“Starving,” he told her, but his eyes weren’t on Anny or the food. Sue felt her cheeks heating.
The men all laughed and Armand slapped him on the back. “Soon as you’re finished eating, join us. We can start going over the plans for your house.”
Sue found herself totally enthralled by how easily they accepted her. They were already planning her wedding and new house. Tears filled her eyes and overflowed. Gwen patted her hand and looked at the others. “I think Sue and Elias need a minute.” They all smiled and patted her on their way out the door until only she and Elias remained.
“I didn’t mean to drive everyone away.” Sue rubbed at her eyes.
Elias sat in the empty chair next to hers and pulled her into his lap. “It’s all overwhelming.” He’d been afraid something like this might happen. At least she wasn’t running from him.
“Exactly.” She leaned against him and rested her hand on his chest. He exhaled, loving how right she felt in his arms. “I mean, one minute I’m feeling like I’m on trial and the next all the women are offering to help plan our wedding and the men are ready to build a house for us. People don’t do things like that.”
“A pack does.” He reminded himself she had no idea how things worked in his world. “A pack is a family. We’re in each other’s business. We spend most of our time together.” He nuzzled her temple. “We like touch too.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Her dry wit made him laugh.
“It can be a bit much at times, and not all packs are like this one. Most are all about power and position in the pack. The Salvation Pack is different.”
“But Jacque is in charge.”
Elias wasn’t surprised that she understood that fact. There was something about Jacque that screamed leader. “Unlike a lot of alphas, Jacque asks the opinions of his pack members. He isn’t stuck on protocol.” How did he make her understand?
“In the pack I grew up in, no female, not even the alpha female, would have dared to approach you before he formally accepted you. Yet Anny came out to greet you and there were no repercussions.” He inhaled her sweet scent, glad he could no longer smell fear rolling off her. “That’s why I chose this pack for Sage and Reece. They’re different. We’re different. Most packs wouldn’t accept the twins or us as a couple.”
“I get that.” Sue patted his arm. “I’m grateful for their acceptance, mostly for Sage and Reece. I didn’t want them or you to lose your place here because of me.”
Elias couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Don’t you know I’d do anything for you, go anywhere as long as we’re together? That’s what matters.”
He kissed her as though his life depended on it, because it did. There would never be another woman for him. He’d waited fifty long years to find her, and he’d take whatever time they had together.
She made one of those sexy little sounds that drove him wild. He lifted her, settling her on his lap so she was facing him. He smoothed his hands down her legs, loving the way her shorts left so much tanned flesh bare. His erection pressed against her belly and he growled. She squirmed and moaned.
“Let your woman eat.” Elias wanted to kill Gator when the other man punctuated his statement by banging on the door. “The women are waiting to talk to Sue.”
Sue broke the kiss and looked totally aghast. Then her lips twitched and she started to laugh. Elias didn’t feel much like laughing. It would be hours before he’d be able to bury his cock in her sweet heat. He did manage a smile.
Anny opened the door and peeked in. “Is it safe?”
Sue scrambled off his lap and straightened her clothing. “Yes.” Her cheeks were red, but the smile on her face was blinding.
Elias knew he couldn’t stay near Sue and not have her. He grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table and loaded it up with sausage, ham and a stack of pancakes. “I’ll be back later,” he assured her. “And we’ll go see your lawyer.” He took his breakfast and left Sue with the women.
When he looked back, Sue was surrounded. Anny was pushing a plate of food at her, Sylvie was pouring coffee, Gwen had her laptop open and Cherise and Gray were pulling out pens and notebooks to make lists. Jacque’s mother was seated next to Sue, patting her arm and talking quietly to her. Yes, his mate was in good hands.
The men were some distance from the house. Elias ate as he walked and was chewing a mouthful of sausage when he joined them.
“We still have to deal with the problem of the hunters.” Jacque glanced back at the house as female laughter wafted out from inside. “Our women aren’t safe until we do.” The alpha looked at each man in turn. “Any ideas on how to deal with this so we don’t have the law up our ass?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
An owl hooted in the distance and a mosquito buzzed in his ear. Elias ignored the distractions and kept his position behind a large oak tree. The other men were scattered around the area.
Gator had been out on patrol when he’d sent word that he’d spotted a hunter coming in from the west side of their property. Since Reece had been shot, they’d all kept to their human forms except when they were around the cabins and carried cell phones while out on patrol.
The hunter was good. Elias would give him that. He moved stealthily and quickly. But he was still human and no match for the enhanced senses of Elias and his fellow werewolves. Even now, Cole was sneaking up behind the trespasser, cutting off his exit. For such a big man, Cole could move like fog through the trees.
Jacque and Louis were coming at the intruder from the front and Armand was flanking on the left. Elias was covering the right. Cole’s father was back at the cabins with the women and boys. Sage and Reece hadn’t much liked being left behind, but he didn’t want his nephews out here in case something went wrong.
The other men of the pack moved like a well-oiled machine. They’d obviously hunted together before. Elias was impressed by how well they worked together.
The hunter was carrying a flashlight, but it was a faint glow and the man kept it low to the ground. He cradled his rifle in his other arm.
Elias’s wolf howled inside, wanting out. This might be the man who shot Reece. If not, he was surely part of the group that had been coming hunting on pack land. Elias sniffed the air but didn’t detect the scent of anyone else. Just the faint tinge of grease, gun oil and sweat coming from the hunter.
Gator stepped out from behind a tree. “Evening.”
The hunter swung around, raising his rifle as he turned. Cole stepped up behind the man and grabbed the gun out of his hands.
“Hey, you got no right taking my rifle.”
Jacque stepped forward with Louis by his side. Elias moved closer, keeping watch to make sure there weren’t more hunters sneaking up behind him.
“Connor McLennan.” Jacque stood, hands loose his sides, a menacing presence.
“That’s right.” The man spit on the ground and straightened his shoulders. It was all bluster. Elias could smell the man’s fear. Connor shined his light toward Jacque but Gator ripped the flashlight from the man’s hand.
“What’s this about?” he demanded.
Jacque prowled closer and Elias moved in. He wanted to know if this was the bastard who’d shot his nephew. “Who I am,” the alpha said in a low, menacing voice, “is the owner of this land. You’re trespassing.”
“Got turned around, is all.” Elias had to admit, Connor thought fast on his feet.
“No, you didn’t.” Jacque stepped right up to the man and got in his face. “You were part of the group that shot one of our dogs.”
Elias winced at referring to his beloved nephew as a dog, but it was the strategy they’d agreed on when dealing with outsiders. It would also explain any future sightings on their land.
“That was no dog. That was a wolf.” Connor dropped all pretense and thrust out his jaw. Elias couldn’t believe the man was stup
id enough to challenge Jacque.
“Yes, it was a wolf. But it was my wolf.” A low growl came from off to Jacque’s left. Louis was making his displeasure known.
“Jesus, your eyes are glowing.” Connor took a step back, but with Cole behind him there was nowhere for him to go. “What are you?”
Jacque ignored Connor’s question and held out his hand for the rifle. Cole handed it to him. Jacque ejected the cartridges and offered the weapon back to Connor.
Elias could see the man’s fear fading. He could almost read Connor’s mind. The bastard would be back again, sooner rather than later. Some men just couldn’t do the sensible thing.
“Connor.” Jacque’s voice was barely a whisper. “You come back here uninvited and you won’t leave. This is your one and only warning.”
“You can’t threaten me. You can’t prove I shot your damn dog.”
Elias shook his head. There were all kinds of stupid in the world. Most men would already be halfway back to town.
“I don’t need to prove anything.”
“You hurt me and the law will be on you,” Connor threatened.
Jacque smiled and there was nothing pleasant about it. “They’d have to find your body first.” The alpha turned to him. “Elias, why don’t you escort our guest back to his truck.”
A slow smile spread across his face. The alpha knew he had a claim against the man for what he’d done to Reece. “My pleasure.” Elias strode forward, grabbed Connor by the arm and started dragging him through the woods. It was an easy enough task to follow the path he’d followed with the man’s trail still fresh.
“You’re the guy who almost choked me to death,” Connor accused. Elias didn’t bother to respond, afraid if he did, Connor might not make it out of the woods.
They were almost out of sight when he heard Jacque’s voice. “Follow them in case Elias is tempted to put an end to him. We need to give him a chance to walk away.”
“Hey, slow down.” Connor tripped over a tree root and would have gone down except for Elias’s hold on him. Because of this man, Elias wasn’t home in bed with his new mate. No, he was running around the woods in the middle of the night. He wasn’t inclined to be gentle with him. In fact, it was taking everything in him not to kill the bastard for what he’d done to Sue.
Elias made a sharp turn and headed toward the road. A few minutes later, they were at Connor’s truck. He swung the man around and shoved him up against the vehicle. “That was my wolf you shot. And it was my woman you hit.”
Connor tried to fight back, but Elias easily subdued him. “You come back here and I’ll hunt you down,” he promised. “You think you’re a good tracker, a good hunter. You won’t even see me coming until I’m breathing down your neck. This is your one chance. Don’t be stupid. And if you even think about threatening Sue again, it will be the last thing you ever do.” Warning given, Elias stepped back and shoved the man toward the driver’s side of the truck. “Your friends got smart and stayed home. You should do the same.”
Connor scrambled into the vehicle and fumbled with the keys several times before finally getting it started. He peeled out seconds later, spraying gravel in his wake.
“He’s going to be stupid.” Elias lowered his head and took a deep breath.
Gator slapped him on the back. “You can’t teach some men, mon ami. They’re just born too stupid to learn. We’ll deal with him if and when the time comes.”
“I know you’re right.” He raked his fingers through his hair and turned away from the road.
“Course I’m right.” Gator grinned and started back to the compound.
Elias snorted and followed. “I’m sure your mate agrees with you.”
Gator laughed. “My mate thinks me the most perfect specimen of manhood.”
“You keep telling yourself that,” he shot back. Elias was smiling when only seconds before he’d been angry. That was one of Gator’s gifts. But Elias knew the man was also lethal. It was in the way he moved and watched everything.
He liked this pack, this group of men and women, but it made him miss his brother all the more. He liked to think that Everett and Marcie knew their sons were safe.
It didn’t take them long to get home. Home. Elias was finally starting to feel as though he’d found one. It didn’t have anything to do with a place but with the people—especially Sue. She was his home, his purpose, his love.
His heart sped up and his entire body tightened in anticipation of seeing her again. She’d been worried about him going out tonight with the others, but she hadn’t stopped him. He knew it wasn’t easy for her to accept the more violent aspects of his life, but she was trying.
Anny and Armand had graciously given up their cabin again so that he and Sue could be alone. Billy was with them, of course. Sue wanted to keep him close tonight. Just because he seemed to be accepting the changes in his life didn’t mean there wouldn’t be problems. Sage and Reece were still bunking with the alpha.
“I need to build a house,” he muttered as the homes came into view.
Beside him, Gator laughed. “Tomorrow. We’ll break ground tomorrow. There are two sites we were considering. You and Sue just need to decide which one you like more. It won’t take us long if we all work together. Anny is hell on wheels when it comes to ordering and sourcing supplies. Just tell her what you need, and she’ll make it happen.”
Elias stopped outside Anny’s home. “Thanks, man.” He held out his hand. “For everything.”
Gator ignored his outstretched hand and pulled him into a crushing grip before pounding on his back. Elias laughed and returned the hug. Wolves were social creatures. He’d missed having close friends.
“No need for thanks. You’re pack now.” Gator released him, saluted and disappeared toward his own home.
Elias opened the door and stepped inside. He hoped Sue was asleep but knew that was wishful thinking. She was sitting in bed waiting when he walked into the bedroom. The lights were off, but he could clearly see her.
“How did it go? Is everyone all right?”
He hated the fear in her voice and sat on the bed beside her. “Everything is fine. Connor showed up, but Jacque put the fear of God in him. Hopefully, he won’t be back.”
“But you think he will be. I can tell.” His woman was coming to know him too well.
“Yeah, I think he won’t be able to resist. He may be trouble.”
Sue leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. “Why can’t he just leave you all alone?”
Elias kissed the top of her head and inhaled her sweet scent. She’d had a bath. The vanilla scent from her body wash clung to her skin. He’d missed seeing her in the tub. Another sin to lay at Connor McLennan’s feet.
“I have to go home tomorrow.”
Elias tensed and eased her back until he could see her face. “What do you mean?” Was she having second thoughts about mating with him? About living here?
“I need to quit my job, but I’d rather work out notice if I can so I don’t leave Stanley shorthanded. He gave me a job when no one else would. I also have to let Mrs. Beecham know I won’t be needing her babysitting services any longer.” Sue rubbed her fingers over his chest. “It’s only fair to give her some notice as well. Or maybe just a couple weeks pay. She depends on that money and she’s been good to Billy.”
Elias hadn’t thought about all the details that needed to be handled for Sue to move in with him here. He stood and kicked off his shoes, stripped off his shirt and jeans and climbed into bed beside her.
She was wearing one of those light cotton nightgowns she seemed to favor. He’d prefer her naked but knew she wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that. Not with the chance Billy might wake up and need her sometime during the night.
He pulled her into his arms and settled her against his chest. His cock throbbed with need but he wanted t
o talk with her first. “We can stay at your place until the new house is built if you’d like.”
“Is it safe?”
He thought about it and nodded. “Yeah, I think so. McLennan knows we’re watching him. The law is watching him too. He’d be supremely stupid to come at us anytime soon.” Elias would also make sure he and his nephews took turns keeping watch at night while Sue and her son slept. Just in case Connor proved his stupidity by coming after Sue again.
“You think Jacque will agree to that?” She pressed a kiss against his pectoral muscle.
“Don’t see why not, but I’ll clear it with him first. They just don’t have the room for five of us here.” He tried to ignore her clever fingers as she moved them down his abs. “Gator said we need to pick the site for our house tomorrow.” His entire body jerked when she wrapped her hand around his erection and stroked his hard length.
“Anny and Gwen already showed me the two sites. Either one is fine with me. Anny said she has supply shops bookmarked from when they built the other houses. Since I really like the finishes in their home, it should be easy enough to order supplies.”
Elias could barely think, let alone string an entire sentence together. “Sounds good.”
He almost howled when Sue’s hand stilled. “How are we going to afford this? I don’t have much in the way of savings. A couple thousand in an emergency fund. It was supposed to be for Billy’s education, but he has the trust from my parents to cover that.”
He hated the worry in her voice. “Baby, don’t worry about the money. I have enough to pay for a house.” He cupped her chin and tipped her head back so she was looking at him. “I told you I’d take care of you and Billy.”
The covers rustled as she sat up. He missed having her hand intimately stroking him. “That’s not fair to you.”
“It’s not about fair.” He brushed his lips over hers. “You’re giving up your life so you can be with me. You’ve given me your love and a son. I can never repay those gifts, but I can damn sure build you a house.”
Wolf on a Mission: Salvation Pack, Book 6 Page 30
