Fire & Gasoline: A Shifter Romance (Audax Pack Book 1)

by Colette Rhodes

  I pulled the pillow away from her face with ease and chucked it across the room with a chuckle. “Come on, little bird. Drink the gross coffee. Eat your granola bar. I’ll run you a bath,” I instructed, pointing at the coffee and food I’d left on the bedside table.

  “Shit,” I muttered. “What are you going to wear?”

  “Your clothes, I guess,” Wren replied around a yawn, looking more like a kitten than a wolf as she stretched. My cock stirred at the idea of her wearing my clothes, meeting my pack covered in my scent. She really must be tired if she was suggesting it.

  I went into the small attached bathroom to run her a warm bath, feeling weirdly bad that I had nothing fancy to put in it. Girls liked that shit, right? I shook my head. She’d barely eaten or slept in four days, I doubted some bubble bath would make that much difference at this stage.

  A few days ago, I was glad I could get Wren to this cabin without having to shift, but I regretted not having somewhere a little nicer for her. We could stay in my old room tonight, in the Alpha House with my dad and Flynn. There was more than enough room, and it’d give her a glimpse at her future home once she and I led the Audax Pack.

  As I left the bathroom to get her, I realized that the idea didn't fill me with terror for once. The idea of leading the pack with Wren at my side was... exciting. With her, I felt invincible. Like no challenge was impossible, no responsibility too great.

  Without a word, I strode over to the bed, pulled the blankets off Wren and scooped her into my arms, striding back to the bathroom. She didn't even glare at me, just laid her head against my shoulder and relaxed into my arms, naked as the day she was born. I fought the smile that was pulling at my mouth. I didn't want to piss her off too much when things were going well.

  I lowered her into the bath water and she tipped her head back, sighing in delight.

  "I'm going to clean the cabin up a little, are you alright here on your own?" I asked hesitantly. Maybe I shouldn't leave her. Fates knew how all this heat stuff worked.

  “Don’t take too long,” Wren instructed, giving me a stern look though I could see the hidden vulnerability in her eyes. She’d never ask for help, but obviously being alone wasn’t sitting well with her either.

  I quickly cleaned the cabin as best I could, reluctantly stripped the sweat-soaked sheets from the bed. As gross as they were, I hated to lose the reminder of what had transpired between us. I pulled out the smallest t-shirt and sweatpants I had from my dresser and brought them into the bathroom for Wren with the nicest-looking towel I could find. This place was such a bachelor pad.

  There was a split second of relief on her face before she schooled her features, and I happily assisted her out of the bath, wrapping her in the towel and patting her dry.

  "I'll leave you to get dressed," I told her, pushing a damp lock of hair away from her face. "I'm going to jump in the shower real quick."

  By the time I emerged in the main cabin, Wren was dressed and I heard two pack members approaching the cabin.

  “Miles is here,” I informed Wren, suppressing the Cheshire Cat grin that threatened to take over my face as she knotted my white t-shirt at her side, exposing the waistband of the gray sweatpants she’d flipped over multiple times to keep up. I handed her my dark green Carson College hoodie which fell halfway down her thighs. She was drowning in my huge clothes, and it was the cutest fucking thing I’d ever seen. “He’s brought the pack healer.”

  “Why?” Wren asked mystified, growling in frustration as she attempted to finger comb the knots out of her hair.

  I tossed her a comb from the dresser as I moved towards the door. “It was your first heat, she’ll want to check you’re doing okay.”

  “Oh. Is that because you’re the Alpha’s son?” Wren’s puzzled face fucking gutted me. This was how any decent pack should operate. She’d been seriously deprived of a healthy pack experience.

  “Shit, no little bird. We care about every member of the pack equally.” I pulled the door open for Miles and Margaret to enter.

  Margaret was about eighty years old, with deep-set wrinkles and long silver hair that she always wore in a braid. Her black eyes sparkled as she entered the cabin, giving Wren a warm look that instantly softened my skittish little future mate.

  Miles followed, wrinkling his nose at the sex-drenched scent of the cabin.

  “Fates, I might choke on the amount of pheromones in here,” he coughed, positioning himself next to the open front door. I smirked at him, barely resisting the urge to beat my chest like a caveman.

  “A powerful Alpha pair,” Margaret said approvingly, apparently unmoved by the stench. “I’m Margaret,” she said, moving to sit at the small dining table and waiting patiently for Wren to join her. I stood behind Wren as she sat, resting my hands on the back of the chair so I could discreetly play with her hair. She tipped her head back to give me an exasperated look, but didn’t move away, so I was taking the win.

  My wolf was feeling fiercely protective of her in her post-heat, vulnerable state. I couldn’t have moved away if I wanted to.

  “Hi Miles, thanks for all the food and care packages,” Wren said awkwardly, giving him a strained smile. She totally meant to say thanks for providing Archer with food while I attempted to pin him to the bed and fucked him senseless for four days.

  “It was my honor,” Miles said, inclining his head and baring his neck slightly, taking Wren off guard. It was a deferential gesture, a sign of respect. She glanced up at me, her lips thinning at what was probably the very smug expression on my face.

  “How are you feeling?” Margaret asked, looking closely at Wren’s face.

  “Fine.” Wren shrugged. “A little tired, a lot hungry. Looking forward to a decent cup of coffee.”

  Miles cursed softly under his breath. “I should have organized that for you.” He looked genuinely upset with himself, his instincts to take care of his future Luna riding him hard.

  “You’ve been amazing, Miles. Archer and I are both grateful for all you’ve done for us. Isn’t that right, Archer?”

  “It is. Thanks, man.” I tipped my chin at him, watching his chest swell with pride under her praise. She’d said the exact right thing, and I couldn’t tell if she’d realized it or not.

  “Margaret, is it normal for fated mates to go into heat before claiming each other?”

  She’d be able to scent the fact that we weren’t mates yet, but her eyes drifted over Wren’s throat, regardless. She said nothing, but there was a flicker of disapproval in her eyes.

  “For an alpha pair, it isn’t unheard of. Your wolves recognize their other half. Her wolf saw a strong and virile future mate, and it triggered your estrous.”

  If shifting didn’t wreck tattoos, I’d totally get ‘Strong and Virile Future Mate’ tattooed on my chest.

  “This estrous is unlikely to result in pregnancy, however. As you know, the chances of pregnancy are slim anyway and you are not properly mated.” Some tension in Wren’s shoulders eased as I fought a frown. I should feel relieved too. I was twenty. I’d been trying to avoid additional responsibility.

  So why did I feel so disappointed?

  “I urge you to get up to the dining hall as soon as possible for a proper meal — red meat, lots of vegetables. Lots of water. Broth, if food is too hard to stomach at first,” Margaret said in a stern but gentle voice, looking between us. “While you’re recovering from your estrous, the best thing you can do is listen to your wolf. Follow her lead. You too, Archer, go with your instincts.”

  My instincts were telling me to touch my girl. I slipped my hand through her mass of black hair to rest on her nape. It was a proprietary hold, made even more so by the fact I was standing over her, but aside from a small bristle, Wren allowed it. I could almost feel her wolf settle under my hand.

  “Give us a moment, would you?” Margaret asked Miles sweetly. He looked to Wren and I for confirmation before letting himself out of the cabin.

  “Your mother is still at
one of the northern caves on the edge of the territory, in her fur. I will go there and try to communicate to her that you are here.” Margaret stood, either not noticing or choosing to ignore my clenched jaw and Wren’s curious gaze. Of course, Margaret knew. It was her job to know about the physical health of every pack member.

  “Please let me know if you need anything further; I am always here to answer your questions.” She bowed her head slightly in submission before following Miles.

  Fuck. I knew we’d have to have some kind of conversation about my mom, but I had hoped it would be after I’d convinced Wren to fall irrevocably in love with me and I didn’t think we were quite there yet.

  With a heavy sigh, I took Margaret’s vacant seat across from Wren as she picked up the comb and resumed working through the knots in her hair.

  Wren looked at me like she saw through all my bullshit to the man underneath. The one who was fucking terrified of living up to his family legacy. The one who was worried he’d let his whole pack down. Who couldn’t tell a goddamn soul about any of those fears.

  “Tell me about your mother.” Wren’s voice was soft but held the smallest hint of alpha command. It wouldn’t work on me, we were equals, and I doubted she’d even realized she’d done it. She’d be a good Luna. Wren had a softness and approachability about her I would never have.

  “She’s sick,” I admitted. It was more than I’d ever talked about it than with anyone else. Miles and I liked to pretend that nothing had changed.

  “She’s going feral?” Wren guessed, examining my face.

  “It’s a degenerative brain condition. Rare. Possibly genetic, though we don’t know anyone else in the family that’s had it.” My gut roiled with nerves. I wanted everything with Wren, babies included. Maybe she’d decide she didn’t want to risk having kids with my defective genetics.

  Wren tilted her head to the side, studying me. Making me nervous. “You’re usually a closed book, but there are so many emotions playing over your face right now,” she said, gently.

  I was not accustomed to being nervous.

  “If you’re worried that this will affect my opinion of you, don’t be. My opinion of you is informed by your words and actions, both when you’re being an asshole and those rare moments you’re being sweet. Plus, you get some bonus points for your performance in the sack.” She shot me a mischievous grin, eliciting a snort from me.

  “I might develop the same condition one day. Or our kids might,” I added, trying my luck.

  “My, my, you’re feeling confident today,” she replied drily, rolling her eyes.

  “If you don’t want pups with me, then that’s a conversation we need to have, but you sure as fuck aren’t having them with anyone else. I’d kill anyone who laid their fucking hands on you,” I said casually, not letting Wren see how aggravating the idea of her taking another mate was to me. She raised an eyebrow imperiously, making my cock harden in my jeans. It really did something to me when she looked at me like she wanted to put me in my place.

  “If we claim each other as mates, I want to have children. I’m not going to live my life ruled by fear of your mother’s condition, and neither should you.” My chest swelled with hope. She’d stressed the ‘if’, but it was still the first reference she’d ever made to us having a future.

  “Don’t look so smug, and I said if,” Wren snapped. My cock stirred in my jeans, despite the thorough workout he’d just had over the past four days. Down, boy. She is way too sore and way too worked up for that.

  “If is progress. You’d look fucking beautiful all round with my baby,” I added to throw her off-balance. Watching her face flush was such a fucking treat.

  “Shut up, you know I hate when you say stuff like that,” she muttered uncomfortably.

  “You hate compliments,” I clarified. “Which is a habit I intend to break.”

  Wren glared at me, but it was for sure to cover up her awkwardness.

  “How is the pack handling your mom’s condition?” Wren asked. I shifted slightly in my seat, my eyes flicking away from her all knowing gaze.

  “They don’t know.”

  “They don’t know?” she repeated incredulously.

  “My dad didn’t want to worry them. Miles’ family knows, his dad is Beta. His mom, Claudia, helps with a lot of the Luna duties in her stead.”

  “You should tell them,” she said eventually.

  “Baby, you’ve definitely been away from pack life too long if you think that’s a good idea,” I scoffed.

  “First, don’t baby me. Second, don’t patronize me.” She held up her fingers as she listed my transgressions. “Third, based on what Miles told me, your father is a highly respected Alpha. Despite your assholish tendencies, I assume you’re respected by your pack too. Have a little faith in them, Archer.”

  “What, you think they’ll all be happy to just carry on like nothing’s changed?”

  “No. I think they’ll want to help because they love their Luna and don’t want to see her suffer.” There was censure in her voice that had shame slithering down my spine. The pack had always loved my mother. They’d be appalled to think of the amount of time she spent alone these days.

  “Besides, you seem tough. I’m sure you can handle any wolf dumb enough to challenge you,” Wren said dismissively, never one to stroke my ego if she could avoid it.

  “Miles and his father are the only ones who probably could outside of the family, and they already know.”

  “Then what the fuck is the problem?” Wren asked, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re more worried about the pack’s perception of your strength than utilizing your actual strength to do right by your mother and prove that you deserve to lead this pack.”

  “Yes, well, apparently I’ve been taking the easy way out in a lot of things lately,” I said softly, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear. She let me, leaning into my hand for a moment before pulling back, like she remembered she wasn’t supposed to enjoy me touching her.

  "Come on, let’s head up to the Alpha's house. You can tell my dad all the ways he’s running his pack wrong," I teased.

  Chapter 18

  Wren

  I was acting chill, even though I was freaking out internally about meeting Archer’s pack, and family. My body was wrecked — my heat had broken, but the aftereffects of the past four crazy days were catching up with me. Places hurt that I didn’t know could hurt. I was glad that by silent agreement, neither Archer nor I were going into the specifics of what had happened over the last four days. Based on the discomfort I was experiencing, we’d gotten more than a little freaky between the sheets.

  Plus, my wolf was edgy. I think the thing she was most edgy about was the distinct lack of a claiming mark on Archer's neck. She felt insecure, not able to understand why the mating hadn't been sealed.

  "We can't get there by car," he added, scrutinizing my reaction. "Four legs or two?"

  "Two," I replied instantly. My wolf might take things into her own hands if I shifted. Better to be safe than sorry.

  "It'll take longer," Archer warned.

  "That's fine," I said breezily, moving past him towards the cabin door. "Let's get this show on the road."

  Archer’s cabin was in a deserted part of the territory. There wasn’t anyone around and the scents were faint, but it was still exquisite. The towering trees and quiet birdsong were so soothing. I’d missed this so much after years of living around humans. It was the feeling I’d had around the Fortis Pack but amplified even more. Something about this place just settled me.

  “Why do you live so far away from your pack?” I asked curiously, walking close enough to Archer that our arms brushed together. My wolf wanted more contact. I wanted more contact. Asking for it made me feel uncomfortable, though.

  "It got to be a little much with Mom in her fur and Dad freaking out all the time..." he trailed off, looking a little ashamed. Like he'd been reading my min
d, Archer linked his fingers through mine, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. I got the impression that Archer had a lot of conflicting feelings when it came to his mom, and guilt was a big one. He was avoiding a situation he didn't know how to deal with, and the more he ran from it, the more horrible he felt.

  “Well, you picked a magnificent spot,” I replied cheerfully, not wanting to make him feel worse. “It’s beautiful around here. So peaceful.”

  "That cabin was hardly worthy of your first heat. Or any of your heats," Archer scoffed. "You deserve better than a beaten up bachelor pad." I glanced at him in surprise. Did he really think that bothered me?

  "It was honestly fine, Archer. I've spent the last two years rooming with humans. I'm not a high-maintenance kind of girl," I joked.

  He hummed under his breath. “Don’t think I’m thrilled about that either. You shouldn’t have to live with humans.”

  I shrugged. "The sensory overload can be frustrating, but they're usually friendly." Too friendly, if anything.

  We made our way up the steep hill, me occasionally slipping in the stupid ballet flats I'd put on when my heat was starting and my body was on fire. It's a good thing shifters ran hot, I was still pretty uncomfortable traipsing through snow in what was essentially bare feet. Archer's grip was strong and steady, I knew he'd never let me fall.

  As we moved closer to the center of the territory, cabins of varying sizes were interspersed among the trees. They were all log cabins, with covered porches, and enormous windows. This would have been a magical place to grow up. We broke through the final treeline and arrived at a large clearing with an enormous lodge set at the back of the clearing, with a large dining hall in the middle and smaller buildings scattered around the edges.

  It was mid-afternoon, and there were very few pack members in the clearing, but the ones that were here waved at Archer, greeting us both cheerfully. I hadn't expected outright hostility necessarily, but the warmness of their welcome took me off guard.

  Archer led me through the buildings to the enormous lodge at the back. It was more log mansion than log cabin. Two stories high, with an intricate stonework chimney that ran up the side of the house, and tall windows that flooded the place with light despite the tall surrounding trees. Archer entered the front door without knocking, pulling me in from the cold and shutting the door behind us.