Shadow Wolf

by Alicia Montgomery

  Chapter Ten

  “Well, it’s not like there’s any use hiding it now,” Mika grumbled to herself as she strode into HQ. She had thought of bundling up in loose sweaters and jackets, but as she got dressed this morning, she said, fuck it, and put on a tight sweater dress and leggings.

  As soon as she got to the command floor, a hush came over the room. Several people quickly scrambled to their desks, and one of the junior analysts accidentally ran into one of the glass partitions as he stared at her belly when he walked by.

  “Something the matter, Ryerson?” she barked.

  “N-n-no, ma’am!” The young man rubbed the growing knot on his forehead as he scampered away.

  Head held high, she headed straight to her office. She’d had a long day yesterday—and an even longer night—and now today wasn’t going to be short either. Work had piled up in her absence, and she was going to have to put in extra time. Not to mention, it was obvious no one was going to get any work done, not when everyone would be talking about how the boss came back from Russia knocked up. Hopefully, all of this would die down in a few days, and they could all get back to the important work of, oh, what was that again? Oh yeah, saving their very existence.

  Focusing on work had always been the way she coped, and so the morning went by quickly as she plowed through the pile of emails, paperwork, and calls. Her stomach growled by mid-morning despite the huge breakfast she’d had. But that was the consequence of having a True Mate baby. She was starving all the freakin’ time.

  Thankfully, she still had two ham and cheese bagel sandwiches in her purse. She unwrapped those and made quick work of them, then washed it all down with a swig of coffee right before her conference call with the Toronto Alpha. By noon, she was starving again. Hmmm, maybe a pepperoni pizza would be good for lunch.

  “Really?” She stared down at her belly. “We haven’t even been in America for twenty-four hours. Don’t you miss caviar and borscht?”

  “Hey, sweetie!” came a cheerful voice as the door to her office opened. Alynna walked in, two large paper bags with “Emerald Dragon” stamped on the side. “I brought lunch.”

  She looked up and raised a brow. “You could knock.”

  “I’m your mother.” As she placed the bags on the table, the smell of orange chicken, fried rice, and egg rolls wafted into her nostrils, and her stomach growled audibly. “See? I came just in time.”

  “For my noon feeding,” she said with a sigh.

  “Aww, baby.” Alynna walked over to her side and squeezed her shoulder. “I know what it feels like. You’re starving all the time. Your body is changing. Feet swelling. Nausea. Don’t worry, if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them. This is my first grandchild after all.”

  Though she wanted to be mad at her mother for just barging in here, Mika really couldn’t. After all, she had kept her pregnancy a secret from her. When she and Joe had been trying for a baby, she always knew her mother would have been the first person she would have given the news to. “I … thanks, Mom.” Before she could say anything else, a knock interrupted her. “Come in.”

  The door swung open, and Mika readied herself for some emergency or another fire she had to put out. But she was not prepared to see Delacroix casually walking into her office. “What are you doing here?” She shot up to her feet. “You’re not allowed in here.” Her wolf, on the other hand, seemed to disagree, as the little bitch practically rolled over and showed her belly when he walked in. And it didn’t help that he looked incredibly handsome and sexy with his hair slicked back, wearing a dark, well-fitting suit, the usual uniform for the Alpha’s bodyguards. Did nothing look terrible on the man?

  He flashed her that devastating smile. “Of course I am, cher. I’m allowed wherever you are.”

  She marched over to him, ignoring the way her stomach fluttered with happiness at the sight of him. You’re just happy he’s not dead, she told herself. Now you can kill him. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, walking in here like this, but you better leave in the next second or I’ll have someone throw you out into the East River.”

  “I know exactly who I am, cher. I’m your new bodyguard,” he said cheerfully.

  “Body … guard? You’re joking, right?”

  “Non, I wouldn’t joke about such a thing. The Alpha himself assigned me to guard his cousin after the attempt on her life by our enemies. I’m supposed to stay close and make sure no danger comes to you.”

  Her jaw dropped all the way to the floor. “No.”

  “Oui.”

  “Lucas …” Her hands clenched tight. “And he didn’t even come here himself to tell me.” Coward. “You can bet he and I are going to have a little talk about this.”

  “Whatever you want, cher.” He turned to Alynna. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.” His tone was dripping with charm. “I’m Marc Delacroix, at your service. And you must be Mika’s older sister.”

  “Ohhh, a charmer.” Alynna’s tone was filled with mirth. “I think I like you.”

  Oh brother, just what she needed. Him and her mother getting along.

  “Apologies if I interrupted your lunch, ladies.”

  “I’m suddenly not hungry,” she groused. “You both can leave now. I have a lot of work.”

  “Oh, this is good,” Alynna said with a chuckle.

  She glared at her mother. “You find this funny?”

  “I find it ironic.” She glanced at Delacroix. “Her father was my bodyguard too.”

  “Then I hope she inherited both your beauty and intelligence.”

  “Argh!” She was so mad she was shaking. “If you think—”

  Alynna cleared her throat. “You know what? I have this appointment I have to get to. Enjoy the food.” After a quick kiss to her cheek, she dashed out the door.

  Goddammit, was everyone conspiring against her? “What are you doing?”

  Delacroix had reached into the paper bags and was opening the contents. “Tsk, tsk, this food isn’t good for you, cher. Too much artificial flavoring. Oil. MSG.” He glanced at the empty coffee cup on her table. “Caffeine? You shouldn’t even be having that.”

  “Excuse me?” She snatched away the container in his hand.

  “You should be having healthy food, with lots of calcium and folic acid—”

  “Look, I don’t know who you think you are, but you can’t barge in here and start judging me on my food choices.”

  “I’m your bodyguard, I need to look out for your well-being.” He plucked the box of fried rice out of her hand.

  “You’re supposed to watch out for flying bullets or car bombs.” She took it back and placed it on the desk behind her. “Now, I don’t know what you and Lucas have cooked up, but this isn’t going to work.”

  “If you say so.”

  God, he was infuriating. “What do you want, Delacroix? Are you hoping Lucas would free you from your servitude if you played concerned dad-to-be?” A terrible feeling crept into her chest. “Is that it? Trying to sweet talk me and so then Lucas will—” She gasped when he suddenly lunged forward and trapped her between her desk and his body.

  “This has nothing to do with the Alpha. Or anyone else except you and me.” Fury flared in his eyes, but then subsided just as quickly. “You know what I want.”

  “No, I really don’t.”

  “I told you that night. I want you.”

  Fucking hell, those words sent a ripple of desire straight to her core. “For that night,” she huffed.

  “No, not just for that night.”

  She ignored the way her heart beat like a drum against her rib cage. “Well, I don’t want you.”

  “Really?” He bent his head down closer, his breath skimming against her ear. “You wanted me just fine then. Or have you forgotten it already? I could remind you.”

  “Damn you!” She pushed him away. “That will never happen again. Get out!”

  His eyes stared at her defiantly, then lowered to her lips
and down to the rest of body like a lazy caress. The heat from his gaze seemed enough to make her nipples tighten, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning out. All he had to do was touch her, and she would be a goner. “I’ll be outside. Just say the word if you need me.”

  She couldn’t help but track him as he left, and when the door closed behind him, she let out an outraged scream. “Son of a bitch!” She fell back, bracing herself on the desk as her knees turned to jelly. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. But that only made it worse. His scent still lingered in the air, and her wolf just loved it, the tramp.

  “Damn it!” Why was she feeling this way? She thought she’d gotten past wanting him. The ache that had been so keen when she first left had dulled in the cold Russian winter. In fact, she thought she’d all but conquered it. But all he had to do was come near her, and her body was all but panting for him, bringing back memories from that night.

  Hormones, she told herself. Her mom had said her body was changing. Maybe she was getting to that time when her body was craving sex. Plus, it had been too long. Not like she had any chances of getting some in Russia. Yeah, that was it.

  With a deep sigh, she walked back around to her chair and began unpacking the food. Lunch first, then a phone call to Lucas. Her cousin was going to have a lot of explaining to do, after she ripped him a new one.

  It took about twenty phone calls, but she managed to get a hold of Lucas, but only by calling Sofia’s phone and asking to speak to him. Much to his credit, he let her rant and rave, but told her that he was not changing his mind, then hung up.

  She fumed for the rest of the day and didn’t leave her office at all for the rest of the afternoon. It wasn’t difficult, but with Delacroix standing outside her door like some sentinel, there wasn’t much incentive for her to leave. Frankly, if she hadn’t run out of food, she would have been happy to stay inside here forever. She could order in, but that would mean having to open the door. If only Daric or Cross were around, but they were busy, and she doubted getting her a pizza was a top priority right now.

  So, after turning off her computer and shutting off the lights, she yanked her office door open. “I’m done for the day,” she said before Delacroix could say anything.

  He gave her one of those devilishly handsome smiles. “Let’s go then. I was getting hungry, and I’m sure you are too. We can have dinner on the way back to The Enclave.”

  She froze. “Excuse me?”

  “Dinner. You know, the meal in the evening?”

  “I know what dinner is.” Unfortunately, her stomach decided it was the perfect time to growl loudly.

  “Sounds like you’re ready,” he said with a grin. “Come.”

  “I’m not having dinner with you.”

  “Then I’ll stand next to you,” he said. “But you will be having a healthy meal, not that trash you ate today.”

  “A bullet ripped right through me. I think a little caffeine and MSG won’t hurt me,” she pointed out. “I’ve been fine the last couple of months, eating what I want. And you won’t be coming with me anywhere.”

  “Then how are you leaving then?”

  She scrunched up her nose. “I’ll be driving myself.”

  He dangled something in front of her. “Might be difficult without these.”

  “What—my keys.” She tried to grab it from him, but he raised it high so she couldn’t reach it. “How did you—did you steal them from my desk? Give them back.” When her attempts to take the keys back failed, she crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

  “Are you hungry or not? Come, cher.” His hand touched her elbow gently, which still sent a frisson of electricity up her arm. “Before the traffic gets too bad.”

  She allowed him to lead her to the garage and to her car but was grumbling most of the way. Breaking free of his grasp, she headed to the passenger-side seat.

  He slid into the driver’s side. “Seatbelts please.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  The engine roared to life, and soon they were driving out of HQ. As they left the secret entrance, he slowed as they reached the end of the alley, then stopped completely before pulling out to the street. He barely hit twenty as he drove them up Broadway.

  “Can you possibly drive any slower, gramps?”

  He didn’t say anything, just kept his eyes on the road.

  “Where are we stopping for dinner?” she asked with an irritated sigh when they passed Canal St.

  “Don’t you worry, we’re nearly there.”

  As he took one of the many smaller streets off Broadway, she recognized the trendy SoHo neighborhood. “Wait, are you going to Muccino’s?”

  He answered by stopping right in front of the Italian restaurant. “I figured you missed the food here.”

  Oh. Dear. Her chest tightened. She didn’t even realize how much she missed Muccino’s until they were already here. So many good memories growing up. So many birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations. She cleared her throat, trying to dislodge the lump that was lodged there.

  “Is this all right?” He reached over to brush her cheek with his knuckles.

  “It’s fine,” she croaked, then unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door so she could step out. The winter air cooled down the blush in her cheeks, and she quickly strode toward the restaurant’s door, not even waiting for him. He could park the damn car himself since he stole her keys.

  “Welcome to Muccino’s, do you have—Mika?”

  She stopped short at the familiar voice. Well, the voice was familiar, but she wasn’t sure if she was imagining things. “Isabelle?” She must be imagining things because she couldn’t believe the young woman in front of her was Isabelle Anderson.

  Her cousin grinned at her from behind the hostess station, mismatched blue and green eyes sparkling. She strode over and enveloped her in a tight hug. “Oh my God, Mika. Mama told me you were back home! And—” She stepped back and looked at her belly. “Congrats! I wouldn’t have believed it until I saw it.”

  “I—thanks.” She was still flabbergasted as she stared at the young woman; where was the flighty young fashionista they all knew? Usually, Isabelle was decked from head to toe in designer brands. Now, she was wearing a plain white blouse, black pencil skirt and sensible shoes. Her face had only the barest of makeup, and her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail. “H-how are you? When did you start working here?”

  “A couple of weeks ago,” she said. “The manager and the hostess quit at the same time, which meant Mama had to take over.” Muccino’s was run and owned by Frankie Anderson’s family, the former Lupa of New York and Lucas’s mother. “So … I thought I’d help out too.” She seemed almost shy and demure, not at all like the bubbly young woman Mika remembered. But then again, her whole life had changed a year ago.

  “How’s Evan?” she asked, referring to Isabelle’s young son. “He must be what … seven months now?”

  “Almost eight, and he’s great.” Genuine happiness and love lit up her face. “Papa’s watching him at home. He’s loving being a grandpa, and sometimes he and Mama’ll have all four kids at the same time. It’s chaos, but they’re so thrilled by them all. And—oh, hey, D!”

  Her spine tensed as she felt a hand splay over the small of her back. Her attempts to shrug him away only brought mild amusement to his face. “Isabelle,” he greeted. “How have you been? Is the job treating you well? How’s the little one?”

  Mika’s gaze bounced from her cousin to Delacroix. “You know each other?”

  “Yeah, he’s always around Lucas, being his bodyguard and all,” Isabelle said. “I’m great, D, and so’s Evan. You should see all the new tricks he’s learning.”

  “I’d like to see that,” he said, flashing her a friendly smile.

  An uncomfortable feeling crept into Mika’s middle as she watched the friendly, familiar banter between the two. “Can I get a table, Isabelle?” It took all her might not to snap at her cousin. “I’m hungry.”

  “Oh, of course
.” She grabbed two menus and led them into the main dining room, toward a cozy dim booth in the corner. “Your server will be right with you. Gio’s not working tonight,” she said, referring to their cousin, Uncle Dante’s son. “Otherwise I’d have seated you at the chef’s table in the back.”

  “Thank you,” she said curtly. She couldn’t help it, not when the only thing she could focus on was Isabelle and Delacroix’s familiar banter. Did they also see each other outside of the restaurant? Just the thought made a hot, tight ball form in her chest.

  Delacroix raised a brow at her but made no comment. “Thank you, Isabelle.”

  Mika slid into the booth and picked up a menu, raising it up to block her face. She didn’t really need to read the menu because she’d practically memorized the entire thing, but she just didn’t want to keep on watching the two of them flirting.

  “I’ll have your waiter come by to take your drink orders.”

  She nodded dismissively at Isabelle, and the younger woman strode back toward her station. Delacroix moved into the booth, staying near the other end, and picking up the menu. When he didn’t say anything, she said, “I didn’t realize you two were close.” The words came out of her mouth unexpectedly.

  Slowly, he put his menu down. “The Alpha and Lupa visit her a lot, since she lives in the same building as them. She’s a lovely young woman. And her son’s adorable too. The first week she was here, she couldn’t find a babysitter, so she brought him along. I was here with the Alpha and he offered to watch Evan for an hour. Is there something wrong with that?” He stared at her with those dark eyes filled with amusement.

  “I didn’t say there was. But you should know, Isabelle’s been through a lot. I don’t want her getting hurt.”

  “Of course you don’t. No one does. Her family is protective of her as they should be, but she’s much tougher than she seems.”

  “Is that so?” That hot sensation in her chest coiled tighter. “You know her that well?”