Twisted (8 page)

“Yes.” She righted herself. What had she been thinking in his study? She’d never look at a walnut desk the same way again. Any desk, actually.

“Why are you grinning?” He slipped an arm around her shoulders, providing balance and safety.

Of a sort.

“I’m not.” She picked her way carefully over the gravel drive and wiped the smile off her face. Nope. Still smiling.“Why are we going to this shindig?”

He shrugged and nearly dislodged her. “We live in this pack’s boundaries, and we were invited to the celebration. So we go.”

So this was what being part of a couple felt like. After living with all the happily mated vampires, she’d wondered.

The man’s use of the word “we” warmed something inside her. But she wouldn’t completely know herself, know what she wanted, until her memories returned. “We don’t live together, Terrent.” Their grappling over the desk notwith-standing.

“We will.” His worn black T-shirt emphasized solid muscle, while his faded, ripped jeans encased long legs.

“You need a new wardrobe.”

He threw back his head and laughed, the sound almost happy. “So you’ve always said.”

“Your wardrobe bothered me?” Her boot tottered on loose gravel, and she grabbed his waist to keep from falling.

“Not really. But you liked to give me a hard time, anyway.”

Yeah. That sounded like her. She swallowed. They loped across a worn trail from the parking lot at the rear of the main lodge. Now was the chance for her to do what the king had asked—investigate the inoculation problem. “I guess it’ll be nice to meet some other wolves.”

“Hmmm.”

“Why didn’t you mark me? I mean, back at the cabin.”

Shit. She hadn’t meant to blurt out those words. But she’d been restrained, turned on, and would’ve agreed to anything.

His hold tightened. “I’ll mark you when you’re ready.

When you agree with a clear mind.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

“You will.” He brushed a kiss along her temple. “Mating is forever. You need to make the choice on your own.”

What an awfully reasoned approach for a wolf to make.

“Sometimes you surprise me.”

His shrug nearly knocked her on her butt. “Sorry.” He helped to right her.

“My fault.” Being a klutz sucked. “So, um, when you fought, you were both human and wolf. That’s not normal, is it?”

“No.”

She waited for more, but he remained silent. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s part of being Skene. We’re good fighters because of the ability, which is one of the reasons our enemies took us out. It was also why I was trained so early to be on the Council.”

Sounded seriously lonely. Maggie wrapped her fingers tighter around his. “So, how about a tour of the wolf headquarters?”

“Sure.” He maneuvered her closer to the main lodge.

“Are you considering staying here?”

The thought occurred to her to lie, but she couldn’t do it after the day they’d shared. “No. Even if I remember my life and know I love you and want to get hitched, I’m not living here without you.”

“You can’t hunt with me.”

Now she shrugged. “So it’s an impasse. We don’t mate.”

“We’ve had this discussion before.”

“I was right then, too.”

He slowed. “Are you remembering?”

Her shoulders straightened. “No. I mean, sometimes I hear your voice right before I wake up. Your voice with the brogue. But that’s all.”

He turned her to face him. “That’s incredibly sweet.”

Warmth settled across his rugged cheekbones.

Heat climbed into hers. “I’m not sweet. Telling you the truth seems to be the easiest path.” Her grin even felt happy.

“Even though I don’t remember my past yet, I do feel like I loved you.” She kicked a loose pebble, her gaze dropping.

“A lot.”

One knuckle under her chin lifted her face. “I loved you more.” His mouth took hers.

Warm and gentle, his kiss wandered right down to her heart and spread.

He lifted his head. “You may never remember your past, sweetheart. But you’re strong enough to go forward and create a good life for yourself. Trust me.”

“I do trust you.” Was it possible for her to move on without knowing herself ?

“Good. Are you ready for a wolf party?”

She bit her lip. “I’m not sure. But what the heck.”

Chuckling, he took her hand and led her around the weathered lodge. A potluck had been set up in the middle of the scruffy clearing, complete with bright checked table-cloths. Two long tables were piled high with tons of food in crockpots, pretty dishes, and decorated bowls. People milled around, setting up, while a band tuned instruments close to a makeshift dance floor.

Terrent tugged her toward the wide porch along the main lodge where Gerald helped a little boy untangle a kite. “Hi.”

The Alpha glanced up, a smile lighting his worn face.

“Help. Please help.” He handed over the strings.

Terrent accepted the mess and dropped to his haunches.

“Hey, Toby.”

“Hi, Trnt.” Toby smiled, showing a gap where his two front teeth had once been. Long blond hair sprang out from his head in every direction, and his eyes were a bright green.

Very wolflike. He had to be about four, maybe five years old.

“My kite got grounded.”

“We can fix it.” Terrent tugged a string free.

Warmth flushed through Maggie. What the heck? Now she was some silly female getting all soft over a guy helping a kid?

Yeah. Yeah, she was.

He jerked his head toward her. “This is Maggie.”

Toby stuck out a grubby hand. “Hi. You Trnt’s?”

Maggie shook his hand, saying “no” just as Terrent answered “yes.”

Toby nodded solemnly. “That means you his.” He sighed and shook his head at Terrent. “Girls.”

“Amen, brother.” Terrent finished untangling the strings and handed the kite back to the kid.

“Thanks, Trnt. You the best.” Toby took the kite and jumped off the porch, his small legs pumping. The flag lifted.

“Cute kid,” Maggie said. Her gaze caught on Roger as he sat in a wide chair at the end of the lodge. A king surveying his subjects.

Terrent followed her gaze. His shoulders went back.

Gerald sighed. “Let it go. We’re going to do the transfer of leadership ceremony next week. Unless someone challenges him, he’s going to lead.”

“Good luck. I’m glad I’ll miss that moment.” Terrent glanced at his watch. “I’ve been away from work too long and plan to leave soon. We’ll be back in time to take the cheerleaders to nationals, I promise. But we have an outbreak of werewolves in Denver, and I need to meet Lock and Ace as soon as possible.”

Maggie swallowed. What about her? His timetable only gave her a short period to discover who was messing with the inoculations. “Werewolves from the virus?”

Terrent started. “No. These are everyday humans-turned-werewolves.”

Unfortunately, the werewolf gene was a dormant one in humans. Nobody knew why or how it went live with certain humans, who then turned and either bit or clawed other vic-tims. There would always be werewolves for the Bane’s Council to hunt and kill. Maggie kicked a pebble. “Have a great trip.”

Terrent lifted an eyebrow, glancing down. “I figured we’d come up with a plan before I left. Whether you want to live here, with the vampires, or anywhere else. I’d like you to live with people I trust.”

“I’m not your responsibility.” Apparently she never would be. Maneuvering around the large wolf, she hooked her arm through Gerald’s. “I’d love a tour of your headquarters.”

The Alpha smiled, looking years younger. “I’d be delighted.”

They both ignored Terrent, moving off the porch toward the outcropping of buildings.

Gerald pointed to three log cabins set back in the forest.

“Those are guest cabins for visiting dignitaries—not as fancy as the mansion you first stayed in, but nice enough.

You’ve already seen the main lodge.” He grinned and patted her hand while leading her toward the entrance to the rock.

“Inside the mountain we keep the cool stuff.”

She’d spent plenty of time in the king’s underground headquarters. “Don’t tell me. Hidden weapons caches, com-puter banks, and storage facilities. As well as living quarters in case everyone needs to take refuge underground during war.”

Gerald threw back his head and laughed. “Yes. Just like the king’s. But our people are wolves who don’t live underground unless we’re being bombed. We’ve spread out over the mountain, and some folks even live in town. We’ve found that’s the best situation for the kids—to make friends with humans. The world is becoming closer, and we’re trying to adapt.”

Roger would probably try to change that. Maggie sighed.

“Your packmates seem like good people.”

“We’re great.” Gerald grinned. “You should join the pack.

As soon as our soldiers return, we’ll be invincible again. Or . . .

really strong.”

“What about my weird brain ability?” She could be a danger to everyone around her.

He shrugged. “If you end up developing a demon-fighting ability, how could that be anything but beneficial to your pack?”

“You’re a wise man, Gerald the Alpha.”

“No. I’m just old, sweetheart.” He led her into the cool rock, small pebbles crunching under his feet. “Old and tired.” He gestured to a quiet conference room to the right.

“That’s where the cheerleaders planned their strategy for the last competition. Very exciting.” His lip quirked. “We used to raid other villages, used to rob from humans. Now we compete for fun. Life could be so good if the war ended.” His eyes softened. “Though we’ve lost so many people. Healing takes time.”

Maggie stumbled and quickly righted herself. The tour continued, Gerald pointing out the weapons room, several training rooms, and small apartments. Finally, they reached a wide, double metal door manned by a scowling guard at least seven feet tall and wider than a Volvo.

“Here’s our newest addition to the underground fortress.”

Squinting, Gerald punched in several numbers on a keypad.

The locks disengaged with loud clicks.

Maggie’s heartbeat increased in speed. “What’s behind the doors?”

Gerald yanked open the left door. “Come and see.” He gestured her inside.

Cash and safety deposit boxes lined the north wall. Impressive weapons lined the south. Straight ahead, behind a bulletproof glass door, stood several metal containers. A large garage-type door made up the far wall.

“That’s the serum for the inoculations?” Maggie asked.

“Yes. We improved our security after the last mishap.

You’ve heard about the faulty vials, right?” Gerald stepped closer to the glass.

“The king may have mentioned something about that.”

“Yes. It’s a mystery. We didn’t have any security in place.

I mean, who would mess with the inoculations?” Gerald shook his head. “So now, there’s no way to get in here without permission.”

“What about the far door?” Maggie asked.

“The garage door is booby-trapped.” Gerald swept out an arm. “We need the loading area to get the boxes onto trucks for dissemination. Nobody is coming in that way. Besides, the trucks arrive early tomorrow morning. Then I won’t have to worry about the serum any longer.”

Everything seemed secure. Maggie relaxed. “Who do you think tampered with the drugs?”

“I don’t know. Either somebody from my pack or the Bane’s Council. At least one of them was here all three times. They’d have to be working together with a plan, and I don’t understand why the Bane’s Council would tamper with the vials.” Gerald huffed out a breath. “So one of my people is guilty. But why?”

“I don’t know. But at least nobody was harmed.”

“My people aren’t good saboteurs. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or embarrassed by that.” Gerald turned back toward the steel door. “We’re missing the party, my dear. Let’s go get some pasta salad.”

“Sounds good.” Maggie eyed the guard on the way out.

The guy looked like he could take down a bear. “So, you don’t have any idea who could’ve damaged the drugs?” she asked Gerald.

“Anybody could’ve gotten to the drugs before we put security measures into place.” He led her back into the dusky evening. The band was softly playing, while people milled around with full plates. The cheerleaders from the other day sat over on a grassy clearing with a bunch of teenage boys.

Their laughter filled the air with mirth.

The woman from the protest, Bobbi, hustled up. “Gerald, there’s an issue with the band. Something about not enough plug-ins.” She rolled her eyes.

Gerald patted Maggie’s hand. “I’ll catch up with you later.” He took off toward the band.

Bobbi held out a hand and smiled. She’d pulled her dark brown hair into a clip, emphasizing high cheekbones and green eyes. “I’m Bobbi—Shannon’s mother.”

“Maggie.” They shook hands.

Maggie eyed the area, her shoulders relaxing when she spotted Terrent across the clearing. The wolf leaned against a tree, his gaze on the crowd. Alone and thoughtful.

Bobbi followed her gaze. “Terrent’s a sexy one, isn’t he?”

“Uh, yeah.” Maggie started.

Laughter erupted from Bobbi. “I’m making small talk.

No interest here—happily mated to a soldier. Who hopefully will be home soon.”

Maggie smiled. “Ah. Well, I have no claim on Terrent, so no worries.”

“Right.” Bobbi snorted. “It’s nice to see him happy. Almost at peace.”

Warmth flooded into Maggie’s face. “He’s happy?”

“Yes.”

Several people approached the man to talk, but he remained off to the side. Separate from the party. Maggie sighed. “He’s not very friendly.”

“Sure, he is. He’s just not comfortable with people.”

Bobbi waved at an older couple zipping onto the dance floor.

The woman’s defense of Terrent lightened Maggie’s shoulders. He had friends, whether he wanted them or not. Being alone in life hurt. She knew. But this Raze pack seemed like a good place to make a new life, to belong.

Bobbi elbowed her. “Let’s get some food. You can take a plate to the guy you have no claim on.” Her laughter increased the intensity of Maggie’s blush.

Terrent’s gaze landed on her. Heated and possessive.