Remus glanced down at her. “It’s okay, baby. It’s just my brothers, and I want you to meet them.”
Relieved, Maddie smiled at him, and together they walked toward the approaching men.
“Hey, guys, I’m glad to run into you. I want you to meet Maddie.” Smiling at her, Remus continued. “Maddie, these are my two wayward brothers. This is Ethan.” He pointed at one of the men. “And this is Latan.”
As he introduced them, each brother smiled and took one of her hands, then, at the same time, dramatically placed a noisy kiss against her palms.
Maddie smothered a laugh and shyly smiled at them. Both men were over six feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes. She’d never been in the company of so many good-looking men in her life. She could easily see the family resemblance in all of them but noticed that Ethan’s eyes had a mischievous look like he was a prankster, while Latan appeared to be very serious and business-like. Remus seemed to be a combination of the two, except for his blue eyes, perfectly capable of humor, yet having the steel to handle any difficult problem.
“No wonder you haven’t been home lately, Remus. You’ve been hiding this little beauty from us.” Ethan smiled wickedly at her while he teased his older brother. “Of course, now that she’s met me, she won’t be willing to settle for your weak charms any longer.” As he teased her, he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing her to laugh out loud.
As Remus tried to tackle Ethan, Latan surprised her by joining in the fun.
“Of course, Maddie, you can see who the civilized one in the family is.” He struck a dramatic pose, indicating that he was speaking of himself. “You guys just go ahead and play, and I’ll take care of Miss Maddie myself.” Grinning, he hooked his arm through hers and began to lead her away. Both of his brothers promptly jumped on him with Maddie squealing in the background. She wasn’t used to the roughhousing and wasn’t sure if she should be worried or not.
* * * *
Remus realized they were making Maddie uncomfortable, so he used his psychic connection to his brothers to calm them down. Sobering quickly, both men backed up and gave him a look he couldn’t read.
“Remus, can I have a word with you,” Latan glanced over to Maddie, then back to his brother, “privately?”
“Sure, no problem.” Remus looked at Ethan. “You behave yourself and keep my Maddie company for a few minutes.” He kissed Maddie on the forehead. “I’ll just be a minute, baby.”
Remus gave Ethan a look, warning him to be on his best behavior, and then walked off a short distance to speak privately with Latan. Looking back, he saw the worried look on Maddie’s face and flashed her a calming smile. He was pleased she seemed to be getting along with his brothers. He smelled her fear earlier when she first saw them. Satisfied that Ethan would watch over her, he turned his attention to his brother.
“What is it, Latan?”
“The Elders sent for you this afternoon.”
“Did they say what they wanted?”
“An Alpha committed an infraction of the Shifter Laws in one of the Canadian packs. They’re going to sit in judgment and need seven Alphas for the tribunal. They want you to attend as a judge.”
“Damn.” Remus ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “When do they want me to leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. I took the liberty of getting all the information, and it’s in a file at home for you to read on the plane. They said for you to expect to be away for a week, at least.” Latan lowered his head when his brother growled.
“Hell, a week. What am I suppose to do about Maddie? I don’t like the idea of leaving her alone for a week. She’s having problems with her brother as well as Constantine.”
“What the hell is Constantine up to now?” Latan growled, and his canines dropped down.
The entire pack had been filled in on Constantine’s shenanigans and warned about staying away from him. “Get control of yourself, Latan,” Remus ordered. “He’s been trying to convince her brother to have her locked up in his clinic again. It doesn’t seem to matter that the courts ruled she could make her own decisions. Constantine is determined to make her brother believe she’s a danger to herself and others if she stays out on her own.”
Latan frowned. “Look, Remus, I know you don’t want to hear this, but is it at all possible that he’s right?” Latan took a step back when Remus responded with a vicious growl. “I’m sorry, Remus, but I don’t know her like you do. I only know what you told me she’s capable of doing, and it’s kind of creepy.”
Sighing deeply, Remus looked over to see his love laughing with his other brother. He realized that Latan didn’t mean anything by what he said. He was genuinely concerned for his safety.
“She’s not dangerous to anyone, Latan. She’s lonely, and she has a gift she hasn’t completely learned to control yet. Locking her up isn’t the solution to the problem. I want to help her learn to use the gift to her advantage.” He scowled at his brother. “Besides, locking her up with Constantine will only cause more problems, for her and for us. He’s bound to know about her heritage because he knew about her grandmother. He wants to be able to study her like a rat in a maze, and I’m not going to allow that to happen.”
“Okay, brother, I accept that you know her best, and I’ll give my life to protect her for you. You can rest assured that while you’re away, we’ll guard her at all times and keep that son of a bitch away from her.”
Remus breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Latan. I’ll rest much easier if I know the two of you are watching her. You need to be watchful of her brother, as well, because I think he may be inclined to believe the good doctor. I know he loves her, but he’s also afraid for her, and I think a little afraid of her. He’s been watching out for her ever since their father died. Victor told me he doesn’t know about his own heritage, either, so he might as well be human. Constantine might be able to convince him that locking her away is a means for him to have a life of his own.”
“Not a problem, Remus, but you have another problem that might be harder to get a handle on.”
Remus looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. “What problem is that?” He didn’t like the deadly, serious look that had taken over Latan’s face.
“Were you aware that you were being watched today?”
Remus growled low in his throat and narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Watched by who?”
Remus was practically yelling at his brother, and he turned quickly to see Maddie staring at him curiously. He smiled at her briefly and then turned back to his brother.
“Nanita was in the woods watching the two of you when we approached. She was so absorbed in you and Maddie, she never heard us. She wants you, Remus, and the position of Alpha Femm, and we believe she’s decided that Maddie is her competition. The way that woman thinks, there’s no telling what she might do in a jealous rage.”
Remus sighed and ran his hand shakily through his hair. “Great, just what I need right before I have to go away.”
Latan laid his hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Remus. We’ll keep tabs on Nanita while you’re away, as well as watching over Maddie. I can get a couple of guys from the pack to help with surveillance round the clock. Who knows, maybe I can get one of them to put the moves on Nanita until you get back. That would definitely keep her occupied.” Latan had a wicked smile on his face to go with his suggestion.
“Do whatever it takes. I don’t want her near Maddie.”
Remus began walking back toward his other brother. “Let’s go. Maddie’s going to get annoyed if she has to put up with much more of Ethan’s sense of humor.”
Laughing, Latan followed him back to the other couple.
Ethan looked at his brothers as they approached. “What, you’re done already? I was hoping for a little more time. I’m just about to convince this lovely lady to run away with me.”
The rolling of Maddie’s eyes told Remus that she’d had enough of his brother’
s strange sense of humor. He walked over and wrapped his arm firmly around her waist, then pulled her tightly against his body.
“On that note, we’ll be off, gentlemen. I trust you have other duties that require your immediate attention.” Remus spoke to the two men sternly.
Laughing, Maddie turned toward the men. “It was a great pleasure to meet both of you.”
“You, too, Maddie. It was all our pleasure. We look forward to seeing you again soon.” Latan spoke for both of the brothers. With a final wave, both of them walked off in the opposite direction.
Remus briefly glanced to the woods where Latan said Nanita was hiding. Seeing nothing suspicious, he turned back to Maddie. “Let’s head back to your cabin. I got some bad news from Latan I need to talk to you about.”
“What’s wrong, Remus?”
His heart turned over at the worried look on her face. “I have to leave on a business trip tonight, and I won’t be back for at least a week, maybe longer.”
Maddie became quiet with his announcement and glanced away. He knew she was trying to hide her disappointment, but it didn’t work. He could sense her feelings.
“I’m sorry, Maddie. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to. I don’t want to be away from you.”
She turned back to face, and Remus hated the sadness he saw in her eyes.
“It’s okay, Remus. I understand. I know you have a business to run.” She smiled sadly. “I’ll miss you, of course.”
Then Remus saw a positively wicked smile come over her face.
“I’ll just spend time with my best friend.”
Puzzled, Remus tried to think of who her best friend was. “Who’s that, baby?”
“My wolf, of course. He likes to come in the cabin and spend time with me in front of the fire. I won’t be lonely, and you’ve got no reason to be jealous.” Maddie gave an unladylike snort. “Gosh, I’m gonna have to give him a name. I can’t just keep calling him my wolf.”
Damn, I can’t believe I’ve already forgotten that she called my wolf her best friend.
Remus was briefly paralyzed with fear at the thought of her trusting another wolf and lashed out at her before he could stop himself.
“You stay away from wolves while I’m away. Absolutely do not approach any of them, and certainly don’t allow any of them into the cabin with you.”
His tone was harsh, and he gripped her arm tightly while he glared at her. He was almost crazy with fear thinking that she’d mistake some other wolf for him. She could be hurt or killed, and it would kill him to have anything happen to her.
“My wolf would never harm me, and you’re not my boss, Remus.”
She yanked her arm from his grip. He could see tears forming in her eyes and watched as she blinked rapidly, probably trying to keep them from falling. She stepped away from him and didn’t look him in the eyes. It didn’t take much psychic ability to sense her anger and the coldness she was feeling toward him.
“I hope you have a productive and safe trip, Remus. Don’t worry about me while you’re away. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Realizing he messed up badly, Remus tried to smooth things over. “Maddie, I’m sorry. I know you can take care of yourself. I just worry about you, and I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d avoid the wolves until I come home.”
“I think you’d better go now, Remus. I have things to do, and you need to go home and pack for your trip.” She took a deep breath before she continued and then raised her watery eyes to his. “I don’t need a keeper, Remus. I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime. I do need friends, but friends trust each other.”
Sensing he pushed too far, Remus decided talking was not going to work. He grabbed both her arms and pulled her to his chest, then covered her mouth with his before she could object. Immediately, Maddie tried to pull away. Remus could feel her aroused nipples against his chest and took advantage of his superior strength to move her body, raking her breasts back and forth. When she gasped, he plunged his tongue into her mouth, effectively cutting off her protests. Using his expertise, he quickly coaxed her tongue into playing with his and felt her body begin to relax, her arms sliding around his waist.
Over and over, he kissed her swollen lips, and then trailed his kisses down her neck to her shoulder. Unable to stop himself, he licked his way back up to the lobe of her ear. He waited until Maddie was practically purring in his arms before he spoke again.
“I’m sorry, so very sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry. It’s new to me, having a woman I care about. I guess I’m going to have to learn how to handle it better. Can you forgive me?” Gently, he ran his hands up and down her back as he asked for her forgiveness.
Maddie sighed. “Oh, Remus, I forgive you. Just give me some time to get use to someone caring about me, someone besides my brother. I need a friend right now, not someone else to order me around. I want to be with you, I really do. You make me feel things I never thought I would feel. Don’t ruin it by trying to control me. Don’t make me have to tell you to go away.”
Her wounded expression nearly crippled his heart. He wanted her love, not her anger. He knew he couldn’t keep from worrying, so he’d just make sure his brothers watched over her to keep strange wolves from her door.
“Okay, baby, no orders, just a goodbye. I’ll call you the minute I get home. I’m sorry, but there might not be a chance for me to call while I’m away. It’s a pretty rural area I’m headed to in Canada, and the phone might have trouble catching a signal up there.”
Reaching up on her tiptoes, Maddie placed her lips against his briefly and then dropped back down. He could tell she didn’t believe him, and he could sense her pulling away from him emotionally.
“Goodbye, Remus. Have a safe trip and hurry back. I’ll be waiting for your call when you get home.”
Without another word, she turned and walked up the steps and into her cabin. Sadly, Remus watched her go inside and shut the door. Sighing, he waited a moment, hoping she’d come back out, and then he walked swiftly toward the woods. He had to get going if he wanted to make his destination by morning.
* * * *
Standing silently in the woods, Nanita watched Remus kiss the human woman and then walk away once she closed herself inside the cabin. Shaking with fury, the lone silver wolf changed into its human form.
She’d watched them walking by the river and was consumed with jealousy when they stopped for Remus to make love to her. But then they didn’t make love at all, only played around like children.
He can’t possibly prefer that puny human woman to one of his own kind.
The Elders would want him to make a choice soon for a mate, and Nanita was determined it was going to be her. There was no way a human woman could fulfill the obligations of the Alpha Femm. She was going to have to watch very carefully and wait for her chance. It should be a piece of cake to scare her away, and if she got hurt in the process, all the better as far as she was concerned. With that thought, Nanita happily changed into her wolf and ran through the trees toward her home.
* * * *
Michael sat in his temporary office in Quebec, thinking about the situation with Maddie. He’d had a hard time concentrating on his job since he’d arrived, not liking that he had to leave her alone on that damn mountain. Why did his grandfather have to go and leave that cabin to her? For that matter, why had that stupid lawyer gotten involved with her case, getting the courts to release her? When she was living at the clinic he’d never worried about her or anyone else getting hurt. He loved Maddie very much and only wanted what was best for her.
The ringing of his cell phone startled Michael.
“Hello, Michael Barrows here.”
“Michael, it’s Dr. Constantine.”
“Hello, Dr. Constantine. How are things with you?”
“Actually, I’m quite concerned, Michael. I’ve been in contact with Maddie, and I believe we have a problem.”
“What problem? What’s happenin
g? Is she all right?” Michael could hear the fear in his own voice as he sprang to his feet in agitation.
“Calm down, Michael, and I’ll try to answer all your questions. I believe that Maddie is beginning to live in a dream world. She’s convinced herself that she’s in control of her telekinesis and that she can never hurt anyone again as long as she stays in her cabin.
Sighing, Michael sat back down in his chair. “I know what you mean, Dr. Constantine. Did she tell you about her wolf?”
“What wolf?” Constantine’s voice indicated he was clearly puzzled.
“Maddie made friends with a wolf when she was just a little girl. Our grandfather introduced her to it, and it seemed tame enough at the time, so she considered him her friend. She told me on the phone a few days ago that the wolf was back, and she insists it’s the same wolf she knew as a child. Actually, I don’t think she meant to tell me about him at all. It just sort of slipped out. She’s apparently been spending time with it, even inviting it into the cabin with her. She says he’s perfectly safe and that he’d never hurt her. I don’t know if she’s fantasizing or not.”
“Michael, this is just what I was afraid of. She’s manifested a friend in this wolf, and it’s taking over her reality. What’s going to happen when she really does come upon a wolf, something that’s quite likely to happen considering where she’s living, and she tries to befriend it?” He paused, and his words began to sink into Michael’s consciousness, alarming him. “I can tell you what will happen, she’ll be hurt or killed. You have to act now, Michael. You’re the only one who can. We can go together and collect her and have her back in the clinic safe and sound in no time. She needs supervision, Michael. You know she does for her own safety.”
Michael was not totally convinced by what the doctor was saying. He saw the wolf for himself when he was younger, and despite wondering if she could be fantasizing, he really didn’t have any reason to believe Maddie was making up stories about him now that weren’t true. Michael decided he wanted someone else’s opinion about her before making the decision to lock her away.
Discovering Their Wolfen Heritage Page 7
