Wolf Born (20 page)

“Aw.” She poured the marinade over the fish and vegetables and stepped to his side. Audrey put her arms around him. “I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. Once we get that edict repealed, there will be hot and cold shifter babes vying for your affection.”

“Thanks!” He hugged her back and turned to get salad makings from the refrigerator.

Deep in her pocket, her wrist computer vibrated. Audrey dug it out and glanced at the ID for the incoming call. “Hmmm…I don’t recognize the number.”

“Let me see.” Johannes snatched it from her hand, frowning. He pushed
Answer
and then activated the speaker. “Yes. Can I help you?”

“Isn’t this Audrey’s computer code?” a male voice asked.

“It’s Daddy,” Audrey squealed and grabbed the wrist computer back. “Dad. Where are you?”

Ron didn’t answer her question. Instead, he asked one of his own. “Was that Max? It didn’t sound like him.”

“Lord guard me from overprotective males,” she exclaimed. “It was Johannes. We’re waiting for Max to get home from work. Are you close by?”

“Yes, dear,” her mother cut in. “According to the car’s nav system, we’re about ten minutes from you.”

“Wonderful! We’ll make extra for dinner,” Audrey said. “Love you guys. See you soon.”

Johannes had already taken another package of fish out of the freezer and was cutting the plastic wrapper away. “I can nuke this,” he said. “It will grill with everything else.”

“Do we have extra veggies?”

He nodded. “In the fridge. If you could cut them up, it would be great.”

“Dessert?”

“Any requests, madam?”

Audrey laughed. “You’re getting to know me too well. I’d love another of your soufflés. They’re scrumptious.”

“Can you take over with the rest of dinner? Grill’s already going.” He gestured toward what had been a fireplace in the old-fashioned kitchen. Some previous owner had built a gas barbeque into it.

“Our mated one is close,”
her wolf crowed.

Audrey dialed into her lupine senses. Max was, indeed, closing on them. She grinned as she chopped more vegetables and added them to the platter.

“I recognize that look.” Johannes grinned back. “Must mean Max will be here soon. All your lovemaking has driven me mad.” His nose crinkled. “The house still reeks of sex. I don’t remember when I’ve jacked off so much.”

“We’ll just have to find you—”

Max swept in through the kitchen door, made a beeline for Audrey, and pulled her against him. “What do we need to find Johannes?” he inquired just before he kissed her.

When she could talk again, she murmured. “A mate.” Audrey wriggled out of his arms. “You feel divine, and I’d love to drag you upstairs and ravish you, but Mom and Dad will be here any moment.”

Max sprinted for the front of the house. “Got to turn the lights on for them,” he called over one shoulder.

* * * *

Audrey sat back in her chair. Like everything that emerged from Johannes’ kitchen, dinner had been a success. Her mother winked at her from across the table. “Thanks for pounding some sense into your father’s cronies.”

“Let’s be fair,” Ron cut in. “I’d been trying to
pound some sense
into them for months.”

“I know,” Bethea Westen said placatingly. “The problem was that you were only one voice. You needed reinforcements.”

Max smiled winningly at her. “I know where Audrey gets her stunning good looks.”

Bethea colored and touched red-blonde hair that curled around her face. “Thank you. That’s quite a compliment.”

“What?” Ron who was seated next to his wife, turned to face her. “You never believed me when I told you how gorgeous you are? I was so pleased when Audrey got your eyes and your, um, build.”

“Enough already.” Bethea shook her head. “If one of you could show me where we’ll be staying, I’ll get our things laid out.” She hesitated. “I know it’s getting late, but you need to talk shifter business. Ron mentioned a few things driving up from the Bay Area.”

“I’ll take you.” Johannes got to his feet and held out an arm. “I can help with your suitcases, too.”

“I just love how all of you are so courtly and old-world,” Bethea murmured as he led her from the room.

Max set his dessert spoon down. “Anyone for brandy, port, or a cordial?”

“Whatever you’re having,” Ron said.

“I wouldn’t mind some port,” Audrey said. “I’ll get it. You and Max can talk.” She stood, went to the antique sideboard where the crystal stemware and liquor were kept, and gathered glasses and a bottle of twenty-year-old port. She poured snifters and passed them around.

“How’d things go after I left?” Max asked without preamble. He took a sip of port and rolled it around his mouth before swallowing.

Ron shrugged. “About how you’d expect. Some argued against what we’d hammered out.” He nodded at Johannes who’d returned to the dining room and slid into his chair. Audrey pointed to the port and raised an eyebrow. When he nodded, she poured him a glass before she sat.

“The net effect?” Max asked.

“A few will remain in hiding but only about a dozen.”

Max blew out a tense-sounding breath. “The other splinter groups?”

“That plan is intact. We’ve already been in contact. The underground should start hearing from them within the next few days.”

“I’m going back to the office next week,” Audrey said. “Sounds as if things will be really busy.”

“Are you certain you’re well enough?” Max and Ron asked practically in unison.

“Not that it hasn’t been hell without you,” Max added diplomatically, “but—”

“I’m more than well enough,” she broke in. “I could have worked today. Maybe yesterday, too.” She infused enough steel into her voice to make both men back down. “Christ! Being raised by a shifter father was bad enough. Now that there are two of you, I can see I won’t have a moment’s peace.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Johannes said airily. “If they slack off, I’ll dive into the breach.”

Max started to laugh.

“I’m sure I don’t see what’s so funny,” Audrey began before a giggle emerged. In moments, everyone was laughing.

“That’s probably enough for tonight. I’m off to bed. We can strategize more in the morning.” Ron stood.

“Second floor, right off the—” Johannes began.

Ron waved him to silence. “If the day comes when I can’t find my wife by using my sense of smell, I don’t deserve to be a shifter anymore.”

“Of course. Sorry,” Johannes murmured.

“Good night, Daddy.” Audrey got to her feet and went to him. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I’m glad you’re here. Tell Mom I’m looking forward to spending time with her.”

“I will, princess.” Ron turned and left the room.

Audrey met Max’s gaze from across the table. He was on his feet in an instant and by her side. “Bed for us, too.” Lust blazed from his eyes.

“We should help Johannes clean up the dinner things,” she protested weakly.

“Go on.” Johannes made shooing motions with both hands. “It’s better if there’s lots of real estate between us when the two of you get your hands on one another. As it is, I’m half-crazed with jealousy.”

“You heard the man.” Max held the door open for her.

Desire, sharp and poignant, knifed through her. Audrey didn’t argue. At the bottom of the stairs, she spun and wrapped her arms around Max. “I love you.”

“Not as much as I love you.” He bent his head and kissed her.

The End

Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Her short fiction has appeared in a number of magazines, webzines, and anthologies. She’s also written several novels. A husband, grown children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out her family.

www.anngimpel.com

http://anngimpel.blogpsot.com