A Wolf's Touch (Wolf Mountain Peak Book 3)

by Sarah J. Stone

  “You look phenomenal,” he complimented, as she turned to the right to face him.

  “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself,” she teased, holding her bouquet of pink azaleas low, as he returned her smile.

  “Hello and welcome, boys and girls,” Raul started, looking around at the crowd. “The three humans among us know why there’s no priest performing this ceremony. I’m not going to repeat what my brother said the other day. We all know what we believe in. We all know our ideals. Now, I’d like to say a few things about the happy couple. Dean…” he paused. “Dean is one pedantic bastard. He thinks things through, he never acts on impulse. I was surprised when he told me he wanted to mate with Kate. He’d known her for just a few weeks. But, who am I to judge? I did the same thing, and I don’t regret it. Kate’s been a good friend to my Monica for almost twenty years. I believe she’s got all the makings of a wonderful mate. It’s time for the vows. Dean?”

  “Kate…” Dean spoke, holding out his hands, palms up, as a shy smile spread across his face. “We were both in tough places, when you found me. You were trying to hide your pain, and I was trying to figure out how life works. When I heard you singing to me, a little voice inside of me ordered me to get closer to you. I wasn’t going to give up, until you opened up to me. You did, and your confession scorched my heart like wildfire. I promised to bring that happy girl back. I did. And if you let me, I’m going to spend the rest of my life sending away your fears, loving you with my entire being. You’re my Siren; my other half; my mate.”

  “Dean…” Kate croaked, placing her hands into Dean’s, as tears pooled in her eyes. “You keep calling me your Siren, but, the truth is, you enchanted me. Your persistence shook me to my core. You wouldn’t let go, when things got even harder. You proved to me you were different, in every way. Others would have been too scared to even be around me, but you were not. You laughed in the face of fear. You defeated it. How could I not fall for the man who stood by me, every step of the way? How could I not love the man who risked his life for me? You’re my one, Dean Bradford,” she uttered, her voice breaking, as two tears raced down her cheeks; “my soul mate; my love. There’s nothing in the world I want more than to grow old with you.”

  “Very good,” Raul gave an appraising nod. “Junior; the symbols,” he continued, looking down at Ray. His brother groped in his pocket, and pulled out a sizeable, blue, velveteen box. Raul took it in his hands, unlatched it so it sprang open, and held it low in front of him. Dean released Kate’s hands, and reached into the box. He fished out a sparkling, silver bracelet, with two eagles facing one another, carved into the middle of it. Gazing down into her watery eyes, he clipped the bracelet around her wrist. “These two eagles set us free, just like we took each other’s pain away. I bind my soul to yours, Kate Brooks, until death do us part.”

  “Oh my…” Kate sobbed, pulling a golden ring out of the box, as Dean held his hand out, palm down. “This is the symbol of my eternal love for you, which will always surround you, like it does now.”

  “By the power of the Alpha, I now pronounce you ‘mates.’ You may kiss each other,” Raul said, widening Dean’s smile, as he leaned in towards Kate. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her in his embrace, as she raised her free hand to cup his face. Each and every guest burst into long, warm applause, as their lips joined in a sweet, soft kiss. Kate gripped her bouquet tighter, and tossed it up into the air, before curling her other arm around his shoulders. The azaleas landed on Julia’s lap, as a cool breeze rustled through the trees. Dean flexed his muscles around her, lifting her off her feet, as the applause grew louder. She let out a playful scream, snaking her other arm around his neck, just before their lips parted.

  “I love you, my Siren,” Dean whispered, slowly opening his eyelids, as Kate planted a short kiss on his chin. “I wish you could perform tonight.”

  “I love you, too, Wolfy,” she breathed, as their gazes met. “Brides are not meant to entertain, they are meant to be entertained. Don’t be greedy.”

  Dean responded with a chuckle, realizing she had a point. As much as he desired to listen to her once again, this was her night. There was plenty of time to enjoy her gift, and everything else about her that had enthralled him, in the future. Now, all he had to do was relish in the moment; this magic moment.

  Chapter Four

  Ray was having a déjà vu. A mating ceremony, flowers, pictures… he had seen these very recently indeed. This time, though, the names had changed. Dean was in Raul’s stead, and Kate was in Monica’s. Not being a fan of posing for the camera, he was getting more and more bored by the second. He was happy for his brother, yes, but standing for more than forty-five minutes annoyed him. After all, Dean’s happiness was not the only thing on his mind. Ray was unwilling to forget his conversation with Raul the night before. Part of him wanted to believe the Alpha’s words. Why? Because Ray needed to find hope, the hope that his brothers’ troubles had ripped out of his heart. Nevertheless, the part of him that prevailed was the one telling him that Dean and Raul had both been hopelessly wrong, and would soon come to regret their choices.

  As the bridal table was filled, however, Ray discovered that his negative thoughts would not be his only issue that night. Julia was quickly coming his way, with the bouquet of azaleas in her grasp, and a silly grin that reminded him of the incident in the bar the night before. Much to his discomfort, she eased the flowers down onto the table; then took up a seat beside him.

  “I’m next, baby!” She cheered, putting her hand on his shoulder.

  “Good for you,” he muttered under his breath, gazing into the void.

  “Actually, I couldn’t care less about this stuff,” Julia maintained, squeezing his skin as she leaned over him. “I don’t need social contracts to be with someone.”

  “This isn’t a marriage, Julia.” Ray put a little force in his voice, tapping his fingers on the table in frustration. “It’s just a statement. The couple celebrates their love in a joyous occasion.”

  “I can see you’re overflowing with joy,” she muttered, sarcasm dripping off her tongue. Yet, her comment did not sit well with him. Ray snapped his head to the left to face her, feeling his pulse rising.

  “I’m not in the mood,” he grumbled, tossing a nasty glare down at her.

  “You know, I’ve been coming to Paxton for a while now,” Julia stated, assuming a much stiffer tone. “I’ve seen you three, maybe four times. You’ve always made me laugh. I’m going to ask you again, in case you missed it last night. Where did that guy go? Because: I don’t see him anywhere.”

  “I’m surprised you even remember anything about last night.” Ray said, narrowing his eyes at her.

  “Ok, that was cold,” she objected, tearing her gaze away from him. Incredibly enough, Julia rose from her seat. Before Ray knew it, she was walking away from the table, covering her mouth with her hand, as she strode towards the forest. It was then that he realized how cruel he had been to her. He meant to avoid her, not devastate her. Without wasting any time, Ray got up. Unfortunately though, the scene had not gone unnoticed. Quite a few of his kind were watching Julia, as she neared the forest border. He felt more than enough pairs of eyes on him as well, as he took off in her direction. However, he would not bother with prying eyes. Neither was he going to tell anybody off for their lack of discretion. All that mattered to him was finding her. Ray ducked under low-hanging tree branches, and gazed around him, as he entered the realm of woodland. The shadows of trees and underbrush flickered across the forest floor, as another blast of wind ripped a few leaves off the balsam fir tree behind him. A wave of relief washed over him, as he spotted her. Julia had not gone far. She was standing before a broad fork between two trunks, head lowered, and arms crossed over her chest, just a few paces across from him.

  “Are you here to tell me off about my drinking again?” She wondered, pitching her voice louder, as he sauntered towards her.

  “No.” He sh
ook his head sideways, gently. “I came here to apologize. I’m sorry. I’ve been an idiot.”

  “Apology accepted,” she said, nodding at the same time. “Now please, get back to the party. I need to be alone.”

  “What’s been bothering you, Julia?” He asked, his deep voice lowering to a tender whisper, as he stared down into her eyes. “Ok, I acted like a total jerk tonight, but you didn’t look alright last night, either.”

  “I’m in pain.” Julia’s answer came fast, a lot faster than he anticipated, freezing the blood in his veins. “That’s why I got drunk last night. That’s why I got so…” she faltered, “…emotional tonight.”

  “Was it your ex?” Ray heaved a deep sigh, taking one last step towards her.

  “It’s not Sean,” Julia whispered, unfurling her arms, a tiny patch of moonlight falling on her face, as she tipped her chin up. “That douche bag is not worth my tears, anyway. My best friends got married, Ray; married. I’m happy for them, I really am, but it just reminds me of the fact that I’m not.”

  “You said…”

  “I know what I said,” she interrupted, lifting her right hand to her chest. “It’s not the ‘marriage’ part I’m jealous of. It’s the connection. All that love in their eyes makes my heart melt, but it also shows me what I don’t have. I also know what’s been bugging you. Honestly? I’m disappointed in you.”

  “You know?” Her revelation sent shockwaves down his spine, turning his voice into a high-pitched squeal: “How?”

  “I spent the night on Monica’s couch, remember?” Julia spoke, as a wicked smile burst upon her lips. “Raul was freaked out, after your little conversation. He told her all about it. Are you really afraid you’ll die of that ‘broken heart’ issue? Seriously? Monica’s mentioned the story between your brother and Warrick like a hundred times already. Kate won’t shut up about Dean’s bravery, and you think falling in love is going to kill you? That’s why you’ve been so grumpy lately?”

  MostHe failed to hear most of her rant as it passed him by. Ray had been watching the beams of moonlight, shining upon her hair, painting it a brighter shade of red, and the curls that flowed freely down the sides of her face. The beast within him was licking his lips, hungry to touch her, ready to claim what his body desired. But Julia was human. Temptation wrapped in a curvaceous figure that could destroy him. He had to keep his hands off.

  ““‘Earth to Ray; Earth to Ray’,” she called, waving her hand in front of his face, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Are you still with me?”

  “Again, I’m sorry for being a jerk,” He countered, clenching his jaw. “Have fun tonight.”

  “Did you hear any of that?” Julia squinted up at him.

  “I’m afraid, alright?” There was a hint of annoyance in his voice, as he thrust his arms out to either side. “I’ve faced the other dangers, and I know to deal with them. This is…”

  “Not“…not danger.” She finished his sentence, raising her voice over his. “It’s the best thing that can happen to you. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I never took you for a coward, Ray. I guess I was wrong.”

  “I am not a coward,” he emphasized, her remark sending his adrenaline through his veins, as he leaned closer to her.

  “Prove it,” Julia urged, as the rigid line of her lips loosened to a smile. “Come on, I dare you.”

  “Is this some kind of game to you?” Frustration was lingering in his voice, as a fierce growl reverberated in his chest. He wouldn’t linger in the woods any longer. Ray spun around, regretting his decision to follow her.

  “Have you ever seen the Hudson?” Her question froze him to his spot. Of course, he knew what she was referring to, the river that flowed through New York; but he had never been to view it.

  “No. Not once,” he replied, looking down at her over his shoulder.

  “Then meet me at Hudson River Park, Pier 46, West End, tomorrow night, at eight,” she suggested, her tone calm and steady: “one date.”

  Julia’s audacity both baffled and enraged him. But this was no time for yet another argument with her. He had already been away from the bridal table for a good while. Soon, someone would come to the woods, searching for the both of them. However, the idea of catching a glimpse of the majestic river appealed to him. He would also have the chance to prove to her that he was not a coward, even though he found her game childish, to say the least.

  “You got it,” Ray gave an emphatic nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  Chapter Five

  Standing between his black, pickup truck, and his electric-blue Harley Davidson the following afternoon, Ray found himself in a dilemma. The truck would be easier on his ears, whereas a road trip on his motorcycle would feel more like an adventure. It was an easy decision. Despite the noise of the thunder-headers, his Harley was ideal for this. So far, he had only ridden to Shandaken and Olive. He couldn’t enjoy its full potential on these short rides. What could be better than a 130-mile trip to the Big Apple?

  Ray placed his right foot on the peg, and swung his left leg over the saddle, readying himself for what could be the most exciting road trip of his life. The powerful engine roared into life, as he pressed the “ignition” button on the handle bar, closer to the bike. The deep rumble of the thunder-headers shook through his bones, as he turned the throttle several times. Smiling to himself, he kicked it into gear. The Harley bucked and leapt forward, the racket piercing his eardrums, as he rode off.

  “What am I going to find in New York City?”

  This simple question popped into his mind, as he began to ride into the wind. Dean’s descriptions about the noises and the smells had been quite colorful, but those were not exclusive to the Big Apple. He could just as well ride into another major city, and find those there as well. No, Ray was wondering about people, not their surroundings. Yes, New York City might have been full of interesting places to visit, but he was not interested in landmarks, museums or historical monuments. In particular, he was thinking about the redhead who had blatantly accused him of cowardice. Julia Stinson was not the girl he thought. Up until the night of his brother’s mating ceremony, she hadn’t been so critical of him. On the contrary, the two of them seemed to be getting along very well; laughing, teasing each other, making fun of his friends, or even his brothers. But then again, Julia had a point. Ray was indeed a lot different than the man she had had so much fun with. He was distant and stiff, not at all resembling the laid-back guy he once used to be. She was only reacting to his rude behavior; she was giving back what he was giving to her. Still, even if this date ended in disaster, Ray would have something to remember: something far more important than the sensation of the wind against his face. He absolutely loved it, but it was nothing compared to the experience of visiting the Hudson River for the very first time.

  Ray parked his motorcycle, gazing out onto the rippling, slate-colored river. The pier was very crowded. Each and every bench under the trees was full. There were people in every direction, walking, jogging, talking, and children chasing one another. But Ray was not going to bother with the humans surrounding him. Instead, he preferred to stand behind the pier railing, and watch the small boats, sailing across the river.

  “You’re punctual.” A familiar voice rang in his ears, interrupting the moment. It was Julia, with a polite smile gracing her lips, as she approached him from the right. “And you seem to like it out here.”

  “It’s fantastic,” Ray commented, turning his attention to her.

  “Are you afraid of the river?” Julia asked, her face hardening, as her feet halted beside him.

  “No. Why?” He replied, a touch of surprise in his tone.

  “Last night, you said you could handle the dangers you knew. The river is dangerous, and you don’t know jack about it,” she pointed out, flashing him an intimidating look of dark brown. “Just jump in the water in January. You’ll see what I mean.”

  “You dragged me all the way out here, just to make a point?” R
ay could not prevent the frustration from creeping into his voice. “Why do you insist so much on changing my mind, anyway?”

  “Because I like you, you fool,” Julia confessed, as her smile fell from her lips. “I thought you’d have figured it out by now. I said you were “great,” a couple of nights ago, but you were so busy being afraid that you couldn’t read into it. I like the cool Ray, though. You know; the guy who likes to make jokes, have fun and all that. Not the tight-ass dick who insulted me last night.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” he said, lightly shrugging his shoulders, his voice but a whisper.

  “Let me help you with that.” She smiled up at him, tilting her head up, as she placed her hands on either side of his waist. Her lips locked to his, in a tender display of affection, as her curls brushed his left cheek. Ray was still; so stunned that, at first, he would not even respond to her kiss. In a matter of seconds though, he curled his arms around her shoulders, and pulled her close, kissing her back. He might have been shocked, but he would not say “no” to a woman as gorgeous as she. The sweet sensation of her salty lips on his mouth was turning fear into excitement, and uncertainty into anticipation. Julia’s kiss acted like a wakeup call. With each passing second, she was pushing his inhibitions aside, shredding any doubt he may have had. And, when she opened her eyes, he realized that this would not be their only date. Her irises burst into a tiny flame that engulfed the deep brown: so vibrant; so expressive; so warm that he wanted to see them over and over again.

  “Not bad,” she teased, gazing deep into his eyes, as she gently eased back. “What do you have to say now, mister?”

  “Well…” he gave an amused snort. “Too much; I could bore you.”

  “Not if you make me laugh again,” Julia went on, bringing a big smile to his face.

  “So, where to?” He inquired. “Want to grab some coffee? Some dinner, maybe?”