Seducing Beauty

by Skhye Moncrief

  "Do you honestly believe I'm going to leave you out here in the middle of nowhere with one hand? Because, dearest uncle, I believe you're suffering from a head injury too. Or your brain was in the hand you lost!"

  He twisted toward her, planting both boots on the floorboards, scooting to the edge of the bed to face her squarely. "You can't stay here, Raven. I can't protect you anymore." He thrust his stump at her. "I've only got one hand. I can't even wipe my ass comfortably."

  She canted a few inches toward him. "I know you've got a head injury because you can't count!" She thrust her hands at him. "You've got three hands. That's why I'm staying."

  Oh, he'll never win that argument.

  "What kind of life will that be? You're young. You're smarter than most Normals. You're even pleasant to be around when you aren't distraught from slinging lead at some cut-rate shootout at the O.K. Corral. You deserve a life too. And I've already lived mine. You shouldn't have to wipe my ass for me."

  Well, maybe the tinker would win. Because I'm going to have to make certain this sweet thing never has to shoot at a stinking Normal again.

  She rubbed her lips together in deep thought and sucked down a knifing breath before dropping her arms to her sides. "When I was ten and they were dragging me down to the auction house to sell me to whoever for whatever and you showed up, I thought the very same thing. That I deserved a life. And you gave me one. I'll be damned if I'm going to desert you when you need me most."

  The tables had turned again. Nurse Helga wins.

  Thomas' mouth opened.

  "Don't you dare say another thing. We're family. And this discussion is over." She stormed toward me.

  Toward the door.

  "I'm in charge here, Raven!"

  She didn't turn to him. "You're delusional. Sleep it off. I'm going to repair the gate."

  The door slammed in her wake, leaving us to the solitude caused by the echo from a female's scorn. Buck shoved off the wall and scratched the back of his shaved head. Stag returned to the fireplace and kept his back to Thomas. Luckily, I wasn't too noticeable in the shadows.

  Thomas heaved backward until the wall stopped him. "See what happens when you teach a woman how to fix everything." He waved broad his hand at the door. "They get wild ideas they can do whatever they want. That they--" his words died as his eyes glazed over.

  "What?" Buck asked.

  Although he's my favorite brother and quite intelligent, he can really be an idiot sometimes.

  Thomas stared at the door, deeply lost in thought for two breaths, then blinked. "Women think they don't need men."

  By his stunned expression, Thomas just realized that she needed him.

  Buck waved at Stag. "Give me a hand."

  They both left, flashing the cabin interior with sunlight before pulling the door shut at their heels.

  Like Thomas' statement declared it time for us to help his niece. I'd be more than happy to once I filled the tinker in on what I plan to do to right his world.

  Thomas just sat there.

  Thinking. He needed some time to himself. To deal with the fact he wasn't going to get his way. He sat there, stewing for some time, shirtless, his chest rising and falling, his brown boots crossed where he'd propped them back up on the low stool. A tired maimed old man who looked like he could take on the world but lost too much blood to stand up and kick tail. Poor guy. Surely knowing that sending her away only meant he couldn't protect her from what's out there. And it was eating him alive.

  But he had some time to think. And I needed to explain my plan to help him out. I carried a chair over to his pallet and descended onto the creaking wood.

  He snapped out of his daze to study me. "It's Colt, right?"

  I nodded. "I have an idea. My sire has too many Shifters underfoot at home."

  Thomas's eyes squared.

  Thoughtfully. Good. "So, I'm going to send Buck to ask my sire for a few extra Shifters to help out here until you feel comfortable working things on your own." A good pact for both parties given we could prove to Thomas he wasn't being used by us. And he'd make a good ally with all his machinery and devices. Besides, he knows Buck.

  "Do any of these men, by any chance, need a mate?" he asked.

  Mine, Wolf began scratching at the underside of my ribs.

  And he'd called us men instead of animals. "A few."

  Thomas' gaze stared through me.

  Lost in planning. Scheming again about how he'd protect Raven.

  He nodded, joining me once again. "That sounds like a plan."

  "Good. I'll send the messenger to my sire. You stay here. Rest. I'll help clean up."

  "You all would be wise to stay clear of Raven's path. She's angry right now. And I learned a long time ago not to interfere with her when she's working."

  Well, I can't have her injuring herself because I wasn't there to help. But I nodded and left him smiling where he sat. Although, he would have cringed if he'd walked into the catastrophe unfolding outside.

  Buck was all over Raven. He wouldn't shut up. Wouldn't leave her alone. They fought over the handle of a heavy cart loaded with a gas tank and a welding torch.

  "Go away, Buck."

  "Things will go faster if you let me pull this for you."

  She didn't cower from a Shifter like a sane person would. And her twisted sneer only reddened. "I don't need a man to pull the cart. I've done this for years. Alone. Go away." She snarled the last two words so loudly that certainly Thomas could hear inside the cabin.

  The fool only upset her more.

  She spotted me, firmly attached to the handle, scanning me up and down.

  With the widening eyes of someone just seeing something for the first time. Something appealing by the admiration dancing in those blue gems she had for eyes. Even her grimace smoothed into an astonished expression of slightly-parted lips that could have uttered a breathy awe or two.

  Mine, Wolf stirred low in my groin, growling.

  Forcing me to choke down the sound or risk ticking her off even more.

  Buck turned a bitter gaze my direction.

  She didn't notice. Rather, couldn't see his face the way she stared at mine. But my brother's disgust sent my gut twisting to the point of retching. Buck wants her.

  Mine, Wolf whined.

  No. Buck's. Shit. How in the Gods-be-damned hell had he not told me about this? So, I'd only been out in The Wild since spring. Not to mention, a Shifter finding a mate is pretty damned important. And why is my Wolf champing at the bit for Buck's chosen female?

  Now, he's pissing her off with every breath he takes. Maybe sending him away will help her calm down. Help him get his damned mate. Talk about the things you do for a brother. I donned my alpha face and stared down the two inches I had on him, into the golden glow of his Wolf en eyes. "We need to talk."

  He blinked slowly, yet not forcing his Wolf to back down into the chasm deep inside a Shifter's chest where we keep our beasts.

  So, he's annoyed with me. Well, he'd thank me when I got him out of his mate's hair. Why in the hell doesn't she smell like him? He's a fool for not marking her yet.

  Buck gave up on the staring match and left Raven at the cart.

  Realizing she stood with what she wanted, she sank back into the that I'm-going-to-right-the-world trance of hers and heaved the creaking mass toward the gaping gateway.

  I caught up with Buck who stood a good inch taller. Probably because he wanted her to see him as equal to me after she'd eyed me over like a tasty morsel.

  Mine, Wolf whimpered.

  Shut up, mutt. Your brother's territory. Read the danger sign and weep. Buck needed to understand I know my place. That I've got his back.

  Buck reeled on a heel and faced me with a challenging tick to his jaw.

  Hell. I'd keep it simple and task-oriented. Hopefully, he'd spare me the tirade. "Thomas and I discussed things."

  "Oh yeah?" His face twisted with malice.

  Not the answer I wanted. "I need you t
o don your Wolfskin and find our sire."

  "Why me?" he practically sneered like when he was eight years old. "Why don't you go?"

  "Look, Buck. This is your territory. Nobody doubts that. But you're irritating her as much as the old tinker. She needs to be left to work through what's happened here. She can do that while you're gone."

  The tension in Buck's features eased back toward the happy-go-lucky person I had always preferred being snowed in with for months--far from everything else out in The Wild. Even his eyes flicked back to the green eyes he was born with.

  "I call the Guardian shots though," I clarified. "You get your tail up to Apple Top and find Vermin. He needs to send me two more Shifters. And don't let him send teens. I want men. Cousins. Brother-in-laws. Anyone capable of holding tight at our outpost if left alone. Explain that, or you'll be spending the winter with whoever he sends while I camp out down here in this cozy compound."

  His gaze darted to Raven and back to meet mine.

  "Go on. I'll send Stag back to our outpost to tend to things." I turned to head off to find Stag.

  "What did Thomas say after I left?" Buck called.

  Why is Buck's neediness so surprising at the moment? I snaked my arms across my bare chest and tried to sound mature. Rational. Or I'd never get Buck on the trail. I stared his large questioning form down. "He's frustrated. He wants what's best for his niece. And as she said, they're family. I could tell by his posture that's what's on his mind."

  Buck's gaze wandered back to Raven.

  All I could hear was the soft clanks from her jacking with metallic objects over my shoulder. Hell, if I had my heart set on her, I'd be as contrary as Buck when facing my alpha. "You're wasting time. And she doesn't have time for anybody right now."

  He nodded slightly and patted my shoulder. "Look after things."

  I could have grabbed him for being my best friend and trusting me. I could have squeezed the air out of his lungs from frustration. Wanted to scream because he got the girl. But I smiled and just sank deeper into this pit of resignation I keep digging deeper and deeper with each stupid thought--that I'd have to stand down and let Buck have her.

  No, Wolf whimpered.

  But people aren't animals. I won't let my Wolf get the best of me. Especially with my favorite brother. I watched Buck veer toward Raven who stood with her back to us.

  She had the prettiest backside. Long slim legs. Just enough curve to her hips to show she wasn't male. A high and obviously tight squared little bottom that begged for squeezing. In all my days, I'd never found a woman that made my Wolf howl and snap at first glance.

  Buck reached the gate, shot me a glance with a grim straight-lipped smile, and cut right, disappearing through the gateway.

  I'd done it. I'd sent him away.

  And deep down in that Gods-be-damned pit, I know Wolf talked me into it. I'm the shittiest brother alive. I don't deserve to serve the clan for being so self-serving. And I'm going to make it up to Buck. I'm going to leave her alone.

  Do you hear that, Wolf? No female.

  Shit. I strode up behind her and stopped two steps shy of that incredible tail sporting one long black braid that a man could grab to secure his little filly...

  Gods. What a joke that I'd come along too late. What happened to useful irony? There's nothing useful in this situation that could teach valuable lessons to children in the future. Not a damned thing. But I'm not a fucking beast. "Ma'am?"

  Her elbows paused jutting out from her sides.

  Oh. Gods. Did I call her ma'am? She's surely ten years younger than I am.

  She straightened her spine.

  Here it comes. Another attack. I could use a swift kick in the teeth after sending Buck away.

  She slowly turned.

  Revealing her small pointed nose, two curved lips that begged for a whole lot of sucking, those big blue eyes. All laced with long black lashes. The kind of eyes a man could crawl into and wrap himself around.

  "My name is Raven. I'd rather not be called ma'am." She studied me dead on, facing me.

  The way she'd done before. Chin tilted up with her lips barely parted. If I dared, I'd pull Wolf into my ears and listen to her heart. See if it thrashed. Hear her blood racing through her veins. Count the breaths she took while she gazed at me. Oh, shit. I'm doing it again. "Raven." I nodded. "Buck has gone for reinforcements. I'm going to find Stag." I tore my gaze from hers and scanned the barn, the tattered roof on the ruins of the old brick home from before the alien invasion that the tinker had turned into his moonshine still, the lush garden consuming the grounds between the still and the main house before creeping off to swallow two utility buildings.

  Swallow. Now that's a thought with the way my groin ached like there wasn't a hair of room left in the Gods-be-damned crotch of my pants. It's best to think of something else. Like the plan. "I'm sending Stag back to our outpost. But afterward, I can help you if you need my assistance." Assistance. Yes. I could use some of my own. I chanced looking back at her attentive stance.

  Rather, waiting. She seemed to be waiting.

  Some mysterious expression danced across her face.

  A breeze kicked up and dislodged a long black strand of hair across her face from where it was curled behind her ear.

  She nodded as if the obvious tickle awakened her from some spell she'd been under, swiped the hair behind her ear with a brush of long slender fingers, and turned back to her cart.

  Hiding those delicate fingers from my view. Fingers she could use to…

  Play, Wolf whined and started bouncing.

  All my blood rocketed to my groin.

  Wolf and his one-track mind. Hell, I'd better stay busy.

  ABOUT SKHYE

  Skhye resides in Texas where her husband, child, and cats keep her extremely busy. She holds a B.S. in geology and gave up working on her thesis in bio-archaeology when bitten by the writing bug--a creature wielding a truly wicked contagion. She's crazy about rocks, natural processes, and cultural history aside from her obsession with kilts and underdogs. She's been a member of RWA from 1993-2012 but has written stories since her childhood. Dealing with chronic health problems, she especially enjoys pushing the envelope with myth and/or cultural taboos. That's not to say she is into doing so literally. Psst…She prefers investigating issues most people find taboo and ritually polluting even to ponder. Think along the lines of what defines humanity, man verses woman, or anything else that is culturally relative is her cup o' tea!

  Please make that green tea with Stevia…

  And, no, she doesn't want to know what you see in the tea leaves!

  Visit Skhye at www.skhyemoncrief.com

  SKHYE'S OTHER WORKS

  TIME GUARDIANS Series (***previously-published Celtic Fantasy Romance)

  #1 SACRIFICIAL HEARTS

  #2 SWORDSONG

  #3 HE OF THE FIERY SWORD

  #4 NAKED ON THE STAIRCASE (coming soon)

  #5 FORBIDDEN ETERNITY (coming soon)

  #6 THE SPELL OF THE KILLING MOON (coming soon)

  #7 HEAVENLY HIGHLANDS (coming soon)

  FERAL SERIES (erotic futuristic/paranormal romance)

  #1 FERAL FASCINATIONS

  #2 FERAL FLAW

  #3 FERAL FEVER

  #3.5 FERAL FORCE (free read)

  #4 FERAL FALLOUT

  #5 FERAL FORETASTE

  #6 FERAL FUSION (coming soon)

  WERESCAPE SERIES (post-apocalyptic shifter romance on the hot side!)

  #1 COUGAR

  #2 RESURRECTING THE BEAST

  #3 BEAUTY AND THE BRUTE

  #4 LOVING LUCIUS

  #5 SEDUCING BEAUTY

  #6 BIG BAD BEAST

  #7 BLACKBERRY WINE

  SONG OF THE MUSES Series

  (***previously-published Greek muse romance)

  Book #1 ANCIENT MUSINGS (coming soon in e-format)

  Table of Contents

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  Skhye Moncrief, Seducing Beauty