The Finding

by Nicky Charles

  Usually, when a wolf wandered into a pack’s territory, the newcomer automatically fell under that pack’s jurisdiction, but Cassandra Greyson was a special case. They’d found her in the Chicago pack’s district and it could have been a dicey situation since Ryne hadn’t exactly asked permission of the local Alpha. Thankfully, the elderly Alpha of the other pack had been cooperative and willing to abide by the Finding, not wanting to deal with the problem himself. It had been decided that the Greyson girl, if ever located, would come to live with Ryne’s pack.

  Bryan looked at the map and eyed the distance between Las Vegas and Stump River with trepidation. It was a long way to travel with an uncooperative Lycan and something was telling him, she wasn’t going to be happy to see him. He scrunched up his face and asked doubtfully, “If it is her, do you think there’s any chance, she’ll agree to come along quietly?”

  Ryne snorted. “She’s a female, what do you think? Do they ever do anything the easy way?”

  “I heard that!” Mel’s voice drifted into the room. It had a teasing quality to it and a gleam of interest sparkled in Ryne’s eye.

  Standing, the Alpha stretched. “I think it’s time for a chat with my mate.” He folded the map they’d been look at and casually tossed it at Bryan, grinning. “Another thing about pregnant women; their libido goes way up.”

  Bryan rolled his eyes, but chuckled none the less. “I’ll start to make arrangements to head to Vegas.”

  “Do whatever you need to do. I’m putting you in charge of checking the girl out, and if it is Greyson, bringing her home.” Ryne started to leave, then paused and tossed out one more comment. “Oh, and Bryan? From what I recall, the girl’s quite a looker. Remember it’s business before pleasure.”

  Bryan snorted, then listened to the retreating sound of his Alpha’s footsteps. Wandering back to the computer, he stared at the grainy photograph. Yep, even in a sub-quality picture, her beauty couldn’t be denied. He reached out, and traced the curve of the girl’s face with his finger. “Hello, Cassandra Greyson. You and I are about to become very good friends.”

  Chapter 4

  The next morning, Bryan ambled down the stairs from his suite of rooms in the Alpha house, eyes only half open and rubbing his bare chest. The carpeted stairs were soft beneath his bare feet and he trailed one hand down the polished wooden railing idly noting it was a far cry from the rickety structure that had been there when they’d first walked into the house almost four years ago. The whole place had been falling down around their ears, but Ryne hadn’t cared being more interested in the land that went with it, than the building itself.

  Still, they’d needed suitable housing and over time the rambling monstrosity had been refurbished. There were still two wings that needed work, but the main living areas were habitable and provided enough room for all the pack members.

  In a way, Bryan wished there was a big construction project underway at the moment. Wielding a hammer or tearing down walls would have gone a long way in helping to work off some of the frustration in his body right now.

  As it was, he’d have to settle for coffee and paperwork to help shake the unsettled feeling that had been with him ever since he awoke. It had nothing to do with the fact he was leaving for Las Vegas in just a few hours to capture the elusive Cassandra Greyson. No, that would be too sensible a reason. Instead, he was off kilter because of a dream, the same damned dream that had plagued him at least once a month for the last three years. It was a recurring scenario involving him chasing a female wolf through the woods.

  She was chocolate brown with green eyes, petite yet fast as the wind. Each time he had to strain the limits of his endurance in order to catch her, but a part of him knew she would prove to be well worth the effort. He’d raced after her, inhaling her scent and quivering with the need to possess, to mate. In the end, he always caught her, gripping the ruff of her neck and forcing her to submit. The urge to claim her was strong; he’d nipped and licked her fur, rubbing against her to ensure his scent was on her and then they would both shift to human form.

  Last night had been more vivid than usual. There in the forest, on a patch of soft green moss, he’d made slow, exquisite love to her. Kissing her softly, trailing his lips down her golden body, inhaling her unique scent, tasting her... Her moans of delight filled his ears and she caressed him as he worshipped her. Gently, she’d teased his skin until every nerve ending was alert, until his body was aching with arousal. Then—his breath caught at the memory alone—she’d taken him in her hands and stroked his turgid flesh.

  He’d almost come undone then. His body trembled with the need to possess her, to feel her hot wet warmth squeezing him, yet he’d forced himself to hold back. He had to see her face first; to know who this elusive goddess was that teased him with promises of pleasure beyond telling.

  Kneeling between her knees, he worked his way up her body, taking in her curved hips and slim waist. For a moment his eyes hesitated at her lush breasts with their dusky tips begging for his attention... She reached out and took his hand, guiding it up to her face. Her tongue darted out and licked at his palm, before drawing his thumb into her mouth. He dragged his gaze upward, but, just as his eyes reached her chin, her image dissolved and he was left staring at the mossy green forest floor.

  Bryan growled at the memory. Just like always, when things were getting interesting the dream would end leaving him aching with desire. He’d awoken more unsatisfied than ever and burning with the need to search out the mystery female. It was ridiculous. She didn’t even exist, but his inner wolf wasn’t receptive to that line of thinking and demanded action on his part.

  He reached the bottom of the stairs and gave his pyjama pants a hitch from where they were sagging on his lean hips and turned down the short hallway that led to the kitchen. That room too had been redone and sported gleaming hardwood, marble counters and stainless steel appliances.

  “Bryan?” Marco called his name from the kitchen and Bryan bit back a snarl. He didn’t want to talk to the friendly Spaniard today. His wolf was restless and on edge, looking for a reason to snap at someone.

  Forcing himself to be calm, he entered the kitchen with what he hoped was a polite expression and leaned on the counter, arms folded across his chest. “What can I do for you Marco?”

  “I just wanted to tell you that Levi and I switched shifts. Levi is doing patrols today so I can take Olivia out for her birthday.”

  “That’s fine with me. Give Olivia my best.” Levi was new to the pack, but reliable. Bryan nodded curtly and started to turn away, intent on grabbing a coffee and leaving, when a thought occurred to him. He’d never shared his dream with anyone. He was a Beta for heaven sake; foolish dreams weren’t part of his image. Still... Marco was a sensible sort and somewhat of an expert on werewolf phenomena. Bryan frowned and poured himself a cup of the dark brew and considered his next step. It couldn’t hurt to ask, could it? He sipped the coffee and walked over to the table, sitting down across from where Marco was reading the newspaper.

  “Can I ask you something?” He cradled the warm cup in his hand, staring at the dark liquid rather than the other man.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  Bryan heard Marco fold the paper. He looked up, meeting the man’s gaze then looked away, already regretting his decision to talk about his dream. However... Taking a deep breath he began. “I’ve...er...been having this dream over and over again and...” He rubbed his neck not sure how to continue, then glanced up sheepishly.

  “Ah! And you wonder what it might mean?” Marco’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Let me guess. It’s about a female.”

  Feeling his cheeks start to flush, Bryan forced down his embarrassment. “Yeah. Always the same one. I chase her, catch her and then...” He let his voice trail off. Clearing his throat, he started again. “The next day, I feel...half there... As if a part of me is missing.”

  “Hmm...” Marco settled back in his chair. “Have you heard about the concept
of predestined mates? Or how for some the inner wolf already knows its soul mate in some other dimension?”

  “I’ve heard of it, but figured it’s just a bunch of crap. Sure some wolves meet and click right away, but that’s random chance. Most just meet and gradually fall in love. Anything else is folklore left over from the old days when the ‘magick’ of werewolves was still pure.”

  “To some extent you are right, but there are few ‘blue-blooded’ werewolves left who possess this ability. For most of us, the ‘magick’ has been diluted through careless breeding, not that it really matters. We are content to have increased sensory acuity, strength and, of course, the ability to shift into a clothed state. Naturally, those of mixed parentage can seldom magick their clothes back on, but that is another matter all together.”

  Bryan chuckled. “Poor souls have to keep a stash of clothes around somewhere or risk being arrested for public nudity. Mel’s always griping about how unfair it is that she’s only half and ends up nude after a run, scrambling to get dressed in the bushes while the rest of us simply ‘think’ the word clothes and we’re ready.”

  Marco smiled softly, sharing his amusement. “In the ancient days, they say that a wolf could mentally find and connect with a mate years before they physically met or blood bonded. In addition, they could appear and disappear at will, move objects with their minds...” He shrugged. “A fascinating array of rather unusual skills existed. It is rumoured that some royal families in Europe still practise selective breeding in an effort to preserve these abilities, though it’s all kept hush-hush.”

  “So, you’re saying that maybe my perfect mate is some blue-blooded werewolf who seeks me out in her dreams?” Bryan screwed up his face, trying to wrap his brain around the concept.

  “Perhaps. Or maybe you just have a very strange, very vivid fantasy life.” He stood and slapped Bryan on the back. “Either way, there is nothing you can do about it. If your mate is out there, you will find each other eventually. In the meantime, enjoy the dreams.”

  “Yeah, right.” Bryan muttered under his breath as Marco left the room. He’d had a raging hard-on when he awoke, just like he did each time he had the dream. There was no relief to be had with the nebulous female.

  He took a sip of coffee, and grimaced. Damn. It was cold, and with Mel on a no-caffeine diet, Ryne was only allowing them to make one pot a day, fearing Mel would go off the wagon. Well, there was no wasting of coffee around this house. Using the microwave, he reheated it and headed for the office, intent on getting some work done before it was time to leave. Income tax season was almost upon them and Ryne had no skill when it came to numbers.

  As he approached the office, he noticed the door was open and winced. Hopefully Ryne hadn’t taken it into his head to try to deal with the accounts. He recalled the mess his Alpha had made last time he tried to help and shuddered. Pushing the door open, he was ready to chastise Ryne when he noticed that it was Mel in the office, not her mate. She was hunched over the computer and seemed to be frowning at whatever was on the screen.

  Thinking she was writing an article for the local newspaper where she worked, he had just stepped back, deciding to leave her alone, when she gave a little cry.

  “No! Dammit, no!” She hit the desk top. “I don’t believe it!” Her voice sounded distressed; not just the usual frustration she showed when an article wouldn’t flow properly. There was actual anguish in her voice. “This can’t be happening! Not now...”

  Concerned, he turned back. Was something wrong with the baby? No... She wasn’t clutching her belly, but she was definitely troubled. His protective instincts came to the fore and he stepped into the room.

  “Mel? What’s wrong?”

  Her hand flew to the computer mouse and she quickly closed whatever program she’d been working on. His senses immediately went on alert. What was she hiding?

  “Oh! Hi, Bryan. What are you doing here?” Her face bore a fake smile, but he could still see the little lines of worry around her eyes, hear the strain in her voice.

  “I was just going to work on the books.” He knew she was trying to avoid his question, but the Beta in him wasn’t allowing that. “I asked you a question. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing...” She pushed her hair back from her face and he noted the slight tremor of her hands.

  Bryan stepped closer, his gaze steady and she lowered her eyes. If she wasn’t the Alpha’s mate, he’d force a response from her. As Beta, it was his job to protect the pack and he couldn’t do that if he didn’t know what the problems were. But since she was the Alpha female, he took a gentler approach.

  Sitting casually on the edge of the desk, one leg swinging freely, he studied her for a moment sipping his coffee before speaking. “You look upset. Are you sure you don’t want to tell me? I’m a good listener.”

  “I’m fine.” She shrugged, still not looking at him. “It’s just something I was researching about...ah...childbirth. It sounds painful.”

  He was sure she was lying, but didn’t want to overstep his bounds. The Alpha female technically outranked him, but Mel had never really acted on that fact...if she was even aware of it. He made a mental note to ask Ryne how much she knew about werewolf hierarchy and history. Ryne had a bad habit of neglecting to share certain bits of information.

  For a few moments he didn’t speak—silence was a great way of forcing people to talk—but she didn’t fall for his gambit, instead she played with a loose thread on her shirt. He exhaled slowly and decided if something was really wrong, she’d tell Ryne. Standing up, he let the matter drop. “All right, I’ll let it go this time, but remember if you ever need anything, just ask. As Beta, that’s my job.”

  Mel smiled up at him, then stood. Pressing a light kiss to his cheek, she laid her hand on his arm. “Thanks, Bryan. I’ll keep that in mind.” She paused and looked down at the floor before glancing up at him again. “Um...you don’t need to tell Ryne about this, okay? He’s already worked up enough about impending fatherhood.” She gave what sounded like a nervous laugh and looked at him entreatingly. Her big brown eyes framed by incredibly long lashes still had the ability to make his heart thump a little faster and he could feel the warmth of her hand pressed against his arm.

  At one point in time, Bryan had half fancied her for himself, but once Ryne made his interest in Mel known, he’d backed off. As a matter of fact, falling for the wrong woman seemed to be the story of his life, he thought ruefully. First it was Elise, but she ended up with Kane. Then Mel with Ryne. He cleared his throat.

  “I won’t mention it to Ryne...for now. But if I thought something was seriously wrong—”

  “I know,” she interrupted. “You’d have to do your duty. Trust me, nothing is seriously wrong.” Mel patted his arm again and stepped away. “I’ll leave and let you get to work.”

  He sighed as he watched her walk out of the room and then moved to the desk and the stack of paper work that awaited his attention.

  *****

  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA...

  Kellen looked around the house one last time, pleased with his efforts. Everything was spotless; papers put away, floors swept, furniture dusted, pillows plumped, he’d even lit one of those scented candles she liked so much. Dinner was staying warm in the oven and he had dessert in the fridge. He rubbed his hands together in gleeful expectation. Sandy was due home any minute and he couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she walked in.

  Checking the clock, he positioned himself near the window so he could watch for her. The bus should be letting her off about now, then a quick walk from the corner to their place... Yep, there she was.

  He frowned as she came closer. She looked a bit out of sorts... His stomach gave a slight nervous quiver; maybe her mood had worsened from this morning as she contemplated his sins. Kellen took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, flicking a glance over his shoulder at the welcoming ambiance of the room. All the work he’d done around the house should fix that, shouldn’t it?


  Stepping away from the window, he positioned himself just inside the door. His palms suddenly felt damp and he rubbed them against the legs of his jeans. He hated it when they argued or when she was mad at him; not that she ever really yelled, but the hurt in her eyes was hard to handle. Hopefully he could cajole her into a better mood...

  The door swung open and Sandy entered, head down as she bent and set her purse on the floor, then turned slightly to slide the deadbolt into place.

  “Hi.” Kellen spoke softly as he slipped up behind her and snaked his arms around her waist to give her a hug.

  “Oh!” Sandy gave a start, then looked at him over her shoulder, her eyes filled with suspicion. “What’s this all about?”

  “Nothing. I just wanted to give my girly a friendly greeting at the door.”

  She gave him a funny look and then twisted to break free of his grasp. He took her by the shoulders and turned her so she was looking into the room. “What do you think?” Kellen couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice.

  “Um... It looks nice.” She shoved her hands in her pockets, sounding less impressed than he’d hoped. “You cleaned, right?”

  “Yep. Made dinner and dessert. He ducked his head a bit so he could see her expression better. For a minute she just looked at him and he felt the smile slipping from his face. Had he forgotten something? His mind raced. Cleaning, dinner, dessert... Ah-ha! He knew what the problem was! “I...uh...cleaned the bathroom, too. Even the toilet.”

  For a heartbeat there was silence then Sandy gave a snort of laughter, closing her eyes, and shaking her head. Opening them again, she looked at him and he was relieved to see the familiar fondness in her eyes. “Oh, Kellen. That was sweet of you. I’ve never gotten the hang of actually liking cleaning the bathroom.”

  He flicked a finger over the end of her nose. “No one does and, since apparently you never had to do that sort of stuff growing up, I understand why it grosses you out.”