Bayou Wolf (8 page)

“Hell yes I promise.”

T
he surge
of dominance running wild through the air tingled over her skin. He’d finally dropped the pretense of lowering his eyes and burying who he was. Power shimmered in the gold gleam of his eyes. The throaty rumble of his growl warmed her soul, and her gut clenched.

Angling her head, she studied the throbbing vein in his forehead and the muscle ticking in his jaw. The musk of his aggression filled the cooler air. She wanted to rub against him until he wore her scent as well. The wild tangle promised to be a delightful combination.

One moment he stood at the base of the steps, the next he stalked upward until they shared the same. His nearness forced her to raise her chin if she wanted to hold his gaze.

God, she loved a tall man. She was nowhere near as delicate as some of the she-wolves in her pack. Even athletic Trish stood at only five foot eight in heels. Yet Linc dwarfed her, bequeathing upon her a sense of femininity and softness so many males never delivered.

Giving into the temptation to touch his hard chest again, she planted her palm over his heart. The thunderous cadence of his pulse combined with the harshness of his breathing provoked her wolf on a level she’d never experienced. They wanted to hunt the wild beast in front of them, take him down and strip away his civility. They wanted to see
him.

Her fingers barely brushed the cotton of his shirt when he locked her wrist in a powerful grip and tugged her hand away. Narrowing her gaze, she scowled at him.

“I didn’t invite your touch,” he said, every word rasped out as he kept her hand captive. The strength he exerted, however, offered no injury. “You really need to stop pushing me, Miss Serafina.”

“Why?” She tilted her head, studying him. The muscle in his jaw beat a steady tattoo. “You promised to fuck me right here if I kept it up.”

“Goddammit.” He slammed forward, driving her to the rail and caging her there. Oh, her wolf crouched at the danger his snarl promised. “You’re the fucking Alpha, woman. I’m your liaison. I’m supposed to
protect
you, not play this damn game.”

“But I like games.” Stroking her nails against the inside of his wrist, she took advantage of the continued contact.

He blinked, then the delicious gold of his eyes faded a fraction. His gaze went from her eyes to where he’d shackled her wrist and his grip lightened immediately. The low groan he exhaled startled her with its intensity. “Miss Serafina…”

“Sera,” she said quietly. “Miss Serafina in front of the others, but you can call me Sera.”

“I don’t want to.” The rejection stung, even though she’d challenged him to say what he wanted, do what he wanted, rather than what he thought she wanted to hear. When he unpeeled his fingers from his wrist and slid back a step, she struck. Seizing his shirt, she hauled him to her and rose on her tiptoes.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not…” He didn’t finish the sentence, letting the words trail off instead. The throb of his heart continued to pound, and the warm cologne of his arousal continued to fill the air around her. A lack of attraction was not the problem.

“I’m not, what?” Sliding a hand to his nape, she expected him to reject her caress in such a vulnerable area. Instead, he went predator still, his gaze jerking to hers. When his lips compressed into a thin line rather than answering, she scowled. Command bleeding into every word, she said, “Don’t hold back. Don’t hold back for fear of offending me. I asked you a question. I expect an answer.”

Still nothing, but a lone bead of perspiration glided down his cheek. She traced the path with her gaze. Her power could overwhelm, yet the wolf in front of her hadn’t bowed away from the full force of it—not once. Yet, his retreat continued.
Why?

Disbelief mingled with a deeper sense of wounding. Was her strength so unattractive to him? No, the more rational side of her nature, argued. She could smell the interest rolling off of him, so why was he holding back? The escalation of aggression showed such perfect promise, only he bottled every ounce of it with each deep breath he took. Even his heart rate calmed. The level of control was as attractive as his temper, yet it worried her how swiftly he restrained the instinct she’d intended to provoke.

“Miss Serafina, if you would be so kind as to release me.” No evidence of his earlier passion filled his words. “My task here is to see to your security and to mediate with Willow Bend as needed.”

Her temper ticked passed midnight, and she’d tightened her grip to drag him closer when a faint sound of leaves crunching pulled her attention from Linc to the yard. No new scents tickled her nose. Someone was there. Pushing the wolf away, she surged between him and the grass. Her wolf went still, scenting the air as she scanned the yard.

Despite their disagreement, Linc didn’t interfere or question her actions. Instead, he closed on her back and his heat replaced the night air’s chill. The comfort of security at her back didn’t diminish her wariness. Movement flickered, and she pivoted. The faintest of scents, caught only because the old wolf had allowed her to identify him.

“Approaching an Alpha cloaked is a bad idea,” she told the darkness, certain she’d pinpointed the faint distortion. The whisper of the spirits rushing past her confirmed her suspicion. “Even worse for an Alpha of your reputation—” The icy taste of snow touched her nostrils. “Diesel.”

Linc’s hand came to rest against her lower back. The light touch reminded her of his presence, so she adjusted her stance a fraction, blocking him behind her. The air shimmered and then Diesel clapped his hands twice.

“Well done, Serafina Andre. I thought I would make it all the way to the porch since you were so intent on climbing your liaison there.” Rocks being tossed in a blender would have been kinder than the wolf’s rough voice. Ice blue eyes gleamed in the darkness, so chill she half imagined they carried a snow storm frozen within.

“Apparently you thought wrong.” Thankfully, she could maintain an air of being unimpressed. Particularly because she had noticed him before he drew too close. Linc didn’t stand between them, so Diesel couldn’t lay a finger on the male without going through her.

And he wouldn’t go through her.

“What do you want, Diesel?” Why was the Yukon Alpha seeking her out? They had little to no contact and she had very little patience for the games he played with the other packs when their Hunters sought him out for negotiations. The one Hound she’d sent to notify him of her father’s passing had to wait three months for Diesel to even acknowledge the wolf was in his territory.

Never again.

If he wanted to live like an animal in the back of beyond with no contact with the outside world, more power to him.

A hint of movement behind her and she slid a hand back to clasp Linc’s. His fingers closed around hers, and she gave his hand a squeeze. Yes, Mason ordered him to protect her—
Mason?
Son of a bitch, no wonder he’s fighting flirting.
Dismissing the thought for now, she kept her attention on Diesel. The last thing she needed was Linc assaulting the Alpha or putting himself in danger for her. She could handle the situation.

Or she would, as soon as she identified what the hell the situation was.

The foreign wolf seemed to stare through her. The absence of any expression disturbed her more than anger or pleasantries. “I knew your father,” Diesel said, and the answer did what little else had in years—surprised her. “I was saddened to hear of his passing.”

He’d died over a decade before, but the faint mark of sadness in the Yukon Alpha’s voice touched her. “Thank you,” she told him, meaning it. Linc squeezed her hand, an offer of comfort? Support? Appreciating the connection, she returned the light squeeze.

Diesel swept his gaze over her, then past her shoulder to Linc. “We were friends for a time, your father and I,” the Alpha continued, resuming his stare at her. “I wanted to see if his daughter was half the Alpha her father was.”

Nice.
A compliment and insult tied together.

Linc growled. “You shouldn’t be here.” He shifted his stance to be at Serafina’s side rather than behind her. “You agreed to the rules. Your presence is a violation.”

The Alpha shrugged, nonplussed—worse. No ripple of a reaction softened the other wolf’s stern visage, nor did his cold scent of snow atop ice betray his emotions. If the dead walked, they’d show as much reaction as the wolf before her. Everything about his manner screamed
wrong,
and her wolf braced for potential attack.

“Still, I see a lot of your father in you, and that pleases me.” Not that anyone would ever discern as much from his tone. The Alpha shrugged, then glanced around the open land surrounding the house. “You are brave like him, at least. You have none of your wolves with you.”

Only her iron grip on Linc’s hand kept him at her side. A fierce surge of protectiveness vibrated over him. The intensity stoked her earlier lust. Too bad she didn’t have time to enjoy the sensation. Leaning against the arm she held captive, she pressed into him. The rolling timber of his growl ceased immediately.

“I do not require the presence of my wolves to face a potential challenger.” Reducing the Alpha to role of
challenger
carried its own inherent insult. “Linc can certainly serve as a witness.”

“Yes, because he’s unbiased.” Diesel chuckled, and the empty sound left all the hairs on Serafina’s arms standing on end.
Lost
. The spirits breezed past her ears.
Sad.
Dying.

All of her antipathy evaporated at the warning. “He does not need to be unbiased to witness, but you are not here to challenge me Diesel.”

“No,” he agreed. He glanced toward Linc. “And he’s already alerted his Alpha to my presence. The slowness of Willow Bend to respond does not bode well for your pack, whelp.”

“Dude,” a voice called out from the trees. “If you want to see the response look behind you, but no calling names. It isn’t nice.” She didn’t recognize the wolf, but Linc did. More moved forward—easily a half-dozen Hunters. The one striding from the woods wore a jovial smile and didn’t slow his approach until he was within arm’s reach of the Yukon Alpha. Built thick and broad, he had the brawn to take on the Alpha, if not the pure power. “Speaking of name calling, asshole, who agreed to the fucking rules before they were escorted onto Willow Bend land?” The fierce friendliness within his tone belied the aggressive words, yet not the intent.

Amused, Serafina settled more comfortably against Linc’s side. She had him right where she could protect him, so she could enjoy the show. If Diesel decided to tear the wolf apart for his insults, well, she’d have time to save him and keep Linc out of it.

Instead of responding to the potential threat, Diesel shrugged again. “I don’t do your job for you, and I wanted to meet Ms. Andre before the summit tomorrow.”

Which begged the question, why?

The icy gaze locked on hers again. His power swept across the intervening space and she let it come, bending with the wind rather than trying to let it slam into her. It broke apart around her, flowing around. Skin contact with Linc shielded him, but his muscles tensed and his grip flexed at the pressure.

The newly arrived Hunter went still, his muscles poised in agitation. Diesel’s power increased and she could hear the groan of wolves in the woods.
The Call…
The summon of an Alpha’s power could force the shift on those weaker around him. The Hunter nearest him held onto his human form but his eyes went pure amber. She didn’t doubt for a second if she allowed herself to glance at Linc, his would have done the same thing.

Mason’s wolves weren’t the target, though—
seeking
the spirits warned and understanding kindled with pity in her gut. The Alpha before her mourned, and his humanity seemed to wane, but more his mourning was a very real grief and the call—the call was to pull her wolf forward. He wanted to know if she could mate him and while she hated to disappoint such a forlorn fellow, she was no one’s bitch to call.

Her two options were to respond aggressively and attack or diffuse the attempt utterly by—she yawned, lifting one hand to cover her mouth but making no pretense of elongating the sound. Her wolf had who she wanted by her side, and the Alpha before her deserved kindness and solace, but not from her.

As abruptly as the attempt began, it ended. A sad smile creased the man’s face, softening his savage manner. He understood. More, he accepted her negative response with grace and inclined his head.

The silence of the night broke with the sound of running feet. Mason burst into the clearing, his power an anvil to split apart the last lingering notes of Diesel’s Call. The Hunter nearest Diesel swayed on his feet then lunged for the Alpha himself.

Well, so much for a peaceful resolution. Packing all the power she possessed into her next words, she said, “Stay here,” to Linc, then surged into the fray and caught Mason’s Hunter before he could land a blow on Diesel. Sliding her arms around his neck and shoulders, she contained him with a chokehold just in time for Mason to slam into Diesel.

It went downhill from there…

S
eated by the fire
, Brett glanced at the golden wolf sprawled on the rug. Next to her, Trent knelt. The boy directed all of his attention to the mock injuries Gillian sported. Even the intellectual knowledge that she’d created a facsimile to give Trent something to work with didn’t soothe his instinctive need to help her. She’d all but wagged a finger in his face and ordered him to stay out of it. Across the room, her mate split his attention between her actions and his cell phone.

The healer dinner occurred with the other packs and, instead of attending, Gillian chose to stay with Trent. His training, even in the most basic of lessons, was more important, or so she’d said. Brett half-thought she and Owen made the call because they wanted to keep him company. Frankly, he’d relaxed for the first time in months, so perhaps they had.

“I can’t do it,” Trent grunted, frustration and exasperation in his voice. “I can see the injuries…but I can’t do anything about them.”

Rising, Gillian licked his face, earning a laugh from the child. She nuzzled him, then pressed her head to his. Warmth tugged at Brett, the faint pull of her abilities. Trent sighed and wrapped his arms around her neck. The hug helped, but he was too tired to continue. At Gillian’s glance, Brett nodded.

“Trent, why don’t you go to your room and play your game. I’ll get the pizza cooked.”

“Pizza!” Trent whooped, bounced to his feet and waved at Gillian before scampering up the stairs. Owen chuckled, and Gillian made a snort that could have been a laugh as she stretched.

Amused, Brett opened his mouth to offer the mated pair dinner as well when a surge of Alpha energy expanded through the room. Gillian whirled, her soft eyes shimmering, to face the door. Surging to his feet, Brett’s nostrils flared. Across the room, Owen’s muscles bunched and his jaw locked.

Refusing to allow another to be injured on his watch, he dropped a hand to Gillian’s shoulder. She crashed against him as her legs wobbled and Owen crossed the room to his mate. Clasping his arm, Brett let his strength filter in to buffer both wolves. His tie to Gillian strengthened then, from her to her mate.

“Son of a bitch,” Owen swore as his phone blew up with a series of messages.

“I gathered,” Brett listened for Trent, but the boy’s video game roars and sword clashes were all the disturbance he heard. “What is it?”

The healer shuddered and, as one, he and Owen crouched, bracing her further.

“Diesel’s missing from his place,” Owen said. “Mason and the other Hunters are tracking him, but I heard an Alpha Call and it hit the Hunters…” Which translated to mean it hit Owen and, through him, Gillian. Her submissive nature made her more susceptible to the full power of an alpha summons.

“Do you need to go?” He studied the Hunter.

“Yes, I need to make sure he’s secured and returned to—” Gillian’s moan jerked at both of them. Eyes narrowed, Owen’s jaw tensed. “Mason’s in pain.”

“Go,” Brett told him. “I
will
protect her.”

The other wolf pressed his hand to Gillian’s head. “I’ll be back.” The trust displayed in the action honored Brett. Rising, Owen glanced at him. “Keep her safe.”

Then he was out the door. Gripping her fur gently, Brett said, “I need to check on Trent. Can you handle being alone or do you want me to take you with me?”

With only a low whuff in response, Gillian managed a nod. Narrowing his gaze, he concentrated until he memorized the cadence of her heart, the panting nature of her breathing and wrapped the sense of himself around her. Whatever fight had erupted among the other Alphas, Brett wanted no part of it.

But if they came to him, he would kill them.

“I’ll be right back.” He took the stairs two at a time, then opened the door to Trent’s room. The boy lay on his stomach on the floor, a controller in his hand and his full attention on the game screen. The aggressive nature of his scent had everything to do with his play and nothing to do with the situation outside. A glance of the windows, showed them still locked and secured. Owen had installed grates on the windows at Brett’s request. To get inside the room, they would have to be removed and the noise would alert him.

Satisfied the boy was as safe as he could make him, he returned to the first floor. Gillian still lay on the rug, so Brett settled on the floor. He tugged the healer into his lap. He’d promised Trent pizza, but the kid wouldn’t be asking again anytime soon.

Phone at hand, he rubbed Gillian’s ear lightly. “All right,” he told her, because she needed a distraction. “You can work on the scars.”

She swung those liquid gold eyes on him, and he gave her a faint smile. The disbelief did more to chase away the shadows than his cradling her, but when she settled her head to his chest and her warmth swept over him, it was worth making the offer. She wouldn’t be able to do much, and he deserved the damn scars.

But she did not deserve to be afraid. If giving up some of his punishment helped her—then so be it.

C
laire folded
her arms and glared at him. “Stop taunting my mate.”

“He likes it,” he said lazily. The mate in question had stalked outside to speak to his brother earlier after one exchange. Cassius hadn’t missed the comment about liking the douchenozzle. As the douchenozzle in question, he appreciated the compliment. “You should have brought him with you when you came to Sutter Butte.”

Pain flickered in her eyes, but vanished nearly as soon as it appeared. “I should have done a lot of things, like not gone, but that’s beside the point.”

“I’m glad you came,” he told her, meaning the sentiment. “You’ve pointed out a lot of issues with the pack, ones that need to be addressed.”

Shock rippled across her normally guarded expression.

Amused, Cassius twirled the beer bottle from between two fingers. “Surprised that I noticed at all?”

“No,” she said slowly. “Surprised you’re bringing it up here. Especially since you had no interest in even coming to the meeting.”

“Not seeing a point in a discussion when we have no alternative is not the same as not being interested.” Something Claire might do well to remember. The tiny line between her brows tightened. Yes, he’d come to see what proposals Mason put on the table, and to assess his fellow Alphas. At the end of the day, they could make all the decisions they wanted, but the sixth pack threatened them all and if they didn’t see it, then he’d have to hammer the point home.

“You frustrate me,” she admitted in a low voice. “You play games and I don’t know why.”

No one did, and he preferred it that way. Tipping the bottle back, he took a long drink. He’d sent both Hunters riding with him to watch over Bianca at the dinner. Left alone with Claire and Tyler, he’d allowed himself the pleasure of their company without keeping a wary eye on the Hunters, Laurel and Johnny. Most of Justin’s cohorts had been rooted out and dealt with, but Cassius learned a long time before—
don’t trust anyone
. Everyone wanted something, everyone had an agenda, and everyone would do what was best for them.

“I miss you, Claire.” He enjoyed her deepening scowl. “You never played the games. You didn’t even try to learn the rules. You spoke your mind, and you stood up for yourself. Few wolves would have had the balls to tell me they wanted to leave, and—how did you charmingly put it? Never see my Alpha ass again.”

A snicker escaped, and she had the grace to look startled. “I’d apologize, but I meant every word.”

“I don’t want your apology, nor do I need it. Your happiness speaks volumes.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Now I know you’re up to something. Why did you come, Cassius?”

“To see you, of course, and to try the microbrews.” He held up the beer bottle. “Did you know Willow Bend is home to more than a dozen of the finest microbreweries in the country?”

Rising, she shook her head. “Not going to play this game. I think I’ll leave you with your microbrew and—”

She ceased speaking and moving in the same breath. Stopped, not trailed off or paused.

Power rippled over him. The clash of an Alpha’s Call was hard to miss, but the hair rose along his arms. Claire’s pupils dilated, gold rimming the edge. Standing, Cassius scented the air. His wolves. Claire. Tyler. No others. The door slammed open and Tyler leaned into the room.

The increase followed him and Cassius clamped a hand onto Claire’s shoulder. She’d been his wolf for however few the years had been, but his longer than she’d been Mason’s. His power wrapped around her with the bite of his fingers into her flesh.

She blinked and Tyler sagged. Shielding her protected her mate and their phones began to vibrate.

“Something’s up.” His phone vibrated at the same instant. Claire shook off his hand and flipped her phone over. The message was from Bianca—trouble in Willow Bend with the Yukon Alpha.

Had he decided to hunt his fellow Alphas? Or was he attempting to take Mason’s pack? A bold move when surrounded by Mason’s entire pack. Tyler crossed to his mate, and wrapped a hand around her nape. She pressed her forehead to his. Turning slightly, he let them have the intimacy of their moment.

His healer assured him she and the Hunters were fine. Emma had been dazed by whatever hit them all, every member of Willow Bend responded in one fashion or another. Several in the street had shifted.

A howl went up outside and Tyler scowled.

“You need to deal with the kids. An Alpha’s Call can pull a lot of the younger wolves.” One reason why Alpha’s did not summon the wolves from their packs unless the need was dire.

“Claire,” Tyler glanced at her. “You’re better with the stubborn ones.”

She nodded, gave him a kiss then strode out the door. No sooner did she leave than Ty hit speed dial on his cell phone and pivoted to face him. “Thank you.”

Surprise struck him. “For what?”

“You pulled her out of the call.” Tyler said.

Before he could respond, Tyler’s brother A.J. answered the cell call. “Ty, we’ve got problems. Just stay put till we get everyone settled.”

“I sent Claire out here. She’ll round up any stragglers on our side of town. What the hell happened?”

“I’ll fill you in. For now, we’re fine. Just stay put. Keep an eye on our guest. The Yukon Alpha slipped his watch…”

Cassius shook his head. Diesel was the oldest of them all. If he didn’t want to stay where they put him, he wouldn’t. Retrieving his beer, he strolled out to the porch of the guest house and stared into the night. Part of him listened for Claire, but he trusted the fiery little wolf.

She could more than take care of herself. She’d seen the threat from Justin before anyone else—Cassius included—and she’d dealt with him. If he owed her for nothing else, he owed her his gratitude for saving him from the mistake of trusting a wolf he’d called friend.

One he would never make again.