Bayou Wolf (6 page)

Yes, he needed to call Mason.

“Everything all right?” Trish asked in a low voice, one guaranteed not to carry.

“Fine. We have a lot to do. Stay with Amy, protect her.” Then, because her Hounds were devoted and friends, she gentled her tone. “I can take care of myself, but until we know all of what is happening, Amy is not to be left without one or preferably both of you.”

“You got it.”

Pacing the living room to the window, she continued to study Linc. He leaned against the side of the truck and caught her staring at him. A quick smile softened his expression, and lust coiled through her belly.

Before the trip ended, she would taste that wolf—one bite.

I
t took less
than twenty minutes for Rory to arrive with the coffees. Her expression, when she stopped her car at the end of the long drive, announced her displeasure. “Seriously,” she said, tart voice filled with complaint. “You call me for a coffee delivery again, and I’ll—”

“What?” Linc glared at the playful Hunter. Several years his senior, she’d actually trained him for a time.

“I’ll bitch and moan. I might even spit in your coffee.” She passed the tray through the window and leaned to the side to glance past him at the house. “How’s it going?”

“It’s fine.” Keeping his tone neutral proved more difficult than he’d imagined. Rory had done him a favor in fetching the coffee. He couldn’t leave his post.

“So?” She tapped the steering wheel. “What’s she like?”

The summit of Alphas had been all anyone discussed for weeks leading to their arrival. It didn’t change anything, however. Linc still couldn’t talk about the meeting or the Alpha he’d been assigned. “She wants her coffee.” He lifted the tray as a way of saying goodbye.

Rolling her eyes, the Hunter laughed. “At least I got to see the Yukon one. He’s intense.” She glanced past him again, but Linc merely waited. Like so many in Willow Bend, Rory hadn’t been permitted to indulge in her curiosity. She’d pulled duty for the town and would be one of the layers protecting packmates in the event anything went wrong with the summit—not to mention keeping packmates from letting
their
curiosity get the better of them.

“Bye, Rory.” Linc chuckled as he strolled away.

“Spoilsport,” she yelled after him before she reversed her vehicle onto the road to head back to town.

Serafina sauntered onto the porch a moment before he reached the bottom step. The wolf—woman—
Alpha
, he reminded himself, confused the hell out of him. Upstairs, for a brief moment, he could have sworn she’d been about to kiss him. The action, hot on the heels of her unfurling power, left him off balance. While he didn’t normally object to sexy-as-fuck women coming onto him, he didn’t want her to press the issue.

“Coffee.” He turned the tray to offer her the tall cup with the bitter black brew she’d requested. The weight of her regard rolled over him, and he stiffened his muscles and kept his chin raised. Focusing just beyond her prevented any challenge from radiating beyond his less than submissive posture, but he’d dropped his gaze enough.

He represented Willow Bend, and she
was
Delta Crescent. His task meant assisting her in smoothing the way, keeping the channels of communication open and protecting her while she resided in their territory.
Nothing
else. The mental reminder to his dick had little effect.

The line between her brows tightened a fraction before she accepted the coffee. Since technically the porch and the entirety of the house were Delta Crescent territory for the duration of her visit, Linc said, “If you have no objection, I’ll deliver the drinks to the others.”

“No objections.” The care with which she drawled the two words sent a stroke of chill down his spine. Despite her permission, she didn’t move from his path so he either squeezed past her without touching—impossible—or waited patiently until she finished whatever game she’d chosen to play. If she wanted to get physical with him, politically he had to play nice. It also meant he didn’t dare initiate contact.

Mason trusted him to do his job. Despite questioning his capability on the drive earlier, he’d given Linc a lot of latitude to handle the situation. He refused to disappoint his Alpha. Serafina pursed her lips, took the proffered coffee cup and strolled toward the railing.

Relieved, he ducked into the house. Amy threw him a grateful look, but the male Hound inserted himself between Linc and the healer before he could take another step. Nonplussed, because Linc wouldn’t let anyone near Emma or Gillian either, he held out the coffee tray. “Latte and mocha as requested.”

“Trish.” Jerome didn’t move.

“Thanks!” she answered, but didn’t descend the steps. Jerome took the tray.

“Thank you,” Amy sing-songed. “And unless you’ve decided you like chocolate, Jerome, pass me my coffee now.”

Nostrils flared, the Hound checked each cup. Linc folded his arms and waited. Dark eyes clashed with his. Not holding Serafina’s gaze was a sign of respect. Hound-boy didn’t deserve the same if he wanted to make an issue of Linc being where Serafina granted him permission to be.

The Hound blinked first and Linc allowed himself a faint smile, ignoring the other man’s low growl. Trish sauntered down the stairs at a clomping rate. “You’re the one who didn’t want coffee,” she said, defusing the other wolf’s anger. She scooped her latte from the tray and inclined her head to Linc. Unlike her brother, however, she didn’t challenge him with a glare. Instead, she all but fell into the seat next to the healer and sighed as she took a sip. “Definitely not as strong as home, but
bon
, yes?”

“
Oui, bon
.” Amy laughed. “And if you two want to keep being pissy at each other, go be pissy somewhere else. I am determined to finish this blanket for Emma.”

Trish paused and gave the healer an odd look. “It’s for Emma now?”

“Well…yes.” Their feminine laughter warmed over the coolness in Linc’s spine. Both were lovely wolves, the demure Amy more his type—though the lack of any real interest on his part puzzled Linc. Probably better if he didn’t worry about it. They were all outsiders. When the summit ended, they would go home.

“I’m going to run a circuit. If you need anything, my number is on the fridge.”

“They won’t,” Jerome informed him. Even though his sister dismissed him, he didn’t move from his place between Linc and the women. Switching his attention to the Hound, Linc narrowed his eyes. Only when the other wolf retreated a step did Linc head for the door. Adrenaline twined with satisfaction, and his mood buoyed. Outside once more, the rich scent of lavender, wisteria, and honeysuckle filled his lungs and his good mood bubble burst.

Still leaning on the rail, Serafina watched him. Everything about her manner said refined lady, but her eyes?

They were all predator.

More, she seemed to see right through him. Straightening his shoulders, he inclined his head politely. “I’m going to run a circuit to make sure none of the youths decided to try and get a good look at you.” Not waiting for her response, he pulled his attention off her gorgeous features and full, utterly kissable lips.

Halfway to his truck and freedom, she said, “I’ll go with you.”

Dammit.

“It’s just a quick run around the perimeter.” The last thing he wanted was her company when he needed to clear his head of her scent and the desire she provoked. With any other wolf, he’d be happy to explore the tempestuous promise of their coupling.
She’s not just any other wolf.
Mason’s words haunted him.

“A quick run is better than none,” she told him before tipping her coffee cup higher and draining it. The muscles in her throat flexed with each swallow, so he glanced away and visually scanned the yard. The cup made a soft sound when she sat it on the railing. “I’m ready when you are.”

If the Alpha wanted to go, he could hardly tell her ‘no.’ Since he had zero intention of leaving the property they’d designated for Delta Crescent, he couldn’t decline her presence unless…he glanced at her shoes.

She wore a pair of high-top red converse beneath her black jeans. The jeans emphasized her powerful legs and luscious curves. Her red t-shirt matched her shoes and brought out the red streak in her thick mass of dark hair. Reminded of the streak, he flicked his gaze to her hair then paused on her tawny eyes.

“Are we going?” Teasing salted her words.

Irritated—whether with himself or her, it didn’t matter—he nodded once and swept his arm toward the yard. “After you.” All of his good intentions went up in flames at the first roll of her hips as she closed the gap between them. She paused on the step above his, so close that her heat warmed his skin. A piquant suggestion of desire within her fragrance teased his nose.

Her height, combined with her position on the step above his, meant he had to crane his head back to meet her gaze. Her studious expression combined with her half-lowered lashes captivated him. “You’re angry with me.” No question haunted her statement. “Somehow, I offended you.”

Sucking in a deep breath of her heady bouquet, he closed his eyes. His exasperation warred with the bluntness of his nature. “I’m not the type to pick and choose my words.” Honesty, no matter how painful or brutal, was his preference. Diplomacy, however, called for greater care.

“Don’t pick and choose, then.” She brushed her hand across his chest as she passed him on the way to the grass. As if attached by some invisible tether, he pivoted to follow her. “You should tell me when I reach the perimeter.” Laughter warmed her words, and she tossed a playful glance over her shoulder at him. “Or I’ll break the rules before I’ve been here a day. We wouldn’t want that, would we?”

“No, I don’t think we do.” Since she shone a light on a potential issue, he increased his pace to fall into step with her, side-by-side. “You’ll have to forgive me, Miss Serafina. I do need to pick and choose my words.”

“I don’t have to forgive you anything. It’s part of the joy of being me.” Every step they took away from the house seemed to increase the bounce in her step.

Uncertainty adding to his aggravation, Linc clenched his teeth together. Completely encircled by trees, every Alpha house provided privacy for their guests, and controlled and isolated their ‘view’ of Willow Bend.

“Hmmm.” She turned abruptly and walked backward, matching him step-for-step. “No response.” Power swelled around her, and Linc halted. Her wolf glared at him from within the deep gold of her eyes. “Lincoln Buckley, I don’t care what Mason told you about
handling
me. I prefer honest men. I prefer men who can think for themselves.”

“Understood,” he said, slowly meeting her wolf’s simmering anger. “You are also not my Alpha. I have no orders to
handle
you, but I do have to observe protocol because you
are
an Alpha.”

“Fine. That’s out
there
.” She waved to the tree line. “Here you are on Delta Crescent land and my
guest
. I do not like to be pandered to.”

“Oh, trust me, I’m not pandering at all.” He forgot how to breathe when she flattened her palm to his chest.

“Aren’t you? You didn’t want me to tag along, but you allowed me to anyway.”

Gritting his words out through clenched teeth, he said, “As you stated, this land is Delta Crescent. I can hardly order you to stay behind.”

“Of course you can,” she said, the angry wolf vanishing from her eyes along with the power crackling in the air. “You can order me all you want.”

It was a trap. It had to be.

“Doesn’t mean I’ll do what you say…” She grinned then rubbed his chest in a slow circle. His skin burned under the lightness of the contact. “But you can always try. It’s a lot more fun if you try, don’t you think?” With that, she withdrew the contact and strolled into the woods, hips swaying in a saucy sashay.

No. It was a lot more dangerous.

She’s
a lot
more dangerous
.

L
inc Buckley annoyed her
. Either he was gay or he simply didn’t like dominant women. Whichever, it disappointed her. Her wolf, on the other hand, remained intrigued. The crouching sensation of the hunt identified threaded through her muscles, a coiled tension she couldn’t ignore or do anything about. Frustration annoyed her. Linc Buckley frustrated her—thus he was annoying.

“If you glare any harder at the window, he may think you want to eat him rather than sleep with him.” Amy’s voice drifted over her like so much gossamer, soothing her jagged, irritated skin.

“Leave it alone,” she snapped. The last thing she needed or wanted was pity from anyone, least of all Amy.

The healer leaned against the wall next to the window, settling right into the periphery of her vision. “I don’t think so,” she said, her voice a low murmur even though they were in Serafina’s bedroom. The Hounds had migrated to the kitchen, currently embroiled in an argument over what to make for dinner. The volume of their debate precluded listening to the conversation between Alpha and healer. The reinforced walls didn’t hurt either.

Linc’s idea, she suspected, though she hadn’t confirmed. He mentioned he’d drawn up the plans for the houses, supervised their construction and likely hammered a good portion of them himself. After their run, he’d grown more distant and circumspect. If not for the hints of arousal deepening his woodsy scent, she might have thought him utterly uninterested.

Why is he playing hard to get?
After their run, he’d told her he wanted to take care of some of the damaged trees he’d spotted in the woods. She didn’t know enough about forestry to notice what he’d seen; yet he’d taken the time to show her the deep splits in the outer skin and the deadness beneath it. If left to their own devices, they’d rot slowly then tumble and likely damage the healthier trees around them. “
Better to clean cut them now, then I can get some fresh firewood. We might see some snow during your stay.”

“Sera,” Amy murmured. “You’re putting way too much pressure on him.”

Pressure? What?
Jerking her gaze off the wolf who’d stripped out of his shirt and currently wielded an axe to break up the trees he’d hauled out of the thick woods, she said, “I’m not doing anything to him.”

“You’re flirting, turning on the charm. The more he doesn’t respond, the harder you’re pushing.” Soft green eyes gentled as they stared at her. “It’s been a while since you took a lover.”

Snorting, Serafina cut a hand through the air and paced away from the window. She’d excused herself to the bedroom to empty her suitcase and perhaps shower before Mason arrived. Flipping the bag open, she inspected the contents. She’d packed several items, formal and informal. Most wouldn’t care what they wore, but Sera used everything at her disposal—jeans and t-shirts said casual and approachable, dresses could be used to emphasize her femininity and distract the opponent, leather for use when she needed their attention off balance.

Wolves consumed by thoughts of sex often missed danger lurking in their midst. Three of the four Alphas she would meet with remained unmated. She had phone conversations with all save Diesel—and he never spoke on the phone. They were powerful males and wolves didn’t take packs without the need to look after others, not even Toman Carlyle. Call him a lot of names—and she could think of several—he had protected his people the best way he knew. The problem lay in the injuries he’d inflicted by cutting out pack members as though they were cancers.

Stroking her fingers over the leather jacket, she considered Linc’s earlier statement.
“I’m not the type to pick and choose my words.”

She growled and dropped the jacket. He was one male, and there was no point in her ridiculous dwelling over his refusal to accept her playful flirtations. “I need to shower and change. Mason will be here soon.”

“Sera,” Amy said with a sigh as she perched on the edge of the bed. “It’s all right to want a lover.”

“Uh huh. I’m here to take care of business, not scratch an itch.” Unpacking a clean pair of jeans, she located a black off-the-shoulder lace shirt. Sexy and functional, it delivered both a practical and provocative message.
Not for Mason, clearly, so why do I want to look good?
Linc’s distant expression drifted across her mind’s eye, and she rolled her eyes. Her wolf ruffled its fur and rubbed against her insides. The animal understood exactly what she wanted.

Hunt Linc down and pin him until he paid attention? The very basic, caveman instinct irritated her, but the wolf didn’t see a problem.

“You just met him. Give him a couple of days to understand what a fantastic woman you are.” The healer bounced on the bed. “Flirt with the other males. Nothing says ‘come and get me’ like a little jealousy.”

“Oh, please. I have no desire to incite testosterone-fueled claiming to get attention. If the man doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t want to play. Since the men I’ll be seeing primarily are Jerome—” And his attention belonged solely to Amy. “—and the other Alphas, I don’t need to borrow trouble with them.”

“Be yourself with Mason. You two were lovers, there’s a familiarity there. Maybe that will do it.”

Glaring at the healer, Sera leaned forward an inch. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

“Oh, come on. It will be fun.”

“And destructive. As a healer, you of all people shouldn’t be encouraging reckless behavior. Besides, Mason’s mated. He’d be insulted and rightly so. He’s also the closest thing I have to an ally here. Why the hell would I sabotage the relationship?” To get the interest of a carpenter who had gone out of his way to avoid her eyes
after
he proved he could hold her gaze?

“I’m not encouraging
reckless
behavior
per se
.” Sitting sideways to rummage through the bag, Amy came up with an emerald green silk shirt. The blouse boasted flowing sleeves with buttoned cuffs and a hint of ruffling. It had reminded her of pirates, which was why Serafina purchased it in the first place. “This one, not the black. It’ll frame your breasts perfectly, but also keep them hidden so he has to wonder. You don’t want to be obvious.”

Scowling, Serafina traded her shirts. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” Too innocent and demure, even for Amy. Under Serafina’s flat stare, however, she squirmed. “Okay, fine, I’m worried about you. You’re always taking care of everyone else. It would be nice if you let someone look after you for a while.”

Not possible
. “I’m Alpha, Amy. Taking care of my pack comes before all else.”
Libido included.

“Yes, and if the Alpha is not healthy and happy, neither is the pack.” Bouncing to her feet, Amy gave her a swift hug. Though she was shorter and leaner in build, her strength was that of a wolf. She gave the best hugs. Relaxing a fraction at the affection, Serafina returned the embrace.

“I’m quite content.” Even she tasted the lie in her words. Before Amy could call her on it, though, they both heard the low rumble of a vehicle. After releasing her, Serafina paced to the window. The truck was a familiar sight.
Why the hell did Mason still drive that thing?
It had been one of his first purchases in Louisiana during his sojourn amongst her pack. At the time, her father had granted Mason a stay to see how he would fit in and—Serafina suspected—to see if he would make a good match for her. Neither had been the case, but the former Lone Wolf had proved a valuable ally during a vulnerable time.

For that alone, she would have granted his request to attend the meeting. Though Alpha in his own right, Mason earned her trust all those years before.

“I’m going to shower.” Her desire for Linc had to be obvious if Amy kept pressing, and she didn’t need to share those details with Linc’s Alpha. Her Hounds would protect Amy, and they knew Mason. “Can I trust you to entertain Mason without any further comments on the other subject?”

“Absolutely,” Amy said, all play leaving her. “You know I only want your happiness.”

It was part of what made her such a good friend as well as trusted
Traiteur
for the pack. “I do. Go on, I’ll be down in a few minutes.” It would do Mason some good to wait on her arrival, as well. Linc turned away from his chopping, chest and arms slick with sweat—every muscle stood out in stark relief. Her belly tightened at the sight of all that gorgeous male…

Enough.
She forced her gaze away and headed for the bathroom.
Ice cold shower it is.
In fifteen minutes, she would greet Mason, Alpha to Alpha and find out what the hell he really had planned.

F
ifteen minutes
to the moment later, ardor in check thanks to the icy shower, she emerged from the bathroom and paired the silk blouse Amy picked out with jeans. Instead of putting her shoes on, she left her feet bare. The gold toe rings—one for each index toe—gleamed against her skin. Her toenails were painted a soft shell color, startling against her dark skin, and designed to draw attention to her feet. Though they were long, matching her height, they were also delicate. The jewelry enhanced her femininity and gave her a softer appearance.

She’d pinned her curls up, twisting them into a scoop on the top of her head. The flare bared the column of her throat, another vulnerability. Satisfied with her appearance, she opened the door a fraction and listened to the conversation taking place below. Amy bubbled over with good cheer and asked Mason a dozen questions. She wanted to know about his life after he left Delta Crescent—though she added several anecdotes about his time among their pack. The deep baritone of his answers filled in the silences and their mutual laughter soon swept up to include Trish.

They were on the porch. Apparently Mason took the status of the guesthouse as hers seriously. Appreciating the respect, she quit eavesdropping and descended the stairs. The conversation muted almost immediately. Amy rose from her place on the porch swing, flanked by both Hounds. Mason leaned against the porch brace on the top step. Two steps behind him, arms folded, Linc stood. Despite Amy’s friendly chatter, the tension level escalated.

Pressing the storm door open, Serafina locked gazes with Mason. Familiarity did nothing to diminish the rise in power around them as the Alpha’s confidence swept across the porch to collide against her own authority. Anxiety ramped through the wolves around them, but neither she nor Mason looked away. His dark eyes went gold and her wolf rose to meet him.

Their wolves knew each other, though neither gave a damn. The last time she’d
seen
Mason had been the day of her ascension, when she took her pack and made them her own. He’d come to say goodbye late that evening, offering her only congratulations and well wishes in lieu of any explanation. She’d needed none. However, she understood then as she did now—he was exactly where he’d been meant to be.

“Hello, Mason.” She broke the silence first then extended her hand. The corner of his mouth curled, softening his fierce expression as he clasped her hand in his.

“Hello, Serafina.
Thank you
for coming.”

“You couldn’t do it without me.” She grinned as he flexed his grip, meeting her strength, the pressure in their handshake a demonstration to satisfy their wolves as to how well-matched they were in brawn.

“No,” he said with a faint smile. “I probably could, but it would be ten times harder and nowhere near as much fun.”

“Still charming.” She laughed, and the tension around them popped, easing the stress their wolves experienced. “Shall we talk?”

He loosened his grip first, then she gestured to the house. Willow Bend worked so diligently to keep other wolf scents out, but it wasn’t her personal home and she had no objections to Mason visiting.

“Absolutely. One matter before we begin.”

Pausing, she raised her eyebrows. A flicker of movement behind him told her Linc narrowed the gap between him and his Alpha, then dropped back a step. Refusing to be distracted, she kept her attention on Mason. “Yes?”

“Thomas will be here soon to fetch Amy for Emma’s dinner. Did you wish to send one of your Hounds with her?”

“Both will go.” Though neither responded to her pronouncement, Trish and Jerome stiffened slightly. She was sending all of her wolves away while she entertained the Willow Bend Alpha? “If only one is allowed into the meal, then Jerome will attend with Amy and Trish can man the perimeter with the wolves you already have in place.”

Her
Traiteur
was valuable to her, a message she wanted to make clear to the other packs, especially Hudson River. They lacked a true healer since theirs had been murdered. No one was taking Amy.

“Let me make a phone call, and we can continue.” Mason understood. He had two powerful healers amongst his ranks and, if the rumors were true, likely more than one in training already. Willow Bend thrived but, as Amy stated earlier, a pack was only as strong and healthy as its Alpha.

Folding her arms, she waited patiently while Mason called A.J. Since everyone could hear the conversation, he made no pretense of alerting him to the inclusion of both Hounds attending the supper. Reminded of his brother, Serafina allowed herself a brief glance at Linc. He stared at her, not his Alpha, and if his brother’s words affected him he gave no measure of a response.

“I’ll take care of it,” A.J. said. “Good call on your part. We’ll station one of ours between each of theirs. That should keep tension down.”

“Thanks, A.J.” Mason disconnected the call. So, he’d anticipated the request…unsurprising.

Slanting a look at Amy, she raised her brows. “Are you ready to go?”

“More or less,” she replied, sweeping a hand across her body to indicate the sweater, jeans and boots. “It’s a casual supper and most of us do know each other.”

“Hmm. Don’t stay out too late.”

“Aww, Mom, are you giving me a curfew?” The playful gleam in her eyes matched her warm smile, so Serafina merely shook her head.

“Behave.” With Mason finished with his call, Serafina opened the door and motioned him inside. “Since you are the
guest
of the house.”