The Alpha’s Chase: A Howls Romance

by Taiden, Milly

  You know why.

  Shut up.

  You’re picking this fight for no reason and you know it.

  SHUT UP.

  You’re mad at YOU, Ms. Fortune 500. Not Chase. You failed.

  I did not.

  Really? Then explain why you’re ready to rip the man’s face off for suggesting you do something for fun?

  Because.

  You got that right. Because of YOU. You hesitated this afternoon. Not Chase. You gave up control, and that’s got you so nuts. Team shmeam. You want to call the shots because deep down, you don’t trust anyone.

  She blinked. Was that really at the heart of why she was so nuts over something so small? She lifted her hands to her face, shaking her head.

  “Cecily, whatever this is, you need to calm down so we can talk.”

  She shook her head harder. This was the Krakatoan explosion Malcolm warned about. Keeping offenses and disappointments and all that went with them packed so deep, while keeping the rest of her world in its proper sphere with all moving parts in order had finally reached critical mass. And who was her whipping boy today? Chase. The one person willing to let her be her and take a chance with nothing to gain.

  “I’m sorry, Chase. I…I…I’m not used to sharing the driving with anyone. My entire life has been an exercise in control, a balancing act between trying to win my father’s approval and keeping my sanity.”

  He turned her around to face him, slowly peeling her fingers from her face so she had to look at him. “I know all that, Cecy. You may have a shifter’s sixth sense, but I’m a pretty good judge of what makes people tick. Reading between the lines isn’t quite as much fun as being between the sheets with you, but I’m working on it.” He wiped the wet from her cheeks. “Team work, right?”

  With a stifled hiccup, she walked into his arms and buried her face in his wide chest. “I’m sorry, Chase.”

  “It’s okay. My father taught me to never question the workings of a woman’s mind. He said it was more complex than code written for the International Space Station.”

  She grinned against his tee shirt. “Smart man.”

  “He was.”

  Looking up, she craned her neck to meet his gaze. “Like father, like son.”

  Chase brushed her lips with his, nipping her bottom lip. “C’mon. Let’s go home. I’ll light a fire and you can tell me what’s got you tied up in knots.”

  “Now that sounds promising,” she teased with a sheepish smile.

  “Talking?”

  She shook her head. “Tying me up. If there was ever a way for me to practice giving up control, why not have a little fun while at it?”

  “Oh, baby. Dan was right,” he groaned, fixing his jeans.

  “Meow.” She laughed.

  They walked arm in arm toward the parking lot, waving to Dan as they got to the Jeep.

  “Hey, you two! Don’t forget, eight am tomorrow. The Yellowknife trailhead,” he called from the beach.

  “Eight in the morning?” Cecily exhaled. “Is the man a sadist?”

  Chase laughed. “We could always ask Linda.”

  22

  “Milady.” Chase handed Cecily a paper travel cup. “Coffee regular. New York style. Cream, two sugars.”

  She took the cup and lifted the plastic tab on the lid, breathing in the hot brew. “Smells amazing.”

  “I scored two crullers as well, but you have to promise to eat yours like a lady, unless you want me to hike with an enormous hard-on.”

  “Hmmm.”

  Not fun, Cecy, and not funny.”

  She snickered, lifting three fingers in salute. “I promise. Scouts honor.” Taking a sugary donut from the bag, she licked her thumb before taking a bite. “Mmmm, so good. To be honest, I’m surprised the lodge was open this early on a week day.”

  “You’ve really never hiked before.” He chuckled, opening the tab on his own coffee. “Eight am is considered late, especially for dawn brigade diehards.”

  Donut in hand, she cupped the warmth from her coffee, shoulders bunched. “Dawn? Yeah, no thanks. Shifters are supposed to run hotter than humans, but I was absent the day they handed out that gene. Or maybe running hot relates to how often you shift. Either way, I’m freezing my nips off. I can’t imagine what it’s like before the sun comes up.”

  “I think you’re pretty hot on your own.” He grinned. “Especially with hard nips.”

  She smirked. “Ha, ha.”

  “You’ll be fine once your blood gets moving. It’s why we dress in layers. By this afternoon, you’ll be doing a strip tease.”

  She chuckled again. “That sounds a lot like wishful thinking for someone who doesn’t want to hike with an enormous erection. Maybe I should deep throat my donut just to give you a head start.”

  “Good morning, honeymooners!” Dan interrupted, coming up to greet them. “Brisk and bright this morning, eh? You guys ready for the hunt?”

  Chase slipped his arm around Cecily. “As ready as we’ll ever be, chief.”

  “Good. Charlie and Louise are already up the mountain, about an hour ahead of us. Linda and I decided to let you two sleep in.” He winked. “She’s grabbing us a couple of water bottles.” He gestured toward the lodge. “I hope you thought to bring some, if not, last call at the lodge. Same for a real bathroom.”

  Chase turned to show Dan the larger of the two backpacks they brought. “All set.”

  “Ready to head out, then?” Linda asked, walking up behind them to hand Dan his water. “Better let us take the lead. We’ve done this more times than I can count. It’s not too bad a hike. Daisy’s even done it with us.”

  Cecily fell in step with Chase behind them. “Where is she today?”

  Linda smiled over her shoulder. “She’s still with grandma. We got home too late from the bonfire last night, so she made it a sleepover.” Her grin slipped to a crooked smirk. “You two left pretty early. Decided to make your own fireworks, huh?”

  “Linda, cut them some slack. You yelled at me last night and you’re just as bad.”

  She blew her husband a razzberry, but let it drop.

  “Did you tell the others about what happened?” Chase asked.

  Dan nodded. “Yes. You weren’t the only ones to notice them at the bonfire last night. No one knows who they were, but Mitch said he picked up on a definite bear scent. He and Gayle stayed behind to consider the matter. We’re all aware and on alert.” He turned with a wink. “We’ve got your back.”

  “Same,” Chase replied.

  They climbed, stepping over rocks and roots. The path wound, and the temperature rose the later it got. As the elevation increased, the four fell in a natural single file line with Dan in the lead and Chase in the rear. Cecily was breathing hard, and Chase hung back, giving her a chance to catch her breath.

  “Go on, we’ll catch up,” he called.

  Dan stopped to adjust his pack, pulling his bucket hat from his head to wipe the sweat. “It’s okay. We should all take a break. At least we’re conquering the hard part now. Linda and I hiked the Grand Canyon last year and going up took twice as long as going down.” He drank from his water bottle, handing the last half to Linda.

  “How far until we get to the claim?” Cecily’s hands were on her knees as she leaned against a boulder. “If it gets much steeper, I might turn around and let you guys go ahead. If I had known this was going to be a workout, I’d have gone into training.”

  Linda grinned. “Stop that. This isn’t a race. We get there when we get there. The climb is half the fun of it.”

  “Fun. Right. I forgot.” Cecily held out her hand for Chase to help her to her feet.

  “Babe, if you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to,” he whispered.

  Dan waved them forward. “I heard that, big guy. No quitsies. Besides, it’s only another hour or so up the mountain. Charlie and Louise figured you guys weren’t used to the altitude, so we’re meeting at the bottom edge of their claim. They brought lunch. Great vie
ws and a mountain picnic. What’s better than that?”

  “A lazy morning in bed with my sexy husband, that’s what,” Cecily murmured.

  Chase winked. “Back atcha, babe. We can always have a lazy evening in the hot tub later.”

  She stretched her neck, grimacing. “Promise?”

  The four hiked the rest of the way in relative silence. The terrain was rocky but evened out effort-wise as the path wound around the mountain, rather than up.

  “Look at the view, Cecy,” Chase scanned the horizon.

  The trees created a valley of green between craggy intermittent peaks. From this vantage, the lake and its feeder streams looked like zig-zag squiggles.

  “Beautiful,” she replied. “Just promise me you won’t get the hiking bug. I’m not exactly a nature girl, though I wouldn’t mind a cabin up here, provided we put in a road.”

  He brushed her lips, letting his hand skim to the back of her head as they looked at the expanse. “I promise.”

  “Hey, you two! See that next curve?” Dan called, gesturing up the path. “Beyond that the path plateaus to a gorgeous open clearing. Lots of trees and places to pitch a tent for the afternoon. It’ll be basecamp for today, so get a move on. We’ll meet you there.”

  Dan and Linda went ahead, so Chase took the lead for him and Cecily. “You okay, love?”

  “Without Sherpa Dan and his military pace? You bet.” She chuckled. “Remind me again why we decided to do this?”

  “It wasn’t we, it was me, babe…and trust me. Lesson learned.”

  Cecily grinned. “Good.”

  “Still, we’re no closer to finding out who attacked us yesterday and why. I haven’t taken my eyes off either side of the path, and I don’t care if Dan likes it or not, I’ll use my rifle again if needed.”

  Cecily glanced at the sleek weapon slung over Chase’s shoulder. “Do you think Jackson had me followed, and yesterday was a botched hit?”

  “Don’t even joke about that.” Stopping mid-step, Chase turned. “Why? Do you?”

  She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know anymore. If you’d raised that possibility right after we met, I’d have said no. I never thought Jackson capable of hurting me to get what he wants. But now?”

  “So, you think it could be him, or not him per se, but someone sent by him,” Chase pressed.

  Cecily shook her head. “Jackson plays dirty, but not that dirty. He colors within the legal lines, if you know what I mean. Coming at me with lawyers, like he’s already doing.”

  “Still, Cecy. A bear attack in the woods would be cut and dried. An accidental death would leave him wide open to claim your father’s fortune”

  “Maybe.”

  They wound around the curve toward the plateau, and the vista that opened into the valley below was more breathtaking than they’d seen. “Oh, man. Forget gemstones. This is what’s priceless.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he murmured. “It looks like Charlie and Louise already set up the day tent. Everyone’s dropped their packs.” He pointed toward a group of shade trees near the edge of the clearing.

  They walked to the tent, settling their packs beside the others.

  Cecily sighed. “This is where I’d want to be if I could.” She lifted a hand toward the scenery. “Looking at that vista every morning with you.”

  The other four were already up the side of the foothill, amid mountain scrub and rock. The plink and scrape of small pick axes and shovels sent a trickle of tiny stones and dirt down to the base.

  “Hey! I got one. A turquoise!” Louise laughed, holding up a blue-green rock. “Not bad for a morning’s work!”

  23

  Cecily shielded her eyes, peering up the side of the mountain to where the others tracked and dug. “Looks like Louise found something good. From here it looks like the size of an egg.”

  “The first find of the day.” Chase followed her line of sight. “We’d better get moving before Dan comes looking for us.”

  Still shielding her eyes, Cecily scanned the bottom of the slope for the way up. “Oh, hell no.”

  “What?” Chase asked, taking a swig of water.

  She pointed toward a thick rope dangling down the slope face with knots tied intermittently up its length. “That.”

  “I think that’s a guide rope to help climb up the claim,” he replied.

  An exhaled huff was her reply. “If that’s how you get up, how the hell do you get down? I’m a big girl, Chase. Not a mountain goat. Plus, that claim is mostly loose rock and dirt. How do you repel down without causing a rockslide? It can’t be safe if you had to descend in a hurry.”

  She took a breath. “I complained earlier, but you were right, and the hike wasn’t as bad as I thought. The weather turned out perfect, and the views were worth the sweat. But seriously. Did they really expect me to climb a rope hand over hand like some sadistic gym exercise?”

  “So, I take it we’re not scaling the castle wall, then?” His lips pushed into a soft smile.

  She sat on a tree stump next to the day tent. “Nope. Or at least, I’m not. I’ll be fine watching the packs. I can do one better and set up lunch for everyone.”

  “You really want to stay here by yourself?”

  “Not really. But turning me into a spider monkey isn’t an option.”

  Chase glanced up the slope and Dave waved. “We didn’t come all this way for you to sit by yourself while I play prospector.” He squatted in front of her, sitting on the stump. “How about we spread a blanket on the grass and chill? We can stretch out and relax, have some lunch and then take our time hiking down.”

  She rested her forearms on his shoulders, leaning in to press a kiss to his mouth. “Now that sounds like a plan.”

  Chase straightened, holding his hand out to help Cecily up. “You get the blanket spread, and I’ll grab the snacks I packed.” He unslung the rifle from his shoulder and rested it against the stump before turning to walk to where they dropped their packs.

  “How about under this tree? There’s a bed of old pine needles, so that should help soften the underside. The sun’s dappled, so it won’t be too hot or too cold.”

  He nodded. “Sounds good.”

  She flicked the blanket out, letting it settle on the soft ground, but froze. Her head snapped up and she turned toward the trees. Déjà vu hit as she peered into the shadowed light.

  “Chase—” she called calmly. “I think you’d better grab your gun.”

  He moved fast, but not fast enough. A gray wolf leapt from the shadows, teeth bared. Chase crouched, arms out in front of him in case the animal charged.

  “Can you get to the gun, Cecy?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the beast.

  She didn’t answer.

  “Cecily—”

  Another wolf padded from the trees, its large head down and its lips pulled back over sharp teeth. It circled her, cutting her off from the weapon.

  “Not wolves, Chase. Definitely not wolves,” she said, circling to keep the stump between her and the wolf.

  “What the—” he muttered. “And where the hell areis Dan and the others?”

  Cecily spared a quick glance for the slope. “They’re watching.” She inhaled. “There’s no mixed panic in the air. No urgency other than ours.” Adrenaline sizzled through her veins. “Jesus, Chase. It’s like they want us to run.”

  “Easier for them to take us down, with the others to witness the attack for the police.” His mouth mashed to a harsh line. “Oh, fuck me! They’re in on it.” He exhaled a harsh breath. “Stupid. And we trusted them. Jackson plays by the rules? If I live to see that motherfucker again, I swear I’ll rip his arms off and shove them up his ass.”

  The wolves snapped and growled, front legs splayed. They half lunged, barking and growling.

  “Not if I see him first.” Every muscle in her body flexed and tightened.

  Electric heat skittered across Cecily’s flesh, and this time she didn’t fight it. Adrenaline and anger fueled writhing muscle
s. Clothes shredded, as bone and joints snapped and popped, reshaping in seconds. Golden fur replaced skin, and a caterwaul shriek tore from Cecily’s throat as her cat took over.

  “Cecily!” Chase stared, mouth slack as he backed up from the majestic cat.

  The puma reared, and muscled hind quarters released, launching her toward the closest wolf. The wolf moved to retreat, growling and snapping louder, but heavy paws hit the wolf’s flank as it turned to run.

  Scythe-like claws gripped flesh and fur, tackling the wolf to the ground. Snarls and shrieks twisted and thundered as the animals fought, pawing and biting. High-pitched yaps echoed off the slope face. The others ran, leaving the two wolves to fight alone. The distraction was enough. With a violent twist, sharp canine teeth sunk deep in the wolf’s flank, tearing flesh and sinew.

  The wolf jerked itself free, its flesh ripping from the cat’s jaws. It turned for the woods, but its fore legs buckled. The animal slumped to the ground with a whimper, transforming in seconds back to human form. Gayle lay in her own blood, her back and torso a pulp of torn flesh.

  The cat turned is large head, another caterwaul shriek echoing off the rocks and trees. The other wolf turned for the trees, but Chase rushed after it, grabbing the rifle. A single shot rang clear, and the wolf dropped, its momentum skittered to a stop in the leaves and dried pine.

  Chase stood between the injured wolves and the cat, his arms out at his sides. “Cecily, baby. It’s over. Can you hear me, love? It’s done. Dan and the others ran. It’s over.”

  The cat lifted a bloody muzzle to the sky and shrieked again, only this time the sound was almost mournful rather than angry. Her back arched as thick ropes of muscle undulated beneath golden fur. Bone and joint snapped and popped once more, as blood-streaked skin replaced matted fur. Cecily knelt, naked and flushed, on the ground. Human once more.

  “Jesus. Are you okay?” Chase asked, afraid to approach.

  She nodded, lifting a shaking hand to her smeared face. “Are they dead?” Her voice shook as she asked.