Ghost Wolf

by Michele Hauf

  “Don’t worry. I’ll always be wolf.” He tugged her hand to his lap and gave it a squeeze. “And I will like you if you are a wolf. And I will like you if you are faery.”

  She forced a smile. To make such a decision felt too ominous to think about. She just wanted to return home with Beck, strip away her clothes and make love with him until the sun woke them both.

  * * *

  Mugs bearing the dregs of their hot drinks imbued the air with sweet traces of chocolate. The mugs had been sitting on the nearby nightstand untended for over an hour. Some things were far better to pursue than chocolate.

  Daisy rolled over and straddled Beck, knees on either side of his hips. He lay with his head off the pillow, eyes closed, mouth reddened from their long and erotic kissing session. She had come with him only kissing her lips and sucking her nipples.

  Now it was her turn to bring him to the edge. Gripping his erection, hot and stiff in her fingers, she rubbed it against her moist folds, seeking to glide it over her clit, which yet pulsed from the delicious orgasm.

  Her lover moaned and tilted his hips upward. She used both hands on him, one cupping his thick head, the other gliding up and down the shaft, twisting lightly, then pausing on the sweet spot just below the ridged head of it. That made him hiss and beg. “Please, Daisy.”

  With a wiggle of her hips, she slid down and took him in her mouth. One hand still held firmly the base of his majestic penis. She loved the thickness of him, the feel of his skin as she laved over it, tasting and teasing. His scrotum was tight against his body, and she sensed he was nearing release.

  And Daisy realized that all her life she had strived to compete with men, to win, to prove herself better. She thrived by taking control, owning the win.

  Yet now, with Beck literally at her command, she only wished to make him feel as amazing as it felt for her to be loved by him. (Make that liked by him.) She didn’t need to best him. She wanted to share life with him.

  Lashing her tongue over his cock, she sucked it in and served him the ultimate release.

  * * *

  The waning moon was framed in the window. They lay on their sides, content and basking in the cool light.

  “I don’t want to compete with you,” Daisy said.

  “Why not?” he asked with gasping breaths.

  “I don’t need to. I feel better standing on equal ground with you.”

  “I like the sound of that. But I’ll still let you win at hockey.”

  She punched him gently and he overreacted, splaying out his arms and groaning. “First she gives me pleasure, then she beats me. I can’t win!”

  “You’ve won me. The punches are just a bonus, wolf boy.” Daisy nuzzled her face against his neck and took in his heat and the aroma of his bliss. “You know what else I’m thinking about?”

  “How many ways you can get your brothers to torment me?”

  “I would choose my wolf,” she whispered. “Because I feel most connected to my wolf.”

  “Your wolf is beautiful. So is your faery. Give it more thought. Don’t rush into anything. I’ll support you no matter what your decision. I love you, Daisy Blu. And that’s beyond like in my world.”

  Chapter 25

  “Wow.” Daisy’s mom, Rissa, curled up her legs on the leather couch that looked out over the backyard and the iced stream. Snowflakes fell like down from an open pillow, dusting the world with peaceful, glinting whiteness. “How long have you been having this problem, sweetie?”

  “A few years. It’s been mostly a nuisance, but lately the wolf insists on taking over my faery. And vice versa.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Rissa stroked Daisy’s hair, imbuing it with a faint trail of faery dust. “I wish you would have told me sooner.”

  “You know how I am.”

  “You tend to think something will go away if you just ignore it. Like that time you spilled paint on my sofa and turned the cushion upside down.”

  “Will you ever let that one go, Mom?”

  Rissa laughed. “I guess not. Sorry. I’ve always thought of your wolf as one of the boys.”

  “Probably because I am one of the boys.”

  “You’ve had difficulty honoring your feminine side, sweetie. Your faery is the wise, gentle, healing and nurturing part of you. I so wanted you to excel with your healing studies, but you were more interested in playing with the boys.” Rissa sighed.

  “Did I have a choice?”

  “Probably not. You know, when you were a baby your sidhe side was prominent, you flew all the time.”

  “I did?”

  Rissa laughed. “Kai was always yelling to me, ‘She’s in the rafters again!’”

  Daisy peered up at the rafters. She only remembered Kelyn fleeing for the wide beams when his brothers tried to gang up on him. Really? She’d flown a lot as a baby?

  Her mother nodded. “I couldn’t let you outside without a tether.”

  “You put a leash on me? I so don’t remember any of this.”

  “Yes, well, when the boys came along you got competitive. You forgot the freedom of flight and dropped to earth, choosing to throw mud pies and race through the forest, and chumming around with your father all the time. You wanted to win his time. And you did.”

  “Wow. No wonder my faery feels so alien. I’m sorry, Mom.”

  “Nothing to apologize for. You’re a bright, beautiful woman. I’m proud of the woman you have become.”

  “But apparently I’m not completely grown into myself.” Daisy exhaled. “I’ve been so worried about trying to get a job lately, to prove to Dad that I am capable and don’t need his help, when all my life it’s all that I’ve done. Depend on him. And now this thing with Beck. Of course Dad would feel protective. Oh, Mom.”

  “Oh, sweetie, your father will survive this love affair just fine. You do what makes your heart happy. And your wolf. So the faery you spoke to with Beck said you have to choose. As simple as that? Choosing?”

  “I guess so. But does it sound right to you?”

  “I’ve grown distant from Faery. Haven’t been there since before I met your father. It sounds possible. I mean, that you carried remnants of Kai’s curse with you. I’m so sorry about that.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m sure it wasn’t something that Dad could control. Besides, he broke the curse and won you. So it’s all good.”

  “What does Beck say about it? You two are lovers, yes?”

  “Yes. I adore him. He says he’ll like me if I’m wolf or faery.”

  “Well, he should. My daughter is a very likable woman. So it’s that serious, then? Like?”

  Daisy nodded, a big grin filling her heart. “He’s the one. I’m sure of it. But don’t worry, we haven’t bonded with our werewolves. Dad would freak, I know.”

  “I don’t know. Kai’s bark is much worse than his bite. You know that very well.”

  “Yes, and he did talk to Beck. He said Dad seemed okay with it all. But I’m thinking maybe Beck’s head was spinning from one of Daddy’s punches, and he probably misunderstood.”

  “Allow your father to surprise you.”

  “Fine. But now I have a lot of thinking to do. Because beyond my own problems, there’s Beck and his ghost wolf. He needs to give it up before it kills him.”

  “Could you love him if he was human?” Rissa asked.

  Daisy had also explained the faery’s offer to take either Beck’s wolf or his firstborn.

  “I’m sure I could.”

  “A wolf would suit my daughter better.”

  “What if I choose faery? Then a human lover should not be so odd. It is only if I choose wolf and Beck sacrifices his that...” She turned to meet her mother’s eyes. No words necessary. The two hugged as the snowflakes continued to fall.

  “Promise you won’t tell Dad about this?”

  “Why? Daisy, if you have to choose between being wolf or faery, then we’re all going to have to know. Your decision, whether or not you believe it, will affec
t the whole family.”

  “I know.” Daisy sighed and tilted her head against the back of the sofa. It felt great to finally tell her mom. But now, the decision of which breed to choose. If it was really possible. “But for right now, let’s keep it quiet. Until I decide what to do.”

  “What’s that about not telling your dad?” Kai strolled in.

  “Girl stuff,” Rissa said quickly.

  “I can handle girl stuff.”

  “No, you can’t.” Rissa kissed Kai, then turned to Daisy. “Go to Beck. I’ll talk to your father.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  * * *

  Bella tugged Beck into the kitchen and proceeded to lay out a spread of delicious cookies on the counter before him. As if she needed to bake to survive, Bella kept turning out the goodies.

  She poured him a tall glass of milk while he tore into the hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie that oozed out chocolate and was crowded with walnuts. He loved nuts in anything and everything.

  “You should start your own business, Mom,” he offered between bites of the decadent goodness and sips of cool milk. “I have never tasted cookies so good as yours. Or for that matter, brownies. And the red velvet cake. You could buy that little place on the corner in town that always seems to turn over at least every two years.”

  “There’s a reason businesses don’t thrive in that location,” she said, sitting on the bar stool beside him. “The land is probably cursed. And bakeries tend to open in the wee morning hours to begin baking for the day. Can you see your late-rising mother managing a 3:00-a.m. wake-up call?”

  “Probably not. You could start something new. Midnight Munchies.”

  Bella nodded. “I kind of like that. Now that you’ve put the idea in my brain, it’ll never go away.”

  “So how’s my little brother doing?”

  “You think it’ll be a boy?” She smoothed a palm over her belly. “I’d like a girl.”

  “Whatever it is, we’ll love it like crazy.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and focused back on the cookie. One more bite. He pushed his plate toward the baking sheet, and Bella divvied up two cookies this time. “I think I’m in love, Mom.”

  “What?” Bella turned on the stool. “Really?”

  “It’s Daisy Saint-Pierre.”

  Bella grabbed a cookie and took a quick bite. She cast Beck a worried glance. Or at least, he thought it was worried. “Isn’t her father the one who has it in for you?”

  “He does, or rather, did. Now I’m not so sure. Well, you know Blu, Daisy’s grandma, right?”

  Bella nodded. “She’s nice, but...loud. Out-there. That werewolf doesn’t act her age. Her husband, Creed, is chivalrous, though. Severo looked up to him.”

  “Daisy has said her dad admired Severo.”

  Bella slid her hand over his and curled her fingers into a clasp. “None of that matters. What does is how she makes you feel. Do you love her?”

  “I do. She’s fun and smart. And she likes to feed me. You’ll have to get her hot chocolate recipe.”

  “Yes, hot chocolate,” Bella murmured.

  “I proposed to her after drinking it.”

  “You—?”

  “Don’t worry. I wasn’t serious. We were having fun. And fun is what we do. She’s not like most of the girlfriends I’ve had.”

  “Sexpots?”

  “Mother.”

  “Son, you do have a type. Anything blonde, leggy and willing to moon over you. You can’t know how glad I am you never fell in love with any of those choices.”

  “How do you know I didn’t?”

  “Beck, really? I’ll grant you a man’s desire to fulfill certain needs, but you’re too smart to give your heart to anyone less than exquisite.”

  “Daisy is exquisite, pink hair and all. Her mother is faery.”

  “So...”

  “Don’t do it, Mom. I can see the wheels turning in your brain. We’re just dating.”

  “Yes, but when a wolf finds the one who makes his heart skip, then you may as well sign on for the long haul. So you could have werewolf faery babies, you know.”

  Not if he decided to succumb and give up his wolf. Which he’d thought he could never consider. But really? How selfish would he be to keep the ghost wolf and continue to harm innocents?

  “Daisy is a half-breed,” he said. “I’ve seen her wings. They’re pretty cool. And one of her brothers is full faery. Man, that guy can deliver a punch.”

  “Don’t tell me. Her brothers have roughed you up? Interesting. The family must approve of you.”

  “Strangest way of granting approval I’ve ever known. And her dad. He beat the hell out of me— Ah, I shouldn’t have told you that.”

  “But you’re okay?”

  He nodded and finished the glass of milk. “I gave as good as I got. But get this. Malakai Saint-Pierre actually said if I married his daughter, then I’d have no choice but to join his pack.”

  “That’s about as accepting as I’ve heard.”

  “Yeah. I’ve been wondering if I should give some serious reconsideration to the whole joining a pack thing. But it’s a decision that would affect more than just me. If I did, it would involve you, as well.”

  “Let me tell you a secret.” Bella pressed Beck’s hand against her lips for a kiss. “Your father and I had discussed joining a pack, or even starting one, when you were growing up. We went back and forth over how it could be good for you.”

  “Dad considered as much?”

  She nodded. “So don’t feel as though you owe your dad some sort of unmade promise to never join a pack. He would be proud of you no matter what you do. So long as it doesn’t harm others and makes you happy.”

  Beck tightened his jaw. Harming others. Inside he could feel the ghost wolf twang at his muscles. If he fulfilled his promise to his dying father, he would not stop until the hunter was dead. And Severo would never be proud of him then.

  He caught his forehead against his palm.

  “Beck? What is it?”

  “I miss him,” he whispered.

  Bella rubbed a hand across his back. The soothing motion made him want to push it all away. He didn’t know how to succumb to these emotions, and didn’t want to.

  Yet he had with Malakai last night. He’d broken down before the mighty wolf. It had felt oddly safe to do so.

  But he couldn’t allow his mother to see him weak. She was the one who needed the support right now. He turned and hugged her. “We’re going to be just fine,” he offered. “Pack or no pack. I’ll take care of you and my little brother.”

  “I love you, Beck, but I don’t want you to feel as though I am your responsibility now. I’m a big girl. I can do this.”

  “But you don’t have to do this alone. I’ll always be here for you. And don’t forget that.”

  “I won’t. And guess what? Dez invited me over for a girl’s night this weekend, and I’m going. I’m feeling the urge to have a little fun, maybe laugh and gossip with the girls.”

  “You don’t know how good that makes me feel, Mom.” He kissed her temple. “One more cookie?”

  * * *

  Beck recognized the pickup truck in front of the Blue Bass, so he pulled over and wandered inside. Trouble threw darts at the board. Kelyn stood back, arms crossed, obviously losing. His brother made the bull’s-eye and thrust up his arms in triumph.

  To judge Kelyn’s eye roll, he’d probably lived with his brother’s antics so long that there was nothing he could do but accept the grandstanding.

  Sliding up before the bar, he ordered a shot of whiskey. Beck sensed both brothers got a whiff of his scent. Hell, they’d scented him before he’d even entered the bar. Such casual ignorance of his presence must be an art form.

  Beck wrapped his fingers around the shot glass. A dart landed on the bar an inch before the glass. He plucked it out of the varnished wood surface, twisted at the waist and threw. Bull’s-eye.

  Kelyn’s approving nod resounded above Trouble’
s chuckle. The burly brother slid onto the bar stool next to him. He was wearing some kind of leather skirt again, lace-up biker boots and a puffy winter vest over a sweater. The faery was, oddly, clad in jeans and a ripped T-shirt. No winter coat hanging on the hook near the door, either. Faeries must have excellent control over their body temperature.

  “Still swooping my sister?” Trouble asked.

  “Swooping?” Beck tilted back the whiskey shot to hide his grin. “Do you really want to know?”

  “Nope. Heard my dad paid you a visit. You look all in one piece, so it must have gone well.”

  “He didn’t tell you? I’m his new favorite son.”

  Trouble laughed and slapped Beck across the back, which burned more than the whiskey. “So how’s it going tracking the hunter? If you don’t get him, you know my brothers and I will. Right, Kel?”

  The faery, who now tossed darts in practice with both hands, nodded.

  “Hell, we know where he lives,” Trouble said. “Let’s go set his house ablaze.”

  “An eye for an eye isn’t going to change things, man. It might even make things worse.”

  “How?”

  “A revenge killing?” Beck reasoned, more with himself. “He only wounded your brother. He murdered my father. But even I can’t justify taking a man’s life.”

  “That crazy white werewolf you become would do it.”

  The man didn’t know how right on he was. Beck clenched his fingers over the top of the shot glass. “I can’t believe you would seriously consider killing another man.”

  Trouble leaned his elbows on the bar. “I’m no murderer. But the guy isn’t like the usual hunters if he’s using silver bullets and arrows. He saw us shift. And Kelyn said he acted as though he’d expected it. The man knows about our breed, Beck. That’s not a good thing.”

  “I agree. But what does he know? And is he hunting werewolves for notches on his shotgun, or does he have another purpose? Is he a werewolf hunter? We need more information on this guy. I don’t even know his name.”

  “I gotcha covered. Kel!”

  The faery strode over and sat on the other side of Beck. The bartender placed a tall glass of ice water before him and received an appreciative nod.

  “Kelyn looked up the hunter’s address online,” Trouble said. “What was his name?”