by E A Price
“I prefer Christine. It’s much more elegant, much more beautiful – like the woman herself.”
“Oh,” she gasped as his teeth nibbled her collarbone. “Then I prefer it too.”
*
Christine tried not to snicker as she swiped at the potato salad on her knee and the coleslaw on her ass. They hadn’t done anything more than kiss and nuzzle, but she managed to get half of the picnic all over her.
Never mind yelling at Esther, she would have to thank her. It was the older she-wolf who gave her the picnic basket and suggested Harold might enjoy a picnic. She probably didn’t think it would be on his office floor, but without Esther’s suggestion, Christine may have missed out on the sweetest date she had ever had.
It was a shame Harold Sr. seemed intent to ruin her good mood. He caught up with her by the elevator. Her frantic pressing of the button made no difference – the darn elevator was still stuck on the third floor.
“Christy,” said Harold Sr.
“Hello,” she murmured, trying not to smile as she thought about what Harold said about her name.
She’d always considered Christine old fashioned and had always preferred Christy – thinking it more fun and cuter. But maybe she was wrong. Let everyone else call her Christy. She was happy for only her husband to call her Christine.
He eyed the picnic basket. “Been visiting my son?”
Who else? “Yep.”
The blasted elevator finally arrived, and unfortunately, Harold Sr. followed her in. He was silent for a couple of floors, and she actually got her hopes up that he just wanted to use the elevator. But no, he didn’t.
“I’ve spoken to one of our pack lawyers – discreetly, of course,” he added at her questioning look. “He agrees that we can change the agreement so that you can see other people. I can’t imagine you don’t want to.”
He gave her a leer, which she countered with an offended look. She wasn’t sure whether he was insulting her or her husband with that comment, but she assumed it was both.
“I’m not interested,” she told him primly.
She really wasn’t. Things weren’t perfect, but she was happy with Harold.
Harold Sr. gave her a stern look – an expression she had seen on her own husband’s face quite often, though she had never found it quite so offensive until that moment.
“If you cheat, your pack loses everything.”
“I’m not interested,” she repeated.
“What about Roark?”
She blanched at the mention of him. Did Harold know about him too?
“What about him? He’s a man I used to date.”
“You still have feelings for him.”
Christine fumed at him. “No more than Harold does for Sabrina – the difference is Roark is in another state. Sabrina’s only on another floor.”
Harold Sr. completely ignored her. “You could still see him – of course, you’d have to be discreet.”
“Like you are?” she spat.
“What?”
“The first time I visited here I saw you feeling up a female even younger than me – how discreet was that?”
His face burned red with indignation. “How dare you…”
“How dare I?! You’re accusing me of wanting to cheat on my husband – actually you’re trying to force me into doing it to keep me away from my husband – your son!”
He sneered at her. “You think my son isn’t seeing other women?”
“Yes, that is what I think. Because, unlike some wolves in this pack, I think loyalty is just as important to him as it is to me! I also don’t think he has the time, because frankly I think he’s overworked, and I think you use him because you know he’ll do all the work – because he cares so deeply about his pack. Frankly, I think my husband is worth a thousand of you!”
With excellent timing – because Harold Sr. looked like he wanted to go for her throat – the elevator arrived on the first floor, and Christine strode out before he could say another word.
It was a wonder her husband had turned into the loyal and caring man he was considering his role models! She felt herself extremely lucky because she really wasn’t sure how she would have coped if she had been lumbered with an arranged mating to a male like his father. Yes, all in all, she was darn lucky.
*
Harold flicked a look at his assistant, Thomas. The young man smiled. He was a lot like Linda, in that he was competent, did as he was told and didn’t take offense at Harold’s snappiness.
“Send my wife some flowers.”
Thomas nodded and started scrolling through his phone. “What kind?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“What color?”
“I don’t care.”
Thomas hesitated as if disapproving, but anything he may have wanted to say was lost as Harold’s father stomped into his office, and yelled at Thomas to get out.
Harold arched an eyebrow at his father. His mood seemed to be constantly set to foul recently.
“You should ask your wife not to come to the office,” Harold Sr. hissed.
“Really?” muttered Harold, ignoring his father.
“She has no business being here! She distracts you from your work. You were supposed to be at a meeting over lunch, and you blew it off for her.”
Harold scowled at his father. “She does no such thing, and Duncan was always supposed to be at that meeting. He just wanted to get out of it so he could leave early to go golfing. I’ve only delayed his round by an hour.”
He watched as the older wolf paced. His father really was worked up about Christine, and he wasn’t sure why. What was Christine doing that was so infuriating? Bringing him lunch? Making him happy?
His father stopped and pinned him with a glare. “I don’t think she’s the right female for you.”
Well, that was a pity because Harold was certain she was. “Christine and I are getting along – you should be pleased.”
“She’s not nearly as docile as we expected her to be…”
Harold snorted. Christine was hardly a spring-loaded lioness waiting to explode! He had found her amenable about everything. She had given up a lot to mate him and she was more than pleasant about it. She deserved a freaking medal!
“But she takes up far too much of your time. Her father is infinitely difficult to deal with. She refuses to have a pup, and she actually wants to get a job!”
Yes, she truly was an evil mastermind.
“At least your mother managed to put a stop to her ridiculous job aspirations.”
“What?” snapped Harold, suddenly interested in what his father had to say.
Harold Sr. waved his hand impatiently – as if this were the least important thing on his mind. “Your mother made sure those companies where she was interviewing wouldn’t give her a job. The Buchanan name carries a lot of weight. She made sure no one would hire her – or will hire her.”
“Why…” stammered Harold, appalled with both his mother’s behavior and the guiltless ease in which his father related it to him. “Why would she do this?”
“Son, your wife’s place is at home, taking care of your pups.” His father looked at him as if he were insane.
“We don’t have pups!” he howled.
“Exactly!” snarled his father, as if Harold had just proved his point.
“I don’t remember my mother spending much time in our home taking care of me or any of her pups! How dare you do this to Christine! You had no right!”
His poor mate was hurt and upset over her rejection – over the fact that no one wanted to hire her, and it could all have been avoided were it not for his crazy, interfering family.
“We have every right – the future of our pack is at stake, and it’s becoming clear that Christine is not a suitable mate for you.”
Harold rose to his feet, vibrating with anger as his wolf roared. He was pleased to note his father quailed a little.
“Tough. She is my mate, and she is not going anywh
ere. Now, get out.”
“Harold… son…”
“Get. Out.”
He didn’t need to be told a third time. Harold dropped back into his seat, trying to stop himself from shaking so hard. He wasn’t sure he had ever been so furious – and given just how infuriating his family could be, that was saying something. Though some of his anger melted to sorrow.
Christine. He didn’t know what he hated more – his grandmother trying to force her to conceive or his father trying to get rid of her.
He wouldn’t let them take her away. She was his. Mine.
Harold loosened his tie. His wolf was not calming. He had a few meetings that afternoon, but Linda could reschedule them. It was vital that he get out of there that instant. He needed to go for a run until he was too tired to want to murder his family!
*
Christine was asleep by the time he arrived home. It had taken a lot for his beast to calm and he had stayed out half the night running and hunting in a way he hadn’t since he first became a wolf.
His pretty mate was curled in the middle of the bed, a serene expression on her face. He quickly shed his clothes and coiled himself around her, pleased as she moaned contentedly and snuggled up to him.
He needed to tell her what his mother had done. But would Christine realize he wasn’t to blame? It didn’t matter, he would tell her the truth… when the time was right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You’re home early,” called Christine as Harold came through the door.
“Yes.”
He gave her an awkward look as he found her in the living room, and she smiled encouragingly. It was a nice change to have Harold home before six. Over the last week she had taken to visiting him at work, and on the days she didn’t visit, she called him during the day just to chat. It was… lovely. She found herself wanting to talk to him, wanting to see him.
He came home late each night, so talking to him or seeing him – however briefly in the day – helped ameliorate her loneliness. Though, she didn’t have much time to dwell on that anymore.
She had tried to approach a few more design companies about jobs but had been turned down flat. Instead, she started volunteering at the pack care home. She was kind of worried the wolf shifters would be like Marie – Harold’s grandmother – but they couldn’t be further removed from her. They were kind and keen for the company. They weren’t exactly neglected by their family members – but during the day when family members were at work and school, they felt lonely. Christine could relate. She liked speaking to them and spending her time with them. She couldn’t honestly say she had much luck in talking to the rest of her new pack.
Her new pack mates were nice to her but too deferential. She was the future alpha’s wife, and none of them had any interest in hanging out or going for a mocha. She liked spending time with Jennifer, but the young wolf was busy with her studies, her part-time job and, last but not least, her boyfriend, Arthur. Christine tried once more to go out with Harold’s mother, but that descended into an embarrassing encounter with a waiter she tried to get fired – the girl turned out to be the owner’s pregnant daughter, so that was one restaurant they were never allowed to visit again. Particularly as the girl’s only offense was to bring Marguerite room temperature water. Christine had also been dodging visits from Marie – Harold’s grandmother. The last thing she needed was a lecture on getting pregnant.
Christine had decided to redecorate the house – it certainly needed it, and so had picked up every available paint chart, fabric and carpet sample the stores of Alexandria had to offer.
They were now spread out over the living room. She pushed a few off the couch onto the floor, making room for Harold.
“What’s all this?” he asked.
“Decided to redecorate – this place is too stark. I thought I might get some new furniture too.”
Harold loosened his tie. “Whatever you like.”
“What would you like?”
“I really don’t mind.”
Christine chewed on her lip. “I can’t make up my mind. What do you think of this, or this for the kitchen?” She held up two paint colors.
Harold squinted. “They’re both yellow.”
“They’re different shades of yellow.”
“Are you sure?”
Christine gave him a mock look of annoyance. “What are you doing home so early anyway?”
“I had a quiet day.”
She didn’t believe that for a second. Harold didn’t have quiet days, from what she could see, he was doing all the work of the alpha and the beta.
It was why he hadn’t made it home before ten every night the past week – and why he had worked the last Saturday and Sunday. She was trying to adapt to his schedule. Staying up late so she could at least see him when he came home, and inevitably they would have sex. Then waking up early so she could see him, and inevitably they would have sex. After that, she went back to sleep until noon, then, other than visiting or calling Harold, she spent the rest of the day seeking inspiration for decorating the house and visiting the care home. She wasn’t entirely sure how Harold wasn’t exhausted – he was certainly… energetic during their time together. She had taken to napping before he was due home to make sure she was awake for him.
Whatever problems they may have, the physical side of their relationship wasn’t one of them. In fact, their relationship only seemed to be going from strength to strength – in spite of their limited time together.
Her parents weren’t helping matters, though. Her phone calls to her parents had become increasingly strained since their visit to Texas. Her parents were of the opinion that Harold was the devil incarnate. Christine was of the opinion that nothing could please her parents – marry Harold, you shouldn’t have married Harold, we’ll save you from your marriage to Harold! Ugh, they were never freaking happy!
She hadn’t called them the last couple of days. It was too much hassle. She loved her parents. She missed her parents. But she didn’t like their attitude toward her husband, and she had to live with her husband.
Christine waved the paint samples at him. “C’mon, seriously, which yellow?”
Harold let out a breath. “The one of the left.”
She peered at it. She preferred the one on the right. “Hmmm, really, why?”
He gave her a deadpan look. “I like the way it doesn’t look anything like the one on the right.”
Christine giggled, and Harold chuckled.
“Would you like to go to dinner?” he asked.
“Yeah, that would nice. Like a date night.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
Though he didn’t sound thrilled by the prospect.
“I know you have been on dates before.” With that awful Sabrina creature at least.
“I’ve taken women out to dinner before,” he clarified.
“There you go.”
Harold didn’t look convinced. “It’s not quite the same as a real date.”
“Well, tonight won’t be either because we’re married – the mystery is taken out of it for you.”
“Mystery?”
“Yeah, usually men spend the whole date wondering if they’re going to get lucky, but you already know you are.”
“I am?”
His face filled with glee at the prospect. It was such an unexpected expression for Harold that she burst out laughing. She could tell he wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or annoyed by that. Christine edged closer to him, linked an arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. That certainly appeased him.
“Let’s go to a movie as well,” she said.
“If you like.”
“What kind of movies do you normally like to watch?”
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been to see one,” he admitted.
She figured he would be too busy working to go normally, and anytime they watched TV he always let her choose what she wanted to watch.
“Mmm, how long?”
“Nine years.”
“Nine years?! Jeez, we definitely have to go. We should get popcorn, too – lots of popcorn.”
Harold smiled. “If you like.”
Christine leaned a little closer. “Maybe we can even sit in the back row and make out.” Her lips brushed his earlobe.
“If you like,” he rumbled, moments before his arms wrapped around her, seeking a kiss. Then another kiss, then a deeper kiss, and then something else entirely.
They didn’t actually make it to the movie, or dinner, but neither of them complained about that. They did watch a movie on TV, and Christine was a little surprised to find her husband was a fan of romantic comedies. Surprised, but not disappointed.
*
As Harold strode through the restaurant, he was reminded of the last time he was there – also answering a summons by his family, but back then it was to discover they had arranged a mating for him. It seemed like an age ago, and yet being with Christine still felt so new and exciting.
Everything was going well, except for one thing… Christine had sent out more resumes looking for jobs and he – the coward - didn’t say a word when she told him. He needed to; he knew he did, but he was worried she wouldn’t believe he didn’t know anything about it.
He had been fairly busy at work, but he found himself leaving earlier to see Christine. To get a chance to be with her, to take her out for dinner and to finally take her to that movie. They really did make out in the back row. He’d felt as silly as a teenager, and he had loved every moment of it. He hadn’t felt so lighthearted since before his first shift.
More and more he found his thoughts turning to Christine. Before her, it had been a struggle for him to tear himself away from work. Now, it was a struggle to tear himself away from her in the morning.
She had taken to waking early with him so they could talk and make love. Dragging himself away from his beautiful, flushed wife every morning was getting harder and harder and he increasingly found a reason to rush back to her every evening.
He found his parents and grandmother at their usual table. Their grim expressions clashed with his unusually sunny mood.
He kissed his mother’s cheek and sat down. “Can we make this quick, I have a meeting in half an hour?”
