Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) (6 page)

§

Brenda angled her skis and stopped inches from the downed tree. This was the third she had found lying across the trails today. It neared lunch time and she still had two trails to check. She used her poles to push off to the edge of the trail and examined the base of the tree. Like the others, the trunk had been cut.

Brenda pulled her radio out and called into the Ski Patrol office. “
Remi, I have another tree down on
Le Loup-Garou
. Cut like the others.”

“Come on down, Brenda. I’m not sure it’s safe. I’ll call for another clean-up crew to take care of the tree.”

“I’ve still got to check runs
Le Sous-Bois
and
La Forêt Enchant
e՛
.
I’ll come in once I finish.”

“All right, but be careful. Security has been increased. If you see anything at all, call it in immediately.”

“Will do.” Brenda signed off and tucked her radio onto her belt. Getting around the tree would take some time. Thank goodness the resort wasn’t open for skiing today.

Brenda walked into the Ski Patrol office two hours later, tired and hungry. She had been tempted to go straight to the resort for lunch, but wanted to check in with
Remi first. She carried her skis through the back door and stored them in her locker, along with her poles and ski boots. She slipped on a pair of walking boots and walked out to the front counter. Remi sat by the radio.

“There you are,” he said, with a sigh of relief. “I was about to send out a search party. From now on, I want you to pair up with one of the men. No more checking runs by yourself.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why the sudden change?” Brenda asked, a spurt of anger making her tone sharp.

“It’s the vandalism. Security has been increased. Everyone is going to be paired up, not just you. The man behind this is a real bad one. The pack is trying to keep everyone safe,”
Remi explained.

“All right, for how long? I don’t intend to be babysat.” Brenda plopped down in a chair.

“Will you get that chip off your damn shoulder? The last time this man was involved with a pack, two lycans were killed, as well as a human family dining at the restaurant the pack owned. So far, it seems he is warning us to sell. We both know that won’t happen. Once this guy figures that out, he’ll try to hit us, hard. So stop acting like a spoiled brat and do what you’re told.”

Brenda opened her mouth to argue and then closed it with a snap. Spoiled brat? Is that how she acted? When did she forget to act like a team player? She knew how to take orders, it had been drilled into her in the military.

“I’m sorry, Remi. Of course, I’ll follow orders. I’m not sure why I seem to be so waspish lately. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“I know you don’t,”
Remi said. “If I had to hazard a guess about your foul mood, I would say it’s the mating heat getting to you. You’re going to have to deal with it, Brenda. It doesn’t go away because you don’t want to admit to it.” Remi grabbed a cup of coffee before returning to his seat next to the radio. “You look at mating Granger like a curse. Finding your mate is a gift. One we all wish for. It doesn’t happen for all of us. I was lucky I found my Ariane early in life, we have three beautiful children. Luc is our youngest and will soon leave our den. What you don’t grasp is that your heartmate is your soul mate. No other can link with you, no other will fit. This is your chance at true love, a gift from goddess Asena. Unlike humans, we don’t have to try on mates like clothes to see if they fit. We are pointed to the right one by the mating bond. The bond is to be celebrated.”

“
Remi, I was once a human.”

“Do you feel the need to try on mates? Do you want to be human again? I’m sorry, Brenda. I don’t understand how you can turn away from a priceless gift. Granger is a good man, why don’t you want him?”

“He drives me crazy! Granger is gorgeous, and successful, and rich. He’s always helping people. He even helped me, a complete stranger through the change into a lycan. The pain was excruciating, but he was linked to me the whole time. Then he loves me, it doesn’t matter what I do, or what I say. He doesn’t criticize me or chastise me. How can such a perfect person love me? How can I measure up to someone so perfect?”

“I see, so you need to know Granger isn’t perfect. All right, did you know he doesn’t ski? He could, but he says the only way down the mountain is to fall. He’s also afraid of rats. He tumbled down an abandoned mine shaft as a boy. It was several hours before help could get to him. The rats were angry that a wolf pup landed in their nest. He had to fight them off. He’s had an abnormal fear of rats ever since. Screams like a girl. So, Granger is not perfect. He is a lycan like the rest of us.”

“He’s afraid of mice?” Brenda asked, trying not to laugh.

“Rats, actually. But you also asked how
can he love you. He loves you because you are his mate, a treasure he is thrilled to have found. If you would give him the chance, he could love you for other things, like your fierce determination and stubbornness.” Remi’s lips curved up as he said that last trait of hers. “However, you have to give him a chance, first.”

“I haven’t been very fair, have I. Normally, I would give something a try before turning it away. I decided before I ever met Granger that I didn’t want to be mated. I was so angry my choice had been taken away. I’ve been blaming him ever since.”

“Granger didn’t get a choice either, Brenda. So ask yourself which is more important, placing blame, or future happiness.”

Granger glanced up at the glass and metal building on
Boulevard Laurier
in
Sainte-Foy
where Ouelette had his offices. The man must be doing well to be located in the hub of the business center. Too bad he was as crooked as they came. Granger tugged at the lapel on his jacket. When going into a professional meeting it helped to look good, and Granger meant business.

He walked into the lobby and past the information desk to the elevators. He already had spoken to
Ouelette’s secretary and knew the office was on the fifteenth floor. He waited for the elevator to arrive and breathed a sigh of relief when only three other people filed in behind him. Granger had always been slightly claustrophobic after falling into a mine shaft when he was a pup. Being in an elevator with humans, wearing their scented products, made the feeling of “lack of air to breathe” worse. He watched as each person reached their floor and departed the car. Finally, the elevator came to the fifteenth floor and the doors opened.

Granger looked out, astonished to see Margot. “What are you doing here?” Granger asked, stepping into the hall, blocking her way to the elevator.

“I came to talk Samuel out of ruining the resort,” Margot said, wringing her hands.

“You know
Ouelette?” Granger couldn’t believe Margot was part of this mess.

“I met him at a party about six months ago. We saw each other at the club a few times.” She shrugged.

Granger looked around and noticed they were starting to draw attention. “Come over here and explain to me how you’re involved in all of this.” Granger led Margot to a small sitting area by the window.

“Granger, you’re hurting my arm,” Margot complained, pulling away from him.

“I didn’t hurt you. Now explain, right now.” Granger gritted his teeth. He knew he hadn’t held her arm that strongly.

“You know how I look for a mate. I thought Samuel might be the one. He was so nice to me.”

“Did you know about the vandalism and sabotage?”

“Only after it happened,” Margot said, her tone rising. “I never thought Samuel would go through with his threats. He was angry when I wouldn’t sleep with him. I came today to beg him to stop. He said the only way he would agree was if I married him. I tried to use a telepathic push. Nothing seemed to work. I told him, I would think about it. He promised to give me two days.”

“Keep your voice down. Wait, you used a telepathic push and it didn’t work?”

“That’s what I said. I don’t know what to do. I’m only a half-breed, but I normally can control a human.”

“Don’t talk about yourself that way. No one in the pack has ever thought less of you for being half-human. There are other pack members with human mates besides your mother.”

“I have to go, Granger. I’m supposed to meet my mother at Le Vieux Port. I’m going to be late.”

“Wait a minute, Ouelette isn’t your mate is he?” Granger asked. Sometimes mates couldn’t influence each other.

“No, thank goodness,” Margot said, with a shudder. “That’s why I broke it off with him. I realized he was starting to get serious. He was so nice at first, and then he changed. It scared me.”

“All right, go meet your mother, and don’t worry, we’ll take care of this. You aren’t marrying someone who isn’t your mate.”

“Thank you, Granger. I’m so sorry I brought this on the pack and poor Daddy. It would ruin him to lose the resort.” Margot kissed Granger on the cheek.

“This isn’t just about you and Ouelette. There are other players involved in this mess. Go on, I’ll see you back at the resort. Don’t forget they’re forecasting a big storm tonight.”

Margot hit the button for the elevator. Granger waited until the carriage arrived and she entered before heading down the hall to
Ouelette’s office. Why didn’t Margot’s psychic push work? What would he do if
his
telepathic push didn’t work either?

§

“He’s insane,” Granger said an hour later after returning to his car. “Ouelette’s mind is a writhing mess of thoughts. His mind flashes from scene to scene like a ping pong ball. One second he thinks about Margot and the next he is on a yacht. I couldn’t get him to hold onto the idea of forgetting about Margot and the resort long enough to give it the psychic push. He’s a powder keg waiting to explode.” Granger held the phone so tightly his hand hurt. “Do you hear me, Jared? He’s dangerous.”

“All right. We’ll think of something. Don’t panic. At least now we know about Margot. He promised her two days. We’ll have to come up with a plan before then,” Jared spoke calmly.

Granger grasped onto that calm and held on tight. That’s what he loved about his Alpha, he was always the calm in the storm.

“
Ouelette has some sick and violent ideas, and Lebrosse is helping him. We’ll need to be on our guard.” Granger shook his head. Touching Ouelette’s mind left him feeling dirty. He’d have to shower before seeing Brenda.

“You’ve done what you can. Come home, we’ll talk when you get here.”

“All right, see you in a couple hours.” Granger disconnected the call and started the car.

He pulled out of the parking garage and into traffic. The sedan he borrowed from the pack didn’t ride or handle as smoothly as Granger’s Ferrari. He missed his baby with her heated leather seats and sleek lines. He’d have to contact the storage company about an early delivery in the spring. He’d even let Brenda drive it, if she’d ever accept him as her mate.

§

“Let’s close up for tonight,”
Remi said. “It’s beginning to snow and this storm is supposed to be a bad one. It’ll be nice to have the new powder for opening day tomorrow. I just hope we don’t lose any more trees during the night.”

“You know those other trees weren’t downed in a storm. Do you think there’ll be more vandalism?” Brenda asked, as she grabbed her pack.

“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Remi said. “You could ask Granger, he’d probably know. He always has Jared’s back. I’m sure they’re working on finding the culprit and getting him to stop. The wind is picking up, don’t forget your jacket.”

Luc walked into the Ski Patrol office. “They’re closing everything down. This storm looks like a doozy. We need to get home while we can.”

Remi nodded and grabbed his parka. Brenda had already gathered her things and stood by the door ready to go. “All right then,” Remi said, as they headed out the door. The wind stole Brenda’s breath, and she pulled her jacket tight.

“You’re off tomorrow, Brenda,”
Remi continued as they trudged through the gale to the Jeep. “Enjoy your time off. After tomorrow, work around here will be non-stop.”

A short time later, they waved at the guard as they entered the pack’s private property. The turn to the cottage was the third down from the top of the mountain and
Remi drove unerringly down the drive. “Are you sure you want to stay here tonight? I can take you to the Alpha’s lodge.”

“I’ll be fine,
Remi. There’s plenty of firewood and I have oil lamps if we lose power.”

“I don’t think anyone will be driving around if this storm gets any worse. Of course, we can always run in our wolf form. Call if you need anything.”

“I will. Goodnight,” Brenda said, as she opened the Jeep’s door and hurried to the front entrance. She rushed inside and stopped suddenly when she realized the house was completely dark. Normally when she came in, a light was on. She flipped on the lights, hung up her jacket, toed off her boots, and replaced them with fuzzy slippers she left by the door.

She sniffed the air, trying to pick up a hint of what Granger had left her for dinner. But her nose didn’t smell anything. Brenda hurried up the stairs and into the kitchen. She found the room exactly as she had left it this morning. A sense of disappointment filled her.

Shoving it off, she went to the refrigerator and looked inside. If nothing else, she could fix an omelet. Too bad she and Susan ate all the chicken in wine sauce. Still, there was a pepper, some cheese, and eggs. It would be enough. She grabbed the fixings and got to work.

Why didn’t Granger leave her dinner like he normally did? Shrugging, she reached for a knife to chop the pepper.

§

The snow whipped sideways as Granger pulled onto the road that led to the mountain. He knew this road like the back of his hand, driven it all his life. He slowed slightly, but the need to
see Brenda was overwhelming. He couldn’t wait any longer. She needed to understand how dangerous it was for both of them with the mating bond fueling their passions, distracting them from possible danger.

He turned the first corner as the road wove its way higher. Snow began to drift and his windshield wipers were barely able to clear the way. He pushed on, hoping he could make the lower gate before he lost all visibility.

He turned another curve and felt the tires lose traction for an instant. His heart beat faster and he gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. There wasn’t any place to pull off of the road on this small stretch. Mountain rose on one side and a hundred foot drop on the other. If he could get a little farther, there was a shoulder on the side. Then he’d shift and run the rest of the way in wolf form.

Into the last curve, his lights picked up a huge mass of twisted, broken branches slashing against a trunk splayed across the road. Granger pulled his foot off the gas, and swerved to the right, hoping the edge of the mountain wasn’t too close. The car lost traction and began to slide.

The driver’s side door slammed against the tree, thick limbs shattering glass. A branch as thick as his wrist broke through the windshield and pierced Granger’s shoulder, pinning him to the seat. He cried out as the car skidded over the side of the mountain.

§

Brenda screamed. It felt like something pierced her shoulder. She dropped the bowl of whipped eggs onto the floor, her knees crumbling. The mating bond snapped into existence and led away down the mountain. Brenda’s mind followed the golden light until she reached the end and found only darkness.

“Oh, my god! Granger!” She had to get to him. Something terrible had happened.

Brenda climbed to her feet, and stripped off her clothes as she ran toward the front door. She grabbed her backpack, threw open the door, and shifted. The wind slapped snow into her eyes. She didn’t stop. All that mattered was getting to Granger.

The golden cord of the mating bond glowed softly against the white snow. Brenda didn’t hesitate. She ran. Thank goodness wolf feet were made to run on snow. She picked up speed as
she raced downhill. By the time she reached the Alpha’s lodge she moved at preternatural speeds.

“Brenda?” Jared called from the front porch. As alpha, he must have felt the danger to one in his pack and wandered outside.

Brenda didn’t slow. She leapt over the eight foot entrance gate and landed on the run. Blinking as powder flew around her muzzle, Brenda followed the heartmate bond down the mountain. When she got to the tree across the road, she slowed, sniffing the air. The smell of blood and hot metal permeated the area.

She followed the mating bond to the edge of the road. Looking down, she saw Granger’s sedan wedged sideways against a boulder, the headlights quickly fading in the whiteout.

The powdery snowfall already filled the tracks where the car slid over the side. There was no easy way to reach the vehicle. Then Brenda remembered something Remi said about Granger. The only way down a mountain was to fall. She jumped. Her front paws landed on the slippery ground and she crouched, letting her weight carry her down.

Quickly approaching the car with no way to stop, she realized she failed to think through this plan. Brenda braced for impact. The metal door crumpled beneath her. She’d have bruises, but she was fine. She hopped up putting her paws on the driver’s door. Granger sat pinned to the seat, blood flowing from his shoulder, his head fallen to the side.

Jared’s and Esme’s telepathic voices rang in her head. She only had thoughts for Granger, her mate. Terror tore through her. She pushed her head back and howled in grief.
Please don’t let him be dead.
She called the shift and in moments stood naked in the snow. She reached through the broken window to find Granger’s pulse. It was there, weak, but there. The wind bit at her skin and she shuddered.

“We need help. Granger’s been in a car accident. There’s a tree across the road.”

Someone might have answered her telepathically, but Brenda’s teeth chattered so hard she could hardly think. She opened the driver’s side back door, and carefully climbed in, avoiding the glass that littered the surface. She removed her backpack, too bad she took her climbing gear out when the weather changed. Granger’s jacket laid on the seat and she slipped it on before climbing into the front passenger seat.

“Granger, don’t you leave me! Do you hear me? You can’t leave me.”

Brenda didn’t know what to do. If she removed the limb, would he bleed to death? She pulled a thermal blanket out of her backpack and wrapped it around Granger’s body as best she could.