He clenched his jaw. “I don’t have time for this. Breakfast is in the living room. See you downstairs.” He turned and left the room.
“Oh, hell no.” She turned and marched into the shower and got cleaned up. The fog from last night cleared away. She could see things clearly. Sure, she could’ve stopped her wolf, but she hadn’t wanted to. The wolf hadn’t taken full control, but she knew that Riktor was too stubborn to see it. Well, stubborn and afraid.
She was a Shaw after all, and this could all be a con. There was no way she could call her family in on this. With Winthrop posing a threat, she didn’t want to leave Riktor and his pack vulnerable. They had no idea how crafty that son of a bitch could be, and no doubt he had someone on the inside of the resort working with him, willingly or unwillingly.
Mickey finished off her shower and dressed in jeans, boots, and a loose-fitting T-shirt. As much as she enjoyed teasing Riktor, now was not the time. Besides, she didn’t want security worried that she’d gone too far at Black Howl and open an inquiry, what with all the love bites Riktor had left on her legs.
She grabbed her purse and left her room. Screw packing. He’d have to drag her out of the resort kicking and screaming, and then word would get out. Riktor wouldn’t want that. She headed down to the lobby with half an hour to spare, leaving breakfast to cool up in her room.
She bypassed the front desk and headed straight for the employees-only area.
An employee stepped in front of her, hands raised. “Ms. Shaw, please, this is for employees only. If you need to speak to management or the concierge, let me know.”
“I need to speak with Riktor. Now. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
Worry darted across the attendant’s face. “I can call—”
“That won’t be necessary, Melissa,” Ace said, walking up to them. “I’ll take her to the back.” He held out a hand to Michaela.
She glanced at the proffered hand and brushed past him. “Thanks, brother-in-law.”
“Don’t call me that,” Ace growled. He trailed after her, right on her heels.
His body heat beat against her, and she could taste the fire and kick of his anger on her tongue.
“I didn’t trick him,” she offered. “Nor was he unwilling. So don’t even start with that bullshit. He could’ve stopped himself at any time.”
Ace grabbed her wrist in a firm hold and pulled her into an empty office with the lights off. “I’ve seen the effects of pheromone drunkenness while in the Marines. Shifters can do crazy shit under the influence, but nothing they didn’t really want to do. But I don’t know your angle in all this. Hasn’t your family taken enough from us?” He shook his head. “Now you’re married to my brother. Will or no, this is bullshit, and you know it. You two can’t be together. There’s not trust. Sure, you’re hot and all.”
She felt the brush of his gaze up and down her body, but it only annoyed her more. Mickey gritted her teeth and waited for him to get to the point.
“But he won’t trust you, not ever. We grew up with the stories. We know what your family is capable of, and I know that the old man turned down that bogus marriage compact with your father. Didn’t think either of you were serious, and seeing your ex—”
Mickey snorted. “Winthrop is not my ex. Look, I get all that, but there’s one major problem. You can’t divorce me just yet. Not with a pack challenge hanging over Riktor’s head. Believe me or not, but I like you all, I want to get to know you. But we can’t do any of that with Winthrop in the background. You know the rules of a pack challenge, yes?”
“What self-respecting wolf wouldn’t?” Ace shifted.
She let out a soft growl. “Fuck this dark shit.” Mickey marched over to the doorway, felt around and found the light switch. She flicked it and returned to Ace. “Much better.”
Ace crossed his arms over his chest, showing off the detailed inkwork on his arms. Silver glittered under the overhead fluorescent lights.
She rolled his eyes. “Jesus, don’t tell me you have silver-plated piercings.”
Ace leered at her. “Too late. You picked Riktor; you don’t get to see all my goodies.”
She shook her head. “Men. Anyway, one of the rules is any alpha can join in the fight, so long as they are invited. Winthrop is a dirty player. I’ve seen it. He’s used double teams before. And if I know him—and goddess, I wish I didn’t—he’ll have another player waiting in the wings to help him out.”
Ace frowned and shifted from one foot to the other. “Why would he do that? Including another alpha is splitting up the spoils.”
“Not if the alpha in question just wants the reputation points and none of the wealth or extra pack members. The people he likes to associate with have their own wealth and pack members. Winthrop, as rumor suggests, doesn’t have any money to offer them and he’s farmed out far too many of his pack members, leaving him open for a challenge. Riktor could take advantage of that.” Eagerness brought her closer. Her heartbeat pounded against her rib cage, and her breathing increased. Excitement lit her up from the inside out. “Winthrop had a brother, yes, had, but he exiled him. York, the brother in question, has hated him ever since. By all rights, York, who is far more successful, should be alpha. But he has no pack.”
Ace nodded. “OK, so what? We call York and have him fight alongside my brother—for what? Why would he?”
She shook her head. “No, and besides, he’s not a recognized alpha. I’ll be the one fighting with Riktor, my husband.” She put emphasis on the word, and Ace’s eyes widened. “And husbands and wives don’t need an invitation.”
“Fuck, you’re an alpha in your own right.” Ace slapped his forehead. “Riktor would be an idiot to divorce you now. I have to stop him!”
Mickey caught his wrist and kept him from going. “Not yet. You haven’t heard the rest of the plan.”
Ace halted. “Go on.”
She gave him a stern smile. “We contact York with an offer. If he makes a deal with Riktor, he gets control of the pack from Winthrop. York is a rugby player, a high ranking and highly successful one with business ventures all over the place. He will agree to make the resort his main retreat for the team and his businesses as well as his vacation spot. In fact, he becomes the spokesman for it.” Her words came out in a rush, but she couldn’t pause until she’d finished. “You’ll get so much business, you won’t know what to do with all the money you’re getting. York will get his family back. It should be an easy alliance to form, because York is homesick and loves his family, but hates his brother with a passion. If you throw that out during the fight, Winthrop will lose it. He hates his brother just as much. Well?”
“So we don’t invite York to the island; we just use a verbal agreement and then throw Winthrop off his game during the fight. It could work. Do we tell Riktor?” Ace asked.
“Tell Riktor what?” Riktor stepped into the room. “What are you still doing here, Michaela? The plane is about to leave, and I’ve been told you aren’t checked out. Everly is on his way back to the island.”
Ace slid in front of Mickey. “Hear us out, Rik, please. Your wife’s got a plan that’ll be for the good of your pack and family. And our resort.”
Mickey peeked around Ace’s side to study Riktor’s face. Displeasure filled every line, curve, and plane, but he looked every inch the imposing alpha. Her heart skipped a beat, and her pussy contracted. Her panties dampened, and a sweet ache began deep inside of her.
“Jesus, stop that! I need to think straight, not want to fuck a wall,” Ace growled out. “Now, hear me out.” Ace explained their thinking.
Riktor stared at Mickey throughout the whole monologue, his face impassive. When Ace was finished, she could immediately tell what he would say. He confirmed it an instant later. “I don’t like it.”
“Well, you won’t have to like it,” Mickey said. “If you’re married to the Shaw alpha and have my backing, it’ll be a strong deterrent to Winthrop. But if that’s not enough, bringing his brot
her into things could make him want to back down.”
Riktor glared at her for a moment, then turned on his heel and headed for the door. “I’ll think about it. Ace, we need to talk. Michaela, you have some packing to do.”
“The hell I do. We’re in this together. Anything you have to say to your beta, you say in front of your wife. Temporary or no, you need me. Winthrop will want to fight you at the full moon.”
“Pack, Michaela,” Riktor growled and steered Ace out of the room.
Pack. Right. The pack was exactly the issue.
* * *
Winthrop gripped his cell phone tightly in his hand, speaking through clenched teeth. “I checked into this shitty little motel you suggested. How are things going at the resort?”
“He received the challenge, everything is in place,” his accomplice said. “He’ll send word by the end of the day. Hold tight.”
“Good. And once this is over, we’ll get everything we wanted. You, a new pack and part ownership of the resort. See? So easy. Call me when it’s time.”
Winthrop paced in front of the window, wanting to break something. He hated waiting, especially for money that should belong to him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Riktor stormed into his office and sat down behind his desk. “I can handle this myself. I don’t need her help.” Riktor glared at his brother.
Ace sank down into a seat across from him. “I know you can, but Michaela could help us. At least keep people off of our back with her connections. Look.” Ace sighed and sank down deeper into the chair. “I don’t like this any more than you do. But the little I’ve seen of her, she’s quick on her feet and makes you, well…we’ll discuss that later. It’s going to take time to get this marriage annulled or at least get her to agree to a divorce. We should take that time to use the connections she has to force Winthrop down.”
Riktor shook his head. “Winthrop won’t back down, regardless. He’s desperate. While you and Michaela were having your little tete-a-tete this morning, our financial department called and let me know all Winthrop’s credit cards had been declined. But I instructed them to let him go, regardless. He owes us well over five thousand dollars, including the plane ride to and from the island.”
Ace whistled. “He’ll be desperate, all right. I wonder how many other people he owes money to. But that still doesn’t explain why you’d turn down Michaela’s offer to stand with you. She’s here, and she can help you. Stop being so damn stubborn.”
Riktor glared. “I can talk him—”
Ace stood up, placed his hands on the desk, and leaned over it. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. I know all about Winthrop. You can’t talk him out of anything. Owing us money won’t make him back down. In fact, it will make him more likely to fight you. He has the experience. You don’t. This isn’t his first rodeo. This will be yours. I’m not saying you can’t win, but, again I remind you, this isn’t Winthrop’s first alpha fight.”
Riktor gritted his teeth. “Don’t you think I know that?” Riktor pushed back his seat and stood. He paced behind the chair. “I’m being backed into a corner, and I don’t know how to get the hell out of it. If I use Michaela’s offer, the Shaws could use that as grounds to challenge the annulment or the divorce. If I don’t, I lose an advantage. And don’t get me started on this marriage to Michaela.” He paused and glanced down at his hand. “I’m not going to deny there’s an attraction, and my wolf believes her to be our mate.”
Ace’s eyebrows shot up. “You really are in a mess. Maybe it’s time to face your wife and negotiate for her help. Then afterward you can talk about your marriage. But first and foremost you must think of your pack and what’s best for it. Not your feelings.”
Riktor sagged back into his chair. “You’re right.” A rising sense of anxiety and fury threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn’t find breathing room around either of his problems.
“Michaela is a reasonable woman. All my sources say so. Pick your poison. Which can you handle first and which can you put off for a time. The full moon is tomorrow night. I’ve got a telecom meeting with a client, who’s bringing his daughter to the island next month. We’ll meet for dinner with Banan and discuss what you want to do.” Ace stood up. “I’ll see you later. Talk to Michaela, see what she has to say. She knows more about this than anyone, having already taken on two alpha challenges.”
Riktor stared at Ace. He sat up straighter. “What?”
Ace grinned and nodded. “Yup. My buddy from Boston told me that Winthrop had challenged her when her father left the country on business, and she was challenged a second time by some young pup trying to make a name for himself. She dispatched both of them. Just thought I’d mention that.” Ace winked and left the room.
Riktor sank deeper into his seat, ruminating over this new information. How long he’d been at it, he didn’t know when the door to his office opened. Amber strode in with a pile of folders and placed them on his desk. She brushed back a strand of hair. “All of these contracts are ready for your perusal and signature.”
Riktor glanced up at the young werewolf and nodded. “Thank you, Amber. Take the rest of the day off. I’ll be busy with this.”
Amber nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Brody.” She turned on her heel and rushed out of the room.
For the next few hours, he worked through the folders, absorbing the information, making notations for changes, and adding his signature where needed. By the time he finished, it was dark outside, and he hadn’t eaten lunch. His stomach rumbled, and he felt a hunger headache starting. With a groan, he pushed himself up, sorted the folders, carried the finished contracts out, and placed them in Amber’s inbox.
He left his office behind and headed to the dining room. Michaela waited for him by the front desk.
“Finally!” she said. “I thought you were going to starve yourself to death. Come on. We need to talk.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the casual restaurant.
The softness of her palm pressed against his. An electric shock rushed up his arm. His heartbeat picked up. Within him, his wolf pressed against the barrier keeping him inside. Tingles raced all over his body. His awareness of his surroundings increased tenfold. His cock thickened, and the atmosphere around him grew heavier, hotter.
He tried to pull away, but she tightened her hold on him.
Flashes from their night together popped up in his mind.
“Marry me.” The words whispered in his head, in his voice.
Shit, I did ask her to marry me. What the fuck was I thinking?
He stopped short. A burst of arousal hit him hard. His cock jerked. He caught his breath and let out a groan.
“Fuck,” he whispered.
She grinned. “Starting to remember? Maybe we should take this to a private place, hmm?”
Ace walked up beside them, a no-nonsense look on his face. “Actually, he needs to have dinner with his brothers.” He reached out and took hold of Riktor’s free hand.
“How about this? We all have dinner together? I’d love to meet Banan.” She beamed at Ace.
Ace growled. “No fucking way are you getting near Banan. Look, I’m willing to work with you on the alpha challenge, but the Shaws are still the enemy. Let. Him. Go.”
Riktor’s inner wolf began to growl, surprising him with its readiness to leap to Michaela’s aid. He managed to keep it muzzled inside, just barely. The strength of the feelings inside him was unsettling.
Michaela raised an eyebrow at Ace. Amusement sparkled in her dark eyes. “Fine.” She released his hand. “But this isn’t over. We’re family after all.” She moved away from Riktor, taking her heat with her, but not her scent or the need to take her again.
His body went cold at the loss of contact with her.
“Mate.” The word rolled around his head on a low growl.
Riktor shook off Ace’s hold. “We need to include her in this discussion. As much as we don’t like it, she is an asset, and we need to use her.” He took a st
ep away from both of them. He glanced from his brother to Mickey and once more to Ace.
Ace grunted. “Your call, Alpha.” Ace turned on his heel and stalked toward the more formal dining area.
Riktor pivoted to face Michaela and pointed at her. “Behave. We have very little time as it is. For now, we work together. We’ll deal with this marriage later. Now come on.”
He strode after Ace, sure that Mickey would follow him.
Riktor didn’t hear the tap of her heels behind him. He glanced back at her.
She remained where she was, at the entrance of the restaurant.
He paused. “Coming?”
She raised an eyebrow at him before she moved toward him. “Let’s get a few things straight, hubby. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ goes a long way. Next, I have a lot of input to offer that your brothers don’t have, so a little respect wouldn’t kill you. Also, you may treat this like a temporary thing, you can shrug off the challenge, but it’s a hell of a lot more complicated than that, and you are way out of your depth.” She pointed a well-manicured fingernail at him. “I am your wife, your mate, and your equal, regardless of how stubborn you want to be about it. So can that macho shit of ordering me around. That crap won’t get you far with this new status you hold, and it certainly won’t earn you bonus points with other alphas who know me.” She stopped in front of him. “I will not be sidelined or treated as a liability. And as for what little time we have, it’s you who is wasting it by trying to make it a boy’s club and excluding me because of my perceived cooties. I don’t have to take part in this, and I could just call my lawyers and have them draw up the divorce papers and take you for everything you have, including this resort. I don’t have to attach my name to any of this. So you need to respect that I’m not just risking my physical safety or comfort. My name, my pack’s name, my father’s trust in me, everything we’ve worked for could go up in flames if you fuck this up. I’ve survived and come out on top after both my challenges and have the scars lined in silver to prove it. This time you follow my lead.”
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