Reluctantly Lycan (9 page)

The lack of sleep and grimy feeling from not having showered made Kaden crankier than usual. And that horrible scruff was getting far too close to full on beard. He scratched at it angrily before pulling out a razor.

He cleaned up and then shaved slowly, careful to get rid of even the tiniest stray hair. As a wolf he could deal with being a mangy creature, not as a human. The aftershave burned, but he barely noticed the sensation. He inhaled a little, deciding he smelled presentable for
his mate. Not that his natural aroma didn’t send her up the wall. He knew the effect it had on her. Hers did the same to him.

Hastily, he jerked on a pair of
boxer briefs, relatively clean jeans, and a red sleeveless flannel patterned shirt which he left open in the front. His hair would have to air dry on its own because, even for Mara, a blow dryer was out of the question. He didn’t own one.

Mara and
Jak stared at Kaden when he entered the room. “That’s better.” He smiled, but it felt odd with his mood, and he lost the expression.

“Quite the welcome home.
Though, from what I understand you decided you didn’t want us in your life after all.” Mara said.

Kaden
blinked a few times. “Why would you think that? I told Levi to call and tell you to wait because there’s been trouble.”

She didn’t look convinced.
“The boy that went missing?”

He nodded. “Yes. He hasn’t been located.”

Jak hefted his backpack, redistributing the weight. Kaden glanced at his son, noting the boy looked unsure if he was welcome or not.

“
Jak, sorry about out there. Levi’s scent was on your mother and I flipped out a little. I assume she hugged him or something, but it’s harder to think as the wolf.” He stepped toward the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We good?”

“Yeah, we’re cool.” He tried to sound confident. “Do you want us to leave?”

Kaden shook his head then looked to Mara. “Never.”

Her eyes lowered, not out of respect or fear, but from the needy intensity with which his eyes bore into hers. “Where should we stay?” She asked.

“Here, where else?”

“I thought
Jak might get to know some people if he stayed in the bunks with the other unmated guys.”

“Normally I would agree, but I’d rather he stay here until we find the missing boy and he settles in.”

Mara bit her lip, but agreed. “I’ll stay with Levi and Elle, if they don’t mind. Do they have children yet?”

“Not for lack of trying. The births have dwindled to nearly none.” He almost ordered her
to stay in his home, but thought better of it. “Please stay here. Jak can have Dad’s old office. You can have my room.”

“The couch will be fine for me. Thank you.”

“No, it won’t. Take the room. I rarely sleep in there.”

“Ah, other women
keep you company elsewhere?” Mara asked.

Kade
stepped toward her and grabbed her by the shoulders. The girl he’d loved had turned into a bitter bitch. It broke his heart. She shrunk away evidently fearful of what he might do to her. Instead of shaking her and slapping her face, which tempted him, he wrapped her in an all-encompassing hug. Warm water wet his bare chest.
Was she crying?

He didn’t apologize again for all his mistakes,
instead, he held her. His right arm opened wide. His son stepped closer and Kaden pulled the teenager into the embrace as well.

“None of
that
went as planned.” Mara threw open a cabinet in search of plates, didn’t find any, and tried two more.

Kaden
had stepped out briefly after their uncomfortable emotional encounter. Jak was in the office, making it into his own room. His father had said he could change anything around he wanted. The room hadn’t been used in years.

Mara finally found the plates and placed three on the counter. Everyone, including her, was starving. She tried to distract herself from how stupid she was behaving by preparing the sandwiches. It didn’t work. Her head bowed down and she placed the knife flat on the counter, her hand resting on top of it.

I hate him
. Tears threatened to spill again. The thought wasn’t a lie… exactly. She wanted to pound her fists against his chest and scream enough curse words to make a demon blush. So many years spent with anger. Shedding it was nearly impossible. And being home caused the original, sickening ache of betrayal to twist her insides. Like a knife driven into her gut, an open wound in her heart.

I love him
. She wrapped her fingers around the handle of the knife and held it in her hand. Loving him made her rage more than hating him. Her hand lifted and she stabbed downward, driving the blade into the cutting board. When she let go, the knife stood straight up on its own. She splayed her fingers and examined her palm. It was red from how tightly she’d been holding onto the handle.

“Mom, is that sandwich done yet?”
Jak called out.

Mara frowned, taking hold of the knife again and tugging. It didn’t budge from the huge chunk of chopping block. “Not yet.” She
yelled, trying to get back into motherly mode instead of that of an unstable psycho.

“This room is awesome.” He yelled, not coming into the kitchen.

After several more tugs, she finally dislodged the blade. “Great!” She drew in a tense breath and sighed.

“I found a bunch of neat stuff.
Arrowheads, old books, and even some records. Didn’t see a record player, though.” He told her when he entered the kitchen.

“Why do you want to listen to a record when you have
tons of music downloaded?” So long as she kept the conversation going, hopefully she could stop herself from freaking out again.

“Come on, Mom. It’
s not the same. That crackle, the warm buzz, the sound not digitalized to perfection!” He sat down on a bar stool, treating the albums like revered treasure.

“If you say so.”

“Sweet!” Jak held up a copy of Abbey Road by The Beatles, showing Mara.

She finished making his sandwich and slid it across the bar. “That is a good one.” The plate barely bumped into the stack of records.

“Geez, watch the vinyl.” He snatched the sandwich and the records. “Thanks,” came out muffled since the bread blocked his mouth.

She laughed a little. The crazy kid could brighten her darkest moods. Good thing, too, because she had a lot of them.

Kaden
, running on fumes and unfamiliar emotion, left the house to meet with the high pack. He hoped one of them had made progress because all he’d gotten was an ill omen from an annoyingly ambiguous, but always right, wandering man. The sun hurt his tired eyes and he groaned in frustration. He pushed the meeting hall door open. The wolves were in their usual seats, looking almost as tired as he felt.

“Tell me we have something.” He said.

Nashoba spoke up first. “I interrogated a few of the villagers until they broke down into tears, but none of them seemed to know anything.” His callous tone made Kaden bristle and bare teeth, even as a human. The fact of the matter was Nash could do the unsavory tasks the others weren’t cut out for and do it without flinching.

“What about you guys?” He turned to Blake and Luke, intentionally leaving Levi for last.

Blake rose to his feet out of respect, Luke remained seated. “Sir, Old Finn said he saw a figure walking through the forest the night Mason disappeared. His sight isn’t what it used to be, but he said the figure appeared to be carrying something big and heavy.”

Nashoba
cursed, Levi covered his mouth with his hand, and Kaden lowered his lids until his eyes were tiny slits. “Did he recognize anyone?” Kaden asked slowly.

“No, sir.
His sense of smell is nearly as bad as his eyesight. He also, ehhh….” Blake paused, glancing at his brother, not wanting to offend the elder wolves.

“Drinks a lot of ‘shine.”
Luke answered for his younger brother.

Kaden
nodded a couple of times slowly as he thought. “At least we have something to go on. We need to find the boy fast or we may run out of time. Enemies aren’t going to keep him alive forever especially past the full moon. Too dangerous. Anything to add, Levi?”

“I asked around town, Elle is talking to some of the parents from school. She can’t up and tell them Mason is missing or the police will try to stir up a mess.” He said.

“Nothing else?”

“I tried to send them back home,
Kaden. I swear. Marala refused.” Levi added.

Nashoba
rose to his feet. “The chosen returns?”

“Don’t start, Nash.”
Kaden sighed.

“She may be of inferior breed, but she
is
the Moon’s chosen. Is this the sign we’ve been waiting for?”

“Let me deal with my personal life. Rest and we’ll convene for a hunt st
arting at Old Finn’s in a few hours. We need to be at full strength if we find the kidnapper.”

Nash didn’t let
up, even as the others stood at Kade’s words of dismissal. “The boy returns, too?”

Kaden
rose up to his full height, threatening and opposing. “Your aspirations to replace me are becoming more difficult? How far would you go to take over the pack?” He eyed the pureblood with unhidden accusation.

“I only hope he will grow into a better man than you. Anything I say or do is for the good of the pack.” He turned his back on
Kaden and walked out.

Blake and Luke sighed in unison before exiting.

“You don’t think Nash would…?” Levi’s sentence trailed off.

“I don’t know what to think.” He kicked over a chair. “And don’t hug my woman anymore.”
Kaden flashed Levi a look of warning.

“
Mara hugged me. I know better. She’s like a daughter to Elle and I.”

“Don’t touch her and make sure everyone else knows. I won’t be responsible for my actions when I’m the wolf.”
Kaden walked unsteadily out of the hall and toward his home, on the brink of collapse.

Southern hospitality.
This trip was already enjoyable. Taylor always liked new places, though. Pictures to take, things to learn, people to watch. Not in a stalker way. Unless he was paid well.

He rented a brilliant red sports car. The leather seats were crisp and new as he slid into the front seat. Then, he punched in the address
from Kaden Dakota’s vehicle registration. His estimate for arriving at the store was off. Early season tourist traffic heading through the strip put him behind.

Eventually, after cursing his way through the stop and go throng of cars, he arrived at Dakota’s
Trade Post. The rustic looking store sat about half a mile off the main tourist area. Taylor drove past the shop, didn’t see the Jeep, and turned around. Instead of passing by, this time he pulled into the lot and parked behind the building.

Silently, he scolded himself for splurging on the expensive ride that stood out like a sore thumb. No wonder he was a shady private investigator instead of something more respectable like a detective or agent. The photographer snapped a few photos of the building before walking to the front door and pushing on it. A
tiny bell jingled and he rolled his eyes upwards with a frown.

“Hello.” The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen said. Once a new
hottie caught his eye, the last was generally quickly forgotten. “Welcome to Dakota’s. Let me know if I can help you find anything.” She smiled with perfectly pouty lips. Her tanned skin glistened with a natural glow. He thought it was natural hue anyway. Taylor had never seen a spray tan or bronzer make anyone that color.

“Thank you.
Interesting store. Not as commercial as the other shops.” He gave her his best smile, reserved for only the prettiest girls.

She twirled the tip of her single black braid with her finger as she studied him. “All the tourists say that.
If they find their way here. People come from far away for our handmade crafts, mostly the weapons.”

Taylor picked up a large knife that Rambo himself would have appreciated. “You make these?” He grinned at the woman.

“Not quite.” She laughed and gave the cutest little snort on her inhale. Her hands immediately went up to cover her mouth and nose.

He laughed lightly. “Never hide that which is astonishingly adorable. So, who does
make them? I’d be interested in doing an interview.” The camera around his neck was lifted to indicate he was a reporter.

“Most of it was made by the previous owner before he died. His son does some, but not as much. I have made a few of the
dreamcatchers.” She lifted one off a hook behind her and offered it to him. “See?”

Taylor moved closer, leaning on the counter and looking into her amber eyes as
he accepted the item she’d made. “Lovely.” He said in a low tone, not yet examining the craftsmanship, but still gazing at her.

She blushed, only a hint of
rose reaching her high cheeks. “I work here full time now. Before school let out for the year, I was only here after morning classes.”

Underage.
Taylor thought, having to force himself not to swear in frustration. He finally carefully ran his fingertips over the feathers and beads. “High school?” He asked casually.

“Graduated with honors a couple of weeks ago.”

“Impressive.” He glanced at her shirt, checking for a name badge. “What’s your name?”

“
Brynnara.”

“I’m Taylor. Do you mind if I call you
Brynn?”

She smiled. “Most of my friends do since it’s a stupid name.”

Taylor tugged his wallet out of his back pocket and handed her a fifty dollar bill. “I like it. It’s different. So, Brynn. Think you can get me an exclusive with the owner?”

Her smile faded a little. “He’s kind of… not sociable.”

“Your boss is an asshole. I get that. My editor sure is.” He let out a grunt of a sigh to go along with the lie.

“No, I’d never say that
about Kaden.
Never
. Like I said, he’s not a people person.” She began making change for his purchase of the dreamcatcher.

“Keep it. You deserve it.” He winked.

“Are you sure? It doesn’t cost nearly that much. I’m not even that good at making them.”

“I’m sure
yours are the best.” He glanced around the shop. “You eighteen yet, Brynn?”

“My birthday is coming up this summer.
Dreading it, though.”

Taylor lifted his right eyebrow. “I thought girls looked forward to their eighteenth birthday. I still get excited for m
y normal ones. Who doesn’t love cake?”

Brynn
hesitated. “It’s a family thing. Stressful traditions.”

“Like what? I could take you out to dinner instead.” He asked in a soft, nonthreatening tone.

She leaned forward on the counter, only inches from him and spoke in a whisper. “It’s like something I can’t miss, but we could go out to dinner before.” She grinned and gave a brief giggle. Cute, but not sounding like too much of an airhead.

“Hmm.
I’ll take that deal.” He smiled. “I was wondering something else. I’ve heard a few rumors… about werewolves in these parts. Should I be worried?”

Without hesitation she shook her head back and forth. “That’s silly. You might see a
black bear if you look hard enough.”

“Good to know. Can I get your number before I go,
Brynn?”

She picked up one of the store business cards, wrote her name on the back, and handed it to Taylor.
Brynnara Hanson
.

“You’ll have to call the store. My brothers get pissed if I try to date guys they don’t approve of.”

“I’ll remember that. May I?” He reached out his hand like he wanted to shake hers. When she offered, he flipped it over and wrote his cell number on her palm. “Keep our plans a secret for now, so the brothers don’t get angry.”

Taylor left
Brynn with her heart aflutter. He was good at what he did and he could honestly care less if she was eighteen or not.

Mara heard a loud slam in the living room as the front door swung open and hit the wall. Kaden was leaning against the frame with his eyes closed. Slowly, he opened them and forced himself upright.

“You’re exhausted.” She
crossed the room and reached up to touch his cheek gently. His eyes shut briefly once more.

“I have unlimited endurance.”

“Yes, you’ve proven that several times. I want you to eat and then get some sleep.” She started to take his hand, but thought better of it. He followed her into the kitchen without the encouragement.

“I don’t want you to feel obligated to prepare meals.” He didn’t take a seat.

Marala retrieved the plate she’d finished for him only a few minutes before he’d crashed through the front door. “It’s a couple of sandwiches. Hardly, a feast. Besides, I’m used to it. Working as a waitress and being a mother gave me plenty of practice.”

Kaden
scarfed down the first sandwich in no more than four bites. “I haven’t eaten since I left your house.”

“That was
two days ago.”

He shrugged, crunching on a handful of chips then starting on the second sandwich. “Finding the boy was more important.”

She opened a two liter bottle of soda and poured him a large glass full. “Any luck?”

“Old Finn saw something. We think. He’s a drunk, but what else do we have to go on?”

“Kaden, you’ll find him.” She placed her hand on top of his and gave a small pat.

“Yeah.”
He didn’t sound convinced.

“Come on.” This time she did hold his hand and pull him toward the bedroom. “I want you to sleep. I’ll make you a better meal for when you wake up.”

Apparently, too tired to argue, he let her lead him. “Just for a few hours.” He fell back onto the bed with all his clothing on.

“That food really did you in.” She turned to leave him alone.

“Marala?”

She paused, resting her hand on the doorway with her back to him. “Yes?”

“Lie with me. Nothing more. I need to hold you.”

Her eyes clenched tightly and her fingernails dug into the wooden frame. She should say no.
Had to say no. But the way he spoke so softly. This was not the wolf speaking. This was a man troubled, regretful, and struggling with the duty he’d been born into. She lowered her hand and turned around. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow. Sleep had found him.

“Someday, I’ll forgive you.” She said faintly, walking toward the bed. Crawling into it, she pulled a blanket over them both and rested her head against his
chest. His arm held her firmly even as he lightly snored, in short little growls.