Werewolves & Whiskers: Sawtooth Peaks Wolf Shifter Romance Box Set

by Keira Blackwood

  When I got to my bedroom, I pulled off my jacket and shoes, feeling numb as I held my emotions at bay. Beside the bed I dropped my jeans and bra on the floor, then climbed under the covers. Still half dressed, I snuggled into the down comforter. I pictured Cole—the man, the wolf. I imagined his gorgeous face, his kind, honey eyes, his ebony fur and hair. I imagined the feel of his skin on mine, the firmness of his chest and arms. Then I let go of being strong, of the hope that we could figure things out, I let go of the tears I hadn’t realized I was holding back. A hole of emptiness clenched in my gut as I clutched my knees and sobbed quietly alone until I fell asleep.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Cole

  I was furious with Zaria for her rudeness, furious with Lance for letting Hailey go, and furious with myself for the whole situation.

  As soon as I had realized Hailey was gone, I rode my bike straight to her sister's house. I wanted to talk to her, to touch her. I wanted to make sure she was okay. I wouldn't let Hailey run away from me with things unresolved again. I couldn't risk losing her.

  When her sister turned me away, I set to work.

  I started by driving to Greenville.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Hailey

  I woke a mess: mascara smeared on my face, hair a knotted disaster, puffy red eyes. I showered and dressed for my first day at the flower shop in a haze of numbness. I put on some flats and headed down to the kitchen. Everything was quiet, so I figured Olivia and Pierce must be enjoying their last morning together before he had to go back home. I wanted to confide in my sister, but I knew I couldn't tell her anything about wolves, so I didn't know how I could explain what had happened. Even if I could tell her, all I would do is melt down, and I couldn't deal with that this close to the beginning of my first day at a new job.

  I was tired from tossing and turning all night, so I settled on some coffee for breakfast in a to-go cup, a little under eye concealer, and walked to work.

  The cool breeze pinched my face, a welcome sensation to my sleepy eyes. The knot in my belly twisted, and I was glad I hadn't tried to keep anything more than coffee down. I passed the bar on my walk. Sawtooth Den's immaculate woodwork tempted me to run across the street, to forget the job I needed to get to, to throw myself at Cole who was clearly handling our night apart better than I was. I held strong and kept my gaze in front of me, walked an extra block, and entered the door to my new job.

  Rosebuds and Greenery was a classic brick storefront, probably as old as the town. Many of the small shops along Main Street had been built around 1910. They had all changed with time, upkeep, and different owners, but there was a beauty to the buildings that remained despite the many years. I looked up at the masterfully hand-carved wooden sign decorating the storefront. The elegance told me who made it—the only carpenter of such skill in town. It was another sign that everything would forever remind me of Cole, and the emptiness inside me that could be filled only by closeness to him.

  Potted rose bushes flanked the sides of the two-step entry to the matching rose-red wooden door. How Eric, my new boss, was able to maintain such beautiful flowers this time of year, I had no idea.

  When I walked inside the front door a little bell rang, and a spacious room opened before me. Floral scents mingled in the air. Fresh-cut bouquets and arrangements lined deep tables and the wall to the left. Blooms of every color sat nestled between green leaves, sitting in pots, or held together in plastic or ribbon. A large checkout counter with an old-timey register sat to the right, with long wooden tables and supplies in a partially walled off room, still open enough to catch the sunlight from the glass greenhouse behind.

  “Hailey?” A deep voice called to me from the room past the counter.

  “Hey, Eric,” I answered.

  An auburn-haired head popped out around the corner. “Excited about your first day?”

  “Yes. I really need this. Thank you again, so much.” I meant it. I needed the money so I didn't waste away my settlement cash. I needed the artistic outlet and the great company just as much. There were only so many days I could sit around my sister's house or go out shopping. And I needed to start building my own life again.

  “I'm happy to have you. You have no idea how hard it is to find anyone with an artistic eye around here. Everything my last assistant arranged turned into a blocky square fit only for funerals. Poor girl, I set her only to watering in the greenhouse and helping people that dropped in. She was no good with customers either, got angry at the first bride-to-be that walked in because the bride knew what she wanted and the girl didn't want to replace lilies with dandelions or some shit. What bride to be isn't at least part bridezilla, am I right? Anyway, lost me a huge gig, so she's gone.”

  Eric stepped out from behind the counter, waving flowers in hand as he spoke. His thick-rimmed black glasses and puffed pompadour hair matched the style of his tight plaid button-down shirt and burgundy corduroy pants. He topped off the look with classic black and white chucks. Eric knew who he was, a sparkling gem that stood out from the rest of the town. He worked it, and I loved him for it. He was full of positive energy and talked enough for both of us--exactly what I needed to distract me from my funk.

  “I'll try not to disappoint,” I replied.

  “Honey, you'll be great.” He gave me a warm smile.

  The day flew by as I learned all about different types of plants and flowers. I learned how often each ones were watered, which plants needed what amount of sunlight, and how to cut stems for bouquets. It was a lot of information, but Eric was kind and forgiving. I was confident I could get it all down with a little practice. We ordered a pizza for lunch and ate in, chatting the entire time. I had never enjoyed a job so much; it was more like hanging out with Olivia than work. By late afternoon I was confident that I had to get Eric and Olivia together for a movie night sometime in the near future.

  Before I knew it, it was five o'clock. I grabbed my purse and said goodnight to Eric. Stepping out into the cool evening air, I saw oranges and purples swirling the sky as the sun set.

  Someone sat at the bottom of the steps, and he turned when I approached. His golden eyes mirrored the warm hues of the sky. Black strands of hair lay haphazardly in a beautiful mess. His black leather biker jacket matched his ebony locks, and really nailed the whole bad boy thing. Dark-washed loose jeans hung nicely on his hips. It was so different from the suit I was used to, especially when he would usually still be at work at this hour. But he pulled off the casual look as easily as the formal, comfortable and sexy. He was easily the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen. The hole inside me ached, stronger than ever.

  “Hailey.” His voice was gravelly, rumbling in his chest.

  “Hey.” I didn't know what to say, where to start. Sorry I'm not a wolf? You deserve so much more? I love you and I want you right here on these steps? I blushed at the thought.

  Cole dropped to one knee. Oh god what was he thinking? “Please, Hailey, come back to my place and talk with me.”

  He pulled something out of his pocket and held it up to me. I reached down and picked up the key in his hand, a light brown leather oval attached to it. Pressed into the leather were grooves in the shape of symbols inside a circle: a mountain in the background, a pine in front and to the side, and a wolf in the foreground. Cole's seal.

  “What's this for?”

  “My house. Come with me Hailey, please. I have something to show you, and much more to talk about.”

  I put the key in my purse and took the hand he held out for me. How could I not? I would do anything for him. All of my strength melted away, and my middle filled with warmth at his touch. I took the helmet he offered and climbed behind him on his bike. I snuggled up close to his back, smelling the leather of his jacket and the earthy cinnamon soap that I once borrowed.

  A tear ran down my cheek as we rode through the woods. I couldn't resist him, no matter how much I believed he was better off without me. I loved him with everything I had. Cole wa
s my life.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Cole

  Hailey squeezed my chest, and for the first time in twenty-four hours, I was content. I could stay like this forever, just feeling her arms around me. The cold air blew against us as the sun went down behind tree-topped mountains. The light from my Harley lit the way through the trees along the dirt road up to my sanctuary away from town.

  When we arrived, Hailey let go of me and climbed off the bike. It was bittersweet, arriving and showing her what I had done while she was away from me, but losing her sweet embrace. As the last hints of rose and violet faded from the sky, the last shreds of daylight caught the cerulean oceans of her eyes. I loved the way the wind rustled her hair when we rode the bike, removing any styling and leaving only her natural curl.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out as I stepped off my bike. Hailey set her helmet down on the seat and looked to me as I checked the number. Lance. I hit answer, unwilling to blow him off when he was looking into something so important for me. Especially after not being able to reach Harkins when I’d set him on a similar errand. I held the phone at my hip as I spoke to Hailey.

  “Go ahead and use your key. I'll meet you inside in a moment.” I kissed the top of her head, savoring the sweet scent of her shampoo, and she headed to the door.

  “Yeah?” I asked Lance.

  “I looked into that attack on the humans from the lodge,” he said. “It was three wolves. It took some digging, but turns out it was shifters from Crazy Eyes's pack. They bragged about it down at the Cook Brothers’ bar in Greenville. Seems they're becoming regulars at that place. Lowell isn't too excited about it. They get drunk and start fights.”

  “Thanks for getting back to me,” I replied.

  “One last thing. They were bragging that Crazy Eyes killed Garret.” Lance's voice softened.

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “Thanks, Lance. Don't tell anyone else about what you found until I’ve had time to think. Let's do a meeting Wednesday night. Gives me a little time to gather information. Let me know if you have any brilliant ideas.”

  “Will do. G'night,” he said.

  I hung up the phone. Shit. What was I going to do? I really needed to reach Harkins. I tried his number in vain, thinking that maybe this time he would answer. He didn’t. I put my phone back in my pocket.

  Could Garret really be dead? What the hell was I going to do? If Axel heard the rumor before we had more information, he would rush in and get himself killed, or worse, cause an all-out war. We had to learn all of the facts. In the morning I would have to go down to see the Cook brothers.

  I walked toward the door, returning my focus to what was important for tonight—Hailey.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Hailey

  Flames roared in the fireplace, the center point of the room. From the entryway I spotted a large cream-colored sofa that sat where we slept. I slid off my jacket and shoes by the door, then approached the new seat. The bedding was missing from the floor. Had Cole bought a sofa just so I would be more comfortable here? I ran my finger across the top of the seat, along the soft, creamy fabric. The cushion gave to my touch, leaving an indent that slowly bounced back. Ooo, it must be cozy, I thought.

  I walked toward the kitchen for some wine to help me through whatever it was Cole wanted to tell me. I could grab a glass and snuggle up on the sofa in front of the fire while I waited for him to finish up his phone call.

  At the entry to the kitchen I tried to turn on the lights, but the switch didn't seem to be working. After flipping it up and down twice, I figured the bulb probably blew out. I would have to remember to tell Cole so he could replace it. I headed to the fridge to use the light it held to fill the room. I opened the refrigerator’s door and inspected the wine selection: merlot, pinot grigio, and a bottle of Moscato. I settled on the one I guessed would be the sweetest—the Moscato—and set it on the counter. I left the fridge door open to find a glass in the cabinet. Reaching up, I froze at the crunching sound of a shoe on broken glass.

  Someone must have shattered the kitchen light.

  Someone was here.

  “What a wicked game you're playing, Hailey,” a grating voice came from the blackness behind the blinding light of the refrigerator bulb.

  I knew that voice, the voice that haunted my dreams. My heart thudded in my ears. Oh shit. I turned slowly and pressed back into the counter.

  A shadowy figure stood behind the open fridge door, difficult to make out. I didn't need to see him to know it was Frank Wilson.

  “You shouldn't be here.” I worked to steady my voice. He had no right to be here. He shouldn’t be in Sawtooth Peaks. He shouldn’t be in this house, in my life.

  Cole would show up any second and I would be safe.

  Unless Frank Wilson had hurt Cole first, after I’d come inside…no, impossible. The thought of Cole being hurt twisted something inside of me. I simply couldn’t believe it.

  “Shouldn't I be here?” Frank’s shadow moved closer. “You lured me here away from my job and wouldn’t answer my calls. Playing cat and mouse. Well, the cat caught up.”

  What the fuck? I never wanted to see him again. He must be crazy to believe otherwise. The restraining order had made my feelings very clear.

  “What about your work?” I knew his work was important to him, so I used it to distract him as I slowly backed out of the kitchen one step at a time. A shard of glass pierced my heel. I ignored it. “You must be missing surgeries to be here.”

  “Oh I am, and you'll make it up to me.” In a moment he closed the gap, grasping my arm with unforgiving force.

  “You're hurting me, Frank.”

  He pulled me into his chest without loosening his grasp even for a second. With my back pressed against his chest I couldn't see him, not that there was much to see without the light. His arm pressed tightly against my collar bone. The smell of his cologne, so familiar, threatened to make me sick. My heart raced as I tried to breathe: inhale deeply, exhale slowly. He rested his pointy chin on my shoulder as he whispered in my ear.

  “Oh you're going to feel a lot more hurt. Hurt like you caused me by having the cops show up in my office with that ridiculous paper, by making me chase you four hours away from where I should be.”

  I felt his arousal rubbing against the back of my jeans, moving back and forth on me, disgusting me. A gentle pull at the bottom of my shirt, and his cold, repulsing hand rubbed upward. I used my free arm to block his from reaching my bra. I could do this. Cole would be in soon.

  Frank growled behind me, “You are mine.”

  A wet sting touched my cheek. I saw the glitter of silver just under my eye as the pain intensified and I screamed with everything I had.

  “COLE!”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Cole

  The moon illuminated shattered glass on the deck along the side of my house. A broken window. I walked faster and opened the door, then I heard Hailey scream, her voice full of pain and fear.

  I shifted into my wolf instinctively. Senses heightened, I bolted to the kitchen as a huge black wolf. I let my animal side rule me as I smelled Hailey, afraid and injured. Copper tainted her sweetness. Through the broken window, I saw her held in her attacker’s arms. She spotted me, and her eyes begged me for help. Her face was bleeding.

  I took in the rest of the scene. The room was full of shadows, the only light coming from the fridge. Broken glass scattered across the floor from the shattered bulb.

  The other person in the room reeked of cheap cologne, alcohol, and something off. A human, but not quite natural, possibly suffering some sort of sickness. He had salt and pepper hair, delicate hands, and a disheveled, black business suit. I didn’t recognize the man, and he didn’t seem to notice me. He held fast to Hailey, his eyes locked on her bloody cheek as I slowly approached them. I spotted the knife he held at his side, dripping her blood.

  Anger boiled inside of me
and I dove forward. I sank my teeth into the fragile flesh of his forearm, crunching the bones within. The paring knife in his hand clattered to the floor and the man screamed in pain.

  Clutching his wound, he backed away from Hailey. His shoulders hunched and he escaped into the shadows. He was a small man, cowardly without his weapon. Hailey moved behind me as the middle-aged man backed away, crouched on the floor.

  I glanced behind me to make sure Hailey was okay. A small cut marred her perfect face, but it didn't look deep. Her desperate fear had been replaced by cold hatred. Her expression told me exactly who the intruder was. He was a man that I should not have allowed to get so close to her. A man that would have never met her if I hadn’t pushed her away to begin with.

  “What the fuck?” The fragile human's yelling brought my focus back to him.

  I towered over him as he sat on the floor, then growled, baring my teeth. He looked up at me without the fear he should have felt at a four-foot high wolf standing over him. A grin split his face. His behavior was irrational; he should have tried to run. Irrational meant unpredictable, and unpredictable was dangerous.

  The man pulled his legs under him, crouching below me. He dove for the knife, then lunged forward into me. I stood my ground, keeping myself between the intruder and my Hailey. He swung the blade toward my neck, and I moved in time to catch only a small cut. He pulled the knife back and dove at me again. I took a step back, remaining in front of Hailey, who cried behind me. My mind was set. I meant the crazy man no harm, even after breaking into my home, but attacking Hailey was unacceptable. I would protect her at all costs. I shifted back into a man, not wanting to tear apart a human, and sidestepped his third swing.