The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) (5 page)

“I know of a place you might be interested in,” Kalan said, his low voice gruff.

Ainsley’s tongue twisted from the shock. “You do?”

“My mate used to live in the small apartment above her flower shop. Now that she’s with me, it’s available for rent.”

Jackson sent a glare straight at his brother that looked as it if could cut him in half. Mrs. Murdoch shot Jackson a stern look, and he glanced away again. That man had serious issues, though she did understand where the animosity was coming from. To tell the crowd that she disliked Changelings as much as they did, however, would probably sound like a lie, mostly because they were brought up to believe everyone of her kind was evil.

“I’d love to take a look at it. Thank you.”

Shamus grinned. “If Kalan can set it up, how about I come with ye? We could check it out together.”

She almost laughed at his protective nature, but she shouldn’t be surprised. He’d always looked out for her. From Shamus’s quick turn of his head toward Jackson, Jackson might have kicked him under the table.

“What was that for?” Shamus said. “Can’t a man make certain his friend isn’t being taken advantage of?”

As if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on his head, Jackson’s shoulders slumped. What she wouldn’t give to know what that was all about. “Sure. In fact, I think it’s a great idea.”

Kalan glanced at his mother then turned back to Ainsley. “Tomorrow, I’ll call my mate’s former landlord to see if he can set up a showing.”

For some reason, Kalan must have decided not to go to war with her, for which she was grateful.

Wanting to take the focus off herself, she asked about Shamus’s banking job and whether he enjoyed it.

He shrugged. “I can take it or leave it. What I’d really like to do is start me own financial investment firm.”

Excitement soared through her. “Why don’t you? You’d be perfect. You’re honest and smart.”

His cheeks turned pink again. “I need a bit more experience, as well as some capital, but I’m working on both.”

She wanted to ask if he was happy, but she figured his mom’s death had to have dampened his love of life. “I’m really happy you’re doing so well.”

“Thanks. I know this might not be the best place to ask ye, lass, but did ye know Owen is dead?”

His words stole her breath. “My brother is dead? For real?” Only because it was inappropriate to show joy over another person’s death did she fight her smile.

“Aye. In fact, I’m told he died right here in Silver Lake a few months ago.”

This was too good to be true. She hoped he suffered, but it would be impolite to say so. “What was he doing here?” Was he looking for her? An unexpected shiver shot out to every nerve ending. Atlanta was a good four hours from Silver Lake.

Shamus reached across the table and squeezed her hand in support. He then nodded to Kalan. “You want to tell her how Owen ended up here?”

Kalan regaled her with the story of a Wendayan named Izzy Berta. Because of her magical talents, which Owen had witnessed while Izzy had been visiting Scotland, he decided he wanted her for his wife. He flew to Silver Lake and stalked her, but then resorted to kidnapping her when she refused to go with him. “Izzy was mated to our Alpha, you see.”

A chuckle escaped. “That sounds like him. He always had such a high opinion of himself.” She shook her head. “My brother was a fool.”

Jackson’s head jerked toward her. “You weren’t close, I take it?”

She could list numerous things he’d done to her, but she’d promised Blair she’d play nice. “Let’s just say, there were good reasons why I went to school in the US.”

She would have thought her parents would have told her about her brother’s death, though it was possible they hadn’t been informed. She looked at Shamus. “Do my mother and stepfather know?”

“I can’t say,” Shamus said.

Kalan cleared his throat. “They do. Your brother’s remains were shipped home.”

“Oh.” More betrayal. The Changelings had little use for women, but she expected more from her mother. Ainsley always believed it was Owen who distrusted her and wanted her out of the way.

“Ye know, lass, with Owen gone, it’s safe to come back home now. I’m guessing Alex will be too busy taking over for your father to bother with ye.” He leaned back in his seat and his feet bumped hers. He immediately sat back up. “I’m not suggesting ye stay in the same town as your family. May I suggest Edinburgh? It’s big and quite safe.”

She’d be near Shamus then. “I like my job here, but I will consider it.” Her certification as an acupuncturist might not even be accepted in Scotland.

Mrs. Murdoch cleared her throat, pushed back her chair, and then stood. “Dessert, anyone?”

Everyone but Ainsley had eaten. “I’m still working on my meal, but you go ahead,” she said.

Shamus stood. “I’ll help clear, Aunt Felicia.”

Blair rose too. As much as Ainsley wanted to offer, she didn’t want to be in the way. Once those three left, she expected her heart rate to slow and the throbbing between her legs to stop—but it didn’t.

Kalan was mated, as was Mr. Murdoch. From what Blair said, her brother Jackson was too much of a carefree spirit to ever settle down, even if he found his mate.

She shoved aside the thought that she and Jackson were paired. Changelings shouldn’t mate with other shifters. It wasn’t just Wendayans who would be driven mad if they bit a Changeling. Shifters were equally affected. Most likely Shamus’s aura was strong enough to reach from the kitchen.

The silence at the table made her uncomfortable. “So what do you do, Jackson?” she asked.

His features softened a bit, but his eyes held a lot of wariness. “I work at McKinnon and Associates as a security expert.”

She knew that much from Blair and had hoped he’d elaborate. “Do you spend your days fighting Changelings?” Damn. Ainsley hadn’t meant for that to slip out, but perhaps having the elephant in the room out in the open might make things better.

His glare shot straight through her. Guess not. The temptation to disappear was strong—assuming she remembered how—but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Not always. Some of our cases involve solving crimes the cops either can’t figure out or don’t have the resources to go after.” One brow rose as he looked over at his brother.

“Which isn’t very often,” Kalan shot back.

Jackson swept his attention toward her. “We’re investigators. We do everything from protection to solving a crime to retrieving what’s been stolen.”

She didn’t like the way he said the last four words, but she wasn’t about to ask for details. She assumed he was speaking of the Changelings who stole that Wendayan’s magic.

Before she could ask Kalan about his job, Blair, Shamus, and Mrs. Murdoch returned with three different desserts.

“Wow,” Ainsley blurted. Her mom never baked anything. “The pie looks divine, as does the chocolate cake.” The third dessert was some pastry filled with berries.

“Thank you.”

Jackson’s phone buzzed, and Mrs. Murdoch looked straight at him, displeasure evident on her face. “Sorry,” he said. “It’s Connor.”

She didn’t know who Connor was, but apparently he was important. The moment Jackson disappeared, the air became easier to breathe, and her body relaxed. At the thought, her blood pressure shot up. Then reason intruded. If Jackson and she were fated to be together, he’d make sure it never happened. Hell, he’d deny it until long after she was dead.

‡

J
ackson returned to
the dining room. “I’m sorry, but we have a case that requires the use of the drone.”

That was a lie, but he couldn’t be in the same room with Ainsley anymore. She was affecting his thinking, and his body was going crazy with need. Only by glancing at his mother or father had he been able to control his hair from sprouting and other changes from occurring. The horror of the signs alone should have been enough to tame his libido, but her scent had invaded his very being.

His damn bear kept calling out to him:
Mate, mate
.

The whole idea was preposterous. He refused to take the bait. Ainsley Chancellor—a Changeling—was not his mate no matter what his bear claimed. The image of the two Changelings, Olivia and Nathan, being cleansed surfaced. It would be nice if that could happen to Ainsley.

“Can’t Connor handle it?” his mom asked. She glanced at her watch. “It’s late. You boys need to rest sometime.”

“Kip is with Teagan tonight, and I told Connor I’d help if he needed me. I’m the one who knows how to use the surveillance equipment.”

“Okay, but try not to be long. It might be years before you see your cousin again.”

Damn Ainsley for messing up his precious time with Shamus. “I won’t be.” He briefly glanced around the table. “Nice meeting you, Ainsley.”

No, it wasn’t, as it had been pure torture sitting there watching her angelic face smile and flirt with Shamus. Underneath it all, she was a Changeling and nothing could change that fact.

“You too.” She looked at him, seemingly so pleasant, but her eyes said good riddance.

Jackson nodded and left. The moment he stepped outside, relief poured through him. Maybe his little outburst in the kitchen had triggered a reaction to Ainsley. His hard cock and urge to shift might have been a residual effect from his hatred of the Changelings.

Don’t be ridiculous. Hatred would never cause my libido to go berserk.

As much as he wanted to deny it, his bear could still smell her scent. Hell, his animal was sniffing, and he bet he was grinning like a fool.

Jackson growled as he looked up at the sky. “Naliana, why?”

Of course, the goddess didn’t answer.

Jackson slipped into the front seat of his Silverado truck. Connor McKinnon had called him, not to ask him to stop by work, but to ask him to fill him in on what he’d learned about their recent case. Jackson was just grateful for the chance to escape Ainsley’s allure. Hopefully, Connor, who had a level head, could help him figure out his next move.

Asking his brother for help was out of the question. His own flesh and blood seemed to be taken with her. If Kalan hadn’t been, he never would have mentioned the apartment above the Blooms of Hope flower shop—unless he was desperate to get Ainsley away from their sister. Everyone knew that apartments weren’t plentiful in Silver Lake.

His sister’s opinion would be totally biased when it came to her roommate, and Ainsley had clearly pulled the tartan over Shamus’s eyes. The hardest part of this whole attraction thing was that Ainsley Chancellor was stunning. Her short blonde hair, streaked with purple gave her an edgy, sexy look—just the type of woman he was attracted to. Normally, he didn’t go for nose rings, but on her it looked good. And her body: it was killer. Her breasts might be small, but those long legs of hers could wrap around a man and make him forget to breathe.

Stop it.

Ainsley was the devil. For all he knew, Owen told her to get a job in Silver Lake just so he’d have someone to help him recruit Izzy. Little did the poor bastard realize that their Clan wouldn’t stand for his kind and kill him.

Before he knew it, Jackson had arrived at work. The light shining from the office window implied Connor was still there. Even though his boss and good friend didn’t have a mate, he might have an explanation as to why Jackson felt this draw to Ainsley. At the very least, he could come up with some suggestion for how to tame Jackson’s bear. He sure as hell wasn’t going to give into his inner beast when a Changeling was involved.

Jackson unlocked the back door and headed inside.

“That you, Jackson?” came the call from his office.

“It’s me.”

Connor exited his office into their large workroom, looking tired. If he didn’t slow down, he’d be heading for an early grave.

“You didn’t have to come in,” Connor said.

Oh, yes he did. “I need your opinion on something.”

Connor slipped a hip on the makeshift table at the front of the room. Last month, when they needed to find a way to foil the fucking Changelings, this room had been turned into their war room. Before, the area had been filled with plush leather sofas, chairs, and a large wooden table. Now that table was in a vacated office, and the comfortable furniture was stashed in the back near the coffee machine.

“You don’t look so good,” his friend said.

Jackson bit back the urge to tell him to look in the mirror. “You wouldn’t either if the same thing that just happened to me happened to you.”

Connor stood, walked to the back of the room near the coffee machine. It was where they had their hidden stash of booze, and pulled out a bottle of whiskey along with two glasses. “I take it you could use one.”

“Oh, yeah.”

After pouring each of them a drink, Conner dropped down on the sofa and motioned him over. “Tell me what happened.”

Jackson picked up the golden brew and chugged it. “Turns out Owen Chancellor has a sister who happens to be my sister’s roommate.”

Connor whistled. “Fuck me. Really? Does Blair know she’s a Changeling?”

“Yes.” He went through their history, including the fact that Ainsley was half Wendayan. “My cousin, Shamus, from Scotland knew her growing up and seems enamored by her. I don’t get it.”