“I’ll stand.” No way was she going to let her guard down with all these males sniffing around. And that’s why they were here. She was a single female and, from what James had told her, single females weren’t plentiful. That made her an object of interest. Not because they cared for her, but because they wanted to mate with her.
Shelley’s blood ran cold. There was no way she’d allow that to happen. She’d been held against her will her entire life. She’d finally found freedom and wasn’t about to give it up for anyone. Especially some male she didn’t even know.
Her first experience with a male werewolf had been under less than optimum conditions. And that was an understatement if there ever was one. The sex had been okay, but only because she’d been in heat. She had no desire to repeat the experience. She wanted more than a physical coupling now. Much more. Her glance drifted to James who was standing beside her, arms crossed over his chair, legs slightly spread. He looked intimidating. And sexy.
She glanced away. Okay, maybe there was one male she’d be willing to have sex with. But he wanted her to meet other males.
Shelley couldn’t rid herself of the sense of hurt, of abandonment that flooded her. She was being foolish. James had never promised her anything other than a job and a chance to learn about her past and her culture, and that was exactly what he was doing.
Male voices grew louder. Footsteps echoed on the hardwood floors. Four large males walked into the room, followed by Joshua, Alexandra, Micah, Levi and Simon.
The guests all nodded in greeting to James, but their gazes kept flicking toward her.
“I see the rumor is true, James. You have a female staying with you.” The male who spoke had pale blue eyes and dark hair.
“This is Shelley.” James turned to her. “This is Donovan Brody.” He indicated the man who had spoken.
Another man stepped forward. “I’m Grady Tallant. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shelley.” He was a tall, hugely built man.
“I’m Gavin Wallace,” said another with dark blond hair.
“Etienne LeVeau. A distant cousin of James’s.” A lean, dark man gave her a roughish smile.
Testosterone clogged the air until Shelley thought she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t return their smile. It was taking all her courage to simply face them. In her experience, a gathering of males was a dangerous thing that never ended well for her.
Memories threatened to overwhelm her. Years of rape, torture and beatings. She swayed and swallowed back the bitter bile in her throat.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist and she was pulled into the curve of a familiar male body. James. She took comfort and drew strength from him.
She’d survived much worse. She could do this.
Shelley met each man’s gaze and inclined her head.
“Shelley is our sister.” Joshua stepped up to stand by her right side. Micah and Levi flanked their brother while Simon took up a station on James left side.
Donovan Brody’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. I thought there was something familiar about her. Rachel Striker.”
“Shelley,” she snapped, her voice brisk. “My name is Shelley. I don’t know who Rachel Striker was.” And that admission brought with it great pain, because Rachel Striker had had everything she’d ever wanted—a family that loved her, a sense of security, a sense of place. Shelley had none of those things.
“But you’re a single female,” Etienne began, only to be stopped by James.
“Shelley is under my protection and that of the Striker brothers. She is not inclined to mate with any male at the moment. You will all respect that.” Shelley shivered at the pure menace in James’s voice.
The men respectfully inclined their heads, deferring to James as alpha. “Of course.”
A twinkle entered Gavin’s eyes. “That doesn’t mean we can’t try to change her mind.”
Shelley felt more bemused then threatened by Gavin’s statement. On the other hand, Donovan Brody and Grady Tallant were somber, almost brooding. She didn’t know what to think of Etienne.
“The others will want to meet her.” Grady crossed his arms over his chest, his tone almost challenging.
“They can meet her, but no one pressures her in any way.” There was no mistaking the steel in Joshua’s voice.
“I’m not staying for long.” She thought to ease the situation. Instead, she made it worse. The tension in the room rose to epic proportions. She felt so threatened she tried to take a step away. But she wasn’t going anywhere, not with James’s arm banded around her.
The threat of violence pulsed, a living, breathing monster just waiting to attack.
“What does she mean she’s not staying?”
Shelley’s backbone snapped back into place when Donovan addressed James instead of her. “She means that she’s only agreed to stay a week.” Honestly, did these men think they could control her? She’d been tested in the fires of hell and come out the other side. No way was anyone other than herself in the driver’s seat.
At least Donovan had the grace to look slightly sheepish. “I apologize. But I’m hoping you’ll stay longer. Consider making this your home.”
“Enough. Shelley will make up her mind when she’s damn well good and ready.” James released her and stepped in front of her. “This meeting is over.”
The four men all nodded to James and to her. “We’ll be back later,” Grady added. “Maybe you’ll feel more like talking then.”
“Maybe.” Shelley didn’t want to commit herself to anything, but she did want them gone. A compromise seemed the quickest way to accomplish that.
They left and she breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind them.
“Well, that went well.”
Shelley stared in disbelief at Alex. The other woman nodded. “The first time I met them they challenged Joshua to a fight for the right to claim me. You got away with just talking.”
Shelley burst into laughter, releasing the tension bottled up inside her. Joshua appeared slightly disgruntled, which made her laugh harder. Alex linked her arm with Shelley. “Come on. Let’s get another cup of coffee and have a talk.”
She glanced over her shoulder as she left the room with Alex. James was watching her, a gleam in his eye that sent a shiver down her spine and left her feeling slightly breathless.
Macmillan stared at the five other men assembled around him. They’d camped out overnight, not willing to attack during the night when the werewolves would have the advantage with their preternatural senses. “Okay, according to what Jessup saw, there are five males and two females, all werewolves. There’s six of us, but we have the element of surprise.” He rubbed the stock of his rifle. “And these babies.”
Red laughed. “Got me plenty of silver bullets.”
“I want a new rug. I’m hoping some of those bastards shift.”
“You’ll get your chance, Mitch. Now listen up.” Macmillan narrowed his eyes. “No fuck-ups this time. We go in quiet, take our positions and attack when I give the signal.”
“Anyone else know about this place, boss?” Quinn asked.
Macmillan pinned him with a black gaze. “No, and we’re going to keep it that way.” He turned back to the group. “No one shoots the woman in the picture but me. We clear on that?” Only Red knew he had tranquilizer darts in his rifle and planned on capturing and not killing her. “The rest are fair game.”
All the men nodded.
“Okay. We go to silent. Hand gestures only. Never forget that these bastards have incredible hearing.”
They stood in a semi-circle, a group of tough men, all handpicked by him for this mission. They couldn’t fail. Not this time. Shelley would soon be in his grasp and he’d make her pay for what she’d done.
“Let’s go.” Macmillan headed into the woods with Jessup at his side. Red and Quinn were behind them with Mitch and his buddy, Amos, bringing up the rear.
Chapter Fourteen
“So what do you think of the place?”
Shelley sipped her coffee, using the time to try to think of an answer that wouldn’t be insulting. She was enjoying Alex’s company and didn’t want to do anything that might alienate the only other female werewolf she’d ever known.
“The house is beautiful.” And it was. All rough-hewn log and polished wood. It was masculine, but comfortable at the same time. It should have reminded her of Tom’s cabin, but it was totally different. It felt like a home.
“They can be a bit overwhelming.”
Shelley snorted. “That’s an understatement.”
Alex traced the rim of her mug with her finger. “I kinda know what you’re going through. I didn’t know anything about my heritage. Dad had planned to tell me but things happened too quickly.”
“How did you deal with it?”
Alex shoved her hand through her short brown hair and gave a small self-conscious laugh. “It wasn’t easy. Everything that I’d ever thought about my life was a lie and I was on the run for my life with a complete stranger.”
“Joshua?”
She nodded. “Yes, Joshua. He’s… Well, overwhelming is the first word that comes to mind. Followed by intimidating and sexy.”
Shelley wrapped her hands around her mug and stared out the large dining room window. It was so peaceful here. The trees swayed in the breeze and the mountains stood majestic and proud in the distance. It struck her suddenly that she could live here and maybe find some semblance of peace. If only her past wasn’t hanging over her. If only she hadn’t killed a man.
“You okay?” Alex reached out and covered Shelley’s hand with her own.
Shelley offered the younger woman a smile. “Not yet. But I will be.”
Alex sat back and pulled one of her jean-clad legs up so that her heel was resting on her chair. She rested her chin on her bent knee. “It’s a totally different culture. Males are dominant. They’re more primal. More basic than humans.”
Shelley shivered, remembering how she’d spent last night. James was undeniably primal and sexy and earthy. “They certainly are.” She’d meant her voice to come out as steady and assured. Instead, it sounded slightly breathy.
The other woman’s gaze narrowed and she studied Shelley. “You’re attracted to my father, aren’t you?”
It would be easier to lie, but Shelley just couldn’t do it. “Yes. But nothing can come of it. I’m not staying.”
“Why not?” There was no accusation or jealousy in Alex’s voice, just honest curiosity.
Shelley shook her head, only willing to share so much with James’s daughter. “I can’t. There’s too much in my past…” She trailed off, not quite knowing what to say. How could she tell Alex she’d killed a man in cold blood and now his son and fellow bounty hunters would be hunting her for the rest of her life?
She couldn’t. Better to keep her silence.
“I really wish you would stay. It would be nice to have another woman around.”
She could hear the wistfulness in Alex’s voice. “There’s aren’t any other females here?”
“Some.” Alex sighed and took a sip of her coffee. “I’m a half-breed. And that makes some of the folks of the pack less than welcoming.”
“But your father is alpha. Plus, you’re a healthy female, mated to one of the males of the pack.” It didn’t make sense to Shelley.
“You’d think that would be all that mattered.” Alex gave a small laugh, but Shelley could sense the other woman’s pain.
“No wonder werewolves are dying out. If they’re that closed-minded, bigoted and blood-thirsty maybe it’s for the best.” It was a violent culture that she’d sprung from.
“No.” Alex shook her head. “There are plenty of wonderful men, like Joshua and my father and your brothers.” She smiled. “Some really great females too. Your brother Isaiah’s mate, Meredith, is kickass. She was alpha of her own pack for years.”
“Really? On her own?” Now that was a female Shelley wouldn’t mind meeting. Although the thought of meeting her eldest brother left her slightly shaken.
“Yup. She’s something. And she’s got two sons of her own and a bunch of adopted half-breeds. You’ll meet them soon.”
Not if she didn’t stay. Shelley kept that thought to herself.
Alex pushed aside her cooling coffee. “Let’s go outside. I can show you the compound. I’ve got a patch all cleared for a vegetable garden this year. Plus, I’ve been learning how to weave. Donovan Brody’s grandmother is teaching me. I’ve got a few pieces at our place you could see.”
Alex stood and Shelley followed suit. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Absolutely. Joshua and my father are around. Plus, I expect Simon and the twins are skulking around outside.”
“I should clean house or something. I came here to work as a housekeeper for your father.” She was beginning to feel guilty about not upholding her end of the bargain.
“You can start work tomorrow. Today is your first full day here. Time to look around and get acclimated.”
“If you’re certain it’s safe.” Shelley found Alex’s enthusiasm catching. She suddenly wanted to see where her brothers lived, the place that they, and James, called home.
“Perfectly. Come on.” Alex headed toward the front door with Shelley following close behind.
The crisp spring air was scented with the tang of pine and earth. Shelley paused on the porch to drink in the entire area. There were five homes in total. James lived in the largest one, but the others were all quite lovely. Made of logs, they seemed to blend into the surrounding woods. All the homes circled a fifty-foot clearing. There were a few smaller buildings, which she assumed were sheds.
“Come on.” Alex waited at the bottom of the stairs. “Joshua and I live right there.” She pointed to the story-and-a-half home next door. “The twins share that one and Simon lives there.” Alex pointed out the two homes.
“What about the other one?” There was a slight breeze and a lock of hair that had come loose from her ponytail blew across her face. Shelley tucked it behind her ear. She took the three steps down to the ground and followed Alex.
“That’s Isaiah’s place. Or it used to be. Now it’s more of a guesthouse. Isaiah and his pack use it when they come to visit.”
The mention of her oldest brother’s name made her nerves jangle. She hadn’t met him, wasn’t even certain she was going to get the opportunity.
“And over here is where I’m planting my garden.”
Shelley followed Alex around the compound. She toured the woodshed and various storage sheds. There was also a woodworking studio where both Micah and Levi were currently working. The sweet scent of cedar tickled her nose as they stepped inside.
Both men smiled in greeting. Already, Shelley could tell the men apart. It had more to do with the look in their eyes, the way they held their bodies. Micah smiled more freely, seemed more open, while Levi was more cautious.
“Hey, ladies.” Micah put aside the hand sander he was using and brushed at the sawdust on his hands and clothing.
“What are you working on?” Alex went to Micah and he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
A pang of jealousy hit Shelley hard. They might be her brothers, but she didn’t feel as though she could approach them.
Levi stepped up beside her and gave her a sad smile. “Would you like to see what I’m making?”
His offer soothed some of the bitterness. “I’d like that.”
She spent the next ten minutes examining a table Levi was making. It was intricately carved. Beauty mixed with function. Then Micah wanted to show her the shelf he was sanding. Again it was a simple design, but the craftsmanship was incredible.
“There’s no electricity out here.” Shelley frowned as she looked around.
“Nope. We do all our work by hand.” Levi pointed to the cast-iron woodstove in the corner. “That keeps us warm on cold days.”
“And if we really need electricity, we run an extension cord from the house.”
Shelley hadn’t thought about the logistics of living in the middle of nowhere. “The houses are all wired though.”
Levi nodded. “A combination of solar panels on all the rooftops and power we generate from harnessing the wind and Wolf Creek itself.”
“Wow.” They were really self-sufficient here.
“And if that fails, we’ve got gas-powered generators and plenty of fuel.” Micah leaned against the workbench and crossed his feet at the ankles.
“You also build your own furniture.” Shelley motioned to several other pieces in progress.
“We sell what we don’t need.” Levi brushed his hand over several pieces. “It’s how we make our living.”
“And speaking of making a living,” Alex interjected. “We should let you boys get back to it.”
Shelley was glad to step outside. It was incredible to spend time with her brothers, but they were still little more than handsome strangers to her. She still felt no connection to them, not in her heart where it mattered. Maybe in time that would change. But time was something she had little of.
Shaking off her mood, she took another deep breath and followed Alex. It was a beautiful morning even though there was a slight chill to the air. Neither of them had a coat, but they were both wearing sweaters. Still, Shelley rubbed her hands up and down her arms to help stay warm.
Alex glanced back and noticed. “We should go to my place. I can make us some more coffee or hot chocolate if you’d like, and we can get warm. I never meant to keep you outside so long.”
Shelley smiled. “I don’t mind. I’m enjoying it.” And she was. The younger woman was good company. And being outside, free to do whatever she wanted was invigorating.
She felt someone watching her and swiveled her head around. James was standing on his porch talking with Joshua, but his eyes were on her. Shelley couldn’t look away. There was something about James that tugged at her on an elemental basis. There was no understanding it. No explaining it. It simply was.
Macmillan checked his binoculars again. He held up two fingers and pointed to the women. Then he pointed to the porch. He did it again and pointed to the smaller building behind one of the houses. That accounted for six of the seven.
Legacy Found: Legacy, Book 3 Page 16
