by Bethany Shaw
“Rick is Dev’s uncle, and we will be staying for the foreseeable future,” Vincent chimed in. “Can I get five of the chocolate cupcakes and two of the double chocolate chip cookies, do you guys want anything?” He asked turning to look at his companions.
Lark did a double take on his firm muscled body, all that was for him? She knew that they ate a lot, but didn’t realize their sweet tooth was so profound. Especially since every werewolf she’d ever met was more than physically fit.
“I’ll take an orange muffin please,” Emily said quietly, a small, shy smile on her face.
“I’ll have one too,” Marcus added, wrapping his arm around the brunette and placing a kiss to her temple.
Lark took out their order and placed it in a box. She chanced a glimpse toward Devon. He remained poised quietly in the same spot. With a sigh, she went to the register and rung them out. She really needed to stop staring at him. The man stood next to the door like he was ready to flee for his life. If that didn’t scream not interested then what did?
“So, I hear we get the honor of your company for dinner tomorrow night, I’m looking forward to it.” Vincent drew her attention back to him.
“Sarah and I come over every Sunday,” Lark smiled.
Emily took a step forward. “Your sister is really sweet. I met her the other night.”
“Thanks.” Everyone loved Sarah. She was personable and friendly, without being over the top.
“Not quite as sweet as you,” Vincent smirked, his hand brushed against hers as he handed her the money.
Definitely flirting. Heat crept across her face as she stared down at the register embarrassed. Why did the wrong brother have to be interested in her? Why did Devon seem so anti social? Was it her, or something else?
“Are we ready?” Devon grumbled, rolling his eyes. He pushed off the window, his hand on the door.
“Well, see you tomorrow, Lark, it was lovely meeting you,” Vincent said taking the box of goods from her.
Lark sighed as the door clicked shut. She slumped against the counter. What was his deal? He seemed so standoffish while the rest of them had been pleasant and friendly. Perhaps she would find out tomorrow.
Chapter 3
Lark fluffed her hair out; long blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a simple blue floral dress and sandals. Not that she was trying to impress anyone. Devon might be hot, but he’d ignored her at the bakery. Vincent had been the one flirting and she wasn’t interested.
“You ready?” Sarah knocked on her open bedroom door.
“Yeah.” Lark smiled, grabbing her purse off the purple comforter on her bed and followed Sarah out of the room.
Sarah’s long blonde hair was woven into a loose braid, her yellow sundress flowing around her as they descended the wood stairs to the front room.
“Preston and I are going to see a movie after dinner,” Sarah said.
“You know you have school tomorrow, right?”
Sarah was a straight A student and had her head on straight. The high-school year would be over in a few weeks and graduation was right around the corner. Still, as her guardian, Lark needed to be semi-responsible. Their parents hadn’t been strict. There was no reason to be; both girls were well-behaved and good students.
Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yes, I’ll be home by eleven.”
Lark flicked off the lights, except for the overhead light in the hall, before pulling the large oak door shut and locking it. “You and Preston seem to be getting close.”
“He told me he loved me,” she grinned, her azure eyes lighting up.
Lark smiled remembering the warm fuzzy feeling of first love. She led the way down the brick walkway to her vehicle. “You two make a cute couple.”
“So what about you, Lark? When are you going to start dating again? I can’t remember the last time you mentioned a guy? Let alone went on a date.”
They both climbed into the green SUV. Lark started the car and backed out of the driveway, heading toward the Harris’ ranch.
“Well, with the bakery and everything there isn’t much time.” It was the truth as much as an excuse.
Sarah twisted in the tan leather seat to look at her. “I heard Grant will be back over the summer. His mom stopped by the shop last night when you were making a delivery. Made sure I knew to tell you that. He’ll be home sometime this week.”
“Grant and I are over. Even if he’s back for the summer he’ll be going back to New York in the fall to finish his PhD.”
It had been a simple break up, both of them going in two different directions. The death of her parents had changed her drastically. While Grant had wanted her to move to New York with him, she couldn’t do that to Sarah. They’d just lost their parents and uprooting her from their only home would have been disastrous.
Sarah sighed, “I’m glad Preston and I are both going to Angelo State College. I know high school romances aren’t supposed to work out, but I think we have a real shot. You know I am capable of closing up the shop? You should get out and have some fun every once in a while.”
“I know Sarah, but you have school and homework. Maybe over the summer you can close. Besides I’m hiring a few new people. Assuming their interviews go well.” Lark cringed, realizing she sounded like an old biddy. It was a hazard of being the sole caretaker to a teenager.
Still, she hoped the interviews went well. It would be nice to have some extra hands to help. A social life would be even nicer. It had been a really long time since she’d been on a date.
“I know you think you have to take care of me, Lark, but I am eighteen now. I can help, you should let me. You’re too young to be working yourself like this.”
“Wow, you just grew up thirty years in a matter of seconds.”
Of course, Sarah had a point. While The Cookie Jar was part of what she wanted from life, there were other things. Romance, love, and children to name a few. That wouldn’t happen if everything was work, work, work.
“I’m serious, Lark. You’ve done so much for me the past few years and I appreciate it so much, but you have your life to live too. Please don’t forget that,” Sarah said as their gazes met.
“I won’t.”
***
Devon made his way downstairs having showered and changed after a brisk run in the woods. His stomach gurgled as Emily’s homemade spaghetti sauce invaded his nostrils.
Emily had volunteered to make dinner, quickly filling the empty chef position at the ranch.
Rick’s voice boomed, greeting Lark as Gene’s said a quiet hello. Lark’s melodic voice rung in his ears, speaking a soft hi. Devon paused on the steps out of sight. His attraction to Lark baffled him; there was no explaining it. The need to claim her, to know her, strengthened each time he saw her. This was a new experience, having never felt an allure like this before.
Lark seemed nice and was beautiful, but he did not do relationships. People always found a way to betray or hurt you. Or worse, they became a weakness.
Devon inhaled, and steeled himself, as he walked into the front room.
“Ah, Dev, I’m sure you remember Lark,” Rick said upon him entering the room.
“It's nice to see you again.” He nodded.
The dress she wore clung to her perfect body. Her unique scent of cinnamon-vanilla wafted in the air. She looked exquisite with her hair down. Long blonde waves framed her round face. Sapphire eyes shined brightly, the hue of the dress bringing out their color.
“You probably don’t recognize him all cleaned up. This is the boy who had the dirt bike accident years ago.” Rick nudged Lark a smile on his face as he brought her to stand next to Devon. “I’m certain you remember that.”
Devon watched as her blue eyes flicked to him widening. The event not something likely forgotten. What did she think seeing him again? Had that moment affected her as much as him? Her calm lilting voice still echoed in his head at times. Perhaps that explained the attraction. She was the light in one of his unpleas
ant memories.
Her blue eyes roamed over him and he saw the recognition on her face the moment their eyes connected. “Oh, I thought you looked familiar.”
Rick clapped Devon on the back. “Devon always was one to find trouble. Still does, but he’s a good kid. He and Gene had many good summers here together.”
“That we did,” Gene smiled, from his spot on the brown leather couch. Gene was a year younger than Devon, and they had found lots of trouble to get into as youths.
“You’re in for a special treat tonight. Emily is making dinner,” Rick said happily. “I don’t think Luigi’s is going to know what to do without our big order.”
“Does she need any help with dinner?” Lark asked, hanging her purse on the old-fashioned wood coat rack in the corner.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind, let’s go see.” Rick motioned for her to follow him.
Devon watched as the two left the room. His eyes didn’t miss the way her dress swayed or how it revealed her long smooth creamy legs. Stop thinking about her like that!
Gene followed his gaze. “She’s a pretty girl, but she’s become like a sister to me, so hands off, Dev. My dad kind of adopted them after their parents died a few years ago. It was like losing another brother for him.”
“Didn’t cross my mind,” he lied. The thought of Lark writhing beneath him had definitely crossed his mind on more than one occasion. He’d dreamt about her nightly after the accident for months. Now, she would probably become a reoccurring star in his dreams again.
“Right. It’s been a few years, but I know how you operate. Wine and dine them for a few weeks until you get bored. Then cut the poor unsuspecting lady loose. Unless you’re going to tell me you’re looking to settle down.”
“I’m not looking for anything serious.” At least that was the truth. “With everything going on I don’t even have time to wine and dine. My main priority is Emily.”
***
“I don’t think this kitchen has been properly used in years,” Lark explained watching Emily. “Rick’s late wife Beatrice was an amazing cook. I know the guys make boxed and frozen dinners, and we order in from Luigi’s on Sundays, but this kitchen was made for so much more. I don’t think I’ve seen a real meal prepared in-” she paused, biting her lip, trying to recall. “-I can’t even remember the last time.”
It was a shame too. The kitchen was beautiful with ornate marble counters. A rack of expensive pots and pans hung from the ceiling. Add in the huge center island with a large industrial grade gas range top, it was any chef’s dream.
Emily smiled and looked around the room as she worked the noodles in her hands. “It really is remarkable. Even the one at home wasn’t this fancy. It is a shame not to use it.”
“You like to cook?” Lark observed. It was obvious she knew how to, but did she enjoy it? Her passion had always been cooking. It’d be nice to share it with someone else.
Emily glanced up at her, surprised by her question. “I never really thought about it. I know it was engrained into me, but I’ve always enjoyed it. Things are very different here than they were at home.”
“How so?” She asked curiously. Different how? Were they talking about werewolves, general perspectives, or both?
“Well, uh, my father sees things a lot differently than Rick does. I’m thankful for his hospitality. It’s been a nice reprieve for me. My dad didn’t exactly approve of Marcus and I, among other things.”
“Marcus seems like a good guy,” Lark shrugged. Marcus hadn’t given off any bad vibes. Granted he hadn’t said much in the few minutes he’d been in the bakery. He seemed nice and loving toward Emily, isn’t that what parents wanted?
Emily’s eyes beamed with unshed tears. “He is, my dad knows that too, he has other plans for me though, which is why we left. I probably shouldn’t be telling you all this.” Emily frowned and returned to the noodles.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” Lark flushed, biting her lip. It hadn’t been her intention to be nosy, but admittedly, she was intrigued by what Emily had said.
“It’s okay, I offered it. I’m not used to having another female my age to talk to. It’s kind of nice.” Emily stopped working the noodles, and turned to Lark to give her a smile.
“Me neither, I spend so much time at the bakery alone, which I love, but my social life is kind of nonexistent.”
“Those orange muffins are amazing,” Emily gushed.
“Thanks, it was my grandma’s recipe. She was the one who taught me how to bake.”
“My mom taught me how to cook. She’s always in the kitchen making something, she’s the one thing I miss about home,” Emily said, a forlorn look on her face.
“I’m sure she’ll visit or you can go visit her.”
Emily shifted uncomfortably. “No, she won’t. Things aren’t so great. We left without my father’s blessing. I’m glad we did, but…” she trailed off.
“We don’t have to talk about it.” Even though Lark was really interested, she didn’t want to make Emily uncomfortable. It was refreshing to talk to someone close to her age. Most her high school friends had gone off to college, or given up on her when she stopped going out every weekend.
Emily was quiet for a long moment, seemingly having an internal battle. It was clear she wanted to talk, but didn’t know if she should or not. Lark waited with bated breath. Would she continue without being prodded?
“You know what we are?” Emily hesitantly broke the silence.
Lark nodded and noticed Emily visibly relax at that revelation. A sigh escaped Emily’s lips as she leaned against the counter, chin resting on her hand.
“Each pack operates differently, but we are all innately the same when it comes to structure. There is always an alpha male and his mate or wife is the alpha female, but the male is the more dominant of the two. My father, Emmett is the alpha. What the alpha says is law,” Emily stated, returning to her dinner preparations. “Since we left without his permission, we broke the law.”
Lark leaned forward on the counter intrigued. She’d always been fascinated by them, but too timid to ask questions.
“Recently, my father has been doing things that go against our morals, which is why the four of us left. Over the last few years, he has broken ties with packs we have always been friendly with. Not to mention, Marcus and I have loved each other for as long as I can remember, and he has made it known that he doesn’t wish for us to be together.”
“Like soul mates?” Lark wondered if soul mates really existed.
“Sort of, yes. Certain men and women are drawn to each other more than others. There are different levels of a connection. Any man and woman can be together and have offspring, essentially being mates. Sometimes there is a deeper connection. With Marcus there are times when we are together that I can feel his emotions. Or when we are separated I can sense when something is wrong. We are literally joined mind, body, and soul.” Emily smiled a serene look on her face. Her eyes focused somewhere in the distance.
That sounds so romantic. Lark hoped she could find love like that some day.
“Anyway, my father wanted an alliance with another pack. The Gulf packs are stronger and bigger, because they annihilate other packs and force them to bow to their power. Emmett sought them out,” her tone sounded bitter. “One of the conditions to unite the two packs was me. I was set to breed with the alpha’s sons. In exchange, my brother Daniel would get his pick of one of the daughters from the packs in the alliance.” Emily huffed, putting the noodles into the pot.
“What?” Lark questioned, standing up straight. Disgust rolled through her. “That’s…” she couldn’t even find words to express her outrage.
“Those are some of the reasons why we left,” Emily whispered, her eyes downcast to the floor.
Some of the reasons? Lark’s heart thundered what other reasons were there? What could possibly be worse than that?
Emily played with the hem of her shirt, eyes staring absently at the counter.
“My father didn’t use to be like that. There was a time when he cared what we thought. At least about what Daniel, Vincent, and I thought. Devon is my half-brother, and unfortunately my father has always treated him differently. Things changed the past few years, and he hasn’t been the same to any of us. My dad was always strict, his word the final say, but whatever is going on now, it changed everything. I knew my dad could do horrible things. I just never thought he’d do them to me.”
Unable to find the right words, Lark stood there staring at the other woman. What could she say? Rick didn’t operate like that. Was Rick the norm, or was Emily’s father? Then again there were no women in Rick’s pack at all.
“Anyway, we’re starting a new life for ourselves here. I’m really looking forward to a fresh start and new opportunities.” Emily finished with a tight-lipped smile.
“You know if you’re interested, I am looking to hire a few people at my shop, The Cookie Jar.” Lark had just met Emily, but they seemed to get along okay.
“Everything good in here?” Devon asked coming in through the door followed by Gene.
“Yeah, we were just talking,” Emily said.
“Smells good, Em.” Devon smiled at his sister, a lightness about him she hadn’t seen before. What if for some odd reason he just had a problem with her?
“Thanks.” Emily returned the smile then turned to stir the large pot of sauce for a moment before turning back to them.
“I just offered Emily a position at the bakery,” Lark said to Devon, then turned to Emily. “You certainly seem to know your way around the kitchen. I think you would be a great fit.”
Emily beamed, excitement evident on her face. “I think it would be a great opportunity for me. I would love to.”
Gene opened the fridge and grabbed two beers, handing one to Devon. “That sounds like a fantastic idea.”
Emily’s smile began to fade. Lark followed her gaze to Devon. She studied him, his jaw set and teeth clenched. Why was he mad? Shouldn’t he be happy?
