‘Whoa, where did that come from?’ She slightly shakes her head to come back and find him looking right at her with piercing pine-green eyes. They seem to see right into her soul and her wolf starts pacing, whining uncontrollably.
‘That’s him, that’s him. He’s meant for us. Ours!!!’ Her wolf howls but she manages to keep it held in, only letting a slight grunt slip past her lips that no one will hear. She thinks she sees him wink at her, but maybe that is her imagination playing with her.
As she sees them head her way, the front door to the bar opens and suddenly Siofra gets a whiff of what smells like pine trees after a rain. It makes her want to roll around in it, and makes her eyes roll back in anticipation.
“Mmm, what smells so good?” she says out loud, not hiding the ravenous lick of her lips.
CHAPTER THREE:
Conall
One year later.
“You’re finally gonna ask Fry on a date right, Con?” Prods Conall’s older brother, Jason Johnson. Both Conall and Jason work at Smithe Auto with the owners’ son, Jace. Jason has been married for 7 years to his wife, Cassie, and have twin 5 year-old sons. The two other guys have been trying to get Conall to ask Siofra out for the last year, ever since she set foot in Broadus.
“Yeah, yeah. Tonight at the fire, before the shift. I’ll ask her to go to dinner, just the two of us. Ma’s already said she’d babysit Roan no matter when.” Conall slides out from underneath the Chevy pickup he’s been fixing the exhaust on all week, today being Sunday, and sits up with his back against the bumper, wiping his hands on a rag.
He’s tried to hide the growing feelings he’s had for the somewhat shy she-wolf, but to his brothers and friends, they are blatantly obvious. He doesn’t deny them to himself, his wolf reminding him every time she is near and every time her scent turns up someplace she has been. Their fleeting moments in passing lift his heart and make his pulse race.
“Good, cuz if you don’t ask her out, I will!” Jokes Jace, throwing his hat at Conall. “She’s too pretty and too good a wolf to let run around free, and she deserves someone good.” He smirks and walks over to pick up his discarded Jack Daniels hat. “Now give up on that ol’boy. It’s noon and Sunday. Let’s go get some grub at the bar.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jason walks over to the sink and starts scrubbing his hands and forearms free of a day’s worth of grime. Conall gets to his feet, wiping his forehead and saunters over to share the sink with his brother. Elbowing Conall in the side Jason states, “And you can stare at your girlfriend all the way through the afternoon, while she’s working!”
“Oh haha, Jason,” cupping his hands to catch some water, he tosses his hands towards his older brother and the water hits him straight in the face, splashing down his chest and onto the front of his blue jeans. Holding both of his arms up like signaling a field goal, Conall sports a triumphant smile on his face.
“Oh you’re never gonna grow up are you, Connie?” Jason mumbles as he tries to wipe the wetness away from his pants. “Now it’s gonna look like I pissed myself!?!”
“Not like we haven’t seen it really happen, bubba,” Jace laughs. They’ve been friends since high school and have been drunk together way too many times to count; yes, even piss drunk.
“Come on, Connie,” he urges them all towards the door still shoving and fake boxing, “I’m hungry as a wolf! Owwwwwwww.” They all howl in chorus as they walk out onto the sidewalk, leaving the garage behind them locked up till tomorrow.
They saunter through the late fall chill a block north to the Johnson Brewery and Grille, town social spot and owned by Jason and Conall’s mother and father, Clyde and Susan Johnson, who also happen to be the Alpha couple of the local Big Sky Pack. It’s Sunday afternoon and everyone comes to the bar after church and chores for the brunch buffet.
Conall walks in behind his two companions to the warmth of the place where he bartends a couple nights a week, and, on occasion, plays in Jace’s band, The Rogues. He smells Siofra before he sees her, her scent so familiar to him. It’s cinnamon and fall leaves all mixed together in a tantalizing package. His favorite time of year is fall, making her scent comforting and inviting.
The anticipation to see her short curvy frame makes his wolf pace. Her medium length light brown hair, which he knows will either be in a ponytail or a twist secured by a clip, bright blue eyes, pale - beautiful when she blushes-skin, are all welcome sights to him, and he smiles inwardly. The three of them walk to their right to sit in a booth next to the jukebox when Siofra comes out of the game room carrying a drink tray littered with empty bottles and glasses.
“Hey boys, I’ll be right over!” She yells over to them, winking. It makes Conall’s heart jump when she does that. He watches her place the bottles in their barrel and glasses on the kitchen window to be thrown in the dishwasher by the cook, then he turns away slightly when she starts to make her way over to them with that sexy-as-hell smile on her face.
She elbows Jace in the back as she passes behind him at the jukebox. ‘Cocky little minx,’ Conall growls to himself, trying to fight off the wave of desire that runs through him straight to his groin and he shifts in his seat; his brother giving him a cocked eyebrow look.
“Hey Connie, were you working at the shop this morning? Thought you’d be in here for prep,” she asks, sliding into the side opposite of him and sitting next to Jason. She elbows him in the ribs playfully as well. Jason fake winces and holds his side with a little laugh.
“Yeah, I wanna fix Chippy’s exhaust before he gets another warning from the sheriff,” he adds, trying his hardest not to stare at her or let the massive growl his wolf is trying to emit out so people can hear it. He coughs into his hand, trying to mask the lust driven sound.
“Oh yeah, it’ll be nice not having to rock Roan back to sleep at nine o’clock when Chippy goes roaring past our house every night.” She sighs and Conall has to use all of his self-control to not reach out and stroke her cheek with his palm as a calming gesture. His wolf whines in need and he tries to mask it with another cough, but, again, his brother’s cocked eyebrow lets him know he’s kind of failed.
“What can I get you fellas? The usual?” Siofra perks up, giving Jason a wink.
“Yeah hun, usual is great right, fellas?” Jace intervenes giving her his million-watt smile. She looks around the table and they all smile. She stops at Conall, nodding, her eyes locking onto his for only a second but he swears she’s searching them for something.
“Anything else for ya before I go check on the buffet?” She smiles at him and it seems as if her eyes are a shade bluer, sparkling almost.
“Yeah, you’re going to the fire tonight right, Fry?” Conall asks and he can feel the redness trying to creep up his neck. His brother gives him a sly smile and Jace plops down on the bench next to him.
“Yup, I’m leaving Roan with Cassie tonight so I can have a few beers with y’all before you shift. I might even get the notion to go into the woods for a little, see if I still have my hunting skills like I used too.” With her small five foot one frame she sticks her hands on her hips and you can’t help but call her cute. She winks at them and spins around heading back to the bar to get their drinks and to the kitchen to place their orders.
Conall unashamedly stares at her perfectly plump ass as her hips sway back and forth in her walk. ‘Mine!’ his wolf growls and this time he doesn’t have time to keep it in, the rumble and vibration of it slipping over his lips.
“Didn’t think you’d have the guts man, but right outta the gate, wasting no time? Good for you man!” Jace slaps him on the back and heads over to some of the other patrons to mingle while waiting for their food.
“Yea, bro. Kinda happy myself that Cassie is stepping up and excepting Fry. She loves little Roan like he is family. Tim and Tom will have him getting into trouble in no time.” Jason chuckles thinking of his 5 year-old twin sons. Conall is glad his sister-in-law is helping Siofra out; she tends not to ask when she needs help o
r needs a little time to herself.
Now his problem is just thinking of how to ask Siofra on a date without sounding absolutely desperate. ‘We are meant to be together, we are true mates,’ doesn’t seem like a good option; she might turn and run. “Ugh, love!” he thinks to himself, groaning inwardly.
‘Yes, but she is ours! We belong with her,’ his wolf states.
“Yea, yea, I know, I’m doing my best.” he thinks. ‘Well it’s about God damn time’, his wolf retorts.
“Shut the hell up!” He sneers to himself silently as he takes a swig of his beer.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Siofra
“Are you happy you’re going to stay with Miss Cassie, Roan?” Siofra says to her 9 month old as she buckles him into the car seat situated in the backseat of her newly purchased Jeep Cherokee 4x4. It is technically a baby gift from her father because the Chevelle is not practical for a family, especially in the snow.
“Eeeeeee,” he screeches in reply. “Mamamamama.” She shuts the back door and climbs in the driver’s side. “Vroom vroom, eeeee,” he gurgles, slapping his hands together.
“Yes, vroom vroom, Roan,” she chuckles.
Siofra is amazed at how much he has grown. He has his bottom two teeth; and one on the top is starting to poke through. He can recognize almost everyone, especially Susan Johnson, whom he calls “Zuzu”, his attempt at Susan, it’s too cute when he does it. He crawls and is starting to walk, pulling himself up and stabilizing on objects and can take a few steps before falling either on his butt or knees, always laughing. Dr. Michelle Trapper, whom delivered Roan, says wolf cubs tend to advance quicker than human children and that Roan is on the advanced track and might be completing sentences by the time he is one and a half.
When he was born, Siofra’s brothers all came to visit with their wives. Marcus Jr. stayed the longest, always the over protective one like her father, to make sure she was settled in. Also, in part, to show his pull in the government agency he works for; the F.S.C.C.A: Federal Supernatural Control and Containment Agency, where he is a senior agent, so that this new area knew she’d be watched.
They had all gotten along great with the Big Sky Pack and had no qualms with her staying here, in fact, her brothers love the area. Her father, on the other hand, has not seen his grandson in person. Every time he was supposed to fly out, her wicked step mother would complain of some ailment and make Marcus Sr. stay behind rather than go on alone.
“Trashy bitch,” Siofra mumbles as she thinks about Nancy.
Driving from her rented doublewide back into town on Highway 212, to Cassie and Jason’s house, only takes five minutes with one stop light and two right turns, ending on Haston Street. Putting the Jeep in park, she opens the back door and unbuckles Roan as he squeals in delight the entire time. The front door swings open to interior light streaming out and 5 year old Timmy and his twin Tommie are standing just on the other side of the glass door, pressing their faces and hands to it and steaming it up.
“Mizz Fry!!” They shout as she opens the door balancing Roan on her hip. “Roan, yay!”
They go running back toward the kitchen, shouting and laughing the entire way. Siofra squats down and sits Roan down on the carpet to take off his boots, jacket and hat; the entire time fighting him as he’s squirming to get away and play.
“Evenin’ Fry,” Cassie’s smooth voice comes from in front of Siofra. She looks up to her tall, slender, blonde framed face, which displays a warm, happy smile. “He’s just so excited cuz he’s missed Miss Cassie!”
“Hi Cass, yeah he has,” she sweeps Roan up and hands him off to her without hesitation. He hugs Cassie’s neck and then wiggles to get down. “He’s eaten some dinner but here’s some applesauce and crackers to keep him quiet,” Siofra hands her a plastic shopping bag with the items as Cassie sets Roan on the floor. “Oh and of course there are diapers in there too.”
“Alright, Tim, Tom! Come play with Roan out here! And no little toys!” The twins come roaring out of the back of the house with stuffed animals in their arms and automatically Timmy sits down on the floor and Tommie stands behind Roan and they start acting like dinosaurs. Roan squeals and claps uncontrollably at them.
“Oh my.” Cassie sighs.
“Oh my, is right,” Siofra chuckles and turns towards the door. “I’m dressed okay, right Cass?” She spins so Cassie can get the full look, and she nods her head in approval.
Siofra is sporting tall black boots, flat on the bottom, over blue jeans, just snug enough to show off her “badonkadonk” butt, as she likes to call it, a long sleeve red Henley and her black zip up feather vest. She has a small fleece scarf around her neck and her bangs are pinned in a small pouf; her wet hair twisted and clipped at the back of her head.
“Yea, it’s not too chilly tonight. Plus, Jason said you mentioned maybe going on the hunt?” She inquires following Siofra to the door.
“Maybe, depends on whether I can feel the pull or not.” She leans on the open glass door facing her friend, her back to the driveway. She used to love hunting with her family back home in Buffalo, but ever since having Roan she’s been too tired or occupied to even bother with the full moon celebrations.
“You’ll feel it, hun, just like last time but now you’re gonna act, instead of hiding in the bathroom, right?” She chuckles as Siofra blushes, embarrassed she brought it up. “And girl, I know you’ve been pining after Conall. No better time than the full moon to make your move!!!” She winks as Siofra puts her hand on the glass to hold the door open, and watches her friend depart.
“Oh Cass, jeez!!!” More blushing as she laughs, “see you later tonight!” She waves as she trots back to her Jeep and climbs in. “Call me if he gets cranky!” She starts the Jeep up, and throws it in drive to go around the half circle drive.
“Alright girl, have fun!” Cassie waves and watches her leave the drive, honking all the way down the street. Siofra watches in her rear-view until she turns right, back onto Park Avenue to head toward the Alpha house.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Siofra
Siofra pulls up in front of the Alpha house, on Airport Road, at about 6:15, and puts it in park on the grass, off to the side of the mail box. She can see the glow through the house from the fire in the back yard. Music emanates into the Jeep from the stereo set up out back and she takes a deep breath in, putting her hand on the handle and opening it. She’s nervous because it’s the first time she’s been at a moon gathering alone and she’s gonna stay the entire time this time; until they come back from the hunt.
She’s determined to talk to Conall, to see if he’ll go to dinner with her. She’s worked up the courage a million times, but it always leaves her at the last moment and she shies away from the topic. His pine green eyes have haunted her dreams too many times in the last year, and she needs to quiet her wolf.
‘He belongs with us, you can’t deny it!!!’ her wolf states as she heads up the gravel drive, around the side of the house to the back yard.
All the young wolves, those whom have just come into their abilities around 16-18 years old, are hanging nearest the fire roasting marshmallows, eating burgers, and tossing their empty soda bottles into the flames. They all look up almost on cue as she rounds the corner of the house, “Hey Fry!” “Hey girl!” “Hi-ya Sof!” they all say, with waves and smiles.
“Hey kiddos! Where are the old foggies?” She jokes with a wink. They all chuckle and either nod or point towards the back porch on the other side of the yard. “Thanks guys!”
As she approaches the porch she can hear Susan and Jan Smithe talking animatedly about someone at the bar earlier. Siofra climbs the steps, “Good evening Mrs. Smithe, Susan,” nodding to each respectively.
“Siofra, how are you dear?” Jan stands and hugs her. Jan is a fifty-something, tall, thin, brown-dyed hair woman with amber brown eyes. She reminds Siofra of a Girl Scout leader. “Jace said you might go on the hunt tonight, how exciting!”
“Yeah I might, w
e’ll have to see.” Siofra takes a chair next to Susan around a wooden picnic table. “Are the guys inside?” She peers around Jan to see if she can see inside the glass sliding door into the kitchen.
“No, they’re all in the back shed looking at Clyde’s Harley, seeing if they can fix it before he puts it in storage,” Susan scoffs a little. “I have no idea why that man keeps that thing; we only ride once or twice each summer.”
“Because he wants to feel young dear, that’s why!” Jan and Susan laugh and giggle about their husbands. Siofra can’t help but giggle a little too, thinking her father is the same way.
“I think I’ll go get a drink, they’re inside right, Sue?” Siofra stands and brushes her butt off just in case there was something on the chair. Can’t have anything wrong with her outfit when she’ll be seeing Conall. Sue nods while still chuckling and Siofra leaves them to their laughter. Pushing the sliding door aside she steps into the warm, beautifully decorated old farmhouse. The fridge is off to the left and she reaches over for the door.
“You wanna get me one, too?” Siofra is startled almost to a scream by the voice behind her. She swings around, the fridge still open, to those pine green eyes staring at her.
“Oh God, Conall! Don’t sneak up on me!” She grabs two Bud Lights, twists the tops off, and hands him one. “Your mom said you guys were in the shed looking at the Harley.” The beer is nice and cold as it goes down, quite enjoyable, and she sighs a little. Just what she needs.
‘We need HIM!’ her wolf barks jarring her out of her enjoyment.
“Sorry Fry, I just needed a refill,” he holds up the empty bottle wiggling it a little back and forth. “You look good tonight, new jeans?” She can see his gaze go from her face down her body and back up to look into her eyes; she uses all of her self-control to hold in the rampant wave of lust that is building within her.
Siofra's Song: Book 1 The Broadus Supernatural Society Series Page 3
