Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter Series (Boxed Set, Books 1-3)

by Tracey H. Kitts

  Alfred wrapped his arm around my head and squeezed me against him. “Any other myths of female preference you want to clear up this morning?”

  “Now that you mention it, I’d like to talk about size.”

  “What?”

  “It matters.”

  “Do tell?”

  “Anyone who says differently either doesn’t measure up, or they’re with someone who doesn’t measure up.”

  Alfred smiled. “I thought it was skill that mattered most?”

  I leaned over and kissed his forehead as I replied playfully, “Honey, they both matter.”

  “So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if you’re captain of the Titanic if it sinks before you reach your destination?”

  “Exactly.”

  *****

  I fell back asleep with my head against Alfred’s chest. When I woke again a few hours later, I thought it might be a nice surprise for him if I made breakfast. So, I slipped out of bed quietly, put on the top to Alfred’s black pajamas and went to the kitchen. I had just started the coffee when I heard a knock at the door. I thought it must be Kat, and for her to show up so soon after Alfred’s phone call, it must be important. So, I answered the door.

  Fortunately, Alfred’s pajama top reached to mid-thigh on me, so I wasn’t indecently exposed. But, I was still standing there half naked, staring into the pointy-nosed face of Marcy Johnson.

  Chapter Twelve

  She looked prissy as ever, same wide ass and flat chest as before, all squeezed into an ankle length pink dress. Her makeup was overdone, as it always was, and I could tell that she’d put some effort into her frizzy blond hair. She obviously wasn’t expecting to see me.

  “Lilith, I didn’t expect to see you.”

  “Well, it is my house.” I forced myself to smile. “What brings you here ... so early this morning?”

  “Is Alfred here?” she asked.

  She had balls, I’d give her that much. Showing up at my house and asking for the naked man in my bed. Well, it was his bed, but you get the point. I’d decided once that given the opportunity I would hurt Marcy. But here was my opportunity, and I didn’t have the heart. I know what it feels like to be hurt, and couldn’t bring myself to treat another person that way, even one I despised. No matter what I said, she would surely be hurt, but there was no need to make things worse.

  When I didn’t answer she said, “We had a date last night. When he called to cancel, I assumed he was sick.”

  “He’s not sick, he’s asleep.”

  Reality began to dawn slowly on her prissy features and I stepped onto the porch with Marcy, closing the door behind me.

  “Since you’re here, let me explain something to you, Marcy. First of all, I know you don’t like me. I see the judgment in your eyes every time you look at me. But that’s not important. You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me, and what you might hear in town is unreliable. If you stay around here long enough, you’ll find out that most people around these parts have nothing better to do than tell lies about the people who do have something better to do.”

  Marcy took a few steps back and nearly stumbled down the steps before bracing herself against one of the pillars on the front porch.

  “Anything I say to you now, will hurt. I know what that feels like and it’s not my intention.”

  “Then what is your intention?” she asked.

  The haughty tone to her voice made me blurt out the point most indelicately.

  “Alfred was with me last night.”

  She gasped and placed a hand over her bosom.

  “Marcy, I’m sorry. I was trying to be nice about it, but you just won’t let me. I love Alfred, and I didn’t take him from you just because I could.”

  “Then why did you?” she stammered.

  “I didn’t, Marcy. He was never yours.”

  The hatred in her eyes was plain to see as she turned to leave, but I stopped her. I turned Marcy to face me and forced her to look into my eyes.

  “Look at me,” I pleaded. “Alfred has been a part of my life since I was a child. You could never have competed with that. Last night I was true to my heart when I spent the night with him. And you’re here this morning to be true to yours. I understand where you’re coming from. But don’t hate me because I got here first.”

  “Thank you,” she sighed shakily. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Not for today, because you’re right. I did what I thought I had to do ... I’m sorry for the things I thought about you ... for believing the things I heard.”

  I stood there in stunned silence as she continued, “The woman I heard about would not have just leveled with me the way you did. I’m starting to think you’re right about this town.”

  “I’ve lived here off and on my whole life, trust me. The people here aren’t all bad, it just depends on whose company you keep.”

  Marcy crossed her arms and leaned back against the porch column as she asked, “Do you know Lola, at the video store?”

  “Shit. No wonder you looked at me like that. Lola hates me. We went to high school together and I can tell you her personality hasn’t improved over the years.”

  Marcy laughed. “Yeah? Well, she was the first person I met when I came to town. As a matter of fact, she’s the one that suggested I stop by here and meet Alfred.”

  I felt my face instantly flush with anger. “Oh she did? I’ll get her,” I said nastily.

  “No, don’t,” Marcy said. “Let me.” She smiled maliciously. “Look, I’m sorry for this, but it really is her fault that I’m here. You and I may be nothing alike, but I don’t go from door to door trying to steal my neighbor’s men.”

  For the first time, the smile I offered Marcy was genuine.

  “I believe you. Now will you believe I’m not a manipulative man-eating bitch who’s slept with half the town?”

  “Oh, I think I’ve figured out who holds that title,” she said darkly.

  Marcy apologized again before driving away. We weren’t exactly friends, but when Marcy left that day, we were no longer enemies.

  I went back into the kitchen feeling surprisingly good about myself for having treated Marcy fairly. I was in the middle of making French toast when Alfred walked in wearing the bottom that matched the black pajama top I had on.

  “Good morning.” I smiled.

  He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “Good morning.”

  “I made coffee,” I said, turning back to the toast.

  While Alfred looked for a cup he said, “I thought I heard voices.”

  “You did. Marcy stopped by.”

  He dropped the mug he’d just removed from the cabinet and managed to catch it a second before it hit the counter.

  “Nice reflexes.” I smiled.

  Alfred looked like he was going to be sick. Since he was most likely expecting to have to dispose of a body before breakfast, I decided to explain what happened. By the time I finished my explanation, breakfast was done. Alfred helped me find where he’d put all the fresh fruit.

  He began to slice some peaches and commented, “Well, that explains a lot. That Lola is a really unpleasant little ... thing.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, she always has been. But, it made me think better of Marcy to know that everything had been stirred up by Lola to start with. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t like her. But, I don’t hate her any more either.”

  “You do know I only accepted her offer because I thought you’d left me for Elijah?”

  “I do now.” I smiled.

  “Even though we know she’s not a complete bitch now, Marcy’s still not my type.”

  “And what exactly is your type?”

  Alfred smiled seductively while he sprinkled some sugar over the peaches.

  “I like redheaded wild women who tie me to the bedposts when I’m drunk.”

  “Really?” I purred. “Well, I think I know just the girl.”

  *
****

  It was a week later before Kat had the nerve to stop by for breakfast.

  “Good morning, Kat.” I smiled when I answered the door.

  She took in with a sadistic grin the fact that I was wearing another of Alfred’s satin pajama tops. This time it was gold.

  “Is it safe to come in?” she teased.

  “Oh, don’t be an ass.” I pulled her inside.

  “Me an ass? He’s the one that said to give you a few days.”

  I just shook my head and Kat burst out eagerly, “So?”

  “So, what?”

  “Damn it, you know what,” she said, laughing. “How was it?”

  “Great.” I sighed.

  “That’s it? Great? I’ve waited a week to hear great?”

  I laughed. “What do you want to hear, Kat? It was incredible, the best sex I’ve ever had and in all honesty, words fail me.”

  “Wow,” she said. “So, it was great.”

  “Would you like some breakfast?”

  Kat followed me through the foyer toward the kitchen as she commented, “Well, you still haven’t answered the one thing I’m dying to know—”

  She broke off with a startled expression when we rounded the corner. Alfred was wearing the bottom to the gold pajamas and standing by the coffee pot with a smile.

  “Good morning, Kathryn,” he said, grinning wickedly. “I see the subject hasn’t changed since I’ve been gone.”

  “Good morning,” she mumbled.

  Kat sat down, apparently trying to pretend she wasn’t embarrassed. Alfred turned back to the stove and Kat looked at me. She pointed to Alfred and fanned herself while she mouthed, “Oh my, God.”

  I’d forgotten that Kat had never seen Alfred without his shirt and had to agree, he was quite the sight. As I walked behind her chair I leaned over and whispered, “Eye candy for breakfast.”

  She blushed as Alfred turned back around and asked, “So, what are you up to these days?”

  “Actually, I’m planning my annual Halloween block party. October is just around the corner, you know?”

  He turned back to flip an omelet and I made a gesture behind his back. I held up both hands to indicate the answer to Kat’s obscene question and she nearly choked on the muffin she’d started to nibble.

  “You’re kidding,” she said out loud and I laughed.

  “What?” Alfred looked back at me suspiciously. His eyes narrowed and he raised one eyebrow at the crimson color Kat’s face was turning, but said nothing.

  “So, what’s your costume going to be?” I asked Kat.

  “I haven’t decided yet. What about you?” she asked Alfred.

  “I’m afraid I won’t be able to go this year.”

  “What?” Kat and I both asked.

  “There’s been a meeting called of all the Hunters.” He sighed. “It’s to discuss the possible changes. They’ve asked that one person from every partnership attend. Since I know how you hate politics, I volunteered.”

  “How long will you be gone?” I couldn’t keep the disappointment from my voice. I wasn’t upset that he wouldn’t be at the party. I was upset that he wouldn’t be with me.

  “Just Halloween day. I’ll be back the next morning.”

  I moved closer to Alfred, and he touched my cheek lightly with his last words. The gesture was not lost on Kat.

  “That’s not so bad,” I said as I turned back to see her evil grin. “Shut up,” I mouthed at her.

  Halfway through breakfast Kat informed me that she was thinking of hiring the band from The Oasis. I looked surprised and she said, “What? They were pretty good.”

  Yes, they were. But they were also werewolves. Kat didn’t know, and I’d have to tell her later. If I’d have let on that I knew the band was all werewolves, I would have had some explaining to do.

  *****

  The next few months passed by like the autumn breeze. Fall was just beginning, and you could smell it in the air. For the first time in years, I was truly happy. I woke up every morning excited to see the man beside me, and unafraid of what loving him might bring. I was still capable of trust after all, and it eased my mind.

  I helped Kat plan her party, like I’d done every year since we’d met. This year’s theme was fairy tales. Kat’s Halloween bash was always a big deal. Everyone in the surrounding area was invited and paid a fee upon arrival to contribute to next year’s party.

  Kat had inherited a huge chunk of property smack in the middle of nowhere. There was an enormous field beside her house, and this was where the party was. I’d gone over early that crisp October morning to help her get set up. We roped off an area on one side of the field and designated it for parking. Long tables with colorful decorations and orange tablecloths were set up in front of her house for refreshments. Just in the edge of the field was a platform we’d moved from inside Kat’s large barn. This was for the band from The Oasis that she’d insisted on hiring anyway. The rest of the field would be used as a dance floor. Kat had also rented a couple of port-a-potties for the event, but slipped me a key to her house before I left.

  “Just go in the back if you need to go,” she said, “and don’t let anyone see you.”

  She locked everyone out of the house, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. Kat’s house had started life as a three room farm house in the early 1900’s. She’d restored it wonderfully and added on quite a bit. It looked like a big log cabin. She’d even restored the original plank floors and the huge beams that ran across the ceiling. Of all the things Kat had decorated, that house was her masterpiece.

  *****

  A few hours later I was nearly ready to make the thirty minute drive back to Kat’s house. I put on my platform Mary Jane’s, tightened my black corset, and straightened the ruffles on my little frilly dress. After slipping on my red velvet cloak, I had to admit, I made a damn good Red Riding Hood.

  It had taken us all day to set up, and by the time I made it back it was dusk. Several dozen people were already there and the band was warming up. They were dressed as medieval style minstrels and it went with the theme. A large banner was strung across the front of the platform that read, “Creature Comforts.”

  I smiled as I saw Kat walking toward me in a frilly white dress and carrying a shepherd’s hook. She curtsied expertly and asked, “What do you think?”

  “Nice.” I smiled. “So, Little Bo Peep, where’s your sheep?”

  Charles had offered to dress to match her, though at the time I’m sure he didn’t know what he was getting into.

  “He’s by the chips.” She pointed.

  There, I saw a nice looking redheaded man who stood out clearly. He was the only six foot sheep.

  “You’re so bad,” I teased.

  I decided I would meet Charles later and went over to speak to the band. I introduced myself to the drummer who’d reported my whereabouts to Marco several months ago. To my surprise, they were a nice bunch of guys. They also didn’t seem the least bit interested in causing any trouble, which was why I’d gone over in the first place. I had no doubt of their talent, I just wanted to make sure the “Creature Comforts” weren’t going to wolf out at my friend’s party.

  When I turned around I was greeted by Mark, the tall dark bouncer from The Oasis. He was positively dashing, all decked out in black and gold. He looked just like a fairy tale prince. The costume was something in between a musketeer and an eighteenth century courtier. His tattoos were all hidden from sight. His long black hair was swept back into a low ponytail and tied with a gold ribbon.

  He made a sweeping bow and removed his hat with its long black feather. “A pleasure to see you m’lady.” He smiled and kissed my hand. “I am Prince Charming.”

  I laughed and he winked. “What do you think?”

  “Oh, I love it,” I beamed.

  “Would you care to dance?” He made another melodramatic bow and I nodded my agreement.

  Mark placed his large hands around my waist and lifted me from the band’s platf
orm. Although it was difficult with our height difference, Mark and I had fun attempting to dance together for the next hour. The band was breaking into a chorus of Werewolves of London, just as I rounded the corner. I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a very large black werewolf standing by the punch bowl. He was at least as big as Bade, and frightening wasn’t an accurate word. There were now over a hundred people present and I heard murmurs throughout the crowd about an incredible makeup job. But that was no makeup. As I looked closer I could see that he was wearing a pair of ripped jeans. It looked like he’d put on a pair of pants way too big for him and then transformed. Shreds of the material still covered all the important parts.

  Someone bumped into me. It was Marcy, and she was drunk. “Hi.” She hiccupped.

  I looked at her costume and couldn’t help laughing. It wasn’t bad, just funny. She looked like a bratty school girl in a goofy little dress, complete with a bonnet and piggy tails.

  “Who are you supposed to be?” I asked.

  “Little Miss Muffett. But I still don’t know what a tuffett is.”

  It was then that the wolf’s deep laughter reached my ears, and I recognized him.

  “Have you seen The Big Bad Wolf?” Marcy asked eagerly.

  “Yes,” I said, looking back toward him, “We’ve met.”

  I left Marcy to find her tuffett and made my way to the punch bowl. As I navigated through the sea of people I bumped into Elijah. He and two of his fellow police officers were dressed as The Three Little Pigs.

  “How are you?” he yelled above the music.

  “I’m good.”

  I hadn’t heard much from Elijah since Alfred’s return. I think he was afraid to call, but we’d spoken a few times in town. Mostly we kept in touch through Kat. It was good to see him and as he smiled around his piggy nose, I giggled.

  The three of them were wearing full body pig suits with prosthetic snouts.

  “You guys are hilarious,” I told him.

  “A sense of humor should never be wasted.” He smiled.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” said another familiar voice.