Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply (19 page)

He slept through most of his lunch and dinner breaks, and then got ready for the night shift. He still hadn't heard back from Peter, so he called him. “Did the man give up who he is? Is he running with Waldron's pack?”

“No. He refuses to shift into his human form. I'm half tempted to kill him to force him to change, but then I couldn't question him,” Peter said.

Eric chuckled. “Well, let me know if he comes clean.”

“Yeah, we'll call you if we get anywhere with this. He's in a crate right now, and we've got round-the-clock guards on him.”

“Okay, talk later.”

After Eric ended his call with Peter, a call came in requesting Eric's help in scaring a grizzly bear out of a campground. That had him rushing to get there pronto. Not that he believed it was actually anything more than a black bear, but they could be dangerous too.

When he arrived at the camp, he saw a large cinnamon-colored bear scrounging around a campsite, looking for scraps of food. With his enhanced sense of smell, Eric smelled beans, bacon, hamburger, and more food left on used paper plates all over the area around the campfire, which was still burning.

The park rangers were supposed to scare bears off so that they would have a natural fear of humans. But visitors to the park sometimes wanted to feed a bear if they saw one or get pictures taken of themselves close to a bear, selfies even. The more risks people took getting close to wildlife, the more dangerous it became for them and the wildlife. If a bear was provoked into injuring a visitor, that could mean putting the bear down. Visitors to the park had to realize they were just that—visitors. The wildlife lived here twenty-four seven.

Eric didn't plan to harm the bear, only to yell and chase it off. Sometimes he'd have to use clear paintballs from a paintball gun. In this case, the campers had gone to bed for the night after having consumed a hell of a lot of beer and hadn't taken care of their food or trash properly. One of the men had left the camp to pee in the woods, he said, and run across the “grizzly bear,”
his words
, and called in the frantic message.

When Eric arrived, all he had to do was yell and shoot a noisemaker and the bear ran off. Then he lectured the four men on the proper storage and disposal of their food and trash, and supervised them until it was done. As inebriated as they were, they wouldn't have managed without him being there to make sure they complied.

After he finished with that, he made his rounds to the other campsites, checking for bears and making sure food was stored properly everywhere. Then he smelled cooking in one of the cabins that didn't allow it and evicted the residents on the spot. No cooking meant no cooking. Other cabins allowed it, but some at the national park were not equipped for it. The rules were well spelled out, and the reservationist always reminded the cabin renter what the rules and regulations were and the consequences if the visitor violated them.

This was the part of the job Eric didn't like. But if he let one group get away with it, then others could try to pull the same thing—and rules were rules.

The visitors were so angry that he thought one of them might get physical. Eric had a Taser, just in case, and he would use it if necessary. But one of the guys talked the other into just “packing up their shit” and going, and then they left. Not trusting them, Eric followed them out of the park.

At the end of his second shift early that morning, Eric had planned to head to Sarandon's house for some much-needed sleep. But then he got a call from Pepper that made his heart kick up a notch.

“Eric, Waldron and some of his men were here last night. I just took my morning run and—”

“I'm on my way. I just finished my shift.”

“I'll be at the Christmas tree farm for most of the day. You don't have to rush to get here or anything, just come before the party starts. I just wanted to let you know they were here again.”

Despite her words, she was reaching out to him, wanting his help or some reassurance that everything would be okay if he was there. “I'll head to your home and take a run around the place.”

“You need to sleep. Unless you got to sleep half the night.”

He smiled at that. She had to know enough park rangers to realize sleeping wasn't part of the job duties. He was glad she had called on him to help. He really thought they might be making some progress.

When he had a chance, he'd tell her about the wolf they'd taken into custody—still not knowing if Waldron and his wolves were really involved.

Pepper really appreciated that Eric didn't mind staying at her place while she was away. She didn't think she would have any trouble, but having Eric there would ease her mind.

“All right,” she said on the phone to Eric. “I've locked the wolf door to ensure no other wolves enter the house while I'm gone.” Pepper normally never locked it, but of late, with the problem with Waldron and his men, she'd started to. “You can run by Susan's house first. She has a key to my place, and I'll give her a call to let her know you're on your way there. You can get some sleep and protect the house in the meantime.” Not that she really thought he'd need to protect the house. She hoped he'd just get a good sleep. If anyone saw his park ranger truck out front, they'd be sure to leave the place alone anyway.

What would her pack make of it if they learned he was staying there again? Susan would know and would let Richard know, just to be on the safe side. Maybe the rest of the pack too.

Pepper realized she was all right with that. Word about them being together on the run and swimming in the lake had probably spread anyway. This was a lot less intimate: she was at work and he was going to be at her home sleeping. Besides, he would have been coming over later to go to the kids' birthday party.

Now she was glad she had invited him and he had accepted. But she really would have to get more groceries.

“Be there in a couple of hours.” Eric hated to hear that Waldron was encroaching on her land without permission, but he was glad she felt comfortable asking him to help out, which seemed to be a major change in her thinking. He called Peter again.

“Has the wolf shifted and told us anything yet?”

“No. He still refuses to shift. So he can stay in the cage until he does. Or not. He can just live like that until he can't remain as a wolf any longer. New moon coming up.”

Damn. The new moon was still three days away. Eric hoped the wolf wasn't a royal and the new moon would force him to shift into a human. Royals had the oldest
lupus garous
roots and could control their shifting.

“Okay, thanks for the heads-up,” Eric said. “Waldron and some of his men have been at Pepper's property again. I'm headed over there and will sleep for part of the day at her place.”

“I won't call unless we have some real breaking news.”

“All right.”

Then Eric called Sarandon. “Hey, I'm all right with clothes, but Waldron and some of his people were wandering around Pepper's property while I was working at the park last night. I'm sure they've been watching her lands to see when I leave. I'm going to stay at her place and get some sleep while she's at work. I just wanted you to know I might not be coming home tonight.”

Sarandon said, “I hate to hear she's having more trouble with them, but I'm glad she's asked you for your assistance. If you need any of us to help you out, let us know. At some point, you may need to come home and tell the men working on your place if you want anything changed. I've been talking to them and sent you all the pictures I took yesterday, but I'd feel better if you checked in with them.”

“I did. I looked over the pictures of the damage and okayed all that you had already agreed on. Brett set up a webcam so I can monitor the progress, and either he or CJ will be there supervising things, so we're good.”

“Why didn't I think of that? Okay, well, I'm on my way to lead a group on a hike to identify flowers. Congrats on catching that guy, by the way. The whole pack is abuzz about it. Wish I hadn't been busy climbing the mountain at the time. Call me if you have any trouble.”

“Will do.”

Thinking Pepper might not have had time to shop for groceries since yesterday morning, Eric figured he'd drop by and get a few things. If she didn't need or want them, he'd take them to Sarandon's. He thought this was a nice way to pay her back for her kindness to him. He hoped she didn't mind or feel like he was overstepping his bounds, because he was past ready to court the she-wolf.

Pepper called Susan to tell her Eric was coming over to stay for the day. She wasn't sure about the night, although she had every intention of saying he could, if he wanted to. But she didn't need to tell Susan that. “So Eric will be by for the extra key to my place in a couple of hours. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. He's worked a double shift at the park, so he'll most likely be sleeping for a good part of the day. If you see anything troublesome, call me as usual. If I think we need his help, I'll call him. But I don't want to disturb him otherwise.”

Pepper began inspecting the Christmas trees on their farm. Thankfully, today was Susan's day off, so she was home just chilling out. Pepper didn't want Eric to have to make a special trip to the tree farm to pick up the key from her.

“Sure thing. Do you want me to run by your place and fix him breakfast? Or, actually, I could just fix breakfast for him here.”

“I don't have anything but waffles. I'm sure he's sick of them. So I'm sure he'll appreciate the offer.”

“I've got everything he might want for a hearty breakfast. When he comes by for the key, I'll feed him.”

“Thanks. I've got to grocery shop. But I'll have to do it after work this evening. Call you later.” Pepper was glad Susan was better stocked than she was. She hated running errands. Pack members often said they'd shop for her if she liked, but she hadn't wanted to impose. They were her pack members, not her hired help.

A couple of hours later, Susan called Pepper. “You are not going to believe this. You have to mate him, Pepper, or I will.”

“What did he do now?” Pepper assumed it was something positive, as excited as Susan sounded.

“He picked up groceries for you! I know I shouldn't have, but I was curious and I asked to see what he had gotten for you and wow, some of the choicest cuts of steaks, more chocolate mousse pie, everything you'd want for breakfast, and a couple of bottles of wine. He even got you fixings for a lobster bisque he's going to make. Sounds to me like he's planning to stay for a while. Which would be a totally good thing, as far as I'm concerned. If he becomes a burden at your place, just send him over to mine. He can bring the groceries too.”

Lobster bisque? No wonder Susan was ready to grab the wolf and mate him.

“Anyway, he declined breakfast and said he'd throw something together at your place.”

Pepper was surprised to hear he had turned down breakfast at Susan's place. Was he afraid Pepper would view it as Susan making a play for him? If so, he was a lot more intuitive than most guys she knew who, even if they hadn't wanted anything to do with Susan romantically, would have at least enjoyed a home-cooked breakfast.

“Oh, and he said not to worry. He'd clean up afterward. He asked if you had a Crock-Pot. He said he was going to make his special lobster bisque, but the steaks? Another night maybe? I loaned him my Crock-Pot, in case yours wasn't easy to find. Please tell me you don't want him. I'll let him down gently, and then I'll do whatever I need to do to claim him.”

Pepper laughed. “Are you sure you could handle him?”

“Seriously? I'd definitely give it a shot. If you don't want him for a pack leader mate, he'd still be a great addition to the pack—for protection, at the very least—if he were my mate.”

Pepper didn't believe Eric would be happy as just a follower if he had the opportunity to be a leader. Even if he became a sub-leader, she was afraid that wouldn't be enough. “He's a leader at heart.”

“Right. So mate with him so I don't have to embarrass myself.”

“How would you embarrass yourself?”

“He's only got eyes for you. And I'd get turned down. You know how it is. A woman is just as hurt by rejection as a man. But I'd feel so much better about it if you caught him. You know we all loved Harold like a brother, but I've seen the way Eric is interested in you. And it's not in the least bit brotherly. With me?” Susan sighed dramatically. “He's just like Harold was with me. So tell me this business of Eric staying over is becoming a steady habit you don't want to break.”

“Okay, Susan, part of me says he's a good bet. That he would be the right one for me and for the pack.”

“Hot—”

“It's forever you know.”

“Absolutely.”

“Not just for me, but for the whole pack. With Harold, everyone knew him from the time we were children. He was a known quantity. With Eric—”

“Yeah, yeah, so everyone knew Harold would do everything you said he'd do.”

Pepper let out her breath. “Harold didn't ever want to take charge or suggest anything, even as much as I encouraged him to do so. He just wasn't a leader. Even when he said he wanted to lead, he didn't have the personality to make it happen. If I take a new mate, it means change. I won't control everything with the pack.”

“You don't think Eric could bring some fresh, new ideas to the pack that would improve things?”

“What if you or others in the pack don't like his ideas?” What if he turned their whole pack upside down with his different notions?

“We'll voice our opinion like we always do.”

“What if he doesn't want to help lead the pack?”

“Fine, then he can just be your hot lover and mate and be part of the pack like the rest of us.”

A hot lover sure had its appeal. And if he could colead without taking over completely, Pepper would sure rethink having a mate. “I've got to go, Susan.”

“But you're seriously considering it, right?”

“I'm…considering it.”

“Hot damn! I thought we would have to call for a pack rallying cry. Talk to you later.”

Pepper smiled as she ended the call with her sub-leader. She'd had mixed feelings about telling anyone, but she felt Susan knew her best, and if anyone understood the pack dynamics and what Pepper really needed in her life, it was Susan.

Pepper felt more and more that this was the right move for her to make. That Eric was right. The situation with their longevity changing had also made her consider taking a mate. She might not have had children with Harold, but what if it wasn't her fault? What if she was with a wolf like Eric and able to have children? She'd love it. Love them. Love him for it.

But would he feel the same way as she did about coleading a pack? He had said a pack could be a lot of trouble. Maybe he really
didn't
want to lead one. She knew park rangers could have a lot of concerns on their jobs. Maybe he didn't want the additional burden that leading a pack could mean.

Then again, she thought they could make this work, if they both wanted it enough. Hell, what she wanted more than anything was more of his passion, his kisses, and well…more.

She called him before he had a chance to retire to bed.

“Hey,” he said.

His voice was groggy and sleepy. He sounded charming, like she'd just woken her lover who was in her bed, waiting for her to come home and join him. That made her wish she was. What if she told him she was considering courting him? She couldn't wait until he was more awake and she was home to see his reaction.

“Oh, Eric, I'm so sorry if I woke you. Susan said you picked up some groceries, and I just wanted to make sure I didn't duplicate what you got. I thought I'd catch you before you fell asleep. I want to thank you. You really shouldn't have gone to the trouble when you've already done so much for me.”

“No trouble at all. I hope that you don't mind.”

“I hate grocery shopping. I buy everything I shouldn't and forget everything I should buy. And yes, I make lists and forget them at home.”

He chuckled. “I normally don't make lists, so I thought that was the only trouble. Here's what I picked up for you though.” He emailed the list to her and then said, “I wasn't sure if you'd like it, but I'm making lobster bisque for us for dinner—before the children's birthday party and hot dogs. If it doesn't appeal, I can make something else for us.”

“It sounds wonderful. I've never had it, but I do love lobster.” Unable to wait until she got home, she slipped in, “Um, we can court.” And then before he had time to say anything in response, she quickly added, “I'll be home around six. And, Eric, thanks so much. I'll pay you for the groceries when I get home.”

“Nothing doing. It's my treat, as much time as I've spent at your place for the past few days.”

“All right. Well, get some sleep and I'll see you later. You can tell me about all of the excitement you've had during your double shift.”

“Be glad to. You can tell me what you found out about Waldron's visit. Have a good day, Pepper.”

“Sleep tight.” He hadn't responded to her courting comment. Maybe he didn't hear her mention it. Maybe he didn't want to discuss something like that over the phone. She sighed.

She'd never expected to have a bachelor male wolf staying at her place like this. Not that she hadn't thought about it, but more as a fantasy with no real expectations. She wondered what Pauline would think about Eric and a courtship with Pepper. Hopefully, she wouldn't be annoyed with Pepper because she might be interested in another mate. But it had been seven years since she lost Harold, and only three for Pauline's loss.

* * *

Eric settled back against the soft blue sheets and closed his eyes, glad Pepper was okay with him buying groceries and fixing her dinner… Wait! Did she say she wanted to court him? He sat up in bed and stared at the painting of Bear Creek Falls cascading down from the mountains near Telluride. She
did
say she wanted to court him!

He frowned. Didn't she?