Untamed: an Alpha's Love (Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance) (7 page)

CHAPTER
FOURTEEN

Parker took the hairpin turns up the winding road as if he'd done it a thousand times. Charmaine's memory conjured up the image of Scottie, bruised and bleeding and nonetheless grinning his fool head off as they slid around on the bench seat of his old pickup, barreling out of harm's way. They'd been on this very road that night.

The night that changed everything.

"So you're going to meet Jamison," Parker began in a strained voice. "And maybe his wife, Christine, although I hope she's not there." His knuckles gripped the steering wheel.

"Why do you hope she's not there?"

He flashed a nervous grin. "When you meet her you'll know why." And then his face darkened again. "Jamison might have some questions for you about Christopher. Will you be okay answering them?"

"Of course."

He took a deep breath and pressed on. "Will you be okay answering them if it means that we use that information for retaliation against him?"

Charmaine paused before responding.
Retaliation? If there's going to be any retaliation against Christopher, doesn't he deserve it?
"If it means we keep him from hurting any more of us, then yes," she finally answered.

Parker nodded, satisfied. "That's my hope."

***

Charmaine loathed Jamison on sight.

She'd heard all about him from Parker, of course. Jamison Lance, the Kreuger pack's Beta, had been loyal to Dominic for many years, but he'd made it clear that he didn't want Parker in charge. Until very recently, he'd given Parker a hard time, and then—inexplicably—he'd changed altogether.

Unlike Christopher, whose slick demeanor barely covered his hair-trigger temper, Jamison was in complete control, solicitous but not overly so, every inch a gentleman, and that worried Charmaine more than her brother's unpredictable rages.

This man scares me...
she thought as she and Parker stepped out. Though she knew Parker was very capable of meeting any enemy head-on, this was an adversary who would fight dirty.

He greeted Parker with a firm handshake and friendly slap on the back before pulling Charmaine close to him as if they were already intimate friends.
Parker's sense of fairness and honor is out of its depth with this snake
, she thought, taking in the older man's rugged good looks and confident charm. Jamison's cool kiss lingered a fraction of a second too long on Charmaine's cheek, and his fingers squeezed a bit too familiarly around her upper arm with the greeting.

"Lovely," Jamison murmured, still holding her close. "Well done, Boss. I see why you think she's worth it."

Creepy
. She bit her lip to keep herself from responding to his inappropriate comment and took a deliberate step back toward Parker. Jamison noted it and smiled benignly at her before launching into his story of what happened with Christopher the night before.

He had barely begun when his Mate entered into the room, and everything stopped. The room fell silent as both men, seemingly bewitched, trailed off and feasted their eyes upon her. Even Charmaine found herself staring at the gorgeous creature in front of her, unable to pry her eyes away from the shapely brunette.

She's like something out of a dream and a nightmare at the same time
, Charmaine thought as the woman took her hand and introduced herself.

"I'm Christine," the woman said in her husky voice, "It's so nice to finally meet you." Her lips curled slightly but no wrinkle came to her smooth face. "At last, some girl time."

They're a dangerous pair
. Christine twined herself between Parker and Jamison, serving drinks and managing to call attention to her curvaceous body at the same time. She was tall, her height exaggerated by daring heels that clicked against the floors, announcing her every move. When Christine's cool gaze met Charmaine's she felt herself nearly hypnotized, as if face-to-face with a cobra.
Now I know what Parker meant.

The other woman's lips curved into a smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked. Her velvet voice belied the serpent inside. "You look a bit tired. This must all be really draining." She set the drink tray down and motioned for Charmaine to sit with her in the other room.

She draped herself into a chair across from Charmaine and turned her attentions to her. "So you two aren't even officially Mated yet and you're starting a family?" Christine probed. "Is that because Dominic is dying and you want to ensure the line?"

Charmaine flushed at the blunt question. "I— We—" How to explain accidental pregnancy to a stranger? And why should she? It felt like a betrayal, somehow, but she wasn't going to sit there and let this woman accuse her of being part of some weird breeding scheme.

None of your business,
she thought, but she knew she had to play nice. She took a deep breath and said the first thing that came to her. "This baby was conceived out of love and nothing more."

"How sweet." For a split second Christine looked as though she wanted to vomit, but just as quickly the smile was back on her face. "We don't have any children, and it doesn't look like we ever will."

"I'm sorry," Charmaine said automatically, feeling a rush of genuine sympathy for this strange woman.

Christine shrugged, even though the pain in her eyes was obvious. "Apparently there's a different life in store for my mate and me. Jamison isn't much for little kids, anyway. And maybe this life isn't the best situation for a child." She nodded her head in Parker's direction. "You're lucky to have him. He's an incredible man. He loves you so much, and he'd do anything to protect you."

Charmaine nodded. "I know."
And I don't need you to tell me that, either.

"But he's not the only one, apparently." Christine smiled sweetly, but her eyes carefully searched Charmaine's face for a reaction.

"I'm sorry?" Charmaine was confused.

Those mysterious eyes flashed and for a moment, Charmaine saw something flutter behind them. "Mmm, I guess you don't know. Well, maybe Jamison hasn't said anything yet. I suppose it didn't seem... the best time." She smiled again, her solicitousness undisguised. "Your
friend
came around to see Jamison a week or so ago
.
I guess your brother made enough demands to scare him, and he thought you were in serious danger. He wanted Jamison to make sure you were protected. Apparently he wasn't sure Parker was being cautious enough."

"My friend? Do you mean Scottie?"

Christine smiled. "Scottie, yes! That was his name." She winked at Charmaine. "Who else would be meeting with my sweet husband on your behalf, anyway?" Charmaine flushed at the implication as Christine breezed on. "They talked for quite a while. He promised to supply us with information about any upcoming strikes if we would guarantee safety for you and your child."

"He offered to be a spy?" She was incredulous. "Really? That's so..." She trailed off, hoping that Christine never found out that it was she and Scottie who had left an entire household writhing in pain in the dirt that night. What kind of spy material was Scottie, really? But he did care for her. It wasn't so surprising he'd made this move.

"Sweet?" A hint of a smirk tugged at the corners of Christine's mouth as she finished Charmaine's sentence. "Not only that but he's
smart
. Good-looking. Too good-looking, in my opinion to be alone" There it was again. That flash and flutter behind those eyes. "I'm curious. Why did you and he never..."

The balls on this woman!
"Scottie and I have known each other since we were little kids. We're very good friends, but I just don't think of him that way."

"But he's gorgeous. Those golden eyes, that amazing body..." She smiled dreamily. "You were never even curious?"

Charmaine flushed. "Never," she declared.

"Too bad," the older woman mused, trailing her fingers across her collarbone as if caught in sensual recollection. "I think you really missed out."

"I don't. I think I'm right where I need to be." She silently begged Parker to come back and save her from this crazy woman. "May I use your powder room?"

"Certainly." Christine was the helpful hostess once again, pointing her down a long hallway to the bathroom.

Inside she took a deep breath. She didn't know what was more disturbing, the fact that Scottie had been to Jamison on her behalf or the fact that she had to hear it from this oversexed witch.
Obviously he doesn't think I can take care of myself, either
, she thought, gripping the countertop.
I don't think I can take one more man trying to protect me.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Parker had been nervous to leave Charmaine with Jamison's wife. Christine's lips were as loose as her morals, and he didn't need her spilling anything to his wife that didn't need to be said. Charmaine hated secrets, and Christine knew far too many of them. He shifted uncomfortably, thinking about how many times the older woman had tried to seduce him, how many times he almost gave in to her potent charms when he was younger. Thank God he hadn't. He could explain away a lot about himself, but he'd seen the way Charmaine looked at Christine. If he'd ever actually done anything with her there was no way he could confess that to Charmaine.

There wasn't much to say about Jamison's meeting with Christopher. As it turned out, Christopher arrived, asked where Parker was, and then left. Sure, he'd told Jamison as he departed that they'd be hearing from them, but his threats were likely empty ones. Elder Samson had already verified Parker's Mating with Charmaine, so any harm to either of them would be cause for immediate sanctions by the Council. He figured Charmaine's brother would likely remain just below the Council's radar, causing no real trouble. He'd get his chance to air his grievances with the Council in a couple weeks, but there wasn't much the Elders could do to appease him at this point.

He could tell Charmaine—without stretching the truth
too
much—that the immediate threat was over. Just in case, he'd double up on security between now and the Council Meeting. For now, he was free to take his bride home.

No doubt Charmaine would want to contact her mother and maybe even give Scottie a call. His pulse quickened slightly thinking of how eager she'd been to call her friend, but that was just his own jealousy.

Rationally, he knew Scottie was no threat. Parker had Charmaine's hand, heart, body, and future. All Scottie had was her past. He could deal with that, though if he was honest with himself, the thought of some time off dealing with the ginger bastard would be more than welcome.

Besides, he'd made a promise to be less controlling and he had every intention of trying.
I would do anything for Charmaine
, he thought.
Anything in the world for her
.

But he was concerned when she was so quiet on the way home. He took her hand in his and squeezed it. "Nothing at all to say about the two of them?"

"I have a lot to say about both of them, actually," she retorted, her voice sharp. "I'm trying to be polite."

He grinned. "Lay it on me. They're a pair. You won't offend me."

"First of all, he's gross and I don't trust him."

"Gross? Why do you say that?"

"The way he touched me... It gave me the creeps. When he kissed my cheek... ugh!" She shuddered and Parker chuckled.

"I guess I wouldn't want him kissing me, either," he agreed. "What did you think of her?"

"She's a whore."

Her vehemence was shocking and he looked closely at her. "Wow. I've never heard you talk like that. What did she say to you?" His heart was in his throat. "I swear, Charmaine, I never touched her."

"Well, I hope not!" she fumed. "She's like
forty
. A total cougar. She kept talking about Scottie, saying how hot she thinks he is. First of all, she's old enough to be his mom. Second of all, she's married—and her husband was
right
there!"

Ah, so that's it
. He should have warned her about their lifestyle. "They have an interesting relationship. I don't know the details, but it seems to be more... uh... I guess you could say
open
than most."

"They have an open relationship?" Her blue eyes widened in horror. "You mean they have sex with other people?"

"Yeah, uh—" He stopped himself from saying too much, though it was on the tip of his tongue to mention Scottie. "I guess they do. I mean, Jamison sort of hinted at it. I don't know for sure."

"And that's your Beta? That's the man you have leading your pack with you?"

"It's not common knowledge, and besides, I didn't choose Jamison. I inherited him. You know I had no choice in the matter."

"She asked me why I never hooked up with Scottie. She wanted to know if I ever thought about it."

"Why does that bother you so much?"

"It doesn't, but—" She bit her lip and flushed scarlet. "I just think that's really inappropriate."

"It
is
inappropriate but that's Christine for you."

She was silent for a moment before she turned to him. "Do you think she's pretty?" Her voice was casual, but immediately his gut twisted.
Shit
. There was no way to navigate that minefield without sustaining an injury.

"I think she's used to people thinking she's attractive," he said carefully. "She has her appeal."

"To you?"

"I'm not the least bit interested in Christine," he answered truthfully. "Since I met you I haven't thought twice about another woman."

"And you and she never—"

"Never." He hoped his voice was firm enough to shut this line of questioning down.
Jesus, she's like a dog with a bone.

More silence, and then she asked quietly, "Did you know that Scottie went to Jamison and said he'd give him information about Christopher in order to protect me?"

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!
Reluctantly he forced himself to answer. "Yes."

"And you didn't think that was important to tell me?"

"No." He immediately knew it had been the wrong thing to say when she tensed beside him.

"You're still doing it!" she cried. His chest tightened as she fumed in the seat next to him. "You promised to tell me things, and you're still keeping secrets!"

"I'm not trying to hide anything from you, Baby. Jamison and I had it under control. There wasn't anything to worry about."

"Has it ever occurred to you—even for a second—that I might be the best person to judge if I need to worry about something? Can you give me some goddamn credit for once?" Her face was twisted in real anger, and he felt his insides clench and his mouth dry out.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to keep that a secret, I swear."

"This is because of Scottie, isn't it? You don't want me to be friends with him. Just admit it. You're threatened by my friendship with him. You hate that he's in love with me!"

Oh, so now she's going to hold that over my head every time we argue? Fuck that!
He took the next corner hard, feeling a bit satisfied when she gripped the door to keep her balance. "You know what?" he fumed, "Yeah, I admit it. I do hate that you're still so close to some guy who proposed to you. I think that's pretty understandable, actually. But maybe your admirer isn't quite as in love with you as you think. At any point in your conversation about Scottie did Christine tell you what's been going on between the two of them?"

"What do you mean? They don't even know each other."

He snorted. "I think they know each other pretty well, considering he's fucking her." He was instantly sorry for being so crude, but he couldn't stop himself. He was tired of that ginger bastard being up on a pedestal. "Apparently it didn't take much to seduce him, either. So I know you like to think he's home pining for you and waiting for your phone calls, but the truth is he's been sleeping with Christine ever since he went to Jamison's."

Her mouth open and then snapped shut. The color rose in her cheeks and he wished he could take it all back. He knew she didn't feel anything for Scottie more than friendship.
What the fuck is wrong with you?
he raged at himself.
And quit driving like a maniac with your pregnant wife in the car.

Charmaine sat still as a stone in the passenger seat as he slowed the Audi and took the next turn with more caution. He reached for her hand but she snatched it away from him. "Don't touch me right now."

He hadn't seen her this angry since that night in the hospital when she'd chewed him out for his pack members beating up Scottie.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"I strongly doubt that," she snapped. "I'm tired and hungry. Just take me home."

The pain returned again, sharp and unrelenting above his eye. He navigated the car around the turns in silence, his jaw clenched, not speaking as they drove into the foothills and toward home.
Fuck
.

She barely spoke two words to him between the car, dinner, her shower, and bedtime. Though she climbed into her side of their bed as usual, she turned a cold shoulder to him that night. That wounded him more than anything.

I was an asshole
, he admitted grimly to himself.
She didn't need to know about Scottie and Christine. That was a total dick move
. He waited until her breathing became slow and even and he was certain she was fast asleep. Then his arm stole around her soft curves and he spooned her, his nose buried in the familiar floral scent of her silky hair. He ached for her smiles and loving touch as if he'd been without them for months and drifted off with silent, fervent apologies on the tip of his tongue.
I'm sorry, Charmaine. Please forgive me.