Werewolves & Whiskers: Sawtooth Peaks Wolf Shifter Romance Box Set

by Keira Blackwood

  “Thank you for the dress. I love it,” I said, gently lifting the bottom of the dress with a hand on my thigh.

  “Hailey,” Cole gave me his deep seductive tone, and I knew he was ready. “Don't tease too much or I'll fuck you on the table during dinner.”

  “With everyone watching?” I was excited by his need for me.

  “Try me.” A wide grin spread across his face. He reached under my skirt and grabbed my ass with both hands while kissing a trail from my shoulder up the side of my neck. I moaned just as the doorbell rang.

  My mate released me and walked toward the door, leaving me desperately wanting more of his touch and a bit more time before our guests arrived.

  Cole opened the door like we hadn’t just been ready to tear each other’s clothes off; he showed no sign of the need that overwhelmed me. I definitely had started a dangerous game, one that he was clearly better at than me.

  My sister wrapped her arms around Cole's neck. “Cole, so great to see you.”

  Cole put his arm on her back for a moment before releasing her. Liv was a hugger, Cole was not. I smiled at her warmth and his discomfort. It was nice to get the people I cared most about together in one room. Liv wore a loose-fitting black dress with a high-cut neckline and long sleeves. Her white jacket matched her heels and purse. She looked as lovely as always.

  “Hailey, thanks so much for inviting me,” she said.

  It was my turn for a hug, and I squeezed her back. “I'm glad you could come. I was worried you might not make it back from Elkston in time for dinner. How was the weekend with Pierce?”

  “Really nice. I think he might actually be a keeper. I still haven't found anything wrong with him,” she answered.

  “That's great. I'm so happy for you.”

  “Thanks. Life seems to be treating you well too. Give me the tour?” she asked, looking around the great room.

  “Of course,” I answered. “This is the great room. When it's light out it feels like you're smack in the middle of the forest because of the giant windows.”

  “Is that the fireplace?” she quietly asked, looking across the room while rubbing her hand along the top of the sofa.

  Cole walked back toward the kitchen and gave me a wink. Maybe he was planning fun tonight on the new sofa. That would be a treat, in the same place we used to sleep. I tried not to get distracted from Liv.

  “Yep,” I answered. “Let me show you upstairs.”

  Liv followed me to the master bedroom. She looked over her shoulder and said in a soft voice, “So I saw that you took all of your clothes. Are you moving in here?”

  “Yeah, I'm all in,” I said. “I was worried at first, but it's really working out. Cole's amazing.” I would have liked to say the rest—he's a wolf, I'm his mate, it's already done, we're the shifter equivalent of married. But I settled on, “I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

  “I'm so happy for you. I keep wondering if maybe Pierce is the one too. It's too soon to tell, but I really like him,” she shared.

  “That's great, Liv,” I said. Maybe we were both going to get our happily ever afters. I hoped so. I loved being Cole's mate, but I wanted to share the news with the world.

  “So what's with the bite on your neck? Does he get a bit carried away?”

  I wanted to answer honestly, that it was as close to a diamond ring as I was going to get, but I couldn't tell her. I had to hold the wolf part of my life back. “Something like that,” I answered.

  “By the way, great dress,” Liv said.

  “Thanks, Cole bought it for me,” I replied.

  “Good taste in clothes, house, and women. He's a keeper,” she said.

  “Yes he is.”

  Then I showed my sister the closet, and the studio. Liv stopped in front of the painting I was working on, the big, black wolf that shifted my perception of reality.

  “Wow, Hailey,” she said. “What’s the story with the wolf?”

  “Do you like it?” I asked, unsure how to answer.

  “It’s really good,” Liv answered. “What’s your inspiration? I mean that huge wolf dominates the landscape.”

  I couldn’t explain that it was Cole, that my whole world revolved around a man that was the wolf in the painting. So I offered a half truth, “It’s mostly from a dream.”

  “You dream about wolves?” she asked, with her brow furrowed.

  “All of the time,” I answered, then led my sister back out of the room.

  The tour continued with the giant shower, and then the table we’d picked out the day before. We stopped in the kitchen, where Cole was hard at work.

  “This is an amazing house, Cole,” Liv said.

  “It was an empty shell before Hailey,” he answered, his eyes looking deep into mine.

  “You two are just too sweet. I bet you'll be getting married, and I'll still be single. Well, hopefully with Pierce,” Liv said with a smile.

  Cole's eyes widened as he looked at me.

  “Hailey and I used to dream about having big weddings while we were still young and beautiful.”

  “Weddings, huh?” Cole asked.

  “Yep, and having unicorns as pets,” Liv said.

  I kicked her foot.

  “Sorry. You two will figure it out, and congrats on moving in together,” she said, steering the conversation away from marriage.

  “Thanks,” Cole answered.

  “Is there anything I can do to help get dinner ready?” she asked. “Oh shoot, I left your gift in the car. I'll be right back.” Liv stepped outside, and Cole was on me in an instant.

  He held his body tight against mine, holding me in place with a hand spread across the small of my back. I tilted my hips against his hard, thick leg as his fingers tickled up the back of my thigh.

  “Still ready to go?” I asked with a smile, pretending not to notice the huge erection against my stomach.

  He pressed his lips to mine, and moved my mouth with his, his tongue exploring me in a deep, erotic rhythm. My body ached for his, even though I knew Liv would be back any minute.

  “Mmmm,” I moaned.

  “You’re ready, too,” he answered. I couldn’t help but blush. “Do you want a traditional wedding?” he asked, moving his hand up between my legs.

  “I don't know, kind of,” I gasped, having trouble concentrating on speaking as he traced my shape through the thin fabric of my panties. “It would be nice, but really, what I want is you. Here, now, and mine forever.”

  My body ached for him, and I moved my palm slowly up and down the front of his pants, feeling his length.

  The door opened, but Cole ignored it. I pulled away and turned from pink to bright red. For a few more hours I had to keep my focus on the guests I had invited, not on my need for my mate. Even though dinner and teasing were both my ideas, I was finding it difficult to balance the two.

  Liv walked in, followed by Eric holding a bakery box and the hand of an attractive man with dark brown skin. I pulled down on the hem of my skirt, nervous that I was exposed.

  “Hi Eric, so glad you could make it,” I said.

  Liv handed me a bottle of wine, the gift from her car. She smirked, like she knew I’d just been kissing Cole.

  “Thanks, Liv,” I said. Then I turned to the guest I hadn't met. “You must be Victor. I'm Hailey.” I held out my hand to shake Victor’s. The rough texture of his palm reminded me of Cole’s hands, the calluses of a man who did physical labor.

  “Nice to finally meet you,” Victor said. “Nice house.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. “Cole built it.”

  “Wow. That's some serious skill. I work for a logging company, pretty good with an axe, but not so much with the fine details,” Victor said.

  “Lots of work though, I'm sure,” I said.

  “It's steady,” he answered.

  “So what is that amazing smell?” Eric asked.

  I answered, “Cole's making a roast. It's one of my favorites.”

  “If it tast
es half as good as it smells, I'll be happy,” Eric replied.

  “Trust me, it will. You guys can hang up your coats here if you'd like, we're set up in the dining room.” I pointed toward the big table. The guests left their coats on the hooks by the door and walked to the dining room.

  As I watched my friends enter my house, sharing a piece of my life, I thought as long as I could keep my hands off of my mate, nothing could spoil this perfect evening.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Cole

  Voices carried from the dining room into the kitchen where I worked. Hailey was in her element, chatting with the guests she had invited. I loved to see her so happy—and I loved to see her in that dress.

  Once the beef was cooked just enough, I moved it to the cutting board and sliced the roast. I fanned each piece across the serving tray, then I scooped the vegetables into bowls. When I heard the engine of my brother's truck pulling to a stop in front of the house, I went to greet him.

  Lance held the passenger side door while a thin blonde climbed out. He’d brought Callie, from the bar. She clung to his arm as he shut the door. Lance and Callie made an attractive couple, for however long he was interested.

  “Lance, hey, glad you could make it,” I said from the porch.

  “Wouldn't miss it,” Lance replied. “I believe you've met my date.”

  I looked at Callie in her tight, white jeans, red heels, and a see-through black shirt beneath her leather jacket.

  “Good evening, Callie, you look well,” I said.

  “Thanks. I heard you were settling down with some human girl. Had to come see for myself.” Callie gave me a wicked grin.

  “Behave,” I cautioned.

  “Oh, I won't scare her away, promise. If you're taking yourself off the market, I'll take my chances with the next alpha,” Callie said, rubbing a hand on Lance's chest. Lance's face tightened at her words. Maybe he felt the same way about being alpha as I did, though he had never said one way or the other. It was an idea everyone would have to get used to, including me—Lance would step up and be alpha or someone else would make a claim. Either way, it wasn't my place anymore. I might have felt relieved if I didn't have Dashiell to worry about.

  “Come on in. Dinner's ready,” I said, turning back to the front door.

  “Wait,” Lance said. “Have you talked to the grizzly yet?”

  “Grizzly?” I asked.

  “Big guy, wide as a mountain. He's been asking everyone about what happened with that doctor. If you haven't seen him yet, I'm sure you will.”

  The grizzly must have been the guy Hailey thought was following her, because he likely was.

  “What did you tell him?” I asked.

  “Everything. He's from the Tribunal. Said there could be a trial, so I'm sure he'll be looking to talk to you soon if he hasn't yet,” Lance replied.

  The timing couldn't have been worse. If I was held for trial before Dashiell was dealt with, I couldn't protect Hailey. If it came to that, I'd have to ask Harkins for extra men, or have Lance stay at the house with her. Either way, at least it would be over soon.

  “Thanks for the heads up,” I replied, then let our guests into the house. “Let's eat.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hailey

  Eric’s chest shook as he leaned over on Victor’s shoulder, his face red and eyes watering. Laughing, he said, “Remember the talent show that year?”

  “I wished I could have been there,” Liv said with a wide smile. “We had a great time practicing at home together. She was so set on performing, I didn’t even try to talk her out of it.”

  I smiled and said to Liv, “As I remember it, you encouraged me. I believe your words were something like, ‘You’re amazing, Hailey, just like Gwen Stefani.’” I fanned my hands away from my face for the full star effect. Liv and Eric laughed, and Victor sat smirking as he watched the three of us. I took a sip of wine and continued, “I may have been a bit off-key, but I remember it going pretty well. There was lots of applause, and I rocked all of the moves.”

  “It was quite a show,” Eric said, and rocked back and forth like he could hear the song in his head.

  “I can’t even remember, what was that song called?” Liv asked, between laughs.

  “HollaBack Girl,” a familiar voice said from behind me. I turned and saw Lance and his date standing in the doorway to the dining room.

  “Oh yeah,” Liv said, giggling.

  “Good times,” I said, and stood to greet my guests.

  Lance hugged me and said, “Hey, Hailey. You look great. Thanks for having us.”

  The blonde beside him crossed her arms and glared at me like I was some kind of threat. I smiled back at her when Lance released me. “You look good too, Lance,” I said. “I’m so glad you could come.”

  “This is Callie,” he said, looking at his annoyed date.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said.

  She gave me a half smile and clung to his arm. What was her problem?

  Turning back to Lance, I asked, “Did you see Cole yet?”

  “He let us in. He should be here any minute. The food is ready,” Lance replied. He leaned around me and waved to the guests at the table. “Hello all.”

  “Good to see you, Lance. It’s been forever. How’s life?” Liv asked.

  Lance said, “Life’s good. Not much has changed, still managing the bar. Fortunately it more or less manages itself since Amy’s so reliable, and Cole does all the paperwork. How about you? You look good.”

  The blonde hanging on Lance’s arm scowled at Liv.

  “Thanks. I’m seeing a paramedic from Elkston, and I got my nursing degree. I work over at Dr. Johnston’s office,” she answered.

  The scent of perfectly roasted beef preceded Cole as he entered the room. He set a huge, porcelain platter in the center of the table. Thick slices of lean, medium-rare meat partially overlapped each other in an evenly-spaced spiral pattern. It was a beautiful display. After admiring his creation, I looked up and admired my mate.

  His tight black t-shirt showed the definition of the muscular chest beneath. Dark strands of hair hung over the sides of his square face, and he smiled at me when our eyes met. I felt bad that he’d been missing out on all of the conversation by spending so much time in the kitchen, but now that the food was done, I looked forward to sitting next to him and sharing the rest of the evening.

  Liv stood and asked, “What can I do to help?”

  “All that’s left is carrying food to the table,” Cole replied with an easy smile.

  I stood and walked back to the kitchen with my sister and my mate. I couldn’t remember the last time I had attended a family dinner with more than just one loved one at a time. It had probably been when Mom and Dad were still alive. Maybe this year we could spend Thanksgiving and Christmas just like this.

  We carried in bowls of vegetables, gravy, and fresh bread. I looked around the room, grateful that Cole had done all of this for me. The table was full of good food and good company. Unscented candles flickered at the center of the spread, surrounded by porcelain dishes full of food. Cole sat at the head of the table and I sat beside him. We passed serving dishes around the table to our friends and family, and everyone filled their plates.

  “Damn, this is good,” Victor said.

  “Did you go to school for cooking?” Eric asked.

  “No, it’s just a passion of mine,” Cole answered, resting his hand on my knee. He moved his thumb back and forth on my thigh, igniting my body with desire.

  I smiled at him. It seemed the game was back on.

  “Well, everything is divine,” Eric replied.

  “Thank you,” Cole answered as he inched his hand up my thigh.

  My body ached for his, but he kept his composure. I put my hand over his advancing fingers, holding him from moving under my dress. My cheeks heated as I ate and tried not to let the rest of the table know how ready I was to rip off my mate’s clothes and jump him on the table.

 
; “Hailey seems happy working at the flower shop,” Cole continued. Turning attention to me, tricky. I would have to be careful trying to tease him in the future, because clearly he was better at hiding his desire than I was.

  “I am,” I replied.

  “Glad to hear it,” Eric said. “You’re a natural, Hailey. I hope to keep you long into the future.”

  “A sentiment we share,” Cole answered.

  “So, Callie, what do you do for a living?” Liv asked.

  “I wait tables at Sawtooth Den. That’s how we got together.” Callie leaned closer to Lance, kissing his chin.

  “So have you two been dating long?” Liv asked.

  “First social outing together, actually,” Callie answered.

  Lance took a deep gulp of his wine.

  I tried to rescue him from further questions about his relationship. “Eric, have you started thinking about plans for the front garden at the bar?” I asked.

  Lance smiled at me, relaxing back in his seat.

  “I was going to take some measurements Friday night after you left,” Eric answered.

  Cole slid his hand farther up my leg, reaching the top of my thigh. He traced the seam of my panties, and I sat up straighter in my seat in response. It was hard to focus on the conversation around me with his big, warm hand getting so close to where I wanted him. Trying not to get caught made it even more exciting.

  Eric continued, “But a detective came to visit me before I got the chance.”

  “A detective?” Cole asked, and his hand froze.

  “Yeah, from Elkston. He said he was looking for a missing person, some doctor. He didn’t say why he thought the guy would be in Sawtooth Peaks,” Eric said.

  My stomach clenched, and Cole pulled his hand away. Was he talking about the guy that had followed me? Was he really a detective? Or was he from the wolf Tribunal? What had he learned? Questions and fear fogged my mind.

  “Big guy?” Lance asked.

  “Yeah,” Eric answered, “He looked more like a lumberjack than a detective. Did he talk to you too?”

  “Yes,” Liv and Lance answered at the same time. Was he talking to everyone but me and Cole? Why hadn’t Liv mentioned that some cop had come looking for Frank?