went by much faster now. Much more welcome compared to her walk where everything looked the same. She’d gotten dirty, and now she was tired of drinking the bottled water the coven had left her with. She’d picked up some fruit juice at a truck stop, but over time, it had come to taste too sweet.
“How long have you been a werewolf?” he asked.
She fought the urge to squirm. Now that wasn’t a question she’d expected. After the last werewolf guard had died, her coven had been diligent to educate their members on werewolf behavior. She’d learned they were observant like natural wolves. Their hearing was acute, too.
“Not too long,” she managed.
“You smelled new.” He offered her a reassuring smile. “Hadley’s a safe place—for now anyway. All of the humans in town know about us. If you’re looking for a good home to build up roots, you made a good choice.”
“I was told about Hadley,” she said softly. “Most folks said it was good but there were some...”
“Problems?” he finished. “Yeah, some witch caused us some grief not too long ago. She’s gone now, though, so don’t worry.”
She forced herself to relax her grip on her backpack. “Witch, huh? Have you ever seen one up close?”
“Nope, but I know what I’d do if I ever saw one. I’d kill her.”
Charly’s stomach dropped. She switched her gaze to the rolling desert landscape and tried not to think about his words. His icy threat made her wary, but it was rather hard to ignore him and that bothered her the most. For now, she’d let herself be glad to be out of the late-September heat and inside an air-conditioned car. Even if it was a cop car. Trenton seemed relaxed in the driver’s seat. From a side-glance, she noted his long legs. Thick arms covered in a brown, cotton uniform. His brown hair was cropped short and flecked with dark blond. A hint of a five o’clock shadow darkened his chin and cheeks.
She’d never had a boyfriend before, just brief flings with men per the coven’s strict rules. According to the sisterhood, worthy men were paired with the higher-ranking sisters. By the time a mate was culled for someone like Charly, she’d probably get a picture of a man instead of a real one.
“Most men pollute our blood magic, Charly,” her mother always said. “They’re a waste and only meant for brief trysts.” In a blood witch’s world, magic equated to power. Power protected and fed the coven. Why stray to concentrate on something so fleeting as a man’s affections?
Trenton turned toward her and picked up the radio handle. She jumped a little, but he didn’t react, thank goodness. “Hey, Rhonda. I’m heading back into town to clock out.”
“Sounds good, Trenton,” the woman replied over the static. “You can’t keep working overtime.”
He grinned, and Charly found it hard not to be at least a little charmed by the dimple in his right cheek. “Sleep is overrated.”
He ended the chat with the dispatcher as they entered town. Hadley wasn’t like any desert small town she’d seen before. Quite different from the outskirts of Las Vegas where the coven hid away, but this place was special. Beyond hills to the east, the land was a mixture of greenery and brick buildings. A water tower extended to the sky with the word Hadley across the middle in stark white. There weren’t any subdivisions with rows of new homes and manicured lawns or fancy shopping centers. Every corner boasted small-town living. They drove past a grocery store, a bakery, and a two-story school.
Trenton finally broke the silence while she took it all in. “We’re almost to the motel.”
Charly peered out the window with interest.
“How much does it cost to stay there?” she asked.
“Not a lot. About forty bucks for two nights, last I heard.”
She had enough money to buy a hot meal and that was about it. After the long trip, she was lucky to have that much left. She sensed his gaze boring into her.
“You won’t be staying in any motel tonight.”
Fear slithered down her back. Did he figure out what she was? “I appreciate the ride and all, but you can take me to the coffee shop, and then I’ll walk to the motel.”
He shook his head. “It’s best I take you elsewhere.”
The minute Trenton said he wasn’t taking her to the motel, her heartbeat picked up like crazy. He heard the rush of her pulse. Her sweat smelled of fright. Her scent betrayed her a lot more than her body language. He snuck a glance at her, her profile striking, but she kept her gaze focused on the parade of dust-worn buildings beyond the car.
His eyebrows lowered. Had something bad happened to her on the road? That was one of the problems with being rogue. It was every man and woman for themselves. For the ones without a pack, any creature or wayward human were threats. She crossed her arms, probably trying to come off as tough, but underneath, she was panicked.
As a cop, he should’ve questioned her to see where she’d come from and what plans she had in Hadley. But she’d open up soon enough, and some part of him hoped she might stick around a while. Especially since there wasn’t much action around here. To the women in town he was considered the new meat, ready for consumption. After the horrible attack from the witch, a few of the remaining females had been eager for his company after so many males had died. Most had expected him to quickly take a mate. As if it was his duty. Trenton didn’t see it that way. A part of him still roamed in the desert, alone. As to whether he’d find the right woman to bring him home, he hadn’t found her yet and wasn’t sure he ever would.
The drive remained quiet as Main Street turned to side roads. The bustle of town quieted to an occasional walker or a child riding a bike. Peace had returned to Hadley again. Trenton pulled up a long, stone driveway to a two-story brick house. The home had been recently updated, thanks to his boss’ diligent care. Once Kyle returned to Hadley with his mate Emma, he’d settled here. Trenton had good memories of visiting over a year ago and sitting on Kyle’s porch. At first, he’d been aloof, but Kyle was a good man. Whether they talked or had a few beers and ate burgers off the grill, this place had pleasant vibes and bringing Charly here was the best option. Emma and Kyle would take good care of her.
On the front porch, he spied a young woman perched on the swing, her face visible through the thorny rose bushes along the trestles. A wide grin spread along her face as she watched him approach. She leaped off the seat, her black hair bouncing around her.
Trenton parked in the back. The empty lots right outside of town had plenty of space. Emma and Kyle had a few acres to claim as their own.
Emma’s college-bound sister, Meg, strolled up to his rolled-down window and peered inside. “Who’s this?”
Charly stiffened, but her facial expression remained the same, thoughtful.
“This is Charly. She’s a new wolf that I picked up right outside of town,” he replied. “Seemed best to bring her here.”
Meg was all smiles as she leaned into the car for a better look. “Your timing is good, Charly. My sister’s making fried chicken for lunch. I’m guessing it’s been a while since you’ve eaten much. You hungry?”
The answer to Meg’s question came as a quiet growl from Charly stomach.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Meg said with a chuckle.
Trenton climbed out of the car and went around to the other side where he opened Charly’s door. He walked toward the porch, listening to Meg chatter while Charly trailed after them. Meg floated back a bit to twine her arm around Charly’s. “C’mon. We don’t bite.”
“Thanks.” Confidence lined her response this time.
“Let me introduce you to Emma, and then I gotta go check out at work,” Trenton said.
They headed inside, and Trenton followed his
nose to the scents of food wafting through the house. Emma’s kitchen had to be one of the most cluttered in Hadley. Not that she cared. She worked full-time at the bank and usually brushed away offers from anyone for a hand. “If you pick up something, I’ll never find it,” she’d snap.
Apparently, Meg didn’t mind. She freed herself from Charly’s arm and walked around the mess in the kitchen. The young woman even tried to steal a piece of chicken cooling in a basket on the counter. She got a growl from her sister. “You’re not a pup anymore, Megan.”
“Don’t you need a tester to make sure it tastes good?”
Emma quirked a right eyebrow at her younger sister. The two had a close resemblance, only differing in the lines of worry along Em’s face. Emma had been through a great deal over the past few weeks rebuilding Hadley.
“Excuse my sister. We’re still working on her home training,” Emma said to Charly and then smirked at the snort from Meg. “I’m Emma Parker. Welcome to Hadley.” She extended a hand, and Charly reached out to shake it. He expected a quick handshake, but Emma lingered on the hold. Her gaze wandered over Charly, just long enough for Trenton to hold his breath. The inner workings of the females in the pack wasn’t his thing, but once in a while he suspected they assessed each other. They cataloged strengths and weaknesses all the time. A look was more than enough for him to know whether another male was more dominant, but women were more subtle and relied on actual touch.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Charly Benoit,” she said quietly.
“Where did you come from?” Emma released Charly’s hand and continued her work to get lunch on the table.
“From the north. I left my family behind in Las Vegas after um...”
“Bad times, huh? It’s not an easy life if you were born a human and became a werewolf,” Meg said softly.
“You could say that.” Charly adjusted her backpack on her shoulder. She grew quiet when no one spoke to her.
Now was as good as any time to clock out at the station. If he hurried back he might snag a good meal. After a quick trip to the station to finalize business for the day, he returned to find the ladies sitting at the table. Charly was still alive and well. Until he caught Emma questioning her.
“How did you hear about us?” Emma asked.
Charly considered her reply as the alpha female looked at her expectantly. “A truck driver on highway 10 mentioned Hadley. He’s a rogue who goes from coast-to-coast delivering furniture for IKEA.”
Trenton chewed on her response. Charly’s nostrils flared as she spoke words laden with lies. Also, she looked Emma directly in the eye without hesitation. Emma didn’t reprimand Charly for such bold behavior, but a new werewolf should know better. An alpha female expected respect. Emma had to smell through Charly’s lies as easily as he had, yet she didn’t react. So what made her stay silent on the matter?
“We don’t turn anyone away who is looking for shelter,” Emma said. “Hadley’s been through hard times recently, but our numbers have taken a hit and we could always use able-bodied females. Naturally, if you’re just coming through town on your way to other parts, you’re welcome to leave after some rest.”
Charly stirred her food around her plate and offered a nod. “I appreciate that.”
“When we have company we let them stay in the room above the garage,” Emma said.
“It’s a nice room,” Trenton added. “I stayed there when I came to town.” He glanced at Emma to try to read her expression, but her face remained welcoming, if not a bit stoic.
“Go ahead and eat your fill. There’s plenty.” Emma passed Charly more food.
Tiredness pressed against Trenton’s eyelids. He’d been awake for far too long. The sooner he finished eating, the sooner he could return to his apartment and hibernate. If he didn’t get some shut-eye he’d turn into a sleepy wolf with narcolepsy. Not once but twice he’d fallen asleep while standing up.
The rumble of revved engines hit his ears. He leaned toward the sound. One car, and then another barreled up the stone driveway. He ventured outside to investigate.
A familiar Ford truck and dark red SUV pulled up to the house. As he strolled down the back porch, he had a feeling he wouldn’t get any sleep any time soon.
“Trenton,” one of the men called. Sylvester was the town plumber. Based on the gear still loaded in the back of his truck, Trenton suspected he’d come from a job straight to Kyle and Emma’s place. The SUV door opened and Ben, the local carpenter, made an appearance.
“Don’t you dare speak first!” Ben angled out of the SUV, his index first thrust sharply in Sylvester’s direction.
“I have every right to do this,” Sly replied.
Ben laughed. “Look at you running to the alpha’s house to settle matters like a pup.”
“Okay, boys.” Trenton shoved himself between the two men. A little distance should help cool their tempers. “What’s the problem?”
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Emma, Meg, and Charly on the porch. Emma perched on the first step with her hands on her hips. Her not-these-guys-again expression was in full effect.
Sylvester stepped forward first. “You tell this overzealous carpenter boy here there’s no such thing as squatting rights on abandoned Hadley lots.”
“Are you calling me a squatter?” A growl rumbled in Ben’s chest. The carpenter had a good foot on Sylvester, but in a fight, Sly’s build was the kind that won fights. Past experience taught Trenton a bigger wolf didn’t guarantee a winner. Just more bloodshed.
“You talking about the Freeman place?” Trenton asked. There were too many empty lots since the sickness spread through the wolves. Damn witch. Homeowners who’d been slaughtered and had no relatives left many Hadley houses in limbo. A few had been bought by the local bank, but not all of them.
“Yes,” Ben snapped. “Zachariah and I have been drinking buddies for over twenty years. He’d give me his place in a heartbeat.”
Sly chuffed. “Bullshit. The land is smackdab next to yours, and I’ve seen you slinking around the place. The Nancys bought it fair and square from the bank. You’ve got no rights to it.”
Ben offered a chilling smile, revealing an elongated incisor. Tufts of dark hair grew along his thick arms. “Keeping your son-in-law protected under your apron strings I see. How come he didn’t confront me today?”
Heat rose from the men. The situation wasn’t getting any better.
“You,” Trenton pointed to Sylvester. “Over there by your car.” Then he gestured to Ben. “And since you’re feeling talkative, you can park yourself over on the porch steps.”
Ben marched over to the steps. He glanced up at Emma, keeping his eyes averted from her discerning expression. But when his gaze flicked to Charly, he grunted. “Who the hell are you?”
“Eyes here, Buddy.” Trenton rested his hand on his hips and tried to hold in the sigh. Wasn’t he supposed to be getting some rest? A cop never really clocked out. “The law is the law, Ben. You can’t trespass on property you don’t own.”
“Human laws don’t mean shit to me right now. Not after that fucking witch came here.”
“Be that as it may,” Trenton’s voice rose to meet Ben’s, “you have no right to trespass on Nancy land. They bought the land, and it’s theirs to keep.”
Ben’s hands formed claws. They scrapped against the stone step, creating a noise that grated against Trenton’s ears. “Aren’t you the snappy one now that Kyle’s out for a spell?”
“Don’t do it, Ben.” Trenton’s muscles tensed, and his nostrils flared.
“Go home,” Emma added. “We’re safe now and don’t need pack members stirring up trouble. If you want space so badly, there are plenty of other places.”
Ben didn’t want any other house. To Trenton, it was written all over his face. The way his shoulders hunched forward. The way his dark eyes lightened to a bright yellow. The scent of anger turned bitter like the aftermath of a forest fire. Trenton rested his hand on his holster. Not
today, man. Not today.
“If this is settled, I’m going back to work,” Sylvester grumbled. “If I see you on my son’s land again, you and I will have more than words.”
“Why wait?” Ben sprung from his spot, launching himself through the air. He landed with a heavy thud on top of Sylvester. The men rolled across the dirt and rustled up dust in their wake.
“Shit!” Emma yelled from the porch.
Trenton raced toward them. “Enough!” he thundered.
Claws emerged from the pairs’ hands. They punch and clawed at each other, drawing blood. Ben managed to get on top of Sylvester with his hands around the man’s throat. The carpenter’s mouth opened wide, revealing sharp teeth ready ripe a hole in Sylvester.
“You will release him immediately!” Emma’s sharp command bounced around the clearing and shook birds from their hiding places in the bushes.
Trenton called to them again, but only Sylvester glanced in his direction, his eyes wide from a lack of air. Ben was too far gone into bloodlust to listen to authority.
Trenton released his gun from the holster and fired a shot in the air. The men kept fighting, their blows growing more vicious. When Trenton pressed the hot muzzle against the back of Ben’s head, he finally froze.
“You’re lucky these bullets aren’t silver, Ben.” He slowly holstered the gun. “I told you to go home. Unless you’d like a free ride to spend the night in jail?”
Ben’s hands rose in the air and he slowly backed away from Sylvester. All the while, he laughed, his clawed fingers flexing. “This isn’t over, Sly.”
“Yes, it is,” Emma said softly. “If I have to remove you from the pack, I will.”
Ben huffed, but remained silent. Kyle wasn’t here, yet Emma played her role and didn’t hesitate as she stepped up to Ben, looking him square in the face. “Get in your car and go home. I don’t want your family to go rogue over this, especially after losing your sons to Liam and the witch.”
Ben flinched as if hit. Trenton had witnessed what had happened to Ben’s family. He’d seen firsthand the chaos the witch had brought to town. How she had poisoned the alpha male’s mind and made him bite and infect people. Those who were bitten had rampaged and killed without recourse. Ben’s sons had been among those who’d been infected and died.
Bitten by Treachery (Hadley Werewolves) Page 2