by Eve Langlais
So why did regret well up so hot and thick in her chest?
It wasn’t because she’d walked out on Owen.
Mia had done what she’d had to do. He’d never have to know what had come of their night together. He’d find another mate—Mia settled down on the tiny love seat across the room from her bed—wouldn’t he? She wasn’t exactly sure what a werewolf mate bond entailed. It’s not like she’d given Owen the opportunity to explain it to her. The wood crackled and popped in the stove and Mia started. Gods, she hoped that in her selfish quest to claim what should have been rightfully hers, she hadn’t caused any hurt to someone who didn’t deserve it.
She’d never forgive herself otherwise.
Mia tucked her legs underneath her as she huddled under the blanket. A storm was coming, both literally and figuratively. Her skin tightened and tingled with the shift in barometric pressure. Mia felt it throughout her entire being just as every blade of grass, every tree, and every bush felt the change in the weather and seasons. That union with nature made her unique from every other supernatural creature save the fae, and even they didn’t feel that sense of kinship in quite the same way.
Mia’s hand wandered almost absently to her belly. She’d been so sure the path she’d chosen had been the right choice. Simple. Victimless. No strings attached. Never once had she considered the consequences of her actions. She’d never considered the possibility of forming a bond within seconds of meeting someone. She’d never imagined she’d feel a spark of interest that went beyond her own selfish wants.
Maybe she wasn’t so different from her father after all.
In a matter of hours, Owen had managed to shatter the carefully planned outline of her future that she’d constructed for herself. And in the same amount of time, her own father had planted a seed of fear for Owen’s safety that rocked her to her foundation. Should she warn him? Give him the opportunity to urge his pack to leave before her father made them go? Would he hear her out or would he berate her for walking out on him in the middle of the night as though she’d been ashamed of what she’d done?
In the long run, she supposed it didn’t matter. Mia knew she was too gods-damned chicken shit to face Owen again. Her only hope of diffusing a potentially volatile situation was to try to dissuade her father from continuing on his path. Mia snorted. She probably had a better chance of convincing a horse it was really a dog than she would convincing her father the werewolves weren’t a threat to them.
She needed a buffer. Seven or so days before she knew for sure whether or not she was pregnant. The prospect of an heir would shift her father’s focus from the werewolves. At least, temporarily. Maybe then she could buy Owen’s pack some time. But for what, Mia had no idea.
Her ears perked at the sound of footsteps whispering through the snow outside of her yurt. It wasn’t anyone from their band. A four-legged creature circled and Mia listened intently to the rhythm of its steps. A predator stalking prey.
What in the hell?
Predators rarely came this close to their community. Wolves generally stayed closer to the valleys in the winter, following the elk herds. Coyotes and foxes also tended to live in the valley. It couldn’t be a bear. They were all hibernating. Maybe a cougar or a bobcat. They were the most likely candidates, anyway.
Mia held the blanket in place around her shoulders as she got up from the couch and crossed to the vinyl window on the north end of the yurt. It might not have given her the clearest view outside, but she didn’t need a pane of glass to see the abnormally large wolf perched on a granite boulder a few yards away. The animal stared at her with such unyielding intensity that it caused Mia’s breath to stall in her chest. It wasn’t a timber wolf that watched her with disturbing intelligence.
“Shit.” The word left Mia’s lips on a breath and the wolf canted his head as though he’d heard her. Wily pain in the ass. “Gods-dammit, Owen. You shouldn’t have come looking for me.”
A cloud of steam rose from the wolf’s massive snout as it let out a chuff of breath, letting her know exactly how he felt about that. So much for deterring or distracting her father. If he caught Owen anywhere near here, it would only reinforce his belief that the werewolves wanted to encroach on their territory and drive them out of the forest.
“Get the hell out of here, Owen!” He hunkered down on the boulder as though to show her he had no intention of leaving. “Go! I’m not kidding. You can’t be here!” Any argument, any plea, would fall on deaf ears. Stubborn werewolf. “It’s not safe for you, dammit!”
He settled down on the rock and made himself comfortable. Mia got the message loud and clear. The wolf didn’t need words to tell her that he’d stay all night if he had to. Owen wasn’t going anywhere. Period.
Mia crossed to the door in a huff and swung it wide. She let out an exasperated sigh as she swung her arm in reluctant invitation. “Well? Are you going to sit out there in the snow all night, or are you going to get your ass in here?”
She didn’t think an animal could look smug, but it was obvious in the wolf’s expression as he hopped down from the rock and leaped through the snow and bounded up the steps to her front door. She was in way over her head with Owen. So much for making a plan. Mia had a feeling she’d be flying blind from here on out.
CHAPTER 8
Owen capitalized on his heightened senses as he entered Mia’s yurt. Her scent covered every inch of the space and he let out a relieved breath that he detected no other presence to indicate she lived here with anyone else. Which meant she hadn’t walked out on him because she was obligated to another male. Then again, the absence of any other scent might not mean anything. He let out a territorial growl and Mia stilled as she fixed him with an appraising stare.
“You need to get out of here, Owen. Now.”
A sentiment he’d heard already from her and one that didn’t make a damn bit of difference. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“I’m not kidding.”
The alarm in her voice was real and his hackles rose. Something—or someone—had her spooked and as soon as he discovered the source of her discomfort, Owen would put a swift end to it. His animal form had been more than useful in tracking her, but now that he’d found her, Owen wanted to be able to communicate with her. Another shift right now would be difficult as well as incredibly painful. It wasn’t going to happen. Not immediately anyway. That didn’t mean he was any more or less inclined to do as she asked. He could wait a few hours to shift so they could have an actual conversation. Until then, Owen was more than happy to let Mia complain and order him around to her heart’s content.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re going to stir up?”
What in the hell was she talking about? What sort of trouble? Owen had never been so frustrated over his inability to communicate. Mia paced back and forth, covering the diameter of the circular living space several times over as she muttered unintelligibly under her breath. Her agitation soured her usually clean, outdoorsy scent and Owen’s snout wrinkled as he blew out a forceful breath to clear his nostrils of the offending odor.
“You know.” Mia stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face him. Her caustic expression amused him more than anything. His mate had fire. He liked that. “It’s real convenient that you show up here completely unable to talk to me. And about that … How in the hell are you like that anyway? The full moon is still a day and a half away.”
Owen supposed it was a common misconception that werewolves could only assume their animal forms during a full moon. It’s not like the packs advertised what they could or couldn’t do—that was no one’s business—and someone who lived as secluded as Mia would adopt those same misconceptions. There would be time enough to discuss their various differences once things settled down. Owen canted his head to one side and he snorted. She could interrogate him all she wanted right now. As soon as he regained his human form, he’d be turning the tables on her.
“Gods, how did you find me?”
&n
bsp; He sensed the question was rhetorical. She’d learn soon enough that as his mate, he’d be able to find her virtually anywhere. It rankled to think that she’d hoped he wouldn’t find her. She’d run from him, fully intending never to see him again. Owen let out a low growl as he stalked toward her. If Mia had been a wolf, he would have given her a nip to the nose to convey his displeasure. She wouldn’t understand the gesture though, and he might only serve to frighten her. Owen took in her infuriated countenance and reevaluated that opinion. Not frighten. He’d only manage to piss her off.
“You can’t stay here. You have to go.”
He’d thought he’d gotten his point across well enough outside. Guess not. Owen settled down on the rug that covered the wooden floor and made himself at home. He folded his front paws in front of him and rested his snout on them. His contented groan caused Mia’s eyes to widen with disbelief. He let his tongue loll out of his mouth to convey his amusement at her indignation. Owen could play this game all night.
“Ugh!” Mia threw up her hands and Owen’s body shook with humor. “I’m serious, Owen. You have to leave!”
Not gonna happen. He rolled over and showed his belly, turning toward the heat of the potbellied stove a few feet away. He’d spend the night on her floor like a house pet if he had to. Owen wasn’t about to back down.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a raging pain in the ass?”
Liam told him almost on a daily basis. So did several other members of the pack. Owen prided himself on his ability to push the occasional button and he was especially proud of himself for accomplishing the feat with his mate.
“I can make you leave.”
Yeah. Right. Owen let out a chuff of breath.
“Owen, leave.”
Power radiated from the one word, settling like a mantle over Owen’s fur. He rolled back over, no longer playful, but both curious and concerned over the sensation of magic that washed over him and clung to his mate’s voice. He sat at attention, ears laid back. A warning growl gathered in his chest and rumbled there. She tried to exercise some power over him. Power that he didn’t understand. How could he circumvent it if he couldn’t identify it? Owen stilled. Some part of him sensed her intent to influence his will. But his wolf sloughed off the magic like beads of water on its coat. She could compel others with her voice? Vampires could perform a similar trick, though he couldn’t comprehend just how they accomplished it. Mia tried to do the same thing to him now.
Owen withstood her influence, though. His will was stronger.
Mia’s lips thinned. Frustration boiled under the surface of her expression and Owen suppressed the urge to howl his satisfaction at having thwarted her. It would be a few hours before he’d be able to regain his human form and until then he planned to stay right where he was. Maybe if he managed to work her up enough, she’d come clean on what had her so riled without him having to interrogate her for the details. Silence could be a hell of a motivator under the right circumstances, and in his animal form, passive aggression was as good a tool as any.
“Quit looking at me like that!”
Yup. He had her right where he wanted her.
“Owen, please.” The appeal in her tone fell on deaf ears. Owen knew the game she played and he wasn’t about to let her get away with it. “If you leave now, I promise I’ll come by your place tonight so we can talk.”
No way, no how. Owen wasn’t about to fall for it. If he left, she’d take off again, maybe deeper into the woods this time, and he’d lose all of the ground he’d gained. He let his eyes drift shut as he let out a slow and steady breath. What he needed was a little rest. Time for his body to recuperate what it had lost in the transition. The only way he’d make the next transition easier was to let his body do its thing and replenish what he’d depleted.
“You’re going to sleep?” Her incredulous tone pleased him and he settled down on the rug for a nap. “All right, then. Fine. I’m sleeping too.”
He was totally okay with that. But this time, he wouldn’t allow himself to get too relaxed. He wouldn’t allow her to run out on him a second time.
He cracked one lid and watched as Mia crossed the room. She threw back the covers on her bed, flounced down onto the mattress, and covered herself up with a huff of breath, turning her back to him without uttering another word.
Owen let his head rest on the thick rug as he continued to watch her. He supposed he could consider this their first fight.
* * *
Delicious warmth enveloped her. Safe. Secure. The comfort had no equal and suffused Mia with a sense of contentment so intense, it filled her chest to the point she thought it might burst. Strong arms encircled her and Mia snuggled into the reassuring embrace that welcomed her body as though it was almost meant to be there. A soft contented sigh slipped from between her lips. She could lie like this all night.
Conscious thought rooted deeper in Mia’s mind as she came more fully awake. She wasn’t happy or content. She was annoyed and angry as hell, or at least she had been when she’d fallen asleep.
Owen.
The underhanded sneak had waited until she’d fallen asleep to shift back into his human form. And he hadn’t wasted any time crawling into bed with her. Mia stiffened beside him and reached down to circle his wrist with her fingers. She lifted to move his arm from around her and met with resistance. Shit. She turned to face him and found Owen’s hungry gaze trained on her face.
“Good morning.”
A sardonic grin curved his full lips and it was all Mia could do not to slap the smug expression from his face. She’d slept all afternoon and through the night. Wow. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so exhausted. Most nights she slept three, maybe four hours at a time, always too restless for anything else. Now, even after almost twelve straight hours of rest, Mia felt as though she could sleep six or seven more. Seriously, what was going on with her?
“Funny, I don’t remember inviting you into my bed.”
Owen’s smile grew. “You looked cold. As your mate, it’s my responsibility to make sure you’re taken care of.”
A riot of butterflies took off in Mia’s stomach and she forced the pleasant sensation away. She knew if she gave Owen an inch, he would take five or six miles. “If you’re really interested in taking care of me…” Mia averted her gaze. “You’ll switch back to your four-legged form and get the hell out of here.”
Owen’s expression fell. Mia didn’t want to hurt him. He really was a nice guy. Infuriatingly stubborn, but that was another issue altogether. He couldn’t be here, though. Not with her father ready to do whatever it took to force the werewolves out of their territory.
“I already told you.” Owen’s jaw took on a stubborn set and Mia suspected they were about to go another round. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Gods, why did he have to be so pigheaded? It was hard enough to argue with him and being cuddled up next to him in bed wasn’t helping the situation. Mia braced one hand on the mattress as she moved to push herself up to sit. Owen wasn’t having it, however, and reached out to haul her body against his.
“I don’t have time to play games with you.” Mia’s lids drooped at the sheer pleasure of being held in his strong embrace. His heated skin was a brand against hers, permeating the thin fabric of her T-shirt. “You need to get the hell out of here before someone sees you.”
Owen’s brow furrowed. Dark clouds gathered in his gaze and Mia shivered. “Who are you trying to hide me from?” A low growl gathered in his chest. “Another male? Whoever he is, he needs to know that you already have a mate. Me.”
Oh, it was another male all right. But not what Owen thought. The possessive edge to his tone caused her indignation to flare. She wanted to tell him that she wasn’t some bauble he could put in his pocket, and that she’d give herself to anyone she pleased. But it certainly wouldn’t get Owen out of there any faster. If anything, he’d more than likely tear their encampment apart in search of whoever she tho
ught she was hiding from him. Her only option at this point was to tell the truth.
“Owen, if my father finds you here, you’re as good as dead. So please quit acting like a stubborn ass and go home.”
Owen chuckled. Mia didn’t think she’d ever met such an arrogant male. No doubt the big, bad werewolf thought himself more formidable, tougher, stronger than any potential opponent. Her father might not have been as bulky as Owen, but Mia knew her father would have no problem taking a single werewolf down.
“Is that all? I thought there was actually a serious problem.” So damned confident. “I’m sure once we explain the situation to your father—”
“Absolutely not.” Mia felt completely foolish having this conversation with Owen while he held her in his arms. It was much too intimate. Too comfortable. And it put her on edge. “We won’t be explaining anything to him. Ever.”
Gold lit behind Owen’s gaze. A warning. “Why not?”
The question hung in the air. Mia knew honesty was the best policy. That didn’t mean she was anxious to get everything out in the open. “None of this is as easy as you think it is, Owen.”
“It’s as easy or as hard as you want to make it.”
Whatever. He could think that now, but he’d change his mind soon enough. “He wants your entire pack out of the Sawtooth territory. And if you don’t leave voluntarily, he’s prepared to use force to make it happen. That easy enough for you?”
Owen answered her with silence. Good. It was about time he took something seriously. Owen’s nostrils flared as he inhaled a deep breath. Mia expected him to loosen his hold on her but instead, he held her tighter.