The Mating Rite (Big, Beautiful Werewolf) (Werewolves of Montana) (24 page)

Sienna’s eyes widened.

Fury filled him. Claws emerged from his fingertips. “And they wanted the contract to set foot on our land to protect the game we hunt. If you had anything to do with this, you fucking bastards…”

James held up his hands. “Not me, wolf. I am Sam’s friend. I had nothing to do with this.”

“Tell her why you’re really at Comairise Energy,” he snapped, but James and Sienna remained silent, guarding their secret.

He went to James, held up a hand. “I can shred you to ribbons, slowly, and make you tell, or you can give us the truth. Now.”

“Darius,” Sam cried out.

“You don’t know what they can do, Sam. Stay out of this,” Darius warned.

Finally James glanced at Sienna, who nodded. “I initially came to Comairise Energy to oust HG from power and install a new president. He had adapted too well to the Skin lifestyle and enjoyed the money that came with the position.”

“We thought he was not obtaining enough accounts in this state to satisfy our need for clean energy,” Sienna added.

James scoffed. “He did obtain enough accounts, but not the ones we desired. With Ken’s help, HG is taking kickbacks from a powerful developer interested in constructing on our land in northern Washington, land we are sworn to keep pristine and natural and safe for all wild creatures. He negotiated to change zoning to construct condos and in return, the developer promised a fat contract for solar energy. Our woodlands are threatened, the small creatures who rely upon us for protection are endangered.”

The Elf’s eyes glowed bright green. “We plan to remove him from power. Either by Skin methods of a hostile takeover, or by other methods.”

Sam looked stunned. “Other methods? You mean you’ll kill him.”

“Not quite,” Sienna said flatly. “We will make it extremely uncomfortable for both him and Ken to remain. We have power and know how to use it.”

Sam’s mouth twisted. “That’s why I could never get ahead. I worked for a company run by Elves, who wanted to promote only Elves. And as Lupine, or a Lupine living in Skin, I never had a chance to advance. Not if I brought in the Mitchell Ranch account, or ten others. I was manipulated by management to use my contacts, but I’d never get ahead. Ken made a promise he had no intention of fulfilling. Right, Sienna?”

She nodded. “The firm does hire Skins and OtherWorlders, but it is rare they get promoted. We had no wish for you to get hurt, Samantha.”

Sam glanced at Darius and the defeat in her eyes made his heart sink. He wanted to draw her close, comfort her and promise her the world.

But she’d already been disappointed by too many promises made by those who didn’t deliver. Including himself.

Darius slid his hand into Sam’s, pleased she didn’t draw away. He glowered at James and Sienna. “I don’t believe you. Your explanations don’t hold water. A company run by Elves, and it’s too damn coincidental how Elves are always near when something is threatening Sam, or wishing to hurt her. What’s the real story here?”

A flicker of guilt in Sienna’s green eyes. “There is no story. Samantha is a good employee who does excellent research. You may still remain at the firm, Samantha. We could use your skills.”

Sam remained quiet and then stared out the window. “Not anymore. I’m resigning Monday. I already informed Ken.”

At James’ blank look, she added in a voice dripping with contempt, “You thought I’d remain with the firm, knowing that I not only lost a promotion to a new hire? Working with Elves who have powers far beyond any skill set I could acquire? And the company president, another Elf! He wanted me to sleep with a Lupine so the firm would land a big contract? I wanted to work in a Skin firm where I could achieve success. I want nothing to do with the sly underbelly of the OtherWorld. I’d be better off slinging tacos at the greasy spoon downtown. There are no paranormal creatures there.”

“Except for the ogre who is the night manager,” Sienna said humorlessly.

Sam’s shoulders slumped. Then she raised her chin and gave both Elves a defiant look. “Get out of my room.”

“It is not your room, it is rented by the company,” James said.

“A rental. Good. Then I don’t have to worry about breaking this.”

Picking up the lamp, she threw it at him. James just barely ducked as the lamp sailed through the air and smashed into the wall. The crystal base shattered. Darius’ mouth curled in a satisfied smile.

Both Elves turned and walked out. At the door frame, James turned. His gaze remained blank. “I am sorry you have chosen to leave Comairise Energy, Samantha. You have served the firm well.”

“At my desk or on my back?”

James blinked, but Darius growled and kicked the door shut in his face. He went to her and rubbed her arms. “You okay?”

She gave a shaky nod. “I really regret that, though.”

“Resigning?”

“Throwing the lamp. It was a very nice lamp.”

He rested his forehead against hers, the brief touch recharging his senses. His wolf howled, not for sex, but to keep her safe. Because she was not safe here.

“You packed already?” At her nod, he sighed with relief. “Good. We’re leaving.”

“Where are we going?”

Good point. Until they figured out who wanted Sam dead, he couldn’t keep her safe. Only one thing would protect her. Pack.

“Montana. To my ranch.”

“No.” Sam shook her head. “If I return with you to your ranch, you’ll pressure me into staying and undergoing this mating rite. I can’t do it, Darius. I need space, time to think. Pick another place.”

He thought hard and then fished out his cell phone. “I’ve got one more in mind. Lupine, but a close friend’s pack. I’ll call them right now. Okay?”

She nodded.

“Good. Get dressed. I’ll be right outside your room. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

Chapter 12

After they’d driven for a few hours, Darius stopped for lunch. The small, homey restaurant he’d chosen promised good food, judging from the enticing smell of grilling meat wafting from it.

He opened the door for Sam and ushered her inside.

Sliding into seats at the bar, they scanned the menu. Sam wanted mac and cheese. He hid his dismay—she needed more meat, damn it!—and ordered a burger for himself. Rare.

The restaurant was pleasant, with plenty of dark wood and comfortable booths. It was decorated like a hunting lodge, complete with a stone fireplace and a stag’s head resting above it. Hanging near the fireplace was a rusted buzz saw someone had whimsically crafted into a clock. The air held an odd metallic scent. He searched with his senses, but the scent had faded.

When their order arrived, he dug into his hamburger with zest, but she only picked at her meal. Darius glanced over. “What’s wrong?”

Sam set down her fork. “It feels odd here. Some kind of bad energy.”

He wiped his mouth.

“Maybe your former employer likes to frequent this place.”

“I had no idea they were Fae.” She sighed and picked at her food. “Elves. Mom always told me Elves were sweet and protective of the planet.”

Darius shook his head. “Sweet? Maybe in the movies, but these Elves are sly, manipulative, and will snap your neck in half as easily as they’d shake your hand. They’re dangerous. Like us. You just have to remain aware of them at all times.”

“I had no clue. I thought they were human. All of them. I wanted to work in a firm filled with humans, return to the human lifestyle…” She shook her head. “What a fool I’ve been. Running from the Lupine life, hoping to make a new start, far from anything paranormal, only to walk into a spider’s web.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” he said quietly. “It’s part of their glamour. It takes years of practice using all your senses to detect what they really are. They’ve learned to cloak their scent from us. I only knew for certain James was Elf because I pissed him off and he dropped the glamour. When it came to the others, I wasn’t certain, but they hardly ever work alone.”

Sam tilted her head. “You’ve worked with Others like Elves. You knew.”

Darius nodded and swallowed a bite of burger. “After I left Maxim’s pack, I bused tables for an Elf who owned an organic restaurant. Doing business with them is a thousand times more challenging than dealing with Skins. Humans are easy to work with in business. You can smell their sincerity, or lack of it, when they’re duping you. Elves don’t care as much about money. They have ulterior motivations. Those could be as lofty as restoring the woodlands so the animals can return. Or as petty as wanting to get rid of someone permanently.”

“Why do you do business with them if Elves and Lupines don’t get along?”

He took a deep breath. “We share a common bond, to protect our environment, we just don’t always see eye to eye on the process. Elves hire Skins to cover for them, but in minor positions where they can’t gain power. And if they sense anyone getting close to company secrets, or advocating an agenda they don’t like, they simply fire them.”

“Like Ralph. He was angling for a promotion. They let him work from home. Then Ken fired him for not putting in enough hours at the office.”

“It’s how they deal with threats and competition. They are very clever. You’d have seen through it, had you still been living as Lupine. But you shut down all your natural senses trying to adapt to the Skin world.”

“I need help, Darius. I don’t know how to be Lupine anymore. None of it. The scents, the senses, the awareness. Certainly not the savagery of being wolf, especially in the bedroom.”

Darius couldn’t help himself. He touched her cheek, rubbing his thumb over the velvet smoothness of her fair skin. “Lupines aren’t always savage in the bedroom, but we can be extremely feral when facing our enemies, and protecting the pack and those we care about. We need to teach you all over, just like you taught me to read, sweetheart. And we need to do it soon, because the faster I can teach you to be aware of your surroundings and protect yourself as Lupine, the safer you’ll be. I have the perfect pack for your training.”

“Whose?”

“Ryder’s pack. He is mate to my alpha Aiden’s sister. The pack was run by Aiden’s father. When Alastair died, Ryder took over.”

“Aiden didn’t assume power?”

Darius regarded her with his steady gaze. “Alastair was a cruel, heartless bastard. It’s why Aiden left with his sister Kara. Now Ryder and Kara are together and have three young. Their pack lives in Colorado, but they own a condominium complex here in Oregon, near Mt. Hood. They’re meeting us there tomorrow night. Location is perfect, on the banks of a river, with plenty of game for hunting.

“And what are we going to do there? Shoot things? Fish for our supper?”

“Teach you how to be a Lupine again.” He drew in a deep breath. “Sam, are you certain your father was Lupine?”

“You think he wasn’t and my mother lied to me?”

“She lied to me about your death,” Darius said dryly. “Why wouldn’t she lie about your parentage? I suspect your father was Skin. Not regular Skin, but a Seeker, a psychic human or maybe even a Mage.”

“Why do you think I’m not a full-blooded Lupine?”

“Because a full-blood Lupine would understand the sensual side of her nature. A full-blooded Lupine would surrender to the instinct to mate, to eat meat and to hunt, and darling, you like meat as much as I enjoy sprouts.”

She went silent, her gaze troubled.

“We’ll talk about it on the drive to the condo.”

He’d nearly finished his burger when someone sitting in one of the booths screamed.

To his shock, the giant buzz-saw clock had detached from the wall. It spun through the air, straight at them. Cursing, he threw Sam to the floor, covering her body with his.

Grind, crack.
The buzz-saw sliced through a high-top table, scattering patrons, and cut off a portion of the bar as it hurtled toward them. “Stay low!” Darius commanded Sam.

Standing, he grabbed his fork. This had to be Mage or wizard magick. Kyle had confided in him one night while they got drunk: if caught in a jam with a wizard, throw silver. Tristan, the Silver Wizard and their guardian, used silver as his power. Silver would slow down, maybe even stop, other sorcerers.

Hoping the utensil wasn’t stainless, he threw it. The buzz saw cut through the fork like butter.

Shit.
He leaped over the bar, saw an iron key hanging on a peg, and tossed that at the buzz saw. It ground to a halt and dropped to the floor, the spell enchanting it now shattered. People began chattering quickly and some took photos with their cell phones.

Darius fished out his cell and dialed the OtherWorld equivalent of 911. The Silver Wizard materialized, took one look around and shook his head.

“I need a Skin cleanse.” Darius told him what had happened.

“Seriously? I was in the middle of a concert.” Tristan snapped his fingers and froze everyone in the room. The wizard sent a ball of blue energy smashing into the buzz-saw and vaporized it. Then he waved a hand. The Skins shook their heads and looked confused. The bartender, who’d been dialing emergency services, looked lost. Tristan removed the phone from his fingers.

“False alarm. Sorry about that.” The wizard hung up and gestured to the parking lot. “Outside, both you and Sam. Now.”