Inking the Wolf: A wolf shifter paranormal romance (Wolves of Crookshollow Book 3)

by Steffanie Holmes

  “What? Oh, yeah, sorry.” I quickly clicked away from the picture.

  “Caleb’s here to see you.”

  I waved to Caleb, who was waiting on the leather sofa under the window. He came over and leaned across the waist-high partition separating the working area of the shop from the waiting space. “Good news,” he said. “It took some doing, especially after Robbie’s accident the other night, but Irvine and I have secured our first major alliance, with the Wulfric pack of Germany.”

  “That’s great news.” From what Robbie had told me, the Wulfrics were one of the biggest lycanthrope packs in Europe. If we had the Wulfrics on our side, we’d soon notice a domino effect where more packs would align with Caleb, and he’d be able to become a real force for change. Of course, Robbie also hated the Wulfric pack, but I got the impression most shifter packs were pretty antagonistic toward each other, so I didn’t think that really mattered much.

  “It is.” Caleb narrowed his eyes. “The only thing is, as part of their alliance, they want their representative Rolf to remain with us in Crookshollow, and work with us on forging additional alliances and establishing the shifter government. Effectively, he’ll become part of our pack.”

  “You’re okay with that?”

  Caleb shrugged. “I don’t like it, having some shifter lording it over us, insisting on being in on all our secrets. But that’s the only way we’ll get these guys on our side. Hence, why I’m here. I was wondering if you could put him up at the art house? I’d ask Ryan to, but I think having him stay at Raynard Hall sends the wrong message. Your place is a bit less … intimidating.”

  “I agree.” Ryan’s palatial manor was certainly majestic, but if the Wulfric pack was anything like how Robbie described them, they would see accommodation there as us trying to show off our superiority. The last thing we need is the Germans thinking we were trying to show we’re better than them.

  “Plus, Rolf kind of took a shine to the place when we were there for the wedding. He specifically asked to be put up there if possible. Practically begged, in fact.”

  “Well, if he begged …” I grinned.

  “As much as a shifter can ever beg. So it’s okay, then?”

  “Yeah, sure. Hopefully, he’ll give me a five-star review on TripAdvisor. It’ll be a win-win.”

  “I’m sure we can figure out some kind of arrangement.” Caleb glanced at his phone. “I’ve got to get back. We’ve still got a lot of negotiating to do to figure out exactly what this alliance looks like, and Rolf isn’t always an easy guy to talk to. I’ll bring Rolf by The Prim when we’re done – maybe around six?”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you both then.”

  I sat back down at the computer, my mind whirring. I knew Robbie hated this guy, but if the pack’s plan was going to work, all those old shifter grudges were going to have to be settled, sooner or later. Seeing Robbie stand up for himself against Caleb yesterday gave me an idea – if I forced Robbie to face Rolf, then that would help him feel as though he’d made the right decision in coming here. Robbie would get the ego boost he needed, and Rolf would be put in his place so he wouldn’t bother Robbie anymore. If I could make it go down the way I envisioned, it would be awesome for everyone.

  Things were about to get really interesting at The Prim.

  18

  Robbie

  I grabbed the next crumbling wooden trunk from the stack, and prised the lid open. A great dust cloud rose from inside and hit me in the face. I staggered back, holding my mouth as another coughing fit took hold.

  My throat was already raw from inhaling all the dust I’d disturbed in the attic, and so far, it was all in vain. I’d already torn the three servants bedrooms apart, in case Hattie had squirrelled away the ring along with the rest of her horde, but no such luck. Now, I was finishing the search of the attic – I found an ancient camera, several moth-eaten trunks of clothing, boxes and boxes of glass preserving jars, and a creepy porcelain doll I’d had to turn to face the wall because her eyes kept following me around the room. All this, but no Benedict ring, and no other clue where it might be.

  Caleb’s angry face flashed before my eyes. I rubbed the back of my head, raw and aching from all the times I’d stood up straight and banged it on the ceiling.

  Downstairs, the front door slammed. I leapt up, banging my head on the rafters. Again.

  “Honey, I’m home!”

  It was Bianca. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and checked the time. 4:15. She was early. I dusted off my clothes as quick as I could, and scrambled down the steep staircase.

  Bianca grinned up at me from the entrance hall, her arms laden with a heavy box of groceries. “The shop was empty except for Iris’ clients, so Elinor and I decided to call it quits for the day. I even stopped by the supermarket and got us some real food. Why are you so dusty?”

  “Oh, just hunting around in the attic,” I said, meeting her at the bottom of the stairs and following her into the kitchen. “You’d love it up there. There’s all sorts of crazy old things. I’m thinking of using some for my art project.”

  “You still doing that?” She stacked boxes and tins on the bench in the kitchen.

  “Of course. I want to contribute something to the house.”

  “You’re already contributing, Robbie. You’ve fixed up so much already. Without you, there wouldn’t even be a house. The Prim wouldn’t exist.” She flashed me that beautiful Bianca smile. “I am seriously so grateful.”

  “Grateful enough to make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner?” It was my favourite. Bianca made her meatballs extra spicy.

  She held up a packet of mincemeat. “Already started, my friend.”

  “Can I help?”

  “Not covered in dust, you can’t.” She shoved me toward the door. Her hand against my chest sent a shiver through my body. “You’d better get cleaned up before Rolf gets here.”

  “Rolf?” My heart plummeted to my chest. Did she just say that Rolf was coming here?

  “Yeah. Sorry, I thought Caleb would have told you. He came to chat with me at the shop today. Apparently, the Wulfric pack are going to become our allies, but only if they can keep someone here to represent them in all our decisions.”

  “Caleb would’ve loved that.”

  “Oh yeah, he looked real thrilled. But it was either agree or lose the Wulfrics. So he’s agreed that Rolf will stay here and work closely with the pack until the time we are ready to make a bid for a new parliament. And apparently, he wants to stay here.”

  I shook my head. This can’t be happening. That bastard can’t be moving in with Bianca and I. “That’s crazy. Caleb can’t do that. Does he even know what the Wulfrics have done over the years? They’ve assassinated major German politicians in order to get their own alphas inside parliament. They’re ruthless. They’re not going to let Caleb tell them what to do.”

  “I’m sure Caleb knows what he’s doing. Anyway, he and Luke are bringing Rolf over soon and—” There was a sharp knock at the door. Bianca dropped the meat on the bench. “That must be them now.”

  My heart sank as I followed Bianca into the hall.

  She flung open the door. Caleb and Luke stood on the step, their arms folded across their chests. Rolf stood behind him, his arms folded and feet spread – his body language exuding dominance. I spread my own legs and folded my own arms, resisting the urge to bare my teeth. My inner wolf scratched against my skin, desperate to chase this interloper off my territory. But one look from Caleb and I knew that wasn’t going to be how this went down.

  Bianca outstretched her hand. “Rolf, hello. It’s great to meet you.”

  Rolf stared Bianca up and down, licking his lips like she was a rare steak fresh off the grill. He turned to Caleb, and slapped him on the shoulder. “You didn’t tell me you’d organised a mate for me. Thank you for your consideration. She’s perfect. She’s exactly my taste.”

  Back the fuck up, Rolf. My hands balled into fists.

  Bianca’s face froze
. “Excuse me?”

  Caleb shot me a pained look. I bared my teeth, making for the door, but he held up his hand. He turned to Rolf. “Bianca’s not for you. Remember, you saw her get married just the other night. She’s just the owner of The Prim. She’ll look after you while you’re here, make sure you have everything you need.”

  Rolf leaned forward, grabbing Bianca under the chin, tilting her head up so his eyes bore into hers. “Oh, I think I’ll get everything I need from you, and more.”

  My blood boiled in my veins. Of course he thought he had a right to Bianca. But she was mine.

  I growled, low in my throat. Rolf turned, noticing me for the first time. He tossed his head back and laughed. “Oh, didn’t see you there, little Robbo. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt your friend … much. From the looks of her, I bet she likes it rough—”

  I expected Bianca to flare up, but instead she gave the wolf a salacious smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she purred, holding the door open and ushering Rolf inside. As he whipped past her, he leaned in close, his hand groping for her arse, his long nose sniffing her face. She giggled.

  Anger flared inside me. How dare he come here, to my home, and speak to my mate like that?

  And why was Bianca allowing it?

  As Rolf and Bianca stood in the sitting room, pointing to one of the paintings and laughing at some joke, I took a long, hard look at Rolf, trying to see him through Bianca’s eyes. I hated to admit that I liked what I saw. At well over six foot, Rolf towered over Caleb and I, his long legs striding through the house with the utmost confidence. His chiseled features and broad shoulders belonged on a men’s swimwear commercial. Most importantly, he oozed confidence. His power practically sizzled against his skin. His presence filled the room, leaving no space for me.

  This can’t be happening. He can’t be staying here. But he was. Bianca was hauling Rolf’s backpack up the stairs, explaining in breathless tones that he’d have the Hummingbird Room, the first in the hallway leading up to hers.

  Rolf glanced over to me, grinning like the cat that had just found the cream. He must have read something of my anger in my face, because he elbowed me in the ribs and said, “She’s a fine woman. She’ll make a great mate.”

  “She’s mine,” I growled. “She’s my mate.”

  “Ah, yes. I can smell your claim on her. But I know something you don’t know, little Robbo. You’re on shaky ground with your pack.”

  “What are you going on about?”

  “Your fearless leader Caleb is getting very impatient that you haven’t located a certain artefact.” Rolf laughed at my stricken face. “Yes, the secret is out. He was a fool to think a fake ring would fool me for this long. Without that ring, he can’t move forward with his grand plan, a grand plan that now includes me and the Wulfric pack on a high level. The thing is,” he rubbed his chin, like he was deep in thought, “I am a handsome wolf with high status in my pack, who will have a vital role in reshaping the world. You are a piece-of-scum criminal who can’t even read—”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I growled.

  “Oh, yes? You mean, I do not know that when you were at the library, you were writing out the text in big, loopy, childish handwriting? I do not know that you took an entire day to read three pages of a medieval document?”

  I grabbed for his throat, but Rolf was too quick. His fingers tightened around my wrist, and he yanked my arm down, drawing our faces so close, I could see a tiny vein on the edge of his eye pulse as he spoke.

  He tsked. “Now, now, we are not animals here. At least, not at this moment.”

  “Get out of this house,” I growled.

  “I cannot do that, and if you force me out, your alpha will drop you for certain.”

  “He wonnae dare if he knows you are trying to take my mate.”

  “Ah, but is that the truth? Remember that only a few months ago, you did the exact same thing to him. You kidnapped his precious Rosa and took her back to your scumbag father. You tried to manipulate him into doing what you wanted.”

  I glared at him, boiling rage coursing through my veins. How did he know about this? Did Caleb tell him? Caleb knows that I was only acting under Angus’ orders, and I helped set Rosa free and stood up to Dad in the end. But Rolf wasn’t anywhere near Aberdeen at the time, and no one in the Maclean pack would have told him a thing. The only way he could know about Rosa was if Caleb told him. Why would he speak about me like that to someone outside the pack?

  Unless, the thought turned my veins to ice, unless he doesn’t really trust you after all. Unless he’s getting ready to cut you out completely. He waited until you had given up everything, so that when he cast you out, you’d have nowhere to go. Maybe it’s his way of punishing you for what you did to Rosa.

  Rolf grinned. “I see that you are starting to understand. Allow me to be clear and simple, because I know that big words confuse you. I control you, Robbie Maclean. You back off from Bianca, and do everything I say, and I won’t destroy your precious second chance. But if you don’t do as I ask, I’ll make sure you’re cast out quicker than you can say ‘dead pure brilliant.’”

  “Bianca’s not some piece of meat we’re fighting over,” I growled. “You may be able to control me, but you can’t tell her what to do. She’ll make up her own mind.”

  “Indeed she will.” Rolf’s grin grew wider. “And who do you think she will choose? Bianca may be with you for now, but she didn’t have any other options then. I am a powerful alpha who will be one of the world’s shifter leaders, and you are an illiterate criminal who will soon be without a pack. You can offer her nothing. It’s just the truth, I’m sorry to say. A girl like that, she’ll never stay mated with a pussy like you.”

  I wanted to protest, to haul him out of the house by the scruff of his neck. My inner wolf pressed against my skin, desperate to come out and tear his throat out. But I gulped back the rage. Because I knew he was right.

  I’d had Bianca for one incredible night, but I’d been a fool to think I could keep her. She deserved a man like Rolf, and as soon as she realised that, I’d be cast aside, just like always.

  19

  Bianca

  I cooked spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Usually, Robbie would hang around to help with the prep, but tonight it was Rolf who entertained me in the kitchen. He was quite a funny guy, really.

  Robbie skulked away to the sitting room, his nose buried deep in another box of old documents. Every ten minutes, I heard him sigh or mumble loudly, sometimes even growling low in his throat.

  Something was definitely up with him. Probably it was a wolf territory thing – after all, Rolf had been a rival pack for most of Robbie’s life, and after what Robbie had gone through because of Rolf, I could understand him being less than hospitable. It’s hard to just shut off that programming.

  Let him sulk. I’ll talk to him later. I tried to tune Robbie out and focus on making sure our guest was well taken care of.

  That was an easy job. Rolf was a cool guy. He knew his way around a kitchen, helping me to crush garlic and chop basil like a pro. Robbie could barely boil water, which is probably what happened when you lived most of your life as a wolf in the forest.

  While I prepared the meatballs, Rolf found a bunch of half-open bottles leftover from the party and made us a pitcher of sangria, all the while regaling me with hilarious stories about his pack’s overly-protective top alpha. I loved hearing about his life as part of the pack. Robbie almost never talked about his time before he joined with Caleb, and I knew enough to understand that the Lowe pack wasn’t your typical werewolf horde.

  Delicious, garlicky smells wafted up from the stove. I sent Rolf upstairs to tell the others dinner was ready, while I heaped meatballs and sauce onto beds of pasta, and brought the plates out to the dining room. Rolf followed with the sangria and a plate of parmesan.

  “This looks köstlich.” Hans rubbed his hands together as I set his plate down in front of him. On ei
ther side of him, two stick-thin German supermodels stared at the heaped plates of pasta with thinly-veiled expressions of disgust. Serenity accepted hers with a smile and a nod. An empty seat next to me alerted me to Robbie’s absence. Odd, usually he was clamouring at the bit for food.

  I poked my head through the hallway door and yelled, “Robbie, dinner!”

  “Robbie, dinner! Don’t forget to wash behind your ears,” Rolf mimicked in a high-pitched squeal, sounding eerily like my mother. I burst out laughing.

  My laughter died on my lips as soon as Robbie entered the room. He looked miserable, his face long, his eyes flashing. He slumped down in his seat and started shovelling his food into his mouth like he couldn’t wait to get out of there.

  I knew he didn’t like Rolf, but this was intense. What’s wrong with him? It’s not me, is it? He’s not having regrets about the other night?

  “Rolf made sangria. It’s delicious.” I held up the pitcher. “Do you want some?”

  Robbie shook his head, his eyes not moving from his plate as he gulped down the food, seemingly without chewing.

  “Robbo isn’t really a cocktail kind of guy,” Rolf said. “He’s more a beer-and-pizza kind of guy.”

  “That’s true.” I nodded, thinking about all the pizza and beer we’d consumed while we were cleaning up this place.

  “I could relate to that,” Hans said, waving a fork in the air, “if it were not for the fact your English beer tastes of squirrel piss.”

  The German supermodels sniggered.

  “Well, maybe we’ll do pizza tomorrow night. I know you’ve brought a case of your own beer over, Hans, so the rest of us will indulge in an inferior English brew.” Hans made a face at me across the table. “There’s actually a surprising number of decent takeaway in Crookshollow. We can try them all.”

  “We sure can,” Rolf said, chomping into a meatball. He grinned across at me. “I’m not going anywhere in a hurry.”