by Sara Kimball
Elizabeth Harcourt stood, a smile on her face, and shook hands with her. “Those terms will be acceptable. I promise not to invade your privacy. Moira will take you to the ballroom and show you the space we’ve allocated. Mr. Rypien has sent a list of all the supplies he thinks you will need, perhaps you can look it over and make sure there is nothing else you require.
“Then after, Moira can show you to your suite.” Elizabeth looked to the younger woman. “I’m thinking the pearl room would suit our guest.”
Moira nodded and motioned Alex to follow her. They ran into an older man who was dressed in a pair of slacks, a button up starched crisply, and a tie. He was introduced briefly as the butler—Alex rolled her eyes once they turned away at the extravagance of having a werewolf butler—Moira asking him to have Alex’s bags brought upstairs before moving on to the ballroom. The large space had French doors along one wall that led to the porch, and mirrors on the opposite wall. It was rather large, but Alex thought it would work well. They could open the doors to allow in fresh air when they were working, the large wooden floor could be covered with some mats, it would suit as a practice space.
Moira presented the list of items Tyler had emailed, and Alex approved it quickly. Moira then moved on to general information about the house. “There is a schedule for meals, though if you want to eat in your room there is an intercom system near the door. Just call the kitchen and ask Jayce—the chef—she tries to accommodate any request as she can. Breakfast is served between seven and nine. Lunch is always noon to one, and dinner is at seven. There are always snacks if you get hungry, however. Jayce likes to feed people.”
Moira’s voice became amused, “But be fast if you smell something you want. The other day she made some muffins. The smell was driving everyone crazy, it was so delicious. I tried to get one, but by ten in the morning they were already all gone. So let my story be a lesson: act fast.” She chuckled and continued walking, turning to head up the stairs, passing two wolves with grayish brown coats matching each other perfectly. They sniffed at her for a moment, then continued downstairs. Moira ignored them, but Alex thought she saw a smile on the other woman’s face as she turned away.
Once they reached the first landing, Moira motioned, “The east side of this floor is Mrs. Harcourt’s rooms. The west side is guest rooms. You’ll be up one more, on the third floor, and the staff lives on the fourth floor.” Alex traipsed up another flight of stairs behind her tour guide. “This side is suites, rather than just rooms. Elizabeth thought this room might suit you best.” Moira headed off down the thickly carpeted hallway. “If you want to go for a run,” Alex understood from her emphasis she meant as a wolf, “then just wait until dark. The staff will be told you’ll be staying here, along with the guards, so they won’t harm you as long as you stay within the fence. It’s rather a lot of space to explore though, so enjoy yourself.”
The woman smiled and stopped in front of a polished wooden door. “This is the pearl room.” She opened the door and waved Alex inside. “This is your office and living space. Television remotes are on the table here.” To the left was another door which stood open. Alex spotted a short hallway with several other doors leading off of it. “This leads to your closet and bathroom, and at the end is the bedroom. There is balcony access, and the guards patrol occasionally, so don’t shoot them.” She looked at Alex’s waistband where her gun was tucked.
Alex forgot about how acute another wolf’s sense of smell could be, but gunpowder and lead were rather distinctive. Not to mention, a gun wouldn’t do anything to a werewolf unless fired from very close range at the heart or head—and even then it would only hurt like a bitch and take time to heal—so she was probably better off leaving it in her room during her stay.
“I wasn’t sure if you would need a computer, but we can furnish you with a laptop for the duration of your visit if you would like.” Moira looked at her, efficient and professional. The house, the room…It was hitting Alex what it would mean, staying with these people. And she was feeling a bit on edge.
For the past eight years the scent or thought of another werewolf was always followed up with feelings of danger and alertness. A Pack house no longer felt like a safe haven to Alex, but she knew logically she should be fine. Being alert wouldn’t hurt her any, other than wearing her down faster than normal. She could make it until Tyler could come for her. I have to do this for Tyler. He deserves a Pack mate who helps him. He has certainly helped me when I needed it.
Alex realized Moira was still looking at her waiting for an answer. “I’m—” she cleared her throat. “I have a computer, thank you though.”
Moira’s smile got softer, and she approached Alex. “I know it can be overwhelming. Especially being around new wolves. But I’m glad to have someone my age around. Maybe we can go get a drink, or lunch, or something? We can go into the little nearby town, there are some small bars and restaurants that are nice.”
Alex wasn’t used to having girlfriends. There were several women employed by Tyler, but they were definitely the minority of his staff. Alex hadn’t really enjoyed ‘girl time’ since she was a teenager. She sensed Moira was being genuine, and felt a little bit more stable at the friendly overture. “Sure. That would be nice.”
“I’ll let you unpack. There is about thirty minutes before lunch if you want to join us. I’ll introduce you to the others.” She gave Alex quick directions to the dining area, then left, closing the door softly behind her.
Alex explored the rest of her rooms. The office and living area were decorated in a sumptuous style, with plush couches and chairs. Moving off into the hallway, she saw the large walk in closet on one side of the hall and the bathroom on the other. The latter had a large soaking tub and a deep walk in shower with multiple spray heads.
The bedroom was something that took Alex’s breath away and made her realize why they called it the pearl room. The headboard was a dark wood inlaid with mother of pearl in an intricate pattern. There was a matching footboard and nightstands, along with several chairs. There was even a fireplace with a mantel inlaid with mother of pearl in a similar motif. Though instead of wood in the fire, there was a vase of flowers. Even in May, the Napa Valley was warm enough not to need any extra heat. And now Alex knew she was at Elizabeth Harcourt’s home, she knew she was somewhere just outside of the famous wine producing region. Far enough away from the tourists to be private, but close enough to make sure the Pack can blend in when needed.
Large paintings adorned the walls, and a vanity was tucked into a corner near the doors to the balcony. The spot would catch natural light for those wishing to do their make-up. Alex found her suitcases and pulled them into the closet, hanging her clothing up on the thick wooden hangers placed there, and settling the rest in the built-in cedar drawers.
She took her laptop to the desk and plugged it in, and put her phone charger on the nightstand. It didn’t take her more than ten minutes before she was done. Alex lived out of her suitcases. She never stayed anywhere long unless she was on a job, and even then she tried never to get too comfortable.
Taking her backpack with her emergency stash of clothing, money, and other miscellaneous items—the same backpack she had run away from home with, in fact—she put her now-unloaded gun in it and shoved it under the bed. Checking her appearance in the mirror, she tidied her hair before going downstairs, tucking the loose blonde curls into a ponytail.
Time to meet the rest of the household, I guess.
///
Alex exited her room and walked down the corridor, heading back toward the stairs. She paused outside of the next door down from hers, going a little hazy and smelling the air deeply. There was a scent that had her wolf rolling around and showing off. A slightly familiar scent…though she couldn’t quite place where she knew it—
The door opened and revealed a familiar broad chest. He was minus a suit this time, but still wearing a collared shirt. Alex looked up into his smiling silvery eyes and tried to get ah
old of herself.
“Well this is a surprise.”
Alex couldn’t very well run from him again. Even though last night she thought it was the best thing to do. You panicked a little bit, that’s unusual for you, I’ll admit, but you did panic. But to be honest, you didn’t think to run from anyone, you fled like a frightened bunny. Today was different though, she was working here, and she had better make the most of it. She felt the mantle of professionalism settle on her shoulders and knew Tyler was counting on her to make a good impression so that Elizabeth would refer his business to her human partners. Alex couldn’t be caught drooling over another one of Elizabeth’s employees.
Licking her lips, she straightened and held out her hand when he would have stepped towards her. He could either walk into her hand, or stop. He stopped. Alex was both happy and sad to keep him at a distance. “Hello, I’m Alex. Mrs. Harcourt hired me to provide some self-defense classes to the Pack.”
He appeared a little taken aback, perhaps by her unwillingness to allow him closer, and slowly shook her hand. Alex swallowed as his warm, callused palm engulfed her own. A flicker of a thought, about how it would feel if he slid those hands all over her body, made her feel over-heated. She choked it down and continued. “Sorry for running last night. I didn’t have permission to be in the area and I didn’t want to get into trouble.” Sort of the truth…just not the whole truth.
He was still staring at her, studying her face intently and Alex pulled her hand from his and took a step back. “And you are?”
His deep voice sounded again. “Lincoln. Nice to meet you.”
“Right. Well, I’m just headed down to lunch. Moira said it would be about this time.”
He waved her down the hallway and proceeded to follow her, slightly behind and off to the side. She started to turn back to look at him again and stopped herself. With him behind her she felt like his prey. She thought he was doing it on purpose and wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her run away from him again, so she made sure to take measured, steady steps.
“You said Mrs. Harcourt hired you. When was this?” He sounded curiously intent on her answer as they descended.
“Just this morning. She called my boss and arranged it sometime during the night.”
“I see.” He was silent the rest of the way downstairs. She approached the dining room and saw that lunch was rather informal, as the other staff members—all wolves to her nose—were grabbing plates and filling them from a buffet. Some were on phones or computers, some chatting. Alex turned to the man behind her and realized he was gone. Damn sneaky, silent werewolves. Moira trotted down the hall at that moment and waved her into the dining room with a friendly look, introducing her to the others.
Alex helped herself to some food and then sat down, trying to ignore her uneasiness at being the center of attention. Her consolation lay in hoping the interest would pass soon enough…either that or she would be gone.
Moira explained that since some Pack members worked for the Harcourts, they had a different relationship than the normal employer and employee functions. Eating meals together was a way to stay connected. “Although Elizabeth tends to eat breakfast in her room and lunch in her office while she works. But she always joins us for dinner. It’s a little formal, but nice all the same.” Alex smiled and took it in, eating silently. Inside she was wondering what Lincoln did for Mrs. Harcourt, and hoped that she wouldn’t have much interaction with him. For her own piece of mind. She hadn’t had a reaction like that to a man before, and it was discomfiting.
///
Lincoln stormed down the hallway to his grandmother’s office, intent and focused. She was going to get an earful this time. Meddling old woman. Demanding great-grandchildren and then bringing temptation to sleep right next door from him—he caught himself and pushed that thought back to where it came from and willed it to stay there.
He threw open the door and surprised his grandmother on the phone. She smiled up at him serenely and then proceeded to ignore him while she finished her phone call. “Yes Matilda, we were thinking tomorrow. How does nine sound?” There was a pause. “And the next day at nine for your girls? Perfect. See you then.”
The woman on the other end said her goodbyes, Lincoln recognized her voice as Matilda Vaughn, a school teacher and mother of four that was part of the Pack. After hanging up, his grandmother squinted her eyes at him. “And what, pray tell, caused you to barge into my office in such a rude fashion?”
He just barely stopped himself from twitching guiltily—it was like he was still a child, and he hadn’t been a child for a long time now—and languidly sat in a chair. “You did. You are meddling again, old woman.”
His grandmother raised an eyebrow at his tone, but didn’t chastise him for it. “Well, give me some clues at least, Lincoln, I can’t read your mind.”
He growled. “You know what you did. The first female wolf I am interested in and somehow, some way, you track her down and bring her here and then put her in the room right next to mine.” His eyes blazed amber, his wolf challenging hers subtly.
His grandmother could control her face well, but Lincoln knew her and knew that she was faking her surprise as she said, “Oh really, my dear. Interested in an appropriate shifter female? For the first time in your life? Well, how was I to know? I merely hired someone to teach some classes.” She ignored his challenge like one would ignore a misbehaving child, and his eyes went back to normal.
“Cut it out. I know you. Only my friends were with me last night, and I want to know who told you.”
He was damned well going to break someone’s nose when he got hold of his snitch of a friend. Although, he knew better than to blame them for going and blabbing to his grandmother. The woman could be downright scary when she put her mind to it. She had had hundreds of years to practice intimidating alpha males and she did it so damned well.
She finally dropped the innocent act and smiled at him, her real smile. The one she wore only when she was around family or friends. “I don’t think it matters which one of your men has been reporting to me. I only asked him to do it when it was in relation to you and an appropriate woman. All your other activities are entirely your own. However, I would be very remiss if I didn’t bring that girl here and at least let you see if there was something between you. She’s the first one you—or your beast of a wolf—has shown any interest in. I’d be the worst grandmother if I didn’t give mates at least a chance, wouldn’t I?” She was still smiling, but Lincoln couldn’t see it because he had leaned forward and covered his face with his hands.
“Damn meddling grandmothers.” His voice was muffled but clear. Then he pulled his hands away from his face and sat up, serious. “I know you think this will work, but just because I was slightly interested in her doesn’t mean that we are mates. I don’t want you to be let down when she leaves.” He gazed at her intently. He really didn’t want his grandmother to be disappointed. He knew she was having trouble recently, and had been trying to help her. But he wasn’t willing to marry some she-wolf and start popping out babies just to make his grandmother feel better. Lincoln had determined a long time ago not to mate someone unless they were the right one. He saw what that did to his mother and father, and he wasn’t going to make the same mistake.
She softened before him, smiling at him like he was a foolish child. “Of course I won’t be disappointed, dear boy. I know it is a long shot. I just wanted to give you the opportunity.” She looked down at her hands. “I didn’t do that very well for your father—for any of my sons, really. I was so busy helping your grandfather with the Packs, and then running my own Pack…” She trailed off and sighed.
“I know I’m meddling, but it is coming from a good place. I don’t want you to end up like your father, and I don’t think you want that either. And I don’t want you to be alone.” She smiled softly, and Lincoln’s anger faded away. At least until her smile turned to a guilty-looking expression and she continued, “And the sou
nd of children around here again would be nice. We have too many empty bedrooms.” Her last statement sent Lincoln right back to being exasperated.
Meddling has become as basic as breathing to her.
He stood and rounded her desk, bussing her on the cheek. “I love you too, grandmother. Just don’t’ get too excited, I don’t think she’s my mate.” She squeezed his hand and then let go.
He was almost out of the room when a thought struck him and he turned back. “How much are we paying this girl?”
///
Alex was leaving the dining room with Moira. Apparently some of the supplies had already been delivered and Moira was going to help her open them up and get the ballroom ready. As they began to head down the hall a male shout was heard echoing through the corridors. “How much?”
Moira, along with several other employees, chuckled and turned to continue on their way. Only Alex was still standing there, unsure of what to do. It hadn’t sounded like a shout for help, but it was still odd. “Shouldn’t we go make sure they don’t need help?”
“Oh no, that will be Lincoln. I suppose Elizabeth told him about your fee. She doesn’t need help with him though, I’m pretty sure she taught him everything he knows.” Moira continued on towards the ballroom, apparently unconcerned.
“Is Lincoln her accountant or something?” Alex followed Moira, taking her cue from the other woman. She doubted the Queen of Wolves wouldn’t know how to fight. Even if that was just an honorary title that everyone called her behind her back. If she needed help there were plenty of people here willing to help her. And none of them seemed even a bit concerned.
Moira laughed. “Something like that, only he’s her grandson too.”
Alex stopped dead. Elizabeth Harcourt’s grandson, her freaking grandson was the man that Alex couldn’t stop drooling over. She cursed herself up one side and down the other before finally hurrying after Moira. Uneasy, Alex realized that Lincoln and Elizabeth had the same shade of silvery gray eyes. Only his silver eyes made her flame with desire, whereas Elizabeth’s caused more of a shudder in fear reaction.