by Crystal Dawn
“Tyne gave me the picture which I immediately sent out to all white wolves with a warning. I also sent a copy to all alphas with only a general statement. There was no way you would want your name known. So, it wasn’t included. Right away I got calls and emails from worried boyfriends and admirers. Even one that asked about you.”
Andi laughed. “You must be joking.”
“I’m serious. You must have made quite the impression.”
“Who was it?” Andi wondered.
“The lion king, Sebastian Hunter.”
“I’ve only seen him once. Well, he did call in an order too.” Ariel started laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“The male runs a huge company. He has an assistant that calls in orders. He never does that personally.”
“What does that mean?”
“Sebastian likes you,” Ariel said in a sing song voice.
“If he does, he hid it well.”
“He’s an alpha. Of course, he hid it.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. He’s busy and I’m busy. No time for fun.”
“Oh, Sweetheart. You always need to make room for fun or life means nothing.”
“I’ll have time as soon as the place is paid for. I’m running a little ahead of schedule now. Another attempted break in, and I might be a couple months ahead.”
“Let’s hope we nip this in the bud. Regardless of who he works for, this guy is dangerous. Be extra careful because once he knows he’s being looked for, he’ll try something. Desperation makes the dangerous even more so.”
“Tyne reminded me about my panic button. I’ve been keeping it nearby. I’ll also be careful after hours. That’s when the danger will be greatest.”
Once they hung up, she felt better. The male would be found with the word spread so wide. Sebastian Hunter, she didn’t know what to think of him. He’d already been on her mind far too much. It seemed she was on his mind too. Too bad he wasn’t in her plan. The guy would be taken long before she was ready to find romance.
It was time to call Sandi now. She answered on the third ring out of breath. “Hello?”
“Hey, Sis. How’s it hanging?”
“To the right and tight. How about with you?”
“Pretty much the same. I was wondering if you had a free day soon.”
“Needing some help in the shop?”
“Actually, I need a day off. Moe is having a baby shower. I need to find a gift for her. I also need to stock up my gift section.”
“You’ll need Candi too. Call her to let her know, then we’ll get together to work it out. We could meet up at Sara’s for supper one night soon.”
“That sounds nice. We’ve not had a sisters’ night in a while. Maybe we can figure things out so we can meet tomorrow night?”
“Okay. Are you really not going to tell me about the attempted break in? I gave you a chance but you didn’t say a word.”
“I don’t like to worry you guys. I guess Candi already knows too?”
“I’ve not talked to her, but I bet she does,” Sandi guessed.
“That’s just craptastic. I was hoping to keep Mom from finding out.”
“Good luck with that.”
“She must not know yet. She hasn’t called.”
“If you’re smart, you won’t make her. Give her little jingle and tell her before she finds out on her own,” Sandi advised.
“Yeah, I know you’re right. I’ll call Candi first. See you soon.” They hung up and Andi called Candi quickly.
“Hey?” Candi answered.
“Sis? This is Andi. I was hoping you and Sandi would find the time to cover for me for a day.”
“Sure. I can get with her.”
“Sandi thought we could just meet up at Sara’s tomorrow night for supper. How about seven?”
“Yeah, you’ll have deliveries and I’m open until six. That will work. You okay?”
“You heard about the break in?”
“Yeah, everyone has,” Candi admitted.
“I’d better go to call Mom. You want to call Sandi and tell her about tomorrow?”
“Why not? Good luck with Mom.”
“Yeah, I’ll need it.” Andi knew it was true as she hung up her phone. Before she took the time to think, she hit her mom’s number.
“Andrea Devine Smith? That better be you,” her mom said. Who had a middle name like Devine? She did, that’s who.
“It’s me. Mom, just wanted to let you know I had a little incident yesterday. Everything is alright and there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Apparently, I’m the last to know.”
“That’s not true, Mom. I didn’t want to call you last night. I couldn’t call you earlier today because business was booming. As soon as possible, I’m calling you.”
“Not nearly soon enough,” her mom said with a snort. She was annoyed which was no surprise, but at least she wasn’t angry. Andi would take that as a win. “So, when am I going to see you? You never come to visit.”
“Mom, you know how important my business is to me right now.”
“More important than family?”
“I don’t mean that. If I lose my business, it would ruin me.”
She could hear her mother sigh. “We miss you. There has to be a balance in life. You’re letting one part of it take everything.”
“It won’t be much longer. I need to go, Mom.”
“Come by as soon as you can.”
Andi was relieved. It hadn’t been nearly as bad as she’d expected to be. Now that she thought about that, it worried her. Her mom was up to something. She never gave up that easily. It was hard to imagine what her mom could be planning, but Andi would try to watch for any surprises. Most of the surprises she’d had in life had been bad, so she tended not to like them.
Now that she’d gotten her calls done, she was ready to get her work done. It was hard to make arrangements with such limited choices. She had a large order of flowers coming in tomorrow morning, but right now she had limited choices to work with. Rising to the challenge, she managed to make three arrangements that she thought would sell.
Once she got everything put away, she cleaned up then headed upstairs. A hot shower relaxed her so she could sleep. All she wanted was to be left alone in peace so her business could be successful. Why did her bloodline make her a hunted commodity? It wasn’t fair, but she was aware life often wasn’t fair. If only that guy would get caught, she wouldn’t be trying to sleep with nervous tension ratcheting through her body. Was it worry or was it her gut telling her something was wrong?
Andi wanted to be prepared for anything. Opening her drawer, she pulled out her bodyguard model handgun. She checked the clip and took off the safety. Placing the gun on the edge of the nightstand, it was within easy reach. Turning off the light, she closed her eyes so she could go to sleep. How much time had passed was hard to say when she suddenly woke.
Listening for a moment, she heard a stair squeak. Those close to her would know better than to sneak up on her. They all knew she was armed just like she knew they were. It was a wise decision for a white wolf to make. Grabbing her gun, Andi tried to breathe deeply as she waited to see who would enter her room. There was a silhouette in the doorway to her room from the light coming through the window.
Whoever it was, they were big. Eyes glowed gold as the figure approached. “Stop or I’ll shoot.”
The person laughed, the sound dangerous. They stepped forward so she aimed low shooting into each leg. She switched on her light shielding her eyes so she wouldn’t be completely blind. It was the male that had tried to break in before. He was already up and moving forward again. Andi shot each shoulder.
“I’m about to go for your heart or your head.” She warned as she aimed between his eyes. “I know you can’t heal that.”
He glared at her and she was certain he was weighing the decision he had to make. She must have looked serious because he turned and ran away. Andi grabbed her phone calling Tyne. It w
as easy to see blood on the floor from near her bed all the way as far as she could see. Tyne wouldn’t be happy. He trained them to shoot to kill but she wasn’t prepared to take a life unless there was no choice.
Tyne arrived ten minutes later. It helped that he only lived five minutes away. “What happened?” Tyne asked as she opened the door to let him in.
“Somehow, he got around the alarm. He made it to the doorway of my bedroom. I shot both his legs, but he recovered quickly. The shots in his arm barely bothered him. When I said his head was next, he ran away.”
“You’re trained to shoot to kill,” Tyne ground out.
“I’m not ready to kill someone unless there’s no choice.”
“Next time, he may manage to take you down. Think about that.”
“Can you test his blood? There’s a trail of it upstairs.”
“Lead the way,” Tyne said as he trailed after her.
He got down on the floor sniffing the blood. “He’s a wolf. No surprise there. Odds were he would be. I’ll call someone in to take samples. We’ll leave the police out of this for now. Maybe we’ll be able to track him by the blood. I have a solid scent to follow. I’ll have Moe come stay with you. Just until daylight. That’s only a couple hours away. The guy clearly prefers doing his work after dark.”
She had to agree with Tyne. He seemed to have the guy pegged. Andi also had to admit Moe staying with her would make her feel better, more than anything else would. “Why me?”
“That’s what people always wonder,” Tyne replied.
“Yes, but in this case, I live in an area full of white wolves. I’m not even on the list. There isn’t anything that makes me stand out. I have none of the powers Ariel does, at least not that have ever shown up. How did they find me to target me?”
“I don’t know. I doubt we’ll find out until we have the guy or any of those behind this. This guy is a follower. Someone else is calling the shots.”
“Great. Now it’s a team effort.”
“Listen! Stay calm. Moe’s on her way and so is someone to take a sample. I’m on the hunt. If I find anything, I’ll let you know. Are you okay?” Tyne asked.
“Yes, I’ll be okay until Moe makes it.”
“Good girl.”
“Happy hunting.”
“Don’t you know it,” Tyne said just before he disappeared. The male was fast.
He was gone then headlights appeared and Moe was there. She got out of the car running up the steps. “Andi! Are you okay? Let me get good look at you.”
“I’m fine.”
“A little birdy told me someone didn’t shoot to kill.”
“A wolf bird?” Andi giggled.
“Are you in shock?” Moe asked looking concerned.
“No, I was merely hinting that Tyne was the birdie that told you. Now you took all the fun out of it.”
“He wasn’t the one. It was Jamison who is getting the blood sample. I asked him why there was blood instead of a body. I wondered if you missed. He said you didn’t attempt a killing shot,” Moe admitted.
“I thought it was Tyne because he lectured me.”
“As well he should. If it’s your life or an attacker’s, you need to take deadly aim.”
“He ran.”
“Yes, but what stops him from coming back? Next time, he may get the drop on you. What then?”
“I can only deal with now, Moe. Right now, I’m safe.”
“Hopefully, Tyne will catch him. That still won’t stop it, not until the mastermind is taken out,” Moe observed.
“You didn’t just say mastermind? It sounds like an epic struggle. I’m just a simple girl, nothing special. Maybe they managed to confuse me with someone else.”
“I think they know exactly who and what you are.”
“I doubt it. I’m nothing special like the others were. Most of them were also already chosen mates, even if they hadn’t gone through the mating ritual. I’m no one’s mate.”
“Maybe you are, but you don’t know it yet. It may just be that they’ve found a way to match future mates.”
“That’s a thing from science fiction. Unless, is there a way to determine that?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. If there is, I can’t even imagine what it would be. They’d have to have access to personal information, wouldn’t they? Unless it’s a witch or a soothsayer.”
“Is there even such a thing?”
“We know certain white wolves have foretelling dreams. What’s the difference?”
“Now I have to watch out for a fortune teller?” Andi scoffed.
“We should always be careful about what we rule out.”
“I know. I didn’t believe in shape shifters just a few years ago, now they are everywhere.”
“Witches and vampires, too.”
“Among others, you are right. With so much to worry about, how can we even have any kind of life?”
“We do what we must. There are challenges in every life. Ours are just supernatural,” Moe observed.
They sat and talked, even though Andi knew she would be exhausted in the morning. Tyne came back to get Moe and update Andi. “It seems your assailant was no longer of use to his master. I found his body in the woods. Maybe we’ll get a break before he finds another to continue his work.”
“Are you sure they won’t give up?” Andi asked. Tyne sent her an incredulous look. Her life was getting entirely out of hand.
Moe and Tyne left after they talked a few more minutes. She could try to get a bit more sleep since there was nothing else to be done for now. Andi headed upstairs, noting someone had cleaned up the blood. Setting the alarm, she was sure she’d be up with no trouble.
She woke to a pounding on the door downstairs about the time the alarm went off. Since she’d fallen into bed dressed, Andi hurried downstairs catching the man just as he turned to leave. It was her flower delivery man. Helping him carry her flowers in, she was grateful she had been able to wake when he knocked. He’d come early, but he had a full day of deliveries.
Now that the flowers were in the coolers, she went back upstairs to fix breakfast. A quick bowl of cereal then she was back to work. Harry was in just a bit early. There were more donuts. This time he had cream filled ones. Those were her favorite kind.
“Anything happen last night?” Harry asked.
“Tyne and Moe came for a visit.”
“How’s Moe doing? I don’t remember how far along she is.”
“She seems to be doing well. Moe is six weeks or so along. She’s not even showing, well maybe a tiny bump.”
“Does she know what she’s having?”
“No, they don’t.”
“I’m not sure I’d want to know. I bet she’s excited,” He observed wistfully. She was sure he’d not asked the girl out again.
“She and Tyne are beside themselves. There’s a baby shower coming up. I’m not sure what to get her.”
They discussed different gifts for a while, but nothing definite came to her. If she saw the right gift, she would know. Andi suddenly remembered she was meeting her sisters at Sara’s tonight. She needed to get her work done and make some early deliveries.
The bell jingled as a customer came in and she made her escape. She began to work quickly to get her needed work done. Checking her website, she had several orders to do. Business was up in general so maybe she was finding a higher level of success. If only she didn’t have the extra worries of stalkers or abductors to deal with, things would be good right now.
The bell jingled often throughout the morning. Andi had forgotten to tell Harry her stalker had been found dead. She went out to the sales area to let Harry go to lunch. “By the way, my stalker?”
“What about him?” Harry asked, interest lighting up his face.
“He was found dead.”
“Do they know what happened?”
“They suspect a dispute with another criminal.”
“At least you’ll be safe now,” Harry observed.
<
br /> Yeah, right.
Oh well, this was a good time to call Ariel, even though the danger was done. She pushed the button for Ariel. “Hello, Andi. Why do you always call me last?”
“Not last, but you know how crazy it gets for us working women. The guy who tried to break in, came back to attempt to abduct me. I shot him, then he ran. Oh, and now he’s dead. It’s all over now.”
“Sweetie, do you truly believe that? Tyne will keep an eye on you, but you be watchful too.” They talked a few minutes more, but work called both of them. At least she’d called her. She usually got side tracked and the calls never happened.
Chapter 5
Obsession
Sebastian paced as he thought about Andi. Ariel’s new notice was in his hands. The stalker had been found dead, but for some reason, his concern for the woman didn’t diminish. Ariel hadn’t answered his questions to his satisfaction, but for some reason, he just knew the answer. His Andi, er, that woman was the one the stalker had been after.
The why was just one more unanswered question. His need to see her almost overwhelmed him. No answers, just more questions. At least he had an excuse to see her. All he had to do was order someone flowers. Hadn’t he just promoted his PA? Truly deserved some recognition so flowers sent for congratulations would do nicely. Once he was sitting in his SUV, he was ready to head to town.
Andi’s store was larger than he expected for a flower shop. It made him wonder if she lived upstairs since the second story seemed to be as large as the first. Upon entering, he saw a large gift store in one corner of the store. There was room on the shelves for more. The items in that part had variety including jewelry as well as small items on furniture like a table with a checker board painted on it. Two stools seemed to go with it.
He’d always liked games and the table was tall which he also liked. A young man was behind the counter so he approached him. “Do the stools go with the checker board table?”
“They do and the price is inclusive. It includes the checkers as well as chess pieces,” the young man explained.
Sebastian thought it was a good deal. “I’ll take it. I also need to talk to Andi about some flowers I need to order.”
