“There’s also the letters. They make you care and love Nate, so you don’t want to tell, but mostly they let you get to know him before you find out. Most people would not do anything to harm him. But there are a few and some in the past that have tired. They were cut out and never heard from again.” She picked up her magazine again, about to open it; instead she threw it back on the bed.
“Oh yeah, remember when I said my father will own half of the company?” I nodded. “Nate owns the other half and there is no way to change it. Even if he wanted to. And if he dies, his half goes to Riley House. If someone happened to think they could have it all if he somehow ceased to exist, it would be a waste of time.”
“Are people really that greedy?”
“Some, yes. There normally is never an issue and I’ve never heard of one since I found out three years ago, but I guess there have been problems.” She tilted her head. “So you said this Joseph is cute? How old?”
“I’d say a hundred and fifty.” I reached over and picked up the magazine she had discarded and was surprised to see that it was a fashion magazine.
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Oh, come on, how old does he look?”
I laughed. “He said that someone at another store didn’t like taking orders from a nineteen-year-old, so I guess he was nineteen when he changed.”
“Awesome,” she said with a wicked grin.
Standing up, she flew to her closet, taking out a black fitted low-cut top. After she pulled her other one off, she shoved the new one over her head. Pulling out the ponytail, she looked in the mirror and gave her hair a toss. “Let’s go,” she said, taking my hand and leading me down the stairs.
When she reached the office, she swung the door open, interrupting Nate. He was holding the gun, showing Will how to hold it.
Joseph spun around and stared at Lauren. His pale blue eyes were intense, his nostrils flared. He started toward us and was in front of Lauren in a flash.
“Hi,” Lauren stammered, taking a step back. She seemed a little uncomfortable at his closeness.
Joseph only stared at her.
“Oh no,” I heard Nate say, who was suddenly standing beside Joseph. “Joe, can I see you out in the hall for a second?” He grabbed his friend’s arm and pulled.
Joseph didn’t appear to hear him. “Who are you?” he whispered to Lauren, oblivious to Nate, who was still tugging on his arm.
Lauren blushed, looking at me for help, but I just shrugged my shoulders. She turned back to him. “Lauren. You must be Joseph.”
He didn’t answer her, only took her hand to kiss each of her knuckles. Nate gave up on subtlety and yanked his arm hard. It pulled Joseph out of whatever trance he was in. He looked around as if stunned, then looked back at Nate. With his head down, he quietly followed him out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Something about Joseph’s stare reminded me of something. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
Chapter Twenty-seven
The Wolves
Lauren and I rushed to the door, resting our heads against the oak.
“Girls,” Will whispered loudly, disapproval dripping from his voice. When we looked up at him, he smiled. “What are they saying?”
We listened hard, but couldn’t hear them. We both turned away, walking over to the leather sofa and sat down. “Nothing. We can’t hear a thing,” Lauren answered as she put her feet up on the table in front of her.
“Too bad.” He shrugged. “Girls, come here, I want to show you how to use this.” The gun was in his hand. We stood up and walked over to him. He held it out toward the wall. “Just point and shoot. But see this here?” He pointed to a lever on the top of the gun. “That’s the safety, if for some reason you’re alone and you see Rowan. The chances of that are slim, but I want you to be careful. Pull the safety up, then it’s just a matter of aiming at his heart and shooting.”
The door swung open and Nate and Joseph walked through.
“Don’t hesitate, because that’s all it will take for him to get away or attack. Just shoot,” Nate explained. “But I’m never letting you out of my sight, so it doesn’t matter. But I agree with Will, better safe than sorry.” Nate wrapped his arms around me. “I’m going to go see if I can pick up Rowan’s scent. I want you to go back to the cottage with Joseph. He’s going to stay with you.”
“What about you? Shouldn’t he go with you?”
He frowned and stared out the window. “No, you’re his target. After I sent you away yesterday he told me that he would kill you, but first he was going to keep you around for entertainment.” The pain in his face at repeating those awful words was obvious. But I did tell him I wanted honesty. I heard Will curse behind me.
“Lauren, Will, stick together and don’t leave the house. Lock up after we leave, it won’t matter, but just do it. Joseph, Megan; let’s go.”
“But—” Joseph started to protest, staring at Lauren.
Nate cut him off. “No. Let’s go.” His voice was firm. I couldn’t wait to get back to the cottage to find out what was going on.
I followed them out, giving a confused look to Lauren, who shrugged her shoulders in return.
I climbed in the car beside Nate. Joseph was already in the back seat, his knees bent up with no leg room.
“What was that? Why won’t you let me talk to her?” Joe asked, sounding frustrated.
Nate glared at Joe through the rearview mirror. “Because I want you to think about it first and if you decide to move forward I think you should ask her father.”
“Did you ask Megan’s father?”
“That’s different. Will knows what you are and he should have a say in whether his daughter gets involved with a werewolf.”
Now I remembered that glazed stare. Nate did it to me three years ago, when he first smelled my scent. “No way. Are you saying that Lauren’s your mate?” I spun around, leaned against the head rest and stared at Joseph in shock.
He paused, about to yell at Nate again. Instead, he glanced quickly at me, then out the window, suddenly interested in the passing scenery. “Yes,” he said quietly.
I giggled. I didn’t know what else to do. Nate shot me a dirty look. He seemed stressed over this new development.
We pulled up to the cottage. Nate went in to search it before allowing me to enter. “I smell an old trail, did you pick that up?” he asked Joseph.
Joseph was distracted, but when he heard his name he sniffed and walked around. “Yeah, I’d say yesterday. I should have smelled it when I got here, but I was happy to see you.”
“It’s all right. I won’t be long.” He leaned into me, touching his lips to mine. I held on to extend the kiss.
“Be careful,” I pleaded when I finally let him go.
He smiled. “Of course, I always am. I’ll stop for a pizza on the way back.” He glanced at Joseph. “Maybe three,” he said with a laugh as he climbed into his car.
I laughed. I’d be lucky if I got one slice with two werewolves around. Nate started the car but waited until we were inside the cottage before he took off.
When I saw him pull away, I turned around to face Joseph. “Are you hungry? I can make you a couple of sandwiches.”
He narrowed his eyes and smiled. “He told you, didn’t he? About what happens if we change when we’re hungry?”
I was uncomfortable. It was easier to discuss this with Nate, whom I trusted. But I had to believe that Nate wouldn’t leave me with him if I weren’t safe. “Yes.”
“And now you feed him as much as you can because you think he will hurt you?”
“No. I know he won’t hurt me. But I don’t want him or you to hurt anybody else. And I know he won’t forgive himself if he does.”
“You really love him, don’t you?” His eyes searched mine for an answer.
“Yes, I do. And I am the only one he’s told about what happened in the past, when he didn’t eat properly. He doesn’t want his family to know.”
; He nodded, satisfied with my answer. “I know that. And I don’t like people I care about hearing that I’ve slipped. So I will take four sandwiches, if you don’t mind.” He sat down and put his feet up on the coffee table, turning on the TV.
I took out the cold cuts and bread then began throwing meat and cheese together. I popped a piece of cheese in my mouth before making a sandwich for myself, realizing that I hadn’t eaten since the doughnuts this morning. I carried his over to him and handed him a soda.
He smiled. “Thank you, Love.” He sat up and took a few bites.
After I went back to retrieve my sandwich I sat down on the couch, staring at the TV, not really paying attention to what was playing.
“What can you tell me about the lovely Lauren?” he asked, looking restless.
I looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Why? Are you going to tell her?”
He finished off his first sandwich. “I’ve a mind to, but Nate is my friend and he asked me to wait. I’ll heed his advice, for now.” He took a few more bites, basically eating his next sandwich whole. “I’ll get to know her before I decide what to do. But now that I know where she is, it’s hard to be away from her. There’s an intense pull toward her and I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to fight it.” I could see agitation in his face. “I feel a need to protect her too.” He quickly gobbled down the last of the sandwiches and focused on the TV. An old action movie was playing on cable. I gathered our plates, placing them inside the dishwasher and cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. I felt like this cottage was my home and I loved taking care of it.
I heard him sigh as I sat back down in the living room. He stood up and started to pace, constantly glancing at the door as if he was waiting for someone, or about to make a bolt for it.
“Tell me about her. I’ve a need to be near her, so I’d better keep my mind busy. Is she nice? I can’t believe my mate would be one of those rich snobs. She’s pretty as a picture.”
I smiled; happy he cared about what kind of person she was. “She, like all of the Rileys I know, is very nice, down to earth, not a snobby bone in her body. I haven’t really known her long. I used to hang out with another crowd, but since they betrayed me and I didn’t really like them anyway, she’s become my friend.” I got up, making my way to the fridge to get a soda. I needed something wash down my lunch. “I don’t know much about this mate thing, but you couldn’t have found a better one, even if you chose her yourself.”
His smile spread wide and his eyes sparkled. “I’m glad.”
I made a decision that might come back to haunt me, but I suddenly wanted to do something nice for Nate’s friend. “If I call her to come down, will you promise to act normal? Don’t stand right in front of her with that glazed stare.”
“Glazed stare?”
“Like all you can see is her. I thought you were about to drool.”
“Funny,” he smirked. “Yes, I’ll behave. I’ll stay on the other side of the room. I’ll be the perfect gentleman. You’d really call her for me, even after what Nate said?” His eyes were wide, his body tense.
“As long as you don’t tell her, I will. I can see you’re anxious about her safety and all your pacing is making me nervous.”
“Okay, call her,” he said, handing me the phone that he picked up from the table.
I took it from him, brushing his warm fingers and dialed. “Hey, Lauren,” I said after she answered.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Not much. I just thought you could come down and hang out with Joseph and me. Nate’s going to bring back pizza and if you help me fight them, we might actually get a piece.”
“Sounds fun. I’ll be right down.”
Joseph whispered something in my ear. “Be careful. Get right into your car and come straight here. Joseph will be watching out front.”
I heard muffled movements and a zipping sound from her end. “Sure, I’m leaving now.”
I sat on the lounge chair, watching Joseph pace back and forth on the deck, his bare feet making no sound against the wooden planks. “Where is she? It’s been ten minutes. It doesn’t take that bloody long to drive down a driveway.”
I smiled. “It’s a long driveway. Besides, maybe she had something to do before she came.”
He stopped in front of me. “Well, she could call.” He sounded irritated, shaking his head, before resuming his pacing.
He was turned away from me, mid-pace, when his head spun at a noise I didn’t hear. A couple seconds later the crumpling of tires on gravel sounded beyond the corner. Then Lauren’s blue mini compact car came into view. I could see Joseph relax as he saw her pull in front of him in the driveway. She got out and slammed her car door shut. “Hey, does anyone want to play a game of Scrabble?” she asked, holding up the board game.
Ah… no, but what else was there to do? “Sure,” Joseph and I said without enthusiasm.
“Hey, Scrabble’s fun.” She took the few steps onto the deck.
“We’ll take your word for it.” I held the door for her as she walked in and set the game and her purse on the coffee table. “Nate still out?”
“Yeah, it’s been an hour. I’m going to call him.” I picked up my phone and dialed his number.
“Hello.” He picked up after half a ring.
“Hey, how’s it going? I’ve been worried.”
He sighed. “Don’t be worried about me. You’re the one he wants to hurt. And I’m fine. I picked up a trail at a hotel I think he’s staying at and I followed it to your house. It’s new, from today. I’m so glad I got you out of there.”
“What about my family?”
“I’m sure they’re fine, but if it will make you feel better give them a call to make sure.” Lauren was talking to Joseph about the game behind me. “Is that Lauren?”
I made my way over to the kitchen out of ear shot, from Lauren anyway. “Yeah, I asked her to come over. I know I should have checked with you, but he was worried. How would you feel if there was danger and you couldn’t be with me? I told him not to say anything and he agreed.”
“I guess it’s fine. And you’re right. I’d need you near me. Does that mean we have another house guest?”
“I don’t know, but right now Lauren’s setting up a game of Scrabble.”
“Oh great. I love Scrabble.”
I laughed. “It must be a Riley thing. Joe and I were not as enthusiastic.”
“Well, I’m going to see where this trail leads and if it’s a dead end, I’ll be home. Is everything on the pizza all right with you?”
“As long as you don’t include anchovies in your everything.”
“Ooh, gross. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I hung up and then called Mona.
“Hello?”
“Hey, how are you?” I stayed in the kitchen, away from the noise. Lauren and Joe were arguing about where to put the game.
“Who’s this?”
“Funny.”
“I’m sorry, but if you’ve called for Megan she’s not here. She moved out.”
“Yeah, you’re hilarious. I just need some time away from Mom and Dad. And I think I might move out soon anyway.”
“What? You can’t do that!” she yelled. I heard Ben in the background asking what was wrong.
“Why not? I’m finished high school. I’m eighteen and I really don’t want to be there anymore. I’m so tired of them ignoring me.”
“Where would you live? No, let me guess. With Nate? You be careful, Megan. Don’t jump into anything too soon.”
“Don’t worry about it, he hasn’t even asked me yet. Anyway, I’m just calling to see how things are there.”
“Same as usual. Your parents went to Brazil for a few weeks. Did they call you?”
I tried not to let it bother me, but who was I kidding? They were my parents and I didn’t know they were out of town, let alone a different country. “Nope, but I’m sure they just forgot.”
She paused. “Honey, you kn
ow how they can be.”
“Yeah, I know, Mona. Look, I’m fine, but I should go, okay?”
“All right, honey, I’ll talk to you later.”
Now I definitely wasn’t in the mood for Scrabble. “Megan, are you coming?” Lauren called from the table.
“You guys start without me.” I wandered over to the window, staring out at the moon. It was crescent shaped tonight. I never really paid attention to its different phases until I found out what Nate was. As beautiful as it was, my mind kept flashing back to Mona’s words. I didn’t want to care; however, being ignored by your parents wasn’t something that was easy to get over.
I watched for Nate’s car, wishing he was here so he could wrap his arms around me. Nothing comforted me more than his warm, strong embrace.
A movement in the bushes near the driveway caught my attention. I saw a small, yellow glow that looked like an eye. I moved closer, my forehead against the cold glass and saw that there were two yellow spots. I gasped as I realized what it was. “Joseph!” I yelled, stepping away from the window. He was beside me in a second, his smell of woodsy pine wafting toward me. I pointed outside where the eyes were and now I could see the outline of a black wolf.
“Lock the doors and stay together,” he yelled, rushing out the door.
Lauren and I huddled on the couch, watching the door.
A few minutes later, there was a noise in the bedroom.
We stared towards the doorway, not willing to move from our spot. Rowan sauntered out, wearing one of Nate’s Everest High T-shirts and his favorite faded jeans. “Hello, ladies.” His lips were turned up in a cheerful smile, but his eyes were full of malice.
“JOSEPH!” I screamed as loud as I possibly could.
The next second Rowan was behind me, yanking me out of Lauren’s grip and off the couch. His clammy hand was pressed over my mouth. He had a wild, feral smell that burned my nostrils. “Shut up. If you don’t want me to kill your friend you’ll come with me,” he whispered, dragging me toward the door.
Riley's Secret (A Moon's Glow Novel # 1) Page 23