Wolf in the Woods

by N. J. Walters

  She expected to see scorn, not kindness in the women’s eyes. Somehow that made her feel even worse.

  “When I arrived here,” Sylvie told her, “I had a few possessions, all of which had come from thrift stores and yard sales. Gator and the others gave me this space.”

  “I literally had nothing,” Rina added. “Sage and the rest of the pack opened up their home to me.” She rubbed her hand up and down Addie’s arm.

  A single tear rolled down Addie’s cheek, followed quickly by another. She impatiently wiped them away. “Sorry about this.” She had no idea why she was so emotional.

  Her only excuse was the past few days had been more than a little difficult. And after facing some hard talk from Elias and Cole’s mistrust, she’d expected more of the same from the females of the pack. Instead, they were kind and welcoming.

  Sue gave her waist a squeeze. “You go on and pick out some material. I assume you quilt.”

  Her tone was so wry it made her laugh. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “If you’re worried about money,” Sylvie told her, “sell the quilt you make. Then you can pay us back for the materials and even have a small nest egg toward more fabrics. But honestly, we have more here than we can use in a lifetime, and we’re always ordering more. Gator says it’s a sickness.” Since she laughed, Addie assumed Gator’s mate was only teasing her.

  The men here were like her daddy, wanting only one thing—that their mates and children be happy.

  “I can do that.” She wouldn’t mind using material if she knew she could pay them back. And it occurred to her she was thinking long term if she was considering making a quilt. Her plan was to take one day at a time and not jump ahead of herself, not with all the problems looming, but she couldn’t rein in her enthusiasm.

  Rina tugged her toward the open cabinet. “We’ve tried to arrange it by colors. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know. We all have fabric stashes at home.”

  Addie glanced at Sue, who nodded. “I converted Reece’s old bedroom years ago and turned it into my own private sewing room. There’s room for another machine. In fact, I have an older one in the closet that still works.”

  Too overcome to thank her, she went to Sue, a woman who was fully human, and hugged her. She could see why the entire pack utterly adored this woman.

  “Everything will be okay, baby,” she whispered in Addie’s ear. “Just give it time.”

  That was something she could do. She turned her attention to the shelves of fabric. Like a kid in a candy store, she looked first. But the temptation was too great, and soon she was running her fingers over the colorful and patterned fabric. In less than five minutes, she was pulling pieces out and trying to decide on a color palette, while the familiar hum of sewing machines filled the quiet.

  ****

  Billy left the smell of freshly cut wood and sawdust behind him and headed toward Gator’s. His mom and whoever else was working there would be kind to Addie, but that didn’t stop him from worrying.

  It hadn’t been easy to leave her in bed this morning. She’d looked so cozy and inviting curled up under the blankets, he’d wanted to climb back in with her, wake her slowly, and make love to her. But he’d resisted. He was in this for the long haul. There would be an unlimited number of mornings to make love if she stayed.

  Everything in his life had drastically changed in such a short period of time. Even the walk to the workshop this morning, one he’d made hundreds of times before, had been completely different. His senses were so much sharper now, his vision keener and his sense of smell enhanced. The world was more colorful, filled with more sounds than he’d ever imagined. It was like going from black-and-white television to high definition complete with surround sound.

  The wood he worked with to create furniture was more beautiful, the stench of the varnish almost overpowering. Cole had slapped him on the back and told him he’d get used to it in time. He hoped the older wolf was right. It was as though he was wearing his shirt inside out—it still fit, but it felt off.

  He’d settled in and found comfort in the familiar work, but something deep inside him had pinged the second Addie had stepped inside with his father. He’d scented her, but more than that, he’d sensed her deep in his soul.

  “Gator won’t have lunch on this early.” His father fell into step beside him.

  He picked up the pace, ignoring the chuckle coming from behind him. It was just his luck that Gator was sitting on the back porch with his head tilted back. The man did love to bask in the sunshine.

  “Lunch in ten minutes. Figured you’d be early.” He kept his face raised to the sun as Billy bounded up the steps and entered the house. His father stayed behind to chat.

  Now that Addie was only steps away, he exhaled, releasing the tension that had gripped him all morning. Moving quietly, he headed down the hallway toward the sewing room.

  “Those are lovely colors,” his mom said.

  “You think so?” Everything inside him settled when he heard Addie.

  “Absolutely. They look like a summer’s day with the blues and yellows. Add in the touches of red, green, and orange and it’s a garden.”

  “Have you decided on a pattern yet?” Sylvie asked.

  Not wanting to interrupt, he leaned against the doorjamb and peered into the room. All four women were standing next to a long table, one they used when they were cutting fabric. All were staring at a small pile of multicolored fabric that had been laid out.

  But Addie didn’t answer them. As absorbed as she’d been in the conversation, she swiveled around and their gazes met. Sue turned to see what had captured her attention and smiled.

  “Is it lunchtime yet?” his mother asked as she came over and gave him a quick hug.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Gator said ten minutes. Dad is outside.”

  “Then I’ll just go and say hello.” She patted his arm and left.

  Sylvie gave him an understanding smile. “I’ll just go and see if Gator needs any help.” They all knew that for the lie it was. Her mate never needed help in the kitchen.

  “Ah, I’ll go help.” Rina slid past him, giving him a discreet thumbs-up as she passed.

  “I didn’t mean to clear the room.” He went to Addie and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been wanting to do that for what seems like forever.”

  She laughed at his heartfelt words. “We only parted less than an hour ago,” she pointed out, even as she hugged him as hard and showed no signs of letting go.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Everyone has been so kind.” The sentiment was positive, but there was an underlying sadness he didn’t understand.

  “That’s good, right?”

  She nodded, rubbing her nose against his shirt. “Hey.” He put his hand under her chin and lifted it slightly. Unshed tears filled her eyes. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. This place is like a store. So many choices. And they said I could use whatever fabric I want. I’m going to sell the quilt when it’s done and pay them back,” she quickly added.

  She wouldn’t want to feel beholden to anyone. She’d come here with nothing, not even any clothes of her own. It had to all be overwhelming. She had never lived away from home, never been away from her parents.

  “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Forgive me?”

  “For what?”

  He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “For not understanding how overwhelmed you might be feeling this morning. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” He was an idiot. In his hurry to get things on some kind of a normal footing for them, he’d overlooked how out of place and confused she must be.

  Ignoring the rattling of dishes and chatter coming from the kitchen, he lowered his head and kissed her. He’d meant it to be a quick and gentle caress, one of comfort, but she had other ideas.

  Curling her hand around the back of his neck, she pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. He forgot where they were, that there were people j
ust beyond the open door. Sliding his hands down her back, he cupped her behind and lifted her off her feet. She twined her legs around his waist and clung to him with a hint of desperation.

  He tore his mouth away from hers. “Everything will be all right,” he whispered in her ear. “I love you.”

  She froze in his arms. Shit, he hadn’t meant to say that, hadn’t planned on dropping that on her with everything else she was dealing with. He swallowed back a curse when he heard the footsteps in the hallway. Not now.

  “Lunch is ready.”

  It was small consolation it was Sage and not his mom or dad at the door. Addie squirmed in his arms until he put her down. She straightened her sweater and sidled past him. “Excuse me.”

  Billy raked his fingers through his hair, wanting to howl in frustration. He couldn’t really blame his cousin for his bad timing, not when his own sucked so badly.

  “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but it was either me or Sue.”

  He took a deep breath, trying to calm the thundering of his heart. He’d told Addie he loved her, and she’d all but run away from him. Yeah, not the reaction he’d been hoping for. He rubbed his hands over his face. His skin was too tight, and there was an itching beneath it.

  “Hey, buddy, you okay?” Sage pushed away from the doorway and put his hand on Billy’s shoulder. That light contact helped calm him. He’d noticed he seemed to need touch more since he’d come back to life. Another indication the wolf that had saved his life was buried deep inside him.

  “I don’t know,” he answered honestly.

  “I know what you’re going through.” If anyone did, it was Sage. He and Rina hadn’t had an easy start to their relationship.

  “I think I messed things up.” Oddly enough, he didn’t want to take the words back, but there was no denying his timing sucked.

  “Then you’ll fix them.” Sage’s confidence settled him.

  “Yeah, I will.”

  “There you go. Now let’s get out there before they come looking for us.”

  He needed to see Addie, to make sure she didn’t decide to run off. He all but shoved his cousin aside and hurried toward the kitchen. He heard Sage’s chuckle but ignored it.

  ****

  I love you.

  Reeling from his declaration, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to believe him. Truly she did. But she was afraid.

  On one hand, it was exciting and overwhelming. On the other, it seemed almost disloyal to her parents and pack. What would they think? Would she be able to see them again? Would the alpha even let her if she chose a male outside their pack?

  Panicked, the wolf in her wanted to run. She slid into a seat at the table, gripping her hands together in her lap.

  Oh, God. Run. She’d all but run out on Billy. What must he think of her?

  Not that she could have said much of anything, not with his cousin standing there. And what would his parents think? He hadn’t known her long, and she’d saved his life. Was what he felt really love or gratitude?

  She needed to ask herself the same question but feared she already knew the answer. Her emotional connection to Billy went beyond gratitude, beyond caring, beyond the physical attraction that bubbled up to the surface whenever he was near. She wanted him to be happy, to take care of him, to protect him. Her chest ached with emotion whenever she thought of him.

  It had to be love, this overwhelming need to put the other person first, to do what was right for them, no matter the cost.

  Her wolf certainly wanted him. The instinct to mate was primal and fierce and one she’d never had before.

  Gator was just setting the last platter of sandwiches on the table beside two big bags of potato chips when Billy took the empty seat beside her. She couldn’t look at him. The chicken sandwich, usually her favorite, tasted like dust in her mouth. She set it down and took a sip of water. Since not eating would only raise questions, she picked up the sandwich in one hand, slipped her free hand under the table, and touched Billy’s thigh.

  His leg stiffened.

  What little she’d eaten turned to a huge lump in her stomach. Fearing she’d offended him by walking away, she started to withdraw her hand, but he caught it in his. The warmth of his skin penetrated hers. Then he threaded his fingers through hers.

  Everything inside her settled. When he touched her, everything seemed clearer.

  They were meant to be together.

  She was a werewolf. It was something she took for granted, because she simply didn’t know any other way of life. Wolves lived by their instincts, and while she also had a human side, she trusted her gut.

  Billy was hers. Whatever hand of fate had brought them together, she needed to accept it and work to strengthen their bond so it didn’t wither and die. They were facing a lot of adversity. If she didn’t accept the connection between them, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

  A shiver of dread raced down her spine. Was she tempting fate by embracing her feelings for him? She prayed not, but Addie couldn’t shake the fear welling up inside her.

  When the time was right, she’d return the words. Unlike him, she wasn’t about to blurt it out when they weren’t alone.

  Like a kid with a secret, she hugged it tight. She’d tell him tonight when they were in his room. Then they could talk and make love.

  “Addie?”

  She looked up from her sandwich to find everyone looking at her. “Yes?”

  “You were lost in thought, honey.” Sue patted her arm. “I asked if you knew what pattern you were going to do for the quilt.”

  She needed to gather her thoughts and concentrate on the meal and conversation. Although with the knowing smiles the rest of them were giving her, she figured they had a pretty good idea where her thoughts had gone.

  She couldn’t wait for this evening so she could tell Billy she loved him, too.

  ****

  Simon barely avoided being seen by a wolf ghosting through the woods. Crouched behind a rock, he waited until the sentry disappeared down a hill and into some thick brush. He sneered and slowly rose from his hiding spot. The wolves here weren’t nearly as good as they thought they were. He’d had no trouble evading them.

  Confident, he continued on in his wolf form. He’d shifted and left his clothing tucked in the hollow of a tree not far from here, able to move faster and more silently as a wolf. Now all he had to do was find Addie.

  If he couldn’t get her alone, there might be a problem. They might be weak, but there was no way he could fight three or four of them at once. He’d have to be smart about this and watch for the right moment. Maybe if he threatened the human Addie seemed so fond of, she’d leave without a fuss.

  Something to consider.

  Lifting his head, he sniffed the air. Off to his right, he caught several older scents. He turned in that direction. He’d find their homes and then he’d wait.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Addie couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed an afternoon as much. Playing with fabric was fun, and having almost unlimited choices at hand, women who were as passionate about sewing and quilting as she was, and friendly conversation had left her feeling really positive about everything for the first time in days.

  “You’ve made some real progress.” Sylvie studied the blocks and strips of fabric Addie had cut. “It’s going to be a cheerful quilt. Bright, too.”

  “Too bright?”

  Sylvie shook her head and leaned closer so their shoulders were touching. Her wolf moved inside her, loving the attention from the older female. She was missing her momma. “No such thing as too bright.”

  Satisfied by her choices, she began to pack away the fabric.

  “Leave it,” Sylvie told her. “You can pick back up tomorrow or the day after. It’s fine there. None of us will need the cutting table soon. We’re all too deep into sewing.”

  “You sure?” She didn’t want to impose any more than she already had. But leaving the fabric spread
out like that would save her the trouble of having to lay it all out again tomorrow. She always liked to have a second look at her choices once she’d been away for a while. It allowed her to make any changes or tweak the colors before she started sewing.

  “Absolutely. I’d say Billy is going to come looking for you if you don’t head home soon.”

  Addie looked around and belatedly realized Rina had already left. Sue was waiting by the door.

  “I’m so sorry.” She’d gotten so absorbed in what she was doing, she’d lost track of time.

  “No need,” Sue told her. “I just finished up myself. But Sylvie is right. Our men will come searching for us if they get home before we do.”

  “Thank you.” On impulse, she hugged Sylvie. When she was hugged back, everything inside her relaxed.

  “Have a good evening,” Sylvie whispered. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I love this time of year,” Sue said when Addie joined her on the back porch. “The world is full of promise after the long winter.”

  They started walking down the narrow path that led toward Billy’s home. Addie couldn’t think of it as hers. But she was getting more comfortable with the idea that maybe it could be.

  “You have a good time today?” Sue asked.

  “I did. It was like shopping in my favorite store.” She was gushing, so she shut up.

  “I know what you mean. I love fabric. The colors. The patterns. It’s like spring. The possibilities are endless.” She reached out and touched Addie’s arm. “Don’t worry so much. No one expects you to figure things out or make any decisions today or tomorrow or next week.”

  Talking about her relationship with his momma wasn’t exactly comfortable, but Sue had a right to know she wasn’t toying with her son. “I have deep feelings for Billy.”

  “I know. Anyone with eyes can see that. I’m glad he found you.” Her smile disappeared and a worried frown appeared. “I just wish he hadn’t had to be hurt for that to happen.”

  So many events, seemingly random, had occurred in order for her and Billy to meet. Choices, even ones that seemed meaningless at the time, had all conspired to get them both at that particular spot in the woods at the same time.