by T. L. Reeve
The snarfle and snort of the wolf reminded her of a dog, who’d found an interesting scent. She wondered what on her caught his attention and made him determined to find it. The wolf buried his nose between her open thighs and took several deep breaths before licking her there. Humiliation and excitement coursed through her. She couldn’t understand what was happening, but before she could tell him to stop and go away, he pressed his snout to her neck and began sniffing her there. He eased her backward to the point she lay flat on the ground.
The wolf growled once more before a soft pinch of pain made her yelp in surprise. The wolf licked her before pinning her with a stare that stole her ability to think let alone reason. Who are you? She licked her lips, and the wolf growled again exposing his teeth to her. Her heart hammered, and her breath came in soft pants. Was he going to eat her?
“Mackenzie Raferty!” The slam of the screen door against the side of the house drew Aurora’s attention. Keeley came bounding out of the house with a baseball bat. “What did your brother tell you? What the fuck has gotten into you?”
The wolf grumbled and sat before licking Aurora’s cheek.
“No way, buster,” Keeley chided. “You don’t get to scare the shit out of her then try to be coy.”
He pawed at Aurora, placing his foot in her hand. Then whined.
“I’m more surprised than scared,” Aurora muttered. “This is really Mackenzie?”
The wolf yipped.
“Aurora, meet Mackenzie’s wolf,” Kalkin said, walking up to them stark naked. “Took you long enough to show yourself, old fucking man.”
She tried to keep her gaze on the wolf sitting between her legs, but her gaze kept wandering toward Kalkin. Don’t do it. Don’t look. She warred with herself. Just a little... Kalkin placed his hands on his hips and she glimpsed the outline of his... Holy crap. Are they all built like that? She stared at the wolf in front of her. “So...this doesn’t happen often for him?”
“No.” Keeley shook her head. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and get some of that dog slobber off of you.”
Mackenzie took a step toward her.
“Nope,” Kalkin said. “You’re going to run with me.”
Kalkin shifted in front of Aurora, the shadowed area of the backyard erupted in warm white light. She gasped as the short hairs on her arm lifted. Then it dissolved and there stood the black wolf from earlier. The wolf barked at Mackenzie and nipped his back leg before taking off—Mackenzie hot on his heels.
“Is it always like this?” she asked, trailing behind Keeley. “Or, I should say, this intense?”
The woman laughed. “I warned you. But, no. You’ve not seen anything yet.”
The days following the Halloween party, went by without complication or stress, which surprised the hell out of Mackenzie. Even the work at the site had been smooth. Having Ulysses with him, gave him a chance to move quicker and faster, which meant most of the water lines and sewer lines were laid, and by the afternoon, they could start pouring the cement. According to Saber, if they wanted to stay on time with the build, they needed to get their asses in gear. It also meant, if Mackenzie wanted to see the realty person in town, he’d have to do it quickly and on his lunch. He knew what he was looking for, something close to where he already was, and would keep the kids in the Apache County school system.
After Riley’s initial Facetime session with her friends, she appeared a bit lighter. Happy. And since then, she’d spent most of her afternoons with them. Of course, her friends did have questions, and his pup showed them articles from the takedown to help answer them. Some of the questions she couldn’t answer due to the trial, and some she forced him to be there while she answered, just because of the subject matter. It bothered him that she had to answer those questions, but he understood it as well. Lying, even if it they’d done it for a good reason, was still not right. Add to it, the trial was scheduled to start soon, which meant the town was quickly filling with news crews and journalists from all over the country. It was a perfect storm of curiosity for the girls.
The shit with PBH had far-reaching implications, and everyone had a vested interest in the outcome of the case. It meant freedom for those shifters and humans who were unique and special. It also meant validation and justice. What it meant for him and his family was facing the woman he’d lied for and lied to his kids about. It meant bearing all of his indiscretions and lapses in judgement. It meant getting on that stand and allowing Holly’s lawyer to paint him in a horrible light. It also meant putting the whole case at risk because he’d been stupid enough to want to do everything in his power to keep an aunt with her niece, damn the consequences.
Mackenzie parked his truck next to Saber’s vehicle then got out. He walked to the small single-room trailer on the property to store his lunch box and grab his gear. Inside the building, Ulysses was already there, waiting on him. He had to admit the kid was a hard worker. He never complained. Mackenzie did most of the grunt work around the site. It gave him time to contemplate everything. It was tedious, backbreaking work, but he enjoyed it. It stretched the muscles of his body he didn’t much use anymore because he hadn’t shifted since being caught by Raymond.
“Morning,” Mackenzie grunted, placing his lunch in the fridge. “Ready to get to work?”
Ulysses stood. “Been waiting on you, old man.”
He smirked. “Getting a little big for those britches aren’t you?”
Ulysses puffed up his chest and grinned. “Maybe.”
Mackenzie laughed. “Let’s go.” He glanced at Saber and nodded. “Still on for after lunch?”
“Yep,” Saber answered, staring at Mackenzie like he’d missed something important. “Which means you have four hours.”
“We have enough time then.”
“How are you feeling?” Saber tilted his head.
Mackenzie narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
Ulysses headed for the door. “I’ll be outside getting everything ready.”
As soon as the door closed Saber grabbed his shoulder. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”
“Uh, thanks. I think.” Mackenzie cleared his throat. “I should get out there and start working.”
“Sure. Right.” Saber still stared at Mackenzie with concern in his eyes. “I was just saying.”
Mackenzie nodded and headed out the door. What the hell was that all about? He stomped down the stairs and found Ulysses already laying pipe. Why did Saber want to know if he needed to talk? It didn’t make sense. He shook his head.
“Everything okay?”
Mackenzie nodded. “Yeah. Family stuff. I guess.” He scrubbed the back of his neck.
“Well times a wastin’,” Ulysses said.
The majority of the work could be finished after they poured the cement. What would take the longest was coming off the street to the foundation to hook all the lines up. The city would have to supervise while code enforcement also kept an eye on things. One wrong move, and they’d be back to square one.
“You should join us,” Ulysses said after they’d been working for a couple of hours. “We go out to the bar sometimes.”
The statement came out of left field. “I have kids.”
“Royce who is mated,” Ulysses said.
“Riley and Liam who are fourteen and twelve,” he replied.
“Still,” Ulysses pressed. “You’d enjoy yourself. You always have a sour look on your face.”
“Comes with the territory.” Mackenzie grabbed one of his tools. “Besides, I’ve been to every bar in the area. They’re nothing special.”
“The women, though,” Ulysses replied. “You should get laid.”
“The women stay away from me,” he said. “Don’t you know who I am?”
The kid nodded. “It’s not your fault.”
“Sure, it is.” He set to work on cutting the PVC pipe to fit the junctures. “I’ve accepted my responsibility in all of this.”
Ulyss
es frowned. “Whatever you say.”
They worked in compatible silence for the remainder of the morning. He appreciated the kid wanting to help him out, but he swore to himself, he’d never make the same mistake twice. Or well three times. He had to concentrate on his children. Maybe when they were grown and out of the house he’d try again. Until then, they were his priority, not trying to get his dick sucked or fucking some random woman.
As he walked back to his truck to eat his lunch before running over to the realty office, a large crowd drew his attention as they shouted their questions. They stood at the entrance of the site snapping photos while trying to ask questions. Their vans and SUVs blocked the driveway where the cement trucks were supposed to enter to pour the concrete. Rapier stood in front of them, barking out orders while the journalists continued to scream their questions.
Damn it, why me?
Rapier’s angry gaze caught his and Mackenzie sighed. Again, this was his fault. The chirp of Enforcer sirens finally pushed the group back. The car muscled between the cluster of people and the construction site. When the door opened and Kalkin got out, Mackenzie cursed again. He trudged over to the area, knowing they wouldn’t leave well enough alone until he said something to them. Shutters clicked and more questions were lobbed at him as the group swelled toward the property. He held up his hand. “I have no comment. Go home.”
The throng roared with indignation. They grew angry at his refusal to answer their questions, but Mackenzie didn’t care. He didn’t have to explain himself to them. His part of the case would be thrown into the court of popular opinion after he testified, not before, and he’d be damned if he’d allow them to drag his children through the mud with him.
“I’ll remind all of you this is private property. I can and will have the sheriff remove you if you don’t leave now!” Rapier roared.
The journalists took a step back then grumbled. When Rapier didn’t relent on his stance, they finally dissipated, leaving room for the cement trucks to get through. Mackenzie realized standing there, that the reporters would return. He wouldn’t get away from their assessments or their questions.
“I hate to do this, Mac,” Rapier muttered. “But for now, until the trial is over, I think it’s best if you stay home.”
His heart sank, and his stomach clenched. He understood why. Rapier couldn’t have any bad publicity right now, not with how well his company was growing. Mackenzie was a liability to all of them. “It’s okay. I understand.”
Rapier growled. “You don’t have to take it so well.”
“What do you expect me to do? Piss and moan?”
“Show some fucking emotion, asshole,” Rapier snarled. “You’ve been a moping SOB for far too fucking long.”
“So, because I’m not fucking everything with two legs and pussy or breaking shit or beating the fuck out of anyone who gets in my way, I’m fucking moping?” Mackenzie shook his head. “I have fucking responsibilities. My kids can’t have their father losing his shit because of his own short-comings.”
“None of this is your fault,” Rapier said.
“Yeah, it is. I put all of us in this mess to help my niece. Now, I have to get all of us out of it.” He turned to walk away.
“Shut up, old man!” Kalkin snapped. “You did what you thought was right. No one blames you for shit.”
“Yeah, well, I do.” Mackenzie left his hand in a wave. “I’m going home. Probably should make sure Riley and Liam aren’t being fucked with at school, too.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Kalkin called out. “I’ll get one of the deputies to make sure the vultures don’t camp out in front of your house, too.”
“Fine.” Mackenzie continued to his truck. So much for wanting to buy a new house.
Chapter Three
“You okay, you look stressed,” Aurora said, sitting down beside Keeley.
Aurora, on the other hand... Since the Halloween party, she’d felt a bit off. Everything ached. Muscles. Bones. Her heart. Her skin was too tight, and every time she brushed her legs together, especially while wearing her training uniform, it made her tingle, arousing her to the point of pain sometimes.
“It’s nothing. Normal day for me.” Keeley brushed Aurora off with a flip of her wrist. It surprised her when Keeley leaned forward, dropping her voice. “Take my advice, stay clear of all the men in this town… Most of them are assholes.”
Okay, that was totally out of left field, especially after what happened at Keeley’s house. “At this point in my life, I don’t really have time for a relationship. Abby is my priority.”
For the last couple of days, she’d watched her niece like a hawk, too. Abby’s rosy cheeks had faded into a soft pink, and though she waited for the coming fever and subsequent sickness, it never came. Abby had been right as rain, shocking the hell out of Aurora. Abby’s medical issues took up a lot of her time. Not that she was complaining. She’d loved the little girl from the moment they placed the squirming, squawking infant in her arms. Aurora would do anything for her niece.
“Smart woman,” Keeley said before taking a long sip of her drink.
A lock from Keeley’s mussy braid slipped free and fluttered in the breeze. Aurora’s gaze lowered to the reddish-purple mark on Keeley’s neck and the slight swell of her skin. Curiosity gripped her. She’d seen the feature before on a couple of people in the Sheriff’s Department. Noticed it more after the “run,” with those who were married, or dating after they disappeared the other night at the party. These two, though—Keeley and Kalkin, were famous, according to the talk around the new trainees.
“Should I even ask?” Aurora inquired.
Keeley sighed, and her hazel eyes twinkled with amusement. “I don’t want to scare you off or skew your opinion of your new boss, especially after the party.”
Aurora smiled. She pushed aside the incident with Mackenzie, believing it’d been a one-off situation. If he hadn’t shifted in all those years, his senses or whatever had to have been pinging and out of control. “I think I’ll survive, considering technically, he’s not my boss. I report to Justine Locklear.”
“Semantics,” Keeley declared. “Since Justine reports to Kalkin.”
“True.”
“Jiminy Crickets, this man is driving me bat-shit crazy,” Keeley mumbled.
Aurora glanced over her shoulder.
“No, don’t look,” Keeley snapped.
“Sweet cheeks,” Kalkin grumbled. The deep and dark sound sent a shiver down Aurora’s spine. “Aurora.”
“Damn it.”
Aurora didn’t know if Keeley was messing around or if she was being serious. From all she’d seen between the two, they loved each other. When she glanced at Keeley, though, she had a sour look on her face, and she kept her hand on her drink.
“Sheriff,” Aurora replied.
Kalkin spun one of the chairs around at their table and sat. He rested his massive forearms on the back of the chair while staring at Keeley. Holy shit, the intensity in his gaze and the way he watched every little movement she made, had Aurora anxious. She didn’t understand it. She also didn’t understand why the hair on her arms stood on end any time he’d been around.
She gulped.
“Aurora.” Kalkin nodded his head. The hardness eased from his features, and his cool gaze softened, filling with love and adoration when he turned his attention back to Keeley. “Whatcha girls talking about?” He snatched Keeley’s drink, and sucked back more than half her drink all while silently daring his mate to do something. How Aurora knew that, she couldn’t say.
The by-play between the two of them could scorch anyone who dared to step into their vicinity, including Aurora. However, as much as she should walk away and give them space to deal with whatever sparked between them in that particular moment, she stayed, interested in what would happen next.
“Gimmie that, Kalkin.” Keeley sneered before removing the clear plastic cup from between his fingers. Her delicate features twisted in disgust as
she examined the straw he had used. “Now I’ve got Kalkin cooties all over my drink.”
Kalkin snorted, opened his mouth, and before he could utter a word, Keeley smacked her small hand over his mouth, stopping whatever he was about to say. Pity. They were amusing as hell. She wondered if she had enough time to go grab a bucket of popcorn and watch the show.
“Don’t you freaking dare, Kalkin,” Keeley snarled before removing her hand and wiping it on her pant leg. The glare she tossed his way, would have cut any other man down to size, not Kalkin, though, he seemed to get off on it.
He cocked a brow at Keeley and chuckled in amusement. Yeah, living here was going to be fun. “So, what are you doing, mate?”
“Talking,” Keeley snapped after taking a sip of her tea.
“I got that, but what about?”
“Things,” Keeley bit out.
“About?” Kalkin asked, continuing to push his mate. “Mackenzie maybe?” For the first time since he sat down, Kalkin gave Aurora his attention. “Perhaps about the party?”
“Keeley and I were talking about Abby.” She straightened her shoulders.
“Abby? Is there something wrong?” Again, the superior way he hedged around questions, even drove Aurora insane.
“Nope, nothing is wrong with her.” She sighed. “I need a permanent sitter for her when I start my first shift. I was hoping Keeley could navigate me through finding someone to watch Abby for me.”
“I’ve offered to watch Abby until Aurora finds long-term care for her,” Keeley said. “But she doesn’t want to put us out.”
Kalkin stared at both of them for a moment then snapped his fingers. “I got it. Ask Mac.”
Keeley’s eyes widened. “That’s not a bad idea.”
Aurora blinked. “Wait a second. You want me to trust my daughter to someone who-who hasn’t shifted in years, and the first time he does, licks the crotch of my jeans?”
“He’s a Raferty,” Kalkin stated. “Look, he’s been through the wringer. I don’t think he meant to upset you or meant you any harm. He’s old. Alone and confused.”
