Two #3
“Greetings, Merritt Baker,” the alpha said, addressing me.
He had a deep, sort of growly voice, and he, like his son—or technically, his son, like him—was a stunning man.
His blond hair had streaks of white and silver in it that made him look distinguished.
His mate was beautiful, with a short silver bob, and they both had blue eyes, though hers were far more lovely, the green swirl in them reminding me of those I’d seen on the fae.
They were both wrapped up in long robes that could have been what they wore to hang out at home, or something more ceremonial.
What was clear was that everyone else was wrapped up, and I was only in a thin gray crew-neck sweater, jeans, and boots.
I had to remember to start wearing a coat again.
Didn’t want to stick out just because I never got cold.
“Hello,” I returned the greeting. “How should I address you, sir?”
“Alpha will be fine.”
“Yes, Alpha. And your mate?”
“Alpha mate is fine.”
I nodded. “And what would you—”
“First, tell me what pack you originally—”
“No.” His mate interrupted him, dropping his arm and rushing down several steps. “I need to speak to—”
“Hold,” he ordered her, scowling, and joined her quickly before looking down at me. “Are you a lone wolf, Merritt?”
“I’m lone,” I replied, thinking, after a moment, that I probably sounded like a smartass right then. I should have said I was alone instead. But I was a bit irritated about being dragged over there, and I had never been much for interrogations. “But I’m not a wolf.”
There was a ripple of gasps and murmurs from the crowd, but the alpha and his mate didn’t seem surprised by my confession. Or, if they were, they certainly weren’t going to show that to me or anyone else.
“Is there an unseen boundary around your land?” the alpha’s mate asked me.
“There is.”
“And do you have the power to do such a thing?”
Here was the question. Because if I lied, it would be easier.
And really, technically, I wasn’t magical.
I could draw a boundary, as well as remove one, but that was about the only weapon in my arsenal that directly impacted humans anymore.
Or in this case, shifters. All the rest of it—what I’d built, what I’d dug, the collection of trees, the stones, the creatures that had been drawn to my land over the centuries—everything else had simply been made, collected, and shaped over long periods.
It wasn’t anything otherworldly, just me fighting boredom, exploring, and bringing things back from all over North America because I could. I had the time.
“I do not,” I said, knowing that if I leveled with her, she and her pack would have reason to fear me.
“Then how was it done?”
“I don’t know. My ancestors heard stories, centuries ago, that these hills were bespelled by a witch.
When they were ready to build, they made sure to choose those exact places.
In my family, over the years, we’ve found that particular folklore to be true.
There are many interesting stories about Appalachia.
It’s best to be mindful of all of them and give the woods your respect. ”
“I agree,” she said, which surprised me. “I myself grew up one state over, in Virginia, before moving to New York, so I understand about the forest and told my people to be wary, though not one heeded my instruction.”
I smiled at her and saw her take a breath.
“I’m thinking they need to be taught some basic survival skills.”
“I suspect you’re right,” she agreed.
“And some folklore, like if you hear someone singing or whistling…”
“That’s to draw you deep into the dark. Never go looking for someone in the woods.”
I nodded.
“I’m going to enjoy knowing you, Merritt Baker.”
Maybe she would, time would tell. “I feel the same about you,” I said because it was polite.
She put her hand over her heart. “I’m Narah.”
“Very nice to meet you.”
“And you. Would you come in? I would love to talk to you some more.”
I took the steps quickly, and much to the alpha’s surprise—I actually saw his mouth drop open—when I reached her, she left his side to take my arm and walk me into their home.
“Narah,” he called to her.
“I’m starving after my run,” she apprised him, speaking over her shoulder and raising her voice so he could hear her. “Have everyone come in so we can start the feast.”
She opened her front door and ushered me inside. Her home was beautiful, as well as cavernous, the main room with the exposed beams of the ceiling a good thirty feet up.
Narah explained about the house then, smiling at me.
The structure had three floors with the common area on the first floor, where the pack met, and where the alpha received guests to his land.
The second was for people invited by the alpha or his extended family to stay, and then the third was strictly for the alpha, his mate, and their children.
I was impressed by how quickly they’d built the home, but they were all wolves, so they worked around the clock until it was completed. Werewolf stamina was legendary.
“I would love to hear all about The Bower and why you only employ women. Have you created your own harem, or are they all simply your dearest friends?”
“All friends,” I told her, taking the plate she offered me as we reached the first of three tables piled high with different kinds of cooked meat. “I don’t suppose you have anything that didn’t use to breathe, do you?”
“You’re a vegan?” She sounded surprised.
“No. I still eat eggs, but no meat or fish. I used to, but I lost my appetite for it ages ago.”
“Well, we don’t have any vegetarians among us, but I like to make sure we have well-rounded meals, so—” She pointed to the table on our right. “—on the far side of that one is salad and seared vegetables. Also, the best fire-roasted artichokes you’ve ever had.”
“I’m gonna be over there,” I told her.
She chuckled, and it was a good sound. “I’ll meet you at the table in the center as soon as you’re done. Anything stronger than water?”
“I’m a big fan of good beer.”
“Oh, me too,” she rushed out. “I’ll bring you one of my favorites.”
“Sounds great,” I said, and left her.
Justin joined me as I was picking my vegetables from an amazing-looking assortment.
“My mother is scarfing down meat at the moment, so she can speak to you once you sit back down with her,” he murmured. “You’ve completely charmed her.”
I turned to look at him, grinning. “I’m a charming guy.”
“Yes, I’m aware. And a beautiful one as well.”
I’d never been great with compliments about myself.
Compliments on things I’d created or found, pieces of nature I’d brought home with me, as well as people I employed—like when customers stopped me on the way out and said how great one of my servers was—all that praise I happily accepted.
But when men, especially, noticed my looks, my eyes, my lips, or some other piece of my anatomy, I always got squirmy.
I suspected it stemmed from being alone for so long.
I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
“I don’t give compliments out often,” he replied softly. “But please, Merritt, tell me what kind of shifter you are exactly. Both my parents are dying to know.”
“They’re going to be disappointed when they—”
“Oh, excuse me a moment,” he said, turning to a woman who had walked over. “I’ll be right back.”
I returned to the important matter at hand, picking vegetables for my dinner.
“Hey.” The low voice came from behind me.
When I turned, the man I’d seen on the porch earlier, who’d easily commanded every drop of my interest, was there.
His smile made his dimples pop as he stared at me. “I’m Cole, Cole Swann, and my brother, Evan, was the one who didn’t pass out on your property earlier tonight.”
I just nodded because speaking wasn’t possible with all his attention on me.
I’d been mistaken earlier, thinking he wasn’t as beautiful as Justin.
Up close, he was breathtaking. With his smile and what it was doing to his eyes, heating them to a liquid gunmetal, the gold stubble on his face, and his smell, like a wood fire and the forest after the rain, it was hard not to reach out and touch him.
Here, finally, was the answer to what, or who, Justin had smelled like the first day I met him.
It was Cole’s scent he’d carried on his clothes.
Pine, spruce, tobacco, and musk. I wanted to roll in it, or better, have him roll all over me.
Because that was embarrassing, I turned back to the array of vegetables and stepped away from him to put more on my plate.
He took gentle hold of my wrist, stopping me, so I had to return my gaze to his.
“I’ve been meaning to come by your place, but I’ve been so busy setting up my construction business in Lewisburg, as well as getting Evan settled in school, that I just haven’t had a chance.”
I nodded again like a simpleton.
“From the outside, with the arch and all the cobblestone,” he said with a grin that lit up those eyes of his, “she’s a beauty.”
I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
“When’s the best time to come so it’s not crazy busy?” he asked, running his thumb over the underside of my wrist, taking a step closer.
Oh, I was a big fan of confidence, of men who didn’t hesitate, who you didn’t have to guess whether they were interested or not.
The way he was looking at me, the warmth of his gaze, how close he was, and his touch were doing wild things to my breathing, and I couldn’t quite get it to even out. My face felt hot as well.
It was insane. I was a living contradiction. Because I was older than the trees but could become utterly flustered by a gorgeous man giving me attention. Killing was easily done. The art of flirty banter was a whole other matter.
“I was thinking maybe I could come by and have a tofu burger or a bean burger, whatever it is,” he teased with a chuckle, “and talk to you while I eat.”
Really nice of him to keep the conversation going, since I didn’t seem to be able to get my voice to work at the moment.