by KH LeMoyne
Suspicion warred in her expression, dimming the brilliance of blue specks from her eyes to a wash of only gray.
He grasped her hand. “Remember this number. 578-646—”
Shaking her head, she frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Just repeat after me and memorize. 578-646—”
He could see her run through options, consider mutiny, then think better of it. With a sigh, she repeated the numbers. He led her through the exercise three more times.
She even taunted him by turning around several times, closing her eyes, and repeating it again. “Satisfied?”
“As long as you remember the number.”
“You could just have written it down.” She started again as he covered her lips with his fingers.
“If you decide you love me the way I love you and you want to claim me—call that number. I will wait. However long it takes, Dani, I’ll wait for you.”
Frozen still, she stared at him as he picked up the final items and headed past her. He paused at the door but didn’t look back. “You have to do what’s right for you. I get that. I want the same for you. But I can hope. Be safe. Be happy.”
Prepared to get into her car, Dani paused as she spied the item on her backseat. As if being tempted by the man who’d turned her world upside down—again—and having him tell her he loved her wasn’t enough, he’d evidently left a special item to remind her. A package wrapped in brown paper and shaped like a framed painting lay on the backseat. Her name stood out in bold black letters.
Dani glanced around, checking that Chisholm and the truck had left. If he came back, she wouldn’t have the strength to turn him down again. And as much as she wanted what he offered, for she’d never really needed his apology, she couldn’t leave.
Oh, she loved him. With an intensity and persistence that shocked her. To pretend rejection of his request broke her heart, and letting him think she didn’t care was the hardest thing she’d ever done. But whirlwind love and physical euphoria didn’t ensure long-term happiness. If it were just Chisholm, she could risk the jump. But with children involved, she needed her life settled and her commitment firm. If something ever happened to Chisholm, as his mate his children would depend on her for their future. Oddly, the idea of so much responsibility didn’t daunt her, but Maggie, Cabot, Sam, and Charlie needed a mother who would never waver as much as Chisholm deserved a mate who wouldn’t bring more trouble to their doorstop.
Too much uncertainty lay in her immediate future. She needed time to resolve her life and be sure of herself.
“578-646—” She rattled off the number in a singsong fashion, amused that he’d spent so much time getting her to remember it. She didn’t have Cabot’s eidetic memory, but she hadn’t amassed her degrees without the ability to memorize.
She bit back a curse as her phone rang.
“Detective Leggett?”
“Yes, Captain.” The past few days had been a mind-numbing litany of red tape and unpleasant bureaucracy. Something she didn’t see ending for several weeks—another reason why she refused Chisholm’s offer. For his family to disappear was one thing. WITSEC would at least cover their quick departure from town.
She was a different matter. And she wanted them gone and safe where Deacon Black would protect them.
“Internal Affairs wants you in here first thing tomorrow.”
Biting back a retort, she waited a second. “Again, sir?”
“As many times as it takes to make them understand why an officer told to close a case was associated with six dead bodies and an injured juvenile. WITSEC has requested their time in discussions with you as well.”
Lovely. More glorious days of repeat questions and rounds of second-guessing all her actions in front of her superiors. Put on administrative leave the day after she’d left the hospital, she’d been relieved of her gun, her badge, her car, and now her pride in the name of due process. She hadn’t even fired her weapon, but that made little difference at this point. That she was officially on personal leave during the shooting seemed to count for nothing as well.
The only way she could shield Chisholm had been to avoid him completely. He’d likely be shocked to find this ordeal forced her to do just what he’d intended—consider her options. At least she had the continuity of her online-teaching to keep her sane.
“I’ll be there, sir.”
There was a long pause. “You’ve had a stellar record up to this point, Detective. It is my belief with some effort you can regain your standing and continue with your good work.”
Assuming she wanted to regain her standing or keep her job.
Chisholm’s children would be dead had she not intervened. Even Deacon Black had taken her aside and reinforced that with his thanks. He’d also thrown her a lifeline she hadn’t expect. If she needed help, he’d instructed her to cross the state line into Montana and start asking for him by name—anywhere.
She’d been impressed, but she didn’t work for Deacon. And because her priorities hadn’t been the same as the police department’s when she chose to enter that barn, she was at odds with her a future in her current career. But she had no regrets. Whatever fell out of the next few weeks, she could live with her choices and her conscience. “Thank you, sir.”
Sliding her phone into her jacket, she considered her next steps. She had a few more hours before sunset. With no snow on the horizon, no accountability to job or deadlines, no one who knew or cared what she did—okay, that last part wasn’t true.
Seeking the comfort of the ghosts of happier times, she turned toward Lake Ilo.
13
Black Haven Stronghold, Montana
The Day after Thanksgiving
Dani arrived at Wharton’s coordinates an hour early with nothing to do but stare at the vast expanse of wilderness. She opened the door and moved to lean against the pickup truck she’d been issued. Arms crossed over her chest, she released a harsh breath. Trees, rocks, and small mounds of snow covered the landscape. The raw beauty, so different from the familiar North Dakota flat lands, engulfed her, leaving her alone in its wake. No pale emotion of loneliness or even sadness compared, just a huge sense of being small in a great, majestic space. She wondered if Chisholm shared that thought first impression of his new home.
A mist of frost floated away, and she closed her eyes to sift through the final days that had led her to this point. True to expectation, Trim had organized Dani into a lean, mean traveling machine. Her exacting itinerary, planned down to rest stops and hotels, included new cell phones at intervals for added security. With the mechanics of her transition handled, Wharton had reengaged for conversations during the last few days. He’d briefed her on the town. Relayed the date and timing of Chisholm’s oath ceremony. And answered aimless questions about shifters, knowing all she really needed was just another soul to talk to during the long drive.
And finally, here she was. She sucked another deep, frigid breath into her lungs as her phone buzzed.
“Were you planning on sitting out in the cold for the full hour before you called?”
She wasn’t sure how Wharton managed to combine censure and humor in the same tone, but she wanted to learn his trick to use on the kids. Maybe she’d have it down pat by the time she delivered one of her own. Considering Chisholm, that might not be very long. A telltale heat coursed across her skin at the thought, and for a brief moment, she allowed excitement to take hold. Her last several weeks of self-reflection had delivered many surprises; her secret wants weren’t the least of those.
“I was early. I didn’t want to disrupt anything since you’re probably busy with preparations for the ceremony.”
“Early or not, I was notified the moment you came within range of our border. And my only task today is delivering you. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Her phone signaled a text. Reining in her thoughts, she forced herself to calm. No one knew she was coming. With her arrival so close to Chisholm and Maggie’s oath ceremony, Dani
had agreed with Wharton’s recommendation they keep it a secret. She didn’t want nerves or excitement to mar their day if something interfered with her arriving on time. So far, so good.
She frowned at the message. Suspiciously, Maggie seemed to have no problem getting Dani’s new cell phone numbers. She credited the feat to Wharton’s intervention.
Maggie: Ran in fresh snow yesterday. Made my own paw prints!
DB: You have pictures?
Maggie: Cabot took some. I’ll send them.
DB: Ready for the holidays?
Maggie: Not yet. Dad and I have oath ceremony first. Wish you were here.
She didn’t know how to respond.
Maggie: Sorry. I don’t mean to bug you. Are you okay?
DB: Not bugging. And I’m fine. I want it to go well for both of you.
Maggie: Winter festival starts right after.
DB: Sounds like fun.
Dani blinked. She just prayed she was in time to see them take this huge step. Maggie seemed confident, but Dani suspected Chisholm probably felt like a dog being collared.
“He’ll be fine.”
She spun around to find Wharton leaning against the back of the pickup truck.
“Worry has a scent.” The man shook his head. “He won’t change his mind. He marked you. You may not realize that’s what he did, but any other shifter will know he chose you from his scent on you.”
“I wasn’t worried about Chisholm’s commitment. And I can’t believe he did that without asking me.” But of course she could. She was also pretty sure she remembered the certain erotic situation when it happened. The love bite he’d given her had been less about pain and more about explosive pleasure, but it had also never healed. A patch of skin the size of her fist still lingered over her clavicle with marks that bore a similarity to a circle of freckles. But freckles wouldn’t tingle every time she thought about Chisholm. And she doubted he did it to mark his ownership.
“Does the mark have any other purpose?”
“Very quick of you.” Wharton ran a hand down the back of his neck and avoided her gaze. “For the human in a mated pair, the act begins a process of longevity. We don’t exist within the human confines of biology. Shifters heal faster and have resistance to some diseases, though rare infections are problematic. We tend to live a long time.”
“I know he’s older.” Blinking rapidly, as if that would clarify the newest bit of unbelievable magic, she restated the obvious. “So, I’ll live longer?”
“And a few other nice side benefits. You won’t shift or anything.” He seemed to chew the inside of his cheek, deliberating. “Not something you should have heard from me. But I suspect Chisholm hoped to slow down your aging and buy you more time. That’s more time to be together if you chose him. And while you’d eventually continue on your previous timeline without continued contact, you’d gain a few bonus years.”
It was hard to argue with more time together. Not telling her went against the grain, but they hadn’t had much time for social niceties. Chisholm was still the man she knew and trusted. His reaction fit with the beast determined to seduce her. The man bound to keep his family together. The man who’d insisted she have more choices—and now more time.
She’d settle for the fact he’d probably worried over her reaction. Not that he would have regretted his action. Chisholm didn’t do regret—he was all about instinct. He wanted her, he’d claimed her, clear and simple. He loved, he held tight, he cherished. If everything about that didn’t make her want him more, then he wouldn’t belong to her as well.
Wharton said nothing during her deliberation, his questioning gaze silently offering her a final chance to renege.
“Anything else I should know?”
His mouth twitched, but he didn’t give in to a smile. “You might want to keep downwind of our alpha until you’ve made it clear Chisholm is yours by your choice. We have a strict rule. Female partners make the mating decisions. No marking or mating without clear consent.”
“If Deacon’s omniscient, he’d already know.”
A laugh broke the tension. “It’s about scent, not paranormal powers. Yours. Chisholm’s. The combination.” His expression sobered. “The blood in the barn would have distracted Deacon. It distracted all of us. I’ve suspected Chisholm claimed you from his actions since that night, but until now I haven’t been close enough to you to tell for sure.”
He held out his hand and gestured for her keys. “It’s better if I drive the first time. Entry into the Black Haven Stronghold is a bit unexpected. Some people find it unnerving.”
Frowning, she handed them to him. As she walked around the truck, she discretely bent her nose to her shoulder and sniffed.
“It’s a scent, Dani. Not a bad smell. Think aromatic, not stench.” His laugh percolated again as he shifted into drive and pulled back onto the road, but she was growing too nervous to banter with him. Instead, she clung to practicalities. “Are there any teaching opportunities here?”
“With the young ones?” He glanced her way as they approached a sharp curve in the road. “You might want to close your eyes.”
“Afraid I’ll give away the secret entrance.”
“No.” He shook his head as he abruptly turned the wheel where there was no road—only a steep drop.
“Oh, my—” Then snow and rock and—in a dizzying spin, the road returned before them. Still gasping for breath, Dani turned around. The road back was visible. However, she’d seen the dead drop. She’d been staring at it from the pickup for the last twenty minutes. “That’s impossible.”
“Possible and done.” He smiled, not bothering to turn her way. “Now do you understand why I wasn’t going to let you drive the rest of the way?”
“I don’t think I could have done that.” She leaned her head against the rear window and stared at the cab’s ceiling. “I’m not sure I could drive it even knowing.”
“It’s a nice deterrent to intruders. Only shifters,” he gave her a quick look, “and mates can pass through the barrier. Back to your teaching preference.”
Right. Practicalities. “Next time, warn me.”
“Next time, close your eyes when I tell you to.”
She exhaled. It was like dealing with a small child. A fun child, but one gifted with a bit too much mischief. “I’d prefer to interact with the teens. They’re more my kind of challenge.” They were also old enough for her to reason with if she detected problems but young enough to accept help.
He nodded. “The high school is just outside the stronghold perimeter, but we don’t have a teacher from our own community there yet. Our kids could benefit from having someone on staff who understood their challenges.”
An exciting tingle trickled along her skin. Hope, challenge, possibilities—she’d come to recognize the telltale symptoms, embracing them instead of finding a way to hide them.
“Deacon has some pull there. I’m sure he could get you in if you’re interested.”
Dani managed a tight-lipped nod. She appreciated the offer, but the more houses they passed, the closer she knew they were getting to town. Wound too tight, her nerves didn’t allow her to focus on future options even if her imagination generated excited hopes at the thought. The farther they drove down the country back road, the louder the pounding staccato pulsed in her head.
Or was that her heart determined to cleave its way from her chest and race down the road toward the man who’d claimed her?
“Do you think we should’ve dressed up? You know, like a dress and heels or something?” Maggie asked.
“I’d look ridiculous in heels and would refuse to pledge to an alpha who insisted on it.” Chisholm tried not to crack a smile as Maggie snorted with laughter. Happiness looked good on her. And while the piece missing from all their lives would help, she’d managed to embrace this move with an enthusiasm that swept her brothers along with her. They’d made some friends. Maggie could shift and run without the danger of the wrong person seeing her or, wo
rse, getting shot as a hunter’s trophy.
He shuddered at the thought.
“You okay, Dad?”
“Fine. Do you really think I need a tie?”
“I was teasing. In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t seen one man here in a tie yet. Well, except Doc. But he comes to the clinic right from the public hospital.” She fiddled with her phone.
“Turn that off. It’s not one of Deacon’s rules, but he won’t appreciate you texting friends during the ceremony.” For a second, he thought she might fight him on the order. Then she pressed it off and slid it quietly into her pocket.
“What’s with all the rules anyway? I mean, I get keeping shifter information private, but why so much emphasis on mating and women’s rights. Jeez, you’d think he was running for public office, not the big bad wolf in charge.”
Chisholm inhaled and considering his daughter, he sat down on the ceremony platform and patted the spot next to him.
With a raised brow, she glanced at the spot and back to his face. “We do not need to have the sex talk. And everyone will be here in a few minutes.”
“This isn’t about sex. And we have time.”
She shrugged and sat beside him.
“I didn’t come from an alpha-ruled pack.” He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to jump in. Maggie’s tell for trying to rush him along was notoriously easy to spot. “Just hear me out. You asked a question, and I’ve heard rumors of the answer, but it’s not a simple thing.
She shrugged again.
“Before my mother died, she pretty much ruled over the few shifters in our family group. There weren’t many of us and you could travel hundreds of miles without running into another pack.”
He leaned back. “But this country experienced a healthy surge in shifters a while back. Dominance ruled everything. Little by little, the fiercest alphas with the most power gained more ground. In order to keep their positions, they grabbed power in any way they could—with severe restrictions. Deacon has changed much of the old order with his rules.”
