A Mating of Convenience

by Elyce de Reefe

  Lucas sighed and kicked at a tuft of grass. “That’s what I think. Marten called her, and then she warned Simon. If you hadn’t claimed her…” He shook his head. “I’m going to talk to Dean, but I know what he’ll say. She will be an asset in his research on the Sickness.”

  He turned and faced Boaz directly. “It goes against the grain to accept her into the Pack. She might have saved Aster, but would Aster have been shot, if not for her?”

  Boaz straightened. “You can’t blame that on Nina. She didn’t shoot her. And the fool who did is dead.”

  Lucas nodded and turned to walk parallel to the river, heading upstream. Tiny yellow buttercups dotted the meadow, along with the round purple balls of clover blossoms. “But if I’m right, she had a hand in it.”

  “We don’t know that.” But it was a weak argument. They were both fairly certain she had. Boaz turned the conversation to the matter at hand.

  “The thing is, Lucas, she has People.” He gestured toward the phone. “They will notice if she just disappears. We need a strategy.”

  “They’re not People. That’s the problem.”

  Boaz shrugged. “Humans then. But that doesn’t change things. She started a cover story with her sister. But this Simon is her boss. We don’t want him to start a search.”

  “Fine. You’re right. The story she gave her sister is a good one. You will have to text this Simon something similar. He will be distracted by the destruction of his labs, too. That will buy us time. But she’s a loose cannon until she’s mated. I don’t want her around the women until then. Well, except Aster,” he amended.

  Boaz grimaced. What he meant was he didn’t want her around the human women. Elizabeth. Mari. And Lyla. Lucas didn’t want to have to answer too many questions. Just in case things went wrong. Boaz hung back slightly, feeling grim.

  Lucas paused and turned back to face him. His hard stare bore into Boaz like a laser. He was reminded of just how strong an Alpha Lucas was. “It’s twelve days until the new moon. You have until then to convince her. But if she doesn’t agree to the ceremony, you will have to force the bond.”

  Boaz felt his whole body stiffen. “No.”

  Lucas stood there like the preverbal immovable object. His face was hard and expressionless, and conviction was the only thing Boaz could detect in his scent.

  “Do you want me to accept you, Boaz? Accept her?”

  “Not at that cost,” Boaz said, feeling disgusted. He would not start a life with his new mate—with Nina—based on force. On betrayal. “She is under my protection.”

  Lucas gave him a level stare. “These are unusual times. We can’t take a chance of this magnitude. The entire existence of the People could be at stake here.” He paused, his gaze glinting with determination. “Convince her. You have until the new moon.”

  “She does not deserve death for trying to cure the Sickness, Lucas. The Law be damned.”

  “Is that really what she was doing? Do you even know?”

  Boaz resisted the urge to kick at the gently sloping meadow. To blast large chunks out of the soft, rich earth with the toe of his boot. “She is not what you think, Lucas.”

  “How can you know?”

  “Would the Maiden truly give such a gift to her People, if she was tarnished by evil?”

  Lucas made a face but didn’t deny the statement. “I’ve said it before, Boaz. And I’ll say it again. Keep her in line. Or I will. Any way I have to.”

  He turned and walked off toward the trees, leaving Boaz standing alone in the gently-swaying grass.

  Chapter 5

  Boaz’s thoughts churned as he headed back to the footbridge. He had no intention of trying to force the bond. But he needed Nina safe. And that wouldn’t happen until she was safely mated. The pack bond would kick in and prevent her from doing anything to harm Pack. And Lucas would calm down.

  Boaz pulled out his phone. The thing was— he really couldn’t blame Lucas. Nina was a threat. A clear and present danger to the pack. To all the People, with her knowledge. He paused before the bridge and sent Dean a quick text.

  How are things with the doctor?

  A OK.

  Keep her close. Lucas is on the war path.

  Got it. Doing fascinating science stuff over here. She is well occupied. Don’t worry big man.

  Boaz grunted out a laugh. The guy had balls; he’d give him that.

  Aster awake yet?

  Not yet. Sleeping comfortably.

  OK good. Talk later.

  Later.

  After a moment, he added one more thing.

  Thanks Dean.

  A second later he shook his head, fighting a smile. The dork had sent him a smiley face.

  Crossing the bridge back to the pack house, Boaz felt his mood lighten. Just then the sun peeked out from behind the heavy clouds. Beams of light streamed down, illuminating the white house like a beacon of hope. Boaz tried to tell himself it was a sign. He and Nina would come to an understanding, the pack would welcome them, and everything would be fine. He did his best to make himself believe that as he headed through the great room and up the stairs. Just in case it was a sign, he sent a quick prayer of thanks to the Maiden.

  He had twelve days. Twelve days to keep Nina out of trouble, earn her trust—after they’d kidnapped her and destroyed nearly everything she owned—and convince her she wanted to mate. And bond. For life.

  By the time he reached his bedroom, his mood had darkened considerably.

  I need to talk to Aaron.

  Stripping off his sweaty clothes, he tossed them into the hamper on the way to the bathroom. Everything would look better after a hot shower. At least, that’s what he was telling himself.

  Boaz’s stomach growled as he headed down the stairs dressed in jeans and a clean tee. His shower had been a thing of agony and ecstasy. Nina’s scent permeated the small space. It seemed to cling to the damp tiles, surrounding him in a cloud of desire. Twelve days had never seemed so impossibly long, or so inadequately short. Somehow, he had to convince her.

  Leaning back against the wet surface of the shower, he gave in to the needs of his body. He kept picturing Nina as she’d looked that morning, her glossy hair loose and disheveled from sleep, hanging halfway down her back in dark cascading waves. The soft cotton of her sleep tank draped enticingly over the sweet curve of her breasts; her nipples just discernible under the thin fabric…

  Yeah. There’d been no resisting that temptation. But it hadn’t helped as much as he’d hoped. Her scent seemed to cling to him now, following him, leaving him aching and unfulfilled.

  He made himself a turkey sandwich and sat at the kitchen island, listening to the sounds of the pack house. Someone, probably Jeff, or maybe Zeke, was out on the ride-on mower doing the lawn. He could hear the sounds of pool balls clacking together coming from the basement, and Eli was out on the porch tuning his guitar. But the great room itself was empty.

  He pulled out his phone and shot off a quick text to Aaron.

  Free for a run?

  Now?

  No. Next month.

  I’m kind of in the middle of something. Can I meet you in an hour?

  Boaz gritted his teeth, trying not to think about what his brother might be in the middle of.

  Fine. Where?

  He didn’t want to resent his brother’s success. But with Nina’s scent clinging to him and the smell of her mistrust permeating his bedroom, it was hard. Still, that success was the whole reason Aaron might have some advice.

  I’ll meet you under the big willow.

  Fine. One hour.

  Aaron didn’t answer, and Boaz figured he’d done the smart thing and turned off his phone. With Gage on security duty and the rest of the pack available for backup, Aaron didn’t need to be on alert. Boaz stared at his unresponsive phone for another minute, then blew out a sigh.

  That’s what he would have done, should he ever be so lucky. But he’d been around while Aaron had been trying to convince Lyla he woul
d make a good mate. It had taken time. It was just possible that his big brother had learned something useful. Worth a shot.

  Boaz finished his sandwich and headed out to the woodshed. There was a bench set along the side of the building, screened from the kitchen windows by a row of recently-planted arborvitaes. He had an hour to kill. Might as well run the perimeter. He was pretty sure Lucas was doing the same thing, but he’d hear and smell the other wolf in time to avoid him if need be.

  He stripped down and placed his neatly-folded clothes on the bench, tucking his boots beneath. There was another pile of clothing, not quite as neat, and he knew from the scent, Jesse had beaten him to it. So now he had two wolves to avoid. Not a problem. He really needed some time to himself to try to get his head straight.

  He pulled in a deep breath and let the change come over him, feeling the magic sweep through him in a soft, gentle wave. His paws hit the ground and the surrounding smells enveloped him, becoming suddenly more tangible. More intense. One scent in particular called to him, whispering softly on the breeze. Sweet, fragrant orange and cinnamon spice.

  Maybe he’d circle the trailer once and just make sure everything was all right. He’d be sure not to go too close. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her more. And the sight of a huge white wolf panting after her with his tongue hanging out probably wouldn’t instill confidence. He swiped his tongue along his muzzle. The image did have certain appeal.

  His muscles felt loose and pliable by the time he arrived at the weeping willow to meet Aaron. And his mind was calmer, a sense of certainty invading his body. He’d made a circuit of Dean’s trailer, but the two scientists were inside, so that had been a bust. But there was something about a run in wolf form that was soothing. Good for both the body and soul.

  He crouched behind a clump of bushes down by the water and waited, grinning. His brother’s pristine white coat was going to get muddy. Aaron was ridiculously proud of his pure white fur, but Boaz preferred his own coat. With just a touch of silver at the very tips, his fur had a smoky, misty quality to it. He and Eli were the only two that had it, and he knew from watching Eli how it seemed to eddy and ripple in the wind. Zeke’s was just a little bit darker, like their father, while Aaron and Rachel were pure white, like their mother.

  Just then, the white coat in question appeared, his brother padding quietly through the trees on the other side of the clearing. He paused there at the edge, sniffing and scanning. Boaz’s grin widened. Boaz could tell from the way he stood, Aaron had a good idea of what was coming. A moment later the white wolf continued onto the clearing, just north of the weeping willow. Its arching branches hung down to touch the soft earth, like an enormous living waterfall.

  Aaron made his way down to the tree, disappearing briefly beneath it, while Boaz waited just beyond its circumference, hidden in the brush bordering the river. Aaron’s white head poked out through its draping greenery and sniffed. Cautiously, he emerged fully onto the scraggly grass just in front of Boaz. And just like that, Boaz pounced.

  He hit his brother square in the shoulder, the two of them rolling in the grass and dirt— and it was on. It felt good to wrestle and play like they were pups again. Forget the worries of man and give in to the sense of the wolf.

  “Be here now,” he could hear his mother’s voice saying in his head. She would push into him playfully with her shoulder, that mischievous smile on her face whenever he got too broody. It never failed to make him laugh, her much smaller frame trying to push him off balance.

  He employed that same tactic now on his brother, with almost as little success. Aaron sprang up with his two front paws on Boaz’s shoulders, nipping roughly at the ruff on the back of his neck but careful not to break the skin. Boaz shook him off and raced away, splashing into the shallow water of the river and scrambling up onto the opposite bank. The two of them raced through the meadow, streaking for the trees, the wind ruffling their fur and tickling his ears.

  Later, when they were both panting with exertion and grinning with the joy of the chase, they emerged from the woods near a small waterhole an enterprising beaver had created with a strategic dam across a narrow part of the river. They were both covered in an impressive amount of mud and leaves, and Boaz was pretty sure he had at least two dozen burs caught in his fur.

  Aaron leapt into the pond and shifted underwater, coming up dripping and shaking water from his blond head. Boaz joined him in one powerful bound, grinning at the splash it would create. But it was an easy way to wash off all the stuff caught in his coat— no fur, nothing for the burs to cling to, so they just dropped off into the water.

  A few moments later they sat together on a sun-warmed boulder. The sun had burned through the clouds about an hour ago, and it felt good on his bare skin.

  “So,” Aaron said, glancing briefly at him before lying back on the rock and closing his eyes. “Talk.”

  Boaz sighed. “Lucas wants me to force the bond.”

  Aaron’s eyes popped open. He gave Boaz a long, assessing gaze and then closed his eyes again. “Huh.”

  “Yeah,” Boaz agreed. He knew Aaron and Lucas were close. He wasn’t expecting Aaron to say anything against the Alpha.

  “She’s a threat,” Aaron said, stating the obvious.

  “Yup.”

  “You have twelve days.”

  “Right.” Boaz stretched out on the rock, staring up at the sky. A cloud glided over the sun and the air was suddenly cool against his still-damp skin. “Any advice? How did you get Lyla to agree to the ceremony?”

  “Lyla loves me.”

  Boaz turned his head, and sure enough, a smile tipped the corner of Aaron’s mouth.

  “That’s helpful.”

  Aaron grinned, opening his eyes and turning his head to meet Boaz’s gaze. “You asked.”

  Boaz blew out a long breath and stared back up at the sky. “I’m serious here.”

  “I know.” Aaron’s tone changed, taking on a serious note. “It’s difficult for humans. The concept of mating—bonding for life—based on, well, based on a feeling. A knowing. They can’t sense it. Not clearly like us. And what they do sense, they don’t trust.”

  “Yeah. That sounds about right. She doesn’t trust me at all.”

  “You did kidnap her. Burn down her lab.”

  “Aaron, you’re not helping.”

  “Cray kidnapped Elizabeth, and he convinced her.”

  Boaz grunted. He could try Cray next, but he really didn’t want to. This was hard enough with his brother.

  “You need to earn her trust. And capture her interest. Maybe try romancing her. Lyla and I went to dinner. You could do drinks on the porch. Dinner for two on the new patio. Or down by the river?”

  Boaz’s mind immediately filled with the image of Nina stretched out on a blanket, wildflowers all around. “Maybe a picnic.”

  “Now you’re thinking. But don’t forget the details. Women like flowers on the table. Nice glasses for the wine. Candlelight. Tablecloths. That type of thing.”

  Boaz pictured the wine glasses tipping over on the picnic blanket, Nina’s hair endangered by candle flame. He grunted again. This was going to be harder than he thought.

  “But proximity works too. Let her get to know you. Get to know Pack. You should have her come visit Lyla. Maybe hearing what it’s like from another human would help.”

  Boaz made a face. “I’m not sure talking to a witch is really going to help.”

  “Lyla is a good person, Boaz.” His brother’s voice had taken on an unaccustomed edge. “And she’s Pack. Or she will be, once you join the Rabbit River.”

  “Sorry. I know she is. I’m just— I’m worried. Lucas doesn’t even want her around the humans.”

  There was a short silence as the implications of that statement sank in.

  “I’ll talk to him,” Aaron finally said.

  “Thanks,” Boaz said, and meant it. If anyone could get through to Lucas, it would be Aaron. He drew in a breath. It was mid-afterno
on. He should go collect Nina from Dean. He turned to his brother.

  “Would you help me move a table down by the river?”

  Aaron grinned and sat up. “Sure thing. I’ll see if Lyla has any candles.” He smacked Boaz on the shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the pack house in half an hour.”

  Then he shifted and crossed back over the river, heading toward the cabin he shared with his mate— using the beaver dam as a make-shift bridge. Boaz shifted and followed suit. He had work to do.

  Chapter 6

  The tap on the trailer door made Nina look up from her microscope. She’d managed to immerse herself in work for the remainder of the day, losing herself to the intricacies of the problem after only a few minutes.

  There had been an awkward moment or two when Dean reentered the bedroom after she’d finished replacing Aster’s bandages. He gave her a sharp look. “What’s wrong? Why do you smell so nervous?”

  “I—I still think she needs an antibiotic drip,” she stammered. It was the only thing she could come up with, but even to her it sounded lame. He didn’t look convinced.

  “It looks okay now,” she continued, “but I’ve seen infection set in and rage out of control before you know it.”

  He regarded her for another moment, but fortunately decided to let it go. “I told you she doesn’t need that,” he said, delivering the water to Aster and helping her drink.

  When Nina suggested she get back to the lab work, he agreed readily enough, talking quietly with Aster for several minutes before joining her back in the lab. He seemed just as anxious for answers on this strange genetic disease as Marten had been. Which made sense, if they carried the same gene pool. Something about his comment on environmental triggers had sparked a memory. An oddity she’d noticed while doing her fertility research, but had ignored at the time.

  It really was fascinating the way the fertility switch seemed to be triggered by environmental influences too, which then caused the release of a hormone. A hormone that then made the female receptive. Fertile. A hormone she thought she’d finally managed to replicate with that last batch of formula. Unfortunately, that particular batch had been stolen before she’d reached the right time in her cycle, and she hadn’t been able to test it.