Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply (23 page)

Leroy nodded.

Eric fixed a thermos of coffee to go. “So why did he want you back? Because you wouldn't spy for him?”

Jonathan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. He's mad so he figures he'll show us we still have to do what he says.”

Leroy finished his cereal. “He'll make us pay if we have to return to them.”

“Finish your breakfast, and then I'm calling your mother—and Richard.” Pepper wanted to get this resolved pronto for the boys' sakes. She had thought they knew their dad was incarcerated in Silver Town.

While they ate, they talked about other things, though she knew everyone was concerned about what would happen next. When they finished, Eric had them help clean up, and she got on the phone to Richard first. “You got a written agreement from the parents that they wanted you to take care of the boys—provide them with employment and a place to stay?”

“Yeah, I did just in case we had any repercussions from Waldron.” Richard sent a picture of the agreement to her email.

“All right. I'm calling the boys' mother, and I'll tell them that if they need to go somewhere, they have to let you know. None of this running off. I'll let you know what happens next.”

“Thanks. They're really good kids. They just need some proper guidance, which they haven't been getting in Waldron's pack.”

Next, Pepper called the Fairhavens' home. “Mrs. Fairhaven, the boys want to stay with us.” At least she hoped they still would after learning that their father had been involved in growing pot. If they found out that the Silver pack had jailed him, they might not be willing to stay with her pack any longer. “You agreed. They're happy here. You can either join our pack or the Silvers'.” She hoped the mom hadn't been involved in the drug business too. Though she could very well have been.

“It's not that we want to change anything,” the mom said.

“I understand. It's Waldron's doing.”

Silence.

“Okay, what is going on with Waldron and your husband? It can't be that Ted wants the sub-leader position that badly. And just so you know, and you can tell Waldron I said so, I'm a mated wolf now, so he's not mating me or taking over the pack or my land.”

“Do…do you know where he is? My Ted? He's gone missing.”

Pepper looked at Eric. She couldn't tell the woman her husband was in jail unless the Silver pack gave permission. “Do you know where he's been working?”

“He's getting his real estate license.”

“So no real job at the moment?”

Eric raised his brows.

Pepper didn't want to talk about this in front of the boys.

The mother said, “He's still working on getting his real estate license.”

“Okay, hold on a minute.” Pepper said to Eric, “Could you drop the boys off at Richard's on your way to work? They're grounded from driving their truck for not getting permission to leave Richard's place. If you don't have time—”

Eric looked half growly, half pleading with the desire to resolve things between them. “We need to talk.”

“Yes, but I need to speak with…” She paused.

“Okay.” Eric appeared to realize the dilemma she was in. “I'll call you in a while.”

“Thanks. We'll be fine, Eric,” she said, wanting him to know she wasn't really upset with him.

Eric took the phone from her, set it down on the table, and pulled her into a hug, kissing her soundly. “I love you.”

She hadn't expected that and kissed him back. “Love you too. Be careful.”

“Will do.” Then he left with the boys.

Jonathan said on the way out, “See, that's what we need to find. A she-wolf we can mate.”

Pepper smiled a little at the comment. He was way too young to find a mate.

She lifted her phone off the table and said to their mom, “Your husband has been involved in the growing of marijuana in the national park. The Silver pack arrested him, which is good for all our sakes, so he's safe. I don't know how much you know of any of this, but last night his brother attacked Eric, my mate, who's a law-enforcement park ranger. If you're involved in all of this, we'll deal with it. But if you're not or you don't want your sons to be, then at least do right by them. Let them stay with my pack.”

“I…didn't know that's what Ted was doing.” She sounded shocked, then she said, “All right. I'll join your pack. The devil take him.”

“He'll be in jail for a while.”

“I mean Waldron.”

Pepper sighed. “Everyone works in my pack.”

“I'm a hard worker. Waldron made so many promises to those following him, but he hasn't kept any.”

“Like?”

“He promised he was mating you, providing us with a new home, that Ted would be a sub-leader, and everyone's income would quadruple with his plan to grow some really hot-selling crops. I had no idea what they were. He said they were medicinal, good for cancer… I should have known it was too good to be true. I was furious when our sons got into trouble for stalking you. My husband blamed it all on Waldron and said we had to do what he told us or we'd lose everything.”

“How many are in the pack?”

“Six of us now. Two others died, but Waldron wouldn't say how.”

Pepper was dumbfounded. Waldron had told her he had thirty pack members! “Does that include the boys?”

“No, adults only. Waldron, my husband, and me, Ted's brother, Turbo, and two other men, besides the two that died. Turbo is so arrogant that he bragged he'd been seeing one of your pack members, and if Waldron didn't hurry, Turbo would be mated to her and part of your pack before Waldron was. That angered Waldron.”

Hoping beyond hope that Mrs. Fairhaven wasn't right, Pepper asked, “Who was the woman?”

“I don't remember her name, but she had two little kids and Turbo wasn't really interested in raising someone else's kids.”

Pauline.
“Okay, here's what I'll do. Richard, my sub-leader, has taken the boys in. He has a separate house behind his for when his parents were getting older. They've passed away and the house is vacant. The boys have been staying with him in the main house so he can keep an eye on them. But if you'd like, you can move into the smaller house with your boys. They're doing really well and they seem to be happy.”

“All right. I'll take care of my affairs here and then get in touch with you. Can I…see my husband?”

“Talk with Darien Silver in Silver Town. I'm sure he can arrange for you to visit with him.”

“Did…did you tell the boys?”

“No. I'll leave that up to you. Are you going to be all right?”

“This is a real shock, I must confess. I still can't believe it. But I want to thank you for taking in the boys and now me too. I couldn't have returned to Waldron's brother's pack. Not after all that happened there.”

“Okay. I've got to call some other folks, Richard included, so he knows you'll be staying with him.”

“Thank you.”

Pepper felt bad that she hadn't sent Eric off to work with more of a hug and a kiss. She prayed they could incarcerate Waldron and the rest of his men before Eric had to deal with any of them further.

She called Richard to let the boys know their mother was coming to stay there. Then she called Pauline and asked her to come to her house as soon as she could. Knowing it would concern Pauline, but not wanting the distraction, Pepper asked her to find someone to look after her boys while they had the talk. Pepper had to know if Pauline knew what Waldron and the rest of his men had been up to. She was surprised Pauline had seemed to be looking at the Silver pack for a prospective mate. Maybe she realized how bad Waldron and his people would be for the pack and had stopped seeing Turbo. When had she been seeing him? When others in the pack took care of her kids? He must not have been visiting her at her place. Too risky. And there hadn't been any scent of him around her place.

Wishing Eric could be here while she dealt with all of this, which signaled another change in how she looked at running her pack, Pepper prayed he would be all right on the job. She decided she would join him there, once she resolved some of the issues with Pauline and had a talk with her sub-leaders and the pack.

Eric wanted to know what Pauline had to say and how Pepper resolved the issue of the boys staying with Richard. But only because he cared about her and her pack. Not because he felt the need to make any decisions concerning either situation.

The day started out stormy, which seemed par for the course with the way his blissful morning had turned into a muddled mess. Except for helping three different families get their trucks unstuck from mud, things had been relatively quiet. He was at the ranger station, while waves of lightning rolled across the sky, forks of lightning intermittently spearing the forest floor. He hoped everyone remained safe. Despite warnings issued to hikers, some still risked life and limb to make the hike during thunderstorms.

Not only was injury to people a concern, but fires started by lightning strikes could be too.

He was about to make a sandwich for lunch and call Pepper to see how she was faring when he got a call from her.

“What's wrong?” He was ready to call the Silver troops to come to her aid.

“I wish we could have stayed in bed together for the rest of the day,” she said, sounding sexy and alluring.

“My shift won't end quickly enough.” He'd never watched the minutes go by as much as he had today, wanting nothing more than to return to bed with her on this perfectly stormy afternoon.

“I'm sorry for being so perturbed this morning.”

“You had every reason to be upset. What's happening with the kids?”

“They're staying. Darien's arranged a time for their mother and the boys to visit their father in jail. Ted still won't spill the beans on the others in the pack. Darien's fine with that for now. He said they'll catch the others as soon as they're able to.”

“Good about the boys.”

“And their mother's moving to our pack too. So good news all around. When the dad gets out, not sure. But for now, the mom and kids are with our pack.”

Eric smiled, realizing how much he liked hearing her say it was their pack. “And Pauline?”

“She
was
seeing Turbo. I hate to say this, but she's so unreadable that I don't know if she's telling the truth about the marijuana business or not. She said she knew nothing about it, and she quit seeing him, which makes me believe she knew something was wrong. But when I asked her why she quit seeing him, she said she didn't think he was good for the pack. That since he was Waldron's man, she felt there could be trouble. And she was getting interested in one of the men in your pack.

“She didn't want to say who because it was too early to tell about him—particularly since she already has a couple of sons, and she wanted to ensure a new mate would be as good with them as he is with her. That was another reason she said she called it off with Turbo. She said he faked being friendly with the kids. She could tell he really wasn't interested in them.”

“Gut instinct about her knowledge of the drug issue?” Eric knew it had to be hard for Pepper to deal with this. He wished he could be there to help out, but it was best that Pepper had talked to Pauline right away and tried to learn what had happened.

“You never want to play against her in cards. She truly is a master at keeping her feelings masked. I really don't know.”

“Okay. I had hoped she could testify against Waldron and the others, if she knew something.”

“If she decides to change her mind and tell me, I'll let you know. But I'm coming to join you for the rest of your shift.”

“Hell, it's nasty out there.”

“You know what I do. I'll drag you around the tree farms when you have some time off from your job. I need to see what you do for the day.”

“Can't you wait for a nice sunshiny day?”

“Nope. I'm nearly to your location. Just wanted to make sure you were still at the ranger station.”

“I can't believe you want to do this today of all days. But of course I'm thrilled you're coming.”

“I want to see you.”

“All right. I'd ask if we have a vacancy at any of the cabins and rent a room for a quick nap, but I'm afraid the staff might get suspicious.”

She laughed. “Great minds think alike. I already rented one. I figured as law-abiding as you are, we couldn't use it while you're on duty, but we'll have it after your shift ends. I can't wait until we get home tonight.”

“You're my kind of wolf. Did you know that?”

“Yeah, well, you better remember that.”

Eric didn't plan to make love to Pepper while he was on duty. He was dedicated to his job, and some of that meant ensuring everyone remained safe under his watch. But after his shift ended? He loved the idea as much as both he and Pepper enjoyed the woods. The cabin seemed the perfect way to be with his mate.

“When will you get here?” He hoped he didn't get called out before she arrived.

“Just parking now.”

“Want a tuna fish sandwich?”

“Yes. And pickles and potato chips,” she said, walking down the hall to the staff kitchen.

He opened the door and smiled at her, both of them still holding their phones to their ears. She smiled back at him, and he wondered how he'd gotten so lucky to have met her that first day in the park.

He introduced her to the staff there as his fiancée and she looked so pleased. Even though they were officially “married” in the
lupus garou
way, he thought a wedding would be nice to make it more official. Maybe even in the park. He made a mental note to bring that idea up with Pepper later.

They had barely finished eating lunch when he got a call that a couple with their sixteen-month-old baby had been hiking on a trail that led up to one of the higher-elevation lakes and had been caught out in the open during the thunderstorm. Eric and Pepper took off in his truck to rescue them.

When they reached the couple, they took them down to the ranger station, and Eric got a call about an off-road vehicle driving in an area of the park where driving was not allowed. The truck was stuck in a creek. Oil and other harmful chemicals could poison the water, just because someone wanted to drive somewhere that wasn't allowed and unsafe to cross. Eric couldn't help but be angered at the thoughtlessness of some people.

He ticketed the driver and hoped he'd receive a hefty fine, while Pepper told the man all the ramifications of what he'd done—the way he'd destroyed the plants his tires had trampled, the chemicals his truck left in the water, and how that ruined the river and that area for the wildlife and the visitors who came to enjoy the natural beauty of the park. She told him three times that he should be ashamed of himself.

Eric had to fight smiling at her, glad she was wearing her uniform so she looked official and could say what she had a mind to say.

The man opened his mouth to speak once, but Eric said, “The lady is talking.” Ranting, but tough if the driver of the vehicle didn't like it. Everything she said was true.

Eric felt the same as she did. Helping people when their vehicles got stuck in mud on regular roads because of the rain was an entirely different story. It would be a good one on the lawbreaker if his truck was unsalvageable. A maximum penalty could result in the man getting a fine of $5,000 or six months in prison, or both, which would suit Eric fine. Before he could mention the federal law that covered destruction to National Park Service property and personal liability, Pepper was quoting it.

Eric loved his mate and was glad she had come with him for the rest of the afternoon. They spent a couple of hours checking out campsites and helping folks move their tents where water runoff had flooded the area they had been set up in.

They'd both been wearing rain gear, but when they had to help rescue a couple of canoeists from a capsized canoe in one of the rivers, Eric removed his coat and tied himself to a tree while he waded out to reach them. Pepper took care of the first of the men, shivering and hypothermic, wrapping her own raincoat around him to warm him.

Once they'd helped haul the men and their boat to safety and gotten medical help for them, it was time to quit work for the day.

Now the real fun would begin.

As soon as he and Pepper parked at the cabin and got out, Eric scooped his soaking-wet mate into his arms and set her on the covered porch. She pulled out the key and unlocked the door, then he whisked her into the room, shut the door, and they began kissing.

Her shirt was plastered against her breasts, her pants clinging to her legs, her curly hair dripping.

“I like this new look on you,” he said, growling a little, his hand molding around her cold breast.

“Fire first?” she asked, kissing him back while she slid her hand around his arousal, his pants molding to his body just as much.

“Fire already started.”

She smiled against his lips and rubbed her wet body against his, kissing him with enthusiasm, her hands sweeping over his buttocks.

This was the way he wanted to always end his workday. Maybe not soaking wet at a cabin in the park, but with Pepper, kissing, touching, breathing in their heated scents, and loving every bit of it.

As she started to unbutton his shirt, he began working on hers, but he had to keep stopping to rub his hands over her wet shirt, feeling her breasts, the nipples peaking, her breath nearly ceasing at his touch.

She struggled to remove his shirt and then was pulling it off his shoulders and kissing his chest. He loved her passion and matched it, sliding his hands up her shirt and cupping her lace-covered breasts.

His thumbs stroked her nipples through the fabric. Though the cabin was cool, he was burning up as she licked the rainwater off his cheek and then began to kiss his mouth again.

Her mouth fused with his, their tongues sliding against each other, her body stroking against him. The friction against his cock had him working again on her shirt buttons. After unfastening her shirt, he pulled it off her shoulders and dropped it to the floor.

He removed her bra next, wanting to feast his eyes and then his mouth on each of her breasts. Beautiful. She pulled away and leaned down to take off her boots, and he quickly did the same with his. Wet socks went flying, then their pants, and he pulled her in for more hugging, kissing, and touching.

It wasn't enough. He wanted her in bed, on top or underneath him, her choice. But he wanted to fill her with his love. He slipped her panties down her legs, kissing her from her breasts down her abdomen, while he pulled them down. Then she did the same with him, only she licked his cock on the way down. He felt his whole body become rigid with tension, before he swept his wet mate up into his arms and carried her into the bathroom for a quick shower. Then they dried off and headed for the first of the bedrooms.

She eagerly climbed onto the bed and pulled at his arms to join her. The kissing renewed, and he stroked her feminine nub, bringing her quickly to the top. She cried out, but just as quickly, he joined her, sliding into her, claiming her. He began thrusting, loving every bit of her—the way she wrapped her legs around his body, the way she arched to meet his thrusts, the way she stroked his back and legs with her soft fingertips. He soon followed her into that sweet state of bliss. If he'd ever had any doubts about her being his mate, their lovemaking confirmed she was perfect for him.

She was his wolf goddess.

“Where have you been all my life?” Pepper asked as they curled up together in bed.

He chuckled. “I could ask you the same thing.” He loved this time with her, getting to know her intimately, but he loved too that she'd come to see him on his job and had helped him out in every situation. “Do you think the man whose truck got stuck in the creek felt ashamed of himself?”

Pepper frowned at Eric. “He ought to get ten years in jail. I know most people don't think anything of it. Sometimes it's a lark. Sometimes it's the thrill of doing what no one has done. And sometimes, the asses do it because they think they can get away with it. But I was at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina when some jerk ran over a female loggerhead turtle attempting to make a nest. The off-road vehicle dragged her for some time before he could get rid of the dead animal beneath his truck. The turtles are threatened. But that's the thing of it. To some, it's no big deal.”

Eric was opening his mouth to agree with her when he thought he heard the handle turn on the front door. He couldn't remember if he'd even locked the door, because he'd been so wrapped up in wanting to make love to his mate when they first entered the cabin. His clothes and gun and their phones were in the living room. Nothing for protection here in the bedroom.

Pepper was already slipping out of bed and shifting into her wolf form.

Eric couldn't, in case the offender was human. But she would be good protection for backup. On the other hand, he didn't want her to get shot if the person breaking in was armed with a gun. He opened the bedroom window and pushed out the screen. Before Eric could tell her his plan, she jumped out the window. Hell.

Heart pounding, he sprang into action, shifted, and followed after her.

She ran into the woods and came around to see who was breaking into their cabin. Eric agreed her plan was a good one. Then they saw one man guarding a vehicle, and two men in the cabin.

“Hell,” one of those men said and hurried back toward the door of the cabin. “They've run out the back way.”

Eric recognized the man's voice. Waldron. He wondered if one of the other men was Ted's brother, Turbo.

When they saw a fourth man leave the building, Eric knew they were outnumbered. Even two could be a problem if Pepper had to take care of one of the male wolves. Eric sure wished he could howl for backup, but none of his pack would hear him this far away.

“What do we do?” one of the men asked.

“Run 'em down. Hunt them. Like wolves hunt their prey.”

Eric nudged at Pepper to follow his lead. He would ensure that once they reached a creek, their paw scents would be washed away. He thought they'd have a fire when they woke after making love. But he hadn't expected to go swimming to try to save his mate and his life. It was too reminiscent of losing his first mate.