by R. E. Butler
Trace nodded, then smiled. “Thanks, man. Hopefully I’ll meet her soon.”
“I hope that too. Now about this dunk tank.”
“Remember it’s for a good cause. And you promised not to growl at anyone for dunking you.”
“Fine,” he said, grumbling. “Next time, you’re in the tank.”
* * *
Gunner cleaned the grease off his hands from the oil change and stuck the dirty rag in the back pocket of his overalls.
“Are you about ready?” Archer asked, sticking his head in the door of the bay.
“Just finished. If you’ll do the invoice while I clean up, we should be able to get out of here in ten.”
“Sure thing.”
Mrs. Adams, one of the older females in the pack, had an old car she’d been driving for at least two decades. It was in excellent condition, just old as hell without any of the modern bells and whistles that he was so used to. He’d asked her if she’d consider getting an upgrade, but she’d vehemently shaken her head. Her baby, as she referred to the big beast of a car, had taken care of her for many years and she wasn’t about to toss it aside for something new and shiny.
By the time Gunner had finished cleaning the area, Archer had printed off the invoice and tucked it in the driver’s seat visor.
Archer put up the large garage door and moved the car out so they could drop it off at Mrs. Adams house. The bell rang at the front and Gunner frowned. There was a sign on the front door that they were closed because of the town’s celebration, which wasn’t due to start for another two hours. They hadn’t wanted to get bogged down with work, so they’d only scheduled Mrs. Adam’s oil change and some paperwork they were behind on for the morning. She wanted the car ready before the celebration started at noon, and they were males of their word.
“Hello?” A feminine voice called from the front.
Gunner couldn’t believe his brother had left the front door unlocked. He didn’t recognize the voice. Walking through to the front office, he stopped in his tracks and stared at the unfamiliar female. She had dark hair, but it didn’t look natural; it was dyed sort of near-black that didn’t quite fit with her lightly tanned skin and brown eyes. He hesitated for a moment and inhaled silently, finding that she smelled like a wolf.
“Hello. We’re actually closed for the day,” he said, coming to stand behind the long, worn counter.
She rested her elbows on the counter and smiled at him. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I came to interview for the job.”
He blinked in surprise. “Where did you hear about the job?”
“An ad. I’m from Pennsylvania but I’d like to get a little farther south where it’s warmer. I have family in the area, so I was really excited when I saw the job posting.”
Gunner stared at her for a long moment. The job had only been posted for a few days on a website for shifters and supernatural creatures looking for work, but they hadn’t gotten a single response, and they hadn’t expected to get one so fast.
“Your family isn’t part of your pack?” he asked.
“Nope, well most of my family is from Southern Kentucky, but my brother got kicked out of the pack when he was twenty for wanting to mate a human female. He found a more progressive pack in Pennsylvania and I went with him. I knew if I didn’t mate a wolf that I’d end up exiled. But my grandpa is sick, and I want to come back and be able to see him more.”
He looked at her wrist and saw her exile mark. “Will they let you see him? If you’re exiled, don’t you have to steer clear?”
“He’s in a hospital and the pack doesn’t own that, so I’ll be able to see him whenever I want. And my parents can see me there too. I just can’t go back into the territory. I’m Sadie, by the way.” She stuck out her hand.
“Sorry,” he said, shaking her hand. “I’m Gunner. My brother Archer and I own the shop.”
“I have my resume,” she said, taking a folder from under her arm and removing a piece of off-white paper from inside. “I’m good with computers and friendly. I could really use the job. I’m okay with exiled people since I am one, and I promise to be a good pack member.”
Archer joined them and introduced himself.
“I didn’t know you guys were closed. I should’ve called, but I was on my way to the hospital to see my grandpa and I figured it wouldn’t hurt. If nothing else, I could just leave my resume with you and we could set up another time for me to come back.”
“That’s a lot of driving,” Gunner mused. Her resume was great—she had all the skills they’d listed and being exiled herself, she clearly didn’t have a problem with people like her. She was pretty too. But there was something off about the whole situation.
She looked friendly, but there was an air of dishonesty about her. The dyed hair, the excitement about a minimum wage job in a tiny town, the perfect story about a sick relative and welcoming parents.
He mentally shook his head. Why was he being such a pessimist?
“Let me talk to my brother for a minute. Have a seat.” He pointed to the small lounge area and watched her walk over and sit down. She pulled out a cell and settled into the chair.
Gunner nodded toward the back and Archer followed him and shut the door.
Keeping his voice low, since she would have good hearing as a shifter, Gunner said, “Something’s weird.”
Archer looked at the resume and then at Gunner. “With her?”
Gunner nodded.
“Yeah,” Archer said, rubbing his chin. “I feel it too. It’s like she’s not being completely honest, but everything she’s said is believable.”
“That’s what I’ve been feeling,” Gunner said. “We could call the alpha she has listed, but if she’s not telling the truth, then what are the odds the number is good or whoever is on the line is him?”
“Good point. What do you want to do?”
“Let’s chat with her for a bit and then we’ll send her on her way. We’ll tell her that we’re still interviewing candidates and we’ll let her know.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The strange feeling grew as Gunner and his brother returned to the front and joined Sadie in the lounge. He didn’t know what was going on, but he and his wolf were in total agreement: she needed to leave.
* * *
Rehlik was dunked in the tank so often during his one-hour stint that he was surprised there was any water left in the tub. As he climbed back onto the bench and slicked the water off his face with his hands, he caught the scent of something amazing and looked for his sweetheart.
Weylyn was walking his way holding a beach towel under one arm.
“Hey, baby,” he said, waving.
“You look positively water-logged,” she said as she stepped up on the ladder next to the tank and smiled at him. “You’ve got five minutes left.”
“Thank freaking goodness.”
“Ready, Alpha?” Dillon called.
Rehlik looked through the fence and saw Dillon and Mona’s son, Kevin, tossing a softball in the air.
“You better step back, Weylyn, I don’t want you to get soaked.”
“Good luck,” she said, blowing him a kiss before moving off the ladder and hurrying to Mona’s side.
“All right kid, you’re the last one to throw a ball at me, so you better make it count!”
“I will!” Kevin said.
Rehlik braced for the fall into the water he was sure was coming, but it didn’t. The ball smacked harmlessly a foot to the side of the target.
“I thought you wanted to hit the target?” he taunted the young male.
“I will, give me another one,” Kevin said. Dillon handed him another softball and Kevin threw it, this time sending the ball sailing over the top of the target.
“Crap,” Kevin said.
Rehlik laughed and said, “Come on, kid, you can do it.”
“You heard the alpha,” Dillon said. “Try one more time.”
Kevin took the softball and squared h
is shoulders, his face set in concentration. He threw the ball and Rehlik was positive he’d thrown it wide and was going to miss, but instead it struck true, sending him plummeting into the water. He pushed up from the bottom and rested his arms on the ledge, smiling at the high-fives the adults were giving to the young male.
And then he noticed that Trace was standing a little ways off, smiling at the scene. His fingers were glowing purple, a sign that he’d been using his warlock powers. Rehlik realized that Trace had helped Kevin hit the target with his magic. And judging by the grin on Kevin’s face, he didn’t know he’d gotten some magical help, and Rehlik wasn’t about to tell him.
“All right, who’s going to get me out of here? My time is up.”
He climbed up onto the bench and waited for Trace to jog over and open the side to let him out. Weylyn was waiting with the towel. “That was really sweet Trace,” Weylyn whispered. “I especially liked when Rehlik hit the water. He looked so surprised.”
“I was!” Rehlik said with a chuckle. “It caught me off guard.”
“No hard feelings?” Trace asked.
“Nope, you did a good thing.” He clapped him on the back.
“Let’s run home so you can change. I’m supposed to be back in a half-hour to judge the pie baking contest.” She patted her stomach. “I can’t wait.”
“Be sure to save me a slice of the winner,” he said.
He climbed into the passenger seat of Weylyn’s jeep and let her drive them home, where he showered and then sexed her up with a quickie before dressing and heading back to the town square. As he dropped her off at the pie baking contest area, he loved to see her cheeks still flushed with passion and her eyes bright and happy. She was positively glowing, and his wolf was preening like a peacock that he’d made her feel so good.
He made his way to the cookout area to help out, manning one of the many grills where racks of ribs had been slow cooking all day. He looked around, seeing the pack. Families mixed with unmated males and females milled about, going from booth to booth, visiting with friends, and enjoying the beautiful day. He didn’t think he could ask for anything better than the way the day was going. He felt supremely blessed from head to toe, and grateful for everything that had occurred to bring him to this place. Five years seemed like a long time, but in the whole scheme of life it was a blip.
Now that he had Weylyn, he could look forward to what the next chapter of their life together would bring.
Marriage. Babies.
A house filled with love and laughter.
He honestly couldn’t wait.
Chapter Eleven
Weylyn loved the dress that her new friends had helped her find at a small boutique just outside of Cider Falls. It was a vintage-style sundress in turquoise green patterned with large white flowers. With a cinched waist and a full skirt, she felt like a pinup in the dress and loved how it accentuated her curves. Diem had offered to do her hair and makeup after the pie baking contest had finished, so Weylyn headed to the bookstore with Mona and a few other females to get ready for the cookout and ceremony.
Weylyn stepped from the office and walked into the bookstore. “You look amazing!” Mona said.
“That dress looks so great on you,” Diem said. She patted a stool. “We’ve got twenty minutes before they call everyone to eat, so let’s get you ready.”
Weylyn had never felt so pampered—or included—in her life. She felt like she’d known the small group of females her whole life, and it had only been a few days.
“Are you okay?” Diem asked, pausing before she wrapped another chunk of hair around a wide-barreled curling iron.
“Yeah,” Weylyn said, sniffling. “Sorry, I’m just so happy to be here. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to belong.”
“We understand,” Meadow, a deer-coyote hybrid, said with a smile. “We’ve all felt like you did at one time or another. Cider Falls is a wonderful place, and we’re all so happy for you and Rehlik.”
“Definitely,” Mona said. “It’s about time he found some happiness.”
The others agreed. And Weylyn did too. She’d thought she’d been happy before, but after being with Rehlik she knew she’d never really been happy. It was tough being on the outside of everything and only having one ally. She just wished her mom could be with her. Weylyn knew her mom would love Rehlik and be happy for them.
When Diem had finished her makeup and hair, Weylyn hurried back to the office’s bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. The perfectly smoky eye made her blue eyes look even bluer, the highlighter made her skin look glowy and sun-kissed, and the pink lipstick was just the right shade.
“I’m ready,” Weylyn said as she rejoined the group. “Thank you all so much for helping me get ready.”
“It was all Diem,” Willa, a human mated to a coyote shifter, said. “She should open a side business for hair and makeup.”
“I don’t have that kind of free time,” Diem said, grinning. “But for our new alpha female, I absolutely made sure I was available.”
Their small group left the bookstore and walked the short distance to the town square. She could smell all the food cooking, and her stomach rumbled in approval. Rehlik was standing on the top step of the gazebo, gazing in her direction with a big smile on his face. She hurried to meet him on the top step, going onto her toes to give him a kiss.
“You look amazing,” he murmured. “Sweet and sexy.”
“I can’t wait for you to take this off me later.”
“Great minds think alike.” He wiggled his brows and she chuckled.
They faced the pack that had gathered at long tables where plates and bowls and baskets were filled to overflowing with all sorts of goodies, from the mouth-watering ribs that Rehlik had tended, to thick steaks, to desserts, and sides. She couldn’t wait to try everything.
Rehlik raised his hand and everyone went quiet. “Welcome to the five-year anniversary celebration cookout for Cider Falls!”
The pack cheered and Weylyn added her happy cheers to theirs.
When they’d quieted again, Rehlik said loudly, “When I started this town, I had no idea that it would become a haven for so many interesting and wonderful people. I’m thankful for everyone who pitches in to make Cider Falls the best exile-friendly town in the States. Without all of your help, this wouldn’t be possible. Now let’s eat!”
Rehlik led Weylyn to a long table. He pulled out an empty chair for her at the head of the table and then sat next to her. Mona and Dillon were seated across from her, and to her right was Diem. The kids were all seated at picnic tables nearby so they could be with their friends and give the adults time to enjoy each other’s company.
Weylyn took a little bit of everything that passed in front of her and dug in immediately, enjoying it all immensely.
“Seconds on the ribs?” Rehlik asked as she put the last bite of bacon-studded mac and cheese into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed, then said, “They were so good, but no! I want to save room for dessert.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss. “They were delicious, though.”
“Grilling is about the only kind of cooking I can do,” he said. “I’m glad you liked them.”
“Very much so.”
“Pass them my way, would you please?” Genesis said. She was two weeks along in her pregnancy.
“Already having cravings?” Mona asked as she took the platter of ribs from Rehlik.
“Not yet, they’re just great ribs.”
Weylyn smiled at Genesis and then looked at her mate. He was gazing at her adoringly, his wolf visible in his gaze.
“I want that,” she whispered.
“Ribs?” he teased.
She couldn’t help the laugh. “You know what I mean.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I want that too.”
* * *
By the time the meal was finished and everything cleaned up, Weylyn was positively stuffed. She and Rehlik headed to the gazebo while several p
ack members set up the chairs in rows to watch the ceremony. Weylyn’s part was easy—she just had to repeat after Rehlik. He was the one who had to remember everything, but he didn’t seem the least bit nervous, so she decided she wouldn’t be either. She was about to officially become the alpha female of the Cider Falls pack. Thet idea that she—a hybrid—could be mated to a purebred timber wolf and be alpha female of a pack still seemed like a dream.
A very good dream.
The best one ever.
When everyone was seated and the noise had died down, she and Rehlik faced the pack.
“Tonight, I come to you as your alpha male and I bring to you my mate, Weylyn, a hybrid red fox-polar bear shifter, as your new alpha female.”
He turned to face Weylyn. “Weylyn, do you swear to protect the pack and all its members to the best of your abilities? Do you swear to be loyal to the pack for the remainder of your days and to serve them with honor and gladness? Do you swear to be my alpha counterpart and help me keep the pack together?”
He waited for her reply. Her eyes were tearing up at how momentous this all was.
She opened her mouth to reply, but someone else spoke.
“Get out! There’s a bomb!”
Chapter Twelve
Rehlik had honestly never seen a female look as stunning as his beautiful mate did. The dress was perfect, like it had been tailor-made for her. Every sexy curve was highlighted, every flash of skin just enough to tantalize and tease. The mated part of him, the possessive side, didn’t want anyone ogling her, but the proud male in him was thrilled to show her off. He knew her teasing was just for him. She only had eyes for him, and he only had eyes for her.
He was not a male who got nervous, but right now his heart was pounding a mile a minute and his mouth was dry. He pushed past the nerves, knowing that it was just his wolf’s anxiousness to declare her his alpha counterpart.
