WILD WOLF: Werewolves of Montana Book 12

by Vanak, Bonnie

  “I’ll do it,” she finally said. “Where is the wedding? Here?”

  Glancing at Aiden’s glare, she decided that might not be the best idea.

  “No. On Nolan’s property.”

  “When do I leave?”

  “Immediately.” Tristan jumped off the porch railing. “Say your good-byes.”

  She looked at Aiden, whose frown had returned, and Nia, whose gentle face was filled with sympathy. On impulse she went to Nia and shook her hand.

  “Thank you for your hospitality,” she told her.

  Jordan looked at Aiden. “Have a nice life. I’ll try not to make your cousin miserable.”

  Before he could answer, she walked up to the baby in his arms, and clasped her tiny hands. “I left you a gift in my room, cutie pie. Make sure you listen to your mama. As for your papa, well, listen to your mama. She knows best.”

  Aiden growled. The baby looked up at him, babbled something. He smiled at her.

  Jordan never knew if the baby smiled back because in the next minute, Tristan had waved his hand, and she felt herself hurling through time and space.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought to control her nausea. Then she felt solid ground beneath her feet and a cool breeze against her cheek, and smelled freshly mown grass and pine.

  Home. Once it had been home.

  “Open your eyes,” Tristan ordered.

  Maybe that was a bad idea. Maybe she could leave them shut and the past four days would dissolve like a bad dream. But her pragmatic side, the one that kept her alive, disagreed.

  Jordan opened her eyes.

  They stood on a hillside, the steep slope marching down into a valley. To her left was the wooden lodge where Nolan lived. She craned her neck and saw the third floor, second window from the far left. Once it had been her bedroom, her refuge. Until that terrible night…

  Stop thinking about it or you’ll never be able to do this.

  Tristan studied her. “Recognize it?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve tried to purge it from my memory.”

  She thought he’d take her up to the lodge, dump her in Nolan’s care. Instead, the wizard kept scrutinizing her. “When I brought you here as a little girl, you were frightened, but quickly adapted. You seemed happy later when I checked on you.”

  There was a surprise. “You brought me here?”

  At his nod, Jordan shrugged again. “I was five. Don’t remember much.”

  But she did remember a year later a visit from a tall wizard with black hair, clad in black, who visited the pack, gave her a stuffed wolf to play with. It hurt to think of how she’d lost that toy.

  “Bryce snatched away the gift I gave you.” Tristan stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

  Jordan blinked. “How did you know… oh wait. Of course. You’re the Silver Wizard.”

  “Last time I checked,” Tristan said dryly. “Let’s go meet Nolan.”

  She’d much rather remain here, on the hill, away from the gangly, tall and shy Lupine she once loved. But no choice now. Onward.

  The walk up the steep hill made her huff and puff. Jordan paused a minute to wipe sweat from her brow. Always this place seemed to drain her slightly, as if being in a pack muted her wolf instead of strengthening it.

  “Sheesh.” Jordan bent over, bracing her hands on her knees. “I’ve climbed mountains in Colorado and didn’t get half this winded.”

  Tristan said nothing, only waited. She sucked down several deep gulps of air. It made no sense.

  She blamed it on the emotional trauma of her past.

  When they cleared the hill and walked to the front of the lodge, their steps crunching the gravel drive, Jordan’s heart banged against her chest. Not from the altitude or the exercise, but the fear mingling with anticipation. Would Nolan recognize her?

  Tristan opened one of the double oak doors and held it for her. “After you.”

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. Everything looked the same – the comfortable sofas sprawled before the river rock fireplace, the moose and deer heads hanging from the wall near the staircase. She and Nolan had whimsically named them Ma and Pa, and she’d asked MeeMaw, Nolan’s great-grandmother, to show her how to knit a hat.

  The faded pink results of her childish labor still sat upon Ma’s antlered head.

  Tightness settled in her chest. This living room with the stacks of magazines, bookshelves and rag rugs had been the only real home she remembered. Six years of being on the road, hitchhiking and being on her own all fled.

  Then she remembered the real reason she’d left. Her gaze sharpened on Tristan. “You sure he’s not here?”

  “Bryce is dead. He will never return to bother you,” Tristan said gently, his expression kind.

  He knows. He knows what happened to me. Panic squeezed her insides, but she forced herself to calm down. Silly. Of course he probably knew. He knew everything.

  Suddenly she wanted to ask him why he hadn’t done anything, hadn’t prevented her from running off. But there was no time, for Nolan appeared at the top of the oak staircase.

  He looked far taller than she remembered. As he descended, Jordan realized the good-looking boy had been replaced with a striking man with good looks, a man’s muscled body, strong cheekbones, an aquiline nose, his ash brown hair cut short.

  For a moment her heart leapt in eager anticipation. Nolan had always loved her, treated her well…

  He reached the landing. His caramel gaze looked far colder than she remembered, his expression unsmiling. Not welcoming. Nolan was as icy as his distant cousin, Aiden Mitchell.

  My reluctant groom. She swallowed hard. “Hi Nolan. Good to see you again.”

  “Jordan.” Nolan gave a brusque nod. He inclined his head to Tristan. “Tristan, thank you for escorting her here. Welcome to my home.”

  No welcome for me? Thanks. This quiet, stone-cold man had replaced the affectionate Lupine who kissed away her bruises and joined her in long scampers over the hills for berry picking and adventures.

  The Lupine who’d tumbled her into the hay in the barn and took her virginity, and swore he’d never love another female, only her.

  The Lupine who looked as if she crushed him beneath her heel when she told him she didn’t love him back…

  The Southern twang remained the same, the lilting accent she had loved. His manner of dress looked familiar as well – cherry red cotton shirt rolled up at the elbows to reveal strong, tanned forearms, and well-worn jeans and leather work boots.

  But she recognized nothing else about the Lupine who had been her best friend.

  Maybe he’d changed after assuming leadership of the pack? The thought struck her as Tristan talked with Nolan about the harvest, asked polite questions about the pack’s welfare.

  Jordan waited for Tristan to stop speaking.

  “I’m sorry about your father’s death.” She paused, realized that was a lie, and shrugged. “Well, I’m sorry for you. Not for anyone else in the pack. He wasn’t such a terrific alpha.”

  Nolan’s gaze turned to ice. He ignored her and focused on Tristan. “How’s my cousin Aiden?”

  Annoyed, she bit her lip. Fine, ignore me. This isn’t going to work out. Then she reminded herself that Nolan was saving her butt through this mating.

  Jordan wanted to snap her fingers in Nolan’s face. Instead, she settled for words. “Nia’s terrific. The baby is adorable and sweet. Your cousin Aiden, on the other hand, is a right dick.”

  Amusement danced in Tristan’s dark gaze, while Nolan scowled. But he finally turned to acknowledge her.

  “Around here, we don’t swear and we don’t disrespect the alpha, any alpha. We work hard as a team. Suppose you don’t remember those other four-letter words – work and team.”

  She turned to Tristan. “Maybe prison would be better after all.”

  The wizard’s expression remained mirthful. “I think you’ll enjoy it here. Nolan is exactly what you need, Jordan. You as well, Nolan.”

>   Nolan’s mouth tightened. “Where’s your luggage? I’ll have one of my men haul it to our bedroom.”

  Chagrin filled her. Her few personal items had been left behind in the woods when Tristan spirited her away. All she had was a change of clothing Nia had loaned her.

  “Jordan’s luggage will be arriving later. I’ve personally arranged it,” Tristan said smoothly.

  She shot him a grateful look. Bad enough she had to come crawling back here to save herself. Admitting she was as poor as that long-ago orphan girl who came here to live? At least Tristan saved a bit of her pride.

  Nolan nodded. “Then come into the dining room. Reckon you’re hungry with the time change and all.”

  At last, the hospitality she remembered well, yet he still didn’t look at her, only at Tristan. The wizard shook his head.

  “I must leave, but I’ll return tonight at sunset to marry you both. There will be no doubts about the legitimacy of this union.”

  Tristan glanced at her. “Your wedding gown will arrive with your luggage in about two hours. Nia selected it personally. She said you’d love it.”

  Such kindness made her throat tighten. At least Aiden’s mate understood what she faced. Having a nice dress armored her for a situation where she had no control.

  “Please thank her for me.”

  His smile turned warm. “None needed. The homemade cap you knitted for the baby is thanks enough.”

  With a meaningful glance at Nolan, the wizard flicked a hand and vanished.

  She and Nolan were left alone in the living room. He shoved his hands into his pockets, shuffled his feet.

  Finally, he looked at her. “Jordan. You’ve changed. Grown into a woman.”

  Give it a chance. “You’ve changed as well. But the place still looks the same.” She smiled at him. “It looks good. Real good, Nolan.”

  “Suppose it’s not as fancy and fast as the big cities you left us for.”

  So much for compliments. “You have no idea of where I’ve been.”

  “I know what you did,” he said evenly. “No bones about it, Jordan. I don’t tolerate rule breaking around here. There’s no nightlife or frolicking or lazing about.”

  “I don’t frolick,” she snapped.

  “No, you only set fires to Skin houses.”

  Folding her arms across her chest, she glared at him. “You’re quick to condemn me, Nolan. You don’t know what I’ve done since I’ve been gone.”

  “Know enough, and why you’re here. It’s enough for me.” He gave her a pointed, hard look.

  Jordan bristled. “When did you become so judgmental?”

  He scratched his chin, and she noticed the bristles on it. As if his wolf emerged, and his testosterone surged. “No judging, just fact. More facts for you. Around here, the vineyard comes first, along with pack. We work hard.”

  “Anything else?” she asked.

  “I’m your alpha. When I tell you to do something, you’ll do it. In bed or out of it.”

  His long, lingering sweep across her body indicated desire still flared between them. A shiver of anticipation snaked down her spine. Jordan wet her lips. His gaze tracked every move, heat flaring in his whiskey-colored eyes as if he wanted to kiss her.

  And more.

  Kissing had led to other things with Nolan. Things that brought fire between her legs, made her beg and plead as she’d writhed beneath him in pleasure.

  And then dread replaced anticipation as she recalled the real reason she’d left. He might be alpha, but he had no idea of why she’d fled in the night …

  Jordan shrugged to hide her trembling. “Guess we’ll see about that.”

  Nolan’s expression turned hard. He pulled a cell phone from his pocket, shot off a text.

  “I have chores,” he said in that deep voice. “Erica and Shirl will be up from the cabins in a few minutes to feed you. I’m sure you want to see them. Try not to break anything.”

  Not an insult, almost an endearment. He used to say that all the time when he left her alone in the lodge, a grin on his handsome face. No grin now, only that cold, hard expression.

  And then he turned and walked out the door.

  Just as she had six years earlier.

  3

  Seeing Jordan again shattered his hard heart all over again. Nolan forced himself to walk away slowly, fighting old emotions. Once outside, he dashed down the hills to the forest, avoiding the path leading to the grapevines.

  He leaned against a tree and dragged in deep breaths.

  Gods, that was tough. Almost as tough as the day he’d buried his father.

  All the joy and misery rolled into one great ball in the center of his chest. Little wild Jordan, the cute Lupine who had turned into a sultry, tempting teen. His best friend who turned him upside down.

  The woman who’d broken his heart and came back into his life so he could be the gallant wolf and save her cute lil ass.

  And burn his biscuits, it was the cutest, plumpest ass, the kind a male could grip and squeeze tight as he dove in for a long kiss and an even longer bout of lovemaking.

  Nolan bent over, bracing his hands on his knees. His breath came out in a long whistling rush.

  “Damn,” he muttered, breaking his own rule about swearing. No one around to hear him, but still, rules were rules.

  Without them, pack fell apart. And now he took one of the fiercest rule-breaking Lupines as a mate. The wild wolf who captured his heart when she was barely a cub, and now became a fine-looking female.

  Jordan was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. With her clear blue eyes, carnation pink mouth, clear, pale skin contrasting with the rich, deep redness of her hair and brows, she carried the mark of her ancient Celtic ancestors.

  Other women, both Skin and Lupine, wore cosmetics to enhance their looks. Jordan needed no makeup. Neither did she style her long, red hair. It lay in waves against her shoulders, tumbling down her back in a rippling waterfall.

  With that mass of red curling hair, those cornflower blue eyes that could turn sweet one minute and flash with passion the next, Jordan was a heartbreaker.

  Broke my heart. He rubbed his hands against his jeans, and gave a bitter laugh.

  He’d never forget the day she’d left. Spent all day searching for her, and then caught her scent at the driveway’s end. Jordan had been carrying a bag, and she didn’t stop when he called her name.

  She’d only stopped when he drove the truck onto the road and blocked her way. Then she’d glared at him and told him she’d left a note in his room.

  “Get out of my way, Nolan. I don’t love you and never will. I just fucked you to see what it was like to fuck an alpha’s son.”

  As he’d stood there in shock, she’d run off into the woods and disappeared. And then that note…

  More hurtful words.

  Nolan took a deep breath.

  Minutes later, he headed for the vineyard. Several pack members worked trimming the vines, plucking ripe grapes. Most of the grapes grown here were sweet muscadine. Nolan squatted down, sifted soil through his hands. Soil needed more lime, but they’d had a good summer with plenty of rain to make the grapes grow fat and juicy.

  He loved it here among the vines, the vineyard that had been in his family for three generations. Tradition.

  Home.

  Once it was Jordan’s home as well, and everything she learned about grapes, making wine and selling it he had taught her.

  He’d taught her so much, that red-headed sprite with the gurgling laugh and the stubborn line between her brows.

  Taught her all about sex as well.

  Memories of Jordan flicked through his mind like a movie. Jordan laughing as she darted between the neat rows of vines. Feeding an older Jordan grapes fresh off the vine, her sweet mouth parting as he slid the fruit between them, each succulent bite arousing a different kind of hunger in him…

  Sliding between her pale, trembling thighs as he thrust inside and became her first lover, claiming he
r in the flesh.

  And then she’d vanished from his life.

  Touching a vine, he stroked the leaves, recalling the softness of Jordan’s skin beneath his eager, exploring fingertips. Her delicate shudders as he caressed and kissed her, exploring her body as they lay in the hayloft.

  Her cries of pleasure echoing his groans of satisfaction.

  Nolan withdrew his hand, squeezed his fists. Six years was a long time ago.

  He should check the latest shipment from the local farmers. After his father died, Nolan arranged to expand the winery by supporting farmers and buying their stock of grapes.

  It was the best way he knew to encourage working the land instead of selling off precious local farms for development.

  The winery was running at full capacity this summer, with Skin tourists eager to taste and buy. The special vintage his pack made for the Fae who infused the grapes with magick was their first priority, with several cases set aside for his magick partners.

  Too distracted to work, he headed for the pathway leading down to the ponds and the barn. Gravel crunched beneath his boots.

  An itch began between his shoulder blades. He needed to release it, let his wolf run. Nolan halted, closed his eyes and called upon his magick.

  The shift came swiftly, as it always did, only this time was bittersweet. Clothing and skin magically vanished, bones and muscle and sinew lengthening. He remembered Jordan’s first change into wolf, and her panic, how he’d coaxed her from it by shifting along with her.

  They had run down into the woods, wild and free and happy.

  Exhilaration filled him at the scent of pine and brush, his senses sharper and clearer as wolf. Wolf instinct drove him now, edging out the human who wanted to sort through all those tangled emotions Jordan aroused.

  Wolf knew only one thing – she was home.

  He raced on four paws, choosing the woods to cut through instead of the path carved out for walking in human skin or driving the four-wheeler.

  At the red barn near the horse stables, he shifted back into Skin and waved a hand, clothing himself by magick. Nolan climbed the stairs to the loft, where his great-grandmother’s trunk sat, along with a few other antiques no one bothered with.