Promiscuous Wolf

by Mahalia Levey

  “Teacher’s assistant?” She snorted. “The town looks old, run down. Is there even a grocery store?” Sarcasm dripped from every syllable. “Oh, look. At least there’s a bar. Maybe I can waitress. I’d rather serve people.”

  “The fuck you’ll work in a bar.” Ravage gritted his teeth. “You’ll work at the school because I’ve arranged the position to clean up your out-of-control, promiscuous image.”

  “You are not my goddamn father.”

  “Oh, shit,” Raze growled.

  Ravage slammed on the brakes, bringing the truck and trailer to a jarring halt. Raze groaned as people walking down the street stopped to stare at the new arrivals. Ravage unclicked his seatbelt and twisted around, giving his petulant sister a glimpse of the Wolf riding along the edge of his skin. “Caress. Enough.” Ravage cut his gaze from hers, with the acerbic bark.

  “What? I like feeling good. I like it a lot. I don’t see you censoring Raze and his string of lovers. Why are you singling me out? There is nothing wrong with me having a healthy sexual appetite. You see me as a little girl. Well, that isn’t my fault. You had no right to stop me from being with Tierney, forcing me to come with you. He wanted me to stay with him, and I wanted to.”

  “I’ve given you time to get used to the idea of moving away. No way I’d let you live with some punk who couldn’t keep a job.” He raked his hands through his hair. “Tierney didn’t possess a brain. He had no goals, no future. You think I’d leave you with some incompetent jackass?” He snapped the last, letting out a derisive snort.

  Caress sighed. “But—”

  “I’m the head of our family. You answer to me, Caress Galveston. I. Do. Not. Answer to you.” After refastening his seatbelt, he shifted the SUV into gear and checked traffic before continuing through the sparse town. Every now and then he’d flick his gaze to the rearview mirror, eyeing her to make sure she behaved.

  “So unfair.” Caress chucked the book at Ravage’s head.

  He turned down a winding road, pulled over again, parked, and stepped out of the vehicle.

  “Girl, you still don’t know when to quit.” Raze opened his car door and unfolded himself from the vehicle.

  Caress glared at Ravage then at Raze and hit the autolock.

  “Really? I have the extra fob in my pocket.” Ravage unlocked the doors and yanked his sister out of the truck, holding her firm. “This is how the rest of the short drive is going to go. You are going to keep your mouth shut. No more childish outbursts. If one more thing hits me, I’m going to give into the urge to beat your ass with a belt. Remember last time? I know it’s been a while but, hell, girl, I’d give you ten lashes for today alone. Wanna make it twenty? I promise when I’m done, you won’t be able to sit without remembering for weeks.”

  Caress swallowed hard, her eyes full of a healthy dose of fear. “I’m sorry I hit you.” Her submission calmed his beast.

  “Raze, get in the backseat.” He pointed at his sister. “You, little girl, get in the front where I can see you. Now.”

  “Is there a problem?” A male strode toward them in a tank top and a pair of running shorts, wearing earbuds.

  Raze perked up and shook his head as the stranger drew closer.

  “No problem,” Ravage said. “We’re heading to our new house up the road. I’m Ravage Galveston. This is my brother Raze and my sister Caress.”

  “Ford Giovanni. Nice to meet you all. You’re our new neighbors. My nephew Luck and I live up the road, too. Just going for my daily run.”

  “Nice to meet you, too. Sexy, young, chiseled like a god, tall drink of water.” Thrusting out her chest, Caress ran her tongue over her lips, eyeing him up and down like a new treat.

  Ravage ground his teeth. “Get in the truck.” His sister obeyed, thank fuck. “You’ll have to excuse us. We need to get to our place and begin unpacking. I apologize for my sister’s behavior.”

  “If you need help with anything, I’m about a mile up from you. Come grab me, and I’ll help out.” Ford glanced at Caress and turned back to Raze “I’m not in the market for impertinent young girls. I don’t envy you, neighbor.” Chuckling, he slid his earbuds back in. With a final wave, their new neighbor took off down the road.

  “Raze, stop drooling. I don’t think he bats for your team,” Ravage barked.

  The brothers climbed back into the truck. In silence, he drove down the narrow dirt road, tapped the steering wheel with his fingers, and glanced at his sister for a moment.

  “You didn’t have to embarrass me back there,” she complained.

  “Chiseled like a god? Really, where do you come up with what comes out of your trap?”

  She folded her arms under her breasts.

  “As far as embarrassing anyone,” Raze chimed in. “Baby girl, you did that on your own. Leave our new neighbor alone. He is the kind of Wolf who wants a woman, not a little girl pretending to be a woman.”

  “Whatevs,” she responded without looking at him. “At least I know there’s something to look forward to.”

  Ravage chuckled. His foolish sister wore her stubborn expression well. He clicked his tongue and pulled up the driveway to a large two-story house with a wrap-around front porch. Stepping out, he inhaled the crisp, fresh scents the Black Hills forest, his Wolf basking in the difference from the toxic city air. “We’re home.”

  “Finally.” Raze jumped out of the vehicle. “I’ve had to take a piss for the last twenty minutes. Didn’t seem right to whip out my dick in town and mark the ground.” He snatched the set of keys Ravage held out to him and dashed to the house.

  “Come on, sis.” Ravage threw his arms out to his sides. “Look at all this land. How can you not want to be here? How can your Wolf pout at being here? Mine is itching for the first run in our new territory. We have miles upon miles of forest behind our property.”

  “I’m not talking to my Wolf, remember?” She flounced out of the truck, slamming the door with gusto. “Let me know when you get to my stuff. I’m going to go pick out the biggest bedroom for myself.”

  I swear she’s gonna be the death of us. We lived in the human world too long. His beast agreed.

  When the realtor contacted him, he’d received word they found a house with all the requirements he’d requested. Apparently, the previous alpha, Alpha Magnum, didn’t take care of his people or his land. The late alpha’s son and new pack Alpha, Drew, had taken on the task of reform. Ravage held respect for anyone who’d take up the challenge to transform and wanted to revitalize the community.

  So much about Los Lobos reminded him of the pack his parents once ran with when he was a young teen—before everything changed, and their parents died in a freak storm.

  He’d done his best, barely finishing high school. Through the grapevine, he’d heard about the SMMA, Shifter Mixed Martial Arts, and endured the taxing tests and obstacles to become one of the top fighters of the shifter species. In times of need, he’d left Raze in charge of Caress, and, while he didn’t regret it, he wasn’t happy with the outcome. Raze had pandered to her every whim. Instead of being an adult figure, his relationship with their sister was more of a best buddy, allowing her to run over him. He hated tears, and she could lay on the fake ones, rivaling any Emmy-winning actress. His brother needed to iron out his life.

  His sister needed female companionship. With the absence of a mother, it had become clear Caress lacked social graces. Having a strong female in her life might make her a well-rounded young woman.

  Deep down, he ached for a mate—had since his first telephone conversation with Adrie Scarlett. Never in his life had he enjoyed conversing as much as their weekly phone calls. Fantasizing about starting his own family came at a cost. His twin brother would find his own path, but Caress worried him. Having her help teach might prove the best change for her, even if she didn’t see it.

  Having returned outside, Raze clapped his back, gave him a grin, and together they walked to the trailer, beginning t
he tenuous work of dragging their belongings inside. Caress surprised them by coming out to help, even though she’d sworn not to lift a finger. He assumed she did so to earn the biggest room. Ravage didn’t care either way. For the moment, he’d let her have the master bedroom and bath. He and his twin would share the other bathroom.

  He worked in sync with his siblings for the next few hours then paused for a water break. The sweltering August sun baked his skin, causing a river of sweat to coat his face and body.

  “I thought the weather would be cooler here, like Colorado, since we’re close to the mountains.”

  “Brother, right now there is no snow on these hills. Only trees.” Ravage laughed and ripped off his shirt to mop the perspiration running down his body. “Wait till this winter. You’ll be wishing for heat.”

  “You’re right. Fuck it’s hot.” Raze picked up the couch. “Let’s finish this.”

  The scent of another Wolf caught his attention, and he stopped them on their way up the porch, setting the plush sectional piece on the ground. Caress came out with more water bottles. He drained his in seconds, crushed the empty container in his hand, and headed down the driveway to meet their guest. Raze trailed after him, but his sister waited by the front door.

  “Afternoon,” Ravage addressed the male climbing up the drive. “How can I help you?”

  “I’m Drew Tao. We expected you days ago. Problems getting here?”

  Oh, shit. Our Alpha came to check us out. “I apologize for our tardiness, Alpha. I should’ve called to say we would be late. We didn’t expect to have to chase our sister down.”

  “I prefer Alpha in a public setting, but when we’re not being formal, why don’t you call me Drew?”

  “Thanks, Drew. I’m Ravage, my twin Raze is behind me, and Caress is coming down the driveway now. Let me apologize for her behavior ahead of time.”

  Drew grinned. “You’re all welcome here. We were glad to hear from you. As I told you, we’re still in restoration mode. Could use some help.”

  “Thanks, we’re happy to do whatever you need. Raze and I hope to be part of your dominant team.”

  “Come see us at Gee’s Bar when you’re settled.”

  “Raze and I will stop by.”

  “Again, we’re glad to have you all.” Drew nodded his good-bye and ran off into the woods.

  Ravage sighed in relief then headed up the driveway. “Could’ve gone worse. Nice of him to stop by.”

  “I told you to call and let them know we were held up.” Raze shook his head in irritation.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think a day or two mattered, figured he’d be busy getting things in order for the rebuild. My mistake.” Ravage grabbed the edge of the couch and waited for his brother to haul the largest of the sectional in piece-by-piece.

  “Oh Em Gee!” Caress threw her arms around her brother. “You found me a greenhouse.”

  With a grunt, he struggled not to drop his end of the sofa as he bent to set it on the living room floor. “Took you long enough to see your surprise.” He straightened. “See why you didn’t have to bring your portable one? This one is all set up. I had your gardening things packed. Raze already set your supplies outside for you. You can go when you want. We figured this would keep you out of trouble for a little while, at least.”

  “Thank you.” She beamed. “Planting is the only thing I remember doing with Mom. The yard needs some flowers, too. I should have a few bags of bulbs, and we can go grab rocks and cedar chips for landscaping.”

  “Sounds good. The house needs a fresh coat of paint. Tomorrow, Raze and I can knock it out while you do what you want with the yard. We’ll need to buy a riding mower, though. We left the old one behind.”

  “I’m not mowing.” She moved toward the back door. “I’ll leave that work to you two. I will plant a garden in the greenhouse, so I can control the weather in there, and well, when that’s done, I’ll figure out another project.” Her face lit up with excitement.

  “You could offer to plant a community garden,” Raze suggested. “Or pack up some of the canned goods and dehydrated meat for the Alpha and his mate.”

  “Do you think a basket will please him?” Caress blanched and glanced at Ravage. “He’s kinda scarier than you are.”

  “Mm-hmm. Maybe showing you can do something productive will go a long way.” He kissed her head. “You have all week to play in your greenhouse before you report to the school.”

  “Again, I feel the need to bring up regular college. I don’t understand why I can’t go like all other students.” She moaned and flipped off Raze who snickered.

  “You need to be around some pack females.” Might as well get her on board now. “Adrie Scarlett is in her mid-twenties and took over teaching the students here a few months ago. The two of you will be good for each other. She needs to learn about pack hierarchy. I taught you all about it. Plus, I’d really prefer for you to land a good mate. One who will cherish you and see all the great parts of you, not only your pretty face and”—he cringed—“your body.” If a male didn’t treat his sister right, he swore he’d crush the guy’s skull.

  “Gee, two parts compliment, one part gross.” She scrunched her nose. “You’re my brother.”

  He sliced the air with his hand. “Point is, this pack will provide for us in many ways. It’s a good opportunity for you to learn cohesion, how to be selfless and work with others.”

  Though he was strict for her protection, he loved her more than life…but that didn’t make her resent him any less.

  Her eyes narrowed, a smirk twitching her lips. “You need to get laid. You are so uptight and worried about Raze and me, you don’t date or try to find a mate yourself.”

  “I don’t have time right now. My focus is on you two.” He ushered her toward the back door and the greenhouse beyond. “Besides, I believe in true mates. When I find her, I’ll know.”