by Louisa Bacio
Gee came round the bar, arms crossed, and stared down the threesome. Laughing, they headed out. He was reading too much into the situation. Just because he’d had the fight with Tala, now he saw potential danger everywhere. She’d lived in this town her entire life. Because he wouldn’t be out there tonight didn’t mean anything was going to happen to her, right?
No matter how he tried to convince himself otherwise, his gut clenched with determination. He pushed his plate aside and left some money to cover the bill on the table. By the time he reached the door, he was trotting. Paul swept up the broken glass, and Yas stopped for a moment.
“I’m heading out there to make sure she’s all right,” he said. “Didn’t like something about those guys.”
“There’s a lot not to like about them,” Gee agreed. He turned to wipe down the bar top.
Did that mean he was doing the right thing by following them? He could interpret the cryptic words a few different ways. No time to decipher the meaning, he stepped out.
The moon hung low over the rooftops, brightening the night’s sky. The glow reached its lighted tendrils out, bathing him in its magical qualities.
For being so loud and obnoxious, the three guys were not to be found or heard. They reminded him of the frat boys he’d seen on campus. But, if they were as drunk as they’d seemed in the bar, they should still be fumbling somewhere close. Unless, they’d set off on a purpose.
His inner wolf growled and wanted to come out. He weighed the odds of shifting and unleashing his uncontrollable side. In wolf form, he’d move faster. Reflecting upon the calm lessons of Tala, he shut his eyes and willed his body to shift.
Nothing. He needed to do this now. A shiver crawled up his spine, and he shuddered in the cold night. He should be covered in fur about now, not freezing his white ass off in the middle of town.
He pictured flat-face guy, his head thrown back, laughing as he knocked the shot glasses off the bar, and the knowledge that passed between them when they made eye contact. Despite common sense telling Yas not to overreact, as sure as he could read the dude’s mind, he knew he was out there and he planned to cause some sort of harm to Tala. Fury rocked through his veins. His she-wolf, and damn if he would let anything happen to her.
With a howl, pain ripped through his body and he bent over, panting. His shoulders stretched out, broadening, and his claws dug into the hard-packed earth. Within minutes, he stood in wolf form. Someone whistled from the direction of the bar, and he turned and caught Gee watching him. The guy gave a little salute before turning and sauntering inside. Whatever the fuck that was supposed to mean, he was done wasting time.
Chapter Nine
The old house settled, creaking and groaning. Tala lay in bed, listening to the sounds and doing a bad job of convincing herself it was all normal. She should be tired. She’d worked hard physically, and emotionally she was spent after Yas left. Pride kept her from chasing after him. But if he returned, she’d welcome him with open arms.
Hell, she was the one who’d run him off. She shouldn’t be lamenting his absence.
She hated admitting that having him in the house had been nice. And it had helped. She wouldn’t be lying there worried about every creak if he was in bed next to her. No, she’d be exhausted from some good loving.
Eyes shut, she drifted off into a semiconscious state, thinking about his wicked lips and even more talented fingers. A crash downstairs startled her awake. What the hell was that?
Panic rising, she waited for another sound. Adrenaline pumped through her body. Something had woken her up, but she wasn’t quite sure what it was.
I should go down and investigate. What if someone had broken in? It was stupid to chase Yas away. It would be one thing to have a home full of guests. It was quite another to be here alone.
Right when she pulled on her robe and slippers, the smell of smoke reached her. Fire? Yas had insisted she stock a fire extinguisher in her room. She’d thought it a waste of space. Now, as she grabbed it, she thanked him and his overzealous safety. She slid a flashlight into her pocket and headed downstairs.
A glow of red illuminated from the breakfast nook. One of the windows was smashed in again, and fire licked up the wood table and spread across the floor. Smoke billowed toward the ceiling and clung to her skin. She coughed, covering her mouth, and turned on the extinguisher. White foam burst forth, and she skidded in reverse before repositioning and bracing for the force. She aimed at the floor and swept the spray. The small patch in the kitchen went out fast, but more flames crawled in from outside. A broken bottle lay on the floor. Had someone thrown it through the window? A Molotov cocktail? In Los Lobos?
She’d have to go outside in order to attack the fire from there. Again, she wished Yas were there to help. She was an idiot. Sure, she could do all this solo. But if she didn’t have to, why should she?
A rustling sound came from outside the window. She should have thought to bring a weapon for protection. Did she have something she could throw? She could always hit the guy over the head with the heavy metal extinguisher.
“Are you all right in there?”
Was that Yas’s voice?
She caught a glimpse of blond hair and ran to the rear door. She threw the dead bolt and locks. He stood on the porch—soot marred his gorgeous face, and a streak of blood smeared across his fat bottom lip.
“What happened to you?” she asked, hugging him tight.
“Easy,” he said, holding up his arms and wincing. “You should see the other guys.”
Other guys?
“Love to chat and make up, but can I have that?” He grabbed at the extinguisher and then went outside. She followed him, watching him stomp out a few last embers. “Good thing they were more drunk than determined.”
“I can’t believe someone would do this.” With the back of her hand, she wiped the annoying wetness from her face, streaking grit over her cheek. Great. Now imagine what I must look like, and what a superficial thought at a time like this.
The smell of smoke stung her nose. Her knees caved, her vision blurred, and she collapsed. Strong arms gripped her waist as Yas steadied her against his sturdy body.
“Easy there,” he soothed. “I’ve got you.”
She twisted to face him, and he brushed smear marks off her face with his thumb.
“I don’t understand what they could possibly want,” she said. “What have I done to them? I don’t hurt anyone.”
“Sometimes it’s not about you. It’s about them. You’re opening a bed-and-breakfast. Maybe people don’t want a spot for outsiders to stay. Have you thought about that possibility?”
Could someone be sabotaging to keep me from opening?
“I’m not trying to bring in ‘outsiders.’ As we rebuild, those who fled or were forced to leave may return. I’m providing a place to stay. Look at you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What about me? Hopefully, you won’t treat all guests the way you treated me.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. But I am worried about what happens when there’s no one left to rent to.”
“We make a pretty good team,” Yas said. “When we’re done here, I want to tackle my family’s home, and maybe entice my sister to come for a visit. You could always be my handywoman.”
She groaned in response, but he might be onto something. “As long as I don’t have to use a hammer.”
The heat of his body seeped through his clothes and hers, making it feel like there was nothing between them. The outline of his cock curved and thickened, pressing into her pelvis.
He separated from her, putting a minimal amount of space between their bodies, and tilted her chin up. “Look at me.”
When her gaze connected with his, the tremors subsided. There were two options—she either had to keep fighting double and triple hard to prove she could do everything, or she could let this man enter her life, fully.
“I’m listening,” she said.
>
“I have a feeling this streak of vandalism is over. After our physical discussion, they’ll think twice about coming returning. And while I hadn’t seen those guys before, they’d been at the bar. Gee would recognize them, and I’m sure that guy who dropped by to check me out would be interested in them, too.”
Everything he said rang true. Although they’d tried, they hadn’t stopped her.
Overhead, the clouds shifted and the moon broke through. She glanced up, bathing in the beauty of la Luna.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” she said. “I’m going to need some help cleaning this place up. You think I might be able to convince you to stay a bit longer?”
With a whoop, Yas swept Tala off her feet and twirled.
“I knew it! You were only keeping me here for my handyman skills,” he teased.
Once over the threshold of the house, he set her down. “I love you, Tala, and if I stay, I’d like it to be more official. If you’ll have me.”
“I love you,” she said, sealing the declaration with a kiss. The thunder of her racing heart settled into a steadiness that felt right. “Plus, if you move into the master, we’ll have one more room to rent!”
Epilogue
“I’ve got two gifts for you,” Yas said, holding a wrapped package behind him.
Tala did her best to peek around his body. “What do you have?”
“Tsk-tsk. No cheating.” He turned to the side, blocking her view. “One’s something you can open, and the other is a little more fun, but not here. Which do you want first?”
“Humpf.” Fake pouting, Tala crossed her arms. “I’ll be patient. The one that’s not here.”
He lifted the box above his head. Gold paper glimmered and ribbons dangled, teasing. “You sure?” The laugh brought out a sparkle in his eyes that she’d come to love. “All right. I talked with Ryker, and he knew who the troublemakers hassling you were. The kid Clemet who hassled you out near the lumberyard. I guess he has an older brother. One you turned down in the past.”
For the most part, Tala and her brother tended to keep to themselves. She’d been tempted out to the swimming hole—a local hangout for teens—a few times. She didn’t remember anything earth-shattering, but she recalled one guy getting a bit too touchy-feely under the water. She’d forgotten about it. Dumb teens. Obviously, he hadn’t. What a jerk.
“Go on.”
“Well, as punishment, he and his buddies will help clean up the mess they made.” He grinned, showing off his teeth. “With supervision, of course.”
“Good to hear. Don’t expect me to make them sandwiches and lemonade.” The business settled, her attention shifted back to the gift. “Now, how about the goodies?”
“My sister sent this for you,” he said.
“It’s so light.” She didn’t often receive presents with such pretty paper. She curled the ribbon around her index finger and pulled, watching it stretch taut and spring into shape. “It feels weird getting a gift from her. We haven’t even met yet.”
“You will soon enough. Sugar does things her way. Right now, she has no interest in visiting this ‘backwoods town.’ Her words. But she knows what you mean to me.”
“Here I go.” She flipped over the package and ripped the paper from the bottom, keeping all the top bows intact. With shaky fingers, Tala removed the lid of the white box. Beneath it laid folded purple tissue paper, held closed with a silver-embossed Congratulations sticker. One more layer.
She peeled back the closure, and a waft of lavender drifted toward her. She inhaled the scent, thinking about running through the wildflowers in the springtime. Beneath paper lay a gorgeous headband made from woven purple-and-white flowers.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said, lifting it oh so carefully. Tears welled in her eyes.
“Put it on,” he said.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt it.”
He scoffed at her. “Sugar makes tons of these and sells them online. They’re sturdy enough to ship, they’re strong enough for you to wear.”
Tala slipped the headpiece over her forehead, feeling almost like a princess. “How do I look?”
“Like a Wolf Goddess,” he said. “And you better watch out, or else I’m going to claim you.”
“It’s about time,” she said. “I thought you’d never get around to it.”
“Seriously? I’ve waited, not wanting to push too much, too fast,” he said, “and there was no need?”
Not waiting for her to respond, Yas pounced. The action so surprised her, Tala squealed. She never squealed.
Reverently, he caressed the sides of her face with his fingertips. “What do you say, my she-wolf. Will you finally let me claim you as my mate?”
“Yes.”
His lips followed his hands. He kissed her cheek, jawline, side of her neck. Each seductive touch ratcheted her desire. Tala molded her body against his, hooking her heel over his calf so his cock pressed into the juncture between her legs. He ground against her, hips shifting beneath her hands.
“I need to taste you,” he said. “Feel you.”
She worked at the button and zipper of his pants, pushing the garment over his ass and freeing his cock. He lifted the front of her dress, walking her in reverse against the wall. With one hand, he slipped her panties down, and she stepped out.
“So wet for me,” he growled. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
“Don’t.” She grabbed him and rubbed the hardness against her outer lips. He gripped her ass.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he ordered.
Thrusting, he pushed into her, and she sank onto his cock in a fluid movement.
“Mine,” he said.
A flash of pain at her neck as his teeth broke skin, and he sucked. They rocked against the wall, each delicious grind bringing her higher and higher.
“How I love you, Tala,” he said, “Will you be mine?”
“Oh, yes.”
The rhythm picked up, and her thigh muscles burned but not as much as the heat building within as her clit rubbed against the base of his cock, adding more friction. She’d never taken the blood of another during sex. Now, to complete their bond, she clamped onto his shoulder, right at the base of his neck. As her teeth punctured his skin, warmth and vitality filled her mouth and being.
Pleasure crashed through her, and her internal muscles spasmed as her climax hit. Yas’s cock throbbed inside her, and Tala rode out the waves, being pushed farther into the wake.
As the adrenaline slowed, her lover—her mate—lowered Tala and smoothed out her skirt. She righted the wreath still on her head and reached to pick up her underwear. Yas grabbed them before her and gave her a playful smack on the ass.
“Maybe you should go without them today,” he said, rubbing the spot. “And we can hope no new boarders show up.”
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Welcome to the Wolf’s Lair B&B. By now, you’ve probably gotten to know our quaint but growing town of Los Lobos, and I can’t wait for you to meet Tala and Yas.
Yas returns to town a bit of an outsider, with a mission of discovering his birthplace and to tame his inner wolf. But it’ll take a feisty she-wolf to fully bring out the beast before he can get his shifting under control.
While you’re here, you may run into a few familiar faces, and maybe discover some new ones.
Many thanks go out to Rebecca Royce, who started the pack of the Black Hills Wolves authors, along with Heather Long, and to Kerry Adrienne for suggesting my initiation.
Get ready to run in the wild, and I hope you enjoy the journey.
I’m always happy to hear from readers. You can contact me at [email protected]
Want more Black Hills Wolves?
Watch for…
Dangerous by D.L. Jackson
Chapter One
Xander Davis sat at the corner booth, surveying the crowded restaurant. Twenty more miles and he’d be home. It migh
t as well be two thousand. He hadn’t moved any closer to the pack in the last week, remaining holed up in his room most of the day and all of the night. He’d finally broken down and came out in public to grab something to eat, too hungry to ignore it anymore.
His hands shook as he cupped the warm mug of coffee between his palms. The scent of stale grease hung in the air. Behind him, an infant cried, to the left a woman argued with her husband over the cost of what she wanted to order. The waitress’s shoes squeaked against the linoleum, and a group of women laughed three booths over.
Swallowing the lump lodged in his throat, he hunkered down over his cup. That damned laughter. It taunted, pushed every button he had. In his mind, he ripped the table from them and smashed it through a window. Mouths would drop open. Blessed silence would follow, but only for a small fraction of time. Then chaos would erupt. Been there. Done that. Not worth the bullshit which would follow. He smiled softly. Or would it be?
He lifted his coffee and sipped. The giggling continued. He, he, he. He, he, he. Xan slammed his mug down, sloshing brown liquid all over the paper placemat with ads for tractor parts, repairs, new vehicles, and bridal gowns. Shut the fuck up.
He, he, he. He turned to look at them. Young women, sparkling eyes, pretty dimples, perhaps twenty—college girls. Harmless. He curled his lip and growled. They weren’t what they sounded like. He knew they were only young girls, but his mind refused to listen. Xan slid his hands over his ears and closed his eyes, as the laughter became an ominous cackle. Heye, heye, hey, hey. The sounds of Jackals came at him from everywhere. Heye, heye, hey, hee, hee, hee. Just as his muscles tensed and he braced to bolt, a hand dropped onto his shoulder.
Xan jumped and scooted to the back of the booth, breaking contact and knocking his coffee over. The java ran across the table and poured onto the floor where the waitress stood.
“I said, are you okay?” She stared at him, her expression leery, breathing rapid, her heart hammering away like a machine gun. She didn’t mean it. More afraid, than concerned. Probably hoping he’d leave. He might not be able to shift into a wolf anymore, but he could still tell she didn’t want him there. He scared her.
