“Remember that no one here will hurt you.” They walked to the end of the deck and down the two steps to the yard. They moved side by side easily, as though they’d been doing it for years. They hadn’t even hit the corner of the house when a large beast ambled around the corner. It was part timber wolf, but also part German shepherd. He went straight for Rina.
“That’s a dog. An actual dog. Not a werewolf.”
“That’s Shadow.” Sage petted the old guy on the head. “He’s Gray’s dog. She’s had him for a long time. I guess he’s about twelve or so now.”
“He’s beautiful.” Rina offered her hand. Shadow sniffed and then licked it. She laughed and rubbed the dog’s head. “You’re gorgeous, aren’t you?” Shadow’s butt wiggled in excitement and he made some rumbling noises like he was agreeing with her. She laughed again. “He’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, Anny has two cats as well.”
Rina dropped her hand back to her side. “Cats?”
Sage grinned at the look of disbelief on her face. “Yeah, Seymour and Tigger. They’re around fourteen or fifteen years old, I guess. They don’t leave home these days.”
“I’ve never heard of a pack with cats as pets.” Rina shook her head in disbelief.
“We’re an interesting bunch.” He started walking again. Rina knew where they were going. She could hear the voices as easily as he could. Shadow trotted on ahead, and Sage knew the big dog would find a spot beneath a tree in the shade, curl up, and keep an eye on things.
It took them another couple of minutes to get to the back of Gator and Sylvie’s place. Not because it was so very far, but because Rina was dragging her feet. He decided it was probably better if he didn’t point that out to her. Yeah, calling her a coward wouldn’t be smart.
“Smell that barbecue.” He inhaled and his stomach grumbled. “Gator is a hell of a cook and grills a mean steak. There’ll be burgers too and hot dogs. The kids enjoy those. Lots to eat.”
He smiled and a sense of well-being and homecoming struck him when he stopped at the edge of the clearing. Everyone was here. Everyone but Reece. It was at times like these he missed his brother most. He didn’t think his twin would be living away for much longer. Sage knew Reece wasn’t staying away because he loved the city or his job so much, but because he felt compelled to. Some instinct was telling him to stay.
Sage only hoped that instinct would soon tell his brother to come home.
“Welcome to the Salvation Pack.” He stood behind Rina and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back against his chest. Neither one of them mentioned the fact that his erection was digging into her ass or that she was doing him a favor by standing in front of him.
The adults would know he was aroused. And didn’t that make him feel like a horny teenager. But the kids didn’t need to see it. He struggled to get control of himself, but having her nestled against him, the rounded curve of her behind snuggling his dick wasn’t helping. His arms were around her midsection. If he moved them upward the tiniest bit, he’d be able to feel the weight of her breasts resting on them.
This was so not helping.
Just then a little girl ran up to him. She was barefoot and wearing a pink sundress that almost came to her ankles. “Who’s your new friend, Sage?” the little angel asked.
“This is Rina,” he told her. “Rina, this is Amy. She’s Cole and Cherise’s little girl.”
The child put her fists on her hips and frowned. “I’m not little. I’m four.”
Sage reached down and tapped the little girl on the nose. “I stand corrected. You’re practically grown up.” He glanced at Rina and was glad to see her smiling.
Rina smiled at the little blonde fairy child staring up at her. It was hard to believe this little girl was the child of the biggest man she’d ever seen, but she did have her father’s coloring. The eyes were especially unmistakable. “I’m glad to meet you, Amy.”
The little girl nodded. “You can play with me if you want. I can show you my room later. I’ve got books and puzzles and dolls and all kinds of stuff.”
“I’d like that.” Satisfied with Rina’s answer, the little girl ran to her father and raised her arms. The huge man lifted her easily and swung her onto his shoulders as though he’d done it a hundred times. Amy clutched her father’s hair and kissed his cheek.
Rina wouldn’t have dared be so forward with her father. He was of the generation that believed raising children was women’s work. To see such a huge and obviously lethal werewolf handle his little girl with such ease was an eye-opener. Sure, she knew such things were common in the human world, but not in the pack where she’d been raised.
“Come on,” Sage whispered in her ear. “I want you to meet everyone.”
Since they were already either staring at her or pretending not to, Rina figured it was the best thing to do. “We should greet the alphas first.” This pack might be more relaxed, but protocol had been drummed into her since she was old enough to comprehend the rules. And they’d invited her to share their communal dinner.
“Sure, this way.” Sage kept one arm around her shoulders and they walked toward Jacque and Gwen. The alpha watched her with his golden-brown eyes that missed nothing. Gwen smiled and held out her hands.
Rina nodded at Jacque and took Gwen’s hands. “Thank you for inviting me for dinner.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Did you sleep well?” Gwen asked.
“Yes, thank you. I did.” She knew she sounded stiff, but it wasn’t easy to talk at all with Jacque staring at her.
Gwen waved her hand and two sturdy young boys raced over and skidded to a stop in front of her. “These are our sons. This is Nicholas.” She put her hand the taller boy’s shoulder. “And this is Aaron.” She rested her other hand on the younger boy’s head. There was no mistaking who their father was. Both boys had familiar golden-brown eyes. “Boys, this is Rina. She’s a friend of Sage’s.”
The younger boy grinned but the older one stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet ya.”
Rina looked to the alpha and got his nod before she shook the child’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you too.” Duty done, both boys ran off with young Amy in pursuit.
An older woman strolled up beside them and smiled at Sage. “This is Miss Elise,” he told her.
Rina smiled at the older lady. There was such kindness and compassion in her gaze. And also understanding. “I’m honored to meet you. Sage has already mentioned your amazing pies.”
Elise had shared her coloring with her oldest son. They looked very similar. She smiled indulgently at Sage. “He and his brother always were partial to my pies.”
Sage leaned down and kissed Elise’s cheek. “You make the best pies, but don’t tell Anny.”
Elise put her forefinger and thumb to her lips and twisted like she was turning a lock. “It’s our secret.”
Rina could tell the two of them shared a special bond. It made her jealous, and then she was mad at herself for being so petty.
“Steaks are up. Come get ’em,” Gator called. He moved out from behind the largest grill Rina had ever seen and carried two platters toward four picnic tables that had been put together to make one long one.
Bowls and plates of food ran from one end to the other. Rina inhaled and gave a sigh of appreciation.
“Come on before it’s all gone.” Sage led her over to the middle of the table. She climbed over the bench seat and settled in with him on one side of her. Amy scuttled in on her other side.
Rina smiled at the child but wasn’t quite as comfortable when her big father took up a seat next to the little girl.
“Potato salad?” Sage asked. She turned her attention to him and the bowl he was holding out for her.
“Please.” She took it and put a small scoop on her plate. She took a deep breath and turned to the little girl. “Do you want some salad?”
/>
Amy bobbed her head up and down. Rina looked to Cole for confirmation. He gave a quick nod and she put a small scoop on the child’s plate. And so it went with each new plate or bowl Sage handed her. Sometimes the child wanted whatever was being offered and sometimes she didn’t.
Sage also introduced her to everyone she hadn’t already met. She was introduced to Cole’s parents and his mate, and another couple—Armand and Anny. At one point, another little boy, a bit older than Amy, came over and squeezed in beside her. He didn’t say anything, but Amy told Rina his name was Etienne. He was Gator and Sylvie’s little boy.
Her head whirled as she tried to match names and faces together. It was a small pack, but there was no doubting the strength of the males. This was not a weak group. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
The food was amazing. Rina tasted every dish and consumed the steak in record time. This bunch certainly knew how to cook. Just when she thought she was full, they brought out desert.
She moaned when she took her first mouthful of lemon meringue pie. Sage leaned in close and murmured in her ear. “Told you she made the best pies.”
Elise smiled, but Anny frowned. “I heard that, Sage Gallagher.” Anny pointed her fork at him.
“You make the best chocolate cake,” he told her.
Anny shook her head and grinned. “You’re only saying that so I’ll keep making you cake.”
“It’s the truth.” He took a mouthful of cake and chewed. “But I also don’t want you to stop making cake.”
Rina laughed along with everyone else. She loved their camaraderie and the obvious love they shared for one another. Like all wolf packs, the children ran back and forth among the women. But they also went unhesitatingly to the men as well, confident in their welcome.
The sun was sinking in the sky, bathing the clearing in an orange light. There was a slight breeze now that made the leaves dance and sway. The remnants of the best meal she’d ever eaten cluttered the table. It wasn’t just the food that made it the best, but the company.
This was not just a pack, but also a family, people who would stick together come what may. She’d thought she’d had that, but she’d been mistaken. She could see that now in retrospect, especially since she’d spent time with Sage’s pack.
When the women stood and started clearing the table, Rina joined in. It was the least she could do to repay them for such a wonderful dinner. The men pitched in as well, ferrying plates and platters into the house. Those that weren’t helping clear away were watching over the children.
Jacque walked over to his mate with a boy tucked under each arm. His sons were laughing and wiggling like young pups. “I’m going to take these two home and dump them in the shower.”
Gwen smiled. “Okay. I’ll be home in a bit.” She leaned up and kissed her mate before turning to her sons. “You two, be good. I’ll be home in time to tuck you in and read you a story.”
While Gwen was speaking with her sons, the alpha met his brother’s gaze. Louis nodded, and Rina knew he’d make sure Gwen got home safely even though it was only a short walk away.
With that, the alpha, one of the scariest men Rina had ever met, walked off with his sons, the two boys laughing and chattering happily.
“Anything wrong?”
She watched the trio leave, not wanting to face Sage until she composed herself. How could she tell him what she didn’t quite understand herself? There was a deep yearning inside her for connection, for something she’d never had. The only person she’d ever felt remotely close to besides her mother was her older brother, and her mother had turned away from her. She hadn’t seen Mikhail before she’d been banished and was too afraid to contact him, afraid he would simply hang up on her if she called.
Sage rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Don’t worry. Everything will sort itself out in time.”
“You can’t promise that. No one can.”
He nodded. “Okay. How about I promise you everything will be okay tonight? You’re safe here with me.”
She slid her arms around his waist and hugged him. “I’m so lucky I ran into you in the park.”
He pressed his lips against the top of her head. “I’m the lucky one.”
* * * * *
Johnny settled on the sleeping bag in the back of his truck and wished he were home in his own bed. He could easily slide behind the wheel and leave, but there was a demon on his shoulder urging him to stay.
He knew he was obsessed with Rina, but he was beyond caring.
Thankfully, he didn’t punch a time clock. He hunted and fished and made money here and there, some in the lucrative and dangerous ginseng trade, and a bit more fixing engines and such. He and his brothers were handy at just about anything. His brothers would pick up the slack for a few days.
He’d checked his phone when he’d stopped for the day. There’d been four messages from Charlie, but he hadn’t answered. He knew what his brother had to say. Come home.
It had taken some doing to find Sage Gallagher. It wasn’t as easy as just searching his name online. Whoever Sage was, he kept to himself. In the end, Johnny had resorted to old-fashioned measures. Gossip. He’d stopped at every gas station he’d passed until he’d finally gotten lucky. It had taken him most of the day, but he’d found Sage Gallagher.
The gas attendant had narrowed his gaze and studied Johnny suspiciously before replying. “Yeah, he lives around here. That will be twenty bucks for the gas.” Knowing better than to push his luck, Johnny had paid, given the man a wave, and driven on.
Salvation was a small town in North Carolina. Johnny didn’t know where Sage Gallagher lived yet, but he would. People always talked, and the best place to find out anything was at the local diner. He planned on having breakfast there in the morning.
Once he knew where the man lived, he’d go out and play the boyfriend card again. He didn’t know what she’d told the stranger, but it certainly wouldn’t have been the truth. He could claim they’d fought and she’d lied to the man about her situation. Surely the man would tell Johnny where he’d dropped Rina. Then he’d be hot on her trail again.
Satisfied with his plan, he closed his eyes and settled in to sleep.
* * * * *
“What have you got?” Jacque kept one ear open for his sons. They were both clean and in their pajamas waiting for their mother to come home and read to them. He could hear them chattering away in their room.
Armand sat across from him and rested his hands on his stomach. “Not much more than I told you earlier. It’s never easy with the packs. We’re a suspicious bunch.”
Jacque grinned. “Yeah, we are. Keep at it though. I’d like confirmation of why she was banished if I can get it, although the girl seems to be telling the truth. I didn’t smell a lie.”
“Will do.”
They both paused when they heard two sets of little feet moving stealthily down the hallway. They were good at stalking for boys their age. Fatherly pride filled Jacque. They were close when he suddenly whirled around and growled.
Both boys squealed and jumped at him. He wrapped his arms around his boys and playfully tussled with them.
“I’m heading out,” Armand told him. His cousin reached the door just as Gwen opened it. She smiled at the scene before her. Armand gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll leave you to handle the savages,” he teased.
Gwen put her hands on her hips and tried to look stern, but Jacque could see her faltering. Then she laughed and opened her arms. The boys abandoned him and ran to their mother. “Did you pick out a book?”
Nicholas nodded. “Harry Potter.”
“Again?” Gwen asked. Jacque knew she liked the books, heck, so did he, but she’d already read the entire series to the boys. Twice.
“Please,” Aaron pleaded.
“Go climb in bed and I’ll
be right there.” Both boys scampered off and then it was his turn to be hugged. “Thanks for getting them cleaned up.” She nuzzled her nose to his, and he was immediately aroused. That hadn’t changed in all the years they’d been together and never would.
Gwen’s blue eyes lowered slightly and her lips parted when she felt his erection digging into her. “Hopefully, the boys will fall asleep quickly.”
Jacque groaned when Nicholas called out for her. “Somehow I doubt that.”
Gwen laughed, slid her hand down the front of his jeans and cupped him through the thick material. “Hold that thought. I’ll be as quick as I can.” She strode off with a little extra sway in her step. He wanted to run and howl. Most of all, he wanted to protect what was his.
Sage’s woman had trouble trailing her. Jacque hoped it wouldn’t take long to deal with it. He would protect what was his, but he’d gotten used to the peace and quiet of the past few years. He wanted his sons to feel safe on pack land. And God help the person who threatened that.
Chapter Nine
Sage waited until Rina finished saying her goodbyes. She might not have realized it, but the other members of the pack liked her. Sure, a few of the men were a bit watchful, but they were like that with everyone.
She’d especially won over Cole when she’d solemnly promised Amy she’d come by tomorrow to visit if it was okay with her parents. The little girl seemed taken with Rina.
He waved as they all headed their separate ways. “Did you have a good time?” It was as natural as breathing to slip his arm around her waist as they started walking.
“I did. The food was outstanding and everyone was kind to me.” The way she said it, almost as if it surprised her, made his heart ache.
“Why wouldn’t they be kind to you?”
She shrugged. “I’m a stranger and I’ve brought a lot of trouble with me.”
Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) Page 9
