Real Men Growl (Paranormal Werewolf Shapeshifter Romance) (Real Men Shift Book 3)

by Celia Kyle

  “So, he’d trust you enough to go with you if you picked him up from school?”

  “I suppose,” she said, frowning.

  “Don’t worry. I don’t want you to kidnap him. Just take him out for ice cream or something. Rachel didn’t seem to want to talk in front of him, and I need her undivided attention.”

  In sooooo many ways, his wolf assured him.

  Grabbing his phone, he shot a text to the sentries waiting outside.

  “Anders and Quinn will escort you. Eric is the alpha’s son and should be protected.”

  “Eric can’t shift, though. I’m sure—”

  “All the more reason to escort him,” Gavin said firmly. “Not being able to shift doesn’t change the fact that Eric’s father was a strong and compassionate wolf who led the Fields pack with a firm, caring hand. I’m going to make sure that kid stays safe.”

  Nora sniffled, her eyes shimmering with moisture. “School’s out soon. I’ll head over there now.”

  Ten minutes later, Nora and the sentries were off to pick up Eric while Gavin’s truck rumbled down the rough backroads as his phone belched out directions. He wound up on the outskirts of Burrman, driving down a rutted dirt path surrounded by thick forest and pretty patches of wildflowers. It reminded him of home. Until he pulled up to his destination.

  The house—if it could be called that—looked as if it might collapse with the slightest puff of wind. Missing shingles gaped like Eric’s missing tooth, and if it hadn’t been for a carefully tended herb garden next to porch steps, he might have thought the place was abandoned.

  It was beyond disgraceful that the alpha’s son and niece would live in such ramshackle conditions. They deserved so much better, so much more—and judging by the way his inner beast was growling, it seemed intent on being the one to give them everything.

  He stepped lightly on the way to the front door, but the closer he got, the more he realized being quiet didn’t matter. Music blared from inside while someone sang along with an old Madonna song.

  Badly.

  Beautiful as she was, the woman couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. Still, he couldn’t help smiling at her passion for the moldy oldie.

  Using great care not to knock the door off its hinges, Gavin rapped his knuckles as hard as he dared on the doorframe. Almost before he finished, the door swung open and Rachel stood before him, looking absolutely frazzled and utterly radiant.

  She stared at him with wide blue eyes, obviously surprised at having a visitor. Or maybe she was surprised he’d found her. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, and the spot of flour daubed on her left cheek was proof of how “sick” she was. His gaze roamed her body, and he was thrilled she’d elected not to wear a bra under her thin tank top. All he could think about was whether she was going commando under her ratty—and very short—cut-offs.

  “Hello, Rachel.”

  His voice was thick and rough, a hint of his wolf pushing to the surface, and she must have recognized his beast’s presence, too. Her eyes grew even wider as the color drained from her face. When she opened her mouth to speak, a loud beeping from somewhere deep inside the cabin cut through the music.

  “Shit!”

  Rachel spun on her bare feet and trotted away from him, leaving the door open widely enough for him to watch her luscious ass bounce as she moved. He did his best not to lick his lips, wondering what her skin would taste like. Deciding it was better to ask forgiveness than permission, he took the last step into the house and nudged the door closed behind him.

  Chapter Four

  Rachel dashed through the house, heart pounding with the rhythm of the alarm blaring from the kitchen. And it wasn’t just because she was running.

  Nope, it had to do with the wiggling and jiggling of her curvy body and the weighty feel of Gavin’s gaze on her. It shouldn’t be the first or even the fifth thing on her mind, but the caress of the super hottie’s eyes on her big ol’ bouncing butt was almost as heavy and intimate as a physical caress. Her skin grew hot thinking about him watching her.

  If she’d known he was going to show up today, she might have run a comb through her hair. Or worn something that covered her more than underwear.

  Or less, her wolf suggested.

  Rachel batted away the thought, groaning in frustration as she wrenched open the oven door. She grabbed a mitt to look in on her chocolate chip cookies—Eric’s favorite. She bent over to check the treats, but the strong smell of sweetness was overwhelmed by the scent of a very aroused male wolf. She didn’t need to use her eyes to know Gavin had followed her and continued to stare at her ass.

  As happy as the idea made her wolf, Rachel fought the temptation he presented and pulled the cookie tray from the oven. She took her time, moving slowly and giving herself a few precious seconds to get control of her hormones. Everything was okay. She was okay. So, what if he was in her house? She was a grown-ass woman, capable of controlling herself in every kind of situation. If her past had taught her anything, it was she could handle anything.

  Adopting a blank expression, Rachel glanced over her shoulder. She was determined to pretend to be unaffected, but it only took that one look for her breath to freeze within her chest. His massive frame took up almost the entire kitchen entryway. A plain white t-shirt stretched to the breaking point across his broad chest and bulging shoulders, while his well-worn jeans hugged his narrow hips so beautifully they looked as if they’d been custom-made to fit him.

  Everything about the man made her wolf pant with need, but she refused to be distracted by his unbearable hotness. She needed to figure out what he wanted and get rid of him before Eric got home. She opened her mouth to cut to the chase, but he beat her to it.

  “Why are you avoiding me?” Gavin leaned against the doorjamb in that way that made men inherently sexy. It was made even worse—better?—when he arched one eyebrow.

  Rachel dropped her gaze and focused on transferring the cookies to a cooling rack instead of meeting his intensely curious and slightly amused gaze. “I’m not.”

  He snorted. “Uh-huh.”

  “No, seriously,” she shot him a quick glance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Gavin pushed off the doorway and stalked across the kitchen, not stopping until he invaded her comfort zone. She spun, ready to bolt, but he boxed her into the corner with nothing more than the sheer magnetic attraction rippling in the air between them.

  His scent nearly brought her to her knees, and she fought to take shallow breaths through her mouth to keep her head from swimming. It wouldn’t do to swoon into his arms like Scarlett O’Hara. If only she could close her eyes to talk to him—maybe then she wouldn’t be distracted by his ham-sized biceps.

  “Not avoiding me, huh?” His voice was thick, almost gritty. Before she could lie again, he continued. “It’s funny that you called in sick today.” His gaze slid up and down her body. “You look healthy to me. Very healthy. Why did you stand me up last night, Rachel? Is it because of Eric?”

  He inched closer until their bodies almost touched. His heat set her skin ablaze. Drool pooled in her mouth from wanting to lick him all over, but she forced herself to keep her eyes firmly focused on his bobbing Adam’s apple.

  “Or maybe…” he murmured and leaned in a fraction of an inch, “it’s something else.”

  She didn’t want to do it. Hell, she willed herself not to, but she was powerless against the pull between them. She craned her neck back to meet his eyes.

  Mistake!

  Her mouth went instantly dry and her voice caught in her throat. All that came out was a tortured croak that sounded vaguely like, “Eric.”

  A smile played at Gavin’s lips. He leaned in even closer and braced his hands against the counter on either side of her. At least she was no longer hypnotized by his gaze, but his closeness only ramped up her desire for him.

  “Mmmhmm, sure,” he said quietly in her ear. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the chemist
ry between us, does it? Not even a little?”

  All Rachel could manage was a curt head shake.

  His lips came so close to her cheek, his warm breath fanning her face, but they never made contact. They hovered just above her skin as he moved up to her temple, leaving a trail of molten lava in their wake.

  “Why can’t you look at me, Rachel?”

  Good God, she wanted him. More than any man she’d ever met. More than she ever imagined possible. But an image of Eric running into the house to find them snuggled so close together cooled her jets enough that she could meet his stare without melting into a pool of horniness.

  “I can look at you,” she tried for a flinty tone but ending up with throaty. “I’m just not particularly impressed.”

  Gavin’s eyes shot open wide and he barked out a laugh before backing away. He clearly wasn’t buying it, but he gave her space just the same, which she appreciated more than words could express.

  “Okay, okay, sure. All of this nonsense is only about Eric. Have it your way, beautiful.” He leaned against the kitchen island, eyes on her as she focused on the cookies. It was enough of a distance that she could finally think straight again. She was about to ask what he wanted, but she knew in her gut what his answer would be—her.

  “Why are you here, Gavin?” Much safer topic.

  “You know why. Brian’s been captured and is awaiting trial. I’m here to help everyone in his pack put the pieces of their lives back together. Everyone here is being redistributed to other packs, including Blackwood.”

  “So?”

  He huffed, and the scent of his frustration overwhelmed the flavors of desire. “So… time’s up, Rachel. Every member from the Fields pack has either joined Blackwood or some other pack. Everyone except you. And—now that I know he’s alive—Eric.”

  “Don’t worry about us.” She transferred the last cookie before facing him, giving him a hard glare. “We’ve survived on our own since Alpha Fields died, and we’ll continue to do so when you’re gone. We’ll be fine.”

  “That’s where our opinions differ.” Gavin’s voice was firm, though sympathy tinged his words. “Eric needs the reassurance and structure a pack will give him. Just because he can’t shift doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel the presence of the wolf. Sooner or later, he’ll have animalistic urges that will require a full, healthy pack to soothe.”

  Rachel snorted and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. She didn’t even care if doing so pushed her breasts up to her chin. He could ogle all he wanted—he wasn’t getting his hands on Eric.

  “Eric doesn’t need a pack. He needs me. I’ve been there for him his entire life. I’ll always be there for him.”

  “I’m sure that’s true,” Gavin nodded slowly, and she just knew there was a “but” lurking around the corner, “but having an omega as a guardian isn’t enough for a young alpha like Eric.”

  If she hadn’t been braced against the counter, Rachel would have stumbled in shock. Before Brian, she couldn’t have hidden her omega status if she’d tried. Anyone with a hint of werewolf blood in their veins would have picked up the scent that announced her status within the pack. After Brian, though…

  All of the pain and suffering she’d endured, not to mention all of the wounds she’d healed on others, had turned her bitter and angry, masking her scent beneath the pain. No one outside their pack—their new pack—had been able to sniff her out.

  Except Gavin.

  “I-I’m not an omega,” she stuttered, all too aware of how telling her pause in answering had been.

  His eyes glittered with intensity. “No more lies, Rachel. You can say whatever you want to me, but I don’t want there to be lies between us—not now or a hundred years from now. Mates don’t lie to each other.”

  Goosebumps rippled across her skin as she struggled to keep her wolf at bay. It howled and yipped in happiness, the animal rolling around and begging for the big wolf so close. “We’re not—”

  Gavin silenced her by pressing a single finger to her lips. Holy hell he was fast, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. The small touch lit her body on fire and she shoved back the urge to wrap her lips around his finger and suck it gently.

  “No lies,” he murmured, his gaze soft as he stared into her wild eyes. “That part of our relationship can wait. I’m patient. All I need from you right now is to agree to move to Ashwood with Eric. Blackwood has large tracts of land, dozens of pups Eric’s age, and an alpha that’s both honorable and strong. He also happens to be my brother. Rachel, your life there will be nothing like your life here. I swear on my life. You’ll be safe, and I’ll do my best to make you so damned happy.”

  Silence stretched between them as Rachel’s mind whirled. She could see the sincerity in his eyes and hear the honesty in his voice, but… As fractured and painful as her life had been, Burrman was the only home she’d ever known. While the thought of starting over in a new place had its appeal, change was hard. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough.

  He must have sensed her uncertainty because he slid his hand along her jaw until he cupped her face, callused palm stroking her skin. “I’m asking you to make a choice, Rachel. I’m asking you to choose me. Choose Ashwood.”

  Rachel stared up into his pleading eyes with no idea how to answer. Her wolf howled for her to agree. She even opened her mouth to say yes but then snapped it shut again. Every decision she made in life was for Eric, and this would be no exception. As much as her body ached for Gavin, she had to think about what was best for the boy she thought of as her own.

  Almost as if she’d summoned him, his tiny voice cut through the pounding music and tension. “Are we really moving to Ashwood?” His small frame sagged under the weight of his backpack, but he didn’t seem to notice. His eyes were as wide as his smile. “That would be awesome!”

  Rachel blinked rapidly, trying to process this new information. She’d assumed he’d be crushed to leave his home and all of his friends.

  “Why?” she asked.

  “My best friend Joey is moving there. Can we? Please, Rachel, please!”

  He danced from foot to foot, his hands clasped together in front of him as he begged to move to the very place Gavin wanted them to go. Her attention bounced back to a smirking Gavin, who simply raised that damnable eyebrow.

  He could call it a choice all he wanted, but it wasn’t. Not anymore. As much as she hated to admit it, Gavin was right. Eric needed an alpha and a proper pack to guide him. She couldn’t let her pride and her love for Eric take the chance to bet against that.

  Then there was Gavin. Smirking, handsome, hot-as-Hades Gavin. There was no denying their attraction, but did that mean they were mates? Maybe. There was really only one way to find out.

  Folding her hands in front of her, she focused on Eric rather than the hunka-hunka-burning love standing before her. “Fine. We’ll move to Ashwood…after you finish kindergarten. Now take one cookie and get out your homework.”

  Chapter Five

  The morning sun peeked over the treetops, the first rays warming Gavin’s black fur. He stretched his long wolf’s body and yawned so widely his jaws creaked. As he trotted back to the shrub where he’d hidden his clothes, he knew he ought to feel ashamed.

  After all, the rules Rachel had laid out the afternoon before had been crystal clear. She wanted Eric’s life to be safe and easy, which in her mind meant as far from shifter activity as possible to avoid making him feel inferior. She’d even agreed to talk to Gavin about Ashwood and the steps for relocation the next day, before pointedly telling him goodbye.

  He’d left the house, but every time he’d tried to leave her property, his wolf had howled at him to stay. Only an idiot would have left the two of them exposed in the rickety shack they called home. So, he’d made sure Eric’s life stayed safe and easy by guarding the place. And if he’d happened to shift into his wolf form and sleep right in front of the door all night… Well, certain concessions had to be made.

&
nbsp; Closing his amber wolf eyes, he focused on the shift and breathed deeply as the sharp scent of morning dew dulled and four feet became two. Shrugging his shirt over his head, he was careful to make sure he wasn’t in sight of the house while he dressed. He had no doubt Rachel wouldn’t welcome the sight of him buck naked in the front yard first thing in the morning.

  Yet.

  As he returned to sit on the front step to watch the sunrise, he recalled how she’d responded to him the day before. In such close quarters with an omega, it was as if his own desire had redoubled on itself—like he could feel every bit of his own need, as well as hers. The sensations had nearly overwhelmed his control.

  Maybe after all the years of abuse, Rachel had no idea just how strongly she projected her feelings. Or he was more attuned to her emotions because they were mates. Whatever the reason, he’d been hyper-aware of her.

  Now if only she could figure them out. He hated it, but he’d have to give her time to figure it out for herself. He wasn’t known for his patience, but for some reason, where Rachel was concerned, it didn’t bother him a bit. Well, not much anyway.

  The pinks and oranges in the sky gave way to yellows and blues. The world would gradually wake up to the beautiful sunrise. A small creak from inside the house caught his attention and he wondered which of them had risen so early. Listening hard, he caught a hint of tiny feet shuffling down creaky old stairs.

  He didn’t want to startle the child, but he was driven to lay eyes on the little boy. The one his mate so obviously loved and claimed as her own son. Which meant Gavin’s wolf did, as well. He pushed to his feet, easing to the left of the window and peeking through the glass. Eric had paused on the next to last step, thin arms stretched high while his mouth opened with a wide yawn. Just as Gavin had when in his wolf form not so long ago.

  Before Gavin could pull back, Eric snapped his mouth shut and looked right into Gavin’s eyes. The boy blinked in surprise but then broke into a grin. The deadbolt rocked back, and then the door creaked open.