Forbidden Shadows (Lee County Wolves Book 7)

Chapter 1

Clare stood in front of Roxy”s mirror in the office, staring at herself in disgust. “Maybe a little more mascara and a lot more undereye concealer will make me look...alive?” She mumbled, staring at her tired reflection. The dark circles under her eyes were prominent against her pale skin. She was a mess, and she was tired, so very tired. “How do I get myself into these messes?”

A blind date was the last thing Clare wanted to do, but ever since she got back into town after her fake so-called vacation, Roxy wouldn’t stop talking about her obstetrician’s male nurse. Clare tried to look interested in the conversation, and well, she guessed she looked too damn interested because Roxy took it upon herself to set up a date. Dammit. She swore she would never go on a blind date after hearing the horror stories from other friends, but here she was doing just that.

“Shit!” She hissed when she stabbed herself in the eye with the tip of the mascara brush.

Saying no to her best friend, who was way past her due date, miserable, cranky, and very emotional, was out of the question. She would suffer her way through the night, which hopefully ended early so she could crawl into bed and…die. Wiping the black mess she had just made on her face, she put the dangerous brush down, sighed, and then walked out of the small office, giving herself one last pathetic glance.

Grabbing her bag off the counter, she glanced around to ensure the kitchen was clean and everything put away before leaving. Turning off the lights, she stepped out of the kitchen and cursed. It was packed, and everyone was staring straight at her. Her gaze found Roxy, who was smiling from ear to ear. Rolling her eyes, she headed that way.

“You look nice.” Hunter smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Who is this asshole?”

“Don’t ask me,” Clare frowned, used to these men who were overly protective of all women. “Ask Roxy.”

“What?” Devon, who was standing behind Hunter, growled. “What in the hell do you mean, don’t ask you? You’re the one going out on a date with the dick.”

Clare sighed. She was just too drained for the third degree. “Blind date.” At the disapproving sneer on Hunter and Devon’s faces, she nodded. “I agree, but you try saying no to Ms. Prego over there.”

“I don’t like this.” Hunter shook his head, looking angry.

Clare snorted. “Yeah, you and me both, buddy.” She whispered so Roxy couldn’t hear.

“Then why are you going?” Another voice came from behind Devon.

She tilted slightly to see Malcolm’s narrowed eyes staring into hers, which was odd. She barely knew this man. Malcolm was part of Leda’s pack. He had kept to himself much of the time, and honestly, Clare had only heard stories about him. She would see him occasionally walking around town but never really talked to him before other than a hello. And then she left town for almost a month, so for him to even speak up was surprising.

“She’s going because I set up the date.” Roxy waddled toward them, with Marcus following close behind. “Now get out of here and mind your own business. He’s going to be here any minute.”

“He’s coming here?” Hunter asked with an excited smirk on his face.

Not wanting to meet a complete stranger alone, Clare felt that meeting her blind date here was a solid plan. Now, with all the glaring men staring directly at her, she was rethinking that idea.

“Yes, which means I’m closing, so it’s time for you busybodies to disappear.” Roxy frowned at him, then at Devon.

“You know this guy well?” Devon asked, not looking happy at all.

Clare never had brothers and wondered if this is what it would have been like if she had. It felt good to have someone care about her welfare like a big brother would. Plus, she was pretty much in agreement…she wasn’t really hyped about going on this date either.

“Yes.” Roxy huffed, then sat down on one of the stools with Marcus helping her. “He is one of the nurses at my obstetrician’s office.”

“He’s a…nurse?” Devon snorted with raised eyebrows.

“Yes, what’s wrong with that? Men can be nurses.” Roxy rubbed her rounded stomach. “And for your information, Jeremy is going to medical school to be an obstetrician.”

“Jeremy, huh,” Devon said, then nodded. “He sounds harmless.”

“Harmless, my ass.” Hunter snorted, shaking his head. “He knows the way around a woman’s body. Think about it. He’s studying pu?—”

“Watch it,” Marcus warned Hunter, cutting him off.

Clare rolled her eyes with a sigh as she glanced at her phone. She really didn’t want an audience when she met this guy. “Listen, I appreciate the concern, but I’m a big girl and can handle myself. Now, don’t you have mates you need to care for instead of worrying about me?”

“Come on.” Marcus started ushering everyone out. “If Roxy says he’s okay, then he’s okay.”

Clare sighed, shaking her head as the men left. Malcolm was the last to leave, giving her a long stare before following Devon out the door. Damn, he was a handsome man. He looked different than she remembered, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“They mean well,” Roxy said as soon as they were alone.

Clare walked to the table and sat down. “You know I’m just doing this as a favor to you,” Clare said, wanting Roxy to know that blind dates were not her thing. This was definitely going to be the last and only one she went on.

“Don’t you trust me?” Roxy said, sounding like she was getting emotional, and Clare didn’t want that for her very pregnant friend.

“Of course, I trust you, but blind dates aren’t my thing.” She answered honestly. “Plus, I’m way too busy to get involved with anyone serious right now.”

“I don’t think he’s going to ask for your hand in marriage tonight, Clare.” Roxy snorted, rolling her eyes. “It’s just a date. You deserve to go out and have some fun. I bet you didn’t even relax on your vacation.”

The mention of her so-called vacation had Clare fidgeting in her seat. What she was doing was so far from a vacation, but no one here needed to know that, even her best friend. Knowing she had to steer Roxy away from asking about her trip, she gave her friend a stern frown. “You know I love you, right?”

“Yeah,” Roxy said slowly watching Clare closely.

“And I know that you are about to lose your mind wanting to have this baby, which is why I didn’t want to fight this plan of a blind date.” Clare continued trying her best not to upset her friend too much.

“Okay,” She responded just as slowly.

“But it’s a little embarrassing for everyone to think I can’t get my own dates.” Clare cocked her eyebrow, hoping Roxy got the point she was trying to make.

Roxy remained silent for a few minutes, just staring at her, and then the tears started to well up in her eyes. “Oh, my God,” Roxy whispered, then shook her head. “I don’t think that, Clare. Do you really think I think that? I just want you to be happy. You are always doing things for everyone. I can never repay you for what you did for me when I first came here. And Jeremy is such a handsome and nice man. I just thought you two might hit it off, and well?—”

Clare cursed to herself as she rushed to grab something for the tears now flowing. Handing Roxy a napkin, she smiled. “You owe me nothing other than being my friend, Roxy. I appreciate you, but I don’t need a man to be happy. I mean, look where getting a man got you.” Clare teased, pointing at her huge stomach. “Seriously, I’m not looking for a man in my life right now. I believe it will happen when it’s supposed to happen. And if I live out the rest of my life alone, I’ll buy a bunch of dogs and be known as the dog lady. Hell, I might even move in with old Mable.”

Roxy laughed, wiping her eyes. “Mable would be lucky to have you.”

“Damn straight she would.” Clare snorted with a nod. “Now stop crying before Marcus comes in and chews my head off.”

That seemed to make her cry even harder, but at least she was laughing and crying simultaneously. “God, I just want to see my feet again and be able to bend over.” Roxy looked at her stomach with a frown. “Get out! Get out! Get out!” She glared at her own stomach.

“You think she heard you?” Clare grinned, glancing up at Roxy.

“If she did, she isn’t paying attention because that is not the first time I’ve done that, I’m sorry to say.” Roxy sighed, frowning, then blew her nose.

“So, is Marcus still hoping for a boy?” Clare asked, looking down at her phone for the time. Jeremy was late. Not a good sign, but she’d give him some grace since she didn’t want to go on this date at all. Maybe he didn’t either. If luck was on her side, he would not show and stand her up.

“He says he doesn’t care, but deep down, I know he wants a boy since he’s always saying, ‘him or he.’ I guess we should have found out, but I like surprises.” Roxy said, then tried her best to stand up.

Clare helped her with a chuckle. “Obviously,” She gently rubbed her friend’s belly just as the door opened.

Peeking around Roxy, Clare watched as a tall, dark-haired man walked in wearing a navy blue button-down shirt and black slacks. Looked like luck wasn’t on her side per usual. When the man spotted Roxy, his smile beamed, and then his light blue eyes swung to her. Okay, he was handsome. She’d give him that, but that clean-cut momma’s boy image that he portrayed did nothing for her. Clare was more of a rough, bad-boy kind of girl if she was going to be totally honest. Malcolm’s features flashed through her mind and disappeared, leaving her shocked and wondering what the hell that was all about.

“Roxy,” Jeremy McNeil’s southern twang shook her out of her confused state. “I thought Dr. Allender told you bed rest. What are you doing up?”

“What?” Clare’s head snapped around to Roxy. “You’re on bed rest? What in the hell are you doing over here, and why did Marcus allow it? Wait until I get my hands on that man.”

“He said partial bed rest, and I’m here to introduce you two,” Roxy said, holding her hand up before Clare could bitch her out more.

“I think we could have handled that.” Jeremy gave her a look, then walked toward Clare. “You must be Clare. Roxy has told me, actually the whole office, so much about you.”

Clare reached out and took the hand he extended. His smile was warm and friendly. “And you still showed up?” Clare grinned with a cocked eyebrow.

The man’s eyes quickly roamed up and down her body as a smile slid across his face. “Yes, and I have to say I’m glad I did.”

Some women may take a look like that as a compliment, and Clare might take it the same way if it was the right man. She didn’t feel that way now. Instead, she felt very uncomfortable.

“Let me get Marcus,” Clare said, turning away from Jeremy.

“I can manage to walk out the door myself.” Roxy huffed as she started to waddle in that direction.

Clare looped her arm through Roxy’s, slowing her steps. “Were you born hardheaded, or is the pregnancy making you that way?”

“I think we both know the answer to that question.” Roxy chuckled, then leaned closer. “He’s very handsome, isn’t he?”

“Give it a break, Roxy.” Clare rolled her eyes, opening the door. “You won. I’m going on a date with the guy. The more you sing his praises, the more I will look for his flaws. He isn’t a saint, for shit”s sake, and I’ve seen better-looking guys in my years.”

Just as those words left her lips, her eyes landed on Malcolm, whose dark gaze was staring directly at her. As if in slow motion, his eyes roamed down her body, then back up, sending a feeling of electricity coursing through her. Their eyes met and held. It wasn’t until Marcus crossed her path to get to Roxy, breaking their eye contact, that she realized that Malcolm’s slow appraisal of her body also made her uncomfortable, but in a much different way.