by Lynn Lorenz
“Really? I hope I can find someone who’s still got it when I’m that age.”
“Oh, trust me, he’s still got it.” She winked. “He’s an animal.”
“An animal? Like how?” Ted jumped on her words. Maybe he was getting closer to the truth.
She looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear. “Yeah. He’s all growly and alpha and ‘you’re mine.’” She shivered and rolled her eyes. “Turns me on.”
Ted stared at her, and for the first time, he wondered if she even knew her husband might be a werewolf.
“Sounds like he’s a real wolf to me.” He winked.
Kirsten froze, her eyes wide. Then she licked her lips and turned away to paint. “I suppose.”
Well, that had been a guilty look if he’d ever seen one. So she did know, and she was okay with it. That changed things, for sure. She was there knowingly, so that meant she didn’t need rescuing.
A small rush of relief raced over him. One less thing to deal with. So if they were mated, according to Scott, they couldn’t look at anyone else. Ever.
So why was Charbonnet so sure she’d cheated on him?
“Is he all jealous and possessive?” Ted asked. “Because that’s one thing I can’t stand in a lover.”
“Possessive, definitely. Jealous. No, never.” She shook her head, and her ponytail swung back and forth.
“And you. Never jealous or possessive?”
“He’s my man. End of story. I trust him completely.” She stepped back to get a glimpse of Ted’s painting. “Man, you’ve done it again. Darcy is going to wet himself over this painting.”
Ted stared at what he’d been working on as they’d chatted. He hadn’t really been thinking about it, just putting paint to canvas, but now that she’d brought his attention to it, he stared at it.
“Yeah, it is good.” He couldn’t believe it.
“My gallery friend would love to get ahold of your work.” Kirsten went back to her painting.
Kirsten had to be just talking. He wasn’t art gallery good. Not by a long shot.
They finished working in silence until Darcy made his rounds.
“Ted, good Lord! What are you doing taking my class? You should be teaching it,” Darcy raved as he stood back from Ted’s easel.
Ted stepped closer to Darcy. “It doesn’t matter what you say; I’m not sleeping with you.”
Darcy bust out laughing. “Ted, I’ve given up hope of that ever happening.”
“So you really think it’s good?” Ted asked.
“I do. Very good.” Darcy nodded.
“I told him I could probably get it into a friend’s gallery,” Kirsten added.
Darcy eyed him. “Listen to her. Take a chance.” Then he moved on to the next person.
“Really, Ted. Take a chance.” She stepped over, digging in her purse, then pulled out a business card. “Here, take this. If you’re interested, call. I’ll hook you up with her.”
Ted took the card, glanced at it, then shoved it into his wallet. “Thanks.”
“I want ten percent. Finder’s fee.” She laughed and went back to work.
“Sure. Like that’s ever going to happen.” Ted filed it away, along with the information about her husband.
Judge Charbonnet was a werewolf.
Damn.
Chapter Twenty-Two
At dinner, Ted noticed a lot of tension between Darcy and Peter, but he put it down to their constant sexual maneuvering.
But when Peter left his seat, taking his drink, a pissed-off attitude, and his dinner with him and moved down to sit next to Ted, Ted knew something bigger was in play.
“What’s up?” Ted didn’t want to know, but he couldn’t shake the protective feelings he had for the younger man.
“Jerk. Asswipe,” Peter muttered.
“That shouldn’t be a news flash to you. What’s really up? Is Darcy pressuring you again?” Ted’s hackles went up.
“No. You were right. I should have expected it. I don’t mean anything to him. I’m just another workshop fuck.” Peter pushed his food around his plate, then ordered another beer.
“I’m sorry you got hurt but didn’t I tell you?” Ted shook his head. “Darcy’s not the settling-down type, kid.”
“You either, huh?” The hope flickering in Peter’s eyes made Ted wish he were a young man again, innocent and longing for true love.
“Me either. Trust me, neither of us are worth your time.”
“Don’t give me that crap.”
“What crap?”
“The ‘you deserve better’ crap.” Peter stabbed at his fried catfish, breaking up the filet into an inedible mess of white flakes.
“Don’t you think so?” Ted asked.
“I’m not so sure anymore.” Peter sighed. “I seem to fall for the wrong guy, you know?”
“Oh hell, I know that, kid. Been there myself. But don’t worry, when the right one comes along, you’ll know it.” As soon as Ted said the words, the pain hit him in the chest. He’d thought he’d found the one, twice, but both times had been painful and total fuckups. Who was he to hand out advice?
“Please.” Peter rolled his eyes. “Not you too. Darcy said the same thing when he dumped me this morning.”
“Ouch.” Ted winced.
“He didn’t lose any time after fucking me to turn me loose.” Peter looked ill. “And I thought we really connected.”
“Hey, it doesn’t mean you’re not a great guy, kid. It just means Darcy’s an asshole and an idiot who doesn’t know a good thing when he sees it.”
Peter looked up and gave Ted a halfhearted smile. “Thanks.” He bumped Ted’s shoulder with his.
“Nada.” Ted decided to have a little talk with Darcy. It might be too late, but maybe Darcy would think twice before he broke the next young heart he came across.
After the meal, as they walked to their cars, Ted called out to Darcy to wait for him.
Darcy leaned against his car. “What’s up? Change your mind about spending the night with me?” He spun his car keys around his finger, looking cocky as hell.
Ted gave a fake laugh. “Funny, Darcy, but no.” He sobered. “Look, I know Peter’s an adult, but shit, man, did you have to fuck him and dump him? Anyone could see he was vulnerable.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but he knew what the rules of the game were, and he agreed.” Darcy shrugged. “It’s not like he was a virgin.”
“That’s beside the point. He practically worshipped you.”
“I can’t help that.” Darcy frowned.
“But you can keep your dick in your pants. Do you have any moral sense of right and wrong?” Ted growled, curling his hands into fists.
“When it comes to tight, young tail? Afraid not.” Darcy opened the door of his car.
Ted came up behind him. “Well maybe the next time, think twice before you drag someone’s heart through the mud.”
“Like you wouldn’t have fucked him.” Darcy scoffed. “He told me you let him suck you off.”
Ted closed his eyes and cursed. “He tried, but I stopped him.”
“Congratulations! You’re a better homo than I, my friend.” Darcy got in and slammed the door shut.
Ted watched as he backed out of the parking space and drove off. Growling, he turned around and found Peter leaning against Ted’s car.
“I guess I’m giving you a ride back to the inn, huh?” Ted asked.
“If you don’t mind.” Peter hopped in.
Ted shook his head at Peter. Puppy. Why did he care?
Because Darcy was right. If Ted hadn’t been so into Scott, he would have tapped Peter’s ass in a heartbeat.
He was just as low as Darcy.
And didn’t that just suck.
»»•««
Scott made his way to the front of the packed room. He could smell the scent of each of his pack brothers converging into one huge, overpowering hormone bomb.
Mike was right. Something was up
with all of them, and Scott had to end it or move to protect the pack.
“Okay, men. Things are getting out of control. Last night Mike spotted two pack members crossing the fucking highway.”
Everyone in the room shifted in their chairs and looked around.
“You know who you are, and I’m not looking for any confessions, but y’all must understand how close that came to creating a shit-storm we might not be able to control.”
Heads nodded.
“As of tonight, I’m suspending all running. No changes. None. No exceptions. And those of you who don’t have work to be at are confined to your homes.”
Some of the men mumbled and grumbled at the pronouncement, but Scott expected it.
“Sorry. But the pack comes first. Each of us is sworn to keep all of us safe, and if that means harsher restrictions, so be it.”
“So what the hell is going on?” Wyatt stood and stared down Scott. “You’re alpha, you tell us.”
“I’m not sure,” Scott admitted. He hated looking like he didn’t have a clue, especially in front of Wyatt. The man wanted his position with a vengeance.
“You don’t know?” Wyatt scoffed. “Some pack leader.” He looked around the room for support, but only a few members met his gaze.
“I’m working on it, but for now, this is the best solution.”
“Hey, I don’t mind it. Most I’ve had in a long time, and my wife’s been really happy!” Mike shouted out, and the men laughed. God bless Mike for trying to help Scott.
Scott laughed too. “So maybe not so bad for some of us.” He motioned for everyone to settle down. “Wyatt, if I had answers, if any of us had answers, we’d share.” Scott spoke not to Wyatt, but to all the men.
“Maybe it’s your crazy mama?” Wyatt sneered. “Everyone knows that old lady’s got powers.”
Scott nearly choked, but covered it in a laugh. “Yeah, she’s really dangerous. If she had created Love Potion No. 9, then she isn’t giving me any, ’cause I don’t have a woman.” Scott held out his arms. “And the way that woman wants grandkids, I’d be the first guinea pig.” No way did Scott want Wyatt to know how close to home that comment had hit.
Everyone laughed, and a few men sitting near Wyatt pulled him back down into his chair. Wyatt glared at Scott, with a look that warned it wasn’t over yet.
In the back of the room, Bobby Cotteau, their former pack leader, stood and cleared his throat.
“Now, from what I can see, Scott’s doing exactly the right things. Nothing I would have done differently. Y’all listen to him, do what he says, and the pack’ll be safe.” Bobby gave them all a severe look, then sat back down.
“Thanks, Bobby.” Scott nodded, appreciating his support. “Guys, it’s just until we figure out what’s going on and how to make it stop.”
He dismissed the pack and sat on the desk as the men trailed out of the room. The only ones left were Bobby, Mike, and Scott.
Mike made to leave, but Bobby said, “No, you stay, Mike. As beta, you’re running this pack too.”
The older man joined the two at the front of the room, grabbed a chair, spun it around, and sat straddling it.
“Now, son, you listen.” Bobby caught Scott’s gaze and held it. “This is your fault.”
Scott bolted out of his seat and looked from Bobby to Mike. “What are you talking about, my fault?”
Bobby leaned in, tipping the chair forward, then inhaled deeply. “You’re what, thirty-five?”
Scott nodded, afraid to open his mouth.
“I figure that’s about four years you been waiting on a mate. And see, the thing is, with us weres it’s all about stinky hormones, uh, what do you call those, Mike?” Bobby looked at Scott’s best friend, the only other person who knew about Scott’s mate being gay.
“Pheromones?” Mike answered.
“Right. Sex smells, Scott. And right now, that smell is pouring off you like water over Niagara Falls.”
Scott looked down at his body and then to Mike, raising his eyebrow at him. “Sex smell?”
“You’re long past due to find a mate.”
“He’s not met the right person,” Mike interrupted.
Bobby held up his hand to silence Mike. “Maybe. Maybe not. But I know the scent of a wolf in mating season, and you reek of it. Now, here’s what I think.”
Scott sat down and hoped Bobby had a way out of this, for all their sakes. One that didn’t involve claiming his mate.
“I think you’ve found your mate.”
“But—” Scott started, but a low growl from Bobby halted him in midword.
“And for whatever reason, you’re denying it. And it’s backing up in you, like a bad septic system, spilling over from you onto every member of this pack.”
Scott’s shoulders slumped as the truth sank in.
“And if you don’t stop this, it’s going to destroy us all. Scott, I don’t know what’s wrong with your mate, but goddamnit son, you need to claim her or leave.” Bobby stood and pushed the chair, the scrapping sound hurting Scott’s ears like nails on a chalkboard.
“Leave?” Mike looked from Bobby to Scott.
“That’s right. If Scott won’t claim his mate, he’ll sicken and die, that’s a fact. But in that time, all his mating pheromones will spill over onto us, until we’re so out of control there’s no telling what we’ll be capable of.”
“You don’t think…” Mike snapped his jaw shut.
“Half the pack carries guns, and all of them have fangs and claws,” Bobby grimly stated the facts.
“We could kill? Oh God. Innocents and each other,” Mike whispered.
Scott stood again and sighed. He ran a hand over his face and looked into the steady gaze of the man he thought of as his father. “I won’t be the cause of that, sir.”
“Then you claim your goddamn mate or get the hell out of my pack.” Bobby turned to leave.
“Scott can’t claim him—” Mike started, but Scott put his hand out to stop him.
Bobby, his brows deeply furrowed, turned around. “I’m listening.” He folded his arms and cocked his head.
Scott straightened. He’d tell Bobby, but for some reason, he refused to be ashamed by it. Not anymore.
“This shouldn’t have happened. My mother did a spell. She brought my mate to me, only it was a gay man. His name is Ted, and he’s from New Orleans. An ex-cop turned PI. Nice man.” Scott swallowed. “He’s my mate.”
“But you broke the spell, tell him, Scott,” Mike rushed to explain.
“We did. I thought we did. Both of us didn’t want…” Scott sighed. “He’s leaving tomorrow, and that’ll be that. Once he’s gone, things will settle down.”
Bobby let out a low whistle. “Gay, huh?”
Scott didn’t fear much, but he sure was afraid to see what Bobby’s eyes held at that moment.
“He is, yes.”
“And you?”
“Well, my wolf wants him.”
“Remember what I taught you, Scott? We are our wolves.” Bobby let his arms drop. “Look at me, Scott.” His voice demanded obedience.
Scott pulled his gaze off the floor and up to Bobby’s.
“Take your mate or leave.”
“It’s not that simple.” Scott wished with all his might this wasn’t happening.
“You are the alpha of this pack by right and by vote. Your mate must have the support of the pack, or else you must leave or fight for him. There is no easy way for this to end, son. It’s just up to you how we get there.”
Scott nodded. “I’ve made my decision. We broke the spell, and I’m letting him leave. Once the moon wanes, all of this will be history. I’m staying on as alpha. If I die, so be it.”
“I hope so, Scott. I truly do, because I’d hate to back Wyatt and run you out of this town. But I will, to save the pack.” Bobby’s face looked haggard, like he’d aged twenty years while they’d been talking.
“If it comes to that, I’ll leave on my own. And I understand. I
’d do the same thing, sir.” Scott nodded.
Bobby sighed and stepped forward to put his hand on Scott’s shoulder to pull him close for a hug. “The wolf knows what the wolf wants. Don’t deny it,” he whispered in Scott’s ear, then let him go.
Scott watched as his mentor walked away.
Mike collapsed into a chair and blew out a breath.
“This sucks, man.”
Scott turned to face him. “But he’s right. If this doesn’t stop tomorrow when the moon stage changes, I’m fucked.”
“Well, you will be if you let Ted get your ass.” Mike rolled his eyes.
Scott straightened a few chairs. “I do understand. You’re my beta, Mike, and I’ll do what I can to support your move to pack alpha, if it comes to it.”
Mike dropped the chair he held. “Shit. Scott, you gotta do something. I’m strictly beta material. Even Sharie bosses me around.”
Scott laughed. “Hey, better a beta than Wyatt.” He slapped Mike on the shoulder.
“I’m going home to Sharie. All this talk of sex pheromones has got me hard as a fucking rock.” Mike rubbed his crotch.
“Go, make your mate happy. Just don’t kiss and tell. Too much information.” Scott waved good night as they got into their trucks.
Mike left with a quick salute, leaving Scott in the parking lot to think about what Bobby had said.
He didn’t have many choices. Let Ted leave, and take a chance on dying. Claim Ted, and be thrown out of the pack or fight to the death for him. Leave the pack, let someone else be alpha, then die.
Ho-ly shit.
∙•∙
Why did most of his options end with death? And those were the good ones.
The others ended with him claiming Ted. And if the spell was broken, why the hell was he so hard just thinking about Ted?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Scott plopped down his hat and settled into his desk chair at the sheriff’s station. He’d done what he could last night with the pack. Now he just had to wait for the sun to set to see if the moon’s effects would disappear.
He knew he was taking a chance, but this was the last day of the workshop, and Ted would be leaving.
Scott had made his decision last night, and he’d stand by it, no matter what.
