by C. D. Gorri
“We’ve got a visitor in from the Houston pack, and I need you to show him the city today. Play tour guide.”
She shook her head. “No time. The AC guy is coming in at noon, and we have another shipment from Abita arriving soon. Ask Macey to do it.”
“She’s working. I already talked to Chase. He’ll handle the shipment and the AC repair.”
Her nostrils flared as she blew out a breath. Yes, as a member of the alpha family, part of her job was to help entertain important visitors, especially since Luke’s mate was a police detective and rarely had time, but it irked her to no end when he meddled in the bar’s affairs. This was her domain, and if anyone was going to rearrange the schedules, it was her.
She folded her arms on her desk. “And who will man the bar while he’s doing all that?”
“Kaci. I had Chase call her. She’ll be here in an hour.”
Her nails scraped across the wood as she curled her hands into fists. “I’m perfectly capable of juggling the schedule at my bar, Luke. You do realize Dad transferred the title to me, right?”
He flashed a sympathetic look that reminded her far too much of their mother’s. “You’re right, and I apologize for overstepping. Will you do this for me?”
“And here I thought you were coming in with news about Nylah.”
“The congress hasn’t returned my call.”
“Did you talk to Dad? Maybe he can speed things along.” Her feeling about Nylah had lessened since yesterday, the danger no longer seeming imminent. Now it felt downright strange, flitting in and out of her consciousness and making her wonder if the premonition was real or if it was brought on by Noah’s strong connection to his twin and Amber’s intense feelings for Noah. But she couldn’t explain that to her brother.
“I did. You’ll be the first to know when I hear something. I remember you were close…to both her and Noah.” A funny look crossed his face when he mentioned Noah, which meant their mother had spoken to him about her impending mating deadline. And that must’ve meant…
“Strange timing that we’d get an important visitor when a supernatural murderer is on the loose in the city. Did the congress send him?”
Luke shook his head, trying to look innocent and failing miserably. “He’s just in town to see what our lovely city has to offer.”
“Mm-hmm.” She opened her desk drawer and pulled a tube of red lipstick and a mirror from her purse. “I suppose I should look my best to ensure he’s impressed by what our city has to offer.” She ran the lipstick in a circle around her mouth, letting it bleed well past her natural lip line. “And I’ll be sure to smile.” She caked on another layer before brushing it across her front teeth. “How’s this, Brother?”
“Amber… C’mon, he’ll be here in a couple of hours, and you look ridiculous.” He pulled a tissue from the box on her desk and offered it to her.
She yanked it from his hand, but she didn’t wipe her face. “I’m not an idiot. Mom and Dad sent him, didn’t they?”
He sighed heavily. “You’ve only got six months to find a mate, and they know how picky you are. They’re covering their bases.”
She scoffed. “I’d have expected more from you, Luke. After everything you went through…” She scrubbed the lipstick from her teeth.
“I don’t like it any more than you do, but Dad’s on the congress now. What do you want me to do?”
“Next time, tell me about it so I can put a stop to it before the guy drives all this way. I’m not a piece of livestock to be bought or a prize to be won. I’m a werewolf, and I’ll choose my own mate.”
“As long as it’s another werewolf.” He winked. Of course he could joke about the antiquated law now; he got to mate with his fate-bound.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“Just take the guy to lunch. If he doesn’t interest you, then send him on his way.”
“I won’t hesitate to.” She gazed at the clown-like smile she’d drawn on her face and grimaced. Way to act your age, Amber. She’d played into the second-born, alpha’s little sister role for far too long. She wasn’t a damsel in distress, nor did she desire to be. It was time she started acting like the capable woman she was.
“I’ll give him a chance, okay?” She set the mirror and tissue on the desk. “And I’ll find a mate by my next birthday.”
“That’s all I ask.” Luke smiled and turned to leave, but he paused and gestured to his face. “You might want to…”
“Yeah. I’ll clean myself up.”
In the bathroom, Amber redid her makeup and ran a brush through her hair before returning to her office to stew while she waited for her “date.” She couldn’t stay mad at Luke. Their mother was persistent at best, and whether or not Amber found a mate would affect him as well. She just wished her family trusted her to make the right decisions. She wasn’t as helpless as they made her out to be, even if she acted like a child every now and then.
Fifteen minutes before John Wilkinson, a high-ranking shifter from the Houston pack, was due to arrive, she strolled into the bar and took a long drink from the beer Chase poured for her. Lord knew she’d need it to endure this. She could only imagine the type of man her father thought would be a suitable mate.
Twenty minutes later, a tall, beefy guy with a shaved head and hard-set eyes sauntered in. He squinted as his vision adjusted to the dim lighting, and Amber took in all six feet of him.
He wore jeans that stretched tight over his muscular thighs, and his biceps looked like they might bust through his shirt sleeves with the slightest flex. She was about to consider the “everything’s bigger in Texas” motto when her gaze landed on a belt buckle the size of a dinner plate. The bigger the buckle, the smaller the…
He cleared his throat and addressed Chase, not even giving her a glance. “I’m here to meet the alpha’s sister.”
Chase fought a smile and looked at her.
“The alpha’s sister has a name.” She rotated her stool to face him, but she didn’t bother standing up. “Do you know it?”
He scrunched his brow, looking annoyed that she’d spoken and also confused like he really couldn’t recall it.
“I’m Amber Mason.” She rose and offered her hand. “You must be John.”
He raked his gaze up and down her body before taking her hand in a grip so light he must’ve thought she was made from porcelain. “Hmm.” He cut his gaze toward the half-empty glass on the bar. “Are you drinking beer?” His tone held accusation, which made Amber bristle. She received enough judgment from her family. She didn’t need it from this guy too.
“I am.” She picked it up and took a giant gulp, her gaze never straying from his eyes.
The disgusted look on his face made it evident he didn’t like women who drank beer, but he managed to pull a neutral expression as he said, “I’ll join you,” to her and then, “Give me your darkest brew,” to Chase.
Amber chugged the rest of her beer and set the glass on the bar. “We should get going. I want to make it to the restaurant before the lunch rush.” Because she could not stand to wait an hour for a table with this Neanderthal. Based on the two minutes she’d known him, it was obvious he was a controlling wannabe alpha. So not her type. What were her parents thinking?
John glanced between Amber and her empty glass before saying, “Let’s go then.”
She faked a smile and followed him into the sultry summer heat. The sun beat down on her from a cloudless sky as they made their way to The Court of Two Sisters for brunch.
They were seated near a front window at a table draped in white linen, and Amber pretended to peruse the menu while she waited for the waitress to arrive. She’d dined here so many times, she had it memorized, and her mouth watered at the thought of savoring her favorite dish.
Lifting her gaze, she stole a glance at John, her would-be mate, if her parents had their way. Actually, this setup had her father written all over it. She could see how a man like John would seem a perfect mate to someone a
s old school as her dad. He was strong and dominant, so he’d make a good protector. But as she tried to imagine some positive qualities in John, her mind drifted to thoughts of Noah.
If she were going to be superficial, Noah was ten times hotter than John. He was also kind, friendly, and smart. This guy hadn’t smiled once, and she’d bet his giant belt buckle was compensating for more than the appendage below it.
Stop it, Amber. You promised to give the guy a chance. An ice cube’s chance at staying cold in hell. She couldn’t get her mind off Noah.
The waitress arrived to take their order, and as Amber opened her mouth to speak, John cut her off. “I’ll have the steak and eggs, and the lady will have the yogurt parfait.”
Whoa, buddy. Did he actually order for her? And the cheapest entrée available, while he got the most expensive?
“No. No, I won’t.” Amber handed the waitress her menu. “I’ll have the shrimp and grits, please.”
John frowned as the waitress walked away. “Do you eat like that all the time?”
“Do you always assume you know what your dates want to eat without asking them?” She arched a brow and sipped her water, staring at him over the rim of her glass.
“You’ll need to watch your weight. I won’t have my mate letting herself go.”
“Letting herself—” She clamped her mouth shut. Her actions on this “date” affected more than herself. She was representing her pack, so she’d best get it together and make it through brunch without offending the man.
Clearing her throat, she straightened her spine and plastered on a fake smile. “How long are you in town for?”
“Just today. I leave first thing in the morning. My job is demanding but flexible. I can work from New Orleans.”
“Mm-hmm.” She feigned interest. “Where are you staying?”
“Your father put me up in the Hotel Monteleone.”
“Nice.” Of course he did.
Their food arrived, and John told her about his pack in Texas, his job, and his family, not once asking her a question about herself. “My alpha tendencies have caused some friction with leadership, so it’ll be good for me to join a pack where I’ll actually have some pull.”
“I see.” She shoveled a mound of grits into her mouth.
“We’ll have two children. I prefer to only have one, but the second will be back-up in case the first doesn’t survive. I must have a shifting offspring.”
In case the first didn’t survive? What did he think this was? District Twelve?
“Your hips are a good size for birthing, so I’m not concerned about that.”
Birthing… She couldn’t help but laugh. He was so far off from being anyone she would even consider taking as her mate.
He frowned. “Your laugh is too high-pitched. Werewolves have sensitive ears, so you’ll have to work on toning it down.”
She laughed louder, and his expression turned even more sour.
When they finished their meals, John paid the tab and looked into her eyes. “Do you prefer your house or my hotel room?”
“For what?” She had a feeling she knew exactly what for, but she wanted to hear him say it.
“Your father said you prefer a fate-bound mate. It’s obvious that’s not going to happen between us, and that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. After some time with me in the bedroom, you’ll be willing as well.” He said it with a completely straight face, as if he actually believed he had a magic dick.
This time, she snorted when she laughed.
*.*.*.*
Noah sauntered alongside Cade down Royal Street, the midday sun nearly unbearable as he chugged the rest of his sweet tea and tossed the paper cup into a trash can. His friend wore shorts and a loose tank, much more suitable clothing for the Louisiana heat than Noah’s jeans and heavy work boots. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping into his eyes as he stepped around a group of tourists gathering on the sidewalk.
“I’m glad you could get away on your lunch break.” Cade swept a lock of blond hair off his forehead. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Nearly a month.” Noah continued his trek toward the building his crew was remodeling.
“I almost asked Luke for a job so I could make sure my buddy was really okay.”
Noah laughed. “I bet that would have gone over well with your boss.”
Cade shrugged. “He let me take the day off today. I could’ve finagled a few more ‘mental health’ days if I needed to. James assured me you were still alive though.”
“Thanks for checking up on me.” Noah’s brow pinched. At least his buddy had inquired about him in his absence. “Amber didn’t bother to ask.” He clamped his mouth shut. His sulking was better done in privacy.
“You’re still hung up on her? Have you seen her since your probation ended?”
He crossed the street to avoid the crowd watching a musician play the saxophone. Elegant music drifted on the air, and the spicy scent of boiling crawfish drifted out from a restaurant. “Yeah. She assumed I was spending all my time with a woman.”
Cade clapped him on the shoulder. “Sounds to me like she didn’t ask because she was jealous.”
“Doubtful.”
“Have you told her how you feel?”
“You know what happened when I tried.”
“Damn.” Cade stopped walking and peered into the window of The Court of Two Sisters. “I was going to suggest you try again, but this might be the reason why she wasn’t concerned. Look.”
Noah strode toward him, stopping in his tracks when he saw the view. Amber sat across from a barrel-chested male with a shaved head. She laughed so hard, she wiped a tear from her eye, and Noah’s heart wrenched in his chest.
He huffed, turning on his heel and stomping away. Why the hell was he doing this to himself? She’d made it clear she wanted nothing more than friendship from him, yet he’d held on to a tiny spark of hope. Gods only knew why. As if he could actually awaken his dormant wolf with some made-up magic he read about online. Get over it, man.
“Hey, don’t sweat it.” Cade jogged to catch up. “If you mated with her, you’d have to deal with all the politics of being in the alpha family. That would be a pain in the ass.”
“You’re right. She’s out of my league.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Let’s go out tonight. With James mated and you on probation, I’ve had to fly solo the past month, and that’s not nearly as fun. You wanna play wingman? Get your mind off things?”
Noah started to say “no,” but a night out with Cade might be just what he needed. Lord knew he had to get over Amber as quickly as he could. She’d be mated within the next six months, and it wouldn’t be to him.
Chapter Six
“Witches,” Alrick growled low in his throat. He despised witches…detested them. Of all the magical beings he was created to eradicate, he loathed witches the most. Three hundred years in suspended animation could do that to a man.
A trio of the odious creatures strolled down Dauphine Street, laughing and carrying on as if they belonged in this wretched city. As if they deserved to live. He’d made the mistake of allowing one’s existence to continue, and he had regretted it ever since. He wouldn’t let it happen again. As soon as he regained his strength, he’d banish every last one of them from the face of the earth.
When they reached a pale green two-story with white trim and a wrought-iron balcony, the witches turned down St. Philip and disappeared through an alley entrance. Perfect. They’d secluded themselves so he could do his job in privacy.
“Oh, check out his costume. I want a picture.” A human woman stumbled toward him before he could follow the witches, and Alrick curled his lip.
The strangeness of this city allowed him to be seen near the vile street they called Bourbon without causing alarm, but the inebriated lacked the inhibitions to stay away from danger. Their ignorance was maddening.
“Come on, babe. We’ll get a picture tomorrow.” At least her escort was in his right mind. He guided her away, and Alrick strode across the street to track the witches.
He grasped the handle of the green door that led into the alley, but he found it locked. No sound drifted toward him, which meant the revolting creatures had already ventured inside their dwelling. Good. This would offer him even more privacy to take his time and enjoy their demise.
With a shove, he wrenched the door open and slipped into the alley. A staircase scaled the side of the building, and a potted fern adorned the second-floor landing. He took the steps three at a time, inhaling deeply when he reached the top. The faint scent of witches, warm and herbal, assaulted his nostrils, and a tinge of something…other…lingered in the air. He couldn’t place the supernatural aroma, but it didn’t matter. He would eradicate New Orleans of all magic.
Ramming his shoulder against the door, he busted it open and stormed into a small living room. One woman screamed, and a man scrambled to the opposite end of the sofa, while the second woman lunged for a bottle on a shelf.
She uncorked it and chanted a spell. What magic she believed would stop a gargoyle, he didn’t know, and he almost paused to witness her display of power before he killed her. But the other witch’s screams had surely alerted the neighbors to his presence, so he grasped her neck, snapping her vertebrae in his grip and crushing her trachea.
The man lunged, but Alrick simply swung his arm, his stone-like fist shattering his skull and sending him careening to the floor. His mouth watered, the demon inside him screaming for sustenance, so he lifted the dying man from the floor and plunged his talons into his chest, ripping out his heart.
“Jasper!” the witch wailed and dropped to her knees.