Anny buried her face in the soft cotton and inhaled. It was so slight she could barely smell it. Armand. The scent of woods and male and one she would always associate with him. “No wonder you’re having erotic dreams about the man, snuggling up against his scent every night.”
She held the pillowcase over the opening, but her fingers wouldn’t release their grip. “This is stupid.”
Anny rubbed the fabric over her face and inhaled his scent one final time. Then she threw the pillowcase into the washer, added detergent and slammed the lid shut. She started the wash cycle and slowly released her pent-up breath when the water started to fill the machine.
It was done.
She’d let go of her last link to Armand.
It was the right thing to do, yet she felt a keen sense of loss that was way out of proportion, considering they’d only spent one night together. “A psychiatrist would have a field day with you,” she muttered. Satisfied she’d made a step in the right direction, Anny left the laundry room behind. In the kitchen, she started a pot of coffee brewing.
Both cats appeared beside her, and Tigger started twining himself between her legs. “So now that you want breakfast you can forgive me for waking you. Is that it?” She bent down and ran her hand over Tigger’s sleek back. The calico looked up at her and chirped in agreement.
Seymour on the other hand, sat like the sphinx, his green eyes watching her intently. She laughed and rubbed his head. He began to purr like a well-oiled engine. “You two are something else, you know that?”
Before she thought about getting breakfast for herself, she opened a can of cat food, dumped it into two dishes and set them on the floor. “Come and get it.”
Neither cat needed a second invitation. They attacked their food as though they were starving to death. “You’d think I didn’t feed you at all.” Tigger glanced up and gave a little sound of agreement before he went back eating. Seymour didn’t even bother to dignify her observation with a look.
The coffee was finished perking so she poured herself a life-giving mug of liquid energy. She added two sugars, stirred and took her first sip of the day. Leaning against the counter, she stared out the kitchen window. The sun was up but it was still early. Maybe she’d take a walk after breakfast to clear her head. It would give her time to think about what she wanted out of life.
But first she needed to eat. For the first time in days, she was actually hungry. “That’s a good sign.” She set her mug down on the counter and foraged in the refrigerator, trying to decide what it was she wanted.
She settled on a grilled bacon and cheese sandwich. It took a little time to make but it was so worth it. The bacon was crisp and the cheese gooey goodness. When the cats finished eating, they jumped up onto the two stools that sat on the other side of the counter and stared at her while she chewed. She ignored them, determined not to feel guilty. They’d had gourmet cat food. They didn’t need her bacon and cheese sandwich too.
Finally, Tigger jumped down and padded off to find a sunbeam to lie in. Seymour held out a little longer. But when she’d eaten the final bite, he gave a disgruntled meow and stalked off to join his friend.
Anny laughed, amused by their antics. She cleaned up from breakfast and then went into the laundry room. The load of sheets and towels was done so she put those in the dryer, ignoring the pang in her stomach when she realized her last link with Armand was truly gone. She started a load of colored clothes washing and left the room.
She needed some fresh air. A walk would do her good. “I’m going out for a bit,” she called out to the cats. Not that they’d answer her, but living alone, she’d gotten into the habit of talking with them.
It was November and the air was chilly, so she slipped her jacket on before stepping out onto the back porch. She didn’t bother to lock the door. She wasn’t going far and would hear any car driving up.
Anny inhaled deeply. She loved autumn, the vibrant colors on the trees, the crisp smell in the air and the hint of winter to come. Thanksgiving was getting closer. Not that it mattered much to her. Sue would invite her to spend the day with her family, but Anny would decline. She hated feeling like a fifth wheel. Her parents probably wouldn’t even remember to call. She’d be lucky if they bothered to send her a Christmas gift.
And she didn’t have much shopping to do. She’d buy a present for Sue and something for Billy. If she had an address for her wandering parents, she’d wire them money. Other than that, she usually purchased new collars and a few new toys for the cats and her holiday shopping was done. She could do it all in a Saturday afternoon or possibly after work some day.
But she didn’t feel sorry for herself. She couldn’t. Not on a glorious day like today. She had a job she found fulfilling and her own home on this little slice of paradise. It would have been easy not to come home after she’d graduated from college, but there’d been a job opening at the school that was perfect for her. And she loved it here in spite of the hardships and problems. It was like that in most small towns across the country, but Salvation was home.
She wandered off the porch and across the yard. She’d have to rake leaves one final time. The cats would enjoy that. They sometimes joined her when she worked out in the yard. She never worried about them wandering off. They were housecats at heart and loved their creature comforts.
A crow cawed and two squirrels chattered with one another as they ran up the trunk of an oak tree. Anny laughed at their antics. They paused, glanced in her direction and scampered off.
She shoved her hands into her pockets and ambled down the narrow path to the stream. It was low this time of year. Come spring it could be quite a torrent. Billy would enjoy playing here later this morning. Maybe she should pack a picnic lunch for them. She and Sue could relax on the large flat rock that flanked the bank and eat and chat while Billy played.
Anny smiled. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday.
Maybe Sue would be able to help her come up with her bucket list of things to do. She’d already had a one-night stand with a super-hot guy. She could definitely tick that one off her list. She’d like to learn to bake. She loved to watch baking shows on television, but she’d never bothered to try to recreate what she saw on them because baking for one was a bad idea. Cake and pies wouldn’t last with her around. She had quite a sweet tooth.
But maybe she could try her hand at some treats and take them to school. The other teachers would definitely help her eat them. Something to think about.
What else did she want out of life?
A husband and family was at the top. Armand popped into her head but she shoved him out. He was gone and wasn’t coming back. If she met a man and it developed into something more, that was good. If it didn’t happen, it didn’t. She couldn’t sit around worrying about it. She had to concentrate on finding things that made her happy. Maybe she’d try her hand at knitting or quilting. Her mother hadn’t been a crafty lady so Anny had never learned. But she could always find books to help her and there were plenty of tutorials on the internet for such things.
Feeling better about the state of her life, Anny glanced at her watch and decided to head back to the house. It was time to check the dryer and get some housecleaning done before her company arrived.
She was turning to head back to the house when the small hairs on the back of her neck rose. It was then she noticed the silence. The birds were quiet and there was no sign of the squirrels. The world was still.
Anny cautiously searched her surroundings but saw nothing. She knew well enough to stay away from the black bears that sometimes roamed the area. If you gave them a wide berth, they weren’t usually a problem.
She could almost hear Sue telling her she needed a dog. Anny always protested, saying she had two cats, plus it wasn’t fair to have a dog when she worked all day. Cats were independent. But right now, she wished she had a dog. A big one.
There was something out here with her. She only prayed it wasn’t a cougar. Sightings of thos
e creatures were rare, but they were extremely dangerous when they ventured this close to civilization.
Anny looked around for something to defend herself with. A bare branch lay on the ground and she grabbed it. Around four feet in length and two inches wide, it wasn’t much, but it was certainly better than nothing.
She started walking. They’d better scratch the picnic at the stream today and stay inside. No way was she bringing a child down here when there was something wandering the woods.
She scanned the area as she walked, keeping a steady pace but not running. If something was stalking her and she ran, it would chase her. That was basic predatory behavior.
The bark of the branch dug into her palms and she forced herself to lighten her grip on her makeshift weapon. The woods were still silent, the only sound the scrunch of the dry leaves under her feet.
She was almost to her yard when a huge wolf stepped out onto the path in front of her. Anny froze and blinked, certain she had to be seeing things. There was no way any wolf was as large as this one. It simply wasn’t possible. Maybe a wolf crossed with a Great Dane. But this creature was pure wolf.
She swallowed hard and raised the stick in front of her. “Shoo. Go away.”
The beast curled back its lips, exposing two rows of extremely sharp teeth. It growled and took a step closer.
Chapter Seven
Armand raced across the forest floor, a shadow, a wraith, silent as a mist. Running parallel about twenty feet away was Cole, his massive form gliding through the trees, easily keeping pace. Gator brought up the rear, protecting their flank as always.
They broke out of the thick forest and Armand plunged into the freezing river, not really feeling the cold through the thickness of his fur. When he could no longer touch the bottom of the riverbed, he swam. Coming out on the other side, he took a moment to shake the excess water from his coat before picking up the pace once again.
He was trying to run himself into exhaustion, until he wouldn’t think or dream of Anny. Which was not only impossible, it was also stupid. Armand automatically slowed down until he came to a complete stop. He was an idiot. There was no way to outrun his feelings for Anny, his sense of loss at not seeing her. All he could do was live with the fact that she was better off without him. Safer.
Gator and Cole both stopped beside him, both alert and waiting. They’d stuck close to him today, as if afraid he might do something stupid. Oh maybe something like running until he was ready to drop.
Yeah, with their enemies out there, that was totally smart. He deserved a good boot in the ass. It was one thing for him to wallow in self-pity, quite another for him to allow his emotions and personal life to put the pack in jeopardy.
He shifted and felt the cool bite of the wind on his skin. His hair was wet, so he slicked it back from his face. Rivulets of cold river water trickled down his back.
He turned to his friends. “I’m sorry.” Those were two words he’d never heard his father or any other male acquaintance utter before. Apologizing made you weak, according to his sire. But Armand was of the opinion it was a strong man who could not only recognize his faults and shortcomings, but learn from them.
Gator tilted his black fury head in question. Armand shrugged. “I know I haven’t been easy to live with lately.” Cole snorted, making Armand laugh. “Yeah, don’t hold back there, buddy.”
Both men shifted to their human forms. Cole crossed his arms over his chest and said nothing. Gator slapped Armand on the back. “It’s nothing. Not between us.”
Not between brothers. The words went unspoken because they were understood.
Armand reached behind his head and rubbed his neck. His skin prickled and he felt uneasy, like there was something wrong. “I think we should get back to the compound.” Jacque and Louis were both there with Gwen, but Armand hated leaving them at all these days.
“What does it feel like?” Cole’s quiet question stopped Armand cold. “How do you know she’s the one for you?” Cole was the oldest, but to Armand’s knowledge, he’d never even come close to mating.
Armand gave his friend’s question serious consideration. He thought about the way Anny affected him and tried to put it into words. “From the moment I laid eyes on her, I couldn’t look away. Logically, I know she’s not the most beautiful woman in the world, but in my eyes there is no one who can compare with her. I want to rub my body over hers. I want my scent on her skin. I want to fuck her until she screams my name, and I want to mark her so all others will know she belongs to me.”
“Shit.” Gator’s assessment was accurate, as usual.
“Yeah, that about sums it up.” Armand studied the mountains in the distance. They were solid and enduring, like what he felt for Anny. “I know there will never be another woman for me. Not like Anny. It’s as though she was made just for me.” He gave a rough laugh that held no humor. “Guess the joke’s on me. She’s human and I can’t have her.”
“I’m sorry.” The sincerity in Cole’s voice made Armand’s chest tighten.
“I know, mon ami. Me too, my friend.” Armand shifted, not wanting to talk any longer. Male wolves weren’t known for discussing their feelings. He snorted and took off running back toward their homes. That was an understatement. Once again, it was seen as a sign of weakness. Only women talked about their emotions.
There were so many things wrong with his former pack and that was just one of them. They’d all grown up in a brutish, violent pack, run with an iron fist and no compassion. It was a wonder they’d all turned out different, wanting something more out of life than fighting and clawing for everything they had.
Not that they were afraid to fight. Just the opposite. There wasn’t a wolf among them who wasn’t ready to fight and die to protect their home. Because they had something worth protecting—more than a pack, but a family.
Pierre LaForge had never understood the strength to be gained when male wolves banded together. He ruled with fear, dividing and conquering his followers, making everything a competition between the males. It bred discontent and distrust.
His son ruled quite differently. Jacque treated all of them with respect, listening when they spoke and giving their opinions due consideration. And he didn’t just give them lip service, he would take suggestions from others if it strengthened the pack. That was a true leader.
Armand sensed his friends behind him as they all made their way back to the main house where Jacque, Louis and Gwen lived. Wolves were pack animals so it wasn’t strange that Louis hadn’t moved out when Jacque and Gwen mated. They all ate most of their meals together at the main house as well. It helped strengthen the bonds between them.
He veered off toward the cabin he shared with Cole and Gator, figuring it was best to get dressed before they saw their leader and his mate. The last thing Gwen needed to see was three butt-naked men when they shifted. Armand didn’t think Jacque would appreciate it either. Nudity wasn’t such a big deal among werewolves, but Gwen hadn’t been around long and was still getting used to them and their ways.
He shifted and grabbed the jeans he’d left folded on the back steps. He pulled them on and waited while his friends shifted and dressed. Gator yanked on a black T-shirt and shivered. “It’s getting colder. I do miss the heat sometimes.”
Louisiana was much different from North Carolina. But Armand could do without the heat and the strife that he’d left behind. He’d take the cold and mountains over the dense humidity and bayou any day. Plus, Anny was here. And that made this place just about perfect.
Maybe when the war between their packs was over—if it ever was—he’d be able to approach her again. Maybe. It wasn’t much of a hope, but it was something to cling to.
Gator slapped him on the back. “I’m going to make some coffee and thaw some chocolate chip cookies I got stashed in the back of the freezer. I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.”
Shifting always took a tremendous amount of energy, not to mention all the running. “Soun
ds good.” He followed Cole and Gator into the cabin, stopping before he closed the door to stare out over the land.
Everything was quiet. There were no strangers—wolves or human—anywhere in the immediate area. His senses and the animals around them would alert him if it was otherwise.
He shut the door and rubbed the back of his neck. Even though everything seemed fine, Armand couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.
“Go on, get away from me.” Anny waved the stick in front of her, but the wolf didn’t seem impressed at all. If anything, her actions only seemed to anger it. What was she going to do?
She couldn’t run. There was no way she could outrun a wolf. It was suicide to even try. All she could do was brazen it out and hope the beast got bored and left.
Damn, the creature was huge. He couldn’t be real, yet here he was.
The wolf growled again, exposing its huge teeth. She swallowed hard, trying to fight down her fear. Those teeth would tear her to shreds if it caught her. Not to mention the damage those long claws could do.
Anny wasn’t ready to die.
It wasn’t fair. She’d only just decided to truly live, to make a bucket list and go forward in her life. She’d only turned thirty two weeks ago.
Armand. His face flickered in her brain. He was the first wild thing she’d done in her entire life. Being with him had changed her in some fundamental way. While she’d always been content with her life, now she wanted more out of it, out of herself. She wanted to experience and try new things.
But this wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind.
The wolf prowled closer. Crap. The creature was circling her like she was lunch and it was hungry. The beast’s brown eyes seemed to glow with a malicious intelligence that was totally unnerving. Its gaze was almost human, which was impossible. Her nerves were starting to get the best of her.
Wolf in Her Bed Page 7
