Wolf in the Woods

by N. J. Walters

  “Hell no, I didn’t share. I’d make them watch me eat every last bite.”

  “That is so mean,” she teased.

  “I know. But don’t feel too badly for them. Elise always baked more pies. They’d have theirs the next day because she didn’t want them to mope.”

  She laughed, finding it difficult to picture two big bad wolves sulking over pie.

  “Addie,” he began. “We can’t keep circling around this situation. I want you to stay here, with me.” He rubbed his hands on the thighs of his jeans.

  He was anxious. Strangely enough, that helped calm her jitters.

  “I know it’s too soon to talk of mating—” He looked away, staring at the wall. A muscle in his jaw flexed.

  “But you want to.”

  “Yeah, I do.” He took her hand. “I can’t explain it. But we’re right together.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip, wishing she was as sure as he seemed to be. Yes, her wolf responded to him. Yes, she was extremely attracted to him. But they had more to worry about than just themselves.

  If it was just the two of them, her choice would be easier—she’d stay and see where their relationship went. As a wolf, it was in her nature to want to mate, to want to be part of a family. Until she’d met Billy, she’d assumed those instincts had somehow missed her.

  There was no denying she had deep feelings for him. She wasn’t prepared to say she loved him, not yet, even though she feared she might. But she didn’t want to have to choose between her parents and him.

  And it might come down to that.

  Then there was the matter of his pack. Not everyone accepted her. She shivered when she remembered the mistrust in Cole’s eyes and the apprehension in Cherise’s. No, not all members of his pack were ready to welcome her with open arms. And she couldn’t blame them. She came with a heap of trouble.

  Proving once again how in tune he was with her, Billy continued. “I know this is difficult for you. That you’re caught in the middle.”

  “I am.” She squeezed her arms around her knees, glad for the weight and comfort of his shirt. It carried his scent, which calmed both her and her wolf. “I owe my parents an explanation.”

  “Will you tell them about Simon? About me?” He stiffened, seeming almost wary.

  “Do you want me to tell them about you?” She honestly couldn’t tell.

  “Do you want to tell them?” he shot back. If his shoulders got any stiffer, he might snap. “Maybe you’re ashamed.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. How could he think that?

  His face went blank. “I understand,” he began.

  She jumped in before he said something they might both regret. “No, you don’t. I’m not ashamed. Not in the least. But I need to figure out how much to tell them. I don’t want my daddy ending up in a fight with Simon or maybe even the alpha.”

  All the starch went out of him. “You’re right. I’m being overly sensitive. Of course, you want to protect your father.”

  “Momma, too. Because if you think my daddy would be upset by Simon’s actions…”

  “Mothers can be fierce,” he agreed.

  His mother would have had to be an amazing woman to mate with Elias and be a member of a wolf pack. Addie rubbed her forehead, wishing things were easier. She was tired, not so much physically, but emotionally.

  He slid closer and put his arm around her shoulders, urging her to lean on him. “We’ll figure this out.”

  “Do you promise?” It was both childish and unfair to put that on him, but she couldn’t help herself.

  He kissed her temple. “Yeah, I promise.” He placed his hand on her cheek and turned her so she was looking at him. “I promise,” he repeated.

  Then he kissed her.

  He gently caressed her lips before delving between them. She met his tongue with her own, and they began a lover’s game of advance and retreat that left her breathless.

  He nuzzled the curve of her jaw and nipped at her chin. “As much as I want to take you back to bed, we’re expected at Gator’s in about a half hour for a pack dinner.”

  Crap. She’d forgotten about that. “I need to shower and change.” The last thing she wanted to do was go to a pack supper smelling like she’d just had sex.

  “Clean clothes are on the chair,” he pointed out. “Gator’s mate brought them.”

  “Right. Thanks.” She scooped them up and headed for the bathroom.

  “I could join you.” He stood and stretched, raising his long arms over his head. The muscles in his arms and torso rippled. The waistband of his jeans dipped lower.

  She’d touched that chest and those muscled abs. Her fingers dug into the bundle in her arms tighter.

  “Keep looking at me like that,” he told her, “and you won’t have a choice.” There was a subtle growl in his voice that made her toes curl. He might not be able to shift, but there was a lot of wolf in him. There was heat in his eyes and more than a little possessiveness in his tone. It should have made her wary. Instead, it was arousing.

  “You get in the shower with me and we won’t make dinner.” Best to be honest.

  He’d started toward her but stopped. “You’re right. Any other evening, I’d say the hell with the dinner, but this is the first pack meal since…” He trailed off, obviously trying not to make her uncomfortable.

  “The attack,” she finished for him. “I get it.” And she did. His family needed to spend time with him, to reassure themselves that he was okay in spite of the ordeal he’d been through and the changes he was experiencing. “I won’t be long.”

  She slipped into the bathroom and closed the door, releasing a pent-up breath when the outer door closed. He’d gone to use another shower.

  And she was running out of time. They’d have to leave in about twenty minutes. Nerves threatened to paralyze her. Everyone would know she’d attacked Reece. That tidbit of information would have already made the rounds. There were few, if any, secrets in a pack. What would they think of her? Would Cole or some of the others use that as a reason to make her leave?

  Chapter Twelve

  They were a small pack compared to hers, but it didn’t seem that way when they were all crowded into the same area. Seven wooden picnic tables had been placed one after another, creating one long table.

  A teenage girl with long blond hair and piercing green eyes ran up to greet them. “Hi, I’m Amy. Thank you for saving Billy.”

  “Ah, you’re welcome,” she replied, not sure what else to say. Not only was Amy beautiful, but she had an open smile and an engaging personality. Addie couldn’t help but smile back.

  A younger girl joined Amy, but she was shy and stood partially behind the teen.

  “This is Emma,” Amy announced.

  “Nice to meet you, Emma.” The dark-haired girl nodded and then ran over to an older man who’d been watching them.

  “That’s Mikhail. He’s Emma’s dad,” Amy told her. Addie glanced at Billy, but he simply shook his head and smiled. She had to assume the teen was always this outgoing and friendly.

  Cole Blanchard strode toward them. He, on the other hand, was anything but friendly. His scowl was enough to make her tremble. The only thing keeping her from bolting was she didn’t think he’d kill her, not in front of the children.

  To her utter shock, Amy ran toward Cole and leaped into his arms. The big man caught her easily, as though he’d been doing it for years. “What did I tell you, Amy?” The deep, scolding tone made Addie shiver, but the girl wasn’t the least bit afraid.

  “I’m not bothering them, Daddy. I promise.” She turned to Addie. “I’m not, right?”

  She wasn’t about to disagree. “Of course not.” Now that she really looked, she could see the resemblance. Amy had her father’s coloring, their hair and eyes very distinct, but she also took after her mother, having Cherise’s more delicate features.

  Amy patted her father’s arm and he put her down. “Go help your mother,” he told her.


  She looked like she might object but then nodded. “I’ll talk to you later.” With a wave, she headed toward the house.

  “That girl will talk you to death if you let her,” Cole told her. His expression was as grim as ever, but there was pride in his voice. “Billy knows how to handle her.”

  “If she asks too many questions, tell her to go away.” She looked to see what Cole thought about Billy’s proclamation, but the big man was already walking away.

  Yeah, she really could believe every story she’d heard whispered about him in her pack.

  “Here come the rest of the kids.” The people headed their way weren’t kids but young men.

  “You’re not much older than them,” she pointed out.

  “Bite your tongue. You’ve met all the boys,” he reminded her as the young males reached them. “In case you don’t remember their names, that’s Etienne.” He pointed to the teen with black hair and intense blue eyes.

  The teen nodded but said nothing.

  “The taller one there is Nicholas, and the shrimp is Aaron.”

  Nicholas gave a snort of laughter. She was surprised when Aaron seemed to take no offense but grinned instead.

  “Hello.” She left her greeting at that, not comfortable around them, but not wanting to do or say anything that might be taken as either an insult or encouragement, for that matter. That might be a big assumption on her part, but better safe than sorry, especially with the alpha’s sons involved.

  It wasn’t egotistical to think they might be. It was common sense. They were a small pack and probably didn’t come in contact with many other single female werewolves.

  “Over here,” Sue called out and waved. Addie could have kissed Billy’s momma for giving her an excuse to leave.

  “Excuse me,” she told the group. “I’m going to sit with Sue.”

  “We need to speak with Jacque first,” Billy reminded her.

  Right, how could she forget that? She blamed it on nerves. While she was used to being among people she’d known her entire life, the only time she was around this many strangers was when she went to a nearby town to shop, and then everyone wasn’t staring at her like they were here.

  It was disconcerting to be the center of attention.

  Taking the lead, she walked toward the alpha pair. Best to get the formalities over with. Jacque was standing with his arm around his mate’s shoulders while they chatted with another couple. She recognized Gator but not the woman beside him.

  They all stopped speaking as she stepped up. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. And for inviting me to dinner.” It was an honor to eat with the alpha pair, even if she was just one of a group.

  “How are you feeling?” Gwen asked.

  “Fine, ma’am. Thank you.” Always best to fall back on good manners. Her momma had drilled them into her all her life, and she was glad for it since her reply came easily without her having to think.

  “Ma’am.” Gwen wrinkled her nose. “I feel old.”

  Oh, God. She’d insulted the female alpha. A knot formed in her stomach. “I’m so sorry,” she began.

  Gwen laughed and waved away her concern. “I’m only teasing. But I don’t feel like a ma’am. Call me Gwen.”

  Her instinct was to look to the alpha for permission. He nodded, but there was a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Might as well. She always has her way.”

  “Thank you. Gwen,” she hastily added. Billy had joined them and wrapped his arms around her from behind. It centered her to feel him surrounding her, even as it made her slightly uncomfortable. No one would mistake the gesture for anything but possessiveness. That might be a good thing in their eyes or a bad thing. No way to tell.

  “Hey, Gator. What’s for dinner?”

  She couldn’t believe how casual Billy was being. He hadn’t even greeted the alpha pair. She elbowed him, making him grunt.

  “What?” he asked her.

  Was he actually asking her that, and in front of the others? She managed a smile, even though it was forced. “You didn’t greet the alphas.”

  “She’s right.” Jacque’s expression was stern. “You didn’t greet the alphas.”

  “I beg your forgiveness.” Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, he released her and opened his arms wide. “Give me a hug.” Then he grabbed the alpha and did just that. Even more surprising, the alpha hugged him back, lifting him right off his feet.

  Was her jaw on the ground? This must be what Alice must have experienced when she ended up in Wonderland. Everything was topsy turvy.

  “Don’t mind them,” the unknown woman told her. “I’m Sylvie, by the way. I’m Gator’s mate.”

  Sylvie had long black hair and porcelain-fine skin. She also had a nasty scar on her cheek. The injury had to have been severe for it not to have healed. There was an aura of kindness emanating from the older woman.

  She also recognized the woman’s scent from the borrowed leggings and sweater she was wearing. “Thank you for the clothing you sent along.”

  “You’re welcome. There’s plenty more if you need it.”

  Billy was hugging Gwen now while the alpha looked on. When he released her, he grabbed Sylvie. “You’re next.” Then he swept the woman off her feet.

  A pang of jealousy tugged at her. He was well loved by all the members of his pack. She couldn’t imagine anyone outside her immediate family being this openly affectionate. Sure they’d rub shoulders or pat one another on the arm, but nothing like this.

  This was how a wolf pack was supposed to be—openly affectionate and concerned about one another.

  She immediately felt disloyal. Her alpha was a good one. And he was affectionate with his mate and children, but there was a distance there, as though he always had to be concerned about protecting his position as alpha.

  Jacque didn’t seem to feel the need. He was either extremely strong or he expected the other males in his pack to support him rather than challenge him. Because from everything she’d seen, there were several of them who could easily take control of a pack.

  Billy released Sylvie and went to put his arm back around her when Gator spoke. “What? No hug for me? And after all I’ve done for you. No supper for you.”

  He laughed and hugged the big, badass wolf. “Thanks, Gator.”

  “You are very welcome. Just don’t get hurt again.” His genuine caring and concern was touching.

  “I’ll try,” he promised.

  “Go find your folks,” Jacque told him. “Sue needs you. We’ll talk more after we’ve eaten.”

  She was introduced to everyone else, but their names and faces were a blur. Usually at pack events, families tended to stick together, but not here. There was no being seated at the table according to pack hierarchy. Everyone simply sat where they wanted, but she was glad that his immediate family was close, with Sue and Elias seated across from them.

  Everyone also pitched in to help, from the oldest to the youngest.

  The food was endless and delicious. She still had a hard time reconciling the fact a good portion of it was produced by Gator, with the help of some of the women.

  They talked and teased and laughed. This was a pack that enjoyed life and one another’s company. Even the shy girl, who was the alpha’s younger sister, grew more animated during the meal.

  “You doing okay?” Billy asked. He hadn’t left her side, smoothing the way, wanting her to feel included. But this group was so close that she was very aware of being an outsider, in spite of their best efforts to make her welcome.

  “I’m fine. Everything is delicious.” Billy didn’t look convinced, but thankfully he let it go. Addie wasn’t lying. The food was the best she’d ever eaten, and in spite of her nervousness, she’d managed to pack away a good amount of it, needing to rebuild her strength.

  Jacque pushed his plate away. As if by some unseen signal, the rest of the pack quieted and gave him their full attention.

  ****

  Billy wished he
could read minds. Oh, it was easy enough to sense Addie’s discomfort. Not surprising given the situation. She was doing great, responding politely to anyone’s questions without elaborating too much, smiling when appropriate. But the smile didn’t reach her eyes, and she was far too restrained for his liking.

  He loved his pack for making her feel welcome. He truly was lucky. From everything he’d learned over the years, her pack would be run much differently from this one.

  The alpha was always in charge, and his word was law. The packs were more like a monarchy than a democracy. Conscious of hierarchy, everyone knew their place, never stepping out of their role. The only way to move upward was by sheer force of might.

  While there was no disputing Jacque was alpha, he wasn’t autocratic. He listened to the others if they had concerns or suggestions. More than that, he sought their advice. He had strong men who’d followed him for many years. That was the sign of a true leader. They all knew he would lay down his life for them. Not because he had to, but because he considered them his to protect, to love.

  Reaching under the table, he took her hand and squeezed, sidling closer until he was as near as he could get without lifting her onto his lap.

  “You all know what happened,” Jacque began. The others would have been told the story by now so there was no need to rehash it.

  “Addie has all our thanks for what she did,” he continued.

  She pulled her shoulders up slightly and tensed. Billy wished he could do or say something to reassure her. The longer everyone watched her, the stiffer she grew. He wasn’t sure she was even breathing.

  “It’s obvious that Addie and Billy have made a connection.”

  Now he wanted to crawl under the table and take her with him. But the alpha wasn’t done yet.

  “She needs to stay here until they decide if they want to make it permanent. If that’s the case, we’ll have to deal with her pack and alpha.”

  Yup, he definitely wanted to crawl under the table. No, maybe dig a hole, climb in, and pull the dirt back on top of him. Nothing like putting pressure on her.