by Jane Jamison
He dashed through two trees growing closely together then made a hard right and changed direction. If he could’ve laughed at how thrown the others were, he would have. Instead, he quickened the pace.
Stay up, boys. If you can.
Damn, how he loved to tease the newbies.
A moment later, all thoughts of the pack were ripped from his mind. He slammed to a stop, barely avoiding getting run over by one of the new pack mates. He lifted his nose, catching the scent.
What’s she doing out here?
The primal urge to find his mate hit him hard. Digging his paws into the dirt, he bolted away from the others. They’d follow. Not that he cared. His only thought was to find her.
He ran as fast as he could. She was close to Blue Lake, and he’d find her. As soon as he jumped high into the air to clear a fallen tree, he sniffed, bringing in even more of her sexy fragrance. He sensed her seconds before he saw her.
Damn but she’s amazing.
As a wolf, Morgan’s ideas weren’t like a human’s with feeling and emotions taking charge over actual thoughts. Yet, as feelings, they were more intense, more gut-wrenching. He heard the pack pad closer and sensed their curiosity.
She sat on top of one of the ranch’s horses. The setting sun cast a purplish glow over her, casting a kind of halo effect around her luscious body. Tall and straight in the saddle, she looked like a queen pondering the fate of her kingdom.
A few growls echoed behind him. They were admiring growls, which he liked, but they held a hint of hunger he didn’t care for.
So far, she wasn’t aware of their presence. Yet, although he might’ve stayed where he was, half hidden by the bushes, and watched her, he’d have to call her attention to the others. He made his way out of the scrub, bringing his pack along with him.
He whined, knowing he risked getting teased by the others later. But growling might frighten her.
She shifted in the saddle, did a quick intake of air, then realized who they were. Who he was. She’d seen him shift in their younger years.
“Morgan? What are you doing here?”
He shifted, letting the pain flow through him as bones broke and reformed. “I could ask you the same thing. Where are the guys?”
She was all grace as she slipped off the horse and landed lightly on the ground. “I snuck out of the house.”
“Damn it, Brookie, we’re supposed to be keeping watch over you.” He didn’t mention her earlier excuse of being too tired to share dinner.
She heaved a great sigh, bringing his focus to her chest. “Sheriff Benedict put Randall Cartlidge on the ferry two days ago. I’m not in any danger any longer, and I’m tired of being watched over like I’m a child. I can take care of myself, you know.”
“Sure, but still…”
“But still nothing. I’m not in any danger.” Her gaze dropped to his crotch. A hungry expression came over her.
He’d had women before her, but he’d never cared what they thought about his body. At that moment, however, he was almost giddy that she liked what she saw.
“Damn but she’s hot.”
Morgan’s wolf snarled. He craned his neck around to snarl at the young wolf called Hank. “She is, but you don’t notice. You got it?”
Hank, as naked as Morgan was, frowned, not quite understanding Morgan’s intent. “What? Why not?”
The wolf next to him transformed into an older, more experienced wolf called Ben. “Because she’s his mate, you dumb fuck. It doesn’t matter if she’s hot or not. She’s taken.” Gray hair flowed around his shoulders matching the gray on his chest and between his legs. “And you’re embarrassing her, too.”
Morgan gave Ben a quick nod. Pink was indeed running up Brooklyn’s neck. “It’s okay, Brookie, You’ll get used to seeing the rest of the pack naked as jaybirds.”
She jerked her attention from the ground back to him. “I’ve seen other shifters naked after a change, but for some reason, it’s different now.”
“That’s because you’re spoken for,” added Ben. The old-timer slapped the back of his hand against Hank’s chest, knocking the young man back. “Stop gawking, damn it.”
“Don’t let them bother you.” Morgan tossed a scowled warning at the rest of the pack and moved closer to her. Her fragrance grew stronger, tantalizing him. “You look really pretty today.”
Snickers had him turning around to show his fangs. Hank dropped his gaze to the ground.
“I swear. The young ones are getting dumber every year. You go on, Morgan. I’ll handle him.” Ben grabbed Hank by the neck and hauled his butt farther away.
Morgan wished he’d been running alone. “Brookie, have you thought about what you want?”
“What I want? Do you mean like what job I’d like to have?”
“No.” How could he say it just right? “I’m talking about after we become mates. I mean, we are right now, but…”
“We haven’t had a ceremony,” she added. “Not that a ceremony is required, but I’d kind of like to have one. Even if it’s only the four of us and Reagan there.”
“Right. But what I’m trying to ask is this.” Again, he struggled to find the best way to ask then gave up and blurted it out. “Are you going to become one of the pack or stay human?”
“I could ask Damian to change me.”
He nodded, hating the idea. “You could, but you’d have more fun being a werewolf.”
“I would?” She batted her eyes.
Was she aware that she did so? Even if she was, he loved it whenever she did. “Sure. Vampires don’t do anything except sprout fangs and drink blood.” He grimaced. “You wouldn’t want a bleeder to live with us, would you?” Bleeders were humans who gave vampires permission to drink from them, mostly in the hopes that the vampire would someday change them.
“No. But I’m not sure about being a shifter. Reagan told me shifting hurts.”
As much as he wanted to lie and tell her changing was easy, he couldn’t. “Yeah, it does. But you get used to the pain. Plus, once you learn to get it done fast, then it’s no big deal. Wouldn’t you like to go running with me?”
“Ah, this is so sweet.”
Morgan didn’t bother turning around. Seth, the other young pack mate, loved making fun of the others. Most of the time Morgan enjoyed Seth’s remarks, but then again, he’d never been the target of the joke. “Knock it off.”
Seth, being smarter than Hank, obeyed. His moan came as he shifted back into wolf form.
“So?” Would she decide to go wolf with him? Or remain human? She could, he imagine, ask Samuel to teach her the art of the wizards. As a human not born a wizard, she’d never be as powerful, but she could learn to cast a limited amount of spells and make potions.
“Truthfully, I think being able to change into a wolf would be exciting and fun. I could go running with Reagan, too.”
“Great.”
She held up her hands, holding off his enthusiasm. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve decided yet. There are a lot of things to consider, and I want to get the other guys’ opinions, too.”
“Oh.” Disappointed, he tried not to sound like it. “Okay. Sure. No problem.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“Whatever you want is what you’ll get.” The rumblings and growls of his pack brought his attention back to his duty as their leader. “I’ve got to finish the run, but I’m not leaving you alone. Mount up and we’ll escort you home.”
“All of you?”
“Sure thing.” As much as he would’ve liked it to be only them, he couldn’t ask the pack to go on without him. Ben could handle the rest of them, but the two new pack mates were his responsibility.
“Okay. I really should be getting back.”
She placed her palm on his cheek, stirring his wolf again. If only he could take her right then and there. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the sensation of her touch against his skin. He’d give her the moon, if he could. Yet Samuel had already given her tha
t.
I’ll come up with something even better. One of these days.
Opening his eyes, he helped her get back into the saddle. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll follow.”
Suddenly a chill swept over him. His wolf growled, ready to fight. Yet when he searched the surrounding woods, he found nothing.
Probably just jumpy.
But that wasn’t it. He was certain of it. No, something else was wrong. His skin crawled as the sensation of someone watching them slid over him.
The sooner I get her home, the better.
* * * *
Brooklyn returned to Blue Lake the next night. After a session of lovemaking with her men, she’d snuck out of her bedroom and gone into the kitchen. A snack, however, wasn’t what she’d needed. Instead, she wanted to visit the lake at night as she’d done so often as a young girl. The lake had always seemed the most tranquil of places, a place where she could push the world away and simply relax.
She pulled Nellie, the horse the men had given to her as an early mating gift, to a stop at the edge of the woods. The moonlight shone in the dark beauty of the water, the light trailing down from above like a ladder she could climb to the sky. A breeze chilled her, and forest animals darted through the underbrush.
They’d wring my neck if they knew where I was.
One thing the men would have to learn was that she thought for herself. She wouldn’t be an obedient, meek mate. If she wanted to do something or go somewhere, she would. Studying abroad had taught her to be independent.
Independent like a wolf. I’ll be my own boss, but I’ll have the pack to back me up.
Had she decided? Would she let Morgan change her and become a werewolf? Or would her choice hurt Damian’s and Samuel’s feelings? She wondered if she could become all three.
A vampire-slash-werewolf with the skills of a wizard. Think of the possibilities!
Not that she was in any rush to be bitten and changed. She’d take her time to decide.
A movement on the other side of the small lake caught her attention. What was it? She loved watching wildlife on her rides and pulled her binoculars out of the saddlebag. One look was enough to make her want to put the horse into a fast gallop.
What is Thornton doing?
Even with the binoculars, she couldn’t make out what he was up to. She was torn. Should she leave, or should she get closer and take a better look?
Curiosity won out over safety.
Hoping the horse wouldn’t make too much noise, she urged it to follow the small path along the edge of the woods. If she was lucky, she could get closer without Thornton seeing her.
Closer and closer she edged toward him. Thankfully, he was bent over his car’s trunk, too absorbed in what he was doing to be aware of his surroundings.
She stalled, her heart skipping a beat as he tugged a large something out of the trunk. A tarp was wrapped around the item, a rope securely tied around it.
Is that a body?
Thornton waved his hands. Slowly, the body lifted into the air then floated toward the water. Holding his hand out, Thornton commanded the bundle out over the lake. Yet instead of dropping it in the middle of the water, Thornton whipped his hand back. The bundle splashed into the water near the edge.
Just as she tugged back on the reins, Thornton stood up and pivoted her way. Cold green-silver eyes looked straight at her.
Damn it. He’s seen me.
She yanked on the reins, forcing the horse to whirl around, only to have to pull him to a stop. Thornton blocked her way.
“How?”
He snapped his fingers. “A true wizard never reveals his secrets.”
She let out a scream as she felt her body being lifted off the horse then pulled toward him. Powerless to move, she tried to breathe, tried to remain calm. She stopped a foot in front of him, still restrained by his magic.
“Remove the spell, damn it.” She sounded more confident, more demanding than she felt.
“Sorry, baby, no can do.” He laughed as he held her chin and forced her gaze to his. “But don’t worry. You won’t remember a thing.”
Chapter Seven
Brooklyn hurried, knowing she was late. Miranda was more forgiving than most employers, yet the last thing Brooklyn wanted to do was to admit she was late because she’d spent too long in bed with her men. Still, if anything was worth getting fired for, time in bed with her men was it.
“Brooklyn.”
No. Not this time. She wouldn’t stop because of Thornton. “Go away.” She kept on walking.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I only want to ask you a question.”
Keep going. I won’t let him get to me.
“Sorry. I’m already late.”
Suddenly, he was in front of her as though he’d teleported himself there. She looked around. Fortunately, the streets were deserted other than a few locals. She wasn’t sure they’d seen anything.
“Don’t you think you’d better be careful how you flaunt your magic?”
“The locals are used to it, and the tourists would eat it up.” He looked around as she’d done. “Besides, no harm done, right?”
“What do you want, Thornton? And don’t start talking about my men. I don’t give a shit about your opinion.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
She crossed her arms, planted her feet, ready to do battle with the wizard. “Then what do you want?”
“I only wanted to ask you if you enjoyed the lake last night.”
What was he getting at? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. You were out at Blue Lake last night.”
An uneasiness swept over her. Her stomach twisted, threatening to do worse. “No, I wasn’t.”
“Yes, you were. Don’t you remember? You saw me dumping a dead body into the water.”
The memory returned full blast. An image of Thornton magically floating a bundle—a body?—out over the top of the lake struck her.
“Oh my God.”
He narrowed his eyes. “So you do remember?”
“Yes. You—” Yet before she could complete the sentence, an intense pain tore her stomach apart. She bent over, sucked in a hard breath, and the world around her started to turn black.
His hand on her shoulder calmed her. Her vision cleared, and breathing became easier.
“What were you going to say?”
She straightened up, confused. “What?”
“You were about to tell me about the lake.” His tone held a note of concern, but the emotion never reached his eyes. “What did you see at the lake last night?”
She blinked, trying as hard as she could to remember. “No, you’re wrong. I wasn’t at the lake last night.” She struggled to say more, the truth on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t say the words. “I didn’t see anything at the lake last night.”
He smiled, any sign of warmth gone. “Sorry. My mistake.” Suddenly, he reached out and touched her shirt.
“Please don’t touch me.” She didn’t want to be rude, but his touch made her skin crawl.
“Excuse me. I meant no harm. Have a great day, Brooklyn.” He gave her a nod then turned on his heel and sauntered down the street.
“What did he want?” asked Reagan as she crossed the street to join Brooklyn.
“Beats me.”
“Huh. That’s strange. Thornton’s not usually the type to indulge in idle chitchat.”
Brooklyn tried to grasp a memory hidden in the recesses of her mind, just out of reach, but couldn’t. The less she thought about Thornton, the better. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’ve got to get to work.”
“They made you late again?” teased Reagan.
“You should be so lucky.” As soon as she’d said the words, she regretted them. Reagan’s hurt shone in the loss of the sparkle in her eyes and in the slump of her shoulders. “Damn it. I’m beyond stupid. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”
Reagan brightened, althoug
h it was clear she was forcing it. “Hey, don’t worry about it. You know I’m thrilled about you and the guys. I’ll find the men I’m supposed to love soon. I’m sure of it.”
“What about Craig?”
Reagan pushed Brooklyn ahead of her, aiming her toward the diner. “Craig who? Nah, seriously, it was never meant to be a permanent thing. I could never get too involved with a tourist. They’re here today then gone tomorrow.”
She started to question her friend further, but decided it was best to leave things alone. “Yeah. You’re right. Love’s right around the corner for you. I can feel it.”
Reagan changed the subject, rattling on, telling Brooklyn about the latest gossip. She only half listened as her thoughts went back to her strange encounter with Thornton. A moment before she stepped into the diner, she turned back, searching for him. Where was he? And why had he stopped to talk to her?
* * * *
Damian clutched Thornton by the throat, shoving him into the alley and out of view of spectators. Having the Dark Side wizard anywhere near their mate was bad enough, but to have him speak to her was worse. “What were you saying to Brooklyn?”
The air thickened around them as the wizard used his power to break Damian’s hold. Thornton moved away, putting distance between them. “What the fuck’s wrong with you, vampire? People talk on the streets.”
“You don’t. Not to my mate.” Damian’s power soared higher, forcing him to shove it back. If he didn’t, he could lose control.
“I said hello, that’s all. Where’s the harm?”
The wizard’s dark power sickened Damian, wafting over him like sludge seeping into his skin, but he wouldn’t let it deter him. “Why did you want to talk to her?”
“Vampire, you need to get a grip. Your fangs are showing.” Thornton tipped his head toward the street beginning to fill with tourists. “Innocent eyes might be watching.”
Damian withdrew his fangs. “I doubt that’s your real concern. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to find out you’ve been playing your own tricks on the tourists.” He moved closer, causing the wizard to step back. “You wouldn’t know anything about putting a spell on one of the diner’s customers, would you?”