by Crystal Dawn
“I talked a lot too.” He objected.
“Only to ask questions. You said little about yourself or the business.”
“My life hasn’t been as exciting as yours.”
Mal snorted like a male. “You’ve been in wars.”
“Only a small part of the time. Most of my time was spent hurrying up to wait.”
“You were probably a real pistol.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Always teasing and pulling jokes on people.”
“Not me. I was in the strictest unit. They did not tolerate anything that was not in the best interest of the unit. No lively entertainment of any kind. They even shut down the weekly card games the last year I was in.”
“I’m sorry. That sounds unnecessarily harsh.”
“That’s what all of us thought but who you going to complain to? We followed orders.”
Their food came and they both stopped talking to look at the wonderful food on their plates. Jude had ordered lasagna while she had ordered veal piccata. Everything was perfect so they ate in silence until they were done. The server came to clear away the plates and offer them their choice of dessert. Jude ordered cherry cheesecake while she wanted German chocolate cake.
“What made you come home?” Mal asked completely curious.
“They disbanded our unit so I came home with my tail tucked between my legs.”
“Is that how you see it? Your family, hell your whole pack, is happy to have you home.”
Jude sighed. “I know, which only makes me feel guiltier. Home is where I should have gone a long time ago. It’s like I accomplished nothing in all the time I was away.”
“Don’t be silly. You learned skills that you’re going to use to protect your pack. They will serve you well in running that business too. Maybe things didn’t work out the way you envisioned them, but you came home with knowledge you didn’t have when you left. Make use of that so you get everything out of it you need. Stop selling yourself short.”
Jude stared at her with his mouth open. She was glad when he finally shut it. He was thinking about what she’d said. Even if she wanted to keep her distance from him romantically, she could see things about him she admired. It wasn’t in her to let him put himself down that way when it wasn’t true. Even if he wasn’t for her, she saw that he could be a good male and she wanted that for him as much as she wanted to be as far away from him as she could.
“I suppose you are right.” He said almost reluctantly as if he wanted to hold on to the regret from his many years of service. “To be truthful, I had stopped looking at those years in a positive light when I discovered I’d been misled about a great many things.”
Did she want to know more? Hell yes, but that was inviting a friendship that might lead to more. This place wasn’t for her, mainly because this male wasn’t right for her. All they had was a sexual chemistry that would fade with time. Mal didn’t believe in fated mates, she was in charge of her own destiny as were other people. It was just an excuse some used to take mates that families or packs didn’t approve of, that was all.
“I suppose this is as good a time as any to apologize for being such an ass to you.”
Mal lifted her head looking into his eyes. All she saw was sincerity. “Why were you?” She asked unable to hide her curiosity.
“I was told a lot of bad things about white wolves, things I know now weren’t true. My former CO had an agenda I didn’t know about.”
“Kirk?” She asked. He just nodded and she could see he was uncomfortable talking about that time in his life so she didn’t push him anymore. This made her see him in a different light.
She looked at Jude, his wavy long hair he’d let grow since he’d been home. Her fingers itched to run through the silky looking strands. Maybe she should have agreed to fuck this thing out of their system or whatever he’d said, but he’d been so contemptuous of her, and made the offer so crudely. It was like she was good enough to fuck but otherwise not good enough. That would stick with her for a while maybe forever. It would affect their relationship, how could it not? Even knowing why, couldn’t erase all her hurt. Even his apology wasn’t quite enough to start them off with a clean slate.
Once they finished with dessert, they went their separate ways. She assumed he would be hitting a large stack of applicants while she would finish up the website for the training. Getting back to her office with a jug of sweet tea she had asked for in the dining room, she sat down ready to work until she was done regardless of when that might be. The caffeine in the tea would have fueled her, once upon a time, but now it was just something that comforted her as she worked. Few things affected a wolf’s body with alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine topping the list of things that might as well be water.
After hours of ceaseless work, Mal got the site just right. The colors Jude had chosen worked surprisingly well together. Something she hadn’t expected. Maybe he had an eye for that kind of thing. She wasn’t hungry yet so she took the time to order the computers they would need for their downtown office. Once that was done she looked around to see what she should do next. A knock on her door caused her to look up. The door opened a crack before Jude peeked in.
“I saw your light was still on. Would you accompany me to supper?”
“Sure.” She said thinking she would show him the website to get his opinion. Mal grabbed her notebook computer, carrying it with her.
They went to the private dining room which made Mal happy since she planned to discuss business. Jude had good manners, pulling the seat out for her, as he always did when she allowed him to. When she’d been angry at him, she’d hurried to a seat before he had a chance to help her. His face always frowned heavily when she did that, which she took as a small victory. Childish? Yes, but satisfying. This male could push her buttons which made him dangerous.
The server brought the drinks and an appetizer leaving after they thanked her. An onion blossom, one of her favorites, was cut into quarters to make sharing easy. Mal opened her notebook while Jude put some onion blossom on her snack plate. She traded her notebook for her plate watching closely for his reaction.
“This is the website? You’ve finished it already?” His excitement was obvious.
“Except for any changes you might want. I have basic sites to choose from and then I make changes and personalize as needed. Your choice of colors was unusual but they turned out to be dramatic. The interest you’ll get from this site maybe overwhelming. You’ll notice on the third page they can ask for more information. That’s set up to automatically send them a copy of the agreement they’ll have to sign, cost of the three different programs, and what they’ll teach them. Eventually we want to add testimonials.”
“Wow. This is amazing. We need to hire someone to handle the applications and payments. We could begin taking applications right away.”
“Um, you are taking applications and payments. That’s set up automatically too. Your Dad said you’ll begin training in four weeks. Only the six week training program requires prior approval. Those will be forwarded to you.”
Mal took back the notebook going to the page that tracked signups. “You have four signups for self-defense and two for regular guard training. Looks like one just came through for the six week course that you’ll have to approve. I recommend checking this list once a day to deal with them. They’ll send you a list of their accomplishments so you can make a decision. There is a clause that allows you to kick them back into the four week training and give them a partial refund if they don’t qualify for the six week course once the training starts.”
“You’ve thought of everything. I already feel a little overwhelmed.”
“You need a personal assistant to cover many of these things for you.”
“I don’t think a secretary will be much help with most of this.”
“You have a rather antiquated view on things. Personal assistants are just that. They are assigned to you, personally, and do many tasks. They c
an be male or female and their pay is set based on the tasks they do. Maybe you should consider them like a beta to get a better perspective.”
A light seemed to come on in his eyes. That he understood. “So I just decide who can best assist me. That I can do. Someone comes to mind right away. You’ve been a big help.” Jude said smiling sweetly at her. Damn male!
“Hopefully, they’ll be willing to accept the position.” Mal had a feeling working for Jude wouldn’t be easy, but it wouldn’t be her problem. She was getting her assigned tasks done quickly so she would be gone soon.
“Are you implying that there’s someone who wouldn’t be thrilled to work for me?”
“No, I’m just wishing you luck.” She smiled brightly.
“Hmpf. Don’t worry, she’ll start tomorrow.” Jude assured her.
“That will be a good thing for you, since you have a bunch of work to do. This has been lovely, but I have to get back to work.”
“You shouldn’t be such a workaholic. Why don’t you come with me to watch a movie in the living room?”
“The sooner I’m done, the sooner I can get back home to my own work.”
“You’re in a hurry to leave?” He looked slightly disappointed which surprised her.
“Everyone goes home eventually. You know that.”
“Sometimes where home is changes.”
“Mine hasn’t.” She said before she got up leaving the table with her biggest trouble behind.
She’d told him she would be working, it wasn’t a lie but she would work from her bedroom dressed in her lounge wear. It was one of her weaknesses, the fine sexy lounge wear she liked to wear. She pulled out the bottle of wine, a fine boscato. If she had a bar of European chocolate she’d be in heaven. Okay, a hot stud taking care of her needs would make it heaven but she wasn’t going to give in to those needs here. It would be better if she waited until she was back home for that.
Jude flashed through her mind. His hard muscled body begging for her touch, his eyes filled with want, his strong hands, the skin rough from hard work, but gentle when they touched her. He was the reason she would wait until she was far from here to find physical pleasure. Here she was, sitting at the desk in a sexy pajama style outfit, drinking wine while working on a website like it was all there was to life. Right now, she supposed it was all there was to her life. As if to argue the point, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She said, carelessly then she felt a moment of fear when it occurred to her it could be Jude. Thank goodness it wasn’t. “Sherona, what are you doing here at this time of the evening when you have a hot super alpha waiting for you?”
“He’s as big a workaholic as you are, but with everything going on right now, how can I blame him?”
“So you came to visit me because you’re bored?”
“No, I came to visit you because I have time and I miss you when you’re not around.”
“We’ll stick with that story. It makes me feel better. Why don’t you come over here and tell me what you think of the site?”
Sherona looked scrolling through the site. “Wow! Just wow, Mal. I’m ready to sign up for the six week training.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
“No, I’m serious. You have all this information and it makes me see how helpful it could be. Next time someone comes after my baby sister and her family, I want to be with you kicking ass. I know I can fight, but I could never take on three mangy wolves like you did. T.J. couldn’t either and she’s taking this training too. Are you going to be an instructor?”
“Honestly? I hope to be gone before the training begins.”
Sherona’s face fell. She shot Mal sad puppy dog eyes. “I’d hoped you would stay a while.”
“I have. You know I’m a wanderer. It’s the way I was raised.”
“I know, but even wanderers settle down. Look at your dad. He’s got a house and everything.”
“True. But he waited until he was retirement age.”
“Maybe, but he hasn’t retired.”
“He never will. When he goes out he says it will be feet first.”
“You don’t have to wait as long as he did. Why not have the house, family, and a pet. The whole nine yards just like me. No one ever thought I’d settle down, especially not me.”
“Why is it that happily mated folks always want everyone to find the exact same happiness they have?”
“Not everyone, just the people we care about.”
“Barring accidents, I’m going to live a long time. I’ll have that perfect life someday. It’s just not something I’m worried about now.”
Sherona left a couple hours later after they’d finished the bottle of wine, finished a few changes on the site including some suggestions Sherona had, and gossiped about the family for a while. It had felt like back in the days of their youth when they had gone camping, huddled together under sleeping bags in the tent with a candle, talking late into the night. Good times. Now she was alone feeling tired enough to sleep. After all, tomorrow would come early
Mal woke after a night of weird and sometimes erotic dreams. The attractive bastard had starred in the good dreams while a faceless villain starred in the weirder somewhat scary ones. Portents sometimes came to her in her dreams, it was a white wolf gift, or curse depending on how you viewed it. The dreams did make two things completely clear, there would be another attack soon and she and Jude would have a fling. Nothing she did would help her avoid it, but the attack could be foiled.
She got ready in a hurry then headed to the private dining room. Mal knew she had an open invitation, but she had never dined here unless there was a meeting or a specific reason which was why Ari, which was what family called Aristotle, lifted a brow in surprise. The servers brought her coffee and OJ before taking her order. They left quickly.
“There will be another attack soon. Less than a week I would guess.”
“Any details?”
“I believe the leader will be present although he hangs back with males protecting his position. There are at least three dozen, no small force this time. There’s a small house close to the edge of the property they’ll attack.”
Ari now looked shocked. “I wonder how they found out. There must be an informer. That’s where Sherona’s brother and his family is staying. They must be moved right away.”
“I would ask that you do this carefully. Do you have a warrior that looks like Brantley?”
“This will need planning but I understand your concerns.” Ari looked around clearly worried now wanting to say as little as possible.
He would handle this quickly and efficiently because that was what he did. Brantley and his two girls would have to be secured. Brantley hadn’t been like his sisters, he’d married his high school sweetheart who had worked to put him through college. Sherry had been a sweetheart which was why he was falling apart now that she was gone. They had a child while he was in college and another as soon as he started working as a teacher.
Brantley had told her she could stay home with the kids, but she’d wanted her own career. She went to college and got her degree to become a counselor. When she went to work it was at the same school that Brantley worked. Her presence actually helped him get the job as elementary school principal. They felt with his wife there, he wouldn’t leave as soon as he had some experience, as others had in the past. It wasn’t long before he became high school principal and finally superintendent.
Eventually his goal was to move up to a college and eventually become a dean. Mal wondered if his plans had changed. He had two small girls to raise with limited help. If he lived near here instead, he would have all the help he needed. It was an offer she was sure Sherona had made with Ari’s blessing. The wolf was all about family all the time. Even though Brantley didn’t embrace his white wolf blood, he seemed to be coming to terms with the paranormal world.
Ari had already eaten so when their conversation concluded he left. Jude stayed behind even though
he was also done. “I don’t understand where the information came from.”
“Tell me, what do you know about white wolves?”
“You trace your kin back to the strongest bloodline the wolves have ever had. That blood is so strong that even though diluted with humans and others for many generations in most cases, so far every white wolf has changed with little difficulty except possibly one. There are rumors but nothing substantial.”
“It’s true. My Aunt Daisy was forcibly changed just before her hundredth birthday. She died halfway through the change, her body twisted in a painful position. If I ever found out who did it I would kill them.”
“You were close to your aunt?”
“Everyone loved her. What else do you know?”
“Nothing for sure. There are rumors about abilities, both psychic and physical. I’ll admit your fighting was impressive. I’d heard your kind were weak not truly the warriors you were rumored to be. We were lucky that wasn’t true. Even T.J. held three mangy ass wolves at bay even though she couldn’t take them out. I think you could have handled five.”
“White wolves in general are fierce warriors. I’m capable but not the best. Ariel can be vicious if a loved one is threatened. Will is a beast and Charlotte is surprising if you are expecting a model which she was. She can be savage too.”
“What about the magic rumors?”
“Several of my kin are witches. Marissa is a strong witch but also an able fighter as is her twin who dropped out of sight a year or more ago. There is magic in our blood even for those who aren’t witches. The gifts among the family are many and varied.”
“Are you a soothsayer?”
“It’s not a term I use. There is often meaning in my dreams. It’s a common white wolf trait. Unfortunately, we can’t see what we want when we want. The knowledge is at the mercy of our gift.”
“That doesn’t sound useful.”
“If it saves one life it is valuable and it has saved many during my life already.”
“I will have a wait and see attitude.”
“You do that.” Mal was finally finished and she didn’t hesitate to leave nor did she look back.
