Yes. The fact that theyre working together with turned witches and have started targeting Weres points in that direction. There was silence for a while and he wanted to fill it. Wanted her voice.
So, since your cop boyfriend moved away, has there been anyone else?
Ive been on nights for the last few months. My turn I guess. Its hard enough to date when youre a cop. Your schedule is already sort of wonky as it is, and then once you add night shift, it sort of kills your social life. I work, come home, go to bed, get up, eat, work out, go to work. What about you?
I go out here and there, but nothing serious.
Wolves mate for life right? I mean, that would have to be weird when it comes to dating.
Its complicated, but yeah. I tend to date only other wolves. Its hard to explain to humans, hey look, I already know up front this wont be permanent and I could meet that forever person at any point so hey lets keep things light.
All I know is what I hear about in the news or whatever. And its always so sensationalized its hard to know whats true and what isnt.
So ask. Ill tell you.
You got bit you said. Wolves tell the media all the time that theyre safe to be around. Clearly thats not the case.
He treaded carefully here. Thats partially true. I was bitten by a wolf who had really poor control. Most of the time when a human is changed, or when a natural wolf hits maturation, theyre guided through it by older, stronger wolves with a great deal of control. But the guy who bit me hadnt told anyone hed been bitten when hed been on a camping trip. The day he attacked me had been his very first shift. To their credit, when Pacific heard they came to get us both. Being turned at my age is hard. Being nineteen is hard enough, youre still a teenager, on your way to manhood, all those hormones. It wreaks havoc, and most humans that age who want to be turned are refused until theyre at least twenty-five. After I was bitten, I lived in the Pack House for eight months as I worked on my control and I shifted regularly in the company of other wolves. Its not a perfect system. Accidents do happen. But we work as hard as we can to ensure they dont.
And you didnt hate them? I mean you ended up one of their leaders even after they changed you without your consent?
Its complicated.
Lots of that going around.
He snorted. Life is complicated, I suppose. But what was I going to do? I wasnt good enough to play professional ball. My grades were okay but nothing spectacular. My parents couldnt have cared less about where I was going or my plans for the future. I had a dead-end in my past but a freak occurrence opened up many doors for my future. I was strong. And fast. I could control my shift early on. Pack life can be pretty disciplined and regimented. Itook to it. I thrived. Each time I challenged for a position and I won, I earned respect. It was a totally different world, but it feels natural to me.
So you advance by fighting?
He shrugged. Sometimes. I ended up as Enforcer without a fight. I was second-in-command to the Enforcer who is now the Alpha. I ascended and no one challenged me. Id earned the respect of the pack.
That means a great deal, I imagine.
Yes. It meant everything.
Im glad you have a good life.
Yeah? Even if I was a dick to you before?
She snorted. Even if you were a dick to me before. Why would I wish a horrible life on anyone, much less someone I cared so much about once?
Only once?
I knew Josh the jock. I dont really know Josh the Enforcer. But I appreciate the help in finding Allie. Thats a start.
It was.
They got off the freeway south of the first rest stop and then got back on heading north so he could pull into the northbound one. He caught the scent right away. The mages had a rotting meat stench.
Their energy is still here, faint, but here.
I can scent it. Its the same as the convenience store.
I think there are surveillance cameras here.
I know just the person to call for that. He pulled out his phone and dialed Nina Warden, who at one time in her life happened to be a pretty notorious hacker. He explained the situation, and she told him shed get right on it and call him back when she had news.
I could have gotten a warrant, you know, she muttered when they got back in the car and headed north to the next stop.
Maybe, sure. Though how youd have known the SUV stopped here would have been fun to explain, no? Well, Your Honor, I got out and I just sensed theyd been here.
This was a one-way road, and she was far too late in the journey to turn back. He felt for her, knowing it had to be hard. But she couldnt count on human help for this. She had support in the Others, and the sooner she accepted it, the better off shed be.
Her mouth snapped shut, and she looked out the window as they headed north. The scent was the same at the second rest stop too, and by then it was already dark. He was hungry, and the breakfast bars hed had in the car werent enough as they got back to Portland.
He pulled into the parking lot outside one of his favorite barbecue places that also happened to be run by wolves from the pack. A safe space with plenty of variety and heaping helpings.
She looked up at him, weariness all over her. Why are you stopping?
I havent eaten in hours and neither have you. I need to get a lot more calories than I used to, and youre so tired youre weaving in your seat. Anyway, its too dark to do anything else right now. This place is really good, and its run by my people so were safe.
He got out, and before he could get to her door, shed managed to grab her bag and join him. I was on my way to get your door.
Huh.
He hid a smile as they went inside.
The way they all sort of swallowed him up with pats on the back, hugs and casual touches had been surprising. But she noted the same sort of behavior throughout the small restaurant.
She looked back at the big laminated menu, so hungry it was hard to choose.
Everything is good. For sides I recommend the baked beans and the macaroni salad. Cornbread comes with the meal too. Oh try the lemonade.
He was really good looking. She stared at the line of his jaw far too long but couldnt seem to stop herself. She was too tired to use her filters. That must have been it. She wondered what he smelled like just behind his jaw, beneath his ear. Shed been surprised when hed hugged her earlier so she hadnt really gotten much of a sense of how he smelled, though in the car she noted his cologne, and whenever his wolf got very close to the surface, she smelled the forest.
She bet he looked way better naked now. The few times theyd actually done anything back in the day had been rushed but for the night of his senior prom when hed gotten a hotel room.
She bet he filled out his boxers a lot better. All muscled and tawny. His hair was longer than it had been, he had scruff. Man, she was apparently a sucker for scruff. Who knew? Shed tended toward clean-shaven men in the past but Josh had converted her.
When she forced herself to turn her attention back to her menu, she noted hed been staring. What?
Whatever were you just thinking about?
What Im going to order. Combo three I think, and Ill take your recommendation for the sides. She continued to stare at the menu to keep from staring at him.
Remember I can scent your arousal.
He spoke low enough that no one else could hear but her. The place was loud as it was, even if they all were shifters and probably had super hearing.
Its hunger. Im hot for ribs.
He laughed but didnt push any further. Even as they ate, he kept it light. And he ate like nothing shed ever seen before.
Holy cow, I dont think Ive witnessed another person eat that much food at once. Where do you put it all? You probably have like what? Two percent body fat or something criminal like that?
He paused as he forked up yet another bite of the Boston cream pie hed been eating and sent her a smile so carnal she might have actually pulsed just south of her belly button. She sucked in a breath, trying to get herself back together. He did something to her. Awakened something she hadnt known had gone dormant until that day.
You noticed my body-fat content?
She motioned his way with her fork. Well for heavens sake, look at yourself!
I like it better that you look at me.
Hmpf.
He grinned, and God help her, he was so ridiculously beautiful she couldnt help but suck in a breath.
The grin slid off his features replaced by something else entirely. Hunger. He wiped his mouth and leaned forward. You feel it too.
There was no mistaking what he meant. I need to find my friend.
Yes, of course. But you cant do anything about that right now. Come back to my apartment. You can stay with me while youre here.
She shook her head, hard. Uh-uh. That would be a monumentally bad idea. She bet shifter males were a big ol unruly handful, and she had limited time and energy. Hell, shed probably end up getting steamrolled into stuff every time he smiled at her.
Oh, I disagree. I think itd be a fabulous idea. You want me, Michelle. As much as I want you. I promise to get you nice and tired so you can sleep.
You come with all sorts of complications, Josh. I cant right now.
You still angry with me?
She sighed. No. I get it. And really she didnt blame him. It had hurt, but shed moved on and he did have a better life here. She cared about him enough to be pleased for that. And hed been nothing but helpful in the search for Allie.
But?
But youre an alpha male and I have too much stuff on my plate to take you on right now. I want to check in to a hotel, take a long shower and then go to sleep. After masturbating most likely because he got her all stirred up.
The check came, and she didnt fail to notice the way the waitress tried to flirt with him. But he didnt engage, all his attention was on her and it flustered her.
Come on. Well get you back to my apartment where your car is so you can get your bag. Theres a hotel about three blocks from me. Secure. We put people up there when they come in from out of town. Leave your car at my place.
Why?
He put an arm around her as he steered her to his car. If they know youre looking for them, theyre going to be on the lookout for your car. If its in the garage at my building, they wont know youre staying at the hotel down the street.
Which is something she should have thought of.
She grabbed her small overnight bag from her car and he drove her to the hotel where they knew him, and of course everything female seemed to fall over herself to be of any assistance.
Im walking you up so dont argue. He spoke, his lips against her temple, and she shivered.
Her scent dug into him with sharp claws. She was turned on, wet for him, her skin heated from a perpetual blush. He couldnt help but stay close enough to breathe it in over and over, dragging her over his tongue, swallowing her in big gulps.
Fine. Whatever. I just want to sleep so whatever it takes to make you go.
He grinned as he took the keycard from her fingers and opened up, heading in to check the space out and also leave his scent all over as he touched doorknobs, brushed against doorways.
A suspicion had begun to build in his belly over the last hours, and each time he felt the need to do something like mark her space, it got stronger.
Ill collect you first thing. All right? Well grab breakfast and head out. Well go back to the gas station and track on foot from there. He knew Damon and GiGi would have already, but she knew Allies magick better than anyone else and it added another layer to the search.
And it was all they had right then.
She nodded and he moved to her, intending to hug her, but she looked up at him and there was nothing else to be done but kiss her. He tried to keep it soft and slow but she made a sound, a quiet, needy sound, and he swallowed it down, his tongue sliding between her lips, her taste, God her taste, it rocketed through him, filling him up and crowding everything else out but her.
His wolf pushed at him, wanted to lay her out and feast on her until he was sated. Until theyd eased the stress from her features. The fierce need to protect her made sense, the need to scent her space and draw her close.
She nipped his bottom lip, and he pulled her even closer, the jut of his cock against the softness of her belly. Her nipples were hard, pressing against him, begging to be touched. Licked, bitten.
He wanted to bury his face between her thighs, licking her pussy until she screamed out. Wanted her to ride his cock until he came deep inside her.
Which would be a whole different issue. He didnt have any condoms with him, and the man slapped him back enough to realize he needed to talk with her about what all this meant.
She was tired and worried and scared. Now wasnt the time. No matter how much he wanted it.
Sweet Jesus he tasted good.
Michelles fingers slid up the wall of his chest and into his hair, pulling him closer as he kissed the sense out of her.
His hands at her hips were hot, firmly holding her in place as she fought not to writhe. His cock was hard at her belly, and she didnt resist sliding against it until he gasped against her mouth.
She was on fire for him. Wanted to be fucked in a way she couldnt remember ever feeling before. He stoked that fire she supposed had always been in her belly for him until it consumed her.
She couldnt think straight, and thats what finally gave her the strength to take a step back.
Chest heaving, he examined her, licking his lips, his eyes had gone that otherworldly green. I should go.
She nodded. I cant right now. Its too much. Im really tired and I just Im not thinking straight.
He hugged her one more time but stepped back without trying to kiss her again. Ill see you tomorrow. Please lock the door behind me. I should tell you one of my men will be on the hotel, keeping watch. You can see us, right?
You mean your energy?
He nodded.
Yes.
If you see anyone hanging around without that energy, you call me. He picked her phone up from where shed put it to charge and added his number. Mine is here, as is Damons. You call, do you understand?
Yes, of course. I appreciate it. But Im all right. Im a cop, I can handle myself.
I dont doubt that in normal circumstances. But these guys arent your run-of-the-mill baddie. He slid the pad of his thumb over her cheek. Ill see you tomorrow, Michelle. But you need to know this thing between us isnt over.
She knew that. And she knew from the look on his face that he had every intention of ending up naked and horizontal with her, and she really couldnt find it in her to be annoyed by that. He respected her wishes and thats what counted.
She walked him to the door and locked up in his wake, using the deadbolt and the slide lock too. A quick run through the room and shed also made sure the lock on the window was set, as well as the one on the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony.
It was a fourth-floor room on the corner so she was reasonably sure she was as safe as she could be, at least for that night, before she headed into the bathroom with a change of clothes and her weapon.
She stood under the scalding hot water, scrubbing and scrubbing, but it seemed as if shed never be rid of the stench of that body in the convenience store. Or of the way Allies face kept superimposing itself over Bobbys.
Shed grown up in a house without a lot of control. Her mother had been all about appearances so shed chosen Michelles clothes, what her hair looked like, her classes even. Michelle had been a cheerleader because her mother had been. Her father had been mainly out of the picture, and her mother had gone through men like cars. Trading in for a new one every four or five years.
Michelle had excelled because she was supposed to.
But when she decided to apply to become a cop, things had changed. Shed rejected all that lack of control and had taken the reins in her own life. Being a cop had given her something. Many things. But chief was the strength to take care of herself and others. Physical and mental. She had learned to face her fears and overcome them. People depended on her and that was all right.
And there she stood in a shower stall and her best friend was heaven knew where, in trouble, maybe dead, most likely scared and helpless, and she couldnt do anything and it filled her with misery.
Im looking for you, Allie, she whispered as she dried off, going over everything she knew in her head. Tomorrow theyd be on the ground, looking.
She turned out the lights and crawled into bed, the exhaustion sucking her into sleep faster than the panic could stop.
Chapter Five
He knocked on the ornate front doors, smiling as he heard the sound of giggles and a deeper voice and more laughter.
Tracy Warden, his Alpha, his friend and the mate to the two men he saw in the living room wrestling with their daughters, Rose who was two and Lianne who was five.
She grinned. Look, girls, its Uncle Josh!
The girls looked up and squealed, rushing toward him. Josh stepped into the house and scooped them up, one in each arm as they covered his face in sloppy kisses that smelled like vanilla cookies.
Did you save me any cookies? Ive had a long day and I could really use one.
Big green eyes widened as they both nodded enthusiastically.
Have you eaten? Tracy asked him as they headed into the living room where Nick and Gabe sat on the couch, feet up. A rush of affection filled Josh for all of them. He loved Tracy, Gabe and Nick. Not just as his Alphas but as friends. As family.
Yeah, just about an hour ago. Im still stuffed. He set the girls on their feet.
Ill put them to bed. She held her hands out and the girls grabbed them. Looks like Uncle Josh needs to talk to your daddies.
They broke free to give him hugs and kisses and to rush over and give love to their dads too, before heading upstairs with Tracy.
How goes the situation with the missing witch? Gabe, one of Pacifics two male Alphas, asked as Josh settled on one of the nearby chairs.
The cop? Michelle, the one I had a high school thing with?
They both nodded.
Shes my mate. Once he said it out loud, it was real, he allowed himself to believe it.
Nick snorted a laugh. No shit?
I kept thinking it was that we had something back then, you know? That old spark is certainly still there and were adults now and shes gorgeous and of course I wanted to fuck her. But Ive been feeling more and more protective of her. Getting agitated when anyone looks at her, especially her breasts or her ass. And then I kissed her. He ran his hands through his hair several times, the rush of that kiss still zinged through his system. Once I got a taste, my wolf wasnt going to let me pretend anymore.
Nick, whod been his friend for many, many years, raised a brow. Does she know?
Josh shook his head. Shes drowning right now. Scared for her friend. And things dont look good, so its not like shes feeling that way for no reason. Shes overwhelmed, and she had no real idea about this world, the Others I mean. So shes trying to manage all that too. I justif I spring on her that shes my mate, with all the stuff that comes with it, Im afraid shell freak out.
Gabe nodded. Fair enough. But you know this thing you feel is only going to be more and more intense as youre around her. Trust me on that.
Originally it had been Tracy and Nick whod been mates, and theyd sealed the bond. But mate pairs need a third, an anchor bond, another male who is part of that bond. If one of the mates dies, having that third anchor bond keeps the remaining mate from losing it. But the bond included sex to seal it, much like the original mate bond.
And when that happened, Gabe found himself feeling far more than an anchor to Tracy. And she him. It turned out the three of them were something pretty unique to wolves, a Tri Mate Bond, which meant the three of them shared a bond usually made for two. But for a bit, Gabe was left out, thinking he was in love with a woman he was destined to watch with another male for the rest of their lives, until they figured things out.
God, at some point, hed have to deal with that himself. Another male having sex with his mate. He knew it logically. It was part of who and what they were, and in the end, it kept her safe. But right at that moment, the reality of it was a little hard to get around.
Is this what you want? Is she what you want? You know if you dont seal the bond, there will be another woman at some point.
I want her so much I cant think straight. You should see her. Christ. Shes so badass. She ran after this guy today and took him out with a leaping tackle. Shes fierce and beautiful, and shes my match on so many levels.
Nick grinned. Yeah? We can always use more badass females in Pacific.
One step at a time. I have to take it slow. Shes not a wolf. Hell, shes a witch but I know more about witches than she does. I want her to see how much more of the world, her world, there is.
And theres the matter of you dumping her.
Yeah, because Id forgotten that. Thanks, Nick.
His friend smirked. Just saying. Did you explain it to her?
I did and we talked more about it today. I think she understands. Theres chemistry between us, no doubt. She didnt deny it after the kiss. I just have to be smart and take my time. I can do this. And hed have to use a condom until she was ready to seal the bond, because once he came inside her, that was it. The bond would be formed. Theyd end up in bed very soon. There was far too much attraction between them to deny for too long.
Gabe leaned out to grab a handful of popcorn. I understand why you want to take it slow, but the longer you wait to tell her, the harder its going to be for her to understand.
Easy for you guys to say, your mate was a wolf. She knew about this world, about what it all means.
Gabe shrugged. Doesnt matter. You get what you get. If shes worth it, youll find a way. Youre a smooth dude. Ive seen you charm your way into plenty of panties. And youve been with her before. She knows you.
He stayed a few hours more, hearing a report on Nicks niece and nephew who theyd ended up raising after theyd all taken over the pack. They were both in college now, doing great. Tracy came down after shed put the girls to bed, and theyd watched a movie before he headed back home.
He took a walk to check on the guy watching the hotel, standing for some time gazing at the window to her room.
Lights went off before nine. No movement since.
Good. Thanks. He ambled back home, hoping she got some rest because morning would come early and she needed it.
She was awake before six, restless. Wanting to see him. God. God. God. Why did it have to be Josh? Why did he have to be so nice and helpful on top of a heaping spoonful of gorgeous?
And why was it so hard to stop thinking of him? When shed been with Mark, it hadnt been so intense. Shed loved him and theyd had a healthy sex life and all that jazz. But when hed gotten the job in Seattle and asked her to move with him, shed known it was a step she wasnt willing to take.
Shed loved him, yes, but it hadnt been enough.
Josh though? Well, she knew him. Or a version of him.
She rolled from bed and pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Shed work out in the hotel gym. Shed been lucky to have caught Charlie yesterday. If she hadnt been in shape she might not have. It was a good reminder how important that part of the job was.
Plus, she thought once she got running on the treadmill, it was always a good way to take her mind off things. To just let go and give over to her body.
But of course her body wanted to think about Josh too. She should feel guilty about the kiss, shouldnt she? After all she was supposed to have been entirely focused on Allie, and instead she made out with an ex-boyfriend.
There had been hours upon hours she spent with Josh back in the day. Lying on a blanket looking up at the stars as she poured out her hopes and dreams. When hed left that had been what shed missed so much. Being able to have that depth of connection with someone else.
She was close with Allie, but it hadnt ever been the same as those times shed spent, falling in love with Josh under the stars. Though she supposed not for him either, because shed been falling for him and hed just walked away.
Which wasnt entirely fair. Now that shed heard the whole story, shed understood. If she had been human, he couldnt have told her. Couldnt have come back to Roseburg to do what? His life was better here in Portland without a doubt.
Shed missed him a great deal. And thered been this comfort and connection with him the day before. She could talk with him about all the craziness of the case. No one else really but him.
Hed listened. And helped. Had put aside his own job to help with hers. To help not just because it was these dangerous mages, but because shed asked him to.
At least thinking about him had made the five miles pass relatively easily and quickly. She headed back up to her room to find him standing at the door.
Is everything all right? Great, she looked like a sweaty mess.
I was about to ask you the same. I was worried when I couldnt hear movement inside.
Im not thatoh you have super hearing. I forget about that. I need to shower and we can get moving. She unlocked, and he followed her inside, standing very close. But the only thing that bothered her about it was she had to have been smelly.
You probably dont want to stand so close. I just ran five miles.
He stepped even closer, and she couldnt do anything else but watch, fascinated as he closed his eyes, bent and breathed her in. You smell delicious. Woman. Magick. Hard work. Your muscles are loose and warm. You still smell of sleep.
She gulped, licking her lips. She knew what else he was going to smell because hed already told her he could scent her arousal, and she was that all the sudden. Hot. Nipples hard and tingling, her pussy slick.
Jesus, this is fucking torture. He shook himself a moment and stepped back. Go get showered or Im going to do what your body is begging me to.
She blinked at him, mouth opened. She should have been outraged. Denying that claim, but shed have been a liar and they both would have known it. He wasnt angry. His words were tortured.
She willed herself into the bathroom and showered quickly, turning the water ice cold at the end before she headed back out to him.
Im sorry, he said as she entered the room.
For what? She checked her weapon before sliding her shoulder harness on. They needed to go back to that gas station. She also needed to check in with Pam at Portland PD to see if theyd received any new info.
He moved to her, tipping her chin up, and all the hard work the cold shower had done fell away as want slammed into her again. I shouldnt have said that. You didnt deserve it.
Unable to help it, she smiled. Yeah? You think Im too fragile to face that I was hot for you and you knew it?
He groaned. Why do you do this to me?
She got serious. What? Without meaning to, she reached up to touch his cheek, and he leaned into her palm.
I want you. A whole lot.
Shed be such a liarpants if she denied she wanted him right back. But there were other things right then to deal with.