The clicking of high heels against the hardwood drew my attention toward the wall behind the counter. Trixie oriented her gaze in the same direction with a quick flick of her head.
“Sorry for the wait,” Hailey said, rounding the corner.
“Good morning, Hailey,” I said to my sister-in-law. She wore a turtleneck sweater over tight-fitting jeans, and heels that made her look taller than she was. Her heart-shaped face was slightly fuller than it had been, and her blue eyes sparkled as she looked at the two of us. She glowed with happiness—married life suited her.
“Oh my god, Trixie,” Hailey squealed, and threw her arms around Trixie.
Shoulders stiff, Trixie accepted the affection, and tapped Hailey on the back. Next was my turn for a hug, and a hello.
“Hi, Lance. Good to see you,” she said, then moved back to Trixie. “How’ve you been? I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It is good to see you, too,” Trixie replied. “You look well.”
“Thanks, I just got back from my honeymoon.”
“Congratulations,” Trixie said with warm but sad eyes. I wondered if coming here had been a bad idea. Was it too hard to see Hailey? A reminder of what had happened in the mansion? Or was it difficult to see how easily Hailey had recovered from the ordeal?
“Tell me all about the girls,” Hailey said, with soft concern.
“They’re settling back into their homes, trying to rebuild their lives. It’ll take time,” she said.
“I’m sure,” Hailey replied. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know. We could come down to Ellistown over the weekend to help. Cole’s an accomplished carpenter and cook and I, well…I like to help.”
“That would be much appreciated,” Trixie said.
“Did you have a nice time in Hawaii?” I asked Hailey.
“Oh yes.” Hailey leaned her hip on the counter. “It was everything I had hoped for and more.”
“Good,” I replied.
“You two should come for Thanksgiving. I don’t mean to presume,” she said, “but I love you both, and it’ll be great food.”
Trixie took my hand, and I looked down into her unreadable, emerald eyes. The idea of spending a holiday with Trixie was pleasant, and Cole had offered as well. But I didn’t want to answer without discussing it. Knowing her, she would want to be with her pack, caring for them, unable to enjoy Cole’s meal if thinking they were not doing the same.
“We’ll come,” Trixie replied.
Wow. I hadn’t expected that.
“That’s great,” Hailey squealed. “I’m so glad.”
“I’m sure it will be nice, Hailey,” I said. “By the way, do you have any dahlias?”
“Of course,” she answered. “I should have asked if you wanted anything. Eric keeps a bit of everything. Are you looking for a bouquet?”
“Just one flower,” Trixie answered. “Fuchsia if you have it.”
“Yep,” Hailey said, “one sec.”
She headed back behind the wall, and I surveyed the flowers arranged in colored vases along a tiered shelf by the door. I picked a white vase full of pink roses, forest green leaves, and small white flowers, and put it up on the counter. Trixie watched as I grabbed a second: a colorful blend of yellow and orange blooms.
“I prefer that one,” Trixie said, pointing to the second.
“It’s for your house,” I replied.
“I’ll pay,” she said.
“Please let me,” I replied, wanting to give her everything.
“You’ve been paying for everything,” she argued. “It’s too much.”
I traced my fingers through her fiery red locks, so reflective of her strength. “Trixie,” I growled, then placed a kiss on her small, freckled nose. “I want to provide for you. I want to give you everything you desire.”
Her faced turned pink in an adorable blush, and she whispered, “Okay.”
At the clicking sound of Hailey’s heels, we pulled apart and turned back toward the counter. I paid and we said goodbye, then climbed back in the truck. My heart was heavy as we drove back to Ellistown, and it felt like it was splitting when we parted ways. Trixie had become a part of me in so little time, and on the drive back I wasn’t sure how I would stand the time apart and the distance between us.
Chapter Twenty
Lance
Flames danced across blackened logs in the hearth. There hadn’t been many occasions where I had taken the time to sit and use the fireplace, but it felt like that kind of night. Maybe work would have been a nice distraction, but I knew I couldn’t put on a smile and deal with customers. It was better to take the time to get my head on straight, and Cole was happy to cover for me after I had run everything while he was on his honeymoon. He had offered that I take whatever time I needed.
I sat on the sofa that still smelled like Trixie, and traced my fingers over the screen of my phone. How long should I wait to call? She had agreed to Thanksgiving dinner, but could I wait two days to hear her voice?
Ferocious barking came from outside; I had never heard Sparky so worked up. What could have him so upset? Climbing off of the sofa, I crossed the floor to the window to see what was the matter. Before I could look, I smelled the problem, and my hair stood on end.
My bare feet padded silently across the cool hardwood to the door. I opened it to find a bearded goliath with his fist in the air, poised to knock.
“Come in,” I said, eyeing the black van parked in my driveway.
“Lance Tenbrook?” the grizzly asked.
“You found me. Please come in so the German Shepherd doesn’t wake the entire neighborhood.”
The dark-haired grizzly looked over toward the Freedmans’ house like he had only just noticed the snarls of the enraged beast, then nodded and stepped inside. A second grizzly entered after him, his twin I would have guessed if not for the blond hair and beard. Both men were dressed exactly the same way, with black, button-down coats, black jeans, and lace-up, black boots. It seemed the Tribunal had finally gotten around to asking about Ellistown.
The yellow-haired bear lifted the clock from the mantel, looked at the bottom, and set it back down, then peeked behind the television like I could be hiding something between the flatscreen and the wall mount.
“What is this concerning?” I asked.
“The Therion Tribunal has opened an investigation regarding the events surrounding the murder of Stratton Walker, alpha of Sawtooth Valley,” said the brown-haired grizzly.
“Good,” I replied.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
I said, “So you think there are answers behind my television?”
The blond turned and scowled, then went back to inspecting under sofa cushions and around the room.
“When did you meet Stratton Walker?” the brown-haired man asked.
“Never officially,” I replied. “I knew his face, but never spoke to him.”
“As alpha of Sawtooth Peaks, you never introduced yourself to the alpha of your neighboring pack?”
“I’m not alpha,” I replied.
“Then who is?” the brown-haired man asked.
“We have no alpha,” I said.
“You’re the son of John Tenbrook, correct?”
“Yes.”
“So you’re acting alpha until you take a mate,” he said.
“No,” I replied. “My brother, Cole, has been filling in.”
“Cole Tenbrook, mated to a human woman?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm,” the brown-haired man replied.
“And Stratton Walker’s mate, how long have you known her?” he asked. I kept my face a mask. When I met Stratton or Trixie had nothing to do with what had happened to Ellistown. Neither did which brother in Sawtooth Peaks was acting alpha.
“I didn’t catch your name,” I said.
“Matteus Patterson. That’s my brother Kenton,” he replied, pointing to the blond. “Now answer the question.”
“I met her recently.”
“Before or after her mate was murdered?” Matteus asked.
I kept my face a mask and answered, “I had never visited Ellistown until the night I accompanied Cole to rescue Hailey from Dashiell. I didn’t meet Trixie Walker until this week.”
Kenton scribbled something in a small notebook.
“How would you describe your relationship?”
“Unrelated to the events surrounding the murder of Stratton Walker,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “I did not know them, and had not been to that town.”
“You were seen in Ellistown the night that the insurgence was taken down.”
“I’m sure I was,” I replied. “I entered the walled town with my brother and other members of our pack, as I told you, to rescue Hailey, my brother’s mate.”
“So you were in the mayor’s mansion that night?”
“Yes.”
“But somehow you didn’t meet Trixie Walker until this week?”
“Correct.”
“Hmm,” he said, and lowered his brow. Kenton scribbled in his notebook.
“If you’re really looking to find out what happened to Stratton, it seems like Dashiell would be a good place to start.”
“The dead wolf?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t think he’ll be answering any questions.”
“Have you looked into him at all?” I asked. “Do you know who he was?”
Matteus’s face hardened, encouraging my line of questioning.
“How about Aldrich Bastion?” I asked.
Kenton stopped his scribbling and stared at me, clearly recognizing the name.
“What about him?” Matteus asked, clearly the brother with the better poker face.
“How is he related to Dashiell?”
“How is that relevant?” Matteus diverted, and I had him. If they had not been related, he would have said so. I expected some connection between the two, but this was more. I remembered the description Cole had given me of Dashiell, and the photograph I had seen of Aldrich Bastion.
“Aldrich Bastion was Stratton Walker’s contact with the Tribunal,” I said.
Kenton crossed his arms, and both just looked at me.
“I’m not asking, I know it’s true,” I said. “He was one of the two that Dashiell sent who broke in and assaulted a member of my pack.”
The grizzlies said nothing, so I continued. “Based on the resemblance and your reaction, I’m guessing Dashiell’s last name was Bastion.”
I met Matteus’s cold, dark stare and waited for him to speak. Had the brothers known all of this? Or were they just hesitant to offer me any information confirming or denying my allegation? Who had suggested I should be a suspect? I waited for some hint of their take on the situation.
There was nothing until the brothers headed toward the door. Matteus turned back and said, “We’ll be in touch.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Trixie
Staying in Ellistown was responsible. No matter how much I yearned to be with Lance, Sawtooth Peaks was not my home. My pack and my town needed me.
Hints of his scent still lingered on the sheets, on his leather jacket, on me, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to bury my face in his chest and feel his skin on mine. I wanted to see his perfect face and touch his metallic locks.
A soft, floral scent filled the room from the arrangement of orange roses and yellow daisies. Without light, I couldn’t distinguish between the cheerful colors, but the gentle, sweet scent reminded me that they were there, another reminder of Lance’s care for me. The bed felt cold and empty, but I wasn’t afraid of thinking about Stratton in my room anymore. I could lay in my bed and think of Lance, knowing that Stratton was gone but always a part of me, and be okay with the balance.
What I couldn’t do was sleep.
I tossed off the covers and swung my feet to the floor. Maybe I wasn’t the only one having trouble sleeping. I slid a pair of jeans up over my hips, pulled up the zipper, and attached the snap. Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed like the denim fit a little better and hung off a little less. Having an adequate supply of food was all thanks to Lance. The thought of him carrying boxes of food into the inn, wearing the jacket he let me use, flexing his arms with each heavy box, made me smile. He was gorgeous, fit, and kind.
I pulled Lance’s leather jacket over my shoulders, feeling like I was carrying a piece of him with me, and slipped on my boots. The dahlia we had bought for Fleur was in a glass of water in the kitchen. I pulled the bloom from the water and headed out into the cold, dark night.
The streets felt strangely quiet after my visit to Sawtooth Peaks. Sidewalks had not been shoveled, streets not plowed. The people who’d fled had not returned, leaving the atmosphere more like a ghost town than the home of survivors. Street lamps and moonlight lit the path to the Come On Inn. I stomped my boots on the mat at the front door and entered.
The giant grizzly, Blake, sat behind the reception desk, as he always did. The man didn’t seem to eat or sleep, but always looked stoic and alert. I was yet to be convinced that he wasn’t some sort of bear-scented, mountain-sized robot.
“Good evening,” I said, as I approached the desk.
“Trixie Walker,” he replied.
“Are any of the girls here?” I asked, twirling the dahlia stem between my thumb and forefinger. “I’m looking for Fleur.”
“Yellow dress? She doesn’t leave much.”
“Okay,” I said. “Thanks.”
The hairy robot watched me exit the lobby. First, I checked down the hall, the room where they had all stayed together. After a few moments without response to my knock, I tried again. Still no luck, so I checked down the other way where we had shared breakfast. The dining room was empty except for Fleur, sitting alone in the corner at an otherwise empty table. Dark circles surrounded her eyes as she stared off into space. I was glad I found her, but disturbed by her disposition. Fleur had been doing so well, had seemed so much like herself. Was it nightmares?
“Hi, Fleur,” I said, taking the seat next to my friend.
“What? Oh, hi, Trixie.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, touching her shoulder.
“The food,” she said.
“What?” I asked.
“Your brother took all of the food.”
“He what?” I shot up from my seat and balled my fists.
Fleur looked at me with her big, sad, doe eyes. “Troy came in during dinner, said that as alpha he had the right to distribute the food. He pretended it was in our best interest, like he was doing us some favor. Then his enforcers took everything away. None has been returned.”
“He has no right,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat. The stem of the dahlia snapped in my fist before I realized my fingers had tightened. I looked down and loosened my grip, regretting the damage I had caused to the beautiful flower. Putting on the most reassuring smile I could muster, I brushed back the brown hair from Fleur’s face, and slid the flower behind her ear. She touched it lightly and looked up at me.
“Thank you, Trixie,” she said.
“I’ll fix this, Fleur. Everything will be okay.”
“I know you will, Trixie,” Fleur said with a sad smile. “You’re always here for us.”
Except when I’m not—when I’m enjoying myself in Sawtooth Peaks with my boyfriend, and my brother is stealing all of the food. I felt like such an ass. I should have known Troy would do something like this. He wouldn’t have even known about the food if I hadn’t brought some into his home for Mara. How could I make this right?
“Try to get some sleep,” I said to my friend as I headed back to the lobby, restraining myself from bursting into a full-paced run.
From the hall I heard Fleur speak. “You too,” she said.
If I thought it had been hard to sleep before, it would truly be impossible now. I couldn’t return to my bed until I had confronted my twin.
I caught Liam Blake’s gaze as I stormed into
the lobby, then froze. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
“Who?” he asked, face blank.
“Troy,” I said, frustrated by the question. “Why did you let him take our food?”
“Skinny wolf called himself alpha,” he said, voice flat.
“So you let him steal from us?”
“Food gifted to the pack, redistributed by the alpha,” Blake said. “Not my place to interfere.”
“Not your place? I thought you were here to protect us.”
“I’m here to make sure none of Dashiell’s men come back, if any escaped during the confusion—a temporary defense so you aren’t left without. Inner politics of your pack are not my concern,” he said.
“There will be no one left to protect if we have no food,” I said, and walked out.
The bite of the air seemed harsher on the walk to the mansion. I crossed my arms, clenching my fists inside the long jacket sleeves for warmth. The town was asleep, and any snow that had melted had certainly refrozen into ice. The earth crunched beneath my boots as I took sure and careful steps to the center of town.
The first thing I noticed was the new door, white steel by the look of it. It reminded me of a prison cell door, out of place amongst the classic wood and brick. Just as disturbing was the guard posted beside it. Troy had gone from no door to well-secured passage in a short time. I wondered if it had to do with the food he had stolen, and hoped it wasn’t to keep Mara in.
If I entered, would I be allowed back out?
The brown-haired guard with gray eyes was one I had seen here with Troy before, Dwayne Cullen, one that had been Stratton’s.
“Dwayne,” I said with a smile. “Nice to see you again.”
He smiled back. “You too, Mrs. Walker.”
“New door?” I asked, like it was as trivial as asking if he had gotten his hair cut.
“Yep,” he answered.
“How’s Mara?” I asked.
“She’s okay.” Then his face softened. “Given her mate just claimed alpha, she seems sad.”
I nodded. “I’d like to see her, say hi.”
Werewolves & Whiskers: Sawtooth Peaks Wolf Shifter Romance Box Set Page 38