Nya's Wolf: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance

by Roxy Wilson

  Damn the woman.

  She was some kind of a witch.

  Reece worked hard for the next few days. Every time the phone on his desk rang, his heart thundered. Was it the police? It was never them. It appeared they were taking their time. Maybe the judge didn’t grant them an arrest warrant because there wasn’t any evidence against him? Since he didn’t kill the man, Reece was fairly confident that he would escape from the web they were slowly pulling around him—but if he could avoid the humiliation of being dragged into the police station and the court, he would do so.

  Rather than dwell on all that could go wrong, Reece decided to take Nya’s advice. He went to the diner she’d mentioned on Tuesday. When he walked in, a hush fell over the crowd that occupied each inch of space, but the silence lasted only for a moment. People started talking again, but he could feel all eyes on him as he made his way to the counter. The place was jam packed. She was right; this looked to be a popular joint.

  “Hi. I would like a steak.”

  “You and me, buddy,” said a guy who occupied a stool. “Get in line.”

  “Sure, no problem.” Reece looked around. “Where does the line start?”

  The man guffawed. He held out a hand. “Lendl’s the name.”

  “I’m Reece.”

  “I know. You’re the hotshot factory owner. Have seen you around town in your fancy car. First time at Sal’s?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hey, Gary. Shove that last piece in your mouth and give the man your place. He’s here for the first time, and we are about to treat him to the best steak in the country.”

  Gary, a tall, wiry guy, put the last piece in his mouth. Picking up his coke, he guzzled it down and then got off the stool. “It’s a real treat. That’s for sure.”

  “Thank you.” Reece took the place the man vacated.

  While Gary lumbered out of the door, Lendl gazed at Reece with curiosity.

  “I didn’t know this place buzzed so much. Never heard of it before. What’s their specialty?”

  “Sal gives everyone the same thing. On Tuesday night, you take the plate you get and you’re grateful for it, or else you never get in again.” Lendl turned to the waiter. “Hey, Richard. Two orders right here, man. I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes.” He lowered his voice. “And if I had to wait for an hour, I would.” He chuckled. “Sal makes only one kind of steak, and that’s pepper T-bone. You take it, and you eat it with the reverence it deserves.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Reece looked hard at the man but he couldn’t place him. Lendl didn’t work in his factory. This was a good start. At last, he was talking to someone who treated him like an equal, and not an oddity in a freak show. “What do you do?”

  “I own the tailoring shop downtown. Suits. Jackets. Trousers. Anything a man wears, we can make it. I bet you’re used to fancy clothes from designer shops, but give us a try, and we won’t disappoint. Now that your factory is up and running, my business is also doing well. People who earn well spend on clothes.”

  “Glad to be of service.”

  “You want a beer?”

  “I’ll stick to a soda.”

  “Hey, Richard. A beer for me and a soda for the man.” Lendl faced Reece with a grin. “Coke?”

  Reece nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

  “You’re awfully polite. People told me you were uppity and tight, but you don’t look like that at all.”

  Reece could stop the laughter that sputtered out of his mouth. By God! This man had guts. “Maybe people should form their own opinions and not listen to gossip.”

  “Right on.” Lendl nodded. “I believe that too.”

  “Glad to find a man with whom I share a few opinions,” Reece said. It was easier than he imagined. Actually, it wasn’t half bad. People were chatting, and the place was busy but it felt good to sit among the hustle and bustle. Nya was right; he needed to hang out with people who didn’t work for him.

  Maybe now, he could make a few real connections.

  Their steaks were delivered. “These are huge.”

  “A real man has that much appetite,” Lendl said.

  With an effort, Reece didn’t look at the guy’s gut that spilled out over the belt of his trousers. It was obvious Lendl ate too much and exercised too little, if at all. Reece vowed to run a few extra miles the next day. “That sounds like a challenge.”

  “It sure is. Are you up for it?”

  In response, Reece picked up his knife and fork and dug into the steak. The meat was tender, and the aroma that wafted through his highly sensitive nostrils made his mouth water. The first bite made him close his eyes. The meat not only melted in his mouth, it also left an aftertaste that made him hungry for more. “Wait and see,” he said.

  The men ate with gusto, and the meal deserved their complete attention. It felt good to eat something so delicious. He’d only tasted food like this in the choicest restaurants in the world. “Sal is amazing,” he said after he finished the last bite. “This was awesome.”

  “Thank you, sir,” another guy said.

  Reece looked over at the tall, thin man who had a shock of white hair.

  There were wrinkles around his mouth and eyes but he had a lively vitality about him.

  “This is Sal,” Lendl said. “He’s the owner and the occasional chef.”

  “The occasional chef? I beg to differ. Every steak that leaves my kitchen is personally inspected and approved,” Sal said. “Heard that the big townie was in the diner. Wanted to come and take a look. Glad to know you have an appreciation for the finer things in life.”

  Reece stuck out his hand. “Your steak is the best I’ve ever had. So glad I came here.”

  The guy shook it. For his age, he had a surprisingly strong grip. “So am I.

  “You could totally be in any restaurant in the world,” Reece complimented him.

  “But this is where I want to be,” he said. “Come back next Tuesday for more, and if you’ve got an adventurous spirit, then drop in on any other day. The rest of the menu is also pretty good.” He went back into the kitchen.

  Reece drank his soda. “Wow. I mean…I don’t have words.”

  “Neither did I when I ate it for the first time. But you’ll get used to it.”

  “Do you come here every Tuesday?”

  “Rain or storm,” he confirmed. “I’m here at seven every Tuesday.”

  “I’ll see you next Tuesday then.” Reece paid for his food. He left a generous tip. “Thank you for your company.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  When he left the place, he was in a good mood. This was the beginning of his new life in this town. He would meet good people, and he would have a great time with them. Ever since Nya came into his life, he was filled with a new optimism. He actually felt great.

  The next day, Reece spent his time in the office, but he made it a point to say hello the cashier at the supermarket. After a brief conversation, he felt he’d taken the first step towards ingratiating himself within the town.

  Things could only improve from this point onwards.

  On the third night after Nya warned him about the arrest warrant, he came home. Reece dropped his keys in the glass bowl that was placed on a table in the foyer. He felt tired. Every nerve in his body was stretched and taut because the constant strain and tension. Maybe it was time to let go of the stress. Reece thought longingly of a hot shower. Just as he stepped towards the staircase, the phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out as he headed upstairs. It was Nya. “Hi, yes?”

  “Reece, I’ve got a problem.”

  He halted. “What is it?”

  “I think…someone has been following me all day. Was it you?”

  “No. I didn’t go anywhere near your office or house.” His heart slammed into his chest. Her instincts were always right. Who could be hounding her? “Should I come in and check around?”

  “No. I—I guess it’s okay. Maybe I’m just getting paranoid. Sorry to disturb
you at a time like this.”

  Although he had no reason to believe the threat regarding her was real, every instinct told him she couldn’t be wrong. “It’s all right. Don’t worry about it. Maybe you should come over here?”

  “No, I’m fine.” She laughed, but there was a nervous quality to her voice which she couldn’t hide. “My house is locked. Everything is secure, and I think—actually, I’m positive I’m imagining things. Did you talk to the lawyer?”

  “Yes, I did. The police haven’t made a move yet.”

  “I hope they don’t. Perhaps they have realized they’re focusing on the wrong man.”

  He ran a hand over the smooth wood of the banister. His fingers itched to touch her. He wanted her to be with him, safe and secure. If she was here, he would make sure no harm came to her. But then, he had no right to rush over. She was in her house, and nothing bad was going to happen. “I wish they all thought like you. I’m getting a little tired of this cat and mouse game. If they came at me, at least I’d be able to defend myself. Right now, I feel…well, I feel as if I’m on the edge of a cliff and someone is going to push me off it.”

  “My paranoia is rubbing off on you.”

  “No, it’s not that…” He reached the landing and stopped. Reece glanced out of the window. The forest was silent. A thin moon hung in the air. He paused to admire the view. How he wished she was with him, so that he could look at her instead. But the time for that had not come yet. “Things will settle down soon.”

  “Yeah, they will. I should—” Whatever she was about to say was cut off in mid-sentence. There was a loud noise and then she dropped the phone.

  He heard her scream. “Nya? Nya?” he yelled, but there was no response. The silence scared him more than her scream.

  She was in trouble, and he was too far away.

  Reece shoved the phone in his pocket and raced down the stairs. He grabbed his keys but then dropped them. The car would take longer. As soon as he got out of his door, Reece leapt into the air and landed on four paws. The wind greeted him as if he was a part of it as he raced into the forest. His sought the path that would take him quickest to her house. It felt like the longest time, but he was sure it couldn’t be more than twenty minutes until he reached her place. The light was on above the main door. Her car was parked, and there was no sign of trouble. But the stench that wafted through his nostrils told him all wasn’t well.

  Not at all.

  He scented his pack. They were here, and quite recently. What the hell were those guys planning? Did they hurt Nya?

  Shit.

  After shifting back into his human form, he stormed through the door. She wasn’t inside. He knew that the moment he stepped through because he didn’t smell her. The house was empty. Still, he made a point to check every nook and crevice to make sure he didn’t miss anything. Whatever happened, it was bad. Her cell phone was on the floor in the kitchen. The scent of his pack: Foster, Duncan and Smith, was all over the place.

  Hell!

  What were these men up to?

  A growl escaped his lips. If they did anything to hurt Nya, they would learn a lesson he never wanted to teach them. The signs of a brief struggle were all too evident. A small side table was overturned, and there was a broken, ceramic bowl on the floor. They must have caught her by surprise.

  What if she wasn’t safe? Where did they take her?

  Reece didn’t waste too much time thinking about his next move. Nya was in danger, and he would do whatever it took to save her, even if it meant he had to go against his entire pack. He might be alone, but he wasn’t a coward. If he had to fight death itself, he would do so to bring her back.

  Reece was on a mission, and there wasn’t a damn thing anyone could do to stop him.

  Chapter Eleven

  When she opened her eyes, she was in a shack.

  Getting kidnapped was not an experience she ever thought she would have. When the men stormed into her house, shock made her freeze. She should have fought. Perhaps she should have tried to run away, but they dropped a cloth on her face immediately after her first scream. The vapors that hit her nostrils were sweet-smelling. While she threw off the rag and tried to fight, one of them held her while the other put a hand over her mouth. They carried her to the car, and that was the last she remembered because she succumbed to the chloroform that was administered to her.

  Dammit all.

  She should’ve made a better effort.

  Nya looked around. The word shack was an adequate description. The walls were wooden, rough. The only window was boarded with a wooden plank that had been nailed into place. The door looked solid and impenetrable. Escape wouldn’t be an easy prospect.

  She touched a hand to her head that throbbed a little. Was it the aftereffects of the drug? Or perhaps she was hurt? Nya sat with no small effort. Her legs felt a little rubbery and weak, but other than that, she was in fine physical state.

  What the hell was going on here?

  She stood. The room spun a little, but she closed her eyes tightly, and the sensation of dizziness passed away. Walking over to the door, she tried to open it. It was locked. Of course. What else had she expected? After they made so much effort to bring her here, she didn’t really think her kidnappers would leave the door open for her to walk out on her own. She checked for her phone, but then remembered it was in the house.

  Damn.

  What the hell was she supposed to do now?

  She didn’t waste too much time with an internal debate. “Open the goddamned door.” She banged on it. “Open it right now. I’m warning you guys…this isn’t going to turn out well for anyone.” Now the initial feelings of shock and fear had worn away, anger replaced them. How dare these men bring her here without her consent? What the hell were they playing at? How long did they intend to keep her here? “Let me out!”

  Someone opened the door. She stepped away and watched as a man walked in. “Hi.”

  “Don’t you dare try to play it cool, Duncan. What’s the meaning of this?”

  “I can explain. Well, not really. You’ll just have to trust us on this, Nya.” Duncan was her former high school boyfriend.

  She knew all three kidnappers who brought her. They were friends. While she didn’t hang out with them and hadn’t done so for a long time, Nya was quite aware of what the men were capable of—and she’d never imagined kidnapping as one of their skills.

  “We’re not going to hurt you. All we want is…”

  “What? What do you want?” she snarled.

  Duncan wasn’t a violent guy. Actually, she was surprised he had the temerity to do this. He was a nice man. She’d never imagined he would do something like this. While she wasn’t in touch with him, she’d often seen his wife at the grocery store and his twin daughters were adorable. She couldn’t believe he actually went along with the other two men.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “What? Wonderful. So you kidnap me, and bring me here, and yet you can’t tell me what this is all about. I mean…what’s the point of this whole exercise? Was it like a dare?”

  “No, it wasn’t,” he said in a somber voice. “I’m sorry, Nya. I—”

  “Save it. I don’t want to hear your pathetic apology.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Even though she was talking to him, her attention was focused on the whole scenario. If she could push past him and make it through the door, she might be able to make it. Outside was a clearing. She could see it through the open door, but beyond it was the forest. If she could disappear inside the wooded area, he wouldn’t be able to catch her.

  She might just make it.

  “We’ll let you go soon. All we need is a chance to—”

  “Whatever games you’re playing for whatever reasons, don’t impress me. I’ve no idea what the hell you’re planning. Maybe you think it’s a joke, but it’s going to land you in a lot of trouble. You forced me out of my house and brought me here, and you’re keeping me here against my will.” Her
voice softened as she took a step forward. Duncan wouldn’t hurt her. No, she didn’t think so. “I know you, Duncan. You’re not a criminal. This isn’t something you would normally do. I…really feel you’ve made a mistake, and if you have, then I’m willing to overlook it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just let me go, and I won’t tell anyone about it. I won’t file a complaint against you guys.”

  Much to her disgust, he shook his head. The man was insane. What did he hope to achieve with this strange and dangerous endeavor?

  “I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  “This not like you, Duncan. I bet it’s Foster who’s forcing you to do this. That man always looked shifty to me. There’s something wrong about him, and I don’t want you to be sucked into whatever hole he’s digging for the lot of you.” She was near the door now. One good push and he might be caught off balanced. All she needed was a head start, and she could make it into the forest. All she had to do was hide in some bushes and then he wouldn’t be able to find her.

  “You don’t understand anything. There are things going on here that have nothing to do with you.”

  “Then why the fuck am I here?”

  He winced at her harsh language.

  She’d never used such words before, but the situation was such that she was too frustrated.

  “Even though you didn’t do anything wrong, you’re smack in the middle of something that concerns us. We’ll let you go. Just give us some time.”

  She cocked her head. His words intrigued her. There was a strange look in his eyes. For the first time since she opened her eyes, she was a little scared. “Does this have anything to do with the murder?”

  “What murder?”

  “Miles’s murder. His corpse was found in the forest. Did you have anything to do with that?”

  He flinched. “Of course not! I’m not a murderer.”

  “Foster? Smith? Are you trying to protect them? Did they kill him?”

  He wiped a hand over his face, clearly irritated by this conversation. “No one killed anyone. We don’t know anything about the murder. But—please, just stay calm and rest. You’ll be home in no time.”