Heart of the Wolf hotw-1

by Terry Spear

  “My plants,” Bella cried, trying to get to her shed, but Devlyn gathered her against his body and held her tight.

  “You can’t go near it, Bella,” he said, half commanding, half trying to console her.

  Another vehicle screeched to a halt in front of the house and Thompson, Chrissie, and her kids piled out of the car.

  “Omigosh, Bella,” Chrissie said, running to join her. “What happened?”

  “Vandals,” one of the policemen said. “Whoever did it broke most of the windows in the greenhouse, trashed the inside, and then poured gallons of gasoline everywhere. Luckily, the wind died down before the blaze really took hold or the house might have caught fire.”

  Thompson rubbed Chrissie’s arm. “Why don’t you take the kids in the house and I’ll be over in a little bit.”

  But Chrissie looked devastated and didn’t seem to want to leave Bella alone. Shivering, her kids stood out of the rain on the back patio, their eyes and mouths wide as they gaped at the fire. Chrissie gave Bella’s hand a squeeze and said, “Call me.” Then she hurried the kids to her house.

  Thompson shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at the dwindling inferno. “Police called me to say that whoever set fire to your greenhouse must have been the one who hacked into the police headquarters and sent a bogus message to Sergeant Reddy, who pulled the police detail watching your place.” Thompson shook his head. “This Volan character is sure vindictive.”

  Volan?

  Bella was sure the reds had burned the greenhouse, probably in retaliation for snooping around Alfred’s house. She tried to get closer to the building to see if she could pick up the reds’ scent, or Volan’s. But Devlyn wasn’t letting her get any nearer, and she growled at him.

  Without warning, an explosion rocked the greenhouse. Splintered glass and wood flew across the backyard, and Devlyn yanked Bella behind the garage while everyone else took cover.

  “Hell!” one of the firemen said. “What did you have in there?”

  “Fertilizers, garden chemicals, gas for my mower, not sure what else,” Bella said, making her way back to where she’d been standing, her eyes filled with tears and her heart in her throat. In the next instant, the greenhouse roof collapsed, and everyone dashed for safety again.

  Once it appeared the greenhouse was settled in ruins, the fireman returned to put out the rest of the flames, now smoldering in the twisted metal, glass, and wood debris.

  “Thankfully, your next-door neighbor Mr. Sherman called in the vandalism,” one of the policeman said. “Mr. Sherman said he thought the guy was going to torch the house, so he began yelling on the phone to 911 all the details about the guy—big, dark-haired, sounded a lot like Volan.”

  Thompson looked back at Bella and Devlyn. She hoped she didn’t look as guilty as she felt. “You didn’t hear or see anything?” he asked.

  The policeman offered, “They weren’t here. They just arrived shortly before you did.”

  Thompson looked from Bella to Devlyn, and she knew he was waiting for a report, but neither of them said anything.

  “Guess it was good you weren’t home then,” Thompson said, “or Volan might have tried to do more.” He turned this attention to the police officer. “Is the watch back on the house?”

  “You bet. Police Chief Whittaker himself directed it. He said there’s to be no more foul-ups, or heads will roll. Now, only he can change the order.”

  Bella exchanged a glance with Devlyn. Their sleuthing days appeared to be over unless they wanted a police escort tailing them or they could think up some other creative way to get rid of a tail.

  Early the next morning, even though it was dark, with threatening storm clouds hovering overhead like a permanent menace, Devlyn reached out for Bella in bed, but he found her gone. He listened, hoping to hear her butler announcing new email or the sound of her cooking in the kitchen. Nothing. And then the rain, pitter-pattering at first, followed by a roar as it drowned the area, filled his ears. He was sure if he didn’t leave here soon, his skin would start wearing a coat of green moss or mold.

  Shoving the covers aside, he headed out of the bedroom. She wasn’t in her office. She couldn’t be in the greenhouse now. The thought of the ruined greenhouse sickened him. When he returned her to Colorado, he’d build her one twice as big.

  He strode through the living room, but then he saw her standing in the green velvet robe on the back porch, staring at the burned wreckage. Growling at the insidiousness of whoever torched her building, he pulled the door open and stalked outside.

  She took a deep breath and rubbed her arms. Devlyn pulled her into his embrace and kissed the top of her head. “Come on back inside, Bella honey. I’ll make you something to eat.”

  “Was it Volan or the reds? That’s what I can’t quit worrying about.”

  “The reds. Volan doesn’t know where you live.” She looked up at him. He gave her a small smile. “I sniffed around the wreckage when you were sound asleep last night. I didn’t want you to worry, but I knew you’d be more concerned if it was Volan.”

  “I couldn’t make myself check it out.” She let out her breath and, for the first time since they’d found her greenhouse on fire, she relaxed.

  “Come on inside, Bella. I know Chrissie’s kids are back at their dad’s, but I don’t want Thompson to see me dressed like this, if he’s still at Chrissie’s house, in case anyone peeks over your fence.”

  Bella glanced down at Devlyn’s nudity and her lips rose a hair. “You are one big, very bad wolf, you know?”

  “And all yours.” He coaxed her back inside the house, ready to prove it.

  “What about investigating the reds further?”

  “We’re done with that for now, honey. Time for the big showdown as soon as the moon makes its appearance. I’m sure at that time we’ll resolve the issue of the murdered girls once and for all.”

  Later that morning, Chrissie pounded on the back door, her face solemn. Bella let her in and glanced at the blueberry pie Chrissie was holding.

  Chrissie handed her the pie. “I’m so sorry about your greenhouse. I wanted to come over last night and say something more, but Henry stayed late and helped me take the kids over to their dad’s place. Then, well ...” She shrugged.

  Saddened about her greenhouse, Bella managed a small smile, glad that Chrissie had found someone she enjoyed being with after her husband had dumped her for a much younger woman. “I’m thrilled the two of you hit it off so well. Come in.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been kind of distant, too. Henry and I have been dating up a storm, and, well, you know how it is when you’ve getting involved with someone. I have to make time for the kids, too, so it’s been a juggle.”

  “No problem.” Bella headed for the kitchen and Chrissie followed, glancing around the living room. Bella was sure she looked for signs of the naked hunk and was glad Chrissie hadn’t come any earlier in the day.

  “Devlyn still sleeping?” Chrissie took a seat at the dining room table.

  “Devlyn’s looking over some emails. Want a slice of pie?” Bella carved up a piece.

  “Sure. Things have been awfully quiet over here. Well, except for the insurance people and the arson investigators tromping all over the place.” Chrissie took the plate Bella handed her. “I wondered if you needed me to run out and get you anything. I imagine you don’t want to leave the house after what has happened, and Devlyn shouldn’t leave you alone.”

  No one needed a neighborhood watch program with Chrissie acting as the eyes and the ears of the whole community. “We’ve been rather preoccupied, but we have plenty to eat and are just fine.”

  Chrissie sat at the table and considered Bella’s neck. This morning, at least, Bella’s appearance was neater, although she imagined Chrissie was looking at the hickey gracing her throat. Bella’s hair rolled in shiny waves over her shoulders and down her back. No one would suspect Devlyn’s hands had tangled her curls in the throes of passion only half an hour earlier.


  Chrissie scooped up a bite of crust, stained blue and dripping with berries. “Are the two of you getting married?”

  “We’ve already done so.” In the lupus garou way. Chrissie’s eyes widened. “When?”

  “About the time we first had our reunion.” How could Bella explain that, for lupus garous, selecting a mate meant for a lifetime and the traditional human-contrived marriage vows meant nothing? Hell, half the human population ended up divorcing the same mate they promised to share their lives with together forever. Hmph. Look at Chrissie, even!

  Chrissie seemed saddened not to have been told earlier. But then she looked at Bella’s unadorned fingers. Explaining the lack of a wedding ring would be even harder.

  “Allergic to metal.” Bella flipped her hair back and pointed to her ears. “No earrings, no bracelets, no necklaces. Can’t wear any kind of metal.” In truth, most jewelry hindered their turning into the wolf. If it didn’t, it would be lost with the change. Or, in the case of pierced-ear jewelry, what would someone think if they found a wolf with pearls or gold secured to the leather of their ears?

  Chrissie glanced at Bella’s wrist. “Jeez, I never realized.” Her gaze met Bella’s. “I never noticed you don’t even wear a watch.”

  “Nope. Can’t.”

  “How do you tell time?”

  “Clocks. When I’m in the Escape, it has a clock. The computer has the time. The oven, microwave, my alarm clock in the bedroom ... clocks surround me. If I’m somewhere that I don’t know the time, I just ask.” She couldn’t let Chrissie know she had an innate ability to know the time, from the elevation of the sun in the sky.

  “I would have liked to have been present when you got married,” Chrissie said softly. “I would have gotten you something.”

  Bella’s heart wrenched. She hadn’t wanted to hurt her feelings. Bella gave her a hug, and Chrissie reciprocated with a heartfelt embrace. “Chrissie, you have been the best of friends, and I don’t want to ever lose that. But I imagine you know I left my heart in Colorado, and, now that Devlyn has found me, we’ll be returning there soon.”

  “Oh,” Chrissie sniffled. “Oh, sure, I knew it would happen someday because of all of the pictures of your family you keep on the fridge. I can’t tell if it’ll ever come to that, but, if you’re back there and Henry and I, well, if he, you know ...”

  “Asks you to marry him?”

  “Yeah, I realize it’s way too early, but, if it did happen, would you be my matron of honor?”

  Bella smiled. “You bet.” She might even entice Devlyn to come with her to the wedding. Actually, she was certain he wouldn’t let her return alone.

  “Devlyn, too. I’d want him to come. You could use my extra guestroom.”

  “He’d love to.”

  Devlyn walked into the dining room, but despite the smile that lifted his lips, his countenance was dark. “What would I love to do?”

  Chrissie groaned and the two ladies separated. “Tell him later. I’d hate for him to think I was scheming where Henry was concerned.”

  Bella smiled. “We’ll keep in touch. What with the Internet, you can keep me posted. We can email each other daily. I’ll check your blog every day, and you can upload your kids’ drawings. It’ll almost be like I haven’t left.” She waved at the pie sitting on the counter. “Chrissie baked us one of her famous blueberry pies. Want a piece?”

  “Yeah, I could use some quick energy.” He winked at Bella. “You know how much I like blueberries, and ...” He reached into the fridge. “Whipped cream.”

  Chrissie quickly finished the last bite of her pie. “I’ve got to go. Enjoy. I’ll talk to the two of you later.” Her cheeks colored crimson as she hurried out the back door.

  Bella touched Devlyn’s arm. “You embarrassed Chrissie.”

  “She loves it.” He dabbed whipped cream on top of his pie.

  “So what’s the bad news, Devlyn?”

  As he met her gaze, his brown eyes darkened. “Alfred wants us to meet him, and he wants to fight me for you. His whole pack will be there. He’s laid down the challenge and—”

  “You’ll win, Devlyn. I have no doubt about that. But we need to find the unknown killer, not establish your right to have me to the satisfaction of a bunch of reds.”

  “It’s a challenge I can’t refuse. If we weren’t in their territory and you weren’t one of their kind, I’d have to agree with you. But under the circumstances ...”

  She growled at him and stabbed her fork into her pie. “We have more important concerns. We don’t know for sure that Alfred killed anyone.”

  “This is important to me, Bella. At least while we’re here, I have to prove to the reds that you’re mine. That no one can make a claim to you.”

  She attempted to curb the annoyance she felt. She hated this part of being a lupus garou. The part that could mean her losing Devlyn. She was certain he could win against the red, but the problem was that two more reds wanted her. They wouldn’t allow him time to recuperate. And she couldn’t help feeling that the reds should be handling this matter with Ross and Nicol. Neither one of them was the leader and both of them had murdered girls. So why didn’t the pack take them down? Because Alfred approved it.

  Fine. Despite the objections Devlyn would raise, she’d take her gun, to even out the odds a bit if he needed her help. Even if the bullets weren’t silver, they’d do enough temporary damage to save Devlyn’s hide until he could heal. No red would have her who hadn’t earned her justly. Hell, no one but Devlyn would have her.

  Then the image came to mind of Volan, standing before her one second, lying on the ground dead the next, and alive after that. She squelched a shudder that threatened to undo her resolve. Still, the bullets had knocked him out for a time. Thinking it might work better, she’d aim for the head this time.

  “When and where are we to meet?” she asked, not at all happy about the circumstances.

  “Wolf Rock, as soon as the moon makes its appearance. I still say you should have stayed with my cousin.”

  “Well, I think you already decided I was a better asset here with you than off with some distant cousin of yours.” She raised a brow, hoping that was his reasoning. He grunted. “The notion had occurred to me that he might make a play for you himself.”

  She laughed. “So that’s the real reason you agreed to let me stay by your side, mate of mine.”

  She pointed to a map of the Cascades. “Wolf Rock is close to my cabin.” She twisted her hair between her fingers, trying to ease the concern that chilled her skin. “But what about the escort service we have out front?”

  “One of the reds’ older couples is coming to see us. They’ll drive our Suburban out of the garage and, hopefully, the police will tail them. They’ll be heading east, toward Colorado. If that doesn’t work, Alfred said he’d work up another plan.”

  Then all would be decided. At least with the reds. With Volan, that was another matter.

  Two days later, still several hours before the waxing crescent of the moon appeared and the first clear day since storms had pelted the area, a knocking at the front door made Bella’s heart nearly leap out of her chest while she worked on a pressed flower picture of a variety of Colorado wildflowers, a parting gift for Chrissie.

  Devlyn pulled Bella from the kitchen stool where she’d been working at the counter and held her close, kissing her cheek. “Let’s get this over with and return to Colorado.”

  “But the killer—”

  “I think we’ll find out at Wolf Rock which one is the mystery murderer.”

  Yeah, despite her considering otherwise, she assumed the murderer would be the right age to want to run the pack if Alfred and the others fell.

  Together, she and Devlyn went to the front door to let the reds in.

  The man and woman appeared to be in their seventies, both gray-haired. They must have assumed the police wouldn’t guess their ploy. And being that the couple was older, the police wouldn’t see them as a threat to Bella
or Devlyn either as they approached the house.

  To her surprise, the woman hugged Bella, and the man slapped Devlyn on the back in greeting. Then he reached over to hug Bella, and Devlyn growled low.

  She frowned at him to cool it, but the red male tensed and backed off.

  After showing the police that these people were friends, not foes, Devlyn closed the door.

  The woman quickly donned a long, red wig, while the man covered his gray hair with a dark brown one. The woman eyed her for a moment and then gave an evasive smile. “I see now what’s got our boys stirred up. Haven’t seen a marriageable one like you in a while.”

  “Who’s the rogue who’s killing the human females?” Bella asked, figuring if the woman knew she wouldn’t tell her but that her response itself might give a clue.

  The woman snorted. “He’s a lone wolf. Got to be. Not one of the pack.”

  “If he’s looking for a mate and a loner, why doesn’t he come for me, then? Only the three from your pack have approached me.”

  The woman glanced at the man. Her reaction clued Bella into the truth. Nicol and Ross were definitely in on the killings. Alfred’s role was still not confirmed, but she highly suspected he was in on them, too. All three were sure to fight Devlyn. And maybe even the mystery fourth. Devlyn handed the man the Suburban’s keys. “Be sure to turn it in at the rental company when you’re through with it.”

  The old man grunted.

  Ditching the SUV somewhere in the wilderness and then running like a wolf were more what the old man had in mind. At least that’s what Bella would do if the roles were reversed.

  The man motioned to the woman. “Let’s go.” The two disappeared into the garage, and Bella and Devlyn posted themselves at the front door. A bead of perspiration trickled between her breasts as they watched out the window to see if the police would take the bait.

  Chapter Eighteen

  THE RENTAL SUBURBAN PULLED OUT OF BELLA’S driveway and headed through the development, an older couple from the red lupus garou pack driving it. After a moment’s hesitation, the unmarked police car followed.