“He turned us into animals to cure us?” Susan asked, her voice trembling.
“No, he turned you into lycans. Lycans are shape-shifters. They are related to the wolf, but they are also human.” Esme pulled a T-shirt out of her suitcase and tossed it to Susan.
“Werewolves? Your brother turned us into werewolves? This is outrageous.” Brenda glared at Esme, then glared at the door. “You can turn us back, right? This is only temporary? I’m not going to want to get all hairy every full moon, am I?”
“You aren’t monsters, and the moon doesn’t control your shifting. You do.” Esme returned to her search. She found a pair of jeans for Susan to try on. “The change is permanent. You are now lycans, and your lives have changed forever. Brenda, you said Norris told you he was forced to change you. You were desperate to try anything to cure your cancer and continue living. Well, he gave you that chance.”
“I didn’t know the cure would be a curse. How am I supposed to go on living if I’m going to shift into a wolf?” Brenda caught the shorts and T-shirt Esme tossed to her.
“That’s what having a pack is all about. A pack is like a large extended family. We help each other survive without being exposed to human prejudice. Being a wolf is fun. I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m in my wolf form. Now, hurry up and get dressed. Jared and Granger can’t hold the police off much longer.”
Susan fastened the jeans. They were a little tight, but they would work. Brenda pulled on the shorts. They were too large in the waist. Esme grabbed a belt and handed it to her. Both women would have to go braless. Brenda probably didn’t need a bra.
Esme ran a brush through her hair and sighed. Time to talk to the police.
§
The door opened, and everyone in the room fell silent. Offering encouragement, Jared smiled at Esme and the girls as they walked into the sitting room. Grigori and the officers rose from the couch.
Esme gasped and ran into Grigori’s arms. “They killed Norris,” she said, her voice breaking.
Jared jumped up. He didn’t want this man holding his mate. Granger grabbed Jared’s arm to keep him from ripping her out of Grigori’s arms. “She knows him. He’s like a big brother to her. Let her find comfort where she will.”
Unable to prevent himself from drawing near his mate, Jared gritted his teeth. Grigori looked at Jared and nodded. Jared relaxed. The English Alpha realized how hard it was for Jared to let another man hold his mate.
From the first moment Jared saw and was introduced to Grigori Solovyov, he understood why Grigori was Alpha. Grigori exuded a quiet confidence and power that magnified his tall frame and muscular physique. When his piercing green eyes caught Jared’s, Jared felt his character being scrutinized and hoped he lived up to Grigori’s expectations. It was no wonder the man was held in high esteem.
“Esme, your mate is fretting. Let him hold you and comfort you,” Grigori whispered into Esme’s ear.
With his enhanced senses, Jared heard him clearly. Esme sniffled and nodded. She turned into Jared’s embrace. He drew her close into his arms, away from the other male. She rubbed her face against his shirt. “Sorry …,” she whispered.
“Non, ma petit louve. The fault is mine. I’m a possessive male,” Jared whispered, as he steered her to a chair and sat down with her on his lap.
“We are very sorry for your loss, Miss Fortescue,” one of the officers said. “Now, if we may begin, I would like to question each woman separately. Miss Scott, shall we go into the other room?”
Brenda looked first at Granger, then at the couple sitting in the chair. She nodded, a tremor running through her, and followed the officers into the bedroom. Jared was sure Granger would link with her to help her through the questioning. When the time came, Esme would need to aid Susan.
“Ma petit louve, Susan will soon need your help, Jared sent.
Speaking softly, Grigori introduced himself to Susan, while Granger went to the kitchenette to get her a bottle of juice, his eyes straying to the bedroom door. Susan smiled and nodded and walked to the chair where Jared held Esme. She patted Esme on the shoulder and sat cross-legged on the floor. Esme lowered her hand, and the two women held each other.
Jared was amazed at the connections among the women. They knew little about each other, but the genetic link told their wolves they were family. They reached out to each other as if they’d been doing it all their lives. When Jared would finally take Esme home to his pack, he would be bringing two new females along with her. Of course, it would help that Brenda was Granger’s mate. Would Susan find someone in the pack as well? There were several single males he could introduce her to. First, he needed to get the women back to Quebec.
“Jared, I can’t get over how much you look like your cousin, Dmitry,” Grigori said, sitting down on the couch. “Anton warned me, of course. Still, it’s amazing to see. You could be brothers. I remember your father, Jasha, before he left Siberia. He always took time to play with the young ones. I missed him when he left.”
“My father never told me he had family in Siberia,” Jared said. “He was completely devoted to my mother and our community in Quebec. Being leader kept him very busy. Then, he raised and trained me to take his place. I miss him. I hope I can live up to his example.”
“The Volkov name is an old and honored bloodline,” Grigori said. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Anton said your father took the name ‘Wolfe.’”
“Yes. I don’t know why. That name change is another impediment to learning about my cousins.”
“Or your uncle, Vikenti. He’s your father’s older brother. I know he hoped to get in contact with Jasha in the future. You might like to visit Siberia. There are many who would welcome you there.”
“I need to get back to Quebec. And with the awful things happening in Russia, I doubt a visit is in my future.”
“It’s true that things are unsettled. I worry about our brethren there.” Grigori lapsed into silence.
Esme sat with her head on Jared’s chest, her eyes closed. Susan leaned against the side of the chair and Jared’s leg. Her eyes were also closed. Granger stood in the kitchenette, staring at the door to the bedroom. A bottle of juice sat forgotten on the counter. Jared was sure Esme, Susan and Granger were linked with Brenda.
Once this crisis was over, Jared wondered, would Esme agree to go to Quebec with him? He felt the call of his wolf, a need to be home surrounded by his pack. He wanted to run over the land his pack claimed and he claimed as Alpha, and he wanted Esme by his side.
§
Esme listened to Brenda’s thoughts as she spoke to the police officer. Brenda’s mind was filled with conflict and confusion. She wanted to tell the police officer the truth—how the organization, Doctors for a Better Humanity, experimented on humans and turned them into animals. Although she recognized the risk that lycans would become a government science project. At least, the doctors group would be investigated for killing Norris Fortescue. For now, that was a start.
Esme agreed with some of Brenda’s reasoning. Although Esme didn’t want to implicate her brother in a crime, it would be hard to let that group get away with experimenting on humans. Plus, the general population wasn’t ready to know about shape-shifters and witches and whatever else stayed hidden.
Brenda’s story about being asked by the fanatical doctors to take part in an experimental program was very compelling. She described how Norris warned the patients that they were being experimented on, how he tried to help them escape and was shot as they raced away in Pierre’s car.
Through her telepathic connection with Esme, Brenda felt connected to Norris. She tried to shield him, while they ran down the alley. When he was killed, Brenda mourned the brave man, who tried to save them. She felt as if she’d lost a family member, which both confused and upset her.
As Esme relived those moments, she began to cry. Jared quickly gathered her close and sent reassurance through the mating bond in an effort to protect her from the painful memories.
>
Jared placed barriers in Esme’s mind to stop Brenda’s grief from feeding Esme’s. Esme rubbed her face against Jared’s chest, trying to tell him without words how much she appreciated his help. He always stepped in to make things easier for her.
The door opened, and Brenda came out of the room. Granger approached her and put an arm around her waist and drew her into the kitchen. The officer leaned from the doorway. “Miss Adams? Would you join me?”
As Susan rose from the floor, Esme squeezed her hand. Susan trembled and made her way to the door. Esme steeled herself to relive Susan’s memories of the previous night through their telepathic bond. Jared nestled Esme in his arms and kissed her temple. She wasn’t alone. Jared was with her, in her mind and in her heart.
§
Esme hung up the phone in the hotel room. “Monsieur Boulanger said a burial plot is waiting next to my parents’ at the family mausoleum in Paris. They bought it when they purchased theirs, probably for me …” Esme lowered her eyes and kicked the carpet.
“Your parents didn’t know Norris would cure you, ma petit louve,” Jared said. “Don’t feel bad. They never wished you dead.” He massaged Esme’s arm in an attempt to comfort her.
The police finally left. Pierre and the two male, newly created lycans came into the room where Esme and the rest of the lycans were. Grigori decided to wait in the room, as well, to help make things easier for Esme.
“I know that,” Esme said. “It feels wrong that my parents would buy a plot for me, and Norris would be the one using it, while I live on.”
“It’s common to have survivor’s guilt when something like this happens,” Grigori offered from the couch.
“I suppose so,” Esme answered. “Pierre, how did you know where my brother was in Aberdeen?”
All eyes in the room turned to the man sitting in the chair. “I didn’t. I mean, I wasn’t sure he would be there. Last week, Norris asked me to mail two packages for him to the same address in Aberdeen. I thought I would give it a try.”
“You didn’t think to mention this earlier?” Jared said. He really didn’t like this guy.
“With the accident and everything, I forgot. It wasn’t until I sat in that tiny car with the twins that the idea came to me. I thought if I could find Norris for Esme, she would forgive my indiscretion.”
“I do forgive you, Pierre …” Esme began.
“Now wait a minute,” Jared said, frustration bubbling up. “He stole our car. He kissed you when you were unwilling and already mated.”
“I know that, Jared.” Esme patted him on the chest. Jared captured her hand and held it to his heart. “I still appreciate that Pierre tried to save my brother and did save Brenda, Susan, and the two men who are now related to Pierre. Besides, Pierre knows not to try anything with me again.”
He better not … Jared looked at Granger and saw him nod. Pierre would be watched any time he was near Esme.
“Perhaps, Pierre and his new brothers can drive one of the vehicles to Paris,” Grigori suggested, his voice calm. “Esme, you and your party can fly, taking your brother’s body with you. I’ll be happy to make arrangements. You can be back in Paris late this evening.”
“I think that would be best, mon coeur,” Jared agreed. The quicker things were taken care of in Paris, the faster he could get home to his pack in Quebec.
“Paris? I’ve always wanted to see Paris,” Susan said from the floor, where she sat cross-legged again.
Jared looked toward Esme for her answer. He hoped she would agree, but he wouldn’t force her.
“I guess it’s settled then,” Esme said. “Thank you, Grigori, for all your help and support. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”
“As do I …” Jared added with his telepathy.
“A pack is family, Esme,” Grigori said. It’s my pleasure and duty to help you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some arrangements to attend to. Pierre, perhaps you could accompany me for a few moments.” The two men walked out of the room.
“I’m not going to Paris,” one of the newly changed males said. “That’s what Mr. Solovyov is telling Pierre. I can tell you’re wondering why. I’m going to stay in England. Mr. Solovyov has agreed to teach me the things I need to know.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I caught your name,” Esme said.
“Graham Atkins, Miss. England is home for me, and I think Mr. Solovyov and I will get along well.”
“Grigori is a fine man and leads his pack with skill and finesse,” Esme said with a smile. “I’m sure you will be happy with him, Graham. I wish you all the best.”
“I’m Samuel Brooks, you can call me Sam,” the other new male lycan said. “Pierre has offered me a place to stay. I think I’ll go to Paris, at least until I can figure all this lycan stuff out. As happy as I am about being free from cancer, I never expected to be turned into a wolf.”
“I know how scary that can feel, Sam,” Esme said. “Once you learn what it’s like to live as a lycan, it can be very rewarding. I hope you find happiness wherever you go.”
“Esme, we’re going with you, right?” Susan asked.
“Oh, yes,” Esme added quickly. “I know we haven’t talked much about it. I hope both you and Brenda will come with me to Paris, and then go on to Quebec. I want the chance to get to know you both.”
Jared looked from woman to woman. Granger stood next to his mate, a frown marring his face. Was Brenda hesitating to accompany him? Jared didn’t want to lose his best friend.
“We’ll go with you to Paris and take it from there,” Brenda said.
§
Jared never expected to see a private jet waiting at the airport to take Esme and her party to Paris. Esme and the women got settled inside while Jared and Granger supervised the loading of Norris’ body.
“Valerii Belikov and his mate, Josephine, are the Alphas of the Paris pack,” Grigori said. “They are new to the job and found quite a mess when they took over. Both are slowly getting things under control. I think you will like them. I trained Valerii myself.”
“If the student is anything like the master, then I’m sure I will,” Jared assured him.
Jared shook hands with Grigori. He truly liked Grigori and appreciated everything Grigori had done.
“May Asena shower you with blessings,” Grigori said formally.
“And you, also,” Jared answered.
Grigori turned and walked to a car parked near the runway. Graham waited in the vehicle to accompany Grigori back to London.
“The pilot says everything is ready,” Granger said, walking up.
“Well, then, let’s take off,” Jared said. “I feel Quebec calling me. Hopefully, our time in Paris will be brief.”
Chapter Ten
Jared pulled back the covers on the huge, carved wooden bed that occupied most of the bedroom. Esme’s ancestral home resembled a château. How would she feel when she arrived in Quebec and saw the Alpha lodge constructed of logs? True, his parents had updated the kitchen and bathrooms, but the lodge was nothing like Esme’s home.
He ran his hands through his hair and glanced at the bathroom door. Esme was still inside. At least, they had some privacy in this house.
The hour-long drive from the Paris airport had almost driven him mad. Susan squealed every time she saw something of interest, and Brenda continued to give Granger the cold shoulder, which kept tensions high.
Jared couldn’t wait to hold Esme in his arms and make love to her. They arrived late in Paris, and dawn would soon be upon them. Perhaps, morning would be a better time to make love to his mate.
The door of the bathroom opened, and the scent of roses filled the air. Esme stood in the doorway wearing a white lacy negligee. Jared’s breath froze in his chest. She looked exquisite. Her hair lay on her shoulders in soft curls. Jared’s glance followed her hair down to her pink nipples peeking through the lace, and then farther to the dark patch between her legs.
This was his woman. His. “Come here, m
a petit louve. You look lovely. This wolf wants to eat you.” Jared quickly removed his shirt and started to unbutton his jeans. All thoughts of waiting fled from his mind.
“My, what big eyes you have …” Esme smiled and moved closer to the bed.
“The better to see you with, my dear.” Jared smiled and shucked his pants. He could play this game with her. His member sprang free, showing his desire for her.
“Oh, my … What big …” Esme’s eyes grew wide. She licked her lips.
Something in Jared broke free. In a second, he held her in his arms, never even realizing how he sprang across the room. He lowered first one strap of Esme’s gown, then the other, being careful not to alarm her. He kissed his way down her shoulders to her lovely breasts.
“Esme, mon amour. You are perfect.”
Esme threaded her fingers through his hair as he sucked her breast. He released her nipple and kissed his way to the other side. Kissing and nipping, he pulled the nubbin into his mouth, giving it the same attention he’d given the other. She tasted so sweet, so good.
Jared released her nipple and concentrated on the soft globe. “I’m going to leave my mark right here.”
His canines lengthened, and he nipped her. Then, he sucked hard at the spot, causing a raspberry to appear on her skin. His wolf looked on with satisfaction.
Esme gasped, then moaned, pushing closer to his face. He continued to kiss and lick her breasts as his hands slid the silky gown over her hips and let it fall to the floor. Then, he scooped her up and lay her down on cool sheets. He stood a moment, gazing at her beauty, before joining her in bed.
§
Esme loved the look on Jared’s face. His eyes brightened, and his jaw hardened. She knew that his wolf was close to the surface and he struggled for control. What would it be like if Jared lost all control? She didn’t fear that he would hurt her. She was a lycan now. She could take sex a little rough. She held her arms out to him, inviting him to come to her.
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