Motor City Wolf

by Cindy Spencer Pape

  “The Prime has never had the authority to choose or deny mates,” George pointed out in a soft, reasonable tone. “Fianna is a lovely woman, who didn’t knowingly commit any crimes. She was exiled for her loyalty to the only family she’d ever known. I’d trust her at my back any day of the week. For what it’s worth, I support my brother’s choice and welcome her to our family and pack.”

  Fee bit her lip in a motion so subtle Greg doubted anyone saw it but him. She blinked rapidly, no doubt having teared up at George’s words, but her proud carriage didn’t waver.

  “So do I,” said Lana from behind them.

  “I would prefer my heirs not be of mixed blood,” the old man growled. “Your children would be in line to be Prime—they must be lupine.”

  Greg shook his head. “Now you’re reaching for excuses. You had me genetically tested when I was six. You know I have the double dominant allele. All my children will be lupines, regardless of their mother’s race. If anything, adding Fae to the bloodline will only strengthen it. Extended life spans and magic are both possibilities.”

  “Magical werewolves. Think about it, grandson. Would that be a good idea? Or an alpha who doesn’t age? That goes against the natural order of the pack.”

  “Since my powers have been stripped, it’s a moot point.” Fianna kept her gaze on a point slightly above the Prime’s left shoulder. Greg thought it was disdain, rather than respect or fear that kept her from meeting the old man’s gaze. “I’m human, and any children I bear will carry that heritage, not my former elven one.”

  “Sure about that, princess?” His whisper was for her ears alone. He’d already considered everything his grandfather mentioned, and each of those points helped confirm one fact. Greg was an idiot. However, since it was probably too late to change his mind, he brazened it out. “It doesn’t matter. My decision is made, and the mating process has begun.” He turned Fee to the side a few inches so the light from the sconces above the fire shone right on her throat.

  As if she’d read his mind, she tipped her head, to better display his mark.

  The old man’s nostrils flared, but before he could speak, Marja laid a hand, only slightly veined with age, on his arm. “Enough. Miss Meadows is a guest in our home and our grandson’s intended mate. This is a social visit, not a pack meeting.”

  Greg leaned down and kissed the air above her perfectly made-up cheek. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

  “You’re welcome. Now introduce your fiancée to your cousin Katy, who’s bouncing like a basketball on her toes behind you, trying to see. Dinner will be served in thirty minutes. You know where the bar is located.”

  With that, they were dismissed. Stepping backward first, as if they were leaving the presence of royalty, Greg and Fianna turned to greet the others.

  Katy was indeed bouncing. She was average height and build, with hazel eyes and her russet-brown hair cut in a sleek chin-length bob. She clutched both of Fee’s hands in hers and grinned. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you I feel like we’re old friends.” She wrapped the taller Fee in an exuberant hug. “Oh, congratulations and welcome.”

  “Thank you.” Fee carefully extricated herself but her expression had softened considerably and she squeezed Katy’s hands before letting go. She was touched. “I’m happy to meet you at last as well. You’re as lovely as I expected you to be.”

  “My other half, Derek Palowsky.” Katy drew the lighter-haired werewolf with the Novak dark eyes forward. “Our kids are dying to meet you, too.”

  “I look forward to it. They’re adorable—six, four, three and one, correct? Lana showed me a photograph.” Next, Fee shook hands with Derek and asked about his law firm. Either she’d absorbed every word Greg or George had said about their family, or Lana had coached her well this morning.

  Eventually, of course, he had to tug Fee away from Katy and introduce her to his aunt and uncle, Lana’s parents. There was no trouble with them—Lana had already primed Julian and Helen to like Fee. Since Lana was their only child, they’d taken the trouble to lavish attention on Greg and George when they were children—at least as much as the old man would allow. Fee dropped her snooty façade and charmed them easily. Derek’s folks, Max and Irene Palowsky, were as easy to cope with.

  While Fee was chatting with his aunts, a strong hand pulled Greg away from her. He knew better than to cause a scene by protesting, so he found himself in a corner of the room, facing down Sofia Bartok—Peter’s daughter, Katy’s sister and Greg’s former lover.

  “What on earth are you thinking to bring an outsider into the pack?” She gripped his arm with nails so sharp he thought her claws had emerged.

  “I’m thinking about the woman I…care about.” He’d almost said love, but he couldn’t quite do it—the word was rolling around in his mind, but not ready to come out. “And it’s not like the family has never had human blood before.” Greg’s mother had been one-quarter human. “The old man will get over it.”

  “But you were supposed to marry me.”

  Greg’s jaw dropped and he stared at Sofia’s face. She was stunning, with long dark blond hair and clear blue eyes—even in wolf form they were blue. Though she was beautiful in either shape, looking at her did nothing to heat Greg’s blood—not the way even thinking about Fee did. In fact, she didn’t even smell appealing anymore. Though again, compared to Fee, nobody did. Sofia was also entirely serious. Her delicate features twisted with fury and the scent of her anger was like vinegar in his nostrils.

  He took a step backward, hating to hurt her, but he couldn’t lead her on, either. “Sof, we broke up years ago. You admitted at the time that we weren’t right together.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him and he could have sworn he saw a hint of fang. “I thought you simply had issues with my modeling career. Now that I’m thirty-five and retired, I’d assumed you’d be over your hang-ups and ready to settle down.”

  “It had nothing to do with your job. We’re not compatible. Can’t we leave it at that and be friends, please?” The center of his back itched at the venom in her glare.

  “Oh, we’ll be friends, Greg. Very, very close friends.” She eased them back into the group around Fee, refusing to let go of his sleeve. She’d pasted a smile back on her face, and even gotten her scent under control.

  Even so, George gave Greg a worried look when he saw them together. Greg shrugged and eased his way out of her grip toward the bar after a quick introduction. “Fee, honey, what can I get you to drink?”

  “Just sparkling water, please.” She looked down her nose at Sofia before turning back to her conversation with Katy and Jase.

  Greg filled a big goblet with French sparkling water, added a lime wedge and poured himself a double vodka. For all his faults, the old man kept a well-stocked liquor cabinet and seemed to have remembered Greg’s favorite brand.

  Drinks in hand, Greg returned to Fianna’s side and handed over her glass. “Not drinking?” he murmured in her ear.

  She gave her head a miniscule shake. “No. Not until we’re…sure.” Her voice was pitched so low he could barely hear her, meaning even the other wolves wouldn’t be able to.

  Fuck. He took a huge gulp of his vodka. He hadn’t even thought about that.

  Fianna sipped her water and continued to take stock of the crowd. Greg’s sister and brother-in-law were delightful, as were Derek and Lana’s parents. Greg’s grandmother was kinder than Fianna had expected. The rest, though…She repressed a shudder. There was little doubt that some of the older men wouldn’t mind if she were dead. Both of the betas had been glaring daggers at her since she’d walked through the door. As for Sofia—well, that bitch would certainly stab her in the back given half a chance. No matter. Fianna had dealt with worse at the Seelie Court. She turned her attention back to Katy.

  “So Kevin and Delaney held the hose, and they made Tessa knock on the door, then run. When I answered the door, whoosh, instant shower—and I was all dressed up to go
to lunch with my mother-in-law.”

  Kevin was the six-year-old, Delaney four and Tessa three. Fianna tried to picture what would have happened if she’d ever tried to be that mischievous. Most likely, she’d have been whipped and locked in a cell for a week.

  “So what could I do?” Katy chuckled. “I had to punish them, but I was laughing almost as hard as they were. Right then my in-laws drove up, so I told them that since they wanted to play with the hose, they could help Gramps wash his big, shiny Cadillac. I think they all had a blast to tell you the truth. My father-in-law is a gem, just like his son.”

  Her husband blushed to the roots of his ash-brown hair. Their obvious adoration of each other was remarkable.

  Some people had all the luck.

  Not that she could complain. She was alive and at least sort-of engaged to Greg. That was so much better than her life could have, by all rights should have been.

  But what wouldn’t she give to have him look at her like Derek looked at Katy?

  The meal was a tense and tedious affair. Fianna couldn’t eat much. The constant scrutiny destroyed her appetite. The rich, heavily sauced and meat-based menu didn’t help. The Fae diet was primarily vegetarian, with meat or fowl only as an occasional counterpoint. Compared to the usual human diet, elven fare was also rather bland. While she’d been learning to enjoy the more complex seasonings found in the human realm, tonight they turned her stomach.

  Or perhaps it was the sight of Sofia Bartok at the other end of the table. Interesting that she’d been seated next to Greg, while Fianna was stuck between Ivan and his henchman Maurice. Something about that wolf gave her the chills. How far would he go if it came to making his Prime happy? Should she watch her back?

  Definitely, when it came to Sofia. Fianna didn’t suffer from false modesty—she knew her tall, thin frame and platinum hair were considered lovely by human standards, or at least the fashion industry. But in real life most men seemed to prefer a fuller figure, like Sofia’s. Though the woman had apparently been a fashion model, her curves were much more generous than Fianna’s and shown off in a form-fitting gown of chocolate-brown silk. The artful streaks in her golden blond hair had to have cost a fortune if they weren’t natural, and her big sky-blue eyes were framed by thick dark lashes. She was a few inches shorter than Fianna but more than made up for the difference in sheer presence.

  “So we’re in Brazil for this swimsuit shoot and, of course it’s freezing that day, so we’re all jumping around to stay warm between shots. I totally didn’t mean to bounce out of the top of my suit, but the photographer loved it—and so did the magazine. They couldn’t put it on the cover of course, but they did use it as the centerpiece, and I made the cover in that sheer lace sarong over the gold bikini.”

  Fianna swallowed hard and glanced at Katy who glared daggers at Sofia. “So your oldest is in school now, right? Is he enjoying it?”

  “Not really. Kevin isn’t much for being told what to do.” Katy grimaced, but her eyes twinkled. “He is such a future alpha. He does like being around other kids his own age more. There are only a few in our neighborhood, so he enjoys having a wider social circle. And he’s in first grade but reads at a third-grade level, so we know he can do the work.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Fianna did her best to tune out the rest of the conversation. “And your girls are too young for school, yes?”

  Katy nodded. “They go to preschool three afternoons a week. It gives them a chance to play with other kids, and I get some alone time with just the baby. Jack’s a handful, but when he goes down for a nap, I actually get an hour or so of peace and quiet—it’s wonderful.”

  “So, Miss Meadows, I imagine serving drinks is a bit of a comedown after being Aidan Greene’s private secretary.” Ivan raised one bushy gray eyebrow.

  Fee smiled briefly. “It’s a change, certainly. It took some time to adjust, but I can’t complain about the people I work with, although Aidan was and remains a dear friend.”

  “Even after you betrayed him?” Maurice snorted. “Right.”

  Fianna ignored the hireling and faced the Prime alpha. “I’m sure you’re well aware of the situation. If you’re not, you might wish to ask your grandson, or Aidan Greene, for an explanation. I regret that I took family loyalty to the extreme. A good man was killed because I believed my uncle when he told me no one would be hurt. I can’t undo that, but I can accept my punishment, learn from it and move on.” She allowed a small smile to play about her lips as she looked across and down the table at Greg. “And I must say, the supposed punishment has turned out to be a blessing.”

  That shut them up for a few moments, during which Fianna managed to eat several bites of her salad of field greens with figs and goat cheese. She’d have to remember to try that recipe at home when she might be able to enjoy it.

  “So how old are you, Fianna?” Sofia called out, a catty smile on her full lips. “Are you enjoying your younger man?”

  “I was born in 1918.” She refused to allow any emotion to cross her face. “But I believe I will age from this point on as if I were in my early twenties now. Greg doesn’t seem to mind, do you, darling?”

  If she hadn’t been watching him, she’d have missed the tiny beat as he took in her endearment and processed it. He gave her a wink and a broad smile. “Not a bit, princess. I’m happy with you just the way you are.” He blew her a kiss.

  Maurice hissed. Sofia’s eyes narrowed after she shot another killer glance at Fianna.

  Fianna returned the air kiss, and devoured a third of her steak.

  When the meal ended, Marja approached Fianna and Greg as they sat on a plush sofa in the mansion’s living room, chatting with his siblings and their mates.

  “Fianna, I wondered if you’d like to borrow my wedding veil for your mating ceremony, since you probably don’t have any heirlooms of your own.”

  The idea held no appeal, but Fianna smiled. “What a generous offer. Greg and I haven’t decided anything about our wedding, including how formal it’s going to be, but I’ll certainly keep it in mind.”

  “Thank you.” Marja laid a hand on Fianna’s shoulder. “Why don’t you come have a look—I had it aired out today so you could see it.”

  Fianna looked at Greg, who shrugged. Seeing no way out, Fianna got to her feet.

  “Can I come with? I might want to use it someday for my own wedding,” Lana piped up.

  Marja quirked one perfectly arched eyebrow, clearly not believing Lana for a moment. “Next time. I’d like a moment with my new granddaughter alone if you don’t mind.”

  Fianna swallowed her trepidation and allowed the older woman to lead her from the room.

  “You handled yourself well tonight,” Marja said as they climbed the sweeping grand staircase that dominated the enormous foyer. “I’m sorry if some of our pack were less than tactful.”

  “I understand.” So this was not to be a further inquisition. Fianna let her shoulders ease just a little.

  At the top of the stairs, they crossed the wide gallery and entered a sitting room through open double doors. Marja carefully closed the doors behind them. “In fact, your behavior was so unexceptionable that I almost regret having to do this.”

  “Do what?” Fianna stepped back until she felt a paneled wall against her bare shoulder. At least now an attack couldn’t come from behind.

  A connecting door opened and Ivan stepped through, carrying a briefcase. “This.” He held up the case. “Inside is one million dollars, cash. End your engagement to my grandson, find another place to work, and it’s yours.”

  Fianna looked from one to the other, taking in the deadly serious expressions on their faces.

  She began to laugh.

  Greg hated that he didn’t trust his grandparents but, there it was. He didn’t trust his grandparents. A few moments after Marja led Fee from the room he set down his drink, told George what he was doing and slipped up the back stairs. His ear to the door of his grandparents’ suite, he heard Iv
an’s offer, and then the beautiful ring of Fee’s laughter.

  He could picture her wiping her eyes—extended laughter always made her cry.

  “Money? Oh that’s too precious for words. My sponsor in this world is Aidan Greene, otherwise know as Lord Green Oak. If I wanted money, all I’d have to do is ask. I chose to accept my punishment as given and live on only what I could earn.”

  “But when you marry our grandson, you’ll be a rich woman,” Ivan said in his “reasonable” voice. “Despite his clothes, where he lives and that sorry excuse for a truck, he’s quite wealthy in his own right. We simply want to make sure you have alternatives.”

  “You don’t understand him at all, do you?” Her voice held pity rather than anger. “Your grandson would be worth more than you have in that briefcase if he didn’t own a penny. He lives the way he does because it’s comfortable for him. I’d never ask him to change that. I’m marrying the man he is not the man he might be.”

  Greg’s heart swelled with pride and affection. She really was one in a million. He knocked on the door. “Fee? Honey, if you’re done in there, we need to get going. I’m supposed to meet with Des tonight.”

  Ivan snorted. “Damn Wyndewin.” He glared at Fianna. “I guess this is good evening, Miss Meadows. With luck, it’s goodbye.”

  “Good night.” Her voice softened. “Though for Greg’s sake, I hope it’s not goodbye. It would be cruel of you to make him choose. And you wouldn’t care for the outcome.”

  Greg opened the door as soon as he heard her footsteps crossing the carpet. Right there in front of his grandparents, he planted a smacking kiss on her lips. He looped his arm around her shoulders and led her down the steps. “Come on, I’m supposed to meet Des in an hour.”

  “That’s okay. I decided the veil wouldn’t suit me anyway.” She paused at the base of the stairs and looked up into his eyes, her smile bright. “I’m ready to go home.”