by DJ Bryce
“Who are you?”
I looked to my right to see a blonde woman standing there, hands on her hips. The thought that she’d be a beautiful woman if she wasn’t sneering at me flitted through my mind, but rather than sneering back, I smiled and said, “I’m Katja, and you are?”
“I’m someone who belongs here and with him, so why don’t you take your fat ass and get lost?”
Now, in my rational brain, I knew I no longer had a fat ass. I’d squatted and lunged that sucker down to the toned piece of flesh it was today. But, when you were ridiculed for that ass for years, it tended to be a sore subject.
I dropped my plate and spun to face my villain head on, but before I could respond, Bane was beside me, his arm wrapped around my waist.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Tanzi?” he asked angrily, and her expression went from bitch mode to flirty.
I didn’t even try to hide my eye roll.
Seventeen
Bane
“Hey, Bane,” Tanzi said, flipping her hair back and shooting me a big smile.
If I hadn’t just heard the way she was talking to Katja, I would have believed the act, that’s how good she was. But, unfortunately for her, I had… and I had no patience for assholes, no matter their gender.
“You need to apologize to my date,” I informed her, watching as her eyes widened, then shuttered.
“Date?” she breathed, all pretense gone.
“Yes, Katja is staying with me while she’s in town, and is my guest here. You have no reason to talk to her that way. Apologize.”
Tanzi blinked, obviously shocked that I not only had a date, but that she was staying in my house. It was common knowledge that I didn’t date, sleep with women, or have any women sleep in my house. It’s part of what made me so attractive to the single women in the pack.
I was a challenge. And, women loved a challenge.
“Sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“No problem,” Katja said sunnily, but I could hear the sarcasm in her tone.
I turned my head and smiled at her.
“Now are you ready to eat?” I asked.
“So ready,” she replied, her eyes twinkling.
I was momentarily mesmerized by her freckles, then I did something I hadn’t planned on doing that night. I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.
I heard Tanzi gasp and when I stood back up and looked toward the sound, I saw her stalking away.
“That’s one way to get rid of her,” Katja said with a laugh.
“Mmmm,” was my response, then I turned her back toward the food table. “Let’s get you fed.”
We filled up our plates. Well, I filled up my plate, while Katja put more sensible portions on hers, then I led us toward an empty table in the back.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t a social person, I was a pack animal after all, but I knew Katja would be feeling a little awkward not knowing anyone, and I didn’t want her uncomfortable. Especially after Tanzi’s display. Not that most of the pack was like Tanzi, but there were a couple other women who’d been vying for my attention over the years, and I wanted to avoid any further drama.
“So, what did you think of the meeting?” I asked once we were seated comfortably.
“Very cool,” Katja said as she pushed her fork into her salad. “I’ve never been involved in a community even remotely like this. I like it.”
I grinned, pleased.
Pack life wasn’t for everyone, and although I hadn’t been as active recently as I once was, there were still certain things that were expected when you were part of a pack. It was good that Katja was opening to learning more about what this life entailed.
I wanted her focus to be on Sloane, and I was coming to realize me, but it would also be beneficial to have her on board with being a member of this community.
Before I could broach the subject further, we were interrupted by the scraping of a chair and a hand thumping on the table.
“What’s shakin’, man?”
“Arch,” I replied in greeting, unenthused.
Arch used to be one of my brother’s friends back in the day. Although friends may be a stretch. They’d shifted about the same time and had run together, but I always got the feeling that Gray tolerated Arch at best.
I’d never cared for the guy, personally.
“And, who’s this gorgeous morsel?” he asked, looking at Katja.
See? Total douche.
“This is Katja, my date,” I said, emphasizing the words my and date. “Katja, this is Arch.”
“Katja,” he said, sounding out her name as if trying it on for size. “Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”
“Uh, thanks,” Katja said, clearly uncomfortable by his leering gaze.
“What can I do for ya, Arch?” I asked, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
He leaned back in his chair.
Arch never had been good at catching hints.
“Just wanted to meet this lovey and ask after Grayson. How’s the hermit doing?”
I bit back a sneer. Pack barbecues were supposed to be social and fun. Violence, shifting, and fights were strictly prohibited.
I knew that, but I was still fighting to keep my wolf in check.
“My brother is well and happy,” was all I said, not rising to the bait.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, I looked to Katja, who was pushing food around her plate, but no longer eating and asked, “Ready to get out of here?”
She looked up with a relieved smile and nodded.
“I’m going to take my lady home,” I told Arch as I stood. “See you around.”
I held out my hand for Katja, trying to ignore the fact that Arch’s eyes tracked her every movement.
“Nice to meet you, Katja,” Arch said in what I’m sure he thought was a suave tone.
As we started walking away he called out, “Tell the hermit I’m thinking of coming by for a visit.”
I stopped and turned.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I warned, then guided Katja out of the party.
Eighteen
Katja
Bane had left that morning to pick up Sloane, so I was on my own for a few hours.
First, I went for a run, then came home to shower and eat, now I was wandering aimlessly around the house, wondering what to do with myself as I began to grow more and more nervous with each passing second.
Sloane was just a little girl, and I was good with kids, but after spending time with Bane, I realized how much was riding on this introduction. And how much I wanted to like her and for her to like me.
If we didn’t get along, it was a definite deal breaker, and I found that even though it had only been a short time, I didn’t want to leave.
I wanted to stay here and become Bane’s mate.
To be claimed by him.
And, since I was alone and could be honest with myself, I wanted more than a loveless marriage, even if it included marital benefits.
I wanted it all… and I wanted it with Bane.
These thoughts probably contributed to my nerves and had me pacing the living room as I bit the skin next to my thumbnail and muttered to myself.
“You agreed to his terms… if you try and change things, you’ll ruin it and he’ll send you packing… but, if you don’t tell him the truth and go through with the ceremony, you’ll be lying to the man you’re going to spend the rest of your life with… Crap… What should I do?”
I’d just taken a breath and was about to continue my verbal rant when the doorbell rang.
My head swung to the door and I stopped mid pace.
I wasn’t expecting anyone, and this was the first time anyone had dropped by since I’d arrived at Bane’s.
I went to the door and was surprised to see Shonda standing there waiting, a covered dish in her hands.
“Hi, Shonda,” I greeted with a smile.
“Uh, hey,” she replied nervously. “Um, Bane said he was
going to pick up Sloane and I should stop by… so, here I am. I, uh, brought banana bread.”
“Oh, yum, thanks,” I said, stepping aside so she could come in.
How sweet was it of Bane to ask her to come over so I wasn’t lonely?
The thought warmed my insides, and I walked into the kitchen with a pleased grin on my face.
“Would you like coffee to go with the banana bread?” I asked as she set it down on the counter.
“Sure, that sounds good,” Shonda replied, taking a seat at the island.
“It was sweet of you to come by,” I said as I put the pod in the Keurig. “I was starting to freak myself out…”
“About what?” she asked quietly.
“Oh, you know…wondering if Sloane and I will get along, and what would happen if we don’t… that kind of thing. Do you take cream or sugar?”
“Yes, please,” she said, then added, “I don’t think you’ll have any issues. Sloane’s a great kid. Sweet, kind, easy going. And she really loves her daddy. She’ll want him to be happy.”
I started my own coffee then turned and leaned against the island.
“You watch her sometimes, right?” She nodded. “Do you have any tips for me? Is there something she likes to do, or make, that could help us break the ice?”
Shonda was silent for a moment, like she was really thinking about my question, which I appreciated.
“She likes cookies. Chocolate chip is her favorite. She loves to play with her dolls… Oh, she also likes to be read to before bed.”
I nodded, thinking this was information I could work with.
“Thanks,” I said, then went to the pantry and grabbed a bag of chocolate chips. I held them up and said, “Score,” when I joined Shonda back at the island.
She smiled shyly.
I cut into the banana bread, which was still warm, and lathered two slices with butter, then grabbed my coffee and sat next to Shonda.
“Oh my God,” I moaned after my first bite. “This is so good.”
“Thank you,” Shonda said sweetly, obviously pleased by my reaction.
“We should be best friends,” I told her as I took another bite.
She looked surprised for a minute, then her face cleared and she said, “I’d like that.”
“Then it’s done,” I replied with a grin.
We enjoyed the rest of our bread, and although I wanted another slice, I controlled myself, instead shifting toward Shonda on my stool and looking at her curiously.
“So, since we’re besties… do you want to tell me about Gray?” I asked gently, hoping my question wouldn’t scare her off.
Her eyes widened and she asked, “Gray? What about him.”
I gave a half shrug and replied, “I noticed yesterday that there seemed to be something when you asked about him. Did you use to date or something?”
At first, I didn’t think she was going to answer me, but then her shoulders sagged and Shonda whispered, “No. I never got up the nerve to tell him how I felt. Then, he was gone.”
“So, you’ve liked him for a long time, huh? Have you dated other guys since he left?”
She shook her head.
“No. I mean, I thought about it, but when push comes to shove, Grayson is the only man I want. Unfortunately, he just wants to be alone. He never comes here, and no one but Bane and Sloane ever go out to see him. Well, Sarah did… sorry,” she winced and looked apologetic at the mention of Bane’s mate.
“That’s okay,” I assured her. “I know Bane loved Sarah, she was his mate and Sloane’s mother. I don’t mind talking about it. But, about Gray… have you ever tried to go see him?”
“No. The last person who tried got shot at for stepping onto his land. He really, really doesn’t want to be bothered.”
“But, I’m sure if you went he wouldn’t shoot at you… if you just explained…”
Shonda’s eyes looked sad when she said, “I don’t think so, but it’s sweet of you to be concerned. I’m okay. I’m used to the way things are…”
I could tell by her tone and expression that she didn’t want to talk about it anymore, but I vowed if I ever met Bane’s brother, I’d put out feelers to see how he felt about living alone. And about Shonda.
Nineteen
Bane
“So, it’s going well, then?” My brother asked me as I loaded Sloane’s things into the Jeep.
She was around back saying goodbye to the goats, chickens, and any cows within shouting distance, so we had a few moments of privacy.
“Better than I ever imagined it would,” I admitted. “When Mal first told me about the app, I thought he and Kai were nuts. How the hell are you supposed to meet your mate online? Mates are fate… it’s all about chemistry, and the rightness you feel when you meet. But, after seeing them with Victoria, how much they all really clicked, I thought I’d give it a shot. Still, I didn’t really believe… not for me… not after Sarah.”
“But it did work,” Gray surmised.
I nodded.
“Yeah. We clicked. There’s a definite chemistry there.” When Gray still looked skeptical, I said, “Believe me, I didn’t think it could happen either, but I think she’ll be a great addition to our lives.”
“And, will you be true mates?” Grayson asked, his dark eyes searching my face. “Will you claim her, have children with her, be committed… love her?”
“Katja and I have been one hundred-percent honest with each other. We’ve agreed that although we’ll be exclusive, and yes, I will claim her as my mate, this is not a love match. I already had Sarah, and there’s no replacing her in my heart,” I explained passionately, then added, “We haven’t discussed having more children yet, but if she’s open to it, I’d like to. Let’s get through this meeting with Sloane first, then we can see what happens.”
Gray stepped closer to me, placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke softly, “No one is ever going to replace Sarah in your heart, but there’s no saying there isn’t room for Katja, or someone, in there, too. Don’t settle, brother, you deserve to have it all.”
I heard his words, I did, but I couldn’t let myself go there.
Instead, I turned them around on him. “And what about you, brother? Don’t you deserve to have it all?”
Gray’s eyes’ shuttered and his hand dropped.
He stepped back and put his hands in his pockets and Sloane came running toward us, Gray’s golden retriever hot on her heels.
“Daddy, the goats said bye bye,” she called out as she ran straight into my legs.
I braced myself and smiled, but my eyes remained on my brother.
“A lot of people were asking about you yesterday,” I told him. Wishing he’d open up to me. “Nathan, Shonda… Arch.”
At Arch’s name Grayson sneered.
“He said he was thinking of coming for a visit,” I warned him.
“If he does he’ll be leaving with an ass full of buckshot, or worse,” Gray muttered.
I knew he was talking about what could happen if he and Arch got into it in wolf form. Gray’s wolf was a formidable beast, and part of the reason he stayed away was because he wanted to keep his wolf isolated from others.
For their protection.
“Uncle Gray said a bad word,” Sloane said in a not so quiet hushed tone.
“Sorry, princess,” Grayson said absently.
“We gotta head out,” I told my brother as I lifted Sloane into my arms. “Thanks again for watching her. If all goes as planned, we’ll be coming back soon so you can meet Katja.”
“Who’s Kat-ya?” Sloane asked.
“I’ll tell you in the car, baby,” I replied, then clapped my brother on the shoulder and moved to put her in her seat.
Once she was loaded up, I said one last farewell to Gray and off we went. Grayson watched us until we were no longer visible, then I assumed he went back to doing whatever in the hell it was he did all day.
We weren’t on the road five minutes before Sloane asked, “W
ho’s Kat-ya, Daddy?”
I looked in the review mirror to see my daughter’s eyes on me; she was fiddling with the hair of the doll that was on her lap.
“Katja is a woman who is currently staying at our house. She’s waiting to meet you.”
“Why?”
“Because I think it’s time we had a mommy at home for you.”
I hoped I was saying the right thing. Obviously, this was unchartered water, and I wanted to be honest with Sloane, without overwhelming her.
“But, she’s not my mommy,” Sloane replied. “My mommy’s in heaven.”
“Yes, your mommy is in heaven, and no, Katja isn’t your real mom. She could never take her place, but she could love you and be there for you as you grow up. She’d be your step-mom.”
“Like Sylvie has?” she asked.
One of her friends from school, Sylvie, had a step-mom, and a step-dad.
“Yes, just like that.”
“Oh,” Sloane said, her gaze going out the window as she pondered this new information. “Is she nice?”
“Yes, she’s very nice.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Yes, she’s very pretty.”
“Does she like to play with toys?”
“Yes, she used to be a nanny for a little boy, and she likes to play, read books, and even go hiking and camping like we do.”
“Okay,” she said simply.
We were quiet for a few minutes, then she piped up again.
“Daddy, can we have pizza for dinner?” Sloane asked, and I knew we were done talking about Katja.
Sloane had all the information she needed.
Twenty
Katja
I heard the Jeep pull up, mostly because I was waiting by the front door, and fought the urge to run and hide.
It was a childish reaction, but one I had all the same.
Instead, I opened the door and stepped outside with a friendly smile on my face. Bane was out of the Jeep and pulling his daughter from the backseat. My heart clenched at the first glimpse of dark pigtails.
