by Vivian Arend
“A combo platter for four please.”
Maggie elbowed him. “Four?”
Erik sniffed. She must be extra hungry, maybe that was part of her problem. Silly women were always on diets when they didn’t need to be.
“Sorry, make it for six. Everything raw, extra wasabi on the side, and skip the pickled ginger.” They grabbed spots at the end of the long counter and he held her high-backed stool as she sat, still chuckling.
“You turkey. That’s not what I meant.”
“What?” He captured her hand in his and held it. She might want to go slow, but there was no way he would let her completely ignore the fact they were meant to be together. He wanted to touch her, just to torment himself.
A flush covered her cheeks and she tugged slightly, testing his hold, before relaxing and squeezing his fingers.
“I’m sorry. I’m not making this easy for you.” Her smile faded, and he hurried to reassure her.
“Trust me, I’ve seen mated pairs in action often enough to know their relationships are not always easy. I’m prepared for anything you send my way.” He brushed the fingers of his free hand against her cheek. “I’m all yours.”
The light chatter of tourists carried around them, the scents of people filled the air, but all he noticed was her. Bright blue eyes stared at him. The teasing light fragrance of her perfume, the stronger scent of her wolf—both filled his nostrils and clouded his mind.
His stomach rumbled and broke the intense connection between them. Concern for her health nagged at him. There was something wrong with his mate, and he struggled to understand. Wanted to fix things and make her better.
He needed more details. “You want to tell me what the pills are about?”
She wrinkled her nose. For a second he thought she might try to lie, but then she sighed. “I’ve got some kind of chemical imbalance, and I discovered by chance the pills help change my blood pH enough to knock me back to normal levels for a while.”
“I still don’t see why your wolf doesn’t heal you. Does Missy know about this?”
She nodded slowly.
That was good enough for now. For the past two years Missy had often shared her concern for her sister, how she felt Maggie needed to be back with family as soon as possible. He’d have more time to talk about the situation when they were safely in pack territory.
“I’ll trust she’ll do what she can to help you. You let me know if I can do anything, okay?” Erik kissed her cheek lightly, using the opportunity to suck in a deep breath of her scent.
Hell. This was sheer hell.
The area grew more crowded. Their tray of food arrived, distracting him for a second. Maggie stopped chatting, closing in on herself. Erik glanced around to see other wolves had joined them and now sat at the counter.
One slid closer to Maggie. “Hey, sweet thing. New in town?”
Erik lifted a brow. Was the man an idiot? Or blind?
It wasn’t even worth making a commotion. Wordlessly, he transferred Maggie from her stool to his lap. He selected a piece of sushi and lifted it to her lips. “Ignore him. You said you were hungry. Try this.”
She shot him a grateful look and snuggled closer. “Thank you, although you need to stop hauling me around like I’m a sack of potatoes.”
She accepted the tidbit and her tongue stroked his skin.
He clenched his jaw hard to stop from growling out loud. That’s how she wanted to play it? Okay by him. Anything to keep touching her.
They might have been alone. The new wolves left quickly after realizing he and Maggie were together, and for the first time in a long while, Erik was glad his sheer size was enough to intimidate. Seated at the end of the restaurant counter, his back to the wall, Erik fed piece after piece of delicate salmon, fresh tuna and other sashimi to his mate.
After the first couple of times, Maggie shyly picked a portion and offered it to him in return.
He sucked her fingers into his mouth, licking them clean one by one, his gaze never wavering from hers.
She whimpered, soft and low in her throat, and he had to close his eyes to concentrate on keeping his wolf at bay. Everything about the woman called to him, and she seemed to be going out of her way to drive him wild. She was strong, but needed his protection. Smart, yet tender hearted. He drew her close and kissed her briefly, brushing their lips together. His hand skimmed over her thigh, tugging her closer into his lap and against his rising erection.
She had to know he wanted her.
Maggie licked her lips, then returned to feeding him.
It was as erotic as they could get in a public place. It was a good thing they were in a public place, or he’d never have lasted. A few of the barriers she’d raised between them seemed to have slipped away.
Erik glanced at his watch. There was just enough time to finish their meal, pick up the boys and be on their way. He chose another piece and held it to her lips.
He was going to enjoy every possible moment with his mate.
Chapter Four
On the outskirts of Haines, Alaska, Erik turned down a long driveway. They passed a large log building Maggie assumed was the pack house. There was a meeting happening tonight, judging by the cars gathered three deep in the parking lot.
Another minute down the same road Erik pulled up in front of a tidy bungalow. An older home was tucked into the trees next to it.
He opened her door and helped her out, his fingers caressing hers lightly as he held her hand a little too long.
Why did he have to make her tingle?
Maggie shook her hand free and turned to admire her sister’s home. This was far quieter and more up her alley than living in a common apartment like some packs did. Being with a mess of wolves right now? Ix-nay. Not something she could handle.
Being cooped up with Erik for the past four hours made her more than ready for a little space from him as well. He’d done nothing but chat quietly to her about the Granite Lake pack, and ask polite questions. After the sensuality of the lunch they’d shared, all that danced through her brain were visions of them naked.
It had been a very long four hours.
A tall, lean figure strode down the stairs to greet them. Spiky black hair and a wicked smile flashed for a second before he snatched her up and spun her in a circle.
“Welcome. It’s about time you made it north to join us.” Tad released her, ruffling her hair. She returned his grin and simply stood next to him, relaxing into the calm his presence cast over her. It was amazing how his skills as an Omega soothed her jangled nerves.
His brow shot upward and he hooted with laughter as he hugged them both. “Erik! You old dog. Congratulations, both of you.”
Oh shit. Another side effect of being an Omega—she’d forgotten he’d sense right away the potential connection between her and Erik.
“Tad—”
“Missy is going to be so excited to know you’re mates. This is fabulous news.”
“Tad—”
“Erik, you coming in as well? Or will you come back to get her later?”
“Tad, wait.”
Finally he stopped to listen, his head cocked to the side. The sensation of a cool breeze floated from him, and she took a deep breath. The edge of her pain numbed as she took his hand.
Omega skills ran deep in both her sister and Tad, and she’d never been more grateful for a calming touch. She had to speak quickly before she lost her nerve. “Erik’s not staying with me. Not yet.”
Tad raised a brow, concern written on his face. “Really?” He glanced between them for a few seconds before he shrugged. “Okay. Your choice. I guess we’ll see you later.”
Maggie turned to face the giant standing mere inches away. She kept her hands by her sides to stop from reaching for him and begging him to stay. “I…”
He tapped her lightly on the nose, his strong body and gorgeous features so tempting and reassuring at the same time. Love and concern poured from him. “I heard you. Right now, I’l
l give you space. Say hi to Missy for me, and I’ll see you at dinner. You will sit with me.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. Bossy, arrogant…
“Please.” Erik winked at her, nodded at Tad, then strode across the deck toward the larger house on the adjacent property.
Maggie suddenly felt timid standing alone next to an Omega wolf—she wasn’t scared of him, but he might be able to tell exactly what was wrong with her, and why. The reason for her attempt to return to the pack, as well as the reason she’d left in the first place.
Was she ready for anyone to know it all?
For many years she’d been on her own, dealing with her fears. She still wasn’t ready to admit to anything more than she needed help healing her body. Maybe in a few weeks, or months, she could talk about the rest of the trouble. Now it was enough she was attempting to rejoin a pack on a trial basis.
She pasted on a bright smile before lifting her gaze to his. The expression on his face made her drop the façade. Damn.
“You know what’s wrong with me, don’t you? And why?”
He dragged a hand through his hair, staring into the distance. When he looked back at her the anger and indignation she’d seen on his face were once again controlled.
He nodded slowly. “It’s an Omega thing. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, and I doubt Missy will pick it up. She’s a little distracted right now. But, Maggie, you need to understand—you’re safe here. Also, Erik is a rock. You can share anything with him.”
Tad’s simple statement, and the lack of pity in his eyes did more to ease her fears than anything else. “Thanks.”
“Now, we’d better get inside. Missy’s a trifle…touchy these days. I’m going out of my way not to piss her off.”
The house was clean and tidy except for a few toys scattered around. Bright pictures and fabric filled the cozy rooms. Maggie admired what she saw as they moved at a quick pace through to the back of the house. There the kitchen faced the trees, and just to the side was a cheery sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. Missy sat curled up in one of the comfy chairs, basking in the sunlight.
“You’re here!” Missy twisted in her chair and what Maggie thought was a pillow twisted with her. She threw her arms open wide, her eyes bright, and her smile from ear to ear. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. Come and give me a hug.”
Maggie raced across the room, maneuvering as close as possible, wrapping her arms around her sister and relaxing into her embrace. The tears that had threatened earlier fell now as they held each other for the first time in what felt like forever.
Finally Missy patted her on the head and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad to see you again.”
The heavy bulge of Missy’s baby-filled belly separating them moved, and Maggie pulled away in amazement.
“Oh my goodness, you’re…” Oops. Gigantic was probably not a good thing to say to a pregnant woman.
“Huge? Damn it, I don’t feel like a wolf, I feel like a beached whale.”
Maggie laughed. “There’s never been more of you to love than now.”
“Oh gee, good one. Like I’ve never heard that before.”
They grinned at each other and the years apart faded away. Missy was family—all the family she had left—and Maggie desperately needed family right now.
She reached out to give Missy’s hand one more squeeze. “Thanks for letting me join you.”
“You’re going to be working for your keep, trust me. I can’t move fast enough to keep up with Jamie. I’m so glad he won’t be able to shift into a wolf until he’s a teenager. He’s hard enough to catch at eighteen months.”
Maggie glanced around the room, looking for her nephew. “Where is he?”
“Sleeping. I think. I don’t hear rockets going off, so he must still be locked in his room.”
Tad dropped a kiss on his mate’s forehead before squatting beside her.
Missy glared at him. “Finally. Did you get me—?”
He thrust out a handful of brightly coloured chocolate bars. “Dark chocolate. Plus orange chocolate…with walnuts.”
Missy stared, disgruntled, her mouth twisting. She planted both hands on the sides of her chair to heave herself into a new position.
Tad rushed to help her.
She smiled sweetly at him and started again. “After you left, I decided I also wanted—”
“—dried smoked salmon. There’s one bag on the table. I left the rest in the fridge.”
Maggie laughed behind her hand. “Missy, are you trying to be difficult?”
Her sister pouted. “It’s his damn fault I’m a bloated beach ball. Again.”
Tad winked. “All my fault. I confess.” Maggie watched in amusement as the two of them teased and verbally sparred for a minute before he rose, kissing Missy’s cheek once again. “I’m going to leave you two ladies alone to get reacquainted. I’ll take Jamie with me, but we’ll be back in time to escort you to dinner.”
“I want pickles at dinner.”
Maggie burst out laughing as Tad shook his head slowly. “You hate pickles.”
“I want them.”
Tad snickered at Maggie. “Pickles. At least it’s not pickles and ice cream. That would be too cliché.”
“Your fault,” Missy restated.
He blew her a kiss. “I seem to remember you were there too.”
He ducked the pillow she threw and left.
The sun shining in made the room a warm haven of peace. To the side of the open window, an indoor water feature splashed and tinkled, the sound calming and reassuring. Missy adjusted herself, stretching her legs in front of her.
Maggie stared in amazement at the perfectly round protrusion extending from her sister’s stomach. “You really are a beach ball.”
“Shut up. Wait until you meet your mate and get pregnant. You’re not much taller than me. There’s nowhere for the baby to go but out, and this time with two of them…” Missy paused, then narrowed her eyes. Maggie felt her face heat up. “Holy moly, you’ve met your mate. Haven’t you?”
Maggie leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Anyone ever tell you it’s damn hard to have a conversation with you when you seem to know everything, about everybody, before they tell you? It was bad enough when we were young, but since you’ve accepted you’re an Omega, it’s gotten ridiculous.”
Missy snorted. “It’s worse than you think. With Tad being an Omega too, we occasionally have really freaky conversations. Quit stalling. Who is it?”
Maggie stared out the window. “I’m not ready for a mate.”
“Who is it?” Missy rubbed her hands with glee. “Someone in Vancouver? Why didn’t he come with you? Is he making arrangements to move north, too?”
Maggie stood and wandered away a few steps. She didn’t need this. Not now. Did Missy not realize how difficult it was to be surrounded by wolves again for the first time in years? Had she forgotten what it was like to be truly afraid?
The only reason Maggie had maintained any contact with their old pack was to keep in touch with Missy. As soon as Missy had mated with Tad, Maggie instantly severed all final ties with Whistler.
Her sister wouldn’t drop the topic. “You met him in Whitehorse? Mags, you do realize this might be the solution to your problem.”
Yeah, right. “Listen to me? I don’t want to be tied to a mate. I’m still wondering if I made the right decision to come and be with your pack.” She looked down at her sister. “How can you be so comfortable around all these wolves? After everything they did to you? All those years of your life wasted because our Alpha—”
“Oh, honey, I’ve told you this so many times over the past two years. These wolves have been nothing but kind to me. Our Alpha wasn’t an Alpha—not in the truest sense of the word. Tad is more than twice the man my first husband ever was. I’m happy now, Mags, really I am. Yeah, it was a rotten situation, and I didn’t deserve to be treated like that, but I’ve moved on. Isn’t it time you did
the same?”
The only person in the world Maggie knew who had gone through more hell than she had sat before her, huge with her second and third children. Living with a man she trusted, who went out of his way to make her smile.
Was it really possible to leave the past behind?
“Maggie. Tell me. Please.”
It was impossible to resist her.
“Erik.” Maggie squeezed her eyes tight as her body reacted to even saying his name.
Her wolf woke again, this time with a slow and sensuous stretch itching up her spine. She hadn’t felt that sensation in years.
Complete and utter silence greeted her announcement. She poked open an eye to see Missy sitting with her mouth gaping open. “What?”
Missy giggled naughtily. “You don’t want to know.”
“Bullshit. You made me tell you who it is, now spill. Do you not trust him?”
Her sister gasped. “Not trust Erik? The Friendly Giant? Girl, there is no one I trust more, except Tad and my Alpha. I was just imagining…umm…the two of you together. That’s all.”
Oh God. Not what she needed right now. “Great. I tell you I found my mate, and the first thing that jumps to your mind is how we’re going to manage sex. You’re such a bitch.”
They both laughed. “Yeah, well, sex is kinda up there on my ‘things to think about’ list these days since I’m not getting much.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Enough. I haven’t accepted the mating yet. I need to figure other things out first.”
Missy lifted her belly with her hands and wiggled to the front of her chair. “What you’re not taking into consideration is with Erik as your mate, he’ll help you figure those things out. You need help, and he’s the one able to give it. You need to trust him.”
“Stop being a bloody oracle.”
“I’m not being an oracle, I’m being an Omega. More importantly, I’m being your sister and I only want the best for you. Why are you fighting so hard? Erik is a good man, and he’s gorgeous. If I wasn’t mated I’d be interested in a roll in the hay with him.”
A low growl burst from Maggie. She froze in shock.
