Which was also sweet, but nowhere near as satisfying.
Cory laughed suddenly, the sound making everyone stare. “Sorry. Sorry, I was having bad thoughts about beating up an old man.”
“Oh, I do like him, Wulf,” Miguel whispered. “Good job.”
It had been, hadn’t it? Cory was a good catch for a mate.
“Well, stop it and come eat something and have coffee,” Laurel said.
“I have to go see Wendy, get the report.” Cory took a kiss that made Trey’s ears ring. Then he grabbed a croissant. “River is here?”
“He spent the night.” Stephen agreed.
“Call me if you need me.” And like that, Cory was gone.
“Come on, Miguel. I need to introduce you to this gorgeous woman. She’s the bride.”
Laurel blushed but came to Miguel hands outstretched. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Oh? Excellent. We love our Grand Poobah.” Miguel took her hands, kissed her cheeks. “And Wulf was right, you’re beautiful.”
“Oh, thank you.” She beamed. “It’s been a tad stressful, so I feel a little frazzled.”
“Just a skosh, hmm? Take me in and tell me all about it. I’m Wulf’s coordinator, I so understand stress and frazz.”
Miguel was a doll, so playful, so good at this shit.
He and Laurel headed into the front room, so Trey looked at Stephen. “How bad is it?”
“Your car? Just the tires. River heard whoever it was, wolfed out, and scared the bejesus out of them.”
“Tires are replaceable. You’ll have to take me down somewhere to get them.” He grinned at Stephen, trying to hide his fury. “We can make River replace them and sit out here and watch.”
“Oh, that would be fun. Make him take his shirt off for you. He has impressive muscles.”
“Right? Miguel would love that, and we’ll make Cory keep his back turned.”
“You know that was never anything, right?” Stephen peered at him curiously. “Like, not even a handful of actual experiences.”
“I know. It’s the principle of the thing.”
“Is it? Did you not? With anyone?” Stephen was poking him like a dentist with a sore tooth.
“I did. As often as fucking possible. Never with another of our kind, though. I couldn’t.” He knocked into Stephen, playing. “I’m not mad, man. I’m just giving Cory shit.”
“Oh.” Laughing, Stephen nodded, hugging him with one arm. “I’m in danger mode.”
“I get it. Seriously. Miguel brought doughnuts.” He was of the mind that nothing couldn’t be fixed with doughnuts.
“The croissants just for Cory?”
“Well, it does look like he took them.” Trey let his eyes go comically wide. “Come on. I need more coffee.”
“Yeah. The bridesmaids and Brenda and Alder are coming down. They’ll be here around three.” Stephen looked utterly panicked.
“Cory said he would be back by then, too. You can do your fitting first, then run.”
“Yeah? Thanks. They’re good, but…You know.”
Honestly, he didn’t, but it didn’t matter. “Are Mom and Dad coming today since yesterday went tits up?”
“Yeah. Around two, so they can miss the gaggle.” Stephen gave him a rueful look. “I was trying to make it easier.”
“That’s cool. We need to get it over with. I’ll give Mom to Miguel. Dad and I can stare at each other until she’s fitted.”
Stephen rolled his eyes. “They appreciate what you did for Dave. That will help.”
“I appreciate that you invited me here. That’s the part that matters. That you cared to have me here.” His parents were simply the wolves that gave birth to him—no more and no less.
“I know.” Stephen clapped him on the back. “I love you.”
“I love you, brother. Come on. Let’s try on your suit, hmm? I think you’ll love it. I made sure you could move in it.”
“Yeah? You know how long it’s been since I wore a suit?”
“Your first communion?”
“I will beat you, brother.”
He cracked up. “Oh, you’ll try.”
Stephen could always kick his ass, but was he going to admit that?
No way.
12
Cory blew into the office, still clutching the box of chocolate croissants.
“Fill me in, Wendy!”
“Dave’s spirit has been committed to the moon. The Alpha’s brother’s tires were slit. I’m hungry. Uh—you’re a horndog.”
“Have a croissant. But tell me in copspeak what you found at the scene.”
“All four tires slit with a smooth blade, boot prints—maybe? It’s all gravel there.”
“Yeah. Damn.” He knew how hard it was to find evidence when everything was au natural.
“We know which camp it was that did it, boss. Once Trey’s gone, it’ll die down.”
“Sure. You and I both know, though, that it’s not a far stretch from attacking property to attacking people.” They might not have much crime, but they were trained cops.
“I know. I just don’t want to believe they would.”
“I don’t either, but I know what George is capable of.” Banishing a kid for daring to want to see the world. Scarring him for life.
“Yeah. I-I don’t know what to do. Seriously, how do we deal with this shit?”
“We get a couple of River’s friends and swear them in. Put a guard on Stephen’s house and Trey and his friend, who brought croissants.” He grabbed one out of the box.
“He has friends? What’s he like?” Wendy was as curious as a cat, pun intended.
“Scarred,” Cory said flatly. “Banished from his pack. Kinda cute in that little waxed mustache kind of way.”
“Man… That’s… I sorta assumed Trey was the only one that lived. Are there…lots?”
Cory shrugged, not sure of anything himself. “Trey has a whole little pack.”
“That’s cool.”
He blinked, and she shrugged. “What? It is. I love that there’s hope for the ones that got out.”
“Yeah.” He hadn’t thought of it that way. “Would you go? If you could?”
“No. We’re happy here, but if we had kids that wanted out, I’d want to believe they could make it.”
“Yeah. I get that.” He did. Cory was so proud of his mate, even if the situation did get pretty complicated. Trey was a stone-cold hero in his eyes.
And gorgeous and talented and so damn hot.
“You’re thinking about him, I can see that.” Wendy grinned at him, her dark eyes twinkling. “It’s adorable.”
“I might just be lusting after another croissant.”
“Dork. I know the look of love. So, what do you want me to do?”
“Make some calls. Get Kyle and Hank in here. Then, go get some sleep. The closer the wedding gets, the more people who see Trey, the worse I think this will get.” They needed more eyes. More defenders.
“I’ll get the boys, and Miles. Maybe Lisa.” She nodded and started making notes.
“Good deal. I’ll go see what else has come in, huh?” He would check calls, emails. Wendy got all the basics, but people sometimes wanted to talk to him personally.
“That works. The bride’s pack is coming in this afternoon, just be aware you’ll be needed at the main house.”
“Yep. I told Trey I would be back this afternoon.” He took the box of croissants, leaving her two. He didn’t want the guys to show up and eat them all.
“Good deal. They’ll need watching, just to keep George shut up.”
“Yeah. Yeah, River is there now.” Cory poured himself a cup of coffee, trying not to fret.
“He’s a good one. He’ll watch Stephen’s back.”
“He will. Thanks, Wendy. Get some rest today. I have a feeling you’ll need it.” He headed to his desk, wanting to get admin out of the way.
He heard her leave, and he started in to work, answering a half-dozen emails about
nothing at all, along with one juicy one from anonywolf@gmail for fuck’s sake, threatening to remove him from office if he kept seeing ‘the bankished 1’.
Bankished?
Seriously?
All threats should at least be spelled right.
He shook his head, but he printed it, and noted it in the log. They didn’t get a lot of threats, so it stuck out. He would see what he could do to trace an IP.
Wow, Trey showing up was more trouble than they’d seen in eons.
He grinned. It was kind of exciting. George was still capable of a lot of damage, though, so he would have to take care.
He didn’t want Laurel to tear anyone’s throat out at the wedding. Blood was hard to get out of satin.
No more threats appeared in his email, so he listened to his voice messages. No breathers or hanger-uppers, so yay.
Now he wanted to eat his croissant and remember last night, this morning.
How his stubborn mate was bonding with him.
Trey was a force of nature, but Cory felt more like himself than ever, more like the wolf he was supposed to be. A lot of people would think this was bad, but he was over the fucking moon.
His mate had been in his bed, had run with him, loved him.
His phone rang, a Santa Fe number popping up.
“Hello? Sheriff Benally.”
“Sheriff Benally.” Ah. Trey. “I-I just wanted to say hi. You were on my mind.”
“Yeah? You’ve been on mine too, baby.” All the time. All morning. Can you hear me?
“Of course I can. I didn’t need anything. Just you.”
“Well, I’m always available to you.” He couldn’t have stopped his smile if he wanted to. I want you again, baby. I want to sink into you and hear you howl.
“Cory!” The hissed, shocked sound was perfect.
“What?” He hadn’t said anything out loud. Trey would figure it out eventually.
“You’re a tease.” God I want you. This is crazy. So close and not touching.
“I am?” Can you get away for lunch?
Yes. Yes, come pick me up. I need you. A kiss. Please. “You are.”
He got up, grabbing his keys, locking up so he could head out. He knew he’d barely sat down, but he had his radio as well as his cell, and he had two ladies who worked from home handling emergency calls to pass on.
His mate wanted him, and he needed Trey.
Cory headed out toward his truck. He guessed Miguel could handle fittings so he and Trey could have a talk.
And lunch.
Maybe a couple of kisses in the truck.
He grinned. Life was so much better today.
Two of George’s grandsons stood there, obviously talking about something, and one had a pocketknife in hand.
“I wouldn’t, laddies. That’s a damn bad idea.”
“Oh, hey, Sheriff. What bad idea would that be?”
“Having a knife on county property.” He kept his voice even. “Looking at my tires with a blade in your hand that’s the same size as the one that cut the Alpha’s brother’s.”
“He doesn’t belong here. He’s been banished!”
“The Alpha has reversed the judgement. You wanna go before Stephen?” He raised an eyebrow, waiting. They were not going to get to him.
They were kids who didn’t know what the hell was truth or not.
One of the boys backed down, but the older of the boys growled. “It’s not fair!”
“To who?” He sneered a little. “To your old fart grandpa? Or to you because Trey made it out and you’re stuck here like a little pussy?” He was goading and he knew it, but better they went after him right now.
“You’re fucking him. You’re not even reasonable.”
“Eric! You can’t say that!”
“Sure he can. He can say whatever he wants. And I can charge you for vandalism and malicious mischief. Inside, boys.” Trey would have to wait while he at least scared the shit out of them.
The younger of the boys panicked, the cub shifting and taking off in sheer terror.
He stared the other, whose name he’d just missed, down. “You stay away from me and the Alpha’s family and wedding and I’ll let this drop. I see you anywhere near any of us again, and I will put you in jail until the Alpha has time to deal with you. Do you understand?”
The kid tried valiantly, but there was no way—no fucking way—a teenager was going to hold his gaze.
He was a goddamn alpha.
Cory fought not to blink at his own thoughts. That would defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it?
The kid ran, dropping the knife.
Cory nodded sharply, then collected the knife for evidence, just in case.
He put it in the office, and then he headed to his lover, his mate. They were gunning for Trey, and he needed to be there.
And for his Alpha, as well. This wedding needed to go off with as few hitches as possible.
Oh, babe. If you’re coming, hurry. The in-laws are here, and so are my parents. I need you.
I’m coming. I’m on my way. Had to run off some troublemakers. Poor Trey. His parents were difficult at best.
You can hear me. You can hear me?
I can hear you. You’ve been hearing me since last night. Dork.
Fuck. Fuck, who the hell knows what I thought at you? Get your ass over here!
He laughed, really stepping on it. I love you.
You’d better. Asshole. You could hear me. Goddess.
Not everything. He needed to be fair. I promise.
Trey made him happy, made him confident as hell. This was his mate, and he was whole. Finally, deliciously whole.
You will have a hole in you if you do not get your ass here. Everyone is early but you!
He cracked up even as he turned up Stephen’s private lane.
Fussy designer.
Fussy designer with sharp scissors, Sheriff Woody.
No stabbing anyone. Eat more doughnuts. I just pulled in. Things were getting a bit serious.
His phone started ringing and he grabbed it. “Hey, Wends. What’s up?”
“The guys are coming to guard the cars at the Alpha’s.”
“Thanks, hon. There’s a knife in evidence. George’s grandsons were outside the office when I left.”
“With a knife? Eric and Damon?”
“Yeah. Eric was pretty mad. Damon ran.”
“Those boys were guaranteed that Eric would be the next alpha. They were bitterly disappointed.”
“Yeah.” Like, practically, he knew that. Emotionally he had no fucks to give. “Regardless, we need to keep eyes on them.”
“You got it. Are you, uh, heading back to the Alpha’s?”
He was sitting in front of the house. “I am, but River will need his guys. The in-laws are there, and so are Stephen’s folks, and I might be busy.”
“Oh Jesus. Don’t you want to run?”
“Yep. I want to help Trey out, too.” He chuckled. Wendy got him.
“You are either a good guy or a goddamn masochist.”
“A little of both. What can I say? I’m in love. Be careful. I don’t want them to start picking us off.”
“Right? That would be problematic as fuck.”
“Yeah.” He snorted. “You’re a good egg, lady.”
“That’s what they tell me down at the jail.” She hooted at her own joke. “Just remember me come Christmas time.”
“You got it.” He jogged up the stairs, knocking on the heavy door once as it swung open. “Hey, guys. I’m here for my fitting.”
“Cory!” Stephen sounded as desperate as Trey’s mental voice had. “Yay.”
“Hey. How goes it?”
Lord, Stephen sounded like he was this close to having a stroke.
“Uh. Well. I need to go see about getting Trey tires. We’ll need his vehicle this week.”
“Coward.” Cory pulled Stephen aside. “George’s grandsons did the dirty work. They were at the station about to do mine when I came out
. Be careful.”
“Will do. There’s a chance Trey’s going to kill Dad. There’s a better chance that Mr. Andaluz is going to kill him. Dad, not Trey. Good luck!”
“Uh. Thanks.” He should have brought back the croissants. “Hello? I’m here!” He headed into the big family room in the back.
“Perfect timing.” Laurel came up to him, eyes huge. “Come sit down. Lunch. Sandwiches, yay.”
“Yum. What kind?” He took her hand, remembering how this was her time, damn it. Not his or Trey’s or anyone else.
“Turkey, tuna, and roast beef. Come meet my daddy, Alder. He’s talking with Hector and Trey.”
“Sure.” He squeezed her hand. “Sorry I got delayed.”
“No problem. None at all. I’m glad you’re here. Trey is glowing.”
“Is he?” That settled him some, made him beam at her. “I can’t believe we’re here together.”
“I can. You’re made to be together, like me and Stephen.”
The words were loud in the silence of the dining room, like the sound of a turd falling in a punch bowl.
“Well, Sheriff! Hey there.” Trey blinked up at him.
“Morning. It’s still morning?” He checked his watch. Eleven thirty. Time was flying. “So, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Andaluz. Mrs. Andaluz must be with Miguel?”
“She is, along with my sisters. In fact, I need to get to them. You boys enjoy your lunch.”
“Traitor,” he whispered as he went to sit next to Trey in the huge formal dining. “How was your drive, Mr. Andaluz?”
“It’s curvy up here!” Mr. Andaluz was a tall man with graying red hair and gray eyes and a sharp, intelligent face. Laurel must look like her mama.
She does. They’re good people. I like them. Trey’s eyes were twinkling madly.
Cool. Laurel is a good one, so it stands to reason her folks are. He winked at his mate, loving their shared secret communication.
“Mr. Wulf here says that you two are old friends.”
“His name is Trey. Trey Yazzie.” Hector sounded miserable.
“I’ll answer to anything.”
“Morning, Mr. Yazzie.” Cory gave Hector a gentle smile. “And yessir, Trey and I go way back. I’m so glad he came to do the wedding.”
In Wulf’s Clothing Page 10
