A heated body brushed across her side. The bowl slipped from Tamara’s fingers and hit the bottom of the sink. From the way her core warmed when he drew nearer, there was no mistake that it was Devin.
She held her breath, but did not turn around.
His hands came around her to grab the bowl in the sink, and he pressed his chest against her back. “Don’t fear me,” he whispered into her hair.
She shivered, but it wasn’t from fear or the cold.
Devin picked up the dish towel and began to wash the bowl, leaving her no choice but to look. When he was done, he placed the dish on the drying rack. He took her hand and led her to turn around.
Her gaze was level with his chest, until he tilted her chin gently with a finger.
“Look at me, Tamara. Are you afraid of me?”
“No,” she whispered.
“The tension in your body tells me otherwise.”
How could she have forgotten they were pressed so closely together? His spicy scent drifted under her nose, mesmerizing her. It was familiar to her, yet it wasn’t a scent she’d known anywhere else but with him.
She shook her head. “I don’t know you.”
He closed his eyes. “Why do you smell so good?”
“Excuse me?”
“Your smell? Are you wearing perfume?”
She swallowed. “No, I don’t have any. Did you forget? You brought me here with just the clothes on my back.”
He took a deep breath and moved closer, positioning his nose against one side of her neck. At the same moment he brushed his face against her neck, her body became pliant in his arms.
“There is a strong urge to protect you,” he said.
“Devin…” she said in a husky voice, riddled with confusion.
Had the cabin not been so quiet, she probably would have missed the low growl he gave in answer. His gestures were affectionate. As he nuzzled the crevice of her neck, her legs turned to putty.
Suddenly, Devin broke away and this time he stared at her in confusion.
His quick actions startled her and she clutched at the counters behind her for support.
“I must bring in more firewood.” He backed away. “I’ll go no further than the barn.”
And with that he was gone, leaving her alone and puzzled in the cabin.
***
After pacing the cabin about a dozen times with Devin’s cell phone in hand, Tamara finally settled down on the couch and dialed her counselor.
The line rang four times before Selene picked up. “Selene speaking.”
“It’s Tamara.”
“Tam! No way.” There was rustling on the other end that sounded a lot like she was driving at top speeds with the windows down. “You scared the bat shit out of me! Where are you? You’ve been reported missing by the police. Brad and his crew are in jail locked up. They have him held without bond on a half a dozen felony counts, a slew of misdemeanors, and a possible manslaughter charge. I’ve got my manager all over my ass for losing contact with you. Dude, are you okay? There’s a—”
“Whoa, Selene. I’m okay.” She laughed nervously into the phone. She’d always known Selene to have an entire conversation without taking one breath.
Selene exhaled loudly on the other end. “So glad to hear that. I’ve been worried sick. Give me your location. Where are you?”
“I can’t…” Tamara looked at the door where she knew Devin sat within earshot on the porch. “…I can’t give you my location.”
“What? Why not? Don’t do this again,” Selene said, firmly.
“I’m safe. I promise you that.”
“Are you sure? You sound unsure.”
“I only called to let you know that I was okay,” Tamara said.
“Who are you with? Family?”
Leave it to Selene to give the third degree. “No, I’m…with a friend.”
“A guy friend?” she gawked into the phone.
When Tamara didn’t say anything the counselor spoke again. “Look, Tamara, you don’t have to make big decisions now. We can help you. Remember what I told you about how we can create a new identity for you. There would be no charge to you. You don’t have to do this alone. There’s a fresh start waiting for you. You just have to act.”
A fresh start? Would that choice hold all the answers? It would ensure that Brad never made contact with her again, but would it erase the years of abuse? Would it give her back the civilized life that she used to have?
“I’m still weighing my options,” Tamara said. “I’ve found a place where I can lay low for a while.”
“There will be no charges against you. We work closely with the authorities. They know what kind of situation you were in.”
“It’s not that. I’d turn myself in if I have to. I just want a breather from all of this, you know?”
“How long have you known this guy friend?”
There was no reason to give this woman a heart attack by revealing to her that she’d only known Devin for less than a week. “Look, Selene, I’ve got to go.”
“Wait!”
“Yes?”
“The offer is always open. Keep in touch. Please.”
“Thank you, Selene. For everything that you have done to help me. You were a true friend throughout the process, and will always be.”
“Tamara…”
Tamara ended the call before she changed her mind.
***
“The snow is clearing out again.” Devin joined her at the kitchen sink, where she washed the last of the dinner plates.
When the second snowstorm hit less than a day after the first one, it had caught him off guard. He should have sensed it coming, but his mind had been wandering on other distractions and problems.
Her movements grew slower as she raised her gaze to meet his. “And you have to leave soon…I know.”
Something akin to guilt filled his heart. It was an odd gut feeling that he hadn’t experienced in a long time. “Time is of essence.”
The eve of the Blue Moon was near. If he was not there to cast a vote against his cousin’s claim to take over the pack, then he would be devastated if his lack of action led to their demise because of it. When Devin received the letter mailed to him from one of the elders informing him of his half-brother’s untimely passing, he’d been saddened. Of all the offspring of the late Daniel Caedmon, his half-brother Damon was known among his people to be the wisest and most respected. It was prophesized by many elders that one such as Damon would lead his people for over a century, gaining new territories and strengthening the bloodlines through unity.
Only a year had gone by since they’d buried Daniel Caedmon, his estranged father. Now, his son followed, leaving the pack without an Alpha. The passing of these two leaders would only start what could be rivalry among the pack. It seemed that year after year, his people would endure some hardship that would yet again set them back in the quest to become a truly unified pack.
Small warm fingers brushed against his forearm. “I understand.”
The gesture calmed his raging headache. He took her hand, turned her palm up, and lifted it to his face. Her skin was soft and warm against his face, and her sweet scent grew stronger. Even when they were apart, the mesmerizing smell of her would not go away. The scent was in his clothes and on his bed sheets. Everywhere. Even the memory of it was engraved in his mind. Taunting him. It called to his wolf and stirred the longing for companionship—a mate.
Devin squeezed his eyes shut, and tried to drive out the lustful thoughts. Ever since he’d met Tamara, those attempts had been futile. The urges of the wolf were growing stronger, and tired of playing second fiddle to his human side.
Her hand swept across his face and she ran her fingers through his hair. The gesture was innocent, but the feelings it awakened within him were carnal.
He opened his eyes slowly to admire her beautiful face. The fear and confusion in her gaze was something he needed to see gone. Her lips were slightly open as if she wanted to speak agai
n. They were full, red, and inviting. When he moved closer to her and titled her chin, she made no move to stop him.
His mouth brushed hers softly. Instant gratification flowed through his core in response to this intimate touch. He pressed a kiss gently to her lips. One taste was not enough and he kissed her again. The third time their lips met, he coaxed hers open, sliding his tongue along the seam. She was just as delicious as she looked, and he became greedy for more.
The sound of footsteps approaching the porch and climbing up the steps pulled them apart. There was a rap at the door.
Devin’s turned and lifted his nose to the air. One sniff and he knew the person’s identity. Nick.
“Who is it?” Tamara whispered, holding onto his arm.
“It’s Nick. I asked him to bring clothes.”
Devin walked out onto the porch to greet his long-time friend. “That was quick.”
Nicholas Hyatt’s loyalty had been unwavering throughout the years. When Devin had broken off from the pack five years ago, Nick had followed without hesitation. They spent several months living on the road with little to no money, until they finally found their passion and a trade. Home building.
“I had just arrived in the city when you called,” Nick said, handing him a duffle bag of what assumed were the clothes for he and Tamara.
“How much do I owe?” He pulled out his wallet.
Nick waved his hand in a gesture of indifference. “Don’t even worry about it. I owed you a favor.”
“Thank you.”
“Who is she?”
He couldn’t blame Nick for asking. “She ran into some trouble in the city. I’ve offered her a place to stay.”
“And…?”
“What do you mean…and?” he asked, irritatingly.
Nick grinned. “You withheld information.”
“I didn’t know I had to answer to you.”
“Can I at least come inside?”
Devin sensed the curiosity in the other wolf’s demeanor. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out some keys. “There’s another log cabin less than a quarter of a mile from here. North. It’s yours.”
Nick chuckled. “Possessive, are we?”
Devin growled.
“I passed by the village before coming here. There was talk about you, and surprisingly, your guest. Did you have a brawl with Jonathan?”
Devin frowned. “He was on my land, threatening my guest.” It had taken him hours to recover from the fight in the snow with the other wolf who played dirty during their fight.
“As a result of the spar, they know about the girl. While traveling here, I came across two from Darius’ circle who were sent to keep tabs on you.”
Over the last few days, there was this feeling that he was being watched, but he’d shrugged it off as too much anticipation.
“What was I to do? Let them wolf-handle an innocent woman?” Devin balled his hands into fist. “What do you think they want?”
“Darius wants to rise as leader. You know that.” Nick eyed him seriously. “They want you out of the equation. His followers will do anything to see to it.”
Devin swallowed, and then opened the door. “Come inside.”
As Nick shed off his boots and jacket, Devin turned to glance at Tamara who appeared to be finishing up with the cleaning. He met her halfway and brought her to stand next to him. “Tamara, this is my good friend, Nick. He is like a brother to me.”
Nick smiled and held out his hand. “Pleasure meeting you, Tamara.”
Devin pressed his lips together, trying to rid the bit of jealousy in his guy at the sight of the other man touching Tamara.
“Nice to meet you,” she whispered.
“Where are you from?”
“A little of everywhere,” she answered.
Nick raised an eyebrow high in astonishment. “Sounds interesting. We’ll have to discuss more about that.”
Devin moved to sit on the sofa, and Nick took the hint and followed.
Tamara’s hand rested on his shoulders. “Would you like some coffee?”
He caressed her hand as it lay against his skin. “Rest. You’ve been up all evening in the kitchen.”
“I’m fine.” She turned to Nick. “Nick, would you like some coffee? I’m going to make some for Devin.”
Nick’s lips spread in an amusing grin as his gaze shot back and forth from him to Tamara. “Yes, I would. I’ve been traveling all day.”
“Are you hungry? I was going to put up the leftovers from dinner. We had salmon, wild rice, and asparagus. Would you like some?”
“I would. That’s nice of you to offer,” Nick said. “The coffee would go quite nicely with a good home-cooked meal.”
Tamara smiled just before she turned. She’d offered out of the generosity of her heart and seemed happy to oblige to his request. Her heart was pure and kind, but now he feared that he’d introduced her to a new world of trouble.
“She’s nice, and a pleasure to look at,” the other wolf drawled. “No wonder you fought for her.”
This time, Devin snarled.
Nick held up his hands, palms out. “Hey, man, sorry. I just recognize a good woman when I see one.”
And so do I…
Devin knew that Tamara was still in earshot, so he lowered his voice and asked, “How many will be there to cast a vote?”
“Four. Two elders. The youngest son of Daniel. And the first and oldest living son of Daniel, you.”
“We are the only ones?” Devin shook his head in disbelief.
“Those are the only male direct descendants of Caedmon still living. Ironically, none of you have stood up against Darius to lead.”
“Darius is shady. He steps forward for his own gain. He’d rather see our people return to the old ways of repression and gain through senseless battles with rival packs. Those customs caused us to lose many Caedmon lives,” Devin said.
He’d never been so furious. It had been personal reasons that made him fall astray from the pack, but he still loved and cared about the family and the people that he left behind. Why would they stand for this? Why would no one else step forward to lead?
“You’re right. We can’t go back to those customs. You know what you have to do.”
“I will not lead.” Devin stared with exasperation at Nick.
“I don’t care what anyone says, brother,” Nick sat up in the chair and returned a serious glare. “Your father denied it. You deny it even to this day. The pack belongs to you now. You are our leader.”
Devin had no words. Whether the Nick’s statement was truth or simply just his speculation, he would never feel welcome among a pack that disowned him and cast out his mother so very long ago.
He would remain the bastard son of Daniel Caedmon.
Never to rise as any kind of Alpha.
The statement had been engrained in his mind ever since he could understand the words and the meaning behind them. They’d been spoken by his own father, and they were words that he would never forget.
Chapter Seven
Tamara didn’t expect Devin to return so soon. The rhythm of the footsteps on the porch and the sounds of him dropping his ax and shedding his boots were all too familiar to her. He’d left a couple hours ago for the market, but assured her that Nick wasn’t too far away and that she’d be safe. Every so often, she would peek out the window and true to his word, a brown wolf lay under the trees nearby.
She glanced over at the kitchen table, which was not yet set. He’d be hungry from the journey and she should have had his food ready. She finished folding up a pair of his jeans and placed them in his sack just as he came inside.
Devin looked around the house. He seemed confused. Had she cleaned and dusted the place to his liking?
“I’m sorry. I should have had food ready,” she said, then started off toward the kitchen.
He came behind her and gently pulled on her waist, tugging her into his chest. “What is my name, Tamara?”
“D
evin.” She was puzzled with this question.
“There is no punishment for not doing something you don’t feel like doing. I will never give you orders,” he said, firmly.
She closed her eyes, embarrassed at her actions. It was only a normal routine for her to cook, clean, and have everything in perfect order before he came home. He was never angry when these things happened. He…
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