Michael knew he’d said the wrong thing and hoped that he could turn things around. His argument was with Maddie, not this beautiful woman. “I’m sorry, Ariane. I guess I let my emotions get the best of me. Please try to remember I’ve only known about the wolves since last night. I guess it’s a little scary to think about my baby sister in a fight to the death.” He was pleased to see Ariane relax and smile.
“Well, that’s okay. I guess I hadn’t looked at it from your point of view. All this must be pretty scary to you.”
“A little. Um, did uh, well, did Maddie kill this other wolf?” he asked hesitantly.
Ariane burst out laughing, surprising him. “Heavens no, although Nanita might have preferred death to the punishment she got.”
Michael liked her laughter. “Okay, spill. What was her punishment?”
“Because she had attacked the Alpha Femm, it was Maddie’s right to choose the punishment, as long as the Alpha agreed to it. Remus told the pack that Maddie thought the reason Nanita had attacked her was because she didn’t understand the sacred, unbreakable connection between mates. She also thought that Nanita was a little full of herself, wanting to be more than she was.” Ariane laughed so hard she had to stop for a moment. “So, they picked a wolf low in the pack and forced her to mate with him.”
“What!” Michael couldn’t control the shock in his voice.
Ariane laughed even harder. “No, it’s not like that, Michael. He didn’t actually force her. He gave her the option of mating with Zebron or leaving the pack and moving away. I think she was leaning toward leaving, and then Zebron walked over to her and whispered for a while into her ear. The next thing we saw was Zebron leading her off toward his den.” She looked at Michael’s face. “Zebron is a good wolf, Michael. He’s nice-looking, good-tempered, and a joy to anyone who knows him. He treats her like a goddess, and she looks happier now than I’ve ever seen her. She was very lucky. Not all arranged matings turn out so well. Your sister showed great wisdom in choosing her punishment.” She studied Michael, as if waiting for his response.
“I don’t even know what to say to all that,” Michael replied. He ran his fingers through his hair and thought about all the years he’d protected Maddie from the world. I’m going to have to get to know my sister all over again. She’s not the same girl who lived in the clinic all those years.” He thought for a moment and then grinned widely at Ariane. “You know, it kind of feels good to know I don’t have to worry about taking care of her anymore.”
Ariane walked over, put her arms around his waist, and then laid her head on his chest. She took a deep breath. “I’m glad I showed this to you.” She was quiet for a moment, just standing in his arms. Then she leaned back and gazed into his face. “Come on, let’s go. I’ve got to get back and get my work done before my uncle comes home. I wanted to spend a nice evening with him.”
Michael dropped a kiss on the top of her head then took her hand and allowed her to lead him back to the main trail. When they reached her cabin’s door, he took her in his arms and hugged her tight. “I want to get to know you better, Ariane. I want us to learn all about each other. Do you want that, too?”
“Yes, I haven’t changed the way I feel, Michael. I want to know all there is to know about you.”
He smiled in relief. “Then let’s plan on spending as much time together as possible over the next couple of weeks. I know I’m going to be here that long for sure and maybe longer.”
A brief frown formed on her face, and then it was gone, leaving him to wonder if he’d imagined it. “I’d like that. I’ll come by the site tomorrow and bring you lunch. We can eat down by the river. It’ll give us a chance to talk more and make more plans.”
“Perfect!” He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss on her lips, then placed his mouth near her ear so he could whisper. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll behave and not pressure you.”
Ariane backed away, turned, and stepped inside the cabin. Just before she shut the door, she gave him a wicked grin. “Too bad I can’t make the same promise.”
Michael was left standing in front of a closed door with his mouth hanging open. Suddenly, he threw back his head and laughed heartily. I need to go talk to Maddie. She needs to tell me more about her wolf and what she did to find it. He started back down the path and remembered her parting words. Remus and I can have some alone time. He didn’t want to walk in on something personal between her and Remus. All right, I guess I can wait until tomorrow morning. But beware, sister dear. I’ll be there for breakfast, bright and early.
* * * *
Michael groaned and rolled over in the large bed. He looked down at the covers tented over his painful erection. He’d had difficulty falling asleep last night because of his thoughts about Ariane. After a couple of hours he’d finally dropped off, only to have X-rated dreams about her. He glanced over at the clock. “Shit, nobody should be awake at five o’clock in the morning unless they’ve been up all night having fun the night before.”
He closed his eyes and ran his hand down his chest, not stopping until he gripped his fingers around his hard shaft. Squeezing hard, he bit back a groan as the pleasure shot down into his balls. His thumb swiped across the end, spreading around the pre-cum that had leaked from his slit. Pictures began to form in his mind as his hand began stroking firmly up and down his cock. Ariane was on her knees between his legs. She was naked, her hair falling softly over her shoulders with her little pink nipples peeking though the strands. Her small, dainty hands were wrapped around his cock, moving slowly up and down. Michael reached his other hand down and fondled his heavy balls. Ariane slipped her hand between his legs and caressed his sac, giving him a tiny smile. Michael’s breathing quickened at the same time his hand motion sped up. As he watched, Ariane leaned forward, her hair draping across his thighs. He held his breath when her tongue slipped out of her mouth and licked across the mushroom-shaped head. Michael cried out Ariane’s name as his body found release. He could feel the warm fluid cover his hand. He continued pumping a few more times, then rolled over onto his side. “I wish I knew why I was so obsessed with this woman,” he whispered to the empty room.
Remembering he wanted to talk to Maddie before breakfast, he jumped up and headed for the shower. The idea of having a wolf inside him was beginning to bother him less and less.
* * * *
Remus watched his sleepy mate shuffle into the kitchen and head straight for the coffee pot. Oh, boy! There’s gonna be fireworks now. “Good morning, sleepy head.”
Maddie grunted something he couldn’t quite hear and reached for the cold pot. She whirled around and narrowed her eyes. “Good morning, Remus. Where’s my coffee?”
He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. She looked like a wolf getting ready to attack, and she wasn’t even shifted. Her eyes had actually flashed orange when she confronted him. I have to play this just right. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ve been having so much trouble falling asleep lately I thought maybe we could drink decaffeinated tea for a while.” He held his cup up to show her he already had a cup.
Maddie frowned and walked over to Remus’s side. She leaned down and put her arms around him. “Why didn’t you say something sooner? Are you all right?” She felt his head like she was checking him for fever. “Do you think you need to see a doctor?”
The concern in her voice was making him feel extremely guilty. He wanted to get her off the caffeine but didn’t want to have to tell her why, at least not yet. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” He reached up and kissed her. “Would you like me to make you a cup?”
She briefly grimaced, then smiled. “No, you keep your seat and rest. I’ll make my own.”
Remus watched as she filled the teapot with water and set it on the lit burner. He breathed a sigh of relief and took a drink of his tea. It was all he could do not to make a face. He hated tea. He glanced up as Latan came walking in. It surprised him to see how dressed up he was. “Good morning. Where are you off to today?�
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Latan grinned. “Got me a hot lunch date and I won’t have time to come home and change. I’ve got a meeting with the lumber suppliers this morning. I’m working on a deal to get us a major discount during the coming year.” He walked over to the empty coffee pot. “Hmmm, no coffee I see.” He looked over at Remus. “What are you drinking?”
Maddie answered for her mate. “We’re drinking tea because it’s healthier. You should give it a try, Latan.” She grinned at him and toasted him with her teacup.
Latan leaned over and kissed Maddie on the cheek. “Sorry, it’s not my cup of tea. No pun intended, little sister. I’ll just get my coffee elsewhere.” He gave her a one-armed hug. “I’m pleased to see you’re watching out for your health. I want you to have a good, strong, healthy pup.” Latan jumped back when Maddie choked on her tea and spit a fine spray out on his shirt.
Remus cringed. “Oh hell, you’ve done it now, little brother.”
Maddie gaped at Latan. “Why on earth would you say that?”
“Because you’re carrying my brother’s pup, and I want it to be healthy,” he said with a puzzled voice.
“I repeat, what on earth would make you think I’m pregnant?” Maddie demanded.
Latan looked at Remus, an apology in his eyes. “You mean she doesn’t know?”
Remus sighed. “Nice going, asshole.”
Maddie dumped her cup in the sink and then marched over to stand beside Remus at the table. “What’s going on, Remus? What is he talking about?”
Remus resigned himself to a battle and pulled her resisting body down onto his lap. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I should have told you sooner.”
She looked confused. “Told me what?”
Remus smiled brightly. “We’re going to have a pup, err, baby.”
His smile began to fade as she looked at him like he was crazy. “What makes you think I’m pregnant?”
Latan spoke up. “We can smell it.”
“What?”
Remus winced at the shrill tone of Maddie’s voice. “Latan, please don’t help me anymore.”
“Sorry.” Latan leaned back against the counter, very much like he was settling in to enjoy the show.
Maddie looked heartbroken. “You can smell that I’m pregnant?”
“Yeah, baby,” he answered. “Females produce a special scent as soon as they conceive.”
Her face jerked up, and she stared into his eyes. “As soon as they conceive. How long have you known, err, when did I conceive?”
Remus resisted the urge to close his eyes. “The day Latan walked in when we were on the sofa, when the picture fell off the wall.” He was expecting embarrassment but not the sudden fury that flashed in her eyes.
“You smelled it that day.” She turned around to face Latan. “Did you smell it that day, too?”
Latan glanced at Remus and then just nodded his head.
“Does that mean all the wolves that come around us will know?” She asked quietly, almost too quietly.
“Uh, only the ones from our immediate family,” Remus responded hesitantly.
Maddie got up from Remus’s lap and walked over to the kitchen door. She turned around and faced the men. “It’s not right, Remus. Nobody should know a woman’s pregnant before she does.” She threw her arms in the air, clearly exasperated. “I can’t believe my brother-in-law told me I was pregnant because of the way I smell.” She stormed out of the kitchen, muttering as she went. Barely ten seconds passed before she was back, staring daggers at Remus. “Don’t think I haven’t figured out that you lied to me about the coffee. We’ll discuss that later.” She glanced at Latan. “When we don’t have an audience.” She whirled around and disappeared again. This time she didn’t come back.
Remus looked at his brother and grinned. “That went well, don’t you think?”
Latan laughed and walked toward the back door. “Brother, I wouldn’t trade lives with you for anything. Right now, there’s a target painted on your ass, and your mate is walking around with a bow and arrow.” He opened the door to leave and found Michael standing on the other side, just getting ready to knock. “Well, hello, Michael. It’s good to see you again.” He stepped back and motioned with his hand. “Come on in and join Remus’s party.”
“Thanks,” Michael replied. He looked over to Remus. “Have I come at a bad time?”
Remus laughed and beckoned him over. “I’m not sure how to answer that. It depends on your definition of a bad time.”
Latan saluted his brother. “I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late. It was nice seeing you, Michael. And, Remus, keep your butt down.” He left, laughing at his own words.
Michael frowned. “Are you sure it’s okay? I know it’s kind of early. I was hoping to talk to Maddie before I headed over to the site.”
“It’s definitely not too early. We’re all up and dressed. But I’m not sure about talking to Maddie. She’s in, well, she’s in kind of a snit this morning,” Remus said.
“A snit? What does that mean?”
Remus snickered. “She’s hopping mad at me. It’s nothing serious, but it put her in a nasty disposition.”
“Damn, I was really hoping to talk to her about this family wolf business. I wouldn’t want to add to her mood, though. I guess I can come back later this afternoon. Do you think she’ll be in the mood to talk by then?”
Michael really looked worried, and it concerned Remus. Before he could say anything, his mate came walking back into the room, a big smile on her face.
“I’ve always got time for you, Michael. Sit down. Would you like a cup of tea?” She didn’t even glance at Remus when she made the offer.
Remus stood. “I’ll just get out of your hair and let you have a little privacy,” he offered.
Michael raised his hand. “No, I want you to stay. I have questions about the wolves, and I’d like it if you stuck around, in case I have questions that Maddie can’t answer.
Remus was surprised and sat back down. He watched as Maddie came over and sat down with them. “Okay, what’s on your mind?”
Michael looked at his sister. “I want to know how you found your wolf and made it come out?”
Remus was sure his face matched the look of surprise on Maddie’s. He waited to hear what his mate would say.
Maddie looked at Michael and then over toward the window. She thought for a minute before she spoke. “I’m not sure I did find it, Michael. Sometimes it feels like she found me.”
“I don’t understand,” Michael said.
“The day I changed,” she began.
“I know all about your death challenge that you never told me about, and how you changed to save yourself. Ariane told me about it, not gossiping, but trying to make me understand you a little better. Don’t be angry with her. I badgered her into telling me.”
Maddie looked over at Remus then back at her brother. “I would never be angry with Ariane for telling you or anybody else something that was the truth. I didn’t tell you about the challenge because I figured you would freak.”
Michael chuckled. “I did, but I’m over it now.”
Remus laughed. “You have to understand something, Michael. There are going to be a lot of pack customs that you’re unfamiliar with. I’m asking that you don’t overreact when you hear about them. Come to either Maddie or me with any questions you may have. Some of the rules we live by may sound harsh to you, but it’s worked for my people for hundreds of years.”
Maddie spoke up. “Let’s not scare him away with the rules just yet, if you don’t mind.” She turned to look at Michael. “Back to your question. For a couple of days before the party I was feeling strange. I was nervous and jumpy. It was like something was crawling under my skin.”
Remus laughed at the look of horror on Michael’s face. “Maybe you better tone down your description, Maddie. You might just scare him off on your own at this rate.”
“Sorry.” Maddie gave Michael a sheepish look. “Anyway, the day of the party was the wor
st. I could barely sit still, and that’s why I decided to go for a walk in the woods. Remus was in a meeting, and I didn’t want to wait for him to go with me.” She grinned at her brother. “I sure had fun though. I didn’t change right off. When she attacked me, I fought her off with my other gift.”
Michael looked surprised. “You mean the telekinesis?”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” she replied.
“Damn it, Maddie, you could have been killed. You’ve never been able to control it.”
Remus laughed and turned to watch his mate. He had a pretty good idea of what she was about to do, and she didn’t disappoint him. He watched as the bowl of fruit on the table slid smoothly across the surface and stopped just before it dumped into Michael’s lap. He snorted at the look on the poor man’s face.
“I can control it just fine,” Maddie said dryly.
“For how long?” Michael’s voice was almost a whisper.
Maddie shrugged. “I’ve been practicing on my control since the day I moved into Grandfather’s cabin. I very seldom let things happen in anger or fear anymore.”
“And you fought this Nanita person with it?”
Maddie smiled. “Yeah, it was great. I was dropping logs and dead tree limbs on her right and left.” Then the smile left her face. “After a while, she cornered me where I couldn’t easily use anything to defend myself, and she just made me plain mad. I can remember thinking that it wasn’t fair that I couldn’t fit into Remus’s world like she did. She had as much as told me that she would be a better mate for him because they were alike, and that her people would never accept a human Alpha Femm.”
“You never told me that.” Remus growled at her.
“I know, I didn’t want to hear you growl.” She laughed. “For weeks I had thought about Grandfather’s words in the journal and wished with all my heart that I could fit into Remus’s life better than I did. Michael, I think I just yearned for it so much that she came out to make my heart’s wish come true.”
Remus watched as Michael thought over what Maddie just told him. “Michael, do you think your inner wolf is trying to contact you?”
Martine, Missy - Denying His Wolfen Heritage [A Wolfen Heritage 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 10
