An Ashton Grove Thanksgiving
Ashton Grove Werewolves
Jessica Coulter Smith
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity. Font used in this novel is Garamond.
Cover Artist Jessica Coulter Smith
Stock photos from CanStock Photo
FIRST EDITION
©2014, Jessica Coulter Smith
Chapter One
Chloe stared at Marin. “There has to be something we can do.”
“What? We’ve tried everything. He’s stuck in that house and refuses to leave. If he didn’t have that little sugar glider shifter bringing him meals, he’d probably starve. I’ve dropped groceries off, but they mostly go untouched. It’s like he’s just completely shut down.” Marin shook her head. “I don’t think we’re going to get him to attend a pack event.”
“Then maybe we need to make it a family event,” Chloe said.
“What he really needs is someone to take his mind off his problems,” Aislinn suggested. “I think I may know just the person, too.”
“Who?” Marin asked. “Who in their right mind would take on someone so damaged?”
“Gabriel isn’t damaged,” Aislinn said. “He just needs a reminder that life is worth living. He’s locked himself away with his wife’s and daughter’s belongings and shut everyone out. If he had his family around him, I think he would pull out of it faster.”
“So you’re suggesting we converge on him for Thanksgiving, just show up on his doorstep?” Chloe asked.
“Yes and no. I was thinking more along the lines of giving him a damsel in distress to rescue. Gabriel is one of those guys who needs to feel needed. If we show him that the pack needs him, that it’s possible for his heart to still beat without Kiera, then maybe we can bring him around.” Aislinn smiled. “And I know just who to use for the job.”
Marin’s brow furrowed. “Most of the women in the pack are pretty strong. There are only a few who could be classified as a damsel in distress.”
“I was thinking about Autumn O’Roarke.” Aislinn clapped her hands. “Isn’t she perfect?”
“But…she’s the exact opposite of Kiera. I mean, other than the fact they’re both short. Besides, isn’t Autumn a little too, um, round for Gabriel’s taste?”
Aislinn waved her hand. “She isn’t all that fat. So she has a few extra pounds. Do you really think so little of Gabriel that you think he’d let a little thing like that stand in the way of something he wanted?”
“Yeah,” Chloe said. “But he doesn’t want her. I’m not even sure he knows she exists. She joined the pack after he went into hiding.”
“Then we have to bring her to his attention,” Aislinn said. “I’ve noticed that she doesn’t seem to be settling in. After observing her behavior, I asked Eric to do a little digging into her past. Did you know that she lost her mate a few months ago?”
Chloe’s eyes went wide. “Then Gabriel and she…”
“Have a lot in common,” Marin finished.
“I asked her about her mate,” Aislinn said. “But she clammed up and changed the subject. Either it’s still too painful for her to talk about or…”
“Or?” Chloe asked.
Aislinn sighed. “I’ve observed her since she joined the pack. She’s reserved, hangs back when the pack gets together, and she’s very quiet and soft spoken. If someone moves too quickly around her, she flinches.”
Marin narrowed her eyes. “You think she was abused.”
Aislinn nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
“That rat bastard!” Marin’s hands balled into fists at her side. “Your mate is supposed to love you and protect you. How the hell did he get away with hurting her? Was his alpha blind?”
“I haven’t talked to her about it,” Aislinn said. “But maybe she would talk to Gabriel. Everyone knows about Kiera’s passing. Maybe it will bring them closer together, closer than she will get to anyone else in the pack. Connor may be acting as sole alpha right now, but we all know the two of them balance each other out. Connor would never admit it, but he misses Gabriel and the joint leadership.”
“And you think Autumn may be the way to bring him back into the fold?” Marin asked, not looking quite certain.
“I think it would be a very good start. Gabriel has a great capacity for love and one day he’ll take another mate. Until then, we just have to show him how much the pack needs him and how much we love him. He’s hurting, but he has to let the pain go and move on, at least a little.”
“So, how do we set this into motion?” Chloe asked. “The longer this goes on, the more likely we are to lose him. Because you can’t tell me I’m the only one who’s been worried he’d decide he can’t live without Kiera.”
Marin shivered. “No, it’s crossed my mind. Cole insists his brother would never do that, but… well, I think a desperate man will do anything.”
“Leave things to me,” Aislinn said. “Eric!” Aislinn looked up at the sky as she called the sorcerer.
He shimmered into existence a moment later. “You bellowed?”
“I was hoping you’d deliver a message for me.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do I look like an errand boy to you?”
“Please? It’s really important. I think I’ve found a way to get Gabriel out of the house.”
He looked intrigued. “And what does it have to do with me?”
“Well, I’m going to call Gabriel and tell him that I’m sending someone to him. In the meantime, I need you to pop over to Autumn’s apartment and tell her that Aislinn said she needed to see the alpha – meaning Gabriel – right away. Tell her it’s an order.”
Eric lifted an eyebrow, but nodded and vanished.
“Think it will work?” Chloe asked.
“If not, I’ll have Eric drop Kinley down a volcano. That should get Gabriel’s attention. The sugar glider has gotten closer to him over the past few months than any of us have. He barely even speaks to Cole, Michael and the cousins.”
Marin shook her head. “You wouldn’t do that and you know it. She might be perky, but you like her.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Aislinn sighed. “Honestly, if this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. It’s like he’s expecting Kiera to rise from her grave and walk home at any moment.”
“All we can do is be there for him.” Chloe shrugged. “Eventually he’ll snap out of it and realize he has a pack to run.”
Aislinn wasn’t convinced. No, if he wouldn’t take the bait, she’d have to ask Eric to search for a mate for Gabriel. It was believed there was one true mate for every wolf, but during her studies with Eric, Aislinn had learned differently. There were actually several women marked as a wolf’s mate. It was up to him to choose which one became his mate. Gabriel had found Kiera, and he had loved her deeply, but it didn’t mean his life was over now that she was gone. Aislinn just had to find one of his other matches, shove the woman under his nose, and hope his instincts took over.
Chapter Two
Au
tumn stared at the man in front of her. She’d heard the whispers in the pack and knew he’d gotten the scars on his face and arms from the demon attack several months before. The Ashton Grove pack had reached out to other packs seeking both men and women to grow their numbers after losing so many. Having lost her mate to a drunk driver, Autumn had taken the chance for a new start.
“Do you know why you’re here?” Gabriel asked.
“Aislinn told me to come here,” she answered softly.
“She seems to think you have a problem. If that’s true, why didn’t you go to Connor with the issue?”
“I don’t have a problem. I pay my rent on time and attend the pack functions. I promise I haven’t caused any trouble.”
His gaze softened. “No one said you were troublesome. They just think something is wrong. Have you had problems with anyone in the pack? Maybe a male who’s being too persistent?”
She shook her head.
“Perhaps one of the females has taken issue with you?”
She shook her head again.
Gabriel sighed. “Well, something has to be going on. Aislinn wouldn’t have sent you here if she didn’t have a reason.”
“I don’t want to cause any problems. I’ll pack my things tonight.” Autumn fought back tears, but one slipped down her cheek.
“Hey,” Gabriel said softly. “Easy, Autumn. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, but she needed more comfort than that. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had touched her so gently. With a broken sob, she melted against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. At first, his arms held her loosely, as if he didn’t know what to do with her. But after a moment, he tightened his embrace and held her close. A hand stroked her hair.
Autumn knew she needed to pull herself together. It wasn’t the alpha’s fault she was crying. Living with her mate had broken her in some way. She’d thought his death would free her, but she couldn’t have been more wrong.
With a sniffle, she eased her arms from around him and took a step back, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Gabriel reached out and caught a stray tear as it dropped from her eyelashes.
“Better now?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” She didn’t even know how to finish that thought. She didn’t mean to be so weak? To cry all over him? To disturb the solitude she knew he wanted? Maybe she was apologizing for all of it.
“It’s okay. Sometimes you just need to let it all out.”
She saw the sadness in his eyes and wondered if maybe she wasn’t the only broken one. She’d heard he’d lost his mate and child during the demon war. Gabriel must have loved them very much to have locked himself away after their deaths. And here she was, ready to celebrate because her mate was gone. Life just wasn’t fair sometimes.
“I’m thinking there’s more going on in your life than anyone knows. Aislinn said you lost someone recently?”
“My mate.”
She saw his jaw clench and she wanted to reach out to soothe him. Her mate hadn’t been half the man this alpha was, even if Gabriel was a little battered at the moment. She could tell he was a good man, that wasn’t something that went away just because you lost someone important to you. If anything, losing people made you see just how strong you really are. The fact that he still got up in the mornings, that he was still alive, was proof that he was made of strong stuff.
“I know you lost yours too,” she said softly. “I’m very sorry.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, as well.”
She shook her head. “Don’t feel sorry for me. Losing Perry was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
His eyes widened in surprise.
Her hands fidgeted in front of her. “He wasn’t a nice man, but I didn’t find that out until it was too late. He didn’t want a mate; he wanted a slave. I was naïve and stupid, and fell right into his trap. You know, I don’t think we were even destined mates. At least, I hope we weren’t. I don’t think I could bear it if I was supposed to have spent my whole life with an asshole like Perry.”
“I know a forced mating can sometimes end badly, but I’ve never known a true mate that would dare harm his female. So perhaps you’re right. Maybe this Perry wasn’t meant to be with you.”
She nodded.
“Have you thought that maybe your mate could be here in Ashton Grove? We have a lot of strong wolves in the pack, and even a few shifter males who aren’t wolves. I heard our resident female wolf recently mated a were-tiger.” He leaned in closer and gently sniffed. “You don’t smell like a shifter.”
“I’m not one.”
He leaned in close again. “Your scent. It’s familiar.”
Her eyes widened. “My grandfather told me no one would ever know what I was. You can’t tell anyone. It wouldn’t be safe for me to stay here.”
“Not safe?” Gabriel frowned.
“There are people who…never mind.”
“No, as your alpha you should tell me.”
Her gaze held his as she nibbled on her bottom lip. Did she dare trust him? No one knew her secret, not even Perry had known. Her grandfather had warned her what would happen if her family could find her. When Perry had entered her life, it had seemed like a dream come true. A nice, strong shifter to protect her. Little did she realize she would need protection from him. Despite her heritage, she had no way to protect herself. She’d sneaked away to self-defense classes when Perry wasn’t home, but it hadn’t done her much good. He was too big, too strong, and too fast.
“Why is your scent familiar to me?”
“I don’t know. But maybe…maybe you’ve been around one of my kind before. I know there are many of us scattered across the globe, but we try to hide.”
“Why do you need to hide?”
“I’m an aberration. My grandfather said that since I was only a Halfling—” Her hand shot to her mouth, as if she could recall the words.
“Halfling?” Gabriel paled. “You’re half-fae?”
She nodded. “Please don’t tell anyone. I really like it here and I don’t want to move if I don’t have to. Grandfather said his people wouldn’t tolerate someone with my bloodlines being half-human.”
Gabriel was starting to look a little green. “What bloodlines?”
“My grandfather is king of the fae.”
Gabriel stumbled back to the steps and fell onto them. He looked badly shaken and she wondered what she’d said that had spooked him. Had the alpha dealt with her grandfather in the past? She’d heard he could be fearsome when provoked.
“Alpha?” She moved closer and knelt at his feet. “Gabriel?”
“Your mother was the king’s daughter?” he croaked.
Autumn shook her head. “No, my father was his son. Do you know my father?”
He shook his head. “My wife…”
“Your mate knew him?”
He raised his tortured gaze to hers. “My wife was your cousin.”
Autumn felt her knees go weak. She’d had a cousin? No one had ever told her she had family like her, a Halfling. Why had her grandfather kept them separated? Wouldn’t they have been stronger together? Maybe if her father hadn’t died he’d have told her.
“You never knew?” he asked. “That isn’t why you chose this pack?”
Autumn shook her head. “I thought I was alone.”
“You are,” he said softly. Then a look of determination entered his eyes. “No. You’re not. I failed Kiera, but I won’t fail her family, too.”
Autumn stumbled back as he rose to his feet. He reached out to steady her, his hands gripping her arms gently. A tingle of awareness shot through her, but she stifled it. This was her cousin’s mate. Autumn had no right to feel tingles or anything else when it came to him. Besides, men were more trouble than they were worth. Except for family. But then, in a way, Gabriel was family, wasn’t he? He’d married into her family at any rate. That was close enough for her.
“You li
ve in the apartments?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You’ll move in here.”
She shook her head.
“I wasn’t asking. I can’t protect you if you’re staying at the apartments.”
“Protect me from what?” Autumn asked. “No one knows I’m fae but you, and my mate is gone. There’s no one to protect me from. Your pack has been very kind and welcoming.”
Gabriel stared at her, as if trying to bend her to his will. She could tell he was strong of both body and mind, regardless of the whispers in the pack. He hadn’t lost his edge from what she could see. A shiver ran down her spine at the intimidating sight of him. Perhaps his muscles weren’t as big as they once had been, if what she’d heard was true, but that didn’t make him weak. He was still a born leader, and stronger than any human male she knew.
“You’re an attractive, single female in a male dominated pack, Autumn. Most won’t know that your unique scent is because you’re fae; they’ll just know you smell good. What if they can’t control themselves?”
She looked down at herself before meeting his gaze again. “I don’t think they’ll be knocking down the door. I take after my human mother. I’m short and plump.”
“Don’t put yourself down,” he ordered. “I don’t want to hear another disparaging remark. You’re family and I’ll always take care of my family. If Kiera were here, she’d welcome you into our home with open arms. I’m not about to do any less.”
“This isn’t what your family had in mind when they sent me here,” Autumn said. “What will they think when they see me moving my things into your home? They’ll think I’m trying to take your mate’s place. I like living in Ashton Grove, Gabriel. I won’t have the pack think poorly of me.”
“I’ll tell them the truth.”
She gasped. “But you…”
“Not that you are fae, but that you are Kiera’s cousin. They’ll understand.”
“You haven’t been out of this house since the battle, have you?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Autumn sighed. “The pack has noticed your absence. I think they understand, or at least are trying to understand, but it doesn’t change the fact that you pulled yourself away from them. Now you suddenly want to move oneof the newest pack members into your home? They aren’t going to look favorably on that. It will be bad for both of us. They’ll think I took advantage of you, which will make you look weak.”
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