With an angry growl, Derek turned to her.
Gretel stumbled back when she saw his eyes. They were furious, feral and glowing. Peter's eyes had looked like that, just before he...
Pressing her hand to her mouth, she cried, “You. You're a wolf!”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Derek sheathed his claws and bit out, “I'm not a goddamn wolf. I'm a bear shifter.”
“B-bear...” Gretel stammered.
“Yes.” He glared at her badly dented, damaged car and said, “I'll give you a lift. Let's get out of here.”
She didn't protest when he took her arm and steered her out of the side lane. They walked briskly towards the parking lot and Derek stuffed her into the passenger seat of his car and slammed the door.
“Fucking wolves,” he cursed as he started the engine.
As he drove, he glanced at Gretel and said, “What are you doing here?”
She turned away. “I was about to ask you the same thing,” she muttered.
“I asked first.”
There was a long pause. “I work here,” she said at last, turning to face him. There was a glint of defiance in her eyes.
Derek snarled when he saw the bruise on her forehead. “Why are you working here, Gretel? You own the greatest bakery on earth! What are you looking for? Or rather, who are you looking for, Gretel?”
She crossed her arms across her chest and fell into a sullen silence. “You're going to tell Mama.”
Derek glanced at her and saw the look of suspicion and betrayal in her narrowed eyes.
“No.”
Her eyes widened. “You...won't tell?”
“What you do is your business.” He stopped at a red light and arched a brow at her. “But frankly, I'm surprised you're even thinking of your Mama. You wade into a den of wolves, alone and wearing flimsy, see-through things that pretend to be clothes, and you expect...” He waved his hands in exasperation. “...not to be eaten alive! What are you, crazy? You have a death wish, Gretel? If Mama Mae knows what you're doing, she...”
“Mama doesn't know! I make sure she doesn't know a thing.” Gretel swallowed and put a hand to her forehead. She winced at the acute pain and quickly pulled out a compact mirror to inspect her bruise. “Oh shit! Mama's going to see this.” She shook her hair out from her ponytail and brushed her hair across her face to hide her bruise.
“Oh, so that's how you make sure Mama doesn't know a thing,” Derek remarked sardonically.
She opened her mouth, but instead of yelling at him, she exhaled a shuddering breath and slumped back.
“I don't want Mama to worry. But...” She was looking out the window, half whispering to herself. “I have to find him.”
Derek stopped at the side of the road and faced her. “Talk to me, Gretel,” he said softly. “I'm sorry I lost my temper and acted like a jerk. But...” He snapped his eyes shut. “I just can't let you put yourself in danger. I can't let you do this. That wolf...he could have hurt you real bad tonight. If I hadn't reached you in time...ah, Gretel!”
He grabbed her into his arms and held her tight. “I won't let you get hurt,” he said. “Let me help you. Please.”
He felt her stiffen against him. Gradually she relaxed and laid her cheek on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Derek, for saving me tonight,” she said quietly. “But you haven't told me what you were doing at Wolf Moon. Do you...frequent strip clubs?”
“No!” He held her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “No I don't!”
She was laughing softly as she took in his mortified expression. “Why not? Many men do.” She glanced away and added, “Many wolves do.”
“I'm not a wolf,” he reminded her. “And...why are you throwing yourself to the wolves?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Tell me.” By the set of her jaw, he knew that she wasn't going to break. So he decided to play dirty. “Or I'll tell Mama Mae.”
She gasped. “You wouldn't.”
“Try me.”
She squinted at him for a long moment. Finally she gave a small, satisfied smile. “No. You wouldn't.”
Derek sighed as he drove her home. “How do you know I wouldn't? You don't know me. I'm a big, fat tattletale. Ask my brothers.”
Gretel touched him gently on the cheek and said, “I do know you. I can see it in your eyes. You're a kind, good man, Derek. You won't hurt Mama.”
“No I won't,” he said grimly. “But you will.”
CHAPTER NINE
Gretel finished her breakfast in a hurry and went to wash her bowl and coffee cup in the kitchen. Mama was still eating her porridge at a leisurely pace.
It was still early. Plenty of time to get to the bakery and get all the baking done before they opened the shop. But—how was Gretel going to get Mama to the bakery without her car? Okay, they could take a cab to the bakery, but how would she explain to Mama that her car was lying in a sad, dented heap in a small lane behind Wolf Moon?
As she was fretting and rehearsing some unconvincing reasons in her head, the doorbell rang.
“Oh, who can it be at this hour? It's so early,” Mama said, getting up.
“I'll get it!” Gretel rushed out from the kitchen and ran to the door.
She let out a cry of astonishment when she saw Derek standing on the front step of their house.
“Derek? What...”
“Ah, good morning! Am I too early?” Derek grinned.
Mama came to welcome him into the house. “Come in, Derek.” She took him by the hand and smiled warmly. “Do you want some breakfast? What are you doing here?” She sat him down and frowned slightly. “How do you know where we live?”
“Gretel told me,” he lied smoothly.
“Did she?” Mama muttered as she poured Derek a cup of coffee.
“Thank you.” Derek took an appreciative sip of coffee and said, “I came to drive you to The Gingerbread House!”
“Why? Gretel can drive us,” Mama said, perplexed.
“You remember the boxes of goodies I bought from you yesterday?” Derek went on quickly. “Well, everyone at the office loved the treats! So I think I'm a shoo-in for Boss of the Year!”
“Oh, congratulations!” Mama beamed.
“Yup. So...to thank the both of you, I...um, I sent Gretel's car for a wax and polish job! Yes, the car should be all nice and sparkly when it comes back this evening!” Derek said in a rush, his smile too wide.
“That's...nice of you,” Mama said, glancing suspiciously at Gretel. “You didn't have to...”
“I'm happy to do it!” Derek said brightly. “So, since your car is getting a mani-pedi today, I thought I'd swing by and give you a lift to your bakery. It's on the way to my office.”
Mama smiled. “Thank you, Derek.” She turned her shrewd gaze on Gretel. “You didn't tell me any of this.”
“I...I wanted to surprise you,” Gretel stuttered.
“Hmph.” Mama continued eating her porridge, but she looked a little troubled.
Gretel shot Derek a quick, grateful smile. Derek wasn't very convincing but he had tried his best to help her.
He had spoken the truth last night. He would never hurt Mama. And she knew that he would never hurt her.
Gretel made some pancakes for Derek while he waited for Mama to finish her porridge. After breakfast, they piled into his luxurious Mercedes and went to The Gingerbread House in style. Gretel remembered and stopped herself from asking, Where's that black sports car you drove last night?
Of course a rich, successful man like Derek Grimm would own a fleet of luxury cars. She had to be careful not to give herself away. She couldn't let Mama worry for her.
Gretel listened to the cheerful banter between Derek and Mama during the ride and stole glances frequently at Derek. Her breath hitched and her pulse quickened whenever he turned to meet her eyes.
Careful, Gretel, she warned herself. Don't fall for him.
&nbs
p; But she couldn't help the intense, confusing feelings that were stirring in her heart. What she was feeling was definitely something more than just simple gratitude.
She genuinely liked Derek, a lot. He was sweet, funny, smart, and he seemed totally unaware of his good looks. He wasn't arrogant or egoistic, and his focus was entirely on her and Mama.
Derek dropped them off in front of The Gingerbread House and said, “I won't be coming by today. I'll be out of the office for meetings. But—I've arranged for your car to be delivered here. The mechanic will drive your car here and park it in your usual lot. Have a great day, ladies.” He winked at them as he drove off.
Gretel waved cheerfully, but deep down, she was disappointed that she wouldn't be seeing him today.
“What a sweet, lovely man,” Mama said, unlocking the door of the bakery. “He's going to make someone a fine husband. And—how did you get that bruise on your forehead, Gretel?”
Gretel started. “Oh! I...I was going to the kitchen for a drink last night and bumped into the door.”
Mama didn't look at her. “You must be more careful, Gretel.”
CHAPTER TEN
Derek sat in his car and waited outside Gretel's house. It was ten o'clock and the lights had all gone off inside the house. Gretel's car was parked right in front of their house by the curb. He had called his mechanic and requested an urgent repair job. They had towed Gretel's car away and did what they could to restore it to its original condition, before Derek had slammed a lowlife wolf into its side and stabbed his claws into the hood.
They had done a good job, Derek thought. The car sported a new coat of paint and it looked almost as good as new. Almost.
“Maybe she's not going out tonight,” Derek told his bear smugly. His bear growled, telling him to stay put.
A moment later, the front door eased open and Gretel hurried out.
“Okay. You're right,” Derek conceded huffily. He was right to trust his bear on this. His bear could sense danger to its mate and would protect her with its life.
He got out of his car and strode over to Gretel. She gasped when she backed into him.
“You...”
“Come with me,” he said, taking her firmly by the arm.
“No. I have to...”
“You don't have to go to the strip club.”
She tried to twist away. “You don't understand, Derek, I'm not...”
“Then make me understand,” he said reasonably, but he didn't let go of her.
She swallowed hard and whispered, “I have to find my brother.”
Derek stared at her. “You are going to tell me everything tonight. I will not let you go until you tell me everything, Gretel.” He muscled her into his car and locked the doors.
When he got in the driver's seat, he was surprised and relieved to see that she wasn't angry. She sat completely still in the passenger seat and stared straight ahead. There was a brief glimmer of tears in her eyes but she blinked them away quickly.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled the seat belt over her chest and put the car into gear.
He would never force her to do anything against her will, but he couldn't let her put herself in danger. He wanted to know what the hell was going on with her.
What had her brother got to do with all this?
Derek drove her straight to his house and parked at the end of the long driveway.
“This is my house,” he told her. “I will never hurt you, Gretel. If you don't feel safe with me, I can call my brother and sister-in-law. They live nearby. It will just take Hans and Whitney a few minutes to come over and...”
She shook her head. “I trust you, Derek.”
Gently, he led her from the car to the house. Once inside, he flicked on all the lights and invited her to take a seat.
“I'll get you a drink,” he said.
She followed him to the kitchen and said softly, “Just water will do.”
“I'm making us some tea,” he said, dumping the tea bags into a pot. “And I brought home a box of gingerbread men. I hid them from my staff,” he said in a dramatic whisper.
She smiled. “You have a lovely kitchen. So big and spacious.”
“But I seldom use it. I'm not the best cook.” He made a face.
As he set a cup of steaming, aromatic tea in front of her on the kitchen counter, he grabbed a gingerbread man and broke off the legs, arms and head. “We'll share him,” he said, passing her the headless, limbless body.
Laughing, she dunked the gingerbread in her tea.
When she finally looked up at him, the laughter had left her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Would you like to hear a story?”
He nodded once.
“I'll tell you the story of Hansel and Gretel. I know what you're thinking. It's a fairy tale.” Her lips curved but her face showed no humor or joy. “But it's not. It's my story. I...am...Gretel.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gretel had never told anyone her story. She let everyone believe that Hansel and Gretel was just an innocent children's story.
Taking a deep breath, she began, “Once upon a time, there were two children. Their names...were Hansel and Gretel. They lived with their father in a little house at the edge of the woods. They were poor, but they were happy.”
Gretel smiled a little at the memory. She could hear the echo of children's laughter and playful running footsteps in her mind. But just as suddenly as they appeared, those snapshots of happier times disappeared and were replaced by bleak, cold images. Her throat and chest tightened but she forced herself to go on.
“But everything changed when their father remarried.” Her own lilting voice sounded strangely detached and distant. It was like someone else was telling her story.
“Your stepmother ill-treated you and your brother, and your father did nothing?” Derek could barely hide the anger in his voice.
Gretel shook her head sadly. “My father...didn't know. He couldn't even help himself. How could he help us?”
Derek scowled. He couldn't imagine a father not protecting his own kids. If he had a mate and cubs, he would guard and protect his precious family with his life. He would never allow anyone to hurt the people he loved.
But he reined in his anger and told himself to just listen without judging. He could see the flash of pain in Gretel's eyes and he didn't want to be a self-righteous prick and deepen her hurt and pain.
“How could your father not know what was happening in his own house?” Derek asked quietly.
“It turned out that my stepmother was a witch. She cast a spell on my father, one that took away his free will. He was no longer himself. Hansel and I discovered the truth quite by accident. We couldn't sleep one night and when we looked out the window, we saw her slipping out of the house and heading into the woods. Hansel decided to follow her. I couldn't stop him so I went after him.”
Derek nodded mutely. The thought of two young, defenseless children running into the dark forest after a powerful witch chilled him to the bone.
Gretel was silent for a long time. “What did you see in the woods, Gretel?” Derek asked at last.
“We saw our stepmother standing in a clearing with a naked man at her side. She was holding something up to the moon and chanting. Everything in the forest seemed to move as she chanted. The shadows, the leaves, the grass. We saw strange shapes and glowing eyes moving all around. Then the man howled and dropped on all fours. In a blink, he shifted to a large black wolf.”
“A wolf shifter.”
“Yes. He was my stepmother's lover.”
Derek frowned. “If she was in love, or in lust, with a wolf—why did she marry your dad?”
“For his heart.”
Derek blinked.
“She wanted his heart,” Gretel said, with a sudden sob. “What she was holding in her hands...was my father's heart.”
“God...”
“She wanted the heart of a human man for h
er dark spell. After she finished chanting, she threw the heart on the ground for her wolf lover.”
Derek closed his eyes, sickened and horrified.
“Yes, the wolf ate it. He devoured my father's heart. She was casting a spell for him, to increase the power of his wolf.”
Derek reached out to take Gretel's shaking hands in his. “And you and your brother witnessed the whole scene...”
Gretel nodded. “I was scared, but Hansel...” She looked up, her eyes glimmering. “My brother never let fear stop him. He was only eight, but he refused to run even when I tried to pull him away. I was twelve, yet I didn't have his strength and courage. Even as a boy, Hansel was fierce, proud and protective. He loved our family, and he wasn't going to live down the rage. He charged out of our hiding place and attacked the wolf. A little boy against a big, bloodthirsty wolf.” Gretel jerked her chin up with pride. “Hansel was unstoppable. He kept going, screaming and kicking and punching. I ran out to try to protect him from the wolf, but my stepmother caught me and held me back.”
“What happened to your brother? Did the wolf…”
“No. The wolf didn't kill him.”
Derek's eyes widened.
“Someone saved us.”
Derek understood. “Mama Mae.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Gretel nodded. “Yes. Mama Mae was our closest neighbor. Our houses were separated by a narrow stream, and whenever she baked a fresh batch of gingerbread cookies, she would call out to us, telling Hansel and I to cross over to her house. She's a widow and she would go to town once every few days to sell her baked goods.”
“How did she know you and your brother were in danger?” Derek asked, amazed.
“Mama said she was about to go to bed and was drawing the curtains when she saw us sneaking out of the house after our stepmother. Mama said she had the most awful chills like someone had just walked over her grave. So she went to her kitchen, pulled out her biggest knife and went after us.”
Gretel and the Bear Page 3