A Wolf's Deception Read online

  “It’s Drew. Have a seat.” He pointed to the chair next to her. Once she sat, he said, “Have you considered what kind of job you’d like, since you’ve returned. I know you’ve only been here a couple of days, but it never hurts to contemplate what’s next.”

  Back in Charlotte, she’d been a receptionist for a prestigious clinical psychologist. He worked with movie stars and with some of the state legislature’s spouses. But how could she transfer those skills here? Last she saw, everyone had normal, hardworking jobs. No one sat on their ass in an office, talking about their anxiety or which star cheated on their spouse with another actor. “No. I hadn’t considered the possibility of finding anything here.”

  “What do you do in Charlotte?”

  “I’m a receptionist for a prominent psychologist. I schedule all the appointments, fetch lunch when need be…you know, all the glamorous things a receptionist does for her boss.”

  “Hmm.” Drew tapped his chin. “Do you like your job?”

  “Yes.” She grinned. She loved seeing the transformation clients went through from the time they first arrived, broken and beaten down, to the self-confidence they exuded by their last session. She also liked the celebrity gossip she’d overhear. Some days, it made the hours fly by. “It’s rewarding and gives me a sense of purpose.”

  He picked up his phone off the table and hit a few buttons then held it to his ear. “Brie,” he said, his gaze locking with Elle’s. “I’m good. So is B. I have a question for you.” He smiled and gave a short chuckle. “I have a wolf here who needs a job, and I know you could use an assistant. Would you mind talking to her? Great…great. I’ll send her to you. Her name is Elle St. Claire.”

  After a few more pleasantries, he ended the call. “Brienne Talbort-Blu could use an assistant, as you heard. She is working with the abused wolves of the pack. She is a licensed therapist. I think you’ll like her.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “She has a fifteen-minute window before her next client. If you’re willing to head over there now.”

  Shocked, she didn’t know what to do. “Yes,” flew from her mouth, and before she could say, “Wait, what about Rupert?” Betty whisked her away, giving her directions on how to find Brie’s office on the way out the door. Her mind tried to process what happened. She had a job—even though she’d thought about quitting the one she had in Charlotte to become a full-time housewife, since kids were in the cards for her and Rupert. He came from a huge family, so, naturally, they’d have many as well. Her wolf sneered at the thought.

  “You look a little lost.” Shawn stepped out of his office.

  “I think I’ve lost everything,” she muttered. “How did this happen?”

  “Brie called me, said you might be headed her way. Want a lift?” He hooked his thumb at his truck. “It’ll give you time to absorb everything.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  He led her to his truck, opening the door for her. “Climb on in.” After he closed her door, he took his spot behind the wheel and pulled away from the curb, heading away from town. “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure. I had a plan in mind on how this would all work out. But now…I don’t know.” She fiddled with the ring on her finger, the weight of it a reminder of her responsibility.

  “It’s a lot to take in. Maybe you should go for a run. Clear your mind.”

  A run sounded fabulous. Her wolf brushed against her skin, eager to get out. “Maybe.”

  “You’re not going to do it, are you?”

  “It’s complicated. I have a list of things to do before I can relax and be a wolf. When I am done and things are prepared properly, I’ll give in to my baser needs.” Her wolf snorted.

  “When did you last run?”

  The question, though simple enough, left her speechless. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d let the wolf out. “I’m not sure.”

  “I’m giving you a piece of advice.” He shot her a side glance. “Whether you want it or not. Fuck the planning bullshit. You’re a wolf, not a human. Your wolf has wants and desires, something it sounds like you’ve been denying for a long time. You’re free here. You don’t have to hide anymore.”

  Each word hit her like a hammer, pounding home a truth she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear. “I’ll give it some thought,” she said, as he pulled up to a newly built home. The woman she supposed was Brie stood on the porch waiting. “I better go.”

  Shawn growled. “She’s a good woman, and my mate. Don’t do anything stupid to hurt her because you can’t figure out what you’re supposed to do.”

  Elle frowned. “I’d never.”

  “Good. Keep it that way.”

  She exited the truck then walked up the stairs.

  Brie extended her hand. The auburn-haired woman gave her a welcoming smile. “Don’t worry about him. He’s a little overprotective of me.”

  “Yeah, I could tell.” She followed her inside the house and glanced around. Whoa. Mellow.

  The walls were painted in soft, relaxing shades of butter and cream. The furnishings invoked a feeling of comfort and hominess. She trailed the woman back to a small office space, again done in neutral tones. Behind the desk, hanging on the wall were two degrees. Next to them sat a small bookcase with several journals and medical guides. A couple of framed college awards were scattered among knickknacks, while a picture of Brie and Shawn sat on another shelf.

  “Drew tells me you were an assistant back in Charlotte.” She took her seat behind the desk.

  “Yes. I loved—love my job.”

  “Good. I need someone who is self-motivated, can work under pressure, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.”

  “Can do.” Elle glanced around. The house didn’t seem all that big. “But where would I be working? Isn’t this your home?”

  Brie laughed. “No. This is my office. There is a room directly next to my office where I do the sessions and one more on the opposite side for you. The space up front is the waiting room, and, yes, I have a small but efficient kitchen for coffee and snacks.”

  She blinked. Then blinked again. “Forgive me, but why did you put your office all the way out here?” The forest surrounded the building. On the way here, she’d noticed no other houses.

  “Because sometimes the quietest places are the easiest places to heal. Our pack mates come here to deal with the devastation left behind by a cruel alpha. They need the serenity and peace seclusion can give them. And, when they need to be a wolf, they can go out the back door and run.”

  Wow.

  Brie smiled. “So, do you want the job?”

  How could she say no? The thought of not being here with Brie didn’t even enter her mind. Nor had the doubts she’d had while meeting with Drew. “When do I start?”

  Chapter Five

  Two days after he’d seen Elle in town, Graham sat astride his horse, trying to figure shit out. The kiss had knocked him for a loop. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted her until she pushed off of him, leading him to walk away. He couldn’t force this, nor would he. She needed to come to him of her own free will.

  Watching the bees dance in the wind while landing on small flowers, he remembered a time when she’d been just as carefree. He missed her laughter. Her smile. He missed the way she placed her hand on the middle of his chest then buried her face in the crook of his neck—

  Kalum smacked his leg.

  “What?”

  “I said you seem awfully distracted.” His brother stood beside him. “Want to talk about it?”

  No. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

  “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”

  Graham stared out over the pastureland. The beginning. Boy, no pressure there. “I saw Elle in town two days ago. I kind of was a prick.”

  Kal grinned and smacked his leg again. “At some point, we all are. We’re dominant wolves. It’s just our nature.”

&
nbsp; “Yeah, well…. I think I pushed her away more than brought her to me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I kissed her.”

  His brother narrowed his eyes. “Okay, why is that a bad thing?”

  Not like his courtship with Fawn had been any easier. Every time his brother approached the timid little wolf, she’d tucked tail and given some excuse or another why they shouldn’t go on a simple date. It had taken an elaborate scheme to get her to at least consider something more with Kalum.

  “In the past few days, the urge to find my mate has ridden me so damn hard I almost can’t take it. I feel like, any minute, I might go feral. She’s avoiding me. Showing off that fucking diamond on her finger, like if she shows it more, it’ll make it right,” he grumbled. “Then I kissed her. Everything on my end slid into place. I walked away, though. I didn’t want to hear again how wrong it is and how happy she is.”

  “It’s natural. She’s afraid, and rightfully so. We don’t know what happened that night, but maybe you should ask. It might help figure this shit out between the two of you.”

  “I don’t know.” It was why he sat there, staring at nothing, trying to put his thoughts into some kind of cohesive order.

  His brother whistled. “Man, for once I’m glad I have Fawn. I don’t have to worry about this bullshit anymore.” He scrubbed his jaw. “Just going to throw this out there. Have you ever thought about telling her how you feel?”

  Graham snorted. “I did.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing.”

  “Then the question becomes, are you running because you’re pissed off about some ring, or are you running off because you’re not ready?”

  “Probably both,” Graham replied. “I’m not sure how to fix it, though.”

  “Well, you can begin by stop being such a morose asshole, and start talking to people. You have a house full of women who know how a woman’s mind works. Then you need to set something up for the both of you, like a place to live after your mating. Finally, don’t give her a way out.”

  He considered his brother’s advice and nodded. “I think that might work.” Already, ideas began to take form in his mind. Now, all he had to do was find Elle.

  “Good. So can we stop acting like a bunch of clucking hens and start pushing some cows?”

  Graham nodded. “Let’s do it. Yah!” He snapped the reins in his hand, and his horse took off.

  The whole time they pushed the cattle, Graham did nothing but think about what Kal had suggested. Since he’d seen Elle in town, memories of their time together filled his mind. Maybe he’d set up a picnic for them. The pasturelands held some secluded spots even the cows didn’t go. He could take her out there. Ask her what happened. Really listen to her. Mate her. If she was responsive to it. But it could wait.

  After he put up his horse and got cleaned up, he found Fawn sitting in her usual spot, reading. She’d promised Kal she’d only work in the mornings then relax the rest of the day. Her belly swelled with their pup. If this all worked out, would Elle want kids, too? Could he be a dad? Did he want to?

  “Hey.” She looked up from her book. “Are you guys done for the day?”

  “Pretty much. Can we talk for a second?”

  “Sure. I was wondering when we’d get a chance with all the changes going on around here. I heard about your kiss with Elle in town.”

  “Yeah, about that.” He approached the couch where she sat. Since she’d moved in with them, little changes had occurred. Knickknacks. More of those nature ornaments Kalum bought her for Christmas. Her collection of mugs not only filled the office Kalum had made for her, but also lined the kitchen cupboards. “I didn’t expect to be so assholish an—”

  “How long have you known?”

  “Ten years.” He sat forward, his elbows on his knees. “But I thought she died. I should have died. I don’t understand.” Yet, a piece of him had always felt her. Always known she’d survived. Though, at the time, he’d thought it wishful thinking.

  “Why didn’t you tell someone? We would have helped you deal with your grief, or something.” The absolute conviction in her voice astounded him.

  “When? It didn’t feel right with you and Kalum settling in then everything with Kru coming home and Gabby. Hell, I have a sister who is fighting her attraction to mine and Kal’s best friend because who knows why.” He blew out a breath of frustration. “Add in the murders plus you and Gabby being pregnant, and I couldn’t ask anyone to do anything.”

  “So you decided to struggle through this on your own?”

  He shrugged.

  “Stubborn ass.” She rubbed her belly. “So, what can I do for you?”

  “I don’t know. She keeps running from me. I just want to fix this. I want my mate.”

  “If I tell you what to do, will you do it?”

  He met her gaze. “You have my word.”

  “Then I’ll tell you everything I can to help you out.” She set her book on the small table next to the couch.

  “Thank you, Fawn. I owe you.”

  She laughed. “Don’t thank me yet.”

  ***

  Graham stepped inside The Den to grab Fawn a burger. For almost an hour, she’d given him tip after tip. Things he hadn’t thought of. Don’t push too hard. Be compassionate. Ask her about her life then back off. Let her come to him. As much as his wolf may protest, he had to allow Elle to be the one to make the next move.

  Heading for the bar, he pulled up short when he spotted the object of his lust-filled thoughts. By herself, Elle sat in a booth. The ring on her finger tore at his gut and pissed him off, but if he meant to win her over, he needed to swallow the rage and embrace the ability to see her.

  Strolling to her, he stopped at the edge of the table and waited for her to acknowledge him. When she didn’t, he cleared his throat. She glanced up at him and blanched. Her clean, sweet-wheat scent wafted up to him. The light, mouth-watering tendrils of her arousal wrapped around him. Determination built inside him. He’d coax the sugary aroma from her just so he could bask in it.

  “Can I join you?” He pointed to the seat across from her.

  Her gaze shifted between him and the bench, and then, like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, she stared at him.

  “It’s not a hard question, honey.”

  She opened her mouth. Closed it then tried again. “I suppose so.”

  “Thanks.”

  She eyed him warily as he sat.

  “Have you ordered yet?”

  “No.” She set the menu on the table. “You’d think I’d remember all Gee serves is burgers, fried pickles, and broccoli.”

  Graham laughed. “He makes a few other things, if you ask nicely. Want to share a plate of loaded fries?”

  “What the heck. You only live once, right?”

  “Exactly.” He waved Paul over and gave their order. When he retreated to the kitchen, Graham spoke again. “I need to apologize.”

  She pulled the plump flesh of her bottom lip between her teeth, and he growled. The pink tinge covering her cheeks along with the way her breath hitched had his groin tightening. “For what?”

  “My outburst. I’m a frustrated wolf. I’m hurting.”

  Her gaze softened, her body relaxed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You did nothing wrong. You got out, as did we. After years of believing you dead…I’m happy you’re alive.”

  “I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Ryker. He deserves your thanks.”

  Graham leaned in, his fingertips grazing the back of her hand. “What happened? We could smell everything and see the smoke from the fire. How did he get you out?”

  “Greer wanted what he couldn’t have,” she said, her words barely above a whisper. “Said it was his duty to break in the fertile females of the pack.”

  Greer. Rage burned in his gut. The fucking weasel. Slithering through the pack like a little broke-back bitch, doing the biddin
g of his demonized alpha. He swallowed the need to kill, knowing Elle would be able to sense the anger building in him. This wasn’t about him. It was her story.

  Are you okay, Elle?

  “She’s okay, Paul. Thank you.” He smiled at the omega. Since finding PG, his mate, the man had really come out of his shell. Could talk their ears off, given half a chance, since the majority of them were learning sign language, including Graham.

  He nodded. If you need anything, ask.

  Once Paul moved out of earshot, Graham prompted her to continue. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

  She took a deep breath then let it out slowly. “The day Greer came for me was my mother’s birthday. I planned on making her something pretty. She loved pressed flowers and I needed another, smaller bunch. I already had the wax paper and the iron set out, waiting for me. All of the flowers were in bloom. I didn’t know which ones to choose because Mom would love all of them. So I decided to pick as many as I could carry. I had extra paper and could make the project a little bigger.” She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I smelled the smoke first, about halfway home. Saw the fire when I topped the hill. I started running for the house, but….” She took a deep breath. Her bottom lip trembled. “Ryker was there. I’m not sure where he came from. He told me my parents were dead and to run and not stop until I got to Hill City. The fierceness in his gaze kept me from saying anything or demanding answers. So, I ran.”

  His wolf howled in agony. Sliding across the seat, he had to be closer to her. Graham wrapped his arm around her, pressing her face to his neck while rubbing her back. The soft sobs emanating from her tore at his heart. “You would have been killed if you stayed.”

  “I know…now.” She sniffed.

  “I’m glad you ran.” He caressed her tear-stained cheek. “I thought I’d die without you.” He tipped her chin up and brushed his lips over hers. Be damned her ring and her human fiancé. The need to show her—to claim her—rushed through him.

  Elle shifted her position, pressing them closer together. He deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth over hers, so they were better fused. She stoked a fire in him—one long dormant, that had settled to soft glowing embers—and she, like a whip of oxygen, breathed life back into him. Without her, he didn’t exist.