Hour of the Wolf Read online

  “I know, I know.” She shuddered, and he could smell the beginnings of lust on her, the scent musky and enthralling. “It’s just...it’s like I’ve been waiting years for my mate. Here you are, and I can’t touch you.”

  He brushed his fingers against her knee, smiling faintly when she gasped. “You can touch, sweetheart, but no further than that.” Noah didn’t want to tell her how he suffered as well. She didn’t need the added burden, not when she’d barely been back in the world for an hour or two. “We’ve been waiting, but it won’t be for much longer, I swear. I’ll take you to Dr. T myself, I promise.”

  Iva smiled, a wicked twist of her lips that had him longing for a taste. “And maybe afterwards we can make out in your car.”

  The vision of her spread out like a buffet in the back of his truck made him want to pounce. Not yet, not yet, he chanted in his head, desperate to keep himself from claiming her and damn the consequences. “No biting,” he whispered, staring at her lips.

  God, he’d love to nibble on those full, sweet lips.

  “Agreed. No biting.” Iva cupped his face. “Can I get a welcome home kiss, mate?”

  Mate. She couldn’t have called him anything more enticing. Noah pulled her closer, until she was sitting on his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes becoming heavy-lidded as he put his hands on her hips and kissed that tempting mouth. Iva parted her lips, allowing him inside.

  The heat generated between the two of them was off the charts, and they’d just begun. He kept the kiss sweet and sensual, a slow burn rather than a rapid descent into desire. The warmth of her body against him, her hands buried in his hair, was probably the best sensation ever. Keeping her close, he pulled his mouth from hers reluctantly. “Welcome home.”

  She smiled, her eyes still closed, her lips red from his kiss. “Thank you.”

  He sighed, aware his time was running out. “I need to head home.”

  The pout she gave him was adorable. “Why?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. Just her presence helped calm his wolf, despite what he had to tell her. “My little brother, Allan, and my sister-in-law died recently, and I’ve got custody of their children, Milo and Sana.” Once again, the pain of their loss filled him.

  Her eyes opened immediately as her body stiffened. “What?”

  He nodded. “Allan was poisoned, while Lily was...” God, just thinking about what had happened to poor Lily made his teeth grind. She’d been so sweet, and her end had been savage. “Lily was poisoned as well, then burned. The bitches used aconite.”

  “Goddess.”

  “Mollie avenged them both for me.” He touched his chest, his hand brushing over the raised flesh. “My cousin, Bernadette, was working for the Van Helsings. She wanted the beta spot, and she turned on us when I gave it to Allan.”

  Black light filled her gaze, turning the whites of her eyes charcoal gray with its intensity. “What?”

  “Worse. Bernadette gave them our blood to experiment on. She hoped with Allan’s death that I’d pick her as my beta, gaining hold of not only my pack but the entire US werewolf nation.” She’d been insane, and he hadn’t even seen it. “She was working with two women, one psychic who’d been mated into the pack, and another woman who was a fire elemental. Mollie fought and burned Bernadette to death. The others nearly took us out.”

  She rubbed her hand over his wrist, touching the scars. “And you were burned.”

  “Mmm-hmm. Mollie saved my life. She contained the fire elemental while Greer murder-knifed her.” He owed them both more than he could ever repay. He would have left Milo and Sana true orphans, only pack there to love and raise them. The pack would have, but it wouldn’t have been the same.

  Iva hugged him tight. “I owe her.”

  He chuckled. “I was just thinking the same.”

  She tucked her nose against his neck, an intimate act between wolf mates. He wondered if she understood how much such a small gesture meant to him.

  “Tell me about the kids.”

  Now that he could do with a smile. “Milo is seven, Sana is five going on forty. Milo is a water elemental like his mother, Lily, while Sana is a wolf.”

  “Sana?”

  “Savannah, Sana for short. She couldn’t pronounce her name when she was little, so she called herself Sana, and it stuck.”

  “Mm. Cute.” She snuffled at his neck, making his wolf antsy to come out and bite her. “Is anyone training Milo?”

  Good question. “Frisco McCoy stops by once a week to work with him.”

  “That’s good. You can trust Frisco. He’ll do right by you.”

  He tightened his arms around her jealousy rearing its ugly head. “You know Frisco?”

  “Not in the biblical sense, Wulfenbach.” He could sense her smiling against his skin and thanked the gods he’d chosen to wear a worn-out, loose-necked T-shirt today. He wanted that sensation when they were both naked and sated, her smiling against his skin, her lips moist and parted.

  “Good. He gets to live.”

  “Nice, Virgin Mary. I’m sure you’ve never been with anyone, right?”

  Like he was going to answer that. He liked his balls where they were. “I plead the fifth.”

  “Uh-huh.” She snuggled again and sighed, her breath gusting against him. “Frisco will be a good mentor for a young water elemental.”

  “I know. I’ve worked with him and the other elemental leaders before. He can be a pain in the butt sometimes but he loves his people, especially the kids.”

  “Yeah.” Iva rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, almost as if she was scent marking him. “You have to go.”

  “Yup.” He’d rather not, but there was no denying that the kids were waiting for him. “Promise me something.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Don’t commune again unless you tell me first.”

  She nodded slowly. “Okay. You’re my mate, you get first word. But if I’m wounded or unconscious, you’ll have to bring me to my tree, all right? Promise?”

  “Promise.” The last thing he wanted was for her to believe that she couldn’t rely on him. “Your tree is a part of you, just like my wolf is mine.”

  “More than that, the whole forest is mine.” She sat up, determination in every movement. “I’m going to start patrolling again.”

  He growled, his wolf immediately protesting.

  “I have to. This is my place to protect and defend, mine to love and care for, just as your pack is yours.” Iva kissed him. “But I won’t start tonight. Not until I get that clean bill of health.”

  Perhaps someday he’d be allowed to wrap her up in bubble wrap, but it wasn’t going to be any time soon. “Fine.”

  She laughed. “Our mating is going to be fun, isn’t it?”

  “You understand why I’m not happy? You were taken while on patrol.”

  “I’ll talk to Mina, and you can always have one of your wolves partner with me.” Iva took hold of his face again, her gaze determined. “But I’m going.”

  “We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?” Noah wasn’t about to allow his mate to run around the woods alone, but she wasn’t likely to give up her duties. Perhaps he could assign her a guard or three. It wouldn’t be his fault if some of his enforcers just happened to cross paths with her during a run, right?

  “We’ll figure it all out.” She pulled away from him and stood up, leaving him cold in all the places she’d been touching. “Now get out of here, alpha. You have family waiting for you.”

  Noah stood. “Family is right here as well.” He tugged her close and kissed her, this time a little more firmly. When he was done he rubbed his cheek against hers. “Don’t forget that.”

  “I can’t.” She gave him a cheeky grin. “I live with Mina, Ash and Greer, after all.”

  Damn,
he was reluctant to leave. “Call me.”

  She smiled, her dark eyes glinting. “Damn straight I will.”

  Noah turned, stepped around Iva’s tree, and headed out into the forest. He’d left his truck on the road into the woods, and it was a bit of a hike to get back, but he knew the route so well by now he could be blindfolded and find Iva’s tree.

  He got to his truck and climbed in, closing the door behind him. Iva’s scent clung to his clothing, filling the car with her delicious, dangerous aroma. There was an undertone to her fragrance, like a rich red wine, fruity but with a hint of the oak barrel, giving it a touch of a dark chocolate note. It was just as intoxicating as the wine, just as potent, and he wanted it to invade him and his space.

  He couldn’t wait until everything he owned carried that scent.

  Chapter Three

  Iva stood in front of Mina’s door and gulped. She needed advice, and she needed it now. She just hoped she’d kept her nerves from Noah. He didn’t need to find out that she was terrified of his niece and nephew.

  She needed Mina’s strength to get her through this.

  “Come on in, Iva.” Mina opened the door, smiling. “You have questions, don’t you?”

  Oh boy, did she. “Kids?” She was pretty certain she was going to hyperventilate. She’d never expected that, once she met her mate, she’d be an instant parent. And the parent of two traumatized kids, who’d lost their parents in some horrible fiery accident? “Oh Gods and Goddesses, Mina.”

  Mina grabbed hold of her arm and dragged her into the apartment set aside for the queen.

  Iva loved Mina’s quirky home. She smiled as she took a seat on one of the reproduction Victorian armchairs Mina had painted a glossy black and upholstered in warm gray velvet. They were a nice complement to her paisley gray sofa with the high arms and black lacquer feet. She’d gone more modern on the coffee table, choosing a large velvet ottoman done in teal, with a black tray on it holding all the fixings for two cups of tea. The end tables were black, with silver lamps and teal lampshades. Like Iva’s home, the walls were polished stone, as they lived underneath the thrones and the Great Oak in the remnants of the former dryad palace. Witch lights gave off artificial sunlight that kept the plants they all loved alive and well. Mina had chosen to put down gray carpet to dampen the echoes so much stone could create.

  The fireplace was Mina’s pride and joy. Put in by the fifth Oak, King Frederick, the fireplace surround was a huge, ornately sculpted marble masterpiece. Done by an earth elemental at the turn of the nineteenth century, it had been carved with the symbols of Oak, Ash, Birch and Yew in four squares above the actual firebox. The mantel legs were carved like tree trunks, the branches holding up the mantel. And on that mantel sat an antique bow—the bow of the first Oak Queen, Margaret.

  There were changes, though. For instance, Mina would probably never read the detective novel that was on the ottoman next to the tea tray. A man’s pair of shoes were on the hearth, undoubtedly belonging to Mina’s mate, Dragos. There was a picture on the end table of Dragos’s Renfield, Edward “Eddy” Warren and someone Iva didn’t recognize. The two men were hugging each other contentedly. “Who’s this?”

  “Trajan Ibanescu, Dragos’s little brother.” Mina smiled as she started pouring tea. “He’s mated to Eddy.”

  Iva’s eyes went wide. “Wait. Eddy’s gay?”

  “Despite his own objections, apparently so.” Mina handed over the teacup.

  “Most definitely so, draga mea,” a sleepy, accented voice drawled from Mina’s bedroom. Out came Dragos Ibanescu, the mayor of Maggie’s Grove. His black hair was tousled, his feet bare. He wore a faded pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He smiled at Iva. “Welcome home.”

  “Thank you.” Iva stood and held out her arms. “C’mere, brother.”

  Dragos hugged her gently. “You were missed.”

  “I missed all of you too.” Iva leaned back. “Thanks for helping Mina.”

  He smiled, his expression toothy. The vampire had been mayor of Maggie’s Grove since dirt was old. He’d fled Romania after becoming a vampire and landed here, making a pact with the local dryads to create the town as a sanctuary for human and supernatural alike. “You’re welcome.”

  “So, tell me about Trajan. When did he get in town?” Iva took a seat and watched as Mina cuddled up to her mate. Mina was smug, like she’d gotten the pick of the litter and was damn proud of it. “I wasn’t aware you had family.”

  Dragos winced. “Yes, well, neither did I. Or rather, I should say I used to have a family. They disowned me centuries ago.”

  “His father, Laurentiu, came to take over Maggie’s Grove and kill Dragos,” Mina said. “Luckily his brothers decided that plan was bullshit and sided with Dragos. His older brother, Vasile, killed Laurentiu and took over as prince.”

  “And now we have the prince’s dragon clutch buying houses and setting up shop.” Dragos sighed. “Ah, family.”

  Iva groaned. “Speaking of family...kids?” Her leg started to bounce. “What do I do with Milo and Sana?”

  Dragos and Mina exchanged a glance, Dragos’s confused and Mina’s amused. Mina was the one answered. “Hug them and feed them and call them George?”

  “Ha ha.” Iva kicked at Mina, who deftly dodged. “Noah’s worried that the blood might be a health issue for him. What if one of the kids gets hold of my blood, like I’m cooking and I cut my finger?”

  “Hmm.” Dragos took a seat on the sofa next to Mina. “I would answer their questions, but I would also check with Dr. T to find out if your blood is dangerous to others.”

  Iva nodded. “Noah doesn’t want to claim me until after we check that.”

  “I agree. If Mina’s blood was possibly tainted I’d need to find out about it as soon as possible. Any chance of her blood poisoning me or changing me into a demon?” Dragos shuddered. “I’d be a horror.”

  “You haven’t seen him change into a red dragon yet.” Mina actually sighed dreamily. “He’s gorgeous.”

  This time it was Dragos who was smug.

  “I didn’t know you have a dragon fetish.” What Iva was getting her sister for Christmas this year would be a total win. And her birthday. And any other time she could come up with an excuse to get Mina a dragon figurine. Preferably one with a goofy expression on its face.

  Mina glared at her. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

  Dragos merely grinned and winked at Iva, silently giving her the go-ahead. He also thankfully deflected Mina’s wrath. “When’s your appointment with Dr. T?”

  “I’m not sure. I think Noah was setting it up.” Iva rubbed her forehead. Out of her tree for less than four hours and already she was contemplating rejoining it.

  Mina must have sensed Iva’s chaotic emotions, because she was kneeling in front of Iva and holding her hand. “It’s going to be okay, Iva.”

  “And if not, we’ll figure out how to make it okay.” Dragos shrugged. “We’re good at that.”

  Iva laughed half-heartedly. This wasn’t something that could be hugged out. So much information had been dumped on her that her head was swimming.

  Mina sighed. “Go to Noah’s. Meet the kids.”

  “Rip the Band-Aid off.” Dragos shrugged when Mina glared at him. “What?”

  “Tell him about your fears that the kids could be hurt.” Mina squeezed Iva’s hand. “And I’ll make the appointment for Dr. T. I want you seen as soon as possible. Hell, I’ll ask Mollie to order Dr. T to see you if I have to, but I think there should be a rush on him checking you out so you can have your mating without fear.”

  “Thank you.” Iva folded over, relieved to have that one worry off her shoulders. Mina would take care of her, as she always had. “Once I’m positive that Noah and the kids are safe I’ll relax, I swear.”

  “I’ll call Amara and ask her to visit you tomorrow rather than today. She’s eager
to finally meet the fourth ruling dryad.” Dragos stood and headed back into the bedroom, his voice drifting to them. “Plus I want to make sure I’m there when you meet Parker.”

  Mina started to chuckle. “Amara and Parker are quite the pair. I think you’ll like them.”

  It sounded like Dragos was already on the phone, so Iva shooed Mina away and stood. “I think I’ll go visit Noah and the kids like you guys suggested.” The need to be near Noah was almost overwhelming now that she’d decided to go to him. “I’ll be home tonight.”

  Mina tensed. “I’m escorting you to the edge of the forest.”

  Iva rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine, Mom. I’ll call you when I get there and I’ll even follow my curfew.”

  Mina’s expression became obstinate, her brows furrowed and her lips thinning. “Fuck no. I lost you while you were on patrol. You’re not going to Noah’s alone. I’ll go with you.”

  “Nu.” Dragos stalked back into the room, every inch the fierce predator. “I’ll fly her to Noah’s. You stay here.”

  Mina sighed. “Fine. I’ll do my nails, or knit you a sweater.” She batted her lashes. “I could put on my apron and start dinner. Should I wear my pearls?”

  “Sounds lovely.” Dragos kissed her on the cheek and slipped on his shoes. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Iva laughed as Dragos dragged her out of Mina’s apartment. Mina was fuming and Dragos was practically running away. “You’re a brave man.”

  He nodded as they made their way up the steps and back into the Throne. “Hold on.” Dragos grabbed her around the waist and flew straight up into the air, above the trees. “Are you afraid of heights?”

  “No, thank the gods.” Iva was enjoying herself. It wasn’t often a dryad got to fly. The lights of the town in the distance, the darker, inky black of the mountains behind them, and the forest below delighted her. The stars above them faded the closer they got to town.

  Quicker than she thought possible they were landing in Noah’s front yard. “That was awesome, Dragos. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek, thankful he’d done this for her.