Bayou Wolf (10 page)

“You can’t separate the woman from the Alpha.”

“You should never tell me what I can and cannot do.” She kissed him slow and deep until his ragged breathing and wild heart rate betrayed every ounce of his need. When she lifted her head, she murmured, “You and I. The only question is will you let go enough to play with me.”

His wolf rose, and he felt the shift flicker his vision. “I want…you.”

“Wonderful.” Another nuzzling kiss, but Linc’s phone vibrated in his pocket. “That will be Mason with the plans for today’s summit.” A third kiss. “So we will go back to the roles fate has given us for the day…” A fourth delve of her tongue to stroke his. A light scrape of her teeth to his jaw and he tipped his chin higher, letting her kiss along his throat. His fingers tightened on her ass. “But tonight, Linc? Tonight you are
mine.
”

Hell.
He was already hers.

T
hanks to Diesel’s excursion
, Mason adjusted their meeting plans, including their location. Security precautions were added to layer between the Hunters, Hounds and Sentries left beyond at the guest residences. Their ‘entourages’ as it were would not be allowed within the precincts of the meeting house. Their hostess had also declined to be present. The healers would be getting together for another meeting. A.J. would coordinate with all of the remaining wolves as needed. A secondary—Rory—had come to her house that morning. She would act as liaison in Linc’s stead until Serafina and Linc returned later.

Serafina did not invite her into the house. She gave Jerome and Trish specific orders to be polite and to escort Amy should Amy wish to attend the healers meeting. The discussion of the night before had been fruitful, but left her
Traiteur
troubled. She promised to discuss it with Serafina further later.

Since she had little time to waste and punctuality would be vital on the first day, Sera accepted her word. If the information were critical, Amy would bring her into the loop sooner.

Linc drove her to the house, his decadent masculinity a balm against the impending storm of the day. When she brushed her fingers across his hand, he’d accepted the wordless invitation and threaded his fingers with hers. They didn’t speak, and she studied the landscape on the long drive

After the previous night, Mason would allow for no chances and Linc was a good wolf. What trust she’d built with him was too nascent and fresh. No need to press him for more than he’d already given her, not yet anyway. Thick gray clouds turned the day gloomy. Heavy pines lined the long drive he turned into. She imagined the area was delightful under sunlight. Instead, the weather cast a pall over everything.

The manor house came into view. It was everything she’d imagined an old mansion should be, with huge windows and stone facings, gothic in nature considering the weather. Linc parked at the base of the steps. “This is as far as I go. I’ll be about a mile that way.” He pointed. “It won’t be far enough if Diesel tries to call again…”

She smiled. A layer of concern settled as an undercurrent to his desire, neither of which he tried to disguise. “You let us worry about Diesel. I don’t think he will do anything. If he does, four against one are more than capable of handling any Alpha—even an old one.”

“You have my number. When you’re ready, call me…” His dimples appeared when he smiled. “…I’ll come.”

“I’m counting on it.” She would have given him a kiss, but they were too close to his Alpha for him to be comfortable. His confession revealed more than he likely realized. Loyalty was too precious to be abused or strained. His loyalty to his pack and to his Alpha tempered his very real desire for her. The man could want the woman, the wolf could even desire her, but she was also Alpha.

After sliding out of the truck, she closed the door and leaned against it to gaze at him through the open window. “It’s going to be all right,” she told him. His smile faded but didn’t vanish.

“I hope so.” He meant every word. “I’m not trying to be coy.”

“I never thought you were.” Wolves played. They danced. They wrestled. They fought. They loved. Sometimes, they even teased. Too sober by half, Linc spoke only truth when he’d said he wanted her. “Go on. I’ll go inside in a moment.”

His brow tightened once, then he nodded. Another facet of the man she admired, he wanted to protect her. It was his instinct—male wolves always wanted to protect their women. Yet, he’d trusted her word and didn’t argue with her. The night before, he’d been ready to take on an Alpha for her. When she’d stopped him, he hadn’t fought her.

More, he didn’t resent me for the interference.
She remained on the stone drive, watching his truck long after it vanished down the winding path. Behind her, the doors opened and Mason’s scent drifted out to meet her. Three steps told her he’d crossed from the opening to the top of the steps.

“Problem?” His clipped tone, the rasp in his voice and the faintest hint of copper tingeing his scent telegraphed his less than pleasant demeanor.

“Not at the moment.” She didn’t turn. If he wanted to let his hostility overwhelm him before they all sat in the same room, she didn’t intend to add fuel to the fire. If he wanted to challenge her, he’d have to work for it. “Expecting one?”

A harsh exhale was his only answer. A second scent joined him, one she wasn’t familiar with, though it carried notes of river, mountain, and trees…not ones she recognized either. Pivoting, she studied the wolf standing in the doorway Mason had vacated. The Willow Bend Alpha stood at the top of the steps. The second Alpha had dark hair, dark eyes with hints of Italian in his jaw and Irish in his nose. The scars feathering the left side of his face, however, were very un-wolflike. Most injuries healed with a few shifts.

Either he’d been unable to shift, or he’d chosen to wear them. The spirits were silent in regard to him.

No matter. She didn’t rely on them for intel. “Brett Dalton, Alpha of Hudson River,” she said by way of greeting.

“Serafina Andre,” he responded with a polite tip of his head. “Alpha of Delta Crescent.”

His power swept toward her, contained and restrained even as she released her own to observe the polite dance. Wolves were hardly dogs, and she’d never let the Alpha sniff at her tail, but taste her strength? Yes, he needed to know her and vice versa.

Though the moment elongated, only a scant few seconds passed. Mason’s power eddied between them and the kinetic energy snapped along her skin like so much static. Would they actually pop and crackle if they shook hands? Amused, she grinned. “Good morning.”

“You’re late,” Mason said. “Everyone else is here.”

“Wonderful.” She sauntered toward them, not bothering to hurry. Because, really, Mason needed to lighten up. “I do love to make an entrance.”

With a roll of his eyes, Mason raised a hand slightly and she paused when she neared him. “Diesel wishes to open with making amends. Do you have any objections?”

“I’m not the one he offended last night.” In truth, she’d been a bit flattered by the effort. He was not the wolf for her, and he should have considered the far-reaching consequences of his actions, yet the romantic gesture touched her. “So I shall let you decide whether or not to let him do so. Host privilege and all that.”

At her wink, Mason’s sour expression eased a fraction. “Fair point. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Anytime.” Chancing his improved mood, she patted his shoulder. “Let’s go see what trouble we can get into, shall we?” Ahead of her, Brett’s smile quirked a fraction higher. She gave the Hudson River Alpha a wink. Extending her hand slowly as she reached him, she allowed him to angle away and decline the handshake. He rewarded her with a quick clasp. Though troubled, the discord in his scent vanished immediately. He’d gone on guard with her so close. When he released her hand, he retreated a step to allow her to enter.

“It’s nice to put a face to the name,” she told him, then strolled ahead of both Alphas since neither made any move to bypass her and take lead. It must be difficult to be a male Alpha with her around. Their instinct to lead and take control warred with the same urge to show her courtesy. Simply assuming she’d need to make the first move saved them several minutes of haggling.

Trusting her nose, she followed Diesel’s scent. The house was open, airy, and decorated with a distinctly feminine hand, yet it still managed to look like a mausoleum in some respects. Two doors stood wide open to admit her into a grand sitting room. Chairs and sofas sat in a comfortable array and created a conversation pit. On the far left of the room, a buffet had been set out along with a variety of coffee, tea, and water. On the opposite side of the room was a bar, though no liquor would likely be served.

Two wolves awaited her, both looking utterly out of place in the serene and cultured surroundings. She’d met Diesel the night before and the icy crispness of his scent pervaded. Across the room, hands clasped behind his back stood a dark blond with perhaps a touch of Native American blood—he certainly had enough tattoos with similar symbols. His leather jacket, faint smirk, and demeanor looked more suited to a bar brawl than to their refined surroundings. God, some things did not change. Cassius was one of them.

“Good morning, boys,” she said as she didn’t slow her stroll. “You can both relax. I’m here, so we can get started.”

Energy sizzled, eddying like a cyclone lashing the fringes of the room. She plowed through the center. The thrum of power shuddered over her, but she rode the wave and kept her chin high. Every smack of their Alpha-ness against hers irritated her skin. Finding a comfortable spot near the window seat, she settled and crossed one leg over the other.

Brett entered with far more caution than she’d been willing to show, Mason three steps behind him. Once inside, Mason closed the doors and turned to face the room. Brett took a spot nearer the doors but distant from Diesel and Cassius. The interesting position kept him near Mason. She’d taken a center seat, equidistant from the other two Alphas and in direct opposition to Mason’s place near the doors.

“Thank you all for coming and most of you for observing the polite rules set in place.” The last Mason directed at Diesel. “You offered me your apology this morning and I didn’t accept, choosing instead to wait for Serafina to be present. She has indicated she doesn’t need an apology from you, so we will consider the matter settled. Good?”

An interesting spin on what she’d actually said, but she let it slide. Brett flicked a look at her and she shrugged one shoulder. He’d been close enough to hear her words as well, but he nodded at her disinterest in pursuing the matter.

“As you wish.” Diesel inclined his head. All four men remained standing, none willing to be the first to take a seat. If it hadn’t been for the seriousness of why they were there, she’d go find popcorn so she could nibble and watch.

Instead, she said, “I would like to propose that we skip the formalities and posturing for the time being. You’re all strong, potent males and we could be here till dinnertime trying to decide who will give in first. Since I’ve taken the seat, I’ve already surrendered the position. I would rather discuss the Italian Alpha and the sixth pack.”

Cassius chuckled and swung over to take a seat on the sofa near enough she could feel his body heat. Fortunately, he was smart enough to not touch her. “If we’re going to skip ahead to the juicy bits, let’s kick it off with a vote. If we’re all agreed, then we don’t need to stick around any longer than necessary.”

Brows raised, Mason nodded before he and Brett took the armchairs nearest them. Only Diesel remained standing. He gave no indication of a positive or negative response. Mason spared him a glance, but when no answer seemed forthcoming, he said, “Fine, let’s vote. Who here is in favor of allowing the sixth pack to stand as is?”

No one raised their hands. Unsurprising. Considering she had little information on their exact status and no reason to trust the new Alpha, Serafina would not commit to letting them stand as they were.

“Since we are not in favor of letting them stand as is at the moment, who all are in favor of upholding the law and eradicating them?” Mason hated the question, so his lack of raising his hand offered no new information. Nor did the Hudson River weigh in, though Brett seemed thoughtful. Cassius and Diesel raised their hands immediately.

Nails drumming lightly against her leg, Serafina did not vote to slaughter them…
yet.

“So we do not have a consensus.” Cassius slanted a look at her, a hint of a flirt in his eyes. “I guess you’re stuck with me.”

“At least until I stab you with something,” she said, matching him smile for smile.

His chuckle filled with mirth, and he stretched his legs out in front of himself. “All right, Mason. You have a plan or you wouldn’t have invited us, so why don’t you enlighten us with your wisdom?”

Aware of Cassius arm resting on the sofa behind her, Serafina canted her head and stared at him. His cocky grin toned down a notch and he removed his arm.
Good choice
. Returning her attention to Mason, she said, “Tell us about the pack, what population comprises it? Have you met with their Alpha?”

Maybe Mason had a plan. Maybe he didn’t.

Until she had enough answers to satisfy her curiosity, Serafina would make no decisions, except for killing Cassius. She could make that particular decision immediately if required.

T
hree hours later
, they were no closer to a consensus and Diesel walked out. Mason scowled after the Yukon Alpha while Cassius laughed. Of the four, only Brett proved to be as cautious as her. He even asked the same type of questions she did.

How many were in the new pack?
At least two hundred.

Had anyone actually met with the Alpha?
Only the Enforcers—and the key one in that equation was no longer within the U.S., having left with Salvatore to return to Seven Hills as a mated wolf.

What territory was the Alpha attempting to claim?
Open land in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. They were nearest to Willow Bend but, if they traveled further north, they risked impacting the Yukon Pack’s claimed lands. Any further south, they would hit Sutter Butte.