“Shit happens.”
“I don’t suppose she suggested an alternative location for your den, did she?”
Nik glanced at his boss. Lying wasn’t his style, but he’d be damned if he’d build a den right next to Grandmother Rousseau’s.
“She suggested it, but I didn’t hear her tell me it was a law.”
Randy slapped Nik on the back and gestured with his head for Nik to follow. “I had a feeling it might be something like that. I had an overbearing mother-in-law too—died last year. But anyway, hear me out.” Randy led the way to his truck, where a stack of lumber was loaded in the back. He yanked on the boards and Nik helped him unload them while Randy spoke. “My den has a small section of land up for sale. Talk to your banker if you’re interested. I can work with you some, but we’re hard-pressed for cash with our oldest wanting to head off to college.”
Nik perked up. “Where’s the land?”
“North of Prince George.” Randy’s eyes sparkled when he met Nik’s gaze.
“How far from Rousseau land?”
“If our pack leader wants you close to her den, this isn’t too far away—no more then ten miles, I’d say. But it is on the same side of town,” he added quickly.
Nik liked the idea already. “I’ll take it. And haven’t you heard? I don’t need a banker anymore. Apparently my new mate has quite a bit of money that comes with her adorable tail.”
“Humph,” Randy grunted, shaking his head.
“Grandmother Rousseau wants me to get started building a den on the land she’s determined is appropriate for Sophie and me. Would you be willing to conspire in a small plot with me?” Nik quit unloading for a minute, giving his boss a serious look. “I’m not a lunewulf to turn my back on our laws and traditions. And I would never suggest that anyone dishonor our pack leader.”
“I know you aren’t, son.” Randy nodded, understanding. “You’ve sniffed after that sweet little bitch of yours for quite a while. You got slapped with a real rotten-smelling deal with your mating. I don’t mind saying that out loud at all.”
Randy had strong convictions when it came to honoring pack tradition. He had a large den that seemed full of love and pride, as far as Nik could smell.
“Grandmother told me to start building my new den. She will finance it until all money is turned over to my name.”
“She’ll hold on to the cash until your den is built how she sees fit.”
“Kind of what I heard too.” Nik didn’t care if she held on to that cash until she fell over dead and was burned. And that would be one nasty-smelling funeral. “I’ll bet that she doesn’t come out and supervise the construction of my den. Would you help me with bills to turn over to her so that we can build the den on this land you have?”
“As long as you can pay for the land, I’ll help you.”
“I’ll pay for it.” Nik put his load of wood down and reached out to shake on it.
Randy gave him one hard, firm handshake, then turned to get more wood. A thought hit Nik that suddenly lifted his spirits. He’d be able to build their den to his own specifications. What a gift to give his new mate. He couldn’t wait to tell her that she needed to get busy deciding what rooms she wanted in her new den.
Another car and a truck pulled up to the site. Apparently the city inspector, Alex Wall, hadn’t left. Nik hadn’t given him much thought after being distracted with news that his plans for a den had suddenly changed.
Others showed up as well, and soon the lots were full of the sounds and smells of houses being built. Nik dwelt on his den situation more than he did his work. His actions were mechanical, measuring and cutting wood, then helping others when needed. He paid little attention to the usual banter between the lunewulfs working around him. Grandmother’s claws were digging in too deep. He knew he wasn’t the only male who’d given thought to ripping the old bitch’s throat out, ending her reign as pack leader and putting a stop to her tyranny.
“It’s not as easy as you think.” The male next to him sounded like he spoke to Nik.
He looked up, surprised, certain that he hadn’t voiced his thoughts out loud.
“The bitch needs to die. How hard would it be to kill the old, smelly thing?” Josh Pergot stood on the other side of him.
A handful of males surrounded him, deeply involved in a quiet conversation that they probably assumed he’d been listening to all along.
“Pergot, you need to smell things out better before you start wagging your tail in excitement,” Alex Wall said quietly, then glanced around the site as if what he would say next needed to be spoken without being overheard. “Grandmother Rousseau pays lunewulfs well to be her eyes and ears for the pack. The bitch isn’t stupid. Pack members who are hard up, have a difficult time putting a fresh kill on their tables for their dens, will do anything to keep from starving.”
“She’s never offered me a damned dime,” the male next to Nik, Monte Rackney, said while disgust mingled with the smell of his body sweat.
“That’s because you are an honorable lunewulf,” Alex told him. “But you mark my words—try to start a conspiracy against Grandmother Rousseau and you’ll end up a dead lunewulf. I’ve seen it happen before during her reign as pack leader. How do you think that fragile old bitch has been pack leader for so long?”
Nik grabbed his nail gun and lifted the two-by-fours he’d just cut onto his shoulder. He didn’t say anything to the lunewulfs, but headed across the yard. More than once he’d discovered pack members dead from some freak accident. And oftentimes they were lunewulfs who had a gripe against Grandmother Rousseau. Nothing had ever been proven, but werewolf packs weren’t a democracy. They didn’t have trials or jails. If someone broke a law, they died, no questions asked. Nik planned on living a long and happy life. There were other ways to deal with Grandmother Rousseau than starting a conspiracy against her. He wouldn’t lie. The day the old bitch died would be cause for a celebration. But he’d be wasting good days if he put all his attention into living for that moment. He had better things to do with his time.
He was sweaty and his muscles burned with raw energy by the time they called it quits and Randy announced everyone should head to their dens for a good night’s run.
He got directions to the land and shoved the piece of paper in his pocket. Randy asked a fair price for the few acres that, in fact, were just down the road a good run from the Rousseau land. A fair compromise, if anyone were to ask him.
Heading across town to his den for a quick shower, he grabbed his cell phone and called Sophie.
“How is my mate doing?” he asked when she answered the phone.
“Nik!” Her excited tone every time he called her reassured him how lucky a lunewulf he was. “Please come get me.”
He perked up at her tone, pushing down on the accelerator and altering course. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, taking a quick turn and heading toward the Rousseau den.
“No one was at the den. And I didn’t want to be there either.”
“You aren’t at Grandmother’s den?” he almost shouted, cutting off a car while breaking the speed limit and driving faster in her direction. “Where in the hell are you?”
“I’m not a single bitch anymore, wolf man, in case you’ve forgotten. I am completely in my right to take a walk alone if I wish. And I have the cell phone on me, just in case.” She added the last words a bit more quietly.
He fought the urge to scream. “You are mated. And you know damned well I haven’t forgotten that for one moment all day. But I can’t protect you if you decide to take a walk out in broad daylight unattended. Especially when you didn’t consult with me first.”
“I have to ask permission from you every time I leave my den?” Her tone alone implied she didn’t think too highly of that idea.
He thought of their lovely pack doctor who’d paid him a visit earlier that day, and his bold suggestion that they swap mates. Nik kept his tone cool, not wishing to upset Sophie but needing to impress on her a
few simple facts.
“You are by far the most beautiful bitch in this pack. It’s no secret that I’m out working all day. I’m easily seen by anyone who drives by. As much as I’d love to say our pack is full of respectable lunewulfs, that simply isn’t the case. I would ask that you call me when you leave our den, just so that I know where you are. I would certainly offer you the same courtesy.”
She was silent for a minute, taking in what he said. He doubted she’d have a sound argument to dispute his words so he didn’t wait for her response.
“Where are you?” he asked quietly.
She sighed. “I’m just walking along the highway.”
Nik smiled. His shower would have to wait. His little bitch needed him. “That’s actually perfect. I’m on my way to pick you up. I have something to show you.”
Their new den was just down the road from where she walked. Now he wouldn’t have to deal with explanations when he picked up his mate from Grandmother Rousseau’s den. Within a few minutes, he pulled off the road and enjoyed the view from his mirror when Sophie’s breasts bounced beautifully as she jogged to his car. She pulled open the passenger door and climbed inside, her scent wrapping around him and filling his lungs. He could get drunk off the smell of her, like fresh laundry and just-cut flowers. Her happiness and contentment were the best aromas in the world. And the glow on her face when she smiled at him had his heart swelling in his chest.
“I love you,” he said, the words slipping out so easily.
She started to lean in to kiss him but stopped, her expression turning from stunned to a large, wide grin.
“Oh. My gorgeous wolf man, I love you too!” She almost leapt on him, which about knocked the car into gear.
He didn’t stop her from applying kisses all over his cheeks, or pressing her breasts against his arm while doing so. His cock hardened eagerly while lust quickly became the dominating scent in the car. Sophie would have her moment. Soon enough he’d need to discuss with her yet another challenge that stood before them—taking on Grandmother. The tiny old bitch’s power had gone from smelling sickening to downright putrid.
“What do you have to show me?” she asked when she finally returned to her side, keeping her hand on his arm.
Nik quickly told her about Grandmother visiting his work site earlier that day.
“You had a den picked out for us?” She didn’t seem as upset about Grandmother taking it away or suggesting that they build right next to her.
“And now I have another one picked out,” he told her, giving her a conspiratory grin.
She raised one eyebrow, studying him. “You’re going to defy Grandmother?”
“Nope. I respect our pack leader, and both of us always will.” He continued grinning as he drove down the two-lane highway. Remembering the landmarks Randy Hartman had told him marked off the land, he recognized them easily enough when they came up on them, and pulled off the road.
Sophie tugged on her sweater when she got out on her side. The material stretched over her round breasts, accenting their shape and showing that she didn’t wear a bra underneath. Her long blonde hair blew behind her, and she squinted as she looked around them.
He got hard instantly watching her. The breeze captured her scent and carried it to him and he inhaled deeply. The smells of the wildlife scurrying away from the two of them dimmed in comparison to her captivating scent.
Nik forced himself to look away from her and take in the undeveloped land around them. “We’d have to do a fair amount of clearing,” he said, half to himself, while picturing where there den might go.
“I kind of like the rugged look.” Sophie walked over to him and slipped her hand into his.
“You want a cabin in the woods?” he asked.
“Will my big bad wolf protect me?” Sophie nuzzled into him and her fingernails crept up his arms to his shoulders.
Chills rushed over him, making every inch of him harden to stone. He reached under her sweater and cupped her breasts, staring down into her glowing blue eyes. She grinned with happiness while staring up at him. No matter what ridiculous laws and obstacles were thrown their way, with Sophie at his side, he’d take on the world.
“I’ll be all over you, little bitch,” he growled.
Her cell phone rang, and Sophie groaned. She didn’t want the pack disturbing her any more than he did. She made a face and pushed away from him to pull it off the clip at her waist. He caressed her soft breasts, loving how they fit perfectly in his hands.
“It’s Grandmother,” she said, sighing as she flipped it open and answered it.
He had half a mind to lift her shirt, twist her nipples to hardness and then nibble on them with his teeth. Sophie would have a hell of a time talking to the old bitch while he slowly made her come. But then Grandmother probably didn’t remember what it was like to have an orgasm. She’d never know her granddaughter trembled and fought not to cry out while she carried on a conversation over the phone.
The old bitch’s crusty tone was easily heard at the other end of the line. She wanted Sophie home. Grandmother Rousseau would have to get accustomed to the idea that his mate was with her den—with him. Sophie nodded. “We’ll be there soon. Yes, Grandmother—Nik and me.”
“There’s another pack meeting tonight,” she told him when she clipped the phone back to her waist. “And I’m expected at the den for the evening kill.”
Nik let his hands slide out from underneath her shirt. “Sounds like I need to have a talk with our pack leader.”
“She won’t let you take me unless you have a den for us to live in.”
“We’ll stay with my brother in his den until this one is ready,” he decided instantly. It wasn’t the best place to keep Sophie, but at least he’d have her out from underneath Grandmother Rousseau’s claws. “Now let’s check out this land.”
The acreage was undeveloped but there were fresh creeks, and wildlife scurried away in fear from the male and female who were so much more than human.
They reached a clearing not visible from the road and surrounded by sweet-smelling pines. “This is where I want our den.” Sophie spun around, her hair fanning behind her as she held out her arms and grinned. “We could build a narrow drive to the road and then have our den here. Would that be terribly expensive?”
“You don’t know about the trust fund?” he asked, surveying the land and picturing mentally how they’d build a cabin here.
“Trust fund?”
He looked at her blank expression. All he smelled was her happiness. Sophie didn’t have a clue about the money. If the money did exist, Grandmother Rousseau hadn’t bothered filling her granddaughters in on the news.
“Grandmother Rousseau told me that your parents left you a million-dollar trust fund.”
Her jaw fell open. “Shit,” she whispered. “Are you sure?”
“No. But I’ll find out.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Come on, bitches.” Grandmother clapped her hands together twice. “Get those chairs unfolded and line them in rows. The pack will be here in less than thirty minutes and I want this place ready.”
“It’s wrong to fill our tummies with such wonderful seafood and then make us work,” Gertrude said quietly as she lifted several folding chairs from a cart at the end of the living room.
Old Ben had rolled the long cart into the living room, but the aging male didn’t have what it took anymore to bend and straighten and get the chairs in order. Sophie and her littermates now had that duty.
“What did you say?” Grandmother walked across the large living area and stopped in front of Gertrude.
She forced her to a stop, and Gertrude stood facing Grandmother with the chairs pressed to her chest.
Gertrude smiled and blew a strand of hair out of her face. “I was just whining about working on a full stomach.”
Grandmother looked at her for a moment. When she turned, her plain cotton dress hanging on her petite frame, she focused her attention on Soph
ie, and then Elsa. Once her hair had been blonde, like all purebred lunewulfs, but now it was a steel gray and pulled back so tightly into a bun that it had to hurt to turn her head.
“I can’t believe any of you can think of a thing to whine about,” she said, seriously smelling surprised at the thought.
Elsa almost dropped the chair she was unfolding, but retrieved it quickly and placed it in the row next to the others. “You’re joking, right?” she asked.
Sophie straightened, staring from Grandmother to Elsa. It had been years since Grandmother had punished any of them. They were grown bitches, and technically Sophie was mated, although it hadn’t been announced. But the way Grandmother looked at Elsa, Sophie had a sudden urge to step between the two of them.
“No. I’m not joking. None of you will ever know the trials of an unfaithful mate. Don’t you see? I’ve made everything perfect for you. Everything I’ve done as pack leader, I’ve done for you three.” Grandmother smelled so sincere that all of them stopped what they were doing and just stared at her.
“I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, but how have you made everything perfect for Nik and me?” Sophie had to hear the answer to this one.
Grandmother wore black heels tonight and they made a muffled sound when she walked over the carpet to Sophie. The old bitch stood several inches shorter than Sophie, but her presence still had a power to it even though she had to be pushing well into her eighties. No one knew exactly how old the bitch was.
“You not only have Nik, but two other males to bring into your den,” Grandmother said softly, like she was explaining a simple problem to a cub. “The females of this pack will be the alphas. You will say who you have sex with and when.” She waved her bony hand in the air between them, as if dismissing the question on Sophie’s lips. “Sure the males will try to play like they are in control. Males have always been that way. But now they are no longer, and they never will be again. Through sex, you can control your mates. They will do anything to be with you, and you will call all the shots in your den. They will do whatever it takes to please you, just so they may be the chosen one that night. And, my dear Sophie.” She turned to glance at the other two. “All of you. You will never know the pain of a cheating mate.”
Lunewulf Law Page 17
