A Fey's Wolf

by Elle Boon

  She tilted her head to the side, his words going around in her mind. “You speak as if your wolf is a separate being to you, but the others in the Mystic Pack act as if they’re part of them as a whole?”

  Torq shrugged, keeping hold of her fingers and led her to the couch. “Me and my brother Arynn are a little different. He’s the Omega of the Iron Wolves. I guess you can say we’re both a little more in touch with our feelings.” He waggled his eyebrows up and down, making Talia laugh. “Arynn tapped into those...feelings more when we were growing up, fostering them, letting them grow and becoming the Omega he is today. I didn’t like feeling everything like that. Not that I think Arynn did, he just accepted it. Now, me being the rebel I was decided to turn my focus on finding the feelings that didn’t fit. You know, that old Sesame Street song ‘One of These Things’? Well, I’d let my wolf sift through all the emotions and pick out which one is not like the others. If you’re in a crowd and everyone’s happy, I’d search for the one who was angry, or for a discord within the group. That’s how I honed my enforcer abilities.”

  “Wow, that makes total sense. Are all enforcers able to do that?” she asked, wondering at his abilities. She really wanted to meet his brother Arynn. Knowing he had an ability that Torq took in a different direction made him unique in her mind.

  He placed her hand on his thigh, shutting his eyes. “I don’t think so. I mean, all shifters have the ability to sense lies. Our wolves can detect many things normal humans can’t, but I guess I never really asked any of them.”

  She wanted to run her palm up and down his muscular thigh. His leg jerked as if he’d read her mind. “So back to the original issue. I still need to go outside and connect with the earth. If I’m to get what I need, I’ll need to do that.”

  The sigh he emitted was one of acceptance and frustration. She could tell, their bond not like a mated pair, but close.

  “Fine, but I’ll be with you. Like right there, breathing down your neck,” Torq whispered, putting action to his statement.

  Feeling his warm breath feather along her shoulders didn’t make her feel like fleeing. No, it made her want to move closer. “We should get to it before the sun is completely gone. Not that I can’t do what needs doing by the light of the moon, but I’d feel better if the sun was up. Does that make sense?”

  Torq nodded. “Absolutely. Come on, let’s get to it then.” He stood, tugging her up with him. “Do you need to grab anything before we go out?”

  “Nope, I’ve got all I need.” She made a show of wiggling her fingers.

  Chapter Six

  Torq looked at her long slim fingers and had to suppress the images he pictured of what he’d like those long digits to be doing, and they sure as shit weren’t digging into the ground.

  “We’ve got about another hour or so of daylight, give or take a few minutes. Will that be enough time?” he asked.

  She nodded, stepping away from him. “Let’s get started.”

  Her confidence was sexy, yet he felt fear the likes of which he’d never before. Not for himself, but for this woman who held his life in the palm of her magical hand.

  He didn’t know what he’d expected Talia to do once they walked out the back of the cabin. In all honesty, his mind had conjured up images of her stripping down to her skin and doing some sexy dancing while she recited words. Hell, he was male after all. Didn’t all men imagine the same thing, or maybe he’d watched one too many movies. Either way, he was a little disappointed as she walked down the stairs and continued down until she was on a flat patch of earth. Shaking himself from the fantasy, he let his wolf come closer to the surface. They both stretched outward, searching for a dark presence. In ever increasing circles, Torq moved through the area, keeping a close watch on Talia, but kept silent.

  When he was about ten feet from her, he felt a change in the air. The same he’d felt before, but it was fading. Opening his eyes, he bent checking for tracks. A deep impression near one of the trees had him zeroing in on it until he recognized them as a set of boot imprints. A large man had stood there long enough he left a dent in the hard-packed ground. He tried to remember when they’d had a good rain, coming up over a week ago, which meant the print was less than a week old, maybe even from today. The thought that someone had been close enough to spy on his mate’s cabin made him growl.

  As he checked for more evidence of an intruder, he kept his senses open to danger. The soft lilting tone of Talia’s voice soothed his beast a little, but he too wanted to find the man who thought to encroach on their territory.

  He expanded his circle a little more, searching for anything out of place. The fact he’d only found the one set of tracks, yet nothing else, alarmed him. How the hell could the man have materialized there unless he too was other? It made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He thought of the men who worked at the Mystic Lodge, realizing Niall hadn’t put any of the wolves on the property since the new owners had taken over. “Shits about to change,” he muttered. Not only was a wolf gonna be on the property, Torq was going to make for damn sure his mate was safe at all times when she was there. He’d need a little help finagling a position, but with a little assistance from his friendly Fey, he didn’t think it would be unattainable, not like hopping to another realm.

  “There’s definitely been Dark Fae here and recently. Whoever it is, and I think it’s a male, he’s good. Not good as in Galinda the good witch, but good at hiding himself.”

  Torq pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering if he should know who this Gahlinda chick was or be worried that there were witches. Fuck, he didn’t think he could handle knowing more, but for his peace of mind knowledge was power. “Alright, so we know the bad mojo was coming from a male. Now this Gahlinda, do you know her?”

  His mate-to-be stared at him for a long moment, then her shoulders began to shake, followed by a sweet giggle. Now, being a male who isn’t bothered that someone was laughing, possibly at him, he let her chuckle for a few. He was reasonable, but when she continued to laugh, her eyes watering up like she’d been cutting up onions, he wondered what the hell he’d said or did. “Alright, what did I say?”

  “Glinda the Good Witch, pronounced Galinda in the play Wicked?”

  When he just stood there, not understanding what the hell was coming out of her mouth, other than more laughing and a few snorts, he tossed his hands in the air. “Explain, female,” he ordered. Although, he wasn’t actually upset. No, seeing her so animated and happy made him—happy. Shit, pussy whipped should come along with the manual on mated. Sign him up and let him just get on with the getting.

  He listened as she began telling him about the play that Belle and Lula had made her watch, showing her that there were always three sides to every story. Talia agreed, but sometimes the only side she cared for was the truth. Her truth, which he whole heartily agreed with. Keith, the bastard, didn’t have a side anymore. Well, unless you counted dead being a side.

  “On our first official outing, you and I’ll go see a play,” she declared.

  Torq pictured men in tights and swore he’d rather have his nails ripped out one by one, but then the delight in Talia’s voice had him nodding. “Anything else you plan for our first date?”

  As she tilted her head, a beam of light from the moon shone down on her, making the dark strands appear blue. His fingers twitched to touch the glossy strands, an urge he didn’t stop this time.

  Her heart rate accelerated at his touch. “I haven’t really thought that far in advance. What do you normally do on a date?”

  There was no chance in hell he’d tell her his dates were usually casual hookups from Chaps, which more often than not ended after he and she had a mutually good time where they were naked, bumping uglies. Nope, smart wolf that he was he wasn’t going to admit that to his mate-to-be. “Ah, I don’t really date all that much.”

  One dark brow raised. “Why, Torq, you’re not saying you’re a...virgin are you?”

  Again, she l
aughed before he could answer, letting him off the hook of having to explain he’d lost his virginity at the ripe ole age of thirteen. He and Arynn both had always been big for their ages. Women much older had taken one look at them and decided they had to be young men, not the prepubescent teens they were. Torq was only glad he’d not made a complete fool of himself the first time. However, it was close.

  “Tell me you don’t play those card games where you have to keep a blank face, or you lose your house,” she begged.

  He put his hands on his hips. “Woman, what the hell does that have to do with our conversation?”

  She raised her hand, making a circle motion around her own face. “Right now, I can tell exactly what’s going on in your mind. If you played that game...crap, what’s it called?” She snapped her fingers. “Poker,” she exclaimed. “If you were playing that, you’d totally lose.”

  Torq let out his breath. Being with Talia was most assuredly going to be anything but boring. “Woman, I’ll show you my poker face.” He pulled her into his arms. “You done communing with nature?”

  She nodded. “I am, for the moment. I’ve set wards for the perimeter of my cabin and the surrounding woods. I pushed the darkness I felt out, but I didn’t want to be too forceful. Whoever was here either doesn’t realize I’m Fey, or they do and are up to no good. Either way, I didn’t want them to be aware I was on to them.”

  The fact something was poking her in the stomach, and it had nothing to do with card games, made her body ache. She had no doubt that Torq wanted her, almost as much as she wanted him. In over twenty plus years, she hadn’t felt that want or need for another being, man or woman. Being with Keith had been a blur, like a cloud had been placed over her true feelings. With clarity, she now understood it was him manipulating her emotions. Two great things came out of the two couplings with the man—her daughters. At least she didn’t have any cruel memories of the sexual variety to taint what she was feeling with Torq.

  “You don’t have much of a poker face either, farfalla,” he said, nudging her chin up with one finger. “Let’s go back inside. For the record, I’m not leaving you alone in that cabin, but nothing is going to happen that you don’t want.”

  “You’re not leaving tonight or ever?” The question slipped out before she could call it back.

  His smile lit up his face. “You’re my mate, whether you’ve accepted it or not. If I have to shift into my wolf and sleep on your porch, that’s what I’ll do. The thought of leaving you unprotected makes me—unstable. An unstable me isn’t good.”

  “I’m making a list of all the things I’m learning about you. One, you don’t have a poker face. Two, you don’t watch Broadway plays. Three, you’re a protective male. I think I can live with all but number two.”

  He lifted her off her feet, tossing her over his shoulder. “Oh, you think you can live with me, huh. Well I’ll have you know my poker face is hands down the best. As for a protective male—when it comes to you, I’ll kill anything or anyone who tries to harm a hair on your lovely head.”

  She tried to see his face but knew from the tone of his voice, he was being serious. “What about number two?”

  His hand rubbed her ass, giving it a gentle tap. “I’ve not had the opportunity to watch a play, Broadway or not, but with you for my mate, I’m sure I’ll learn to appreciate them.”

  Oh, his words didn’t sound all that convincing, which made her laugh, causing his rubbing hand to give her a swat on her ass. “Hey, what was that for?”

  “You’re laughing at me.” His hand rubbed in the sting, caressing and arousing her in equal measures.

  They made it to the back door when she felt her wards vibrate. “Torq, someone’s coming.”

  He placed her on the back porch. “Friend or foe?” he asked.

  She allowed her senses to open, reaching out through her connection to the forest. “I’m not sure. He’s my boss.”

  Torq bristled next to her. “Why the hell is he coming to your cabin?”

  Talia glared up at the big man. “How do I know? I just met him today.” She bit her lip. “Should you hide?”

  He slashed his hand in the air. “No, I think this boss needs to learn from the get-go you’re taken. Got a problem with that?”

  Her heart fluttered. She wasn’t a modern-day woman who wanted independence more than she wanted a male who was strong enough to protect his loved ones. No, she was Talia, a Fey Warrior who could fight alongside her mate. “Not a single one,” she answered, and then before he could say or do anything else, she tugged on his shirt, bringing his face down to her level. “Just so we’re clear, that goes both ways.” Her lips covered his, sealing any protest he might’ve made.

  He didn’t let her lead in their kiss for long, taking over with masterful skill that she knew only came from experience. She followed his example, licking at his tongue, thrusting into his mouth as he did hers. His groan made her bolder, had her moving closer to him.

  “Excuse me, am I interrupting? I can come back another time,” Dave Wise said in a bored tone.

  She’d gotten lost in her kiss. Torq had clearly not been as lost as he slowly opened his eyes, the electric blue glowing for a moment.

  “Actually, yeah, you’re interrupting a moment, but I think you could see that, unless you’re blind. Are you blind?” he asked, turning with his arm still around Talia. Dominance radiated off him, but somehow, he’d suppressed the wolf within him. She couldn’t sense anything that would alert Dave to the fact Torq was anything other than a human man.

  Dave chuckled, moving closer to the stairs. “I was out for my evening stroll, which I like to do after a long day at the lodge, when I thought I’d stop in and see how you were settling. I didn’t realize you’d—settled so well already.”

  “He’s trying to push you into reacting. Don’t!” she said through the tentative link they’d formed.

  “Ah yes, well you see Talia and I have known each other for a long time. Seems like forever, but that’s how it is when you know someone is your soulmate.” Torq used the human term.

  Talia could tell from their connection he was testing Dave. Waiting, watching to see if the other man did or said anything that wasn’t normal. Heck, was it normal for a boss to pop in at night to see a new employee?

  “Well, I’ll be going since I know you’re settled. What did you say your name was again?” Dave asked.

  “I didn’t,” Torq answered. Then, he laughed as if it were a joke. “My name is Torq. What’s your name? I’m sorry, Talia and I’ve been too busy catching up we haven’t discussed her job.”

  Dave looked around the land. “Dave Wise, manager of the Mystic Lodge.” He started to walk up the stairs, but Torq met him halfway, stopping the other man from encroaching any further.

  “Nice to meet you. I haven’t been up here to the lodge in a while. Glad I’ve a reason to, now.”

  An oily feeling creeped up her spine as if something was trying to get inside her. She looked around, glad Torq was blocking her view of Dave. “Torq, I think I’ll go on inside and finish up dinner. Mr. Wise, thanks for stopping by. I’ll see you at the lodge tomorrow.”

  It took great effort to keep her voice from shaking or let on that she was sending her own feelers out along the oily path. The Dark Fae thought she was gonna be easy to take down? She’d show them what a Fey with her Fey Blade could do. The dagger was almost humming as she entered the cabin, worry for Torq’s safety had her throwing out a protection spell for him as well. Not that she didn’t think he couldn’t kick major ass, but up against magic was a whole other matter.

  “Well, that was interesting. He’s sure hiding the fact he’s not human really well. I mean, if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a rich dick with nothing to do but wander the woods looking for a fair maiden,” Torq growled as he shut the door.

  She laughed. “I think that’s Snow White.”

  He grinned. “Want to come and see if I have seven dwarfs to play with?”
r />   Talia laughed. “You’re incorrigible. What did he say after I left?”

  “Not much, his eyes kept darting around the woods as if something was watching him.”

  Talia took a deep breath. “I let my own Fey powers ghost out along the oily sensation I felt. I know it now, what this presence feels like. Next time, I’ll have a better sense of who and where it was coming from. Although it didn’t appear as if Mr. Wise was the culprit, I’m not dismissing him.”

  “You’ll not do anything that puts you in danger without alerting me, right?” Torq asked.

  Her wards relaxed, letting her know they no longer had an unwanted visitor. Still, she added more power, feeling stronger than she ever had.

  Torq rubbed his chest. “Tell me I’m not the only one with this surge running through my veins?” he asked.

  She glanced at the fingers of her right hand, the one still gripping the dagger. The other was placed over her heart. “No—I’ve never. I mean, it’s like electricity arcing from you to me. It’s not me doing it, though.”

  He crossed the short distance separating them, easing her fingers from the dagger. “We’ll figure it out together, farfalla. Now, how about that food you mentioned earlier?” He grinned. “Although, I think if we’re still talking about fairytales, then seeing as though I’m the big bad wolf, I’d love to have you for dinner.”

  Talia pressed her forehead against his chest. “You realize that’s a really cheesy line, right?”

  He grunted. “But did it work?”

  Looking up, she met his eyes. “I’m still thinking about it. What’s your favorite meal?” she asked, changing the subject.

  Chapter Seven

  Torq allowed the abrupt change, knowing when to push and when to back off. Talia was an enigma. A woman who wasn’t young, yet she was almost too innocent for the likes of him.