Catching Her Wolf: A Howls Romance (The Shifters of Sanctuary Book 5)

by Kasey Belle

  Everyone snickered. Nikki flipped them off. The sparkle in her dark eyes said she really wasn’t upset by their teasing.

  “Children behave,” Ella chided then ruined the reprimand when she giggled.

  “We know we can trust you. You’d never betray your mate.” Bow’s smile was one of solidarity and understanding. “I’m not a shifter, nor is Stevie. Storm is. He’s a bear.”

  “Same goes for me and Jack. Race is a lion.”

  “Now that we have that settled―” Nikki rubbed her hands together. “What are we going to do to help Janelle lay the mating smackdown on Devon?”

  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am so done with stubborn wolves. We aren’t letting this go on any longer,” Ella stated. “My accident was Koda’s wake-up call. I think Devon Stone needs one as well. A wake-up call. Not an accident. Though with how he’s been acting it certainly is tempting. I have a plan.” Ella gave her a calculating grin. Janie wasn’t too proud to admit it scared her a little.

  Danika leaned forward wearing a huge smile. “Especially after the dumbass incident. Am I right?”

  “Hell yeah.” Ella bumped Danika’s fist then turned her attention back to Janie. “You’ve waited years for him. I think it’s time you gave up.”

  Wait. What? “But―”

  Ella held up her hand to silence Janie’s protests. “Hear me out. Nothing says get your head out of your ass like some good old-fashioned competition.”

  “I don’t want anyone else.”

  “Of course, you don’t. You just need him to think you do.”

  “We’re going to enlist some random guy into playing Janie’s boyfriend?” Bow frowned. “I don’t know about that.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “We aren’t using some random anything. We are going to enlist the help of the one person I know who can piss Dev off with just a look.”

  Janie had a feeling she knew exactly to whom Ella was referring. She didn’t think things had changed in that area at least.

  “Who?” Bow cocked her head.

  “Matt,” Ella responded looking rather pleased with herself.

  “Your nephew?”

  The redheaded beauty giggled. “Yep. Apparently, Matt used to follow Dev around when he was a kid annoying the shit out of Devon and playing pranks. He made getting under Dev’s skin an Olympic sport. If this past weekend was any indication, Matt hasn’t given up his quest for the gold.”

  “You’re devious, lady.”

  Ella blew on her fingernails them brushed them on her shirt. “Thank you. I try.”

  Chapter 6

  “He needs a kick in the ass, Koda.” Ella practically stomped her foot in indignation. “Competition is the best way to make that happen. I’m telling you it will work.”

  “Spitfire, if Dev were human, I’d say go for it. But he’s not.” He squeezed her hand. “He’s a wolf.”

  “A stubborn wolf,” she countered.

  “Be that as it may.” He gave her a sweet peck on the lips. “Sorry, spitfire, but you are messing with preternatural instincts beyond your ken.”

  Ella snorted in derision. Who did he think he was talking to? Stubborn was stubborn regardless of the form it came in. “Your ken can kiss my Barbie,” she snarked then stuck out her tongue. The look on Koda’s face in response made her giggle. “I know a thing or two about stubborn and asinine wolves. Putting myself in that role isn’t hard considering who I’m mated to. Certainly, makes it easy to stay two steps ahead of that cousin of yours.”

  “In order to catch the wolf, one must think like the wolf,” Storm said in a funny voice.

  “Did you just Caddyshack the moment?” Nikki asked Storm, her eyes sparked with amusement. The big bear shifter grinned. Nikki held out her hand for a high-five. “Dude!”

  Koda let out a heavy sigh and rolled his eyes at their antics. “Alright, mate of mine. I will concede the point. You may have some experience here.” He shot her a grin. “Tell me exactly what it is you want me to do, besides make sure Devon doesn’t kill the unsuspecting sap you rope into the role of other man in this scheme of yours.”

  “That sap would be Matt. I haven’t asked him yet, but I doubt he’ll say no.”

  Koda buried his face in his hands and groaned. “Of course, he’ll agree. He lives to cause mischief.” He spread his fingers peeking through the gaps. “My sister-in-law will kill me if Dev murders Matty.”

  “Then I guess you’ll need to make sure that doesn’t happen,” she said then added. “They deserved a chance.”

  When Koda conceded, Ella outlined the plan she and girls had come up with. The guys gave suggestions. Between the eight of them they came up with a working plan. A.K.A. Operation Mating Smackdown thanks to Nikki. If everything went according to plan, Janie and Devon would be mated by Halloween or soon after.

  Koda sat back in his chair and took a swig of his beer. He placed the bottle back onto the coaster then eyed their guests with a thoughtful expression.

  “There’s something else we need to discuss since I have you all here.”

  Ella knew what subject he was about to bring up to their friends. She and Koda had discussed in length over the past couple of months.

  “I’ve tried to hold them off, but...” He paused. “The council is pushing me to make our little family an official pack.”

  “They realize we aren’t all wolves, right?” Storm asked.

  Koda nodded. “I want to know what you guys think.”

  Nikki shrugged. “We already are a pack, aren’t we?”

  “Nikki’s right,” Race said. “Doesn’t matter what we call it. Pack, pride, or den. We’re family.”

  “I have to come up with bylaws.”

  Offering her two cents as Koda’s mate, she said, “First on the list should be: Any law abiding, honest shifter no matter their species will be welcome here, as well as any mates or children they may have.”

  “You always have the best ideas, mate.” Koda stared adoringly at her. She would never grow tired of him looking at her that way.

  “What about interspecies matings?” Race leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t mean ones that include humans but different shifter species. We wouldn’t prohibit those would we?”

  “No,” Koda stated emphatically. “Matings are sacred and will be treated as such. I don’t care what form those mates come in. I know there are other groups where it isn’t accepted, but we aren’t them. If someone does want to join us, they will need to hold the same beliefs as we do regarding inclusion and acceptance. I refuse to allow others’ prejudices to infiltrate our family.”

  “Well, sounds like someone has already made up his mind.” Jim leaned back in his seat and grinned. “For what it’s worth Koda, I don’t think making our own little slice of the world official will change anything. You’ve always been in charge around here. At least that’s how I see it.”

  Ella felt pride as the others nodded their agreement acknowledging something she’d known all along. Koda was alpha. Always had been. Always would be. Whether he liked it or not.

  “Will your father sponsor us?” Race inquired as he snuggled Danika in his lap.

  “Yes.” When Koda noticed the others looking confused he explained. “Sorry. I forgot Race is the only one besides me who grew up with a pack. Pride in his case. In order to form a new pack, pride, den, or whatever you have to petition the council for approval. It’s easier to gain approval if you have another alpha willing to sponsor you. It proves to the council other shifters don’t find you or your group a threat. A sponsorship cuts down tremendously on the red tape.”

  “Wow. Government is government regardless of who’s involved, I guess.” Bow made a disgusted face.

  “And big brother is always watching,” Danika teased her. Bow responded by chucking a piece of popcorn at her head.

  Koda ignored them and continued, “If we do this, I’ll have to choose a pack hierarchy.”

  “You already know who you want
to fulfill those positions.” Nikki’s statement was an observation not a question.

  “I do. My biggest issue with this part is I don’t want anyone to have hurt feelings. I also don’t want anyone to think I’m playing favorites.” He glanced around the room. “I don’t have any.”

  Storm held up his hand. “Stop. Even though I didn’t grow up in a den, I’ve been around long enough to know the shifters who hold those positions do so because they possess certain traits needed to fulfill the role. At least that’s how it is supposed to be. We are all adults here. Not choosing us isn’t personal. All it means is we weren’t suited for the position.”

  “Before we get ahead of ourselves, I think we should vote.” Koda reached out and took her hand. Ella squeezed his hand offering her silent encouragement. “All those in favor of petitioning the council to form Sanctuary Pack raise your hands.”

  Everyone did so without hesitation. Ella had to grin when Koda blew out a relieved breath. Silly wolf.

  “You might as well get it all out of the way, Koda,” she said. She knew it was the hardest part for Koda and worried him the most. The last thing an alpha wanted to do was cause a rift in the family.

  “Agreed, spitfire.” Koda straightened his spine. “Many will question my thought process on this, but I don’t care. I know the best choice for my second and I hope she’ll agree. Nikki?”

  Nikki’s mouth dropped open and her eyes bugged out in shock. “Shit. Are you serious? You’re serious. You want me as second in command? Holy crap. You do.”

  Ella fought laughter as her little friend babbled and answered her own questions.

  “Damn. Talk about outside of the box.” Race glanced between Koda and Nikki with a contemplative expression “Excellent choice, Koda.”

  “I agree.” Ella smiled at her friend. When Koda mentioned he wanted to offer Nikki the position Ella had whole-heartedly agreed. “Nikki you are strong, fierce, and loyal. You love with her whole being. You’re honest almost to a fault and aren’t afraid to call anyone on their shit, but you’re so diplomatic about it most people don’t even realize they're being put in their place.”

  “Except for those present in this room. She doesn’t care if we notice,” Jim teased his mate. He put his arm around Nikki’s shoulders. His eyes lit with excitement and a proud smile spread across his face.

  “Rise of the homunculi,” Bow said in an ominous voice making them laugh, including Nikki.

  When the noise died down Koda asked, “What do you say, little fox? Feel like helping me keep the rest of the misfits in line?”

  Nikki sat up tall and proud. She looked Koda in the eyes and nodded. “I’d be honored, Alpha.”

  Chapter 7

  Devon leaned this way and that way, stretching and cracking his back. He’d spent the last couple of hours hunched over the zero-turn radius commercial riding mower. What was supposed to be a standard maintenance turned into a trip to town for a replacement fuel line. He couldn’t really be pissed about the extra time. The line was worn and could have easily started to leak. Leaking gasoline equaled a fire hazard and injured rider. He wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone.

  He leaned his hands on the paddock fence and dropped his head between his arms. Damn, that felt good.

  “Hey, Uncle Devon!”

  He straightened and waved at Casey. She, Jack, and Stevie ran toward the barn dressed head to toe in the own unique versions of western wear.

  He technically wasn’t her uncle. In fact, he wasn’t her anything, but that didn’t stop his stupid hard heart from melting every time one of the pups called him uncle.

  “Sup, Casey?” He slapped her a high-five then exchanged one with Jack and Stevie. The only person missing from their little posse was Marie who usually only joined them at The Sanctuary on weekends or other non-school days.

  “We’re here to give the horses treats. It’s our daily spoiling time.”

  “Where’s your mom?”

  “She’s in the house with Aunt Ella. We’re allowed to be out here by ourselves as long as we don’t open the stalls.” Casey cocked her head looking at him with what he could only describe as calculation. “You want to help us?”

  “Sure.” He didn’t know what she was up to, but it was something. Whatever. He didn’t like the idea of them being around the horses without adult supervision. He didn’t doubt Jim and the others knew what they were doing in the parenting department. However, it didn’t mean he trusted the sanctuary’s kid friendly, docile horses as far as he could throw them. Animals were just that, animals. They could be unpredictable. If anything happened to the pups Devon would never forgive himself.

  Casey and her friends went into the barn and straight to the feed room. She stood on the step ladder and took the sugar cubes from the cabinet while Jack grabbed the apple slices from the refrigerator and Stevie grabbed the carrots from a basket on the counter. Devon helped Stevie break the carrots into pieces.

  He followed the pups as they made their way to each stall lavishing love, affection, and treats on each horse. “What are you guys going as for Halloween? I assume you’re trick or treating.”

  “We are. We’re doing a theme. Infinity Wars.” Stevie bounced around excitedly. “I’m going as Gamora. Her makeup is so cool. She kicks butt. Marie is Black Widow.”

  “I’m Thor.” Jack flexed his arm then cracked up laughing.

  “What about you, Ms. Casey?”

  “I’m Tony Stark. Duh.” She gave a great eye roll and hair flip. “In a suit not as Iron Man.”

  Actually, that made sense. Casey was the unofficial leader of their little group.

  When they reached Lady’s stall, Casey glanced up at him. “We went to the diner yesterday for dinner.”

  His Janie worked at the diner. “Oh, yeah?” Devon asked, trying for nonchalant. He didn’t want to appear too eager for any bit of information that might involve his mate. He hadn’t seen her since the festival last weekend.

  “Mmhmm. It’s was funny. Janelle was there. She’s a waitress. Do you know her?” Casey shrugged and continued without waiting for a response. “Anyway. Mommy called her Janie. It was weird cuz she doesn’t like to call Ms. Janelle that. At least, she didn’t used to.”

  “No?” Nikki was one of the most accepting people she’d ever met. The fact that she had a problem calling Janelle by her preferred Janie seemed odd. His curiosity got the better of him and he blurted, “Why not?”

  “Cuz Ms. Janie made googly eyes at Daddy when Mommy first met him.”

  Devon growled. His mate and Jim? He didn’t want to kill Casey’s dad. He liked the guy. Unfortunately, that didn’t matter to his inner caveman and wolf. They wanted blood.

  Casey scoffed and rolled her eyes. “She never dated my daddy.” She patted his chest in a placating manner. “He said he couldn’t date her because he’d seen her naked.”

  “What?” he roared startling both the pups and the horses.

  Casey giggled. “Yeah, you can’t date somebody once you’ve seen their naked baby butt. That would be gross, right?” She gave him a sly smirk. “Do you like Ms. Janelle or something? You’re acting weird.”

  “Huh?” He sputtered a denial. “I mean you said naked. I didn’t think a kid should know things like that about their parents. That’s all.”

  The little girl blinked innocently and nodded. “Okay. Sure.” She turned her attention to Lady and fed her an apple slice.

  He narrowed his eyes. Why did he get the feeling the little devil was intentionally bating him? Did she know something? No, she couldn’t. Koda and Storm promised to keep his secret. They wouldn’t betray him.

  “I guess it’s a good thing you don’t like her,” Jack stated in that matter-of-fact way all children possessed before they developed the gift of tact.

  “Why is that?”

  “I heard her say something to Aunt Nikki about a date.”

  Casey and Stevie’s mouths dropped open as they stared at their friend.

 
“Jack,” Stevie hissed at his friend as if the boy just shared a state secret. “Shh.”

  Jack shrugged a shoulder before feeding Lady a sugar cube. “What’s the big deal? So, Ms. Janie has a date. He doesn’t like her that way.” The pup glanced up at him. “Right, Uncle Devon?”

  Dev couldn’t answer. The breath had left his lungs with Jack’s announcement that his woman had a date. With a man. Not him. His wolf chanted words like: hunt and maim and kill.

  ****

  Nikki looked up as the kids came stomping into Ella’s house. “Well?” She and Ella were at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of tea and fresh blueberry scones from Bow’s shop. “Were you successful in your part of the operation my gleesome threesome?”

  Casey, Jack, and Stevie shared a look and giggled as they removed their shoes. “He so totally likes Ms. Janie. Just like you said.” Casey squealed as she hopped up and down.

  She relayed their conversation with Devon. Damn, those kids were good at espionage. That was a sobering thought. Nikki would have to keep a close eye on them including Marie when they became teenagers or chaos would ensue.

  “You should have seen his face when I said Ms. Janie had a date,” Jack crowed and puffed out his chest.

  Nikki shared and oh shit look with Ella. “You did what?”

  Jack waved off her concern looking an awful lot like Race when he made the gesture. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell him it was with Matty. Uncle Devon needed to know about the date. I could see it. He was playing it cool, Aunt Nikki. He wasn’t fooling us though, right guys? It was pathetic.”

  Casey and Stevie nodded.

  “Jack’s right. Uncle Devon is a lousy actor,” Stevie stated before he threw an arm around Jack’s shoulders. “He thought we were stupid. We couldn’t have that. So, Jack dropped the bomb.”

  “Boom!” Casey mimed an explosion with her hands.

  “He was so mad he didn’t even tell us goodbye. He just stood there like a statue. An angry statue.” Stevie snickered and mimicked what she assumed was Devon’s pose.