by E A Price
“I was actually planning on leaving you a message so you could get back to me when you’re not busy.”
“I’m not busy now,” said Susie, kind of glad to be talking to a female friend outside this particular wolf pack.
“How’s everything going?”
“Actually, not that bad.”
“Are you okay with seeing Allen again?” asked Terri, her voice laced with concern.
Susie smiled. “Yeah, it helps that Barlow’s here.”
Terri paused. “Barlow’s with you?”
“Yeah, didn’t you know?”
“No, Greyson’s been wondering where he is, I must let him know so he can stop worrying.”
Susie shook her head. She had assumed he would tell his family, but apparently, he just left town without a word.
“Yeah, umm, he’s kind of here as my date,” she admitted shyly.
“Oh my goodness!” exclaimed Terri excitably. “You and…”
“No!”
“But…”
“No, Terri, we’re not together,” she explained patiently, “we’re not dating.”
“Oh! It’s still early days, you could…”
“As much as I like your family, I’m not interested in mating a wolf and Barlow does not want to be with me either.”
Terri let out a delicate cough. “What’s wrong with mating a wolf?”
“Nothing,” she hastened to answer, remembering that she was talking to woman besotted with her own wolf mate. “I’m just off wolves since Allen.”
“Well, I guess I don’t blame you,” said Terri slowly. “But don’t count them out completely.”
“Sure,” she agreed hurriedly and without really meaning it. “Umm, did you want something?”
“Actually, I was wondering if you would be able to babysit for me in a couple of days – I was hoping you could keep the boys all night.”
“Ummm, I suppose so – as long as I’m not working.” She didn’t have to waste time checking her calendar for anything other than work. Her social life involved a girls’ night with Terri every now and again and occasionally attending one of the Tanner barbeques.
“Phew! You are a lifesaver. The girl who usually watches them is out of town, and given that it’s the full moon… well, let’s just say I’d rather have the boys out of the house all night. There are some things they should not hear.”
“The full moon…”
“Yes, Mal gets very…” Terri cleared her throat. “Let’s just say loud.”
“Oh.”
“Something wrong?”
Terri was human. Mal was a wolf. She was in the same situation that Susie had been with Allen.
“Don’t you ever worry about him going out on the full moon – I mean, wolves are extra horny at that time of the month, and he’s surrounded by she-wolves…” Susie trailed off imagining the gorgeous, young Mal surrounded by she-wolves while poor Terri waited patiently at home.
There was silence on the other end of the phone. “Are you suggesting Mal might cheat on me?”
“Well, he is a wolf…”
Wasn’t that the excuse Allen used for what he did? Even Jules used it as a reason to mitigate what Lila had also done with Allen. Weren’t all wolves like that?
Susie felt a chill go through her. She hoped she hadn’t just lost a friend over this.
Terri hooted with laughter down the phone. Nope, didn’t sound like it.
“It’s not that funny,” protested Susie.
“Oh it is,” gasped Terri. “To be clear, I’m not laughing with you; I’m definitely laughing at you!”
Susie frowned at her reaction. “But isn’t it in their nature to…”
“Look, I’ll admit I had a few doubts when Mal and I first got together – though that was more about our age difference than anything else. But Mal’s not like that, and since we’re bonded, neither of us have any interest in anyone else. But even before we bonded, he only wanted to be with me. I won’t lie and say all wolves are as faithful as mine, but there are a lot of good ones out there, and the Tanner boys are very loving and single-minded when it comes to pursuing the women they love.”
“Really?” Her heart thudded.
“Just ask Britt – she thought it was just a crush, but she hasn’t been able to shake Craig for over a year now. Or Ellie – she hasn’t been able to shake Hank for about thirty years!”
Elation whipped through her, but only for a second as she remembered something important.
“Barlow’s not interested in being with me.”
“Are you sure? I saw the way he looked at you when you met at the barbeque. That’s the way Mal looks at me,” Terri told her, more than a little smugly.
“I…”
“Just, don’t base your decision about Barlow on Allen. Keep an open mind, please?”
“You just want me to join the family.”
“Yes, I do! We have a severe lack of females. But I also want you to be happy.”
“Thanks, Terri,” she said with feeling.
“No, thank you – I’ll bring the boys around at six. By the way, Seth has started biting, so wear thick socks, and William likes to throw things – hide anything that’s valuable to you. Love you, bye!”
Susie stared at her phone, considering her next move. She was also considering that she needed to buy a new pair of socks and warn her roommates about the terrible twosome she would be babysitting. But mostly she was thinking about her next move.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Sir, these are for everyone,” chastised the waiter as Barlow plucked five more hors d'oeuvres off his tray.
“These wouldn’t feed a mouse,” grumbled Barlow.
“Would you like one, madam?” offered the exasperated waiter as Susie approached.
“Thank you,” she said.
Barlow slipped a hand around her waist, grateful that she had returned. Weddings were not his thing, and he liked Susie being near. He was still a little on edge since her two near misses the day before. He kept thinking about the car that nearly hit her. Was Susie really that unlucky? But the car had no plates. Could it have been planned? But who would want to hurt Susie? Other than Helen, and possibly Roxanne. Nah, probably not Roxanne – she was capable, he wouldn’t deny that – but would she really bother if her prize was him? He was pretty sure she had it in her thick, vindictive skull that he wasn’t interested – Susie’s absence wouldn’t change that.
Almost of equal importance, when on earth would they be able to sit down for lunch? He was practically wasting away, and the appetizers were pathetic. They were just little bites to keep the guests’ hunger at bay while they waited for lunch. To be fair, most of the guests – while wolf shifters – didn’t quite have the same appetite as Barlow. He felt like he could inhale these and not even notice.
Susie grasped one in a napkin, and the waiter gratefully escaped.
“What even are these?” groused Barlow, sniffing one and then devouring it whole.
“They should be apple, blue cheese and walnut salad on endive leaves. I saw Jules’ menu like a million times – she kept changing her mind about it, plus loads of people suddenly had dietary requirements like a week before the wedding.”
Susie sniffed it and was about to take a bite when Roxanne and Edward approached. They exchanged hellos and then fell into silence, punctuated by Roxanne snapping at waiters to give her more champagne.
Edward smiled awkwardly at Susie. “You look lovely in your bridesmaid dress,” he said politely.
Roxanne snorted derisively.
Barlow glowered at him. He knew she looked lovely, but he didn’t like Edward noticing that. The male should not be looking at Susie!
“Thank you,” she said, blushing slightly.
“She’s the maid of honor,” growled Barlow.
Susie laughed at him. “Same difference.”
“The food here is fantastic,” commented Edward.
“Oh, I agree,” gushed Susie. “The break
fast buffet is to die for.”
Roxanne sneered, but nobody paid attention.
Edward signaled a waiter and took one of the bites. “What are these?” he asked.
“Apple, blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves,” replied the waiter.
“No!” exclaimed Susie, a panicky look on her face. “You mean walnut, right?”
The waiter gave them a nervous look. “No, hazelnut. I remember because they were supposed to have walnuts, but we couldn’t get them and so had to make a last minute change. It was agreed by a member of the wedding party; we didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
He made a face that suggested Susie was making a mountain out of a molehill. Though his expression turned nervous again when Barlow narrowed his eyes at him.
“There must be some mistake,” breathed Susie.
“What’s wrong?” snapped Barlow, his beast roaring to the fore.
She looked up at him with wide eyes. “I’m allergic to hazelnuts – if I eat them, my throat closes up, and I can’t breathe!”
“What?” he howled, silencing the room.
He slapped the offensive piece of food out of her hand, as if it were going to try and leap into her mouth and force her to eat it.
“You didn’t eat any?” he demanded, peering into her mouth.
“No… but I was going to.”
His wolf snarled. Was someone really trying to hurt Susie? Or was she really that unlucky?
*
“Maybe it was just an accident,” Susie suggested as Barlow paced the room.
Barlow huffed at her.
After he shouted at Jules and her new husband for a good ten minutes, he started believing Jules when she said she had no idea who agreed to the change in ingredients. What swayed him was that she was just as livid as him.
She took the hotel manager to task about this, who in turn yelled at the chef. Apparently, his sous chef agreed on the change with a member of the wedding party the day before – but the chef did not know who, and the sous chef called in sick, so he wasn’t there to answer questions. Or get yelled at by Barlow.
“It was probably just someone who had no idea about my allergy.”
Barlow wanted to believe that, but his beast was too uneasy, too on edge. Damnit!
“What about the car last night?” he demanded.
“That may have been a drunk driver…”
“And the sauna?”
She licked her lips. “I thought I saw someone running away.”
His eyes nearly popped out his head. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I hoped it was nothing. I was suspicious, but I…”
“Damnit, Susie! You’re a cop!”
“I’m a small town deputy who mostly retrieves cats from trees,” she said calmly. “I’m still not convinced anyone really wants me dead.”
“How can you be so irresponsible about your own safety?!” he bellowed.
This was why he didn’t get involved with women – because as soon as you started caring, they were gone, lost through their own reckless actions!
“Barlow, I’m fine.”
“No, you’re damn lucky. How much longer do you think your luck will hold?”
“Barlow, please.” She stood in front of him to stop his pacing. “Can we just… talk?”
He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to find whoever was trying to hurt Susie and destroy them!
Susie took his hand. “We’ll be going home tomorrow; I’ll be fine until then.”
Yes, she would – he would damn well make sure of it!
“But after we get home, I was wondering if you wanted to continue seeing each other.”
“What?” Barlow stared at her in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting that. It was enough even to hush his rumbling wolf.
Susie blushed at his sudden scrutiny. “I know I said I didn’t want to get involved, but I was wrong. I’d like us to continue seeing each other and just see where it leads.”
She looked up at him with hope in her eyes, and his wolf melted for her. Yes, hell yes, he wanted to see her more. He wanted to make sure no other male could have her. He wanted her in his bed every night and to wake up beside her every morning – or afternoon depending on how much he tired her out during the night.
But no, he didn’t want to mate. He didn’t want to go through the pain of losing a woman he loved – and he was having a hard enough time keeping her alive even now! He needed to stop this before he really lost her heart to her, and he was already halfway there. He needed to let her down now before he truly hurt her.
Barlow dropped her hand. “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
Her face crumpled. “Don’t you at least want to try? I mean, if you’re afraid of losing me…”
“Have you been talking to Roxanne?” he growled.
“Umm, she may have said something, but if the last couple of days have proven anything, it’s that I’m very hardy, and you are great at taking care of me. Isn’t being with me worth the risk?”
His heart clenched painfully. “No.”
He turned and strode towards the door.
“Stay here with the door locked,” he ordered, and he left, trying to drown out the roars of protestation from his beast.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Idiot,” Susie murmured to herself.
How could she have been so wrong about Barlow? It was her own fault. He told her quite plainly he wasn’t interested, but encouraged by what Terri told her, Susie decided to go for it.
She was sure Barlow felt something for her more than just a casual fling would warrant. For Pete’s sake – he came on this damn weekend because he was jealous at the thought of her with another guy! The way he acted toward her, he was so much more caring and tender than Allen had ever been – no wonder she thought he was interested in her. Maybe Barlow just behaved that way with all women. Maybe she really wasn’t special to him. She imagined Barlow watching TV in bed, stuffing his face with sandwiches, but instead of her by his side, it was Roxanne. Maybe he had been just as cute and wonderful with Roxanne as he was with her.
Susie shook her head. It hurt, but she didn’t regret asking him. If she hadn’t asked, she would have regretted that more… probably. Though she kind of regretted she didn’t wait and ask him tomorrow. Sharing a room might be a little awkward now.
Though, she wasn’t about to listen to his orders. Susie was on her way to speak to Helen. She downplayed her worries to Barlow because he was already about to blow. But, Susie wanted to get this damn well sorted out.
She rounded a corner and found Helen sitting in a window seat, sniveling while cradling her baby. Huh, that was easier than expected.
“Helen,” Susie snapped.
Helen sniffed. “Hush, the baby’s sleeping.”
“Oh, ah, I just came to say…”
“He loves you, you know?” said Helen in a small voice. “Doesn’t matter what I do or say, he still loves you.”
“Ah…”
“He blames me for him losing you.” Helen’s bottom lip trembled. “He hates me.”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that.”
She glanced down at the pup in her arms, all chubby and pink and unaware of his mother’s strife.
“This little guy’s the only reason Allen even stays with me.”
Susie silently sat down next to Helen and watched the baby. He wasn’t doing anything, but he was infinitely entertaining.
“I thought I loved Allen. That’s why I slept with him.” Helen looked up at Susie. “That’s why I took him from you. I… I’m sorry.”
A twinge of sympathy assailed Susie – she didn’t like it, but it was there. “Don’t go giving yourself all the credit – Allen was the one who cheated, and you weren’t the first. He says he loves me, but I don’t think Allen will ever love anyone more than himself.”
Helen ran a finger down her pup’s button nose. “He doesn’t pay any attention to this little guy.”
/>
That was a crime in itself because he was absolutely adorable.
“Let’s get something straight,” said Susie in a firm voice, “I do not want to join your mating.”
“I know,” she sighed. “Allen claimed you suggested it to him.”
“Douche.”
“Yep.”
“You don’t have to stay with him. If you stop acting like a bitch, I’m sure you’ll find someone better.”
Helen narrowed her eyes before sighing. “You’re lucky you have Barlow.”
Susie ignored the painful tug at her heart. “I don’t really have Barlow.”
“Please, I see the way he looks at you – he adores you. I wish a guy would look at me like that.”
Susie pressed her lips together – she didn’t want to get started on that subject.
“Did you tell the chef to use hazelnuts instead of walnuts?” blurted Susie.
Helen frowned. “No. I heard about that. I had no idea you even had an allergy.”
“And I take it you didn’t try and look me in the sauna?”
Helen gave her a look of disbelief. “Honey, if I wanted to hurt you physically, I’d use my claws.”
Susie nodded. Yes, she believed she would.
*
Had to be done thought Barlow morosely.
Did it? snapped his wolf. Mine.
No, she wasn’t his. He was not going to have a mate. He was not going to lose his mate as he lost his mother.
So to make sure he would never lose her, he was pushing her away now? Barlow winced at his own logic. No wonder his teachers never had anything good to say about him. Well, other than the fact that he managed to bring the class hamster back alive and in relatively good health. Only relatively good, because his little brother got it into his head to put the animal into his radio-controlled airplane. The hamster turned out to be a good little pilot.
But whether he was going to keep her or not, he would protect her.
He found Roxanne at the bar. She was the only one there, and given that she was weaving slightly, he figured she must have been drinking non-stop all day.
“Roxanne,” he snapped.
She looked up through hooded eyes and growled. “Hey, sexy pants – did you know that was my nickname for you? Sexy pants.”
