by K R Hall
“Yes, I’m lucky. If I do get a job out here, I can look into commuting with a co-worker.”
“If you need to talk to someone about mating or Nate, let me know. I can get in touch with the pack elders. Many shifter mates are humans. We don’t keep things secret, but we also don’t have it in the tabloids,” Rosalie offered.
“I did talk to Shannon, but I would love to talk with an elder to get more clarity.”
“I will contact them, and they will get in touch with you,” Rosalie said before looking at her watch. “I need to go. I need to get some groceries before the kids get home from school.”
“It’s hard to imagine you as a mom. I can’t wait to meet them and your mate. Thank you for everything, Rosalie.”
They both stood and hugged before heading their separate ways.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel had forgotten how beautiful Tracie was. How utterly captivating her eyes were. He could get lost in her eyes. He had wanted nothing more than to walk over to where Tracie and Rosalie were seated… and what? He needed to be near her again. He needed to inhale her unique scent that called to him in his dreams.
They needed to talk. Nathaniel needed to explain that they were mates and what it all meant. He needed Tracie to understand why he didn’t tell her before and why he sabotaged her dates. He needed her to forgive him. He’d known since they were kids that she was the one for him, his destined mate. Apparently, she didn’t feel the same about him.
Nathaniel needed to salvage their friendship and get it moving to the next level. But how? He needed to calm down and think. He forced his breath to slow down. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. Hold it, lungs full, and then exhale slowly through his mouth. Once. Twice. Three times. When he opened his eyes again, he felt back in control.
He sat for a moment to examine the problem from all angles. He could ask her to take a walk to make peace. Would she agree to take a walk with him? Nathaniel took another deep breath. He was thinking like a teenager. He needed a better plan. He needed to think through every scenario before making a decision.
The thought of her staying away from him forever was more than he and his wolf could stand. He needed to get control over his wolf before he shifted, and the beast destroyed his office. Maybe going for a run would help settle his wolf.
Nathaniel rose from his desk chair and made his way through the bed and breakfast’s kitchen and out the back door to his truck. The drive home was quick. He could have walked it, but that morning he had brought some new supplies in, and he didn’t want to leave his vehicle at the bed and breakfast overnight. There were a few hours before dinner, so he had plenty of time for a good run.
Nathaniel ran to the back door, unbolted it, and threw it open. He stepped out into the crisp night air, pulse racing in anticipation for the run. He stripped out of his clothes and piled them up, and stacked them neatly on the back step closest to the door. He shifted into his wolf as he leaped off the stoop.
The thoughts of Tracie made Nathaniel’s wolf run even faster. He wanted her as his mate, the mother of their cubs. She’s stronger than she realizes. She’s seductive, and that body of hers was sexy with all of the right curves in the right places.
His wolf sprinted even faster, deeper into the vineyard. His wolf loved the wild smells. The beauty of the wilderness. His nose picked up a bountiful of scents, everything from delicious-smelling prey to the ripening grapes. His breath was burning in his lungs; still, he went faster, enjoying the freedom.
Tracie was alone and undefended. His need to go to her was strong. He needed to wrap his arms around her, bury his nose in her hair, and draw in her unique scent. Only he could protect her. Before he knew it, his wolf had taken him to a window at Shannon’s foster home. He could smell the intoxicating scent of his mate. He was standing under Tracie’s bedroom window.
Nathaniel’s wolf picked up a faint trail. The scent grows stronger as he follows it along the side of the house. Then it’s joined by another smell, dark and dangerous. Could these scents be from the wolves who were here five years ago? Members from his old pack? He continued to follow the scents through the small wooded area. He burst out into a clearing surrounded by trees, and there they are—all eight of them, wolves from his old pack. Eight heads rise, eyes staring at him in surprise, and then as one, they leap to their feet, shifting in mid-leap, growling, menacing.
The largest wolf stepped to the front. He was lean and rangy, and his eyes narrowed in anger. Nathaniel needed to talk to them. To find out what they wanted. He needed to shift because they couldn’t speak to each other telepathically. After all, he was no longer part of their pack.
“What do you want?”
“Creed wants to talk with you,” the shifter said after he shifted back to his human form.
“I have no desire to meet with him. When my father left that night, he was afraid. He didn’t want to have anything to do with Creed’s pack anymore. You need to leave and never come back.”
“You’re not a member of our pack anymore. You have no right to make demands of us,” the other shifter growled.
Another massive wolf with yellow eyes locked on Nathaniel began to stalk closer, a growl coming up from deep inside. The other wolves stand their ground. The lead shifter shifted back into his wolf form and leaped upon Nathaniel, teeth bared, going into full attack.
Nathaniel roared and shifted back into his wolf and leaped back, barely getting away from the jaws that snapped at his neck. He snarled and lunged in, going for a foreleg, looking to crunch it in two, but the other wolf bounced backward. He was quick. They circled, snarling, and growling. The rest of the wolves were watching with intense focus.
Nathaniel rushed forward, using his greater size to force him back. The other wolf leaped from side to side, snapping, desperate, but he couldn’t get his balance. Nathaniel struck him hard with his shoulder, and he went down, rolling and trying to come back up on his feet. A surge of triumph flooded him. It’s almost over. He went to leap on the other wolf, and he was hit by a mac truck.
What the hell? The world went upside down; Nathaniel hit the ground and saw another wolf shifter bearing down on him. The other wolves howled in outrage. The second wolf shifter’s great jaws closed on his neck, his fangs cutting deep. Roaring his fury, thinking of Tracie, how she needed him, he forced himself to his feet, ignoring the searing pain as the shifter went to crush his windpipe. The first wolf was on his feet, and he darts in and closes his jaws around Nathaniel’s rear leg.
Incredible pain shots through him. They’d broken his leg. A shot rang out, causing the shifters to freeze.
“That was a warning. Get off my land. Now. I promise you the next one won’t miss,” Shannon called out.
The other wolf shifters ran away into the night.
“Thank you,” Nathaniel said before the darkness took over.
***
When Nathaniel woke up, he looked around as the memories started to come back to him. He began to get out of the bed but stopped when he spied Tracie asleep in a chair near the room’s window. He was relieved that she was safe. He knew he wasn’t in a hospital, but where was he?
The door opened slowly. Shannon poked her head in the room and smiled when she saw he was awake. She gestured with her head for him to follow her. As quietly as he could, Nathaniel rose from the bed and left the room. He didn’t want to wake Tracie. He found Shannon in the kitchen and sat at the table while she poured two cups of coffee.
“Do you still take your coffee with cream and no sugar?”
“Yeah.”
Once the coffees were prepared, Shannon joined him at the table, handing him a mug. They took a moment to take a few sips before Shannon began to talk.
“I’m assuming those wolves were from Creed’s pack in New Orleans?”
“Yes. They said that Creed wanted to speak with me, but I told them to fuck off.”
“I guess they didn’t like that,” Shannon chuckled.
> “I don’t remember much from when I was ten, but I remember my dad was worried about our safety. He was their bookkeeper. I really never gave them another thought until you told me that they had shown up here. Have they been here since?”
“Not to my knowledge. I would have told you. I haven’t scented them, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t here. They could have used a scent blocker.”
“Hmm, that’s something to consider. Do you think they know Tracie is my mate?”
“There is no reason for them to know that. It’s not something that is common knowledge because you’ve kept it to yourself,” Shannon replied.
“I need her to move to Rainbow. I can protect her better on pack lands.”
“I’m not sure she would go. She doesn’t have enough money to move out on her own. It took a lot for her to admit that she couldn’t stay in LA any longer. I’m glad she came here for help.”
“I could give her a job, but I overheard her at the restaurant with Rosalie the other day saying she couldn’t work for me. I will call Darias and see if he has something that she could do that would also come with an apartment as a benefit.”
“That’s a good idea. Make sure to tell him that it can’t have any connections to you. She knows you are mates, but she doesn’t fully understand everything that it entails.”
“Okay. Thanks for healing my leg,” Nathaniel replied.
“Anytime, kiddo. Now, do you need to leave for work, or can you stay for breakfast?”
“If you are offering one of your famous omelets, then I am staying,” he grinned.
“Coming right up,” Shannon smiled as she rose from the table.
Shannon headed to the fridge to gather the eggs and other ingredients to make omelets. Her omelets were full of ground sausage, bacon, onions, peppers, and a Monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend.
By the time the omelets were cooked, Tracie had woken up. Her back was a little stiff from sleeping in the chair. As she cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes, she marveled at how quickly shifters could heal. She followed the smell of omelets and coffee to the kitchen and joined Nathaniel at the table.
“Look who finally decided to rise and shine,” Shannon teased.
Tracie blushed as she sat down. She looked at Nathaniel and smiled when she saw that he looked healed entirely after his attack last night. Shannon placed a plate loaded with an omelet and a glass of orange juice in front of her.
“Eat,” Shannon said before turning back to the stove to serve up her own omelet.
Shannon poured a cup of heavenly smelling coffee for Tracie and herself, then sat at the table.
“So, how did you sleep?” Shannon asked.
Tracie pulled the creamer and sugar in front of her, poured a little of the creamer in her mug and a spoonful of sugar, and stirred. Nathaniel took note of how she drank her coffee so that he could get it for her the next time.
“It took me a while to fall asleep after what happened to Nate. The chair was a little uncomfortable, but I slept well,” Tracie replied.
“I’m glad you got some decent sleep. Nate offered to take you to Rainbow and meet his alpha Darias to see about finding you a job.”
“Uh, I don’t think that would be a good idea. I wouldn’t want him to influence the alpha.”
“I have no influence over anyone giving you a job,” Nathaniel said, frowning.
“Really? That’s not what Gabe said to me when I asked him for a job.”
“I’ve thought about my actions, and I regret them. I prefer to have you on Lykos pack lands where we can protect you.”
“Why would I need protection?”
“Those shifters were from my childhood pack. I don’t know why they want me, but if they know you are my mate, they could try to harm you or even take you. Love, I’m not perfect, but I’d follow you into hell if that’s what it took to keep you safe. I am your protector. I can’t protect you if you are not on pack lands. Don’t you see? You have to leave Shannon’s.”
“I will not stay with you. I need a job to be able to afford to move out. I will not move out until I can afford to do so,” Tracie said firmly.
“I can pay rent on an apartment of your choosing until you can afford to pay it yourself.”
“No. You can’t pay my rent. I will not be obligated to you.”
Tracie’s emotions were not easily hidden on her innocent face. Her pain was evident in the crease of her lovely brow and the down-curve of her full lips. But her eyes, her eyes showed her soul. They were a deep pool of restless hazel, an ocean of hopeless grief. As Nathaniel looked into her eyes, he knew all the beauty of the universe could not even hope to compete with this simple thing: passion. Passion turned her eyes into orbs of the brightest fire, and in them, he read clearly that she would fight to the very last tear for her life. She would not give in to him and his need to protect her.
“Okay.”
“Okay? Just like that,” Tracie said doubtfully.
“Yes, just like that,” Nathaniel confirmed. “If you are finished with your breakfast, I will take you to see Darias about a job.”
“Yes, I’m done. Let me grab my purse.”
Within less than five minutes, they were on their way to the Lykos pack in Rainbow to talk with Darias.
Chapter 6
Nathaniel’s wolf growled deep in his chest. His wolf soul didn’t understand why they were holding back and not claiming their mate. His wolf knew she would desire them. Both he and his wolf wanted her on all fours, looking over her shoulder at Nathaniel, a wicked smile on her beautiful face.
He shifted his hips, his cock growing hard and constrained within his jeans. Sitting this close to Tracie was becoming a torment. He could feel his skin growing warmer. Would she be able to take all of him inside of her? They were mates; surely, she would be able to take all of him. It has been years since he had sex. His wolf refused to be with anyone other than their mate, making it impossible for him to be with any other woman.
Nathaniel’s wolf began rising to the surface. He fought to keep the wolf down. His heart was pounding like a sledgehammer. Each thud was cracking his resolve. His mouth was dry. His wolf roared within, wanting out. Wanting Tracie. She was a strong woman, a woman whose passion the wolf wanted. She was unaware of her wickedly sexy body, curves, breasts, and lips, all so seductive.
Nathaniel stifled a groan. His cock was hard as granite. He was so relieved to pull up to the Pack building. He barely parked the truck before he was jumping out to put room between him and Tracie before he took her. He walked over to her side and opened the door to help her out. He was thankful that she was clueless about the war that had been raging inside him with his wolf.
“There is a bulletin board just inside the door where we can look first for jobs. It’s where I posted the jobs for bed and breakfast,” Nathaniel explained as they walked to the door.
“Oh, okay.”
“If there is nothing there you are interested in; then we can go talk to Darias.”
They stood in front of the bulletin board, reading the postings. There were a few jobs posted, but none that Tracie was qualified for. After a few minutes, they went down the hall to Darias’ office. Introductions were made before they sat.
“There’s a tattoo shop looking for a bookkeeper,” Darias said. “Is that something you would be interested in?”
“Yes.”
“Stehn and Bruce run it. They could use someone to help with the payroll as well. They are desperate.”
“When can I interview?”
“I will text them right now.”
Tracie didn’t know what to think as she sat back in the chair and waited for Stehn and Bruce to arrive. This was happening so fast. She couldn’t believe it was due to luck. They must have set this all up for Nate. She heard footsteps as they entered the office and turned. Oh my god! Why were shifters always so hot?
“Hi, Tracie, I’m Bruce, and this here is Stehn,” the taller man said as he shook her hand first, t
hen Stehn shook her hand. “We own Legacy Tattoo.”
“So, Darias said you are an accountant and need a job. Our last accountant also worked our payroll. She left six months ago when she met her mate, and they moved to his pack. We’ve been struggling on our own, and the books are bad,” Stehn said.
“We don’t need to interview you. If you want the job, it’s yours,” Bruce said.
“When will you need me to start?” Tracie asked.
“As soon as possible. Oh, and there is a small apartment above the tattoo shop, where you can stay as part of your benefits for working for us,” Bruce said.
Well, that was convenient. Now she had a job and a place to live on Lykos pack land. Nate was getting his way to have her close.
“Okay, I’ll start tomorrow.”
“You’re not going to argue?” Nathaniel asked, surprised.
“Would it do any good?”
“No, not really.”
“Nate can drive you there. Let me run to my office and get you the keys to both places. Do you want a few days to move your things and unpack?” Stehn asked.
“I don’t have much to pack up. I can get everything moved today and start tomorrow. Anything else I may need, I can pick up on my time.”
Stehn stood and headed to his office for the keys. Tracie thanked Bruce and Darias and followed Nathaniel out the door to meet Stehn.
***
“Up those stairs is your humble abode.”
Tracie turned and hurried up the stairs with Nathaniel and Stehn close behind her. A window air conditioning unit hummed, and when Stehn opened the door to the apartment, a surge of cool air invited them in.
“There’s only one key to the apartment, which you will have. Everyone has their own set of keys for Legacy Tattoo,” he said, handing her the keys.
“How about a tour?” Nathaniel suggested.
“This is the living room. The TV’s hooked up to cable, and you have a jack for the internet you can attach to your computer.”
The space was roomy. There was a large flat-screen television hanging over what looked like a gas fireplace. There was an over-stuffed tan couch against the wall and a recliner near the large window overlooking the street.
