by Jo Larue
“Like what you see?” he asked her with an ear to ear grin.
“Um, sorry?” was all she could get out while blushing forty shades of red. “Please come in. I was making us something to eat. I hope you’re hungry, because I’m starving. Made enough for both of us.”
“Actually, I am hungry and yes, I would love to join you,” he replied, but Chance totally heard a completely different meaning in his words. They said, “hungry for her,” and she blushed again.
“I made tuna salad. I don’t know if you even like the stuff, but I was thinking light and easy”
“I’m not a picky eater and I’ve yet to turn any kind of food away,” he said following her into the kitchen.
Chance smiled at him while handing him his drink and their hands touched for a brief second. Gasping, Chance felt sparks leap between their hands. It traveled all the way from her fingers to her core and it made her instantly wet with desire. Confused and blushing again, she used the food as an excuse to turn away and gather her wits. What the hell was that? Get a grip, Chance! You don’t even know the man and you’re ready to jump his bones? Pulling herself under control, Chance turned back with the plates. She led Sylas over to the kitchen table and set them down.
Sylas asked her what he could do to help and she pointed him to the silverware and napkins. She sat down when he finished and joined her.
“You look beautiful today, Chance. But, you don’t look like you’re planning on riding a bike today. Change your mind about going?”
“No, actually I hope you don’t mind, but I thought maybe we could go in my Jeep. You can drive if you want.”
“I’d love to and don’t mind at all. Did your meeting go well?”
“Yes, it went really well actually. I can’t wait for my plans to be finished,” she replied smiling at him.
“Care to tell me about it? I’d really like to get to know you better, Chance. It seems Jack and I did most of the talking the other night and I know less about you, than you know about me.” Sylas returned her smile and his posture exuded genuine interest.
Chance relaxed. Sylas didn’t feel like a threat to her and it felt right somehow that he was here with her. For the first time in her life she felt like she could share her interests with another person other than Gus, and feel no fear of reprisal. They spent the next hour eating, with Sylas listening as Chance told him about the property and her plans for it. She kept some parts of the plans secret, feeling the need to keep some of it private, by generalizing a lot. She didn’t want a friendship centered on her newfound wealth. She needed to know that his interest was real and not materialistic. Sylas chimed in at all the right moments, added his own thoughts and she began to feel a bond of friendship growing.
They cleaned up their lunch and Chance handed him the keys to her Jeep. As they rode, Chance contemplated this enigma called Sylas. The friendship exuded possibilities of much more if she wanted it. The problem was if she was ready for more and all that it implied. More meant complete trust in someone else. It meant trusting someone else with her heart, the same heart with years of walls built around it. Trusting someone that much would take a lot of time. She didn’t think anyone with any sense about them would stick around long enough for her to heal her soul. Besides, did she really want them to?
Chapter 9
Sylas decided he would have to look into getting a Jeep after the first couple of miles. With the top off and the doors removed it was almost as freeing as riding on his Harley. Keyword… almost. Chance was sitting in the passenger seat being uncomfortably quiet. It concerned him that maybe too many boundaries were pushed, but was pretty sure he hadn’t done anything wrong. He kept glancing her way, wondering what kept her so troubled. While stealing those quick glances, her facial expressions changed from a worried frown to a smile. He quietly sighed and relaxed.
Wanting to bring an end to the silence he asked, “You’re awfully quiet, Chance. We don’t have to go to Jack’s if you don’t want. There are other places we can be, but only if you wish it.”
“No, I really do want to go but thank you, Sylas. I was just thinking about the property again. Rick told me I’ll need to do some shopping for the house, and I’m not sure I’m qualified to make the right decisions. I think I’m going to need help with it all.” She laughed as she turned to him with an unspoken question in her eyes.
“Well now, are you asking me for help?” He asked, returning her smile.
“Why yes, Sylas, I think I am.” Chance turned on her best Scarlett O’Hara southern drawl and he busted out laughing.
“You do that drawl justice, Miss Scarlett,” he returned in his best Rhett Butler.
“Oh, Fiddle dee dee, Rhett, you scoundrel!” and that did it. Sylas almost lost control of the Jeep, laughing with her.
Sylas sobered when he realized they were at the entrance to Jack’s lake house. “Last chance to change your mind, Miss Scarlett. We’ve arrived at the ball.”
“I do declare, Rhett Butler, you are a gentleman. I do love a party!” and with that he pulled in and parked. Sylas gave Chance his arm as they followed the sound of voices mixed with laughter. Jack noticed them when they turned the corner into the backyard, and waved them over. He handed them both an ice-cold beer after giving Chance a quick hug and fist-bumping him.
“Glad to see you made it. Was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“I think I kept Mr. Butler too long talking about my property. Sorry, Jack,” Chance replied, blushing a little.
Jack looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Sylas could only shrug and smile. Jack turned to Chance and asked, “You’ll have to join me and tell me all about it. Sounds interesting.”
They spent the next few hours rehashing to Jack everything they talked about at her house. He asked her where the property was. Sylas knew it was north, but never thought to get specifics. When she told them it butted up against Cohutta National Forest and northeast of Ellijay, they both stiffened a little. “Well now, that’s quite a drive from here. You sure that’s where the property is, Chance?” Jack asked.
She smiled at him with enthusiasm and nodded. Her excitement was palpable. Theirs… not so much. They knew what she didn’t. The property would be just a few short miles from the pack’s base, and as Sylas feared, right in the middle of their territory. Things just went from bad to worse. Sylas wasn’t going to let anything happen. She might be human, but he still felt a mate calling to him. He wasn’t going to lose her, not to anyone, much less to that damned rogue wolf.
While Chance talked more about her plans with Jack, he used the time to study her face. Sylas wanted to reach over and let down her tresses. He had yet to see it loose and knew it must reach almost to her knees. It compelled him to get lost in it and her. Sink his hands in and pull it while he was buried deep within her. He wasn’t sure if he said something out loud or if she sensed his thoughts, because right when he thought about it, she reached up and pulled her hairpin loose.
Time slowed as her locks cascaded slowly over her shoulders and down her back. Thick jet-black waves of silken pleasure caressed her skin as it fell. Sylas let out a small groan as he watched it finally touch the ground from where she was sitting. In that single moment, he was lost as never before.
“Excuse me, Sylas, did you say something?” She asked, bringing him out of the fantasy. Jack tried to stifle a laugh, but it didn’t work. His immortal ears heard his distinct groan. Sylas chuckled along with him; embarrassed he’d been caught.
“No Dear, I was admiring the view. It’s quite spectacular, don’t you think so, Jack?” Sylas’ double meaning was not lost on him.
“Yes, and the sunsets here are the greatest,” Jack said laughing some more.
Chance turned to watch some fluffy white clouds pass in front of the sun, totally oblivious to what they were implying. They took advantage of her distraction to get up for more beer.
“Brother, you seriously got it bad for this woman. I can’t remember you ever looki
ng at a female this way. You’re thinking she’s the one, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but even if she isn’t, I’m not letting her get away. She does something to me, Jack, that I can’t explain.”
“It’s called soul attraction, Sy. Your eyes never leave her. Even now, you’re watching her. I was the same with Becky, bro. It was like she was the air and I couldn’t breathe without her. You may not be aware of it, but she watches you too.”
“I can’t rush this, Jack. Inside that beautiful, but tough exterior is a lot of pain. I can see it in her eyes and taste it in the air when I’m near her. I’m afraid if I do, I’ll break us both.” Sylas said to him with sadness in his eyes. “First we have to make sure she’s safe, so I have time to let her trust me. We only have eight weeks to get all of this in play, or better yet, over with for her protection and my sanity.”
“I’m two steps ahead of you, Sy. Since the fight at the bar, I knew something bad might happen. That Alpha will not take his beat down quietly. I’ve already called my den mates and some bears we can trust in the area. They’re waiting on the when and where. I also found out there’s been a wolf council meeting called. There is rumbling about this pack, that it should be disbanded and eliminated. They are calling them a danger to all humans and immortals. Maybe it’s time you called on Lachesis for guidance, Sylas. If the council meets and places a bounty, it will bring in were-hunters and we don’t need this now. It will make it dangerous for all of us and her.” He made his point by jerking his chin in Chance’s direction.
“I’ll call my mother for a meeting, but I need another favor first. Find out when this wolf council has been planned for and where. I may need to be there. If I can calm them down enough, I should be able to avert this catastrophe from happening.”
Suddenly, there was a bright light and a shimmering Lachesis was standing before them. “I have heard your plea, my Son. You cannot interfere with the council. You are The Enforcer, not a common mediator. This has to play out for the outcome to be as foreseen.” She must have been listening to his thoughts, because as his next question was forming, she spoke again. “I cannot tell you what you want to know. Only we know the outcome. You will have your mate when the time is chosen,” and with that said, she faded away saying, “The humans cannot see me and yes, Jack, you will love another.”
Sylas and Jack stood in stunned silence. Neither of them able to form words to the thoughts that were running through their minds.
“Well, that was a complete mind blow!” Jack sputtered shaking his head. “Was that who I think it was?”
“Yes, you’ve just seen and heard Lachesis, my mother. Consider yourself fortunate that she deigned to show herself to you, much less speak,” Sylas said while trying to push his irritation and anger aside. Why was it when he thought he had one problem cleared, two more rose up to take its place?
“I’m in awe of you, Sylas, my friend. You have a beautiful woman at your side and a gorgeous mother. I think it’s time to let loose a little and party some more, don’t you?”
“You’ve no idea, Jack,” was all he was able to get out as he looked at Chance, lost in her beauty once again.
Chapter 10
“We’ve got a name on the female and it’s believed she is not local to the west side.” Trey cautiously told his Alpha. “She goes by Chance, but we were unable to get more of her name. They are clueless if it is a first, last, or nickname. She’s a hustler from the east side of town, but doesn’t show herself often enough to pin her to one area or bar.”
Trey watched Craven for any sign of recognition to his news. The Alpha was currently sitting at their dining table eating along with several others of the pack. Trey took an empty seat across from him and filled his plate. He’d been out searching for the last forty eight hours with no break and he was starving.
Craven picked up a beer and took a long pull from it. When he finished he slammed it down on the table, getting everyone’s attention. “So, you’re fucking telling me that in two days of everyone out looking, all you can tell me is a name? Not good enough!”
Trey watched as most of the pack flinched. They’d all been out searching. Craven was pushing their limits, and he could see the Alpha was losing more of his sanity as time went on. “How many women could have that name? Someone please tell me?” Craven glowered as he scanned the table, waiting on an answer. At least this one Trey could answer.
“Considering we have no idea if it is first or last, or a nickname, there are about forty two people in the area with the last name Chance. About half of those are women. Didn’t come up with any that matched it as a first name. The odds against us increase if she is not using her first name, but the letter C.” Trey looked down at his plate as if he could hide under it.
“That’s why you’re my Beta, Trey. At least you came in with something, not like these dogs sitting with us. I want a wolf in every biker bar and pool hall on the east side, starting tomorrow. Get me contacts at the ones not covered; bribe them if you must. She has to go out again at some point and when she does, I want to know immediately!” Craven made his point by slamming his fist into the table.
Trey watched Craven carefully as he shouted orders. While out searching for the woman, he was hatched his own plan to take over the pack. He’d put the word out to certain wolves that the Alpha was a danger. Draw the attention of the council and let them take down Craven. It kept his hands clean, and he could pull the pack together after he was eliminated. He knew the others, with the exception of a few, would not fight him for Alpha. Most of them were on his side these days.
* * * *
Craven sent his pack out to spread the word on the latest news. He wanted them to concentrate their efforts now to one area. He heard from the tracker and it would be two more weeks before he could join the hunt. His only focus now was finding the bitch and making her pay.
Craven knew there was a traitor in his pack. He didn’t know who it was but when he found out, they would be eliminated in front of the entire pack of wolves. It was the only way to show them who was Alpha. He heard from a friend that someone was spreading word his pack was dangerous. It was apparently coming from an insider. This would put the council on his back and right now he didn’t need the attention. Were hunters would not take kindly to his agenda. If they found out about the human, they would try to take him out before exacting his revenge, and that would not do.
Eyeing his Beta carefully as he ate, Craven watched for any sign of nervousness. He saw the usual hatred, but not anything that would signal more watching than normal. He knew Trey wanted Alpha. He was no fool, but like the rest of his pack, Trey would learn it was not happening. He needed to make sure they all understood, and taking out the traitor would be a lesson they would not soon forget.
The plans for the woman were another matter completely. He was going to bring her here and remind her every second what she did wrong. No one made a fool of him. He would kill her slowly. Craven wanted to strip her naked, use her, and then considered letting the pack have some when he was finished abusing her body. Because he was a master with a whip, he could lash someone and take only one layer of skin at a time. He got hard just thinking about it.
Craven set up a cage for her in the basement of the cabin. It came complete with chains and manacles to spread her wide and keep her helpless. He knew he was a sadistic bastard, but it only made him smile. His evil side was what made him Alpha. He lived and breathed bringing others pain as it brought him pleasure. Satan had nothing on him and his pack was completely in the dark about it. They would find out soon enough and that made him smile more.
* * * *
Trey knew he was being watched, so he exuded the only thing Craven understood and that was anger. He finished his meal and left the room with his plate. It was only when he was out of eyesight that he relaxed. The Alpha was crazed with his agenda against this woman. The sooner he found her, the sooner he could take out Craven.
The years of obeying orders were tak
ing a toll and he was ready to start giving them. I am an Alpha, not a Beta!
Maybe he could move the pack to safer territories, north towards Montana. There was plenty of room up there for a pack of rogues. Thoughts filled his mind of making arrangements with other packs for unmated females. This time he wanted a real pack… a real family. Trey was a born shifter. His Alpha parents died in defense of their pack and left Trey alone. The new Alpha threatened to kill him, but an Aunt secreted him away. She left him with an orphanage at five years old, spending another three years there.
Trey left the compound to begin another round of finding this human female. Time was running out. He lied telling Craven there were no people with the first name of Chance. He’d found four. He was on his way to check out the first one on the list and he hoped to get lucky on the first try.
Driving and pulling up the address on his GPS, Trey followed the directions. He found a nice quiet neighborhood at his destination. There was a foreclosure home diagonally across the street from the target address. He went around back and broke a window to get inside. There was a couch left behind and Trey pulled it to the front window. He sat down and began his wait.
