by Kasey Belle
“I love you, spitfire.”
“I love you, too.”
“Is my princess asleep?”
“Yes. Sorry. She fell asleep in the car. She didn’t even stir when I put her to bed.”
He ran his hands down her back then cupped her ass giving her supple cheeks a squeeze. “Why don’t we go upstairs? I’ll stop by Stephanie’s room and give her a kiss while you get naked. Sound like a plan?” He wagged his eyebrows.
Chapter 10
Matt parked along the curb in front of Janie’s house. Before he left the car, he ordered her to wait so he could come around and help her out. He opened her door and held out his hand.
“Such a gentleman.”
“My momma would skin me alive if I wasn’t.” He shot her a cheeky grin. “You sure you’re okay walking in those boots?”
“Definitely.”
Matt wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they made their way down the sidewalk. They were heading to the ice cream shop which was a few blocks over.
“I swear I can feel him watching us,” Janie mumbled and fought the urge to look over her shoulder. A cool breeze hit her in the face. Damn, she was glad she listened to Danika. Icicles on her hoo-ha indeed.
“Yeah. He’s been bird-dogging us since we left the restaurant.” Matt snorted. “I can feel the heat of his glare from here. If looks could kill, I would have died a thousand deaths by now.”
As much as she loved eliciting a reaction from Devon she hated putting Matt in this position. It wasn’t really fair to him. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have made you to take part in this.”
“You didn’t. Ella asked, and I agreed the use of my services. Seriously. I was happy to help. Dev and I have a complicated relationship. He’s the older brother I never had and I’m the younger brother he never wanted.” He flashed her a crooked grin. “I love to antagonize the big guy, because well it’s fun and extremely rewarding. For me.” Matt wagged his eyebrows. “But, I also love the dumbass. He’s changed and not for the better. I don’t like it. He’s sad and angry and… and tormented. He needs to pull his head out of his ass. If he wasn’t so damn stubborn he’d realize you are the key to healing his soul.”
“You’re a guy.” Even to her ears, the words sounded more like an accusation than a statement.
“Thank you for noticing.” His deadpan response made her giggle.
“Perhaps you could enlighten me on why your gender is such a pain in the ass.”
“Hey! Not all of us are pains. Thank you very much. You can’t judge us all by a few stubborn assholes. I guarantee if I’m lucky enough to find my mate I certainly wouldn’t be hardheaded about claiming my destiny.” Matt clucked his tongue. “I like to joke around, so it seems like I’m not paying attention. I am. I’ve learned from Koda and Devon on what not to do.”
“I hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces. What if he really thinks…”
Matt shook his head and cut her off. “He won’t. I’d never let it get that far and neither would the others.” He jostled her shoulder then let out full belly laugh.
“What?”
“He just growled at me.”
She stared at him in shock. She hadn’t heard a thing.
“Wolf ears.” He pointed at the side of his head. “Look. Don’t worry about this. Everything will work out. You needed to shake things up, Janie girl. The universe gave Devon to you it. It wouldn’t take him away. I promise.”
She prayed he was right. She’d wanted Devon for so long. Wanted what they discussed all those years ago. Wanted their happily ever after.
“Dude!” Matt smacked himself in the forehead. “I totally forgot about Jeff. Did you hear about what happened?”
“Busboy Jeff?”
“Yeah, him.”
Janie shook her head. “I didn’t see him today. Usually our shifts overlap. He works the afternoon to dinner shift because of school. I swapped with another server so I could take the early shift. I didn’t want to end up running late. I can tell you not working with that douchenozzle was a perk.” She told Matt about Jeff’s comments regarding Stevie. How she’d written him up. Maude refused to fire Jeff even after Janie explained in detail how she was sure his hate knew no bounds. Her aunt swore all the boy needed was to be around good influences and he’d change. Janie knew better.
“What a dick. I almost felt sorry for the guy. Not anymore.”
Janie agreed. Damn right Jeff was a dick. He needed to be taken down a peg or twenty. When Matt didn’t expound on his comment, she prompted, “Well? What happened at the diner?”
Looking sheepish, Matt said, “Sorry. Nothing happened at the diner. In fact, Jeff never made it to work. He got picked up for a DUI. He and a couple of his buddies decided to skip out of school after lunch. They took a case of beer to the campground and had themselves a little party. He thought driving home was a good idea. He was swerving so bad he ran Mrs. Tidwell off the road. She called the police. Deputy Turner caught them coming back into town. Clocked Jeff doing a hundred.”
Janie whistled. “Poor Mrs. Tidwell. She’d got to be a hundred.”
Matt cracked up. “She’s barely in her seventies. She’s just always looked old.”
She smiled and shrugged a shoulder. “True.” She rubbed her hands together like a super villain. “Karma is such a glorious bitch.”
Matt quirked an eyebrow and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Jeff,” she stated as if it were obvious. She rolled her eyes when Matt didn’t make the connection then explained, “His daddy isn’t going to be able to get him out of trouble this time. Sheriff Wells has zero tolerance for driving under the influence.
Matt’s smile grew wide. “Damn. She is a glorious bitch!”
“Wait. It gets better,” she crowed. “Maude will have to fire his ass. It’s in the employment agreement. If the employee is in high school, they have to maintain good grades and stay out of trouble, which includes not skipping class.” She did a little victory dance. Matt was a sport and joined in.
As they turned the corner she noticed a family of six enter the ice cream shop. Matt must have noticed as well because he slowed his steps. No use rushing when they’d just have to stand in line.
“What are your plans for tomorrow night?” He asked, then added, “A party?”
“No. I’m staying home and handing out candy. With living in town, I get a lot of trick or treaters. I can’t imagine disappointing the children. The little ones are always so adorable.”
“I take it you’re wearing a costume.”
“Of course. I can’t let those little kids have all the fun. What about you?”
“Uncle Thorne and Aunt Maggie are doing their annual party. The place turns into a veritable spooktacular wonderland. After you finish doing your civic duty, you should drive out. It’ll be fun.”
Janie shrugged. She was far from feeling in the partying mood. Matt gave a look that said he understood what she didn’t say.
He pulled open the door and gestured for her to enter first. “Come on, Janie girl. I need ice cream and sprinkles STAT!”
Chapter 11
The fall festival. Last night. Now here he was again watching his mate from the shadows. It probably wasn’t healthy that this was becoming a regular thing for him. Stalking his mate like a… a… stalker. Then again, what the hell else was he supposed to do?
“Gee. I don’t know. Walk up and knock on the door?” Wolf suggested as he rolled his eyes.
Another group of tiny superheroes and Disney characters with their parents headed up Janie’s walkway. The tiniest Batman Devon had ever seen rang the doorbell. His Janie answered the door the same way she had a dozen times before dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, wearing a big smile, and holding a picnic basket filled with candy.
“Red Riding Hood. How à propos.” Wolf grinned.
She waved the little ones off then glanced around before closing the door.
“She knows we’re here.”
Of course,
she did. Janie was his mate. She’d feel his presence as acutely as he felt her.
“Are we going to hide out here all night or are you going to grow a pair?”
“She’ll take one look at us―” Devon shook his head. “I can’t take the pity.”
“We at least owe her a proper goodbye. We didn’t give her the respect before. We shut her out.” Wolf stopped pacing and dropped to his belly resting his head on his paws. “If we are to fade into nothing. We need to do it with a clear conscience.”
Wolf was right. They had to let her know it was okay for her to move on. No matter how jealous it made him. But, it couldn’t be with Matthew she moved on with. There were lines. He metaphorically girded his loins and left the stalkery sanctuary of her neighbor’s bushes. Dev stomped across the street and up to her porch. Without giving himself a chance to change his mind, he rang the bell.
She opened the door. The smile she wore faded quickly into a soft gasp. “Devon? What are you doing here?” He didn’t miss how her eyes catalogued the scars she could see. Once she looked her fill her eyes met his. He didn’t see pity in them, only guarded hope.
He opened his mouth fully intending to follow through with his plan of a clean break. But the words that came tumbling out his mouth weren’t goodbye and orders for her to move forward without him. Nope. Nowhere close. “You can’t be serious? Matt? He’s a kid. Did you forget that you are my mate?” Then in a moment of full-on manly stupidity that made him inwardly groan because he was a dumbass, he tacked on, “I forbid it.”
Janie’s body went unnaturally still. “Excuse me?”
His balls shriveled at her tone. Shit.
“Am I your mate? I hadn’t noticed. I haven’t heard a single word from you in a year. And when you finally slink from you little hiding spot and find your balls that’s what you have to say to me?” Janie slammed her fists on her hips as fire shot from her eyes. “You forbid it?”
His balls finally descended when his mind realized even pissed as hell she was sexy. He’d always loved her passion. It wasn’t a good time to sprout a hard-on, but his body didn’t care.
“You don’t get to have it both ways, Devon Stone. Either you want me, or you don’t. If you don’t, you aren’t allowed an opinion on what I do or who I do it with.”
He tried not to smile―he really did. But, the thing was, his woman―and yes, she was his regardless of their current situation―and her take-no-prisoners attitude was a turn on. There was something to be said about a woman in a sweet, pretty, and unassuming package who was determined to kick ass, his specifically.
“Is that a smirk on your face, you ass?”
He worked to school his expression. “Um, no?”
“Way to go. That was quite the definitive answer.” Wolf huffed. His displeasure palpable. “You’re making us look bad.”
“You expect me to think straight when she looks so damned glorious in her righteous indignation?”
“I will admit you may have a point.”
Janie narrowed her eyes and maybe growled a little. It was hard to feel intimidated. The little noise she made was too cute. “Stop talking to your wolf.”
He wasn’t expecting her to call him out and couldn’t hide his shock.
“What? You thought I forgot that little detail. Newsflash, jerk. I remember everything.” Her voice broke.
Her words pierced his heart with flawless accuracy. Devon fought the urge to rub at the ache that had taken up residence in his chest. Did she think he didn’t remember? She was all he thought about. Even when he thought he was dying; her face was all he saw.
“It’s not that simple,” he awkwardly stammered.
“It’s not that simple?” She mocked. Her expression said he was the king asshat of all asshats. “That’s your response? You know what? Fuck you, Dev. There is nothing in the world easier than following through on your promises and the vows we made to each other. It is that simple.” Janie slammed the door in his face.
****
Wolf was done. Done with Devon. Done with the agony. Just done. He was so fucking lonely. He missed Janie. He never forgot the feel of her finger in his fur. He used to lay his head in her lap and she’d pet him for hours. He’d nap as her sweet spun sugar scent wrapped around him like a warm blanket. He didn’t want to go off somewhere and waste away. He thought the taunt about owing their mate closure would yield the desired effect of Devon being unable to resist her once they had Janie in front of them.
He exhaled. Forbid it? What had Devon been thinking? Wolf was surprised Janie didn’t put a boot in their ass. Then again, she sort of did. Metaphorically at least. Damn, she was a sight. A predatory grin curled his mouth. She was sexy and fierce. She was also right. They’d promised to come back for her. To claim her and love her for the rest of time. Both he and Devon were guilty of giving in to the pain and loneliness of their separation. They should have fought it. Fought for her. Instead of rolling over.
He owned his part in this whole mess. He would do his part to fix it. No more passive aggressive bullshit. Yes, they were damaged and fucked up, but she was their mate. Every cell in his body rebelled at the prospect of walking away. They couldn’t do it. Not again. It was time to take a stand. With that vow came a determination and a power he hadn’t felt in years. His entire being vibrated with renewed strength.
“Well that went well.” Devon mumbled as he turned away from the door.
Wolf allowed Devon to take a couple of steps before he stopped him. They weren’t going anywhere.
“What are doing, Wolf?” Devon asked as he struggled to move.
“What I should have done. I’m fighting. For you. For her. For us.”
Devon’s will pushed against Wolf. Human tried to regain control over the beast. Wolf dug in with his teeth and claws. He would not relinquish his hold on their human form. “You might as well get comfortable Devon. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Chapter 12
“I need to tell you something, Janie.” Devon leaned on his elbow looking down at her as she laid on her back gazing up into his chocolate brown eyes.
“What? Why do you look so worried?” An awful thought hit her and stole her breath. “Are you breaking up with me?” she asked. Her voice barely above a whisper.
“No.” He practically yelled the word. “Sorry. No. It’s about me.” He ran his fingers through her hair.
“You can tell me anything.”
“You have to promise not to scream and you can’t tell anyone.”
“That sounds ominous.” She caressed his check smiling at how the stubble felt under her fingers. He was so beautiful. “I’d do anything for you.”
He placed a soft, sweet kiss on her lips then rolled to his feet. He stepped off the blanket they’d spread out by the lake and toed off his shoes. He reached for the button on his jeans and she stopped him. “What are you doing?”
“Showing you.”
Janie snorted. “Is this some ploy to show me your… you know?”
He offered her a crooked grin and shook his head. “Sorry. Nudity isn’t a big deal to my kind.”
“Your kind? You mean teenage boys? Or Sanctuary-ites? Um, ans?”
He threw his head back and laughed. He had a great laugh. It was infectious which was why she couldn’t help but join him. “I have no idea what you call the citizens of Sanctuary, but that’s not what I meant. You’ll think I’m making it up if I don’t show you first. I have to get naked or I’ll ruin my clothes. If you want, you can turn around.”
Turn around? As if. She sat cross legged resting her elbows on her knees. “I don’t mind looking if you don’t.”
“Damn,” he muttered. “Shit. Okay. Look. I’m warning you now. I’m fucking hard because of the way you’re looking at me. I mean I’m always hard around you, but… yeah.”
He pulled his t-shirt off over his head and tossed it near her foot then shoved his jeans and underwear down. He kicked them off. Janie nearly swallowed her tongue. She’d seen
him fully clothed and in a bathing suit, but never au natural. Holy moly. She had the overwhelming urge to tackle Devon to the ground and lick him all over.
“Janie,” he snapped. Her eyes darted to his face, and she was struck by the desperation she found there. “Please stop looking at me that way. I am fighting my control as it is.”
She felt the blush creep up her cheeks. “Sorry.” Her mind called her liar.
“I swear on my life I won’t hurt you.”
“I know.”
He blew her a kiss then a soft blue glow surrounded him. Devon’s bones snapped and reshaped. Fur sprouted where skin used to be. His face elongated, hands became paws, and he grew a tail. Holy crap. Within moments the boy she loved to distraction was gone and a large wolf stood in his place. The wolf’s fur was a mixture of tawny and golden brown except for the tips of his ears which were black and his muzzle which was covered with white fur. He was beautiful.
She should probably be running away screaming by now. But she could muster an inkling of fear for the beast in front of her. All she felt was awe and gratitude that Devon would trust her with his secret.
“Devon? Can you hear me?”
The wolf nodded, dropped to his belly, and army crawled to her. Janie reached out a hand the moment he was close enough, so she could run her fingers through his fur.
Janie’s eyes popped open. She dreamed about him. Nothing new. However, last night the dreams came at her without a moment of respite from her memories of Devon Stone. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. Seven A.M. The room was dark thanks to the blackout curtains on her windows. She hated waking up to an eyeful of sunlight. Janie sighed realizing she’d forgotten to unplug the ceramic jack-o'-lantern on her porch last night. She threw back the covers and crawled out of bed. She’d handle that first after she dressed for the day, and then… coffee.
Janie stepped out her door and took a deep breath. She loved autumn in Montana. There was just the right amount of cold to sunshine ratio. She unplugged the jack-o'-lantern and turned to go back into the house. She froze at the sight that greeted her. Devon laying on his back asleep on her porch. The cushion from her glider under his head. His forearm covering his eyes. How had he not frozen out there last night? Stubborn ass. She tip-toed over and studied him for a few moments. Crossing her arms over her chest she grinned to herself. He was doing a good job of pretending she wasn’t there. The big faker. She knew his wolf was aware of her presence the second she opened the door.
