by Lisa Oliver
“But wasn’t it lovely to see her dancing with Tanner?” Cindy gave her mom a hug. “She had a real smile on her face, chatting his ear off about Alfie I imagine. That was her husband’s name,” she added to Karl.
“Hmm,” Mabel said. “They were happy enough dancing, but did you see poor Tanner’s face when they came to get her coat? He looked like someone had kicked his favorite puppy and then run it over for good measure. I wonder if Julie thought it was a good idea to tell him in a public place instead of at home.”
“I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it tomorrow,” Cindy said. “Now, what about you, Mom, do you fancy a turn on the dancefloor before we head home?”
Karl knew he’d got all he could out of his coder and her mother. “Please, let me know if there’s anything I can do about your friend’s situation,” he said as warmly as he could, straightening up and moving away before either Cindy or Mabel could reply.
The party was winding down, and the crowd had thinned. Karl could see no sign of his Chief Operating Manager or his Systems Manager, although Allan was drinking heavily at a table with some of the data entry personnel. Uncle Bevan hasn’t ordered him home yet then. Patting his pocket, checking for his keys and wallet, Karl left the building, climbing into a waiting taxi. Giving his address, Karl leaned back in the seat replaying what he’d learned.
The omega’s name was Tanner. The woman with him was his honorary aunt and someone he cared about a great deal. She was dying of cancer and only had a week or two to live. And Karl had rejected him with actions loud enough he might just have well been screaming, on the same night Tanner would learn, if he hadn’t already, that his aunt was dying.
His wolf snarling and snapping to get out was the least of Karl’s problems. He was just thankful he managed to stay on two legs for the length of time it took for him to pay the cab driver. Now all he had to do was get into the house before his suit was ruined and there was a mad wolf running through the streets of San Diego.
Chapter Six
Tanner checked his tie was straight, and then knocked on his Captain’s office door. Aunt Julie’s revelations when he took her home were a shock, but Tanner had managed to keep himself together, spending the night with her, and not disappearing to his own place until morning. Once there, he’d sat on his couch, and anyone looking in on him would’ve wondered if he was a statue for all he’d moved, but when darkness fell again, Tanner’s mind was made up.
Now it was Monday morning, and Tanner checked the letter in the inside pocket of his jacket as he opened the door in response to the muted “Come.”
“TC? What brings you here looking so serious? Close the door and take a seat.”
“Thank you, sir.” Tanner did as he was told, taking the seat across from the Captain’s desk. Pale hazel eyes looked at him from a rugged wide face. Captain Peters was a huge bear of a man with a kindly expression that belied an extremely keen intellect. And by bear, he truly was one, complete with beard, bushy hair and the ability to turn furry. Up until Saturday night, Captain Peters was the only other shifter Tanner had met since moving to San Diego.
Which is why Tanner knew he had to be honest. “It’s time for me to leave, sir,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out his resignation. “It’s been ten years… and there’s been some things I’ve found out recently…” he bit his lip, unsure how much he should say. He placed the letter on the Captain’s desk.
“I’ve got to say, I knew this day was coming, but with the great work you’ve been doing with Toby, I thought for sure you’d ease this out another couple of years.” Peters picked up the letter, tapping it on his desk. “What else is going on? Is it your job? Your family life? You know you can tell me and it’s not going anywhere else.”
“Part of it’s my Aunt Julie.” Tanner let out a long breath, leaning his elbows on his knees. “I found out Saturday night, she’s only got a few weeks to live. I want to spend as much time with her as possible before she… dies.”
“Oh shit, TC, I am sorry.” To Tanner’s surprise, Peters got out of his chair, coming around, and sitting on the corner of the desk. “I know you consider her family, but you had to know this would happen too. Surely, if you just took a few weeks leave, a month maybe…”
Tanner shook his head. “I would. I mean I get it. I knew when Alfie died, Julie wouldn’t be far behind. But… but… ImetmymateonSaturdaynightandherejectedme.”
It didn’t sound any better saying it fast, and what was worse, Peters raised an eyebrow and said, “Say that again, slower this time.”
Inhaling shakily, Tanner met Peters’ eyes. “I met my mate on Saturday night, or rather he saw and scented me, I saw and scented him. He came over, I thought he was going to say something to me but then he scowled at me, fisted his hands and disappeared over to the bar for a drink.”
“He rejected you.”
“That’s what I said,” and it wasn’t any easier confirming it a third time. Tanner wasn’t sure if it was something he’d ever get over. “I did some digging. He’s an alpha wolf shifter, the CEO of a huge company, a billionaire many times over, and a confirmed lady’s man.”
“What’s this prick’s name?” Peters glowered.
“Karl Jacobs.” Even the name tasted like razor blades on Tanner’s tongue. “I mean, I understand. He would’ve scented an omega. No wonder he spent all his time coming towards me, trying to look around me. He was expecting to find some sweet female wolf, and he got me instead. I can’t blame him for what he did.”
“Well I fucking can.” Peters’ hand was heavy on Tanner’s shoulder. “You have never done a thing to deserve this. You’re one of the best detectives this department’s ever had, you care for people, and don’t think I haven’t seen the toll this job takes on you every single day. But you still turn up, you still do the best you can and there’s not a person in this department who can’t claim you haven’t saved them in some way over the past ten years. Has that pissant alpha got shit for brains?”
“You’ve got to admit I don’t look like a typical omega.” Tanner appreciated his Captain’s praise, but he wasn’t comfortable with Peters’ assessment of his mate.
“No, you don’t. But so what? You’re a super-sized one with a damn good head on your shoulders. Shit.” Peters sighed. “This isn’t right. Every damn paranormal in existence knows the importance of a fated mate, except the one picked for you, obviously.” His gaze turned shrewd. “Did you say he scented you? He saw you, met your eyes and scented you, even though he never said anything to you?”
“He was definitely following my scent.” Tanner nodded.
“And he’s definitely an alpha wolf, not a beta?”
Tanner nodded again. “I could tell just by looking at him, but his scent confirmed it. He’s got the look, you know?”
“Yeah, I know.” Peters smirked. “There’s nothing cockier than an alpha wolf shifter who thinks his shit don’t stink.” He rubbed his hands together. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. You’ve got a lot of friends here, and we’re going to help you out.”
“But…” Tanner objected as Peters got up, sliding his resignation letter into his drawer unopened.
“Nope. This letter stays right here.” Peters slammed the drawer closed. “You’re on leave, effective immediately, so you can care for your aunt. I know you’re not going to be able to concentrate on work while you are worrying about her, which is totally understandable, so you will take all the time you need to be with her, and support her during this time. Expect to see a lot of us around. Your aunt’s magic touch in the kitchen has been appreciated by many of us, and we’ll all be there for you.”
“Thank you, but…”
“I know what you’re going to say.” Peters cut him off again. “But now is not the time to be running on instinct, okay? You’ve had two huge, life changing shocks in one weekend. No matter how much you think you are, you’re not thinking clearly. This is the time you need people around you – people w
ho know and care about you. So, you’re not running.”
“I wasn’t going to leave Aunt Julie anyway.” Tanner muttered. “But after…”
“After, I think you might find that your alpha has had a change of heart, and if he hasn’t, me and a few of the clan might help him make one.” Peters showed his teeth, and then widened his lips into a smile. “I know, I know, you omegas are all about peaceful solutions and everyone loving and caring about each other. Alpha wolves are a very different species. But we’ll worry about Mr. Karl Jacobs another day. For the moment, lets focus on you and your aunt.”
Ten minutes later, Tanner left his Captain’s office, and while his heart was still heavy, he felt better knowing he had support for the weeks ahead. After that, well, Tanner wasn’t going to think about it. His aunt Julie deserved all his focus for now, and she was going to get it.
Chapter Seven
It was Thursday. Karl was not doing well. The Sunday after meeting his mate had been spent in a blur of whiskey, which was not an easy thing for a wolf shifter to do but he managed to pull it off.
Monday, Karl stumbled out of bed long enough to shower and pull himself together to go into the office, but the moment he went to leave the house, his wolf wanted out, and he was being damn pushy about it. Karl called in sick, and left Allan to reschedule his appointments.
Driving out to the reserve where he usually shifted on Monday nights, made his wolf easier to deal with on Tuesday, although the darned animal did keep trying to get back into town. Karl had the devil’s own job clawing his human form back. But Karl made it into the office that day, although he was useless doing anything and even Allan commented on how distracted he was. Wednesday wasn’t much better.
And now here he was Thursday morning, just after eleven thirty, holding onto his wolf by a thread, and nursing a stinking headache from clenching his jaw so much.
“You look like shit,” Allan said bluntly, coming into his office and closing the door behind him. As always, he was clutching his tablet that he never went anywhere without, but Karl noticed he was also wearing a new suit and shoes. “Can I speak frankly?”
“I thought you did that all the time.” Karl waved to an empty chair. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me, it’s you.” Allan perched his butt on the edge of the chair. “Look, tell me if I’m out of line here, okay, but seriously, if this business with leaving the pack and your family is upsetting you so much, then I’m sure a call to your uncle…”
“Hang on, hang on, hang on.” Karl shook his head and tried to think of anything except the sweetness of the omega’s scent. “Why are we talking about my uncle? He cut pack ties with me on Saturday night, right in this office if you must know. I barely felt it. Truth be told, I haven’t felt like a member of the Blue Moon pack for a long while. The ending was just a formality.” An expensive one. But Allan didn’t need to know everything.
“Then how do you explain this?” Allan waved his hand in Karl’s direction. “Wolf shifters need the security of a pack behind them and you’re a classic example of why. Your hair needs cutting, and you haven’t trimmed your facial hair all week. Gods, you’ve got a real Grizzly Adams look going on. And it’s not just that. Every time someone asks you a question, you just tell them you’ll get back to them later and then you wander off with a faraway look in your eye like you’re sleep walking. I came in here expecting to see you getting yourself ready for your lunch date, and instead you’re staring out the window as though you’re waiting for the second coming.”
“What do you know about cancer?” Karl asked suddenly. “Like, how long does it take for a person to die of it? Is it painful? Drawn out?”
“Cancer?” Allan looked as though he’d taken leave of his senses, and maybe Karl had. All he could think about was that poor old lady dying in an assisted living facility somewhere and his shattered omega having to cope with it alone. “Who do you know that’s got cancer? If it was anyone here, then I’d already know about it, and you offer everyone the most extensive health coverage money can buy.”
“No. It’s no one here. Just something I overheard on Saturday night made me wonder, that’s all.” Karl swiveled in his chair, staring at the clouds. “Was there anything else?”
“Er… Excuse me.” Allan tapped his tablet. “Your current lady love, the beautiful Serena Wilkins is expecting you at the restaurant in fifteen minutes. Do you remember her? She’s been in Europe on that fashion shoot for the last ten days, and you promised to meet her for lunch today. She called me this morning to ask about the launch and to make sure you hadn’t forgotten. The pair of you are supposed to be going away for the weekend. You ordered me to block out all your appointments from tomorrow lunchtime until Monday morning.”
Shit. “Make my apologies would you… No, wait.” Karl pushed himself out of his chair and buttoned his jacket. “It would be rude to cancel at such short notice. I’ll go to lunch but cancel any reservations you made for the weekend. I have other stuff to do.”
“What other stuff?” Allan followed him out of the office. “Why don’t I know about this other stuff?”
“Just do it, Allan, and thank you.” Karl got on the elevator, his wolf snarling in his head, threatening a revolt. It’s just lunch. But Karl wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince. Serena was always beautifully turned out, intelligent, and very energetic behind closed doors. Theirs was a mutually casual relationship – Serena’s work as a model and an ambassador for an environmental agency meant she was often flitting around the world. Her absences, and her understanding when Karl tended to bury himself in his work, meant she had lasted longer than most in his affections.
An affection Karl wasn’t sure how much longer he could maintain. Getting out of the elevator on the parking level, Karl tried to recall the feelings of excitement and lust Serena always evoked in him. They hadn’t seen each other in almost a month – hence Karl’s idea for them to have a weekend away together. But between the software launch, breaking ties with the pack, and seeing your fated mate for the first time, his wolf reminded him, Karl hadn’t given her a second thought. And that just adds another freaking coat to my bastard layer, he thought grimly.
Karl’s mood didn’t improve at the restaurant. Serena was waiting for him. She looked incredible with her long black hair loose, and a dark navy sheath dress fitting her perfectly. “Darling, you look like you’ve had a rough few weeks,” she crooned as she stood waiting for her hug. “Have you missed me that much?”
“Work,” Karl said tersely, brushing his lips against her cheek and holding out her chair for her. The ends of his fingers were tingling as if his wolf made his presence known. He barely waited until Serena was seated before he took the seat across the table from her, hoping the table width distance would appease his angry animal spirit. “You look lovely, as always. Did the shoot go well? Where was it this time? Bolivia, wasn’t it?”
“A draughty castle and windswept cliffs.” Serena chuckled quietly. “Honestly, darling, I spend so much time in those sorts of places in barely a scrap of chiffon, it’s a wonder I don’t get frostbite.”
She winked and Karl knew he was meant to be thinking of her wearing next to nothing at all. Which was fine. He could picture it. The memory just didn’t do anything for him. “What else has been going on with you?” He asked quickly. “It can’t have all been freezing your bits off.”
“Oh, no.” Serena leaned across the table, her hand resting lightly on his. “I want to hear about you. Allan tells me the launch was a huge success. I was a tiny bit hurt I didn’t hear from you about it. Your company’s worth has doubled; you’ve jumped to the top of San Diego’s hottest eligible bachelor list. And yet you’re looking really tired and a little scruffy around the edges.” Another chuckle. “You can’t tell me you forgot we had a date today; I won’t believe it.”
I’m so glad you can’t scent lies. Karl smiled and moved his hand, picking up the water carafe left by a discreet waiter.
“Of course, I didn’t forget about you. But you know how it is in business, days running into each other… if I didn’t have Allan to keep me on schedule, I’d forget which day of the week it was.” He nodded at the hovering waiter who’d come back for their order. “Have you decided what you want to order?”
Karl got a reprieve as Serena discussed her various dietary needs with the helpful staff. Leaning his elbow on the arm of his chair, he tried to look at her the way he used to. Serena’s dark eyes flashed with merriment as she teased the waiter, her full lips curled up accentuating her flawless cheek and jaw bones. She was dressed conservatively, which was something Karl appreciated about her. Serena had always said she didn’t need to flaunt her assets – “if people haven’t got the sense to appreciate me for who I am, darling, then they don’t deserve to see them,” she’d said many times.
And yet, for all her beauty, poise, and joy in life, Karl couldn’t dredge up a hint of the feelings he’d had for her on past dates. There was none of the excitement, the tease, the urge to chase, that Serena usually brought out in him. He wasn’t longing for lunch to be over, hoping he could follow her to her hotel room for an afternoon of fun in the sheets. In fact, he was dreading she might suggest it to him.
“And for you, sir.”
Karl ordered, knowing he was going to have to say something to Serena when the waiter left. But before he had a chance, Serena smiled sweetly at him. “I have something important to tell you, darling.”
Don’t be pregnant. Please don’t be pregnant.
“I’m pregnant.” Serena waited a moment and then pointed at him and chuckled wildly. “Oh, my goodness, you should see your face.”
