She jumped up. “Yes, sir.”
He went back to sink into the soft cushions on the chair behind his desk. Smiling, he leaned back as far as the chair allowed and cracked his knuckles. It was hard to contain his excitement.
“What’s up, doc?” Quentin stood in the open doorway.
“Shut the door.”
Quentin glanced over his shoulder, winked at the young woman, and closed the office door.
“My inside source has obtained the blood samples of the children that I need.”
“Oh, yeah! How’d they manage that? Those kids are old enough to say something if somebody sticks them with needles and gets some of their blood.”
“It seems their illustrious Dr. Tehran is not convinced of their new pack member’s abilities. Seems he’s worried that whatever Miss Salazar did to them won’t last. He’s been taking blood from them at specific intervals and comparing the test results.”
“That doesn’t explain how your guy got the blood. Won’t the good doctor miss the vials?
“They cleverly told him they’d had an accident and dropped the tubes. They even had the broken, bloody vials to prove it. So, despite the dismay of the children, the good doctor had to draw a second set of vials.”
Quentin nodded. “Smart! So, what do you need me to do?”
“I want you to pick up the blood yourself. I don’t want to trust this to anyone else. Those vials are pretty much irreplaceable.”
“No problem. I’ll leave tonight. You need me to do anything else?”
“Yes, I do. I want you to put together a small team, say six men. Make them men you trust explicitly. We’ve got an excellent opportunity to bring the little healer here for a visit.”
Quentin frowned. “What’s going on?”
“One of the women—” Nathaniel glanced at the notepad on his desk “—I believe her name was Rennia, is opening a club at that little town at the foot of the mountain.” He laughed. “The place is called Wyoming Wildlife’s Bar & Grill.”
Quentin snorted. “Clever! What’s that got to do with me putting together a team?”
“I have it on good authority the entire family is going to be there. Everybody, including our elusive little healer. Hell, the entire town is probably going to show up with a lot of side traffic from the surrounding towns. Shouldn’t be too hard, in all the ensuing confusion, to snatch one little woman who’s not a shifter. She can’t fight back, so it should be a piece of cake.”
His right hand man sighed. “I don’t know, Boss. Their whole pack is probably gonna be around. How are we supposed to get her alone?”
“Don’t worry about that. Remember, we have a friend in the pack. I’m pretty sure they can find some way to get her away from the members of her immediate family. I know it’s risky, but it might be the only chance we get.”
Quentin nodded. “Okay, I’ll pick the men today and get them ready.” He glanced at the monitor on the desk. “Were you able to get our guest to start eating?”
Nathaniel reached over and turned the monitor around. He always had it on, watching the young woman they’d held for months. “Yes, she’s being very cooperative these days. When she eats, the children get food. When she drinks, the children get water. When she helps with my experiments, the children get time outside. I don’t think she’ll be giving us anymore trouble.”
Quentin turned toward the door. “Good deal! I’m happy that’s working out. I’ll pick up the blood tonight and brief my men on our mission in the morning. Do I pick up the blood at our usual rendezvous spot?”
“Yes, nothing’s changed. They’ll be there at midnight waiting for you.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in the morning.”
After Quentin shut the door, Nathaniel turned his attention back to the monitor. He rubbed his finger over the arm of his guest and sighed. It was a shame she wasn’t more cooperative. She was quite appealing, and he felt a strong pull toward her. Getting up, he crossed to the window and looked out over the back property. “Soon, father. Everything is going along just as you planned.”
* * * *
Maddie poured hot tea into two cups and then picked them up. “Okay, ladies. How are we coming with moving up the plans for the wedding?”
Kati smiled. “Elyne had me do a fitting last night, and the dress is coming along beautifully. I can’t believe how fast she’s been able to put it together.”
The Alpha Femm chuckled. “She was always good with a needle and thread. She had the best dressed Barbie dolls in the state when she was growing up.” She glanced at Kilana. “What about the flowers?”
“The place that did our prom said it was no problem. It was short notice so we had to be a little less choosy on the kinds we wanted, but I think everything is coming along nicely. They’re set to deliver them to the church and set them up the night before the wedding. They’ll leave the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets along with the men’s boutonnieres at the church.”
Maddie nodded and took a sip of her tea. “Okay, we’re good there. Has anybody talked to Rennia about us using her new club for the reception since we changed the date?”
“I talked to her yesterday,” Kati said. “She says the place is gonna open on time this Friday night. She didn’t see any reason we can’t use the club for the reception. She’s gonna close for the day and just have our party. That guy that works for her, I think his name is Jonah, has agreed to do the cooking. Apparently, he’s an accomplished chef.”
Lyssa snorted and moved to get herself a cup of tea
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “You have a differing opinion, Lyssa?”
“Well, come on. How great can he be if he’s cooking in a little dive like that? He was living in a trailer with his kid.”
“I think we give him the benefit of the doubt,” said Maddie. “Rennia knows him, and she’s satisfied with this work. I’m sure he’ll do fine.” She reached for the teapot and then cried out when it slipped from Lyssa’s fingers, spilling the hot liquid over the top of her hand.
Remus jumped up and rushed to her side, pushing Lyssa out of his way. “Let me see, love.”
Maddie gritted her teeth against the pain. “It’s nothing, Remus. I can go shift, and we’ll never even know I was injured.”
Aurelia moved closer to peer over Remus’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do that, Maddie. Let me take care of it for you.”
“Are you sure?” Maddie asked. “I thought Zack said the healings took a lot out of you. I think he said you were unconscious almost a day and a half after healing the pups.”
The little healer grinned. “That was different. It wasn’t an injury like this.” She looked at Maddie’s burned hand. “This is a piece of cake. It won’t take more than a minute, and you’ll be as good as new.”
Maddie stared at Remus, who merely shrugged and gave her a lopsided grin. She sighed. “Okay, but I’m gonna be really mad if we end up having to explain to Zack why Remus had to carry you home.”
Aurelia laughed and motioned for Maddie to take a seat at the table. She then pulled another chair close and sat facing her.
Lyssa took a step toward the table. “You can’t seriously be thinking about letting her do that hocus pocus on you. We still don’t know if the pups are gonna have any ill effects from her mumbo jumbo. You can’t just let her practice on you.”
Remus growled softly. “Lyssa, enough. If you can’t keep your opinions to yourself you can leave.” Lyssa blinked rapidly and backed away from the table. He turned back and nodded at Aurelia. “Go ahead. We have complete faith in you.”
Taking a deep breath, Aurelia rubbed her hands together as if to warm them and then placed them around Maddie’s injured hand. A slight orange glow formed around her fingers, sending a pleasant warming sensation into Maddie’s hand and up her arm. Aurelia closed her eyes and breathed in and out steadily, seeming to disappear into her own little world. Maddie groaned as the pain and the redness in her hand disappeared.
Aurelia gasped on
ce and then opened her eyes. “All better now?”
Maddie grinned. “I’ll never get tired of seeing you do that, girl.”
She laughed. “I’m just glad I don’t have to use it very often.”
“See, Lyssa,” Maddie said. “It’s nothing to worry about.” She glanced around the room. “Where’s Lyssa?”
Remus barked out a laugh. “She hightailed it out the back door when Aurelia’s little glowing started.”
Aurelia laughed. “I’ve never heard it put quite that way before, but it’s pretty accurate.” Everyone flew to the door when a horn sounded from outside. “My master calleth.” She giggled. “Zack said he’d be in a hurry, so I was to listen for his beep and get myself out to the car toot-sweet—whatever that means.”
Remus chuckled. “It means you should be heading out the door even as we speak.”
She nodded, grabbed her purse, and moved toward the door. Stopping, she hugged Kati. “Don’t worry, girl. Your wedding is gonna be beautiful.”
Kati smiled. “Think we can talk your man into dropping me at our place?”
“No problem. Just come on now, and we’ll surprise him.”
Maddie laughed and walked over to give Kati a hug. “Don’t worry. I’m gonna get with Kitania and finalize these plans for the menu and get the lists over to Rennia’s new chef.”
Kati hugged first Maddie, then Remus. “I don’t know how I’m ever gonna be able to thank everyone.”
Remus kissed the top of her head. “Thanks aren’t necessary, girl. Just keep those boys happy, and you’ll have our eternal thanks.”
Her smile practically lit the room. “Will do!” She opened the door and then jumped back when she found David and Eric standing on the porch with the screen door opened.
“Looks like we’re just in time to pick up our lady,” said Eric.
“You couldn’t have timed it more perfect,” said Kati. “We’re just breaking up.” She looked toward the driveway when a horn sounded twice. “We gotta run because Zack’s getting impatient. We’ll see you guys later.” She followed Aurelia down the steps as Eric closed the door.
Eric smiled at the women and then turned his attention to his mate. “You about ready to head home, pretty lady?”
Laynee frowned and massaged the back of her hand with her thumb.
“What is it, girl?” Remus asked. “You look like you’ve got something important on your mind.”
She shook her head. “It’s just weird, Remus. You probably would think I was crazy and wouldn’t believe me if I even told you so I might as well just let it drop.”
Eric and David moved to flank her, their arms going around her shoulders and waist. “Nobody will think you’re crazy,” said David. “I don’t like seeing you worry like this. What is it that’s bothering you?”
Remus came and took Laynee’s hand in his own. “David’s right, Laynee. Nobody here will ever think you’re crazy for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I promise you, we’ll believe whatever you tell us.”
The young blind woman sighed and moved away from the touch of her mates. “It’s weird, but I can always see a person’s aura in my mind’s eye, even if I can’t see them in the flesh. Lyssa’s aura has always been dark, not necessarily evil, but depressed without any happiness registering in her soul.”
Remus frowned. “Are you saying her aura has changed?”
Laynee bit her lip and nodded.
“What color is it now?” asked Remus.
She grimaced. “It’s gone.”
Remus glanced at Maddie and then back at one of the newest members of his pack. “What do you mean, it’s gone?”
“It’s just an empty space when I’m around her.” She wrinkled her brow. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think her soul was gone.”
Chapter 8
Ray looked at Rennia’s wind-blown appearance and fresh complexion as she struggled to unlock the door of her house. She had an average, thin frame, long-limbed, hollow-hipped and not overly breasty. So, why was he so drawn to her? His eyes went to her soft bow of a mouth and studied it. The need to take her lips was almost a physical pain.
Her hands were small and delicate, with tapered fingers that held no rings and nails that were painted a pale pink. When the lock gave, the door opened. Ray wasted no time pushing her inside, his hand moving around her waist, pulling her back against his body. He felt burned by the heat she radiated through her clothing. He caught his breath as he felt a hard, sexual pull deep in his belly when she looked up at him with her mesmerizing green eyes. Heat curled deep inside him as he closed his eyes, the delicate scent of her perfume surrounding him as he turned her in his arms.
* * * *
Rennia’s hands gripped Ray’s shirt, wrinkling it, as his mouth came closer. She could feel his lips at the corner of her own, and felt his breath as his lips parted. The taste of his breath against her lips weakened her. She could feel his heartbeat against her skin as he tightened his hold. He had a faint growth of beard, and it rasped a little, but was more sensual than uncomfortable. He groaned as his mouth began to part hers insistently. She whimpered as she felt the full force of the kiss she’d dreamed of for so many years becoming a reality—the kiss of her mate.
Her hands went flat against his chest, feeling the warm muscles under his cotton shirt. She let her fingers press gingerly against him to explore, hesitantly, the hardness of his chest.
Impatiently, he pulled back and peeled off the shirt, tossing it to the floor. “Touch me now,” he whispered. “I need to feel your touch.”
Her fingers pressed into the pelt of hair and explored, fascinated by the size and breadth of his chest, the warmth and strength of it.
“Men are like cats,” he murmured. “We love to be stroked.”
His words brought a brief flare of guilt over her deception, which she ruthlessly pushed back down. Her knees became weak, and she didn’t think they were going to support her for much longer.
Ray drew her closer, pressing her fingers into the thick hair that covered his muscular chest. “Don’t be afraid to explore. I’m definitely going to explore as much of you as I can.” He kissed her softly while he coaxed her hands to his belt. She worked at bringing his zipper down as she dropped her head back exposing the smooth line of her throat. Her breath caught when Ray began nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. He made a rough sound in his throat as his hand edged between them. He slipped his hand beneath her blouse and encountered her lacy bra.
For a moment, he traced the openwork design with a finger. “I can almost imagine what your body looks like just from tracing all this lace. But I’d much rather see it firsthand.” With a rough curse, he stripped her out of the shirt and bra before he lifted her. With his mouth hard on hers, he carried her to the small bedroom and laid her on the bed. She drew him down on top of her so that her bare breasts merged with his hard chest. She drank in the smell of his body with pleasure. The feel of his firm skin so intimately kindled a raging arousal in her.
Ray moved his hand down her throat and began stroking the side of her breast. “Take off the rest of it, please.”
Rennia’s fingers trembled as she pushed her jeans down her legs and kicked them across the room. Ray licked his lips as his gaze dropped to her taut breasts. He palmed one of the soft mounds and began to pull gently at her nipple. His work-roughened fingers created a rasping sensation against the firm bud, making it stand up taut and straight. She let out her breath with a moan when Ray cupped her breasts, using his thumbs to rub back and forth across her nipples.
He flexed his fingers against her skin. “You’re so soft…so damned soft.” Fondling her breast, controlling her mouth, he pressed her firmly into the mattress. Her heart slammed against the walls of her chest. Ray worked his way back down her neck and across her collarbone before moving to the aching tips of her swollen breasts. His mouth opened, and he drew the hard tip into it with a faint, soft suction that brought a sharp cry from her dry lips. He sucked it wit
h hard, firm pulls that had her moving her legs to admit him to an intimacy that made her head swim.
Moisture pooled between her legs, and she could feel it begin to slick her thighs. Rennia wasn’t a virgin, but she’d only had one lover in college, and he’d never made her feel anything close to what she was feeling now. She held her breath as rough fingers stroked the hot flesh between her thighs. Her head went back, her eyes closed, as she shivered, biting her lip to keep from weeping, the pleasure was so overwhelming.
“Ray,” she called out, as her nails bit into his broad shoulders.
He pulled her even closer, straining against the thick nylon barrier that was all that separated them. Her pussy clenched when he hooked his fingers beneath the elastic waist and tore them from her body. “I don’t want anything separating us, Rennia. I need to be closer.” His long fingers flexed into the soft skin of her buttocks, stroking and lightly pinching. She felt a husky groan slip from her mouth, as he grew more insistent. Ray moved his fingers gently around the outside lips of her labia, not touching her clit at all. She gasped and thrust herself against his fingers, beginning to ride his hand.
“Your pussy feels like heaven. You’re sopping wet.” He thrust his fingers inside her faster as he ground his palm against her clit. She could still feel one of his hands warm and forceful against her buttocks. Taking a deep breath, she threaded her fingers in his hair and directed his mouth to her neglected breast. Her breath came whooshing out when he used his teeth, abrading the soft flesh. A few feverish minutes later he moved between her long legs and his mouth pushed hard against her lips as his hips eased down against hers. His leg became insistent between her thighs, coaxing them to move apart, to admit the slow, exquisite imprint of his body as he settled his shoulders between her legs. She groaned harshly when he licked her from her anus to her clit. “You taste so damn good.”
Ray hummed as he rimmed the opening of her vagina with his tongue and without warning he thrust it up inside her passage.
Do You Take This Cat [Wind River Pack 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 9