Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) (12 page)

Briann took her by both shoulders, shaking
her gently. “Come on now, we all see the way he looks at you. Ty
loves you.

“No, Bri, you’re wrong. He’s biding his time
until we get to Texas. I don’t belong. I never will.” She sighed as
if resolving herself to her fate. Her shoulders sagged in defeat as
she turned to Briann again. “Would you take me back to the hotel,
please? I don’t feel much like dancing anymore.”

“I’ll take her, Briann.” The voice behind
them was deep and frayed with temper.

Briann nodded, settling a gentle kiss on her
hand. She cut a hard look at Ty on her way back.

Ty stood much as he had upon arriving and
overhearing the conversation between them. The damage was done. For
the life of him, he couldn’t fathom how to go about making amends.
Damn Claudine! Damn her soul to hell. “Sonja, I know it looks bad
right now, but it’s not the way it sounds. If you’ll give me a
chance to explain. I’m sorry for everything that’s happened.” He
paused in hopes she would retaliate at the very least. He
remembered a spitfire who could hurl tomahawks at a man’s head with
precision. Nothing similar to the demon sat before him. Her
defeated demeanor frightened him even more.

“Please take me to the hotel.” Her back
remained ridged, her chin high. The cold distant look in her eyes
laced with a shimmer of unshed tears caught the moonlight.

Ty stepped up to the bench, extending his
hand. Forcing the sudden chill from his bones, he waited, as she
got up unassisted. Stepping ahead of him to the buggy, she
continued her silence. Damning the situation to hell, Ty swore at
how things had managed to go so wrong. He’d planned the dance as a
means of convincing her they could have some normalcy in their life
together. Things had been going so well, before Claudine
interfered.

God damn it! Of all the people to run into,
it had to be the bitch, Claudine. A cold ache centered over his
heart. He placed his hand over it to rub it away.

Silently they made their way toward the
buggy. Walking in front of him, she appeared every bit the royal
she wolf. The moon caught in her silken hair. Her hips swayed
slightly as she moved. The long slim line of her back beckoned to
his senses. He wanted desperately to reach out, to touch her, grab
her up in his arms and kiss her until she relinquished the grip she
had on his heart.

Instead, he moved on leaden feet until they
reached the conveyance. She got in without assistance. Desperately
searching for something, wanting to reach out meant she’d rebuke
his attempts. Pride warred with need. “Sonja, please, I can explain
if you’ll give me a chance.”

Silence filled the air around them.

It was hard to breathe. She was slipping
away!

“Please take me back.” The one statement
carried a decided chill.

Trying for disbelief, Ty huffed out a laugh
before asking. “You don’t believe the things she said, do you?”
Though his tone was incredulous, his words held a panicked
urgency.

“I can’t believe I fell for your smooth
seduction, Lieutenant. It’s a good thing I found out when I did,
there’s still time to rectify the situation.” She stared hard into
the darkness. “I don’t blame you. After all, you’re a man, a
southern man.”

“What the hell does that have to do with
anything?”

“You’ve told me before of your
responsibilities, your land, and your power. You rule in a land
where everything is yours for the taking.” She blinked back the
tears. “I’ll make plans of my own.”

Ty cursed under his breath. The hand he
scrubbed down his face ended in a fist on his thigh. How had things
gone so wrong? “I never meant I cut women out of a herd like
cattle. You’re special to me, Sonja. I thought you knew that.”

“Take me back.” Cold as a block of ice, the
words cut the air like a knife.

Well, by the gods, he’d oblige the lady. A
good slap on the reigns had the two bays’ jerking the buggy into
motion.

At the Hotel’s door, Ty slowed, before
setting the brake. Turning toward her, he tried one more time. “I
never meant to hurt you Nymph. Claudine means nothing to me. She
hasn’t for a long time. I thought you understood how precious you
are to me. She’s the past, you’re my future.” With no response from
Sonja, Ty tried again. “It’s true - I had a relationship with her
once, but, that’s all in the past.”

Sonja slid from the seat to the ground, her
back straight, her eyes fixed straight ahead. The only visible sign
his words affected her came in the fingers she gripped tightly in
her skirt folds. Everything was so quiet. As he watched her
disappear into the hotel, he realized she was worth more than he’d
ever owned. The smell of the river, the warm ripeness of it brought
him back. Ty’s click to the horses signaled his departure.

***

In the dark shadows of a neighboring
building, Claudine smiled. The satisfaction of witnessing the
argument she’d managed to start between the werewolves brought a
celebratory rush washing over her like rain. “The woman leaves the
buggy and enters the hotel. She looks resolved but wounded. Poor,
poor dear!” With pursed lips, she examines the expression of the
driver with her spyglass. “Oh, I believe Ty is upset. That curse
was heartfelt, don’t you agree, my pet?”

Robert leaned forward, taking the spyglass
from her hand. A smile creased his mouth as he watched the driver
slap the horses with his whip, sending them hurdling down the
drive, narrowly missing an approaching buggy. “Yes, darling, I
believe you’re right. Our lieutenant is upset with the whole
situation.” A low chuckle rumbled in his throat as he eased back
into the velvet cushions, drawing Claudine down next to him. He
sank his teeth into his companion’s neck as the darkness enveloped
them.

Chapter 5 - Clandestine Meetings

“I don’t
care what he said. Ty’s been acting funny ever since the night of
the dance. It’s as if he’s hiding something, Briann!”

“Sonja, don’t go imagining things. Ty has a
perfectly good explanation for being out late these past nights.
He’s playing cards with the men. He may even be listening in on
others’ conversations – learning valuable information. Don’t you
see? He’s able to go places, to meet people in situations we can’t.
Why don’t you get some rest? You look tired. I’ll ask Jeb what’s
going on…”

“No! Don’t say anything to Jeb, please. I
know you’re probably right. He’s trying to relax. She shook her
head and her blonde curls swayed. “I’m being silly.” The casual
laugh came out stilted. “I doubted his explanation of Claudine
Moore’s part in his life back in Texas. Bri, I all but called him a
liar.” Dropping her hands to her lap, she twisted the lace
handkerchief into a knot. From lowered lashes, she flicked a quick
glance at her sister.

The disapproving look Briann sent her was
telling. “After all the things he’s done for you, for all of us,
after all the danger he’s faced. Do you really think, he’d trifle
with a floosy like her?” Shaking her head, Briann tried again. “I’m
surprised at the doubt I see in your eyes.”

Sonja jumped up from the sofa, pacing the
worn carpet. “I know what you’re thinking. I don’t mean to have
doubts, it’s just…”

“Just what?” Briann rose and went to her
sister. Brushing a gold curl from her face, she peered deeply into
Sonja’s eyes. “Sister, the man is head over heels in love with you.
Don’t you see that?”

Her head drooped in consternation. “I do see
that, I do! It’s just…”

“Just what? Tell me.” Exasperated, Briann
stared hard at Sonja.

“Well, the late nights are almost every
night. The woman, Claudine – they had a history together…in Texas.
What if…?”

“That’s enough!” Briann cut the air with her
hand. “You can’t accuse him of seeing someone else based on one
encounter. She looked loose to me, Sonja. I’d say there was more
intent from her than from Ty. Besides, he doesn’t have any other
tell-tale signs when he comes back, does he?”

Sonja wrung her hands again. “No.” She shook
her head. “Actually, he returns smelling of river water and sweat.”
Her eyes grew big as she clutched Brian’s hands. “Oh, Bri, what if
he’s up to something dangerous?” Her gold curls shook as she
pondered the possibility. “What if he’s trying to do this river
crossing on his own? Without me?”

“There, there, Sonja, you know better than
that. Ty’s wolf, your mate, is stronger with you than without. I’m
sure he’s simply gathering information. You know what these
saloons, not to mention the poker rooms, are full of -
information?” Wrapping an arm around Sonja, Briann tried again.
“Get some warm milk from the kitchen and try to get some sleep.
I’ll be right next door, in case you need me, okay? Don’t worry so
about what Ty’s up to. I’m sure, he’ll be fine.” With another
sisterly hug, Briann headed for the door. “Get some rest, Sonja,
please?” With a motherly tone to the request, she closed the door
behind her.

Nodding obediently, Sonja waited until her
sister had left. Going to her armoire, she pulled out the old pants
and shirt she’d kept from Robert’s clothing after his death. They’d
been invaluable when she wanted to walk the streets of Spotsylvania
unnoticed. They’d work well for this little mission.

The night wasn’t scary to her. She’d long
since stopped worrying about the creatures stalking her. At first
she considered she’d become hardened or perhaps jaded to the
danger. Instead, the sounds of danger fueled the fire building in
her, smoldering hot. She would take down the bloody bastards before
they took control of her or those she loved. Lifting her head to
the night sky, she gazed up at the moon slipping from behind
whisper-thin clouds. The big, milky white ball eliminated the
ground below, casting shadows. She didn’t need the sensation of
someone watching her to know they were out there, lurking in the
dimness of the dark. Someone struck a sulfur match. Sonja glanced
down from the balcony at the man standing inside the darkened alley
below. His features, shrouded in black, cut a hard silhouette.
Stringy hair, gaudy, ill fitted suit, awkward stance all spoke of
trouble. His footfalls were distinct. He carried a limp. Within a
few seconds, another figure approached the man. A flash of light
from a nearby street lamp fell on the face of the last man. Sonja
sucked in a breath. The man was Ty. She stepped back, leaning
against the support of the hotel facade. He was the last person she
expected to see on the dark streets of St. Louis in the middle of
the night. He was supposed to be playing cards! What was he up to?
Her mind raced with the possibilities. She wheeled, not really
seeing anything clearly. Shoving off the wall, she headed to the
alley behind the hotel. She was going to find out what he was up as
well as why he’d lied to her. The discomfort in her chest, the one
squeezing her heart, she’d think about later. Damn him!

***

“You got the money?” The owner of the
gravelly voice cut his eyes left to right.

His cheap, ill-fitting suit hung loosely on
his boney shoulders. His breath reeked of whiskey over sour sweat.
If Ty wasn’t mistaken, he’d lost most of his teeth to rot. His
fleeting grin was empty of enamel, reminding Ty of a darkened
pit.

“Yeah, I got the money. You got the
goods?”

The grizzled fellow nodded his head, sending
the greasy mop of hair bobbing. “Don’t care to display my wares
right here on the street. Got ‘em back here a ways. Follow me.” He
crooked his boney finger, motioning for Ty to follow. Stumbling as
he centered a crate with his gimp leg, the ‘Under the Hill’ contact
bent over, cursing low in a tongue Ty didn’t recognize. Clutching
his injured limb, he straightened before resuming his tour of the
dank ally. Soon, they came to a dead end. Leaning forward, gimp
shoved at a wooden door, well concealed behind stacks of crates and
trash. Pausing briefly, gimp turned a bulging eye on Ty. “You don’t
look like my usual kind of customer,” he offered over his shoulder
as he bent to pass through, motioning them to follow.

Ty squeezed in behind Grizzle, bending to
clear the opening. Slowing to match his companion pace, he used his
wolf’s vision to check out the passage. “No, I don’t suppose I
do.”

“Well no matter that, long as you pay.” His
one or two brown, straggly teeth shown briefly as he grinned back
at Ty. “Been savin’ this for somebody like yourself, I have.”

His giggle sounded off like the man might be
shy a brick or two in his load. Glad he’d left Smitty and Connors
stationed nearby, Ty checked the dark crevices for any sign he
would need backup. The path grew narrow and darker still, much too
close for an attack. No torches for light on either side, there was
nothing to light their progress. “Are we getting close?” The hair
on Ty’s nape stood briefly. The passage grew wider and finally, he
could see a flicker of a torch light. Still unsure of whether he
could trust the fellow or not, Ty continued to watch for anything
amiss.

“Not far now,” the thief offered in a
singsong voice. His eyes darted ahead and behind them as they slid
into the underbelly of the city. The tunnel contained dark
stretches where the walls grew damp and slimy. He’d be glad when
they finally reached the ammunition stash.

Grateful for his wolfen eyesight, he scanned
the tunnel. No sign of a trap so far. The tunnel was earthen with
rough, timbers bracing the construction in equal intervals. Cool
and dank, Ty detected a murky, musty smell like ripe water hanging
in the air. Perhaps the tunnel ran to the river. The idea made
sense, as smuggling was a perfect way for the refugees from the
Union control to make a living. Rats scurried for safety as the two
moved through.

With the sense they descended deeper into the
earth, the thief turned a corner, slowing his pace. “Wait
here.”