Starr, Ellen - Wolf's Passion [The Joined] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (15 page)

“No, I ask only that should I decide to reside here for a time I not be interfered with. To explore certain…possibilities, you understand.” Jean-Paul smiled. He knew his friend would know exactly what he meant.

“I truly don’t care what you do, Jean-Paul.”

“Thank you.”

“As long as it doesn’t endanger the rest of us.”

“Of course.” Jean-Paul inclined his head in acceptance.

* * * *

Wolf jerked his head away with a hiss of pain. He muttered a curse. “That stings!”

“Yes, I know. Now hold still.” Cora dabbed gently at the cut on Wolf’s head with a damp paper towel.

He hissed again, wincing.

Cora smiled. “Almost finished. You’re lucky you don’t need stitches. You have a hard head.” She tossed the paper towel into the trash then bent and placed a light kiss on the injured spot. “There, you’ll be fine.”

Wolf sighed. “We’re moving confirmation up to tomorrow. With this latest stunt of Dolores’s, the sooner we have our union confirmed the better.”

She stepped around him and sat down in the chair beside him. “You think this was Dolores?”

“You think it wasn’t?” He leaned on the table. “She’s behind it, you can count on that. I just wish I knew why she’s so determined to break us up and take the ranch.” He started to scratch his head.

“Well, I can see why she wants you.” Cora smacked Wolf’s hand. “Stop that.”

“It itches.”

“Good, it’s healing. Now tell me more about this confirmation thing.”

He gave her a wry smile. “We’ll be going before the council to request official Pack status. All you have to do is sit with us and look beautiful.”

A noise at the door made them turn. Dale hesitated on the threshold. Cora stood and went to him, opening her arms. She held him close. “Are you all right?”

Dale nodded. “I’m fine. You’re not scared of me now?”

“Of course not. Why would I be afraid of you?” Cora pulled him inside, letting the screen door bang shut.

“I… The man…” He bowed his head.

Cora gently smoothed his hair. “Dale, look at me.” She waited until he lifted his head so she could look into his eyes. “You probably saved my life today. How could I ever be afraid of you?”

“But the true form…” His eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown.

“Is still you.” She leaned forward, kissing him. “Now, you’re not hurt are you?”

He smiled at her then shook his head. “I need to go take care of the horses.”

Cora returned his smile and rolled her eyes. “Okay, go.” She shooed him out then turned back to Wolf with a speculative expression.

“What?”

“I want to see you change.” She crossed her arms. This was part of them, part of being with them. Cora wanted to watch Wolf assume his
true form
, as Dale called it.

“Are you sure? Most people find it disturbing.” Wolf’s tone contained a hint of wariness in it.

“I’m sure. Show me.”

“Maybe we better wait for Rafe to get back.”

“Why?” Cora caught a wisp of his thoughts. He was afraid she’d get hysterical. Afraid she’d run away. She raised her eyebrows. “I’m a lot stronger than you think I am.”

“I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did. When we met, that was the closest I’ve ever been to hysterical. I had no idea Werewolves existed outside Hollywood and a few old folktales. A little freaking out is understandable after being chased by
freaky-ass monsters
. Your term, not mine.” She shifted her weight, putting her hands on her hips.

“I think I hear someone at the door.”

“You’re stalling.”

Wolf let out a heavy sigh. “This is a bad idea.” He stood. He sighed again, looking everywhere but at her.

“Change. Now.”

“All right, you asked for this.” Wolf stripped off his clothes in quick, efficient moves.

A pang of desire shot through her. Wolf was beautiful nude. He took a deep breath then his skin rippled like a shudder sweeping through him. He darkened to the color of milk chocolate, taking on a nap that reminded her of velvet. Cora forced herself to remain calm.

Wolf’s face became wolf-like yet still human while his body grew more muscular. He stayed lithe, not growing in size. Claws replaced his finger and toe nails. He smiled at her, but she saw the worry in his eyes. She raised her eyebrows. His teeth appeared very sharp.

Cora stroked his chest. His true form gave his skin the texture of suede. An image of this body against hers made her shiver. “Was that my thought or your thought?”

Before he could answer her, a loud knock at the door startled them both. Cora inhaled deeply. “Well. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” She stepped around him to go answer the door.

* * * *

Micah stood on the front porch, his back to the door, when she answered his knock. He stared out at something she couldn’t see. “Yes?”

He turned. The hard expression on his face was gone in the blink of an eye. “Ma’am,” he smiled and tipped his hat, “is Wolf here?”

“I’ll get him.” She gave the odd young man a polite smile. She liked him, but he gave her the feeling he was up to something. She didn’t know what yet, but there was a feeling of secrecy about him.

Wolf walked up behind her then, and she left the men to their business. She went back to the kitchen, a private smile gracing her lips. Cora thought this turn in her life promised to be interesting at the very least. After her quiet years with Jean-Paul, her recent adventures appealed to her.

She glanced out the window. Near the barn Rafe joined Wolf and Micah. The young man gestured toward the rim of their little canyon. Both Rafe and Wolf nodded. Dale joined them, and they all disappeared into the barn. Strange, she thought, they all looked worried.

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Confirmation

Cora tightened her grip on Wolf’s hand. They walked up the steps of the Dead Man courthouse.

“Relax, sweetheart, this isn’t the Sealing.” Wolf squeezed her hand back. He smiled at her.

She nodded.
There’s that Sealing thing again
.
I really have to find out what that is
. They went inside. In the meeting room they were greeted by the sight of several older men seated around a large conference table. She recognized the two who had spoken to her in the grocery store parking lot. They gave her a brief nod.

Wolf stepped forward. “We want to apply for formal Pack status.”

“The law is every Pack must have a
chienne
.” The distinguished-looking older man seated in the center picked up a small stack of papers.

“We know the law.” Wolf gave Cora’s hand a tug. She stepped forward. “We have a
chienne
.”

“Have you all agreed to be bound by the council’s decision?” The sour-looking man next to the leader pushed his seat back and glared at her.

“We have.” Wolf squeezed her hand.

Cora sensed something wasn’t quite right with the proceedings.

“That’s not the information we have.”

“We—”

The door crashed open, cutting Wolf off.

They all turned to see a woman and two men walk through the doors. They acted as if they owned the place. Cora felt the tension in her three lovers. She recognized the woman from the convenience store.

Dolores gave Cora a condescending glance. “We protest.”

“On what grounds?” The sour councilman gave Dolores a wintery little smile. It didn’t make him look better.

“We believe there are enough Packs in this area already. Adding another small Pack will destabilize the population dynamics of the region.” Dolores sounded as if she had rehearsed her lines.

“Very well. In view of the valid protest lodged by
chienne
Dolores, I don’t see any reason to waste the council’s time with this.” A handful of the other council members looked at each other then nodded.

“Just a minute.” One of the younger members spoke up. “What are you basing your protest on, Dolores? That Wolf here has found a
chienne
and it’s not you?”

Dolores smirked. “Naturally I’d be more than happy to take Wolf in. I’m even willing to take the defective ones in. In the interest of keeping our region peaceful.”

“Liar.” With a snarl, Dale lunged at Dolores. Wolf and Rafe both grabbed him. They struggled to keep Dale back from Dolores.

“Stop, she wants you to attack them.” Wolf tried to push Dale toward the door.

Cora glared at Dolores then touched Dale’s shoulder. “Dale.” He froze then let her lead him to a chair. She turned back to run her eyes over Dolores, letting her utter contempt for the woman show. “Is that why you’ve sent your Pack to attack me twice now?”

“Is this true, Dolores?” The old councilor stood.

“Of course not. If I wanted her gone, I’d kill her myself.” She sneered at Cora.

Cora flexed the fingers of one hand, studying her fingernails for a moment before responding. “You really think you could?” Cora looked Dolores in the eye. She felt Wolf’s hand on her shoulder.

“I believe we’ve heard enough. Please wait outside. We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve made our decision.” The old councilor waved at one of the guards, who nodded then moved to show them out.

When they found seats in the lobby Wolf sighed. He rubbed his temples. “Don’t challenge her, Cora. She’s dangerous.”

“I’m not completely helpless, Wolf. I can defend myself.”

He shook his head. “From her Pack? I don’t think so.”

“He’s right. Let us defend you.” Rafe pulled a chair over to sit in front of her.

Cora glanced at Dolores and her companions. She caught the woman staring at her. “I—”

Shouting from the conference room startled them. Everyone turned to stare at the doors and listen. The accompanying noise sounded like an all-out brawl. Someone howled, and then there was absolute silence.

When the door opened at last the guard motioned them back into the room. Inside, it appeared nothing had happened. Cora saw the seat the sour councilor occupied was now empty. Dolores did not appear pleased.

“Councilor Weems extends his regrets that he is no longer able to perform his duties. The applicants will please stand.” The old councilor looked at his papers.

Cora held hands with Wolf and Rafe.

“The council is approving—”

“No!” Dolores stepped forward.

The councilor glared at her then began again. “The council is approving your Pack status. We wish you healthy children and good fortune. This meeting is adjourned.”

Dolores stormed out followed by her two bodyguards. The councilors filed out. Cora looked at her new Pack. Nobody spoke. Wolf blinked back tears. Rafe grinned, and Dale gave her his shy smile. She held her arms out, hugging them all to her.

“What now?” Cora asked.

Rafe laughed. “Now we go home. And celebrate.”