Wolf Creek Enforcer (10 page)

That wasn’t normal.  “Shit! You cheated,” he yelled, marching over to stand in front of her. 

Melanie stuck her nose in the air.  “I did not cheat.  You didn’t lay down any ground rules.  So that means I won and you,” now she paused, and gave him a huge smile while poking him in the chest, “owe me a favor, to be granted at will.  Unless you’re a welcher.”

“I do not welch,” his teeth were clenched.  Ian grumbled the entire way back to the house.  Melanie ignored him. 

When they arrived, they saw a black hummer parked in front.  Melanie jumped off her horse and handed Ian the reins.

“My brother
’s here!” she yelled, running towards the house.

“Yeah, I’ll take care of the horses.  Just so you know,
this is your favor,” Ian shouted.

Melanie turned just before she went through the door, “Nope, you still owe me.”

Ian took both horses to the stables, plotting his revenge.

Melanie pushed open the front door, immediately seeing her brother sitting on one of the sofas.  David stood as Melanie ran to hug him.
 

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she exclaimed.  “I see you’ve met Devlin.  You’ll meet Ian in a minute, he’s taking care of the horses.”

“Good to see you too, baby sister.  I’ve just been talking with Devlin, nice digs,” he said in an understatement.

Laughing, Melanie said, “Yeah, isn’t it beautiful? A castle, wow, I’m still in awe.”

Devlin had risen when Melanie came in, now he sat back down in the recliner.  “I told your brother that I’d like to go with him the next time he gets the ‘call’.  Sounds like the kind of adventure I would love.”

Melanie and David sat together on the sofa.  She glanced from Devlin to her brother.  “Really? What do you say, David?  Think you’d want to take Devlin with you?” Melanie asked. 

Before David could answer, Ian came in through the back door.  He came to stand in the great room, waiting while David stood to shake his hand.

They eyed each other
, their hands squeezing, watching for the other to give in first.  Melanie stood aside, waiting for the pissing contest to end.

“So you’re the one who thinks he can take care of my
baby sister,” David stated, flatly.

Ian
stared, eye to eye, “I’m her mate, I don’t think, I know I will take care of her.”

David released Ian’s hand, “And when she travels?  You can’t shift to fight, or use a gun, in most places we go to.  What will you do when someone comes at you swinging a sword?” David asked.

Ian glanced over at Devlin, who was grinning.  Smirking, Ian replied, “I’ll cut them in half with my own sword.”

“You know how to use a sword?  I thought wolves preferred fighting with teeth and claws,” David said.

“We do, but you can’t be friends with the fae without learning how to use a sword.  I’ve fought many mock battles with our fae friends, who love to practice on me and my brothers,” Ian told him.

“I’d forgotten
that shifters had ties to the fae.  I don’t normally run in to any shifters in my line of work.  Your brother wants to go with me on my next adventure.  Before I take anyone, I need to see how you two handle a sword.  Are you up for it?” David asked.

Both brothers grinned.  “Go get your weapon while we get ours.  We’ll meet you out back,”
Ian said.

While David went
to get his sword, Ian and Devlin ran to get theirs from their rooms. 

Melanie just shrugged and went to the kitchen to get a glass of wine.  She went outside and settled on the chaise, getting ready to enjoy the show.

A few moments later, the men were all in the backyard with their shirts off, ready to fight.

The guys
stood discussing who would go first.  Devlin came to sit with Melanie as Ian and David faced one another.  As if on cue, they both turned and bowed to Melanie before raising their swords.

“You’d think they were at a medieval tournament fighting for my honor,” Melanie grinned at Devlin.

“So
, are you going to give me a favor when I fight your brother after Ian?  You know, some ribbon or scarf to show I fight for your hand?” Devlin said, leering at her.

“Oh shut up,” was all she said.  Melanie was
busy staring at Ian.  The men seemed to be pretty well matched.

David was well trained in battle, having fought in Iraq as a marine
.  He had tied his hair back to keep the long, brown strands from hindering his view.  Standing a couple of inches shorter than Ian, he knew he would have to move fast to stay out of Ian’s reach.  His brown eyes focused on Ian, waiting for his charge.   

With
his sword held over his head, Ian brought it down, clanging it against David’s.  He felt the vibration go up both his arms.  He moved back, trying to maneuver around so he could swing towards Ian’s legs.

Ian fought him off, grinning the whole time.  He loved a good swordfight. 
He went on defense after his initial attack, trying to learn David’s moves so he could counteract them.  Now Ian pressed forward, swinging mightily towards him.  He used brute force to push David back.

David was ver
y strong and he fought Ian off by pushing forward as their swords crossed, pressing against each other’s chests.

They stared at each other, eyes narrowed with sweat dripping down their foreheads.  Each man knew they were at an impasse.  With a nod, they acknowledged
it was a draw and went to sit on the patio.

Grabbing their shirts, both men wiped the sweat from their face, chest and arms.  Melanie had gone into the house and grabbed beers for all three of them.

“Thanks babe,” Ian grabbed the bottle and tipped his head back.

“You’re welcome, Rover.”

David choked on his beer while Devlin laughed out loud.  “I won’t ask,” David said. 

Melanie just grinned, saying nothing. 

“As soon as I finish my beer, I’ll take you on, Devlin.  Good to know Ian can fight and protect my sister on her travels,” David saluted Ian with his bottle in acceptance.

Melanie fluttered her eyes and laid her hand over her heart, “My hero.”

“You fight well, Ian.  I knew the shifters had an arrangement with the fae, but I didn’t know if you still met with them.  I know the stories of the Faerie Queen granting the shifters with the magical waters, but I just assumed they went back to their realm,” David said.

Devlin answered, “They did go back, but we’ve been friends with a few of their guards for years.  They’ve visited us off and on over
time.”

David stood, “I’ve rested enough, come on pup, show me what you
’ve got.”

Devlin growled, “The next person that calls me a pup gets punched.  No, I’ll do somethi
ng truly evil.  I’ll bomb your cell phone with World of Warcraft avatars.”

“Better watch out David
, or you’ll get constant calls from Worgens,” Ian said, laughing.  

“Who’s Worgen
?” David asked.

“Not a who, but a what.  I know this is perpetuating the myth, but they’re werewolves,” Devlin
told him.

“You play?” Melanie asked
Devlin.  “I love World of Warcraft.”

“Of course you do,” Ian mumbled.

They both watched as David and Devlin bowed to one another.  Devlin went on the attack, thinking David might be weaker since he’d already fought Ian. 

Ian yelled to Devlin, “Stop dropping your left shoulder, it leaves you open for an attack.”

Devlin dipped and swung, trying to sweep David’s legs out from under him.  David leapt up, barely missing getting a sword behind his knees.  The men fought for a while, neither getting the upper hand.  Since this was not a real battle, neither man tried to actually hurt the other.

Ian and Devlin
had tempered their strength, knowing it wasn’t fair to David to fight with their wolf’s power.

Both men were getting tired.  Devlin dropped his shoulder which David immediately took advantage of.  Throwing his sword up and shoving against Devlin’s shoulder, he had him off balance enough to sweep him off his feet.  Devlin found himself flat on his back, staring up at the sky. 

He saw a hand reaching to help him up, so he grabbed it and pulled.  Using David’s forward momentum, he put his knee to his stomach and tossed David over his head.

Then David was staring up at the sky.  “Sneaky mutt,” he mumbled, pushing himself up.

“Bow, wow, “ Devlin grinned at him.  “Come on man, lets all go get cleaned up and eat at the pizza place in town.  It’s on me.  Sword fighting always makes me hungry.”

Ian snorted.  “Everything makes you hungry.”

After showing David to one of the bedrooms, he left him to take his own shower. 

Melanie sat in the great room, flipping through the TV channels
while she waited.  Not finding any shows to hold her attention, she turned it back off.  Amazed at how the men seemed to be the best of friends, she snickered, bonding by sword.  

After eating, they decided to go to Charlie’s for a while.  Finding a table in the corne
r, Ian went to get their drinks, not waiting for the waitress to take their orders. 

Melanie had an opportunity to meet more of the pack while there.  She was glad they welcomed her, and seemed genuinely happy for both Ian and her.  She was starting to understand now how finding ones mate was a huge deal for shifters. 

Ian tugged her hand, pulling her up to dance when a slow song played.  Typically, he didn’t ask, just gave her a small grin as he put his arms around her waist.  Pulling her close, Ian felt her breast rest against his chest, his pelvis pressed to her stomach.   

Melanie put her arms around his neck,
stretching on her toes to reach him.  Gazing into his eyes, she could see his desire, but there was something else too.  She inhaled sharply.  They may have only known each other a short time, but Melanie knew he loved her.  He may not have said the words, but she knew.   

She was euphoric.
Butterflies danced around her stomach and her heart soared.  Pressing closer, she could feel his erection against her belly.  Standing on tiptoe, she reached up and ran her tongue along his lips, anticipating her reward. 

Ian placed his hands under her thighs, lifting her up and taking over.  Somehow, he had maneuvered them to a corner off the dance floor, where the dark paneling hid them in the shadows.  With her back against the wall, he lifted her higher and she wrapped her legs around his waist. 

Ian stared into her eyes, slowly lowering his mouth to meet hers again.  He didn’t grind or force his way in, his lips gently moved against hers. 

Melanie closed her eyes, knowing she would always remember this moment when she fell in love with him.  She had her hands on his neck, scoring her nails along his skin.  When he
nibbled along her lips, she opened, moving her tongue around his. 

Pulling back, she murmured, “Take me home.”

Ian slowly lowered her legs to the floor.  He didn’t say anything, just took her hand and pulled her along.  Finding David playing pool with Devlin, he asked for his car keys.

David
studied him carefully.  Sighing, he looked over at his sister.  She implored him silently, gazing at her brother with determination in her eyes. 

Handing over his keys, he knew he wouldn’t be the one taking care of her anymore.  “Keep her safe,” he said simply.

Ian nodded, acknowledging his request.  “Always.”

Watching them leave, David looked to Devlin.  “I assume you know of somewhere we can stay?  I don’t think I want to go back to your castle tonight.”

Devlin grinned.  “That depends.  Have you ever spent time with a cougar shifter?”

Chapter 7

Ian held her next to his side as they walked to David’s hummer.  Opening the passenger door, Ian placed his hands at he
r hips, lifting her off the ground.  Leaning in, he kissed her once again before closing her door.  He instinctively checked the area.  Seeing no danger, he climbed in and headed home. 

Neither spoke for the duration of the drive.  Melanie was in a perfect place where all was right in her world.  She had every confidence in their future together and was thankful he was the one fate had chosen for her.  She realized that she was happier now than she had ever been before.  She’d found so much joy in helping people that she had thought nothing could satisfy her more.  She’d been wrong.  Absolutely nothing compared to being in love.

Arriving back at the castle, Melanie waited for Ian to open her door.  She was living the most romantic moments of her life and wanted to relish every second.  Ian took her hand and helped her down from the vehicle. 

Ian saw on
e of his men and called him over.  “I won’t be available unless someone is dead or dying,” he told him.

His enforcer nodded with a small smile and left to patrol the area. 

Melanie blushed as she came out of her trance like state and realized what Ian had said.  “Well, that was subtle.”